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Finnish visitors highlight China's highly integrated, AI-driven e-commerce

Xinhua) 10:45, January 01, 2026

HELSINKI, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A group of Finnish e-commerce professionals who recently visited China said they were struck by the sophistication, speed and deep digital integration of China's e-commerce ecosystem, Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat reported on Wednesday.

The November trip was organized by Digital Commerce Finland (DCF) and Business Finland, according to the newspaper.

Mirva Sandstrom, digital commerce director at DCF, told Helsingin Sanomat that China's e-commerce differs from the traditional Finnish and European model of "searching for products and placing an order," as it is centered on social media and often integrates shopping, payment and delivery into a single platform-based experience, bringing significant efficiency gains.

The Finnish visitors were also impressed by the extensive use of artificial intelligence (AI) across China's e-commerce operations. Ville Simola, chief executive officer of DCF, said that during a visit to e-commerce giant Alibaba, the group was introduced to five or six different AI solutions.

"In many meetings, we expected that AI would come. But in China, it was completely taken for granted. Terms such as smart services and intelligent services were already used," Simola said.

The newspaper noted that AI is routinely applied in China in areas such as product recommendations, logistics and payments, and is treated as a standard capability rather than a novelty.

Speed is another defining feature of China's e-commerce, which impressed both Sandstrom and Simola. Rapid delivery services are widespread, with 30-minute delivery increasingly regarded as normal in some settings, supported by the deployment of robots and drones, the daily said.

Simola noted that China is the world's largest online retail market, adding that many Finnish companies are keen to enter China's vast market.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Wu Chaolan)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military said on Wednesday that five boats suspected of transporting drugs were destroyed in international waters in the eastern Pacific over two days, killing eight men aboard, while others jumped overboard, according to the U.S. Southern Command.

Under the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted "kinetic strikes" against three vessels operated by "Designated Terrorist Organizations" on Monday, and two vessels on Wednesday, the command said on its website.

Three people in the first vessel were killed in the first strike on Monday, the command said, adding, "The remaining narco-terrorists abandoned the other two vessels, jumping overboard and distancing themselves before follow-on engagements sank their respective vessels."

In another press release, the command said five people were killed during these actions on Wednesday, with three in the first vessel and two in the second.

As of Wednesday, the Pentagon has sunk 35 alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean since early September, killing at least 115 people aboard.

For months, the United States has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, much of it off Venezuela's coast, purportedly to combat drug trafficking -- a claim Venezuela has denounced as a thinly veiled attempt to bring about government change in Caracas. 
SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export hit a record yearly high last year thanks to strong demand for locally-made semiconductors and ships, government data showed Thursday.

Export, which accounts for about half of the export-driven economy, grew 3.8 percent to reach a new high of 709.69 billion U.S. dollars in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

The daily average export gained 4.6 percent to 2.64 billion dollars.

Import stood almost unchanged at 631.67 billion dollars last year, sending the trade surplus to 78.02 billion dollars.

Of the country's 15 major export items, six products saw a growth in outbound shipment.

Semiconductor export soared 22.2 percent over the year to hit a fresh high of 173.39 billion dollars in 2025.

The surging chip shipment was attributed to the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) that led to strong demand for high-capacity, high-value memory chips used in data centers.

Export for ships jumped 24.9 percent to 32.03 billion dollars, while automotive shipment added 1.7 percent to 71.98 billion dollars.

Mobile device shipment rose 0.4 percent to 17.26 billion dollars, but display panel export dived 9.4 percent to 16.98 billion dollars.

Computer export gained 4.5 percent to 13.75 billion dollars, but those for auto parts and general machinery dipped in single digits to 21.20 billion dollars and 46.91 billion dollars each.

Export for oil products and petrochemicals retreated 9.6 percent and 11.4 percent each to 45.48 billion dollars and 42.51 billion dollars on the back of global supply glut and cheaper crude oil.

Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, averaged 69.4 dollars per barrel in 2025, down from 79.6 dollars in 2024.

Export to the United States declined 3.8 percent over the year to 122.87 billion dollars in 2025 owing to the negative effect of the U.S. protectionist moves.

Shipment to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) swelled 7.4 percent to 122.49 billion dollars, while export to the European Union mounted 3.0 percent to 70.14 billion dollars.

Regarding import items, the import of three major energy sources, including crude oil, natural gas and coal, dipped 13.4 percent to 118.1 billion dollars last year.

Non-energy import expanded 3.7 percent to 513.5 billion dollars on robust demand for semiconductor equipment and general machinery. 
An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 1, 2026 shows people gathering on the Galata Bridge to show solidarity with Palestine in Istanbul, Turkiye. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

ISTANBUL, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- More than half a million people rallied in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul on New Year's Day to show solidarity with Gaza.

The demonstration was organized by the Humanity Alliance and the National Will Platform, a coalition of civil society groups, under the slogan "We will not retreat, we will not remain silent, we will not forget Palestine." Around 400 civil society organizations took part in the rally. According to police, the number of participants was estimated at about 520,000.

Bilal Erdogan, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Ilim Yayma Foundation, an educational and cultural foundation, told reporters that demonstrators welcomed the New Year with prayers for Palestine.

Participants initially gathered at several of the city's most historic mosques, including the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and the Sultanahmet Mosque, before marching through the streets and converging on the Galata Bridge spanning the Golden Horn.

A giant banner reading "Justice for Gaza" in both Turkish and English was displayed at the center of the bridge, alongside Turkish and Palestinian flags.

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 1, 2026 shows people gathering on the Galata Bridge to show solidarity with Palestine in Istanbul, Turkiye. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

Some demonstrators also joined the rally from the sea, arriving by boats on the Bosphorus, where they lit flares and waved Palestinian flags.

The event also featured performances by internationally known artists and musicians.

Despite a ceasefire taking effect on Oct. 10 after two years of war, Israel has continued attacks in Gaza, where health authorities say more than 400 Palestinians have been killed.
BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a congratulatory message to Guy Parmelin on his assuming presidency of the Swiss Confederation.

Xi recalled that during his state visit to Switzerland in 2017, the two countries announced the launch of a joint study on upgrading the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement, and that under President Parmelin's impetus, negotiations on the upgrade have made positive progress.

At present, Xi said, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and joint efforts by the two countries to support free trade is a vivid reflection of the high-level development of bilateral relations, injecting more certainty and stability into global development and prosperity.

Xi pointed out that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership and also the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, presenting broad opportunities for innovative cooperation between the two countries.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Switzerland relations, and stands ready to work with President Parmelin to continuously expand mutually beneficial cooperation and elevate bilateral relations to new heights for the benefit of the two peoples. 
THE HAGUE, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- The iconic Vondelkerk church in the Dutch capital Amsterdam was almost destroyed by a fire early Thursday morning, the Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported.

The flames broke out shortly before 1:00 a.m. local time (00:00 GMT) in the church tower located in Vondelpark, said the report.

No injuries were reported, it said, adding that dozens of nearby homes were evacuated as winds hurled burning debris into surrounding streets, with evacuated residents temporarily sheltered in a nearby yoga studio.

Firefighters and emergency crews worked through the night to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading to adjacent residential buildings.

Investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

Built in 1872, the Vondelkerk served as a Roman Catholic church until 1977 and has since been used as a venue for events and small businesses. 
GENEVA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Several people were killed and others injured in an explosion that rocked the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana, police confirmed on Thursday. 
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BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to the Science and Technology Daily on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its founding.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extended congratulations to the newspaper's staff.

In the letter, he pointed out that over the past 40 years, the Science and Technology Daily has, focusing on the central tasks of the Party and the country, played an active role in promoting the Party's innovative theories, interpreting sci-tech policies, reporting on sci-tech achievements, and popularizing scientific knowledge.

Xi emphasized that, from a new starting point, efforts should be made to tell well China's sci-tech innovation stories, reflect the voices of sci-tech workers, and gather more wisdom and strength to achieve high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength, and to build a strong country in science and technology.

Founded on Jan. 1, 1986, the Science and Technology Daily has evolved into a comprehensive media organization with platforms such as newspaper, journal, website and mobile application. 
Housatonic Valley Association Awards Local Environmental Heroes

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  At the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) Annual Meeting and Holiday Party on Dec. 12, 2025, the nonprofit organization presented the Louis and Elaine Hecht Follow the Forest Award to Kathy Orlando of the Sheffield Land Trust and Grant Bogle of Tom's Hill and Miles Mountain at The Silo in New Milford, Conn.

The award celebrates the legacy of longtime conservation leaders, HVA board member Lou Hecht and his wife Elaine. It recognizes individuals who embrace and advance a collaborative vision of protected, connected wildlife habitat in the spirit of HVA's model, which brings together diverse partners to accomplish a shared goal.

A collaborative of more than 50 organizations, the Follow the Forest initiative works to protect a connected woodland corridor across the Housatonic Valley, through eastern New York and north through Vermont to Canada.

"Although HVA is defined by a watershed, we are not limited by it," said Tim Abbott, HVA's executive director. "We are also interested in all the organizations we work with who care deeply about helping achieve great, lasting conservation."

The 2025 awards presentation focused on the recent successes of the Cooper Hill Conservation Alliancea partnership of eight conservation organizations (including HVA), a realtor and a local farming family working to conserve more than 1,200 acres in Ashley Falls, MA, and Salisbury, Conn.

"This is a once-in-a-generation environmental success," said Julia Rogers, HVA's conservation director, "and it wouldn't be possible without Kathy Orlando, executive director of the Sheffield Land Trust."

Orlando and her team at the Sheffield Land Trust were instrumental in the formation of the alliance and the success of the conservation project. They recognized there was an opportunity to make protection of the farmland in Massachusetts more impactful if it included two large parcels in Connecticut.

"This is about all the volunteers and the committees of those eight organizations," said Orlando. "There is no way that I could have done what I did without these partners. It is really everybody's time, energy and effort, and their networking, that makes all of this possible."

Bogle and the two groups of private donors who came together to secure 560 acres of vulnerable and significant properties in Salisbury, Conn. were also awarded the Louis and Elaine Hecht Follow the Forest Award. This effort was indispensable to the success of the Cooper Hill Conservation Alliance project. While the Salisbury Association Land Trust secured state, federal and additional private funding, Bogle helped gather private pledges and negotiate the purchase of these critical lands. Tom's Hill, nearly 300 acres overlooking East Twin Lake, has now passed into conservation ownership, and Miles Mountain is scheduled for permanent protection in 2026.

Bogle said that this conservation effort has been transformative for the community.

"I think it is tremendous for the watershed," he said. "There's a lot more that we are thinking about and able to do now, and it wouldn't have happened without the Sheffield Land Trust and HVA."

Also honored with HVA's Charles Downing Lay Environmental Leadership Award was Rebecca Nearyan HVA board member and president of the Warren Land Trust.

"Named for HVA's founder, the Charles Downing Lay Award recognizes someone who is singularly impactful for the conservation of our special region," said Abbott. "It's a lifetime achievement superhero award, and Rebecca Neary, indomitable champion of community-based and strategic land conservation, embodies that spirit and depth of impact."

"HVA has been instrumental in getting all of us to think more collaboratively with one another because we are in service of the same mission," says Neary. "That is HVA's overarching vision, and what it works diligently with its incredible team to achieve. So, it's my great honor to be a part of that organization and to serve this incredible cause," she said.
Hot Plate in Pittsfield can now can now serve all alcoholic beverages.

Licensing Board OKs Pittsfield Businesses Alterations

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Licensing Board OK'd alterations for several local businesses during its last meeting of the year on Monday.



This includes an amendment to the Berkshire Museum's entertainment license in advance of its reopening after capital improvements, a change of license category for Hot Plate Brewing Co., and a change of catering company for Berkshire Hills Country Club.



It's been a good year for Hot Plate, as they were nominated No. 3 in USA Today's list of "Best New Brewery," and can now serve all alcoholic beverages. Because of a new state law, businesses can trade an existing beer and wine license for an all-alcohol license.



"The state saw this as an opportunity to enhance businesses all across the commonwealth of Massachusetts," Chair Thomas Campoli explained.



The Berkshire Museum was granted an entertainment license that runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. as it works on a $12 million renovation of its 1903 structure.



Executive Director Kimberley Bush Tomio explained that there are no proposed changes in entertainment from the former license, and board members suggested moving the license's hours later than 5 p.m. in case of an event at the museum.



"It's going to be phenomenal when we get open," she said. "And we do hope to help support the museum through rentals and things like that, so it's helpful to have this license in place."
QUITO, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has declared a new 60-day "state of emergency" in nine provinces and three municipalities as an increase in criminal violence has caused serious internal commotion, local media said on Thursday.

The decree, signed on Wednesday by the president, has been in force since Thursday in the provinces of Guayas, Manabi, Santa Elena, Los Rios, El Oro and Esmeraldas in the coastal region, in the central-northern provinces of Pichincha and Santo Domingo, as well as in Sucumbios province in the Amazon region.

The measure is also applied in the municipality of La Mana in the central province of Cotopaxi, along with the municipalities of Las Naves and Echeandia in the Andean province of Bolivar.

The president said the 60-day validity of the decree aims to contain and reduce high-intensity violence, neutralize ongoing or imminent threats, and dismantle criminal structures.

Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 23 last year, 1,232 victims of intentional homicide were registered in Ecuador in the provinces of Guayas, Los Rios, Manabi, El Oro, Pichincha, Esmeraldas, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo and Sucumbios, according to reports from the National Police. 
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Independent readers reacting to figures showing millions of minor ailments clogging A&E said the crisis isnt down to patients  its a system pushed to breaking point.

Many argued that impossible waits for GP appointments  sometimes stretching weeks  leave people no choice but to turn up at A&E, often for conditions that could have been treated much earlier.

Several shared alarming experiences of being ignored or sent home despite serious symptoms, raising questions about triage and the blurred line between urgent and non-urgent cases.

Some offered solutions ranging from triage nurses and priority coding to financial deterrents for non-emergency visits, aiming to steer minor cases back to GPs, pharmacies, or NHS 111.

Debate over accountability and incentives was fierce. Some blamed GP practices for failing to provide timely appointments, suggesting they be charged when patients end up in A&E, while others focused on personal responsibility and the need to use services wisely.

Overall, our community painted a picture of a stretched NHS where underinvestment in primary care, social support, and out-of-hours services is driving a tidal wave of avoidable A&E visits  leaving staff struggling to focus on genuine emergencies.

Heres what you had to say:

A disgrace

I had a fall backwards in the summer and thought I had broken my shoulder blade.

I already had a spinal fracture from January  and it took the GP two months to order an X-ray, which revealed the fracture. I had woken up unable to move and it took me an hour to find a way to get out of bed  the GP had said this was nothing.

In the summer the GP told me to go to A&E, which I did. I waited 6.5 hours and then went home without being seen, let alone X-rayed. My blood pressure was over 200 and, at age 76, I thought I would have a heart attack if I waited any longer. Other people of a similar age were all seen in a couple of hours with the same condition  broken arm, broken shoulder.

The staff seemed to me to be fooling around and could easily have seen me if they had wanted to. The X-ray unit was idle, with plenty of staff doing nothing. A lot of people had come to A&E with serious symptoms similar to mine. One girl aged about 25 was sent home on the basis that her knee could not be broken because she could walk on it. She hopped out on the other knee. The whole unit was, in my opinion, a disgrace.

Kitty

Ring 111

These people with symptoms of a cold could ring their out-of-hours GP service or use the NHS 111 phone advice system.

Making it compulsory to do so before going to A&E makes sense for the majority of cases.

avidmidlandsreader

The Dutch system

In the Netherlands, during office hours, you first call your GP. If you call the hospital or the emergency services, they will refer you to your GP first. At your GP youll first speak to a nurse or assistant who will do triage. Only patients with cases serious enough will get to the GP and/or hospital.

Out of hours we have the Doktersdienst (doctors service), a co-operation of all GPs in a geographic area who do a joint roster for 24/7 availability. They have a nurse or assistant doing triage and a car with a chauffeur to do house visits if necessary. That way no sore throat makes it to A&E and there are no ambulances queueing.

But hey, you know that nobody does healthcare as well as the NHS, so we should envy you your queues, because queueing is the national pastime in England.

RebootedyetagainHans2

GP access is too slow

Those people would see their GP if they could, but appointments in three weeks time, if they can get one, dont help, so A&E it is.

There are two big issues in the NHS. The first is disastrous social care: too many people have to stay in hospital because there isnt any available care at home or in a care home, hence blocking beds in hospitals. The second is the lack of GP appointments in time, so people just go to A&E instead (if you are ill you want help now) and overload capacity.

Looks to me that Labour still hasnt solved this problem after 18 months in power.

Rasputin007

GPs should be charged

Living in Norfolk, the four-week wait for a GP appointment seems to be the target, not the limit, to see them.

If Im ill, I will have to go to the hospital to see a doctor. GPs should be charged for the patients that visit the hospital, if they can provide proof that they tried to see the GP.

Nicko

Petty empires

The underlying problem is the practice managers at the GP. They have built themselves petty empires doing process that mainly involves making it difficult to see a doctor.

The solution would be to allow A&E to charge the GP practice for every visit that should be dealt with by the GP.

TomHawk

Non-emergencies should be turned away

Turn them away at the door. People are triaged, so why not say this is A&E for accidents and emergencies and your problem is neither  go to the chemist and buy something.

I would have no problem if this was said to me or anyone else. It is ridiculous that any time is taken up by people with a blocked nose, headache or constipation.

Take some responsibility  sort yourselves out, people.

slapand

Financial penalties

Any non-emergency visits to A&E should be chargeable at a level high enough to discourage misuse. A clear financial deterrent would push most people to use GPs, pharmacies or NHS 111 instead, and help keep A&E available for genuine emergencies.

BeamMeUpScotty

Serious conditions are being dismissed

Ive recently been to A&E and was fobbed off and sent away despite my blood pressure being dangerously high at the time and having the symptoms of intracranial hypertension.

There have been many instances over the years of people getting turned away from A&E despite having life-threatening conditions. Too many doctors are dismissive of what patients say and dont properly record symptoms. Severe headaches could be caused by any number of life-threatening conditions; constipation could be bowel impaction and result in ischaemia, etc, etc, etc. Many A&Es are now a combination of A&E and urgent care centre, and people are directed there by 111 as they cant get a GP appointment.

CScarlett

A&E becomes the only option

There are many cases where headaches have been ignored until they become severe and turn out to be brain tumours. And the GPs advice is you should have come to us earlier. Now, given that you can wait weeks for a GP appointment, the only way to be seen earlier is via A&E.

Donalds Troosers

Charging could curb irresponsible use

Free at the point of delivery will inevitably mean irresponsible use and wasted resources, cf free bicycles in Amsterdam, which all ended up in the canals. This is yet more money taken away from real needs and real priorities. The obvious solution is a small payment (say 40) for GP and A&E visits (doubled for no-shows), reimbursable for a small group of the most needy (eg over-85s, under-8s).

Bruxellois

Bound to get worse

Most hospitals have a Minor Injuries department open from 8am to 10pm, and patients are triaged when they come to hospital. Moreover, the Emergency Department has two tiers: urgent and non-urgent. So, nobody goes as an urgent case to the ED with a blocked nose. However, since the out-of-hours medical coverage is wanting and GPs insist on working office hours and refuse to cover emergencies, this situation is bound to get worse.

Pomerol95

Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.

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A project to save the lives of mothers during childbirth in two crisis-hit countries, which was axed in Donald Trumps drastic foreign aid cuts, is getting off the ground after former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern stepped in to rescue it.

Postpartum haemorrhage, excessive bleeding after giving birth, is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality around the world. The saved programme will see a team of leading maternal health experts test an approach including using a plastic blood-collection device known as a drape to measure how much someone is bleeding and identify more swiftly if they are losing dangerous amounts. The aim is to reach women in some of the most dangerous places to give birth  and test whether the approach works as well in conflict zones as in more stable countries.

Previously set to run in seven countries with a budget of $10m (7.5m), the Safer Births in Crisis project, spearheaded by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), is now launching in South Sudan and Burkina Faso on a budget of $4m (3m).

South Sudan, one of the newest countries globally, has suffered many years of protracted conflict and also impact of climate change, said Kadra Noor Abdullahi, the IRCs maternal and child health coordinator for the country. This has weakened the governments ability to fund its health system, she said, while swathes of clinics have been damaged by bombs and flooding. Only half of the population has access to a health facility.

For women and girls in particular, Abdullahi said, this lack of hospitals and supplies meant a high number of women who deliver at home, with 80 per cent of women giving birth without a midwife or doctor in attendance.

More than half of the countrys health funding came from the US. When Trump turned off the tap to all aid funding overnight in January 2025, South Sudan was among the hardest hit. The number of antenatal visits fell and cases of postpartum haemorrhage rose. Elaine Scudder, a maternal and newborn health advisor for the IRC, was herself furloughed while watching anxiously to see what would happen to the women they were already caring for, and those they were set to help.

open image in gallery South Sudans health system relies heavily on aid ( Unicef )

Meanwhile, in hard-to-reach regions of Burkina Faso, almost 30,000 pregnant women lost out on prenatal care, according to the IRC.

When Ms Ardern stepped in, through the Matariki Fund for Women, and rescued at least part of the programme, it was a moment of believing that there was going to be light at the end of the tunnel, Ms Scudder said.

The IRC team then had to prioritise where the funds would be used. Not only was there less money, but with basic maternity care having been hollowed out by the USs sudden withdrawal of funding, they felt they had to do more with it in the reduced number of countries.

After the foreign aid cuts, it became quite clear that we couldnt solely focus in this vacuum of preventing excessive bleeding, Ms Scudder said. She added that we now feel responsible for delivering all of that care for mothers and newborns.

open image in gallery A mother with her newborn baby in Juba Teaching Hospital, South Sudan ( AFP/Getty )

The World Health Organization recommends the use of blood collection drapes. Women experiencing haemorrhaging should then be given a bundle of different drugs and treatments at the same time to maximise their chances of survival. A 2023 study found that, together, this reduced severe bleeding, surgeries and deaths by 60 per cent.

Testing in countries facing conflict will allow for monitoring of potential issues. For example, clinics used to supply shortages might be tempted to reuse blood collection drapes and risk spreading infection.

The coalition undertaking the project  which also includes the International Medical Corps, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and womens health non-profit Jhpiego  will also test giving the drug misoprostol to women to take home in case they cannot make it to a hospital to give birth.

As well as being highly effective at preventing deadly bleeding when given in the final stage of labour, misoprostol is perhaps better known as an abortion pill, which can make its use controversial in nations with more conservative policies around reproductive rights.

open image in gallery Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern provided seed funding for the project through the Matariki Fund ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Safer Births in Crisis project has already started assessing how many drapes and doses of drugs it will need and will start to reach women in the new year.

The involvement of Ms Ardern, who is so passionate about the topic, so willing to invest everything she can into it, was a breath of fresh air, Ms Scudder said.

But its virtually impossible for any one donor to reverse the impact of the cuts by the US.

To talk to you about how game-changing this $4m investment is when it would not remotely have been game-changing a year and a half ago; to talk to you about how exciting this project is to have it be in seven facilities in Burkina Faso when it was supposed to be in seven countries, Ms Scudder said.

Its been incredibly hard to realign all your expectations and your truths and everything you knew to be possible a year ago.

This article has been produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project
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An intruder broke into Kensington Palace twice in the days leading up to Christmas, police have confirmed.

The Metropolitan Police said a 39-year-old man had been charged after the two incidents, which occurred at the royal palace within days.

Derek Egan was arrested on both Sunday, 21 December and Tuesday, 23 December, on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site in Palace Green, Kensington.

He has now been charged with trespassing on a protected site and breaching bail conditions, and was remanded in custody. He appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 24 December.

It is a criminal offence to trespass on a protected site designated under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) 2005.

open image in gallery Derek Egan was arrested on both Sunday, 21 December and Tuesday, 23 December on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site in Palace Green, Kensington ( AFP via Getty Images )

Kensington Palace is home to a number of members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The couple use Apartment 1A as their London residence in the palace, but reportedly were not there at the time of the incidents.

It is believed they were staying in their 10-bedroom private country mansion, Anmer Hall, on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk instead.

open image in gallery Kensington Palace is home to a number of members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales. ( PA Wire )

In November 2025, the family moved into their forever home Forest Lodge, with their children, George, Charlotte and Louis.

William and Kate vacated Adelaide Cottage in Windsors Home Park and set up residence in the Grade II-listed eight-bedroom mansion in Windsor Great Park.
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Sir Keir Starmer has pledged that his government will stay the course in 2026 following renewed speculation about his future as Labour leader.

In his new year message, the prime minister acknowledged life is still harder than it should be for many in the UK, acknowledging that the cost of living crisis makes it harder to eat out, take a holiday or make family moments special.

But he insisted that his government would defeat the decline and division offered by others, forecasting that the UK will turn a corner next year and that people will begin to feel a sense of hope in the coming months despite a slew of negative economic headlines in recent months.

His message comes as his own position comes increasingly under threat, with the economy faltering and Labour trailing Nigel Farages Reform UK in the polls.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer is under pressure with the economy faltering and Labour trailing Nigel Farages Reform UK in the polls ( PA Wire )

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, was also recently forced to deny that he is plotting to return to Westminster to oust Sir Keir as Labour leader.

The home secretary Shabana Mahmood, meanwhile, did not reject a suggestion that she would like the top job just days after a high-profile event with Sir Tony Blair, widely seen as an endorsement of her as the next leader.

In his address to the country, the PM acknowledged that renewal is not an overnight job, as he said the challenges his government faces were decades in the making.

But he insisted: In 2026, the choices weve made will mean more people will begin to feel positive change in your bills, your communities and your health service.

But even more people will feel once again a sense of hope, a belief that things can and will get better, feel that the promise of renewal can become a reality, and my government will make it that reality.

This would include more police on the streets by March, followed by falling energy bills and a number of new NHS health hubs by April. And with that change, decline will be reversed, he added.

He said that he shared the frustration about the pace of change but that putting our country back on a stable footing will become our strength.

We are getting Britain back on track. By staying the course, we will defeat the decline and division offered by others, he added. When Britain turns the corner with our future now in our control, the real Britain will shine through more strongly.

open image in gallery Nigel Farage said his party would go about fundamentally changing the whole system of government in Britain if it won the next general election ( PA )

In her new year message Tory leader Kemi Badenoch condemned the politics of grievance, which she said was telling voters we're destined to stay the same.

Things can change, but you also need to vote for the change you want to see in 2026, she said. I'm not giving up on our country. And I hope you wont either.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said his party would go into the new year looking for election wins to stop Trumps America becoming Farages Britain.

In his own new years pitch to voters, Mr Farage said his party would go about fundamentally changing the whole system of government in Britain if it won the next general election.

Reform took a seat from Labour in the Commons, winning Runcorn and Helsby in a by-election by a majority of six in May this year amid opinion poll momentum for the insurgent party. But an October by-election in Caerphilly saw Plaid Cymru beat Reform to a seat in the Senedd, by a majority of 3,848.
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The mayor of London has branded Donald Trump a bully for his long-running campaign against him just weeks after the US President called him horrible, vicious, disgusting.

Sir Sadiq Khan also accused Mr Trump of hurling bile at the UK, after he claimed the Muslim politician was successful because there were so many immigrants in the city.

Sir Sadiq, who also claimed President Trump was obsessed with him, said that he learned when he was nine years old that the best way to deal with a bully, whether its in the playground or in the White House, is to stand up to them. You dont get more respect from a bully by cowering.

open image in gallery Sir Sadiq Khan hit back at Donald Trumps comments about him (PA) ( PA Archive )

And when somebody attacks my city, our citizens, our values, our way of life  when somebody makes certain generalisations about the followers of one faith  I think its incumbent to stand up to them, he said in an interview with Politico.

He also joked that he thought Mr Trump would switch his focus to Zohran Mamdani when he was elected mayor of New York.

In the run-up to the vote, Mr Trump branded him a communist while Mr Mamdani suggested the president was a fascist.

Yet in an extraordinary meeting in the Oval Office, the two men appeared to laugh off the insults and develop a form of rapport.

open image in gallery Sir Sadiq joked that he thought Mr Trump would switch his focus to Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York. ( AP )

Sir Sadiq joked: When you look at the animus, hatred and bile coming from President Trump towards me. I sort of assumed when Zohran was elected, President Trump would be two-timing me and spending time targeting Zohran.

But he suggested that their first meeting was a form of tactical diplomacy rather than a genuine meeting of minds.

When it came to Trumps criticism of immigration in the UK, he described his comments as bile not just towards me, but.. sweeping generalisations about the country in terms of the immigration policy and how elections are fought and won.

He added: I genuinely think hes obsessed. And there have been many periods where hes said horrible things and Ive not responded because Im just too busy to get involved in tittle-tattle, and this pathetic name-calling.

Last month, Mr Trumpreignited his long-running feud with Sir Sadiq, saying of the citys first Muslim mayor, whose parents came from Pakistan: He gets elected because so many people have come in [to the UK]. They vote for him now.

He also called him a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor and said he has done a terrible job.

With Labour on course to suffer heavy losses in elections in Wales, Scotland and English councils in May, Sir Sadiq suggested his party could learn from his success in London, saying: Im quite happy to lead, and they follow.

But he insisted he did not want to become Labour leader, amid increasing speculation over Keir Starmers future. No, no, no, no. Ive no intentions, no plans, nor would I want to be the leader of the Labour Party or indeed the prime minister, he said.
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One of the lawyers representing Elon Musk in his legal battle against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also works as a clown, according to a report.

Jaymie Parkkinen, a lawyer with Toberoff & Associates, has been on the front lines of Musk and Altmans ongoing legal dispute over the origins of OpenAI.

However, in his free time, Parkkinen not only performs as a clown, but operates his own Clown Cardio business in Los Angeles, Business Insider reported.

All my comedy friends  none of them can believe Im a lawyer, Parkkinen told the outlet. And none of my lawyer friends can believe I do clown.

Musk co-founded OpenAI with Altman in 2015, but later left over divisions on how to run the business and secure funding. A year after the company launched ChatGPT, Musk accused OpenAI and Microsoft of monopolizing the generative AI market and straying from the companys initial intentions.

open image in gallery A lawyer working for Elon Musk in his legal battle against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also has a job as a clown, according to a report ( AFP/Getty )

In a lawsuit, Musk claims that OpenAI, under Altmans leadership, is betraying their founding goals of benefitting humanity  rather than pursuing profits.

Meanwhile, Altman counters that Musk abandoned OpenAI after being involved in its early stages and that he accused Musk of harassment.

Throughout the contentious legal dispute, Parkkinen has fought diligently in discovery disputes for Musks case, according to the report.

Parkkinen, whose clown performances dont involve any of the Ronald McDonald birthday party kind of stuff, he told the outlet, uses the word clown the way people might say improv or comedy.

Clown forgoes bright red noses or colorful wigs, though all of the performances are improvised.

When you strip away all the social masks that we all wear, if you strip away gender and politics and money and status and power, and youre just your raw human self without all the trappings of society  who are you? Parkkinen said. And the clown tries to answer that question.

However, Parkkinen says clown activities have taken a back seat due to the intense litigation schedule in the Musk case.

open image in gallery In a lawsuit, Musk claims that OpenAI, under Altmans leadership, is betraying their founding goals of benefitting humanity  rather than pursuing profits. ( Getty Images )

The lawyer founded a Clown Cardio business after realizing that the physical comedy required of clowns can make for a good workout.

The business especially took off after The New York Times wrote about the program in 2024, and Parkkinen now says there have been requests for franchises to open all the way across Europe.

Parkkinen, who some may know as the lawyer who wrote that Musk does not use a computer, declined to discuss details of the case with Business Insider. Parkkinen did not respond to The Independents inquiry by the time of publishing.

However, Parkkinen says the performance aspect of being a clown has helped him in the legal world since litigation is also a performance.

At the end of the day, its just about connecting with people, and so is being a lawyer, he said. Youre connecting with a judge, a jury, opposing counsel.

Parkkinen said he feels other corporate lawyers could benefit from partaking in clown activities.

Lawyers are often very conservative and kind of miss out on this huge gift thats right at their fingertips, he said. Just take an improv class.
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A man seeking asylum in the U.S. claims he was denied over $1,000 of winnings at a Chicago casino because of his immigration status.

The man, who asked to remain anonymous, told CBS that he had won the jackpot on a slot machine at Ballys temporary casino in the River North area of the city, the payout for which usually takes just minutes.

"I've been a regular since they opened, and I've won 11 jackpots, I believe, in the past and never had any problems," he said.

The mans lucky play occurred over a week ago on December 20, he has yet to receive his money, and said no explanation has been provided.

He said that he presented the casino with his ID, which is a limited-term REAL ID that is issued to immigrants in his situation. In Illinois, such identification can be obtained by those seeking asylum with proper documentation.

The IDs are valid for the duration of the individuals authorized stay in the U.S.

A man seeking asylum in the U.S. claims he was denied over $1,000 of winnings at a Chicago casino because of his immigration status ( Getty Images )

"This time, however, they decided to not pay off, because of my limited-term ID, and I've always had that kind of ID," the man told CBS, adding that he stood to collect $1,250. "It would mean a lot  especially now for the holidays," he said.

Since then the man has continued to argue with Ballys over his winnings.

"Knowing that our state and our city is, like, protecting all these immigrants and stuff, and then they're just like ... it felt discriminatory, that's all," he added.

The Independent has reached out to Ballys casino for comment.

It comes after the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Monday against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker over new state laws aimed at protecting immigrants at courthouses, hospitals and day cares.

Pritzker signed a set of laws earlier this month that bans civil arrests at and around courthouses statewide and require hospitals, day care centers and public universities to have procedures for handling civil immigration operations and protecting personal information.

The laws, which took effect immediately, also provide legal steps for people whose constitutional rights were violated during the federal enforcement action in the Chicago area, including $10,000 in damages for someone unlawfully arrested while attempting to attend a court proceeding.
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Andy Cohen lashed out at outgoing New York City mayor Eric Adams on New Years Eve, calling the Democrats four-year tenure chaotic and horrible and advising him to go off in the sunset.

Cohen was appearing live on CNN from Times Square to watch 2025 draw to a close alongside anchor Anderson Cooper and actor BJ Novak, as Adams, 65, served as master of ceremonies.

Looking ahead to the mayor stepping aside and his successor, Zohran Mamdani, being sworn in at midnight, Cohen turned to the camera and ranted: Id like to say, watching the final moments of Mayor Adams chaotic, horrible

I just want to say, I mean hes got his pardons, hes pardoned. Great, you got your pardons, go off in the sunset. Well, well fiddle with what we have, with what you left us with.

open image in gallery Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper attend the Times Square New Year's Eve 2026 Celebration on December 31, 2025 in New York City ( Getty )

The presenter appeared to be alluding to a federal judge's April move to dismiss federal corruption charges against the former NYPD police captain, which bears no relation to a presidential pardon.

Cooper and Novak appeared unnerved by Cohens comments and attempted to steer him away from the subject, with Novak attempting to smooth things over by joking: He cant help himself.

Undeterred, Cohen continued to address Adams: You pardoned your way through four years, and all the clubs, well see you there I just want to say, goodbye Mayor Adams, you did it, you did it, you did it, didnt you?

The host did find one positive thing to say about the outgoing mayor, however, finding time to congratulate him on the founding of a new Office of Rodent Mitigation to control the Big Apples rat population.

I will say this, Cohen sneered. I think he may have dented the rat population. I think he got rid of some of the rats, but isnt that a metaphor of sorts?

Lets call it as it is, honestly. It is 2026 and there are less rats.

open image in gallery Outgoing New York City mayor Eric Adams presides over the Times Square New Years Eve 2026 Celebration in New York City ( Getty )

According to The New York Post, the network has previously had to issue an on-air drinking ban due to over-exuberance by some of its New Years hosts.

The Post adds that Cohen has form when it comes to outbursts against mayors, fuming similarly about Bill de Blasio when he left office in 2022.

Cohen told the departing De Blasio to do his victory lap dance after four years as the crappiest term of the mayor of New York.

Cohen concluded by declaring, The only thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on is what a horrible mayor he has been. So, sayonara sucker!

Mamdani, 34, was duly sworn in as NYC mayor on the steps of an abandoned subway station beneath City Hall in the early hours, with New York Attorney General Letitia James administering the oath of office and his wife, Rama Duwaji, holding up his grandfathers copy of the Quran for him to swear on.

The democratic socialist becomes the first Muslim, South Asian, and African-born person to lead the city, which he called truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime.

He will be sworn in publicly in a second ceremony on New Years Day on the steps of City Hall itself alongside progressive allies Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, with a block party to follow.
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The House Judiciary has released a transcript and video of former special counsel Jack Smiths testimony about his unprecedented criminal investigation against Donald Trump for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.

The December 17 testimony captured Smith defending his work from allegations of partisanship, sharing insights about how Trump reacted to the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, and alleging that Trump wants retribution against him.

Here are the key moments you need to know about.

We would have secured convictions

During the testimony, Smith offered a confident assessment of the integrity of his work and his teams chances of securing a conviction, had they been allowed to go to trial.

open image in gallery Jack Smith used his December testimony in the House to push back on allegations he was driven by partisanship in his investigations into Donald Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 election results ( Getty )

The former special counsel, who resigned shortly before Trump took office, told lawmakers that the Republican was by a large measure the person most responsible for the alleged conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results and the January 6 Capitol riot that marked its stunning conclusion.

These crimes were committed for his benefit, Smith said. The attack that happened at the Capitol, part of this case, does not happen without him. The other co-conspirators were doing this for his benefit.

Smith also pushed back against allegations his work was politically motivated, saying he never communicated with President Joe Biden or the White House about his cases and wouldve pursued the same investigations against a Democrat.

The timing and speed of our work reflects the strength of the evidence and our confidence that we would have secured convictions at trial, Smith said. If asked whether to prosecute a former President based on the same facts today, I would do so regardless of whether that president was a Republican or a Democrat.

Trump was preying on allies and put VPs life at risk

open image in gallery Smith testified that Trumps tweets on January 6 attacking his then-Vice President Mike Pence without question put the senior official in harms way ( AFP via Getty Images )

The testimony also highlighted the complicated role Republicans played in the final moments of the 2020 campaign.

Smith said much of his offices conspiracy case rested on evidence from GOP allies, who included senior lawmakers serving in legislatures such as Michigan and Arizona, people who saw firsthand how the Republican was allegedly preying on the party allegiance of people who supported him.

Our case was built on, frankly, Republicans who put their allegiance to the country before the party, Smith said.

That same loyalty didnt extend back from Trump to his top allies, Smith continued.

The former special counsel alleged that a January 6 tweet from the president attacking Vice President Mike Pence during the Capitol riot over his decision not to stymie the election results without question exacerbated the threat on Pences life. During the riot, MAGA supporters could be heard chanting, Hang Mike Pence! and came within feet of reaching the barricaded senior official.

A president hungry for retribution

open image in gallery Smith said he believes he will face retaliation for his work on the cases, after the Trump administration fired DOJ officials tied to the investigations ( AP )

The DOJ may have dropped its Trump cases after the president won reelection, but this may not be the end of the special counsel affair, Smith warned.

The prosecutor told lawmakers he had no doubt Trump wants revenge.

So I am eyes wide open that this president will seek retribution against me if he can, Smith said. I know that.

Some of that retribution appears to have already taken place. In January, the Trump administration quickly fired over a dozen DOJ officials who worked on investigations into Trump. The president also threatened law firms tied to Trump investigations and prominent Democrats, including Covington & Burling, which employs lawyers who previously represented Smith.

The Trump administration has also launched actions, so far unsuccessful, against other law enforcement figures involved in investigating or prosecuting Trump, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, following a direct call from President Trump for such cases.

open image in gallery Smith resigned and dropped his cases shortly before Trump resumed office ( Getty Images )

Smith added that it will be catastrophic for democracy if more people are able to meddle in the election without facing legal consequences.

More clarity on controversial phone records

Smith also used his testimony to push back on what he said were false and misleading GOP claims that he wrongfully tapped their phone records.

The former special counsel said that his investigation lawfully obtained toll records, which captured phone numbers and durations of calls but not their content, because the White House was contacting lawmakers throughout January 6 to further its alleged election conspiracy.

Well, I think who should be accountable for this is Donald Trump. These records are people, in the case of the senators, Donald Trump directed his co-conspirators to call these people to further delay the proceedings. He chose to do that, Smith said. If Donald Trump had chosen to call a number of Democratic senators, we would have gotten toll records for Democratic senators.

A president who wont stop violence or accept election reality

Smiths testimony painted a picture of Trump as willfully blind to reality, ignoring the law around elections and refusing to stop the violence of January 6.

open image in gallery Trump misled allies, ignored facts, and stood idly by during January 6 violence, Smith testified ( AP )

And there was a pattern in our case where any time any information came in that would mean he could no longer be president he would reject it, Smith said. And any theory, no matter how far-fetched, no matter how not based in law, that would indicate that he could, he latched on to.

This same obstinance continued through January 6, Smith said.

Now, once they were at the Capitol and once the attack on the Capitol happened, he refused to stop it, Smith testified.

And when the violence was going on, he had to be pushed repeatedly by his staff members to do anything to quell it.

The president is yet to publicly respond to Smiths testimony.
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The architects of President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown were seen dancing to Ice Ice Baby at the presidents New Years Eve party at Mar-a-Lago  triggering a wave of criticism online.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem were captured on video singing along as Vanilla Ice performed the hit 1990 tune to a crowd of party goers.

In the video, Miller can be seen impassively mouthing the lyrics before the camera pans to Noem, who loudly chants Ice Ice Baby while pointing her arm in the air.

Millers wife, podcast host Katie Miller, posted the 11-second clip on X, prompting a flurry of reactions. Many saw the not-so-subtle nod to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as tone-deaf, cruel and cringeworthy.

This is what I imagine hell is like, wrote one user, while another branded it, cringe.

open image in gallery 'Peak cringe,' one user wrote ( Katie Miller )

Ive been on the internet since the very beginning and Ive never seen anything more embarrassing than this, a third user chimed in.

Pretty embarrassing, added another. In a different age, no one would see this. Powerful government officials (and their tipsy wives) were largely hidden from the public. Watching this video and you realize the people in charge, like Kristi Noem, are fundamentally unserious.

Keep partying while Americans struggle, wrote another user.

Not all responses were negative, though.

For all you liberals out there with a confused look on your face, this is called having fun, a user wrote on X. Try it sometime.

open image in gallery 'Not a serious administration,' another user wrote ( Katie Miller )

The end-of-year party, hosted at the presidents extravagant Palm Beach club, featured a number of other prominent figures in MAGA world, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

Trumps three sons, First Lady Melania Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were also pictured at the glitzy black-tie event.

The celebration included a charity auction, during which Christian artist Vanessa Horabuena speedily painted a portrait of Jesus, which then sold at auction for $2.75 million.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the party alongside Barron Trump, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others ( Getty Images )

Trump, speaking from the cavernous ballroom, said the proceeds would go to St. Judes Hospital and the local sheriffs office.

The president also welcomed party-goers in a wide-ranging speech, during which he skewered Minnesota Democrats over newly surfaced allegations of fraud and bragged about his sweeping tariffs. He added that his resolution for 2026 was to achieve world peace.

The party has been a long-time tradition for Trump, who has rang in the new year at Mar-a-Lago for more than two decades. During his first term in office, ticket prices spiked to more than $1,000 and they now go for about $1,500, according to CNN.

In the past, high-profile guests have included Martha Stewart, Tiger Woods, Rod Stewart, Serena Williams and Sylvester Stallone, according to The Palm Beach Post.

The Independent has reached out to DHS and the White House for comment.
QUITO, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed in an armed attack late Wednesday during New Year's Eve celebrations in the port city of Manta in the province of Manabi on Ecuador's Pacific coast, local media reported Thursday.

The shooting took place at around 11 p.m. local time outside a home in the Nueva Esperanza neighborhood of the Eloy Alfaro parish, according to media reports.

Armed men stormed the gathering and opened fire indiscriminately at people participating in the celebrations, killing six and wounding at least a dozen others.

Those killed included a minor, a woman and four men aged between 26 and 45.

The attack caused panic at the scene and prompted the rapid mobilization of police units and emergency teams.

A state of emergency has been declared in Manabi province, one of the regions hardest hit by a surge in criminal violence. 
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Democrat-run states nationwide could soon be under investigation, President Donald Trump claimed during a New Years Eve speech at this Mar-a-Lago club, the latest development in the administrations fast-moving response to viral, unverified claims of fraud at Minnesota day care centers.

Were going to take back our country. Can you imagine, they stole $18 billion? Trump said, though it was unclear exactly to what he was referring. Thats just what were learning about. Thats peanuts. And California is worse. Illinois is worse, and sadly, New York is worse.

It was a giant scam, he added. Other than that, were going to have a great year. Actually, I view that as the reason for a good year because were going to get to the bottom of it.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sounded a similar note on Fox News earlier in the day.

Minnesota is at the top of the list but we know there has been massive fraud in blue states across this country, she said. Look at California, look at New York. These states will all be under investigation and consideration as far as this administration is concerned.

open image in gallery President Trump made vague allegations that Democratic states had carried out an $18 billion fraud during a speech at a New Years Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago club ( Getty Images )

The outrage began last week after a right-wing influencer went viral claiming to have discovered tens of millions of dollars of fraud at what he claimed were empty, federally supported child care centers, run by people of Somali descent in Minnesota.

State officials, as well as the daycare owners themselves, have disputed the claims in the video, which Minnesota Republicans admit to helping create, but the Trump administration has used the videos allegations as the basis for a sweeping crackdown.

First, the administration froze such funds for Minnesota, then moved Wednesday to do the same nationally. Homeland Security and FBI agents have also launched investigations.

This is Trumps long game, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was on the Democratic ticket against Trump in 2024, wrote on X earlier this week. Weve spent years cracking down on fraudsters. Its a serious issue - but this has been his plan all along. Hes politicizing the issue to defund programs that help Minnesotans.

State and federal officials have been prosecuting government program fraud in Minnesota for years, and 57 people have been convicted as part of the $300 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. Such prosecutions began under the Democratic Biden and Walz administrations.

open image in gallery Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has accused the Trump administration of politicizing the fraud issue, pointing to the states long-running efforts to root out corruption that began during the Biden administration ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The president frequently disparages Somali people. He claimed recently they contribute nothing to America and called Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American who represents Minnesota and is a regular Trump critic, a piece of garbage.

Somalis in Minnesota, including some of the day care center owners mentioned in the video, say they have faced harassment and vandalism following the presidents comments, which have often been accompanied by racist invective from Trump supporters online.

What is not helpful is the president of the United States demonizing an entire community or pardoning someone single-handedly responsible for $1.6 billion in fraud, Walz wrote an an op-ed in the Minnesota StarTribune earlier this month, a reference to Trumps recent commutation of private equity executive David Gentiles prison sentence.

open image in gallery President Trump regularly makes disparaging remarks about Somali-Americans, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, a frequent critic ( Getty Images )

Defrauding federal programs is not merely a blue state issue.

Earlier this year, state and federal prosecutors announced charges for more than 300 defendants who are accused of carrying out $14.6 billion worth of health care fraud across 19 states, often involving misleading federal government programs including Medicare.

The president and his allies have tied the fraud claims to their unproven allegations of election fraud in Democratic states as they look to 2026.

We need America First governors everywhere in 2026! Rep. Nancy Mace claimed on X, in response to a Trump post claiming crooked Democratic governors in California and Minnesota enabled unspecified fraud in both states.

The administration frequently targets Democrat-run states for exceptional treatment, including the deployment of troops to blue cities as part of crime and immigration crackdowns.

The president has used the threat of pulling federal funds in the past as a threat, including claims he would withhold wildfire recovery funds from California and punish New York if democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor.
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Donald Trump tore into George Clooney on Wednesday, accusing the actor of being a failed movie star and one of the worst political prognosticators of all time.

Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre, movies, Trump wrote on Truth Social, while referencing how Clooney dumped Joe Biden by urging the former president to drop out of the 2024 election.

He wasnt a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who complained, constantly, about common sense in politics, Trump added in the post.

The president also criticized the news that Clooney and his wife, the human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, have recently gained French citizenship.

open image in gallery President Trump accused George Clooney of being a failed movie star, after the actor spoke out about the president in a recent magazine profile ( Getty Images for BFI )

The comments came after Clooney opened up in a recent magazine profile about his past acquaintance with Trump and shared criticisms of news outlets like CBS and ABC for settling lawsuits with the Republican.

I knew him very well, the Jay Kelly star told Variety. He used to call me a lot, and he tried to help me get into a hospital once to see a back surgeon. Id see him out at clubs and at restaurants. Hes a big goofball. Well, he was. That all changed.

If CBS and ABC had challenged those lawsuits and said, Go f*** yourself, we wouldnt be where we are in the country, Clooney added. Thats simply the truth.

Clooney and Trump have long traded criticisms and commentary in public.

open image in gallery Trump has long criticized Clooney, who is an outspoken progressive activist and major supporter of the Democratic Party ( X/@mmpadellan )

This summer, Clooney whose stage adaptation this year of his film Good Night, And Good Luck made pointed commentary about contemporary media and politics, said everybody worries about being targeted by Trumps administration.

But you know, if you spend your life worrying about things, then you wont do things, he told CNNs Anderson Cooper.

I want to be able to look at my kids in the eye and say where we stood and what we did at certain times in history, and I have no problem with that, he added.

Trump, for his part, regularly trashes his old friend Clooney.

open image in gallery George and his wife Amal Clooney recently gained citizenship in France, where they are raising their children, a decision the actor has said is motivated by a desire to give them a more normal life outside of Hollywood ( AP )

The president fumed after Clooney gave a 60 Minutes interview earlier this year, claiming that the failed political pundit dumped former President Joe Biden like a dog.

Last year, after the Biden incident, Trump accused Clooney of being a very disloyal backstabber and a third-rate movie actor.

Clooney is among the highest-grossing movie stars in the country, and his films have raked in over $2 billion over the course of his career.

He has won three Golden Globes and two Academy Awards.
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President Donald Trump rang in the New Year at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, by presiding over a charity auction at which he sold off a portrait of Jesus Christ for $2.75 million.

Clearly enjoying himself hosting the black tie gala, Trump said the money raised from the work, which was painted live at the event in around 10 minutes by Christian worship artist and Instagram celebrity Vanessa Horabuena, would be donated to St. Judes Hospital and the local sheriffs office.

Theres a young lady named Vanessa whos one of the greatest artists anywhere in the world, the president said of Horabuena when he introduced her to his guests in the Donald J Trump Grand Ballroom, many of whom had paid $1,450 per ticket to be there, according to CNN.

To me, shes one of the greatest Shes a speed painter, and shes a great painter, but I think shes one of the great living artists.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump speaks on stage next to the winning bidder and artist Vanessa Horabuena after auctioning off her speed painting of Jesus Christ for $2.75 million during a New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida ( Reuters )

After Horabuena had completed her opus, she wielded her brushes against a black canvas in dramatic fashion. At the same time, the band on stage played a slow version of Hallelujah, Trump marvelled: I dont know how you do that These people are loaded with cash, just so you know.

Opening the bidding at $100,000, he soon accepted a $1 million offer. He ribbed the unidentified would-be buyer by saying he was the biggest guy on Wall Street, that the amount represented peanuts to him and that, because he wears a red MAGA cap, he habitually takes people by surprise before he pumps the money out of their wallets.

As rival bids gradually took the total to $2.5 million, Trump pretended to mishear and jokingly inquired: $5 million or $2.5 million?

open image in gallery Rudy Giuliani arrives for the New Year's Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago ( AP )

The portrait finally went for $2.75 million, with the president inviting the winner up on stage while teasing them about the possibility of going bankrupt.

Trump was joined at the end-of-year bash by First Lady Melania Trump, wearing a silver, floor-length gown.

Their guests included Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, former New York City mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro, Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, and movie director Brett Ratner, the man behind the forthcoming documentary Melania.

open image in gallery Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for their New Year's Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago ( AP )

Prior to the auction, the president had welcomed revellers by attacking the Democratic leadership of Minnesota over allegations of widespread fraud, bragging about the success of his reciprocal tariffs program, and saying his New Years resolution was to secure world peace.

However, he undermined that pledge by subsequently ignoring questions about ongoing U.S. aggressions in Venezuela and his latest negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about ending Russias invasion of his country, according to The Palm Beach Post.

Earlier in the day, Trump had been busy on Truth Social addressing a range of contentious subjects, from a supposed mass exodus of citizens from California and Colorado, Fat Cat Insurance Companies, border security, George Clooney receiving French citizenship, and his plan to withdraw National Guard troops from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland.

We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again  Only a question of time! he told the residents of those cities in ominous fashion.
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President Donald Trump rang in 2026 by hosting a glitzy New Years Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago, attended by his youngest son and some of the biggest names in MAGA.

Trump hosted his family and some of his closest allies, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, at the flashy black-tie event.

Instead of celebrating with his peers, the presidents youngest son, Barron, 19, was pictured sitting alongside his 79-year-old father and first lady Melania, 55, who dazzled in a shimmery silver gown.

Trumps older sons, Donald Trump Jr., who turned 48 on New Years Eve, and Eric, were also pictured at the event.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, and Brett Ratner, the disgraced Hollywood director behind the upcoming Melania documentary, were also in attendance.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump hosted a MAGA-filled New Years Eve event at Mar-a-Lago, attended by his sons and several of his biggest allies ( AP )

open image in gallery Former New York City Mayor and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani was spotted at the glitzy event ( AP )

Video from the event shows Trumps immigration czar Stephen Miller grooving as Vanilla Ice performed Ice Ice Baby at the bash.

The footage, taken by Millers wife, Katie, and shared to X, shows Miller looking uncomfortable as he mouths along the lyrics. The video then turns to Noem, who puts on a showier performance, dancing for the camera.

Also in attendance was Trump antisemitism task force chief Leo Terrell and conservative radio host Howie Carr, who shared a photo from the party on X, writing, where the champagne is cold, the liberals are warm and still mad.

Other video clips shared on X showed Netanyahu, who held official meetings with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Monday before attending the lavish party.

open image in gallery Trump was seen wearing a tux while Melania sported a shimmery silver gown during the lavish event ( AP )

open image in gallery Video footage captured Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem awkwardly dancing with immigration czar Stephen Miller ( REUTERS )

I just love how Trump is trolling the woke Reich tonight, far-right activist Laura Loomer wrote on X.

I feel like this is his way of saying F you to the Neo Nazis, Loomer continued, adding, Im so glad he brought @netanyahu as his special guest tonight for NYE. One day before Mamdani is sworn in on his dirty Quran after threatening to arrest Netanyahu.

The lavish night also featured a charity auction, during which Christian worship artist Vanessa Horabuena speed-painted a portrait of Jesus, which sold for $2.75 million.

The proceeds from the paints will be donated to St. Judes Hospital and the local sheriffs office, Trump said.

Before the auction, Trump had welcomed revellers by attacking the Democratic leadership in Minnesota over allegations of widespread fraud, bragging about the success of his reciprocal tariffs program, and saying his New Years resolution was for world peace.

open image in gallery White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino and Erin Elmore arrive at the New Years event ( AP )

open image in gallery Trumps event also featured a Christian worship artist who speed painted a portrait of Jesus that was then auctioned off for $2.75 million ( Getty Images )

However, that goal seemed far from the presidents priorities as he ignored questions about ongoing U.S. aggressions in Venezuela and his latest negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about ending Russias invasion of his country, according to The Palm Beach Post.

Leading up to the bash, Trump addressed a range of contentious subjects on his Truth Social platform, including a supposed mass exodus of citizens from California and Colorado, Fat Cat Insurance Companies, border security, George Clooney receiving French citizenship, and his plan to withdraw National Guard troops from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland.

We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again  Only a question of time! he gave an ominous warning to residents of those cities.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani pledged to bring forth a new era of politics in his inaugural address, which did not name President Donald Trump and was interrupted by boos aimed at outgoing Mayor Eric Adams.

The 34-year-old democratic socialist delivered the speech outside of City Hall on Thursday after he took the oath of office  administered by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who he said he wanted to emulate  with his hand on a Quran.

A crowd of New Yorkers braved freezing temperatures to witness the city's trailblazing new leader  the first Muslim and South Asian mayor and the youngest in over a century  take the helm of the countrys largest metropolis.

The inauguration capped off the former state assemblymans meteoric rise, which saw him win the Democratic primary and general election, while running a grassroots campaign centered on making the city affordable.

I stand alongside you, Mamdani said.The tens of thousands of you gathered here in Lower Manhattan, armed against the January chill by the resurgent flame of hope.

open image in gallery New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani opened his inauguration with a pledge to usher in a new era in politics and to govern as a democratic socialist. ( Getty Images )

Other speakers included New York Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and City Comptroller Mark Levine, and Mamdani was joined on stage by former Mayors Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, as well as Mamdanis wife and parents.

During his remarks, Mamdani briefly mentioned Adams, his immediate predecessor, who declined to run for re-election after charges of bribery damaged his reputation.

Thank you to Mayor Adams  Dorothys son, a son of Brownsville who rose from washing dishes to the highest position in our city  for being here as well, the new mayor said, at which point boos could be heard from the crowd.

He and I have had our share of disagreements, but I will always be touched that he chose me as the mayoral candidate that he would most want to be trapped with on an elevator, Mamdani added.

The citys 112th mayor also notably refrained from mentioning Trump, whom he frequently criticized on the campaign trail, describing him as a fascist and despot. During his fiery victory speech in November, Mamdani said: Donald Trump, since I know youre watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up!

His remarks on Thursday come about one month after he met with Trump at the White House, a summit that caught many by surprise due to its genial atmosphere. During the sit-down, the Republican president  who once called Mamdani a Communist Lunatic  said he believed he would be a really great mayor.

For his part, Mamdani described the meeting as productive and focused on a place of shared admiration and love for New York City.

Mamdani also avoided any mention of Andrew Cuomo  the former New York governor who challenged him as an independent  honoring his victory speech pledge: "Let tonight be the final time I utter his name."

open image in gallery Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders administered the oath of office to Mamdani outside of City Hall. On Sanders, Mamdani said: Thank you to the man whose leadership I seek most to emulate, who I am so grateful to be sworn in by today, Senator Bernie Sanders ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez spoke during the inauguration ceremony on Thursday. ( AFP via Getty Images )

The bulk of Mamdanis address, which was peppered with references to Pakistani aunties and Halal drivers, was focused on his ambitious plans to make New York City affordable and inclusive for all.

Here, where the language of the New Deal was born, we will return the vast resources of this city to the workers who call it home, he said.

I will not abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical, he added. As the great senator for Vermont once said, whats radical is a system that gives so much to so few and denies so many people the basic necessities of life.

Mamdani went on to list the bold plans he has for the city, including delivering universal childcare, freezing rents and creating fare-free buses. He also pledged to establish a Department of Community Safety which will allow police officers to focus on the job they signed up for and to raise taxes on the wealthy.

The policy to raise taxes could prove a controversial one, even within his own party. Governor Hochul, for example, opposes raising personal income taxes, according to the New York Times.

We will transform the culture of city hall to one of no to one of how, he said. We will answer to all New Yorkers, not to any billionaire or oligarch who thinks they can buy our democracy. We will govern without shame and insecurity, making no apology for what we believe.

I was elected as a democratic socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist, he added, drawing cheers from the crowd.

open image in gallery Some of the crowd broke out into boos when Mamdani mentioned former Mayor Eric Adams. ( Getty Images )

He also addressed his critics, acknowledging widespread doubts about his ability to deliver on his expansive agenda.

There are many who will be watching, he said. They want to know if the left can govern. They want to know if the struggles that afflict them can be solved. They want to know if it is right to hope again.

We will set an example for the world, he said. If what Sinatra said is true, let us prove that anyone can make it in New York, and anywhere else too.

Closing out his speech, he said, The work, my friends, has only just begun.
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Shortly after midnight local time, in a historic former subway station beneath City Hall, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York, becoming the first Muslim, South Asian, and African-born person to lead the city.

This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime, Mamdani said at the ceremony, where he was sworn in using his grandfathers Quran and a historic Quran from the New York Public Library.

Mamdani said the choice of location was a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city.

I cant think of a better way to usher in 2026 than to be amongst family and friends and to inaugurate the man who will bring about a new era of progress, promise, and prosperity for New York City, New York Attorney General Letitia James said at the ceremony.

Later on New Years Day, Mamdani will be sworn in publicly on the steps of City Hall alongside progressive allies Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and a public block party will follow.

open image in gallery Zohran Mamdani was sworn in early Thursday as mayor of New York City, marking the first time a Muslim, South Asian, and African-born person has held the role ( AP )

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams did not attend the early-morning ceremony, but is expected at the public inauguration event. On Wednesday night, he took part in the citys famed ball drop in Times Square to mark the new year.

Mamdani, a former state assemblyman and son of Oscar-nominated film director Mira Nair, is a democratic socialist who won on a grassroots campaign promising to tackle affordability issues in New York with a rent freeze, free buses, and universal child care.

The 34-year-old, who was born in Kampala, Uganda, and grew up in New York City in the post-9/11 era, assembled a diverse coalition of lower-class New Yorkers, immigrants, and young people, promising a new era as he battled two representatives of scandal-plagued past administrations.

open image in gallery Mamdani defeated a reelection campaign from Mayor Eric Adams (center), whose last public act was kicking off the New Years Eve celebrations in Times Square ( REUTERS )

He defeated both Adams, who faced corruption and bribery charges that were later dropped by the Trump administration, and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned from state office amid widespread allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied.

During the campaign, Mamdani was the victim of attacks he characterized as racist and Islamophobic, including an inflammatory AI-produced criminals for Zohran Mamdani ad. The 34-year-old also weathered concerns from some Jewish New Yorkers uncomfortable with his past views as a member of the Palestinian solidarity movement. Mamdani insisted he would tackle antisemitism and other forms of identity-based hatred in the city.

open image in gallery Mamdani, a former state assemblyman, won a shock victory with a grassroots campaign emphasizing New Yorks diversity and promising to tackle affordability issues for working people ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Campaign season also saw President Donald Trump threaten to cut off federal funds if Mamdani won, though the men later shared a cordial White House meeting in November where Trump, himself a native New Yorker, wished Mamdani luck.

The bonhomie is unlikely to last, and the administration is likely to clash with Mamdani over issues such as immigration. Mamdani has made speaking for immigrant communities in the city a core issue, while the Trump administration has made a point of launching federal immigration crackdowns in mostly Democrat-led cities such as Washington, Portland, Chicago, and Boston.

open image in gallery A major outstanding question is how Mamdani will work with the Trump administration, which threatened to pull federal funds from New York if the 34-year-old won his campaign ( AP )

Mamdani will also face questions in office about how to deliver and pay for his sweeping social services agenda, as well as whether he can work with the NYPD, which he previously called racist.
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Australian authorities are trying to confirm reports that a national was reportedly killed while fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia.

The man, identified in social media posts as Russell Allan Wilson, was killed on 12 December in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, according to local media reports.

In an Instagram post on 19 December, a man identifying himself as a US army veteran said Wilson had been killed during combat and had chosen to remain in Ukraine despite the risks.

He chose to stay when it would have been easier to leave, the post said. He stood his ground in a place where freedom is paid for in blood.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is aware of reports that an Australian has died in Ukraine and is seeking confirmation from local authorities, a department spokesperson said on Thursday. The department is responsible for Australias foreign policy and international relations, development aid, consular services, overseas trade, and investment.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) quoted a friend of Wilson as saying he was killed during his final mission.

Other posts said Wilson was originally from Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast and had also lived in Brisbane before travelling to Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion. These details have not been independently confirmed.

The Australian governments travel advice is do not travel to Ukraine, a DFAT spokesperson said, adding that officials were providing consular assistance to the mans family.

At least eight Australians are believed to have died while fighting in Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Another Australian, former Melbourne teacher Oscar Jenkins, is believed to be the only Australian captured as a prisoner of war by Russian forces. Jenkins was initially reported killed, but Australias foreign minister, Penny Wong, later said Russia had confirmed he was alive.

Ms Wong said Jenkins had been subjected to what she described as a sham trial and was now imprisoned. Australian Ukrainian groups have urged the federal government to push for his inclusion in any future prisoner exchanges, warning he risks being forgotten as the war continues.
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A 19-year-old man has been charged in Australia after a bushfire sparked by a firework on New Years Eve tore through bushland on the eastern edge of Perth, threatening homes, cutting power to thousands of properties and forcing residents to evacuate.

The fire broke out just after midnight in bushland near Maida Vale and Forrestfield, east of Perth Airport, and rapidly escalated as strong winds and dry conditions fuelled the blaze. At its height, the fire prompted emergency warnings, with authorities urging residents to leave or take shelter as flames moved towards residential areas.

More than 160 firefighters were deployed to battle the fire, supported by police and aerial water-bombing helicopters. Emergency services said the blaze burned more than 25 hectares of native bushland and damaged fences and a shed, though no homes were destroyed.

Police said more than 2,000 homes and businesses lost power as the fire approached properties, while an evacuation centre was opened at the High Wycombe Community and Recreation Centre as a precaution.

Arson investigators charged the teenager, Luke Joseph Grguric from Kalamunda, with failing to ensure an ignition or fire source would not cause a fire that could not be controlled, after allegedly throwing a firework into dry grass.

Appearing in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday, prosecutors told the court the fire had become tantamount to a catastrophic event, adding Mr Grguric was "recklessly negligent", according to ABC News.

Mr Grgrurics lawyer said his client had panicked after realising what had happened and made concerted efforts to extinguish the fire before alerting neighbours and emergency services.

He was granted bail and is due to return to court later this month.

By Thursday afternoon, the fire was described as contained but not controlled, with authorities warning that changing weather conditions could pose renewed risks.

Incident controller Paul Postma said firefighters had established containment lines but cautioned the danger was not over.

"We currently have the fire inside a box; we are slowly winning the war to put the fire out but the fire is still quite active," he told residents.

Emergency WA downgraded its warning level to watch and act later in the day, though residents were urged to remain vigilant.

The incident comes as authorities across Western Australia warn of heightened bushfire risk during the summer period, with hot temperatures and dry conditions increasing the danger posed by careless or reckless behaviour.

Earlier last week, police charged a man over a Christmas Day bushfire in the Byford area south-east of Perth, which burned tens of thousands of square metres of bushland during extreme heat.

Authorities have repeatedly warned that lighting fires during high-risk conditions can endanger lives, property and emergency responders.
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A historic church in Amsterdam burned down early New Years Day.

Police rushed to the church just after midnight and found the neo-Gothic Vondelkerk, near the city's central Vondelpark, engulfed by flames.

The Amsterdam police and fire department said they were investigating and had no comment yet on what caused the blaze in the church, which was built in 1872.

The fire was part of a spate of emergencies the country saw heading into the New Year.

Two people died in fireworks accidents and there were scattered instances of violence.

Firefighters were called to the blaze just after midnight and were unable to save the historic church ( ANP/AFP via Getty Images )

The Netherlands traditionally rings in the New Year with people setting off their own fireworks, which causes hundreds of injuries and millions of euros in damage every year. This year, some 250 people were arrested on New Year's Eve and in several towns riot police were deployed, police said.

"The impact of heavy fireworks and arson this New Year's Eve in some areas was utterly devastating. The targeted violence against emergency services and police was intense again," police said in a statement on Thursday.

The fireworks accidents killed a 38-year-old man in Aalsmeer, close to Amsterdam, and a boy from Nijmegen, a town in the east of the country, police said.

New Year's Eve 2025 marked the last year before a nationwide ban on the sale of fireworks to consumers will come into effect.

Emergency room doctors, police, firefighters and local and national politicians have campaigned for the ban for years.
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The French government has defended its decision to grant citizenship to Hollywood actor George Clooney and his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.

Officials said that the couple were naturalised because they contribute, through their distinguished actions, to Frances international influence and cultural outreach.

The naturalisations, which also include their twins Ella and Alexander, were announced last weekend in the Journal Officiel, the official gazette for French decrees.

However, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister at the Interior Ministry, expressed misgivings on Wednesday. She suggested that some French compatriots might believe the star couple received special treatment, given the actors own admission that his French is horrible, horrible.

Speaking to France Info, she said: The message being sent is not good.

She added: There is an issue of fairness that, in my eyes, is absolutely essential.

open image in gallery George and Amal Clooney have been granted French citizenship ( Invision/AP )

The couple purchased an estate in France in 2021 and Clooney has said that it is their primary residence.

It wasnt clear whether the 64-year-old actor retained his American citizenship.

His 47-year-old wife was born in Lebanon, raised in the UK, and naturalised by France under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. The 8-year-old twins were born in London.

The Foreign Ministry said the Clooneys were eligible for citizenship under a French law that allows for the naturalisation of foreign nationals who contribute to France's international influence and economic well-being.

It argued that France's cinema industry will benefit from the actor's clout as a global movie star and said that as a lawyer, Amal Clooney regularly works with academic institutions and international organisations in France.

open image in gallery George and Amal Clooney have strong ties to France, the countrys government says ( Invision/AP )

They maintain strong personal, professional and family ties with our country," the ministry said.

Like many French citizens, we are delighted to welcome Georges and Amal Clooney into the national community," it concluded, giving the actor's first name a French twist by adding the s at the end.

The decision was also defended by Vedrenne's superior at the Interior Ministry, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, who said he signed the naturalisation decree.

It's a big chance for our country, he said.

In recent media interviews when he was promoting Jay Kelly, Clooney said that he is trying to teach himself French using a language-learning app. He said that his wife and children speak the language perfectly.

They speak French in front of me so that they can say terrible things about me to my face and I dont know, he joked, speaking to French broadcaster Canal+.

French media have reported that the Clooneys live part-time in their luxury 18th-century villa outside the town of Brignoles in southern France, where they can keep a lower profile and their children are protected from unauthorised photographs by French privacy laws.

In an interview with Esquire in October, Clooney said: I was worried about raising our kids in LA, in the culture of Hollywood.

I dont want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I dont want them being compared to somebody elses famous kids," he said.

Growing up away from the spotlight in France, they have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.
BEIRUT, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,800 UN peacekeepers have left southern Lebanon since early November 2025, with over 300 more set to exit by May 2026, a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) official said on Thursday.

The drawdown stems from UN-wide budget reductions, not an early mission closure, UNIFIL spokesperson Candice Ardell told Xinhua in an exclusive interview, citing UN Security Council Resolution 2790, adopted in late August, which extended UNIFIL's mandate until Dec. 31, 2026, and authorized its gradual withdrawal thereafter.

UNIFIL has around 10,500 peacekeepers coming from around 50 troop-contributing countries.

Ardell said the Lebanese army destroyed 370 illicit weapons caches and related infrastructure south of the Litani River over the past year, intensifying its deployment in the area with UNIFIL's support.

She identified continued Israeli military activity inside Lebanon as the main obstacle to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and achieving lasting stability.

While Lebanon and Israel reaffirmed their commitment to Resolution 1701 through a Nov. 2024 understanding -- which Ardell described as a framework for a lasting solution -- she warned that ongoing Israeli ground and air operations inside Lebanon continue to jeopardize the stability process.

Strengthening the Lebanese army remains the "cornerstone" for restoring stability and enabling the displaced to return, Ardell said, adding that the army requires additional support and training to secure the south. She also cautioned that hostile rhetoric further escalates tensions.

Ardell called on all parties to move beyond statements and fully implement Resolution 1701, urging the Israeli army to end its presence in Lebanon. 
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Russias claim that Ukraine launched a 91-drone strike on Vladimir Putins personal residence has threatened to derail months of talks over a peace deal to end Moscows invasion.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has called the claims a complete fabrication intended to lay the groundwork for future strikes on Kyiv and other areas of Ukraine.

I am sure they are simply preparing the ground for strikes, probably on the capital, probably on government buildings, he said.

Donald Trump appeared swayed by Russian claim and said he was very angry at the news of the strikes. That reaction is likely one of the aims of Moscows accusations  with Trumps support having wavered between Kyiv and Moscow in recent months.

Europe has sought to back Kyiv with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling the claims unfounded and a deliberate distraction in remarks on Wednesday.

Moscow aims to derail real progress towards peace by Ukraine and its Western partners, Ms Kallas wrote on X/Twitter on Wednesday.

No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately targeted Ukraines infrastructure and civilians since the start of the war.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on the state armament programme last week ( POOL/AFP/Getty )

Where did the attacks happen?

Putins Valdai residence, also known as Uzhin or Dolgiye Borody, is a heavily guarded complex on the shores of Lake Valdai situated 360km (225 miles) north of Moscow. His whereabouts at the time of the incident remain unconfirmed, though he is believed to have been away from home.

The Russian defence ministry said 91 drones had been downed on their way to Valdai, with 49 shot down over the Bryansk region  which is 450km from Valdai  one over Smolensk and 41 over the heavily forested Novgorod region.

Ukraines military capabilities

From a technical standpoint, Ukraine does have the weapons to launch an attack on Putins presidential residence using strike drones and missile systems, according to Oleksandr Kovalenko, a Ukrainian military and security analyst for the Information Resistance group.

With the residence located 400 miles (650km) from the Ukrainian border launch sites could allow for strikes of up to 430 miles (700km) into Russia.

Ukraine possesses long-range strike drones with a flight range exceeding 1,000km, as well as missile systems capable of covering such distances  namely the R-360 Neptune missile, and, of course, the FP-5 Flamingo missile, which is likewise capable of reaching that range, Kovalenko tells The Independent. So technically, such a strike would have been possible.

open image in gallery The residence is located 650km from the Ukrainian border ( Google Maps )

The evidence on the ground

However, several commentators have pointed to the fact little evidence has been provided for the attacks.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which is usually able to verify strikes, says no open-source evidence such as geolocated videos, visible air defence activity, explosions or smoke, to support the claims. Unlike previous drone attacks, Russian civilians did not appear to post videos of explosions, smoke or other footage to social media.

Valdai residents told The Moscow Times that they heard no evidence of a military attack on the night.

No air raid sirens were reported in that area, says Kovalenko. No drone flights were detected heading toward Valdai. Yes, an attack did occur that nightbut not in the direction of Valdai, and involving a significantly smaller number of drones, moving along an entirely different axis.

He added: Air defense systems in that area were not active that night. Local residents did not report air defence activity. No monitoring channels or OSINT analysts recorded strikes or drone flights of that scale in that direction.

open image in gallery Talks between the US and Ukraine have gained momentum ( AP )

There have also been inconsistencies in the number of drones reported by Russian authorities, according to the ISW. Lavrov claimed 89 drones had been shot down over Novgorod while the defence ministry said the number was 47.

While some Russian telegram channels appear to show plumes of smoke in some regions, they have not been independently verified.

But despite the Kremlin initially saying it would not provide evidence to substantiate its very serious accusations, the Ministry of Defence released footage on Wednesday, which it hoped would challenge Kyiv.

It showed a serviceman standing next to fragments of a device it claimed was a downed undetonated Ukrainian Chaklun-V drone carrying a 6kg explosive device. The ministry did not explain how it knew what the device's intended location and target was.

Furthermore, several people including Matthew Whitaker, US ambassador to Nato, foreign policy chief Kallas, and a source close to Macron have all expressed doubt about the veracity of the incident.

It is unclear whether it actually happened, Whitaker told Fox Business, saying he wants to see US intelligence on the incident.

Ukraines past strategies

Some believe that Ukraine would be shrewd to target high-value symbolic sites as it cannot match Russias military capabilities.

Ukraine has previously used camouflaged drones launched from trucks to strike deep inside Russia and it does have a history of assassinations of Russian military figures.

The attacks also came days after Zelensky appeared to wish death to Putin in a Christmas message.

In 2023, Russia accused Ukraine of attacking the Kremlin with drones in an attempt to assassinate Putin. The claims were widely disputed at the time, and Ukraine denied any involvement accusing Russia of manufacturing an escalation of the war.

But a New York Times investigation later revealed that US intelligence agencies believed Ukraines security services were behind the attack but that it was unclear whether Zelensky or other officials were aware of the scheme.
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A solemn Mass was held on Sunday for the victims of the devastating New Year's Eve bar fire in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, which claimed 40 lives and left many severely injured.

Distraught parents, some still awaiting news of their children, joined teenagers and police officers in shared grief, beginning the arduous process of mourning.

The service, held at the Chapelle St-Christophe in Crans-Montana, saw attendees comforting one another.

open image in gallery The service, held at the Chapelle St-Christophe in Crans-Montana, saw attendees comforting one another (  KEYSTONE / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT )

Inside the crowded pews, a grieving woman listened intently, her hands clasped, occasionally clutching rosary beads, as readings were delivered in German, French, and Italian. Despite freezing temperatures, hundreds more followed the Mass on a screen installed outside the church.

A silent march to the site of the tragedy was scheduled to follow the service.

open image in gallery A silent march to the site of the tragedy was scheduled to follow the service ( AP Photo/ Antonio Calanni )

The Rev. Gilles Cavin spoke of the terrible uncertainty for families unsure if their loved ones are among the dead or still alive among the injured. We pray for their friends hard hit by misery on this day that was meant to be one of festivities and friendship, he said.

Forty people died and 119 were injured in the blaze that broke out around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday at Le Constellation bar. Police have said many of the victims were in their teens to mid-20s.

By Sunday morning, Swiss authorities identified 24 out of the 40 fatalities.

They include 18 Swiss citizens aged 14 to 31 years, two Italians 16 years old, one dual citizen of Italy and the United Arab Emirates also 16 years old, an 18-year-old Romanian, a 39-year-old French and a Turkish citizen, 18.

open image in gallery A woman holds a wreath outside the Chapelle St-Christophe during a memorial mass in Crans-Montana ( AP Photo/ Antonio Calanni )

A grieving mother

One of the victims was 16-year old Arthur Brodard, whose mother had been frantically searching for him.

Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise, a visibly shaken Laetitia Brodard said in a Facebook story posted on Saturday night, speaking to camera. We can start our mourning, knowing that he is in peace and in the light.

Brodard's frenzied search for her son reflected the desperation of families of the young people disappeared during the fire, who did not know whether their loved ones were dead or in the hospital.

Swiss authorities said the process of identifying victims was particularly hard because of the advanced degree of the burns, requiring the use of DNA samples. Brodard also had given her DNA sample to help in the identification process.

In her Facebook post, Brodard thanked those who testified their compassion, their love and to those who shared information as she anxiously searched and waited for news of her son. Other parents and siblings are still waiting in anguish.

open image in gallery Firefighters stand outside the Chapelle St-Christophe during Sundays memorial mass in Crans-Montana ( (AP Photo/ Antonio Calanni )

Bar managers face a criminal investigation

Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation of the bar managers.

The two are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire, the Valais regions chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, told reporters Saturday. The announcement of the investigation did not name the managers.

Investigators said Friday they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fire when they came too close to the ceiling of the crowded bar.

Authorities planned to look into whether sound-dampening material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. Officials said they also would look at other safety measures on the premises, including fire extinguishers and escape routes.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced a national day of mourning for the victims on Jan. 9.

Frances Health Minister Stephanie Rist said 17 patients have received care in France, out of a total of 35 transferred from Switzerland to five European countries. Other patients were planned to be transferred to Germany, Italy and Belgium.
Close Overnight Russian strikes hit Ukrainian capital Kyiv

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Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Moscow of exploiting a US proposal to briefly halt strikes in Ukraine to stockpile missiles, rather than support diplomacy.

Russia has resumed its attacks following a brief pause over the weekend requested by Donald Trump On Tuesday, it carried out its largest attack of the year so far, firing 450 drones and 71 missiles at Ukraine.

It was a deliberate attack against energy infrastructure, involving a record number of ballistic missiles, the Ukrainian president said.

In fact, the Russian army exploited the US proposal to briefly halt strikes not to support diplomacy, but to stockpile missiles and wait until the coldest days of the year, when temperatures across large parts of Ukraine drop below -20C (-4F).

As of Tuesday morning, emergency power cuts were in effect in the Ukrainian capital after Russian forces again targeted power plants and energy infrastructure.

It comes after Ukraine and its western allies agreed that Russian violations of a future ceasefire agreement would be met with a military response by Europe before any involvement by the US, according to a report in the Financial Times.
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Four fatal aviation accidents involving passenger aircraft cost the lives of 366 passengers and crew members in 2025. In addition, 22 other people died in the two biggest tragedies of the year.

While the death toll is more than 100 higher than in 2024, the rate of fatal accidents has fallen to one in every seven million flights  compared with about one in five million the previous year.

A leading air safety expert who has studied the fatal events warned: There is absolutely no room for complacency.

Adrian Young, safety expert for the Dutch aviation consultancy To70, has compiled a review of accidents involving passenger flights over the past year.

By far the greatest loss of life took place on 12 June 2025, when Air India flight AI171 crashed seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad in India. The Boeing 787 was bound for London Gatwick, with many British citizens on board. All but one of the 242 passengers and crew died, along with 19 people on the ground.

The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, escaped from the emergency exit next to his seat on board, 11A.

He said from his hospital bed: At first, I thought I was dead. Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage.

I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening, and crawled out.

A preliminary report into the disaster concluded fuel switches for the engines of the twin jet were cut off. Both engines were starved of fuel at the moment when power was most needed.

The report says: In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff? The other pilot responded that he did not do so.

The aviation community has called for more transparency from the investigation.

On 29 January, all 64 passengers and crew aboard an American Airlines commuter jet died when their plane struck a military helicopter that was crossing the final approach path to Reagan National airport in Washington DC. The three soldiers in the Black Hawk helicopter also died. The captain of the helicopter, Captain Rebecca Lobach, is judged to have made fatal errors that led to the collision.

The third most serious loss of life involved a domestic flight in Russia. On 24 July, an Antonov An-24 turboprop belonging to Angara AIrlines was attempting to land at Tynda airport in poor weather using a low-technology non-directional beacon approach.

The accident review says: The aeroplane flew into the ground about 15km short of the runway and caught fire  an accident type known as controlled flight into terrain. The report says the approach used by the pilots is no longer widely in use and is certainly less accurate than satellite-based approaches.

A fourth crash during 2025 also involved propeller aircraft on a domestic flight. Thirteen people died when a Jetstream 32 turboprop crashed into the sea just after take off from Roatan in Honduras. Five occupants survived.

The safety review also finds 24 crew members and 13 passengers were seriously injured during flight turbulence. Mr Young says this is an accident type that passengers should be able to avoid by wearing their seats belts at all times when seated.

The safety expert concludes: The very low number of accidents makes occurrence reporting and analysis more and more important. The industry needs to learn from the pre-cursors to accidents before they happen.

Read more: Simon Calder answers your air safety questions
Dublin Airport says it topped the 35-million-passenger mark in 2025

Enough people called John travelled through the airport to fill 1,096 Boeing 737s

More than 1.2 million pints of Guinness were sold in the airports bars. Photo: Getty

Rory McGinn Thu 1 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Dublin Airport welcomed more than 35 million passengers in 2025, with around 240,000 flights passing through the airport, according to latest figures released by the DAA.
Saudis likely to cut the price of crude oil as market grapples with glut

Prices little changed despite strikes on Venezuela by US, Ukraine-Russia claims and tensions around Yemen

Saudi Aramco officials do not comment on monthly OSPs. Photo: Bloomberg

Siyi Liu Reuters Wed 31 Dec 2025 at 06:30

Saudi Arabia, the worlds biggest oil exporter, is expected to lower the February price for its flagship Arab Light crude for Asian buyers for a third month, mirroring declines in the spot market due to ample supplies, sources said.
As Bulgaria joins the eurozone, which countries remain outside the single currency and for how long?

No consensus on public support for euro across continent

Bulgarian euro coins in Sofia, as the country joins the eurozone. Photo: Reuters

Simon Johnson Reuters Thu 1 Jan 2026 at 18:33

Bulgaria became the 21st member of the eurozone today despite opposition from half its electorate, leaving only a handful of countries in the 27-member European Union yet to adopt the currency.
Subtle homoerotic strain in John le Carres work permeates BBC follow-up

Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine, Tom Hollander as Major Corkoran, Elizabeth Debicki as Jed Marshall, Olivia Colman as Angela Burr, and Hugh Laurie as Richard Roper in 'The Night Manager'. Photo: Mitch Jenkins/The Ink Factory/AMC

Unplanned sequels are often of dubious artistic intent, created to take advantage of popular demand and a guaranteed audience. David Farr is all too aware of the trap. Nearly a decade ago, he adapted John le Carres novel, The Night Manager, into one of the BBCs most popular ever Sunday-night dramas  its final episode pulled 10 million viewers in the UK.

The series was set in the Arab Spring and Tom Hiddleston played Jonathan Pine, a hotel manager-turned-bootleg MI6 agent who overthrows Richard Roper, an international arms dealer who operates on wicked charm and pseudo-philanthropy.

It was always intended as a standalone  Le Carres Night Manager was a single book. But the show was a global hit. Then came the awards, including a Bafta and three Golden Globes, and the siren call of the franchise.

By the time Farr was approached, he was working on the Amazon Prime show Hanna, and also just hadnt really prepared anything.

I was very scared of doing something rubbish after something very good, Farr said, adding that he definitely did not want to do a kind of Jonathan Pine spin-off, where he just rushes around the world being heroic and wearing sunglasses.

He instinctively wanted to carry on the series, but didnt quite know how  and so Pine was put on the back burner.

Then, one night in 2020, the idea for series two came to Farr in a dream. But in a cosmic joke worthy of Shakespeare, Le Carre died that same night.

Le Carre had given his blessing for a second series and his sons, who run the production company behind series one, were on board. And so, a Brexit, a pandemic, and two Donald Trump terms later, and Hiddleston, now 44, will return to our screens as a slightly less nubile but still relentlessly slick Jonathan Pine.

Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine, Tom Hollander as Major Corkoran, Elizabeth Debicki as Jed Marshall, Olivia Colman as Angela Burr, and Hugh Laurie as Richard Roper in 'The Night Manager'. Photo: Mitch Jenkins/The Ink Factory/AMC

Series two opens rather unglamorously with Pine, who is now called Alex Goodwin, heading up a modest MI6 surveillance unit called the Night Owls. Were watchers. Were not the show, remember? says one of Goodwins colleagues. There is a faint whiff of Slow Horses, if with a slightly more polished and competent team.

I respect it a lot, Farr says of the Apple TV hit. But I also wanted to blow Slow Horses up  not literally, but you know what I mean.

Farr doesnt want to give too much away, but suffice to say that Alex Goodwin does not last long.

While Slow Horses is a comedy of sorts, complete with fart jokes and relentless cock-ups, The Night Manager is grander and slicker. The funniest lines in series one were delivered by Ropers rascallish minion, Corky, (nailed by Tom Hollander), but he was killed off by Le Carre. Thats the trouble with unplanned sequels.

Series two takes itself a little more seriously. The action moves to Colombia, and the sunglasses and suits come out. Pine is on the case of a younger, broodier Roper imitator called Teddy dos Santos, played by Diego Calva (an extremely beautiful man, says Farr).

Pine enlists the help of Roxana Bolanos (Camila Morrone), a wily operator who also happens to have Bond girl looks. I wanted her to be a bit of a match for Pine, actually. And for no one, no one to be quite sure whos playing who, Farr said.

The presence of women in Le Carres original book was quite frankly dreadful, and he admitted it completely.

The notion of sexuality is not as defined as it used to be, and to be sexy, a man does not have to be that old-fashioned macho guy

Olivia Colmans character in series one was originally a man, while Farr describes Ropers wife, played by Elizabeth Debicki, as a beautiful trophy with no agency. Weve all met those kind of young women on the, well, on the society trail, but its not something that I wanted to come anywhere near doing again, he said.

One teaser image for the show is a Challengers-style shot of Morrone, Calva and Hiddleston in a steamy three-way embrace. Theres a very sexual and quite fluid triangle at the heart of it, Farr added.

Were in a world now where the notion of fluidity, the notion of sexuality, is not as defined as it used to be, and to be sexy, a man does not have to be that old-fashioned macho guy... Tom just loves that space.

Farr thinks Hiddleston plays Pine as an upright Englishman who also contains wonderful, fluid mysteries. The love triangle may seem modern but it was a nod to Le Carre, who had a very subtle homoerotic strain in all of his work.

Everyone knows theres been this incredible tradition of fluidity and sexuality for decades, absolute decades, Farr added, citing everyone from the Cambridge spies to modern-day politicians. No one ever really talks about. It just interests me. Its very classically English. Dont talk about it, but it is there.

Farr thinks the show differs from spy thrillers like James Bond because it is rooted in real world politics. Our show is fundamentally  and Le Carre kept saying this  it is about arms dealing, and that right now is a very, very relevant issue, he said. Yet his aim is to deliver the hard-hitting stuff with a lightness of touch: I want people to feel, wow, this is both a really serious piece of work, at the same time that theyre just having a ball.

The Night Manager series two begins on BBC One at 9.05pm tonight. For readers in the UK, it is also available on the iPlayer
Xi congratulates Guy Parmelin on assuming Swiss presidency

Xinhua) 11:18, January 01, 2026

BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a congratulatory message to Guy Parmelin on his assuming presidency of the Swiss Confederation.

Xi recalled that during his state visit to Switzerland in 2017, the two countries announced the launch of a joint study on upgrading the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement, and that under President Parmelin's impetus, negotiations on the upgrade have made positive progress.

At present, Xi said, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and joint efforts by the two countries to support free trade is a vivid reflection of the high-level development of bilateral relations, injecting more certainty and stability into global development and prosperity.

Xi pointed out that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership and also the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, presenting broad opportunities for innovative cooperation between the two countries.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Switzerland relations, and stands ready to work with President Parmelin to continuously expand mutually beneficial cooperation and elevate bilateral relations to new heights for the benefit of the two peoples.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Wu Chaolan)
SYDNEY, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Authorities on Thursday morning issued an emergency warning for a life-threatening bushfire burning near the Perth Airport in Western Australia (WA).

A warning issued shortly before 6 a.m. local time by the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said that residents in the Kalamunda region, 15 km east of central Perth and 5 km from the city's international airport, should leave immediately.

The DFES said that an out-of-control bushfire moving in a northerly direction posed a threat to lives and homes and that residents need to act immediately to survive.

It said that people in the affected area should leave in a westerly direction if it is safe to do so.

"Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute could put your life in danger," the warning said.

Anyone who tries to leave and becomes stuck in their car has been advised to cover themselves with a woollen blanket and get onto the floor of the vehicle in case intense heat causes the windows to break.

The DFES said that people who are unable to leave the area should prepare to shelter in their home in a room with running water and a clear exit.

"You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you before the flames reach you," it said.

Kalamunda and the neighboring affected suburbs of Maida Vale and Forrestfield had a combined population of around 25,000 people at the time of the 2021 national census.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that power lines are down in the warning area and several roads have been closed, but that Perth Airport has not been affected by the fire. 
We told them to jump, there was no other way out  arson attack on Finglas home believed to be mistaken identity

Petrol bombing of familys home in Dublin leaves two women and three teenagers hospitalised

Five people injured after suspected arson at Dublin house

Conor Feehan, Robin Schiller and Laura Lynott Thu 1 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Gardai believe an arson attack on an innocent familys home in Dublin that left two women and three teenagers in hospital was a case of mistaken identity.
Gardai establish 390 new speed camera zones across the country in bid to reduce road fatalities

It brings the total number of safety camera zones nationwide to 1,901

Garda speed vans. Stock image.

Keith Kelly Thu 1 Jan 2026 at 14:17

Some 390 new speed camera zones will be rolled out by gardai from today as part of a campaign to reduce road fatalities caused by speeding.
Its a boy  the first baby born in Ireland in 2026 just seconds past midnight

Baby Ellliot came into the world at 35 seconds past midnight to new parents Rachel and Adam Deak from Rathnew, Co Wicklow. The baby boy weighed 3.66kg and was born at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin.

Baby Elliott, born at 35 seconds past midnight, weighing 3.66kg, with his parents Rachel and Adam Deak, from Rathnew, Co Wicklow. Also pictured, midwives Macarena and Nicolas at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin.

Laura Lynott Thu 1 Jan 2026 at 14:37

The first baby born in 2026 is a little boy named Elliot  who arrived into the world just 35 seconds past midnight.
The 30 motorcyclists who died on Irish roads last year was the highest number in almost 20 years with concerns raised about the overall increase in road fatalities.

A Government minister described 2025 as an incredibly difficult year on Irish roads while senior gardai say they will continue to target drivers who engage in the most risky and dangerous driving behaviours.
Roderic OGorman is aiming to rebuild the Green Party from a near wipeout within a single Dail term, with the next big test of that goal coming in this years by-elections.

In an interview with the Press Association, Mr OGorman assessed the performance of the Government without the Greens, warned the justice minister Jim OCallaghan not to fool himself, and set benchmarks for rebuilding his party.
Technology developed in Donegal is helping to provide clean drinking water in Uganda and could be rolled out to other countries next year.

Since 2019, researchers at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Letterkenny have been working on a smart sensor to detect faults in the handpumps being used in boreholes in rural Uganda.
live |

The rain has nowhere to go  more flooding fears amid worst case scenario as eight counties under weather warning with rivers at risk
Homelessness is a structural failure of our housing system and it needs to be corrected with urgency

While increasing supply is vital, it's not enough on its own without a focus on affordability and security. Stock image

The EU's new housing plan will only be a success if it reduces homelessness. Stock image: Getty

Can you imagine being homeless as we enter the new year? Homelessness in Ireland is no longer a marginal issue. It is a structural failure of our housing system, playing out every night in record numbers of adults and children without a safe place to call home.

Families are entering emergency accommodation, not because of individual crises, but because the private rental market has become unaffordable, insecure and inaccessible. At the same time, social housing supply remains far short of what is needed.

Against this reality, the European Commissions new European Affordable Housing Plan arrives at a critical moment. it offers a recognition at EU level that Europes housing crisis  and the homelessness it is driving  cannot be solved by markets alone.

Homelessness is not inevitable. It is the predictable outcome of policy choices that fail to prioritise affordability, security and access to housing for those on the lowest incomes.

The EU Affordable Housing Plan focuses on increasing housing supply, mobilising investment, simplifying regulatory and state aid frameworks, and supporting those most affected by housing exclusion.

Crucially, it recognises the need to expand social and affordable housing, and to remove barriers that prevent governments from acting at the scale required.

This framing aligns closely with what we see on the ground in Ireland.

Homelessness here is driven primarily by an inability to access affordable, secure housing, especially in the private rental market

Homelessness here is driven primarily by an inability to access affordable, secure housing, especially in the private rental market. Irelands homelessness crisis cannot be solved without a fundamental expansion of social housing.

While increasing overall supply is necessary, it is not sufficient. Without a clear focus on affordability and security, new homes will continue to bypass those most at risk of homelessness.

The EU plan strengthens the case for doing things differently.

While increasing supply is vital, it's not enough on its own without a focus on affordability and security. Stock image

First, proposed flexibility in EU state aid rules could make it easier for Ireland to invest directly and decisively in social housing, including homes for people with the lowest incomes. This is essential if we are to prevent homelessness rather than simply respond to it after the fact.

Second, the plan acknowledges the role of market pressures and financialisation in driving housing exclusion. In Ireland, the loss of affordable private rental homes has been a key driver of family homelessness.

An EU-wide focus on addressing these pressures  including the impact of short-term letting and speculative activity  supports national efforts to stabilise the rental sector and protect tenants.

Third, the proposed Pan-European Housing Investment Platform offers an opportunity to access long-term financing to support housing delivery by local authorities and approved housing bodies. If used strategically, this could accelerate the provision of genuinely affordable homes where they are most needed.

However, plans and frameworks will only matter if they translate into real change for people experiencing homelessness

However, plans and frameworks will only matter if they translate into real change for people experiencing homelessness. From Simon Communities of Irelands perspective, the success of the EU Affordable Housing Plan  and Irelands engagement with it  must be measured by one simple test: does it reduce the number of people being forced to experience the trauma of homelessness and the number of people being trapped in homelessness?

This means ensuring that new investment prioritises: social housing for those on the lowest incomes; long-term affordability and security of tenure; and prevention, so people are not forced into the trauma of homelessness in the first place.

Too often, homelessness policy has been treated as separate from mainstream housing policy. The EU plan offers an opportunity to correct that mistake. Homelessness is not a niche issue, it is the sharpest expression of a housing system that is failing to meet need.

Ber Grogan is executive director of Simon Communities of Ireland
The name Donald Trump was writ large over the last year. It remains to be seen if the US president will continue to dominate  or some might even say dictate  events for the year ahead.

Having gilded the White House, he will be hoping to burnish his own credentials with a Nobel Peace Prize later in the year.

is efforts in the Middle East have to be acknowledged. Conditions in Gaza are still shameful and inhumane, and Israel must allow greater access to aid. Hamas remains a threat, but negotiated settlement is the only way: a return to war cannot be countenanced.

In Ukraine, Mr Trumps success in closing in on a deal has surprised many. Outstanding issues remain, but sources in Kyiv and Washington are more upbeat.

The geopolitical implications of any deal are of unparalleled importance. No one has benefited more from the second coming of Mr Trump than Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has enjoyed a complete rehabilitation and a welcome return from the cold.

For president Volodymyr Zelensky, everything hinges on robust security guarantees and compromise on Moscows territorial demands.

On securing the ceasefire in Gaza, Mr Trump said Im good at solving wars as he flew to Israel. In the next few weeks that claim will certainly be severely tested.

Judging by Putins actions to date, he does not appear to be serious about the pursuit of peace.

Mr Trump has recently tried to offload some of the responsibility for protecting Ukraine to Europe

Despite the horrendous death toll within the ranks of the Russian army, he seems intent on continuing the war. He has been allowed to believe he can have it all, and that includes the whole of Donetsk and Luhansk.

But Ukraines calls for both sides to withdraw from the front lines and establish free economic zones may have caught him off guard.

Analysts feel that although it is an obvious fudge, it may be enough to sway sceptical Ukrainian voters.

Protection against future Russian aggression is foremost in the Ukrainian leaders thinking, for good reason. Granting Putin a deeper foothold in a country he has pledged to wipe off the map is not an easy proposition to sell.

Mr Trump has recently tried to offload some of the responsibility for protecting Ukraine to Europe. The reality is that there can be no ambiguity in countering the Russian threat.

Many analysts question the credibility of vague security guarantees. If neither the Europeans nor the Americans have dared to enter into open conflict with Russia, would treaty obligations really change that calculus down the road?

Any sign of weakness and Putin will not hesitate to test their resolve. Nonetheless, the war is also hurting Putin and draining the Russian economy.

Were Mr Trump to exert the superpower pressure only he can summon to stop the war, he would not only be bolstering his own chances for Nobel glory in Stockholm, he would also make the world a much safer place in 2026.
KABUL, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Around 2.8 million Afghan refugees have returned to their homeland, Afghanistan, in 2025, according to the country's Ministry of Economy.

"About 2.8 million refugees returned home in a year. The economy has grown and the hopes have increased for further economic stability in the future," the Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) quoted the ministry's spokesperson, Abdul Rahman Habib, on Wednesday night as saying.

Habib did not give more details on the return of Afghan refugees.

However, Habib noted that the Afghan government would continue to support the private sector, foreign investment and implement major development projects to increase local products as part of an economic strategy to stabilize the national economy, create job opportunities and eventually alleviate poverty.

Millions of Afghan refugees had been living in neighboring Pakistan and Iran in the past more than four decades, escaping war and civil unrest. 
Dance star and Cork resident Michael Flatley opens up on riches, cancer diagnosis, and his faith

Lord of the Dance star discusses singing rebel songs with the Prince of Monaco, money, media backlash and a life-threatening diagnosis

Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley spoke to Irish documentary maker Colm Flynn

Kevin Galvin Thu 1 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Lord of the Dance and Cork resident Michael Flatley has opened up about his success, faith, and battles with cancer in a revealing new interview with Irish journalist Colm Flynn, broadcast on the BBC.
The restoration of the iconic Baby Hannahs Mural in Skibbereen has been successfully completed.

An historic mural in Skibbereen which symbolises the closure of the towns railway line has been restored and completed in recent weeks.

The restoration of the iconic Baby Hannahs Mural in Skibbereen has been successfully completed, representing a significant achievement in safeguarding the towns cultural heritage.

This important project was supported by Cork County Council through the Heritage Grant Scheme and Arts Programme, together with funding from the Heritage Councils Community Heritage Grant Scheme.

The refurbishment was carried out by renowned German muralist Claudia Koch, under the supervision of the Skibbereen & District Historical Society.

Originally created in 1994 by local artist Russell Barrett, the mural portrays the poignant departure of the last train from Skibbereen, symbolising the closure of the towns railway line.

For more than three decades, this artwork has stood as a powerful tribute to local history and remains deeply cherished by residents and visitors alike.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley said: This completed project shows the impact of public art on people and the effectiveness of a collaborative partnership approach in preserving our heritage. This project means that this mural can be enjoyed for years to come.

The successful completion of the restoration ensures that this significant piece of public art will be preserved for generations to come, highlighting an ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating a rich cultural tradition.
The restaurant was delighted to have Miriam Margolyes pay a visit PIC CREDIT: Facebook/The Field

A popular Galway restaurant is closing its doors for the final time as owners confirm they will be shutting up shop in 2025.

The Field Gastro Pub in Gort is set to close down after over eight years of service in the town, where it has grown a loyal customer base.

Owners confirmed to The Irish Independent that Wednesday, December 31 would mark their final service at the Crowe St eatery.

A tribute to the co-owners was written by local health food shop Open Sesame who bid a fond farewell on Tuesday, December 30.

They said: Sad last meal in The Field tonight! They finish up tomorrow. Hope someone can take over this lovely venue and wish the two lads much happiness in whatever they do next.

Owners of local health food shop Open Sesame paid a last visit on Tuesday PIC CREDIT: Facebook/Open Sesame

Thanks for great memories of rowdy family meals - you never rushed or hassled us and you kept your prices decent. Good luck Sal!

The restaurant has seen some famous faces come through their doors over the past few years.

In 2022, iconic actor Miriam Margolyes OBE paid a visit for lunch with owners only too delighted to serve.

They said of the experience: So happy to welcome Miriam Margolyes OBE in The Field this evening.

We're all big fans! Starstruck!

Meanwhile, RTE star Daithi OSe popped in for lunch back in 2018 and said they made him the best burger in town.

The pub first opened its doors back in August 2017.

Daithi O'Se poses with owners in 2018 PIC CREDIT: Instagram/the Field

Locals shared their sadness at the news of the gastropubs closure as one said: Will be missed. Such a gap in the market in Gort for restaurants. Had such great meals in there.

Another said: Sad to see The Field closing. Wishing you both all the best for the future, thanks for the great meals and memories!

A third wrote: I'm so sad to read this. Loved going there. Best of luck to all.
As many across Ireland were celebrating with family and friends on Christmas Day, one dinner was put on hold to help a young puppy who was found on a footpath, cold, frightened and covered in fleas.

The three to four-month-old puppy had reportedly been lying there since the previous day and it was only when passers-by stopped, wrapped her in blankets and made a call to Galway SPCA that help finally arrived.

In a post on social media, Galway SPCA explained: We often say theres no clock or day off in rescue and today was no different, despite being a special day around the world. Today as our Christmas Day Team were just starting their afternoon kennels, prepping Christmas dinner for our dogs and thinking of soon getting home to their families, friends and a dinner, a call came in about an abandoned/stray dog who had been found lying on a footpath, uninjured but full of fleas and scared.

Merry was rescued on Christmas Day. Photo: Galway SPCA

We have since learnt she had been there since the day before. The finders wrapped her in blankets and rang us. There was never a question of us refusing an animal in need but our hearts did sink a little, not only because we are absolutely full and now we had to think fast to create space but also because we had really been hoping for one day free from constantly having to pick up the pieces.

Despite being already stretched to capacity, the charity did not hesitate to help as two of its team members, Katie and Jack put their Christmas dinner on hold to rescue the puppy.

But pick them up we did thanks to Katie and Jack who didnt hesitate when our kennel manager rang them from kennels asking if they could drive the 2.5 hr round trip to bring this little one to safety, despite being in the middle of their own Christmas Day (dinner was put on hold!) This little one is now safe and Katie and Jack finally got to eat their Christmas Dinner, just later than intended.

Merry will soon be up for adoption. Photo: Galway SPCA

Nearly a week on, the transformation has been remarkable.

In an update, Galway SPCA said the dog, now named Merry, has found her mojo and inner puppy and she will soon be up for adoption.

Merry was rescued on Christmas Day. Photo: Galway SPCA

You may remember our emergency call out on Christmas Day as most people were sitting down to their Christmas Dinner? The three to four-month-old pup found lying on the streets. Thankfully due to having a wonderful team here at Galway SPCA, we got her into our kennels that afternoon, and we named her Merry.

Nearly a week on and Merry has certainly found her mojo and inner puppy, a sweet, loveable girl with a cheeky attitude and a clever mind. She has already learnt how to walk on a harness and loves her walks up the road with the other dogs, though does like to be out in front bossing her two male doggy friends around.

Merry is no shrinking violet, outgoing and confident on the outside but with a soft centre that loves cuddles too. For Merry the future is now bright and applications will soon open for her rehoming after New Year.
The first 3.1km section of the South Kerry Greenway from Goldens Shop, Kells to the Old Railway Station at Kells. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan.

As the festive season winds down and the sight of chocolate, sweets and alcohol is enough to make your stomach turn, thoughts inevitably turn to getting back to fighting fit in 2026.

Yes, theres the traditional method of signing up to the gym, but as someone who has been there, done that and bought the t-shirt, keeping that gym motivation going past February or March is much easier said than done.

As someone who much prefers getting out into the fresh air for a walk, heres a list of just some of the many walks we have here in Kerry that you can take over the course of 2026.

From brisk seaside strolls to challenging mountain climbs, Kerry offers walks to suit every fitness level.

Carrauntoohil (via Devils Ladder)

For the more adventurous out there, Irelands highest peak remains the ultimate bucket list item to tick off in 2026. The Devils Ladder route is the most popular ascent  challenging, rewarding, and offering breathtaking views over the MacGillycuddys Reeks. It is of course, only recommended in good weather and with proper experience or guidance.

Greenways

The greenways here in Kerry offer safe, accessible and inspiring ways to experience Kerrys landscapes on foot or by bike. The network includes three distinct Greenways, with two fully open and a third opening on a phased basis.

The two greenways that are currently fully open are

Tralee to Fenit Greenway - 13.6km  This scenic route links Tralee with Fenit, following the former railway built to serve the deep-water port. It offers panoramic views of Tralee Bay, Mount Brandon and the Dingle Peninsula.

Listowel to Limerick Greenway - 53km  Running along the Great Southern & Western Railway line, this long-distance Greenway connects North Kerry with Limerick. Passing through river valleys, woodland corridors and towns such as Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West and Rathkeale, it provides one of Irelands most immersive rural Greenway experiences.

South Kerry Greenway  32km (opening in phases)  The South Kerry Greenway follows the route of the former Glenbeigh - Valentia Harbour railway, once the most westerly railway in Europe. After years of planning and development, the first section at Kells opened in December. Construction continues on the remaining sections, with the full Greenway ultimately connecting Glenbeigh to Reenard, south-west of Cahersiveen.

Bray Head Loop, Valentia Island

A favourite of locals and visitors alike, this coastal loop offers fantastic views over the Skelligs, Puffin Island, and the wild Atlantic. The old signal tower at the summit is a vantage point not to be missed, so make sure to bring your camera!

Ballyseedy Woods, Tralee

This one is perfect for families or anyone easing back into fitness. The trails at Ballyseedy offer easy walking, sheltered paths, and rich history threaded through ancient woodland. Its ideal for a peaceful January stroll.

Mount Brandon (Pilgrim Path)

A hike not for the faint-hearted and one that requires a decent fitness level, with the proper experience and hiking gear. This trek up to the highest point on the Dingle Peninsula is a must-do for 2026. The route  which is marked with crosses  has drawn walkers for generations. On a clear day, the panorama takes in the Blasket Islands, Smerwick Harbour, and the Atlantic.

Killarney National Park

Killarney, with its mountains, lakes, rivers and relatively unspoilt natural world, is home to Irelands largest National Park, old oak woodlands, expansive moors and the last remaining native red deer population, along with a wealth of other wildlife.

Sprawling over 10,236 hectares, this beautiful park is an idyllic place to explore.

Killarney National Park was the first national park in Ireland, created when Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish Free State in 1932. The park is situated within the Kerry UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Lakes of Killarney and the Mangerton, Torc, Shehy and Purple Mountains are also in the park.

Ross Castle and Muckross House draw big crowds. The area is also steeped in history, with features such as bronze age copper mines on Ross Island, Muckross Abbey, Ross Castle and Muckross House.

The North Kerry Way

The North Kerry Way is a 48-kilometre linear walking route that begins in Tralee and winds its way to the picturesque seaside village of Ballyheigue.

Setting off from Tralee, the route follows the same initial stretch as the Dingle Way, passing through Blennerville and from there, the path veers northwest along the old sea wall at the back of Tralee Bay.

The trail continues through the village of Spa to Banna Strand. From here, the route proceeds north to Ballyheigue, skirting the wild and rugged terrain of Kerry Head, with its panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Terrain along the North Kerry Way includes quiet country lanes, beach stretches (which can be soft at high tide), tracks, field paths and bog roads. The trail is mostly level, with the final 18 kilometres introducing some short but rewarding ascents, offering a total climb of approximately 370 metres. Several short loop walks also link to the main route, making it ideal for day walkers as well as those seeking a multi-day hiking experience in Kerry.

Ballybunion Cliff Walk

This well-marked trail wraps around dramatic sea cliffs, revealing caves, blowholes, and perfectly framed views of the Wild Atlantic. Its short, accessible, and always spectacular, especially in winter with the waves thundering below.
Heres a look back at some of the events that defined a year of politics in the kingdom.

January: We are ready now to work even harder for the people of Kerry

After several weeks of intense negotiations, Michael Healy-Rae and Danny Healy-Rae agreed to form part of the new government, with Michael Healy-Rae promoted to junior minister at the department of agriculture.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae described it as proud moment in which he is honoured, humbled and ready to serve the farming community.

I wonder too where we all would be only for the brave decision my late father Jackie took in April 1997 to stand for the Dail. We as a family are proud of that legacy and work hard both night and day to honour it.

February: I am blown away by the huge levels of support

The Fine Gael councillor Michael Kennelly was elected to the Seanads Labour panel, joining fellow county man Senator Mark Daly, who was re-elected.

Senator Kennelly first served on Listowel Town Council in 2009, and as a member of Listowel MD since 2014. Speaking after his election, he called it a massive honour.

I am blown away by the huge levels of support I received from public representatives throughout the country across all parties and none, he said.

I am hopeful that my election to the Seanad will help to unite the party in Kerry so that we can regain a seat in Dail Eireann at the next general election.

March: A victory for common sense over ideological dogma

Planning permission was awarded for the new 600 MW power plant operated by Shannon LNG at the Tarbert/Ballylongford Landbank.

The long-awaited LNG project was 16-years in the making, having encountered stiff opposition from environmentalists.

Ireland South MEP Billy Kelliher described the decision as a victory for common sense over ideological dogma, adding that its an important milestone in ensuring Irish energy security into the future.

Too much ideological purity has led us to where we are: vulnerable to external energy shocks, he said.

April: Its great to be back home

Aoife Kennelly arrived home from Australia to take over the Fine Gael council seat vacated by her father Michael Kennelly after his promotion to Seanad Eireann in February.

It wasnt an easy decision for me, but Im delighted to have made it, said Cllr Kennelly.

Ive kind of inspired myself from watching my father doing politics over the years. Ive always had that interest. As soon as the opportunity arose, I decided to go for it. Its great to be back home.

May: Clinking wine glasses with a genocide supporter

Kerry County Council were accused of clinking wine glasses with a genocide supporter after US Congressman Richard Neal received a civic reception at Muckross House in Killarney.

A crowd of over 60 protesters gathered outside the building for the duration of the meeting as members of Kerry Friends of Palestine waved Palestinian flags and held signs saying, US bombs murder babies in Gaza.

Were appalled and its incredibly disappointing that the council thought this was an appropriate time to bestow the highest honour on a man who is an active voter in the laws that are impacting Palestinians, said a member of Kerry Friends of Palestine.

June: A great honour

Fine Gael Councillor Mike Foley was elected as the new Mayor of Kerry, succeeding outgoing mayor, Cllr Breandan Fitzgerald.

A native of Ballylongford, Mayor Foley is an elected representative of the Listowel MD and has been involved in politics for over 12 years in various roles.

Municipal District mayors were also elected, with Cllr Martin Grady for Killarney, Cllr Terry OBrien for Tralee, Cllr Michael Leane for Listowel, Cllr Bobby OConnell for Castleisland/Corca Dhuibhne and Cllr Norma Moriarty for Kenmare.

July: We have taken a massive risk

Killarney councillors put millions on the line in a high-stake vote against the proposed redevelopment of the derelict Aras Phadraig.

Just over 867,000 was spent on redevelopment plans after the Killarney MD voted through the 47m plans for a theatre and primary care centre at the Aras Phadraig site in February.

After public backlash from a second public consultation, councillors reversed their support for the project, saying they would instead seek a library and administrative offices along with a larger theatre.

The easy thing to do would have been to let it continue on. We made the difficult decision and saved the county coffers a lot of money, argued Killarney Cllr John ODonoghue.

August: The group that falls between the two stools

A report released by the National Oversight and Audit Commission showed a motley picture of the councils performance over 2024.

The council sold the highest number of social houses of any council last year while also adding the lowest percentage of new units to its housing stock, which Cllr Norma Moriarty said reflected the large delivery of social housing prior to 2024.

Where there has been least activity is in the private market, the group that falls between the two stools if you like, who cant afford to buy, or even secure a mortgage, and are above the threshold for social housing, she said.

September: The people of Kerry should be the ones who decide

In a heated gathering at KCCs headquarters the motion not to propose Mr Sheridan for presidential candidacy was put to a vote among the 32 councillors present and was defeated by 18 votes 14.

Both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael attempted to block the vote, with Cllr Norma Moriarty strongly opposed selecting Mr Sheridan.

Are we going to nominate someone for the sake of it? Or are we going to nominate someone who we believe would make an exceptional president? That is the question thats before us, she said.

Labour Party Councillor Terry OBrien spoke of supporting democracy and the candidates right to speak and put themselves forward.

The people of Kerry should be the ones who decide and the way you do that is by putting someone forward for election. My colleague [Cllr Moloney] and I will not be blocking competition, he said.

October: Finally, justice

Three Kerry survivors of Industrial and Reformatory schools went on hunger strike outside Dail Eireann on September 22, ending on November 10, after 51 days.

Mary ODonovan and Miriam Moriarty Owens from Tralee, and Maurice Patton-O'Connell from Cahersiveen formed part of a six-person group partaking in the hunger strike.

Their ordeal culminated in a deal that included HAA medical cards and full contributory state pensions, owing to the work they were forced to do as children while in state-care.

Finally, justice for all survivors of Irelands industrial and reformatory schools. An apology for our criminal records. An apology for the boarded out, which was very important, said Ms Owens.

November: So what if its taking a long time? Im in no rush

Kerry county council passed its 248m draft budget for 2026 in a meeting that saw flashes of anger as councillors rushed to digest the 187-page report.

Commercial rates for businesses are set to stay put, with Cllr Niall Botty OCallaghan saying it was good news for businesses and would provide a much-needed relief.

While Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae and other members took issue with the fact that there was no new funding for school traffic wardens, only Cllr Robert Brosnan voted against the budget due to the increase in the price of Eco Sense Bags, from 10 to 12 for a pack of four.

December: This is a generational project

The first section of the South Kerry Greenway was opened in what was a landmark moment for the flagship project.

Finally, this is the first sign of real, concrete progress being made on one of several projects in the South Kerry region, said Cllr Tommy Cahill.

This is a generational project and this will be the most impressive Greenway not only in Ireland, but across Europe and beyond.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme
The Government issued an urgent circular to all Irish hospitals in 1973 to ensure poisons are carefully kept under lock-and-key after a young woman died in Tralee County Hospital after accidentally taking sodium nitrate tablets which she wrongly thought were headache medications.

Confidential files released as part of the State Papers revealed that the tragic death of Marie Rohan (20) in 1973 prompted a major review of medication security provisions across all Irish hospitals.

Ms Rohan of Strand Street, Tralee had been out socialising with friends in the town on September 4, 1973, when she fell near the steps of Tralee Courthouse.

The 20-year-old had been with her boyfriend and several female friends. After consuming several drinks, she appeared to lose her footing and fall when walking by the steep steps.

She briefly lost consciousness and was taken to Tralee hospital for assessment.

A Garda report - dated December 12, 1973 - outlined the tragic circumstances of what happened next.

"She was placed on the couch in the casualty ward and Dr Rusheed, the Surgical Registrar, was called and he attended to her," the official Garda report noted.

"She regained consciousness and wanted to go home. She in fact signed her own release but was persuaded by her friends to remain for observation for the night."

"When she consented to stay she was put to bed in a ward at the rear of the casualty ward - this was at 2.30am (September 5)."

"She was then considered to be fully alert and was left alone."

Nurses found Ms Ronan a short time later in the hospital kitchen.

"She said she had a headache and was after getting two Anadin tablets from the cupboard."

"She was taken back to bed in the casualty ward where she became very ill."

"(Ms Ronan) was attended to by Dr T Glynn, Dr Rusheed, Dr Twomey, Dr O'Brien and Dr O'Sullivan. Ms Rohan failed to respond to treatment and died at 3.15am."

It was discovered that the young woman had not taken Anadin tablets but had somehow found an old tin in an upper shelf of the cupboard which contained the poison, sodium nitrate.

While a post mortem examination was being organised by Dr R Coakley, Kerry pathologist, a major search of the kitchen area involved was conducted.

"In doing so he (a doctor) located a tin box with a screw cap and bearing the proprietary label '100 Sodium Nitrate BPC Solution Tablets (Anti-Rust) 1 Gramme. ICI. Not to be Taken.'

Nitrate is a very fast acting poison.

The Garda investigation said it appeared the incident was a terrible accident.

"Everything points to the deceased taking the tablets while in the casualty ward. These tablets were never used in the casualty ward and all the staff were amazed that such a box, even empty, should be found there."

The file revealed the then Tanaiste and Health Minister, Brendan Corish, took the matter extremely seriously and ordered a review into the incident pending a Kerry coroner's inquest.

Further, he directed that a special circular be issued to all Irish health boards in respect of the safe storage of potentially poisonous substances.

In a letter dated May 1974, a special warning was issued to all Irish hospitals and clinics.

"I am directed by the Minister for Health to draw your attention to the necessity for extreme caution where poisonous substances are being used in hospitals," it advised.

"Great care should be taken to ensure that such substances are locked away when not in use, when they are in use that they are not easily accessible to patients who might use these substances to their own detriment."

The Department of Health directed Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Malachy Powell to visit Tralee County Hospital to ascertain the precise circumstances of what happened.

In a report dated March 26 1974, Dr Powell said Ms Rohan was in a small two bed ward when the tragedy occurred.

The inspector had toured the Tralee facility on March 8.

He said it was difficult to understand how Ms Rohan could have found the tablets whose existence was unknown to staff.

"One enters a first aid treatment room - a small room - in which was a cupboard in which it was supposed Ms Rohan got the tablets."

"This is a small cupboard with a sliding door, rather high on the wall and containing things that would be needed in the treatment room such as a patellar hammer, a diagnostic set, bandages and the like."

"It is said that in at the back of this cupboard there was a small cylindrical tin of sodium nitrate."

"Since there was no indication on this press that it contained drugs or tablets and since it is in two rooms from where Ms Rohan was in bed, and since it happened so quickly, (according to the nurse), I find it difficult to understand how Miss Rohan could have found the tablets she took."

The inspector said he was very impressed with the staff at Tralee County Hospital and how conscientious they were.

"It is difficult to say whether there was carelessness," he noted.

"This press was high on the wall and did not contain other medicines. It seems that the sodium nitrate tablets were there a very long time. They should, of course, have been put in a safe place but the nursing staff did not realise how deadly they were."

"Because of the passage of time and because it is clear to me that the staff of Tralee has suffered a shock they will never forget. I do not think we should apportion blame in this particular case."

"Yet we can derive some benefit from the happening. I suggest that we should circularise hospitals drawing their attention to the danger of having poisonous substances accessible to patients. We might ask the health board why they did not report this unusual happening to this Department."

"As to the police, I feel we should write and say we consider that there was no criminal carelessness and that we are taking steps to prevent a recurrence."

A final Department of Health memo dated May 1974 found: "The matter was investigated by a medical officer of the Department who considered that the staff at the hospital could not be held responsible for the accident which occurred."

That memo also sought an explanation from the Southern Health Board as to why the matter was not immediately reported to the Department.
Graffiti daubed along a public road in County Louth has been condemned as antisemetic hate speech which cannot be condoned in Ireland.

The graffiti was drawn on a rural route outside Ardee in Louth and included swastikas and statements which appeared to target the Jewish community.

Louth County Council confirmed they have investigated the locations where the graffiti was reported, and are working to have it removed.

Local Fianna Fail councillor, John Sheridan, told independent.ie: Targeting the Jewish community is something that cannot be condoned. The vileness of these comments, including the use of swastikas, is very evocative for the Jewish community, and speaks to how deliberate this was.

He added that it was very extensive, almost one hundred metres in length.

Images of the graffiti which appeared on roads between Shanlis and Ballapousta in mid-Louth, have been widely circulated online.

Cllr. Sheridan, who is Leas Cathaoirleach of Ardee Municipal District said: I am proud of the events we hold throughout the year in support of minority communities, including different religious minorities.

The Jewish community are a religious minority in Ireland, and I think Irish people need to reflect on that. We know what it is like to be a minority, and we should respect those differences. People are entitled to their faith, and we know in Ireland what faith can mean to someone.

He added: If people have concerns about other world events, there are avenues to peacefully protest about these, but not to target anyones faith or identity.

The graffiti was particularly offensive in the wake of the mass shooting at a Jewish celebration in Sydney, Australia before Christmas, said Cllr. Sheridan.

We need to be careful about our flippancy around this, and just scrolling past these incidents.

The Jewish community have, he said, spoken recently about the very real fears they have, and we should be very aware of that.

Louth County Council confirmed it is aware of antisemitic graffiti daubed on the R165 and L1260 near Ardee.

A spokesperson said: After being notified of the matter, our operations team investigated both locations on Wednesday, 31st December, and arrangements are being made to remove the graffiti as quickly as possible.

The council strongly condemns the use of antisemitic language or imagery in any form. Such acts are unacceptable and stand against our core values of equality and inclusiveness, and our commitment to fostering a respectful and welcoming community for all throughout County Louth.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Scut Fagans pub suffered a devastating fire in the early hours of New Years Eve morning, no injuries have been reported at this time

Locals in Moynalvey, Co. Meath woke up to a shock this morning as gardai and emergency services attended the scene of a fire at Scut Fagans (Fagans) pub in the early hours of the morning on December 31, 2025.

The fire was brought under control by several units of fire services from a number of nearby locations and the scene has been preserved for a technical examination. Fortunately no injuries have been reported at this time.

A traditional Irish country pub, Fagans is a popular meeting spot for those looking for great company to go with their pint in a classic, cosy corner of rural Meath. It is renowned for its traditional music and recently featured in the Oscar nominated film An Cailin Ciuin

Owners of the 150-year-old pub, Beth-Ann and John Reilly take their hospitality to great lengths even going as far as to call taxis for their customers upon request at the end of a night to ensure they get home safe.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana told the Irish Independent: Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of a fire at a commercial property at Moynalvey, Co Meath, at around 5:15am on December 31, 2025. The fire was extinguished by the fire services. No injuries reported at this time.

The scene has been held for a technical examination and enquiries are ongoing.
Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, presenting the award to Dylan Kilgannon from Dromore West at ATU Sligo.

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) hosted a special event recently to honour students who represented ATU Sligo at the WorldSkills Ireland Carpentry finals. The ceremony, attended by family, employers, staff, and students, saw Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, presenting the awards.

In the Joinery competition, Dylan Kilgannon from Dromore West finished first, receiving Silver at the WorldSkills competition.

Among those recognised was WorldSkills Ireland Carpentry Winner, Kenneth Mulrooney, from Carrowhubbuck North, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo. Mulrooney, representing ATU Sligo, secured the top national title following an intense competition that tested Irelands finest young carpenters.

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, presenting the award to Kenneth Mulrooney, from Carrowhubbuck North, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo at ATU Sligo.

Mulrooney was supported by his employer Brendan Kilrehill of Kilrehill Brothers, based in Carrowmarble, Dromore West, Co. Sligo. The company, a respected name in regional construction, has been instrumental in training young carpenters through hands-on, high-standard apprenticeship mentoring.

Among the honourees was ATU Sligo student Aaron Hayes, an apprentice from Bellinter, Co. Meath, who achieved remarkable national success after winning the Silver medal for first place in the Joinery competition at WorldSkills Ireland 2025, held recently at the RDS in Dublin.

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, presenting the award to ATU Sligo student Aaron Hayes.

The celebrations also acknowledged the contributions of Sligo-linked competitor Eoghan Tuttlebee from Bundoran, supported by employer Bryan Barber of Grange, Co. Sligo. ATU Sligo Lecturer and Worldskills Ireland joinery expert John Joe OReilly, praised the students exceptional skills, saying: To reach the national final, the students first had to qualify through a 12-hour national preliminary round. Their skills, knowledge, work ethic, and craftsmanship shone through in the final, where they completed a 22-hour joinery project incorporating modern and traditional wood joints in a 3D test. All their hard work and training paid off, and we couldnt be prouder of their achievements.

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, presenting the award to Eoghan Tuttlebee from Bundoran, supported by employer Bryan Barber of Grange, Co. Sligo.

ATU Sligo Lecturer and WorldSkills Ireland Carpentry Expert Patrick McElwee expressed his pride in the 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, raking and crossing rafters which all had to be developed first testing the geometric ability of each competitor, it has 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

Padraig McGarry Head of Department of Engineering Technology at ATU Sligo added:

I am very proud of the long tradition we have competing in the WorldSkills competition both nationally and internationally. 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.

Students and staff from ATU Sligo.

Mulrooneys national title adds to ATU Sligos growing reputation as a leading centre for carpentry and apprenticeship excellence, reinforcing the regions continued contribution to Irelands skilled trades workforce.
SYDNEY, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- A woman has drowned and a man has gone missing while swimming in separate incidents at Sydney beaches in the early hours of Thursday morning.

A police statement said that emergency services were called to reports that a person had been swept out into the ocean at Maroubra Beach, 10 km southeast of central Sydney, around 4 a.m. local time on Thursday.

Officers arrived at the scene and were told that a 25-year-old woman had been knocked into a tidal pool by a wave before further waves swept her out into the ocean.

An emergency search was launched and a body, believed to be that of the missing woman, was located about 5 a.m., police said.

Shortly afterward, emergency services were notified of a man believed to be aged in his 20s in trouble in the water at Coogee Beach, 3 km north of Maroubra Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that a police officer ran into the water to help fellow swimmers who tried to save the man, but they were unable to bring him to shore.

A police statement said that an emergency search is underway. A separate search was also due to resume on Thursday for a 14-year-old boy who has been missing since the boat he was on capsized near a beach in northern Sydney on Wednesday afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) on Thursday issued a hazardous surf warning for Sydney and surrounding areas, with police advising that people consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas. 
A special presentation was made to one of New Ross credit unions longest-serving members, Nick Cashin, as he retired after more than 30 years of commitment to the local branch and to the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU).

The presentation was made at the annual general meeting of the organisation which was held in the Brandon House Hotel recently,

On the night, those in attendance, which consisted of Credit Union members, Board of Management and Oversight Committee members, were joined by the President of the ILCU, Brendan Jenkins, who paid tribute to Mr Cashins time and involvement with every aspect of the Credit Union movement.

While addressing the attendees, Mr Jenkins said he had been previously invited to New Ross, but upon hearing that his colleague and friend was retiring, he marked the date in his diary and made his way to the south east from Clones, Co. Monaghan.

Its an honour to be here in New Ross, and to be among members of the NRCU who are very good supporters of the ILCU, and for that, I would like also to say thank you very much. We appreciate it. Sometimes we don't say thank you enough, as we have a large league of credit unions, but I'm saying thank you to you all, Mr Jenkins said.

Credit Unions are predominantly around our members and our community, and I think New Ross Credit Union here tonight, for my couple of hours here this evening, that is very evident, he continued.

I was here earlier on when your young people came in for their bursaries. So Id like to say well done for your community input, and more importantly, your member input. Listening to all the reports this evening, it's all about the member, and that's what's important, he added.

Commenting on Mr Cashins retirement, Mr Jenkins said that in his experience of the Kilkenny native, he would describe him only as one of lifes gentlemen.

Hes a really good credit union person, and has worked on various committees, some of which I had the pleasure of working alongside him, and he also worked on the national board for 10 years, so it really is an honour for me to be here in person to thank you for dedicating more than 30 years of your service to the credit union, Mr Jenkins concluded.

Mr Cashin told the AGM that the people working on behalf of New Ross Credit Union, including some who joined around the same time as he did, continue to do so on behalf of the members with their kindness and courtesy.

Theyre the people who epitomise everything that's good and noble in life, and it was a pleasure to have been a comrade, a colleague and a friend, said Mr Cashin, adding that knowing and working with the CEO, Peter Walsh, since 1999 has been a pleasure.

Mr Cashin summarised his time with the League as a very interesting 10 years of my life while he thanked his family for their support and the many people on the island of Ireland whom hes come to know, respect and appreciate, and become friends with.

I only had a call from a good colleague from Newcastle, Co. Down, during the week, and we spoke for over an hour on the phone. That's what Credit Union is all about, treating people with dignity and respect, and if you do that, you'll get it back.

I wish New Ross Credit Union the very best for the future. Always promote your credit union, because it enables people to help themselves. I thank you all, and thank the members for electing me over that period of time, Mr Cashin concluded.
Amy Winter, the Wexford woman behind the experience said that some of these kids have tried to see Santa in so many different settings but its here that they feel comfortable

Ryan Malone enjoying the Sensory Santa Experience for neurodivergent children and their families across the South Eastin the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Niamh Laffan pictured at the Sensory Santa Experience for neurodivergent children and their families across the South Eastin the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Rick Chen pictured at the Sensory Santa Experience for neurodivergent children and their families across the South Eastin the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Robert Hall pictured at the Sensory Santa Experience for neurodivergent children and their families across the South Eastin the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Amy Winter pictured with Santa Claus at the Sensory Santa Experience for neurodivergent children and their families across the South Eastin the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Noah Norghcot pictured with Santa Claus at the Sensory Santa Experience for neurodivergent children and their families across the South Eastin the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Amy Winter and some of then children pictured with Santa Claus at the Sensory Santa Experience for neurodivergent children and their families across the South East in the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday. Pic: Jim Campbell

The third year of Wexfords sensory Santa Claus experience for those with autism and neurodivergent needs has once again been an outstanding success as around 250 children getting to see the man himself.

Amy Winter, a mental health practitioner and founder of Little Kneaders is the woman behind it and said that over the course of three days in the Talbot Hotel, families from all of Ireland came to visit.

On the Monday evening, we had families come to visit us from Dublin again because it's been the only place that their child has been able to visit Santa, which was loads of fun, said Amy.

The special event didnt come without its challenges. At the last minute, the man initially lined up to be Santa Claus pulled out and Amy was especially grateful to Airmax Inflatables for sourcing Pat Nolan to be the man in the red suit.

Pat Nolan was just brilliant. He stepped in right at the last minute. The previous Santa pulled out at 6pm on the Sunday night. And so Pat rang me and said that he would be there on the Monday morning.

During its first year, Amy quickly learned what was essential.

We needed to provide a range of quiet sessions and higher energy sessions for those who may need a quieter environment and for those who have excess energy so that they can move around the room in their own safe space.

So, we decided to make our sessions a little bit smaller. They're 45-minute sessions and take place throughout the day.

Noah Norghcot pictured with Santa Claus at the Sensory Santa Experience for neurodivergent children and their families across the South Eastin the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday. Pic: Jim Campbell

The experience comes with the promise of absolutely no cues, access to a dedicated sensory room for emotions to regulate and no behaviour expectations.

For those who are pre-verbal, they don't have any words, so Santa was just doing high fives and six-seven with them, which was really lovely. But there was no expectations for them to do the traditional Santa visit. And then child would get a gift and they would go back into the sensory room to regulate afterwards.

She says that the feedback from parents was excellent and made her emotional.

Some of these kids have tried to see Santa in so many different settings, and then they come here, and it's the first time that they've wanted to engage with Santa. And that's always very emotional to see. There's always lots of tears from parents. Happy tears and probably tears of relief, I would say Amy added.

Rick Chen pictured at the Sensory Santa Experience for neurodivergent children and their families across the South Eastin the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday. Pic: Jim Campbell

She gave her thanks to all of the Irish companies, including Little Learning Steps, Safe Care Technologies, Sensory Den, Elephant Beanbags, SuperCalm Sensory Products and Otavo who helped make the experience possible.
Ireland and Wicklows oldest hotel has shared a snapshot of its year in numbers, revealing that it welcomed more than 30,000 guests and served over 121,000 meals during 2025.

The Woodenbridge Hotel and Lodge recently released its annual Hotel Wrapped figures on social media, offering an insight into the scale of operations at the historic south Wicklow establishment, which dates back to 1608.

According to the hotel, 30,187 guests stayed over the course of the year, while a total of 121,387 meals were served at its bar, The Bistro, Redmond restaurant and The Smokehouse.

Turkey and ham once again proved the most popular choice, with 6,028 portions served. The dish is accompanied by mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and red wine jus, and has long been a staple on the hotels menu.

Fish and chips ranked second, with 5,874 servings sold during the year. The hotel uses fresh fish delivered daily from Kilmore Quay, served with homemade tartar sauce, fries and a choice of salad or mushy peas, and cooked either pan-fried or in breadcrumbs.

The hotel also served 4,086 8oz sirloin steaks, prepared using grass-fed Irish Hereford beef and cooked to order over a hot flame, with mushrooms, onions and a choice of pepper sauce or garlic butter.

That was followed by 3,768 sirloin beef burgers, served on a brioche bun with gherkin, cheddar cheese, lettuce and caramelised red onion, while 3,456 chocolate brownies  offered hot or cold with cream or ice-cream  completed the top five.

Combined, the hotels five most popular dishes accounted for 23,212 orders over the course of the year.

The figures were shared by the hotel as part of its end-of-year Wrapped post, offering a retrospective look at guest numbers and dining trends across 2025.

In the post, a hotel spokesperson wrote: From welcoming 30,187 guests to serving over 121,387 meals, 2025 was filled with unforgettable stays, smiling faces, and plenty of delicious moments.

A heartfelt thank you to every guest who stayed, dined, celebrated, and created memories with us this year. Heres to another year of warm welcomes, great food, and Woodenbridge charm.

A busy 2025 has also included industry recognition, with the hotel recently confirmed as a finalist in the 2025 Gold Medal Awards, shortlisted once again in the Best Three-Star Hotel category, while also receiving its first-ever nomination in the Irelands Best Family Run Hotel category.

Announcing the news on social media, the hotel spokesperson said the team is thrilled to announce its selection as a finalist, describing the nominations as a testament to the hard work and dedication of our amazing team.

We couldnt be prouder to see their efforts recognised once again, they said.

The nomination follows back-to-back wins in the Irelands Favourite Place to Stay (Leinster) category in recent years.

The last two years, we were honoured to win Irelands Favourite Place to Stay (Leinster), and wed love to keep that title this year, the spokesperson added.

To support the Woodenbridge Hotel in the 2025 Gold Medal Awards voting, forms are available through its social media channels. Voting is open until January 23.
Roisin and Fiona Daly at the Comfort and Joy charity concert in Arklow Methodist Church. Photo: Michael Kelly

Gillian Byrne, Sadie Cunningham, Ann Healy and Mary Healy at the Comfort and Joy charity concert in Arklow Methodist Church. Photo: Michael Kelly

Arklow Methodist Church recently hosted the annual Comfort and Joy charity concert, which proved to be a heartwarming and highly successful evening, raising 1,620 for the Avoca Haiti Support Group.

Now in its second year, the concert again showcased the generosity and community spirit of the people of Arklow, with local artists giving their time freely to entertain a packed audience that enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies throughout the evening.

Among the highlights was the debut performance of Rose Hudson, as well as a beautiful mother-and-daughter duet by Elaine and Rebecca Kearon, who received warm applause for their first appearance at the charity event.

Laughter filled the room when Fiona Daly shared a story before being joined by her sister, Roisin Daly, who delivered a stirring rendition of El Cielo Canta Alegria, and Michael Floods performance of When a Child Is Born captivated the audience.

The evening concluded on a high note with a powerful rendition of O Holy Night, as Michael was joined on stage by all the performers for a memorable grand finale.

Sponsored by Delightfully Delicious, the funds raised will help provide food for over 500 hungry families in Haiti.

Delighted with the success of the night, Delightfully Delicious owner Gillian Byrne praised all the performers, including Ann Healy and Mary Healy, as well as the generosity of the local community.

She noted that Arklow people never fail to turn out and support those less fortunate, adding: The concert once again demonstrated how music, community, and goodwill can come together to make a meaningful difference.
Wicklow RNLI securing the casualty vessel alongside the quay after a yacht with two persons on board experienced mechanical difficulties on Friday, August 1.

Trainee crew, Adelaide Kane and Cian Kelly, went to sea on their first Shout as Wicklow RNLI crew members in June.

Wicklow RNLI bringing two people to safety after their yacht suffered mechanical issues in July of this year.

It was another busy year for the volunteer crew of Wicklow RNLI as they responded to 30 callouts throughout the year.

The first callout of the year took place on Friday, March 22, when the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O'Shea was launched to assist three fishermen whose boat was trapped in ropes off the Wicklow coast.

August was by far the busiest month, with Wicklow RNLI volunteers launching on four occasions.

The first callout occurred on Friday, August 1, after reports of a yacht with two people on board experiencing mechanical difficulties approximately four miles north of Wicklow harbour.

The casualty vessel was located a short time later with the conditions on scene being described as slight seas with calm wind.

It was decided the best course of action was to take the vessel under tow for the short trip back to the harbour, due to the fact the yacht was suffering mechanical issues with its engine and was unable to sail due to the lack of wind.

The yacht was secured safely alongside in Wicklow Harbour at about 8pm, just around an hour after launching.

The second callout came less than 24 hours later, when the pagers sounded at 12.54pm on Saturday, August 2, when the Coast Guard received reports of a person in difficulty in the water south of Wicklow Head.

Trainee crew, Adelaide Kane and Cian Kelly, went to sea on their first Shout as Wicklow RNLI crew members in June.

While travelling to the location, further information was received that the person had managed to make their way ashore and was safe and well.

Wicklow RNLI volunteers again launched the all-weather lifeboat on Saturday, August 9, after being paged by the Coast Guard who had received reports of a child on an inflatable 250 metres off shore in the Newcastle area.

The volunteer crew made best speed towards the location, however they were stood down approximately 10 minutes after launching. Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 had also been tasked, as it was still training in the area. The child was located by Rescue 116 and airlifted back to shore.

On Thursday, August 14, the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie OShea slipped its mooring at 3.30pm and brought three fishermen to safety after their vessel's propeller was caught in ropes six miles east of Wicklow Harbour at the India Bank.

On Monday, June 16, Andrew Carlin had his first callout as Inshore Lifeboat helm, following reports of a person trapped at the bottom of the cliffs near Travelahawk. The crew quickly located a man trapped on a small patch of sand at the base of the steep cliffs. He couldnt manage to climb to safety having fallen down the cliffs but was uninjured.

Mary Aldridge and her dog Nell at her retirement bash.

The inshore lifeboat, after an assessment by the helm, was safely beached onto the patch of sand and the man was quickly brought onboard and brought back to the lifeboat station.

In September, a special farewell event was held at Wicklow Sailing Club to mark the retirement of Mary Aldridge as lifeboat operations manager. Mary joined Wicklow Lifeboat Station as a volunteer deputy launching authority in 2016, and took on the role of lifeboat operations manager four years later in 2020.

Joe Healy took on the role, having volunteered with Wicklow RNLI since 2020 after joining as a volunteer Launching authority during the Covid -19 pandemic.

The year ended on a sad note with the passing of Tom Byrne, a former radio officer with the Irish Coastguard, who dedicated 12 years of service volunteering as a duty launch authority at Wicklow Lifeboat Station.

Tom, and other members of the lifeboat family whom passed away over the past year, will be remembered at the annual wreath laying service held by Wicklow RNLI on New Years Day, which features a short religious prayer, before wreaths and flowers are launched out at sea from the Inshore lifeboat.
BBC Radio 4s The Archers is to broadcast special programmes to mark its 75th anniversary on New Years Day.

Broadcast for the first time on January 1 1951, the milestone will be marked with the modern-day cast recreating the first-ever scene from the original episode.

Timothy Bentinck, Felicity Finch, Daisy Badger, Ben Norris and Wilf Scolding will play Dan, Doris, Grace, Philip and Jack Archer, gathering in the kitchen of Brookfield Farm to ring in the New Year.

This will be a chance to hear The Archers very first episode brought back to life, as the original recording no longer survives.

In the present day, fans of the radio soap were left on tenterhooks by the latest episode, after a dramatic New Years Eve attack shook the village.

A search for the culprit is now under way, and a New Years Day special drama at 7.15pm will delve deeper into the mystery, led by special guest Claire Skinner.

This will be followed by The Archers Podcast at 8pm, where Emma Freud and guests will bring fans closer to the drama.

Special episodes of Radio 4 programmes including Womans Hour and This Week In History will also celebrate the enduring appeal of the fictional village of Ambridge and its inhabitants.

Originally conceived to educate both farmers and the public on modern agricultural methods, The Archers has evolved over the past 75 years and continues to reflect contemporary rural life in England.

It has tackled pressing topical issues such as climate change, the economic challenges faced by farmers, domestic abuse, alcoholism and modern slavery, all while continuing to entertain listeners.

Today it remains one of the BBCs most popular programmes and is currently the top on-demand show for listeners of all ages  as well as regularly topping the list of most popular on-demand programmes for listeners under 35  on BBC Sounds.

To mark the anniversary, episodes of The Archers will now be available on BBC Sounds for five years after broadcast, an increase from the previous 30-day window.

Mohit Bakaya, Radio 4 controller and director of speech, said: One of the cornerstones of British broadcasting, The Archers is unique  portraying rural life, whilst reflecting social change, over the last three-quarters of a century.

The world today is very different to when it was first broadcast in 1951, and Im delighted that the programme continues to be such a huge hit with audiences of all ages.

The devotion of Archers listeners should never be underestimated and Im looking forward to celebrating this national institution with them over the next 12 months.

Jeremy Howe, editor of The Archers, said: The first baby born in the show, Tony Archer, has lived his whole life in The Archers  as have many of our listeners, who have tuned in for the whole of their lives.

What is brilliant is that the programme continues to attract new listeners and appeal to a whole new generation. That ability to connect with listeners is what makes The Archers so special  it has timeless appeal, and yet it manages to speak to the times we live in today.

We look forward to seeing what the next 75 years will bring.

BBC Archives teams have begun to digitise more than 2,500 episodes of The Archers from 1959-69.

They come from the BBCs Transcription Service, which distributed copies of BBC programmes for broadcast overseas, so that listeners in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and elsewhere could hear The Archers on the same day as the UK broadcast.
China and Taiwans reunification will not be stopped, Xi Jinping vows in New Years speech

War games in the Taiwan Strait have caused widespread concern this week

Taiwan's coast guard remains on high alert. Photo: Reuters

Yimou Lee and Liz Lee Reuters Thu 1 Jan 2026 at 06:30

Taiwan remained on high alert yesterday after China staged massive military drills around the island on Tuesday. Taiwans emergency maritime response centre was still monitoring Chinese naval manoeuvres.
Jacob Riggs plans to move to Australia in the next 12 months. Photo: Dakota Digital/SWNS

A British hacker has won an Australian visa by infiltrating one of its government websites.

Jacob Riggs (36) hacked into the site in less than two hours to demonstrate he had the expertise required for a rare visa given only to highly-skilled professionals.
Revealed: CIA taught Ukraine how to go after Moscows Achilles heel

With the US agencys help, Kyivs drones are targeting vital Russian infrastructure

US president Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago. Photo: Reuters

Iona Cleave Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Thu 1 Jan 2026 at 06:30

The CIA secretly taught Ukraine how to target crucial components of Russias oil-refining infrastructure and its sanction-busting shadow fleet, according to officials.
The column of Marcus Aurelius in Rome, where laser work is helping to restore its ancient battle depictions. Photo: Getty

Bloody scenes from the Roman Empire are being brought back to life in the 2m restoration of an ancient Roman column.

The 46-metre column of Marcus Aurelius, in the heart of the Italian capital, was erected in the second century to commemorate the emperors victories against tribes living beyond the Danube, on the outer limits of the empire.
MANILA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 22 people were injured when a grenade exploded in a residential area in Cotabato province in southern Philippines, shortly after midnight on Thursday, local police said.

Police said two men riding on a motorcycle lobbed the fragmentation grenade at the crowd as residents were welcoming the New Year along the national highway in Matalam town.

Based on witnesses' accounts, police said a black motorcycle slowed down as it passed the area where people were celebrating. One of the two men riding the motorcycle allegedly threw what was believed to be a hand grenade before speeding away. Seconds later, the explosive detonated, sending shrapnel flying and hitting several people, mostly on their lower extremities.

The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities have not yet released details on the condition of the victims.

Police have launched a manhunt operation and are coordinating with local officials and community members to identify the suspects.

Security has also been tightened in the area to prevent similar incidents as investigations continue. 
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
Stranger Things

Millie Bobby Browns Netflix projects

Just Picture It

Enola Holmes 3

Enola Holmes

Image credit : X/ Milliefanpage | Millie Bobby Brown during Stranger Things event

Brown the producer!

Prism

Stranger Things

Image credit : Fallontonight | Millie Bobby Brown during a show

Withofficially concluding its fifth season, Millie Bobby Brown is far from stepping away from Netflix. The actress, who became a global star playing Eleven, has several exciting projects lined up with the streaming giant, showcasing her versatility as both an actor and a producer. Fans can look forward to seeing Brown explore new genres, from romantic comedies to mystery adventures and supernatural thrillers.One of her most anticipated upcoming projects is the romantic comedy film, in which Brown stars opposite Gabriel LaBelle. The story follows two college students whose phones mysteriously start showing images of themselves together ten years into the future. With its mix of humour, romance, and imaginative storytelling, the film marks a lighter, more playful turn for Brown after the intense drama of Stranger Things. Netflix is expected to release the movie in the second half of 2026, giving fans plenty to look forward to.Brown will also return to the world of mystery and adventure in, the next installment of the popular film series. She reprises her role as the clever and resourceful detective, with key cast members like Louis Partridge and Henry Cavill expected to return. Filming took place in the UK and Malta, and Netflix is aiming for a 2026 release. This sequel continues the story of the young sleuth who has captivated audiences worldwide, cementing Browns presence in the streaming platforms portfolio of hit franchises.In addition to her on-screen roles, Brown is expanding her creative influence behind the camera. She is set to star in and produce, a supernatural series for Netflix. The show is expected to explore paranormal elements combined with complex character dynamics, highlighting Browns ambitions as a content creator and her growing role in shaping original projects for the platform.Even beyond these confirmed roles, Brown is reportedly exploring other projects and diverse characters, demonstrating that her career is only just beginning to branch out post-. While the actress continues to build her brand and acting resume, she remains a prominent figure on Netflix, showing no signs of slowing down.With multiple films and series lined up, Millie Bobby Brown is set to remain a central face of Netflix programming. From romance and mystery to supernatural thrillers, her upcoming slate promises something for every fan and cements her status as one of the platforms most important stars in 2026 and beyond.
BigHit reveals March 20 comeback date

AtStar1

Image credit : BigHit Music | BigHit confirms March 20 comeback for BTS

BTS rings in the new year with ARMY

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026 FROM BTS  pic.twitter.com/bdpQtXPBRB





 jin files (@seokjinfile) December 31, 2025











What the members wrote in their New Year postcards

Image credit : X/@BTSCharts | BTS share heartfelt messages ahead of 2026 comeback

RM wrote, Finally, finally, finally, the year 2026 has arrived. Ive waited for it more earnestly than anyone else. Ive missed you so much. BTS is coming. BTS is coming!

Jin shared, Hello ARMY. Happy New Year. I greeted you all as a soloist in 2023 and 2024, but now Im finally here as part of the team again. Thank you so much for waiting.

J-Hope said, Its finally the year that we get to spend with you!! Im already looking forward to it!! Lets be together. Lets go!! ARMY!! BTS!!

Jimin wrote about gratitude and hoped the year brings more happiness than the last.

Suga wished fans a great year, expressing that hed missed them and cant wait to see them.

V promised, In 2026, well move forward together with even more good memories, so please look forward to it.

Jungkook shared, Hello ARMY  Ive missed you! I always feel the same way and look forward to being together in 2026.

BTS is planning their biggest tour yet

Image credit : Weverse | BTS is reportedly eyeing a massive 65-show world tour in 2026

Bloomberg

BTSs long silence as a full group is finally ending in thrilling fashion. On January 1, 2026, BIGHIT MUSIC confirmed that the septet will return on March 20, 2026, putting a date on the comeback fans have been waiting years for. The announcement follows days of buzz after BTS sent handwritten postcards to ARMY that hinted at something big coming this spring.On New Years Day, BIGHIT MUSIC reportedly confirmed that BTS will make their comeback on March 20, 2026, according to. The agency said, We have confirmed that they will make a comeback on March 20, marking about three years and nine months since the groups last full-group album,, in June 2022.This date has become a focal point for ARMY discussions, especially after fans decoded it on the postcards and pointed out that March 20 is both the first day of spring and a Friday  traditionally a major release day in music.Before the official date was shared, BTS spent New Years Eve with fans on. During the stream on December 31, they reflected on 2025, shared laughs, and talked about how meaningful 2026 feels now that all members are back together. Many fans noted the emotional energy as the group greeted ARMY directly ahead of the big announcement.The real heartstring-tugging moment came from theBTS sent to Gold ARMY members. On the back of each card were New Year messages from every member.Adding fuel to the excitement around their comeback, multiple reports suggest that BTS is gearing up for what could be their biggest world tour yet following the March 20, 2026, comeback.According to industry sources cited by, BTSs 2026 tour is expected to feature around 65 shows worldwide, making it one of the most ambitious concert runs theyve ever planned. More than 30 of those shows are predicted to take place in North America alone, underscoring the groups massive demand in stadium and arena markets there.
Image credit : X | @CalltoActivism | Trumps Immigration Hardliners Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller Spark Online Backlash

Kristi Noem and Miller let loose on the dance floor

Daily Mail,

Image credit : X | @OccupyDemocrat| Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller Caught in Unexpectedly Lighthearted Moment at Trumps New Years Party

Bill Madden: "Peak cringe in America: Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem dancing to Vanilla Ice on New Year's Eve at Mar-a-Lago" https://t.co/5VsRpfAlgy







 Justice Words @justicewords.bsky.social (@JustHisWords) January 1, 2026

Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller face massive backlash online

Image credit : X | @1drcole | Social Media Reacts After Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller Are Spotted Dancing to Vanilla Ice

Rifts within Donald Trumps immigration circle emerge

Homeland Security Kristi Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, key figures behind President Donald Trumps strict immigration policies, were seen dancing to Ice Ice Baby at Mar-a-Lago during the New Years Eve celebration, a moment that has now sparked massive criticism online. Moreover, the scene was striking given recent controversies involving Noem, including her alleged romantic link to Corey Lewandowski and reports that Trump was considering removing her from the office.According to theDepartment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller were seen dancing to Ice Ice Baby, the 1990 hit by rapper Vanilla Ice, during festivities at the Florida resort.The video was posted by Millers wife, Katie Miller, who also used the event to announce that she is pregnant with the couples next child. Further, in the footage, Miller appears relaxed, nodding along to the music and smiling, while Noem becomes more animated as the camera turns toward her, raising her hands and dancing enthusiastically.The light-hearted display stood in contrast to the pairs public reputations as architects and enforcers of Trumps hardline immigration policies, including plans for large-scale deportations.As soon as the post surfaced on social media, it quickly grabbed attention of netizens. One X (formerly called Twitter) user wrote, "Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller dance to Ice Ice Baby in 'mandated fun' at Trump's New Year's party" - Irish Star Online #SmartNews FASCIST PIGS While another added, New Years Eve party at Mar-a-Lago was lit! Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem dancing to Ice Ice Baby is hilarious!"Peak cringe in America: Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem dancing to Vanilla Ice on New Year's Eve at Mar-a-Lago, another added.Seriously what a bunch of losers! Peak cringe achieved. Stephen Miller channeling his inner Goebbels while Kristi Noem does the dog-killer shuffle to Vanilla Ice at Trump's tacky palace. Because nothing screams 'elite leadership' like a Nazi rave. Pathetic.As per the report, the moment was also notable given reports of internal friction between the two officials. In December, several media outlets reported growing frustration within the White House over what some officials viewed as Noems slow pace in accelerating deportation efforts. Miller, a long-time immigration hawk and close Trump adviser, was reportedly among those pushing for faster action.
1. Sentenced to Be a Hero

Image credit : X/@animeupdates | Studio KAI bring a fresh fantasy war world where criminals are punished by being turned into Heroes

Release Date: 3 January 2026

2. Golden Kamuy Final Season

Image credit : X/@animeupdates | The long hunt for hidden Ainu gold ends here

Release Date: 5 January 2026

3. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Season 2

Image credit : Netflix | This season explores justice outside the hero rulebook

Release Date: 5 January 2026

4. Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game (Season 3)

Image credit : Netflix | After Shibuyas destruction, a kill-or-be-killed tournament begins

Release Date: 9 January 2026

5. Fire Force Season 3 Part 2

Image credit : X/@animeupdates | Shinra reunites with Company 8 after training and betrayal arcs

Release Date: 10 January 2026

6. Hells Paradise Season 2

Image credit : X/@animeupdates | Gabimaru and Sagiri return to the cursed island for the Elixir of Life

Release Date: 11 January 2026

7. Frieren: Beyond Journeys End Season 2

Image credit : X/@animeupdates | Frierens slow emotional world tour continues

Release Date: 16 January 2026

8. Fate/Strange Fake

Image credit : X/@animeupdates | A-1 Pictures return to a chaotic Snowfield ritual gone wrong

Release Date: 3 January 2026

9. MF Ghost Season 3

Image credit : Netflix | Racing returns to combustion engines in a future of self-driving cars

Release Date: 4 January 2026

10. Oshi no Ko Season 3

Image credit : X/@otakujinjin_3 | Aqua grows as an actor while hunting the truth behind Ais death

Release Date: 14 January 2026

11. Trigun Stargaze

Image credit : X/@cowboysiegel2547 | Studio Orange push Vash and Knives into their final philosophical gunfight

Release Date: 10 January 2026

FAQs

Where can I watch these January 2026 anime titles?

Are these all sequels or are there new stories too?

Which genres dominate January 2026?

Are these good for first-time anime watchers?

Why is January 2026 so hyped?

January 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest months anime has seen in years. Streaming platforms and TV schedules are packed with sequels, spin-offs, and final seasons. Fans who grew up watching genre-defining shows are finally getting payoffs they waited years for. New stories are also dropping, bringing fresh worlds, louder battles, deeper heartbreak, and faster racing arcs.The mix is exciting because it hits every mood. There are emotional goodbyes. Brutal fights. Supernatural chaos. Historical adventures. Samurai gore. And high-speed racing that feels like youre inside the drift. January 2026 isnt just another release month. Its a full anime season built to make fans sit up, react, shout, and binge with no pause. This list breaks down 11 must-watch anime titles releasing in January 2026 that deserve your time, your watchlist, and your reminders.Studio KAI bring a fresh fantasy war world where criminals are punished by being turned into Heroes. The twist is brutal: death isnt freedom because Heroes are resurrected to fight again. Xylo, a former knight, leads a squad of convicts. The story hits hard because it blends revenge, gods, war, and survival. The pace is sharp and emotional.The long hunt for hidden Ainu gold ends here. Sugimoto, known for surviving death, pushes into his final fights. The story is historical, tense, and unpredictable. Fans online reacted, Golden Kamuy ending better be loud, it deserves it. The final season promises closure, betrayal, and brutal decisions.Kouichi returns as a street-level vigilante. This season explores justice outside the hero rulebook. It asks bigger questions than its parent show sometimes did. One fan wrote, This spin-off explains the world better than the mainline at times. Its action-heavy, character-driven, and morally messy in the best way.After Shibuyas destruction, a kill-or-be-killed tournament begins. Ancient sorcerers, new rules, cursed barriers, and broken alliances make this arc wild. Social posts called the trailer energy final boss level madness. MAPPA return with the same intensity and darker stakes.Shinra reunites with Company 8 after training and betrayal arcs. The threat is global combustion. The cult is dangerous. The revelations are heavy. A user said, Fire Force finale better burn the plot holes, not create them. The stakes are world-ending. The pace finally catches its breath here.Gabimaru and Sagiri return to the cursed island for the Elixir of Life. The horrors are bigger. The immortals are uglier. The gore is intentional. Fans online said, Hells Paradise doesnt miss, it scars with purpose. Expect samurai, monsters, and motives that break alliances.Frierens slow emotional world tour continues. Fern and Stark grow stronger. The reflections get deeper. The magic gets calmer and heavier at once. One fan wrote, Frieren heals and breaks you in the same episode and it works.A-1 Pictures return to a chaotic Snowfield ritual gone wrong. Irregular Servants appear. Masters fight spies. Heroes blur definitions. Fans reacted, If Fate delivers anything, its controlled chaos with great outfits and better fights.Racing returns to combustion engines in a future of self-driving cars. Kanata climbs the MFG circuit. He drifts for answers about his father. The races feel tactical, loud, and emotional. A fan wrote, Racing anime is back and MF Ghost is the fuel.Aqua grows as an actor while hunting the truth behind Ais death. Ruby climbs idol fame using deception. Kana fights to keep her spark. This season blends showbiz lies, heartbreak, and mystery. Social users said, Oshi no Ko hits different when it hits dark.Studio Orange push Vash and Knives into their final philosophical gunfight. Humanity hangs on the line. The Abyss shook the world. The pacifist vow shakes harder. One fan posted, Trigun is not just a fight, its a thesis with bullets.Most will stream on major platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and studio-linked global distributors.Its a mix. Big sequels return and new shows like Sentenced to Be a Hero drop fresh worlds.Supernatural, action, historical adventures, samurai horror, drama mysteries, and high-speed racing.Yes. Many are easy to jump into, while a few finales reward long-time fans more.Because major legacy arcs are ending and massive sequels are returning together, making it one of the most stacked anime months in recent years.
Who is Suhas Subramanyam?

Image credit : X | @FreeBeacon| Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Vows to Release Epstein Files

Congressman vows to expose Epstein files .

TMZ

TMZ

Ghislaine Maxwell under renewed scrutiny as oversight committee prepares to act

Image credit : X | @HeadlineZooo | Suhas Subramanyam Promises to Shine Light on Epstein Files and Unmask Those Involved

In a major development, a member of the US House Oversight Committee involved in releasing photos and documents from the Jeffrey Epstein estate has set a bold New Years resolution, reported TMZ. As per the report, Rep. Suhas Subramanyam plans to completely expose and hold accountable those who enabled Epsteins criminal activities. The lawmaker aims to shine a light on the network behind the convicted paedophiles and ensure justice for their victims. Lets find out who Suhas Subramanyam is and what he said.Suhas Subramanyam was born in Houston, Texas, to parents from Bangalore and Chennai, India, and has a distinguished academic and political background. He earned a philosophy degree from Tulane University and a law degree with honours from Northwestern University.Before joining Congress, he served in Virginias House of Delegates and State Senate, becoming the first Hindu elected to the state House, and worked as a White House technology policy adviser under the Obama administration. In 2024, he made history as the first Indian-American from Virginia and the East Coast elected to the US Congress.According to, Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, a Virginia Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, told the outlet that his New Years goal is to release the documents of the Epstein Files and will identify those who are involved.quoted him, My New Year's resolution for the Epstein files is to get the files released, name names, and let the courts and the court of public opinion judge those who perpetrated, covered up, and enabled these crimes so that they never happen again.Not only this, but Subramanyam also singled out Ghislaine Maxwell, asserting that she must face justice for all her offences, including any newly uncovered wrongdoing, even while serving her 20-year sentence for sex trafficking and other federal convictions.He says Maxwell "should absolutely be held accountable for all the crimes she committed, including newly discovered crimes." As per the report, Subramanyam says, in 2026, things linked to the case are going to pick up. He stated that the committee plans to work closely with victims and relevant organisations to take prompt action once Congress reconvenes next week.
RadarOnline.com

Meghan Markles comeback role after years away

Close Personal Friends

Image credit : Instagram @meghan | Meghan Markle returns to acting after nearly a decade

Industry insiders share early reactions

Image credit : X @MeghansMole | Meghan Markle faces harsh insider reactions to comeback

Playing herself, but still struggling

Image credit : Instagram @meghan | Meghan Markle appears in Close Personal Friends cameo

Meghan Markles modest acting past

CSI: NY

General Hospital

After nearly a decade away from the screen, Meghan Markle has quietly returned to acting. But early reactions from those familiar with the project suggest the comeback may not be going as smoothly as expected.According to, insiders connected to the production of an upcoming film have shared blunt opinions about Markles performance. One source went as far as to say her acting made Kim Kardashian look like an Oscar-winner, a comparison that quickly caught attention online.Meghan Markle, 44, is set to appear in, a feature film starring Lily Collins, alongside Brie Larson and Jack Quaid. The project marks her first on-screen appearance since leaving the legal drama Suits in 2017, shortly before marrying Prince Harry, 41.While the role is described as a cameo, its timing has made it especially notable. Markles return to acting comes during a period of change for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, making the move feel both symbolic and carefully planned.A source familiar with the production told the portal that there was strong curiosity about how Markle would perform after such a long break. The insider said, There was a lot of curiosity about how she would read on camera after so many years away. The genuine response was one of surprise, but unfortunately not a positive one in the end, as the performance came across as rigid and overly aware of itself.The same source added that jokes quickly began circulating on set. There are jokes going around that, by comparison, it is so wooden it will make Kim Kardashians acting seem almost awards-level.Another source with knowledge of Close Personal Friends said Markle was essentially playing herself in the film. Even so, the insider claimed the performance did not land well. She isnt even very good at that, the source said.They added, Skilled actors and comics like Larry David can send themselves up on camera, but Meghan just doesnt have the irony or acting chops to carry it off. She just came across as super-wooden and hyper-aware of the cameras  a cardinal sin in big-screen acting.Before becoming royalty, Markles acting career included small roles in shows likeand, as well as appearances in romantic TV movies. Her most well-known role was Rachel Zane in Suits, though critics at the time noted she was mainly positioned as a romantic interest rather than a dramatic lead.A third source who observed Markle on set said, It was clear she wanted to make a point by taking on the role, but acting is something that needs constant practice, and she has been away from it for a long time. Next to experienced actors, the gap was hard to miss. The insider stressed there was no hostility, only surprise at how tentative she appeared.Markles return comes as the Sussexes Netflix deal has shifted from a reported $100 million contract to a first-look arrangement. Her lifestyle brand and media ventures have also drawn heavy criticism, leading some to view the acting cameo as a strategic step back into Hollywood.
by Nurul Fitri Ramadhani

JAKARTA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Indonesians gathered in cities across the country as the clock struck midnight to welcome 2026, marking the New Year with reflection, unity and hope rather than the usual bursts of fireworks.

Jakarta and several other provinces in the Southeast Asian country chose to forgo fireworks in a deliberate and solemn gesture of national mourning for the victims of devastating flash floods and landslides that struck Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra provinces in late November 2025.

As of Thursday, the disasters had claimed 1,157 lives, with 165 people still missing, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. More than 7,000 people were injured, while close to 1 million were displaced. Many affected areas continue to face damaged infrastructure and limited access to aid.

In Jakarta, hundreds of thousands of people gathered around the iconic Hotel Indonesia roundabout (Bundaran HI) to welcome the New Year with live music, interfaith prayers, communal countdowns and drone light shows instead of fireworks.

The drones, choreographed to convey messages of hope and togetherness, formed meaningful patterns like "Jakarta for Sumatra" in the night sky, offering a modern alternative to fireworks and reinforcing the contemplative tone of the evening.

"This celebration reflects Jakarta's spirit of love and solidarity, especially for disaster-affected communities," Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said.

The Jakarta administration also worked with charities and banks to facilitate donations at event venues and through online platforms, raising more than 3.1 billion rupiahs (about 185,695 U.S. dollars) to support flood victims.

For many residents, the absence of fireworks did not dampen the festive atmosphere. "It was still fun even though there were no fireworks. It felt more meaningful," said Vanya, a 33-year-old resident of East Jakarta who attended the celebration at Bundaran HI.

In Ancol, a popular recreational area in North Jakarta, local authorities organized a 15-minute drone and laser show featuring messages such as "Pray for Sumatra." The performance drew cheers and applause from visiting families, demonstrating that celebrations could be both respectful and uplifting.

In Solo, Central Java province, residents welcomed the New Year by lighting candles and holding collective prayers, creating a sea of soft light in place of the usual colorful fireworks. "The celebration felt peaceful. It is better for us to think about those who are suffering and pray for their healing," a local resident was quoted by local media as saying.

On the resort island of Bali, annual fireworks displays were also canceled as a gesture of solidarity with victims in Sumatra. Major tourist areas including Kuta, Seminyak and Sanur replaced fireworks with candlelight vigils and traditional performances, prioritizing remembrance over spectacle.

Other regions, including Yogyakarta, East Java, West Java and Banten, similarly scaled back festivities. Authorities encouraged residents to opt for simple celebrations, charity events and moments of prayer. In many areas, concerts and music performances were used as platforms to raise funds for disaster relief and recovery.

Minister of State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi said the restrained New Year celebrations reflected a broader national purpose, namely to "show empathy and solidarity as a nation to those who are suffering from a disaster." 
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has announced a surprising decision to withdraw all pending court cases against Senator Natasha Akpoti and other individuals who allegedly defamed him.

The announcement came during a New Year church service in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking at the service held at Sacred Heart Parish, Akpabio revealed that he had instituted nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of lying, defaming, and slandering his name.

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However, according to him, everything changed while he was listening to the priests sermon.

I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me and slandered my name. But as I listened to the priest, I suddenly realised he was speaking to me, Akpabio said.

Moved by the message, the Senate President said he decided to let go and forgive, choosing peace over prolonged legal battles.

He then publicly directed his lawyers to discontinue all the cases.

Therefore, I hereby direct my solicitors to withdraw all lawsuits against them, he added

Akpabios decision has sparked conversations across political and social circles, with many describing it as a rare moment of reflection and restraint in Nigerian politics.

Whether this move will cool tensions or raise new questions, one thing is clear the Senate President has chosen forgiveness over the courtroom.
The federal government has promised to sign and immediately implement the 2009 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), starting from January 2026.

The minister of education, Tunji Alausa, on Wednesday, appearing on Channels TV 2025 in Retrospect show, stated that the signing of the 2009 agreement, would take place by January 14, 2026.

Mr Alausa stated, By January 2026, the 2009 agreement will be signed and fully implemented. This administration does not make empty promises. When commitments are made, they are fulfilled.

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With the signing of this agreement and the reforms we have put in place, ASUU strikes should become a thing of the past. Our students deserve uninterrupted education, and that is what we are committed to delivering, the minister said.

Emphasising the federal governments commitment to the education sector, Mr Alausa stated that Mr Tinubus administration is prepared to end recurring strike actions, which consequently prolongs students academic duration.

If you add up the days and months lost to strikes over the years, some students have lost almost four academic years. That is unacceptable. A four-year course must remain four years. We will not accommodate disruptions that keep our children out of school, the minister said.

On staff welfare, Mr Alausa stated that the government will effect salary adjustments for members of academic staff, in a bid to foster quality teaching.

The academic staff members will get 40 per cent increase on their salaries in 2026. It never happened before. President Bola Tinubu made it happen. We would have the official signing on the 14th of January, Mr Alausa said.

In his review of the sectors performance in 2025, the minister stated that the 2025 budgetary allocation was properly utilised to erect learning spaces, laboratories, engineering workshops, lecture theatres and faculty offices.

In the past two years, we have had the highest budget for education in the history of this country. The platform is there, and the funds are being used directly for interventions that matter, he said.

We are building learning spaces. If you go to our universities today, you will see massive upgrades going on. We are building new classrooms and new schools across 18 states. We are upgrading laboratories in thousands of schools, and we are retaining and retraining our teachers through digital platforms, Mr Alausa added.
Gunmen suspected to be terrorists have abducted the monarch of Aafin Community, Oba S.Y. Olaonipekun, alongside one of his sons, Olaolu, a serving National Youth Service Corps member, in the Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 31, 2026, plunging residents into fear as insecurity continues to tighten its grip on Kwara South communities.

SaharaReporters gathered that the armed men stormed the palace in Aafin Ile-Ere, shooting sporadically and forcing their way in after breaking down doors.

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Meanwhile, during the attack, the Olori (Queen consort), Felicia Olaonipekun, was shot in the arm but escaped being taken away. She was later rushed to the hospital for treatment.

A palace eyewitness who spoke on anonymity described the moments leading up to the abduction, saying, I noticed some strange movements outside around 8:00pm and immediately alerted those inside. We began locking doors and switching off lights, but once they realised this, they started shooting.

They gained entrance and demanded to see the Kabiyesi. They also asked for his wife, but she had already been hit by a bullet. Kabiyesi came out and they took him. They later discovered Olaolu in hiding and seized him as well.

At least 10 family members and visitors were reportedly inside the palace for the holiday season when the gunmen struck.

The vigilante unit in the community, which has only two members on duty at night, was unable to confront the heavily armed attackers.

The vigilantes could not do much because they were just two on duty. The gunmen came straight to the palace. They didnt attack any other house, the source added.

SaharaReporters previously reported that the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Kamilu Salami, who was abducted by bandits 25 days ago, had been released.

The traditional ruler was kidnapped on his farm.

His return triggered widespread jubilation in the community, as residents trooped to the palace to welcome him and congratulate the monarch and his family on his safe return.

Confirming the development, the communitys spokesperson, Ayinla Lawal, said the monarch was released after a substantial ransom was paid to the abductors in two instalments.

Im happy to inform you that our monarch has been released. He was released on Tuesday night, Lawal said.

Our elders and members of the community have pleaded that we should not disclose the amount, so I wont be able to tell you the amount, but it was huge. The local government and state government didnt come to our rescue throughout our ordeal.

Only members of the community contributed the amount. It was really tough for us in the community and that was why it took a longer time before our monarch was released. Above all, we thank Almighty God that he came back alive and we also thank the media and members of the community for their support, Lawal said.

Lawal recalled that the bandits initially refused to release the monarch after an earlier payment of N10 million and later demanded an additional N15 million.

We took the money to the place where they said we should drop it but they said we should pay them another N15 million which we struggled to raise in the community, he stated.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has released his prophecies for 2026, sparking renewed hope among many Nigerians.

In a viral video circulating on social media, Pastor E. A. Adeboye said hunger in Nigeria will reduce, and the long-running japa trend will begin to reverse, with Nigerians who left the country in search of greener pastures starting to return home.

The prophecy addresses two major challenges currently facing the nation, food hardship and mass migration.

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He said 2026 would mark a turning point, as economic pressure begins to ease and living conditions gradually improve.

Pastor Adeboye also declared that Nigerians abroad would find renewed reasons to return, suggesting an improvement in opportunities, stability, and overall national outlook within the country.

For many Nigerians, the message feels timely, especially amid rising food prices and the increasing number of citizens leaving the country each year in search of better opportunities.

The prophecy has since generated widespread reactions online. One commentator wrote, If hunger reduces, that alone is an answered prayer. Another added, May this prophecy come to pass for our sake.

Whether viewed as prophecy, faith, or national hope, Pastor Adeboyes words have resonated with Nigerians both at home and abroad.

Watch video below:

https://x.com/dammiedammie35/status/2006628241193193814?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2006628241193193814%7Ctwgr%5E73d440316c51fbc05bdb2f71430202f46a3a549f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gistreel.com%2Fthere-will-be-a-reduction-of-hunger-this-year-japa-will-reverse-pastor-e-a-adeboye%2F
"The First Air Voyage in America," a 1931 woodcut by Charles R. Gardner. This image appears in the 1943 book, "The First Air Voyage in America: The Times, The Place, and The People of the Blanchard Balloon Voyage of Jan. 9, 1793, of Philadelphia to Woodbury." Read more

It was a cold January morning in colonial Philadelphia. The year was 1793 and Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Adams, and George Washington were among dozens of spectators gathered in the Walnut Street Prison workyard. The Founding Fathers watched in awe as French aeronaut Jean-Pierre Blanchard prepared to take flight.

Blanchards hydrogen-powered balloon rose up into the sky. It was the first time someone had ever seen a balloon take off in America.

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Two and a half hours later, Blanchard landed the blue-and-yellow striped silk balloon 15 miles north in a Deptford, N.J., field that today is a Walmart Supercenter parking lot.

That historic moment  Americas first balloon ride  will be remembered on Saturday at the Athenum, where the Walnut Street Prison workyard once stood.

The festivities will kick off the Philadelphia Historic Districts 52 Weeks of Firsts, a weekly day party marking events that happened in Philadelphia before anywhere else in America, and often the world. Each Saturday, the Historic District will partner with a local institution to host a free festival  or Firstival. This will be part of a yearlong celebration of Americas 250th birthday.

Each of those locations will feature a foam sculpture illustrated by a Mural Arts of Philadelphia artist commemorating the historic event.

Blanchards historic balloon ride proves that even back then, Philadelphia resonated greatly with Parisian culture.

While in Paris negotiating an end to the Revolutionary War in 1783, Americas A-list forefathers, Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay witnessed some of the worlds first balloon rides. Impressed, they came back to Philadelphia raving about the innovation.

Two years later, Blanchard, and co-aeronaut John Jefferies, became the first people to sail over the English Channel in a hydrogen balloon. (He chose hydrogen because hot air balloons were powered by fire and prone to explosion, thereby making any flight more than three miles risky.)

The English Channel trip made Blanchard a big deal in aeronautical circles, and he started traveling around the world, flying balloons, and charging spectators, explained Beth Shalom Hessel, executive director of the Athenum of Philadelphia

On Jan. 9, 1793, Blanchard made his landmark 45th flight in Philadelphia, turning the Walnut Street Prison workyard into the birthplace of aeronautics in America.

Onlookers paid $5  more than $150 in todays money  to witness Blanchard take off. He carried with him a dog and a letter from Washington. This letter, which demanded that Blanchard be offered safe passage wherever he landed, is considered by many to be the first ever American passport.

As a way of making money and drumming up interest in his balloon, Blanchard intentionally chose Philadelphia for his first American flight, Hessel said. And thats fascinating.

This weeks Firstival is Saturday, Jan. 3, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., at the Athenum of Philadelphia, 219 S. Sixth St. The Inquirer will highlight a Philly first from the 52 Weeks of Firsts program every week.
One woman moved back across the country to care for her grandmother, giving up her dreams of sunshine and palm trees. A young mother, overwhelmed caring for two children and her ailing grandmother, finally asked family to help her juggle. And another woman assumed financial responsibility for her grandmother after her home fell into foreclosure.

All three women belong to what aging experts call Americas unseen workforce  the 48 million family caregivers who provide unpaid support that allows millions of adults who are older, ill, or disabled to remain at home. It is a group that is expected to shoulder even more responsibility as the population ages and conditions such as dementia, cancer, and heart disease continue to rise. Within the already stretched community of caregiving, they belong to a group that is even more overlooked and undercounted: grandchildren.

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Research shows unpaid caregiving is valued at more than $1 trillion, said Nicole Jorwic, chief program officer at the nonprofit Caring Across Generations.

Right now, families filling in the gaps is the only option for a lot of people whether theyre grandchildren or not, said Jorwic, who is in her 40s and helping care for three grandparents in their 90s.

Research suggests race and ethnicity may be the strongest predictors of who becomes young adult caregivers, with about a third of caregivers in Asian, Black, or Latino families being 18 to 34 years old. And family caregivers generally are more likely to be women.

Caring for an aging family member is already an emotional, financial, and physical gantlet. Add to that the inexperience of youth, and some aging researchers say the challenges for grandchildren who are caregivers become even harder to navigate.

What this looks like in real life  the exhaustion, the sacrifice, the sense of purpose  comes through in the stories of three women shouldering the weight, not simply out of necessity but also devotion.

A caregiver who built an online community

The average caregiver is 51 years old. But five years ago, Elaine Goncalves stepped into the role at 28. She hadnt imagined becoming her grandmothers caregiver. Elaines high-paying tech job had just allowed her to relocate to San Diego.

Her grandmother, Adelaide Goncalves, was 90 and living in Massachusetts with one of her daughters and a different grandchild, barely able to manage the stairs of her third-floor home. Before Elaine left for California, she tried in vain to relocate her grandmother, asking all six of Adelaides surviving children for help. Elaines parents, unsure if their work schedules would accommodate the need, agreed with her plan, and her grandmother did, too  until it was time to go.

Other family members were telling her not to, Elaine said.

When the pandemic hit, Elaine was forced to return home. The way she made peace with the move was by finding a way to care for her grandmother. She kept the plan quiet, afraid relatives would talk her grandmother out of it again, and mindful of how it might look for a granddaughter to take on a role traditionally expected of a daughter in her Cape Verdean family. When someone in the house got COVID, no one objected to Adelaide relocating.

The first two years were pretty humbling, Elaine said. I experienced crazy things like walking in my bathroom and it was covered in poop," she said. I basically went from Shes so sweet! to praying  literally  every day for patience.

The experience also made Elaine realize she owed her aunt an apology for judging the care she had provided and the frustration her aunt expressed in taking on a formidable task.

What the family didnt know then was that Adelaide had dementia. Elaine said guilt set in. A caseworker who called unexpectedly to schedule her grandmothers annual physical helped secure the diagnosis, she said, and connected Elaine with resources I needed but didnt know were available. Home health aides now feed, bathe, and change her grandmother, who goes to an adult day program daily.

In 2020 and 2025, about 18% of family caregivers ages 18 to 49 were caring for their grandparents, according to reports by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. But researchers say its hard to know exactly how many young people provide care because the term caregiver can be defined in so many ways and national surveys count differently.

Researchers say that many young people arent identified because unlike Elaine, theyre not the primary caregiver, but rather pitching in as part of a family network.

Most of them are disrupting parts of their life to engage in something they may not be counted as doing, said Karen Fingerman, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and director of the Texas Aging and Longevity Consortium.

Last year, Adelaides heart briefly stopped, a scare that led to hospice care.

Emotionally, this has been a roller-coaster ride, Elaine said. Balancing the family dynamics and their help  or lack thereof  and their opinions and the emotions of her being hospitalized and me thinking shes dying forced tough family conversations.

Elaine decided to reflect on her experiences a few months ago, and wound up sharing the lessons online, inadvertently building a community through the social media series. It has drawn 1.6 million views, thousands of comments and shares, and more messages than she can keep up with  and she had posted only 11 of the 15 lessons.

I didnt know there were other people my age dealing with this, she said.

A caregiver who had to give up care

Ramona Reynolds didnt go away to college, opting instead to stay home and care for the grandmother who raised her. They had never spent more than a weekend apart, including after the 38-year-old got married and started having children. But eventually her 86-year-old grandmothers health deteriorated beyond Reynoldss capacity to provide care.

That was a hard pill to swallow, she said of sending her grandmother, Thelma McDonald, to live with her aunt.

For years, Reynolds watched dementia transform the woman who once commanded so much respect in their Brooklyn neighborhood that boys on the block carried her groceries upstairs unasked.

Reynolds was in her 20s when her grandmother was first diagnosed with dementia. A friend noticed that her grandmother was repeating herself. A few years later, one of her great-uncles did, too. Even though McDonald has four living children and a host of brothers and sisters, Reynolds never thought to ask them for help.

For years, things were manageable. Then, Reynolds got pregnant with her second child, and the family decided to relocate to Georgia for more space. As they prepared to move, Reynolds family stayed with her in-laws and was to become a paid family caregiver. What she didnt know was that moving someone with dementia out of a familiar environment can worsen their symptoms.

So, when we moved here, Im like, Oh my god. Why is it so much harder? she recalled of her grandmother, who worked as a paid caregiver after emigrating from Jamaica. Reynolds was chasing after a toddler, trying to make sure her son  who is autistic, has ADHD, and in virtual school - stayed on task, all while also caring for her grandmother. We did everything for her. Cooking, bills, dealing with doctors, social workers, program directors, all that stuff.

Being a caregiver can be draining mentally, physically, and emotionally, experts say. What ultimately drives caregiver burnout and makes the role heavy is the lack of support, recognition, and resources, and the isolation, more so than the work itself, said Melinda S. Kavanaugh, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee whose research focuses on children and young adult caregivers.

You can only do something on your own without any support for so long before you break, she said, noting that older caregivers might be able to last a little bit longer because they have life experience to draw on.

Reynolds knew something had to give as her grandmothers condition progressed and McDonald began unlocking doors trying to leave. She called a family meeting and asked for help. Her aunt stepped in, taking over her grandmothers care.

Its a hard balance, Reynolds said. On the one hand, I would be nothing without this woman. But on the other, now I have my own family, and these babies deserve a mother thats whole, that is not filled with anxiety and grief and a little bit of resentment, too.

A caregiver shouldering financial responsibilities

Sharita Payton, 45, stepped in to help her sister care for their grandmother about two years ago, when several crises hit at once. Their grandfather died, their grandmother became more forgetful, maintaining the house became unaffordable, and her sister was facing personal struggles.

Paytons mother was unable to take on the responsibility full time because shes caring for a husband who has had multiple strokes. Neither could her grandmothers other children, for different reasons: One is in jail, another struggles with addiction issues, and the third lives far from the family in South Carolina.

Theres a lot of different nuances involved, she said. To look around and see that after everything they have given, theres really no one thats available to pour back into her when she needs it. Thats been really hard to navigate. I just had to step up.

So, on and off for the past two years, Paytons husband would drive her 89-year-old grandmother, Geneva Madison, between their house in Massachusetts and her mothers house in Connecticut. Payton became her grandmothers power of attorney, took over her finances, and began setting aside money for when a move was needed. That move came several months ago when she set her grandmother and sister up in a new apartment.

Caregiving can be financially stressful for families because close to three-quarters of costs are out of pocket, said Sue Peschin, president and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research. Often families dont realize this until theyre up against it, she said, noting that people tend to think Medicare covers long-term care and it doesnt.

Part of the misconception is how we think about retirement in the United States, Peschin said. Oftentimes the thinking is, How do we want to live as fully functional human beings? But not what happens after a health crisis.

Payton, who owns a hair salon, isnt certain her grandmother will stay in Connecticut for good. She keeps a close watch in case she needs to bring Madison back to Massachusetts. She talks about the need for more resources often with clients who find themselves in similar situations. A lot of us are navigating these new things for the first time, and we dont even know what to do or how to do it, Payton said. We just put more on our plate than I think we need to.

Still, she said, its kind of like a no-brainer. Thats my grandmother. As a mother of five, Payton said she tries to involve her children in her grandmothers care in small ways, teaching them to treasure her because this is something that is not the norm, having your great-grandmother in your presence.
The Social Security Administration  the sprawling federal agency that delivers retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to 74 million Americans  began the second Trump administration with a hostile takeover.

It ended the year in turmoil. A diminished workforce has struggled to respond to up to six million pending cases in its processing centers and 12 million transactions in its field offices  record backlogs that have delayed basic services to millions of customers, according to internal agency documents and dozens of interviews.

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Long-strained customer services at Social Security have become worse by many key measures since President Donald Trump began his second term, agency data and interviews show, as thousands of employees were fired or quit and hasty policy changes and reassignments left inexperienced staff to handle the aftermath.

Exaggerated claims of fraud, for example, have led to new roadblocks for elderly beneficiaries, disabled people, and legal immigrants, who are now required to complete some transactions in person or online rather than by phone. Even so, the number of calls to the agency for the year hit 93 million as of late September  a six-year high, data show.

The troubled disability benefits system is also deteriorating after some improvement, with 66% of disability appointments scheduled within 28 days as of December  down from nearly 90% earlier in the year, data show.

One notable exception is phone service, which improved in the second half of the year but is still subpar. Average hold times peaked at about 2 hours in March, but dropped starting in July as employees were diverted from field office duties to fix what had become a public relations crisis. Average wait times for callbacks remain an hour or longer, however, while new delays have emerged elsewhere in the system, internal data show.

It was not good before, dont get me wrong, but the cracks are more than beginning to show, said John Pfannenstein, a claims specialist outside Seattle and president of Local 3937 of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents most Social Security employees. It is a great amount of stress on our employees that remain on the job, who havent jumped ship.

Commissioner Frank Bisignano has authorized millions of dollars in overtime pay to employees in a race to clear the bottlenecks, which worsened dramatically after nearly 7,000 employees  12% of the workforce  were squeezed out early in the year. The agency said it has made improvements: It reduced the processing center backlog by one million cases this fall, cut pending disability claims by a third and kept the website live 24-7 after a series of outages earlier this year.

The current crisis follows years of disinvestment by Congress and acting leadership, despite a surge in baby boomer retirements. Bisignano promised faster service and a leaner workforce with a digital identity that he says will automate simple retirement claims and other operations.

In the coming year, we will continue our digital-first approach to further enhance customer service by introducing new service features and functionality across each of our service channels to better meet the needs of the more than 330 million Americans with Social Security numbers, the commissioner said in a statement to the Washington Post.

But responsiveness and trust in the agency have suffered, according to current and former officials and public polling.

This account of the crisis at Social Security is based on internal documents and interviews with 41 current and former employees, advocates and customers, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly about their concerns.

Social Security officials declined to make Bisignano available for an interview, though he did respond to written questions.

Three days before Christmas, Brian Morrissey, 65, arrived at the field office in Silver Spring, Md., for an appointment to apply for Medicare. He had tried the MySSA website, but navigating it was just really hard, he said. Morrissey owns a home improvement business, he said.

If they can make the process easier online, great, but right now it is not well designed, he said. So his wife waited 30 minutes on hold to schedule a face-to-face appointment for him.

Aime Ledoux Tchameni, an immigrant from Cameroon, waited in line at the Silver Spring office to get an appointment time to fix his last name from being listed as his first name  a mistake that occurred when he came to the U.S. two years ago. He has a provisional drivers license from Maryland and needs to clear up his name with Social Security by mid-January, he said. But his appointment is not until Feb. 9.

This is really going to cause me problems, because I need my drivers license to get to work, Tchameni said in French. I dont understand why I have to wait so long.

I flipped the switch

The table was set in February by Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which installed a loyal, mid-level data analyst with no management experience to lead the $15.4 billion agency.

That former analyst, Leland Dudek, insists that he saved Social Security from a worse fate under Musks cost-cutting team. I flipped the switch, he said in a recent interview, referring to his disruptive four-month tenure as acting commissioner. The casualty of that is a smaller SSA, an SSA that is being, for the first time, subject to the whims of being a political organization, which it was never intended to be.

Regional offices abruptly disappeared in a rushed reorganization. New policies to fight fraud were rolled out only to be canceled or changed, prompting confused customers to jam the phones and the website, which crashed repeatedly. Daily operations in some respects became an endless game of whack-a-mole as employees were pulled from one department to another.

Along the way, Social Security also became ground zero in the administrations quest to gather Americans personal data  largely in service of its mass deportation campaign.

The chaos quickly became a political cudgel, as Democrats saw an opening to defend one of the countrys most popular entitlement programs. Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, set up a war room, holding rallies with former commissioners in both parties and issuing demands for more resources to keep the Trump administration on the defensive.

Weve kept up the pressure and held Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Frank Bisignano accountable for the chaos theyve caused, Warren said in an interview.

Many critics note that Bisignano, a Wall Street veteran who became commissioner in May, now wears a second hat as CEO of the Internal Revenue Service  another massive portfolio with a multibillion-dollar budget.

In a statement, Bisignano said his shared leadership of Social Security and the IRS will drive a better outcome for the American public. He said he envisions a Social Security Administration that is easier to access, faster to respond, and better prepared to meet the challenges facing Americans.

Bisignano also said he is working to improve morale and have the right level of staffing to operate at peak efficiency and deliver best-in-class customer service to the American people.

Work piles up

By the time Bisignano was confirmed by the Senate, Social Security had been led by three acting commissioners in six months. He pledged to stabilize the upheaval.

But he confronted immediate challenges. Dudek had reassigned 2,000 employees in administrative, analytical and technical roles to jobs dealing with the public. Many accepted the switch under threat of firing if they refused. Some began working the phones. But the national toll-free number was still in crisis, so another 1,000 staffers were assigned to the phones in July. The employees were thrown in with minimal training, multiple employees said  and found themselves unable to answer much beyond basic questions. The phone staff was told to keep calls under seven minutes in what became a push for volume over quality, employees said.

Although officials have publicly claimed that wait times have improved to single digits in some cases, those numbers do not account for the time it takes for customers to be called back, according to internal metrics obtained by the Post.

An audit published by the Social Security Inspector Generals Office on Dec. 22 confirmed that millions of callers requesting callbacks were counted as zero-minute waits by the agency. The review concluded that the metrics themselves were accurate, however, and showed that customer service overall has improved.

Jenn Jones, AARPs vice president of financial security, said the improved phone service numbers were encouraging but that more work needs to be done.

Wait times for callbacks remain over an hour, and more than a quarter of callers are not being served  by getting disconnected or never receiving a callback, for instance, Jones said in a statement.

Public outcry and pushback from congressional Democrats derailed the planned closure of dozens of field offices that DOGE had said were no longer needed.

Meanwhile, Dudeks workforce cuts led field offices to shed 9% of their employees by spring due to early retirement and deferred resignation offers. Overtime was restricted and hiring was frozen, even as customer visits continued to climb.

Shortly after taking office, Bisignanos field operations chief, Andy Sriubas, wrote in an email to the staff that field offices are, and will always remain, our front line  our face in the community and the primary point of in-person contact.

In the near term, though, the front line staff were overwhelmed. Attrition was geographically uneven, with some offices losing a quarter of their employees to early retirement offers just as foot traffic grew, according to a staffing analysis by the AFGEs research partner, the Strategic Organizing Center. The group calculated that there were about 4,000 beneficiaries for every field office employee in August of this year.

In several states that ratio is worse, the group found. Wyomings field offices, for example, have just 18 employees  or one for every 7,429 beneficiaries.

The shortages have created temporary office closures in many rural areas, some for days or months at a time. The office in Havre, Mont., has been closed for months, with the nearest one almost two hours away in Butte.

Today a majority of Social Security staffers who accepted reassignments have not been fully or properly trained, according to several employees with direct knowledge of the initiative. Instruction is often truncated so the staff can respond to customers. Officials said they provide training based on the employees level of experience and review the reassigned employees work.

They offered minimal training and basically threw them in to sink or swim, one veteran employee said of their transferred colleagues.

Training on the phone system and complicated claims and benefit programs lasted four hours for some reassigned workers when it should have taken six months, another employee said. As a result, some customers still cant get basic questions answered or are given inaccurate information, according to a half-dozen staffers who answer the phones or work closely with employees who do.

The increased workload, hiring freeze and departures have made it harder for the staff to complete their daily tasks, said Jordan Harwell, a Butte, Mont., field office employee who is president of AFGE Local 4012. The staff used to find time between calls to process pay stubs, take in new disability applications and schedule appointments, but now that work piles up, he said.

DOGE officials, citing fraud concerns, also required direct deposit changes to be done in person or online  but getting online now calls for new identity verification measures that do not come easily to many elderly or disabled customers. Immigrants approved for green cards to work in the U.S. are now required to get Social Security cards in person under a Trump anti-fraud policy, producing a flood of new field office visits.

In one Indiana field office, one employee said she drags herself to work every day, dreading what will come next. Although she was hired as a claims specialist, she and her colleagues are being told to prioritize answering the phones, which never stop ringing now that her office is taking calls for both Indiana and parts of Illinois due to reorganizations and reductions.

That means she is forced to let other work pile up: calls from people asking about decisions in their cases, claims filed online and anyone who tries to submit forms to Social Security  like proof of marriage  through snail mail.

As the backlogs keep building, she is taking calls from 25 or so people every day, already knowing that she wont be able to help five or six of them. These are elderly people, often poor or bedridden, who have no way to comply with the change requiring that direct deposit actions take place in person or online. Usually theyre calling because something has happened to their bank accounts and they need to alter their financial information. But they cant access a computer, the employee said, and driving is out of the question.

She received a call this month from a 75-year-old man who suffered a massive stroke that left him unable to drive. Hed also had to switch banks and, as a result, hadnt received Social Security checks for the last two or three months.

I had to sit there on the phone and tell this guy, You have to find someone to come in  or, do you have a relative with a computer who can help you or something like that? she recalled. He was just like, No, no, no.

She ended that call by telling the man to call his bank, hoping they might be able to help when her agency, hampered by administration policies, no longer could.

Everybody started laughing

As the staff races to answer the phones, other tasks are backing up, including Medicare applications, disability claims that require initial vetting by field offices and other transactions that cannot be solved in one conversation. Any case falling in that category is redirected to a processing center, where the backlogs have been building all year.

These back-office operations, located across the country, often handle labor-intensive, highly complex cases that do not call for automated resolution. Among the tasks are issuing checks, including for back pay, to disabled people whose denial of benefits was reversed by an administrative law judge.

As Congress kept funding flat for Social Security over many years, the processing operations fell way behind, requiring headquarters employees to help handle the volume. But it was never as bad as it got this fall.

Many disability payments now take three to six months to process when they used to take weeks, advocates and employees said.

At the start of September, one benefits authorizer in a processing center was called into an all-staff meeting with her colleagues, she said. There, management explained that the backlog at the time  six million cases  was unacceptable and that everyone would have to work overtime in an attempt to drive it down to two million by Christmas.

When they told us that, everybody started laughing, she said. Because there is just absolutely no way to get it down in that short period of time.

Still, she and her colleagues have been hustling, she said, processing cases as fast as they can, even as they can see their haste sometimes causes errors. No time to fix them, she has decided: Best to just keep moving.

Meanwhile, another staffer, who answers phones at a national call center, said she has changed what she says to customers when she realizes their claim cant be finished in one conversation and must be referred to a payment center.

Im supposed to reassure people its being worked on, she said. But now I avoid giving people a firm date they can expect it to be done by.

Just before Thanksgiving, Bisignano said that starting next year, he hopes to slash field office visits by half. More than 31 million people visited field offices in the last fiscal year  or tried to. Critics say the change will dismantle the fail-safe for those who cannot use computers, no matter how imperfect.

At the same time, in recent weeks, hundreds of employees who transferred to customer service operations have been recalled to the roles they were originally hired to fill. Others have been reassigned to a new digital engagement office.

Social Security has told Congress it plans to put more resources toward IT, with an expected increase of $591 million this fiscal year compared to fiscal 2025, according to the agencys budget justification. The agency also expects to pay $367 million less on payroll than it did the year before.

Social Security also plans to roll out a new program that will allow customers to book phone appointments with field offices throughout the country, no matter where they live, according to two people familiar with the plans.

The goal is to reduce the number of field office visits, though one field office employee said the change will probably lead to a greater workload for staff keeping up with queries from customers outside their area.

Theyve created problems and now they are trying to fix problems they created, the worker said.

During Christmas week, the grind continued for most front line staff. After Trump signed an executive order last week closing most federal offices on Christmas Eve and Friday, Bisignano told his staff that field offices, teleservice centers, processing centers and more operations would remain open.

In order to balance the needs of the public and our workforce, we will solicit interest from employees who would like to work on Wednesday and Friday, he wrote.
As I reach for the hope of 2026, I am convinced that this new year is about more than the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and more than the politics of the upcoming midterm elections. This new year is a mirror that allows us to look back on who we were in 2025.

Domestically, last year was marked by Donald Trumps attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), his targeting of Black and Latino immigrants, his attempts to use lawsuits, threats, and bullying to silence journalists, and his sneering dismissal of the millions of people who took to the streets in protest.

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Internationally, 2025 was defined by the Trump administrations military attacks in and around oil-rich countries like Venezuela and Nigeria, an apparent push to annex mineral-rich Greenland, and Trump-backed peace deals in Gaza and Ukraine that never quite seemed to bring peace.

Taken together, Trumps domestic and international policies hark back to a time when the United States sought to openly oppress racial and political minorities at home, while engaging in patterns of imperialism abroad.

Perhaps, in Trumps mind, thats what it means to Make America Great Again. In 2026, the country will have to decide if we agree with him, and the choice will not be easy, because the sides are completely dug in.

 READ MORE: Lets face it: Trump 2.0 is a painfully realistic self-portrait of America today | Solomon Jones

For millions of Americans, theres an inherent appeal to Trumps brand of no-holds-barred politics.

His supporters believe political correctness has robbed them of the right to say what they feel, to take what they want, and to run through anyone who stands in their way.

When Trump insults those who dont look or think like him, his supporters believe hes speaking for them.

After all, the idea of blaming others for their problems is not only palatable, its delicious  because when someone else is always at fault, one never has to look at oneself.

For millions of other Americans, like me, the echoes of white supremacy that amplify the MAGA movement are repulsive.

We are concerned when President Trump calls Somali immigrants garbage, because perhaps Somalis arent the only Black people he views that way.

We are horrified by the sight of Vice President JD Vance standing before white conservatives  and rapper Nicki Minaj  and uttering the words, You dont have to apologize for being white anymore.

We are bracing ourselves for the moment when Trumps followers move from insults to action, because after Trump pardoned those convicted for their roles in the political violence of Jan. 6, 2021, they could very well come back for more.

Thats why in 2026, we must move swiftly to save democracy, because Trump has moved swiftly to tear it down. Dont believe it? Lets review.

In 2025, armed with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said Trump was immune from prosecution for official acts, the president signed scores of executive orders, knowing theyd be challenged in federal court. He also knew he could quickly move key cases to the Supreme Courts emergency docket, where the 6-3 conservative majority gave him a punchers chance to win.

By implementing that strategy, the Trump White House won 21 victories in the Supreme Court. The wins allowed the Trump administration to take wide-ranging actions, including: deporting undocumented immigrants to third-party countries, ending federal funding for DEI, firing thousands of federal workers without congressional approval, accessing Americans Social Security data, and revoking the power of federal judges to implement nationwide injunctions.

We are bracing ourselves for the moment when Trumps followers move from insults to action.

In one of the administrations few losses, the Supreme Court recently ruled against Trumps deployment of the National Guard in Chicago.

Perhaps the ruling will stop the presidents strategy of sending troops into cities run by Democrats, or maybe hell find a workaround. If I were a betting man, Id take the odds on the latter.

Thats why in 2026, if we truly want to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of American democracy, we cannot stand by and watch as our country is twisted into knots.

When this years midterm elections take place, we must raise our voices and vote.
In his annual year-end report, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. largely sidestepped contemporary controversies and events at a moment of political upheaval. Read more

Amid rising concerns about the health of the nations democracy, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. expressed faith Wednesday that the nations founding charters and key principles are proving resilient.

Quoting President Calvin Coolidge, the Supreme Courts leader wrote in a year-end report that as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the rule of law remains alive and well.

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Amid all the clash of conflicting interests, amid all the welter of partisan politics, every American can turn for solace and consolation to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States with the assurance and confidence that those two great charters of freedom and justice remain firm and unshaken, Roberts quoted Coolidge as saying.

He added in his own words: True then; true now.

The comments came in Robertss annual report on the state of the judiciary, which largely sidestepped contemporary controversies and events at a moment of political upheaval. Many of those concerns have revolved around President Donald Trumps push to expand executive authority and wield power that critics say belongs to other branches of the government.

Instead of those issues, Roberts wrote mostly about history  the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, the ideas that inspired the documents and the nations struggles to fulfill the charters ideals.

Roberts urged judges to remain true to that legal bedrock.

Those of us in the Third Branch must continue to decide the cases before us according to our oath, doing equal right to the poor and to the rich, and performing all of our duties faithfully and impartially under the Constitution and laws of the United States, Roberts wrote.

Roberts made no mention of topics that have animated others in the judiciary and legal observers over the last year: threats against judges, the Trump administrations alleged defiance of court orders or critiques by lower-court judges of how the Supreme Court has ruled on its emergency docket.

Roberts did decry threats against judges in last years annual report and pushed back on President Donald Trumps calls to impeach a federal judge who ruled against him. In March, Roberts issued a rare statement saying that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.

In November, Congress boosted funding for security at the Supreme Court, but it did not extend additional money for the protection of lower-court judges.

Threats against federal judges spiked in the months after Trump began his second term in January. Through the current fiscal year, which started Oct. 1, the U.S. Marshals Service has investigated 133 threats against federal judges, according to agency statistics.

Trump and his allies have sharply criticized rulings against the presidents policies and called for the removal of some judges. Dozens of judges who have ruled against Trump have received unsolicited pizza deliveries at their homes. Threats against judges have also come from the left.

Robertss report comes as the Supreme Court takes up a series of high-profile cases involving key tests of Trumps agenda. In November, the justices appeared skeptical that Trumps sweeping tariffs were legal. Earlier this month, the justices seemed ready to allow Trump greater authority to fire the heads of independent agencies without cause.

Next month, the justices will hear arguments over whether the president can dismiss Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, which would allow the president to reshape the Fed and its vast powers over the economy.

Decisions in all three cases are expected by the summer.
NEW YORK  Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani took his midnight oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, marking the first time a mayor of New York City used Islams holy text to be sworn in and underscoring a series of historic firsts for the city.

Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democrat, became mayor in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall, the first Muslim, first South Asian, and first African-born person to hold that position.

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These milestones  as well as the historical Quran  reflect the longstanding and vibrant Muslim residents of the nations most populous city, according to a scholar who helped Mamdanis wife, Rama Duwaji, select one of the books.

Most of Mamdanis predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state, and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text.

And while he has focused heavily on the issue of affordability during his campaign, Mamdani was outspoken about his Muslim faith. He frequently appeared at mosques across the five boroughs as he built a base of support that included many first-time South Asian and Muslim voters.

A look at the three Qurans that Mamdani used

Two Qurans were to be used during the subway ceremony: his grandfathers Quran and a pocket-sized version that dates to the late 18th or early 19th century. It is part of the collection at the New York Public Librarys Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

That copy of the Quran symbolizes the diversity and reach of the citys Muslims, said Hiba Abid, the librarys curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.

Its a small Quran, but it brings together elements of faith and identity in New York City history, Abid said.

For a subsequent swearing-in ceremony at City Hall on the first day of the year, Mamdani used both his grandfathers and grandmothers Qurans. The campaign hasnt offered more details on those heirlooms.

One Qurans long journey to Mamdanis hand

The manuscript was acquired by Arturo Schomburg, a Black Puerto Rican historian whose collection documented the global contributions of people of African descent. While it is unclear how Schomburg came into possession of the Quran, scholars believe it reflected his interest in the historical relationship between Islam and Black cultures in the United States and across Africa.

Unlike ornate religious manuscripts associated with royalty or elites, this copy of the Quran is modest in design. It has a deep red binding with a simple floral medallion and is written in black and red ink. The script is plain and readable, suggesting it was created for everyday use rather than ceremonial display.

Those features indicate the manuscript was intended for ordinary readers, Abid said, a quality she described as central to its meaning.

The importance of this Quran lies not in luxury, but in accessibility, she said.

Because the manuscript is undated and unsigned, scholars relied on its binding and script to estimate when it was produced, placing it sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century during the Ottoman period in a region that includes what is now Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan.

Abid said the manuscripts journey to New York mirrors Mamdanis own layered background. Mamdani is a South Asian New Yorker who was born in Uganda, and Duwaji is American-Syrian.

Identity and controversy

The meteoric rise of a Muslim democratic socialist also brought a surge of Islamophobic rhetoric, amplified by national attention on the race.

In an emotional speech days before the election, Mamdani said the hostility had only strengthened his resolve to be visible about his faith.

I will not change who I am, how I eat, or the faith that Im proud to call my own, he said. I will no longer look for myself in the shadows. I will find myself in the light.

The decision to use a Quran has drawn fresh criticism from some conservatives. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, a Republican, wrote on social media, The enemy is inside the gates, in response to a news article about Mamdanis inauguration. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil-rights group, has designated Tuberville as an anti-Muslim extremist based on past statements.

Such backlash is not new. In 2006, Keith Ellison, a Democrat from Minnesota who was the first Muslim elected to Congress, faced condemnation from conservatives after he chose to use a Quran for his ceremonial oath.

Following the inauguration, the Quran will go on public display at the New York Public Library. Abid said she hopes attention surrounding the ceremony  whether supportive or critical  will prompt more people to explore the librarys collections documenting Islamic life in New York, ranging from early 20th century Armenian and Arabic music recorded in the city to firsthand accounts of Islamophobia after the Sept. 11 attacks.

This manuscript was meant to be used by ordinary readers when it was produced, Abid said. Today it lives in a public library where anyone can encounter it.
A citizen holds Bulgarian lev cash to make a payment in Sofia, Bulgaria, Dec. 31, 2025. Bulgaria joined the eurozone and adopted the euro as its official currency on New Year's Day, becoming the 21st member of the euro area. To ensure a smooth transition to the new currency, throughout January, the Bulgarian lev will remain in circulation alongside the euro. Starting Feb. 1, the euro will become the country's sole legal tender. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

SOFIA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria joined the eurozone and adopted the euro as its official currency on New Year's Day, becoming the 21st member of the euro area.

To ensure a smooth transition to the new currency, throughout January, the Bulgarian lev will remain in circulation alongside the euro. Starting Feb. 1, the euro will become the country's sole legal tender.

From Jan. 1 to June 30, the exchange of lev for euros is free of charge at banks and post offices. After this period, currency exchanges will be subject to a fee.

The Bulgarian National Bank has stated that it will exchange levs for euros indefinitely, continuing the process for as long as necessary. But it added that the mandatory dual pricing of goods and services in euro and lev will end on Aug. 8, 2026.

Officials and experts have expressed their confidence in the transition process.

Vladimir Ivanov, chairman of Bulgaria's State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets, described 2025 as a year of market stabilization in a brief meeting, saying he expected 2026 to begin similarly, "especially after transaction costs decrease with the introduction of the euro."

Nikolay Valkanov, executive director of the Association for Modern Trade, also said in an interview that retailers, from large chains to small shops, had made significant efforts to ensure a smooth transition to the new currency.

Eurozone accession has been a central priority for the Bulgarian government ever since the country joined the EU in 2007.

It was not until June 4, 2025, that the European Commission announced Bulgaria had met all convergence criteria. On July 8, 2025, the Council of the European Union formally approved Bulgaria's adoption of the euro, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The eurozone came into existence with the official launch of the euro on Jan. 1, 1999, in 11 countries including France, Germany and Austria.

Currently among the 27 EU countries, there are still six members, namely Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Denmark, that have not yet adopted the euro. 

Vegetables are labeled with prices in both euros and Bulgarian lev at a market in Sofia, Bulgaria, Dec. 31, 2025. Bulgaria joined the eurozone and adopted the euro as its official currency on New Year's Day, becoming the 21st member of the euro area.

To ensure a smooth transition to the new currency, throughout January, the Bulgarian lev will remain in circulation alongside the euro. Starting Feb. 1, the euro will become the country's sole legal tender. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
The Night Manager S2, BBC One, Jan 1 (Jan 11 on Amazon Prime): After a 10-year hiatus, The Night Manager returns to television. Tom Hiddleston reprises his role as Jonathan Pine, now taking on the alias of Alex Goodwin - an MI6 officer running a surveillance unit in London. Pines new mission sees him infiltrating a Colombian arms operation. Olivia Colman returns alongside new cast members Diego Calva and Camilla Morrone. The second season expands the story beyond John Le Carres original contained cat-and-mouse structure, reflecting a more fragmented geopolitical landscape.

Run Away, Netflix, Jan 1: James Nesbitt stars as a father plunged into a criminal underworld while searching for his missing, drug-addicted daughter. Adapted from prolific crime author Harlan Cobens novel, the eight-part thriller promises mounting paranoia, buried family secrets and plenty of twists.

Room to Improve, RTE One, Jan 4: Dermot Bannon returns with a new series of Irelands longest-running home renovation programme. With material and labour costs continuing to rise, this season places increased emphasis on budgeting, compromise and expectation management. Alongside quantity surveyor Claire Irwin, Bannon works with homeowners as initial plans are revised and ambitions recalibrated, keeping the programme closely aligned with the realities of building in Ireland in 2026.

Dancing with the Stars, RTE One, Jan 4: Now entering its ninth season, the glitzy juggernaut is back. This years contestants include Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh, The Traitors Paudie Moloney and Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins, all vying for the glitterball under judges Oti Mabuse, Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne.

Judges Oti Mabuse, Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne = of Dancing with the Stars.

Industry S4, BBC One, Jan 11: The finance drama returns for a fourth outing, continuing its examination of power, ambition and moral rot. Harper (Myhala) and Yasmin (Marisa Abela) are drawn into the orbit of a high-profile fintech company, shifting the series beyond Pierpoints trading floor, broadening its scope while maintaining its character-driven focus.

Agatha Christies Seven Dials, Netflix, Jan 15: A glamorous country house party turns deadly in this stylish adaptation of The Queen of Crimes novel. A sharp-witted young aristocrat - played by up and comer Mia McKenna Bruce - takes on the role of amateur sleuth, unravelling secrets beneath polished surfaces. Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman fill out a perfectly suspicious who-dunnit cast.

Agatha Christie's Seven Dials: Helena Bonham Carter

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Sky Atlantic/Now, Jan 18: Craving more Westeros and cant wait for the new season of House of the Dragon? Try this. Set decades before Game of Thrones, this spin-off follows hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his mysterious squire Egg, a Targaryen. More of the same sword swinging, politics and character-driven fantasy on display - and theres nothing wrong with that.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Wonder Man, Disney+, Jan 27: Marvel heads backstage with this meta superhero series centred on Simon Williams, an actor in the running to play the titular Wonder Man in a film, only to gain unexpected powers in the process. Blending Hollywood satire with comic-book spectacle, Wonder Man looks to offer something lighter and stranger than recent MCU fare. Marvel is in dire need of a hit. This could be the refreshment they - and the fanbase - need.

Shrinking S3, Apple TV, Jan 28: Jason Segel and Harrison Ford return for another season of the warm, offbeat comedy-drama about grief and how true emotional honesty can change lives. Brace yourself more laughs, more uncomfortable truths and more quietly devastating moments.

Bridgerton S4, Netflix, Jan 29: The lavish romance continues, with a new central love story taking focus as The Ton braces for another scandal-filled season of sumptuous costumes, orchestral pop covers and enough romantic tension to fuel a thousand group chats. Our very own Nicola Coughlan reprises her role as Penelope while Jonathan Bailey steps back into the shoes of Anthony.
The business of prediction rarely ages well. Irish public life has a habit of rewarding the unexpected and humbling the apparently inevitable. And yet, every so often, patterns begin to form  not certainties, but currents.

As Ireland approaches 2026, there is a sense of accumulation rather than rupture. The economy remains outward facing, the cultural confidence hard-won rather than brash, and politics caught between generational impatience and institutional inertia.

The figures worth watching now are not necessarily the loudest, nor even the newest, but those whose next moves feel timely  aligned with questions Ireland is already asking itself.

What follows is not a ranking, nor a promise of greatness. It is simply an attempt to notice 10 Irish presences  people, ideas, symbols  whose trajectories suggest 2026 may be a year where influence arrives quietly, but meaningfully.

Siobhan McNutt, visual artist

For someone who spends much of his time in galleries wondering whether the fire extinguisher is part of the exhibition, encountering Siobhan McNutts work is a small relief. Her art doesnt demand genuflection. It whispers for attention  bodily, unforced, and slightly slower than were used to giving.

Siobhan McNutt: Her abstract work is intuitive and responsive, alive to what paint and paper want to do rather than what they can be made to submit to.

Based in Galway, McNutt moves between drawing, painting and printmaking with a confidence shaped by long experience rather than theory alone.

A graduate of Central Saint Martins and the Limerick School of Art & Design, she spent over a decade working internationally in design before returning to studio practice  a background that shows in her comfort with materials and refusal of fuss.

Her abstract work is intuitive and responsive, alive to what paint and paper want to do rather than what they can be made to submit to. Gesture matters. Repetition matters. So does restraint.

Underneath it all lies a quiet resistance to control  environmental, cultural, internal  and a belief that attention, properly cultivated, is itself a form of ethics. McNutts work doesnt shout. It listens. And in 2026, that may be exactly why it lasts.

Daryl McCormack, actor

By 2026, Daryl McCormack will have quietly assembled something rare: a genuinely international filmography without having surrendered his sense of scale.

Following his acclaimed performances in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, and Twisters, McCormack has lined up a slate of projects that continue to resist obvious careerism, including a lead role in a psychological thriller shot in Ireland, and a supporting turn in a US prestige drama expected to premiere during awards season.

What distinguishes McCormack is not range  many actors have that  but judgement. He gravitates toward characters whose authority is unstable: men navigating power without certainty. There is restraint in his performances that feels increasingly out of step with an industry addicted to maximalism.

For Irish audiences, his appeal lies in recognisability without exhibitionism. He still sounds local. Still chooses small over loud. If 2026 confirms him as a leading man, it will do so on his terms  and that feels noteworthy.

Florence Road, music

Florence Road are emerging at a moment when Irish guitar music is being quietly re-evaluated. Their early singles  dense, melodic, built for live spaces rather than headphones  have earned them a growing reputation on the Irish and UK circuit, with festival slots pencilled in for summer 2026 and a debut EP expected early in the year.

Florence Road: Their sound draws from post-punk and classic rock traditions without apology, delivered with a seriousness that might once have felt unfashionable but now feels refreshing.

What sets Florence Road apart is conviction rather than novelty. They are uninterested in pastiche or irony. Their sound draws from post-punk and classic rock traditions without apology, delivered with a seriousness that might once have felt unfashionable but now feels refreshing.

Their real test in 2026 will be pacing. Irish bands have often been rushed outward too quickly. Florence Road seem, so far, to be doing things in sequence: tightening live sets, writing carefully, letting word-of-mouth build. If they arrive properly next year, it will be because they waited.

Nicola Coughlan, actor

Nicola Coughlans ascent has been the kind you cant quite call unexpected. Anyone who watched her pinball through Derry Girls with weaponised sincerity knew she was operating at a slightly different voltage.

Bridgerton made her a global presence; Big Mood confirmed she could pivot from comedy to something rawer without dropping so much as a cadence.

Across it all, Coughlan has shown an actors instinct rather than a celebritys  an appetite for roles that stretch feeling rather than feed profile.

Nicola Coughlan at the 31st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles last February. Picture: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

But what defines her just as strongly is her willingness to speak. Coughlan has been consistently, sometimes uncomfortably brave in her activism  whether challenging misogyny, pushing back on body shaming, or using her platform to advocate for queer rights, reproductive rights, Palestinian freedom, and social justice causes that are easier left unmentioned in her industry.

She does it without the choreography that usually accompanies Hollywood statements. Its bravery without the branding exercise, which is increasingly rare.

In 2026, well see her return to Bridgerton at the centre of the story rather than fluttering at its edges. A new Irish feature, trading bonnets for something contemporary and bitey, will give her room to explore more grounded emotional terrain.

There are whispers too of writing and producing  the natural next step for someone who seems less interested in being cast than in creating. Coughlan remains a fascinating figure not because she is famous, but because she appears determined to use fame for something more than self-expansion.

She treats visibility as both responsibility and opportunity  and somehow manages to do so with wit intact.

If 2026 turns into her defining year, it wont be because she courted it. It will be because she kept doing what she has always done: choosing good work, telling the truth loudly, and trusting that the audience can handle complexity.

Colin Burke, designer

Irish fashion has always had a complicated relationship with tradition. We celebrate it rhetorically, then rush to modernise it out of recognisability.

Colin Burke combines Irish traditional motifs with modern structure and silhouettes.

Colin Burkes work sits in a more patient space between the two. An award-winning designer of handmade knitwear, Burke combines Irish traditional motifs with modern structure and silhouettes  not as costume or revivalism, but as something lived-in and contemporary.

What distinguishes his work is discipline. Each piece is considered, tactile, shaped by an understanding that knitwear is as much about engineering as it is about heritage. Aran references appear, but they are stretched, pared back, re-balanced. Nothing feels nostalgic.

In an industry fixated on speed, Burkes practice is deliberately slow. His clothes invite repeat wear rather than first impressions, longevity rather than spectacle. As sustainability becomes less of a slogan in 2026, his approach  handmade, thoughtful, restrained  feels less like an aesthetic choice than a position.

If Irish fashion is to have a future that respects its past without being trapped by it, Burke offers a quietly persuasive model.

John Farrelly, director / screenwriter

Farrellys growing reputation rests on a deceptively simple idea: that Irish-language cinema can operate comfortably within genre, without explanation or translation.

His breakout success with An Taibhse  an Irish language horror film that travelled internationally  has led to funding and interest for follow-up projects, including a second feature currently in development and a television collaboration with an Irish-language broadcaster.

John Farrelly's films treat language as atmosphere rather than statement. The Irish he uses is lived-in, unsettling, poetic and so particularly suited to horror.

Farrellys films treat language as atmosphere rather than statement. The Irish he uses is lived-in, unsettling, poetic and so particularly suited to horror, where suggestion matters more than exposition.

As global audiences grow increasingly receptive to subtitled genre cinema, 2026 may be the year Farrellys work crosses from cultural curiosity into something more durable. His success would matter not symbolically, but structurally: proof that Irish-language film need not justify itself to be ambitious.

General Sean Clancy, chairman, EU Military Committee

In 2026, Ireland will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union  and General Sean Clancy will sit at the centre of conversations the country has long preferred to approach obliquely. As chair of the EU Military Committee, Clancy occupies a role that demands credibility abroad and reassurance at home.

The neutrality debate will sharpen next year, driven by global instability and Irelands evolving responsibilities within Europe. Clancys influence lies not in advocacy, but articulation: explaining Irelands position in language that travels.

What makes him worth watching is what his presence comes to represent for an Ireland internally unsure of itself, and externally in need of direction.

Jesse Buckley, actor

Jesse Buckley has spent the past few years assembling a body of work that rewards close attention rather than loud applause.

From Wild Rose to The Lost Daughter, from Men to Women Talking, she has become one of the rare performers whose name signals not genre but depth  the promise of a character whose inner life wont be handed to you neatly.

In 2026, that pattern looks set to continue. She will appear in Fingernails, the quietly unsettling sci-fi romance already building an afterlife on the festival circuit, and  more significantly  in Hamnet, the long-awaited adaptation of Maggie OFarrells novel.

Jessie Buckley at the Irish premiere of 'Hamnet' at the Light House Cinema. Picture: Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ie

Early whispers from those in the room suggest Buckley may be doing the kind of work that attracts Oscar voters, even if neither she nor we would dare say that out loud just yet.

What makes Buckley compelling is not ambition but calibration. She chooses roles that require listening, withholding, shaping. Performances that dont demand attention so much as accumulate it.

In an industry that often mistakes noise for substance, Buckleys seriousness  her refusal to coast  remains quietly radical. Watch her in 2026. Something is gathering.

Holly Cairns, Opposition politics

Returning from maternity leave, Holly Cairns enters 2026 at a moment where promise must translate into structure. Her early appeal was built on clarity and empathy; her task now is durability.

Holly Cairns enters 2026 at a moment where promise must translate into structure. Her early appeal was built on clarity and empathy; her task now is durability. Picture: Gareth Chaney.

Cairns has demonstrated an ability to communicate complex ideas without jargon. What she must now develop is the capacity to absorb compromise without erosion. Opposition politics rewards both. If she succeeds, she could help reshape what opposition leadership looks like in Ireland. If not, the danger is stagnation. 2026 will be clarifying.

Catherine Connolly, president

Now that Catherine Connolly has formally taken up residence in Aras an Uachtarain, the conversation has shifted from whether she could be president to how she will inhabit the role  and, already, she has unsettled the expectations of both admirers and sceptics, albeit in opposite directions.

President Catherine Connolly has begun her term with a steadiness that feels neither ornamental nor oppositional, but quietly authoritative. Picture: Fran Veale

For someone long caricatured as too sharp or too principled for the soft-focus demands of the office, Connolly has begun her term with a steadiness that feels neither ornamental nor oppositional, but quietly authoritative. Her challenges for 2026 are considerable.

At home, Connolly inherits a country marked by rising frustration with political drift and a weary public discourse in which certainty is too often mistaken for substance. She will be expected to acknowledge that unease without violating the constitutional delicacies of the presidency  a line she has walked deftly so far.

Her early statements have been measured and unhurried, offering neither lofty abstraction nor forced geniality. Instead, she has spoken of dignity, solidarity, and the value of listening, with a clarity that feels earned rather than rehearsed.

Internationally, her role is no less demanding. Ireland holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, placing Connolly in the foreground of conversations about neutrality, European security, and the nature of collective responsibility in a newly fragile world. She will not shape policy, but her moral authority  calm, precise, untheatrical  will matter.

Critics who imagined she might use the presidency as a pulpit have found instead a president intent on grounding, not grandstanding. What may have surprised some of her critics in these early days is her tone: confident without being declarative, warm without theatricality.

Connolly seems determined to restore a sense of constitutional seriousness, to treat the office not as a performance space but as a site of attentiveness  the kind that invites a country to breathe rather than brace.

If the presidency tests her in 2026, and it will, she seems prepared to meet those tests without spectacle. In a political age defined by noise, a president who speaks softly  and only when it matters  may prove to be exactly what Ireland didnt realise it was waiting for.
Relatives of Brazilian woman Bruna Fonseca will travel to Ireland in the coming weeks for the trial of the man accused of her murder in Cork.

Miller Pacheco, who is originally from Formiga in Brazil, but was living on Liberty Street in Cork, is charged with the murder of the 28-year-old in a flat on Liberty Street on January 1, 2023.

He is due to go on trial at the Central Criminal Court on January 12.

Ms Fonseca was a librarian and worked as a cleaner at Mercy University Hospital after coming to Ireland just three months before her death, in September 2022.

Her body was found at Liberty Street just a couple of hours after she had gone out with friends to celebrate New Year's Eve in Cork city centre.

Miller Pacheco, centre, who is charged with the murder of Bruna Fonseca at Anglesea Street Courthouse, Cork. File picture: Dan Linehan

Ms Fonseca was a native of Formiga in Minas Gerais province, northwest of Rio de Janeiro. She had moved to Ireland with her niece, who subsequently moved back to Brazil, before returning to Ireland.

She will be joined in Ireland for the trial by other members of Brunas family, including two siblings.

Following her death, hundreds of people holding white flowers attended a vigil organised in her memory at The Lough, one of Brunas favourite places in Cork City. Photographs of a smiling Bruna were placed on a table draped in the Brazilian flag during the vigil, which was streamed live to members of Brunas family in Brazil.

A message from Brunas friend of over 20 years, Maria Paula, was read during the vigil, in which Ms Paula described her as like a sunny day in the rainy season.

People leave flowers and light candles at the vigil for Bruna Fonseca at The Lough, Cork, on Sunday January 8, 2023. Picture: Larry Cummins

A make-shift shrine of candles, flowers, and photographs was placed at the entrance to the flat on Liberty Street.

Her sister travelled to Cork to bring Bruna back to Brazil.

Her remains were repatriated to her home city of Formiga, and her funeral took place there two weeks after her death. Her remains were waked at her family home prior to burial. She was laid to rest alongside her grandparents in the citys Cemiterio do Santissimo in Formiga.

Ahead of her second anniversary last year, her family told the Irish Examiner that her absence was a brutal, unfair loss that no amount of time could heal.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) minister plans to meet the man behind the first early warning flood alert system of its kind in Ireland to glean whether it can be used by local authorities in the future.

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran wants to meet Midleton businessman Colin James, who set up the Midleton Early Warning System (MEWS) after Storm Babet devastated the East Cork town in 2023.

It was inspired by New Zealands tsunami early warning network, which tracks sea-level changes and provides real-time data as events unfold.

Mr James managed to launch MEWS in May in Midleton after a short and successful pilot phase. However, Cork County Council has said early flood warning systems for the East Cork town are unworkable.

Mr Moran, who is due to revisit Midleton early in the new year, as well as meeting council officials and residents to discuss concerns around flood mitigation and prevention, told the Irish Examiner: I applaud him and the great work he has done. He shouldn't have to do it. That's where the local authority should be leading from the front.

I don't know why the council didn't, so we'd have to explore that, but I would like to meet that man when I visit the town.

The Midleton Early Warning System sends alerts to 5,000 registered users after water levels exceed 50% above normal water levels in the East Cork towns river, the Owenacurra, and several of its tributaries.

The data comes from 17 sensors monitoring river levels, which an AI bot analyses in seconds to calculate flow rates. Texts are automatically sent after each significant increase beyond a set threshold.

On November 11, the system recorded its highest readings since its launch last May, with more than 50,000 texts sent about two alerts of water levels being 50.1% then 53.2% above normal.

However, because the increase occurred gradually over several hours, the system calculated a low flow rate, indicating that although river levels were high at the time, they were not rising rapidly enough to signal a risk of severe flooding.

The council did not respond to a query on whether it had changed its position about the viability of early flood warning systems for Midleton.
Nina, who owns a small bakery, is pictured at her bakery in Sofia, Bulgaria, Dec. 31, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

SOFIA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- In a dimly lit supermarket, an elderly man stood at the checkout counter, his gnarled hands rummaging through his wallet for familiar lev coins. When the cashier handed him shiny new euro coins in return, he examined them carefully, a mix of curiosity and apprehension etched across his face. At midnight on Jan. 1, 2026, Bulgaria officially stepped into the eurozone.

From Aug. 8, 2025, merchants were required by law to display prices in both lev and euro, with fines imposed for non-compliance. In major supermarket chains such as Kaufland and Lidl, customers were constantly reminded of the coming change.

A recorded announcement echoed through the aisles: "Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the euro will be in use. We are now having a dual-currency price display according to law." Large signs at store entrances reinforced the message. Across the capital, subway stations were blanketed with euro-themed promotional posters, covering seats and escalators alike.

Recently, long lines formed daily at currency exchange points, including cash centers of the Bulgarian National Bank. Coin exchange machines installed in supermarkets frequently broke down under the strain of heavy use.

In the weeks before the transition, many foreigners, and Bulgarians as well, avoided cash payments altogether, especially transactions requiring change.

This posed a challenge for small street-side shops that operated on a cash-only basis. Operators of coffee and food vending machines faced particular difficulties. According to the Bulgarian Vending Association, the country has more than 30,000 food and beverage vending machines, only a small fraction of which accept card payments. Due to legal restrictions, machines could only be reprogrammed after the euro officially entered circulation.

In the first days of the new year, many of these machines were expected to stop functioning, a significant inconvenience in small towns where residents relied on them daily.

The Christmas and New Year period was among the most chaotic. Consumers carried both lev and euro in their wallets. Banks had warned that the financial system would undergo a transition from Dec. 31, 2025, to Jan. 2, 2026, involving an expected four-hour interruption. During that time, POS terminals would stop working, online banking services would be suspended, and ATMs would be out of service.

Juliana Golcheva, a restaurant owner in the southwestern town of Sandanski, told local media: "We will definitely need some time to adapt. I don't think it's wise for this change to take effect immediately after midnight. It's New Year's Eve, it will cause confusion and inconvenience."

Restaurant owners who stayed open that night encouraged customers to pay by card. After midnight, however, businesses were required to give change in euros even if customers paid in levs.

"At first, giving change will be complicated, let's not kid ourselves," said Atanas, a supermarket cashier. "I'm not worried about the operation itself, but about whether customers will understand the payment method, especially the elderly."

For months, the euro dominated Bulgaria's news cycle. Prime-time TV programs and online outlets debated whether prices would rise, often citing experiences from other eurozone countries. Economists repeatedly stressed that for integration into the EU's single market, adopting a common currency was the only practical choice.

If examples like Portugal and Austria were meant to reassure, Croatia, joining the eurozone in 2023, sparked unease. Ana Knezevic, president of the Croatian Consumer Protection Association, told Bulgarian media: "Prices have already spiraled out of control and are still rising. People are complaining about the euro, they simply can't keep up."

Official surveys suggested that Bulgaria was ready, with just over 51 percent of the population supporting euro adoption. Yet that narrow margin underscored a deep societal divide. A Gallup International Balkan survey showed that nearly 60 percent of Bulgarians feared the euro would drive up living costs.

Supporters of the euro were largely concentrated in Sofia and other large cities, especially young, well-educated professionals working in modern industries and many with experience studying or working abroad.

"I'm very happy we're moving toward the eurozone," said Sofia-based architect Yordanka Kamburova. "It's a logical path our country has followed for a long time. I feel calm and proud that we're becoming a full member of this financial world."

Large companies integrated into European supply chains predicted immediate benefits, while micro-enterprises were more cautious. Nina, who owns a small bakery in Sofia, said "When I see prices already rising, it's hard to believe they'll go down after the euro is introduced." "It's like one family against the backdrop of another, the EU's economy versus ours. I'm not sure we're truly one family."

The most anxious group remained residents of small towns and villages, often elderly. Many had stored lev coins under mattresses or floorboards, requiring patient explanations from bank staff.

"It's sad to part with the Bulgarian lev," said 80-year-old retired engineer Ivan Tsenkov. "It's connected to our dignity. Joining a fading EU feels like a mistake."

George Nikolov, a Sofia-based print shop owner and coin collector, chronicled Bulgarian currency from Ottoman times to the present. "The lev is a very beautiful currency," he said nostalgically.

Starter kits of euro coins, featuring Bulgarian Cyrillic lettering and national motifs, sold out on the first day. Though different from coins in circulation, they proved so popular that bank counters worked overtime through Christmas Eve.

"The euro is a financial instrument," said Katarina Nikolic, a business partner in a Sofia gelateria. "It won't change our cultural identity. Bulgarians will keep their culture. I believe in Europe, and today, a united continent matters more than ever." 

This photo shows retired engineer Ivan Tsenkov in Sofia, Bulgaria, Dec. 31, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

Sofia-based architect Yordanka Kamburova (L) is seen in a street in Sofia, Bulgaria, Dec. 31, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
We have arrived at a point in time where the Irish language is thriving and its appeal is growing among younger generations.

You only have to consider the response to the cupla focal spoken by participants and presenter Siobhan McSweeney in RTEs 'The Traitors Ireland' earlier this year or the focus on spoken Irish skills among the recent presidential election debates to witness just how much the language is thriving. There has been a notable growth in podcasts through Irish, and Irish-language artists in music are reaching new heights.

It comes, therefore, as no surprise that children and young people when asked  over 200 of them across primary and post-primary schools, in fact  about their views on learning the language, that they report an overwhelming appetite to improve their ability to speak it.

This was the overarching takeaway from the Teaching and Learning of Irish in English Medium Schools consultation report carried out by Sealbhu, DCU Research Centre for the Teaching and Learning of Irish.,

The report involved consultation with students at both primary and post-primary level as well as with parents, teachers, student teachers, and principals. The report sought to understand perceptions of the language and how we teach it in English-medium schools.

People do wish to speak Irish...

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive in favour of the language, with an overriding appreciation for the potential linguistic and cultural benefits of learning Irish, as well as the cognitive benefits associated with bilingualism and multilingualism.

Yet, frustrations remain among students surrounding barriers they experience to improving their spoken language, which they suggest is rooted in reliance on text-book learning over interactive approaches and activities. We must respond to this.

...but are put off by State exams

Though interactive learning at the early years of learning Irish at primary school level involves rhymes, songs, language games, and involvement with cultural events such as those taking place during Seachtain na Gaeilge, there was a notable shift away from spoken language skills at middle and senior classes where many children reported a focus on and difficulty with reading, writing, grammar and spelling.

They report this continuing into post-primary years where students wish for opportunities to enhance their ability to speak the language but instead feel resigned to note-taking and memorising due to the pressure of State examinations. A clear desire for opportunities to speak the language inside and outside the classroom came through from students. Many students found literature and textbooks to be demotivating. They expressed frustration around their poor understanding of grammar as well as a lack of progress in developing communicative proficiency during their time in education.

Iolann O Duinn O Bric, 4, at the launch of Foras na Gaeilge's new monolingual dictionary An Focloir Nua Gaeilge. See Focloir.ie. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall

Over 100 parents, teachers and principals took part in the consultation for this report too. They echo the same frustrations.

Primary teachers report high levels of engagement with Irish in the early years of the primary school, in particular, when play-based approaches and rhymes and songs were used but report a difficulty in motivating older children to learn Irish where there is a greater reliance on textbook-based reading.

Language versus literature

Teachers at second level emphasise a commitment to teaching Irish in an enjoyable way but feel a focus on literature reduced the time available to spend on language and oral skills. Their views reflect those expressed by principals too.

Parents raise a concern that time spent on literature and poetry is taking from the opportunity to develop language skills at post-primary level. Those who participated speak of aspirations for their children to be able to converse and communicate in Irish and cite considerable stress around spelling tests at primary level.

Meeting students where they are

What this tells us is that we must meet our students where they are, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Forty minutes of language learning in a lesson is not sufficient to ensure competence in oral language skills, nor is it that what our children or young people want; rather they want to experience the language through speaking it in a meaningful way in real-life contexts. We must meet them there.

The Department of Educations newly published Action Plan for Irish in English-medium schools and the commitment to establishing more experiences of the language as a living language outside the classroom is most welcome.

The importance of additional supports and resources and provision of guidance and teacher learning opportunities cannot be understated but developing these resources must occur in conjunction with interactive opportunities with the language in our school communities, and indeed outside of them.

We must meet our children and young people at cultural and sporting events that encompass Irish language components.

We must give them the opportunity to engage with the language at those places where they are. This wont just translate into greater spoken language, but it will foster a command of the language that motivates them in other areas of learning including reading and writing.
A Walt Disney World worker in Florida has been injured while attempting to stop a large runaway prop boulder from rolling in to seated spectators at the Indiana Jones show.

The worker at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at the Hollywood Studios park was knocked to the ground by the 400-pound (181kg) boulder after it moved off its track on Tuesday and started rolling toward audience members.
MOSCOW, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 24 people were killed and more than 50 others injured after three Ukrainian drones hit a cafe and a hotel in Kherson Wednesday night, local authorities said.

The attack occurred as civilians were gathering to celebrate the New Year, head of the Kherson region Vladimir Saldo said in a post on Telegram. 
Revised.

[Thanks to all our loyal and generous supporters for making our annual fundraiser a success! There is a lot of work to do, in both in informing the public and fighting disinformation, in 2026, and you have given us a sound basis to pursue it! Excelsior!]

New Year is a favorite subject in classical Persian poetry, though the Iranians celebrate it at the spring solstice, usually March 21, rather than just after the winter solstice. This difference leads them to adorn their New Year verse with springtime imagery, of flowers blossoming and once-isolated friends gathering again.

Saadi of Shiraz (1210-1291), the great poet, ethical teacher and Sufi mystic, wrote a ghazal or ode on the subject:

The dawn wind wafts the scent of the New Year

to friends delight and triumphant good cheer.

To you be blessings this and every year

auspicious for you, this and every year

Above, when pomegranate blossoms blaze,

Dont bother to light up the old fireplace.

Narcissuses wake up the eye of fate:

Shun spiteful foes, divert their baleful gaze.

Where is the rose? the green spring would exclaim:

Look at the nightingales lament and burn.

Without us the world has turned and will turn;

My friend, strive only to have a good name.

Likewise the fourth quatrain in Edward FitzGeralds 1859 first edition of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam is:

IV

Now the New Year is reviving old Desires,

The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires,

Where the white hand of Moses on the Bough

Puts out, and Jesus from the Ground suspires.

   

      

     

     

This is 13 of the Bodleian manuscript and #12 in my The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, a New Translation from the Persian, which also has a fascinating historical exploration of where this poetry came from and its influence through the ages.

Heron-Allens literal translation is:

Now that there is a possibility of happiness for the world,

every living heart has yearnings toward the desert;

upon every bough is the appearance of Moses hand;

in every breeze is the exhalation of Jesus breath.



NYC Met, Title: Wine Drinking in a Spring Garden; Date: ca. 1430; Attributed to Iran, possibly Tabriz; Medium: Opaque watercolor and gold on undyed silk

-

Order Juan Coles contemporary poetic translation of the Rubaiyat from

Bloomsbury (IB Tauris)

or Barnes and Noble.

or for $16 at Amazon Kindle

-

I explained elsewhere,

This is a poem with overtones of the Persian New Year, which falls on the Spring Equinox around March 21 and so coincides with the advent of spring.

Trees with white blooms like our magnolias or elderberries are being compared here to the miraculous white hand of Moses. Turning his hand white was one of his divine signs that God instructed the Hebrew prophet to use when he confronted Pharaoh:

Exodus 4:1,6-7

Then Moses answered, But suppose they do not believe me or listen to me, but say, The Lord did not appear to you. Again, the Lord said to him, Put your hand inside your cloak. He put his hand into his cloak; and when he took it out, his hand was leprous,[a] as white as snow. Then God said, Put your hand back into your cloak-so he put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored like the rest of his body-

This miracle is also mentioned in the Quran, and Persian poetry refers to it as a sign of renewal, since Moses can reverse the condition at will.

The other reference is to Jesus ability to raise the dead, as in Luke 7:11-14

11 Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12 As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mothers only son, and she was a widow, and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13 When the Lord saw her, he was moved with compassion for her and said to her, Do not cry. 14 Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stopped. And he said, Young man, I say to you, rise! 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus[c] gave him to his mother. 

This poetry takes a dim view of people who put off achieving their hearts desires. It is very much a poetry of seize the day. It advises against letting yourself lose hope, and urges that you express life-fulfilling passion.






Thursday, January 01, 2025 - First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto has set tongues wagging after being spotted in sunglasses at night during President Rutos endyear address at Eldoret State Lodge.

The unusual fashion choice has left netizens speculating, with many wondering if it was more than just a fashion statement.

While some praised her bold look, others hinted that there could be deeper reasons behind the nighttime shades, fueling endless online debate.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, January 01, 2025 - A heartfelt online exchange has shed light on the painful reasons some siblings cut ties and stop speaking.

It began when a netizen asked, Why do siblings fight to the point of never talking again?

One response stood out: Stella shared her father's story.

He had quit school to fund his younger siblings university education, using his savings to start a business and support them.

Tragically, both siblings became pregnant in their final year and never graduated.

Feeling betrayed and disappointed, he severed ties permanently.





The Kenyan DAILY POST
People watch the news of an explosion and a fire at a bar on television in Geneva, Switzerland, Jan. 1, 2026. Several dozen people are feared dead and around 100 injured Thursday after an explosion and a fire at a bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort in Valais Canton of southwestern Switzerland, local police said. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

GENEVA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Several dozen people are feared dead and around 100 injured Thursday after an explosion and a fire at a bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort in Valais Canton of southwestern Switzerland, local police said.

Those injured in the blast and subsequent fire suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospitals in Sion, capital of Valais canton, as well as in other cities, Valais Canton Police Chief Frederic Gisler said at a press conference.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion, but authorities have ruled out an attack.

Helicopters and ambulances, including some from abroad, rushed to the scene, as the intensive care units and operating rooms of local hospitals are at full capacity, said local officials at the press conference.

President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin postponed his planned New Year's address and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

The Valais cantonal administration announced that the canton has entered an emergency. 

This photo taken on Jan. 1, 2026 shows a television broadcasting the news of an explosion and a fire at a bar in Geneva, Switzerland. Several dozen people are feared dead and around 100 injured Thursday after an explosion and a fire at a bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort in Valais Canton of southwestern Switzerland, local police said. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)






Thursday, January 01, 2025 - Jubilee Deputy Party Leader, Fred Matiangi, has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to prioritize voter registration in 2026.

The former Interior Cabinet Secretary warned that Kenya cannot afford another term under the current administration, stressing that a robust voter turnout in 2027 will be critical for change.

Delivering his New Year message on Thursday, January 1st, Matiangi called for an immediate nationwide mass registration exercise to ensure no eligible voter is left behind.

He emphasized the need for registration centres in universities and colleges to make it easier for young Kenyans to participate in the democratic process.

I urge all eligible Kenyans, mainly the youth, to register as voters in large numbers.

To facilitate this process, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission must urgently launch a nationwide mass registration exercise, Matiangi stated.

Painting a bleak picture of 2025, the United Opposition leader cited rising living costs, deteriorating healthcare, insecurity, and unprecedented school dropouts due to delayed Government funding.

He accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of corruption, inequitable resource allocation, and focusing on propaganda rather than tackling unemployment and education.

Matiangi pledged that the United Opposition will intensify outreach efforts to reassure Kenyans and present an alternative vision amid economic hardships.

We will only restore good leadership in our beloved country if we garner the requisite numbers at the polling booths in 2027, he added.

His call comes as opposition forces prepare to challenge President William Rutos Government in the next election.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, January 1, 2026 - The appearance of First Lady Rachel Ruto at a New Years Eve event hosted by gospel musician, Emmy Kosgey, in Eldoret has sparked widespread speculation and heated debate online after she was spotted wearing dark sunglasses throughout the ceremony.

Photos from the event, which have since gone viral, show the First Lady noticeably shielding her eyes behind tinted shades, a fashion choice that immediately caught the attention of curious Kenyans.

Across social media platforms, users questioned why Rachel Ruto chose to appear in dark glasses, with some terming it unusual and suspicious.

She kept the bodyguard glasses on all night. Women, its okay to leave a marriage for peace. Its okay to let your voice be heard. Its okay to walk away. The stigma after divorce is temporary. Peace and happiness are eternal, a lady wrote on X.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, January 1, 2026 - Unanswered questions surround Prophet David Owuors end-of-year crusade at Technology Farm in Nakuru after reports emerged that a woman died during the event, which drew thousands of worshippers.

Sources claim the incident occurred on December 30th, 2025, but was allegedly concealed by church officials.

The womans body is said to have been quietly transferred to Egerton Funeral Home in Njoro, instead of a facility within Nakuru West, a move some insiders believe was meant to keep the incident away from public attention.

Further allegations suggest that the death was not recorded at any police station, sparking claims that law-enforcement officers may have been influenced to suppress the matter.

Prophet Owuor arrived in Nakuru on December 29th for a three-day crusade, where he showcased individuals he claimed had received miraculous healings, including people said to have recovered from serious illnesses such as HIV.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
GENEVA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 people were killed and 10 others injured after an explosion at a bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort in Valais Canton of southwestern Switzerland on Thursday, a Swiss public broadcaster reported.

The blast occurred at around 1:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) and triggered a fire at the bar, Radio Television Suisse (RTS) reported, citing Valais cantonal police.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the cause of the blast remains unclear.

A press conference on the incident is scheduled for 10 a.m. local time (0900 GMT), the report said. 
Ellen O'Donoghue

An arson attack in Dublin features heavily on the first front pages of the year in Ireland.

The Irish Times lead with submarines off the Irish coast being tracked by sonar buoys.

The Irish Examiner lead with consumers betting to beat the cost of living crisis.

The Irish Daily Mail lead with media minister Patrick O'Donovan not believing the TV licence fee is broken.

The Belfast Telegraph lead with the State Papers.

A Dublin arson attack is the lead story on The Herald, Irish Independent, Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Daily Star.
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From vital infrastructure projects to civic honours and business success, May delivered a lot in Kilkenny.

A significant chapter in regional connectivity opened in May as a new pedestrian and sustainable transport bridge was swung into place over the River Suir, linking South Kilkenny and Waterford.

Community appreciation was on full display in May when Father Jim Murphy received an unexpected honour at a Sunday service.

Mayor of Kilkenny, Andrew McGuinness surprised the long-serving priest with a Mayoral Award, acknowledging his over fifty years of dedication his vocation.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE

Celebrations of a different kind were held at Laharts Kilkenny, where Volkswagen owners turned out in force for a special VW 75th anniversary day.

Kilkennys business and hospitality scene also shone this month as Aran Artisan Bakery and Bistro was named the Leinster Winner for Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2025.

Another huge achiever this month was Kilkenny native Captain George OHara, who was honoured for his extraordinary four-decade aviation career.

SEE ALSO: Kilkenny TD welcomes significant funding for domestic and sexual violence services

A civic reception, hosted by Cathaoirleach Michael McCarthy, recognised OHara (Ryanairs most senior pilot) as a proud local man from St Francis Terrace whose achievements continue to inspire.

Organ Donor Awareness Week took place in May too and one particular story caught the interest of the public - that of Derek Deegan.

Derek shared the moving story of his journey while awaiting a vital kidney transplant, and many readers took notice.

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Also making the headlines was the Mother of Fair Love Special School, who celebrated their Debs in style and glamour.

However, the month wasnt without disruption. A freak flooding incident struck the centre of Thomastown after a burst water pipe sent water surging through Market Street and Low Street.

Meanwhile, in political developments, Fianna Fail TD Peter Chap Cleere was appointed the partys new Agriculture Spokesperson.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
Xi congratulates Science and Technology Daily on its 40th anniversary

Xinhua) 11:19, January 01, 2026

BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to the Science and Technology Daily on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its founding.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extended congratulations to the newspaper's staff.

In the letter, he pointed out that over the past 40 years, the Science and Technology Daily has, focusing on the central tasks of the Party and the country, played an active role in promoting the Party's innovative theories, interpreting sci-tech policies, reporting on sci-tech achievements, and popularizing scientific knowledge.

Xi emphasized that, from a new starting point, efforts should be made to tell well China's sci-tech innovation stories, reflect the voices of sci-tech workers, and gather more wisdom and strength to achieve high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength, and to build a strong country in science and technology.

Founded on Jan. 1, 1986, the Science and Technology Daily has evolved into a comprehensive media organization with platforms such as newspaper, journal, website and mobile application.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Wu Chaolan)
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Despite heavy rain, thousands of spectators lined the streets of Pasadena in Los Angeles County on the first day of 2026 to watch the annual Rose Parade, a signature New Year's tradition in U.S. Southern California.

The 137th Rose Parade kicked off Thursday morning in Pasadena, known as the "City of Roses." It was the first time in two decades that the parade was held in rainy conditions, as a powerful winter storm drenched the region.

Themed "The Magic in Teamwork," this year's parade featured dozens of flower-decorated floats, equestrian units and marching bands from across the United States and around the world along the 5.5-mile route.

Among the highlights was a float, titled "Rising Together," depicting a phoenix ascending from flames to symbolize renewal and collective strength.

Co-sponsored by the California Community Foundation and the Black Freedom Fund, the float paid tribute to the 31 residents who lost their lives in the 2025 wildfires and honored the resilience of more than 13,000 families who lost their homes.

Meanwhile, multiple burn-scar areas in Los Angeles County, which were severely damaged by the Eaton Fire nearly a year ago, have been placed under evacuation warnings beginning Wednesday, including large sections of the Pasadena and Altadena foothills. 
Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny marked a significant milestone in the educational and spiritual life of the community, celebrating Presentation Day Mass in the newly-completed school building.

This years celebration held particular importance, commemorating 225 years of Presentation presence in Kilkenny and honouring the enduring legacy of Nano Nagle and the Presentation Sisters.

The Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Dan, with Fr Scriven and Fr Paul. They offered a deeply meaningful reflection on Nano Nagles journey, mission, and unwavering commitment to education and social justice.

The ceremony was dignified and uplifting, highlighting the deep roots of the Presentation tradition and its continuing influence within the modern school community.



A number of Presentation Sisters  Sr Kathleen, Sr Maura, former principal of Presentation Primary, Sr Margarita, former principal of Presentation Secondary, Sr Concepta, Sr Helen, former principal of Presentation Secondary, Sr Anne Marie Quinn, Presentation Provincialate, Sr Patricia Wall, Sr Joy Puerta, Sr Nuala, Sr Teresa, Sr Eileen, Sr Mary,and Sr Kathleen Meagher  also attended, bringing a sense of continuity and heritage to the occasion.

TAP HERE FOR MORE KILKENNY SCHOOLS NEWS

Their presence served as a reminder of the generations of Sisters who dedicated their lives to nurturing faith, learning, and opportunity for young people in Kilkenny.

RECOGNISED

As part of the celebration, the school formally recognised students who achieved the highest grades in both the Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate examinations.

These awards were presented during the ceremony, acknowledging the exceptional academic dedication of students and the commitment of staff who support and guide them throughout their studies. The recognition of these outstanding achievements was especially fitting in ceremony rooted in the Presentation ethos of excellence, compassion, and service.
A newlywed couple's finances unraveled just months after building a small emergency fund.

Kristin, a caller from Madison, Wisconsin, told "The Ramsey Show she and her husband now carry about $45,000 in consumer debt while facing mounting cash strains.

She said the pressure includes a broken-down vehicle, costly home repairs, and fees tied to a suspended driver's license. Kristin also said she recently lost her job, leaving the couple reliant on a single income.

"The fact you guys don't make any money is your problem," personal finance expert Dave Ramsey said, shifting the focus from budgeting details to income.

Don't Miss:

Job Loss, Housing Repairs, And One Income

Kristin said she previously earned about $60,000 a year as a restaurant manager, often working 6070 hours a week. She said she left that role for another management position with fewer hours but was let go within weeks.

"We don't have a shower or a sink. That's the only bathroom we have in our house," Kristin said, explaining that a pipe burst two weeks after the couple closed on their home and that insurance did not cover the damage, leaving the bathroom unusable months later.

Kristin also said one of their vehicles is not drivable and would require about $2,000 in repairs. Her husband earns about $18 an hour as a machine operator.

Trending: $100k+ in investable assets? Match with a fiduciary advisor for free to learn how you can maximize your retirement and save on taxes  no cost, no obligation.

License Suspension And Transportation Limits

Kristin told Ramsey her husband's driver's license had been suspended following a driving under the influence-related issue. She said reinstatement fees total about $800 and that insurance costs would increase once the license is restored.

"Your excuse is you're a full-time driver for an $18-an-hour guy," Ramsey said, as Kristin described how transporting her husband to work has kept her from returning to her own job.

Co-host George Kamel raised practical alternatives that would allow both spouses to work. "Couldn't you drop him off and then go work and pick him up?" Kamel asked.

See Also: Forget Flipping HousesThis Fund Lets You Invest in Home Equity Like Wall Street Does

Attention Shifts To Earnings

Ramsey said the couple's income had fallen from roughly $100,000 a year to about $36,000, while debt and repair costs remained. He urged both spouses to increase work hours immediately, even if the work was temporary.
SHREVEPORT, La.  The Krewe of Gemini is preparing to host its annual Grand Bal this weekend, an event organizers are calling one of the most 
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The Great Freight Recession shows no sign of ending anytime soon, as more iconic trucking companies permanently shut their doors.

In some cases, shipping companies declared bankruptcy, with about 21 firms filing petitions in the third quarter of 2025 and 20 companies in the second quarter.

Major trucking companies also shut down facilities or whole businesses without filing for bankruptcy.

J.B. Hunt Transport, 10 Roads Express close facilities

Giant trucking company J.B. Hunt Transport Inc. closed its facility at the Home Depot Distribution Center in Lithonia, Ga., on Oct. 27, 2025, and U.S. Postal Service trucking contractor 10 Roads Express revealed plans to end its mail hauling business and shut down all operations by the end of January 2026.

Neither of those companies filed for bankruptcy.

10 Roads Express submitted a 60-day Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notice on Dec. 1 with a final layoff date of Jan. 30, 2026. About 2,000 workers will be laid off.

10 Roads Express was U.S. Postal Service contractor

The Carter Lake, Iowa, transportation and logistics company, which reported 2,462 power units and 2,606 drivers on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration SAFER website, was established in 1946 and contracted with the U.S. Postal Service for 47 years.

10 Roads Express decided to wind down its operations after continued and significant headwinds impacted the transportation industry and the company, whose primary customer is the U.S. Postal Service, it said in a statement. The company also hauls commercial products.

Our industry has been navigating unprecedented challenges, and despite the dedication of our employees and leadership, the realities of the industry have become impossible to overcome, a 10 Roads spokesperson said in a statement sent to TheStreet.

Standard Forward Freight has closed down its business.Shutterstock  Shutterstock

Standard Forwarding Freight shuts down operations

And now, less-than-truckload shipping company Standard Forwarding Freight, which operated in 16 states, closed its business on Dec. 29, terminating employees. It has not indicated its next step.

The East Moline, Ill.-based trucking company said in a statement on its website that it is suspending its day-to-day operations.

Certain company drivers asserted they were notified on Dec. 28 that they were terminated and that the company was permanently closing, FreightWaves reported.

"Effective December 29, 2025, following a comprehensive strategic review of the business, Standard Forwarding Freight, LLC made the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily suspend its day-to-day operations and reduce its workforce," the company said in the statement.
The former Ruby Tuesday space that has sat idle since the coronavirus pandemic is finally getting a new tenant next year at Lehigh Valley Mall.

Texas de Brazil plans to soon move into the site on the main level, according to the Whitehall shopping destinations directory map.

The Dallas, Texas-based Brazilian-American steakhouse chain has over 50 restaurants in over 20 states nationally, as well as other international sites. The Whitehall location marks its first Lehigh Valley eatery with the next closest statewide site in Pittsburgh.

At Texas de Brazil, chefs prepare slow-cooked beef, lamb, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausage the gaucho way. Everything is carved tableside. If you want the chef to serve you some of the meat, you turn your card to green. If you want a break, you turn your card to red.

The technique comes from southern Brazil, where employees dressed as gauchos bring meats individually to tables. Think barbecued pork ribs, filet mignon, spicy sirloin, leg of lamb, parmesan drumettes and chicken breast wrapped in bacon.

Entrees are paired with complimentary house-baked cheese bread, garlic mashed potatoes and fried bananas. Other a la carte side selections for an additional cost include potatoes au gratin, french fries, sauteed mushrooms and jasmine rice.

Theres also a vast salad bar, complete with roughly 50 fresh topping choices.

In addition to the grilled meats, the chain also offers a wide variety of desserts and a full bar menu.

The restaurant prohibits take-home containers for entrees or salads.

The new Texas de Brazil site could become some competition for the Rios Brazilian Steakhouse.

That longtime eatery also offers up an all-you-can-eat, Brazilian-style meats served at your table when you flip your card to green. The steakhouse moved in the fall from its Nazareth location to a larger, downtown Easton space that formerly occupied the Bayou eatery.

The mall is set to bid farewell at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2025 to Chick-Fil-A. It opened in the late 1990s near the malls main entrance. AP

Changing dining scene

The addition of Texas de Brazil is just one of many dining changeups planned for the mall at MacArthur Road and Grape Street.

The mall is set to bid farewell at 2 p.m. Wednesday to Chick-fil-A. It opened in the late 1990s near the malls main entrance.

The chicken chain still operates a nearby site on MacArthur Road in Whitehall, as well as in Pohatcong Township; Lower Nazareth Township; and Lower Macungie Township.

Dunderbaks Market Cafe owner Bill Baker recently announced on Facebook hes talking with interested parties over buying the eatery. Baker said over the summer he would close permanently if he couldnt find a new owner by February 2026.

However, Bakers recent post suggests he could stay open a little longer.

It is likely that should any of these inquiries lead to the sale of the restaurant, that the transition to new ownership will be after our target date of February 28, 2026, Baker posted on the business Facebook page. Therefore, we intend to operate afterwards on a month-to-month basis until a settlement date is determined.

The cafe remains the longest continuously-operated, independently-owned business at the mall.

Dino Sweets was no longer operating early last month on the malls upper level and has since been removed from the online directory. The kiosk operated for five years at the mall.

Prior to that closure, Indian Bite shuttered for good on Oct. 6 and Tasty Bitez, a restaurant serving up Mediterranean-style cuisine, shuttered sometime in the fall, both on the main level.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in September closed in the former Bravo! Cucina Italiana space at the Lifestyle Center. A message on the chains website later indicated all locations have since shuttered.

Pocono Brewing Company, next to the Apple store, abruptly closed in February at the Lifestyle Center.

The long-awaited Dunkin kiosk opened on Dec. 29, 2025 in the kiosk space that formerly operated Starbucks on the main level, across from LUSH and Francescas. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann | For lehighvalleylive.com

Coming up

Simon representatives have done a good job in recent months attempting to fill holes in the malls dining tenant roster.

The long-awaited Dunkin kiosk opened on Dec. 29 in the kiosk space that formerly operated Starbucks on the main level, across from LUSH and Francescas.

Starbucks abruptly shuttered in late August 2024. The space has sat idle ever since with the exception of The Tea Lady temporarily operating a pop-up location from November through the end of December 2024. Dunkin in March announced plans to use the space.

Additionally, Drink Fresh by Djurdjura recently opened on the malls upper level. The business serves fresh fruit smoothies.

Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery has filled the 2,200-square-foot anchor space previously occupied by Pocono Brewing Company at the malls Lifestyle Center. DColombia Restaurant & Bakery opened in the summer at the site previously occupied by Indian Bite.

Nori Japan plans sometime next year to move into the former Tasty Bitez space on the malls main level, beside the Chick-fil-A space. An opening date is yet to be announced by mall representatives.

That eatery plans to serve up Japanese-style selections prepared with fresh ingredients. Such dishes as teriyaki beef and chicken will be prepared by chefs on a teppanyaki grill in front of patrons. Other menu items may include Tempura; sesame chicken; Kushiyaki and assorted sushi rolls.

Other vacancies have been filled on the retail side, with the mall recently welcoming womens fashion retailer, Dry Goods; Star Park Indoor Playground & Party; and Sugar Bear Candy Store, all on the main level, as well as Waikiki, a womens boutique, on the upper level.

There were also openings for Address For Him; Miniso; and Carters/OshKosh Bgosh. Address For Him opened in the former spot of Jennifers Unique Boutique on the upper level. The boutique has since moved to the malls outdoor Lifestyle Center.

Few empty storefronts remain, including the former Chick-fil-A space. Theres the former Face Foundrie space at the Lifestyle Center and some empty spots next to the Pink store on the main level, as well as a handful of other empty storefronts on the malls upper level, according to mall directory maps.
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department is investigating reports that some consumers received incorrect letters claiming their local pharmacies are no longer in their insurance networks.

State officials are urging residents who received such letters to contact their insurance company or pharmacy benefits manager directly to confirm their pharmacys network status before making any changes to where they fill prescriptions.

Local pharmacies are a vital part of our communities and health care system, said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys in a Dec. 23 news release. These trusted partners provide accessible, personalized care, medication counseling, and help managing chronic conditions, especially for seniors and individuals in rural or underserved areas.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department received multiple reports of consumers getting letters incorrectly stating certain local pharmacies were out of network. In some cases shared with the department, pharmacy benefits managers later sent correction letters confirming the pharmacies remained in-network.

The department is working with insurers, partner organizations, and state and federal agencies to determine the scope of the issue and ensure residents receive accurate information.

Humphreys said incorrect information disrupts care and creates unnecessary stress for consumers. He added it can also unfairly damage providers economically when they were never out of network.

Pennsylvanians with questions or complaints about their health insurance can visit pa.gov/consumer or call 1-866-722-6675.
A new deal could see Alphas water tower rebuilt in a new location and the land transferred to a private company.

Engineers are developing plans to construct a new 150-foot, 500,000 gallon water tower on a different site as part of a land swap agreement, according to borough documents.

The property where the existing water tower stands near 93 Industrial Road could be deeded to the Bihler of America company under the agreement. The resolution to reallocate Block 100, Lot 10.02. was recommended by the Land Use Board in 2023.

Documents state that the system is insufficient in providing adequate storage volume and pressure for firefighting.

The deal designates a 10,000-square-foot plot for the new towers construction along the west side of Edge Road.

Alpha Mayor Joseph Schocko, the towns attorney and Bihler of America CEO declined to comment on the agreement for this story. Talks at a meeting in November about the new tower came after years of costly water infrastructure problems.

Borough documents indicate the project faced delays tied to grant funding.

The work that should have been done to make this happen was held up for a few years because we didnt have approval for the grant money, the documents state.

Pohatcong Township is expected to meet in January 2026 to discuss additional details of the land swap agreement.

The arrangement has raised questions among Alpha residents about how the water tower will operate on land the municipality no longer owns.

Alpha has spent several million dollars since 2012 renovating its potable water utility and repairing two leaking and corroding water towers that dumped millions of gallons of potable water over the years, former town Mayor Craig Dunwell told lehighvalleylive.com in 2022.

Corrosion and improper maintenance represent the primary challenges for the tank.
In the near future the sight of robots trundling through rural fields could be as familiar as that of combine harvesters and tractors, according to Professor Gerry Lacey.

The robotics expert, along with his team of enthusiastic young people, are working on a range of experiments to push the boundaries of modern farming at the Automating Regenerative Agriculture (Aura) project at Maynooth University.

Using a hectare of land in County Kildare they are exploring how robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can pick crops more efficiently, tackle weeds more effectively and integrate solar panels into the everyday work of a farm.

He believes technological advances are key to solving the looming problem of how to feed the worlds growing population.

By 2050, were going to have to feed 10 billion people, which means that we have to increase the amount of food on planet earth by 56% but we need to do that without using any more land, he said.

We also need to do that while we reduce the emissions from agriculture.

Despite the growing population, there are fewer people interested in working in agriculture, and Prof Lacey said this is contributing to field waste where viable produce gets destroyed or left behind during harvesting.

Frequently youll hear farmers saying, Oh, well, we couldnt find the people to harvest this crop, so it got ploughed back in.

One way of combating this problem involves using AI and robots to go back to the way our forefathers and mothers used to harvest food by selectively picking fruits and vegetables when they are ripe.

Currently the use of mechanical harvesting, where one large machine harvests an entire field in one go means: Some of the crop is ripe, some of it is overripe, and some of it isnt ripe yet.

But, one piece of kit being developed by the Aura project is a machine that can use minimal amounts of energy to pick individual fruit and vegetables at their optimum ripeness.

Another old method being reimagined for the 21st century involves a robot using boiling water to weed crops.

All of these, he said need to be designed in such a way that it is maintainable by a farmer themselves because if a machine breaks during harvest they could lose their entire income.

They are also looking at how to optimise solar technology in Ireland, experimenting with vertical panels so that they can be installed in fields which are also being used for crops.

The project has teamed up with commercial organisations like Irish Distillers and Comex McKinnon to use the latest technology to create more sustainable grains.

The issues facing farmers in Ireland are a a great engineering challenge said Una Parsons, an upcoming president of Engineers Ireland.

Alongside a distinguished career in manufacturing and academia, she lives and works alongside her husband on an organic farm in Co Sligo.

She said the agritech industry is a huge opportunity for the country, pointing out that Ireland is renowned for producing agricultural machinery and for its tech industry.

Technological developments, too, can engage a younger generation in farming, helping to tackle labour shortages in the sector.

Young people who grow up on farms are mini engineers, she said, and every young kid is into their phone so combining the two could be a win.

Ms Parsons said there are a number of start-ups and fantastic innovations in the country.

She points to Herdwatch as an example of an agritech success story, the software management tool uses AI to help farmers manage their herds.

It is now being used on 20,000 farms across Ireland, the US and UK.

But Ms Parsons feels the sector needs more support and would love to see an intergovernmental task force to develop the agritech sector.

She also thinks advancing agricultural technology should be a focus of Irelands presidency of the Council of the European Union next year.

In response, the Department of the Environment pointed to a range of projects and initiatives they said have supported the agritech space.

Including the VistaMilk Research Centre which, they said, will transform an already world-class dairy sector into a global leader.

They also said the department has been involved in a number of agritech events where researchers and industry executives from the US and Ireland have met.
RTE has unveiled an exciting new line-up for the New Year with a range of household favourites and brand new programmes sure to keep the whole family entertained.



On RTE One and RTE Player, the inimitable Tommy Tiernan is back with a brand-new series of The Tommy Tiernan Show, running for sixteen Saturday nights from 3 January.

Now in its tenth series, Tommy will once again come face-to-face with guests, totally unprepared and without prior knowledge of who is coming on the show.



Family favourite Dancing with the Stars will kick off from Sunday 4 January for its ninth season, with brand-new Head Judge Oti Mabuse bringing even more glitter and glam.

This season features familiar faces including Niamh Kavanagh, Paudie Moloney and Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins among others, all taking to the dancefloor in the hopes of winning the coveted glitterball trophy. Presented by Jennifer Zamparelli and new addition Laura Fox, who is filling in for Doireann Garrihy while she is on leave, this year will bring some big surprises with plenty of twists and turns along the way.

Following on from The Late Late New Years Eve Special on 31 December, Patrick Kielty returns with The Late Late Show on Friday 9 January 2026, with the very first Late Late Show Trad Special.

In the first-ever full show dedicated to Irish traditional music, viewers can expect a session to end all sessions. Join Patrick and a host of Ireland's finest musicians, international special guests, and one legendary performer who will be inducted into the Late Late Show Trad Hall of Fame. Live and full of surprises, spend your Friday nights with Patrick on RTE One and RTE Player from 9:35pm.



This New Year sees Room to Improves Dermot Bannon take on homes of every scale and condition, helping families looking to downsize, upsize, or find the right size for their next chapter.

Starting on Sunday 4 January, Dermots signature architectural vision once again goes head-to-head with quantity surveyor Claire Irwins pragmatism.

In this new series, there are untouched time capsules and clever urban redesigns, including a 1990s three-bed semi-detached home in West Dublin, a bungalow bliss home in Co. Meath, a spacious four-bed family home in Raheny in need of major reimagining, and a compact terraced house with big ambition in Harmonstown. Theres sure to be bold designs, high expectations, last-minute changes, and plenty of emotion  especially from Dermot.

READ NEXT: When are the bank holidays in Ireland over Christmas and in 2026?



A new series of On the Beat is arriving on screens this January. This docuseries gives unprecedented access to the work of An Garda Siochana across Ireland.

Filmed over six months, and airing on Monday 5 January, the series goes behind the front desks, inside the control centres, and on the beat with Gardai in Limerick, Monaghan, and Waterford to give an insight into policing across urban and rural Ireland.

Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital airs on Wednesday 7 January at 9:35pm on RTE One and RTE Player, a powerful new six-part documentary series that goes beyond the headlines and behind the scenes of one of Irelands biggest and busiest hospitals. This landmark observational series offers access inside Cork University Hospital (CUH), capturing the round the clock shifts of the thousands of professionals who work tirelessly to deliver care. Through staff stories and patient journeys, Any Given Day tells a story of a health service in action.



High Road, Low Road is back in January, taking over Europe and beyond. From the snowy mountains of Austria to the sunny shores of Cape Town, we will see Irish celebrities heading to the most unforgettable destinations. Across nine episodes, the cast of mismatched celebrity pairings jet off on two very different holidays. While one enjoys a first-class luxury experience, the other explores the same destination on a budget. Get ready for unforgettable adventures of discovery, culture, and fun.



As we move towards spring, prepare to feel the love as the First Dates restaurant reopens for another season on RTE2. With smouldering desires, secret passions, cheesy chat-up lines, risky banter, and jaw-dropping revelations, the new series of First Dates sees a new batch of hopeful singletons arrive for their dates with destiny. On hand as always with kind words of encouragement, shoulders to cry on, and insightful observations on love, life and dating etiquette are Maitre D Mateo, table angels Alice and Pete, and Neil, the worlds friendliest barman. Everyone has an equal opportunity to find romance: young, old, straight, LGBTQ, shrinking violets, and strutting peacocks alike. Expect drama and delight.



Spring 2026 will also see RTE Investigates look at mental health services in Ireland, with a two-part series coming this February.



Also coming soon is The Ryanair Story, a two-part series documenting the 40-year history of Ryanairs ascent from offering one single route, to becoming a giant of world aviation.



Museum of Me is coming in spring, where host Dermot Whelan will invite well-known Irish public figures to become curators of their very own museum exhibition. These exhibitions feature personal treasured possessions, each one holding its own stories and memories. Featuring famous faces including Pat Shortt, Maia Dunphy, Bryan Dobson, Mary McEvoy, Emma Doran, and Steve Garrigan, Dermot travels to meet the celebrities in their homes or spaces meaningful to them.

New Year, New Irish Drama

This New Year, RTE continues its commitment to delivering great local drama. There was a total of nine drama productions for RTE filmed in 2025, creating 142 hours of high-quality, homegrown storytelling for Irish audiences, which viewers will continue to enjoy right through 2026.



New RTE comedy-drama series These Sacred Vows makes its eagerly anticipated debut this spring. Starring Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Justine Mitchell, and Jason OMara, These Sacred Vows opens on the morning after an Irish wedding on a Spanish island, when the body of a priest is found floating face-down in the swimming pool of the young guests villa.

Sister S returns for a second series, picking up in Dublin eighteen months after Sare (Sarah Goldberg) abandoned her sister Suze (Susan Stanley), who has just discovered she cant have the biological child shes realised she wants.

When an invite to Sares wedding lands on Suzes doorstep, Suze travels to Canada in the hope of reconnecting with her sister. Chaotic drama ensues, with family secrets and unexpected revelations.



Fair City promises actionpacked drama in 2026. When Pauls wine theft finally catches up with him, his business  and his future  hangs in the balance. Mondo faces anxious days as the court decides whether he will be charged with Antos murder. And Gwen uncovers a shocking truth that could change her life forever as an unexpected family member moves into town. There are plenty of twists to come on Fair City this year.



Coming in spring is Series 3 of The Dry, as the Sheridans are back and about to face their biggest challenge yet. The third series unearths a huge family secret that throws everyone off kilter.

Will this shocking revelation upend already fragile relations for good, or could this be the missing piece that will finally fix the Sheridans broken puzzle? As the family desperately try to forge new lives amid the betrayals of the past, destructive patterns start to emerge and they are faced with some hard truths.
Key Points

Archer Aviation's stock price has tumbled more than 20% so far this year.

The company is waiting for FAA approval, which may take some time to arrive.

In the meantime, share dilution has hurt existing investors.

10 stocks we like better than Archer Aviation 

In 2024, aircraft stock Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) was dominating the market. Shares of the fledgling electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer rose 58.8% for the year, and that was on top of a 228.3% gain in 2023. Investors and aircraft enthusiasts had high hopes for the company coming into 2025.

Those hopes seem to have been dashed. Archer's stock is down more than 20% year to date, despite a soaring market and outperformance by rival Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY).

Is Archer yesterday's news? Or could the company stage a massive comeback in 2026? Here's what investors need to know.

Awaiting approval

For both Archer and Joby, it's a waiting game. Specifically, both companies are waiting for regulatory approval to begin offering air taxi service in major cities using their eVTOL aircraft.

The grand prize here, of course, is approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has notoriously strict standards, particularly for new classes of aircraft like eVTOLs. Archer would need to obtain three separate FAA certifications to officially launch its air taxi service: Type, Production, and Operational. As of now, the company has received its Operational certification, and is in the process of obtaining its Type and Production certifications.

In the meantime, the company is moving forward with certification requests in other countries, including a partnership with Saudi Arabia's The Helicopter Company and Red Sea Global to bring eVTOLs to Saudi Arabia, and a partnership with Japan Airlines to bring eVTOLs to Tokyo.

Archer is also eyeing an alternate pathway to certification by partnering with several U.S. cities to submit applications to launch air taxi operations under the White House's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), which has a goal of creating operational air taxi services in 2026.

So, while Archer's forward progress may be currently stalled, it seems likely to restart soon.

Image source: Getty Images.

Worth the wait?

Although Archer seems likely to make further progress toward launching its air taxi service in 2026, it may not be worth the wait for investors.

Even after the stock's 2025 share price slide, the company still has a valuation of $5 billion, which might be cheap for a company that was already dominating the eVTOL air taxi space, but Archer isn't there yet (and looks unlikely to get there anytime soon).
THE chief executive of Limerick Chamber Michelle Gallagher has resigned after less than 18 months in the role.

The board of directors at the business representative group has accepted her resignation, which will take effect immediately.

Ms Gallagher, who was not present at the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards back in November, confirmed the news herself in a separate statement, posted to the social networking website LinkedIn.

She wrote: "As with all dynamic organisations, there are moments when strategic visions evolve in different directions."

"It has been a privilege to lead the Chamber and work alongside such a talented team, a dedicated board, and a passionate membership. I am proud of the progress we have made together and am confident that the organisation is well-positioned for continued success," she added.

READ MORE: Limerick schools to get funding for minor works

President Mairead Connolly paid tribute to Ms Gallagher, who only joined the Limerick Chamber as its chief executive in September 2024, succeeding Dee Ryan.

She said: "We appreciate her commitment to the Limerick business community and wish her the very best in her future endeavours. We have already initiated the process to identify a new leader to guide the chamber into its next chapter of supporting and advocating for our members."

The senior leadership team in the Chamber will manage its day-to-day operations for the time being.

The board says it's focused on a smooth handover and is committed to appointing a successor who will continue to advance the Chambers mission of fostering a vibrant business environment in Limerick.
LIMERICK gardai have issued a warning about text message scams after a woman in her 40s reported losing money in an online fraud.

Sergeant Michelle OHalloran, Crime Prevention Officer Henry Street Garda Station said:

"A woman in her 40s reported to Henry Street Garda Station that she received a text message appearing to be from a delivery company."

"The message stated her parcel was being held in customs and requested payment of a fee. She clicked on the link, which brought her to a fraudulent website posing as delivery company, and entered her card details. She later discovered an unauthorised transaction on her bank account."

READ MORE: Revenue deals major blow to crime gangs amid significant drugs seizure at Shannon Airport

Sgt O'Halloran added: "We strongly advise people never to click on links in unsolicited texts or emails and never to share personal or banking details online. Always go directly to official websites and remain vigilant when shopping online."

"We hear of these type of frauds, week after week, particularly text message scams."

The local crime prevention officer advised locals to be extremely cautious of unexpected texts or emails, especially those claiming to be from delivery companies or banks. "Never click on links in unsolicited messages and never share banking or personal details. Legitimate companies will never ask for full card details, PIN numbers or security codes by text."

Sgt O'Halloran concluded: "We would ask people to trust their instincts and report anything suspicious to gardai immediately. Community vigilance plays a vital role in preventing crime and remember to contact 999 or 112 in the case of an emergency."
A MAN who ran over a garda in Limerick has been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment.

Limerick Circuit Court heard that gardai were called to St. Patricks Well, Singland, following a call about an alleged burglary taking place on February 10, 2025.

Gardai came upon Thomas Connors, 40, with an address at Ballyart, Brittas, Limerick leaving the scene in a silver Audi.

The gardai blocked off the vehicle at Bru na Gruadan, Castletroy, but the car would not stop.

READ MORE: Gardai appeal for information following vehicle burglaries in County Limerick

Judge Colin Daly, in his summary of evidence, said a garda approached the car and that the car reversed and rammed into a garda.

Judge Daly said Mr Connors knew that he knocked the garda to the ground, however he continued to reverse. The judge further stated that the man took this action to avoid arrest.

The car then drove at speed on the wrong side of the road through two roundabouts in Castletroy, the court heard.

The garda suffered injuries to his right side and has not returned to work since the incident.

The court heard that Mr Connors has a number of previous convictions, including 29 for road traffic matters, 10 burglaries and one robbery.

In mitigation Judge Daly considered that Mr Connors pleaded guilty at an early stage to the charges of endangerment and failing to stop for gardai.

The judge also added that Mr Connors is making serious steps towards recovery.

The court heard that the man Mr Connors is married with four children.

Judge Colin Daly said that the accused is a recidivist and that deterrants must be considered in the sentencing.

Thomas Connors was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, with the final six months suspended. The man was also disqualified from driving for the next ten years.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Rising deal activity in Indias mergers and acquisitions (M&A) space shows that domestic acquirers are firmly back in the saddle, even as Japanese players step up their presence in the country, Sourav Mallik, managing director and deputy chief executive of Kotak Investment Banking, told Mint in an interview.

From JSW Paints acquiring AkzoNobel to Torrent Group acquiring J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals to Bajaj Finance buying out Allianz, growth-hungry Indian business groups are now making substantive M&A moves, he said.

We have seen that capital from global investors is headed towards India, and domestic capital continues to flow unabated. Domestic groups are getting stronger and stronger and becoming very active in M&A. They will continue growing via M&A, and I think M&A activity and volumes in calendar 2026 will surpass that in 2025," Mallik said.

For 2025, Kotak Mahindra Groups investment banking arm led domestic banks in investment banking fees and ranked fourth overall, generating $77.4 million in revenues across equity, debt, and M&A deals.

Its notable transactions included KKRs sale of JB Chemicals to Torrent Pharma ($1.4 billion), Bain Capitals $1.1 billion investment in Manappuram Finance, Carlyles $400 million stake in Roop Automotive, and Ecom Express $165 million sale to Delhivery, among others.

The deal activity is reasonably broad and wide. There are obviously the larger groups who are more active when it comes to M&A, but mid-sized businesses, too, have been throwing up deal opportunities, both as acquirers or targets. It is driven by business confidence, comfort around balance sheets, and availability of capital, both debt as well as equity," Mallik said.

M&As in India are driven by groups looking to enter new segments, hive off non-core businesses, or deepen penetration and market share in their existing businesses. In some cases, first-generation entrepreneurs are looking to exit the business for the lack of succession.

However, there are groups such as the Adani Group, Aditya BirlaGroup, JSW Group, Torrent Group, Nirma Group, among others, which have seen the next generation taking up the mantle. We also see certain groups where the next generation is fully energized and is involved in the business. Those are the groups where you are seeing more aggression, more M&As," he added.

Sponsored by PE

Private equity (PE) investors have also become a force to reckon with. Driving not just private capital deals, these are the firms that are readying their portfolio firms for public market debuts. Sponsors, as the investment banking industry calls them, have become a big source of deal volume. From acquiring listed companies to listing their privately held firms, PE groups are very active in the deal-making space.

We've seen that sponsors now have increased comfort around listed companies, and are becoming sole promoters of listed companies and are proactively taking control of the listed companies."

Global companies, too, are increasingly stepping up their pace of deal making in India. This year, on one hand, we saw global players coming in droves, on the other, firms taking some money off the table by selling partially or fully to leverage high valuations and deep liquidity pool in India.

Emirates NBD, the Middle Eastern banking group, picked up a controlling stake in RBL Bank in a $3 billion transaction. Schneider Electric, too, bought out Temasek Holdings in the joint venture in a $6.4 billion transaction. India saw 99 inbound transactions worth $28.9 billion and 135 outbound deals worth $16 billion in 2025, according to data from private company data platform Venture Intelligence.

Also Read | Kotak PE arm plans $2 bn fund amid rising private credit demand

There are many global companies, due to their own global needs and requirements, who are rebalancing their portfolios and are optimizing the capital structure of their Indian businesses. We will expect to see that also continue to happen in the coming years, and also contribute to M&A and ECM (Equity Capital Markets) activity," Mallik added.

Anchored by Japan

However, what stands out is the heightened interest from Japanese multinationals in the country. This year alone, we saw three mega deals where groups such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. together pump in more than $7.2 billion in the country buying into Shriram Finance, Yes Bank and Avendus Group, respectively.

They are here to stay and are long-term investors. They've been looking at India for a really, really long period of time. The covid-19 pandemic put a temporary pause in many of their thinking and planning. But we are seeing them make some big bets," Mallik said, adding: I think it's clear that the mandate for Japanese companies from their investors and their boards is to go global and have a global footprint. It's taken them some time, and they've arrived in full force."
Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is included among the 14 Best Dividend Aristocrats to Invest in Heading into 2026.

Atmos Energy (ATO) Draws Mixed Calls as UBS Raises Target, Morgan Stanley Downgrades

On December 17, UBS raised its price target on Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) to $174 from $159 and kept a Neutral rating on the shares. The update reflected a more constructive view on valuation, even as broader sector risks remain in focus.

A day earlier, Morgan Stanley moved in the opposite direction. On December 16, the firm downgraded Atmos Energy to Equal Weight from Overweight and cut its price target to $172 from $182. The change came as part of Morgan Stanleys 2026 outlook for the utilities group. The firm expects utility stock performance to be shaped by data center demand and growth opportunities in 2026, with no slowing of activity or relief to grid tightness, according to the research note. Morgan Stanley urged investors to steer clear of political and regulatory risk, particularly in an active election year.

Operationally, Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) continues to lean on a familiar playbook. In its Q4 2025 earnings update, the company said the year marked its 14th consecutive year of executing its strategy centered on safety and reliability. That strategy focuses on upgrading natural gas distribution, transmission, and storage systems. It is not flashy work, but it tends to pay off over time. Capital spending in FY25 totaled $3.6 billion. About 87% of that amount went toward safety and reliability investments.

Shareholders also saw a direct benefit. Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) announced a 15% increase in its quarterly dividend, extending its dividend growth streak to 41 consecutive years. For income-focused investors, that kind of consistency carries weight.

Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is based in Texas and serves roughly 3.4 million natural gas customers across the southern United States.

While we acknowledge the potential of ATO 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: 14 Best Pharma Dividend Stocks to Buy in 2026 and 15 Global Dividend Stocks to Diversify Your Portfolio.

Disclosure: None.
Ted Weschler, who appears set to become Berkshire Hathaways top stockpicker, has had considerable success personally as an investor, turning an IRA account worth about $70,000 in the late 1980s into $221 million by 2018.

Weschler, 64, is a value-oriented investor who joined Berkshire as an investment manager in 2012 and has run an estimated 5% of Berkshires $300 billion equity portfolio since then. He had jointly run a $2 billion investment fund, Peninsula Capital, before joining Berkshire.

He personally owns more than $200 million of stock in kidney dialysis provider DaVita and a $15 million interest in Sirius XM Holdings, the satellite radio company, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that detail the holdings of Berkshire and Weschler in those two stocks.

Berkshire hasnt confirmed what Weschlers precise role will be in 2026 as Berkshire executive Greg Abel takes over as CEO. But Berkshire said when it hired Weschler as an investment manager that after Buffett no longer serves as CEO, Todd and Ted  possibly aided by one additional manager  will have responsibility for the entire equity and debt portfolio of Berkshire, subject to overall direction by the then-CEO and Board of Directors.

Todd Combs has resigned from Berkshire to take an investment role at JPMorgan Chase, the two companies said earlier in December.

That leaves Weschler with a potentially major role in managing the Berkshire equity portfolio, which is dominated by a handful of stocks: Apple, American Express, Bank of America, Chevron, and Coca-Cola. Berkshire also has many smaller holdings that likely were accumulated by Weschler and Combs, who each ran about 5% of the portfolio.

Weschler didnt respond to a request for comment. He has said little publicly about his investments since coming to Berkshire, and he hasnt been on stage at any of Berkshires annual meetings.

Buffett hasnt disclosed his investment performance, though he did tell CNBC in 2019 that Weschler and Combs each were slightly behind the S&P 500 since joining Berkshire.

Both managers likely have lagged behind the market since then. Berkshire owns over $4 billion of DaVita, likely Weschlers largest investment, and $3 billion of Sirius XM, another big holding seen as linked to him.

DaVita stock is flat over the past five years. Sirius XM is down over 60%, hurt by investor concerns about subscriber losses at Siriuss core satellite radio business and an aging audience. At around $20, it trades for half its price 10 years ago.

Weschler was first exposed to Buffetts writings in 1979 as an undergraduate at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, when a friend told him to read anything he writes, according to a 2022 Weschler interview available on YouTube.

There was tremendous clarity to what he wrote, Weschler said. He has been a hero of mine since then.

Weschler got to spend time with Buffett, and eventually a job at Berkshire, by purchasing lunches with the CEO auctioned by the San Francisco charity Glide. He paid $2,626,311 at the 2010 auction and then a dollar more in 2011,

After a meal at Piccolos, a now defunct Omaha steakhouse, in 2011, an impressed Buffett told Weschler he would be a good fit for Berkshire, according to the YouTube interview. Buffett followed up with an offer for a role as an investment manager.

Weschler lives and works in Charlottesville, Va., and spends two to three days a week in Omaha.

Weschler drew attention in 2021 when Allan Sloan, a contributor to Barrons, wrote for the Washington Post about how Weschler had turned a $70,000 IRA account into $221 million by 2018 through a series of successful investments.

It remains to be seen what roles Weschler, Buffett and Abel will play with the equity portfolio and in capital allocation. The latter is critical because Berkshire is sitting on more than $350 billion of cash.

Buffett has sold almost 75% of Berkshires holding in Apple in recent years. But that investment still totals about $65 billion, the largest equity stake held by the company.

It is possible that Berkshire will make minimal changes to the portfolio. That would mirror the current situation at Daily Journal, a small publishing and software company that had been chaired by Charlie Munger, Berkshires longtime vice chairman, until not long before Mungers death at 99 in 2023.

Munger ran the Daily Journal investment portfolio of about $500 million that includes stocks like Wells Fargo, and the company decided to essentially leave the portfolio alone after his death.

Berkshire may say more about the management of the portfolio in the coming weeks. Abel is likely to address it in his first shareholder letter, due around March 1.
(Bloomberg) -- A federal judge set ground rules for a dozen states to pursue a legal challenge to the Justice Departments approval of Hewlett Packard Enterprises $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks amid allegations the deal was politically tainted.

The order issued Wednesday sets the stage for a Colorado-led group of state attorneys general to investigate what led federal antitrust enforcers to reach a settlement with the companies that allows the merger to proceed.

US District Judge Casey Pitts in San Jose, California, ruled last month that the states can seek more information about the controversial settlement  which led to the firing of two DOJ officials who objected to the tactics HPE used to close the acquisition. But the two sides differ on the scope of the Tunney Act, a 1974 law requiring court approval of DOJ antitrust settlements.

In Wednesdays order, Pitts wrote that the the states are entitled to at least some of the pretrial information sharing that occurred after the Justice Department sued HPE in January to block its purchase of Juniper  the first antitrust case brought by the new Trump administration.

That record is undoubtedly relevant because it will help the states evaluate the risks to competition posed by the proposed merger, the degree to which the proposed judgment addresses those risks and the strength of the United Statess underlying case, he wrote.

Pitts directed both sides to submit more briefing and said that if he concludes an evidence hearing is necessary to determine whether the settlement passes muster under the Tunney Act, it will be held March 23-27. The states have been far apart from the DOJ and the companies on what that hearing would entail.

The states were asking for a mini-trial of sorts with months of fact-finding that they say is needed to expose an allegedly corrupt process that led to the settlement. The government and companies meanwhile say Pitts should only examine the merits of the settlement and whether it is in the public interest.

Pitts had earlier indicated that much of the process behind the settlement is likely shielded by attorney-client privilege and the governments ability to make confidential decisions.

The settlement the DOJ reached days before trial allowing the deal to close requires only a minor divestiture of one of HPEs business, known as Instant On, and a commitment to license certain Juniper technology.

Whatever attention Pitts gives to the governments internal deliberations, he seemed somewhat skeptical of the merits of the settlement during a November hearing. He questioned why it requires HPE to sell its Instant On networking business, which wasnt the subject of the original lawsuit.

I dont recall reading about Instant On, Pitts said at the time, noting that he was very in the weeds on the case when it settled since he was preparing for trial. In that respect, it was interesting to see the settlement.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Sovereign wealth funds globally amassed a record $15 trillion in assets under management in a year when many deepened their technology investments and profited from buoyant markets, according to a new report by Global SWF.

Overall, sovereign owned investors ploughed $66 billion into investments in artificial intelligence and digitalization in 2025, the data firm said. Middle East sovereign wealth funds led on digital investments, with Abu Dhabis Mubadala Investment Co. investing $12.9 billion in AI and digitalization, followed by the Kuwait Investment Authoritys $6 billion and Qatar Investment Authoritys $4 billion in 2025.

The Middle East continues to be a hotspot for sovereign wealth fund riches. The main seven Gulf wealth funds accounted for 43% of all capital invested by state owned investors globally at $126 billion, a historical maximum.

In particular, Saudi Arabis Public Investment Fund was the single largest dealmaker of 2025 by commiting $36.2 billion. Still, the PIFs participation in the acquisition of Electronic Arts Inc. made up the bulk of that figure.

Stripping out that deal, Abu Dhabis Mubadala was the most active sovereign wealth fund, investing a record $32.7 billion over 40 transactions, according to the report.

Sovereign investors  a term that encompasses other entities such as public pension funds  grew their might in 2025 amid a market of strong returns for investors across fixed income, public equities, real estate and infrastructure, according to Global SWF.

The US stands out with $13.2 trillion in assets under management by state owned investors, followed by China with $8.2 trillion and the United Arab Emirates at $2.9 trillion.

Overall, the number one destination for state owned investments, by some margin, was the US, attracting some $131.8 billion in 2025 compared with $68.9 billion a year earlier, the report said. Investments into China by sovereign owned investors fell to $4.3 billion from $10.3 billion in 2024.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
South Korean automotive giant Hyundai Motor's Indian arm on 1 January announced that Tarun Garg is taking charge as the first Indian Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company.

In a BSE filing, Hyundai Motor India said that this is the first time in 29 years that the automaker has appointed an Indian national as the head of its country operations, in an effort to lead the second phase of growth in India.

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) today announced that Mr Tarun Garg has officially assumed charge as the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO), effective 1 January 2026, the company said in a press release.

Jose Munoz, the President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, in a social media post in October 2025, announced that the automaker had appointed Garg as the next MD and CEO of the Indian arm.

I've had the privilege of working closely with Tarun over the past two years. He's a transformative leader who brings progressive vision and deep understanding of the Indian market, said Munoz.

Who is Tarun Garg? Tarun Garg is an industry veteran with nearly three decades of experience in the Indian automobile sector. The 54-year-old executive began his career as a Deputy Manager of Logistics at Maruti Suzuki India in 1994.

Also Read | Hyundai Motor India appoints Tarun Garg as MD and CEO

Rising through the ranks at the company, Garg became the National Sales Head of Maruti Suzuki India in July 2010, and later served as the Executive Director of Marketing before exiting in December 2019 after a 26-year stint.

Tarun Garg joined Hyundai Motor India as Director of Sales, Marketing and Service in December 2019 and, after spending five years in the role, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in January 2023.

On the educational front, Tarun Garg holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering, and later also completed a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, in 1994.

What's next for Hyundai Motor India? In the BSE filing, Hyundai Motor India disclosed that the company now aims to focus on accelerating electric vehicles, hybrids, connected mobility and more through a 45,000 crore investment by 2030.

My vision is to build on our strong foundation while accelerating HMILs transformation towards sustainable growth, technological leadership and unmatched customer delight, said Tarun Garg in an official statement.
Bengaluru: The nationwide strike called by gig workers against food delivery platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato on New Years Eve was largely ineffective as riders didnt want to lose the chance to earn additional income after companies offered financial incentives for a day.

Zomato set peak-hour rates at around 120 to 150 per order during the early evening to midnight on New Years Eve, according to its letter to delivery partners reviewed by Mint. Depending on order volumes and availability, riders had the potential to earn around 3,000 throughout the day. The company also temporarily waived penalties for order refusals and cancellations.

Swiggy's year-end incentive structure allowed riders to earn up to about 10,000 across 31 December and 1 January, highlighting peak-hour earnings of up to 2,000 during busy evening hours, according to Swiggy's communication to its partners reviewed by Mint.

For online food and grocery delivery, base pay has steadily shrunk from roughly 60 per order earlier this year to about 40, and now to nearly 15 for a delivery, making nights like New Years Eve less a bonus than a brief reprieve, said workers Mint spoke with.

Nearly 150,000 delivery workers were expected to join the strike, but the actual number of riders who participated in the protest could not be ascertained.

There is no unity among us to stand up for a cause, even if a couple of us want to go on a strike, there are others whod still work today and earn more then why should we miss out on an opportunity to earn?" said one delivery worker in Bengaluru, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Swiggy and Zomato did not respond to queries sent by Mint.

Zomato chief executive officer Deepinder Goyal said in online posts on 1 January that the companys platforms delivered record orders on New Years Eve.

Zomato and Blinkit delivered at a record pace yesterday, unaffected by calls for strikes that many of us heard over the past few days. Support from local law enforcement helped keep the small number of miscreants in check, enabling 450,000+ delivery partners across both platforms to deliver more than 7.5 million orders (all-time high) to over 6.3 million customers during the day," he wrote. This happened without any additional incentives for delivery partnersNYE does see higher incentives than usual days, and yesterday was no different than the past NYE days."

Restaurants also ramped up their preparedness for any disruption on 31 December. Fast food chain Wow! Momos, which runs over 700 outlets across the country, encouraged users to order through its own app by running exclusive discounts. It also partnered with Shadowfax and Rapido for deliveries as they were not part of the planned strike.

This is also an opportunity to bring dining-in back to restaurants and we are also running offers specific to dining," said Sagar Daryani, founder and chief executive of Wow! Momos. Business was hit by about 10% on Christmas, but we were better prepared on New Years Eve."

Had the strike been a success, the impact would have been significant. Assuming 60% higher order throughput on festive days like Christmas and New Years Eve, Karan Taurani of Elara Securities said a strike limited to select cities could have reduced order volumes by 1020% on those days.

Gig workers have been holding protests to raise their demands. In March 2023, over 2,500 delivery workers went on strike against Blinkit after parent Eternal Ltd (formerly Zomato) cut the fixed payout. While it lasted only a few days, the strike resulted in Blinkits order volume falling 6% sequentially in the June quarter. In March this year, Urban Co.s staff in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and New Delhi held a demonstration over what they called arbitrary ID blocking and unrealistic rating requirements.

Promised gains elusive

While the majority of delivery partners didnt join the protest this time, the incentives announced by Swiggy and Zomato didnt result in the expected increase in earnings.

According to some of the gig workers earnings dashboards seen by Mint, incentives offered on 31 December translated into long hours for limited gains. One delivery partner earned 844 after staying logged in for nearly 13 hours and completing 22 trips on New Years Eve, while another made 591 after more than 10 hours online and 16 deliveries. In a week, an average gig worker earns about 5,000-8,000.

Why cant they raise our payouts? Why is this only for one day?" said the delivery worker quoted above, as he waited outside a Swiggy Instamart dark store. We work tirelessly every day, yet the money barely covers our expenses. Just maintaining my e-bike costs nearly 2,000 a week, fuel prices keep climbing, and our pay keeps shrinking. It feels like no matter how hard we work, its never enough."

Shaik Salauddin, founder of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and co-founder of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), said the platforms year-end incentives were a distraction from systemic issues. No advertisement can hide falling pay. No celebrity can erase unsafe conditions. No PR campaign can replace fair wages, safety, and dignity," he said. He added that delivery workers are demanding restoration of fair payout structures, an end to unsafe 10-minute delivery" models, protection against arbitrary penalties, and comprehensive social security, including health insurance, accident cover, and pension.

Salauddin also said these are corporate attempts to criminalize peaceful protest. Invoking police action instead of engaging in dialogue shifts the issue from workers rights to fear and coercion. Gig workers will not be silencedthey deserve fairness, safety, and dignity."

However, Goyal wrote in his 1 January post, if a system were fundamentally unfair, it would not consistently attract and retain so many people who choose to work within it. The gig economy is one of Indias largest organized job creation engines, and its real impact will compound over time, when delivery partners children, supported by stable incomes and education, enter the workforce and help transform our country at scale."

Union writes to minister

In a 30 December letter addressed to the Union minister of labour and employment, IFAT national president Prashant Bhagesh Sawarkar, and general secretary Udaykumar Ambonkar warned of the human cost of platform competition.

It is deeply concerning that commercial competition among platforms is being sustained at the cost of human lives and public safety," the letter said. It also accused delivery companies of using intimidation, ID deactivations, algorithmic punishment, and third-party agencies to weaken collective action".

The Union leaders urged the ministry to intervene, calling for fair and adequate wages, regulation of hourly rates, extended social security, and protection of workers rights to organize and collectively bargain". They criticized current incentive-based systems, saying they compromise safety, encourage overwork, and undermine dignity," and stressed the need for a tripartite dialogue between workers, platforms, and the government.

Gender inequalities were a central concern during the protests. Nirmal Gorana of the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union, which advocates rights for women workers, said the union helped mobilize the strike among women gig workers across Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi. GPSWU took charge of the strike against Urban Co. earlier this year.

Gorana said women are expected to work inside homes rather than at doorsteps, lack menstrual leave, get low payouts, and face the constant threat of ID deactivations. These conditions make platform work not just insecure, but deeply exploitative for women workers."
NEW DELHI : The Centre is preparing to significantly relax a five-year-old rule that shut out Chinese capital and put existing investments in limbo, easing the stringent Press Note 3 (PN3) diktat issued in the wake of the pandemic outbreak.

The government is weighing a proposal to exempt investments up to 26% from the rigorous security screening process mandated by PN(3), provided the foreign entity exercises no management control and holds no seat on the companys board, two people familiar with the matter said.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has taken note of the recommendations of a high-level Niti Aayog committee that suggested a softer stance on restrictions on investments from China," one of the two people cited above said on the condition of anonymity. Some rounds of inter-ministerial consultations have already been held in this regard, with a recent such consultation taking place in December," the person said.

The shift in thinking marks an emphasis on effective control rather than mere equity holding, as India seeks to balance the need for capital inflows with security considerations. While India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies, FDI inflows have been volatile, peaking at $84.8 billion in FY22 before slipping to roughly $71 billion in the subsequent two years. By loosening the taps for Chinese capital, India aims to hit a target of $100 billion in annual FDI, a figure seen as essential for its industrial manufacturing ambitions.

The Tencent test

The DPIIT is currently examining a Tencent investment in Flipkart, which may serve as a template for future decisions and a policy recalibration, the second person said. The Chinese technology major holds around 5% in the Indian e-commerce platform owned by Walmart, but has no management control or board representation. The DPIIT hopes to codify a standard that allows passive Chinese capital without compromising national security based on its scrutiny of the Tencent-Flipkart investment. If the Tencent model is deemed low-risk, it could clear the path for dozens of stalled investment applications currently stuck at various ministries.

Under the proposed norms, the automatic route, which allows investment without prior government approval, may be opened for 20-25% stake in non-sensitive sectors like auto components and renewable energy. This would drastically reduce the bureaucratic lead time for startups and manufacturers seeking to scale.

Queries emailed on Tuesday to the spokespersons of the ministries of commerce, external affairs and the secretary, DPIIT, remained unanswered.

Also Read | India plans major FDI compliance overhaul to woo global investors

Mint on 5 September that India was exploring whether a company with a small shareholding from a China-based or China-connected entity could be considered a Chinese firm under existing investment rules.

Pragmatic pivot

The softening stance is fuelled by a combination of domestic industrial needs and a shifting global trade map. Policy thinktank Niti Aayog has been a vocal advocate for the thaw. The Niti Aayog committee led by former cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba recently suggested withdrawing Press Note 3 entirely, or allowing Chinese entities to acquire up to a 24% stake without the need for additional security clearance.

PN3 mandates prior approval for any FDI from countries sharing a land border with India. It was introduced in April 2020 to prevent "opportunistic takeovers" of vulnerable Indian companies by foreign entitiesspecifically targeting concerns regarding Chinese investments during the economic downturn. In effect, this gives the government a veto over any planned Chinese investment in India.

The policy rethink is also influenced by worsening trade relations with Washington as well as a delicate rapprochement with Beijing. US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on New Delhi by imposing 50% tariffs on various Indian goods. This includes a 25% penalty specifically linked to Indias continued purchase of Russian oil. These Western trade barriers have inadvertently pushed New Delhi and Beijing back toward the negotiating table.

Also Read | The investment story in charts: How Southeast Asia is defying global FDI trends

Evidence of a broader detente is already visible on the ground. After a five-year freeze, direct commercial flights between India and China resumed in late October 2025. Visa services for business and tourist travellers have similarly been restored, ending a period of diplomatic hibernation that had stifled people-to-people and corporate exchanges. In August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China's Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit and bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Manufacturing gap

Despite the political tensions of the last four years, Indias economic dependence on China has only deepened. Trade data reveals a stark reality: imports from China surged to $113.45 billion in FY25, while Indian exports to China languished at $14.25 billion.

Economists and industry leaders argue that keeping Chinese capital out while continuing to import Chinese goods is a self-defeating strategy. "The economic case lies in the nature of potential inflows," says Akhil Puri, partner at professional services firm Forvis Mazars India. "Chinese firms bring deep manufacturing expertise in electronics components, EV supply chains, batteries, solar modules, chemicals and consumer appliances, which are areas central to Indias PLI-driven industrial ambitions," he said.

The logic is simple: if India wants to reduce its massive trade deficit with Beijing, it must allow Chinese companies to build factories on Indian soil, hire Indian workers, and transfer technology to local partners.

The guardrails

However, the "softening" of PN3 will not be a free-for-all. Strategic sectors including defence, telecommunications, and atomic energy are expected to remain under lock and key.

Economists broadly back the plan, while underlining the need for clear safeguards. Economic benefits must be tangible, where India must ensure that such Chinese capital genuinely adds local value creation with technology transfers, supports local industry and jobs and fair manufacturing footprint and ecosystem development rather than channel financing or assembling only," said Madhavi Arora, chief economist at Emkay Global Financial Services.

Chinas model of FDI in Asean has been a mixed blessing for Asean manufacturing, where local value addition of manufacturing has been minimal as they have been used only as an assembling base by China. India must be more strategic in such negotiations and ensure economic benefits must be tangible," Arora said.

The road ahead

As New Delhi prepares to formalize these changes, the focus will remain on the definition of "beneficial ownership." While the 26% threshold provides a clear numeric benchmark, the DPIIT will likely retain a "residual power" to investigate any deal that appears to circumvent the spirit of the law.

The stakes are high. If New Delhi succeeds in balancing its security concerns with its appetite for growth, it could unlock a new wave of industrialization. For now, the signal to global markets is clear: India is open for business, even with its most complicated neighbour, provided the terms of engagement favour Indian growth.
BTS, the popular K-pop band, welcomed New Year in grand style as it sent handwritten letters to fans with a big announcement about its upcoming major album release. The seven-member band brought a surprise gift for New Year as it revealed that a new album releasing in March is in the lineup which will be followed by a world tour.

BTS new album release date The South Korean boy band, also known as Bangtan Boys, will release their album on 20 March 2026, almost 4 years after the last album Proof came out. The three-volume anthology album dropped on 10 June 2022, featuring their biggest hits, demos and well-known tracks like Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)" and Butter. The activities of the music group activities had been on hiatus since the members joined South Korea's mandatory military service.

During the temporary suspension of group activities, individual members focused on solo projects and other endeavours. BTS' management BigHit confirmed the reports with a post on its official X account in Korean-language, Variety reported.

Also Read | BTS Jungkook shares his shrimp pasta recipe with fans during Weverse live

Reacting to the official announcement, RM said that hed been waiting for this moment more desperately than anyone.

Jin replied, "I greeted you all as a soloist in 2023 and 2024, but I can finally greet you as part of a team again," Jin wrote.

J-Hope commented, Finally, its the year that we will all be together with you!!

Jungkook wrote, Please take good care of us this year as well."

Suga, Jimin and V are also a part of the band.

Social media reaction BTS fans shared their excitement on social media as a user wrote, I wish that we stop with the Beatles narrative like theyre 12 years into their career . Theyre the BTS of the 21st century.

Another comment read, Happy are they coming back, I love you deeply yesterday today and always.

A third user said, his is the most touching way of BTs to communicate the new album release date. A physical letter to Army! Friday, March 20, 2026. Everyone, take that date as the most important day of the last 3 years.
Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra has confirmed that a film based on the ongoing Unnao rape case is currently in the works. Although he did not share further details of the film, he dropped a hint. He said that the film will be out soon.

Film on Unnao rape case to release soon The Afwaah director made the revelation when a social media user urged filmmakers like Vivek Agnihotri of The Kashmir Files and Aditya Dhar of Dhurandhar to make a film on the rape case involving expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar.

In response, Sudhir Mishra praised Dhar's recent film, Dhurandhar, despite a filmmaker from another school.

The social media user, Sanjay Jha, had posted on X, formerly Twitter, DOES BOLLYWOOD HAVE THE COURAGE TO MAKE A FILM ON UNNAO: INDIAS SHAME? Will the producer/ director of #Dhurandhar and my friend Vivek Agnihotri have the guts to make a film on the dastardly Unnao rape case which manifests the true face of the BJP? Will they do a film on Manipur?

Your guess is good as mine.

In his next post, he repeated himself in an excerpt, Does Aditya Dhar and Vivek Agnihotri have the guts to make a film on #Unnao victim?

Sudhir Mishra on Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar Responding to the open query, Mishra defended Aditya Dhar while he skipped Vivek Agnihotri.

Mishra called Dhar extremely skilled and wrote, One of us has the guts. There is a film. Youll see it soon. Also please stop lumping us all under one brand, called Bollywood. We belong to the Indian Film Industry and we are all different. By the way Dhurandhar is a well made film. Aditya Dhar is extremely skilled. The acting is terrific. The most difficult thing in film making is a Directors ability to make us, the audience smell the place and Aditya Dhar with the help of his brilliant cinematographer and production designer manage to do just that. The casting, including the minor parts is bang on. I am of course, a filmmaker, from another school."

See post:

View full Image Sudhir Mishra on Unnao rape case film. ( X )

What is happening in Unnao rape case Meanwhile, on Monday, the Supreme Court of India stayed the Delhi High Court's order suspending the life sentence of Kuldeep Singh Sengar.

The decision triggered varied reactions from across the world.

The victim called the apex court's decision a "big relief" to her and told ANI, I thank the Supreme Court for providing relief to me. My video is being taken from my husband's social media account and being shared publicly so that he can be identified and killed... My husband is scared... No action is being taken against that.
Actor and rapper Will Smith is facing a lawsuit from a violinist who claims he was fired after reporting a sexual assault incident during Smiths Based on a True Story 2025 tour, USA Today reported on January 1.

Brian King Joseph has sued Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management, alleging wrongful termination, retaliation, intimidation and sexual harassment, according to a civil complaint filed on December 31 in a Los Angeles court, as cited by the news outlet.

Las Vegas hotel room incident According to the lawsuit, Joseph said the incident occurred in March while the tour was in Las Vegas. He claims he returned to his hotel room  booked by Smiths company  to find signs that someone had entered without his consent.

The complaint alleges the room contained a sexually suggestive note, wipes, a beer bottle, HIV medication bearing another persons name, and hospital discharge paperwork belonging to someone else. The note allegedly read: Brian, Ill be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us, with a drawn heart, and was signed Stone F.

Joseph said he reported the matter to hotel security and tour management, according to the news outlet.

Firing after complaint The violinist alleges that instead of investigating, tour management accused him of lying and blamed him for the incident. He claims he was fired days later.

Claims of grooming and predatory behaviour The lawsuit also alleges that Smith had been grooming and priming Joseph for further sexual exploitation since they met in November 2024. The complaint claims the two began spending more time alone in the months leading up to the tour.

Joseph alleges Smith once told him as per the report: You and I have such a special connection, that I dont have with anyone else.

He also claims tour management at one point lost his bag  which contained his hotel room key  under suspicious circumstances.

Legal claims and damages sought The sequence of events and the circumstances of the hotel intrusion all point to a pattern of predatory behavior rather than an isolated incident, Joseph alleges in the lawsuit, as quoted by USA Today.

Joseph is seeking compensation for personal and financial damages. He claims he made significant financial investments in preparation for the tour, which ran from July to early September, and says he now suffers from major psychological damage and PTSD as a result of the alleged incident and his firing.
People want peace," Volodymyr Zelensky said of Ukrainians in an interview with Bret Baier on Monday. He exhaled as he said it, his face pained with the burden of explaining, for the thousandth time, the same agonizing reality: that war is painful and odious but that peace for its own sake is amoral and anathema to any self-respecting people.

Everybody wants peace," he added, then said slowly, as if hoping Americans would understand: But a just peace."

President Trump would have no trouble understanding that simple proposition if one of the sides were the U.S.which is the point Mr. Zelensky was trying to make in that Oval Office meeting last February when Vice President JD Vance chose to interpret his words as a provocation. In Mr. Trumps defense, he makes a common assumption about other countries that wage war on each other, namely that they do so for stupid reasons.

Which is why he speaks only of ending the war in Ukraine, only of its bloodshed" and killing" and senselessness, not of its meaning or morality, or even of Americas interest in a victory for one side or the other. He speaks of having ended" eight wars. Others may argue about what the true number is; whats notable is that the president places value on their cessation rather than their outcome.

Mr. Trump is right to detest war. He is wrong to think peace is always better when it comes sooner. That outlook has led him to spend the past year sending emissaries to and from Moscow and Kyiv in an attempt to force a peace deal, even as Vladimir Putin daily advertises his scorn for Ukraines sovereignty and thus for any deal" with it. The effect, barring some history-altering exogenous circumstance, has almost certainly been to push the wars conclusion further into the future.

Mr. Trump begins to resemble President Clinton at the end of his second term, trying to force a peace deal between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. Any fool could see that Yasser Arafat had no interest in an agreement with an entity whose legitimacy he rejected. In the end the effort failed spectacularly. Mr. Clinton blamed Arafat, but no one forced him to trust an obvious liar.

Every time I hear Mr. Trump speak of the war in Ukraine as some vast destructive mistake, solvable by the right allocation of takings and hand-overs, I think of an essay by the military scholar Edward Luttwak published in the Times Literary Supplement in December 2000. Mr. Clintons peace process had collapsed that summer. The Palestinians had launched the so-called Second Intifada in the fall.

Mr. Luttwaks essay, which chronicled Arafats brilliance as a politician and failure as a leader, concluded with reflections on the nature of war.

If peace cannot be achieved by diplomacy," Mr. Luttwak wrote, it may yet be achieved by warthat being admittedly only a lesser peace of separation, rather than a full peace of reconciliation. War destroys itself by consuming the resources, willpower and hopes needed to keep fighting. Unless one side annihilates the othera very rare event in historyleaders and nations eventually accept the compromises necessary for peace. War can therefore bring about peace, by a process of exhaustionwith or without negotiations, agreements, or treaties to formalize the outcome."

War, in all its savagery, its tens of thousands killed and cities ruined, is what ultimately brought peace to the Balkans in the 1990s. Diplomacy and peace plans played a role only after years of violence left participants no choice. With all passions spent," Mr. Luttwak went on, Croats, Serbs and Muslims now coexist without killing each other, even if they cannot yet co-operate. . . . War can be its own remedy, if fought in earnest."

The moral and psychological premises of war existed between the Palestinians and Israel in the 1990s, but conflict was assiduously discouraged by the U.S., Europe and the United Nations. The effect, however unintended, was to prolong the bloodsheda foreshadowing of Mr. Trumps feverish pursuit of peace in Ukraine.

The great paradox is that he achieved a measure of peace in the Middle East by exactly the opposite meansby allowing the conflict to happen without intervening. In Israel and Gaza, Mr. Trump ignored the counsel of liberal internationalists and let the belligerents knock the hell out of each other, as he would put it. The outcome is imperfect: a peace of separation rather than of reconciliation, in Mr. Luttwaks terms. But Israel has its hostages back, Hamas is bereft of leverage, the carnage has stopped, and international media are uncomfortably positing the possibility of a redeveloped Gaza Strip.

A corresponding policy in Ukraine would continue arming one side of the conflictthe side that isnt Americas avowed enemyand let the two countries do what, in the fullness of time, they will do anyway: decide for themselves when they cant go on fighting. Mr. Trumps shuttle diplomacy may pause the conflict for a time, but pauses mean only delay. He cant end this war because he cant alter Mr. Putins worldview or soften his implacability. Only exhaustion can do that.
Key Takeaways

For people in their 60s, retirement accounts typically hold more than $300,000 in stocks on averagebut the median balance is closer to about $100,000.

Taxable brokerage accounts vary widely, but industry data show engaged near-retirees often hold low- to mid-six-figure balances.

As retirement nears, many wonder if their investment portfolios will provide the income they'll need. For most Americans, the bulk of these investments is in qualified retirement accounts, such as 401(k) plans and IRAs. Indeed, while more than 80% of Americans in their 60s are invested in retirement plans, only about 35% have brokerage accounts.

More from Yahoo Scout How can you assess if your retirement savings are on track? How do retirement accounts compare to taxable brokerage accounts? What is the typical stock portfolio size for Americans in their 60s? What percentage should be allocated to stocks in your 60s?

That leaves us to wonder: How much is the average stock portfolio for people in their 60s?

What the Data Tells Us

While only a minority of Americans in their 60s hold taxable brokerage accounts, those who do often have meaningful balances outside their 401(k)s and IRAs. The Federal Reserve reports that for households ages 5564, the median balance of directly held stocks is about $30,000, and the median balance of pooled investment funds held outside retirement accounts is about $300,000. For ages 6574, those medians land at about $65,000 and $250,000, respectively. Together, they suggest a typical taxable portfolio for older investors falls in the low- to mid-six figures.

Industry data tell a similar story at the upper end of the spectrum. In Charles Schwabs latest Self-Directed Brokerage Account Indicators report, self-directed brokerage windows inside workplace retirement plans averaged about $362,000 overall in the second quarter of 2025.

Baby Boomers (ages 61 to 79 in 2025) held the largest balances, averaging about $599,000, while the Gen X investors (whose oldest members started reaching 60 this year) averaged about $379,000. These figures skew toward more engaged investors but offer a realistic upper-end benchmark.



Retirement Account Balances

You can also get a sense of where you stand by looking at what's typical for defined-contribution retirement accounts, such as 401(k) plans and IRAs at Vanguard:

Defined Contribution Plan Balances by Age Group 55-64 $271,320 $95,642 65+ $299,442 $95,425

Average vs. Median

Note that the averages are quite a bit higher than the medians (i.e., the 50% midpoint). This is because a small number of very large accounts will skew the average upward. For most Americans, the median is a better number to use.

IRAs

Fidelity also reports average IRA balances, and it is not uncommon to have both a 401(k) from work and also contribute individually to a traditional or Roth IRA. The average in Fidelity accounts for Baby Boomers is $257,000 in 2025.
Zohran Mamdani became the mayor of New York City early Thursday at a small ceremony in a decommissioned Gilded Age-era subway stationa location he chose as a testament to the citys history of building great things to transform the lives of working people.

The 34-year-old democratic socialist took the oath of office administered by New York state Attorney General Letitia James, a close political ally. The ceremony was held under the grand tiled arches of the station beneath City Hall.

This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime," Mamdani said just after midnight, with his wife by his side. A bigger inauguration ceremony is scheduled for Thursday afternoon on the steps of City Hall, as well as an outdoor party along several blocks of Broadway in lower Manhattan. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the celebration, according to his advisers.

Mamdani, New Yorks youngest mayor in more than 100 years, takes office laden with expectations that he can bring relief from the citys high cost of livingalong with concerns from business leaders that his untested policies could cripple the economy and lead to a resurgence in crime.

New Yorkers swept Mamdani into office on the basis of an ambitious affordability agenda that includes curbing soaring rents, expanding free child care and creating a free bus system. He will have a short runway to show people he is on the path to achieving results.

You are given about a week to deliver," said Andrea Hagelgans, a former senior adviser to Mayor Bill de Blasio. We have no patience as New Yorkers."

Mamdani should focus on the policies for which he can lay out tangible goals in a relatively short time frame, Hagelgans said. Building additional affordable housing will take years and might not be completed during his time in office. He should pair that effort with expanding child care, which would bring quicker results and carries broad appeal, she said.

A free bus service is also realistic, but it is expected to cost $800 million annually and would require coordination with the states transportation authority, which operates the citys transit system. Mamdani also can try to freeze rent increases on rent-regulated apartments, but that would affect only about a quarter of the citys housing stock.

Pulling off any of his big-ticket proposals will mean compromise and at times appeasing his opponents, especially the business community, which has been an important ally even for progressive mayors in negotiating funding and policy initiatives with state lawmakers.

I would not be surprised if he becomes more moderate in his stances," Hagelgans said.

In just a year, Mamdanian immigrant from Uganda of South Asian descenthas gone from a virtually unknown state assemblyman to a rising star in the Democratic Party. His focus on affordability and adroit use of social media in his campaign attracted young voters and members of immigrant communities.

Mamdanis lack of experience and identification as a democratic socialist also has unnerved many of the citys powerful elite and made him a prime target for President Trump. Since his victory in early November, he has been walking a tightrope, trying to make nice with his political adversaries while staying true to his far-left supporters.

Mamdani has tried to allay the concerns of Wall Street executives and real-estate developers, who are skeptical of his plans to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations to cover the hefty price tags on his proposals. (His campaign estimated that the city would need about $6 billion a year to cover free child care for infants to 5-year-olds.) Critics have also questioned the effectiveness of his policing proposals on public safety, including creating a new city agency that deploys mental-health teams in response to some emergency calls.

In recent weeks, he has hosted roundtables with members of the business community to discuss ways to cut through the red tape of building affordable housing and to find common ground on child care. In another overture, he persuaded Jessica Tischthe citys police commissionerto stay in her job in his administration.

Despite the outreach, members of the business community remain wary of Mamdani, saying they are disappointed he hasnt appointed more people with private-sector backgrounds to his new administration.

I think its the ideological pieces that get people nervous," said Daniella Ballou-Aares, CEO of the Leadership Now Project, a business group of 400 politically active current and retired business executives. But its mostly waiting and seeing how things play out."

Since his victory, the new mayor has also sought to defuse tensions with Trump, with whom he had traded barbs during the campaign. Trump had previously threatened to deploy National Guard troops to New York if Mamdani won the election. But the two politicians had a congenial meeting at the White House in late November, with the president saying he was optimistic about New Yorks future.

Mamdani is expected to loom large over the coming state legislative session, which begins later this month. State lawmakers would need to approve any additional funding to the city or tax increases.

He goes up to Albany with the political will in his fist and the wind at his back," said former New York City Councilman Justin Brannan.

Brannan, a Democrat who chaired the councils finance committee, added Mamdani can look for wiggle room for his proposals in the citys $116 billion budget. Its all about priorities," Brannan said.

Write to James Fanelli at james.fanelli@wsj.com
SEOULNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un ushered in 2026 by hailing an invincible alliance" with Russia and saluting his troops deployed to Russian battlefieldsinvoking a partnership that has fueled his growing defiance and confidence on the global stage.

In a New Years address delivered in Pyongyang, Kim called 2025 an unforgettable year in which he believed in nothing but the peoples patriotism and loyalty," according to a transcript published by North Korean state media.

Kim was looking back on a year during which the alliance with Moscow provided him with an economic lifeline and a battlefield testing ground, as Pyongyang sent roughly 15,000 troops to fight alongside Russia in its Ukraine war.

In a separate message, Kim praised his troops for their remarkable feats" overseas. Thanks to your self-sacrificing and devoted struggle, the militant fraternity and friendship and invincible alliance between our country and Russia grow firmer," he said, according to state media.

Kim made no mention of policy toward the U.S. in his New Years speech, after a year in which President Trump suggested he would like to meet again with Kim, calling North Korea sort of a nuclear power."

Pyongyang has refused to engage in dialogue since the two last met in 2019, instead focusing on building up its weapons program and moving to cement its nuclear status, leveraging a period of close alignment with Moscow.

In his speech, Kim largely focused on domestic achievements in construction projects and agricultural harvest as he looked back on the year. He spent the final weeks of 2025 visiting factories and a new hospital, vowing to improve living standards for his people.

But he didnt become lax about the military buildup. In December, Kim inspected a nuclear-powered submarine, oversaw missile-launch drills and called for a modernized weapons industry.

In 2025 Kim ordered the mass production of munitions, as North Korea exports missiles and artillery shells to Russia, while unveiling his largest-ever warship and newest intercontinental ballistic missile.

The conflict in Ukraine has served as a testing ground for the Kim regime, identifying a need to modernize its aging Soviet-era military equipment. In September, Kim hinted that upgrading conventional capabilities would be a priority for 2026 and beyond.

North Korea and Russia demonstrated increased military and economic cooperation in 2025, as Kim deployed troops and military engineers to support the war in Ukraineand held a ceremony for some North Korean soldiers who died on the battlefield and returned to Pyongyang in coffins.

Kim and Russian leader Vladimir Putin exchanged New Years messages in December looking back on their military partnership. Putin said 2025 proved the invincible friendship" between the two countries while Kim said their alliance would endure generation after generation."

Pyongyang has traded munitions and troops for Moscows technical and financial assistance, which could help revitalize a defense industry hampered by global sanctions. Kim is expected to lay out his foreign-policy and military goals for the next five years at a Workers Party Congress early in 2026.

Write to Dasl Yoon at dasl.yoon@wsj.com
New Delhi: On the first day of 2026, the government released around 185 new high-yielding seed varieties and hybrids across crops such as rice, maize, cotton, millets, pulses, oilseeds and sugarcane, aimed at raising agricultural productivity by expanding access to quality seeds.

The move significantly expands the list of planting materialseeds, saplings and nursery plantsthat can be legally produced and sold for agricultural use across the country.

Of the 185 varieties released on Thursday, cotton seeds accounted for around two dozen hybrids and varieties approved for sale across major cotton-growing states such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, and Haryana, according to a government order reviewed by Mint.

Also Read | Making Indian cotton viable again: New mission targets an industrial revamp

Agricultural experts said that the move could help ramp up foodgrain production, including pulses and other crops, by improving seed quality and farm-level productivity.

Increasing productivity is critical if India has to meet future food demand without relying heavily on imports. Better seeds backed by strong research can help raise yields of pulses and other crops, stabilize supplies, and protect farmers from climate and market shocks," said Bimal Kothari, chairman of the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA).

All the cotton varieties are still Bt-II hybrids, showing policy continuity without any new biotech traits, the order notified on Thursday said. Bt-II refers to the second-generation genetically modified cotton that contains Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes, which make the plant resistant to pests.

Cotton farmers are already facing pressure from pests, rising costs and stagnant yields. If indigenously developed hybrid seeds can genuinely help increase production and perform as effectively as genetically modified seeds, it would be a welcome initiative. However, their real test will be how well they control pests and withstand disease pressure in actual field conditions," said Ganesh Nanote, a cotton farmer from Maharashtras Vidarbha region.

India is the world's second-largest producer of cotton after China. The introduction of new hybrid seeds is aimed at increasing cotton production, which has declined in recent years, and strengthening Indias position as a global sourcing destination for textiles.

Also Read | These cotton textile labels provide a glimpse of business history

Increasing cotton productivity is also important as India has launched its own brand, Kasturi Cotton. Due to the decline in productivity, especially in extra-long staple (ELS) cotton, the brand currently remains dependent on imported cotton to meet quality and quantity requirements," said Binod Anand, a member of the Union agriculture ministrys MSP (Minimum Support Price) committee.

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, global cotton production in the 202425 marketing year was around 121 million bales (each weighing 480 pounds or about 218kg). China produced about 32 million bales, accounting for 27% of global output, while India produced about 24 million bales, or roughly 20%.

Indian government data, which reports production in Indian bales of 170kg, places Indias cotton output at 29 million bales, keeping the country the second-largest cotton producer globally after China.

The new seed varieties will help increase productivity by 2030% once they reach farmers fields. These varieties have been indigenously developed and will help improve the production of cotton, pulses and other food crops, thereby reducing import dependence. For crops that are exported, higher production will also create additional export opportunities in the coming years," said Anand Vishwakarma, project coordinator, All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Sesame and Niger, Jabalpur.

Notably, no herbicide-tolerant (HT) cotton varieties have been notified, underscoring the governments consistent position against allowing HT traits for commercial cultivation, amid concerns over weed resistance, regulatory misuse and environmental impact.

According to a senior government official, the focus in cotton is on yield stability, regional adaptability and pest resistance already permitted under existing approvals, rather than introducing new or controversial traits. The notification allows seed companies to scale up certified production of approved Bt-II hybrids, while keeping herbicide tolerance outside the regulatory framework, signalling that enforcement and compliance remain key policy priorities in the cotton sector.

The release of these seeds does not mean that quality agricultural input material will be available to farmers immediately. It typically takes around three years for newly notified varieties to reach farmers, as seed companies and public agencies must first undertake breeder, foundation and certified seed multiplication before large-scale commercial distribution can begin," the official said.

Beyond cotton, the notification covers around 60 rice varieties and hybrids, making rice the largest crop group by numbers, followed by more than 50 maize hybrids, including biofortified, baby corn and sweet corn varieties recommended for plains, hill regions and tribal belts. The emphasis across cereals is on high-yielding hybrids, biofortification and location-specific suitability, rather than chemical tolerance.

Pulses also feature in the notification, though in smaller numbers compared with cereals and cotton. The government has notified around a dozen pulse varieties, including black gram (urad), green gram (moong), chickpea and groundnut-linked varieties, recommended for states such as Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Bihar, as well as islands like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Officials said the pulse varieties focus on yield improvement and adaptability, particularly for rain-fed and region-specific cultivation, supporting the broader objective of reducing import dependence and improving domestic protein availability.

Several maize varieties are biofortified for nutritional value, while millets and sorghum varieties are targeted at climate resilience and drought tolerance, aligning with Indias nutri-cereal strategy. Oilseeds such as mustard, sesame, niger and safflower, along with sugarcane and jute, have been notified with an emphasis on local agro-climatic performance rather than trait-based modification.

In the Union Budget 2024-2025, the government had announced the release of 109 new high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticulture crops.

According to the government's third advance estimates of crop production for 202425 released in September 2025, India achieved record foodgrain output of about 353.96 million tonnes, including rice at around 149.07 million tonnes and wheat at 117.51 million tonnes.

Kharif crop estimates for 202526, released in November 2025, show total pulses production of around 7.413 million tonnes, with tur (arhar) at 3.597 million tonnes, urad at 1.205 million tonnes and moong at 1.720 million tonnes. Total cotton production is estimated at about 29.215 million bales, with one bale equal to 170kg.
On the first day of 2026, bank customers across India are seeking confirmation on the operational status of bank branches on Thursday, 1 January. According to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) official holiday calendar, bank closures on New Year's Day vary by state and depend on regional celebrations and local observances.

Are banks open today? On Thursday, January 1, 2026, physical bank branches will remain closed in selected states to observe New Year's Day and festivals such as Gaan-Ngai.

What is Gaan Ngai? Gaan-Ngai is a traditional post-harvest festival celebrated primarily by the Zeliangrong Naga tribes, including the Zeme, Liangmai, and Rongmei communities, in parts of Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam.

It typically takes place in late December or early January, marking the end of the agricultural year and the beginning of a new one.

States where banks will remain shut Banks will be shut in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland. In the rest of the country, banks are expected to function as usual.

When are banks closed? The RBI declares bank holidays across different parts of India for national, religious, and regional observances, so holidays can vary by region. Besides these, banks are closed on all Sundays, the second Saturday, and the fourth Saturday of each month.

Digital banking will continue It's important to note that even in states where branches are closed, digital banking services such as UPI, internet banking, mobile banking, and ATMs will continue to operate normally, enabling customers to conduct most transactions without disruption.

Customers can continue to use online banking, bill payments, and other digital financial services without any disruption. However, on bank holidays, branch-based servicessuch as cash deposits, passbook updates, cheque clearance, and document processing may experience delays.

According to the RBI's bank holiday calendar, banks across various parts of the country will observe up to 16 holidays in January 2026. However, this does not mean bank branches will remain shut for 16 days nationwide. Bank holidays vary by state and region, as local festivals, cultural events, and regional observances determine closures.

Bank holiday in January 2026 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the official bank holiday calendar for 2026, covering a range of national, religious, and regional observances. Next year, banks across different parts of the country will remain closed for more than 100 days.

Dates Occassion 1 January New Year's Day/Gann-Ngai 2 January New Year Celebration/Mannam Jayanthi 3 January Birthday of Hazrat Ali 12 January Birthday of Swami Vivekanand 14 January Makar Sankranti/Magh Bihu 15 January Uttarayana/Punyakala/Pongal/Maghe/Sankranti 16 January Thiruvalluvar Day 17 January Uzhavar Thirunal 23 January Birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose 26 January Republic Day

Among the key holidays on the schedule are Republic Day, Holi, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Good Friday, Baisakhi, Muharram, Dussehra, Durga Puja, and Diwali.
New Delhi: In a move that could materially widen access to pension products, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) board has given an in-principle nod to allow scheduled commercial banks to directly set up pension funds to manage the National Pension System (NPS). The move is expected to deepen distribution and increase competition among fund managers.

The proposed framework seeks to address existing regulatory constraints that had so far limited bank participation in the pension sector, the finance ministry statement said on Thursday. By introducing a clearly-defined eligibility criteria based on net worth, market capitalization and prudential soundness in line with Reserve Bank of India's norms, the government will ensure only well-capitalized and systemically-robust banks are permitted to sponsor pension funds.

Detailed norms are expected to be separately notified by the ministry. These norms will apply to both new and existing pension funds.

The current requirement of a company with at least 50,000 crore AUM (assets under management) is a limiting factor, especially for banks that dont have (that level of) AUM to directly set up a pension fund management company, said a senior official at a pension fund company who did want to be named.

This means banks have so far had to rely on their mutual fund or insurance arms to set up pension fund companies. But now that banks can become direct sponsors, the move will also augment distribution of NPS since banks will have more control, said the official quoted above.

Banks have been keen to directly enter the pension fund business. Earlier, ICICI Bank got RBIs approval to acquire full control ICICI Prudential Pension Funds Management Co. Ltd, pending approval from the PFRDA.

The PFRDA expects these reforms to help subscribers and stakeholders access a more competitive, well-governed and resilient pension ecosystem, leading to improved long-term retirement outcomes and enhanced old-age income security, the ministry statement said.

Moreover, to align with evolving realities, aspirations of the public, international benchmarks and the objective of expanding coverage across corporate, retail and gig-economy segments, the pension regulator has revised the investment management fee (IMF) structure for pension funds to safeguard subscriber interests with effect from 1 April 2026, the statement said.

The revised slab-based fee introduces differentiated rates for government and non-government sector subscribers that would also apply to schemes under the multiple scheme framework (MSF), with the MSF corpus being counted separately.

The finance ministry said the pension regulator has appointed three new trustees on the board of NPS Trust. The new trustees include Dinesh Kumar Khara, former chairman of State Bank of India; Swati Anil Kulkarni, former executive vice president, UTI AMC trustee, and Dr. Arvind Gupta, co-founder and head of Digital India Foundation and member of the National Venture Capital Investment Committee under the Fund of Funds Scheme managed by SIDBI. Khara has been designated as the chairperson of the Board.
Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at feedback@livemint.com.

NEW DELHI: Indias energy transition has come a long way, with 50% of the countrys electricity generation capacity already coming from non-fossil sources led by solar and wind. However, the high capacity of clean energy installations doesnt translate into high energy output, given that solar and wind are erratic power sources, resulting in a low capacity utilization factor.

The focus of policymakers and the industry is now set to shift towards building energy storage capacity and diversifying into more stable non-fossil sources such as nuclear power. This shift in policy and regulatory aspects and in terms of project implementation is expected to start in 2026, industry stakeholders said.

The year 2025 has been eventful in the renewable power and energy transition space. At this level of non-fossil capacity, some pertinent and persistent challenges have emerged, ranging from the piling up of unsigned power purchase agreements to forced curtailment of renewable power generation amid a lag of transmission capacity.

On the legislative front, the government has said the nuclear power sector will be opened to private companies after amending the current laws. This is aimed at achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

Srivatsan Iyer, chief executive officer (CEO) of Hero Future Energies, said integrating renewable energy capacity, both installed and upcoming, to the national power grid should be among the key focus areas.

The challenge is no longer just about adding renewable capacity  it is about integrating it intelligently. To realize the full potential of clean energy, we must strengthen three foundational pillars: storage, transmission and a diversified, future-ready energy mix," he said, adding that grid-scale storage would anchor a resilient power system, ensuring round-the-clock reliability as renewable penetration rises.

Storage will play a key role in shifting the use of solar power to serve evening peaks, firming up solar-wind generation, and managing seasonal variations, said Alekhya Datta, director, electricity and renewables division, at The Energy Research Institute (TERI).

Falling Li-ion (Lithium-ion used by rechargeable batteries) costs, revival of pumped hydro, and future long-duration storage and green hydrogen will enable higher RE (renewable energy) generation share beyond 40-50%," he added.

Mandatory storage

Earlier this year, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) mandated the integration of storage capacity of at least two hours or 10% of any upcoming solar power capacity along with the project. Power distribution companies across states are also planning auctions to set up battery capacity. However, the sector is still at a very nascent stage and is expected to gain momentum in the coming year.

The government acknowledged the need for moving towards infrastructure strengthening. In a statement in October, the ministry said that with the growth of India's renewable energy space from 35GW in 2024 to over 197GW, excluding large hydro currently, the countrys next leap requires not just more megawatts but deeper system reforms."

Also Read | Global green energy growth on course but lags target, says IRENA deputy chief

The sector has now entered a phase where the focus is shifting from capacity expansion to capacity absorption. India is now dealing with grid integration, energy storage, hybridization and market reforms, the real foundations for a 500 GW-plus non-fossil future. In that sense, the recent moderation in capacity addition is a recalibration, a pause to ensure that future growth is stable, dispatchable and resilient.

According to Varchasvi Gagal, CEO of Datta Infra, India needs a 5-6x scale-up in storage deployment in the next five years to achieve a grid with round-the-clock green power supply.

Devansh Jain, executive director of INOXGFL Group, which is in the chemicals and renewables business, was of the view that the governments policy support has been instrumental in enabling progress in this space.

"The consistency and clarity of recent reforms have strengthened industry confidence, allowing us to innovate boldly, collaborate meaningfully, and execute projects end to end with greater predictability," Jain said.

Along with storage capacity, a robust transmission network is the need of the hour. Lack of adequate evacuation and transmission capacity is at the core of the continuing instances of curtailment of RE generation and the piling up of inventory of unsigned power purchase agreements by electricity distribution companies.

Lagging grid expansion

About 44 GW of renewable power is yet to find buyers and power purchase agreements have not been signed. Despite policy statements and targets being announced, the progress in grid expansion has been far from satisfactory.

Addition in the transmission space has lagged amid issues such as land acquisition and right of way. In FY25, 8,830 circuit kilometres (ckm) were added, about 38% less than the 14,203 ckm added in FY24, CEA data showed. Overall, India has a power transmission network of 495,405 ckm, and, as per the National Electricity Plan, an additional 191,000 ckm of transmission lines would be required by FY32.

Akshay Hiranandani, CEO of Serentica Renewables, noted that several renewable energy producers have had to curtail output at certain pooling stations due to transmission constraints. Scaling storage infrastructure and maintaining a balanced clean-energy mix will be key to strengthening Indias long-term energy security.

Simarpreet Singh, ED & CEO of the Hartek Group, a renewable energy EPC company, said the real challenge, especially in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, is no longer generation but moving this power to where its needed. He said that HVDC (high voltage direct current) networks will be critical because they can move massive amounts of electricity across great distances with very low losses, making them ideal for connecting renewable-rich regions with major demand centres.

As diversification in the energy space continues with a focus on transition and energy security, companies said that nuclear power and pumped hydro storage will play a quiet but decisive role in reducing thermal dependence.

Alekhya of TERI was of the view that nuclear power is best suited for round-the-clock baseload supply and for providing low-carbon process heat and electricity to hard-to-abate industries. Steady progress on large reactors and future introduction of small modular reactors will enhance both grid stability and industrial decarbonization.

Nuclear energy bill

"A bold, 'second-generation' reform of the nuclear governance framework can unlock this potential, attract global capital, and position India as a leader in nuclear power," he said.

The Centre introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha on 15 December to open up nuclear projects to private companies and excluding global component and fuel suppliers from liability.

Also Read | Govt eyes sub-target for renewable energy under priority sector lending

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 (SHANTI) permits any company or joint venture to construct, own, operate, or decommission a nuclear power plant or reactor within the country. Currently, only government-owned companies are permitted to establish nuclear power plants.

This comes as a major course change for the country's energy sector as foreign and private investments are now expected to flow in and help India achieve its ambitious target of 100GW nuclear power capacity by 2047.

Private companies have already announced plans to enter this space and once the bill is enacted, there may be some movement in terms of new nuclear power generation projects. Currently, India has almost 9 GW of nuclear power capacity.
The number of small businesses going public grew at a slower pace this year as stringent regulatory requirements to curb frenzy and unfavourable macroeconomic conditions dampened issuances.

The number of initial public offerings (IPOs) on the small and medium enterprises (SME) platforms grew 12.5% so far this year compared with a 31% surge in 2024, according to a report from Pantomath Capital Advisors.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi's) regulatory curbs significantly contributed to the slowdown by tightening eligibility, governance, and fund-use norms starting late 2024 and into 2025, said Jay Jhaveri, partner at Bhuta Shah and Co. LLP. These changes aimed to curb misuse and speculation, but made listings harder for some SMEs, he said.

Also Read | Mutual funds wary of Sebi proposal to link fees to performance, cite complexity

Along with these policy-level changes, trade and other macro factors were also at play, according to Manick Wadhwa, director at SKI Capital. After the US elections and the new president taking charge in January, macroeconomic headwinds began to emerge, and April and May saw a lull due to geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, which impacted IPO activity."

Sebi cracked down on potential manipulation in SME offers. In 2024, it introduced measures like stricter operating profit requirements for SME issuers, a cap on the offer-for-sale (OFS) component, and steps to curb listing-day gains.

A company to list on the SME platform of either the National Stock Exchange (NSE) or BSE Ltd must have an operating profit of 1 crore for either two of the three previous financial years before filing for the IPO. NSE has an additional eligibility criterion of positive free cash flow to equity (FCFE) for at least two out of three financial years preceding the application.

In 2024, Sebi capped the offer for sale of shares by existing investors at 20% of the total issue size. Moreover, the selling shareholders cannot sell more than 50% of their holdings in an IPO.

Sebis former chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch had attributed oversubscription and the steep listing premium to the issue price to exuberance in SME IPOs.

Also Read | Sebi is initiating far more probes. Yet its case files are also turning fatter

Gap narrows

The size of an average SME IPO has risen by 18% since 2024, according to an analysis by Panthomath Capital Advisors, even as the metric shrank by 3% for the mainboard IPOs.

Eligibility filters and exchange norms are increasingly steering the SME pipeline toward more business-ready issuers, which typically seek larger raises," said Jhaveri. He also said that post the massive oversubscription phase in SME issues, the price discovery has improved, enabling bigger fund-raises.

The total fundraising on the SME platform rose 31% year-on-year to 11,539 crore in 2025, according to Pantomath Capital. That compares with an 86% growth in 2024.

Improving quality SMEs going public has also narrowed the gap between the small-business IPO and the smallest mainboard offer over the years. According to Primedatabase.com, the biggest SME IPOs have been larger than the smallest mainboard issues over the past four years.

The gap is clearly narrowing. The biggest SME IPO issue size in 2025 was 166 crore, while the issue size for the smallest IPO in the mainboard was 116 crore," said Pranav Haldea, managing director at Primedatabase.com.

Also Read | Sebi softens mutual fund fee curbs, eases margin fears for AMCs

Mahavir Lunawat, chairman and managing director at Pantomath Capital, said on the mainboard, an increasing proportion of funds is being deployed toward capacity expansion, balance sheet strengthening, debt reduction, and working capital requirements, even as offers for sale continue to coexist as part of broader capital market activity. In the SME segment, he said, fundraising is led by fresh issue, with capital largely directed toward capital expenditure, capacity augmentation, and working capital to scale up.

To be sure, the average size of SME IPOs has increased over the past decade as the Indian market matured. However, since Sebis restrictions, the type of companies looking to list on the SME platform has changed, said experts.

With tighter compliances, SME companies coming to the exchange today are far more prepared with proven operations, defined expansion plans, and long-term visibility, said Kresha Gupta, director and fund manager, Steptrade Capital, an alternative investment fund backing companies listed on SME exchanges.

With strong fundamentals, clear growth roadmaps, issue sizes will naturally move higher and as expansion plans  capacity growth, technology upgrades  for such companies increase the capital requirement itself increases, Gupta added.

Jhaveri said the stricter eligibility and use-of-proceeds restrictions tend to filter out weaker micro-issuers and may leave a pool of relatively larger, better-prepared companiesmechanically lifting average issue size over time. As SME issuers mature, they may raise larger rounds pre-migration to the mainboard, he said.
2025 wasnt an easy year for Indian stock markets. Returns lagged, global peers moved ahead, foreign investors moved away, and investors were reminded that even the strongest market narratives go through uncomfortable phases. However, as 2026 begins, the outlook appears positive but grounded. Indias growth momentum, policy continuity, capex push and improving earnings visibility offer reassurance.

At the same time, risks remain on the radar, with geopolitical tensions, weaker dollar, and slower global growth are likely to keep volatility an integral part of the market journey.

Analysts believe a clear directional shift is likely only in early 2026, when institutional participation normalises and fresh triggers emerge. Until then, market participants are expected to remain selective. Weakness, experts say, can be used to accumulate high-quality large caps, while the broader outlook for 2026 remains constructive on expectations of earnings recovery, improving liquidity and a gradual revival in private investment.

Against this backdrop, 2025 leaves behind 5 important lessons for investors. Lesson 1: Headline indices dont reflect portfolio reality One of the most uncomfortable truths of 2025 was the widening gap between index performance and actual investor outcomes. While the Sensex and Nifty posted gains of around 10 percent, many retail portfolios remained under pressure. Apurva Sheth, Head of Market Perspectives and Research at SAMCO Securities, said the year exposed how misleading headline numbers can be. The Sensex and Nifty are up around 10 percent, but most retail portfolios are still in the red. Midcap and smallcap indices are flat to negative, and the average stock remains weak even 15 months after the September 2024 peak, he said.

The takeaway was clear: portfolio construction and stock selection mattered far more than index direction. Investors who relied solely on benchmark movements often found themselves disconnected from their actual returns.

Lesson 2: Diversification is no longer optional 2025 reinforced the importance of diversification across both geographies and asset classes. Indias relative underperformance during parts of the year highlighted the risks of domestic concentration. V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments Limited, said the year delivered a strong message on asset allocation. There are two key takeaways from 2025. One is the importance of geographical diversification, and the other is adopting a multi-asset strategy that gives due weight to precious metals, he said.

Gold and other non-equity assets helped cushion portfolios during volatile phases, underscoring the need for balance rather than aggressive equity-only positioning.

Lesson 3: Discipline beats excitement in volatile markets Volatility through the year rewarded investors who followed discipline over narratives. Aakash Shah, Research Analyst at Choice Broking, said technical discipline proved crucial. 2025 reinforced the importance of trend discipline and risk management. Stocks respecting moving averages and breakouts delivered steadier returns, while ignoring stop-losses led to sharp drawdowns, he said.

Sector rotation and relative strength analysis also played a key role, as leadership changed frequently. Investors chasing momentum without a framework often found themselves on the wrong side of reversals.

Lesson 4: Valuations matter more than optimism Another lesson the market reinforced was that valuations eventually catch up, regardless of sentiment. Several stocks trading at elevated multiples struggled to justify expectations, even as broader indices held up. Vikas Gupta, CEO and Chief Investment Strategist at OmniScience Capital, said investors must remain valuation-conscious. If you invest at high valuations, dont expect high returns. Markets will go up and down, and investors should be mentally prepared for 30 percent-plus drawdowns without panicking or trying to time exits, he said.

The year reminded investors that long-term wealth creation requires patience, not perfect timing.

Lesson 5: Timing the market is harder than staying invested Perhaps the most enduring lesson from 2025 was that attempts to time exits and re-entries often did more harm than good. Sharp pullbacks tempted investors to sell, while recoveries came faster than expected. Those who exited frequently struggled to re-enter before markets stabilised. The year reinforced the value of staying invested through cycles, focusing on business quality and long-term growth rather than reacting to short-term noise.

As markets enter 2026, the lessons of 2025 serve as a reality check. While opportunities remain abundant, success is likely to favour investors who combine discipline, diversification and valuation awareness with the patience to let fundamentals play out.
Adani Power share price is flying high on the first trading day of 2026, January 01, jumping 7% to 153 apiece  its highest level since November 20. Todays surge also marks the biggest intraday spike in over a month, even as the Indian stock market remained largely range-bound.

Although there are no fundamental triggers behind the sharp rise in Adani Powers share price, trading volumes surged significantly, with nearly 50 million shares changing hands on both NSE and BSE as of 12:45 PM, four times higher than the average weekly volumes, according to Trendlyne data.

On technical charts, Adani Power is attempting a breakout from a six-week box formation near 146, reclaiming the 10, 20, and 50-day EMAs on the daily chart, according to Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree.

"On higher timeframes, the 20-week EMA has acted as a clear launchpad, supporting the current rebound. The structure signals a tactical recovery rather than a trend reversal, as the stock remains locked in a broader consolidation phase," said Jain.

A sustained close above 146, supported by volume expansion, can drive a deeper bounce toward the 158 to 160 zone, he opined. However, this area is likely to attract supply, given the larger weekly cooling structure. "Riskreward favours short-term trades, not positional longs. The rally is expected to lose steam near 160, with price likely reverting into consolidation thereafter."

Meanwhile, Adani Power share price has been trading on an ex-split basis in a 1:5 ratio since September 22.

Billionaire Gautam Adani-led power company is sharpening its growth ambitions by expanding capacity and securing landmark tenders to meet Indias rising electricity demand.

The company has raised its long-term installed capacity target to 41.87 gigawatts (GW) by FY32 and committed a capital expenditure of about 2 lakh crore, signalling one of the most aggressive private-sector expansion plans in Indias thermal power industry, PTI reported on December 24, citing sources.

The revised target marks a sharp step-up from the companys earlier plan of 30.67 GW by FY30, the report said, citing the same sources.

Earlier reports also indicated that the Adani Group is in talks with officials in the Uttar Pradesh government to build eight 200-megawatt small modular reactors.

On December 18, the Indian government approved a landmark Atomic Energy Bill that allows private and foreign companies to enter the nuclear power sector, as the energy-hungry country targets a tenfold increase in nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047.

Also Read | Adani order lifts GE Vernovabut it comes at a price

Under the new law, private companies would need to obtain licenses to operate nuclear power plants, while foreign firms can participate through partnerships with Indian companies.

Adani Power jumps 35% in 2025 despite late-year sell-off Adani Power share price witnessed sharp selling after reaching a record high of 182.70 apiece in September this year, and as of the previous close, it is down 22.2% from that level. However, strong gains during the first half of 2025 helped the stock close the year with a 35% return, marking its fifth consecutive year of gains.

During 2025, APL reached several milestones. Its power generation capacity grew after it bought Vidharbha Industries and Power Ltd near Nagpur. The company also committed to investing more than $ 22 billion in projects through 2032.

In terms of long-term performance, Adani Power shares have delivered a 149% return over the last three years and surged 1,400% over the past five years, making it one of the best-performing stocks in the Adani group.
GMR Airports, India biggest airport operator, has been a clear outlier in 2025, with the stock up 22% in the past six months in an otherwise uneven aviation sector. Listed sectoral peers such as InterGlobe Aviation, SpiceJet, Dreamfolks Services, Taneja Aerospace Aviation, and Global Vectra Helicorp have, in contrast, shed 16% to 54% in the second half of calendar 2025.

The fortunes of aviation companies ride on passenger traffic growth. India, among the fastest growing commercial aviation markets, is ranked fifth in the world by passengers by International Air Transport Association running behind fourth-ranked Spain and no. 3 UK. US ranks first and China second.

Why is GMR Airports the only one among listed aviation stocks pulling ahead while the airline plays languish?

The answer lies in the market showing its preference towards established airports with steady annuity-like revenues and recent regulatory changes that benefit GMR.

Investor appetite for airport stocks, to be sure, is visible among unlisted airport operators as well.

While Bengaluru International Airport isnt traded in the unlisted space, Cochin International Airports unlisted shares have more than doubled over the past two years, said Manan Doshi, co-founder of Unlisted Arena, an online trading platform for unlisted stocks. The Kochi airport operator's shares have risen to 455 now from 210. Shares of Kannur International Airport in north Kerala have climbed 30% moving from 100 to 130 over the same period.

GMR runs five airports in Indiaprimary among them being Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, and Manohar International Airport in Goaand the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in the Philippines, per its website. The Delhi airport is India's busiest.

What works in GMRs favour is its 30 to 60 year-concession agreements, which offer strong visibility on sustainable cash flows, noted Ankita Shah, vice president at Elara Capital.

Delhi tariff win lifts visibility

The recent rally in its stock is rooted in fundamentals, with the new tariff order at the Delhi International Airport set to lift revenues. For the airport in the capital, the five-year period between FY25 and FY29 marks a key shift after regulators approved a sharp hike in aeronautical tariffs.

That is because the yield per passenger has risen to about 360 in FY25 from 145 in FY24, a 147% jump, Shah explained. What the hike reflects is the approval of Delhi International Airports larger asset base and recovery of past investments, including Covid-related losses.

As a result, expect aero revenues to compound at a ~43% CAGR in FY25-28E, purely from tariff uplift," Shah said.

In the past, Delhis tariff orders have often faced delays and revisions.

Other airports also enjoy stable tariff visibility, while non-aeronautical revenues such as duty free shopping, retail rentals, cargo and car parkingearlier largely routed through JVsare now increasingly moving in-house, market participants said.

Shah believes there is still upside in the stock, with GMR emerging as the biggest beneficiary of rising passenger traffic, especially as airlines continue to add capacity. The growth story is not fully priced in yet."

Non-aero takes the growth baton

Looking ahead, the next growth phase, led by non-aero and commercial property, will shift GMR from a utility to a consumption play, with FY26 marking a turning point, as PAT turns positive, deleveraging starts with capital expenditure peaking out, and credit rating upgraded, Shah explained.

GMRs executive director Saurabh Chawla flagged as much recently. We are steadfast in our long-term strategy of converting GMR Airports into a consumer business with the underpinnings of a utility company," he said in its latest FY26 Q2 earnings call with analysts on 14 November.

Elara Capital has initiated coverage on the stock with a buy rating and a target price of Rs123, in its 4 November report.

It is not just GMR but Adani Enterprises also expects to increase share of non-aero revenue to 75% from 61% currently at Mumbai, while for the other airports in its portfolio it targets 25% non-aero share, Priyankar Biswas, research analyst at JM Financial Institutional Securities.

In particular, we have witnessed strong non-aero growth in key hub airports, and we expect growth to strengthen even more," said Biswas. Delhi and Mumbai airports have higher non-aero share than the likes of Heathrow (22%) and Amsterdam (38%), he added.

Even so, Indias duty-free segment, which makes up a large part of non-aero revenues, is still under-penetrated compared with global aviation hubs.

Even at metro airports, duty free penetration is around 10%, versus 15% in Dubai and 18% in Singapore, despite similar international footfalls of about 40%. This is mainly due to lower passenger spending and limited store formats, Biswas said. However, he believes that rising incomes, better international connectivity, growing outbound travel, and upgraded airport infrastructure, along with experiential retail and digital pre-orders, offer strong growth potential.

GMR took over duty-free operations at Delhi in July 2025 and at Hyderabad from September 2025. As a result, the standalone entity now includes duty-free businesses at the Delhi, Hyderabad, and Goa airports, car parking at Hyderabad and Goa, cargo operations at Delhi and Goa, and retail operations at Hyderabad.

What could go wrong?

One of the primary reasons for the investor interest in GMR, is that the operator remains the only pure-play listed bet on the airport theme in India, Biswas highlighted.

That dynamic could change if Adani Enterprises decides to list its airport business. Such a move would give investors an alternative and could influence future re-rating, especially given Adanis track record of scaling businesses rapidly," Biswas said.

According to news reports, Adani Groups flagship, Adani Enterprises, is preparing for another phase of value unlocking by listing multiple subsidiariesincluding airports, metals, roads and data centresbetween 2027 and 2031. The group operates eight airports in India such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and in other cities and recently opened an airport at Navi Mumbai. It plans to bid for 11 airports that the India government plans to privatize in five years, a senior executive told Reuters recently.
BAHRAIN

The reform package includes higher electricity and water tariffs, with an exception for citizens first homes, which will continue to receive subsidized rates up to a specified limit.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has launched the largest financial and tax reform package in its history, liberalizing fuel prices and linking them to global markets for the first time.

The move aims to address a soaring $50 billion public debt, equivalent to 109% of Bahrains GDP.

Announced by the Bahraini government on December 29, 2025, the reform package includes higher electricity and water tariffs, with an exception for citizens first homes, which will continue to receive subsidized rates up to a specified limit. It also includes a new 20% wastewater fee, to be implemented in January 2026.

Additionally, the government is working on legislation to impose a 10% tax on local companies with annual net profits exceeding 200,000 Bahraini dinars ($530,000), scheduled to take effect in January 2027.

Natural gas prices for companies and factories will be adjusted to reflect the actual cost of consumption starting in January 2026, then increased annually by $0.50 (about 190 Bahraini fils) per cubic meter for four years.

A GENERAL view of residential buildings in the Juffair district of Manama, Bahrain, June 22, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/HAMAD I MOHAMMED)

The package includes 11 initiatives, including a 20% reduction in administrative expenses across all government entities.

The government also decided to impose a monthly fee of 100 fils (about $0.27) per square meter on undeveloped, fully serviced land, effective January 2027. The fee will be collected upon an owner's application for a building permit or upon the sale of the property.

Bahrain will also raise taxes on soft drinks, increase fees for bringing in foreign workers gradually over four years, and raise health insurance fees for foreigners.

Bahrain credit rating drops, debt rises

The kingdom has faced annual credit rating downgrades. Last November, S&P Global Ratings lowered Bahrains sovereign credit rating from B+ to B due to rising government debt and increasing pressure from interest payments.

S&P projected a fiscal deficit of 7.6% of GDP in 2025, compared with 7.1% in its previous forecast.

In November 2025, the International Monetary Fund urged the Bahraini government to adopt structural fiscal reforms, including a general corporate income tax and reduced energy subsidies, while redirecting social support toward the most vulnerable families. The Fund said the steps would boost non-oil revenues and strengthen long-term fiscal sustainability, following the conclusion of its 2025 Article IV consultation mission to Bahrain.
The IT index underperformed the benchmark Nifty 50 significantly in 2025. While the benchmark index rose 10.51%, the Nifty IT index dropped 12.6% last year.

Most major IT companies, including TCS, HCL Tech, and Infosys, suffered losses in double digits in 2025. However, after the recent correction, several experts have started spotting value emerging in the sectors.

Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, anticipates a transition in the IT sector from a cyclical recovery to a structural growth phase in FY26, driven primarily by AI-led transformation.

"Large Indian IT companies such as TCS, Infosys, HCL Tech, Wipro, LTIMindtree and Tech Mahindra are experiencing a meaningful improvement in deal quality, with nearly three-fourths of new contract wins now linked to AI-led services, including generative AI, agentic workflows, machine learning, analytics and intelligent automation," said Srivastava.

Srivastava underscored that this shift signals a clear exit from the demand slowdown of recent years and improves revenue visibility, making large IT players attractive core portfolio holdings for investors seeking stability, strong cash flows and balance-sheet strength.

Srivastava said that while global macro uncertainty, geopolitical risks and cautious enterprise IT spending may continue to limit discretionary demand in traditional services, sustained investments in AI, cloud migration, data platforms and cybersecurity support earnings resilience and gradual margin expansion.

"Growth for Indian IT services is expected to improve to the mid- to high-single-digit range over FY26FY27, aided by AI-led deal ramp-ups and vendor consolidation, while Indias overall IT spending is projected to exceed $176 billion in 2026, benefiting large incumbents with scale and execution capability," said Srivastava.

Ajit Mishra, SVP of Research at Religare Broking, highlighted that after a prolonged period of global uncertainty, sentiment is turning more optimistic as expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts and rapid AI adoption begin to influence client spending decisions.

Mishra underscored that while recent financial performance has remained stable, a consistent pipeline of cloud, data, and AI-led deal wins indicates that demand is gradually reviving.

"Management commentary across leading IT companies suggests that the recovery is likely to gather momentum by mid-FY26 and strengthen further into FY27 as discretionary technology budgets reopen," said Mishra.

IT stocks to buy According to Mishra, the Indian IT sector now appears to be at the beginning of a new, more disciplined, AI-driven growth cycle. Firms that invest decisively in innovation, talent, and high-value digital capabilities will be best positioned to lead the sectors next phase of growth.

Among the IT key players, Mishra said HCL Tech and Tech Mahindra are promising in the short term.

Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research) at Mehta Equities, suggests Coforge as a mid-cap pick. Among the large-cap companies, he suggests Infosys.

However, he prefers recommending the Nifty IT ETF rather than individual stocks.

"Sector rotation has been very sharp, and IT stocks tend to correct suddenly even when there is no change in fundamentals," Tapse said.

Read all market-related news here

Read more stories by Nishant Kumar
The Indian rupee started the new year on a negative note, as the currency depreciated against the US dollar in trade on Thursday, January 01, amid foreign fund outflows.

Forex traders noted that the rupee has begun 2026 facing a mix of headwinds and supports. While global uncertainty remains, Indias solid macroeconomic fundamentals and healthy foreign exchange reserves continue to offer stability.

The rupee opened lower at 89.9525 per US dollar as against its last closing price of 89.87. The currency moved in a narrow range before settling 0.1% down at 89.97.

In the final trading session of 2025 on Wednesday, the rupee had closed at 89.88 against the US dollar.

What's behind the fall in the Indian rupee? Thursdays price movement mirrors the broader trend observed through much of 2025, with underlying demandsupply dynamics continuing to keep the rupee under pressure.

"While the calendar has changed, volatility is likely to persist. Under Governor Sanjay Malhotra, the RBI appears comfortable allowing the rupee to adjust with market forces, while remaining actively present to smooth excessive moves and maintain orderly conditions," CR Forex Advisors MD Amit Pabari was quoted as saying by PTI.

Pabari further said that progress toward reviving the paused IndiaUS trade deal remains a key upside risk and could significantly lift confidence if finalised.

In 2025, the Indian currency depreciated by 6%, recording one of the worst declines among Asian currencies this year.

Indian currency outlook 2026 According to Kunal Sodhani, Head of Treasury, Shinhan Bank, as the rupee navigates a more flexible exchange-rate regime, its direction in the coming months will be dictated less by any single domestic variable and more by a confluence of global financial conditions, capital flows and policy responses.

Foreign portfolio flows will be critical. Equity and debt inflows have historically provided stability to the rupee, while persistent outflows tend to amplify weakness. Any sharp rise in oil prices widens the trade deficit and increases dollar demand, weakening the currency. Conversely, softer energy prices can provide meaningful support by improving the current account balance. Markets will watch closely for signals on how tolerant the RBI remains of currency moves, the scale and timing of its interventions, and the use of instruments such as FX swaps and liquidity operations, Sodhani said.

On the outlook of the Indian Rupee, he further added that the rupee is likely to remain sensitive to global cues, with intermittent bouts of volatility driven by dollar movements and capital flows.

Any positive on the US-India tariff front may provide support to the rupee. For the USDINR pair, 88.20-93.80 may remain a broader band for 2026, he added.
The Indian equity benchmarks concluded the final session of 2025 on a firm note, snapping a four-day losing streak as value buying emerged across sectors.

Nifty 50 advanced 190.75 points (0.74%) to close at 26,129.60, while S&P BSE Sensex rose 545.52 points (0.64%) to settle at 85,220.60.

Market sentiment was primarily bolstered by the metal sector, which surged following the governments announcement of a three-year import tariff on select steel products to curb cheap shipments from China.

JSW Steel (+4.8%) and Tata Steel (+2.4%) emerged as top gainers, leading Nifty Metal to a 1.43% rise. The overall market breadth was positive, as reflected in an encouraging advance-decline ratio, with mid-cap and small-cap indices outperforming the front liners.

While thin year-end volumes and sustained FII outflows remained headwinds throughout December, the session highlighted resilient domestic liquidity. Looking ahead, the focus shifts to Q3 corporate earnings and January auto sales data, which will be critical in determining whether the current rebound can be sustained.

Two stock recommendations by MarketSmith India:

Buy: Hindalco Industries Ltd (current price: 886)

Why its recommended: Strong position in aluminium & copper value chain, Novelis leadership in global aluminium flat-rolled products, beneficiary of infrastructure, EV, and renewable energy demand, improving operating efficiencies and cost control, healthy balance sheet and cash flow generation, long-term capex supports capacity and value-added products

Strong position in aluminium & copper value chain, Novelis leadership in global aluminium flat-rolled products, beneficiary of infrastructure, EV, and renewable energy demand, improving operating efficiencies and cost control, healthy balance sheet and cash flow generation, long-term capex supports capacity and value-added products Key metrics: P/E: 11.47, 52-week high:  890, volume:  313.64 crore

P/E: 11.47, 52-week high: 890, volume: 313.64 crore Technical analysis: Cup base pattern breakout

Cup base pattern breakout Risk factors: Earnings sensitive to global commodity price cycles, exposure to fluctuations in aluminium and copper prices, high dependence on global demand, especially the U.S. and Europe, rising energy and raw material costs can pressure margins, regulatory and environmental compliance risk

Earnings sensitive to global commodity price cycles, exposure to fluctuations in aluminium and copper prices, high dependence on global demand, especially the U.S. and Europe, rising energy and raw material costs can pressure margins, regulatory and environmental compliance risk Buy:  880892

880892 Target price:  980 in two to three months

980 in two to three months Stop loss:  840

Also Read | Why foreign investors are hedging secondary sales with IPO bets

Buy: Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd (current price: 912)

Why its recommended: Strategic PSU presence in fertilisers and chemicals, demand support from agriculture and subsidy framework, turnaround efforts through operational restructuring, asset base and land value provide optional upside, potential benefit from policy and revival initiatives

Strategic PSU presence in fertilisers and chemicals, demand support from agriculture and subsidy framework, turnaround efforts through operational restructuring, asset base and land value provide optional upside, potential benefit from policy and revival initiatives Key metrics: P/E: 758.81; 52-week high:  1,112; volume:  24.51 crore

P/E: 758.81; 52-week high: 1,112; volume: 24.51 crore Technical analysis : Trendline in bullish momentum

Risk factors: High dependence on government subsidies and policies, weak profitability and volatile earnings history, rising input and energy costs impact margins, execution risk in turnaround and capacity utilisation, exposure to regulatory and environmental norms

High dependence on government subsidies and policies, weak profitability and volatile earnings history, rising input and energy costs impact margins, execution risk in turnaround and capacity utilisation, exposure to regulatory and environmental norms Buy at:  908920

908920 Target price:  1,030 in two to three months

1,030 in two to three months Stop loss:  868

Nifty recap

Indian equities ended the final trading session of the year on a firm note, supported by broad-based buying and strong sectoral participation. Nifty 50 settled at 26,129.60, up 0.74% or 190.75 points, after oscillating within a days range of 25,96926,188, indicating sustained intraday demand near lower levels. Sensex mirrored the positive momentum, closing comfortably higher, as investors positioned themselves for the year-end amid stable global cues.

Market breadth was decisively positive, with 2,222 stocks advancing against 936 declines, underscoring healthy risk appetite across the broader market. On the sectoral front, Oil and Gas, Consumer Durables, Media, Metals, and Auto stocks led the gains, reflecting continued interest in cyclical and consumption-linked themes. Financials were supportive, with private banks and diversified financial services contributing steadily, while FMCG and Pharma also closed higher. IT was the sole notable laggard, ending marginally in the red amid selective profit-taking.

From a technical standpoint, Nifty 50 continues to display a constructive price structure, ending the session at 26,129 after holding above key short- and medium-term moving averages. Momentum indicators are neutral-to-positive. The RSI (14) is placed near the mid-50s, indicating a healthy balance between buyers and sellers without entering overbought territory.

The recent RSI behavior suggests consolidation rather than exhaustion, which consists of a pause within an ongoing trend rather than a reversal. Meanwhile, the MACD remains above the zero line, though the histogram has flattened, pointing to moderating momentum. The narrowing gap between the MACD and signal line highlights a phase of consolidation, but the absence of a sharp bearish crossover suggests downside momentum remains limited.

According to O'Neils methodology of market direction, the market status has shifted to a "Confirmed Uptrend" as it decisively surpassed its previous rally high of 25,670 to register a new 52-week. Looking ahead, we will maintain a Confirmed Uptrend stance as long as market action remains constructive. However, if the distribution day count rises or Nifty breaches key support levels, we may shift the outlook back to an Uptrend Under Pressure to reflect elevated risk.

The index concluded the session higher and continued to trade within the range 25,700-26,300. From here, a decisive close above 26,300 would meaningfully improve the technical setup and is likely to open the door for a continuation of the ongoing rally toward 26,50026,700 in the near term. On the downside, 25,700 serves as the first level to monitor for any corrective move, while the 25,300 region represents a critical demand area.

Also Read | Markets likely to stay cautious in final trading week of 2025

How Nifty Bank performed?

Nifty Bank opened the session on a firm footing and sustained its positive momentum throughout the trading day, reflecting improving market sentiment. On the daily chart, the index formed a bullish candlestick pattern marked by a higher-high and a higher-low price structure, indicating a continuation of the short-term uptrend.

Notably, the index successfully reclaimed its 21-DMA, reinforcing a positive technical bias and signaling renewed buying interest at lower levels. The index began the day at 59,194.60, moved steadily higher to register an intraday high of 59,766.20, and witnessed limited downside with a low of 59,187.10. It eventually closed near the days highs at 59,581.85, ending with a gain of 0.69%. This price action suggests strengthening momentum and an improved near-term outlook for banking stocks.

The momentum indicator, RSI, is gradually trending higher and is currently positioned near 60, indicating improving momentum. At the same time, MACD has formed a negative crossover, pointing to some short-term selling pressure.

However, MACD continues to remain above the zero line, suggesting that the broader underlying trend remains intact. Despite these mixed technical signals, Nifty Bank remains classified as a Confirmed Uptrend as per ONeils methodology of market direction, indicating that the prevailing trend continues to be constructive.

The index displayed notable resilience over the past two trading sessions, rebounding decisively from its 50-DMA and subsequently reclaiming the 21-DMA, reflecting improving near-term strength.

On the upside, 59,80060,100 stands out as a critical resistance band, and a sustained breakout above this range would be necessary to re-establish a stronger bullish bias. On the downside, 58,50058,000 continues to act as a solid support area, underpinned by selective buying in frontline banking stocks, which has so far contained deeper corrective pressure.

MarketSmith India is a stock research platform and advisory service focused on the Indian stock market. It offers tools and resources to help investors make informed decisions based on the CAN SLIM methodology, founded by legendary investor William J. O'Neil. You can access a 10-day free trial by registering on its website.

Trade name: William ONeil India Pvt. Ltd.

Sebi Registration No.: INH000015543

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
Stock market today: The Indian stock market experienced a bullish rally on the final trading day of 2025, driven by short covering amid optimism that the year ahead will outperform the current one. Sentiment was buoyed by expectations of earnings growth, the possibility of an IndiaUS trade agreement, and the return of foreign investors to domestic markets.

The Sensex surged 546 points, or 0.64%, to end at 85,220.60, led by gains in Reliance Industries, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Axis Bank. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 advanced 191 points, or 0.74%, to close at 26,129.60. Broader markets also performed strongly, with the BSE Midcap index up 1% and the Smallcap index climbing 1.19%.

Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy

Markets ended the final trading session of the calendar year on a positive note, with the Nifty 50 gaining around 0.74%. The index opened marginally higher and gradually moved towards the 26,200 level during the session. However, profit-taking in the final hour trimmed some of the gains, and the Nifty eventually settled at 26,134. Sectoral participation was broad-based, with energy, metal and auto stocks emerging as the top performers. The broader market outperformed the benchmarks, with both mid- and small-cap indices rising close to 1% each, said Ajit Mishra  SVP, Research, Religare Broking.

Stocks to watch Against this backdrop, here's a list of stocks that may attract investor interest and are likely to experience some movement today.

Vodafone Idea Vodafone Idea will receive 5,836 crore from its promoter, the Vodafone Group, under the revised Implementation Agreement, relating to the resolution of its long-standing contingent liability with the promoters. This development is likely to attract stock market investors on Dalal Street.

Hyundai India Korean automaker Hyundai announced on Wednesday that it will increase vehicle prices starting January 1, 2026, to mitigate the impact of higher input costs.

NBCC India The company said it has bagged three domestic contracts with a combined value of 220.31 crore. Of this, Canara Bank awarded a 163.12 crore project for its Bengaluru head office, while Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti issued two orders worth 9.01 crore and 48.18 crore for school infrastructure works in Maharashtra and Telangana. This highlights the company's strength in its order book and revenue.

Housing and Urban Development Corporation HUDCO said it achieved provisional loan sanctions totalling 1.39 lakh crore during the first nine months of FY26, including 46,167 crore approved in the third quarter.

RBL Bank The bank stated that its proposal to temporarily limit foreign shareholding to 24% was not approved under the current regulatory framework.

NCC The company said it has bagged four new orders in December, with a combined value of 1,237.24 crore excluding GST.

Redington The integrated technology solutions provider said it has received a GST assessment order totaling 148.33 crore, inclusive of interest and penalties, from the CGST Gurugram commissionerate, pertaining to the alleged disallowance of input tax credit for FY19FY22.

Blue Dart Express The companys subsidiary, Blue Dart Aviation, said tax authorities have mostly withdrawn a proposed GST demand of 420.79 crore for the period from April 2021 to March 2023, with only 64.98 lakh upheld following adjudication.

Indian Railway Finance Corporation The company has entered into a rupee term loan agreement with Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO) for a sanctioned amount of 5,000 crore, of which 3,000 crore has already been disbursed.

Berger Paints India Promoter UK Paints (India) has purchased a 14.48% stake in the company from Jenson & Nicholson (Asia) as part of a restructuring move, taking its total shareholding up to 64.57%.
Madan Lal Khetarpal is in Lahore. Hes attending a college reunion and seeing the house where he grew up, but really, hes building up courage to visit the place where his son Arun, second lieutenant in the Indian army, breathed his last in the 1971 War. This turned out to be Dharmendras final role, and hes a little too old to offer an incisive performance. Yet, what we get is even better, something pure and unfiltered, an old man using his last fruitful moments to speak of love and understanding. I was incredibly moved, perhaps because my grandfather is also a Madan Lal who studied in Lahore and, like Dharmendra, has been a witness to both undivided Punjab and the entire sweep of independent India.

A month after Dhurandhar, another Hindi film spends most of its time in Pakistan. They couldnt be more different, though. Dhurandhar wants to start new wars. Ikkis wants to prevent future ones. Dhurandhar wants to win at all costs. Ikkis knows this is no victory at all. Aditya Dhar can barely see Pakistanis as human. Sriram Raghavan asks: what enemy?

Ikkis may not want war but its protagonist certainly does. Its pretty much the first thing Arun (Agastya Nanda), just turned 21, says in the film. Face smeared with birthday cake, he accepts the congratulations of his commanding officer at military school and asks hopefully: Sir, ladaai hone waali hai? (are we going to fight?). To his delight, they are indeed battle-bound, though before that theres the considerable pleasure of seeing Sikandar Khers hardass risaldar knock him down a peg and teach him the ins and outs of tanks. Arun proves adept, though, and is soon placed in charge of one of the tanks rumbling across the border towards Lahore.

Raghavan, writing with longtime collaborators Pooja Ladha Surti and Arijit Biswas, alternates between Aruns progress in 71 and his fathers visit to Pakistan three decades later. Though its just been two years since the Kargil War, Khetarpal senior charms everyone he meets thereincluding an angry, disabled veteran played by Deepak Dobriyal. His host in Lahore is another ex-army man, Nisar (Jaideep Ahlawat). Though the exact circumstances are only revealed toward the end, theres never any doubt that Nisar is linked to Aruns death, and is looking for a way to tell Khetarpal.

Its rare to see anyone make a passionate case for pacifism in India today. Ikkis is Raghavans most political film simply because of his refusal to use war to drum up anti-Pakistan sentiment. Time and again, the film cuts from a tense bit of action to Khetarpal on his unassuming peace mission. One of these switches comes after Aruns tank driver tells him Sab ek jaisa hee hai (everything looks the same) as they cross the border into Pakistan, which Arun repeats thoughtfully. The film also undercuts the performative patriotism of recent Hindi cinema by focusing, as Lakshya (2004) did, on the army as an institution. Aruns identity and drive come from his squadron during training, his regiment in the war, and his familys military history (everything else is a distraction, including a romance with Simar Bhatias Kiran). Ikkis allows the Pakistani soldiers the same martial pride: Nisar, commanding an armoured unit in 71, gives a rousing speech that focuses on the history of their battalion, just as Lieutenant Colonel Hanut Singh (Rahul Dev) plays up the history of the Poona Horse.

There are other touches that suggest Raghavan and his co-writers have been keeping an eye on the divisive provocations of recent Hindi cinema, and dont approve. Dhurandhars cruel use of Allahu Akbar had me on alert; I only noticed one in Ikkis. Hanut Singh, in his big speech, says that the blessings of Allah are on his regiment. The film gently pushes aside cliches. Nisar drinks and smokes, has a poster of Sachin Tendulkar next to Imran Khan in his home. Meat dishes in Hindi films have become a way to bash Muslim characters, but Khetarpal is shown enjoying kabab and biryani. Even the two bumbling ISI agents are casually dismissed as officials doing their jobs.

Tanks, lumbering and unsubtle, might not seem like the most cinematic of military weaponry. Yet, I can see why Raghavan wouldve been drawn to them. The film revels in the clang and clunk of these machines, the physicality of loading, firing, reloading, the time taken to swivel and lock on a target. Tanks also suit Ikkis romantic, somewhat nostalgic idea of warfare. Fighter planes, no matter which era they belong to, invariably seem like new technology onscreen, whereas tanks always feel like something from the past. This impression is furthered by Anil Mehtas cinematography and minimal VFX, with few distractingly modern shots in the action sequences.

Nanda is wide-eyed and eager as the boy who dreamed of battle, perhaps too much of an overcorrection from the unsmiling patriots of recent war movies. Everyone around him, though, is aptly chosen and on point (I particularly liked Vivaan Shah as an Indian captain, smart in a red scarf, administering mercy killings to injured dogs after battles, a typically sharp Raghavan detail). Ahlawat, coming off a series of flamboyant roles, is soft spoken and very respectful of Dharmendra, which is true of the film in general.

In an increasingly belligerent and hysterical Hindi cinema, Im not sure there'll be takers for Ikkis' pacifism. Those who watch it for the director might be surprised. There was a lot of talk when the trailer released about how this didn't seem like a Raghavan film, which is to say something acidic, smart and self-aware. It's true that Ikkis, sincere and slightly clunky, is tonally apart from anything he's made. I'm glad he took the risk. Sometimes you just have to speak from the heart and hope someones still listening.

'Ikkis' is in theatres.

Also Read | The most memorable moments in Indian cinema in 2025
The central governments fact-checking agency, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit, on 1 January refuted a claim circulating on social media that an 85% tax has been imposed on transactions exceeding 10 lakh". The PIB Fact Check unit debunked the claim, stating that income tax is levied only on income, not on transactions.

It further clarified that there is no provision in the Income Tax Act for imposing any kind of tax on bank transactions exceeding 10 lakh.

What does the viral video claim? A clip shared by the Instagram account Manjju Choudhary claims that once a bank transaction exceeds 10 lakh, the government demands 85% tax. The video further alleges that the government does not consider whether the money is black, yellow, or white and simply seeks tax on all such transactions.

Income Tax rules from 2026 From 1 April 2026, Indias tax system will undergo a major change as the government implements the new Income Tax Act 2025, replacing the Income Tax Act of 1961.

Simpler rules to ease compliance The primary aim of the new Act is to simplify tax rules, making it easier for individuals and businesses to understand and comply. While the basic structure of taxation will remain the same, the language and procedures will be simplified to reduce disputes and litigation

No tax on income up to  12 lakh Under the new regime, the tax relief announced in the 2025 Budget will continue. Individuals with an annual income of up to 12 lakh will not have to pay any income tax.

The government hopes these reforms will help taxpayers comply with the law confidently, reduce legal disputes, and make the tax system more transparent and user-friendly.
Air India resumed non-stop flights from India to Tel Aviv, Israel's capital, on New Year's Day, 1 January. Earlier, Israel's tourism ministry had said the direct flights were expected to provide a stimulus for tourism and economic exchange between the two nations.

In June 2025, the Tata Group-owned airline had suspended all flights from India to Tel Aviv amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following Iranian missile strikes on a US base in Qatar. Air India had announced the immediate suspension of all flights to the region and routes connecting to the East Coast of North America and Europe.

Amid the developing situation in the Middle East, Air India has ceased all operations to the region as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect, until further notice, an Air India spokesperson had said in a statement issued at that time.

What is the frequency of Air India flights? In November last year, the Israeli tourism ministry had said that the restored route would see five weekly flights operating from Sunday to Thursday, utilising Air India's advanced Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The flight from Tel Aviv will depart at 11:40 AM and arrive in Delhi at 8:50 PM, while the flight from Delhi will depart at 7:00 AM and arrive in Tel Aviv at 9:55 AM, facilitating easy onward connections, the Israeli tourism ministry had said, reported PTI.

Direct connectivity back The Indian Embassy in Israel also posted about the restoration of direct flights between Tel Aviv and India.

Direct connectivity is back! Air India resumes nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and New Delhi today. Embassy of India wishes Air India great success and encourages Indian & Israeli travellers to take advantage of this direct air link between India and Israel, the Indian Embassy posted on X.

Earlier, Arkia Airlines, an Israeli carrier, also expressed a strong interest in resuming direct flights to India.

The Israeli carrier was evaluating the use of its long-range Airbus A321neo LR jets for routes involving Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Goa, as reported by PTI.

"The return of Air India's direct flights is a genuine game-changer and a huge win for us. This direct link is our biggest priority to fuel tourism from India, making it easier than ever for Indian travellers to experience the rich culture, history and vibrant landscapes of Israel. The added interest from Arkia only confirms the market's dynamism.
The Army on Thursday recovered a consignment believed to have been dropped by a drone along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district, officials said. The army found a bag containing dozens of ammunition rounds along with a yellow tiffin box suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), they added, according to PTI.

The incident occurred early morning in the Chakkan da Bagh area of Khari village, between Rangar Nallah and the Poonch River, they mentioned. The bomb disposal squad assessed the bag to rule out any explosive threat.

Previous related incident Based on intelligence inputs, security forces in October thwarted a drug smuggling bid across the International Border (IB) in Jammu, recovering two bags dropped by a Pakistani drone. The bags contained more than five kilograms of heroin valued at over 25 crore in the international market, officials said.

Also Read | Army deployed in violence-hit West Karbi Anglong as situation remains tense

Army foils infiltration bid by terrorists Indian Army personnel on 1 September foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists along the Line of Control in the Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district, officials said.

The infiltration bid came at the same time as Union Home Minister Amit Shahs visit to the winter capital, Jammu, where he was reviewing the situation following last months heavy rainfall and flash floods that caused widespread damage and loss of life.

At about 5.30 AM, troops of White Knight Corps in the general area of Balakot detected suspicious movement near the LoC. Fire was immediately opened by alert troops, preventing the infiltration attempt, the army's White Knight Corps said in a post on X.

Also Read | Indian Army soldier dies in military camp firing in J&Ks Samba

It added, "Own troops have been repositioned and re-oriented to ensure foolproof domination of the area using all available means. Troops are maintaining high alert in their respective areas.

An official said heavy exchange of fire resumed when Army search teams moved closer to the site of the earlier encounter.

The firing between the two sides was ongoing when the last reports came in.

According to the official, the movement of terrorists attempting to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was detected near Dabbi village in the Balakot area early in the morning, triggering the initial encounter. The terrorists attempted to escape after facing heavy firing, prompting the Army to rush in reinforcements and cordon off the entire area for a thorough search, officials said.
A 79-year-old man long presumed dead by his family returned to his hometown Khatauli in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh to collect documents for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal,

Sharif Ahmad, settled in West Bengal for the past many years, had gone missing since 1997 when he moved out of his hometown in UP following his second marriage after the death of his first wife.

Also Read | Bengal SIR: Mamata Banerjee threatens to gherao EC office in Delhi

Ahmad arrived in Muzaffarnagar on December 29 to collect documents for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, his nephew Waseem Ahmad told news agency PTI.

We tried to trace him over the years, even travelled to West Bengal and followed up the address provided by his second wife, but all attempts failed, Waseem said.

With no contact for decades, his four daughters and the family assumed that he was no longer alive, he added.

Returned to his hometown to collect documents Sharif said he returned to his hometown to collect documents related to the SIR exercise in Bengal, which compelled him to re-establish contact with his native place.

During his visit, he found that many of his close family members, including his father and brother, had passed away.

The emotional reunion brought joy to the family, Waseem said. Seeing him after so many years was a deeply moving experience for all of us, he said.

After the brief visit, Sharif returned to West Bengals Medinipur district, where he lives with his family, to complete the SIR formalities.

SIR in Bengal: Draft List Published on 16 Dec The poll panel's 27 October SIR instructions had asked voters to fill forms and trace themselves or a family member to the electoral roll of the last intensive revision, held in 2002 in West Bengal.

The voters were required to be mapped to the 2002 electoral roll, either through their own presence or that of a relative on that roll, to continue as voters in future

Seeing him after so many years was a deeply moving experience for all of us.

On 16 December, the Election Commission published West Bengal's draft electoral rolls following SIR, deleting the names of more than 58 lakh voters on various grounds, including death and migration, and redrawing voter profiles across districts and border belts ahead of the 2026 assembly polls.

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee met the Election Commission bench over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, and alleged that the party's concerns were not addressed and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) was aggressive.
Indians rang in the New Year 2026 with unmatched enthusiasm, midnight parties and prayers on January 1, as the skies lit up with fireworks and streets buzzed with celebrations.

From Delhi to Bengaluru and Shimla, the arrival of the New Year was marked with joy and music.

View full Image People enjoy themselves at Connaught Place on the eve of the New Year ( ANI )

Crowds gathered at key locations in New Delhi, including Connaught Place and India Gate, to welcome the new year 2026.

Delhiites danced their way into the new year.

View full Image Revellers pose for photographs at an illuminated sea promenade during New Year's Eve in Mumbai ( AFP )

In Mumbai, people gathered at different venues to usher in the New Year 2026.

View full Image People celebrate new years party on 31 December night at Carter Rod, Bandra in Mumbai ( Hindustan Times )

In Bandra, Mumbai, a huge crowd partied their way into the New Year with fireworks, music, and late-night festivities.

Also Read | Happy New Year 2026 wishes LIVE: London welcomes New Year with fireworks

View full Image Revellers cheer as they gather to celebrate the New Year's Day along Brigade Road in Bengaluru ( AFP )

Authorities maintained security and traffic arrangements across Silicon Valley, India, as crowds thronged the streets of Bengaluru to celebrate the New Year.

Fireworks once again lit up the Bengaluru skyline as residents marked the start of 2026.

View full Image People walk along Heritage Street near the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh on New Year's Eve in Amritsar ( PTI )

In Amritsar, the Heritage Street leading to the Golden Temple was packed with people.

View full Image The illuminated Golden Temple on New Year's Eve in Amritsar ( PTI )

Devotees thronged Shri Harmandir Sahib to offer prayers and seek blessings as the clock struck midnight, ushering in the New Year.

Also Read | Google welcomes 2026 with a New Years Day doodle celebrating fresh beginnings

View full Image Tourists and locals gather at the Ridge during celebration on New Year's eve, in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh ( PTI )

Shimla, the Queen of Hills, marked the new year 2026 with a Winter Carnival. The Ridge was packed with tourists and locals who gathered to enjoy live music and dance show.

View full Image People dance during celebrations on New Year's eve in Shimla ( PTI )

In other hilly states in Himachal Pradesh, people welcomed the New Year 2026 in Dharamshala, with chilly weather doing little to dampen festive spirits.

Other cities which marked the New Year 2026 in style In Goa, dazzling fireworks illuminated the night sky as locals and tourists gathered at popular party hubs to usher in the New Year. The coastal state witnessed vibrant celebrations with hotels and shacks hosting special events like every year.

Central India, Hyderabad and other key locations also witnessed grand celebrations as people welcomed the New Year with fireworks and danced to Bollywood music at special events.

Across India, people welcomed the New Year 2026 with optimism and cheer as police teams in each state worked to maintain law and order.
Key Points

Alibaba dominates Chinas e-commerce and cloud markets.

Tencent owns the countrys top super app and gaming business.

One of these tech titans has a brighter future.

10 stocks we like better than Alibaba Group 

Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) and Tencent (OTC: TCEHY) are two of China's largest tech companies. Alibaba owns the country's largest e-commerce marketplaces and top cloud infrastructure platform. Tencent owns China's largest social media platform, one of the country's leading cloud infrastructure platforms, and the world's largest video game publishing business. Both companies are expanding their artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystems with new large language models (LLMs), generative AI applications, and autonomous driving services.

Both stocks might appear to be reliable investments in China's economic expansion. Yet, over the past five years, Alibaba's stock has declined by nearly 40%, while Tencent's stock has risen by only 6%. They lost their luster as China's economic growth cooled off, they faced intense scrutiny from antitrust regulators, and the trade war curbed the market's appetite for Chinese equities. Should you invest in either of these out-of-favor Chinese bellwethers today?

Image source: Getty Images.

Alibaba's high-growth days are over

Alibaba generates most of its revenue and profits from its two most significant Chinese marketplaces, Taobao and Tmall. A smaller slice of its revenue comes from its cloud infrastructure business, which operates at lower margins than its e-commerce marketplaces.

In 2021, China's antitrust regulators barred Taobao and Tmall from locking in their merchants with exclusive deals, using loss-leading promotions to gain new customers, and expanding with unapproved investments and acquisitions. Those restrictions throttled its growth and eroded its defenses against its top competitors, PDD (NASDAQ: PDD) and JD.com (NASDAQ: JD).

That pressure forced Alibaba to rely on its overseas marketplaces (including Lazada in Southeast Asia, Trendyol in Turkey, Daraz in South Asia, and AliExpress for cross-border purchases) and its Cainiao logistics business to drive its top-line growth. However, that strategy compresses its margins because those faster-growing businesses are still unprofitable.

From fiscal 2025 (which ended in March 2025) to fiscal 2028, analysts expect Alibaba's revenue and earnings per share (EPS) to grow at a CAGR of 8% and 11%, respectively. Its high-growth days are over, but it could stabilize Taobao and Tmall with AI-driven recommendations, new merchant tools, and logistics upgrades over the next few years. It also expects the AI boom to generate strong tailwinds for its cloud infrastructure business. The stable growth of its e-commerce and cloud businesses could free up more resources to expand its lower-margin international marketplaces and Cainiao's new third-party logistics services.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended new year greetings to everyone and prayed for peace and happiness in the society.

"Wishing everyone a wonderful 2026! May the year ahead bring good health and prosperity, with success in your efforts and fulfilment in all that you do," the prime minister said in a post on X.

India, like the rest of the world, rang in the New Year 2026 with enthusiasm, midnight parties and prayers on January 1, as the skies lit up with fireworks and streets buzzed with celebrations.

From Delhi to Bengaluru and Shimla, the arrival of the New Year was marked with joy and music. Crowds gathered at key locations in New Delhi, including Connaught Place and India Gate, to welcome the new year 2026.

"Praying for peace and happiness in our society," the prime minister said.

In Delhi and Mumbai, people gathered at different venues to usher in the New Year 2026. People in both the cities were seen dancing their way into the new year.

With hope and confidence: PM Modi Earlier on new year eve, Prime Minister Modi wrote a note on networking site LinkedIn saying 2025 would be remembered as a year for India when it focused on "reforms as a continuous national mission, building on the ground covered over the past 11 years. He said India has emerged as the centre of global attention, driven by the innovative zeal of our people.

The prime minister added that the world now sees India with hope and confidence, and appreciates the manner in which the pace of progress has been accelerated with next-generation reforms, which are cross-sectoral and amplify the nations growth potential.

Also Read | Mumbai welcomes New Year 2026 with rain  Check IMD forecast

He highlighted that reforms in 2025 focused on modernising institutions, simplifying governance, and strengthening the foundations for long-term, inclusive growth. They were aimed at enabling citizens to live with dignity, entrepreneurs to innovate with confidence and institutions to function with clarity and trust.

Praying for peace and happiness in our society.

Citing examples, PM Modi mentioned GST reforms, noting a clean two-slab structure of 5 per cent and 18 per cent has been implemented and that the burden has been eased on households, MSMEs, farmers and labour-intensive sectors. He added that the reform aimed to ensure dispute reduction and better compliance and has boosted consumer sentiment and demand, with sales growth seen during the festive season.
India and Pakistan on 1 January exchanged a list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral pact that prohibits the two sides from attacking each other's atomic facilities. The practice has continued for three decades in the beginning of new year.

The exchange of the list came even as the ties between the two countries remain under deep freeze following four-day military hostilities last May in the aftermath of Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed.

Also Read | Pakistan amplifies Jaishankar's Dhaka handshake with Speaker Sadiq

The list exchange took place under the provisions of an agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It was done simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.

"India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities between India and Pakistan," the MEA said.

The agreement was signed on December 31, 1988, and came into force on January 27 1991.

The pact mandates the two countries to inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the first of January of every calendar year.

"This is the 35th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on 1 January 1992," the MEA said in a brief statement.

Prisoner Exchange too The two countries also exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civil prisoners and fishermen in each others custody, under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008.

India has shared lists with details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani, the MEA said. Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists with details of 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or believed-to-be-Indian.

The Government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody, the MEA statement read.

Pakistan has also been urged to expedite the release and repatriation of 167 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners, who have completed their sentence, it said.

India-Pak Relations in 2025 India-Pakistan relations came under severe strain earlier this year following the terror attack in Pahalgam, after which India undertook calibrated diplomatic and strategic measures to safeguard national security.

In response to the attack, India scaled down diplomatic engagement and initiated policy steps reflecting its long-standing position that dialogue cannot coexist with terrorism. Among these measures was the suspension of participation in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a landmark 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank, highlighting the seriousness with which India viewed the security situation.

India launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May 2025, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to the attack.

India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities.

In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to 35 civil prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian and have not been provided consular access so far.

As a result of the sustained efforts by the Government of India, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 500 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date, the MEA statement said.
Indias anti-corruption watchdog, the Lokpal, has withdrawn a contentious tender to procure seven luxury BMW cars, following sustained criticism from opposition parties and civil society figures over the proposed use of public funds.

Officials said on Thursday that the decision to cancel the tender was taken by the full bench of the Lokpal and formalised through a corrigendum issued on December 16, 2025nearly two months after the procurement process was initiated.

Tender withdrawn after criticism mounts The Lokpal had floated a request for proposal on October 16, 2025, inviting bids from reputed agencies for the supply of seven BMW 3 Series 330Li cars. The vehicles were intended to be allocated individually to the chairperson and six members of the institution.

The move quickly drew sharp reactions, with critics questioning the optics of a body tasked with upholding probity opting for high-end luxury vehicles. Opposition leaders accused the institution of undermining its own moral authority, with several describing the purchase as inconsistent with the Lokpals mandate.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh mocked the decision by dubbing the institution Shauq Pal, while former NITI Aayog chief executive officer Amitabh Kant publicly urged the Lokpal to cancel the tender and instead consider electric vehicles manufactured in India.

Details of the proposed purchase According to the original tender document, the Lokpal had sought BMW 330Li M Sport models with a long wheelbase, specified in white colour. The estimated on-road cost of the seven vehicles in New Delhi was around 5 crore.

The procurement was meant to serve the office of the Lokpal chairpersoncurrently headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice A M Khanwilkarand six members. Under the law, the Lokpal can have a maximum of eight members, comprising an equal number of judicial and non-judicial appointees.

Training provisions also outlined The tender had also laid out detailed requirements for driver training. The selected vendor was to conduct both practical and theoretical training programmes for drivers and designated staff, covering classroom instruction and on-road sessions.

Also Read | Not BMW or Fortuner, Harsh Goenka quips 1 kg gold in 2023 will match this car

These sessions were to include familiarisation with the controls, features and safety systems of the BMW 330Li M Sport, hands-on operational training such as parking and emergency handling, and guidance on fuel efficiency parameters and driving modes.
The New Year is set to bring a thick blanket of fog across large parts of north and east India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of dense to very dense fog, cold day conditions and cold waves in several states over the coming days.

According to the weather office's latest forecast, dense fog is expected over isolated pockets of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and cold wave conditions in Delhi, Chandigarh among other states  as winter tightens its grip.

On New Year Eve, blinding fog crippled Delhi, north India as visibility plunged  affecting flight operations.

IMD forecast for fog IMD has warned of dense fog during night and morning hours at isolated locations spanning across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad till 4 January.

The weather office has also warned of similar fog conditions in Himachal Pradesh between January 2 - 5, while Uttarakhand is likely to remain affected till 5 January.

Dense fog conditions have also been forecast for Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi during January 7 and 8, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh till 8 January, Rajasthan on 4 January, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh on 3 January.

Region / State(s) IMD says fog likely till Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad Till January 4 Himachal Pradesh January 25 Uttarakhand Till January 5 Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi January 78 Bihar & Uttar Pradesh Till January 8 Rajasthan January 4 Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh January 3 Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim January 25 Gangetic West Bengal Till January 4 Jharkhand January 12 Odisha January 6 Arunachal Pradesh Till January 3 Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura Till January 6

Cold day conditions likely in parts of north India Ahead of fog conditions in Himachal Pradesh from 2-5 January, the state is likely to experience cold day conditions in isolated places  as per IMD's forecast.

Met Department has predicted cold day conditions in the following states:

 isolated places in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on 1 January,

 Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on 1 January 2,

 over Bihar between January 1 and 3.
Pakistan has attempted to amplify what was initially a courtesy handshake between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq, in Dhaka on 31 December.

The exchange took place on the sidelines of the funeral of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, which Sadiq and Jaishankar attended. It was among the few visible contacts at the senior level since relations deteriorated earlier this year following the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 tourists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan's National Assembly Secretariat issued a press release claiming that the handshake occurred when Jaishankar approached Ayaz Sadiq during the event, according to Pakistani newspaper Dawn.

The press release said that since the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan has consistently emphasised dialogue, restraint and cooperative measures, including proposals for peace talks and joint investigations...to prevent unprovoked aggression and escalation.

S Jaishankar on Wednesday represented India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia and handed over the letter of condolence from PM Modi to Rahman.

Khaleda Zia, the three-time Bangladesh prime minister and BNP matriarch, died on Tuesday following a prolonged illness.

Strained India-Pak Ties India-Pakistan relations came under severe strain earlier this year following the terror attack in Pahalgam, after which India undertook calibrated diplomatic and strategic measures to safeguard national security.

In response to the attack, India scaled down diplomatic engagement and initiated policy steps reflecting its long-standing position that dialogue cannot coexist with terrorism. Among these measures was the suspension of participation in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a landmark 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank, highlighting the seriousness with which India viewed the security situation.

India also restricted cross-border transit and other bilateral engagements, reiterating that any engagement requires demonstrable action against terrorism and accountability for attacks targeting civilians.

India launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May 2025, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to the attack.

In the operation, Indian Armed Forces carried out precision strikes against terror camps operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). India subsequently repelled Pakistani escalation and targeted its airbases.

India has consistently emphasised that any engagement with Pakistan must be based on mutual respect, verifiable security assurances and a terrorism-free environment, while firmly safeguarding its national interests.
New Year's eve turned tragic as a father allegedly killed his three minor sons before taking his own life by hanging at his residence in Andhra Pradeshs Nandyal district, police said on Thursday. Officials said the exact cause of the childrens deaths is being probed and more details will be known after the inquiry is completed.

"The man allegedly killed his three minor sons on Wednesday and later hanged himself at their house in Uyyalawada village," PTI quoted Allagadda Deputy Superintendent of Police K Pramod Kumar as saying.

Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the family was under financial stress, which may have led the man to take the extreme step.

Officials also pointed out that the mans wife had died by hanging in August, further compounding the familys distress.

A case has been registered and further investigation is underway.

Previous related incidents A 33-year-old man has been accused of killing his wife and their minor son in Maharashtras Buldhana district in the early hours of Monday, allegedly driven by suspicion of infidelity, police said. The incident occurred around 2 am in Teachers Colony in Mehkar town. The accused, identified as Rahul Mhaske, was taken into custody soon after the incident.

Police said Mhaske lived in the colony with his wife Rupali, their four-year-old son, and three other family members. Allegedly suspecting his wifes character, he picked up an axe kept at home and attacked her, before also striking his son with the weapon, resulting in their deaths.

A case has been registered against the accused under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to punishment for murder, and further investigation is underway.

Also Read | Class 8 girl kills woman who rescued and adopted her in Odisha's Gajapati

A man is accused of killing his younger brother following a dispute over 10 bighas of land in Uttar Pradeshs Pilibhit district, officials said on Friday. Police said the body was buried in a pit dug inside the house in an attempt to destroy evidence.

The crime came to light after the eldest brother alerted police about the prolonged absence of the deceased, identified as Hansraj (35). His body has since been recovered and sent for post-mortem examination, Kareli SHO Vipin Shukla said.

The prime accused, Nakshatra Pal (45), has been taken into custody and is being questioned. Preliminary findings indicate that a property dispute was the main motive behind the murder, Shukla added.

Police said Hansraj, the youngest of the three brothers and unmarried, lived with his family in Lilhar village and worked in agriculture. His mother had inherited around 10 bighas of farmland from her maternal family, which police said Nakshatra Pal allegedly transferred entirely into his own name after her death.

Hansrajs demand for a share in the land reportedly led to frequent arguments and instances of assault. According to police, the dispute resurfaced on Sunday, culminating in a fight about 500 metres from the house, during which the accused allegedly attacked the younger brother.

Investigators suspect that Hansraj was killed the same day and his body was subsequently buried inside the house, police said.

(With inputs from PTI)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen fresh bank deposits, mutual funds and fixed deposits worth 192 crore of real money online gaming app WinZO, news agency PTI reported. The action came after the ED conducted searches at the accounting firm of the gaming company. The raid at the office premises of the auditor was conducted on December 30.

The federal investigation agency said in a statement that during searches at WinZO accounting firm, proceeds of crime (name for illicit funds under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act) possessed by ZO Games Pvt. Ltd. (fully owned Indian subsidiary of WinZO Pvt. Ltd.) worth around 192 crore were frozen, as per PTI.

The funds were in the form of bank balances, fixed deposits and mutual funds, the ED said in its statement.

WinZO co-founders Saumya Singh Rathore and Paavan Nanda were arrested after they were grilled at Bengaluru office of the ED for alleged money laundering. The firm is accused of cheating, blocking accounts, impersonation, and the misuse of complainants' PANs, officials said as per ANI.

While Saumya Singh Rathore has been granted bail, Paavan Nanda has been denied a similar relief.

On November 18 and November 22, ED's Bengaluru zonal office conducted searches at four locations in Delhi and Gurgaon in the case of the WinZO games app under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

During the first searches, the ED had frozen bonds, fixed deposits and mutual funds worth about 505 crore.

Reacting to these charges then, a spokesperson for WinZO had said in a statement that fairness and transparency are core to how WinZO designs and operates its platform.

But the ED had alleged that WinZO was engaged in criminal activities and unscrupulous practices. It said the players were made to play with bots, Artificial Intelligence (AI), algorithms and software named PPP, EP and Persona and not humans, without being informed so.

Winzo has also prevented/limited withdrawals of monies held by the customers in the wallets of Winzo Pvt Ltd. and it generated proceeds of crime in the form of 'Rake Commission' from the matches played by the bots with the real players on the Winzo app, the ED said, news agency PTI reported.

The agency further said that in this manner, the company made winnings of around Rs177 crore from the bots between May 2024 to August 2025.

It added that funds of 557 crore were similarly generated between April 2022 and December 2023.

The company, the agency alleged, was in possession of users' monies worth 43 crore, even after the ban on real money online gaming by the Union government (in late 2024). The ED had quantified the total proceeds of crime in this case at about 802 crore.
A woman has alleged that poor hygiene onboard an Akasa Air flight left her with serious health issues, prompting a response from the airline. The woman, identified as Jahanvi Tripathi, shared her experience on LinkedIn, claiming her journey turned distressing due to unhygienic seating conditions inside the aircraft.

According to her post, Tripathi was travelling with friends on an Akasa Air flight from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad on December 26, which departed at 10:25 pm. She said she had expected a routine and comfortable journey.

However, she claimed the condition of the seats caused severe discomfort during the flight and led to health issues afterwards.

Also Read | Air India issues advisory for passengers amid forecast for low visibility

The unhygienic condition of the seats was extremely concerning and unacceptable. This issue not only caused severe discomfort during the flight but also led to physical distress afterward, which ultimately ruined my entire trip, a part of the woman's post on LinkedIn read.

What health issues did she claim to have developed? Tripathi further alleged that shortly after the flight, she developed a severe fungal infection on her legs, which worsened over time.

She claimed the condition left her unable to walk properly, sleep comfortably, or carry out daily activities.

I am currently undergoing medical treatment, and the suffering has been both physically and emotionally exhausting, she wrote.

In her post, the woman raised serious concerns about hygiene and sanitation standards on the flight. She suggested that the infection may have developed due to unclean seating, cabin conditions, or overall sanitation during the journey.

She urged Akasa Air to investigate the issue, issue a clear response, and explain the corrective steps taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

How did Akasa Air respond? Responding to the allegations, Akasa Air expressed regret over her experience and said the matter was being reviewed.

We sincerely regret the experienceThis is certainly not the standard we strive for, as we remain committed to maintaining the highest levels of hygiene and customer well-being. Your feedback has been shared for immediate review and we will reach out to you at the earliest, the airline said.

Here's how social media users reacted: The incident has triggered mixed reactions on social media.

One user wrote, This looks like a severe infection. The seats and entire cabin needs a thorough inspection.

However, several others defended the airline and questioned the claim that the infection was caused by the aircraft.

How can you be sure that you got the infection from the aircraft and not the cab or any other non-conveyance reason. I am completely empathetic towards your issue and possibly low hygiene at your seat. Still, I would say defaming is easy, investigating the real cause is tough, a comment read.
US President Donald Trump takes a larger daily dose of aspirin than his doctors typically recommend, citing concerns about blood thickness, according to an interview with The Wall Street Journal reported by Reuters.

They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I dont want thick blood pouring through my heart, Trump told WSJ in an interview published on Thursday (January 1). I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?

Age and fitness in focus Trump, 79, is the second-oldest person to serve as US president, after his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, who left office at age 82 after dropping his 2024 reelection bid amid questions about his fitness.

Health scrutiny over bruising Trumps health has drawn attention in recent months following visible bruising on his hands, and after reports that he underwent a brain scan in October.

Doctor confirms 325 mg daily dose Trumps physician, Sean Barbabella, told the Journal that the president takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily for cardiac prevention  a dose higher than the commonly prescribed low-dose aspirin of 81 milligrams cited by the Mayo Clinic for many older adults.

The White House has previously said the bruising was the result of Trump shaking hands frequently and described the imaging scan as preventative.
Zohran Mamdani officially took office as mayor after the New Years Eve ball drop, in a private ceremony held at a shuttered relic of the citys subway. A millennial, South Asian and Muslim leader, Mamdani became the citys first Muslim mayorand the first to swear his oath of office on the Quran.

This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime, Mamdani said.

The inauguration will unfold in two distinct ceremonies, blending symbolism, faith and the citys layered history. A private midnight swearing-in will take place in a disused subway station beneath City Hall, followed later in the day by a public ceremony on the steps of City Hall.

Oath on the Quran marks historic first

View full Image Zohran Mamdani reacts after being sworn in as mayor of New York inside the the Old City Hall subway station, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) ( AP )

During both ceremonies, Zohran Mamdani will place his hand on the Quran, Islams holiest text, making him the first mayor in New York City to do so. According to senior adviser Zara Rahim, he is expected to use at least three different Qurans across the ceremonies.

For the private swearing-in early Thursday, Mamdani will use his grandfathers Quran and another that once belonged to Arturo Schomburg, the Black Afro-Latino intellectual whose work helped shape the Harlem Renaissance. The Schomburg Quran has been loaned by the New York Public Library. For the public ceremony, Mamdani will use Qurans that belonged to both his grandfather and grandmother.

The inclusion of Schomburgs Quran is deeply symbolic. Though Schomburg was not Muslim, he collected the text as part of his lifelong effort to document the full scope of Black cultural, artistic and religious life.

Its a highly symbolic choice because were about to have a Muslim mayor swearing in using the Quran but also a mayor who was born on the African continent, in Uganda, said Hiba Abid, curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the library. It really brings together here elements of faith, identity and New York history.

A Quran with deep roots in Black history

View full Image This photo provided by The New York Public Library shows the Schomburg Quran on Dec. 16, 2025 in New York. (Jonathan Blanc/The New York Public Library via AP) ( AP )

The Schomburg Quran, acquired from Ottoman Syria and designed for everyday use, will go on public display for the first time as part of a special exhibition at the New York Public Library.

The exhibit will coincide with a year-long celebration marking the centenary of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, opening the Tuesday after Mamdanis inauguration.

View full Image This photo provided by The New York Public Library shows the Schomburg Quran on Dec. 16, 2025 in New York. (Jonathan Blanc/The New York Public Library via AP) ( AP )

Schomburg sold his collectionmore than 4,000 itemsto the library in 1926, laying the foundation for the centre. His decision to include the Quran was, in part, a rebuttal to a childhood teacher who once told him that Black people lacked history or notable figures.

Abid said the display is intended not only to highlight Schomburgs legacy but also to deepen public understanding of Muslim life in New York City.

Faith, politics and public life Although it is customary for elected officials to take the oath of office with a hand on a religious text, there is no legal requirement to do soor to use any book at all. Most previous New York mayors have sworn in on a Bible.

Mamdanis advisers said his faith, which was a defining feature of his campaign and a frequent target of political hostility, made it especially important to incorporate both family heirlooms and historically significant texts into the ceremony.

In a statement, Rahim said Mamdanis decision would address a long deferred absence of Muslims from the citys civic life.

This moment will mark a turning point in the civic history of New York City, and it belongs to every New Yorker whose lives shaped this city quietly, without ever being reflected back to them, she said.

Mamdani joins a small group of US elected officials to have used the Quran during a swearing-in, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Representative Ilhan Omar. In New York, City Council member Shahana Hanif was sworn in on a family Quran in 2022.

Midnight oath in an abandoned subway station

View full Image The station, opened in 1904 and decommissioned in 1945, once served as one of the citys original subway stops and now functions as a turnaround point for the 5 train. ( Architectural )

While tens of thousands of New Yorkers gather in Times Square to welcome 2026, New York mayor elect Zohran Mamdani will take his private oath at midnight in an abandoned subway station beneath City Hallan architectural relic dating back to the Gilded Age.

The station, opened in 1904 and decommissioned in 1945, once served as one of the citys original subway stops and now functions as a turnaround point for the 5 train.

It was designated a New York City landmark in 1979 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

Also Read | Mamdani tells immigrant New Yorkers about their right not to comply with ICE

Mamdani described the location as symbolically resonant of the inauguration of a new era.

It was a physical monument to a city that dared to be both beautiful and build great things that would transform working peoples lives, he said.

That ambition need not be a memory confined only to our past, nor must it be isolated only to the tunnels beneath city hall: it will be the purpose of the administration fortunate enough to serve New Yorkers from the building above.

He added that he was humbled by the opportunity to lead millions of New Yorkers into a new era of opportunity, and honored to carry forward our citys legacy of greatness.

Political figures and tensions New York Attorney General Letitia James will administer the midnight oath, with a second public ceremony later in the day led by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, followed by a block party along Broadway.

James said the subway setting reflected the citys shared civic life. For all of our strengths and weaknesses as individuals, we ride together on the train, to places far and wide, she said.

Only former mayor Bill de Blasio has confirmed he will attend. Former mayors Michael Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani have not publicly responded, while outgoing mayor Eric Adams said he would decide after speaking with Mamdani.

Thats a very important, historical day, and its unfortunate that theres a body of some of his supporters, some of them, who rather protest everything, Adams said. If hes cool, Im cool. Mamdani later said his predecessor was still welcome to my inauguration.

Early clashes and symbolism of leadership Even before taking office, Mamdani has faced criticism from high-profile figures. Tech billionaire Elon Musk criticised Mamdani decision to appoint Lillian Bonsignore, a veteran emergency medical services leader, to head the citys fire department.
Foreign firms in China move from manufacturing to innovation powerhouses

Xinhua) 14:11, January 01, 2026

NANJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- On the assembly line of TLD Asia (Wuxi) Co., Ltd., robotic arms move swiftly as workers complete their final inspections of new cargo loaders destined for major Chinese airports.

Behind this scene is a broader transformation: Foreign enterprises in China are evolving far beyond manufacturing roles -- they are integrating deeply into local innovation ecosystems and supply chains to secure growth in one of the world's most competitive markets.

TLD, a leading airport ground support equipment company, first entered China in 1979 and established a manufacturing base in 2008 in Wuxi City, east China's Jiangsu Province.

"We achieved a sales revenue of about 200 million yuan (about 28.45 million U.S. dollars) in 2022, 300 million yuan in 2023, and around 630 million yuan in 2024," said Wu Jianqiang, chief operating officer of the firm's Wuxi branch, noting that it is now the fastest-growing company within the global TLD Group.

This remarkable performance is underpinned by China's efficient, resilient supply chains. Wu cited the example of a cargo loader comprising thousands of components can source all of its suppliers domestically, with about 95 percent of those suppliers positioned within a one-hour industrial supply circle around Wuxi. This high level of localization reduces costs and creates powerful synergistic effects.

The advantage is shared by other foreign firms in the Yangtze River Delta region. Spanish-owned CMP Suzhou Corp, which produces auto chassis damper parts under CMP Automotive Group, settled in Jiangsu's Suzhou City in 2008.

"We can develop new products within days and provide quotes within hours," said Yang Nan, general manager of the Suzhou branch, attributing this rapid response to an efficient industrial ecosystem fostered by regional integration.

CMP Suzhou Corp has transitioned from a production base to a regional innovation headquarters, establishing an R&D center with specialized laboratories in 2017. With 23 invention patents and over 30 percent of its staff engaged in R&D, the company has successfully expanded its clients from makers of traditional fuel vehicles to leading Chinese NEV brands like Changan, Chery and Seres.

Buoyed by 30 percent annual business growth at its Suzhou branch over the past three years, CMP Automotive Group injected an additional 20 million U.S. dollars into the subsidiary in 2023 to expand production.

"The Chinese factory has become the subsidiary with the best return on investment in our global network," said Alfonso Ameyugo, chief executive officer of CMP Automotive Group.

Integration is taking on a more advanced form as foreign firms relocate core R&D and strategic business units to China.

French electrical and digital infrastructure company Legrand recently transferred its intelligent lighting control system business to Wuxi, aiming to build a research hub for the Internet of Things (IoT). Oliver Chaudet, CEO of Legrand China, cited the comprehensive industrial chain in Wuxi -- a city dedicated to IoT construction -- as key to this decision, predicting it would drive a 130 percent increase in sales for Legrand Wuxi by 2026.

China's vast, dynamic market presents both unparalleled opportunity and intense competition. Foreign companies also widely acknowledge that succeeding here requires significantly greater efforts.

"We have a sense of crisis and must race against time to sharpen our competitive edge," admitted Wu, who praised the rapid technological advancement of Chinese enterprises, exemplified by the rise of the NEV sector.

This competitive pressure, however, serves as a catalyst for innovation. French entrepreneurs observe that the intense race in China motivates foreign investors to continually enhance their innovative capabilities. A case in point is TLD Asia (Wuxi) Co., Ltd., which has developed technologies such as an automatic safety approach system in anticipation of future labor shortages at airports.

"To a certain extent, it is our Chinese branch that is propelling the entire TLD Group forward on the path of continuous innovation," Wu added.

The narrative of foreign businesses in China is being rewritten. They no longer consist solely of offshore factories but are becoming deeply embedded strategic hubs, leveraging localized supply chains, contributing to and drawing from regional innovation, and evolving under market pressure to stay at the forefront of global competition.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Wu Chaolan)
Key Points

As data centers expand to meet surging AI demand, energy consumption is expected to rise significantly.

Energy demand is projected to grow five times faster over the next decade than over the previous one.

Bloom Energy and Oklo develop modular, onsite power solutions that provide reliable energy.

10 stocks we like better than Bloom Energy 

As we exit 2025 and enter 2026, one of the ongoing investment themes is energy. The reason is the growing data center buildout to accommodate increasing demand for artificial intelligence (AI). The new data centers are power-hungry, and their appetite has put domestic energy at the forefront.

As a result, upstart energy companies have seen their share prices surge. Two companies that have taken the industry by storm this year are Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE) and Oklo (NYSE: OKLO). The two companies have benefited mightily from these positive developments, and their stocks have surged 285% and 252% year to date, respectively.

While Bloom Energy and Oklo are both benefiting from the energy narrative's tailwinds, one stock is a better buy as we enter 2026. Let's determine which one.

Image source: Getty Images.

Energy demand is growing

The data center buildout in the United States will require a significant amount of energy. That's according to Goldman Sachs, which projects that data center electricity use in the U.S. will rise from 3% of total demand in 2022 to 8% by 2030. It's not just data centers, though. Goldman sees strong growth in transportation, industrial, and residential usage driving energy demand.

The Bank of America Institute projects that energy demand will increase by 2.5% over the next decade. This growth rate is 5 times that of the previous decade. Goldman Sachs estimates that roughly $720 billion in global grid upgrades will be needed by 2030 to prevent bottlenecks.

Meanwhile, hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon prefer renewable energy, and the need for reliable power is driving a resurgence in nuclear energy and increased reliance on natural gas. This is why upstart companies in the space, like Oklo and Bloom, are surging.

Bloom Energy's fuel cells are seeing a pickup in demand

Bloom Energy specializes in designing and manufacturing solid oxide fuel cell systems. Its Bloom Energy Servers use solid-oxide technology to convert fuels such as natural gas, biogas, and hydrogen via an electrochemical process without combustion. These servers can be clustered to generate on-site electricity for commercial, industrial, or data center applications.

What makes its servers appealing is that these systems are ready to deploy today. Bloom can install them in under 50 days, enabling quick response to growing energy needs while complementing grid-supplied energy. These servers can also operate independently, eliminating dependence on the grid.
The January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol does not happen without Donald Trump, former special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers, describing the Republican president as the most culpable and most responsible person in the criminal conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results.

Smiths remarks were revealed after the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday released the transcript and video of a closed-door deposition he gave earlier this month.

Smith defends investigations as evidence-driven During the day-long December 17 deposition, Smith repeatedly rejected Republican claims that his investigations into Trump were politically motivated or designed to block Trump from returning to the White House.

The evidence here made clear that President Trump was by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy, Smith said. These crimes were committed for his benefit.

So in terms of why we would pursue a case against him, I entirely disagree with any characterization that our work was in any way meant to hamper him in the presidential election, he added.

The attack does not happen without him Smith said the evidence showed Trumps actions directly led to the Capitol riot.

The attack that happened at the Capitol, part of this case, does not happen without him, Smith said. The other co-conspirators were doing this for his benefit.

Smith said Trump knowingly spread false claims of election fraud, inflaming supporters and directing them toward the Capitol on January 6.

He made false statements to state legislatures, to his supporters in all sorts of contexts, Smith said, adding Trump knew in advance that his supporters were angry.

Trump caused it and exploited it, Smith says Smith said the evidence showed Trump both caused and exploited the violence once it began.

He caused it and he exploited it and it was foreseeable to him, Smith told lawmakers.

Smith added that Trump refused to act as the violence unfolded and instead escalated tensions.

Once the attack on the Capitol happened, he refused to stop it, Smith said. He instead issued a tweet that without question in my mind endangered the life of his own vice president.

Evidence built on testimony from Republicans Smith said one of the strongest elements of the case was testimony from Trump allies and Republican officials who cooperated with investigators.

Our case was built on, frankly, Republicans who put their allegiance to the country before the party, Smith said.

He cited testimony from a Pennsylvania elector and former Republican congressman who described the effort to overturn the election as illegal.

Accounts from Republicans willing to challenge false claims of election fraud, even at personal or political risk, formed what Smith called the most powerful evidence.

Phone records of GOP lawmakers defended Smith also addressed Republican outrage over his team obtaining phone records of GOP lawmakers who communicated with Trump on January 6.

Smith said the move was lawful and that responsibility lay with Trump, not prosecutors.

Well, I think who should be accountable for this is Donald Trump, Smith said. He directed his co-conspirators to call these people to further delay the proceedings.

If Donald Trump had chosen to call a number of Democratic senators, we would have gotten toll records for Democratic senators, he added.

Jim Jordan and Capitol fear cited Smith referenced testimony from Trumps former chief of staff Mark Meadows, who told investigators that Rep. Jim Jordan had been in contact with the White House during the riot.

Ive never seen Jim Jordan scared of anything, Smith recalled Meadows saying, adding that fear among lawmakers underscored the seriousness of the attack.

SUV incident claim partially corroborated Smith said investigators examined former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinsons claim that Trump grabbed the steering wheel of his presidential SUV when Secret Service agents refused to take him to the Capitol.

Smith said the officer in the vehicle confirmed Trump was very angry and wanted to go to the Capitol, though the account did not fully match Hutchinsons version.

Cases dropped after Trumps 2024 win Trump had been indicted for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election and for mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate. Both cases were abandoned after Trump won the 2024 election, with Smith citing Justice Department policy barring prosecution of a sitting president.

Smith said he believed the evidence was strong enough to secure convictions, despite the cases being dropped.

The released deposition marks Smiths only appearance before Congress since stepping down as special counsel last year.

(With AP inputs)

Also Read | Trump takes higher daily aspirin dose than doctors recommend: Report
Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani has taken the oath just after midnight to become the youngest mayor of New York City. Accompanied by his wife, Rama Duwaji, mother, Mira Nair and father, Mahmood Mamdani, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in on his grandfather's Qur'an by state Attorney General Letitia James at an abandoned City Hall subway station.

In his first remarks as mayor, Zohran Mamdani wished a Happy New Year both inside and outside the tunnel, and said, This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime.

I cannot wait to see everyone tomorrow as we begin our term. After just having taken my oath to become the mayor of the city of New York, I do so also here in the old City Hall subway station  a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health, the legacy of our city, the New York City mayor said.

Speaking of the station which was chosen as the location for his oath ceremony, Zohran Mamdani said, When Old City Hall Station first opened in 1904  one of New Yorks 28 original subway stations  it was a physical monument to a city that dared to be both beautiful and build great things that would transform working peoples lives.

That ambition need not be a memory confined only to our past, nor must it be isolated only to the tunnels beneath City Hall: it will be the purpose of the administration fortunate enough to serve New Yorkers from the building above.

Concluding his speech, Mamdani said: Let the words weve spoken together, the dreams weve dreamt together, become the agenda we deliver together, he said. New York, this power, its yours. This city belongs to you. Thank you all so much  and I will see you later.

Mamdani takes oath as New York mayor: Watch video

Mamdani will be sworn in again, in grander style, in a public ceremony at City Hall at 1 PM by US Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of the mayors political heroes. That will be followed by what his office is billing as a public block party on a stretch of Broadway known as the Canyon of Heroes, famous for its ticker-tape parades.

Zohran Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, an academic and author. His family moved to New York City when he was 7. He became an American citizen in 2018.

He worked on political campaigns for Democratic candidates in the city before he sought public office himself, winning a state Assembly seat in 2020 to represent a section of Queens.
US President Donald Trump ushered in the New Year with a lavish black-tie celebration at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, calling for peace on Earth as he briefly addressed reporters alongside first lady Melania Trump.

View full Image U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive to attend a New Year's Eve party with members and guests at Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 31, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst ( REUTERS )

View full Image PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: U.S. President Donald Trump mingles with guests during a New Year's Eve event at his Mar-a-Lago home on December 31, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. The President addressed guests and celebrated the arrival of 2026. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP ( Getty Images via AFP )

Wearing a tuxedo, Trump posed outside the ballroom with Melania, who stood out in a shimmering silver full-length gown, before the couple entered the New Years Eve bash at the estate.

View full Image President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for a New Year's Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago club, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ( AP )

Asked about his New Years resolution, Trump replied simply: World peace, declining to take questions on recent foreign policy developments.

Tariffs, optimism and a return to power On stage inside the Donald J. Trump Ballroom, the president praised the state of the country during the first months of his non-consecutive second term.

Were taking in hundreds of millions of dollars in tariffs, Trump told guests, adding that the US was back and strong, and repeating his pledge of $1,776 checks for military service members.

Jesus painting fetches $2.75 million The evening featured Christian worship artist Vanessa Horabuena, who speed-painted a portrait of Jesus Christ live on stage. Trump presided over the auction, joking with bidders as the artwork eventually sold for $2.75 million.

View full Image President Donald Trump auctions a painting, right, by artist Vanessa Horabuena at a New Year's Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago club, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ( AP )

The President said the proceeds would go to charity, including St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital and a sheriff s department.

View full Image U.S. President Donald Trump speaks on stage next to the winning bidder and artist Vanessa Horabuena, after auctioning her speed painting of Jesus of Nazareth for 2.75 million dollars during a New Year's Eve party with members and guests at Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 31, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst ( REUTERS )

Netanyahu among high-profile guests Netanyahu among high-profile guests Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the high-profile attendees, appearing alongside Trump in social media posts from the event.

Trump said he was not concerned about anything that Israels doing as the two leaders continue discussions on Middle East issues.

Star-studded guest list The guest list included Trumps sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, daughter-in-law Lara Trump.

View full Image Donald Trump Jr., attends a New Year's Eve celebration with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the Mar-a-Lago club, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ( AP )

View full Image Eric Trump and Lara Trump arrive before President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump for a New Year's Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago club, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ( AP )

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino were also present.
A Hindu businessman in Bangladesh, Khokon Chandra Das, 50, was allegedly attacked and set on fire by a mob on New Years Eve. The incident happened in the Damudya area of Shariatpur district. The victim sustained serious injuries in the assault.

The incident follows two lynching cases of Hindu youths in Bangladesh last month. On 18 December, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker in Mymensingh, was killed by a mob over alleged blasphemy, and his body was hanged and set ablaze. Around the same time, Amrit Mondal was lynched in Hosendanga village of Rajbaris Pangsha sub-district over an extortion dispute.

What happened in Khokon Chandra Das' case? According to local newspaper Prothom Alo, the attack occurred on Wednesday around 9:30 PM (local time) in Damudyas Koneshwar Union near Keurbhanga Bazar. A group of assailants targeted businessman Khokon Chandra Das, seriously injuring him, dousing him with petrol, and setting him on fire.

Das, who runs a pharmacy and mobile banking business in Keurbhanga Bazar and resides in Tiloi village, was returning home in an auto-rickshaw when the attackers stopped the vehicle on the DamudyaShariatpur road and assaulted him, reportedly using sharp weapons. To escape, he jumped into a nearby pond.

Local residents rushed to the scene after hearing his screams, forcing the attackers to flee. Das was rescued and initially treated at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital before being transferred to Dhaka for advanced care as his condition worsened.

Cant understand why criminals suddenly targeted my husband' Sima Das, wife of the victim, told the media, My husband returns home every night after closing his shop with the day's sales money. On Wednesday night, criminals attacked him. He recognised two of the attackers, and because of that, they assaulted him with the intention to kill, hacking him and setting fire to his head and face after pouring petrol on him. We have no enemies in the area.

She added, We have no disputes with anyone over any matter. We cannot understand why the criminals suddenly targeted my husband.

Nazrul Islam, a doctor in the emergency department of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, said the victim brought in at night had multiple injuries, including a serious wound to the abdomen, which required referral to Dhaka for advanced treatment. He also sustained burn injuries on his face, the back of his head, and his hands.
As many as 40 people have died and over 100 sustained serious injuries after a massive fire broke out at a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana as people rang in the New Year. While the cause of the blaze has not been determined, initial reports have suggested that the fire may have started when pyrotechnics were used during a concert. Pyrotechnics is the technique of using combustible substances to create visible and audible effects.
Valais Canton police commander Frederic Gisler, on Thursday, during a press conference, said that identifying the bodies of those who died in the fire at an alpine resort in Switzerland will take time. An explosion rocked a bar called Le Constellation in the ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland in the early hours of 1 January, killing about 40 people and injuring 115 others.

"We count around 40 people who have died and around 115 injured, most of them seriously," Gisler told AFP.

He further said that over the coming days, the priority will be to identify those who have died so that their bodies can be returned rapidly to their families.

Also Read | Viral videos capture horror at Swiss bar after massive fire, 40 killed

The area has been completely sealed off, and a no-fly zone has been imposed over Crans-Montana. The measures were announced in a statement issued early on Thursday, according to Reuters.

One of the worst tragedies Swiss President Guy Parmelin has described the deadly fire at the bar as one of the worst tragedies Switzerland has ever faced. The fire broke out shortly after midnight on Thursday during New Year celebrations at Le Constellation, a bar popular with international tourists. Swiss police said close to 100 people were inside the venue when the fire began.

Speaking after the incident, Parmelin said authorities are examining the exact circumstances surrounding the fire. We owe it to victims, their families and all Swiss citizens, he said, according to the BBC.

He announced that flags across the country will be flown at half-mast for five days, adding that a tragedy of such a scale must never be repeated.

Also Read | 10 dead in explosion at Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana
US national security officials have concluded that Ukraine did not attempt to target Russian President Vladimir Putin or any of his residences in a reported drone operation, countering Moscow's allegation that Kyiv sought to assassinate the Russian leader, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.

The assessment is based on a Central Intelligence Agency evaluation that found no evidence of any attempted attack on Putin, according to a US official familiar with the intelligence findings. The CIA declined to comment publicly.

Also Read | Trump Shares Editorial Critical of Putin After Setback in Talks

Russia on Monday accused Ukraine of trying to attack President Vladimir Putin's residence and vowed retaliation, providing no evidence for a claim Kyiv dismissed as baseless and aimed at derailing arduous peace talks.

The angry exchanges between the warring neighbours  including a statement by Russia that it was reviewing its stance in negotiations in response to the attack  dealt a new blow to prospects for peace in Ukraine, news agency Reuters reported.

On 31 December, Moscow released a video showing a downed drone with a 6 kg explosive charge. While Ukraine has denied carrying out the drone attack in Moscow, Russia has insisted the attack came from Kyiv.

The attempt was carried out on the night of December 28 to 29, Russia has alleged.

What US intelligence agencies said? US intelligence agencies, however, determined that Ukraine had been planning to strike a military objective located in the same broader region as Putin's country residence, but not in close proximity to it, the official said, according to the WSJ.

This comes after EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims that Ukraine targeted Russian government sites a "deliberate distraction" and an attempt to derail the peace process. Kaja Kallas' comments on social media appear to be a reference to the Kremlin's allegation that Ukraine attempted a drone strike on one of Vladimir Putin's residences.

"No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately targeted Ukraine's infrastructure and civilians," Kallas wrote on social media.

US President Donald Trump appeared to dismiss Russia's allegation by sharing a link on Truth Social to a New York Post editorial questioning whether the strike had occurred and reposting the headline: "Putin 'attack' bluster shows Russia is the one standing in the way of peace."

The post followed a briefing by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who updated Trump on the intelligence review, according to a person familiar with the exchange. US intelligence agencies track developments inside Russia through a range of tools, including satellite imagery, radar coverage and intercepted communications, WSJ reported.

Trump earlier told reporters that he was "very angry" after Putin said during a phone conversation that Ukrainian drones had targeted his residence, known as Dolgiye Borody, or Long Beards, located along a lakeshore in northwestern Russia.

The allegation of the attack surfaced shortly after Trump held a nearly three-hour meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a discussion the US president described as "excellent," and during which he raised the possibility of travelling to Kyiv to push forward peace efforts.

Citing the alleged drone incident, Moscow has warned it could further harden its negotiating stance in ongoing peace talks and has launched additional drone strikes targeting the port region of Odessa.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply concerned" about the reported incident, while Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described it as "a heinous act."
AI is widely recognized as the core technology in an emerging industrial revolution that will probably transform every facet of the global economy. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimatesconservativelythat the global AI market will reach $5 trillion by 2033, thanks to average annual growth of about 31%. The International Monetary Fund predicts that the technology could boost global GDP by 4% over the next decade, with the United States gaining as much as 5.4%. AIs impact on science, innovation, the military, and geopolitics is already significant, reinforcing the sense that the race for AI dominance is also a race for global dominance.

In this context, the Chinese startup DeepSeeks release of a highly competitive chatbot caused a sensation in early 2025. Dubbed the DeepSeek moment," it immediately prompted analogies to the Soviet Unions launch of Sputnik in 1957. But do such spectacles really mean that China is closing the gap with the West?

Also Read | Will 2026 be a turning point for AI in India?

In considering that question, it is important to bear in mind that no industrial revolution has ever emerged outside advanced democratic capitalism. This is no accident. Like its predecessors, the AI-driven industrial revolution requires robust institutions to ensure secure property rights, enforceable contracts, the ability to attract and empower talent, efficient allocation of resources, andcruciallysustained demand. The last element is often overlooked in analyses of Chinas progress in AI.

The Peoples Republic was founded on the principle that the Communist Party of China leads everything." That remains true today: The CPC controls courts, markets, banks, universities, and the media, and even commands private firms. Under such powerful party-state rule, the regime can mobilize massive resources and produce shining stars like DeepSeek (or Sputnik, in the Soviet case). An industrial revolution, however, depends on more than isolated breakthroughs; there must be a series of disruptive innovations in technology, business models, and institutions that build on one another. The Soviet experience makes this clear. The USSR and its satellites in Eastern Europe could not keep up with the West during the third industrial revolution, and this failure eventually contributed to the collapse of their communist regimes.

The AI stack

To understand where China stands in the AI race, we must examine some basic facts. Technically, advances in AI rest on three foundational elements: compute, algorithms, and data. Among these, compute (raw data-processing power with advanced chips) is arguably the most fundamental, since it determines the capacity to invent and develop algorithms and generate or process data.

The compute gap between the leading US and Chinese large language models is staggering. At the national level, the US controls about 75% of global AI computing power, compared to Chinas 15%. And the gap continues to widen as AI compute scales up exponentially in the US, while Chinas compute remains severely constrained by export embargoes and a lack of funding.

Compute also underpins AI customer services through cloud platforms, which are considered infrastructural utilities for the sector. Here, too, the US dominates. In the second quarter of 2025, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud together held about 63% of the global market, while Chinese providers held only 8%, with Alibaba Cloud at 4%, Tencent Cloud at 2%, and Huawei Cloud at 2%.

Also Read | Enterprises actually using AI will be the big trend in tech for 2026

With respect to algorithms, open-source AI models help narrow the information gap by making technical resources widely accessible. DeepSeek capitalized on this approach, and the initial shock it caused stemmed from a perception that it was a genuine technological breakthrough: an algorithm that can perform well without following the scaling law," according to which model performance follows compute and data resources. But reality proved otherwise. The damage that DeepSeeks debut did to Nvidias valuation lasted only a few days. Hard evidence shows that US frontier models continued to improve substantially by following the scaling law.

Looking ahead, a major goal in the pursuit of artificial general intelligence algorithms is the development of AIs with a world model," meaning the capacity to understand and learn from physical reality, rather than solely from statistical patterns embedded in language. Among other things, major breakthroughs in world-model research will lay the foundation for AI-controlled robotics. Since this leg of the race remains in its early stages, no one can predict the eventual winner. But we can examine the two prerequisites for achieving successive breakthroughs. We have already discussed compute; the other is talent.

Here, the data are revealing. While many of the most talented AI researchers are Chineseconstituting a significant share of leading AI teams in the USit is exceedingly rare, if it has happened at all, for major international AI awards to be granted to researchers whose breakthroughs were achieved at Chinese institutions. This might not matter too much if essential breakthroughs remain open-source, and cross-border mobility continues. But with Sino-American relations assuming more of a Cold War-like character, disruptive breakthroughs are unlikely to be shared, and Chinahampered by compute restrictions and limited mobilitycould fall permanently behind.

With respect to data, the US benefits from a substantially larger collection of publicationsespecially in science and technologyand internet text, not least because these sources are overwhelmingly in English. Though China does excel in surveillance and mass video collection, its reliance on censorship, political control, and bureaucratic silos tends to undercut data quality and shareability. In terms of pursuing world-model breakthroughs, high-quality multimodal datasetshealth-care, industrial, and physical-world dataare essential, and the US has the advantage. Moreover, additional data generation and processing depend heavily on compute, thus reinforcing the US advantage.

It cant happen there

These comparisons show that the tech engines of AI progresscompute, algorithms, and dataare deeply interdependent. While China has made rapid advances, its structural constraints remain significant. To assess its place in the next industrial revolution, one must consider two critical issues. First, industrial revolutions are always driven by both supply and demand. Wealth and strong demand for successive innovations are indispensable. That is why industrial revolutions have occurred only in advanced economies operating under democratic capitalist systems.

With the worlds highest per capita GDP and correspondingly high labor costs, the US generates strong demand for automation across all sectors, including in research and development itself. It is these macro fundamentals that have underpinned such strong performance in US AI stocks.

By contrast, Chinas economy has been trapped in a vicious cycle of weak demand, overcapacity, high unemployment, and persistent deflation, which is fundamentally incompatible with any industrial revolution. AI-led automation offers no remedy for such problems, which are rooted in the countrys institutional foundations. The massive government borrowing used to finance Chinas bid for AI and chip dominance has only deepened concerns about its already severe debt burden and chronic soft budget constraintsproblems reminiscent of what the Soviet Union faced during the Cold War arms race.

Moreover, AI services are essential for creating a virtuous cycle between revenue and development of the AI ecosystem, as well as for generating the interactive data that are so critical for continuous algorithmic improvement. Here, we find another stark gap: OpenAI reports it has surpassed 800 million weekly active users worldwide for ChatGPT, and most of these users showed up after the DeepSeek moment." In terms of revenue, OpenAI has reached $12 billion, and all leading US AI companies have been growing at 300% annually.

Meanwhile, Chinas leading modelsBaidus Ernie Bot, Alibabas Qwen, and DeepSeekhave so far attracted 10150 million monthly active users each, mostly within the domestic market and often at very low prices or for free. DeepSeeks open-source, free-download strategy may help expand its ecosystem, but it reduces opportunities to collect high-quality interactive user data. Ultimately, increasing ones market share requires scaling inference services (processing a query) to users, which is extremely compute-intensive. Compute restrictions will remain a major headwind for Chinese AI models seeking a global user base, especially when one also considers issues such as a lack of trust, insufficient funding, and geopolitical constraints.

Sustained innovation requires free institutions and robust demand. Breakthroughs come when entrepreneurs and scientists are empowered by independent courts, supported by risk-taking private investors, and tested through open debate and market competition. In CPC-controlled China, demand is suppressed because the state controls key resources that limit household income and entrepreneurial initiative, and capital is funneled into state-directed projects rather than open-ended discovery and innovation. While a DeepSeek moment" may capture our attention, achieving long-term competitiveness and fostering a genuine industrial revolution is another matter entirely. After all, AI is not a remedy for deflationand deflation itself is fundamentally incompatible with any industrial revolution.

Di Guo is a visiting scholar at the Stanford Center on Chinas economy and institutions at Stanford University. Chenggang Xu is senior research scholar at the Stanford Center on chinas economy and institutions at Stanford University.

2025/Project Syndicate
Over 80% of global trade by volume and more than 70% by value moves by sea and is handled at ports, according to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's (UNCTADs) Review of Maritime Transport. In India, about 95% of trade by volume and 68% by value is carried by maritime transport. Seaports, therefore, underpin economic growth by enabling international and domestic trade.

Indias 11,098km coastline hosts 12 major ports and 217 other than major ports (OMPs). Of the major ports listed in the Seventh Schedule, Union List-List I (Entry 27) of the Constitution, 11 were historically port trusts under the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963 (now the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021). OMPs are administered by maritime states and Union territories. The labels major" and OMP", however, do not necessarily connote the relative size or importance. Several OMPs handle more cargo than some major ports.

Also Read | Adani Ports upside surprise hinges on meeting its ambitious port volume target

In the nineties and early 2000s, the first wave of port reforms was initiated in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with a general belief that privatizing some or all aspects of port operations would address public financing challenges, resolve performance issues, while meeting the surge in domestic and overseas trade. India was no exception, and the privatization of port operations at some major ports and by the state of Gujarat was initiated.

At the request of the Indian government, the World Bank found publicly run major ports underperforming global benchmarks, raising user costs and eroding Indias domestic and international competitiveness. The bank urged a gradual shift to a landlord model-public sector (port trusts), withdrawing from service delivery while private operators run terminals and undertake expansion, modernization and mechanization, prompting the erstwhile ministry of surface transport to issue 1996 Guidelines for Private Sector Participation to develop container terminals and other projects under the BOT (build operate transfer) model.

Acting on this advice, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) invited global bids for a 600-metre container terminal on BOT terms. In 1997, a consortium led by P&O Ports (later acquired by DP World) won the concession and formed Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal Pvt. Ltd (NSICT) solely to execute and operate the project, becoming the first BOT transaction among Indias major ports. Over the last 29 years, about 100 BOT port projects have been approved in Indian major ports with investments of about 650 billion ($8 billion).

Also Read | India in Iran port pivot to skirt Hormuz Strait chokepoint

BOT/PPP capacity (including captive berths) has steadily gained share in major ports. In 2015-16, PPP concessionaires at major ports handled 156.2 mt (26%) of 606.5 mt of cargo; by 202425, including captive berths, they handled 516.9 mt (60%) of 854.9 MT of cargo. Globally, terminal operators account for roughly two-thirds of container throughput. Indias Maritime India Vision 2030 projects about 85% of major-port cargo will be handled by PPPs and private operators by 2030.

PPPs are formal contracts that share risks and rewards between public authorities and private firms to deliver services. In the last 29 years in the Indian port sector, they have become the principal vehicle for private capital, institutional reform, capacity addition, productivity gains, advanced expertise and technology infusion across development, operations and maintenance.

The PPP framework in Indian ports evolved through iterative learning by both government and industry. In 2000, bidders required port operations track record and strong finances. With few domestic players, eligibility was broadened in 2008 to include construction and operating experience from other sectors. Before PPPs, tariffs at port-trust-run ports were government-approved. After PPP concessions began in 1997, the independent Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) set ceiling tariffs (cost-plus return on capital employed) until 2005. The tariff formula was periodically adjusted by TAMP based on market conditions. To encourage operating efficiency by the PPP operator, normative costs were determined for each terminal, and the ceiling tariff was based on the normative cost in 2008. As many terminals came up and ports became competitive, the allowable tariff was benchmarked to tariffs in nearby terminals in 2013, until the introduction of a completely market-based tariff after the 2021 Port Authorities Act.

Contract structures also matured. Early concessions confined private investors to specified cargo and required investments in berths and equipment. Frameworks were revised in 2008, 2018, and 2021 to improve bankability, balance market risks more equitably between port authorities and investors, and enhance flexibility. The 2021 model introduced institutional mechanisms to revisit terms for unforeseen events/changes in law, and provides orderly dispute resolution, including conciliation.

To strengthen competitiveness, the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 replaced the 1963 Act, granting managerial autonomy to major ports and helping them compete with OMPs that historically enjoyed tariff freedom and flexible development terms. With OMPs cargo share nearing 50%, the Indian Ports Act, 2025 (replacing the 1908 Act) introduces provisions to level the playing field and align all ports with international standards on security, safety, digitalization, pollution control, and conservancy.

Also Read | India plans overseas roadshows in Japan, Korea to anchor shipping pacts

Complementing reforms, the government announced an $8 billion ( 69,725 crore) package plus $2.2 billion in domestically funded fleet expansion. The package provides a $2.5 billion Maritime Development Fund (equity for eligible projects), $2.3 billion in shipbuilding financial assistance, and a $2.3 billion shipbuilding development scheme. A new non-bank lenderSagarmala Finance Corp.will finance port expansion and newbuilds through debt and project finance. In parallel, India is advancing IMEC, the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) and the Northern Sea Route (NSR), and acquiring select overseas port operating rights. With a major push towards enabling PPPs in ports for enhancing port capacity and efficiency, robust financing for major maritime initiatives and playing a bigger global maritime role, the nation is poised for a great maritime voyage ahead.

Rajiv Jalota is former chairman at Mumbai Port Authority, former chairman Indian Ports Association, former DG Shipping, GoI, former MD, India Ports Global Ltd.
For over a decade, much of the West has been pondering how to manage Ukraines inevitable subordination to Russia. Yes, weve said we stand with Ukraine. Yes, weve said that we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. And yet we have consistently failed to give Ukraine the support it needs to win. We have even repeatedly discouraged Ukraine from using its own resources as effectively as possible to defend itself.

It is time to change that half-hearted paradigm. We need to recognize that Ukraine can win and that a Ukrainian victory is in the interests of the geopolitical West (and if we dont believe that, we should say so). And then we need to devise a plan for a Ukrainian victory.

Our defeatism started with the 2014 invasion of Crimea, when the West told Ukrainians to stand down and tacitly accepted Russian control of the peninsula. On the eve of the 2022 full-scale invasion, we prepared to support a long Ukrainian guerilla war against Russian occupation and were cautious about giving the Ukrainian government weapons that we assumed would only fall into Russian hands. As the Kremlins tanks crossed the border, we offered President Volodymyr Zelensky an escape route, so he could lead Ukraines government in exile.

Also Read | Christmas in Ukraine approaches with power grid in crisis

Even after the Ukrainian people showed that they had the will and the strength not to be conquered, we have been collectively hesitant about giving them the tools that they need to win. Worse, we have even cautioned them against using their own weapons to maximum effect.

It is time to stop equivocating. It is time to stop settling for stalemate and planning for Finlandization. Ukraine can defeat Russia, and NATO allies and our Asian partners will be stronger if it does. So, it is past time to plan for success.

Fighting to win

It starts with Ukraines capacity for victory. Since the war began, Ukraine has consistently outperformed Western expectations. Kyiv did not fall. Ukraine, with no navy of its own, has destroyed much of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and broken through its maritime blockade. Ukraine has deprived Russia of control of the sky. And Ukraine has held Russia to an effective stalemate on the ground: in fact, Ukraine today controls more of its own territory than it did immediately after Russias full-scale incursion.

Ukraine, a country of 40 million, with an economy the size of the US state of Nebraska, is holding its own against Russia, with its 144 million people, oil production on par with Saudi Arabia, and the worlds second most powerful military, for the same reason the Allies won World War II. Ukraine is a democracy, whose highly motivated and well-educated citizens refuse to be defeated.

In practice, this means that the future of war is being invented on Ukraines frontline and by technologists working in its remarkably vibrant cities. Ukraine has turned itself into the worlds leading inventor, producer, and user of drones, and is constantly developing new ones and new techniques. Recognizing that the path to victory must include missile strikes that bring the war home to the Russian peoplefor example, by destroying oil refineriesand that hit Russias military arsenal and defense industries, Ukraine is developing and building its own missiles.

Ukraine can do so because this is a peoples war. Civilian donations are an important source of support for the military, and self-organized brigades, which compete to attract soldiers and financial support, are responsible for their own procurement and often manufacture their own weapons.

Also Read | Ukraine scrabbles for handholds against Russias massive assault

The West has consistently failed to see Ukraines strength because we are still largely in thrall to a sort of Cold War Orientalism. Our intellectual guides to the war are overwhelmingly scholars of Russia and the Kremlin, not of Ukraine. Our militaries are led by generals whose formative years were spent learning how to counter the Russian threat. Even more than 30 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it is hard for us to fully internalize the reality on the ground: that what we thought was the second-strongest army in the world is now the second-strongest army in Ukraine.

The one exception to this blinkered vision comes from countries that were part of the Soviet Union or the Warsaw Pact. They understand Russian powerand Russian weaknessdeeply and intimately, having learned their lessons the hard way, from the inside and on the periphery. They understand that Ukraine can win, and that Ukraines victory is in our interest. We should be listening to them with greater attention and greater humility.

The stakes of victory and defeat

The real question is not whether Ukraine has the capacity to win, but whether that is what we want. We should. Ukraines victory is unequivocally in Europes interest. A victorious Ukraine would be Europes shield and its arsenal. Ukraines innovative defense industries and military doctrines are key to rearming Europe. A strong Ukraine guarding Europes eastern flank is the best guarantee that Europe will never need to use the weapons it is now building in a war of self-defense.

A strong Ukraine is in Americas interest, too. For one thing, Americas NATO commitments oblige it to defend its European allies, and the most effective and cheapest way to do that is to allow Ukraine to do the job. For another, Ukraines success is the best way to constrain China. A bipartisan consensus in the United States holds that China is the countrys main geopolitical rival. The surest way to check Chinese territorial expansionism is through the demonstration effect of Russias failure in Ukraine. The surest provocation for Chinese expansionism is for Russias invasion to succeed.

There is, of course, another possibility. It could be that we dont actually want Ukraine to succeed. The reality is that Ukraine can win. The self-described realists who assert otherwise are effectively opting for a world where Russian President Vladimir Putin wins. They should be transparent enough to say so, and to explain why.

What it will take

If we do want Ukraine to winand we shoulda plan for Ukrainian success starts with weapons. Ukraine has held out for so long because of its own military innovation and arms from the West. To end the war, it needs missiles to take the war to Russia; drones, robots, and AI to keep fighting at sea, on land, and in the air; and missile defense to protect Ukraines cities and energy grid from Russian attack.

Ukraine has never asked for foreign boots on the groundunlike Russia, which has brought in the helot soldiers of its North Korean ally. But we could help Ukraine end the war by supplying the weapons it needs now to push Russia back: US Tomahawks or German Taurus missiles, and the intelligence support to target them; intelligence and supply-chain support for its drone fighters; and more Patriot and other air-defense systems.

Western missiles would help Ukraine to end the war the most quicklythe case Zelensky unsuccessfully made during his October visit to the White House. But money is just as important as weapons, and in many ways a proxy for them.

Ukraines domestic weapons production is financially constrained: a Ukrainian drone facility I visited this fall was operating at only 60% capacity because it lacked the wherewithal to buy inputs and pay workers producing at full strength. And Western military support for Ukraine is limited more by money than by political will.

President Donald Trumps administration has made clear that US arms for Ukraine will need to be paid for by Europe. For Europeans, who are generally agreed that their own security is best served by a strong Ukraine, that makes the challenge mostly an economic one. At a time when European economies are facing toughand in the case of countries like France, politically crippling budget constraints, even as voters demand more action to address a cost-of-living crisis, finding money for Ukraine is a fiendish political challenge in even the most motivated European capitals.

Thats why German Chancellor Friedrich Merzs proposal to use Russias frozen central-bank assets as collateral for a 140 billion ($162 billion) loan to Ukraine is so important. It would enable European leaders to support the Ukrainian war effort without imperiling their own national finances or forcing their own voters to make unwelcome kitchen table trade-offs. Thanks to Ukraines own impressive and growing military production capacity, and Americas willingness to sell arms to Ukraine, money could be most of the answer to the countrys myriad military challenges.

Also Read | Trumps Ukraine peace plan draws pushback from Europe and Kyiv

As a bonus, using Russian assets to back Ukraine would enforce a powerful and important principle: the aggressor pays. That approach makes sense to Western tax-payers, and embracing it would help to deter future would-be invaders.

Finally, what Ukraine needs is a future. This war is not only, or even mostly, about holding the frontline in the Donbas, or keeping the lights and the heat on in the country this winter. Ukrainians are fighting for a future as a sovereign, secure democracy, with a path to joining the European Union, and the prosperity that EU accession promises.

This future is what Ukrainians voted for in their 1991 referendum on independence. It is why they overturned a rigged election with the Orange Revolution in 2004. It is why they came out and protested again on the Maidan in 2014, when their path to Europe was blocked. And it is why they are resisting Putin today. Ukrainians are fighting because they want what we havecapitalist democracy and the chance to determine their own fate, in their households and in their country.

Ukrainians also recognize that the fight against corruption at home is as essential to that future as the fight on the frontline against Russia. That is why they went back to the streets this summer to insist on independent and transparent anti-corruption investigators. They were right to do so.

Since 1991, every time Ukraine has taken a step toward a democratic and sovereign future, the Kremlin has undermined it, first through efforts to suborn Ukraines governments, and then with the invasions of 2014 and 2022. So, while the lines on the map that Zelensky and Trump discussed in the White House this fall matter, what matters more is buying into that Ukrainian vision, and the EU membership and security guarantees that would enable its realization.

Ukrainians know their own history. That is why they know that this war can end only when they have the borders, army, and alliances they need to deter further Russian aggression and give their children a path to the prosperity they have watched their neighbors in Poland and the Baltic states build.

There is more than a little irony in the fact that Ukrainians are bleeding and dying for Western democracy and the EU at a time when so many are losing faith in both. But they are. And they have shown that they can win. Helping them do so will make us stronger, too.

Chrystia Freeland is former deputy PM, minister of foreign affairs, and minister of finance of Canada.

2025/Project Syndicate
Michael Burry, investor of "The Big Short" fame. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Michael Burry isn't betting against Tesla, despite recent criticism of the company.

The 'Big Short' investor has described it as overvalued but says he has no short position.

Burry isn't the only famed short seller who is choosing not to bet against Tesla right now.

Michael Burry isn't shorting Tesla stock at least not yet.

The famed investor  best known for his prescient bet against the US housing market in 2008, which was immortalized in the book and film "The Big Short"  was asked about this directly by someone on X. He replied that he isn't short.

The question was timely, given the EV-maker this week took the unusual move of releasing sales forecasts that are weaker than many expected.

Burry's answer might come as a surprise to some, considering the investor took to his Substack on Tuesday to criticize Tesla.

"Tesla sales falling. It is a ridiculously overvalued stock," he wrote.

More from Yahoo Scout What makes Tesla difficult to short trade? Why isn't Michael Burry shorting Tesla stock now? What are the risks of betting against Tesla? How have other Big Short investors approached Tesla?

But he then added a cautionary note about how risky it is to short.

"Shorting it has been dangerous, and the puts are expensive. So maybe not much to do here for most people, except sell it if they can," he said."

Despite his reluctance to short now, Burry has bet against Tesla stock previously. In May 2021, a 13F filing revealed that he had taken a $530 million short position against it. A few months later, though, he closed it out.

Burry isn't the only investor of 'Big Short' fame to take this stance on Tesla. Danny Moses, a former trader from Steve Eisman's former FrontPoint Partners, also bet against the stock in previous years, although he closed out his position in 2024, noting that shorting a stock that isn't trading on fundamentals is extremely difficult.

Moses recently told Business Insider that he doesn't think this is the time to bet against mega-cap tech, despite valuation concerns. He added that he would need to see earnings growth not go negative but decelerate in order for him to feel comfortable shorting these companies.

Porter Collins, one of Moses' partners, revealed that he sees Tesla stock as highly overpriced, noting that he considers it to simply be a meme stock driven primarily by retail speculation and adoration for Musk.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Every December in recent years, I think back to the time when Jeremy Corbyn, then the leader of the opposition Labour Party in my adopted country, the United Kingdom, quoted from a New Years speech that had a familiar ring to it. This year will be tougher than last year," he said. Corbyns words were familiar because he was quoting Enver Hoxha, the infamous communist leader of my native country, Albania, who added, On the other hand, it will be easier than next year." The comment caused an uproar, with some seeing it as evidence that Labour had turned into a Marxist cult, while others decried its insensitivity to the traumas left open by Albanias communist past.

Under Uncle Enver," the Albania of much of my childhood was one of the most isolated places on earth, cut off from both the revisionist" East and the imperialist" West. It existed in its own time capsule, a harsh reality forged through loyalty, propaganda, surveillance, and the repression of dissent. Its sense of the future was shaped by past myths of heroic sacrifice and self-reliance, embedded in conspiracies of imminent foreign aggression.

Every New Year brought with it new paranoias, new shortages, new disciplinary measures, new calls for endurance. The only consistent investment the state made was in bunkers. How could one even remotely compare it to what was going on in the West?

Yet for all the dark humor that Albanians and many others failed to appreciate at the time, Corbyns speechand that quoteturned out to be oddly prescient. It captured the creeping gloom and dread with which much of the left has greeted each New Year since 2016. Back then, Brexit seemed like the ultimate catastrophe. Taking back control," the triumphant slogan of Britains departure from the European Union, sent a shudder through cosmopolitan elites across the West.

As many rushed to stockpile goods in the event of a no-deal" Brexit, I remember being asked whether the sight of half-empty supermarket shelves reminded me of Albania under Hoxha (they did not). Yet with hindsightafter US President Donald Trumps first election, a global pandemic, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and Trumps return to the White Houseeven die-hard opponents of Brexit might now concede that their panic was somewhat overblown.

Or was it? Next year, Brexit will mark its tenth anniversarycertainly an important symbolic milestone in the current age of globalization. The referendum signaled a return to a world in which states are increasingly isolated from one another, institutions are held hostage to the arbitrary will of individuals, and the rule of law seems irreversibly in decline.

The year ahead is unlikely to be different. The Brexiteers call to take back control"once carrying at least a veneer of intellectual honesty, insofar as it invoked legitimate debates about sovereigntyhas degenerated into a full-blown conspiracy narrative. Control, we are now told, is impossible, owing to the ever-present threat posed by foreigners and those deemed incapable of integrating."

The future seems to offer only a blend of dread and paranoia. What else is to be expected in a world where the only reliably expanding markets belong to the military sector, and where technological innovation appears increasingly devoted to perfecting the art of mutual destruction? Amid all this, where can one still find hope?

Another way

In his 1784 essay Idea for a Universal History with a Cosmopolitan Purpose," the German philosopher Immanuel Kant tried to identify a standpoint from which one could interpret history as more than a sorry spectacle of violence, injustice, and irrationality, and identify a pattern conducive to the development of moral dispositions. It was difficult, Kant thought, because human beings do not always pursue what is in their rational self-interest. They have a free will that enables them to recognize what is right but still leaves them susceptible to error.

Paradoxically, Kant identified in warmore precisely, in the irrationality of wara key path to hope. He believed there would come a time when war would become not only utterly destructive and uncertain, but also economically unsustainablea source of runaway debt and ruin. As he saw it, the escalating conflict between states interests and the expansion of global trade would eventually make the influence of every shake-up in a state in our part of the world on all other states so noticeable" that a new political configuration would have to emerge. He envisioned a future cosmopolitan federation, the likes of which the past world has no example to show."

Eventually, the world did produce such an example, though an imperfect one. Kant had predicted that after many devastations, reversals, and even thoroughgoing exhaustion of their powers," nature would drive humans to what reason could have told them even without much sad experience." His prophecy seemed to be borne out when, in the nightmarish conditions of the Ventotene prison camp, where Mussolini had exiled his democratic rivals, Altiero Spinelli and Ernesto Rossi wrote a manifesto arguing for a federal Europe in which states would be bound together not by conquest, but by cooperation.

The Ventotene Manifesto later became the inspiration for the European Coal and Steel Community, and eventually the EUa historically unprecedented attempt to transform shared economic interests into a moral and political project. In the mid-2000s, that project was still very much alive. University seminars buzzed with talk of Europes future as a supranational institution, divided by the question of how to turn the existing unions functional integration into something more ambitious: a political body founded on right," not might." It was a time when Europeans could still conceive of a constitutional convention for We, the people of Europe." It was a moment of hope.

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Gimme shelter

Paradoxically, the only place nowadays where that dream still lives is Albania, which seems to have ended up in yet another time capsule, an alternative reality that reminds me of the Bulgarian novelist Georgi Gospodinovs Time Shelter, where people get to choose the historical epoch they wish to inhabit. For Albanians, the ideal epoch is the EU of the mid- to late-1990s, roughly from the signing of the Maastricht Treaty to the constitutional project. Albanian elections are fought and won on the promise of joining the EU; legislation is passed overnight to align with the Acquis communautaire (the EUs body of law).

But there is a price. On the Albanian coast, in the towns of Shengjin and Gjader, detention centers built by Italy to accommodate deported asylum seekers are a reminder of the temporal order in which the rest of Europe, and much of the world, now lives. There we find a liminal space between cosmopolitan ideal and future dystopia.

In a speech delivered to the Italian parliament in March 2025, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni articulated this new order better than anyone else has. Unsurprisingly, she also took aim at the Ventotene Manifesto, whose authors wrote: The problem to solve in the first instance, failing which all other progress will only be superficial, is the definitive abolition of the division of Europe in national sovereign states."

To that end, Spinelli and Rossi advocated (among many sensible provisions) the separation of powers, the importance of democratizing the economy, the role of cultural inclusion, and the political necessity of mobilizing a broad coalition of progressive parties. To this, Meloni countered, I dont know if this is your Europe, but it is certainly not mine," adding that she hoped those who were defending the document had not read it.

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Yet almost nobody noticed outside Italy. Perhaps thats because todays Europe bears a far closer resemblance to the vision of Melonis party, the Brothers of Italy, than to that of Europes early federalists. The European elites contribution to imagining the future now consists largely of applauding Melonis model of migration management," or engaging in lavish flattery of Trump in hopes of securing meager trade concessions. As for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyens latest call to rearm Europe," that, I confess, does remind me of Albanias bunker-building campaigns.

As I think about the year ahead, I find myself returning once more to Kant and his reminder that, in human affairs, no one can truly predict the future. A conjectural history," he wrote, differs from natural history because the course of human events depends on freedom, not necessity. The only prophecy that can come true is the one that the prophet helps to bring about.

So, rather than speculate about what is likely to happen, I would rather speak of hopethe kind Vaclav Havel described as hope without optimism: a moral duty, sustained even when outcomes seem bleak. It is the hope of seeing the ideas that once animated Europes institutions return to its streets in defense of migrant rights and against the machinery of war. Progress is never guaranteed, but it is always possible, provided we act as if it were. Thinking in this peculiar mode of conjectural history, we could do worse than to revive the spirit of resistance that gave us the cosmopolitan socialism of the Ventotene Manifesto.

Lea Ypi is professor of political theory at the London School of Economics and the author, most recently, of Indignity: A Life Reimagined and Free: Coming of Age at the End of History.

2025/Project Syndicate
I am sometimes asked what keeps me awake at night. The answer is relatively simple. It is the fear that the postwar international ordershaped by memories of World War II and the trauma of the Holocaust, and built on the foundation of political compromise, respect for other countries sovereignty, free markets, civil liberties, and the protection of minoritiesmay collapse.

Never again," the promise and ambition not to repeat the mistakes that led to the tragedy of WWII, has for decades shaped international institutions and security policy. But now, this mottos sobering influence has waned. Flashpoints are erupting around the world, from the threat of US military intervention in Venezuela, the brutal civil war in Sudan, and the continuous instability in the Middle East, to the war in Ukraine and the growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait. All these crises have global implications.

In the face of these myriad emergencies, it is no surprise that the West, broadly understood, is contending with its greatest challenge in decades. At the root of this challenge lies a sense of civilizational exhaustion, of which our adversaries have taken notice, confident that their time has come.

But has it? More than 1,350 days have passed since Russia launched its three-day special military operation"its illegal and unprovoked war of aggressionagainst Ukraine. At least 1.5 million Ukrainian and Russian soldiers have been wounded or killed in the fighting since then, more than a thousand per day. Russian President Vladimir Putins regime, and it alone, bears full responsibility for this heavy toll.

Sadly, we should expect more death and destruction. Russia is striking Ukraines energy infrastructure (with both missiles and drones) in an effort to break the countrys will by plunging its cities into winter darkness and bone-chilling cold. Despite mounting economic troubles, the Kremlin is boosting military spending to nearly 40% of the countrys budget. Its planes and drones are violating NATO airspace and disrupting airportsnot only in neighboring countries like Estonia, but also in Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. Its war machine is accelerating, and its goal is clear: to intimidate not only Ukrainians, but also Western societies.

Such behavior makes three things clear. First, Putin is not and has not been interested in peace. Second, every territorial breach, every act of arson, every cyberattack is not a mistake, but part of a deliberate strategy to test the resilience of Europe and its allies. And third, these provocations are a sign not of strength but of growing weakness.

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Despite the Kremlins determination and cruelty in waging its war, its effort to subdue Ukraine has been a catastrophic failure. Russia has lost or crippled more than a million of its citizens (another million or so have fled the country), severed lucrative trade relations with Europe, pushed two new countries (Finland and Sweden) to join NATO, squandered hundreds of billions of dollars, and made itself more dependent on its authoritarian allies. Without their help this war would have ended long ago with the aggressors defeat.

But even though Russia is weakened economically, demographically, and politically, it remains a serious threat, both to Europe and to the world order. With the United States and China locked in geopolitical rivalry, Russia is striving to become the third pillar of a global triad, at the expense of Europe. The EUs challenge is to translate its economic size into global leadership and influence.

That is something only a united Europe can do; a divided one will be paralyzed. The EU therefore faces a stark choice: either it becomes a community capable of action, or it accepts being reduced to a playground for superpowersat least in data collection and trade.

The only path to success here runs through deeper cooperation on security, migration, technology, and foreign policy. That is how we can build the strength needed to deter aggressors, maintain social cohesion, defend the values on which our civilization is based, andlast but not leastearn the respect of our allies, primarily the US.

The EU and the US have the most beneficial economic relationship in the world. Together, they account for roughly 44% of global GDP and almost 30% of global trade in goods and services. Both sides remain each others largest trading partners and investors, with millions of jobs depending on their cooperation. Questioning this relationship must not be done lightly, because revisionist regimesespecially in Moscoware watching closely. Putin is monitoring the shifting terrain and may see 2026 as a chance to test the Wests resolve through stepped-up hybrid warfare, cyberattacks, or energy pressure.

The Western alliance retains great potential and appeal. It has underpinned global prosperity, democratic stability, and technological progress for decades. To let it unravel would not only weaken the West; it would redefine the world as we know it. A divided West opens the door to a chaotic future, where democratic values and human rights give way to brute force. Disunity will cost us dearly.

Our global order, based on respect for international law, is certainly imperfectas are all human creations. But despite its flaws, it remains the best tool we have to prevent global chaos. It should be constantly updated and amended, but by means of debate and negotiation, not through wars and extermination.

Either we defend it, or our grandparents solemn promiseNever again"will soon be broken, only eight decades after they made it. That prospect should keep all of us awake at night.

Radosaw Sikorski is Polands minister of foreign affairs and deputy prime minister.

2025/Project Syndicate
Chicago: The first year of US President Donald Trumps second term has taken a heavy toll on the rule of law. While this bedrock ideal of American governance has long been invoked to capture a broad range of hopes, at its core lie two mutually reinforcing values: that ordinary people can look to the law to predict accurately the consequences of their actions; and that the same law will render predictable the behavior of officials wielding the awesome powers of the state.

Trumps second administration refuses to be bound by anything so ordinary and mundane as the laws that Congress passes. The Justice Department has stated explicitly that it is no longer in the business of routinely complying with orders from federal district courts or courts of appeal, and the administration has treated laws mandating spending (and more) as optional.

The rhetorical foundation for these moves is Trumps claim to have a mandate" in the form of his (slender) election victory in November 2024. Never mind that, under the US constitutional system, presidents exercise authority within the terms set by the countrys laws. The administration is determined to dissolve both pillars of the rule of lawthe predictability putatively promised by written, statutory law, and the principle that officials are as bound by that body of rules as ordinary people.

Accordingly, Trumps talk of a mandate" offers a useful starting point for thinking about the months and years ahead. The central questions that will shape not just the second Trump administration, but also the dimming prospects for American democracy, will turn on how far the president is willing to push this claim. To what lengths will he go to preserve the illusion?

Enabling actors

To answer that, we need to consider how the vision of a limitless mandate has been advanced to dismantle the rule of law so far. The story here is less about the president, and more about the other branches of government that are supposed to act as checks on Americas executive. Of course, the fact of united government under Republican control means that the Trump administration faces scant oversight or resistance from Congress. But perhaps the most significant enabler of the presidents lawlessness has been the Supreme Court.

Under Chief Justice John Roberts, the Court, seemingly paradoxically, has become a force for weakening the rule of law. In 21 of the 23 appeals pressed by the Trump administration outside the ordinary channels of judicial review in its first nine months (the so-called shadow or emergency docket), the Court has affirmed the presidents power to act, often despite statutory law, until whenever it issues a definitive ruling. Incredibly, the justices even allowed the administration to disregard the spending mandates established recently by Congress, effectively gutting the most important of congressional checks on the power of the presidency.

The Courts licensing of an overtly lawless presidency is something new in US history. So, too, is the widespread disquiet that one sees among lower-court judges appointed by presidents from both parties. These are officials directly supervised by the justices, and their loss of confidence in the Court is unprecedented.

We now must consider whether their growing alarm might coalesce into more explicit pushback over the next year or two, when the Court is likely to be where the presidents lawyersas the Justice Department may now be appropriately calledwill try to alchemize talk of a mandate" into durable legal doctrine. Already, the Courts docket includes several cases that speak directly to that possibility.

Two of these concern the presidents ability to fire officials that Congress has chosen to shield. Despite powerful evidence of a contrary original understanding," the Court is almost certain to license such broad presidential power to fire at will. The Courts conservative majority claims to adhere to originalism," a school of jurisprudence which claims that the US Constitution can and must be interpreted according to the original meaning of its language as used by its framers. But the Courts conservative bloc has demonstrated, time and again, that it is only a fair-weather friend to this approach.

Equally important are challenges to the tariffs that Trump issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. When the Court decides these cases, watch closely how it handles the question of what constitutes an emergency." If the justices say an emergency" can be something as banal as a trade imbalance (which the US has run since the 1970s), all other statutes with emergency triggers will effectively have had those triggers reset. The president will then be able to invoke them whenever and however he sees fit.

The implications of such a loosening of presidential emergency power would be felt quickly. The Trump administration has not hesitated to use other emergency statutes to detain and render non-citizens into indefinite detention under harrowing conditions, and it might do the same to expand domestic troop deployments using the Insurrection Act. Already, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and National Guard troops are being unleashed on residents of cities controlled by the Democratic Party. In Chicago, these shock troops have used tear gas against protesters and even local police, and have arrested reporters and local aldermen who try to document their abuses. What will happen when the Court gives Trump free rein to double down?

Dissolve the people

While National Guard deployments attract media attention, the more gradual amping up of ICEs aggressive use of violence against municipalities warrants closer attention in the coming months. Such naked aggression is unlikely to soften locals attitudes toward the federal government. Instead, the violent suppression of protest could become normalized, especially in view of the radicalization of ICEs internal culture. If this agencywhose budget now exceeds that of most other countries armed forces comes to view itself as akin to an occupying army in its own country, justified in using whatever force is needed to subdue enemies within," the risk of escalating political violence will climb even more sharply.

Another application of force may also undergo a seismic shift in the coming months. As of mid-October, the US military had sunk five boats allegedly being used by Venezuelan drug smugglers. Such attacks represent an unprecedented use of indiscriminate military force against civilian targets. There is no reason to believe that the boats could not have been seized, and their passengers arrested, rather than killed.

These are executions shorn of any pretense of due process. But even if the boats were legitimate targets, such killings are plainly a crime under both domestic and international law. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is currently facing charges at the International Criminal Court for a similar campaign of indiscriminate extrajudicial violence against alleged drug dealers at home.

A key question for the coming years, then, is whether deadly use of military force will remain confined to targets outside the United States. After all, it is easy to imagine this administration reasoning its way to domestic uses. If a boat can be attacked without warning by a Predator drone when it is in international waters, why not also when it is within 200 nautical miles of the US coast? And if on open water, why not in a US harbor, or on a freeway? Or in someones home? The diffusion of ICE activity from the borders into the heartland of the US is already following this authoritarian logic.

The use of military and quasi-military violence against disfavored ethnic groups and cities that diverge politically from the administration would be significant even if it had no systemic repercussions for democracy. But it obviously does. Such acts, and their potential escalation, change the terms on which elections in 2026 and beyond will be conducted. The administration is intentionally casting a pall of intimidation on the democratic process, while introducing other, more subtle threats against the American experiment.

One such threat is gerrymandering in Republican-controlled states (Texas, Missouri, North Carolina), which Trump has openly urged to ensure that his mandate" does not wither because of potential Democratic gains in the 2026 midterm elections. In ordinary times, it would be worth savoring the irony of a president using his victory in a fair election to ensure that the next election is unfairly tipped in his favor. But these are not ordinary times. If the gerrymandering fails (or is countered by Californias tit-for-tat response), and if the troops in Democratic-controlled cities fail to deter voters from turning out, Trump is unlikely to stop there.

As Paul Rosenzweig, a former official in the George W. Bush administration, warns, Trumps March 2025 executive order on election integrity" is clearly meant to be used to disenfranchise his opponents and forestall electoral defeat." The Roberts Court is already seriously considering one of the more outrageous provisions of this ordera ban on counting votes received after election dayand other provisions, such as those requiring recertification of all voting machines, could be invoked to seize machines in districts that Trumps allies lose.

People against the American way

It would almost be comforting if the threat to American democracy from the erosion of the rule of law was confined to the 2026 and 2028 elections. But the threat to free and fair elections is just a symptom of a larger problem. Consider what follows from the notion of a limitless presidential mandate. At stake is not just a few thrown elections (though that is serious enough). Rather, we are talking about a chief executive who is above the law. It would be a categorical repudiation of the American way, a rejection of the notion that there is a shared political community that stretches over time and is animated by deliberation and democratic choice.

In a system where presidents can discard laws on a whim, there is no reason for Congress to pass laws in the first place. Legislation adopted today will not bind any future leader. By rejecting the moral force of the past, advocates of unlimited presidential mandates depart from how democratic politics has historically been done. Statutes, eked out by democratic majorities, are the raison detre and proof of democratic life but perhaps no more.

Of course, those who eschew the past also relinquish their claims on the future. If the democratic project no longer extends through time, it no longer exists. If we fail to honor what our forebears enshrined into law, why should decisions taken today matter tomorrow? Legislation has been reduced to mere moments of sound and fury, signifying nothing. It becomes impossible to make policy through new law.

But if you cannot make new law that binds your successors, you must make sure that your successors mirror you. You must negate the irksome habit that the voting public has of changing its mind. Your mandate must be made permanent somehowperhaps through executive orders, or gerrymandering, or troops in the streets. The idea that animates the second Trump administration amounts to a rejection of everything the US has ever stood for. That vision may be fully realized in 2026.

Aziz Huq, professor of law at the University of Chicago, is the author of The Collapse of Constitutional Remedies (Oxford University Press, 2021).

2025/Project Syndicate
The Trump administration took veiled swipes at China in its national-security strategy with the vow to restore American pre-eminence in the Western Hemisphere" and deny non-Hemispheric competitors."

Less than a week after the release of the U.S. strategy in December, Beijing issued a little-noticed policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean that geopolitical analysts say foreshadows more U.S.-China jostling for regional influence.

China has always stood in solidarity through thick and thin with the Global South, including Latin America and the Caribbean," said the 6,700-word policy paper, Chinas first on the region in almost a decade. The paper cites how a significant shift is taking place in the international balance of power," terminology Chinese leader Xi Jinping uses to allege that the era of U.S. global supremacy is ending.

China shadows each major challenge President Trump has taken on in Latin America, from degrading the Venezuelan regime to reasserting American dominance at the Panama Canal. It is a counterpointalbeit a moderate oneto what Beijing considers encirclement of its territory by the U.S. system of military alliances throughout Asia.

Great power competition in the region has only just begun," according to an analysis of Chinas Latin American stance by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Washington-based think tank said Beijings policy plan demonstrated its intention to expand diplomatic and economic ties in Latin America, and position itself as an alternative to the U.S. China is gaining political leverage in the region by spending money on infrastructure projects and extracting critical minerals, energy and other natural resources. This is done while its diplomats engage local political power brokers via its embassies.

Beijing now claims 24 signatories in the region to its Belt and Road Initiative, compared with none before 2017. It has also displaced the U.S. as the biggest trading partner with many Latin American countries. Chinas strategy is basically not giving an inch," said Ryan Berg, a co-author of the CSIS analysis.

Trumps muscle-flexing at the Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro is providing an early test of Chinas priorities and its claim that it has an all-weather strategic partnership" with the country. Beijing has denounced as illegal hegemony and unilateral bullying" the U.S. military buildup around Venezuela, including the interception of oil tankers that are allegedly part of a sanctions-busting ghost fleet that also transports oil to China.

Chinas deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Sun Lei, thundered against the U.S. in Venezuelas defense at a Security Council meeting on Dec. 23. We stand against any move that violates the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and infringes upon other countries sovereignty and security," he said.

Most of Beijings support for the Maduro regime and other governments that fall into Trumps crosshairs is likely to remain rhetorical. No one expects China to back up its tough talk with any action that could risk a direct military confrontation with the U.S.

Still, Beijing recently sent a provocative message when state media showed a wargame simulation in the Western Hemisphere. Government broadcaster China Central Television said the computer-based wargames were meant to demonstrate human-machine collaboration strategies, but they also showed Chinese red" forces facing off against blue" ships and aircraft around Cuba and Mexico.

View Full Image China's military engaged planes near Cuba and Mexico during a wargame simulation shown on China Central Television.

Even if Chinese military action in the region is unlikely in the near term, such signals are a reminder that Beijings ambitions are no longer purely economic, said Leland Lazarus, a Miami-based risk consultant.

The former U.S. diplomat, who has advised the Defense Department on Latin America and China, said Washington is concerned about Chinese efforts to develop a global network of strategic support points" that would turn ports into logistics hubs for its military, including a node in Cuba.

In an unclassified annual report to Congress from December, the Defense Department cited Cuba as the only nation in the Americas where China may have considered putting a military base. The report said China had made inroads through soft power and by helping countries launch satellites.

The Trump administrations China policy has featured efforts to sustain trade in agriculture and rare-earth minerals, while limiting American technology exports that might strengthen its military. In response to questions about Chinas Latin America stance, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said the administration has moved with historic speed to restore American strength at home and abroad and bring peace to the world."

China hasnt said why it has published the Latin American strategy paper now. It significantly expands on the previous official policy unveiled in 2016 to include security and governance initiatives since then.

Panama illustrates the U.S.-China tussle. It was central to an early Trump assertion of regional power when he vowed to retake control of the Panama Canal.

Since taking office in January, Trump has argued that Beijing has too much influence in Panama. Soon afterward, the Central American nationwhich is so close to the U.S. it uses dollars as its official currencysaid it would withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative. The countrys president skipped Xis summit with Latin American leaders in May.

View Full Image U.S.-China tension in Latin America are on display in Panama.

Trump welcomed a deal announced in March that appeared designed to appease him. A BlackRock-backed group would buy control of container handling ports at either end of the canal from the Hong Kong company that has managed them since 1996 and which marked the strongest evidence of Chinese influence there. Beijing has since put pressure on the tycoons and firms behind the deal to restructure terms so control shifts to Cosco, a shipping group owned by China, The Wall Street Journal has reported.

In a much lower-stakes action last weekend, the mayor of a city abutting the waterway ordered the demolition of a Chinese-built friendship park, angering Beijings embassy in nearby Panama City.

The strategy paper makes clear that Beijings top policy priority for Latin America and the Caribbean is severing the regions remaining links to Taiwan.

The region includes seven of the 12 governments worldwide that maintain diplomatic relations with the democratically run island, including Guatemala, Paraguay and Haiti. China has pledged unspecified benefits to nations that alter their foreign policies and accept Beijings One China" policy. Several have done so in recent years, including Panama.

Yet on this point, Honduras recently elected Nasry Asfura as president. The Trump-backed candidate campaigned against his nations 2023 decision to establish diplomatic relations with Beijing and said he would consider restoring ties with Taiwan.

The Trump administration doesnt explicitly mention China in its national-security strategys outline of a Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrinethe 19th-century warning to European colonial powers that the U.S. is pre-eminent in the Western Hemisphere.

But China is the obvious challenger when it references the hidden costs" of foreign assistance that appear in the form of espionage, cybersecurity, debt-traps."

America wants to make ourselves the partner of first choice" in the region, according to Trumps strategy.

China in turn is trying to draw a stark contrast with the Trump administrations revival of the Monroe Doctrine," said Lazarus, who called the neocolonial language a narrative gift" to Beijing.

Write to James T. Areddy at James.Areddy@wsj.com
Government-backed Bharat Taxi app will now be launching by the end of January in Delhi and other Indian cities. A senior official in the Ministry of Cooperation, which is spearheading the initiative, told PTI that the Bharat Taxi app received an encouraging response during its soft launch.

Pankaj Kumar Bansal, Additional Secretary in the Cooperation Ministry, while speaking to PTI said, We have received a very good response for the Bharat Taxi service during the soft launch. The official launch will be done by month-end.

The app was introduced on a pilot basis in Delhi from December 2, 2025. Since then, there have been an average of 5,500 rides daily, including 4,000 from the airport and 1,500 from other locations across various categories like cab, auto and bike. Reportedly, over 1.4 lakh drivers have registered on the app so far.

What is Bharat Taxi? The Bharat Taxi app is promoted by the Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, which includes eight leading cooperative and financial institutions: NCDC, IFFCO, AMUL, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB and NCEL. The Government of India, via the Ministry of Cooperation, acts as the chief promoter of the cooperative and there are also two elected driver representatives on the board.

The app was first announced by Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in March 2024 with the aim of reducing the dependence of commercial vehicle drivers on private companies. The app takes on the likes of Rapido, Ola and Uber, while including drivers as a major stakeholder.

Unlike private cab operators that charge 2030% commission on each order, Bharat Taxi will not take any commission from drivers. It will also offer additional benefits including annual dividends, a share in the cooperatives profits and insurance cover.

The app offers a variety of ride options including two-wheelers, rickshaws, taxis and four-wheelers. Shah has earlier said that the new app would lead to employment opportunities being created and would be a major driver of prosperity in rural areas.

Unlike private cabs, there will be no surge pricing in Bharat Taxi, meaning riders should be able to get a fair price for rides across different times. There is also live location tracking, driver verification, and the ability to share ride details with friends or family.
As the world welcomes 2026, social media platforms are being flooded with cinematic, hyper-realistic AI portraits that turn everyday selfies into movie-style New Year visuals. From luxury fashion aesthetics to dramatic lighting and fireworks-filled backdrops, AI-generated images have become one of the biggest digital trends of the festive season.

Across X, users are sharing detailed prompts that allow anyone to recreate professional-looking New Year portraits using popular AI tools like Gemini Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 1.5 and Grok.

How to create viral Happy New Year cinematic portraits One of the most widely shared prompts comes from an X user @TechyTricksAI, who posted a ready-to-use cinematic setup designed for ultra-realistic results. The prompt reads:

Prompt details (copy-paste ready):

Ultra-photorealistic New Year rooftop party at night, Young attractive woman in elegant festive dress, genuine laughter, holding clapperboard with "2026", City skyline, colorful fireworks exploding in the sky, Warm party lights mixed with fireworks flashes, Candid smartphone photo, subtle motion blur on hand, natural pose, iPhone 16 Pro shot, slight grain, SFW, hyper-realistic skin texture, sharp eyes, 9:16 vertical composition, high detail

The post also included tips such as using structured reasoning mode and adding a reference image for facial consistency, helping users achieve more accurate and realistic results on platforms like Grok Imagine, Nano Banana Pro and Higgsfield GPT Image 1.5.

High-Fashion AI Portraits Take Centre Stage Another shared prompt came from the X user@SantoshChakor, focusing on a fashion-forward, studio-style aesthetic. The prompt reads:

8K ultra realistic full-body portrait of a stylish young man standing confidently in the centre. He is wearing a fitted red suit and a white shirt, slightly unbuttoned at the top. Arms open to the sides, one leg slightly forward, confident expression. Cinematic studio lighting highlighting sharp details and textures. Behind him, a large white outline text 2026. Intense red smoke clouds around his legs and rising behind him over a dark gradient background. At the top, elegant white script text Happy New Year. Ultra sharp, premium quality, vibrant, dramatic. Aspect ratio 9:16.

The result resembles a luxury fashion campaign, blending cinematic lighting with bold typography and editorial styling.

Also Read | Google welcomes 2026 with a New Years Day doodle celebrating fresh beginnings

Glamour, Gold and New Year Magic Adding to the trend, X user @Vishnudxe shared an elaborate luxury-themed prompt focused on elegance and celebration. The prompt describes:

A glamorous New Years Eve portrait of a woman on a high-rise balcony, wearing a champagne-gold embellished gown, holding a Happy New Year 2026 wand, surrounded by golden confetti and illuminated crystal numbers reading 2025 and 2026. The scene features warm cinematic lighting, sparkling textures, shallow depth of field and a high-end editorial finish.

Also Read | 7 AI prompts to turn your selfie into a christmas portrait

Bonus prompts We give you additional read-made original prompts and here are the results.

Fireworks Glamour: Picture a luxury rooftop New Year celebration with fireworks exploding overhead. Imagine the woman in the selfie in a floor-length emerald gown embellished with sequins, holding a champagne glass and a small metallic party horn, posing elegantly. The city skyline behind her is softly blurred with warm lights reflecting on buildings and fireworks frozen mid-burst. Lighting is golden-hour cinematic with soft fill on the face and rim light outlining her silhouette. Style is ultra-realistic editorial fashion photography with creamy bokeh, shallow depth of field, 8K resolution, and cinematic colour grading. The mood is festive, luxurious, and sparkling.

View full Image Results of the final prompts generated using Nano Banana Pro. ( AI-generated art )

Champagne & Sparkle: Imagine an elegant indoor New Year celebration with crystal chandeliers and golden balloons. The woman in the selfie wears a saree, holding a flute of champagne mid-toast, captured with a genuine smile. The background shows softly blurred party guests, golden balloons, and confetti gently falling. Lighting is warm cinematic with highlights reflecting off her dress and glassware, enhanced with soft rim light. Style is hyper-realistic editorial portraiture, shallow depth of field, high-fashion cinematic, vertical 9:16, 8K resolution. Skin and textures should be highly detailed, eyes sharp, and the scene luxurious, celebratory, and full of festive sparkle.
Boeing (BA) was awarded a $2.73B firm-fixed-price contract for Apache post-production support services. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2030. Army Contracting Command is the contracting activity.

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Relationships are ... complicated. Whether it be among friends, family, spouses or acquaintances, it can be hard to navigate others feelings, quirks and behavior. Some turn to trusted friends for advice. Some talk to a therapist.

Others  many, it would seem  turn to professional advice columnists, some in desperation or at their whits end as they face a really challenging problem; others on a lark, curious to know what a stranger has to say.

Annie Lane has offered witty, common-sense solutions to everyday problems in her column Asking Annie since July 2016.

Here are Dear Annies most popular advice columns on MassLive for 2025, in descending order:

Dear Annie: My nephew has lived with us since he was 16 years old, after my brother threw him out of his house. My brother then called me to see if he could stay with us. My sister and I accepted him into our home.

He is now 35 and still lives with us. My sister and I agree he has changed for the worse. He has expressed to us he wished we were dead by now. The other day, my sister and I went out, and our nephew closed the outside gates of our home. We couldnt get back in because of this. I had to climb a wall in my backyard and then jump over to open the gate and get into our house. I am 65, and my sister is 59.

He has gotten to be very offensive with both of us. Weve had to lock our cats in our bedrooms because he wants to throw them out of the house (hes done this with one of my sisters cats before).

Weve called the police twice, but they say they cant do anything because he hasnt touched us. We are afraid, and we want him out. He doesnt work, help around the house or pay rent, either. What can we do?

Desperate Sisters

Dear Desperate Sisters: Your nephew is extremely fortunate to have had you and your sister to care for him when his own father wasnt willing to. But youve both done everything you can to support him. Its time to focus on your own happiness and, most importantly, your safety.

With your nephew unwilling to leave the house on his own, youll likely need to take legal action. Eviction laws vary based on the state you live in, so your best bet is to consult a lawyer to figure out how to proceed, especially since you said your nephew isnt paying rent. Continue what youve been doing in terms of keeping your personal possessions and your animals safe from him. If his behavior escalates before youre able to remove him from the house, dont be afraid to call the police or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Dear Annie: I often read essays about how parenting comes full circle, how the greatest accomplishment of all is raising children who grow into capable, successful adults. That sounds fine and wonderful, and I am truly happy for those families. But I cannot help wondering, what about the rest of us?

Some of us have worked just as hard, sometimes harder, to raise our children with love, structure, and purpose. I spent years going without sleep, working long hours, showing up at every school event, driving to practices, and trying to guide them toward a better life. And yet the results look nothing like those glowing success stories. My children have stumbled, struggled and, in some cases, rejected the values I tried so desperately to instill.

For me, heartache and disappointment have become a daily way of life. Instead of pride, there is judgment. Instead of recognition for the effort, there are whispers that I failed as a parent. I am told, directly or indirectly, that I did not raise them right.

When do parents like me get to stop being judged? When do we get to feel proud of the effort we poured into our children, even if the outcome is not perfect? When does the pain ease, and when does the blame stop?

Failure Parent

Dear Failure Parent: Children are not machines, and parenting is not an assembly line. You can pour in love, work and sacrifice, and still watch them choose a path you would never want for them. That is not proof you failed. It is proof they are human, with free will.

Let go of the blame. Be proud of the effort you gave, even if the outcome is not the storybook ending. Your worth as a parent is not measured only by your childrens success but by the love and care you never stopped giving.

Dear Annie: Ive been married for 23 years, but my husbands 31-year-old son has been a constant source of conflict. Hes manipulative, turns his father against me, and has lived with us multiple times due to homelessness, jail, and house arrest. Recently, I caught him going through my purse, and he only attempted a weak apology over the phone, which I didnt acceptso he never apologized again.

Ive had to install security cameras just to feel safe. He has a history of failed relationships and issues with women, yet my husband refuses to see the problem because he desperately wants a relationship with him. The tension is unbearable; I have no peace at home and feel like checking out emotionally just to cope.

How do I reclaim my home and my sanity when my husband refuses to set boundaries?

Stepson Problem

Dear Stepson Problem: You dont have a stepson problem; you have a husband problem. His refusal to set boundaries is enabling his sons behavior at your expense. At 31, this man is not a troubled child; he is a grown adult creating chaos in your home.

Have a serious talk with your husband. Make it clear that you will no longer tolerate being disrespected, manipulated, or feeling unsafe in your own home. If he refuses to put your marriage and well-being first, you may need to consider your own next stepswhether that means separating yourself emotionally, physically, or both.

Your home should be your sanctuary, not a battleground. Take control of your peace.

Dear readers: In light of St. Patricks Day, I want to share this story from Same Boat, who wrote a response recently to share the story of how he reconnected with his fiancee from 28 years ago. With all the twists and turns of life, his story is about as lucky as they get. May your holidays be equally serendipitous!

Dear Annie: Thank you for publishing my response to Nostalgic and Regretful. I wanted to share with you something I recently wrote regarding my fiancee and my love storyour romance novel, if you will.

We met in March 1994 at a local pizzeria. I was a cook there, and she had just been hired as a hostess. At the risk of sounding cliche, I had never seen someone so beautiful, and to this day, only my children have ever equaled that sight.

The attraction was instant, but it went beyond that. Never before had somebody had my back the way she did. She was my staunchest ally, which I desperately needed at that time. For much of the summer of 94, I was functionally homeless, sleeping on friends couches or in cheap motels. I barely had a penny to my name, and yet she never wavered.

At the (quite appropriate) protestations of her family, who saw me as an 18-year-old bum, she always stood by me.

But we were kids, and I was an idiot, fearful and insecure. I listened to advice and gossip from some not-so-well-meaning people. Rather than communicating with the young woman who had been nothing but honest with me, I broke up with her, and in doing so, devastated myself. She is not one to put up with baloney, and she wasnt dealing with mine.

We would not set eyes upon each other for nearly 30 years.

We became Facebook friends in 2009 and would sometimes wish each other happy birthday. I didnt think much of it, as I dubbed Facebook where old friendships go to die.

After three failed relationships, I was done with romance. I was jaded and cynical, tired of being controlled and cheated on. Tired of my own faults, tired of putting my heart and soul into people, relationships and jobs that never put forth the same effort.

Then she popped up on my feed.

There was something curious about it: Her name was her maiden name. My divorce from my second marriage had finalized a few months prior, and suddenly, there were no chains holding me anywhere.

My curiosity wouldnt let me go. After a little research, I discovered her divorce finalized one day before mine.

That night, I reached out and asked if she wanted to go out and get some burgers. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

While we didnt get those burgers that night, we did start talking again. Soon after, I started preaching again. Its funny, because when I was in the hospital with COVID-19, I prayed that if God got me out of there, I would go back to working in the church. It didnt even have to be as a minister. If He wanted me to scrub bathrooms, Id do it gladly.

So, there I was, back in ministry after more than seven years away, and right after the first service, I got a text from her: You know, Im only 20 minutes from you.

My son and I arrived right to the place where she was camping. I better be getting a hug, she said. To paraphrase Eminem, I had traveled back to the arms of my rightful owner.

We were set in stone that day and have been ever since. At the beginning, there were moments where I thought maybe we had been cheated out of 28 years together, but no longer. After all of the mistakes, sins and bad decisions of my life, I realized that she deserves better than the way I was at 19, 27, 38. I want to be the best version of myself for her, because she deserves nothing less. I can never say about anyone else what I can say about her: that she truly makes me a better man.

Same Boat

Dear Annie: I spent my early childhood years with a loving foster family, and today, at age 75, I have a great relationship with my foster brother.

I lived with my biological family from age 7 until I left for college. I have one biological brother, and long story short, we are not close.

Today, I can hardly stand him or his family. He brags incessantly. Hes thoughtless, snobby, self-centered, condescending, materialistic and does nothing for anyone unless there is something in it for him. He and his wife seem to take pleasure in hurling insults at our children and their families and asking rude, intrusive questions.

My husband, children, and I want no contact with him or his family. We stopped initiating contact with them several years ago. We didnt make any proclamation; we just stopped contacting them, and they didnt seem to notice until recently.

We have not answered their calls and dont want to. We feel we should, at this time in our lives, not have to deal with them. And yet, maybe I should speak to my brother, at the very least. I have no idea what to say. Since this man does not listen to my remarks, it will have to be brief.

But again, we want no relationship with these people.

No Contact Wanted

Dear No Contact: Ghosting a date is one thing, but ghosting your own brother?

Bottom line is that its not fair to cut him out without an explanation. Tell him the ways in which you feel hurt by his behavior. If he cares enough to listen, perhaps the two of you can visit a family therapist to get your relationship back on track. If he doesnt, then your children are probably better off without the insults and intrusive questioning.

Dear Annie: My husband works in the family business alongside his father, his brother-in-law, and sometimes his brother and cousin. He is a generous, hardworking man who would give the shirt off his back for his family. Unfortunately, they seem to take advantage of that generosity.

Despite the pressures of the business, we make it a priority to enjoy our life together. On Sundays, we take our children out to eat, and we plan family activities and vacations with just the four of us. These outings are special to us and give our kids wonderful memories.

The problem is, his family makes us feel guilty for having these moments without them. They say things like, You go out to eat every weekend, as if its wrong that we dont invite them along. Even their young children have been drawn into it, asking our kids where we went and saying, I wish we could go, too. It feels like they are using guilt and envy to undermine our choices.

The truth is, we live within our means. We pay our bills, budget carefully, and choose to spend whats left on making memories with our kids. But the constant comments and guilt-tripping are starting to get under my husbands skin, too.

Ive kept quiet so far, but Im wondering  what is the best way to respond when family tries to make us feel selfish or guilty for putting our little family first?

 Frustrated but Firm

Dear Frustrated but Firm: Stop feeling guilty for living your life. Parents are entitled to private family time without the whole clan tagging along. The next time someone complains, smile and say: We like to keep Sundays just for us. Period. No excuses, no guilt.

If they keep pushing, thats their problem, not yours. Youre raising your kids, not running a restaurant.

Dear Annie: Ive been married for 16 years, and lately, Im not sure I want to stay in this marriage. Ive always been the steady onethe saver, the planner, the person who makes sure the bills get paid and theres something set aside for the future. My wife, on the other hand, has always been more impulsive when it comes to money. Over the years, Ive watched her overspend and splurge without much thought, but I tried to keep things balanced.

She works as a nurse, and Ive handled most of the financial responsibilities. Last year, I lost my job of seven years. Just two weeks later, she quit herssomething she has a pattern of doing during high-pressure times, like right before the holidays or big family trips. Facing a financial crunch, I reluctantly pulled from my retirement savingsmoney I had carefully put aside for our daughters college tuition and for a future rental property investment.

I used those funds only for essentials: mortgage payments, car repairs, and other immediate needs. I thought we were surviving. Then came the shock: my wife called and casually mentioned that she mightve accidentally linked my credit card to her DoorDash accountand now it was declining purchases.

When I checked, I discovered she had racked up nearly $20,000 in charges in just 11 months. Not just on food, but also health and beauty products, random Amazon orders, and other retailers. She promised to pay it back, but the damage was done. That account was supposed to help secure our familys future.

I feel betrayednot just financially, but emotionally. Her spending feels selfish and out of touch with the reality were facing. Now Im struggling to figure out how well pay for our daughters tuition or afford the down payment on the property weve been eyeing for months. Im heartbroken, angry, and unsure if this marriage is something I can or should continue.

Is this financial infidelity grounds for ending a marriage? Or am I being too rigid and unyielding?

Feeling Used and Uncertain

Dear Used and Uncertain:

Youre not being too rigid. Youre someone who has worked hard, planned ahead, and done your best to care for your familyand now youre wondering how things got so off track.

What your wife did isnt a minor slip. Running up nearly $20,000 on your account, especially when you were trying to keep your family afloat, shows a troubling lack of communication and accountability. And the timingquitting her job right after you lost yoursis more than a coincidence. Its a pattern.

Marriage requires teamwork. If one person is constantly saving while the other is spending recklessly, resentment will buildand it sounds like youre already there. This may not be about money alone; its about trust and whether or not it can be rebuilt.

Before making any final decisions, consider talking with a financial adviser and a counselor. See if your wife is willing to make changes and take real responsibility. If not, you have every right to protect your future and your daughters well-beingeven if that means walking away.

Youve given a lot. Now its time to decide whats healthiest for you.

Dear Annie: I am at my wits end. I dont know what to do for my 29-year-old grandson. He needs help, but I dont know how to help him.

This is what I call a wasted life. He has no motivation to better himself. He has been living at my house for five months. After he got here, he got fired, so he sat here until the end of July doing nothing but sitting in his room playing video games. He sleeps all day, gets up at 5 or 6 p.m. and sits in the garage all night smoking pot.

I finally told him to get a job or move out. He got a super great job but slacks off constantly. Hes going to get fired soon, I know it. He has no money, no health insurance. Ive tried to get him to go to counseling. I even gave him the number for a counseling group that charges based on your income. I did everything but dial the number, but he wont do that. Ive called his dad the last two times he missed work, but Im not going to do that anymore. Like his dad said, hes an adult. What can we do?

Today, he stayed up all night and finally went to bed at 11 a.m. Hes supposed to be at work at 1:30. He hates working. He loves acting and has been on a few shows and movies. He seems to have given that up. He also wrote a really great book. The story was good; he asked me to edit it, so I got to read it. His computer was stolen, and he gave up. Im going to put him out of the house. I dont know what to do with a wasted life. Any suggestions?

Need Help

Dear Need Help: You said it yourself, and so did his father: Hes an adult. Adults dont get to live rent-free, blow off work and smoke pot in the garage all night. He needs an ultimatum: Either get a job, pay rent and quit smoking  or move out.

It might seem harsh, but this is the only way he will learn real responsibility.

The bright side is that he seems to have wonderful interests and hobbies  when he takes the time to pursue them. Encourage him to continue acting and writing once he has a day job that allows him to pay the bills.

It sounds like you are very close to your grandson, and the fact that he asked you to edit his books means he respects you and values your opinion. The kindest thing you can do is to encourage him to make something of his life  and stop enabling his self-destructive lifestyle.

Dear Annie: I am 36 years old, and I recently spoke to my dad. He raised me, and we have always been like best friends until I moved to Virginia, just because of the distance.

I have an older sister who lives at home and doesnt care to work, and my dad basically raises her son. I told my dad my future ambitions to adopt a child, and his response was so incredibly negative.

I asked him why he treats me so harshly, and he said, Because youre the only daughter I have left to do something good with her life.

I understand where hes coming from, but I dont want the things that he wants for me. Im grown, pay my bills, have made it through school and have gotten married. How do I proceed respectfully? His opinion is important but to what degree? Annie, your opinions are always honest. Please help.

 Upset Daughter

Dear Upset Daughter: Your dads words come from his love for you, but they are also hurtful and dismissive of your independence.

Next time he insults one of your choices, tell him that you appreciate his concern and take his opinion seriously. Then explain that you have your own goals, and youre not looking for feedback. He can either support them or he can opt out of the conversation.

While its understandable to want his blessing, you also need to realize that you dont need your fathers approval to pursue your dreams.

Dear Annie: My stepson is 22 and autistic. For 12 years, he lived with us half the time and with his mother the other half. During those years, I was very involved in his lifeI went into his classroom to help with his needs, drove him to school and appointments, took him shopping and spent time just hanging out with him. I truly tried to be a loving, steady parental figure.

As he got older and bigger, things changed. He became more volatile. He has put holes in walls, broken furniture and been physically violent toward my husband. Three years ago, he threatened me directly, and before that he stalked one of my daughters online. My children and I are genuinely afraid of him.

At that point, I told my husband he had one year to find other living arrangements for his son because I no longer felt safe in my own home. My husband did so, but he has never stopped hoping his son could come back into the fold. He believes his son has made progress and deserves redemption.

My stepson has been in and out of therapy. My husband and I do couples therapy and individual therapy, but family therapy with my stepson ended when he said I could not be included because I am not his mom. I have now had minimal contact with him for a couple of years, and although I feel guilty, I also feel a huge weight off my shoulders.

Now my husband has asked if his son can join us for Thanksgiving with my large extended familyincluding my grandchildren and my brothers young children. I told him that if his son is there, my children and I will not attend. I said that if we had consistent family therapy with my stepson over a couple of years and I saw real change, I might reconsider. But right now, my fear is greater than my compassion.

I see how much it hurts my husband that his son is essentially being shunned, and I do not want to add to his pain. At the same time, I feel responsible for protecting my kids, my grandkids and my own sanity.

How can I maintain my boundaries and sense of safety while still being a supportive spouse? Am I being selfish or cautious with good reason?

Protecting My Peace

Dear Protecting My Peace: You are not selfish. You are frightened, exhausted and trying to keep the people you love safe. Given your stepsons past threats, stalking and violence, it is entirely reasonable to say, I cannot have him at a big family gathering right now.

Your compassion for him is clear: You showed up for him for years, in classrooms, cars and appointments. Wanting distance now does not erase that love. It means you finally listened to your own limits.

Your husband is grieving and hoping for a miracle. Let him know, gently: I support you having a relationship with your son. I just cannot be part of holidays or close contact with him until there has been real, sustained changeand good therapyover time.

This is not a punishment. It is a boundary. And boundaries are how people with long, painful histories keep going without breaking.

How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology  featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation  is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
A Roxbury teenager was arraigned Monday in connection with a group attack aboard an MBTA train that was recorded by the attackers, according to prosecutors.

Mannice Mitchner, 18, was charged with unarmed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct on a public conveyance, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office.

The incident occurred Dec. 15, when seven teenagers boarded an Orange Line train at Downtown Crossing and confronted an 18-year-old passenger, according to prosecutors.

MBTA surveillance video showed the group confronting the passenger before physically assaulting him, and punching and kicking him after he was thrown to the ground, prosecutors said.

Mitchner recorded the assault on his phone and also kicked the victim in the head, prosecutors said. The group then stole the victims shoes and phone before fleeing the train at the Massachusetts Avenue station, according to prosecutors.

The victim told police he did not know the attackers.

So far, Mitchner and three juveniles have been arrested in connection with the attack.

At his arraignment, the judge ordered Mitchner to stay away from the victim and avoid all MBTA stations. Mitchners next court date is set for Jan. 22.
For the second year in a row, Massachusetts General Hospital delivered the first baby of the year among Bostons hospitals.

Benjamin Benji Robert Kelland, the son of Robert and Chloe Kelland of Waltham, was born at 12:19 a.m. on New Years Day, according to a press release from the hospitals healthcare system, Mass. General Brigham.

The baby weighs seven pounds and four ounces. Both he and his mother are doing well, the press release reads.

Every New Years Day, representatives from the major Boston hospitals communicate with clinical teams to determine which hospital delivered the first newborn of the new year, according to McKenzie Ridings, Mass. General Brighams senior manager of external communications.

Each babys arrival time is based on the mothers clinical progression, said Ridings. Its just luck who gets here first.

Last year, Mass. General Hospital delivered the first baby in a Boston hospital with the birth of Leah James Lombardi, the daughter of Jessica and Michael Lombardi of Saugus.
"Stranger Things" may be set in Hawkins, Indiana, but Massachusetts plays a key role in the series finale, released Dec. 31.

The buildup to the finale pushed fans to the very limits of 2025. After releasing Season 4 of the horror-adventure series in May of 2022, Netflix made fans wait three-and-a-half years until getting to see the final season, which was released in three parts at the end of 2025.

The first four episodes were released on Nov. 26, then three more were released on Christmas Day. The series finale  clocking in at 2 hours 8 minutes  was released on New Years Eve.

But for fans from Massachusetts, the wait had an extra special reveal toward the end of the final episode.

Spoilers follow.

A Netflix billboard advertising "Stranger Things" is displayed on a building in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) AP

The series finale sets up an epic fight between Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, supported by the ensemble cast of Hawkins misfits, against Henry Creel a.k.a. Vecna, played by Jamie Campbell Bower.

But its after the action concludes that viewers are treated to the references to Massachusetts.

Eighteen months after Vecna is defeated, many of the characters have moved on, and two of them now call the Bay State home.

Robin Buckley, played by Maya Hawke, has wound up at Smith College in Northampton.

This makes a lot of sense in the show. Throughout Season 5, Robin performs as Rockin Robin, a DJ on the local Hawkins radio station called The Squawk, or WSQK.

Smith College, an all-womens college founded in 1871 and opened in 1875, has had a student-run radio station since 1949, which is still in operation, called WOZQ 91.9 FM. Thats plenty of time for Rockin Robin to join their ranks in 1989 when Stranger Things concludes.

Robin doesnt mention the radio station but does playfully cite the lectures on (feminist activist Gloria) Steinem and high concentration of women as potential draws for friend Steve Harrington, played by Joe Keery, to visit.

One more character winds up in Massachusetts: Nancy Wheeler, played by Natalia Dyer. The gun-toting crusader against Vecna had a job at the local newspaper in earlier seasons, and viewers learn had been attending Emerson College in Boston  likely in its journalism department.

But the character reveals in the end of the finale that she left the college to take a job at the Boston Herald.

Its a trainee position, she says, downplaying the role. I was sick of school and thought Id get out there and try the real world.

Will there be character meetups in Boston and Massachusetts? No. With characters spread out over the eastern United States, they agree on a neutral middle ground  Philadelphia at Robins weird uncles house.

"Stranger Things" is now streaming in its entirety on Netflix.
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is included among the 14 Best Dividend Aristocrats to Invest in Heading into 2026.

BofA Raises Coca-Cola (KO) Target as 2026 Consumption Growth Remains Unclear

On December 19, BofA analyst Peter Galbo raised the price target on The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) to $85 from $80 and kept a Buy rating. Looking ahead to 2026, the firm said consumption growth remains the biggest open question for consumer staples. Valuations are still spread unevenly across the group; however, there feels little to get them off the sidelines in 26 until fundamentals signal a greater turning of the tide, the analyst wrote in a year-ahead note.

Much of the appeal right now sits with The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)s core business. Its performance has been steady as organic sales rose 6% in the third quarter of 2025, improving from 5% growth in the second quarter.

The company is also preparing for a leadership transition. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) named Henrique Braun as its next CEO, signaling confidence in a long-time executive with deep experience in Latin America and China. The move reflects a focus on expanding into newer markets, reaching value-conscious consumers, and building healthier offerings as preferences evolve. James Quincey will leave the role in March, with Braun set to take over on March 31, 2026.

Leadership changes at a company of this scale tend to be measured. Braun has been with The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) since 1996 and knows the business well, which points to continuity rather than disruption. The stock also offers a degree of stability. That matters if broader markets struggle to sustain momentum into 2026.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is a global beverage leader that manufactures, markets, and sells a wide range of drinks around the world.

While we acknowledge the potential of KO 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: 14 Best Pharma Dividend Stocks to Buy in 2026 and 15 Global Dividend Stocks to Diversify Your Portfolio.

Disclosure: None.
A fire at a Manchester, New Hampshire, apartment building left one person dead and another in critical condition on Thursday, according to WMUR.

The fire began on the third floor of the Executive Manors apartment building early Thursday morning, with fire crews responding to the scene just after 12:30 a.m., according to WHDH.

The fire was under control by 1:50 a.m., but one person was killed and eight more were taken to the hospital for treatment, according to WMUR.

The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal and the Manchester Fire Department did not immediately respond to requests for information.

New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey told WMUR that residents were trapped by the fire.

They were jumping from the balconies, Toomey said, according to WMUR. We just finished interviews with all the occupants. We believe the fire started on the third floor. And it prevented people from getting out into the hallways.

Ten families have been displaced by the fire, according to WHDH.

The investigation into the fire is still ongoing.
One person was killed and several others were injured, including a child, in an early morning fire Thursday at an apartment building in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Authorities have not released the name of the person who died.

Firefighters were dispatched just after 12:30 a.m. to the Executive Manor apartments after a fire alarm activation, according to the New Hampshire Fire Marshals Office. Multiple callers reported the building was on fire and that residents were jumping from windows, balconies and fire escapes, officials said.

Firefighters conducted an immediate search of the buildings 32 units while attempting to suppress the flames. During the search, firefighters found an unresponsive child in a fourth-floor bedroom and an unresponsive adult man in a hallway, according to the marshals office.

The man was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.

The child was evacuated through a window and taken to a local hospital before eventually being transported to a Boston hospital. The child is in critical condition.

An adult woman was transported to a Boston hospital with critical injuries, and at least five other residents were taken to hospitals to receive treatment, according to authorities. About 50 people were displaced by the fire.

Investigators believe the fire started in a third-floor bedroom. According to the fire marshals office, the fire is not considered suspicious.
HOLYOKE  Mayor Joshua Garcia says the city remains affordable, even as property taxes are set to rise by an average of $352 next year.

Holyoke remains one of the most accessible and affordable places to live and work in the region for people across the economic spectrum, from low-income folks to higher-income earners, Garcia said in a statement Tuesday.

Garcia said the tax increase reflects pressures that continue to shape Holyokes budget, and its ability to pay for future capital projects and municipal services.

Each half-percent change in the tax rate equals about $600,000 in revenue, Garcia noted.

One major strain is the citys sewer system, which faces a $1.21 million deficit.

Holyoke had built enough excess cash capacity to cover unexpected costs, but the shortfall wiped out that cushion, Garcia said.

Without an updated sewer rate, Garcia said, the deficit will recur annually.

The good news is that the city recently entered the first year of a long-term contract for sewer operations, which he expects will prevent similar surprises. Still, he stressed that sewer operations must be self-sustaining. Without a sewer rate adjustment, taxpayers will continue subsidizing the gap, he said.

Alongside the tax hike, Holyoke saw favorable shifts in its tax structure that will ease the impact on homeowners and businesses, Garcia said.

The City Council reduced both residential and commercial tax rates for 2026, while keeping increases for single-family homes at a manageable level, he said.

The City Council met on Dec. 2 and approved a new residential tax rate of $17.43 per $1,000 and a commercial tax rate of $38.16 per $1,000.

Last year, the tax rate for residential was $17.46 and the tax rate for commercial was $38.54.

Garcia acknowledged that manageable means different things to different people but said the average single-family tax bill will rise by about $352 for the yearroughly $29 a month.

The mayor said the increase is largely tied to rising home values and mounting obligations, such as escalating costs for insurance, schools, transportation and contractual commitments.

Education costs are climbing under the Student Opportunity Act, with Holyokes required local contribution rising 5.87%  an increase of $773,886  to $13.96 million. After offsets, the citys net school cost will grow 5.23%, or $1.19 million, to nearly $23.9 million.

Transportation expenses jumped 10.32%, adding $1.2 million, for a total of $12.78 million. Health insurance premiums rose 9%, or $661,859, bringing that line item to $13.75 million.

Pension costs also increased 4.65%, or $584,545, for a total of $13.15 million. Roughly $8 million of that amount keeps Holyoke on track to fully fund its retirement system by 2032.

This is where your taxes are tied up the most, Garcia said.

By 2032, Holyoke expects to free up about $8 million, money that could go back to taxpayers or help pay for important city projects, Garcia said.

Garcia said progress with the citys financial management reflects teamwork among department heads and strong backing from most councilors.

He noted that the city balanced its budget without dipping into free cash or reserves, avoided using one-time funds to close gaps, and relied on conservative revenue estimates.

Garcia said hes heard people argue that Holyoke isnt as affordable as nearby towns and cities, but thats not true.

High housing costs are a statewide problem driven by limited homes for sale, rising property values and strong demand, he said.

The median home price in Holyoke is lower than many nearby communities, making it easier for families to buy a house, he said.

Although the citys property tax rate is similar to or slightly higher than some towns, residents save in other ways, like free curbside trash pickup and utility rates among the lowest in the state, he said.

Additionally, he said, about 40% of rental homes are set aside for low- and moderate-income families through government programs and subsidies.

State data shows the city has the highest share of subsidized housing in Massachusetts, with 19.34% of its homes on the list. The statewide average is 9.68%, he added.

Garcia pledged to keep working on solutions by adding housing, growing the tax base and working to keep services running while limiting tax hikes.

Some costs are beyond local control, but Garcia said he plans to ease the burden through strategies like adopting the Municipal Finance Modernization Act, setting a sewer rate to close the deficit, and reforming zoning to attract business and grow the tax base.

The Reminder contributed to this article.
CHICOPEE  Police Chief Patrick Major is retiring at the start of the new year, after serving more than three decades with the department, including three years as its leader.

Major announced his last day is on Jan. 5. Deputy Chief Eric Watson will serve in his place until a new chief is appointed, Mayor John L. Vieau said Wednesday.

Chief Major has become more than an employee; he has been a friend, Vieau said. His passion and his commitment has been to this community.

Vieau said Major has excelled in the position, and he is sad to see him retire.

It has been an honor and pleasure to work with the men and women of the department and serve the community, Major said Wednesday.

Major said he had originally planned to retire when he hit 55, but things changed when he became chief and saw more that he wanted to accomplish, so he stayed. When he turned 57 in the fall, he decided it was time.

For now, his only plan is to focus on his family and making more time for his wife, Theresa, after years of spending so much time at work. The long-term Chicopee resident said he also wants to have more time with his three grandsons, who are 12, 6 and 2.

Chicopee Police Chief Patrick Major in 2022 with his grandchildren Vincent, 2, and William, 8. (Don Treeger / The Republican, File)

Major took the helm of the department during a scandal over the police chief hiring process. The school superintendent had just been arrested for lying to the FBI after anonymously sending 99 texts to another police captain in an attempt to push him out of contention for the top job.

Superintendent Lynn Clark was put on leave and later fired. She eventually pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation. Capt. Richard Henry, her former lover and the subject of the texts, dropped out of the running for the job months before Clarks arrest and has since retired.

That was just one problem that swirled around the deeply divided department that had been plagued with issues for years. That has turned around during Majors tenure, Vieau said.

Under Major, morale has improved; increased use of technology has transformed much of the department; and the field training program  started under previous Chief William Jebb  has been lauded as one of the best around, Vieau said.

Chicopee Police Chief Patrick Major listens during a drill held at the Chicopee Public Safety building in 2024. (Don Treeger / The Republican, File) The Republican

Weeks before his retirement, Major and Watson finished implementing a new, sophisticated real-time crime analysis program to help police track criminality throughout the city.

When he first took over as chief, Major said one of his goals was to fill vacant police officer positions to build up the strength of the department, which he has been able to do by improving the atmosphere of the department and with city officials agreeing to boost officers pay, so its competitive with surrounding communities.

Morale of the department has been high, he said. I treated everyone fairly, and I tried to give different opportunities and training.

One of his goals also has been to boost technology. Major said he is happy that the department was able to get the Real-Time Crime Analysis Center up and running before his exit. The center is in the Police Department in the former offices of Westcomm Regional Dispatch, which moved to its own building.

Chicopee Police Chief Patrick Major speaks during a press conference called by Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, right, to announce the results of a Chicopee drug raid in 2023. (Don Treeger / The Republican, File)

In December, Major thanked the City Council for their years of support.

Im extremely grateful for the opportunity the mayor gave me to lead this department, and I cant say strongly enough how proud I am of our department and what we do and what we are bringing forward every day, Major said.

Major was hired full-time as a police officer 29 years ago after working as a part-time officer for five years. He also served active duty in the Air Force for four years and then remained in the Massachusetts Air National Guard as an avionics technician, serving in the military for more than 20 years.

During most of his time in the department, Major was quiet and understated, but he served in and oversaw nearly every department unit before becoming chief.

Vieau said he is now starting the process to hire a new chief and is expecting to promote someone from within the department.

In 2022, he used an assessment center that combined written tests, interviews, role playing and other methods to determine the abilities of each candidate.

Despite the turmoil of that search, Vieau said that evaluation worked well, and he is considering using something similar.

He also will have an advisory panel to interview the candidates and make a recommendation to him. Along with city employees, he said he plans to ask outside law enforcement experts to serve on the board.
Have you ever let your mind wander and daydreamed about leaving traffic jams, urban sprawl and the stresses of the rat race behind? Its a nice sensation until the next distraction or ping on your phone dislodges the thought and youre back to your stupidly busy life. Well thats unless you are Lauri and Simon Donnelly, who followed through and moved their family to Clare Island earlier in 2025.

They made the leap from York in the UK to Clare Island this past summer, swapping city stress for island simplicity in a move that even they admit sounds slightly mad. They hadnt even visited the island before committing to a ten-month stay. I think when we told people what we were doing, and obviously that we hadnt even been to the island before, I think people genuinely thought we were crazy, Simon admits, standing in the islands community hub where he works remotely as a service designer. One of the most profound adjustments for the naturally independent couple has been accepting help and embracing the islands Meitheal tradition. Simon recalls their first big shopping trip, arriving off the ferry and onto the pier on Clare Island.

Simon, Lauri and their three children were carrying backpacks laden with groceries, before their van had arrived from the UK. Three different drivers stopped to offer lifts. Their English reserve initially made them decline, but by the third offer, they gratefully accepted. Thats been the biggest change. Being more open to that stuff, Simon reflects. You realise that its coming from a great place. They really do want to help. Since then, they have really embraced community life. In thirteen years living on the same street in York, Simon had gotten to know just two or three neighbours beyond passing pleasantries. There was lots of people on that street who you wouldnt know their name, you wouldnt know anything about them, he says. And thats the difference.

On Clare Island, the community centre hosts set dancing on Sundays, weaving classes on Saturdays, after-school clubs, and guitar lessons. There was a Halloween party for the children. The WhatsApp group buzzes with updates from development officer Joanne, keeping everyone connected. Everyone has been so welcoming from the moment we came onto the island, Lauri says. They just do a lot for the kids here.

Fell in love with Mayo

The seeds of their Irish adventure were planted years ago. Simons mother was from Kilkenny, and hed been visiting Ireland throughout his life. Wed actually almost bought a house a few years ago in Ireland, but that fell through, and then we were starting to have a family. So the timing wasnt quite right, he explains. This summer, they finally took the plunge. Starting their search in Donegal, they worked their way down the west coast. We kind of got to Mayo and just really fell in love with it, Simon says.

They found a derelict house near Westporta long-term projectand put in an offer. But there was another, more urgent reason driving their move. Their youngest daughter suffers from severe allergies, particularly to grass pollen. When we came over for the three weeks back in June, we noticed, just in that small space of time that she improved. Her skin improved, Lauri explains. The air quality on the west coast, with its constant winds dispersing pollen, made a dramatic difference.

Homeschooling to island life

The Donnellys had been homeschooling their daughters in York, partly to give them more outdoor experiences and partly due to concerns about overcrowded classrooms. Clare Islands tiny school with just eleven pupils in total offered something remarkable: the intimacy of homeschooling within a school structure. Such a small school, its almost kind of a homeschooling dynamic, in a sense, Simon notes. Lauri was particularly drawn to the schools environmental ethos.

There was information about how it is important to them to look at the environment around them and focus on biodiversity and get out of the classroom, she says. Theyve already been to Macalla Farm as part of one of their school days, which they loved. For Lauri, the transition from being the primary educator to watching her daughters in a classroom setting has been an adjustment. I really enjoyed homeschooling. I loved taking the girls out to places and exploring things, she reflects.

But by the same token, seeing them enjoying school is really pleasing as well. Life on Clare Island requires a different kind of organisation. The family lives about a mile up the road in Glen, and every couple of weeks, they make the journey to Westport for supplies.

Shopping arrives in crates that get loaded onto the ferry at Roonagh Pier. We average about every two weeks, Simon explains. We basically go and do a supermarket shop, fill some crates, drive back to Roonagh, drop them on the pier. The ferry crew help out by putting them on to the ferry and then taking them back off again. Theres no popping to the shops at eight oclock for a forgotten ingredient, and takeaways are non-existentthough Sharons recent pop-up takeaway at the community centre, featuring burgers, chips, and spice bags, was very enthusiastically received.

When you dont get to do it very often you enjoy it, Lauri says. It became more of a treat. The challenges, however, pale against the benefits. The challenges of living on the island are far outweighed by the benefits in terms of just the lifestyle and the environment that you get to be part of, the community that you get to be part of, Simon insists.

Decompressing from city life

Simon works in digital design, previously contracting for organisations like the BBC and NHS. Post-pandemic, hed seen an increasing push toward office attendancetwo or three days a week of what you might call presenteeism. I didnt want to be doing three days of commuting every week, not seeing the kids as much, he says. That was certainly another part of the decision. Now self-employed with a couple of start-ups, he works from the community hub when he needs focused time, paying seven euros a day for workspace with excellent broadband. His business partners are scattered - one in Yorkshire, another in Cornwall - meeting virtually weekly and occasionally in person.

But its the psychological shift thats been most striking. I think with us living in the city, its taken us to move somewhere like this to realise exactly how stressed we were, Lauri says. Sometimes youre in denial of how stressed you are. You just learn how to manage it. The visible symptoms of that stress have faded. You can tell people are stressed in the city, and theyve got places to go and theyre late, and theres traffic, Lauri observes. Whereas with here, even though we have to contend with a ferry to get our kids off this island, its way less stressful than getting from one side of York to the other.

The pace of life has changed too. When you talk to people here, theyre just very chilled about things and positive about things, Lauri says. Its an infectious way of living.

The view from Glen

From their rental house in Glen, the family has a stunning vista of Clew Bay and the coast. The view is just absolutely stunning, and so its so easy just to sit outside with a coffee, Simon admits. It just changes constantly, and it looks different every day. The girls walk to catch the school bus each morning - a journey of less than a mile down a safe path. The freedom theyve gained is remarkable compared to their previous urban existence. One of the big things for us is just the level of freedom that the kids have got here, Simon says.

The familys arrival on Clare Island was itself something of a serendipitous event. While arranging to complete the purchase of their Westport house, Lauri was searching for rental properties to give their youngest daughter respite from her allergies. She stumbled upon an advertisement on Daft.ie - a standard house rental listing, but with one crucial difference: the property owners wanted families and were explicit about prioritising the school.

A Zoom call followed, where the landlords carefully explained the realities of island life. They made sure we understood that you cant just kind of take your car on and off the island all the time," Simon recalls. They were very pragmatic about that. There was even another family ahead of them in the queue, but when that family decided against it, the Donnellys got their chance.

They committed to the full ten-month academic year. We wanted to experience the island living, Lauri explains. It wasnt just a tiny little stop gap for a couple of months. The move has prompted deeper revelations about modern life. Lauri has noticed that the urge to sho - that common urban stress response - has simply evaporated. I think back in our previous house, when you have the stress and stuff, you tend to shop to make yourself feel better, she explains. Whereas we havent had that urge. Its a lot easier to not spend money and go shopping when youre happy.

Simon had read about the concept of a no spend year gaining traction online. We tried to do that a few times in the UK, but doing it here, its a lot easier, he says. Its just about living more simply, not having that frivolous spend that you tend to do partly out of habit.

The family has also become more self-reliant while paradoxically becoming more open to community support. We have always been very self-contained, Simon admits. I would say weve always been very independent. And I suppose coming somewhere like here, the thing that Ive taken away from it is just that asking for help, having people around where you can reach out. He continues: We lived in a world where you kind of Googled it if you wanted to know something. Whereas here people genuinely do want to help.

Looking forward

The house near Westport is finally completing this week after months of delays - a stark contrast to the three-month sale process in York. But the family is in no rush to leave the island. Theyve committed to staying through the academic year, and there are hints they might extend beyond that. We might well certainly extend our stay, Simon says. I dont know that the girls will be in any hurry to leave. They absolutely love it here. The challenge, he notes, is the broader one facing Clare Island and similar communities: how to sustain the school and population when housing is scarce and much of it is needed for summer Airbnb income.

The school is so fundamental, but if you lose the school, you lose families, and then you lose that long-term viability, Simon observes. He believes theres real opportunity in what theyve experienced - almost a formalised sabbatical program for families. I think theres a lot of families out there, given the opportunity and given that kind of a little bit of inspiration, would come and do this, he says. Maybe they wouldnt stay here forever, but if they brought a couple of kids with them, thats another year at least that the schools got a couple more kids in.

For those considering a similar move, Simons advice is simple: Come and experience it. Just take that time out of your life and see what sort of fit you are for it. He acknowledges the logistics require thought - the need to be organised, the lack of instant gratification, the reality of ferry schedules. But hes adamant about the value.

Even if you did it as a sabbatical, I dont think it will end your career. If you have a year out in somewhere like this, and who knows, you might just decide not to go back, he says. This experience is just such a magical one. The kids will bring amazing memories away from this island. His brother has already visited twice, seeking the same decompression. It does feel like you just kind of step out of that mainstream a bit, Simon says.

I think for a lot of people, it could be life changing. As winter settles over Clare Island, the Donnellys are finding their rhythm with the tides and ferry schedules, with the spectacular, ever-changing views and the close-knit community. Their van may have broken down recently - a complication that would have been stressful in their old life - but here, theyre taking it in stride. There are people to ask, ways to manage, and a ferry to sort out.

Were still not bored of the view, Lauri says simply, looking out toward Clew Bay. In the end, perhaps thats the real measure of their successful transition: not the absence of challenges, but the presence of something more valuable - time to appreciate where they are, both literally and metaphorically.

In choosing to step off the treadmill of modern urban life, the Donnellys have discovered something that no amount of convenience or connectivity could provide: the space to breathe, to connect, and to remember what really matters. Stripping away some of that modern clutter does allow you to kind of find yourself a little bit again, Simon reflects. Its a lesson that more families might benefit from learning, even if only for a season, on a windswept island off the Mayo coast.

READ MORE: West Mayo Postman retires after 25 years of service
Greg Jackson, who co-founded Octopus Energy in 2015, is thought to have stake in the company worth hundreds of millions of pounds - Hollie Adams/Reuters

The entrepreneur behind Britains biggest energy supplier is sitting on a fortune worth 300m following the blockbuster sale of its technology arm.

Greg Jackson, who co-founded Octopus Energy in 2015, secured the fortune after he confirmed late on Monday that the companys Kraken software arm had been spun off as an independent business valued at $8.7bn (6.4bn).

His stake in the remaining Octopus Energy group is also thought to be worth hundreds of millions of pounds, although its latest value has not been disclosed.

A mix of new and old backers will pay $1bn for shares in Kraken as part of the deal.

Among the new investors is D1 Capital Partners  an American investment fund that was an early backer of Elon Musks SpaceX  as well as payments giant Stripe and ChatGPT owner OpenAI.

Some 11,000 Octopus employees  who all own shares  will benefit from the sale of Kraken, including fellow co-founders Stuart Jackson and James Eddison.

Speaking after the announcement, Greg Jackson said he had turned down an eight-digit performance pay offer to quit his previous job and start Octopus a decade ago.

He said: I walked away from an offer of stock options there because I really believed in the opportunity we had here, so Im delighted about that.

The 54-year-old has previously described how his family at times struggled to pay their energy bills, occasionally leading to their heating being cut off.

Mr Jackson, who left school aged 16 to write and sell his own video games, founded Octopus with the goal of using technology to drive down energy bills.

He has since built it into a sprawling business that provides gas and electricity to more than 7.8 million households. Earlier this year, it overtook British Gas to become Britains biggest energy supplier.

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The company also leases electric vehicles, installs solar panels and heat pumps and has licensed Kraken to several other utility providers.

Around $850m of the $1bn raised from the Kraken sale will be pumped back into Octopus.

On top of this, the energy suppliers existing investors are putting in another $320m. Mr Jackson said the combined $1.2bn in funds would be used as a war chest for continued expansion.

Octopus Energys backers include London-based Octopus Capital  its first investor  along with Australias Origin Energy, Japans Tokyo Gas, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and former US vice-president Al Gores Generation Investment Management.

As investors in Kraken, they have now been joined by D1 Capital Partners, Fidelity International, Durable Capital Partners and the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board, among others.
Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) is included among the 11 Best Performing Energy Stocks in 2025.

Centrus Energy (LEU) - Among the Best Performing Energy Stocks in 2025

Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) is a trusted supplier of nuclear fuel and services to the nuclear energy industry.

On December 22, B. Riley analyst Ryan Pfingst significantly raised the firms price target on Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) from $221 to $315, while maintaining its Buy rating. The revised target indicates an upside potential of almost 24% from the current share price.

Riley acknowledged that while Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) has declined by over 40% since hitting its 13-year high in October, it has still performed better than its peers in the nuclear energy industry. Moreover, Centrus received a significant boost on December 19 when the company announced that it had begun domestic centrifuge manufacturing to support its commercial LEU (Low-Enriched Uranium) enrichment activities at its facility in Piketon, Ohio.

The strategic move is in line with the federal governments efforts to accelerate the domestic production and enrichment of uranium and reduce reliance on Russian imports, given the current geopolitical landscape. As a result, the analyst believes that the company is well-positioned to receive meaningful funding from the Department of Energy, given its proven American-made technology.

Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) believes that the DOE funding is imminent and puts the value of these contracts at approximately $900 million per task order, with separate task orders expected for the production of both LEU and HALEU.

While we acknowledge the potential of LEU 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 Crude Oil Stocks to Buy for Dividends and 11 Best Utility Stocks to Invest in According to Hedge Funds.

Disclosure: None.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump said hes dropping  for now  his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, a move that comes after legal roadblocks held up the effort.

We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time!" he said in a social media post Wednesday.

Governors typically control states' National Guardsmen, and Trump had deployed troops to all three cities against the wishes of state and local Democratic leaders. He said it was necessary as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, crime and protests.

The president has made a crackdown on crime in cities a centerpiece of his second term  and has toyed with the idea of invoking the Insurrection Act to stop his opponents from using the courts to block his plans. He has said he sees his tough-on-crime approach as a winning political issue ahead of next years midterm elections.

Troops had already left Los Angeles after the president deployed them earlier this year as part of a broader crackdown on crime and immigration.

In his post, Trump said the troops' presence was responsible for a drop in crime in the three cities, though they were never on the streets in Chicago and Portland as legal challenges played out. When the Chicago deployment was challenged in court, a Justice Department lawyer said the Guards mission would be to protect federal properties and government agents in the field, not solving all of crime in Chicago.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilsons office in a statement said the citys reduction in crime was due to the efforts of local police and public safety programs. Chicago officials echoed the sentiment, saying in a release Tuesday that the city had 416 homicides in 2025  the fewest since 2014.

Trumps push to deploy the troops in Democrat-led cities has been met with legal challenges at nearly every turn.

Governors react

The Supreme Court in December refused to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area. The order was not a final ruling but was a significant and rare setback by the high court for the presidents efforts.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker wrote on X Wednesday that Trump lost in court when Illinois stood up against his attempt to militarize American cities with the National Guard. Now Trump is forced to stand down.

Hundreds of troops from California and Oregon were deployed to Portland, but a federal judge barred them from going on the streets. A judge permanently blocked the deployment of National Guard troops there in November after a three-day trial.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement Wednesday that her office had not yet received official notification that the remaining federalized Oregon National Guard troops can return home. They were never lawfully deployed to Portland and there was no need for their presence. If President Trump has finally chosen to follow court orders and demobilize our troops, thats a big win for Oregonians and for the rule of law.

Trump's decision to federalize National Guard troops began in Los Angeles in June, when protesters took to the streets in response to a blitz of immigration arrests in the area. He deployed about 4,000 troops and 700 Marines to guard federal buildings and, later, to protest federal agents as they carried out immigration arrests.

The number of troops slowly dwindled until just several hundred were left. They were removed from the streets by Dec. 15 after a lower court ruling that also ordered control to be returned to Gov. Gavin Newsom. But an appeals court had paused the second part of the order, meaning control remained with Trump. In a Tuesday court filing, the Trump administration said it was no longer seeking a pause in that part of the order.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Wednesday ordered the Trump administration to return control of the National Guard to Newsom.

About time (Trump) admitted defeat, Newsom said in a social media post. Weve said it from day one: the federal takeover of Californias National Guard is illegal.

Troops will remain on the ground in several other cities. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in December paused a lower court ruling that had called for an end to the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., where theyve been deployed since August after Trump declared a crime emergency.

Trump also ordered the deployment of the Tennessee National Guard to Memphis in September as part of a larger federal task force to combat crime, a move supported by the states Republican Gov. Bill Lee and senators. A Tennessee judge blocked the use of the Guard, siding with Democratic state and local officials who sued. However, the judge stayed the decision to block the Guard as the state appeals, allowing the deployment to continue.

In New Orleans, about 350 National Guard troops deployed by Trump arrived in the city's historic French Quarter on Tuesday and are set to stay through Mardi Gras to help with safety. The state's Republican governor and the city's Democratic mayor support the deployment.

___

Ding reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press reporters John O'Connor in Springfield, Illinois, Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska, Jack Brook in New Orleans and Adrian Sanz in Memphis contributed.
A luxury ocean liner burned and capsized in New York Harbor on Feb. 9, 1942. The SS Normandie, being converted into a troopship, caught fire during welding work and took 6,000 tons of water from firefighting efforts before rolling onto its side in the Hudson River. One worker died and more than 1,500 people evacuated the vessel.

The Navy immediately suspected sabotage. German U-boats had sunk 120 American merchant ships in the first three months after Pearl Harbor, and fears of Axis agents operating along the waterfront ran high. Naval Intelligence started looking into local dock workers. Italian and German workers controlled by organized crime networks remained silent when federal investigators asked them questions.

Commander Charles Haffenden of the Office of Naval Intelligence needed help investigating the incident and protecting the waterfront. He turned to the one man who could make dock workers talk, Charles Lucky Luciano, who was serving 30 to 50 years in New York's Dannemora Prison for running prostitution rackets.

Mugshot of Italian Mafia gangster Charles Luciano in 1936. (Wikimedia Commons)

From Prisoner to War Asset

Thomas Dewey, the special prosecutor who sent Luciano to prison in 1936, had called him the most dangerous gangster in America. By 1942, Luciano controlled New York's Five Families crime syndicate from behind bars. Meyer Lansky, a Jewish mobster and Luciano's longtime associate, served as his connection to the outside world.

The Navy approached Luciano through his attorney, Moses Polakoff, in March 1942. Intelligence officers offered better prison conditions in exchange for Luciano's help securing the docks. Luciano agreed. The Navy moved him from Dannemora to Great Meadow Prison in May 1942, closer to New York City and easier for his associates to visit.

Luciano ordered his criminal network to watch for saboteurs, report suspicious activity and prevent labor strikes that could disrupt the war effort. Joseph Socks Lanza, who controlled the Fulton Fish Market and United Seafood Workers Union, became a key contact.

Lanza told Haffenden during their first meeting: "You let me know where you want the contacts made, or what you want, and I'll carry on."

Albert Anastasia, who ran the Brooklyn docks and Murder Inc., guaranteed cooperation from the longshoremen.

Dock strikes stopped after Luciano became involved. No major acts of sabotage occurred in New York Harbor for the rest of the war. Lieutenant Maurice Kelly, a former New York Police Department officer who joined Naval Intelligence after Pearl Harbor, testified years later in the Herlands investigation about the success of Luciano's connections.

"From the time Commander Haffenden made these contacts with Luciano there was a very open and cooperative condition that existed between the investigators and the people that were very influential on the various docks in the Port of New York," Kelly said.

The Navy's covert partnership with organized crime, codenamed Operation Underworld, achieved its immediate goal of securing the docks.

Suspicion about Mafia sabotage in the fire and sinking of Normandie (renamed Lafayette for war service), led to Operation Underworld. (Wikimedia Commons)

The Sicilian Connection

Planning for Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily, began at the Casablanca Conference in January 1943. President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill agreed Sicily would be the first step toward defeating Italy and opening a southern front in Europe.

The Navy encountered a major problem. American intelligence on Sicily remained limited. There were serious gaps in knowledge about Italian and German defenses on the island. Local customs, beaches, tides, terrain and other features were also unknown. Traditional intelligence sources could not provide the detailed local information needed for a successful amphibious assault.

Haffenden formed the F-Target Section to gather intelligence on Sicily. He turned again to Luciano, who maintained extensive connections to the Sicilian Mafia despite 20 years in America. Luciano provided names of Sicilian contacts in the U.S. who could be trusted. Meyer Lansky brought these contacts to Naval Intelligence for debriefings.

Sicilian immigrants living in New York provided maps, photographs of coastlines and harbor layouts. Some offered corrections to existing naval charts. The information came from fishermen, merchants and former residents who knew Sicily's terrain, ports and villages from personal experiences.

Luciano also provided valuable names of local leaders and Mafia connections on the island that American forces could turn to once the troops stormed ashore.

Historians debate the actual value of this intelligence. Some credit Luciano with providing crucial information that saved American lives. Others argue the intelligence amounted to picture postcards and basic geography that trained military planners already possessed.

Map of Sicily in the White House Map Room. August 1943. (Wikimedia Commons)

Why the Mafia Wanted Mussolini Gone

The Sicilian Mafia had reasons to help defeat Italy's Fascist regime. Throughout the late 1800s, organized crime in Italy, especially Sicily, ran rampant. Mayors, police chiefs, lawyers and many influential residents were controlled by the Mafia, while average Sicilians were expected to pay taxes and protection fees to the criminals.

The rise of Fascism in the country would change that.

Benito Mussolini appointed Cesare Mori as Prefect of Palermo in 1925 with orders to eradicate organized crime and restore government control. Mori soon arrested more than 11,000 suspected Mafia members by 1928 and forced many to flee Sicily altogether, with many arriving in the U.S.

Future New York crime bosses Joseph Bonanno and Carlo Gambino escaped Fascist persecution by immigrating to America. The Sicilian Mafia's power structure was shattered, but still continued operating in the shadows. WWII brought even further economic hardship to the Sicilian people, diminishing what little profits and power the Mafia held.

Members of the Mafia on both sides of the Atlantic wanted revenge on Mussolini and saw the Allied invasion as their chance. The largest demographic to serve in the U.S. Army during the war were Italian-Americans, with many having experienced prejudices and hardship, they were eager to oust Mussolini and free their ancestral homeland. The Mafia was eager to help them do so.

President Roosevelt also understood the political value of Italian-American sentiment. He wrote to Churchill that giving the Allied military government in Sicily as much of an American character as possible would ease the invasion, given the large Italian-American influence across the nation and in the military who overwhelmingly opposed Fascism.

Cesare Mori in Sicily, wearing the infamous black shirt of the Italian MVSN. (Wikimedia Commons)

The Invasion and Its Aftermath

Operation Husky began July 10, 1943. More than 150,000 Allied troops landed on Sicily's southern coast in the largest amphibious assault of the war. Lieutenant General George Patton commanded the U.S. Seventh Army while British General Bernard Montgomery led the Eighth Army.

Italian coastal defenses melted away, German-Italian counterattacks were pushed back, British forces moved north to Messina as Patton blitzed west against staunch Italian defenses. Many Italian-American soldiers experienced their familial homeland for the first time or found themselves fighting on soil they had emigrated from years prior.

Stories emerged about Mafia support for the troops during the invasion. The most famous involved Don Calogero Vizzini, a Sicilian Mafia boss from Villalba. According to legend, American tanks displayed yellow scarves with a black L for Luciano to signal friendly forces. Vizzini allegedly rode on an American tank for six days, guiding troops through mountain passes and directing his men to eliminate Italian snipers.

Modern historians largely dismiss these tales as myths. Salvatore Lupo, a leading scholar on the Sicilian Mafia, stated the story about Mafia support for the invasion is just a legend without any foundation. Ezio Costanzo, who studied the topic extensively, found no evidence of significant Mafia contribution to Allied military success.

What historians do confirm is that the Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories appointed Mafia figures as mayors across Sicily after the invasion. Vizzini became mayor of Villalba and an honorary colonel in the U.S. Army. The Allies sought anti-Fascist local leaders to help restore local control on the island and support occupation troops.

This, however, mistakenly empowered organized crime figures who would dominate Sicilian politics for decades.

The Sicilian campaign ended on Aug. 17, 1943. Allied forces suffered approximately 24,850 casualties. The Italians suffered hundreds of thousands of casualties, the Germans lost tens of thousands, though many Axis troops escaped to mainland Italy.

Nevertheless, the invasion led directly to Mussolini's overthrow on July 25, barely two weeks after the landings began. The first major Axis power unconditionally surrendered to Allied forces soon after.

Don Calo used to walk around in shirtsleeves and overalls. His slovenly dress and laconic speech were typical Mafia affectations. It was not done for a Mafia chieftain to show off in the matter of his clothing or any other way, and sometimes, as in Don Calo's case, this lack of concern for appearances was carried to extremes."  Norman Lewis. (Wikimedia Commons)

Luciano's Release and the Herlands Report

Luciano petitioned for clemency on May 8, 1945, the day Germany surrendered. His attorney cited invaluable service to the military, particularly regarding the invasion of Sicily. Governor Dewey, who as a prosecutor had put Luciano in prison, now weighed the commutation request.

On Jan. 3, 1946, Dewey commuted Luciano's sentence on condition of immediate deportation to Italy. Luciano had served nine and a half years of his 30-to-50-year sentence. Dewey's statement acknowledged Luciano's cooperation but was vague about its true value.

Upon entry of the United States into the war, Luciano's support was sought by the armed services in coercing others to provide information concerning any possible enemy attack, Dewey wrote. It appears that he cooperated in such effort, though the actual value of the information procured is not clear.

Luciano sailed to Italy on Feb. 9, 1946, never to return to America. Rumors spread that he had bribed his way out of prison. The Federal Bureau of Narcotics claimed Luciano ran drug smuggling operations from Italy and that his wartime service had been minimal.

Dewey ordered an investigation in 1954 to address the allegations. William Herlands, the state's commissioner of investigation, interviewed dozens of witnesses and reviewed classified records. His report, completed that year but kept secret until 1977, concluded that there can be no question about the value of this project.

The Herlands Report stated that Luciano had helped Naval Intelligence contact Sicilian immigrants who provided useful information about Sicily. His assistance directly benefitted and assisted the military in planning for, invading, and winning on Sicily.

One naval officer who worked with the Sicilian contacts testified that the intelligence gave Allied forces "an insight into the customs and morals of these peopleparticularly Siciliansthe political ideology and its mechanics on lower echelons, the manner in which the ports were operated, the chains of command together with their material culture, which enabled us to carry out the findings and purposes of our mission."

The report noted that after Luciano's involvement began, dock worker strikes ceased and no significant acts of sabotage occurred in New York Harbor after that point. Whether Luciano's influence directly caused these outcomes remains unclear, but authorities noted the possible correlation.

Luciano at the Excelsior Hotel in Rome, 1948. (Wikimedia Commons)

Assessing the Legacy

The extent of Mafia assistance to Operation Husky remains debated. Selwyn Raab, author of "Five Families," called Luciano's role in the Sicily invasion a total myth, arguing he lacked the Sicilian connections to make a meaningful difference and that his help amounted to postcards of ports.

Historian Tim Newark, who wrote extensively on Mafia involvement in World War II, took a more measured view. He acknowledged that Luciano's colleagues helped gather information about Sicily from New York's Italian community but concluded Luciano was of little practical use in Sicily itself despite persistent myths.

The truth likely falls between these viewpoints. Luciano facilitated contacts between Naval Intelligence and Sicilian immigrants. Whether this intelligence proved decisive or merely supplemented existing military planning remains debatable. The massive Allied military advantage in Operation Husky suggests the invasion would have succeeded regardless of Mafia assistance.

American soldiers overseeing the disarmament of Italian soldiers on Ustica during Operation Husky. (Wikimedia Commons)

Despite the continued debates, the U.S. government did partner with organized crime during World War II. The arrangement secured New York's waterfront, gathered some intelligence on Sicily, and resulted in the early release for one of America's most dangerous criminals.

The partnership also strengthened the Mafia's position in postwar Sicily and Italy, consequences that would affect both nations for decades. In fact, the Italian Mafia continues as a powerful criminal element in southern Italy and Sicily today.

For Luciano, he was able to continue his criminal life in Italy for years after the war. As he was being deported from the U.S., he allegedly said, "I'm really glad to be getting out of this country. I will be a free son-of-a-bitch. I will be a free man in Italy, even though I do not intend to stay there long."

Luciano died in Naples on Jan. 26, 1962. His body was permitted to return to New York for burial. Today, he is remembered as the father of organized crime in the U.S., the father of the Italian Mafia in New York, and is often recognized as the American gangster that helped the government take down Fascist Italy in WWII.
Most of the focus this week has been on the concluding posting windows for NPB stars Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto. Theyre not the only two Japanese free agents whose situations will be resolved within the next few days. Right-hander Kona Takahashi will also need to sign this week if hes going to make the jump to MLB this offseason.

As MLB.coms Brian Murphy noted at the time, Takahashi was formally posted by the Seibu Lions on November 21. Thats the same date as Okamotos posting. Both players have until Sunday, January 4 at 4:00 pm Central to sign. Imai was posted two days earlier, so his 45-day window closes on Friday afternoon.

Imai and Okamoto are reportedly meeting with clubs in Los Angeles this week. Theres little doubt that both players are going to sign before the end of their posting deadlines. Thats less clear with Takahashi, who doesnt have nearly the same swing-and-miss upside that Imai brings to the table. Takahashi struck out only 14.3% of batters faced across 24 starts in 2025. He has never recorded a strikeout rate higher than 20% in an NPB season.

Takahashi is headed into his age-29 season. He has been an effective control artist in Japan, walking fewer than 7% of batters faced in consecutive seasons. He posted a 3.04 earned run average over 148 innings last year and owns a 3.39 mark over parts of 11 NPB campaigns. James Fegan and Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs wrote in October that Takahashi projected as a fifth starter in MLB. FanGraphs grouped him alongside Anthony Kay and Foster Griffin in that tier. Kay went on to sign a two-year, $12MM deal with the White Sox. Griffin signed a one-year deal at $5.5MM with Washington.

A Japanese-language report from Sanspo in the middle of December indicated that Takahashis camp was in contact with three unnamed teams. Its not known if he has received any MLB offers, nor is it clear that Takahashi would make the move to affiliated ball if teams are only willing to put minor league proposals on the table. If he doesnt sign with an MLB club, hed remain with the Lions.
Interest in free agent infielder Bo Bichette has mostly been limited to a pair of AL East teams this offseason. Toronto is known to be open to a reunion, while Boston has met with the two-time All-Star over Zoom. Three teams are now joining the Blue Jays and Red Sox in the race for Bichettes services, as Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Cubs, Yankees, and Dodgers have checked in on him.

New York is one of the few contenders without a concrete plan at shortstop. Anthony Volpe is coming off a brutal season and will miss the beginning of the 2026 campaign following labrum surgery. Utilityman Jose Caballero will likely cover shortstop until Volpe returns. The Yankees also re-signed Amed Rosario, who has plenty of experience playing up the middle.

Top prospect George Lombard Jr. is a candidate to handle the position in the future, but stepping in as soon as this season would be a tall task for the 20-year-old. Adding Bichette would obviously be a long-term commitment, though he could move to second or third base once Lombard is ready.

The Yankees have been primarily connected to pitchers and outfielders in free agency, but a notable internal development could adjust that approach. Reports emerged in mid-December that the team was listening to offers on infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. With the front office potentially less than enthused about extending Chisholm, who will be a free agent in 2027, flipping him now could make sense. Chisholms departure would open up a spot at second base, a position Bichette has said hed be willing to play.

The case for the Cubs is similar. Chicago doesnt have an obvious need up the middle, with Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner locked in at shortstop and second base, respectively. However, Hoerner is drawing trade interest. The speedy infielder is entering the final season of the three-year, $35MM extension he signed in 2024. Just like with the Yankees and Chisholm, if the Cubs arent planning to bring Hoerner back, moving him for other assets would be a sensible path. Hoerner is coming off a strong season in which he hit .297 with 29 stolen bases.

Theres also the third base option. The hot corner has been vaguely mentioned as a defensive landing spot for Bichette, whos seen his metrics fall off considerably at shortstop. In a separate post mentioning several free agents, including Bichette, Heyman reported that hes drawing interest at second base, shortstop, and third base. Bichette could be a fallback option of sorts if Chicago comes up short in its pursuit of Alex Bregman.

Bichette had only played shortstop at the MLB level until a brief cameo at second base this past postseason. In his return from a September knee injury, Bichette appeared in five games at the keystone in the World Series. He played 30 games at second base in the minors. Bichette has never appeared at third base as a professional. His subpar arm strength wouldnt be ideal at the position, but it could be a better spot for his declining range. Bichette ranked in the first percentile in Outs Above Average last season. At third base, hed have the foul line as a bumper on one side, with the rangy Andres Gimenez supporting him on the other side.

The Dodgers have Mookie Betts locked in at shortstop, but second base is a short-term hole, and third base could be a long-term need. Deficiencies are relative when it comes to the back-to-back champs, of course. The second base mix currently includes KBO import Hyeseong Kim, prospect Alex Freeland, and the recently re-signed Miguel Rojas. Tommy Edman could also factor in when hes not playing the outfield. Even if there isnt a clear standout in the group, there are probably enough options for LA to adequately cover the position without a major addition like Bichette.

Once again, third base is a more interesting discussion. The Dodgers reupped with Max Muncy via a $10MM club option. Hes only signed through 2026, though. Muncy will turn 36 before the end of next season. Injuries have cost him significant time in each of the past two years. His tenure with the Dodgers is likely coming to an end at some point in the near future. If the club views Bichette as a viable fit at third base, he could spend a year at second base and then transition to the hot corner for the rest of what is likely to be a lengthy contract.

Photo courtesy of John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images
DETROIT, MI  One man is dead and another is in critical condition after a shooting in Detroit early Wednesday.

Police responded to the fatal shooting just after midnight on Dec. 31 in the 2500 block of Grand Boulevard, said Sgt. Daron Zhou with the Detroit Police Department.

A man was found dead at the scene and another man was found in critical condition.

The suspect was also taken to the hospital and is in police custody, Zhou said.

Police believe the victims and suspect knew each other and had a dispute prior to the shooting. The shooting remains under investigation by the homicide department.
By Daphne Zhang, Ella Cao and Liz Lee

BEIJING/SAO PAULO, Dec 31 (Reuters) - China will impose an added 55% tariff on beef imports that exceed quota levels from key suppliers including Brazil, Australia and the U.S. in a move to protect its domestic cattle industry.

China's commerce ministry said on Wednesday the total import quota for 2026 for countries covered under its new "safeguard measures" is 2.7 million metric tons, roughly in line with the record 2.87 million tons it imported overall in 2024.

More from Yahoo Scout How will the quota system affect major beef suppliers? How are affected countries responding to China's new tariffs? Why is China imposing 55% tariffs on beef imports? What impact will these measures have on global beef markets?

The new annual quota levels are lower than import levels for the first 11 months of 2025 for top supplier Brazil, and Australia.

"The increase in the amount of imported beef has seriously damaged China's domestic industry," the ministry said in announcing the measure following an investigation launched last December.

The measure takes effect on January 1 for three years, with the total quota set to increase annually.

Beef imports to China fell 0.3% in the first 11 months of 2025 to 2.59 million tons.

Chinese beef imports will decline in 2026 as a result of the measures, said Hongzhi Xu, senior analyst at Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultants.

"China's beef-cattle farming is not competitive compared with countries such as Brazil and Argentina. This cannot be reversed in the short term through technological advancements or institutional reforms," Xu said.

Quota Volume 2026 2027 2028 Actual imports from

(1,000 tons) Jan-Nov 2025

Brazil 1,106 1,128 1,151 1,329

Argentina 511 521 532 436

Uruguay 324 331 337 188

New Zealand 206 210 214 110

Australia 205 209 213 295

United States 164 168 171 55

Other 172 175 179

countries/region

s

Total 2,688 2,742 2,797

Additional 55% 55% 55%

Tariff Rate

In 2024, China imported 1.34 million tons of beef from Brazil, 594,567 tons from Argentina, 243,662 tons from Uruguay, 216,050 tons from Australia, 150,514 tons from New Zealand, and 138,112 tons from the U.S..

In the first 11 months of this year, Brazil shipped 1.33 million tons of beef to China, according to Chinese customs data, higher than the 1.1 million tons set under Beijing's new measures.

Also this year, Australian shipments to China have surged, gaining share at the expense of U.S. beef after Beijing in March allowed permits to expire at hundreds of American meat plants and as President Donald Trump unleashed a tit-for-tat tariff war. U.S. shipments stood at just 55,172 tons through November, less than half the 2024 levels.

Australian beef exports to China stood at 294,957 tons in the first 11 months of 2025.
EATON COUNTY, MI  A Michigan police officer shot and killed a 30-year-old man during a pursuit on Tuesday, Dec. 30.

The 30-year-old man, who was not identified by police, was fatally shot after he allegedly said he had a gun while fleeing from the officer, the Eaton Rapids Police Department said in a news release.

Police said the shooting happened Tuesday night after the man fled from an attempted traffic stop in Eaton Rapids. The officer attempted to pull over a vehicle at 9:50 p.m. on Main Street, and the vehicle fled and crashed near the intersection with Canal Street.

The 30-year-old male driver and a female passenger reportedly got out of the crashed vehicle and ran from the scene, and the officer pursued the man on foot. Police said the man ignored repeated commands from the officer during the pursuit.

The man allegedly told the officer he had a gun, and the officer shot the suspect, according to the police department. The man was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The police department said it will release more details about the incident once a further review can be conducted. The case has been handed over to Michigan State Police (MSP) for investigation.

The involved officer is on administrative leave pending MSPs investigation.
A Grand Rapids elected official is suing the city over what he says was the unlawful reassignment of the majority of staff from his office last year.

The comptrollers lawsuit against the city is one of five must-read MLive stories to kick off the New Year on Thursday, Jan. 1.

Comptroller claims city has eliminated separation of powers

Frantzs lawsuit, filed Dec. 23 in Kent County Circuit Court, claims the city violated its charter by removing accounting and auditing staff from his office in January and placing them under control of the city managers office through the fiscal services department.

The city reassigned 13 of the 16 comptrollers office employees to report to CFO Molly Clarin, leaving only three full-time staff in Frantzs office. The comptrollers office serves as the citys accounting department, conducting internal audits and managing payroll, accounts payable and accounting services for the city.

Frantz argues the move was made without his input and undermines the comptrollers independent financial oversight, eliminating separation of powers. The city has defended the changes, stating they comply with city charter and do not impede the comptrollers duties.

In his lawsuit, Frantz seeks a court declaration that the reassignment is invalid and requests the restoration of staff to his office.

Read MLive reporter Melissa Fricks story on the lawsuit here.

Here are four other stories you need to know today:

The General Motors Flint Assembly Plant, as seen on Monday, June 5, 2023 in Flint. (Jake May | MLive.com)

GM Flint production on hold, employees on layoff

General Motors has announced that production at Flint Assembly will remain halted until Jan. 26, marking the longest downtime in its history.

The production pause is intended for planned renovations at the plant, which employs around 4,000 workers who are currently on temporary layoff and eligible for benefits.

Flint Assembly produces heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks and has received a nearly $800 million investment for upgrades to facilitate the production of next-generation trucks.

Flint Assembly is GMs longest-running vehicle-building plant in North America. The plant was considered at risk during GMs 2009 bankruptcy but has since seen efforts for preservation, notably by former UAW vice president Cal Rapson.

Read more about the pause in MLive reporter Ron Fongers story here.

The Au Train Dam in Alger County, Mich., Sept. 16, 2025. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is moving to terminate the dam's operating license following years of unresolved safety violations. (Garret Ellison | MLive) Garret Ellison

After years of safety lapses, feds yank license for Michigan hydro dam

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) revoked the hydroelectric license for the Au Train Dam, citing the owner UP Hydro LLCs failure to address persistent safety issues and control site lands.

The dams regulatory oversight will now shift from federal to state level, following a pattern similar to the 2020 collapse of Edenville Dam, which led to significant flooding.

The decision highlights the dams inability to safely manage maximum flood scenarios, with aging infrastructure and major upgrades needed for compliance.

The dam, built in the early 1900s, is a crucial recreational site that has suffered from financial instability, corporate governance issues and missed regulatory compliance.

Read MLive environmental reporter Garret Ellisons story here.

Michigan State Police is asking for the public's help to find 32-year-old Paige Nichols and 46-year-old David Hunt II, who have been missing since Dec. 19. Michigan State Police

Upper Peninsula couple missing since before Christmas

Police are searching for a missing couple from Michigans Upper Peninsula who have been missing since before Christmas.

Michigan State Police asked for the publics help this week in finding 32-year-old Paige Nichols and 46-year-old David Hunt II, who were last seen on Dec. 19.

Police are working to find the couple and verify their wellbeing. The missing man and woman were last seen in the Iron River area and may be traveling on foot, state police said.

Read more about the search in Fricks story here.

Roy Finny, who heads up the Arbor One Tenants Union, stands near a Leforge Road entrance to the apartment complex, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Jen Eberbach/MLive

Tenants living in condemned Ypsilanti apartments given month to move out

A Washtenaw County judge has ordered tenants of the condemned Arbor One apartments in Ypsilanti to vacate by Jan. 31.

Residents could initially stay rent-free while repairs were promised but have faced deteriorating living conditions, including mold, bugs and unreliable heating.

Tenants must decide by Jan. 9 whether to relocate to two remaining habitable buildings with $1,000 in assistance, or accept a $3,500 payment to move elsewhere.

The city has reported significant building violations, including mold and failed inspections, prompting a request for emergency intervention to force tenant relocation.

Read Jennifer Eberbachs story on the court order here.
WATERFORD TWP, MI  A man was treated for injuries and hypothermia after his snowmobile broke through the ice on Pleasant Lake on New Years Eve, Oakland County Sheriffs Office officials reported.

The sheriffs search and rescue team responded to the incident in Waterford Township at about 5:45 p.m., after the riders wife reported he fell into the ice, officials stated on the sheriffs Facebook page.

Two nearby neighbors went onto the ice in an attempt to locate him, the report stated. They became lost and disoriented in the whiteout conditions. Both neighbors were able to safely return to shore.

Oakland County Sheriffs Office responders were assisted by Waterford Regional Fire Department officials in the search for the rider, who was located and returned to shore.

He was then transported to a local hospital.

This incident is a stark reminder that ice conditions can change rapidly and remain unpredictable, even during sustained cold weather, the sheriffs report stated. We encourage extreme caution around frozen lakes and ponds and to avoid traveling on ice unless conditions are clearly known to be safe.
The short-term vacation rental platform HomeAway has sued Michigans Department of Treasury, disputing an $18.8 million use tax bill levied for the years 2020 through 2022.

The company, which operates VRBO.com, said in a complaint filed in the state Court of Claims that people who use the platform to rent out their properties are responsible for paying the states use tax.

At no time during the audit period did payouts to HomeAway include any amounts for applicable taxes, the complaint said.

A HomeAway spokesperson and an attorney representing the company declined to comment on the case, as did a spokesperson for the state Department of Treasury.

The company offers hosts three options for collecting taxes, it said in the complaint. One of those options  collecting taxes per person per night - doesnt apply to Michigan because its not the way Michigans use taxes are structured. In cases where the host chooses another option, agreeing to collect and remit the taxes themselves, the state said HomeAway was not responsible doing so, according to the complaint.

It is the third option thats at issue.

The Departmentfor the first time during the auditalleged that for all bookings for which tax was collected on behalf of and at the request of the Host, HomeAway unjustly enriched itself by failing to remit the collected taxes to the Department, the complaint said.

The allegation of unjust enrichment due to the retention of use tax is erroneous, the complaint said, as Plaintiff did not receive any benefit from the use tax collected and disbursed to the Hosts for remittance.

The Treasury Department billed HomeAway for $15.1 million in use taxes and an additional $3. 7 million in interest in September.

The company alleged in the complaint that the state had asserted that HomeAway was unjustly enriching itself during the audit process, which began in 2023, and that the final assessment violated the state and federal equal protection laws.

There is no precedent to support the Departments allegation, the complaint said, nor has the Department applied this theory to similarly situated taxpayers.
By CHARLOTTE KRAMON and SARAH BRUMFIELD Associated Press

The Trump administration has said it is freezing child care funds to all states until they provide more verification about the programs in a move fueled by a series of fraud schemes at Minnesota day care centers run by Somali residents.

All 50 states will be impacted by the review, but the Republican administration is focusing most of its ire on the blue state of Minnesota and is calling for an audit of some of its centers.

Minnesota Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement Wednesday that he was exploring all our legal options to ensure that critical childcare services do not get abruptly slashed based on pretext and grandstanding.

It is unclear how much more robust the verification process for states will be than it already has been.

Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim ONeill called the decision a response to blatant fraud that appears to be rampant in Minnesota and across the country in a social media post announcing the change on Tuesday.

Here are some things to know about these moves:

More verification needed for all states to get child care funds

All 50 states will have to provide additional levels of verification and administrative data before they receive more funding from the Child Care and Development Fund, according to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson. However, Minnesota will have to provide even more verification for child care centers that are suspected of fraud, such as attendance and licensing records, past enforcement actions and inspection reports.

In his social media post on Tuesday, ONeill said all Administration for Children and Families payments nationwide would require justification and a receipt or photo evidence before money is sent, but the HHS spokesperson said Wednesday that the additional verifications only apply to CCDF payments.

Walz says Trump is politicizing the issue

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, said in a social media post that fraudsters are a serious issue that the state has spent years cracking down on but that this is a political move that is part of Trumps long game.

State Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy condemned the move in a statement Wednesday.

Republicans are playing sick games and winning devastating prizes, Murphy said. And now, tens of thousands of Minnesota families will pay the price as Donalds Trumps agents strip away crucial funding.

Fraud investigations could stretch to other programs, states

The administration launched efforts in recent weeks to track down fraud in other programs in Minnesota and is looking at fraud in blue states such as California and New York, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an interview with Fox & Friends on Wednesday.

The administration will continue to send officers to investigate potential fraud sites in Minnesota and deport undocumented immigrants, Leavitt said, adding that the Department of Homeland Security is considering plans to denaturalize citizens.

The Department of Labor is also investigating the states unemployment insurance program, Leavitt said. The administration this month threatened to withhold SNAP food aid funding from Democratic-controlled states, including Minnesota, unless they provide information about people receiving assistance.

Attention focused on Minnesota

The announcement came a day after U.S. Homeland Security officials conducted a fraud investigation in Minneapolis, questioning workers at unidentified businesses. Trump has criticized Walzs administration over the cases, capitalizing on them to target the Somali diaspora in the state, which has the largest Somali population in the U.S.

In his post Tuesday, ONeill, who is serving as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, referenced a right-wing influencer who posted a video last week claiming he found that day care centers operated by Somali residents in Minneapolis had committed up to $100 million in fraud.

Meanwhile, there are concerns about harassment that home-based day care providers and members of the Somali community nationwide might face amid the vitriol, including Trumps comments earlier this month referring to Somali immigrants as garbage. Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown released a statement saying, Showing up on someones porch, threatening, or harassing them isnt an investigation. Neither is filming minors who may be in the home.

Minnesota child care centers are alarmed

Maria Snider, director of the Rainbow Child Development Center and vice president of advocacy group Minnesota Child Care Association, said fear is rising among both families  many of which are living paycheck to paycheck  and child care centers that rely on the federal funding. Without child care system tuition, centers may have to lay off teachers and shut down classrooms, she said.

The Administration for Children and Families provides $185 million in child care funds annually to Minnesota, according to Assistant Secretary Alex Adams.

In Minnesota, the application process for the funding is complex and multilayered, Snider said. Her own child care center has been subjected to random audits, she said, and all centers are required to submit to licensing visits by officials.

I dont know what else I would provide, she said.

Ahmed Hasan, director of the ABC Learning Center that was one of those featured in the video by the right-wing influencer, said on Wednesday that there were 56 children enrolled at the center. Since the video was posted, Hasan, who is Somali, said his center has received harassing phone calls making staff members and parents feel unsafe.

He said the center is routinely subject to checks by state regulators to ensure they remain in compliance with their license.

Theres no fraud happening here, Hasan told The Associated Press. We are open every day, and we have our records to show that this place is open.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The city of Grand Rapids did not see a spike or drop in the number of homicides reported in 2025.

In total, 14 people were killed in 2025. Its a figure that matches the number of homicides reported in Grand Rapids in 2024.

Nearly all of the homicides in 2025 were committed by gunfire. However, in one shocking case, a girl died from injuries suffered in a house fire that was allegedly set by her mother.

Victims ages ranged from as young as 12 years old and up to 61 years old. The circumstances behind each killing also greatly vary case by case.

Among the victims were a 17-year-old boy who was fatally shot while attending a memorial event for another teen killed in 2024 and a 31-year-old man who was shot and killed outside of a Grand Rapids bar.

Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstorm watches body-worn camera footage from an officer involved shooting that occurred on Dec. 6 during a press conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. Just before 4:00 p.m., the original caller again contacted 911 to report that the 51-year-old male subject was threatening to shoot himself. Officers were working to develop a plan to safely approach the house when the subject left the residence in a vehicle. At approximately 4:45 p.m., a high-risk stop was conducted on the 1600 block of Tremont Blvd NW. The subject began firing at officers from inside his vehicle. Three officers fired their department-issued weapons, striking the suspect multiple times. They rendered aid before the suspect was transported with life-threatening injuries. He died later at the hospital. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Gun violence is one of our biggest priorities, if not our biggest priority, Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said at a June press conference following three homicides within a week. My officers have the direction and thats what theyre proactively going to do to address gun violence.

Five of the 2025 homicides are still under investigation by the Grand Rapids Police Department.

June was the deadliest month of the year with three homicides reported during the 30-day period. Meanwhile, there were zero killings reported in March, April and July.

Here is a list in chronological order of the 2025 homicides in the city of Grand Rapids, with basic information about each case:

Jan. 27: Shamiya Stewart, 12, died from injuries suffered in a house fire at 956 Eastern Ave. SE. The girls mother, Roconda Singleton allegedly poured lighter fluid inside the home and set it on fire while Shamiya and Singletons two other daughters were asleep inside.

Shamiya Stewart in a family photograph. (Provided by Patricia Robinson) Patricia Robinson

Singleton, 47, is charged with felony murder, first-degree arson and three counts of second-degree child abuse. She is awaiting trial in Kent County Circuit Court.

Feb. 12: Aleta Lung, 61, was found dead in the living room of her apartment on Haleh Circle SE near East Beltline Avenue and Burton Street. An autopsy determined she died of blunt force trauma and had been dead for two to three days before she was discovered.

Randy Lewis-Leon Buckner, 48, was later arrested in New Mexico. His case is pending in Kent County Circuit Court with no trial date set.

May 23: Monteness Lowe, 31, was fatally shot after an altercation unfolded outside of Billys Lounge, 1437 Wealthy St. SE.

Keith Decelous-Leon Tett Jr., 26, was arraigned on an open murder charge, among others, in Grand Rapids District Court on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The charges stem from a deadly shooting in May outside of a Grand Rapids bar. Bradley Massman | MLive.com

Keith Decelous-Leon Tett Jr., 27, is charged with open murder, two counts of felony firearm, and single counts of carrying a concealed weapon and felon in possession of a firearm. Tetts trial is scheduled to begin in February.

June 7: Damarius Cochran, 26, was fatally shot at Pleasant Motel, 171 28th St. SE. Grand Rapids police were initially dispatched to a report of a drug overdose but determined Cochran had been shot.

Devon Dominique Hayle, 33, is charged with open murder and felony firearms. His case is pending in Grand Rapids District Court.

June 12: Myasia Johnson, 15, was shot inside a home in the 700 block of North Avenue NE. She died on June 13.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with reckless discharge resulting in death. He is charged as a juvenile and not as an adult.

June 13: Semaj James, 30, was found shot to death inside of a residence in the 1400 block of Cass Avenue SE.

Deshun Lewis, 31, faces open murder and felony firearms charges in connection to James death. His trial is scheduled to begin in February.

Grand Rapids Police investigate a shooting outside of a house in the 600 block of Broadway Avenue NW in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Grand Rapids officers shot and injured a man who was armed with a knife on the citys Northwest Side. The man allegedly charged at police with the knife before being shot multiple times according to Grand Rapids police Chief Eric Winstrom. Chloe Trofatter | MLive.com

Aug. 10: Randy Campbell, 38, was fatally shot near Logan Street SE and Diamond Avenue. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but Campbell died at the scene. The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.

Sept. 2: Marcus Jones, 41, was shot and killed in the 400 block of Diamond Avenue SE, near Wealthy Street. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

Sept. 6: Dashawn Guyton, 23, was fatally shot near Kalamazoo Avenue SE and 28th Street SE. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not made any arrests and the investigation remains open.

Oct. 4: Niles Murray, 17, was fatally shot near Umatilla Street and Madison Avenue SE while he attended a memorial event for another teen killed in 2024. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

A memorial site for 15-year-old Amillier Penn, who died from gunfire in 2024, became the scene of Grand Rapids latest homicide. Niles Murray, 17, was shot and killed Oct. 4 on Umatilla Street SE while visiting the memorial site to celebrate Amilliers birthday. Investigators recovered 75 shell casings from the scene. Bradley Massman | MLive.com

Oct. 16: Kristine Haddad, 60, died after an assault at a residence in the 300 block of Alfred Avenue NE. The alleged assault started as an argument between Haddad and Justin Leys on Oct. 15. Leys allegedly swiped his arm at Haddad and she fell backward, striking her head where a wall and refrigerator met. Haddad later died at the hospital.

Justin Leys, 43, is awaiting trial for involuntary manslaughter in Kent County Circuit Court.

Nov. 6: Donovan Moody, 26, was found shot to death on Hollister Avenue SE, north of Wealthy Street. Gary Lee Griggs, 20, is charged with open murder for the killing. His case is currently pending in Grand Rapids District Court.

Nov. 12: Amari Hodges, 22, was found fatally shot in a car near Hall Street SE and Kalamazoo Avenue. Darrius Jones, 18, is charged with open murder and felony firearm in the shooting.

Jones is scheduled to appear Jan. 7 in Grand Rapids District Court for a preliminary examination where a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to bind the case over to trial.

Dec. 21: Detroit Jones, 38, died after a shooting in the 700 block of Lafayette Avenue SE. No arrests have been made and the investigation remains open.
SAGINAW, MI  Mid-Michigan organizations will partner for a food distribution event meant to benefit 300 families next week.

Volunteers will provide food during the drive-thru event scheduled in a lot on the property of The Dow Event Center in downtown Saginaw. The distribution kicks off at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7.

Planners said volunteers will load vehicles with items provided by the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, including meat, milk, fresh produce and non-perishable grocery items.

No pre-registration is required for recipients, who will be served on a first-come, first-served basis, officials said. Enough items will be available for about 300 families.

The Saginaw Spirit organization and Corteva Agriscience are partnering with several local organizations to host the initiative, including the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. Other partners include the Midland County Food Assistance Network, East Side Soup Kitchen, Hidden Harvest, and Phoenix Community Farm.
SAGINAW, MI  The healing power of a warm embrace works both ways for Jenean Provenzano and Katie Engelhardt, a mother-daughter duo who are among volunteers providing 24-hour care to some of the most vulnerable babies born at Covenant HealthCare.

The twosome is part of the Saginaw-based hospitals Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (or NICU, for short) volunteer unit. Some call it the cuddler program, a phrase that describes one of the groups primary tasks: Holding babies whose health challenges necessitate a prolonged stay at Covenant HealthCares Harrison facility.

Mother-and-daughter Jenean Provenzano and Katie Engelhardt pose for a photograph at Covenant HealthCare, 1447 N. Harrison St. in Saginaw, Mich., on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. Provenzano and Engelhardt are volunteers at Covenant in the cuddler program. The cuddler program consists of volunteers holding babies who are in the Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, based on research showing that holding babies aids in their development. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

You get so much more than you give, said Provenzano, who retired as a nurse at the hospital and joined the volunteer cuddler corps in 2019. Its just very, very rewarding to do.

The cuddler volunteer program dates back to 1996, when officials at the hospital launched the initiative in part based on research showing that holding babies aids in their development.

Three decades later now, the initiative has grown to a 51-volunteer rotation, with participants spending four-hour shifts apiece keeping watch over the 55-bed NICUs tiny inhabitants.

Their volunteerism includes other tasks related to upkeep at the NICU, but the main draw to the work involves holding and comforting the babies, often when the infants are awake and crying while their parents are not present.

The volunteers leave the medical care in the hands of the doctors and nursing staff who monitor and tend to the little ones needs.

Most babies in the unit are there because they were born prematurely, necessitating medical care to ensure their earlier-than-expected entry into the world goes as smoothly as possible. Other babies land a bed in the NICU  which supports newborns from families across a large chunk of Michigans lower peninsula  for reasons such as birth complications, respiratory issues and feeding difficulties.

While some of the infants reside there for only a few days, others health conditions can lead to a months-long stay.

Theres a reason why the cuddler program exists, and its because these babies need to be held, said Engelhardt, who started volunteering there in January. Its great for us, and its cozy and its sweet. But theres also a benefit for the infants.

Engelhardt, who works full-time as a risk management specialist at the hospital and previously spent nine years as a NICU nurse, volunteers Tuesday mornings from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Her mothers shift arrives Wednesday nights, from 8 p.m. to midnight. Both are scheduled twice monthly as are most volunteers in the program.

Other tasks involve restocking supplies, folding freshly-washed baby clothes, and creating milestone cards for parents, marking achievements such as a babys first bottle feeding or medical procedures. Volunteers such as Provenzano and Engelhardt also create handprint and footprint art during the holiday seasons.

Those things are really special to parents, Engelhardt said. Its a traumatizing time, but its their first days with their baby.

Provenzano said she treasures her time spent with the babies, who sometimes serve as the private audience of a concert of lullabies sung softly by the retired nurse.

The cuddling happens largely in six units tucked away in a fifth-floor hallway. There, the wall features a painted message  Shhhhh  that cautions against loud noises that could disturb NICU inhabitants.

Inside those units, volunteers such as Provenzano and Engelhardt spend much of their time in recliners, where they rock infants in hopes of providing comfort in the absence of parents. Often, that comfort can provide calmness to a crying baby.

When theres a cuddler there that can soothe a baby, the whole feel of the room changes, Engelhardt said. If you can just bring some peace and calm to the room, it changes the entire feeling.

Volunteer opportunities

While the initiative presently maintains a waitlist, individuals interested in volunteering for the NICU cuddlers program can apply at covenanthealthcare.com/volunteer. The process involves interviews and background checks.

The hospital also provides additional volunteer opportunities. Today, about 250 people are involved in volunteer initiatives at Covenant HealthCare. The list of volunteer programs there is as follows:
Two of the best mobile casino apps are offering generous welcome bonuses in January. Between Fanatics Casino and Caesars Palace, which welcome bonus is the best for you? Lets compare these welcome bonuses.

Fanatics Casino vs. Caesars Palace Online Casino

We are pitting two of the best online casinos in Michigan against one another and are comparing their welcome bonuses. Both Fanatics Casino and Caesars Palace are offering generous promotions for new players. But which one is the best?

You must be at least 21 years old to join online casinos in Michigan.

Casino Welcome bonus Promo code Fanatics Casino Wager $30 Get $150 In Casino Credit Just tap here Caesars Palace $10 Sign Up Bonus Credit Up To $1000 Deposit Match Bonus Credit+ 2,500 Reward Credits With $25+ Wager SLMLIVELAUNCH

Fanatics Casino welcome bonus details

First, let us look at the Fanatics Casino welcome bonus. When you join, you can get $150 in casino credit after you wager at least $30. This offer does not require a promo code to claim; just tap here.

The casino credits are distributed as $50 per day for three days after you satisfy the wagering requirements. The $30 in wagers must be completed within seven days of making an account. Casino credits expire after seven days of issuance.

Caesars Palace welcome bonus details

With the Caesars Palace welcome bonus, you will get a $10 casino credit when you sign up with no deposit required. Caesars is also offering a 100% deposit match bonus, which is valued at up to $1,000 in casino credit.

Use the promo code SLMLIVELAUNCH when you register to claim this offer. This offer also comes with 2,500 Caesars Rewards Credits when you wager at least $25 within the first seven days of creating an account.

There is a 1x playthrough requirement for the $10 no-deposit casino credit and the deposit match bonus has a 15x playthrough requirement.

Verdict

Both welcome bonuses at Fanatics Casino and Caesars Palace are generous. Caesars Palace offers more potential casino credits and a no-deposit bonus to claim. Meanwhile, Fanatics is granting more casino credits per wager by turning $30 into $150 in casino credits.

The best thing is you dont have to choose. Both offers can be claimed and you can enjoy both libraries of online casino gaming today.

How to claim

Follow these steps to claim the welcome bonuses at Fanatics Casino and Caesars Palace in January.
Chinese investors have poured over $188 million into firms working on the digital yuan following the Peoples Bank of Chinas decision to let central bank digital currency wallets accrue interest.

Almost a third of that investment went into Lakala, a third-party payment service provider that works with merchant acceptance solutions and hardware wallets, reported the Chinese outlet Securities Times.

The firms share price rose by over 12% on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on Monday and continued rising on December 30.

The central banks move to allow state-issued digital currencies to earn interest is a win-win situation for all parties, an unnamed Chinese financial expert told Chinas Shanghai Securities News.

Enterprises and individuals will receive interest income and enjoy a wider variety of financial products and services. And commercial banks will receive incentives for conducting digital yuan business, the expert said.

The PBoC says its new action plan covers the period from 2026 to 2030. 2026-30.

As of January 1, 2026, the PBoC said, banks can independently manage the assets and liabilities of their digital yuan wallet balances.

Almost a year after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning federal agencies from issuing or endorsing CBDCs, China is trying to breathe new life into its digital yuan project, first unveiled in 2020, vaunting its domestic and cross-border applications.

Earlier this month, a state-owned bank used a private blockchain network to issue $600 million in commercial bonds to buyers who pay in digital yuan.

According to the Chinese state-run media outlet Global Times, the PBoC says cumulative transactions using the digital yuan reached $2.38 trillion at the end of November.

The bank said a total of 3.48 billion CBDC transactions have been processed to date, with 230 million people opening personal wallets.

Hard wallet hopes

Share prices in a range of other digital yuan-related companies also soared by over 10% in Shenzhen on Monday.

These included Hengbao, Cuiwei, ST Rendong, Wuhan Tianyu, and iSoftStone, all companies that work with the PBoC on CBDC-related solutions.

Many of these firms work with hardware or offline wallets, wearable or plastic credit card-type wallet solutions.

The PBoC envisages these wallets as playing a key role in adoption.

While most of Chinas young and urban population use smartphones and have bank accounts, millions of Chinese remain unbanked, with millions more not connected to the internet.

The wallets, already in deployment in the CBDC pilot zone, function offline in areas without internet access.
The automobile PLI scheme was cleared by the Union Cabinet on September 15, 2021, with a total outlay of Rs 25,938 crore spread over five years.
Tarun Garg has succeeded Unsoo Kim as the MD and CEO of Hyundai Motor India.
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Quick Read

Clorox paid out 123% of free cash flow as dividends in fiscal 2024 before improving to 79% in fiscal 2025.

Shareholder equity declined from $908M in fiscal 2020 to $321M in fiscal 2025.

Management expects $100M in annual tariff headwinds but considers the impact manageable.

A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX) operates household brands including Clorox bleach, Glad trash bags, Burt's Bees, Hidden Valley, and Fresh Step cat litter. The company pays an annual dividend of $4.92 per share, yielding just under 5%. That yield looks attractive, but it's elevated because the stock has collapsed 37% over the past year. Can Clorox sustain this dividend, or is that yield a warning sign?

Metric Value Annual Dividend $4.92 per share Dividend Yield 4.99% Consecutive Years of Increases 13+ years Most Recent Increase +1.6% (April 2025) 5-Year Dividend CAGR +2.5%

The Cash Flow Picture Is Concerning

Clorox paid $602 million in dividends during fiscal 2025 (ended June 30, 2025) against free cash flow of $761 million. That produces a FCF payout ratio of 79%, elevated but manageable. The problem is the trend. In fiscal 2024, the company paid out 123% of free cash flow as dividendsexceeding what the business generated.

Metric FY 2025 FY 2024 Assessment Free Cash Flow $761M $483M Improved but volatile Dividends Paid $602M $595M Stable FCF Payout Ratio 79% 123% Elevated

Operating cash flow has been erratic, swinging from $1.5 billion in fiscal 2020 down to $695 million in fiscal 2024, then back to $981 million in fiscal 2025. This volatility makes it difficult to assess normalized dividend coverage. The most recent quarter (Q1 fiscal 2026) showed dividends of $151 million against operating cash flow of just $93 million.

Debt Is Manageable but Equity Has Shrunk

Clorox carries $2.88 billion in total debt against $167 million in cash, producing net debt of $2.71 billion. With EBITDA of $1.23 billion, the net debt-to-EBITDA ratio sits at 2.4xmanageable for a consumer staples company.

The balance sheet concern is shareholder equity, which has declined from $908 million in fiscal 2020 to just $321 million in fiscal 2025. This reflects years of paying out more in dividends and buybacks than the company earned. The company spent $332 million on share repurchases in fiscal 2025 despite the elevated dividend payout ratio.

Management Sounds Confident Despite Headwinds

On the Q3 fiscal 2025 earnings call, CEO Linda Rendle acknowledged severe near-term challenges but emphasized operational strength. She noted "we delivered our 10th consecutive quarter of gross margin expansion, which enables us to keep reinvesting in our brands." CFO Luc Bellet added the company expects tariff headwinds of about $100 million annually but views this as "manageable" through sourcing changes and targeted pricing.
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The Housemaid Movie Review: Behind closed doors, Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney deliver a dark, gripping duel
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Rajinikanth met his fans on New Year
Naagin 7: Priyanka Chahar Chaudhary talks about the pressures of playing the titular role; says, Mouni Roy and Tejasswi Prakash have established high standards
What if we tell you that swearing consistently provides a small, but meaningful performance boost? (Picture Credit: Pexels)
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KFC, Pizza Hut franchisees to consolidate as Sapphire Foods merges with Devyani International
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Aishwarya Dabhade Chief Sub-Editor at Moneycontrol. She leads shifts and writes explainers on business, policy, markets and geopolitics. Ex-CNBC-TV18, The Economic Times, YouGov and WebEngage.
Corn futures slid into the Tuesday close, with contracts down 1 to 3 cents across most front months. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was down another penny at $3.98 3/4.

USDA will release their Export Sales report on Wednesday morning. The market will be closed on Thursday for New Years Day, with a hard open at 8:30 am CST on Friday.

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Brazils December exports are expected to total 6.35 MMT according to ANEC, steady with the previous estimate.

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.40 1/2, down 1 3/4 cents,

Nearby Cash was $3.98 3/4, down 1 cents,

May 26 Corn closed at $4.48 1/2, down 2 1/4 cents,

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.54 1/2, down 2 1/2 cents,

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
ITC shares crash 10%: Rajiv Jain's GQG, PPFAS are among leading institutions to have over 1% stake in the firm
Paras Bisht A financial journalist with over 10 years of experience, specialising in tracking stock market movements and fundamental developments that impact investors and the broader economy. A keen observer of global financial markets, I regularly engage with leading market voices to write stories. At Moneycontrol, I focus on decoding market trends, policy shifts and economic changes, driven by a constant passion to learn, analyse, and share knowledge with my readers.
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Stocks to Watch Today: Jindal Poly Films, NBCC, NCC, Berger Paints, Hyundai Motor India, Blue Dart, Adani Enterprises in focus on 1 January
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Vodafone Idea shares jump 10% but Emkay still sees 44% downside: Here's why
Manisha Lal Khandpur is a News Editor at Moneycontrol where she works on the Desk and Special Projects. She pursued journalism at Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, Delhi, and has an extensive career spanning 17 years across Digital Media, Broadcast, and Radio. Previously, she was a News Editor at Editorji, managing the desk, and a Principal Content Producer at Times of India, leading news shifts. She has also been a Senior Correspondent at Bhaskar, P7, and Live India. She has briefly been a part of academia, bringing her industry expertise into the educational sphere.
The CBDT will notify new income tax return forms and rules by January 2026, under the simplified Income Tax Act, 2025, effective April 1, 2026.

Hiral Thanawala is a personal finance journalist with over 10 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, he covers financial planning, banking and fintech segments from personal finance team for Moneycontrol.
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'We are creating liabilities for next generation': Sanjeev Sanyal on 'freebies culture' and pension schemes
Jahagirdar was facing trial in the 2012 Jangli Maharaj (JM) Road serial bomb blast case in Pune
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Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarmas new year present: Financial assistance scheme for male students, cash gift for women
Top DPRK leader sends New Year's message to overseas operations units: KCNA

Xinhua) 14:37, January 01, 2026

PYONGYANG, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), sent a congratulatory message to the officers and soldiers of the overseas operations units on Wednesday, said the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Thursday.

In the message, Kim extended New Year greetings to all the commanding officers and combatants of the overseas operations units on behalf of the Party and the DPRK government, KCNA said.

As the whole country is immersed in a festive atmosphere of welcoming the New Year, the military are fighting bravely on foreign battlefields, he said, adding that "all of you have safeguarded heroically the dignity and honor of the DPRK."

Thanks to their self-sacrificing and devoted struggle, the militant fraternity and alliance between the DPRK and Russia have grown stronger, according to the message.

In the message, the top leader wished his officers and soldiers a safe return after accomplishing their mission.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Wu Chaolan)
Most companies wait until after the holidays to deliver bad news.

It's not unheard of for people to be laid off right before Christmas, or in the week between Christmas and New Year's, but doing that is seen as especially cruel.

Many companies, however, simply carry out their plans without regard for the holiday season.

"Historical data shows December often ranks as the second-highest month for layoffs and discharges, going back to 2000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the month when companies consistently cut the most workers is coming soon January," Mint.com reported.

Waiting until January for layoffs isn't just about being kind, according to Jonathan Reynolds, CEO of recruiting agency Titus Talent Strategies. He advises companies to wait until the new year.

This is where companies really need to think about their talent reputation, he said. Some people who are a little bit more risk-averse would rather go to an organization that cares for its people first.

Some companies, however, simply have no option, and that appears to be what happened to Sprinkles Cupcakes, which is winding down operations at all remaining locations, according to multiple national media reports.

Sprinkles Cupcakes' nationwide closure

Sprinkles has not shared a formal statement about its shutdown to media, but the news has been confirmed by multiple major news outlets.

"Sprinkles, the iconic California cupcake company, has announced a 'winding down' of operations at its remaining 15 retail locations, blindsiding employees last minute with the not-so-sweet news," the New York Post reported. "Salty employees got the notice on Dec. 30, saying Sprinkles would start an orderly wind-down of the company beginning Dec. 31."

The chain's website has no mention of the shutdown.

Sprinkles Founder, Candace Nelson, who sold the brand in 2012, shared a statement on her Instagram page.

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"Today is Sprinkles final day. As many of you know, I started Sprinkles in 2005 with a KitchenAid mixer and a big idea. Over the years, we expanded across the country and launched the Cupcake ATM," she wrote, noting that since she sold the brand, she has no ownership or operational involvement in the company.

"Still, its surreal to see this chapter come to a close  and its not how I imagined the story would unfold," she posted. "Im deeply grateful to the fans, customers, and community who showed up, celebrated with us, and made Sprinkles part of their traditions  and to the team who made it all happen. Ill always be proud of what we built."

She also shared that her "heart" was with the company's employees.

Sprinkles Cupcakes is winding down operations.Capture_Media/Shutterstock  Capture_Media/Shutterstock

Sprinkles shutdown: what we know

Sprinkles Cupcakes is reportedly closing all of its retail bakery locations nationwide with the final day of operation as December 31, 2025 , and doors expected to be shut by January 1, 2026 , according to the New York Post.

The closure includes all storefronts and, apparently, the famed Cupcake ATM locations , the automated vending-style machines that helped make the brand a viral phenomenon when introduced in 2012, reported Parade.

Staff were reportedly given extremely short notice, in some cases just one day, before being laid off, according to employee posts on social media, added Parade.

Sprinkles was founded in Beverly Hills in 2005 and helped popularize the gourmet cupcake trend, expanding to about 20 retail locations across six states plus Washington, D.C., and dozens of Cupcake ATMs nationwide, according to its website.

In my experience covering retail closures, dessert-only chains face a uniquely difficult repeat-visit challenge.

As a fan of cupcakes, I have visited Sprinkles on occasion, but the business model always seemed flawed to me. Customers might get coffee or other beverages a few times a week, or even every day, but cupcakes seemed too indulgent to drive the repeat business needed for the chain, or really any very-limited menu dessert chain, to succeed.

Rival Crumbl has also struggled

Building dessert-only businesses has been very challenging and overly dependent upon social media. Crumbl, the once-hot cookie chain, has suffered, as it's no longer the social media sensation it once was.

Social media trends come and go, which is why it isnt always the smartest idea to go all-in at the height of your 15 minutes of fame, which is arguably what Crumbl Cookies has done. The chain expanded massively throughout 2022 in an effort to meet the soaring market demand generated by videos tagged #crumbl on TikTok, Mashed shared.

The chain has closed a number of locations over the past three years, according to a Dec. 20 article from TheStreet.

Crumbl closed 7 stores in 2023: These were the first permanent closures in company history. These included four in California, and one each in Florida, Georgia, and Utah, according to QSR Magazine.

2024: Further closures , with at least 12 locations reported closed during 2024 , according to the companys Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) . These closures were excluded from the annual performance reporting, indicating they occurred at various points in 2024.

Public closure lists compiled from local reporting include stores such as Norwalk, Conn., and others in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, and Utah, and that does not likely account for every closed store.

Individual closures reported locally: For example, a Norwalk, Conn., Crumbl Cookies store closed after only about one year in business, underscoring uneven performance among locations, Patch reported.

More locations have closed in 2025, although the company has not confirmed that.

Both Sprinkles and Crumbl faced a challenging operating environment for the past two years.

"The restaurant industry faced significant headwinds in 2024, including higher prices, shifting consumer spending patterns and increased competition," said Kevin Schimpf, senior director of industry research at Technomic in the research firm's annual sales report on the top 500 restaurant chains.

Restaurant Business and Technomic data have shown that traffic growth for specialty restaurant concepts has lagged broader industry averages over the past two years.

Sprinkles did not respond to a request for comment by publication time and has not issued a public statement on its website or social media channels.

Related: Upscale steakhouse chain shutters dozens of locations

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Dec 31, 2025, where it first appeared in the Restaurants section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Beyond elections, 2026 will also be marked by leadership changes and fierce ideological contests.
The CBI has now booked Kohli for offences punishable under Section 62 read with Sections 319(2) and 318(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2010
India has shared names with details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani
A Kashmiri shawl seller was allegedly harassed and choked in Haryanas Fatehabad district recently by a right-wing individual, for refusing to chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Mataram (Image: Screengrab of purported video/X)
Members of the Youth Congress also held protest at the Kochi Biennale venue, opposing the artwork (Image: Facebook)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has countered the allegations of appeasement politics, claiming that she is a true secularist. (File: PTI)
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Nandini Chakravorty's bureaucratic career comes a full circle: WBIDC chief to Bengal's first woman chief secretary
Nitin Nabin's appointment as party chief likely to be formalised by January 20 as BJP prepares for rejig
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Nitish Kumar owns assets worth Rs 1.65 crore, up by Rs 68,455 from previous year
Bangladesh garment conglomerate DBL Group has once again been recognized by the HSBC Export Excellence Awards for its work in ready-made garments. The winwhich is DBLs sixth, an unprecedented feat in Bangladeshrecognizes DBL Groups leadership across multiple dimensions of the ready-made garment export category.

The award, which was presented in partnership with global financial firm HSBC, the government of Bangladeshs Ministry of Commerce and the British High Commission of Dhaka, noted DBLs sustained export growth and penetration into global markets. The honor also recognized the conglomerates innovation through a fully vertically integrated knitwear ecosystem and its resilience amid global economic challenges and supply chain disruptions.

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Winning this award once is a privilege. Winning it six times, and being the sole Bangladeshi conglomerate to do so, is powerful validation that consistency, integrity and innovation are non-negotiable pillars of true export excellence, said M.A. Jabbar, managing director, DBL Group. This recognition belongs to every member of the DBL family and stakeholders.

DBL is among the largest manufacturers and exporters of knit garments in Bangladesh, with a production capacity of 13 million pieces per month. The company exports garments to Europe, the United States and Canada, and stands as H&Ms platinum supplier for knit clothing. DBL Group counts Walmart, Puma, Esprit and G-Star among its top clients, and it also serves as Levis official partner in Bangladesh.

Along with its apparel production arm, DBL Group also presides over a varied portfolio of businesses in categories such as ceramic tile, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure and dredging, telecom, agro, aviation, digital solutions and fashion retail.

Bangladeshs ready-made garment sector accounts for more than 80 percent of the countrys exports, according to RMG Bangladesh. The countrys garment industry has had a tumultuous few years recently, with worker unrest, port disruptions and other challenges causing disruption.

DBL Group has aimed to sidestep that turmoil while also meeting global standards for environmental, social and governance compliance by implementing an end-to-end backward integration model that delivers quality control, faster speed-to-market and verifiable sustainability impacts. The company said that this award helps validate that the work theyve done is making a difference.

As Bangladesh continues to solidify its position as a global apparel sourcing hub, DBL Group remains at the forefront of ethical, sustainable, and technologically advanced manufacturing, the company said in a statement. This sixth HSBC Export Excellence Award is not just a celebration of past success but a promise of continued leadership in building a responsible and future-ready garment industry.
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Pakistan adds its own spin to Jaishankar's Dhaka handshake, pitches for 'peace talks'
The incident comes amid heightened security across the Valley ahead of New Year celebrations.
The inauguration is expected to take place within the next 15-20 days, around January 17-18. (Image: ANI/X)
Elections to the 131-member Thane Municipal Corporation will be held on January 15
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Amit Shah sets clear target for Bengal BJP, says 'want 22 of 28 seats from in and around Kolkata'
Pakistan saw its deadliest year in a decade in 2025, with militant violence rising 34% to 3,417 deaths. Most fatalities occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The surge highlights persistent instability despite official claims of improved security.

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While many airlines go into 2026 facing a number of financial challenges, the third-largest airline in the U.S. has been doing better than most.

In its last earnings call released in October 2025, Delta Air Lines beat analyst expectations with $15.2 billion in revenue and $1.71 in adjusted earnings per share compared to the $1.53 expected by the average analyst consensus.

With the next earnings report scheduled to come out on Jan. 13, the projected outlook for the last quarter of the year is between $1.60 to $1.90 earnings per share, although the airline also expects a $200 million cut into its profits due to the 43-day government shutdown in October and November.

Delta to pull Detroit-Binghamton flight on February 14

As part of its efforts to trim its network of non-profitable routes, Delta Air Lines has confirmed that it will no longer fly into Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM) in upstate New York along the Pennsylvania border.

With the larger Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) a two-hour drive away, BGM has in the last two years gone through a $54 million renovation but struggled to retain airlines willing to run flights.

Related: Another airline files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, all flights canceled

After low-cost carrier Avelo pulled out of the Binghamton market due to a lack of profitability in 2024, Delta became the only carrier serving the area. The airline's daily flight from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) will run for the last time on Feb. 14. For the time being, BGA will serve exclusively general aviation like flight training, air ambulances and agricultural flights as airport authorities remain in talks to try to bring in other commercial airlines.

Binghamton is an upstate New York city associated above all with its university.Shutterstock  Shutterstock

Booked on the canceled flight? These are your refund options

"Air service decisions involve many factors that are outside the control of local airports and communities," GBA Commissioner of Aviation Mark Heefner said in a statement. "We are in active discussions with Delta and are working closely with our state, local, and federal partners to re-establish passenger service as soon as possible. We also continue to have meetings with multiple airlines as we explore opportunities to expand air service at BGM. Our focus remains on providing reliable, accessible air travel options for the people and businesses of the Greater Binghamton region."

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Mourners attend 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)
(FILES) A broken frame of Pakistan's field marshal and army chief, Asim Munir, hangs on the wall after an attack at the Cadet College Wana, a military-linked school, in the South Waziristan district near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, on November 13, 2025. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party blames former PM Sheikh Hasina for Khaleda Zias death, alleging years of imprisonment and denial of medical care fatally harmed her health. Khaleda Zia, a key pro-democracy leader, died at 80 after a long illness.

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China has imposed a 13% VAT on contraceptives, ending a 30-year exemption, despite a shrinking population and low birth rates. Experts say the tax is symbolic, unlikely to boost births, and may reduce contraceptive access, especially for disadvantaged women.

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The Joint Awami Action Committee in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir has refused further talks with Islamabad, accusing the government of failing to meet demands agreed in October. The committee warns of protests if commitments remain unfulfilled, citing stalled action.

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In New Year's address, Xi's decisive message for Taiwan as tensions build with China: 'Reunification unstoppable'
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Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman denied reports of secret meetings with Indian diplomats, saying the meetings were not covert but kept private at the diplomats request. He criticized media coverage and stressed Jamaats balanced foreign policy.

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The battle over the visa fee has now moved to an appeals court after the US business group filed a notice of appeal this week, challenging the federal courts order.
Zelenskyy cautioned that while Ukraine wants an end to the war, any settlement must be built on strong security guarantees to prevent future aggression.
With a market cap of $50.3 billion, Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) is a global energy company that manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon transportation fuels and petrochemical products. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, it operates through Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol segments.

The San Antonio, Texas-based company is set to deliver its fiscal Q4 2025 results before the market opens on Thursday, Jan. 29. Ahead of this event, analysts forecast VLO to report an adjusted EPS of $3.10, a surge of 384.4% from $0.64 in the previous year's quarter. It has exceeded Wall Street's bottom-line estimates in the past four quarters.

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For fiscal 2025, analysts predict Valero Energy to post adjusted EPS of $9.97, a 17.6% rise from $8.48 in fiscal 2024. Moreover, adjusted EPS is anticipated to increase 25.3% year-over-year to $12.49 in fiscal 2026.

www.barchart.com

VLO stock has soared 37.9% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 16.8% gain and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF's (XLE) 6.4% rise over the same period.

www.barchart.com

Shares of VLO jumped nearly 7% on Oct. 23 after the company reported stronger-than-expected Q3 2025 adjusted EPS of $3.66. The company also beat revenue expectations with $32.17 billion and reported a major rebound in refining performance, including a 44% surge in refining margin per barrel to $13.14 and throughput utilization of 97%.

Analysts' consensus rating on VLO stock is moderately optimistic, with a "Moderate Buy" rating overall. Out of 20 analysts covering the stock, opinions include 12 "Strong Buys," one "Moderate Buy," and seven "Holds." The average analyst price target for Valero Energy is $186.72, suggesting a potential upside of 13.3% from current levels.

On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
A fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, during New Year celebrations killed an estimated 40 people and injured about 100, many critically. Authorities ruled out terrorism and say hospitals are overwhelmed as investigations continue.

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A Russian service member stands next to the remains of a drone, which, according to the Russian Defence Ministry, was downed during the repelling of an alleged Ukrainian attack on the Russian presidential residence in the Novgorod Region. (Image: Reuters)
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Russia says 24 killed in attack in occupied Kherson region
Authorities said several people were injured in the blast at a bar in the Swiss ski resort. (IMAGE: @OsiOsint1/X)
US President Trump shared a New York Post editorial criticizing Russia for blocking Ukraine peace efforts and accusing Putin of hypocrisy. The move signals Trumps growing frustration with Moscow and aligns him with calls to intensify US pressure on the Kremlin.

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Swiss authorities are investigating a deadly fire at a luxury ski resort that killed at least 40 people during New Year celebrations, ruling out terrorism for now but examining all angles amid heightened global concerns over lone-actor and ideologically driven attacks.

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US intelligence finds no evidence Ukraine targeted Putin's residence in drone attack
Small and medium-sized enterprises are central to South Africas digital payments transformation. Around 90% of SMEs now accept digital payments, highlighting how cashless solutions have become essential for managing cash flow, improving transparency and reaching customers across multiple sales channels. For many businesses, faster settlement and access to transaction data have strengthened financial planning and reduced operational risk. The ability to operate seamlessly across physical stores, e-commerce platforms and delivery services is increasingly viewed as a competitive necessity rather than an optional upgrade.

Efficient payment infrastructure lowers barriers to entry and supports economic participation at scale, Barrett said. When transactions become faster, cheaper and more reliable, it strengthens confidence for both consumers and businesses, which ultimately supports more sustainable growth.

The expansion of digital payments infrastructure is improving transaction efficiency across the economy. Broader point-of-sale coverage and rising contactless adoption have reduced friction for consumers while improving settlement speed for businesses. These developments are extending beyond major urban centres, enabling smaller merchants and informal traders to participate more fully in the digital economy.

Momentum has been reinforced by a sharp expansion in payment acceptance across the region. In 2025, Africas digital payments network expanded by 45%, significantly increasing access for merchants and consumers and strengthening transaction infrastructure in South Africas retail and services sectors. Investments in tokenisation, real-time processing and security have supported both in-store and online commerce, improving reliability and trust in digital transactions.

South Africas payments landscape is reaching a point where digital finance is no longer supplementary, but foundational, said David Barrett, Chief Executive Officer of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd . The scale and consistency of adoption show that cashless transactions are becoming embedded across consumer behaviour and business operations, which has important implications for liquidity, transparency and market efficiency.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Jan. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EBC Financial Group notes that South Africas digital payments market is entering a decisive growth phase, with card-based transactions projected to exceed ZAR2.9 trillion ($159 billion) in 2025. Card usage continues to rise at a robust 10.4% annual pace, with South African consumers averaging more than 118 card transactions per year, placing the country among the most active card-using markets in the emerging world. Recent industry data reinforces the scale of this transition. Rising merchant acceptance, contactless technology and mobile-led payments are reshaping how households and businesses transact, supporting efficiency and broader participation in the formal economy.

Story Continues

Barret explained, For SMEs, digital payments are as much about survival as they are about growth. Cashless systems improve visibility and predictability, which are critical for managing costs, planning investment and navigating periods of volatility.

Regional Connectivity and Cross-Border Efficiency

Beyond domestic transactions, digital finance is strengthening South Africas role as a regional payments hub. New cross-border platforms are reducing settlement times and transaction costs, supporting trade flows and remittances across southern Africa. Improved efficiency in cross-border payments is enhancing liquidity and encouraging greater participation by businesses engaged in regional commerce. These developments align with wider continental trends. Africas digital payments economy is projected to reach around ZAR25 trillion $1.5 trillion by 2030, with South Africa expected to remain a key driver due to its mature banking system, regulatory framework and high mobile penetration. Cross-border efficiency is particularly important for South Africa given its role in regional trade, Barrett said. Lower friction in payments supports stronger capital flows and makes it easier for businesses and investors to operate across markets.

Outlook: Digital Finance as Economic Infrastructure

Looking ahead, continued growth in mobile payments, contactless transactions and real-time settlement is expected to deepen South Africas digital finance ecosystem. Investment in cybersecurity, infrastructure resilience and collaboration between banks, fintech firms and global payment networks will remain critical to sustaining momentum.

For markets, the expansion of digital payments signals more than technological progress. It reflects stronger economic participation, improved transaction transparency and a gradual shift towards a more efficient and inclusive financial system.

Digital finance is becoming core economic infrastructure, Barrett said. For investors and traders, this matters because it supports liquidity, improves market functioning and enhances the resilience of the broader financial system.

For more information, visit www.ebc.com.

Disclaimer: This material is for information only and does not constitute a recommendation or advice from EBC Financial Group and all its entities ("EBC"). Trading Forex and Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Losses can exceed your deposits. Before trading, you should carefully consider your trading objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and consult an independent financial advisor if necessary. Statistics or past investment performance are not a guarantee of future performance. EBC is not liable for any damages arising from reliance on this information.

About EBC Financial Group

Founded in Londons esteemed financial district, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is a global brand known for its expertise in financial brokerage and asset management. Through its regulated entities operating across major financial jurisdictionsincluding the UK, Australia, the Cayman Islands, Mauritius, and othersEBC enables retail, professional, and institutional investors to access a wide range of global markets and trading opportunities, including currencies, commodities, shares, and indices.

Recognised with multiple awards, EBC is committed to upholding ethical standards and these subsidiaries are licensed and regulated within their respective jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA); EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia's Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); EBC Financial (MU) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission Mauritius (FSC); EBC Financial Group SA (Pty) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).

At the core of EBC are a team of industry veterans with over 40 years of experience in major financial institutions. Having navigated key economic cycles from the Plaza Accord and 2015 Swiss franc crisis to the market upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic. We foster a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor relationship is handled with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

As the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of FC Barcelona, EBC provides specialised services across Asia, LATAM, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Through its partnership with United to Beat Malaria, the company contributes to global health initiatives. EBC also supports the 'What Economists Really Do' public engagement series by Oxford University's Department of Economics, helping to demystify economics and its application to major societal challenges, fostering greater public understanding and dialogue.

https://www.ebc.com/

Media Contact:

Saiful Shamsudin

Global PR Executive

saiful.shamsudin@ebc.com

Aldric Tinker Toyad

Global PR Lead

aldric.tinker@ebc.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/de2df810-e578-4869-bbc7-16c0a46d8841




By Emmanuel T. Erediano

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

THE Public School System will implement a reduced austerity measure on Jan. 11, 2026, restoring one of the Mondays previously removed in November and December 2025 following the enactment of the revised fiscal year 2026 budget.

In a memorandum on Wednesday, Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho informed all PSS stakeholders that the work schedule for all employees, including classroom teachers, will increase from 64 to 72 hours per week beginning Jan. 11.

This outcome was made possible by federal contingency resources, which mitigated the impact of a deeper and longer austerity for PSS.

Under the new schedule, austerity Mondays will occur every non-payday week. Before the FY 2026 budget, which allocated $36.2 million to PSS, the system had implemented a 64-hour work week with no Monday classes at all schools.

For example, Jan. 12, 2026, will be an austerity Monday. Since Jan. 19 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, classes will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Jan. 26 will be another austerity Monday, while Feb. 2 will be a regular school day. The alternating schedule will continue through the rest of the school year.

We remain hopeful that our leaders will continue to identify solutions to further increase our PSS budget, Camacho said. Should additional funding be appropriated, we will reassess our operations with the goal of further reducing austerity measures.

In the meantime, he added, the PSS federal program office, in collaboration with school leaders, is exploring opportunities to offer student support and academic enrichment programs at school sites on austerity Mondays. This will provide students with additional well-rounded learning opportunities. More information and guidance on these programs will be provided at a later date.

Camacho stressed that, along with the Board of Education, he and the PSS leadership team continue to advocate on behalf of our students, educators, and staff while working collaboratively with our leaders to secure the best possible outcome for our school system.

Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
Photos taken by Emmanuel T. Erediano in the Garapan tourism district on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.

By Emmanuel T. Erediano

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

IT has been a rough year for all of us here, Gov. David M. Apatang said on Monday as he reflected on the past months, when economic challenges from previous years continued to confront the Commonwealth.

He recalled that he, the lieutenant governor at the time, and former Gov. Arnold I. Palacios came in with a lot of issues facing the CNMI. There were a lot of challenges economically, he said, referring to when he and Palacios were sworn into office in January 2023.

Up to now, he added, these economic challenges are still confronting the CNMI.

Economic strains

The CNMI began 2025 with a $117 million budget. Although it increased to $139 million in a revised budget signed by Palacios in February, the Finance Department warned of a substantial adverse effect on government revenue collections due to potential withdrawal of charter flights and possible closures of major tourism-related businesses.

The acting Finance secretary issued a memorandum stating that the potential withdrawal of charter services, particularly those from key airlines like Jeju Air, and the possible closure of major conglomerate establishments that play a vital role in the local tourism industry are expected to have a significant impact on the tourism sector.

Around the same time, the transition team created by the Palacios-Apatang administration reported $86 million in overcommitted American Rescue Plan Act funds and $37 million in overspent local funds.

On April 30, Duty Free Shop Saipan closed its doors after 40 years on the island, leaving another empty building in the Garapan business district. Later, Jeju Air, one of the two remaining airlines bringing tourists from Korea, temporarily reduced late-night flights between Sept. 10 and Oct. 1.

In September, Gov. Apatang signed a $127 million fiscal year 2026 spending measure but urged the Legislature to pass a revised budget with decreased revenues forecasted, noting that the administration would need to implement immediate proportionate budget reductions across the board, resulting in a forthcoming work hour cut to the executive branch.

In memoriam

The CNMI also lost several respected leaders in 2025. In March, former House Speaker Oscar M. Babauta, who was serving as special assistant for administration, passed away at age 70. The sudden passing of Gov. Palacios later caught the Commonwealth by surprise; he was 69.

Three months later, former Rep. Andrew S. Salas died at age 69. In November, former Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente passed away at 66.

Reflecting on the difficult year, Gov. Apatang said, I am hoping that next year will be a lot better for all of us here in the Commonwealth.

Renewed hope for business

Saipan Chamber of Commerce President Joe C. Guerrero, who co-chairs the Governors Council of Economic Advisers, said 2025 has been another challenging year for the business community in general. But he noted, there is sort of renewed hope.

Guerrero said many business owners told him they feel hopeful about the CNMI governments initiatives, citing the opening of the One Stop Business Permitting Center on Capital Hill as an example.

People might think this is just a small thing, but for many businesses, it gives them motivation, he said. Entrepreneurs feel that the government is ready to help them start a business, despite difficulties.

He believes that the business community is turning the corner. I think so, and I sense it. Guerrero also praised the governors accessibility: Never before in the past few years have members of the business community had such direct access to the governors office. We dont have to wait for weeks for an appointment.

No matter how challenging the year was, he said, we dont lose hope, and the government is really helping businesses.

Stabilizing tourism

Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Jamika Taijeron described 2025 as a year that was more about stabilization for the tourism sector, which, she added, faced a volatile market.

Our airlines are stopping and starting flights, suspending operations, and changing schedules, she said. In order for CNMI tourism to recover, we need stability.

Looking ahead to 2026, she said the Commonwealth is poised for the start of recovery, especially as we are able to get some new airlines interested.

Taijeron also highlighted the CNMI tourisms new global branding launched earlier this month, the Far From Ordinary campaign, which is designed to help all partners understand the brand story, positioning, and guidelines.

So I look at it as a new beginning and an opportunity to reimagine our tourism future, she said.

Achievements

Commerce Secretary Remy Mafnas said 2025 was a year of accomplishments for her department.

We have accomplished a lot in 2025, but it doesnt stop there. We still have many things to accomplish in 2026, she said.

Aside from launching the One Stop Business Permitting Center on Capital Hill, Commerce is developing an online portal for business permitting, beginning with banking and insurance services. Other 2025 accomplishments include the Made in the CNMI product seal, the Registrar of Corporations online portal, promulgation of captive insurance regulations, and the creation of the Foreign Corporations Liaison Office.

Lessons in public safety

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas said 2025 will offer lessons for 2026.

Whatever has happened in 2025, we take those lessons to advance ourselves in 2026, he said.

Macaranas noted that crime is becoming more technical and more advanced, requiring officers to receive updated training to meet modern challenges. He also highlighted traffic safety: after zero road fatalities in 2024, DPS recorded two in 2025.

Much of our effort is focused on enforcing the law and making public safety a priority, he said. Respect your neighbor, help your neighbor. Drive safely, within speed limits, and buckle up. These precautions are for your protection.

Cautious optimism

Despite a challenging 2025 marked by economic strain, business closures, airline reductions, and the loss of key leaders, CNMI officials and community leaders expressed cautious optimism. Initiatives like the One Stop Business Permitting Center, new tourism branding, and ongoing fiscal management point to renewed hope for stability and growth in 2026.

Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
By Bryan Manabat

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

THE CNMI tourism industry faced mounting challenges in 2025, but it also launched a global rebranding campaign aimed at redefining the Marianas identity in international markets.

Visitor arrivals remained below pre-pandemic levels as limited air service and strong competition from other destinations weighed on recovery. The Marianas Visitors Authority acknowledged the difficulties but said new branding initiatives are beginning to show results.

Global branding campaign launched

Weve never done rebranding, and weve never had a consistent message about how we want to present ourselves to the world, said MVA Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron. This campaign is about telling our story in a way that resonates with younger generations and travelers seeking authentic experiences.

The Brand Identity Marketing Strategy, rolled out in late 2025, targeted key markets such as Japan and Korea. Taijeron reported a 42% increase in arrivals from Japan in October, attributing the growth to active marketing and digital outreach. Overall, however, MVA recorded 10,793 arrivals in October  down 29% from October 2024. November arrivals fell further to 8,618, a 30% drop year-on-year, underscoring the fragile nature of the recovery.

Hotels see low occupancy

Hotel occupancy mirrored the decline. The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands reported an average occupancy rate of just 17% in November  the lowest November rate in 13 years outside of the pandemic.

Of 62,052 available room nights, only 10,736 were sold, compared to 17,292 in November 2024. The average room rate was $102.65, also the lowest November rate in more than a decade.

Challenges remain

Industry leaders cautioned that the gains from rebranding remain fragile. Air seat capacity is limited, with carriers hesitant to expand routes amid uncertain demand. Rising operational costs, workforce shortages, and regional competition add further strain.

Taijeron acknowledged the challenges but stressed that rebranding is a long-term investment. We are working to reposition the Marianas globally, not just as a beach destination, but as a place where culture, environment, and community come together, she said.

Looking ahead

Stakeholders also highlighted the need for infrastructure improvements and diversification of attractions to sustain growth. Environmental sustainability and community engagement were identified as priorities for the industrys future.

Despite the hurdles, 2025 marked a turning point for CNMI tourism. The rebranding campaign, combined with modest gains in Japanese arrivals, provided cautious optimism heading into 2026.

Tourism is the lifeblood of the CNMI economy, Taijeron said. We must continue to adapt, innovate, and strengthen our partnerships to ensure the Marianas remains competitive.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
The waters between Guam and Rota are seen from the Ritidian Overlook on Dec. 8, 2025. Photo by David Castro/The Guam Daily Post

By Walter Ulloa

For Variety

HAGATNA (The Guam Daily Post)  The possibility of deep seabed mining near the Marianas triggered an unprecedented wave of opposition from Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands throughout 2025, uniting government leaders, activists and scientists in a fight against federal plans they say could devastate island waters and ways of life.

The year began with early warnings. In August, Carlotta Leon Guerrero, Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros special adviser on military and regional affairs, raised concerns that the federal government was sidelining Guams input on mining decisions, part of what she described as the Trump administrations pattern of bypassing international regulatory processes. Her comments came as American Samoa faced similar proposals that drew tens of thousands of public comments in opposition.

Guam Delegate James Moylan was already demanding territorial consent before any mining could proceed. His early stance foreshadowed what would become a months-long battle after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued its request for information on Nov. 12, seeking input on commercial leasing for minerals in waters east of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.

The BOEM RFI set off alarm bells across the region. The proposal covers roughly 35.5 million acres in waters between 3,700 and 25,100 feet deep, targeting areas considered prospective for ferromanganese crusts and nodules containing critical minerals that the administration says are essential for defense systems and technology.

But the federal government gave the territories just 30 days to respond, a timeline island leaders immediately challenged as insufficient for communities to provide comprehensive feedback on proposals that could bring mineral extraction to waters between Guam and Rota.

Moylan and CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds formally requested a 120-day extension in November, arguing BOEM was risking decisions without fully understanding the impact on fisheries, marine ecosystems and island economies.

Current deep-sea mining technologies pose tremendous risks of disrupting fisheries and marine ecosystems, which could endanger Guam and the CNMIs interconnected economies, the delegates stated.

Govs. Leon Guerrero and David Apatang of the CNMI also requested more time, with Leon Guerrero emphasizing that island communities need a process that respects the time it takes to consult residents, scientists and cultural leaders.

BOEM granted a 30-day extension in mid-December, moving the deadline to Jan. 12, 2026, but the extension disappointed island leaders who said it fell far short of what was needed and pushed the deadline into the Christmas and New Year holiday season.

While extending the comment period is a step in the right direction, it is not enough, Leon Guerrero said.

Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio traveled to Washington to advocate for Guams position, meeting with Defense and Interior Department officials while calling out what he characterized as the Trump administrations aggressive posture on resource extraction.

Its very clear that this expedited time frame is in line with the aggressive posture that the administration, the Trump administration, is taking on getting resources for its needs, Tenorio said. But here, you know, these waters are untouched.

He pointed to American Samoas experience, where approximately 76,000 comments were submitted, with roughly 98% opposing mining, yet BOEM announced it would move forward with environmental review.

This is why there needs to be a significant amount of awareness on the congressional side, Tenorio said.

On Dec. 22, Leon Guerrero, Tenorio, Moylan, Speaker Frank Blas Jr. and Sen. Tina Muna Barnes met to coordinate their response, creating a unified front that Blas said gives the territories a larger voice.

If you see that coming from all three of us at the same time, its got a larger voice, Blas said of the unified opposition from Guam, the CNMI and American Samoa.

Activists mobilized through organizations such as Prutehi Guahan, hosting workshops to help residents prepare comments and pushing back on what they called false promises of economic benefits.

The truth of the matter is that there are absolutely no benefits, said Monaeka Flores, Prutehi Guahans executive director. Theres no amount that is enough for the permanent destruction of our ocean, of our Marianas.

Scientists warned that damage from mining could potentially last generations, while local experts said the proposal lacks critical research.

As 2025 closed, more than 1,000 comments had been submitted to the federal docket, with governments planning additional community education efforts in 2026. The fight continues, with leaders making clear they will not back down on protecting island waters and heritage.

Our ocean is not a commodity, Leon Guerrero said. It is our lifeline, our heritage and our responsibility to protect for generations to come.
Electronic Arts (EA) is a staple of the gaming industry. The company is known for making many popular, well-known games that it has been able to aggressively capitalize on. It popularized microtransactions in its industry, and its reputation has been tied to its profit-driven actions.

Regardless, the online gaming industry is plagued by anemic profits, so these greedy moves have actually propelled it into one of the stalwarts of the industry.

More News from Barchart

Unfortunately, you may no longer be able to get much exposure to it. The company has agreed to be acquired in an all-cash take-private deal valuing the company at about $55 billion, with shareholders set to receive $210 per share.

www.barchart.com

Saudi Arabia's Acquisition of EA

EA is being acquired by a buyer group led by Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund (PIF), alongside Silver Lake and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners. These are the same names that have been heavily investing in AI companies, and this massive gaming investment means they see more growth potential in this sector. It is one of the largest buyout attempts in history due to the headline value involved.

The stock jumped by 20% immediately after the deal and has been trading sideways since. EA's current price of $204.50 has turned it into a merger arbitrage opportunity.

Why the PIF Is Acquiring EA

EA is widely identified with major franchises, including Madden NFL, Battlefield, and The Sims, which is part of why it drew buyout interest in mainstream deal coverage.

In early 2025 reporting, EA also spotlighted large capital returns, covering a planned $1 billion accelerated share repurchase within a broader $5 billion authorization.

The profits and the number of popular franchises likely caught the attention of outsiders who wanted to take it off the public markets. The PIF is after anything trendy and flashy, so this fits perfectly.

For EA, it will reduce pressure from quarterly market scrutiny, whereas shareholders before the deal was announced secured at least a 20% profit.

All things considered, it appears to be a win-win. EA stock was already on a strong uptrend before the deal's announcement, so it was surprising that shareholders had already approved it. The biggest hurdle now is regulatory, which too seems likely to pass.
By Zaldy Dandan  Variety Editor

HALF a century ago today, the NMI was still a Trust Territory district administered by the United States. The Covenant, which would make the islands part of the U.S., was still pending in the U.S. Senate. That was why then-District Administrator Francisco C. Ada vetoed a bill passed by the district legislature calling for a constitutional convention, saying it may be too presumptuous. He also noted that the bill did not identify a funding source. We cannot commit funds for which we have not been given appropriations, Ada was quoted by Marianas Variety as saying.

In other front-page news 50 years ago, several members of the public voiced opposition to a proposed $2.50 fee  worth about $15 today  that the local airport authority wanted to impose on each passenger. The authority sought the increase to help fund operations at Saipans newly opened international airport. At a public hearing conducted by the district legislature, Some opponentsvoiced that it would be better to close the airport if its operation would bring another burden on this community. Others objected to the proposal because it would mostly affect residents of Tinian and Rota, who need to travel to Saipan for hospital care, school, shopping, and to transport their farming crops.

In the Trust Territory High Court, a local man who had taken the life of another local man was sued by the victims family for $440,000  worth about $2.6 million today  in damages. The defendant had pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter but had not yet been sentenced. The chief justice postponed sentencing until further order of the court because of threats, attempts and promises of further attempts to do harm to the defendant, to do harm to his counsel, and to do harm to the prosecution. He said he would not tolerate further attempts to influence the judicial process and that such actions would be dealt with most strongly.

There was good news, too. Variety reported that the U.S. government had finally lifted all restrictions on foreign investment in the Trust Territory. According to the TT Department of Resources and Development, the islands were now offering a favorable climate for foreign investors. There were no real estate or corporate taxes. There were no restrictions on the repatriation of dividends, interest, or related fees. Wages and salaries were taxed at 3%; gross revenues at 1%. Import taxes were low, and the only export tax was levied on scrap metal.

Not bad at all.

TT residents, Variety noted, are faced with a paradox in the area of foreign investment and economic development. On the one hand, they wish to completely control their lives; on the other hand, they seek economic and social benefits which can only be obtained through relaxation of restrictions on and promotion of active import of alien capital.

Variety also featured a speech delivered by U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell, D-Rhode Island, regarding the proposed Covenant with the NMI. Pell  now best known as the sponsor of Pell Grant legislation  opposed the Covenant. I am convinced, he told his colleagues, that our national interest would be best served by rejecting this proposal.

As for the argument that the islands were of major importance to the security of the United States in the Asian and Pacific regions, Pell said such a rationale does not require the creation of a Commonwealth. Provisions guaranteeing the nonavailability of these islands for military purposes can be written into any bilateral agreement. In addition, there exists the unexplored option of negotiating an international treaty declaring these islands  or this entire area  off-limits for military purposes.

He added that in the wake of our tragic experience in Indochina, and at a time when the United States should be pruning back its extensive network of overseas commitments, it is difficult to see the benefits of creating a costly and permanent obligation for the United States in islands lying 4,000 miles west of Hawaii and 7,000 miles west of California.

In the U.S. Senate, the Covenant faced some surprisingly sharp opposition from a small coalition of conservative Southern and Eastern liberal senators, including Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden, George McGovern, and even the majority leader himself, Mike Mansfield.

Among the Covenants leading proponents was U.S. Sen. J. Bennett Johnston, a moderate-conservative Democrat of Louisiana.

During the Senate debate, Johnston reminded his colleagues of one thing which I think is of absolutely critical importance here. That is the fact that if these islands came into the possession of a foreign power  Russia or China  they would be an immense menace to the United States and our interests in the Pacific. They would leapfrog over Taiwan, leapfrog over the Philippines, and be right smack in the middle of the Pacific, with a base for radio communications, for submarine warfare, for refueling, for all those things that these islands, so strategically located, could furnish.

On Feb. 24, 1976, the U.S. Senate approved the Covenant (H.J. Res. 549) by a vote of 66 in favor and 23 opposed, with 11 members not voting.

At the Washington, D.C., office of the NMI political status negotiators, the celebration lasted all night, Howard Willens and Deanne Siemer wrote in their indispensable 2002 book An Honorable Accord.

Telephone calls back home conveyed the good news to friends and relatives. Were in, they shouted, waving American flags. And indeed they were.

Send feedback to [email protected]

Zaldy Dandan is the recipient of the NMI Society of Professional Journalists Best in Editorial Writing Award and the NMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/.
Dear patient readers,

Happy New Year! Wishing you a wonderful 2026!

All of us here are very grateful for your readership, your comments, your links, and your support. We are honored to serve such a wonderful community.

And let us not forget:

 Video: Children in Gaza light candles on New Years Evehttps://t.co/PZrNqKbB9z  Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) January 1, 2026

* * *

What is Nifty Nugget? NDAA revives 47-year-old military exercise Military Times (Kevin W)

New images reveal what really happens when stars explode ScienceDaily (Kevin W)

Incandescent anger aeon

#COVID-19/Pandemics

Climate/Environment

China?

Japan

South of the Border

European Disunion

Israel v. The Resistance

Saudis v. UAE

New Not-So-Cold War

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

Imperial Collapse Watch

The Price of American Authoritarianism Foreign Affairs. Robin K:

Be warned! They are keen on how bad Trump is, but (still) think Democrats are a cure. Lump together Hungary, Poland, Turkey (sic), and Venezuela. Nevermind that the first three are historically conservative societies, and that, by contrast, Chavez et al are leftand that theyve had to govern under constant US sanctions and political pressures.

The Oil Company Drilled. The Government Slaughtered. Who Is Guilty? New York Times (resilc). This sort of thing should be routine as opposed to exceptional

Trump 2.0

GOP Clown Car

Megyn Kelly BRUTALIZES Mark Levin!! Young Turks, YouTube

Supremes

Roberts avoids clashes with Trump in end-of-year judiciary report The Hill

Mamdani

How California built one of the worlds biggest public-sector IT systems The Register. Too soon to tell if this goes under The Bezzle. Paul R notes: I hadnt heard about this before. Based on Peoplesoft, not a good sign these days.

Our No Longer Free Press

The demise of Bari Weiss has already begun The Grayzone, YouTube. I hate to second-guess the great Max Blumenthal, but Bari Weiss floundering does not mean she is likely to be ousted all that soon. Look at the leadership of major governments all over the West. Serial screwups with low popular support stay in their post and do not seem to be going anywhere. Weiss was not hired to be competent at running a network. She was hired for abject loyalty to Israel and her willingness to take marching orders from the Ellisons, which means not caring about journalistic integrity. The West has found a way to end free speech Ricky Hale and Council Estate Media. Fine long-form treatment of the disgraceful and alarming Jacques Baud case. DOJ Sent Letters to Medical Journals. Then What Happened? MedPage Today

Mr. Market is Schizoid

A reader sent this tweet:

 THE SYSTEM IS BREAKING IN REAL-TIME Ive been trading futures for two decades. Ive seen volatility, crashes and squeezes. But I have NEVER seen the CME raise margins on a major commodity by 30% overnight for the second time in a single week. Look at the document pic.twitter.com/c9foqFLVm3  NoLimit (@NoLimitGains) December 31, 2025

Veteran trader and MMT authority Warren Mosler was so gracious as to comment:

Its limited to a few metals? Not in currencies, rates, equities, lumber, grains, etc. etc?

Economic data softening post tariff and ev credit etc. front running but no dramatic collapse.

Even crypto vol is down after the large sell off?

Am I missing something? When they raised margins on silver in 1980 with price hitting a high of maybe 60 it ended the rally.

Maybe theyre thinking same this time?

In any case, its a way to maybe cool some speculation.

But from the headlines from the last few days, seems maybe a producer was hedging output with sales of

futures, and had margin calls large enough to force a short covering liquidation, causing the spike to 80. Even though a producer or holder of physical silver has physical silver that was equally up in market value, lenders still limit how much theyll lend against it which can force liquidation.

AI

The Bezzle

Crackdown on crypto tax evasion comes into force Financial Times

Guillotine Watch

Chuck L: Where are the Oreshniks when you need them? Hundreds of billionaires are on the same island  for new years eve  pic.twitter.com/6eZ5EeZeq7  mrredpillz jokaqarmy (@JOKAQARMY1) December 31, 2025 Billionaires added record $2.2tn in wealth in 2025 Guardian

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour (via):

A New Years bonus:

Auld Lang Syne on the cello with my dog. Happy New Year from Ireland! pic.twitter.com/ubIEFDUYe8  Patrick Dexter (@patrickdextervc) December 31, 2025

A second bonus:

He's got the moves! The cutest animal videos of all time: https://t.co/BATEhuC4lU pic.twitter.com/Gv8FmwDx2g  Fascinating (@fasc1nate) December 9, 2025

And a third:

A RARE white moose appeared in the forest Real animal, real mutation  only a few hundred exist pic.twitter.com/sM40OH8sW9  RT (@RT_com) December 20, 2025

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
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 use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model .

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Tristel plc ( LON:TSTL ) as an investment opportunity by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

Analyst price target for TSTL is UK4.70 which is 8.4% below our fair value estimate

Story continues

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. 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 3.0%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.9%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK16m (1 + 3.0%)  (7.9% 3.0%) = UK340m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK340m ( 1 + 7.9%)10= UK158m

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 UK245m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK4.2, the company appears about fair value at a 19% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

AIM:TSTL Discounted Cash Flow January 1st 2026

Important Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the 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 Tristel 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 7.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.971. 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.

Check out our latest analysis for Tristel

SWOT Analysis for Tristel

Strength

Currently debt free.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Medical Equipment industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Medical Equipment market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the British market.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Tristel, we've put together three essential aspects you should further examine:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Tristel that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does TSTL'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. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the AIM every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks 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.
The International Federation of Journalists reported 128 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, marking another deadly year for the profession. The Middle East and Arab World was the most lethal region, accounting for 74 deaths, with 56 journalists killed in Palestine alone due to the war in Gaza. The Asia-Pacific region imprisoned the most journalists, with China holding 143, while the global total of jailed media workers reached 533. IFJ leaders condemned the crisis, urging governments to end impunity and protect press freedom.

IFJ reports 128 journalists killed worldwide in 2025, with 74 deaths in the Middle East. Gaza conflict and global press freedom crisis highlighted.

New Delhi, January 1 A total of 128 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, making it another deadly year for journalism, with the Middle East and Arab World emerging as the worst-affected region, according to the final Killed List released by the International Federation of Journalists.

According to the reports released on Wednesday, the IFJ said the Middle East and Arab World accounted for 74 of the total deaths--nearly 58 per cent of all journalists killed globally--largely due to reporting in conflicts, particularly the war in Gaza.

Of these, 56 journalists were killed in Palestine alone, highlighting the severe risks faced by media professionals in conflict zones.

"The Middle East and Arab World holds a macabre record for the number of journalists killed in 2025, with 74 deaths. Palestinian journalists have paid the highest price, as a result of the war in Gaza, where the IFJ recorded 56 killings. The most emblematic was the 10 August targeted attack on Anas Al-Sharif, an Al Jazeera reporter: he was killed, along with five other journalists and media workers, in a tent housing journalists on the outskirts of Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City," the release read.

Releasing the report, the IFJ said the total death toll includes nine accidental deaths and 10 women journalists. The Federation also confirmed that 17 additional cases occurred after December 10, revising its earlier preliminary figure of 111 killings.

The IFJ noted that Yemen recorded 13 journalist deaths, Ukraine eight, and Sudan six, while India and Peru reported four deaths each.

Several other countries, including Pakistan, Mexico, the Philippines and Peru, saw three journalists killed each during the year.

In the Asia-Pacific region, 15 journalists lost their lives. The region also continued to imprison the highest number of journalists globally, with 277 media workers behind bars.

China, including Hong Kong, remained the world's largest jailer of journalists, with 143 imprisoned, according to the report.

"The Asia-Pacific region continues to imprison the largest number of journalists for their work: 277 are currently behind bars. With 143 journalists imprisoned, China (including Hong Kong) remains the world's largest jail for media professionals. This is followed by Myanmar with 49 and Vietnam with 37," the report added.

Europe recorded 10 journalist killings in 2025, eight of them in Ukraine, amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Africa also reported nine work-related journalist killings, with Sudan accounting for six, while the Americas saw 11 deaths, with Peru recording the highest number in the region, with four.

The IFJ also released a list of 533 journalists currently imprisoned worldwide, warning of growing repression and impunity. Since the launch of its annual Killed List in 1990, the IFJ has documented 3,173 journalist deaths globally.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said the figures reflect a global crisis and urged governments to take immediate action to protect journalists, end impunity, and uphold press freedom, including by adopting an international mechanism to ensure journalists' safety.

"It is a global crisis. These deaths are a brutal reminder that journalists are being targeted with impunity, simply for doing their job. Governments must act now to protect media workers, bring killers to justice, and uphold press freedom. The world can no longer wait," Bellanger said.

- ANI
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has declared the state will set new national benchmarks in prosperity and governance by 2026, crediting the "double-engine" government under PM Modi. He highlighted that public welfare schemes have transparently improved living standards for all societal sections, including farmers and youth. The CM emphasized major tech investments, including establishing AI Cities in Lucknow and Noida and a Rs 3,700 crore semiconductor unit in Jewar. This forward-looking vision positions UP as a trusted hub for innovation and investment in India's journey to becoming a developed nation.

CM Yogi Adityanath outlines UP's roadmap to set new benchmarks in prosperity, governance, and tech innovation by 2026, highlighting AI cities and inclusive growth.

Lucknow, January 1 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state is playing a crucial role in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister said that the development and public welfare schemes being implemented in Uttar Pradesh have led to a significant improvement in the living standards of the people. He added that the benefits of government schemes are reaching all sections of society, including the poor, farmers, youth and women, in a transparent, timely and effective manner.

"Under the able guidance of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, 'New Uttar Pradesh' is playing a crucial role in the development journey of 'Viksit Bharat'. The development and public welfare schemes being implemented in the state have led to a significant improvement in the living standards of the people of Uttar Pradesh," Yogi Adityanath said.

Expressing confidence in the state's growth trajectory, Yogi Adityanath said that by 2026, the development-oriented policies of the double-engine government would enable Uttar Pradesh to set new benchmarks in prosperity, good governance and progress.

"We are fully confident that by 2026, the development-oriented policies of the double-engine government will enable Uttar Pradesh to set new benchmarks in prosperity, good governance and all-round progress," he added.

On Tuesday, Yogi Adityanath called for investment and the use of artificial intelligence (Al) in the state, stating that 2025 will be remembered for innovation in technology and data.

In an open letter to UP citizens, CM Yogi said that preparations are underway to establish 'Al City' in Lucknow and Noida. He added that 10 lakh citizens are receiving Al training under the 'Al Pragya' initiative.

In the letter shared on X, the Chief Minister said, "This is the time to enter the English year 2026. The year 2025 will be remembered for establishing new benchmarks of innovation in technology, Al, and data. Uttar Pradesh is forging new standards of forward-looking development. The reign of good governance in the state has empowered 'Brand UP' across the world. Uttar Pradesh has now become a state of trust for investors."

"Preparations are underway to establish 'Al City' in Lucknow and Noida. A semiconductor unit is being constructed in Jewar at a cost of Rs 3,700 crore. The success of the data centre policy, made with the focus on 'Swadeshi Centre' and secure data, is beginning to be seen. Commercial use of five hyperscale data centre parks has begun. The target is to invest Rs 30,000 crore in the data centre sector," CM Yogi added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended New Year greetings to the nation, wishing everyone an excellent 2026.

In a message shared on X, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the year ahead would bring good health and prosperity to all. He said he prays for success in people's efforts and fulfilment in all that they do.

The Prime Minister also prayed for peace and happiness in society, extending his best wishes for harmony and well-being as the country enters the new year.

- ANI
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declared 2026 a significant milestone for Uttarakhand's development journey during New Year greetings. He emphasized stronger steps toward good governance, public welfare, and self-reliance under PM Modi's guidance. Key priorities include ensuring scheme benefits reach all citizens, creating youth employment, empowering women, and preserving the state's natural and cultural heritage. The CM expressed confidence that with public cooperation, 2026 will advance the vision of making Uttarakhand a leading state.

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami outlines 2026 as a pivotal year for Uttarakhand's growth, focusing on governance, employment, heritage, and holistic development.

Dehradun, January 1 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday was extended New Year greetings at the Chief Minister's residence by ministers, MLAs, public representatives, senior officers and personnel from the administration and police department, as well as people from various regions of the state.

Senior officials from various departments and organisations of the Central Government, including the ITBP, also called on the Chief Minister to convey their New Year wishes.

Welcoming all the visitors, Chief Minister Dhami expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the greetings. He said that the New Year symbolises renewed energy, fresh resolve, and new opportunities, inspiring greater commitment towards the service of society and the state.

The Chief Minister stated that the year 2026 would prove to be a significant milestone in Uttarakhand's development journey. During this year, the state government will take even stronger steps towards the goals of good governance, public welfare, and self-reliance. He emphasized that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is working with full dedication for the holistic development of the state.

He further said that ensuring the benefits of development schemes reach every citizen, creating employment opportunities for the youth, empowering women, strengthening basic facilities including education and healthcare, and preserving the state's natural and cultural heritage remain the government's key priorities. He reaffirmed the government's firm resolve to preserve the religious character of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.

Expressing confidence, the Chief Minister said that with the cooperation of the administration and the people, the year would mark an important step towards realizing the vision of placing Uttarakhand among the leading states of the country.

Calling on everyone to remain united in the state's development, Chief Minister Shri Dhami wished the people of the state happiness, prosperity, and well-being, and expressed hope that the New Year would bring joy, success, and new opportunities to everyone's lives.

Additionally, CM Dhami called on Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd.) at Lok Bhavan in Dehradun to extend New Year greetings; the two leaders also discussed various contemporary issues.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand CM met former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and former Governor of Maharashtra, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, at his residence in Dehradun and extended his best wishes for the New Year 2026.

- ANI
Russian authorities accuse Ukraine of a premeditated drone attack on a civilian New Year's celebration in the Kherson region, resulting in significant casualties. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the strike as a "terrorist act" and blamed Western supporters of Ukraine. Regional officials reported drones, including one with an incendiary payload, hit a cafe and hotel, causing a major fire. While Ukraine did not comment on the Kherson incident, its military separately reported carrying out strikes on an oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region.

Russian MFA reports a Ukrainian drone strike on a cafe and hotel during New Year's festivities in Kherson, killing 24 civilians and injuring over 50.

Moscow, January 1 At least 24 people were killed, including a child and more than 50 were injured after Ukrainian drones struck a cafe and a hotel during New Year celebrations in the Kherson region, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the attack took place in the early hours of 2026 and targeted a location where civilians had gathered to celebrate the New Year.

The ministry alleged that the strike was carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), calling it "another terrorist act against civilians" by the Kyiv regime.

"For more than 70 residents the New Year became a tragedy: the Neo-Nazis attacked a cafe and a hotel in the Kherson region of Russia using UAVs. 24 people were killed, over 50 were wounded and have been hospitalized. Among those affected -- six kids from the age of 6 to 17, one child was killed," the statement read.

The MFA further accused that the attack was "preplanned", noting that the drones were directed to a place where civilians celebrated the New Year.

Following the strike, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukrainian forces of carrying out what she described as an act carried out by "terrorist bastards in Ukraine".

She also alleged that the attack deliberately targeted a civilian gathering and blamed Western countries for supporting Ukraine.

"Today we see this beastly pattern copycatted by the Kiev regime: the same neo-Nazi hatred, the same dehumanisation at an exponential rate, the same desecration of the sacrosanct," the spokesperson said.

"We blame this on everyone who sponsors terrorist bastards in Ukraine! We blame them for killing children and destroying civilians! We blame them for corrupting the Ukrainian statehood, which turned into a killing machine," she added.

Kherson region Governor Vladimir Saldo said three drones struck a cafe and a hotel in the coastal village of Khorly, stating that one of the drones reportedly carried an incendiary payload, leading to a major fire at the site.

According to Al Jazeera, Kherson is among the four Ukrainian regions that Russia claimed to have annexed in 2022.

Ukraine's military has not commented on Russia's allegations regarding the incident in Kherson. However, in a separate statement, the Ukrainian armed forces said they carried out overnight strikes on Russia's Ilsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, noting that the attack's impact was still being assessed, Al Jazeera reported.

- ANI
In 2025, approximately 2.8 million Afghan refugees returned to their homeland, marking a significant reverse in decades of displacement. The Afghan Ministry of Economy linked this return to economic growth and hopes for future stability, with government strategies focusing on private sector support and major development projects. Daily repatriations continue, with over 2,000 refugees recently returning from Pakistan and Iran in a single day, receiving humanitarian aid and support. This movement highlights a potential shift towards reconstruction and economic recovery in Afghanistan.

In 2025, 2.8 million Afghan refugees returned home, driven by economic growth and government initiatives to support investment and job creation.

Kabul, Jan 1 Around 2.8 million Afghan refugees have returned to their homeland, Afghanistan, in 2025, according to the country's Ministry of Economy.

"About 2.8 million refugees returned home in a year. The economy has grown, and the hopes have increased for further economic stability in the future," the Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) quoted the ministry's spokesperson, Abdul Rahman Habib, on Wednesday night as saying.

Habib did not give more details on the return of Afghan refugees.

However, Habib noted that the Afghan government would continue to support the private sector, foreign investment and implement major development projects to increase local products as part of an economic strategy to stabilise the national economy, create job opportunities and eventually alleviate poverty, reports Xinhua news agency.

Millions of Afghan refugees had been living in neighbouring Pakistan and Iran in the past more than four decades, escaping war and civil unrest.

Earlier on Wednesday, over 2,000 Afghan refugees were repatriated from Pakistan and Iran in a single day, a Taliban official said.

Sharing the High Commission for Addressing Migrants' Issues report on X, Taliban deputy spokesperson Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat stated that 450 families, comprising 2,254 people, returned to Afghanistan on Tuesday, Pajhwok Afghan News reported.

He said that Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan through the Spin Boldak crossing in Kandahar, the Bahramcha crossing in Helmand, the Torkham crossing in Nangarhar, the Islam Qala crossing in Herat and Pul-i-Abresham in Nimroz.

He noted that 199 returning families, comprising 1,018 people, were taken to their respective home areas, while 417 families were provided humanitarian assistance.

Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat stated that telecommunication firms provided 390 SIM cards to returning refugees.

As many as 2,827 Afghan migrants were deported from Iran and Pakistan.

- IANS
Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor began his tenure as Vice Chief of the Air Staff with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. The ceremony honored fallen heroes of the Indian Armed Forces and was attended by senior IAF officers. Kapoor, commissioned in 1986, brings over 3400 flying hours and extensive operational experience, including command roles in critical sectors. His diverse career spans instructional positions, a diplomatic assignment as Defence Attache in Pakistan, and key staff appointments at Air Headquarters.

Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor laid a wreath at the National War Memorial after assuming charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, honoring India's fallen soldiers.

New Delhi, January 1 Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in the national capital after assuming charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff here on Thursday.

The solemn ceremony marked his tribute to the fallen heroes of the Indian Armed Forces.

Senior officers of the Indian Air Force were present on the occasion as Air Marshal Kapoor paid homage, reaffirming the force's commitment to service, sacrifice and the defence of the nation.

Air Marshal Kapoor was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 06 December 1986. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. A Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader, he has more than 3400 hours of flying experience.

During his illustrious career, the Air Marshal has held numerous field and staff appointments. His operational tenures include being the Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron in the Central Sector, Station Commander of a flying base in the Western Sector and Air Officer Commanding of a premier air base.

He has done instructional tenures as Chief Instructor (Flying) at Air Force Academy and as Directing Staff at the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. During his tenure at the Air Force Academy, the Air Officer was instrumental in the induction and operationalisation of PC-7 MK II aircraft in the IAF.

He has also undertaken a diplomatic assignment as the Defence Attache in Pakistan. His staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Strategy) at Air HQ, Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Central Air Command.

Before taking over as AIC-in-C Training Command, he also served as the Air Officer-in-Charge, Personnel, at Air Headquarters in New Delhi.

- ANI
Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor has officially taken charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. A distinguished fighter pilot commissioned in 1986, he brings over 39 years of service and extensive operational experience across various command and staff roles. His career highlights include commanding fighter squadrons, serving as a Defence Attache, and playing a key role in inducting new aircraft at the Air Force Academy. Kapoor succeeds Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, who retired after four decades of service.

Veteran fighter pilot Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, with over 3400 flying hours, assumes the role of Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force.

New Delhi, January 1 Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor SYSM PVSM AVSM VM took charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force, on Thursday, according to an official release by the Ministry of Defence.

The Air Marshal graduated from the National Defence Academy in December 1985 and was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in the fighter stream of the Flying Branch on December 6, 1986. He is an experienced fighter pilot, a Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader.

During his distinguished flying career, he has flown all variants of the MiG-21 and the MiG-29 and has accumulated over 3400 hours of flying experience on a variety of combat and trainer aircraft, the release stated.

An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College, the Air Marshal has rendered more than 39 years of illustrious service and has held a wide spectrum of command, operational, instructional and staff appointments. His operational tenures include Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron in the Central Sector, Station Commander of a flying base in the Western Sector and Air Officer Commanding of a premier air base.

According to the release, Air Marshal Kapoor's instructional appointments include Chief Instructor (Flying) at the Air Force Academy and Directing Staff at the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. During his tenure at the Air Force Academy, the Air Officer was instrumental in the induction and operationalisation of the PC-7 Mk lI aircraft in the Indian Air Force.

The Air Marshal has also undertaken diplomatic assignment as Defence Attache to Pakistan. His key staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Strategy) at Air Headquarters, Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command, Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Central Air Command and Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air Headquarters.

Prior to assuming charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Marshal served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, and thereafter as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command.

In recognition of his exemplary and distinguished service to the nation, the Air Marshal has been awarded the Vavu Sena Medal in 2008, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022, and the Presidential Awards of Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Sarvottam Yudh Seva Meda in 2025, the release stated.

Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor takes over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff from Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari SYSM PVSM AVSM VM who superannuated after 40 years of glorious and distinguished service to the nation.

- ANI
Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model .

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Xylem Inc. ( NYSE:XYL ) as an investment opportunity by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

The US$167 analyst price target for XYL is 16% more than our estimate of fair value

Story Continues

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.3%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.4%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$2.6b (1 + 3.3%)  (8.4% 3.3%) = US$51b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$51b ( 1 + 8.4%)10= US$23b

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 US$35b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$136, the company appears about fair value at a 5.5% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

NYSE:XYL Discounted Cash Flow January 1st 2026

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Xylem 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 8.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.117. 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.

Check out our latest analysis for Xylem

SWOT Analysis for Xylem

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

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 Machinery market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 4 years.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Moving On:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Xylem, there are three fundamental aspects you should explore:

Risks: Take risks, for example - Xylem has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for XYL's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. 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. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the NYSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks 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.
American Samoa and Niue Island, both operating on Samoa Standard Time (UTC-11), were the last inhabited regions on Earth to enter the year 2026. Their entry concluded a wave of celebrations that began first in Kiribati hours earlier. Niue is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, while American Samoa is a US territory. The global transition was marked by fireworks and festivities from Auckland and London to cities across India.

American Samoa and Niue Island were the final inhabited places to enter 2026, concluding global New Year celebrations. Discover their unique time zones and political status.

Pago Pago, January 1 With every country in the world already ushering in the new calendar year, American Samoa and Niue Island became the last inhabited regions in the world to welcome the new year as they officially entered 2026.

As of 4:30 PM (IST), both regions in the South Pacific entered the new year, becoming the last inhabited locations worldwide to transition into 2026.

American Samoa observes Samoa Standard Time (UTC-11), while Niue Island operates on the same time zone.

Meanwhile, it is already January 2nd in some regions of the Pacific Nation of Kiribati, which is also the first country to enter 2026 and operates in three time zones.

The New Year dawned first in Kiribati, where midnight marked the start of 2026 on Kiritimati Island at 3:30 PM (IST).

Countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas celebrated the New Year hours earlier; the arrival of 2026 in American Samoa and Niue Island concluded worldwide New Year celebrations.

According to the Australian Government's country profile, the island of Niue is located in Polynesia, east of Tonga and northeast of New Zealand.

Niue is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, an arrangement dating from October 1974.

Meanwhile, American Samoa is a self-governing territory of the US and comprises five islands and two atolls. American Samoa is located approximately halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii.

Earlier, New Zealand rang in 2026 with dazzling fireworks and cultural performances, with fireworks lighting up the Auckland sky.

Thousands of revellers gathered around New Zealand's tallest structure, the Sky Tower, to watch a spectacular downtown light show as New Year celebrations began.

The London sky was also lit up with a dazzling fireworks display, drawing thousands of revellers to major tourist landmarks, including the London Eye, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey, as it entered the new year.

Across India, the New Year 2026 was welcomed with fireworks, prayers and public gatherings. Cities, hill towns and religious centres witnessed celebrations as people marked the occasion with family and friends.

- ANI
The action entertainer 'Seetha Payanam,' directed by and starring Arjun Sarja, is set for a worldwide release on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2026. The film features Arjun's daughter, Aishwarya Arjun, in the lead role, supported by a notable cast including Niranjan, Sathyaraj, and Prakash Raj. Produced by Shree Raam Films, the project is a multi-lingual release spanning Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. The film boasts a skilled technical crew with music by Anup Rubens and features a special role for Arjun's nephew, Dhruva Sarja, who plays a character named Pawan.

Arjun Sarja directs and stars in 'Seetha Payanam,' a multi-lingual action film releasing on Feb 14, 2026, featuring his daughter Aishwarya Arjun.

Chennai, Jan 1 The makers of actor and director Arjun Sarja's eagerly awaited action entertainer, 'Seetha Payanam', have now announced that the film will hit screens on February 14 for Valentine's Day this year.

Produced by Shree Raam Films, Seetha Payanam is multi-talented actor and director Arjun Sarja's latest directorial venture.

The film stars Arjun's daughter, Aishwarya Arjun, in the lead role, while Niranjan, Sathyaraj, Prakash Raj, and Kovai Sarala will be seen in pivotal roles as well.

Arjun also plays an important character in this film, in which his nephew Dhruva Srja has come on board for a special role.

On the New Year, Shree Ram Films took to its social media timelines to announce the film's release date. It said, "Through love. Through gratitude. A journey begins. #SeethaPayanam. WORLDWIDE RELEASE | FEB 14, 2026. Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam , Hindi."

It may be recalled that the makers had announced that Dhruva Sarja plays a character called Pawan - one of the names of Lord Hanuman - in the film. Interestingly, Arjun Sarja is known to be a devotee of Lord Hanuman. In fact, the actor has built a huge temple for Hanuman in Chennai.

Arjun Sarja, with his extensive filmmaking experience, has crafted a compelling story rich with commercial elements.

The movie is being brought to life by a team of skilled technicians. G Balamurugan is handling the cinematography of the film, which will have its music composed by the gifted Anup Rubens.

Ayoob Khan is in charge of the editing of the film, for which Sai Madhav Burra has penned the dialogues.

While the stunt sequences in the film have been choreographed by Babu, the dances in the film have been choreographed by Shrasti. Lyrics for the songs in the film have been penned by Chandra Bose and Kasarla Shyam.

- IANS
A catastrophic fire at the "Le Constellation" bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, has left approximately 40 people dead and 100 injured. The blaze erupted early on New Year's Eve, with witnesses suggesting sparklers on champagne bottles ignited the ceiling. Swiss authorities have cordoned off the area and established a no-fly zone as a large-scale emergency operation continues. International leaders, including the Presidents of Switzerland and France, have expressed their condolences as victims remain unidentifiable due to severe burns.

A devastating fire at a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, killed around 40 people and injured 100 others on New Year's Eve. Witnesses say sparklers on champagne bottles ignited the ceiling.

Bern, January 1 The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday stated that around 40 people have died and 100 others have been injured in a non-arson fire at the "Le Constellation" bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, citing information provided by the Valais Cantonal Police.

In a statement, the Italian MFA said the victims are currently unidentifiable due to severe burns, noting that a collection point for family members has been established at the Regent Conference Centre in Crans-Montana.

"According to information provided by the Valais Cantonal Police, there are approximately 40 deaths and 100 injuries due to the non-arson fire that occurred at the Constellation bar last night in Crans-Montana. The victims cannot be identified due to the severe burns they suffered. A collection point for family members has been set up at the Regent conference center in Crans-Montana," the statement read.

However, as per Cantonal Police Commander Frederic Gisler, the bar fire had killed several dozen and left 100 others injured, CNN reported. However, no exact number was provided.

The Italian MFA further added that the Italian Ambassador to Switzerland and the Italian Consul General in Geneva are travelling to the site of the incident for assessment.

According to the Valais Cantonal Police, the fire broke out on New Year's Eve at approximately 1:30 am (local time) at the "Le Constellation" bar.

Significant police, fire, and rescue forces responded immediately to the scene, and a large-scale emergency operation is ongoing.

The area has been completely cordoned off, and a no-fly zone has been established over Crans-Montana, the police said in their statement.

"Significant police, fire, and rescue forces immediately responded to the scene to assist the numerous victims. The operation is still ongoing. The area is completely closed off. A no-fly zone has been established over Crans-Montana," the statement read.

Following the incident, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, expressed grief over the tragedy, noting that a "moment of joy turned into a tragedy."

"What was a moment of joy turned into a tragedy in Crans-Montana last night, felt across the country and beyond. The Federal Council has taken note of this with deep dismay. Its thoughts are with the victims, the injured, and their families, and it extends its deepest condolences," stated in a post on X.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with the victims' families and the Swiss government over the incident.

"Deep emotion following the fire in Crans-Montana. My thoughts go to the bereaved families and the injured. To Switzerland, to its people and to its authorities, I convey the full solidarity of France and our fraternal support," he stated in a post on X.

According to CNN, citing two witnesses, the deadly fire might have been triggered by sparklers attached to champagne bottles.

"There were waitresses carrying champagne bottles with sparklers on them, and they carried them close to the ceiling, which caused it to catch fire," one witness said, as quoted by CNN.

"One waitress was standing on another waiter's shoulders, and the bottle and the flames were just a few centimetres away from the ceiling," the other added, as quoted by CNN.

Both witnesses estimated that at least 200 people were inside the bar at the time.

The US Embassy in Bern also expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended thoughts and prayers to the victims, the injured, and their families. The Embassy also urged US citizens in Switzerland to notify their families of their safety.

"The U.S. Embassy in Bern is deeply saddened by the tragic fire that occurred overnight in Crans-Montana. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and their loved ones. We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders and emergency personnel for their swift and courageous efforts," the US Embassy in Bern said in its statement.

"We encourage U.S. citizens in Switzerland to notify family and friends of their safety," it added.

The British Embassy noted in its statement that nationals from multiple countries may be affected by the fire, with Swiss emergency services responding.

The Embassy further said it is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7.

"Swiss emergency services are responding to a fire in Crans-Montana, with nationals from multiple countries likely affected. We continue to monitor the situation. Whilst we have not been approached for assistance, our staff stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7," the statement read.

- ANI
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has detailed an array of mega infrastructure projects marking the state's progress. Key highlights include four new bridges over the Brahmaputra, with the Guwahati-North Guwahati link opening soon, and a foundation stone ceremony for a wildlife-friendly elevated corridor at Kaziranga. The central government has approved a landmark Rs 22,000-crore underwater road-rail tunnel and plans for an Aerocity near Guwahati airport. Additionally, a state-of-the-art medical college and a new hydroelectric project underscore advancements in healthcare and power infrastructure.

Assam CM announces new Brahmaputra bridges, a Kaziranga elevated corridor, a mega underwater tunnel, and a modern hospital, marking unprecedented development.

Guwahati, Jan 1 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the state has witnessed unprecedented progress in infrastructure development over the last five years and announced a host of upcoming projects aimed at strengthening connectivity, healthcare facilities and urban infrastructure.

Briefing the media, CM Sarma said that four new bridges over the Brahmaputra River are presently under various stages of construction. He added that the much-awaited bridge connecting Guwahati with North Guwahati is expected to be opened to the public in February, significantly easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity across the river.

Highlighting major central projects, the Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to lay the foundation stone of the Kaziranga elevated corridor on January 17 or 18. The project, stretching around 32 km and covering nearly 34 km, will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 6,957 crore and is expected to play a crucial role in easing traffic flow while ensuring the protection of wildlife in and around the Kaziranga National Park.

CM Sarma also announced that the Centre has accorded approval to the ambitious Rs 22,000-crore twin-tube underwater tunnel project connecting Gohpur and Numaligarh.

The tunnel will function as a combined road-and-rail corridor and is expected to emerge as a landmark engineering project in the Northeast, substantially reducing travel time across the Brahmaputra.

In another major boost to rail connectivity, the Chief Minister said the Prime Minister is likely to lay the foundation stone of the proposed Gelephu railway line project in February, further strengthening regional and cross-border connectivity.

Focusing on urban development, CM Sarma said plans are underway for the construction of an elevated corridor near the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati.

He also announced the development of an Aerocity project spread over 60 acres in the airport vicinity to promote commercial and aviation-linked activities.

On the healthcare front, the Chief Minister said a memorandum of understanding has been signed with the Asian Development Bank for the construction of a new state-of-the-art hospital at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital.

The Rs 2,200-crore project will involve the demolition of the existing structure and the creation of a modern medical facility.

Additionally, the CM said the state government is set to inaugurate the 120 MW Kopili hydroelectric project soon, marking a significant step in strengthening Assam's power infrastructure. "These initiatives reflect the scale and seriousness of the work carried out over the past five years and our commitment to transforming Assam's infrastructure landscape," the Chief Minister said.

- IANS
Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol expressed strong confidence that the BJP will retain the Mayor's post in the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation elections, highlighting infrastructure projects like metro expansion and a new airport terminal as key achievements. He emphasized the party's alliance with Shiv Sena and RPI, noting seat-sharing details are being finalized under state leadership. The BJP has prioritized women's representation, fielding 92 women candidates against a mandate of 83. Mohol also asserted the party's commitment to keeping criminals out of politics, framing the election as a contest centered on development and governance.

Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol cites metro expansion, 24x7 water, and alliance with Shiv Sena & RPI as BJP's strengths for Pune municipal elections.

Pune, January 1 Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol on Thursday expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party will once again secure the Mayor's post in Pune Municipal Corporation Election citing extensive development works carried out in the city under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis led NDA government in Maharashtra.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Pune City BJP Media Cell at Bharat Bhavan on Bajirao Road, Mohol said several citizen-centric infrastructure projects have been implemented in Pune, including the expansion of the Pune Metro, addition of e-buses to strengthen public transport, 24x7 water supply, establishment of a medical college, approval for third and fourth railway lines between Pune and Lonavala, construction of a new airport terminal, widening of Chandni Chowk, and overall development of civic infrastructure.

"The people of Pune have always supported development-oriented thinking. In the upcoming municipal elections, citizens will stand with the alliance. We are contesting the elections with full strength, and Pune's Mayor will once again be from the BJP," Mohol said.

Mohol said the Pune BJP Media Centre has been launched in view of the upcoming municipal elections and will disseminate official information to the media over the next 15 days. He added that the BJP, Shiv Sena and Republican Party of India (RPI) are contesting the elections as an alliance final number will be declared by tomorrow (January 2) as the withdrawal of the nominations deadline ends.

He noted that while 83 seats were mandated for women candidates as per 50 per cent reservation norms, the BJP has allotted tickets to 92 women candidates, giving priority to women's representation.

Asked about seat-sharing, Mohol said the BJP is ready to allot 16 seats to Shiv Sena in Pune. "Despite BJP having 105 corporators in the previous term, we have consistently worked towards an alliance. Differences over seat-sharing existed at the local level, but the matter is now being resolved under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde," he said.

He also said the BJP has allotted eight seats to the RPI. Referring to reports of Shiv Sena issuing a large number of AB forms, Mohol said questions need to be raised on why more forms were issued than required.

Commenting on allegations of some parties giving tickets to individuals with criminal backgrounds or their family members, Mohol said the BJP does not support giving political space to criminals. "Criminals should have no place in politics. Other parties may have done so, but we have not. The people of Pune are watching carefully, and voters will give their response through the ballot box," he said.

Reiterating the BJP's focus, Mohol said the party is contesting the elections on the plank of development and governance.

- ANI
Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP, publicly thanked the nation and international representatives for their support during the funeral of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He expressed particular gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for facilitating visits from senior foreign dignitaries, whose presence underscored Khaleda Zia's international stature. The state funeral, attended by thousands, saw high-level regional participation, including from India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, in Dhaka following the ceremony.

BNP's Tarique Rahman extends gratitude to the nation and foreign dignitaries, including India's S Jaishankar, following the state funeral of his mother, former PM Khaleda Zia.

Dhaka, January 1 Acting Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Tarique Rahman on Thursday shared a heartfelt note thanking the supporters who gathered for the funeral of his mother, Khaleda Zia.

Rahman thanked officials of the government and dignitaries that visited Bangladesh from abroad representing their heads of state for the funeral.

"In yesterday's moments of deep personal loss, I want to speak from the heart and thank the many individuals whose care and professionalism helped the country conduct itself through my mother's final farewell," Rahman said in a post on X.

Rahman added, "I am grateful to the officers and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose thoughtful efforts helped ensure that senior dignitaries from abroad were able to personally convey the condolences of their respective countries. Their presence reflected the deep respect my mother was held in beyond our borders."

He also thanked Interim Government head Muhammad Yunus and his cabinet for helping in a day of mourning.

"I also wish to thank Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, and the members of his cabinet, for attending in person and for helping to guide the day with steadiness and care during a moment of national mourning," he said.

Bangladesh on Wednesday held the Namaz-e-Janaza of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, as thousands gathered to pay their final respects to the veteran leader.

The funeral prayer was led by the khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan oversaw the proceedings.

Following the Namaz-e-Janaza, it was announced that Khaleda Zia was buried beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. The funeral drew wide regional attention, with multiple South Asian nations dispatching senior representatives to Dhaka to attend the state funeral, The Daily Star reported.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also attended Khaleda Zia's funeral in Dhaka.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah on Wednesday said that the visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would see New Delhi and Dhaka script a new chapter in ties, driven by shared interests.

In a post on X, he said, "As HE Dr @DrSJaishankar left Dhaka after a whirlwind 4-hr visit, #Bangladesh & #India would look forward to script a new chapter in ties, in shared interests driven by pragmatism and mutual interdependence, as indeed briefly discussed with @bdbnp78 Acting Chair, @trahmanbnp this afternoon."

- ANI
Hundreds of devotees queued from midnight in biting cold to offer New Year prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, with many taking a holy dip in the sarovar. Similar gatherings were seen at shrines across Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, including the Mata Mansa Devi temple. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann extended greetings, emphasizing hope, collective effort, and continued development. Leaders prayed for prosperity and urged citizens to follow righteous paths and maintain healthy lifestyles in the coming year.

Hundreds braved freezing temperatures to offer prayers at the Golden Temple and other shrines in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh to welcome 2026 with hope and devotion.

Chandigarh/Amritsar, Jan 1 Braving biting cold, hundreds of devotees thronged the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab and other shrines in the region early on Thursday to usher in the New Year.

At the Golden Temple complex, around 250 km from here, the devotees queued up since midnight to offer prayers. Long queues could be seen on Thursday morning with people waiting for their turn to offer prayers inside the 'Harmandir Sahib', the sanctum sanctorum.

Several devotees could be seen taking a dip in the holy 'sarovar' in the Golden Temple. "We are really blessed to offer prayers in the Golden Temple on the first day of the New Year. May 2026 be filled with prayers answered and goals achieved," Kavita Gupta, a devotee from Delhi, said.

Also, people thronged the Mata Mansa Devi shrine in Panchkula near Chandigarh to offer prayers.

Elsewhere in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, people offered prayers at various shrines to mark the New Year.

Punjab Governor and Administrator of Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria, has extended warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Punjab and Chandigarh on the occasion of the New Year.

In his message, the Governor said the arrival of the New Year is always welcomed with renewed hope, optimism and aspirations. He emphasised that these aspirations can be realised only through collective effort, guided by zeal, determination and dedication.

On this joyous occasion, Kataria called upon the people to reaffirm their resolve to build a strong, peaceful and united India, and to rededicate themselves to working for the nation's progress and prosperity.

The Governor conveyed his heartfelt greetings and wished everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has also extended greetings and wished that the Almighty may fulfil all the dreams of Punjabis in 2026. He prayed to God to give happiness, peace, success and prosperity for all Punjabis residing across the globe. "We should follow the path shown by Guru Sahib."

He urged the people to do regular exercise in their lives so that they remain hale and hearty.

Extending the New Year greetings, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann prayed that the Almighty fill people's lives with happiness and success. In a post on X, he wrote that last year his government provided the people of Punjab with better health facilities, good education for children, and employment for youth.

"We took strict action to remove stigmas like drugs and corruption from the forehead of Punjab," he said, adding that the development works will continue.

- IANS
Chennai will open a dedicated, free public screening centre for women's cancers at Thousand Lights in February. The three-storey facility, operated by the Greater Chennai Corporation, will provide mammograms, Pap smears, and ultrasounds for breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers. It aims to bridge a critical gap by offering advanced tests typically accessed through private care, ensuring early diagnosis for economically weaker women. The initiative responds to Tamil Nadu's high cancer burden and will include a data registry to aid future research and prevention strategies.

Chennai launches a free public screening centre for breast, cervical & ovarian cancers in Feb, aiming for early detection & accessibility.

Chennai, Jan 1 Chennai is set to get a dedicated public women's cancer screening centre at Thousand Lights by February.

The facility, being established at a cost of Rs 1.23 crore, will offer free screening services for breast, cervical and ovarian cancers - affecting women in Tamil Nadu the most.

The three-storeyed centre will be operated by the Greater Chennai Corporation's Health Department and will function from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days except Sundays.

It will be equipped with a mammogram unit for breast cancer screening, a laboratory for Pap smear tests to detect cervical cancer, and an ultrasound facility for screening abdominal and ovarian cancers.

A dedicated consultation room will also be part of the facility. While government hospitals already provide several diagnostic services free of cost, advanced cancer screening tests such as mammograms and specialised scans often require patients to seek private care.

The new facility aims to bridge this gap and ensure early diagnosis, especially for women from economically weaker backgrounds.

Announcing the initiative, Thousand Lights MLA Dr Ezhilan Naganathan said the centre was conceived in response to the growing burden of cancer in Tamil Nadu.

"I wanted to establish a free, accessible cancer screening facility in the city, particularly for women. Early detection can significantly improve survival rates. We also plan to create a detailed data registry of all women who undergo screening, which will help in research and long-term cancer prevention strategies," he said.

Dr J. Amalorpavanathan, member of the State Planning Commission, said the facility was being set up at a crucial time, as Tamil Nadu accounts for 6.4 per cent of India's total cancer cases despite having only 5.6 per cent of the country's population.

He noted that while cervical cancer continues to be one of the most common cancers among women in rural areas, urban regions are witnessing a steady rise in breast cancer cases. This trend, he explained, is often linked to lifestyle changes, delayed marriages and late childbirth.

- IANS
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat began the New Year by offering prayers at the Shree Ram Mandir in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. This followed his address at a Hindu Sammelan marking the RSS's centenary, which he described not as an act of bravery but a moment of responsibility. In his speech, he urged society to introspect, remove discrimination, and focus on finding solutions to contemporary crises. Bhagwat also emphasized linguistic equality, the use of indigenous products, and adherence to the Constitution.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat offered prayers at Shree Ram Mandir in Raipur. He framed the RSS centenary as a moment of responsibility, urging social harmony and solutions.

Raipur, January 1 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat offered prayers at the Shree Ram Mandir in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Thursday.

On Wednesday, on RSS' centenary celebrations, Bhagwat said that Hindu Sammelans are being organised across the country as the Sangh completes 100 years of its journey, stressing that the occasion should not be viewed as an act of "bravery", but as a "moment of responsibility".

"The work of Sangh has completed 100 years, therefore, Hindu Sammelan are being organised across the country," Bhagwat said while addressing a Hindu Sammelan here, adding that the centenary celebrations are not meant for display of power. "This is not bravery," he added.

Recalling the origin of the organisation, the RSS chief said, "Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar formed this Sangh with his blood."

He noted that crises are visible in every field today, but emphasised that merely discussing problems is not the solution. "The stress should be on finding solutions, and not just on discussions," Bhagwat said.

Narrating a story during his address, Bhagwat highlighted what he described as the "present condition of Hindu society" and urged people to introspect. He called upon the gathering to remove discrimination from their minds and work towards greater social harmony.

"We must remove discrimination from minds, inculcate social harmony," he said.

Emphasising linguistic diversity, Bhagwat asserted that all languages spoken in India are national languages and deserve equal respect. He further advocated the use of indigenous products, urging people to support local manufacturing.

Concluding his address, Bhagwat appealed to citizens to follow the Constitution.

On Sunday, Bhagwat, while addressing a gathering in Hyderabad, said that India must once again work towards becoming a 'Vishwaguru', not out of ambition, but because it is the need of the world, emphasising that the time has now come to carry forward the resurgence of Sanatana Dharma.

He cited events from a century ago, noting that around 100 years ago, Yogi Arvind declared that the resurgence of Sanatana Dharma was God's will and that the rise of the Hindu nation was essential to that resurgence.

- ANI
Oil marketing companies have increased the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder by Rs 111, raising the retail price in Delhi to Rs 1,691.50. The cost of a 5 kg Free Trade LPG cylinder has also risen by Rs 27, effective January 1. However, in a relief to households, the prices of domestic 14.2 kg LPG cylinders remain unchanged. This revision places additional cost pressure on commercial sectors like hotels and restaurants, while domestic consumers are shielded from the increase.

Commercial LPG cylinder prices increase by Rs 111 from Jan 1, impacting hotels & restaurants. Domestic LPG rates remain stable. Latest updates here.

New Delhi, January 1 The price of commercial LPG cylinders has been increased with effect from Thursday, January 1, bringing some pressure on costs to hotels, restaurants and other commercial users at the start of the new year.

Oil marketing companies have raised the price of the 19 kg commercial LPG gas cylinder by Rs 111 with immediate effect. Following this revision, the retail sale price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi now stands at Rs 1,691.50.

Along with the increase in commercial LPG rates, the prices of 5 kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders have also been raised. The cost of the 5 kg FTL cylinder has gone up by Rs 27, effective January 1.

However, there is relief for household consumers as there has been no change in the prices of domestic LPG cylinders. The rates of the 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder remain unchanged, providing stability in cooking gas prices for families.

The revision in commercial LPG prices is significant for sectors that rely heavily on such cylinders, including eateries, catering services and small businesses, as fuel forms a major component of their operating costs.

The unchanged domestic LPG prices, meanwhile, ensure that household budgets are not impacted by the latest revision.

In August, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri hailed the Centre's recent decision to pay Rs 30,000 crores to oil companies in 12 parts, which has kept prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas stable in the country.

The Union Cabinet, on August 8, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a compensation of Rs 30,000 crore to be paid in twelve parts to oil companies that have kept LPG prices stable despite global uncertainty.

The new rates of commercial cylinder are applicable from January 1 and will remain in force until further revision by oil marketing companies.

- ANI
With a market cap of $67.2 billion, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG) is a global insurance brokerage and risk management firm providing insurance and reinsurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party property and casualty claims services to businesses and individuals worldwide. The company operates through its Brokerage and Risk Management segments, serving a wide range of commercial, public, nonprofit, and underwriting entities.

The Rolling Meadows, Illinois-based company is expected to release its fiscal Q4 2025 results soon. Ahead of this event, analysts predict AJG to report an adjusted EPS of $2.42, up 13.6% from $2.13 in the prior year's quarter. It has surpassed Wall Street's bottom-line estimates in two of the past four quarters while missing on two other occasions.

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For fiscal 2025, analysts forecast the insurance and risk-management company to post adjusted EPS of $10.74, a 6.4% rise from $10.09 in fiscal 2024. Looking ahead, adjusted EPS is projected to grow 24.9% year-over-year to $13.41 in fiscal 2026.

www.barchart.com

Shares of Arthur J. Gallagher have declined nearly 8% over the past 52 weeks, lagging behind both the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 16.8% gain and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF's (XLF) 14.3% return over the period.

www.barchart.com

Shares of Arthur J. Gallagher fell 4.8% following its Q3 2025 results on Oct. 30. The company reported adjusted EPS of $2.32, which missed Wall Street expectations despite rising from $2.26 a year earlier. Adjusted revenue of $3.33 billion also came in below Street forecasts, even though it represented strong year-over-year growth from $2.76 billion.

Analysts' consensus view on AJG stock is cautiously optimistic, with an overall "Moderate Buy" rating. Among 24 analysts covering the stock, 14 recommend "Strong Buy," nine suggest "Hold," and one indicates Strong Sell. This configuration is more bullish than three months ago, with 12 analysts suggesting a "Strong Buy."

The average analyst price target for Arthur J. Gallagher is $303.68, indicating a potential upside of nearly 16% from the current levels.

On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Haryana's Forest Minister has reaffirmed the state's commitment to conserving the ecologically vital Aravali mountain range through the Haryana Aravali Green Wall Project, targeting major challenges like desertification by 2030. The government is launching community-focused initiatives such as Oxy Van and a proposal for an annual honorarium for farmers to conserve native tree species in southern Haryana. Minister Rao Narbir Singh emphasized the range's role as a natural barrier against desertification and a crucial source of water security and biodiversity. The state also welcomes the Supreme Court's new definition of the Aravalis and is committed to cooperating with neighboring states on this cross-border conservation effort.

Haryana launches the Aravali Green Wall Project to combat desertification by 2030, with new community schemes and farmer honorariums for conservation.

Chandigarh, Jan 1 Haryana Environment, Forest and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh on Thursday said the government is committed to the conservation of the Aravali mountain range.

With this objective, the government is implementing the Haryana Aravali Green Wall Project, which focuses on addressing major environmental challenges such as desertification, land degradation, and drought. A detailed action plan has been prepared to implement this project by 2030.

Expressing gratitude to the Central government, he said Haryana is getting the opportunity to host this important event at the IUCN Pavilion is a matter of pride for the state.

He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, landmark initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' have been launched, which have transformed environmental conservation into a mass movement.

These initiatives are inspiring people at the global, national, and local levels to adopt sustainable lifestyles.

Inspired by the Prime Minister's vision, and under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the government has launched innovative initiatives such as Oxy Van, Pran Vayu Devta Yojana, and Van Mitra Yojana to promote community participation. These schemes will prove to be a strong pillar in the direction of Aravali conservation.

The Forest Minister said a proposal has been prepared to provide an annual honorarium to farmers for the conservation of native tree species such as 'Jati' and 'Roheda' in the southern Haryana regions of Mahendragarh, Rewari, Narnaul, Charkhi Dadri, Badhra, and Loharu, on the lines of the Pran Vayu Devta Yojana. This initiative aims to maintain greenery in the Aravali region and directly involve local communities in conservation efforts.

Rao Narbir Singh said the Aravali mountain range holds immense ecological significance for Haryana. It acts as a natural barrier against desertification and is a vital source of biodiversity, water security, and climate balance.

The Aravali plays a crucial role in groundwater recharge, improvement of air quality, mitigation of climate change impacts, and supporting livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions.

He said the Aravali range is globally recognised as a landscape of cultural and historical significance, symbolising the deep relationship between humans and nature.

The Forest Minister said through the Aravali Green Wall Project, Haryana is committed to cooperation with all Aravali states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi.

Projects such as the Gurugram Aravali Biodiversity Park are successful models of ecosystem restoration and have been declared India's first OECM (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure), validating IUCN's global guidelines.

Rao Narbir Singh said that Haryana welcomes the new definition of the Aravali mountain range given by the Supreme Court. He said the government has prepared a proposal to conserve nearly 90 per cent of the Aravali area.

The government aims to create green employment, enhance public participation, and strengthen biodiversity conservation and environmentally friendly resource management in the Aravali region.

- IANS
A vessel carrying more than 200 migrants capsized near Gambia's North Bank region, resulting in at least seven fatalities and leaving dozens missing. The Gambian navy launched a search-and-rescue operation, locating the boat grounded on a sandbank after rescuing 96 survivors. This tragedy highlights the perilous migration route from West Africa to Spain's Canary Islands, where over 10,000 people died attempting the crossing in 2024. Despite a recent decline in irregular migration due to stronger preventive measures, migrants continue risking the dangerous Atlantic journey on overcrowded boats.

A boat carrying over 200 migrants capsized off Gambia's coast, leaving 7 dead and dozens missing. Rescue operations continue amid rising Atlantic crossing deaths.

Banjul, January 2 At least seven people have died, and dozens remain missing after a boat carrying more than 200 passengers capsized along a major migration route off the Gambian coast, Al Jazeera cited local authorities as saying.

The Gambian Ministry of Defence stated that the vessel capsized around midnight on Thursday near a village in the North Bank region. Authorities reported that seven bodies have been recovered, and at least 96 people were rescued, many suffering serious injuries, Al Jazeera reported.

The Gambian navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation after midnight, deploying multiple naval vessels along with a fishing boat that came to assist, the Ministry of Defence said. The capsized vessel was later located "grounded on a sandbank," the statement added.

Several of the victims are confirmed to be non-Gambian, and authorities are working to verify their identities, Al Jazeera reported.

The Gambia has become a key departure point for migrants and asylum seekers attempting to reach Spain's Canary Islands, a main entry to continental Europe, by boat from West Africa.

According to the European Union, over 46,000 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands in 2024.

More than 10,000 people died trying to make the journey across the Atlantic, marking a 58 per cent increase compared to 2023, rights group Caminando Fronteras reported, Al Jazeera reported.

However, irregular migration from West Africa to the EU fell by 60 per cent in the first 11 months of 2025, Al Jazeera reported, citing the Frontex border agency, attributing the decline to stronger preventive measures by countries of departure.

Despite the risks, migrants and asylum seekers continue attempting the journey to Europe on fragile and often overcrowded boats.

In May last year, a small vessel carrying over 100 people capsized near the Canary Islands, resulting in the deaths of seven women and girls, Al Jazeera reported.

- ANI
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi to personally convey condolences and sign the condolence book following the death of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. This gesture followed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's attendance at Zia's state funeral in Dhaka, highlighting India's diplomatic engagement. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude for the widespread support during the funeral proceedings, which drew thousands and regional dignitaries. The Bangladesh High Commissioner to India noted discussions on scripting a new chapter in bilateral ties, driven by shared interests and mutual interdependence.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi to convey India's condolences on the passing of former PM Khaleda Zia.

New Delhi, January 1 Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah on Thursday highlighted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the High Commission of Bangladesh in Delhi, where he conveyed India's condolences on the passing of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

In a post on X, Hamidullah wrote, "Honoured to welcome HE @rajnathsingh, Hon Defense Minister at @bdhc_delhi as he conveyed condolences of #India and paid homage to former Prime Minister | @bdbnp78 Chairperson (late) #BegumKhaledaZia, in Delhi."

The post followed Singh's visit to the High Commission earlier on Thursday, during which the Defence Minister signed the Condolence Book.

Singh also expressed sorrow over Khaleda Zia's passing in a separate post on X. "Went to the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi. Signed the Condolence Book expressing our profound sorrow at the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of Bangladesh," he wrote.

These expressions of condolence came as Bangladesh continued to receive messages of support following Khaleda Zia's death. Earlier in the day, Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman shared a heartfelt note thanking supporters who gathered for his mother's funeral.

Rahman also thanked government officials and foreign dignitaries who travelled to Bangladesh to represent their heads of state at the funeral.

"In yesterday's moments of deep personal loss, I want to speak from the heart and thank the many individuals whose care and professionalism helped the country conduct itself through my mother's final farewell," Rahman wrote in a post on X.

Bangladesh on Wednesday held the Namaz-e-Janaza of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, where thousands assembled to pay their final respects to the veteran leader.

The funeral prayer was led by the khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan oversaw the proceedings.

Following the Namaz-e-Janaza, it was announced that Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. The funeral drew wide regional attention, with multiple South Asian nations dispatching senior representatives to Dhaka to attend the state funeral, The Daily Star reported.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also attended Khaleda Zia's funeral in Dhaka, underscoring India's engagement during the period of mourning.

Following Jaishankar's visit, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah expressed optimism about the future of bilateral ties between New Delhi and Dhaka.

In a post on X, he wrote, "As HE Dr @DrSJaishankar left Dhaka after a whirlwind 4-hr visit, #Bangladesh & #India would look forward to script a new chapter in ties, in shared interests driven by pragmatism and mutual interdependence, as indeed briefly discussed with @bdbnp78 Acting Chair, @trahmanbnp this afternoon."

- ANI
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi to sign the condolence book for former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, expressing profound sorrow. This gesture followed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's attendance at Khaleda Zia's state funeral in Dhaka, which drew regional attention and dignitaries. Meanwhile, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman thanked supporters and officials for their role in the funeral proceedings. The Bangladesh High Commissioner to India suggested these diplomatic engagements could help script a new, pragmatic chapter in bilateral ties.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh signs condolence for ex-PM Khaleda Zia in Delhi, as EAM Jaishankar attends Dhaka funeral, highlighting India-Bangladesh relations.

New Delhi, January 1 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday signed the Condolence Book in the High Commission of Bangladesh in Delhi.

Singh expressed sorrow at the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

In a post on X, he said, "Went to the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi. Signed the Condolence Book expressing our profound sorrow at the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of Bangladesh."

Earlier in the day, Acting Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman on Thursday shared a heartfelt note thanking the supporters who gathered for the funeral of his mother, Khaleda Zia.

Rahman thanked officials of the government and dignitaries that visited Bangladesh from abroad representing their heads of state for the funeral.

"In yesterday's moments of deep personal loss, I want to speak from the heart and thank the many individuals whose care and professionalism helped the country conduct itself through my mother's final farewell," Rahman said in a post on X.

Bangladesh on Wednesday held the Namaz-e-Janaza of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, as thousands gathered to pay their final respects to the veteran leader.

The funeral prayer was led by the khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan oversaw the proceedings.

Following the Namaz-e-Janaza, it was announced that Khaleda Zia was buried beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. The funeral drew wide regional attention, with multiple South Asian nations dispatching senior representatives to Dhaka to attend the state funeral, The Daily Star reported.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also attended Khaleda Zia's funeral in Dhaka.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah on Wednesday said that the visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would see New Delhi and Dhaka script a new chapter in ties, driven by shared interests.

In a post on X, he said, "As HE Dr @DrSJaishankar left Dhaka after a whirlwind 4-hr visit, #Bangladesh & #India would look forward to script a new chapter in ties, in shared interests driven by pragmatism and mutual interdependence, as indeed briefly discussed with @bdbnp78 Acting Chair, @trahmanbnp this afternoon."

- ANI
BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin visited Delhi's Ramakrishna Ashram on Kalpataru Diwas, offering prayers and honoring Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He extended New Year greetings to the nation while calling for meaningful public contributions to India's development. During his Bihar visit, Nabin also paid tribute to his late father, former BJP leader Naveen Kishore Prasad Sinha, on his 20th death anniversary. He highlighted his father's organizational dedication and enduring social development initiatives.

BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin offered prayers at Ramakrishna Ashram, extending New Year greetings and calling for meaningful contributions to India's development.

New Delhi, January 1 BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin on Thursday visited the Ramakrishna Ashram in New Delhi and offered prayers, calling on everyone to contribute meaningfully to the country's development.

Speaking to reporters in the national capital, Nitin Nabin remembered Ramakrishna Paramahamsa on the occasion of the Kalpataru Diwas.

He said, "Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is always revered by the youth of Bihar and the nation. Today is Kalpataru Diwas, and on this day Ramakrishna Paramahamsa ji gave divine darshan to his disciples...From this ashram and all the ashrams of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, his devotees seek his blessings today and receive the energy to continue serving society."

Extending greetings on the occasion of the New Year, the BJP leader said, "Wishing everyone a very Happy English New Year. Let us all contribute meaningfully to the development of this country."

Kalpataru Diwas is an annual religious celebration for the Ramakrishna Math, where the Kalpataru refers to the mythological wish-granting tree.

Earlier on Wednesday, Nitin Nabin remembered his father and former BJP leader, Naveen Kishore Prasad Sinha, on his 20th death anniversary, saying Sinha nurtured the BJP with dedication and built familial bonds with workers through his conduct.

The BJP working president further noted that the initiatives his father undertook for the development of the society continue to be followed today.

"The way he, through his political life, nurtured the organisation with dedication, built familial bonds with workers through his conduct. The work he did under his leadership for the upliftment and development of society is being followed... On this day, I pay my respects to him..." Nabin told reporters.

He paid floral tributes to the statue of Naveen Kishore Prasad Sinha at 'Naveen Sinha Memorial Park' in Rajvanshi Nagar, Patna, during his three-day visit to Bihar.

- ANI
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta extended New Year 2026 greetings, reaffirming her government's commitment to the capital's progress. President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation, urging citizens to strengthen their resolve for national development and social harmony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished for a year of good health, prosperity, and peace across society. The day also saw traditional exchanges between constitutional dignitaries and nationwide celebrations welcoming 2026.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, President Murmu, and PM Modi extend New Year 2026 wishes, emphasizing development, harmony, and national progress for India.

New Delhi, January 1 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday led New Year 2026 greetings, extending her wishes to the people of the national capital and reaffirming her government's commitment to development and progress.

"Wishing all Delhites a very Happy New Year 2026! May this year bring prosperity, progress, and development to Delhi. Together, we will work to make Delhi a better, more developed city," Rekha Gupta said while addressing the media on Thursday morning.

Marking the beginning of 2026, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan paid a courtesy visit to President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi to convey New Year greetings, reflecting the long-standing tradition of senior constitutional functionaries exchanging wishes. Sharing the moment on X, the Vice President said he was "delighted to meet our Honourable President Droupadi Murmu Ji today at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi and convey my heartiest New Year 2026 greetings."

President Droupadi Murmu also addressed the nation and Indians living abroad, describing the New Year as a time for renewed energy, introspection and positive change. In her message on X, she urged citizens to strengthen their commitment to national development, social harmony and environmental protection. "May the year 2026 bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to all of you and reinvigorate our resolve to build a strong and bright India," the President said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation, wishing everyone an excellent 2026 filled with good health and prosperity. He expressed hope that people's efforts would succeed and prayed for peace, happiness, and harmony in society.

Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi also took to X to wish citizens a happy New Year, hoping that 2026 would bring good health, happiness and success to all.

Across India, the New Year was welcomed with fireworks, prayers, and public gatherings, as cities, hill towns, and religious centres hosted celebrations, with people ushering in 2026 alongside family and friends.

- ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a review meeting at DRDO Bhawan on the organisation's 68th Foundation Day. He extended greetings via social media, lauding DRDO scientists for their commitment to strengthening India's defence preparedness and advancing self-reliance. The Defence Ministry noted DRDO's evolution from a small organisation in 1958 to a major defence research institution. The review comes after recent achievements, including the successful salvo launch of two 'Pralay' missiles.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a DRDO review meeting, praising scientists for indigenous tech that boosts India's strategic autonomy and defence preparedness.

New Delhi, January 1 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday chaired a review meeting at DRDO Bhawan in the national capital on the DRDO Foundation Day.

Earlier on Thursday, Rajnath Singh extended greetings for the DRDO Day to scientists, personnel, and their families, lauding their "commitment and scientific excellence."

In an X post, the Defence Minister hailed the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), noting that developing indigenous technologies reinforces India's "strategic autonomy."

He wrote, "On DRDO Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all @DRDO_India scientists, personnel and their families. Their unwavering commitment, scientific excellence and sense of national duty are vital to strengthening India's defence preparedness and advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence."

"By developing indigenous, future-ready technologies, DRDO is reinforcing our strategic autonomy and the confidence of our armed forces. I wish the entire DRDO family a year of meaningful breakthroughs and continued service to the nation," the Union Minister added.

January 1, 2026, marks the 68th Foundation Day of DRDO. According to the Defence Ministry, the DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).

Back then, DRDO was a small organisation with 10 establishments or laboratories. Over the years, it has grown multi-directionally in terms of the variety of subject disciplines, number of laboratories, achievements and stature.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi also extended wishes to all DRDO personnel and their families on the occasion.

"General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS and All Ranks of the Indian Army extend warm wishes and greetings to all DRDO personnel and their families on the occasion of DRDO Day," ADG PI wrote on X.

DRDO has marked several achievements in 2025, including the recent successful conduct of a salvo launch of two 'Pralay' missiles in quick succession from the same launcher off the coast of Odisha on Wednesday morning.

- ANI
Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh is urging eligible property owners to avail the benefits of the 'SUNIYO' tax amnesty scheme, which offers a complete waiver of interest and penalties on dues from before the 2020-21 financial year. To qualify, taxpayers must pay the principal amount for the current year (2025-26) and the previous five financial years. The scheme has been highly successful, with over 1.66 lakh taxpayers already settling dues worth more than 803 crore, including many first-time payers. With the deadline extended to January 31, 2026, the initiative has significantly boosted municipal tax collections by over 42% compared to the previous period.

Delhi Mayor urges citizens to use SUNIYO scheme to waive pre-2021 property tax interest & penalties. Deadline extended to Jan 31, 2026.

New Delhi, January 1 Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh has urged all eligible property taxpayers within the jurisdiction of MCD to avail the benefit under the property tax amnesty scheme 2025-26 'SUNIYO'.

According to a release, under SUMPATTIKAR NIPTAAN YOJANA (SUNIYO), taxpayers can avail a complete waiver of property tax along with interest and penalties, prior to the financial year 2020-21, provided they pay the principal amount of property tax, without any interest and penalty, for the current year (2025-26) and the previous five financial years (i.e., FYs 2020-21 to 2024-25). The Scheme has been further extended up to 31st January, 2026, with a 5% late fee.

The Mayor said, "We appeal to all property owners/occupiers to make full use of this golden opportunity under the SUNIYO scheme and settle their outstanding property tax dues without incurring any further penalties or interest."

The Mayor highlighted that citizens are actively participating in the Tax Amnesty scheme, availing the benefit of the SUNIYO scheme. To date, 1,66,587 taxpayers have already benefited from this initiative and paid the property tax to the tune of Rs 803.61 crore up to 31st December 2025. Out of which, Rs 188.28 crore of property tax is collected from a total of 1,20,157 residential properties, while Rs 615.32 crore of property tax is collected from 46,430 non-residential properties.

It is also to be highlighted that 90,139 new taxpayers have availed the benefits of the SUNIYO Scheme and paid property tax for the first time, and tax collection from these first-time taxpayers under the SUNIYO is Rs. 312.45 Cr.

The Mayor has further highlighted that total tax collection as on 31st December, 2025, for the current year (including SUNIYO Scheme) is Rs. 2642.80 Cr. from 12,42,875 taxpayers, vis-a-vis tax collection of Rs. 1859.77 Cr. from 10,31,177 taxpayers over the corresponding period.

It indicates that there is an increase of 42.1% in tax collection and a 20.52% increase in the number of taxpayers over the corresponding period. It is worthwhile to mention here that total tax collection for the FY 2024-25 was Rs. 2132.29 Cr. from 11,33,161 taxpayers, which is significantly less than the tax collection for the current financial year as on date, he added.

- ANI
Delhi has achieved its best air quality in eight years, recording 200 clean air days and the lowest average levels of PM2.5 and PM10 in 2025. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa credited a sustained, science-backed strategy targeting dust, vehicles, industry, and waste. Key actions included deploying anti-smog guns, enforcing a 'No PUC, No Fuel' policy, and conducting thousands of compliance surveys. The government vows to amplify these gains in 2026 with stricter enforcement and new technological pilots.

Delhi records lowest PM2.5 & PM10 levels in 8 years with 200 clean air days in 2025. Environment Minister credits multi-front war on pollution.

New Delhi, January 1 Delhi achieved measurable strides in air quality in 2025, a reduction in PM 2.5 & PM10 levels, recording 79 days with AQI below 100, with 200 clean air days, the highest since 2018 and surpassing all prior years barring the COVID-impacted 2020.

According to a release, Jan-Nov average AQI stood at 187, the best in 8 years, with severe days at just eight.

Under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's leadership, the Delhi Government elevated air pollution to its topmost priority since assuming office. This commitment translated into a comprehensive, science-backed strategy targeting pollution at its roots through structural policy reforms and relentless enforcement across dust mitigation, vehicular emissions, industrial controls, and waste management, the release stated.

"Delhiites gave us the mandate to serve, and we made clean air our foremost pledge - 2025's record Good AQI days prove science-led action works wonders," asserted Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, reflecting on the year's highlights.

"Dust mitigation scaled up with mechanised sweepers, 405 anti-smog guns deployed on roads and high-rises, mist sprayers on busy electric poles, and rigorous construction site norms backed by thousands of compliance surveys and penalties," Sirsa said.

"Vehicular emissions faced strict curbs: 'No PUC, No Fuel' policy, BS-VI standards barring non-registered Delhi vehicles, and heavy penalties on open C&D trucks," he added.

Polluting units in industrial and non-conforming areas faced shutdowns via ward-level surveys, with even government agencies penalised for violations. Waste management transformed on-ground: garbage pickup frequency doubled, complemented by 35 MT daily average bio-mining of legacy waste, accelerating the demolition of waste mountains at landfills. Innovations like cloud seeding trials and open challenges for pollution-mitigating technologies added momentum, the release said.

"From 200 days under AQI 200 to halved severe pollution episodes, our multi-pronged push delivered, but this is just the start," Minister Sirsa emphasised. These efforts not only curbed PM10 to 197ug/m (down from 212 in 2024) & PM2.5 to 96 ug/m (down from 104 in 2024) but positioned Delhi for sustained gains, outpacing decade averages despite rising urbanisation and challenges.

Looking ahead, the Government vows bolder reforms: enhanced GRAP enforcement, tech pilots, and citizen partnerships via apps like Green Delhi.

"2026 will amplify these wins with permanent solutions - breathable air is every Delhiite's right, and we'll deliver it through unwavering resolve," Sirsa affirmed.

The press release stated that several civic actions have been taken in the last 24 hours.

"12,364 Vehicular pollution challans issued, 12,031 MT garbage removed from streets, 6,241 km road length swept, 1,668 km Road length sprinkled, action taken on 36 illegal dumping sites, 23 vehicles challaned for uncovered C&D waste, 58 non-destined trucks diverted (Eastern/Western Peripheral), 37 traffic congestion points decongested, 176 LMVs (under BS-VI) found plying in Delhi, 186 Inter-state buses checked at Delhi border," the press release stated.

According to CPCB categorisation, AQI readings between 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.

- ANI
Dense fog has severely disrupted flight operations across northern and eastern India, impacting major airports from Delhi to Guwahati. Airlines like Air India and IndiGo have issued advisories, warning passengers of delays and cancellations while urging them to check flight statuses. Air India has activated its 'FogCare' initiative, allowing affected passengers to reschedule or receive refunds at no extra cost. The travel chaos coincides with persistently poor air quality in Delhi, where the AQI remains in the "very poor" category.

Dense fog disrupts flights across Delhi, Northeast. Airlines issue advisories, offer rescheduling. Check AQI and latest flight updates here.

New Delhi, Jan 1 Flight operations across several parts of northern and eastern India, including Delhi, were affected on Thursday as dense fog engulfed large swathes of the region, sharply reducing visibility and prompting airlines to issue advisories for passengers.

Low visibility conditions led to disruptions at multiple airports, including those in Delhi, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati, with airlines cautioning travellers to remain alert and check flight updates to avoid inconvenience.

Delhi began the New Year under a thick blanket of fog, pollution and biting cold, as air quality continued to remain in the "very poor" category.

Dense fog combined with low temperatures further tightened its grip on the national capital, worsening already poor environmental conditions.

According to the latest data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 372, indicating persistently high pollution levels across the city.

Air India, early on Thursday, issued an advisory on X warning passengers that low visibility conditions in parts of north India, including Delhi, could disrupt flight operations.

"Weather forecasts for tomorrow morning indicate low visibility due to fog in parts of northern India, including Delhi, which may impact flight schedules across the network," the airline said.

The carrier added that its 'FogCare' initiative was in place to assist travellers. "Our 'FogCare' initiative provides advanced alerts to passengers on flights most likely to be affected. It offers the option for you to either reschedule your flight at no extra cost or receive a full refund," Air India informed passengers late Wednesday.

The airline also advised travellers to check the latest flight status on its official website and to allow additional time for travel to the airport due to prevailing conditions.

IndiGo airline also flagged weather-related disruptions, stating in a post on X, "Low visibility and fog over #Ranchi and #Bhubaneswar have impacted flight schedules. We are keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly."

The airline urged passengers to remain updated on their flight details through official channels.

"We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Be assured, our teams are here to assist you at every step and ensure support. Here is hoping clearer skies help us serve you better soon, and thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time," IndiGo said.

As fog continued to linger over parts of the Northeast, IndiGo also alerted passengers about slower aircraft movement at Guwahati airport.

"Departures and arrivals to and from the city, as well as certain routes across our network, may experience short delays as we work through the weather conditions," the airline stated.

Visibility dropped sharply in Guwahati as fog and haze covered the skies over the Assam capital, affecting normal flight operations.

SpiceJet, meanwhile, informed its passengers about adverse weather conditions in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya and Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala, cautioning that the situation could impact flight operations at both airports.

Lucknow airport also recorded low visibility early on Thursday. According to forecasts, visibility at the airport is expected to improve to around 1,200 metres, with the India Meteorological Department predicting further improvement to nearly 2,000 metres between noon and 2 p.m.

- IANS
2025 is now drawing to a close, and U.S. stocks are set to deliver double-digit returns for the third consecutive year. It was a volatile year for the automotive industry, which battled the steep tariffs that President Donald Trump imposed on imports of cars and auto parts. The electric vehicle (EV) industry also faced a setback after the tax credit was withdrawn.

Looking at the price action, General Motors (GM) is outperforming other auto stocks by a wide margin this year. Ford (F), too, is up 34% for the year, and while the gains are lower than GM, they are better than other auto names like Stellantis (STLA), Honda Motor Company (HMC), and Toyota Motors (TM).

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Meanwhile, when it comes to dividends, Ford stands out with its dividend yield of 4.5%, based on a regular quarterly dividend of 15 cents. The actual dividends have been even higher, as Ford has been paying special dividends to help reach its distribution target of between 40% and 50% of annual free cash flows. This year, Ford paid a supplemental dividend of $0.15 to mark the companys third consecutive special dividend, after dishing out $0.18 last year. Ford paid a special dividend of $0.65 in 2023, after it booked a windfall gain on its investment in electric vehicle startup Rivian (RIVN).

Ford Should End Up Overshooting Its Payout Target in 2025

As things stand today, a supplemental dividend for 2026 is something we can rule out. In fact, looking at Fords adjusted free cash flow guidance of between $2 billion and $3 billion, it barely has the money to cover the base dividend at the midpoint. Notably, Fords 2025 cash flows took a hit from the fire incident at key supplier Novelis. There was also the tariff impact, which is more of a recurring issue rather than a one-off, unless these are waived.

Looking ahead, Fords cash flows would be under pressure over the next couple of years at least. The company announced a massive $19.5 billion charge in its EV business earlier this month. Of this, $5.5 billion would be in cash, which the company expects to incur over the next two years, with the majority coming in 2026.

I believe the best-case scenario for Ford investors would be the company maintaining its current payout, even as that might mean it overshoots the payout targets. Companies cut dividends only in dire scenarios, as was the case in 2020 when both Ford and General Motors suspended their dividends altogether.
Pakistan has attempted to amplify a brief courtesy handshake between its National Assembly Speaker and India's External Affairs Minister in Dhaka as an opening for dialogue. The gesture occurred against a backdrop of severely strained relations following the Pahalgam terror attack, which India attributes to Pakistan-backed networks. In response to the attack, India scaled down diplomatic engagement, suspended parts of the Indus Waters Treaty, and launched precision strikes against terror camps in Operation Sindoor. New Delhi maintains that any meaningful engagement requires demonstrable and verifiable action against terrorism from Pakistan.

Pakistan calls for dialogue after a brief handshake in Dhaka, but India maintains talks are impossible without verifiable action against terrorism.

Islamabad, January 1 The desperation in the Pakistan's top leadership once again came out on Wednesday after Pakistan attempted to amplify what was a courtesy handshake between EAM S Jaishankar and the Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq in Dhaka.

The exchange took place on the sidelines of the funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, which Sadiq and Jaishankar attended. It was among the few visible contacts at the senior level since relations deteriorated earlier this year following the Pahalgam attack, where 26 tourists were killed which India has said was the work of Pakistan-backed terror networks.

According to a press release issued by Pakistan's National Assembly Secretariat, Pakistan has claimed that the handshake occurred when External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar approached Ayaz Sadiq during the event, reported Dawn.

The press release from the NA Secretariat stated that since the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan has "consistently emphasised dialogue, restraint and cooperative measures, including proposals for peace talks and joint investigations...to prevent unprovoked aggression and escalation."

India-Pakistan relations came under severe strain earlier this year following the terror attack in Pahalgam, after which India undertook calibrated diplomatic and strategic measures to safeguard national security.

In response to the attack, India scaled down diplomatic engagement and initiated policy steps reflecting its long-standing position that dialogue cannot coexist with terrorism. Among these measures was the suspension of participation in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a landmark 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank, highlighting the seriousness with which India viewed the security situation.

India also restricted cross-border transit and other bilateral engagements, reiterating that any engagement requires demonstrable action against terrorism and accountability for attacks targeting civilians.

Against this backdrop, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to the attack.

Indian Armed Forces carried out precision strikes against terror camps operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). India subsequently repelled Pakistani escalation and targeted its airbases.

India has consistently emphasised that any engagement with Pakistan must be based on mutual respect, verifiable security assurances and a terrorism-free environment, while firmly safeguarding its national interests.

- ANI
Devotees across India ushered in New Year 2026 with prayers and rituals at major religious sites. From the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu to the ghats of Haridwar and Prayagraj, thousands took holy dips and offered prayers. Key temples in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura, and Amritsar witnessed massive footfalls as families sought blessings for peace and prosperity. The widespread celebrations highlighted a collective desire to begin the year with faith and a connection to cultural roots.

Devotees across India welcomed 2026 with prayers, holy dips in the Ganga, and visits to major temples from Vaishno Devi to Ayodhya, marking the year with faith.

New Delhi, January 1 As the clock struck midnight, ushering in New Year 2026, devotees across India chose faith and prayer to mark the beginning of the year, with temples, shrines and holy rivers witnessing massive footfalls on Wednesday.

In Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, thousands of devotees visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra. Jyoti Singh, one of the pilgrims, said her journey was guided by faith. "I wanted to go to Vrindavan, but due to the blessings of Mata Rani, I have come here. May Mata Rani bless everyone," she said.

Punjab's Amritsar also saw large gatherings as devotees offered prayers and witnessed the traditional 'Prabhat Pheri' at the Shri Harmandir Sahib on the first day of the year.

In the national capital, devotees thronged prominent temples, including Jhandewalan Temple and the Sai Baba Temple at Lodhi Road, offering prayers for peace, prosperity and good health in 2026.

Uttar Pradesh emerged as a major focal point of religious activity. Large crowds gathered at the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura and the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. In Prayagraj, devotees took a holy dip in the Ganga river to welcome the new year.

At Haridwar in Uttarakhand, pilgrims and tourists flocked to Har Ki Pauri to take a ritual dip in the Ganges. Jhoomar, a devotee visiting with her family, said that the experience was special. "It is a nice beginning of the new year for us. I am very thrilled and excited to be here. The vibes are positive. We wanted to do something different and connect to our roots. It was important for the kids as well," she told ANI.

Nandini Joshi, who visited the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, praised the arrangements. "We were planning for a long time to come here, and today we started the new year with aarti and darshan. The management was commendable, and everything was done peacefully. I will forever remember this day," she said.

In Mathura, Chanchal, a devotee from Dwarka in Gujarat, said beginning the year with devotion brought inner peace. "We have come to seek the blessings of Shri Krishna and start our year with that. We attended Yamuna Aarti, Braj-bhoomi Darshan and Janmbhoomi Darshan. I wish everyone a happy new year," she said.

Eastern India also saw significant footfall, with devotees offering prayers at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, while in Assam, devotees thronged the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati on the first day of the year.

In Telangana, devotees offered prayers at the Hanuman Temple in Chikkadpalli, Hyderabad, marking the new year with devotion.

From the Himalayas to the coasts, the first day of 2026 reflected a strong spiritual fervour, as people from different parts of the country chose to begin the year with prayers, rituals and a renewed connection to faith.

- ANI
Devotees from across North India gathered at prominent temples like Naina Devi and Chintpurni in Himachal Pradesh to welcome the New Year with prayers and gratitude. Authorities anticipate daily crowds of 15,000-20,000 visitors through the weekend, with enhanced security measures in place. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu reflected on 2025 as a year of development despite disasters, reaffirming the government's commitment to welfare and the fight against narcotics. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla emphasized hopes for peace and prosperity, calling on youth to foster a drug-free and socially responsible state.

Thousands seek blessings at Naina Devi, Chintpurni & other Himachal shrines on New Year 2026. State leaders extend wishes & highlight anti-drug resolve.

Shimla, Jan 1 A large number of devotees assembled in different parts of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, the first day of 2026, to express gratitude for the past and seek blessings for the future.

One of the busiest shrines in North India, the hilltop Naina Devi temple in the Bilaspur district saw a majority of pilgrims from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi, according to temple officials.

The popular shrines of Chintpurni in Una district and Jwalaji and Brajeshwari Devi temples in Kangra district witnessed a huge rush.

"We are expecting a daily arrival of 15,000 to 20,000 devotees till this weekend," an official at the Naina Devi shrine told IANS over the phone.

Meanwhile, security has been increased to manage the crowds at all prominent shrines, a senior police official told IANS here.

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu have extended best wishes to the people.

The Chief Minister hoped the New Year would bring abundant happiness to everyone and serve as a symbol of renewed aspirations, fresh resolutions, and positive energy. He said the people of the state have stood shoulder to shoulder with the government while facing challenges. The state faced several disasters in 2025, but even then it was a year of development and achievements during which new benchmarks were set in the fields of education, health, agriculture and infrastructure from its own resources, besides the resolve and firm commitment of the government to eradicate "chitta", a chemical narcotic, he said.

CM Sukhu assured that the government would continue to stand firmly for the welfare of the people and the fight for the overall interests of the state in the future as well.

In his message, the Governor hoped the New Year would bring peace, happiness and prosperity to every household and usher in new opportunities for progress and development.

He said the New Year "is a time for renewal of hope, positive thinking and collective resolve to build a stronger, healthier and more inclusive society".

He urged residents, especially the youth, to adopt values of discipline, compassion and social responsibility and contribute actively towards a drug-free, healthy and prosperous state.

- IANS
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar declared 2025 a successful year for Karnataka, marked by decisive governance and progress on long-pending infrastructure projects like the Hebbal Flyover. He highlighted achievements in irrigation, investment attraction, and urban development, particularly in Bengaluru. Looking ahead, Shivakumar announced that 2026 will see a major focus on implementing new mobility initiatives to address the city's traffic challenges. He also underscored historic decisions in water management and commended the maintenance of law and order during the New Year celebrations.

Karnataka Deputy CM hails 2025 as a year of decisive governance & infrastructure, promising a major mobility push for Bengaluru in 2026.

Bengaluru, January 1 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said 2025 had been a "successful year" for the state, marked by decisive governance, infrastructure expansion and long-pending issues being addressed, particularly in Bengaluru. Speaking to the media, Shivakumar said the government had delivered on promises made to the people and laid the foundation for further transformation in 2026.

Referring to the long-standing traffic bottlenecks in the state capital, Shivakumar said difficult and pending works had finally been taken up. "We have undertaken a difficult, long-pending work. Now there will be no blockage, and with the Hebbal Flyover, the long-pending problem has been sorted out," he said.

Calling 2025 a landmark year, the Deputy CM said the government had focused on irrigation, investments and urban development. "We have given many things to Karnataka, especially to Bengaluru - irrigation, investment, and we delivered the promises that we made to the public," Shivakumar said, adding that significant changes were visible in roads, irrigation projects and land-related administration.

Looking ahead, he said mobility would be a major focus in the coming year. "As far as mobility is concerned, various initiatives will be implemented in 2026," he noted, expressing confidence that the new year had begun on an auspicious note.

Shivakumar also underlined the government's decisions in the Irrigation Department and the Cauvery water dispute, describing them as historic. "The decisions taken in the Irrigation Department, the justice found in Cauvery, will go down in history," he said, adding that he would continue to uphold the trust placed in him by the people.

Recalling his political journey of over 35 years as an MLA, Shivakumar said such governance initiatives had not been seen earlier. He claimed that Karnataka's work had earned national recognition, stating that "India has respected us," and that even the Prime Minister had praised the state's efforts.

He also commended the Home Department and police for maintaining law and order during New Year celebrations, congratulating Home Minister G Parameshwara for ensuring security in Bengaluru despite alleged conspiracies.

- ANI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extended formal greetings to Cuba and Slovakia on their respective national days via social media. He highlighted India's appreciation for its long-standing partnership with Cuba and commitment to strengthening ties with Slovakia. India-Cuba relations, established shortly after the 1959 revolution, are historically warm and include close cooperation at the UN and NAM. Relations with Slovakia are also friendly, with both nations supporting each other's candidatures in international organizations.

EAM S Jaishankar extended India's greetings to Cuba and Slovakia on their national days, reaffirming commitment to strengthening bilateral partnerships.

New Delhi, January 1 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday extended greetings to Cuba on its National Day and to Slovakia on the Day of the Establishment of the Slovak Republic, reaffirming India's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with both nations.

In a post on the social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar conveyed his greetings to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and to the government and people of Cuba.

"Greetings to FM Bruno Rodriguez P, the Government and people of Cuba on their National Day. Appreciate our long-standing partnership," he said.

In a separate post, the External Affairs Minister extended warm wishes to Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar and the people of Slovakia on the occasion of the Day of the Establishment of the Slovak Republic.

"Warm wishes to FM Juraj Blanar, the Government and people of Slovakia on the Day of the Establishment of the Slovak Republic. Committed to strengthening India-Slovakia ties," Jaishankar added.

India and Cuba enjoy excellent bilateral relations, which have traditionally been warm and friendly.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India was among the first countries to recognise the new Cuban government following the Cuban Revolution in January 1959.

Major Ernesto Guevara (Che) 's visit to India from June 30 to July 4, 1959, consolidated diplomatic ties, which later bore fruit in the opening of embassies in the respective capitals.

The first head of mission presented credentials on January 12, 1960, in Havana. India and Cuba maintain close contact with each other at the UN, NAM, and other international fora.

Meanwhile, India maintains friendly relations with Slovakia and has no bilateral issues. The two countries have generally been supportive of each other's candidatures in international organisations. Both countries cooperate well in international fora and have, by and large, been supportive of each other's candidatures, the MEA stated.

- ANI
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar extended warm Independence Day greetings to Sudan and Haiti, reaffirming India's commitment to bilateral partnerships. He highlighted India's delivery of 2 tonnes of essential medicines to Sudan and noted the recent Foreign Office Consultations aimed at deepening cooperation across multiple sectors. For Haiti, the message underscored friendly relations and emerging interest from its interim government for collaboration in defence and disaster relief. These exchanges reflect India's active diplomatic engagement in supporting the progress and stability of partner nations.

EAM S Jaishankar congratulated Sudan & Haiti on Independence Day, highlighting medicine aid, FOC talks with Sudan, and Haiti's interest in deeper engagement.

New Delhi, January 1 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday extended greetings to Sudan and Haiti as they celebrate their Independence Day.

In a post on X, EAM said, "Compliments to Foreign Minister Ambassador Muhi El-Din Salem Ahmed Ibrahim and the people of Sudan on their Independence Day. Ready to support Sudan's progress."

He shared visuals of India's 2 tonnes of essential and lifesaving medicines to Sudan.

India and Sudan have longstanding ties.

The two countries held the first round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in the African nation's capital of Juba in December last year, marking a significant step in further strengthening bilateral relations, where both sides discussed an entire spectrum of bilateral relations.

The consultations saw discussions covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including capacity building, human resource development, cooperation in health, technical and vocational training, trade, and people-to-people relations, as per a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the ongoing partnership, noting the progress made across various sectors since the establishment of diplomatic relations and agreed that the next round of Foreign Office Consultations would be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.

In another post on X, EAM congratulated Haiti on its Independence Day and said, "Congratulations to FM @JVHJeanBaptiste, the Government and people of Haiti on their Independence Day."

India's relations with Haiti have been friendly.

The Embassy of India in Santo Domingo noted in a statement that India established Diplomatic relations with Haiti on 27 September 1996.

There is an increased interest in a new interim government to engage with India, especially after the donation of Blood Transfusion essentials in August 2024. Leslie Voltaire, Member and former President of the Transitional Presidential Council, reached out to the Embassy for support in defence and disaster relief, the embassy said.

- ANI
Communities have minimal resilience after decades of conflict

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck Afghanistan on January 1, occurring at a significant depth of 113 kilometers. This event is the latest in a cluster of tremors, following magnitudes 4.1 and 4.0 quakes in the preceding days. Afghanistan's location on a major tectonic collision zone makes it highly prone to seismic activity, with a recent powerful quake in November causing casualties and damage. The nation's vulnerability is compounded by decades of conflict, leaving communities with minimal resilience to withstand such repeated natural shocks.

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan at 113 km depth. It follows recent 4.1 and 4.0 tremors in a region highly vulnerable to seismic activity.

Kabul, January 1 An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 struck Afghanistan on Thursday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology said.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 113 km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.5, On: 01/01/2026 11:43:52 IST, Lat: 36.49 N, Long: 71.35 E, Depth: 113 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

On December 29, an earthquake of magnitude 4.1 struck the region at a depth of 109km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.1, On: 29/12/2025 02:49:40 IST, Lat: 36.14 N, Long: 70.53 E, Depth: 109 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

Earlier on December 27, another earthquake of magnitude 4.0 struck the region at a depth of 110km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.0, On: 27/12/2025 12:04:34 IST, Lat: 36.53 N, Long: 71.63 E, Depth: 110 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

Afghanistan frequently experiences earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush region, which lies in a highly active seismic zone, according to the Red Cross.

The recent tremors follow a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan on November 4. According to Afghan authorities, at least 27 people were killed and hundreds were injured in that quake. CNN reported that the tremor also damaged one of the country's most iconic mosques. The United States Geological Survey reported that the quake occurred at a shallow depth, which increases its impact.

Afghanistan's vulnerability to earthquakes is linked to its location along the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. A major fault line also passes through parts of the country, including the Herat region.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) notes that Afghanistan remains extremely vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides and seasonal flooding. Repeated tremors worsen the situation for communities already struggling with decades of conflict and limited development, leaving them with minimal resilience to withstand multiple shocks.

- ANI
The second edition of Exercise Desert Cyclone-II, a joint military drill between the Indian Army and UAE Land Forces, successfully concluded at Al-Hamra Training City in Abu Dhabi. The exercise, held from December 18 to 30, focused on enhancing interoperability in urban warfare, including drills for building clearance, heliborne operations, and casualty evacuation. Training emphasized standardizing tactics and procedures for sub-conventional operations under a UN mandate. The engagement, involving 45 Indian personnel from the Mechanised Infantry Regiment and UAE's 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion, reinforced bilateral defence cooperation and combined operational readiness.

Exercise Desert Cyclone-II, a joint India-UAE military drill, concluded in Abu Dhabi, focusing on urban combat, interoperability, and strengthening defence ties.

Al Hamra, January 1 Exercise Desert Cyclone-II concluded with a closing ceremony at Al-Hamra Training City, marking the successful culmination of intensive joint training between the Indian Army and the UAE Land Forces, as per an official release.

Conducted from December 18 to 30 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the second edition of the India-UAE Joint Military Exercise reaffirmed the deepening defence partnership between the two nations and underscored their shared commitment to regional peace, security, and stability.

The exercise witnessed a structured mix of classroom and field-based training designed to enhance interoperability, mutual trust and operational synergy in an urban environment, with a focus on sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate. Joint activities covered urban combat fundamentals, marking and clearing of buildings, IED awareness, casualty evacuation, first aid and detailed mission planning.

As per an official release, troops executed progressive practical drills in built-up areas, including room intervention and building clearance, heliborne operations, air assault and platoon-level joint assault exercises. Drills on room intervention and clearance were exchanged between the two armies and subsequently rehearsed, enabling standardisation of tactics, techniques, and procedures. The training culminated in integrated offensive and defensive urban operations, demonstrating coordinated action and combined operational readiness.

The Indian contingent comprised 45 personnel, primarily drawn from a battalion of The Mechanised Infantry Regiment, while the UAE Land Forces contingent was represented by the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion. Exercise DESERT CYCLONE-II further cemented professional bonds between the two armies and contributed to developing interoperable capabilities for future multinational operations.

- ANI
The year 2025 saw India-US relations transition from symbolic bonhomie to tangible friction, marked by escalating trade disputes and strategic disagreements. Despite Prime Minister Modi's early-year visit to Washington aiming to stabilize ties, the US imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian exports revealed deepening economic tensions. Diplomatic strains intensified as India firmly rejected US claims of mediating in India-Pakistan conflicts, highlighting fundamental differences in approach. The relationship's future appeared increasingly uncertain as geopolitical alignments and unfulfilled trade agreement hopes tested the partnership's resilience.

Analysis of how India-US ties shifted from public warmth to trade disputes and strategic uncertainty during Trump's second term in 2025.

By Baishnavi Sharma, New Delhi /Washington, January 1 A year of sharp contrasts defined India-US ties in 2025, as public warmth between leaders coexisted with escalating trade disputes, uneven strategic coordination and frequent uncertainty. While both governments continued to describe the partnership as "special", developments over the year exposed pressures that tested the stability of bilateral ties.

The relationship, once projected as being rooted in shared democratic values and long-term strategic interests, increasingly reflected changing political priorities and the variable approach of US President Donald Trump. Despite repeated affirmations of closeness, underlying disagreements became harder to overlook.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington on February 12, weeks after President Trump assumed office on January 20, was seen as an attempt to stabilise relations and set a constructive agenda. Talks during the visit focused on reviving negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement and expanding overall commerce, briefly raising expectations of progress.

That optimism did not last.

The US administration's inability to deliver a swift resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict within its first 100 days altered the wider geopolitical environment. Against this backdrop, strains in India-US relations became more pronounced.

From public bonhomie to trade confrontation

The shift was particularly visible when compared with earlier years. In September 2019, President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly addressed a crowd of more than 50,000 at the 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston, projecting personal warmth and political camaraderie. Trump referred to India as a close friend, while PM Modi described him as a "true friend in the White House".

By 2025, that phase appeared firmly in the past.

In August, trade tensions intensified, with the US imposing tariffs of up to 50 per cent on Indian exports. The move marked a decisive turn from symbolic public goodwill to confrontational trade measures, driven by concerns over trade imbalances, domestic political considerations and differing negotiating approaches.

Signs of friction had surfaced earlier. In 2018, President Trump criticised India's import duties on Harley-Davidson motorcycles as "unfair". This was followed by the introduction of "America First" tariffs, including 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium, and India's subsequent removal from the US Generalised System of Preferences, affecting exports worth billions of dollars.

India-Pakistan issue adds strain

Tensions were further complicated by developments related to India-Pakistan relations. President Trump repeatedly stated that the US had played a mediating role in securing a ceasefire between the two neighbours after the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, most of them tourists.

On May 10, Trump said he, along with Vice President JD Vance, had stepped in to secure an "immediate ceasefire". While Pakistan's position evolved over time, India consistently rejected the assertion.

"PM Modi told President Trump clearly that during this period, there was no talk at any stage on subjects like India-US trade deal or US mediation between India and Pakistan," Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.

"Talks for cease of military action took place directly between India and Pakistan through established military channels and on the insistence of Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi underscored that India has never accepted mediation in the past and will never do."

Trade talks falter despite early hopes

At the start of 2025, there were renewed expectations that the two sides could conclude a comprehensive trade agreement, with ambitions to raise bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030. Discussions during PM Modi's US visit briefly reinforced those hopes.

However, on July 30, President Trump announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods. This was followed by the announcement of a trade agreement with Pakistan. On August 6, Trump signed an executive order increasing tariffs on Indian exports to 50 per cent, placing India among the most heavily taxed US trading partners.

A cryptic signal on geopolitical alignments

Uncertainty deepened on September 5 when President Trump posted a photograph of PM Modi alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by a pointed message.

"Looks like we've lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!"

The post came amid heightened trade tensions and growing concern in Washington over India's continued energy imports from Russia and unresolved tariff disputes.

'Special relationship' reaffirmed

Within a day, President Trump attempted to downplay speculation about a rupture, emphasising the personal rapport and broader strategic ties between the two countries.

"I'll always be friends with (Narendra) Modi... He's a great prime minister. He's great. But I just don't like what he's doing at this particular moment. But India and the United States have a special relationship. There's nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion."

The remarks were made even as disagreements persisted over trade policies and India's purchase of Russian oil.

Rice, tariffs and domestic politics

Trade rhetoric escalated further when President Trump warned of possible additional tariffs on Indian rice imports, alleging that India was 'dumping' rice in the US market. He suggested that tariffs could "easily resolve the problem".

The comments were made during a White House roundtable with representatives from the farming sector and senior officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. At the same meeting, Trump announced a USD 12-billion federal assistance package for American farmers.

During the discussion, Trump questioned India's trade practices.

"India, tell me about India. Why is India allowed to do that? They gotta pay tariffs. Do they have an exemption on rice?"

When informed, "No sir, we're still working on their trade deal", Trump replied, "But they shouldn't be dumping. I mean, I heard that. I heard that from others. They can't do that."

Strategic reassurances continue

Despite trade frictions, the US continued to underline India's strategic importance. The US Embassy in India quoted President Trump on X as saying: "India is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations. It is an amazing country, and a very important strategic partner for America in the Indo-Pacific region. We have a great friend in PM Modi."

Diplomatic engagement maintained

According to official statements, diplomatic engagement remained active. A recent phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump covered bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues. The conversation followed PM Modi's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and coincided with renewed international efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict through an expanded peace plan proposed by Trump.

Trade negotiations were also discussed, including US demands for greater access to Indian markets for agricultural products such as corn and soybean. PM Modi later described the interaction as "warm and engaging".

A year of mixed signals

As the year draws to a close, India-US relations reflect a complex balance of cooperation and contention. Strategic dialogue has continued, but sharp trade disputes and political unpredictability have remained persistent challenges.

Even as some US lawmakers caution that aggressive trade measures could strain ties with a key Indo-Pacific partner, both governments maintain that the relationship remains too significant to be derailed.

For New Delhi and Washington, 2025 underscored that the partnership is still evolving, shaped as much by global geopolitical shifts as by leadership styles and domestic priorities.

- ANI
Jammu and Kashmir rang in 2026 with vibrant celebrations at Srinagar's Lal Chowk and a spiritual surge as thousands of devotees visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The region's higher reaches, like Sonamarg, transformed into a scenic winter wonderland with fresh snowfall, delighting tourists. Authorities implemented stringent security measures, including crowd control and enhanced surveillance, to ensure safe festivities. This combination of devotion, tourism, and natural beauty marked a peaceful and energetic start to the new year in the union territory.

As 2026 dawned, Jammu & Kashmir buzzed with activityfrom Lal Chowk celebrations and Sonamarg's snowfall to thousands of pilgrims at Vaishno Devi.

Jammu, January 1 As India ushered in 2026, Jammu and Kashmir became a central hub of activity, blending festive celebration with spiritual devotion and seasonal beauty. In Srinagar, the heart of the city at Lal Chowk saw a surge in footfall, while the higher reaches, such as Sonamarg, were transformed into a winter wonderland by fresh snowfall. Simultaneously, thousands of pilgrims braved chilly conditions to seek blessings at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, all while the administration maintained a stringent security blanket across the region to ensure a peaceful transition into the New Year.

Lal Chowk has seen a significant increase in footfall as travellers from across the country gather to welcome the arrival of 2026. Visuals from the iconic city centre show a vibrant atmosphere, with the historic Clock Tower area illuminated and crowded with visitors soaking in the festive spirit.

The significant influx of tourists has brought a festive cheer to the valley, with many choosing the scenic backdrop of Kashmir to ring in the New Year. Local authorities have ensured that the city's landmark locations are well prepared to accommodate large gatherings, marking a high point in the region's winter tourism season, especially around the iconic Dal Lake on New Year's Day. Measures have been taken to ensure the safety of residents and tourists celebrating the arrival of 2026.

Police and local administration have deployed additional personnel, established security checkpoints, and increased patrolling in and around the Dal Lake area. CCTV surveillance has also been enhanced to monitor crowd movement and prevent any untoward incidents.

Officials have urged citizens and visitors to cooperate with security measures and follow guidelines during New Year's festivities. The administration has assured that all necessary precautions have been taken to maintain law and order during the celebrations.

Earlier, highlighting ongoing security efforts, Senior Superintendent of Police Doda Sandeep Mehta confirmed that comprehensive security measures have been implemented for tourists visiting Bhaderwah.

As the clock struck midnight, ushering in New Year 2026, devotees across India chose faith and prayer to mark the beginning of the year, with temples, shrines and holy rivers witnessing massive footfalls on Wednesday.In Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, thousands of devotees visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra. Jyoti Singh, one of the pilgrims, said her journey was guided by faith. "I wanted to go to Vrindavan, but due to the blessings of Mata Rani, I have come here. May Mata Rani bless everyone," she said.

At the same time, to ensure crowd safety, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) decided to suspend registrations on Wednesday evening as thousands of devotees arrived in Katra to seek blessings for the New Year 2026. The suspension is a precautionary measure to ensure crowd safety and smooth management at the Bhawan and along the trekking route. Registration is expected to resume on Thursday morning after the crowd density is reviewed.

In Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, a large number of devotees arrived at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra on the New Year 2026. Despite dense fog and chilly conditions, pilgrims were seen undertaking the yatra with devotion and enthusiasm.The entire hilltop is buzzing with energy as devotees from across the country gather to start their New Year on a spiritual note. n the occasion of the New Year 2026, a large number of devotees are arriving in Katra for darshan at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple.

Meanwhile, the higher reaches of the Kashmir Valley, including the famed tourist destination of Sonamarg, have been draped in a thick layer of white following a fresh spell of snowfall. In Ganderbal district, residents and tourists enjoyed a winter wonderland as snow settled on vehicles, buildings, and roads.

As the snow continued to fall, many enjoyed activities such as snowball fights and morning walks, soaking up the scenic beauty.Tourists expressed delight at the snowfall. A visitor from Assam said, "We enjoyed it after leaving the hotel in the morning. Due to the cold, we must wear two layers of clothing and caps. Snowfall needs to happen. We thought about that before coming here, and everyone would enjoy the visit more if snow came."

Another tourist from Punjab, Gagan, said he is a frequent visitor and that it seems snow might fall this year. Furthermore, he encouraged tourists to visit the area, noting that the people there are lovely.

"I have come here many times, but there was no snow or rain last year. This year, it seems like snowfall might happen in December, which would be great. Thanks to light rain, Srinagar feels much more enjoyable this time around. The number of tourists has reduced since last year because of the attacks, but everything is safe here," he said.

The snow has turned Sonamarg into a dreamlike winter destination, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the serene beauty and hospitality of Central Kashmir.

- ANI
Abbas says building independent Palestinian state "inevitable reality"

Xinhua) 14:42, January 01, 2026

RAMALLAH, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is "an inevitable reality," affirming that Palestinians are moving steadily toward freedom and independence.

In a statement carried by Palestinian news agency WAFA, Abbas stressed the realization of a fully sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, alongside the return of refugees in line with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

He said Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank are "steadfastly confronting the most brutal war of genocide and ethnic cleansing in modern history," accusing Israel of disregarding international law, international legitimacy, and ceasefire agreements.

Abbas stressed that the Palestinian people would not surrender, leave their homeland, or accept annexation and displacement plans.

Calling for national unity, he urged Palestinians to unite under the Palestine Liberation Organization, calling it the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

There would be no Palestinian state in Gaza alone and no Palestinian state without Gaza, he said.

Gaza would "return to the fold of national legitimacy," and be rebuilt as a central part of the Palestinian national project, he added.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Wu Chaolan)
The former autonomous driving unit at DJI, the world's largest drone maker, is gearing up to serve the heavy vehicle industry in 2026, in the latest example of Chinese innovation spilling over from Big Tech firms to start-ups.

Chinese self-driving tech firm ZYT plans to move into heavy-duty lorries and unmanned logistics vehicles, expanding its footprint from city streets to highways, as the race for commercialisation intensifies in the sector.

The Shenzhen-based company, known as Zhuoyu, will introduce its navigate-on-autopilot feature to lorries on highways. Mass production is slated for the first half of 2026, CEO Shen Shaojie said on Tuesday.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

The company has secured Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group, Shaanxi Automobile Group and China National Heavy Duty Truck Group as its first batch of trucking partners.

As a manufacturer of both intelligent driving systems and components, ZYT had "an inherent advantage in transferring the technology from passenger cars, which have massive scale and high quality standards, to other sectors", Shen said at an event to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary.

ZYT CEO Shen Shaojie speaking at the 10th anniversary event. Photo: Handout alt=ZYT CEO Shen Shaojie speaking at the 10th anniversary event. Photo: Handout>

He added that ZYT would launch in January a partnership with a top Chinese commercial vehicle maker to design unmanned logistics vehicles using the company's autonomous driving tech.

The latest moves mean ZYT is opening up new battlefronts in a fiercely contested autonomous driving landscape in China, competing against heavyweights such as Horizon Robotics as well as Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology, the smart car unit that spun off from Huawei Technologies last year.

As ZYT enters the lucrative logistics market in search of new growth, it will challenge established rivals such as Pony.ai, which last month announced plans to mass produce and deploy autonomous trucks in 2026.

Since its establishment in 2016 as DJI's automotive division, ZYT has been focused on the passenger car sector.

The unit was spun off in 2023 after the expanding autonomous driving team deviated from DJI's core drone business. Shen also cited the intensifying geopolitical tensions between China and the US as a catalyst for the separation.
The Ministry of Home Affairs declared 2025 a decisive year, with India on track to be free from Left-Wing Extremism by early 2026 following record operations. Counter-terrorism efforts saw a 95% conviction rate by the NIA, while new victim-centric criminal laws began nationwide implementation. The year also featured a major push on cyber security with the e-Zero FIR pilot and expanded forensic infrastructure. Additionally, a ruthless campaign against narcotics funding terror and tech-driven border reforms marked a comprehensive security overhaul.

MHA's 2025 review highlights near-eradication of Naxalism, major counter-terror ops, new criminal laws, and a tech-driven push on cyber security & borders.

New Delhi, January 1 The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday released its Year-End Review for 2025, terming the year a decisive phase in India's internal security journey under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a Safe, Secure and Viksit Bharat. Guided by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, the ministry reported significant gains across counter-terrorism, Left-Wing Extremism, cyber security, criminal justice reforms, border management and disaster response.

According to the review, the government is on track to make India free from Left-Wing Extremism by March 31, 2026. A series of large-scale operations across Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and adjoining regions led to the neutralisation of over 300 LWE cadres in 2025, the highest ever in a single year. Security forces carried out landmark operations such as the Karreguttalu Hills action and Operation Black Forest, which dismantled key Maoist leadership structures and triggered large-scale surrenders.

The MHA said the number of most-affected LWE districts has now reduced to just three, reflecting the impact of a multi-pronged strategy combining security operations, development initiatives and rehabilitation policies. Cultural and social outreach programmes like Bastar Pandum, Bastar Olympics and Bastar Dussehra were also highlighted as symbols of peace and confidence returning to once-affected tribal regions.

On counter-terrorism, the ministry underlined India's "zero tolerance" approach, citing Operations Sindoor and Mahadev following the Pahalgam terror attack. These operations, conducted jointly by the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police, eliminated terrorists involved in the attack and destroyed terror infrastructure. The review also noted that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) achieved a conviction rate of around 95 per cent, among the highest globally for anti-terror agencies.

Institutional strengthening remained a key focus in 2025. The inauguration of the new Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) in New Delhi was described as a major step towards integrated intelligence sharing to counter terrorism, extremism, organised crime and cyber threats. The launch of the BHARATPOL portal by the CBI was another milestone, enabling faster international cooperation with agencies across nearly 200 countries.

The ministry also reported progress in implementing the new criminal laws, calling them a shift towards a victim-centric, technology-driven and time-bound justice system. Extensive consultations with states and Union Territories were held to ensure uniform adoption, with full nationwide implementation targeted within the next three years.

Cyber security emerged as another priority area, with the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) rolling out the e-Zero FIR initiative on a pilot basis in Delhi. The system enables faster registration of FIRs in high-value cyber financial fraud cases. Expansion of forensic infrastructure, including new campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) and Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), was projected as critical to improving conviction rates.

In the fight against narcotics, the MHA highlighted a "ruthless and whole-of-government" approach. During the year, agencies seized drugs worth thousands of crores, destroyed over 1.37 lakh kg of narcotics, and busted several domestic and international cartels. The ministry reiterated that proceeds from the drug trade used to fund terror activities would be dealt with strictly.

On Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the review stressed sustained efforts towards peace, integration and development. Several Hurriyat-linked organisations publicly severed ties with separatism, while outreach programmes and employment initiatives aimed to strengthen trust in the constitutional framework.

Border management and immigration reforms also featured prominently. The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, and the launch of a revamped OCI portal were cited as steps towards a transparent, tech-driven and secure immigration system. The Vibrant Villages Programme continued to focus on infrastructure, tourism and livelihood opportunities in border areas.

The MHA said India further consolidated its global leadership in disaster management during 2025, with faster response times, higher deployment of NDRF teams and substantial financial assistance to states affected by floods, landslides and other calamities. The government reiterated its goal of achieving "zero casualty" outcomes through proactive planning and capacity building.

Looking ahead, the ministry confirmed preparations for Census 2027, which will be conducted in two phases and include caste enumeration, describing it as a historic step towards social justice and inclusive policymaking.

- ANI
The Central Government has appointed Central Nodal Officers to review and monitor 100 aspirational agricultural districts under the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana. This flagship scheme, approved for six years starting 2025-26, aims to enhance productivity, crop diversification, and post-harvest infrastructure. Implementation will involve the convergence of 36 existing schemes across multiple departments, with progress tracked monthly via 117 key performance indicators. The initiative targets improving national agricultural averages by elevating outcomes in these focused districts, thereby supporting self-reliance and livelihood creation.

Govt appoints Central Nodal Officers to monitor 100 aspirational agricultural districts under PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana for boosting productivity & self-reliance.

New Delhi, January 1 Aimed at ensuring proper implementation of Prime Minister Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, the Central government has appointed Central Nodal Officers for reviewing and monitoring the aspirational agricultural district under the scheme-- a first-of-its-kind focus exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment and replacement of CNOs to review and monitor aspirational agricultural districts under the PMDDKY.

According to an Office Memorandum issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the decision follows earlier instructions issued on October 3, 2025, along with subsequent amendments made from time to time.

The revised appointments have been made to strengthen oversight and ensure effective implementation of the flagship agricultural scheme.

The memorandum stated that the existing CNOs for certain districts have been replaced, while new officers have been appointed for others. The appointed officers will be responsible for reviewing progress, monitoring outcomes, and coordinating with state and district administrations to achieve PMDDKY's objectives.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the PMDDKY in July last year for six years, beginning in 2025-26, to cover 100 districts. The scheme draws inspiration from NITI Aayog's Aspirational Districts Programme.

The scheme aims to enhance agricultural productivity, increase adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices, augment post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block levels, improve irrigation facilities, and facilitate access to long- and short-term credit. It is in pursuance of the Budget announcement for 2025-26 to develop 100 districts under PMDDKY. The scheme will be implemented through the convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 departments, other state schemes and local partnerships with the private sector. A total of 100 districts will be identified based on three key indicators: low productivity, low cropping intensity, and low credit disbursement. The number of districts in each state and UT will be based on the share of Net Cropped Area and operational holdings. However, at least one district will be selected from each state.

Committees will be formed at the district, state, and national levels to ensure effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of the Scheme. A District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plan will be finalised by the District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti, with progressive farmers as members. The district plans will be aligned with the national goals of crop diversification, conservation of water and soil health, self-sufficiency in agriculture and allied sectors, and the expansion of natural and organic farming.

Progress of the scheme in each Dhan-Dhaanya district will be monitored monthly using a dashboard of 117 key performance indicators. NITI will also review and guide the district plans. Additionally, Central Nodal Officers appointed for each district will review the scheme regularly.

As the targeted outcomes in these 100 districts improve, the country's overall average across key performance indicators will rise. The scheme will result in higher productivity, value addition in agriculture and allied sectors, local livelihood creation, and, hence, increased domestic production and self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat). As the indicators for these 100 districts improve, the national indicators will automatically trend upward.

- ANI
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated Rs 497 crore worth of infrastructure projects in the Viramgam constituency, focusing on roads, railway overbridges, and connectivity upgrades. The projects aim to accelerate growth in the Mandal-Becharaji Special Investment Region, which is emerging as a major auto hub. Key initiatives include a railway overbridge at Kokta Phatak to ease traffic for nearly one lakh commuters and extensive road resurfacing and new construction. The launch event also highlighted Gujarat's broader infrastructure expansion, including a Rs 10,000 crore allocation for high-speed corridors.

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launches Rs 497 crore in road, rail & overbridge projects in Viramgam, boosting connectivity & industrial growth in the Mandal-Becharaji SIR.

Viramgam, Jan 1 Marking a development-driven start to the New Year, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on January 1 laid the foundation stones for Rs 497 crore worth of infrastructure projects across the Viramgam Assembly constituency, covering Viramgam, Mandal and Detroj talukas.

The projects span road infrastructure, railway connectivity and overbridges, aimed at accelerating growth and improving regional connectivity.

Addressing a large public gathering, the Chief Minister said the Mandal-Becharaji-Viramgam belt, once characterised by limited resources, rain-dependent agriculture and migration of youth in search of employment, has today transformed into a Special Investment Region (SIR) and an emerging auto hub under the development vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The Prime Minister's commitment to the welfare of the last person and the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas has set new benchmarks of development across the country," Patel said.

He added that enhanced road infrastructure and improved connectivity would give fresh direction and greater momentum to regional development.

Highlighting Gujarat's long-term growth trajectory, the Chief Minister noted that sustained infrastructure expansion under the "double-engine government" has positioned the State as the growth engine of India.

In the last three years alone, road, bridge and connectivity works worth Rs 488 crore have been completed to link the Mandal-Becharaji SIR. New highways, four-lane roads and railway overbridges are expected to significantly ease movement and boost industrial activity.

Patel pointed out that the construction of the railway overbridge at Kokta Phatak will permanently resolve a long-standing traffic bottleneck, saving time and fuel for nearly one lakh commuters.

Referring to national infrastructure progress, he said India's highway construction pace has risen from 12 km per day before 2014 to 34 km per day today.

The Gujarat government, he added, has also allocated Rs 10,000 crore for the Namo Shakti Expressway and 12 high-speed corridors spanning 1,155 km.

The Chief Minister urged citizens to prioritise cleanliness alongside rapid industrial growth, emphasising that hygiene should become a collective habit.

Viramgam MLA Hardik Patel said the newly launched projects would benefit not only residents but also pilgrims visiting Becharaji and Shankheshwar.

He noted that over the past three years, development works worth more than Rs 2,500 crore have been undertaken in the Viramgam constituency and thanked the Chief Minister for his continued focus on inclusive development.

During the programme, under the Suposhit Gujarat Abhiyan, the Chief Minister distributed millet baskets to anganwadi workers, reinforcing the State's commitment to nutrition.

The event included welcome remarks by senior officials from the Roads and Buildings Department. The projects launched include the Rs 285-crore Viramgam Municipality-Mandal-Dasada Road, the Rs 91-crore Raiyapur Overbridge in Viramgam, resurfacing of the Vitthalapur-Detroj-Kadi Road (Rs 55 crore), Thori Mubarak-Liya-Vansva Road (Rs 39 crore), Karkathal-Hansalpur Road (Rs 12 crore), new circuit houses at Detroj and Viramgam, a new sub-registrar office at Detroj, and the Sachana Bypass Road, among others.

Senior officials, elected representatives, local leaders and a large number of citizens were present at the event, reflecting strong public participation in the region's development journey.

- IANS
Guyana is leveraging India's medical expertise to develop its own healthcare system and become a regional hub. The Guyanese government facilitates patient referrals to India for specialized, cost-effective treatment. Bilateral cooperation includes MoUs for medical training with Indian institutions and agreements to supply affordable medicines. This partnership, strengthened by high-level visits, aims to position Guyana as a healthcare destination for the Caribbean.

Guyana aims to be a Caribbean healthcare hub with India's help, sending patients for treatment and signing MoUs for training and affordable medicines.

New Delhi, January 1 Guyana is aiming to emerge as a healthcare hub in the Caribbean and is counting on Indian expertise to strengthen its medical infrastructure, Guyanese High Commissioner to India Dharamkumar Seeraj said, while lauding India's robust healthcare system.

Underscoring the growing healthcare cooperation between the two countries, Seeraj said that the Guyanese government currently facilitates treatment for patients abroad when specialised care is unavailable domestically, with India emerging as a preferred destination due to its high-quality medical services.

"Currently, we have patients travelling to India for specialised treatment. If the required care is not available in Guyana, the Ministry of Health assists patients by facilitating treatment abroad. The government supports patients up to a certain amount, and if the cost exceeds that, additional assistance is provided. Many patients, therefore, opt for treatment in India. There is a logistics problem, the quality of care is excellent, and the cost is highly competitive," he said.

Noting the several MoUs and agreements signed with Indian institutions, the high commissioner said that his country aims to further expand on opportunities for patients to seek treatment from a wide range of medical institutions in India.

Moreover, Guyana aims to position itself as a healthcare tourism hub on the lines of India, with its growing ties with New Delhi proving instrumental in this effort.

"We expect this arrangement to continue as we build our own healthcare systems, and we want to become a healthcare hub of the Caribbean," he said.

"We want to tap into Indian expertise. We have established relationships and signed MoUs with several institutions, including the National Cancer Institute and other hospitals, which are offering medical training. They're subsidising it, and sometimes they are offering full sponsorship for students in the medical field," he added.

Seeraj believes that India's healthcare system is "excellent and the world has acknowledged it."

"At both the government and private sector levels, cooperation is already strong, and we aim to further expand opportunities for patients to seek treatment from a wide range of medical institutions in India," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Guyana in November 2024 gave fresh momentum to bilateral ties, with several MoUs signed in the healthcare sector.

These agreements focus on cooperation in health and pharmaceuticals, including the regulation and supply of affordable medicines to Guyana and other CARICOM countries. India also agreed to establish a Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Guyana to improve access to low-cost medicines.

- ANI
Across India, people ushered in 2026 with prayers at temples like Sri Jagannath in Assam and celebrations at tourist spots from the snowy Rohtang Pass to the iconic Taj Mahal, which saw massive crowds. Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a greeting in Puri, while devotees gathered for Ganga Aarti in Haridwar and at Delhi's Sai Temple. Globally, Sydney's fireworks paid tribute to victims of a recent tragedy, featuring a moment of silence and symbolic lights. The celebrations highlighted a mix of joy, resilience, and crowded enthusiasm at landmarks worldwide.

From temple prayers in Assam to snowfall in Rohtang Pass, Indians celebrated New Year 2026 at crowded landmarks like the Taj Mahal and Haridwar's ghats.

New Delhi, January 1 The new year has finally arrived, leading to celebrations and new beginnings for the Indians. From offering prayers and festive feasts to lively street parties and seaside countdowns, Indians across the country celebrated the new year in style.

The renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand art extending New Year greetings on Thursday in Puri. The sand art featured 'Welcome 2026. Happy New Year.'

In Assam, the devotees gather in large numbers at the Sri Jagannath Temple in Dibrugarh to offer prayers on the occasion of the new year. People were seen standing in long queues for the darshan of Lord Jagannath.

The Tourists at the Rohtang Pass in Himachal were in for a treat as they celebrated the new year with snowfall. The tourists were seen relishing the fresh snowfall and enjoying the beauty of the snow-capped mountains.

In Delhi, the devotees gathered in large numbers at the Lodhi Road's Sai Temple to offer prayers on the occasion of the new year. A huge crowd were seen waiting for the darshan of Sai Baba.

In Rajasthan, the tourists arrived at Jaipur's Hawa Mahal on the occasion of the New Year 2026. The people were seen snapping photos with their loved ones at the tourist site to celebrate the new year.

Delhi's Qutub Minar also saw a large crowd as tourists arrived to celebrate the New Year.

Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was crowded with tourists on the first day of 2026. While some locals came with their families, others travelled long distances to witness this architectural beauty.

A tourist, Arisha Khan while talking to ANI said, "It is a wonderful place (Taj Mahal), but there is a huge crowd here today, so everything has been messed up. I came from Aligarh to meet my sister today."

In Haridwar, a huge crowd of devotees gathered at the Har ki Pauri for Ganga Aarti on the first day of the New Year 2026.

Devotees gathered in large numbers at Gwalior's Manshapuran Hanuman Temple to offer prayers on the occasion of the New Year 2026. The people were seen standing in long queues for Lord Hanuman's darshan.

Delhi's India Gate, though shrouded in fog, didn't stop Delhiites from visiting the iconic tourist spot to celebrate the new year.

Tourists relished the fresh snowfall on the first day of 2026 in Jammu and Kashmir. People were seen playing with snow together.

Not only in India, but people and cities from different corners of the world also ushered in 2026 with joy, celebrations, and even a solemn remembrance for the year ahead.

To begin with, Australia's iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge once again dazzled with its world-famous New Year's Eve fireworks -- a spectacle that drew hundreds of spectators along the waterfront.

Also, this year's celebration carried a deeper resonance, offering tribute to the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting.

In the weeks leading up to the celebrations, Sydney was struck by a terror attack at Bondi Beach during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah that claimed 15 lives.

Authorities and community leaders worked to ensure that the midnight celebrations honoured both resilience and remembrance.

Before the fireworks began, thousands observing the festivities fell silent for a minute, holding up their mobile phone torches aloft as a symbol of unity and hope.

Later, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was lit white with its pylons bearing a menorah (a candelabrum used in Jewish worship).

It is worth noting that the celebrations were held amid heightened security across the city, with a significant police presence to reassure the public and foster a sense of safety as communities came together.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered New Year messages urging courage, compassion and unity in the wake of tragedy.

"What Bondi also showed us was the best of the Australian spirit in all its courage and compassion," Albanese said, as quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

An estimated crowd of 10,000 people flocked to catch a glimpse of the world-famous fireworks.

On the other hand, New Zealand's Auckland was also among the first major cities to mark midnight with dazzling fireworks and cultural performances.

This time, the New Year dawned first in Kiribati, where midnight marked the start of 2026 on Kiritimati Island at 10:00 GMT.

- ANI
The Haryana government has announced a series of senior IPS officer postings and transfers, affecting key departments. Alok Mittal has been given additional charge as Commissioner, while Arshinder Singh Chawla is now the head of the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. Simultaneously, Dr. C.S. Rao has taken on the additional responsibility of Human Rights & Litigation. This administrative reshuffle coincides with the formal assumption of office by the new Director General of Police, Ajay Singhal, who has pledged to modernize operations and enhance public safety.

Haryana govt orders key IPS transfers. Alok Mittal gets additional charge, Arshinder Chawla heads Vigilance Bureau, and new DGP Ajay Singhal assumes office.

Chandigarh, January 1 The Haryana Government on Wednesday issued orders regarding the posting and transfer of senior Indian Police Service officers, assigning key responsibilities in prisons, vigilance, human rights and home guards.

According to the official order, Alok Mittal, IPS (HY:1991), currently serving as Director General, Prisons and Managing Director, Haryana Police Housing Corporation, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Commissioner, Haryana, Panchkula. The appointment has been made during the period of re-employment of Alok Kumar Roy, IPS.

In another significant move, Arshinder Singh Chawla, IPS (HY:1993), who was serving as Director, Haryana at Karnal, has been posted as Director General of Police, State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, against a vacant post.

Meanwhile, Kalaramachandran, IPS (HY:1994), Additional Director General of Police (Human Rights & Litigation), Haryana, has been relieved of the additional charge of the Haryana Police Academy, Madhuban.

Subsequently, Dr. C.S. Rao, IPS (HY:1995), presently posted as ADGP, Home Guards, Haryana, Panchkula, has been given the additional charge of ADGP, Human Rights & Litigation, Haryana, relieving Kalaramachandran from the said responsibility.

On Thursday, Ajay Singhal, the newly appointed Director General of Police (DGP) of Haryana, received a ceremonial guard of honour upon his arrival at the state police headquarters in Panchkula.

The event marked the formal assumption of his responsibilities as the head of the Haryana Police.

Senior police officials and staff welcomed DGP Singhal, highlighting the significance of leadership in maintaining law and order across the state. The new DGP expressed his commitment to strengthening policing, ensuring public safety, and enhancing administrative efficiency.

The Haryana Police administration emphasised that under the leadership of DGP Singhal, focus would be on modernising police operations, increasing community engagement, and upholding the rule of law.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a heartfelt condolence letter to Tarique Rahman on the demise of his mother, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Modi recalled her as a leader of "rare resolve and conviction" and highlighted her role as Bangladesh's first woman Prime Minister. He emphasized her contributions to Bangladesh's development and to strengthening India-Bangladesh relations, expressing confidence that her legacy would endure. The message was personally delivered in Dhaka by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who met with Tarique Rahman during a brief visit.

PM Modi writes to Tarique Rahman, expressing condolences on Khaleda Zia's passing. He recalls her as a leader of conviction and her contributions to India-Bangladesh ties.

New Delhi, January 1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his heartfelt condolences to Tarique Rahman on the demise of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

In his letter to Rahman, Prime Minister Modi said his thoughts are with the people of Bangladesh and that while her passing leaves an irreplaceable void, her vision and legacy will endure.

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of your mother, Her Excellency Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on this profound personal loss. May her soul rest in eternal peace," the letter read.

PM Modi remembered late Khaleda Zia as a leader of "rare resolve and conviction".

"I warmly recall my meeting and discussions with Begum Sahiba in Dhaka in June 2015. She was a leader of rare resolve and conviction, and had the distinction of being the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She made many important contributions to the development of Bangladesh, as well as to the strengthening of India-Bangladesh relations", the PM said.

He recalled her contributions to Bangladesh's development and to "strengthening India-Bangladesh relations".

"While her passing leaves an irreplaceable void, her vision and legacy will endure. I am confident that her ideals will be carried forward under your able leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and will continue to serve as a guiding light to ensure a new beginning and the enrichment of the deep and historic partnership between India and Bangladesh," the letter read.

"At this moment of national mourning, my thoughts are also with the people of Bangladesh, who have shown remarkable strength and dignity throughout their history. I am confident that they will continue to be guided by their shared values, democratic traditions, and a deep sense of national unity, as they move forward in peace and harmony", it added.

"Please accept my heartfelt condolences once again. I pray to the Almighty to grant you and your family the strength and fortitude to overcome this difficult time. I also extend my best wishes to you in your future endeavours", PM Modi said.

On Wednesday morning, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on a special flight that landed at 11:30 am and was received by the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh. After his arrival, Jaishankar met Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and conveyed India's deepest condolences on the death of his mother, former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "On arrival in Dhaka, met with Mr Tarique Rahman @trahmanbnp, Acting Chairman of BNP and son of former PM of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia."

He said he handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tarique Rahman."Handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister @narendramodi. Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India," Jaishankar said.

He also expressed confidence in Khaleda Zia's legacy and its relevance to bilateral ties.

"Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia's vision and values will guide the development of our partnership," he added.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah on Wednesday said that the visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would see New Delhi and Dhaka script a new chapter in ties, driven by shared interests.

In a post on X, he said, "As HE Dr @DrSJaishankar left Dhaka after a whirlwind 4-hr visit, #Bangladesh & #India would look forward to script a new chapter in ties, in shared interests driven by pragmatism and mutual interdependence, as indeed briefly discussed with @bdbnp78 Acting Chair, @trahmanbnp this afternoon."

On EAM's visit to Dhaka, Former Ambassador of India to Bangladesh Veena Sikri called it a good gesture.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest on Wednesday beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, according to Daily Star.

Khaleda Zia was laid to rest following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday, the report said.

Thousands gathered to pay their final respects to the veteran leader.

According to The Daily Star, the funeral prayer was led by the khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan oversaw the proceedings.

From early morning, Manik Mia Avenue saw a steady influx of mourners, with BNP leaders and party activists arriving from across Dhaka and from districts such as Feni, Brahmanbaria, Mymensingh, Cumilla, Gazipur, Munshiganj, and Narayanganj to attend the Namaz-e-Janaza.

Muhammad Yunus reached the Parliament Complex to join the funeral prayers and offer his last respects.

The funeral drew wide regional attention, with several South Asian nations dispatching senior representatives to Dhaka to attend the state funeral, The Daily Star reported.

Bangladesh observed a public holiday on Wednesday and has begun a three-day period of state mourning.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman prime minister, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. A towering figure in national politics, she served three terms as prime minister and played a key role in restoring democracy after years of military rule.

Prime Minister Modi had expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia's death, extending condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh, and recalling his meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015.

- ANI
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla exchanged New Year greetings in Shimla, with the CM's wife presenting traditional gifts. Opposition Leader Jairam Thakur also extended wishes, highlighting bipartisan outreach. Chief Minister Sukhu reaffirmed his vision for a "Self-Reliant Himachal," emphasizing green energy, high-tech industries, and reforms in key sectors. The occasion was marked by a celebratory atmosphere at the Chief Minister's official residence as officials gathered for the New Year.

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu and Governor Shukla exchanged New Year wishes. The CM reaffirmed commitments to green energy, jobs, and a self-reliant Himachal.

Shimla, January 1 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, along with his wife and MLA Kamlesh Thakur, on Thursday called on Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and his wife Janaki Shukla at Lok Bhavan and exchanged New Year greetings.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister presented a bouquet to the Governor, while Kamlesh Thakur honoured Janaki Shukla with a traditional Himachali shawl and cap. They wished for peace, progress and prosperity for the people of the state.

Revenue and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, HPCC President Vinay Kumar and MLA Sanjay Awasthi also conveyed their New Year greetings to the Governor.

Earlier today, former Chief Minister and Himachal Pradesh Leader of the Opposition, Jairam Thakur, visited Raj Bhavan and extended New Year greetings to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla.

Through an X post, he also extended his best wishes for the happiness, health, and prosperity of all the people of the state on the occasion of the New Year. Thakur wished all the people of the state.

"Heartfelt thanks to all of you for the New Year greetings! May this year bring excellent health, happiness, prosperity, and new achievements into the lives of all the residents of the state. May all your resolutions be successful, every effort fruitful, and positivity and joy prevail in your lives. May your affection, trust, and good wishes for all of you continue to remain the same," he wrote.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reaffirmed his commitment to building a 'Self-Reliant Himachal' on Thursday, as officials gathered at his residence on the occasion of the New Year.

According to an official release, to preserve the natural beauty of the state, CM said that "the government would focus on green and sustainable energy."

He further emphasised the need to promote high-tech industries to create more jobs.

"The government would carry out strong reforms in agriculture, healthcare, education and infrastructure to make public services more efficient and accessible, in line with the vision of 'Vyavastha Parivartan'," CM Sukhu stated on the New Year.

His remarks come amid a vibrant, celebratory atmosphere in 'Oak Over', the official residence of the Chief Minister and the State Secretariat, where people gathered early in the morning to exchange New Year greetings, the release noted.

- ANI
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has outlined a three-pronged strategy to combat the circulation of heroin, known locally as 'chitta'. The plan focuses on public awareness, stringent action against suppliers, and rehabilitation for addicts to reintegrate them into society. Simultaneously, the CM warned that the increasing frequency of natural disasters like cloudbursts is a direct impact of climate change that will spread to other hill states. He emphasized the need for scientific research while acknowledging the state's limited resources to handle these dual challenges.

Himachal CM Sukhu details a 3-step action plan against heroin ('chitta') and warns of increasing natural disasters due to climate change.

Shimla, January 1 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday underlined the three-step action plan to curb the increasing circulation and effect of "chitta" or the heroin drug in the state.

Speaking to ANI, CM Sukhu said that the first step was to raise awareness, followed by strict action and providing professional treatment in case an addict is found, only to bring them back into the mainstream.

"Regarding the chitta (heroin drug), its effect was increasing along the border with Punjab, so we took three types of actions. First, raising awareness among the people... Second, taking strict action against drug suppliers, and third, if someone has become addicted to chitta, we consider it our responsibility not to treat them as criminals but to bring them back into the mainstream of society..." he said.

Additionally, the Himachal CM said that if any government employee is found to be involved in the illegal drug trade, the government will take strict action against them.

Furthermore, speaking on numerous natural disasters, including cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh, CM Sukhu warned that such natural disasters will make it to other hilly regions as well, urging scientific research to be conducted.

"We need to conduct scientific studies, but the impact of climate change has certainly started in Himachal Pradesh. Gradually, its impact will also be seen in other hilly states and northeastern states, and across the entire country. I have not seen so many cloudburst incidents in my lifetime. This has happened due to rising temperatures... We are trying to deal with the situation. Our resources are limited..." he said.

Meanwhile, CM Sukhu visited the Tara Devi Temple in Shimla on the first day of the New Year, where he offered prayers and sought blessings from the Goddess Tara Mata for his resolutions and commitments.

- ANI
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reaffirmed his commitment to building a 'Self-Reliant Himachal' in his New Year address. He emphasized a focus on green and sustainable energy to preserve the state's natural beauty. The vision includes promoting high-tech industries for job creation and implementing strong reforms in agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The announcements were made amid New Year celebrations at his official residence, following a temple visit with his wife to pray for the state's prosperity.

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu outlines a New Year vision focused on green energy, high-tech industries, and reforms in agriculture, healthcare, and education for a self-reliant state.

Shimla, January 1 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reaffirmed his commitment to building a 'Self-Reliant Himachal' on Thursday, as officials gathered at his residence on the occasion of the New Year.

According to an official release, to preserve the natural beauty of the state, CM said that "the government would focus on green and sustainable energy."

He further emphasised the need to promote high-tech industries to create more jobs.

"The government would carry out strong reforms in agriculture, healthcare, education and infrastructure to make public services more efficient and accessible, in line with the vision of 'Vyavastha Parivartan'," CM Sukhu stated on the New Year.

His remarks come amid a vibrant, celebratory atmosphere in 'Oak Over', the official residence of the Chief Minister and the State Secretariat, where people gathered early in the morning to exchange New Year greetings, the release noted.

Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, senior officers, police officers, and employees visited to extend greetings to the Chief Minister. Later, large numbers of residents and party workers from across the state also arrived to convey their best wishes for 2026.

Chief Minister Sukhu expressed his gratitude to the people and officials gathered.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Sukhu and his wife Kamlesh Thakur, an MLA from Dehra assembly constituency, visited the Tara Devi temple near Shoghi to seek the blessings of the divine Goddess.

They also prayed for peace, happiness and prosperity for the people of the State. The Temple Committee honoured the Chief Minister on the occasion.

- ANI
For many Americans, the idea of living solely on Social Security benefits in retirement sounds like a recipe for constant worry.

Yet, some retirees manage to pull it off through a combination of extreme discipline and careful lifestyle choices.

In 2025, you will often see a tale of two retirements. One of them is represented by the story of Jean Hullihan, a former intelligence analyst for the federal government who lives in Louisville, Kentucky, and the other is Sheri Makasini, a 68-year-old in Euless, Texas. (1)

Jean worked until her full retirement age, and because she worked in a high-wage industry, her benefit comes out to $4,200 per month. She relocated from northern Virginia, where she sold her condo, to Louisville to be close to her children.

Its been a year and a week, and Im not struggling at all, she says. When I hear people say, I cant live on Social Security, its like, Why not?

Sheri Makasini, on the other hand, worked in the airline industry, which was chaotic after it was deregulated in the 1980s and occasionally left her without steady work.

Other life events took a toll on her ability to build wealth over the course of her life: She divorced in 2000, and in 2012 her daughter had a child that Sheri helped support.

By the time she claimed Social Security, she didnt have enough income to keep her mobile home in Florida, so she sold it and made only $12,000 from the sale. Its not optimal to just get by, she says, but thats the way it is.

Below, well discuss how common it is for retired Americans to live on their Social Security  and how practical it is. Well also provide a few tips on understanding how much you can receive and how you can budget appropriately in retirement.

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Social Security was never intended to replace working income

The Social Security program was conceived during the Great Depression to create a layer of income protection for older Americans, who at the time had to depend on savings or relatives if they lost their main source of income.

From the beginning, Social Security was intended as a form of social insurance to supplement other streams of income (2). The way the benefit is calculated is progressive, meaning that the lower your income is before retirement, the more income is replaced.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced India will receive its first bullet train on August 15, 2027, marking a major leap in the country's transport infrastructure. The 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor will reduce travel time between the two cities to just two hours, significantly enhancing inter-city connectivity. Over 85% of the route is being constructed on elevated viaducts, with substantial progress already made on bridges, stations, and track installation. This project, alongside the expansion of Vande Bharat trains, underscores India's push towards modern, high-speed rail networks.

India's first bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is set to launch on August 15, 2027, cutting travel time to 2 hours and boosting high-speed rail infrastructure.

New Delhi, Jan 1 Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday indicated that India is likely to receive its first Bullet Train on August 15, 2027.

The country is going to witness its first Bullet Train running on tracks next year, Vaishnaw said.

"Buy a Bullet Train ticket as on the Independence Day in 2027, the country will get its first Bullet Train," he said.

Vaishnaw also said that the Vande Bharat Express chair car has created a new sense of confidence across the country, and people have appreciated it a lot.

"Requests are now coming in from all over India to run Vande Bharat trains, and almost every MP wants one. With the same comfort, safety, and standards, a new overnight journey will begin with the Vande Bharat Sleeper," he mentioned.

India's first Bullet Train project spans 508 kms between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Of this, 352 km lies in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and 156 km in Maharashtra.

According to the government, the corridor will connect major cities such as Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi, Thane, and Mumbai, and is expected to cut travel time between the two metros to around two hours, significantly boosting inter-city mobility.

As per the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRCL), over 85 per cent of the corridor -around 465 km - is being built on elevated viaducts, with 326 km already completed.

In November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a detailed review of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project during his visit to Gujarat, marking a key moment in India's push towards next-generation transport infrastructure.

During the visit, the Prime Minister inspected the Surat station - a structure inspired by the city's globally renowned diamond industry. With a height of 26.3 metres and a built-up area of 58,352 square metres, the station includes three levels: The ground floor for parking and security checks, the concourse level for lounges, restrooms, kiosks and ticketing, and the platform level for passenger boarding.

While structural work is complete, finishing touches such as interiors and station amenities are currently underway. Track works, including RC track-bed construction and temporary track installation, have also been completed at the site.

Progress on river bridges is also substantial, with 17 of 25 bridges constructed. The 47-km Surat-Bilimora section is among the most advanced stretches, where civil works and track-bed preparation have been fully completed.

- IANS
The Indian Embassy in Israel has declared 2025 a year of landmark achievements in the bilateral relationship, citing high-level visits, the signing of a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), and a Defence Cooperation MoU. Key economic progress was made with the finalisation of Terms of Reference for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the successful India-Israel CEOs' Forum. Cultural and academic ties flourished through events like International Yoga Day and the establishment of 'Bharat Corners' at Israeli universities. Looking ahead, a Joint Working Plan sets an ambitious course for even stronger cooperation in technology, defence, and trade throughout 2026.

The Indian Embassy highlights 2025's landmark achievements with Israel, including BIT, defence MoU, FTA progress, and sets course for stronger 2026 ties.

Tel Aviv, January 1 The Indian Embassy in Israel on Thursday highlighted 2025 as a year of significant milestones in India-Israel relations, while expressing optimism for even stronger cooperation in 2026.

In a post on X, the Embassy noted key developments in bilateral ties last year, including high-level visits, the signing of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and a Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and the finalisation of the Terms of Reference for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

The Embassy also highlighted the India-Israel CEOs' Forum as a significant platform promoting business engagement between the two countries.

"2025 marked major milestones in India-Israel ties--from high-level bilateral visits and the signing of the BIT and Defence Cooperation MoU, to finalising the ToR for FTA negotiations and holding the India-Israel CEOs' Forum," the post read.

Cultural and academic ties also flourished in 2025, the Embassy added, with celebrations of International Yoga Day, the Holi-Purim Festival, Indian Film Festivals, the establishment of multiple 'Bharat Corners', and the India Chair at Tel Aviv University.

"As we roll into 2026, a Joint Working Plan sets the course for even stronger cooperation in technology, defence, trade, and beyond. May 2026 herald a new era of deeper India-Israel bonds, shared growth, and prosperity!" the Embassy said.

This year, India and Israel shared robust relations across multiple sectors, including defence, technology, trade, agriculture, science, and culture.

In February, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Embassy of Israel, hosted the India-Israel Business Forum and the 3rd India-Israel CEO Forum in New Delhi. The forums focused on enhancing cooperation in key areas, including technology and innovation, agriculture and healthcare, defence and homeland security, energy and water management, and investment facilitation.

In September, India and Israel signed a Bilateral Investment Agreement in New Delhi to boost trade and mutual investment and provide greater certainty and protection for investors, with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich signing.

Economic engagement was further strengthened in November during Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's visit to Israel, when the Terms of Reference for the proposed India-Israel Free Trade Agreement were signed. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing trade, investment, and technological cooperation.

Defence cooperation also made progress in November, with the signing of a Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding at the 17th meeting of the India-Israel Joint Working Group on defence, held in Tel Aviv.

Cultural and academic ties expanded under the Government of India's 'Bharat Ek Parichay' initiative, with 'Bharat Corners' established at leading Israeli universities, including Tel Aviv University, Haifa University, Bar-Ilan University, and the Hebrew University.

Following the post, Ambassador of Israel to India, Reuven Azar, acknowledged 2025 as the "very special year" for India-Israel ties, calling for an "even better" 2026. "Indeed, 2025 was a very special year for Israel-India relations. Let's make 2026 even better!", Azar said in a post on X.

- ANI
The Israeli military reported carrying out approximately 20,900 attacks across the Middle East in 2025, with the vast majority targeting Gaza. This sustained multi-front conflict required the mobilization of over 306,000 reservists, including tens of thousands previously exempt. The year saw a significant escalation with direct military campaigns against Iran, resulting in high-profile casualties, while operations continued in Lebanon and Syria. Concurrently, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reaffirmed the pursuit of an independent state, highlighting the unresolved political dimension of the regional crisis.

Israeli military reports 20,900 attacks in 2025, detailing operations in Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, and Syria, with casualty figures and regional escalation.

Tel Aviv, Jan 1 The Israeli military has reported carrying out about 20,900 attacks across the Middle East in 2025, primarily targeting Gaza, Iran, Syria and Lebanon.

Israel continued multi-front fighting throughout the year, necessitating the mobilisation of additional troops. The military called up about 306,830 reservists, including 54,000 who had previously been exempt from service, according to figures it released at the end of the year.

In Gaza, where a ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, Israeli forces carried out about 19,530 attacks, the military said.

According to Gaza's health authorities, Israeli assaults have killed at least 415 people and injured 1,152 others since October 11. A total of 71,269 people have been killed by Israeli fire since October 2023, reports Xinhua news agency.

In June, Israel launched a 12-day military campaign against Iran beginning on June 13, with both countries exchanging missile strikes, marking a sharp escalation after years of shadow and proxy conflict.

The military said it attacked about 1,500 sites in Iran and killed 11 nuclear scientists and 30 senior officials, including Hossein Salami, chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.

The Northern Command carried out about 950 attacks, mainly in southern Lebanon, where Israel says it targets Hezbollah sites despite a ceasefire, and in Syria, where Israeli forces entered Syrian territory at the peak of Mount Hermon in late 2024, followed by frequent air and ground strikes.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is "an inevitable reality," affirming that Palestinians are moving steadily toward freedom and independence.

In a statement carried by Palestinian news agency WAFA, Abbas stressed the realisation of a fully sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, alongside the return of refugees in line with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Israel has, however, not commented on the statement yet.

- IANS
Israeli security agencies have uncovered and indicted members of a weapons smuggling network that used drones to transport arms from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula into the Negev desert. The suspects, arrested about a month ago, are accused of multiple smuggling attempts, including one where the IDF shot down a drone carrying four machine guns. Authorities revealed the network also monitored Israeli military communications, potentially compromising operations. The incident comes amid a dramatic increase in drone smuggling attempts and a governmental push to classify such smuggling as a terror threat.

Israeli security forces arrest four, indict suspects for using drones to smuggle arms from Egypt's Sinai, seizing machine guns and monitoring IDF communications.

Tel Aviv, January 1 Israeli security agencies said Thursday they had uncovered a weapons smuggling network in the Negev desert that used drones to ferry arms across Israel's southern border from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

In a joint statement, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), and Israel Police said four Israeli citizens from the Bedouin community of Masoud al-Azazma in southern Israel were arrested about a month ago and are now facing charges.

According to investigators, the suspects were involved in multiple attempts to smuggle weapons into Israel using drones launched from the Sinai. During one such attempt, IDF forces shot down a drone carrying four machine guns, which were seized at the scene.

"The investigation revealed significant weapons smuggling activity using drones along the southern border," a security official said. Another official noted that the suspects also "monitored IDF communications as part of their smuggling operations," an act that could have compromised military activity in the area.

Prosecutors filed an indictment in the Beers-Sheva District Court on Thursday.

"Smuggling weapons across Israel's borders serves as a supply pipeline for terrorist organizations and can cause serious harm to national security," the joint statement said.

In November, Defence Minister Israel Katz changed the army's rules of engagement, while the National Security Council is pushing to classify the smuggling as a terror threat -- a legal designation that officials say will give security bodies broader tools to counter the threat.

During a three-month period in 2025, nearly 900 drone smuggling attempts from Egypt were recorded, authorities told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee in mid-October. That number almost doubled the 464 attempts reported in the same period in 2024.

- ANI
Sunderbani block in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, is witnessing an agricultural revolution driven by a shift to pure organic vegetable farming. Supported by central schemes like PM Kisan and PKVY, farmers are cultivating diverse seasonal crops using organic seeds and bio-fertilizers. The movement has boosted local economies, enabled financial independence, and gained popularity for high-quality produce. With ongoing focus on certification, direct marketing, and storage solutions, this transformation continues to empower farmers and promote sustainable practices.

Discover how Sunderbani, Rajouri, is transforming agriculture through organic farming, government schemes, and farmer empowerment for sustainable growth.

Rajouri, January 1 Sunderbani, a block in the border district of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, is undergoing revolution in the agriculture sector. The shift towards pure organic vegetable farming and farmers' cash sales at the Sundarbani vegetable mandi is a powerful economic engine for the region.

This revolution, supported by government action, is transforming traditional farming into a profitable, sustainable career for both young and experienced farmers.

The success of organic farming in this border block can be attributed to a few core pillars. This primarily includes centrally sponsored schemes, with programs such as PM Kisan Yojna, PKVY (Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana). These schemes provide the necessary financial backing to bridge the gap between traditional and organic methods.

Diverse seasonal crops, on the other hand, have also been a significant contributing factor to this transformation. Farmers are now cultivating a wide variety of vegetables across both Kharif and Rabi seasons, including cauliflower, peas, broccoli, and leafy greens.

Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture provides high-quality organic seeds, bio-fertilisers, and technical training. This ensures that even farmers in the most remote border areas can use modern agricultural technology.

Ajay Gupta, President of the Fruit and Vegetable Association, Sunderbani, commented on this organic revolution and expressed gratitude towards the government for its support.

"For the past 30-35 years, high-quality vegetables have been harvested. The farmers use high-quality seeds. Recently, the number of people engaged in this process has also increased. We received proper support from the government, which helps this growth further," Gupta told ANI.

Mintu Sharma, a local farmer, described the vegetable cultivation process in Sundarbani, noting that they use organic fertilisers and that people from nearby regions often visit their home to purchase the produce.

"The vegetable produce here is very popular; people from far-off regions also make purchases from Sundarbani. We cultivate both winter and summer vegetables. With government irrigation support, farming has improved significantly. Our lives have changed because of this, and now we are entirely dependent on this," said Sharma.

Rajesh Verma, Chief Agriculture Officer, Rajouri, said, "Agriculture these days is more focused on sustainable and organic farming. We have launched various schemes in this direction. We have identified clusters of organic agriculture and components of natural farming, such as the Alternative Agriculture System, and are training people for it. The government and the department are now focused on catering for the demand for clean and healthy produce."

Moreover, the transition to organic farming in Rajouri has moved beyond "growing food"--it has become a movement toward farmers' self-employment. It has further proven beneficial for financial independence and environmental conservation, and awareness.

Additionally, regular workshops and field demonstrations by the Department of Agriculture have empowered farmers to understand certification processes, which are key to getting better prices in urban markets.

While the progress is impressive, the 'Big Revolution' continues to evolve. To maintain this momentum, the focus is shifting toward direct marketing, storage solutions and organic certification. This can be achieved by enabling farmers to sell directly to consumers, bypassing intermediaries, streamlining the process, and improving vegetable storage.

- ANI
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah commended External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to Bangladesh for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's funeral, stating it would boost bilateral ties. Jaishankar conveyed condolences from India's government and people, handing over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Khaleda Zia's son, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. The visit underscores India's efforts to strengthen relations with Bangladesh ahead of its upcoming general elections in February 2026. Khaleda Zia, a dominant political figure who served three terms as prime minister, was recognized for her role in restoring democracy in Bangladesh.

Farooq Abdullah praises S Jaishankar's visit to Dhaka for Khaleda Zia's funeral, highlighting its role in boosting India-Bangladesh relations ahead of elections.

Srinagar, January 1 Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah lauded External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's Bangladesh visit to attend former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's funeral, calling Dhaka "an old friend."

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abduallah noted that Jaishankar's visit will boost India-Bangladesh ties.

"I am happy that our foreign affairs minister has gone there and taken part in it [Khaleda Zia's funeral]. Bangladesh is an old friend of ours, and we should take it forward. It will give a boost to it," he said.

On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during his visit to Dhaka, conveyed the condolences of the people and government of India as Bangladesh mourned the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. He also attended the former Bangladesh PM's funeral.

In a post on X, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah said, "HE @DrSJaishankar, Hon. External Affairs Minister, in Dhaka, conveys condolences of the people, Govt of #India as #Bangladesh mourns passing of former Prime Minister #BegumKhaledaZia, recognized her contribution to #democracy and expressed optimism to strengthen ties following democratic transition in Bangladesh thru the upcoming election (Feb 2026)."

New Delhi is looking to strengthen its ties with Bangladesh ahead of the February elections in the neighbouring country.

Jaishankar on Wednesday met Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman and Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman in Dhaka and conveyed India's deepest condolences.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "On arrival in Dhaka, met with Mr Tarique Rahman @trahmanbnp, Acting Chairman of BNP and son of former PM of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia."

He said he handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tarique Rahman. "Handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister @narendramodi. Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India," Jaishankar said.

"Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia's vision and values will guide the development of our partnership," he added.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman PM, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. A dominant figure in national politics for decades, she led the country for three terms and played a key role in restoring democracy following years of military rule.

- ANI
Legendary screenwriter Javed Akhtar has threatened legal action against creators and circulators of a deepfake video that falsely depicts him turning to religion. The warning follows a high-profile public debate where Akhtar, known for his secular views, challenged Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi on the existence of God. Akhtar clarified the viral computer-generated video showing him wearing a topi is completely fabricated and damaging to his reputation. This incident highlights growing concerns about AI-generated misinformation targeting public figures in India.

Javed Akhtar warns of police action against creators of a deepfake video falsely showing him embracing religion after a viral debate on God's existence.

Mumbai, Jan 2 Legendary screenwriter Javed Akhtar has warned of legal action against those who have circulated a deepfake video of him with misleading claims.

On Thursday, Javed Akhtar took to his X, formerly Twitter, and shared a long note in which he spoke about the alleged video, and issued clarification.

He wrote, "A fake video is in circulation showing my fake computer generated picture with a topi on my head claiming that ultimately I have turned to God. It is rubbish".

He further mentioned, "I am seriously considering to report this to the cyber police and ultimately dragged the person responsible for this fake news and those few who forward it to the court for damaging my reputation and credibility".

A few days ago, Javed Akhtar and Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi engaged in a high-profile public debate in New Delhi titled 'Does God Exist?' at the Constitution Club of India, moderated by journalist Saurabh Dwivedi. Akhtar, well known for his secular and atheistic views, challenged traditional theistic arguments, raising questions about faith, evidence, and reason.

Mufti Nadwi, educated in classical Islamic scholarship, defended theistic positions, grounding his arguments in logic, philosophical reasoning, and theological premises. The exchange quickly went viral online, drawing sharp reactions across social media and commentary platforms from believers, agnostics, and secular thinkers alike. Some viewers hailed the mufti's rebuttals as persuasive and applauded his delivery, while others felt Akhtar's secular reasoning was compelling. The debate reignited broader conversations about faith, logic, and public discourse in India's diverse society.

Earlier, Javed Akhtar penned a heartfelt birthday note for his filmmaker daughter Zoya Akhtar, remembering the day she was born. Javed Akhtar was married to Honey Irani, with whom he had two children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar. He then married National Award-winning actress Shabana Azmi in 1984.

- IANS
Security forces in Doda district have intensified joint Army-Police operations to protect tourists during New Year celebrations. SSP Sandeep Mehta confirmed enhanced checkpoints, surveillance, and ongoing actions against local militants and their supporters. Village Defence Guards are receiving comprehensive training while cyber teams monitor VPN misuse by anti-national elements. Despite extreme winter conditions, troops continue searching forests and mountain caves to neutralize threats and ensure regional peace.

SSP Doda details joint security measures, VDG training, and cyber monitoring to ensure tourist safety and neutralize militants in harsh winter conditions.

Kathua, January 1 Highlighting ongoing security efforts, Senior Superintendent of Police Doda Sandeep Mehta confirmed that comprehensive security arrangements have been established for tourists visiting Bhaderwah. Police officials said that the "Army and Police have coordinated to fortify checkpoints and increase surveillance at critical points."

On the eve of the last day of 2025, sufficient security arrangements have been put in place for tourists visiting Bhaderwah and other areas of the district, SSP Sandeep Mehta said.

Addressing the media, he said the Army and Police have deployed additional manpower at all checkpoints and sensitive locations, and that security forces are continuously on duty. He added that foreign militants have been reported, but local terrorists are here in Doda, and assured that they will be neutralised soon. The SSP further said that persons providing support to militants have been identified and action, including attachment of their properties, is in process.

He reiterated that no terrorist incident will be allowed to occur in the district.

Speaking about the Village Defence Guards (VDGs), the SSP said they play a very important role in Doda. The Army and Police are jointly providing comprehensive training to all VDG members to ensure they can effectively support security.

On cybersecurity, SSP Mehta said that VPN use by anti-national and international elements is being closely monitored. Two people have already been booked for misuse of VPN services. The district's cyber and social media monitoring teams are closely monitoring the situation.

He appealed to parents to monitor their children's social media activity and cooperate with the police to maintain peace and harmony in Doda district.

Meanwhile, to ensure a peaceful start to 2026, troops are navigating frozen forests and hidden mountain caves in Doda to root out potential threats before winter fully sets in.

In the dense forests, natural caves, and rugged mountainous terrain of the Doda Bhalesa belt, which borders Himachal Pradesh, security forces are conducting continuous search operations amid sub-zero temperatures and severe weather conditions.

Despite extreme hardship, heavy snowfall, and rugged terrain, the forces remain fully committed to confronting every terrorist threat and restoring lasting peace in the region. Their resolve to neutralise all dangers stands as a symbol of courage and sacrifice.

Undeterred by freezing temperatures, treacherous terrain, and heavy snowfall, Army units have expanded their operational reach into higher and snowbound areas to pursue and neutralise Pakistani terrorists attempting to exploit the harsh season for concealment.

- ANI
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, in his New Year 2026 address, affirmed that Operation Sindoor continues as a firm response to cross-border threats. He outlined the Army's decade of transformation, anchored on the core pillars of jointness, self-reliance, and innovation. General Dwivedi emphasized that leveraging indigenous technologies and data-centricity is crucial for building a future-ready, multi-domain capable force. The Chief also linked the Army's role in national security to the broader goal of contributing to a Developed India by 2047.

Indian Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi highlights ongoing Op Sindoor, calls for indigenous tech & jointness as pillars for a transformed, future-ready force.

New Delhi, January 1 Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday extended New Year greetings to the nation and hailed India's decision action under Operation Sindoor, saying the "operation continues even today."

In an X post by the ADG PI-Indian Army, General Upendra Dwivedi noted that the army is undergoing a decade of transformation, stating "jointness, self-reliance, and innovation" as the pillars of India's defence strategy.

He called for indigenous technologies and new ideas to make the Army future-ready.

The COAS said, "On the auspicious occasion of New Year 2026, on behalf of the Indian Army, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all fellow citizens. May this New Year bring happiness, good health, and prosperity to you and your families. The Indian Army is ensuring the security of the nation with utmost vigilance and determination."

"Last year, the enemy's nefarious designs were given a befitting reply through firm and decisive action under Operation Sindoor, and this operation continues even today. Along with vigilance on the borders, the Army has played a vital role in national progress through rapid response during disasters within the country and nation-building efforts," he said.

India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting the terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 individuals were killed.

Further, Army Chief General Dwivedi noted that networking and data-centricity are providing new impetus to the Army's transformation process.

"The Indian Army is undergoing a decade of transformation, where jointness, self-reliance, and innovation are the core pillars of our strategic power. Through the effective use of indigenous technologies, new ideas, and continuous improvements, we are making the Army more capable and future-ready. Networking and data-centricity are providing new impetus to this transformation. I express my gratitude to every citizen for their contribution. Your trust, cooperation, and solidarity are our greatest strength. To achieve the goal of Developed India 2047, the Indian Army will continue to contribute to security and nation-building," General Upendra Dwivedi said.

Post Operation Sindoor, the Army Chief has repeatedly called for jointness and the use of technology for modern warfare. In November 2025, following the commissioning of INS Mahe, General Upendra Dwivedi said that the Indian Army had also launched a series of initiatives under an overall umbrella in which jointness and integration are important pillars, recognising that modern conflicts will be multi-domain and hybrid.

COAS Upendra Dwivedi had then said, "The Indian Army too has launched a series of initiatives under an overall umbrella of a decade of transformation in which jointness and integration are important pillars, recognising that modern conflicts will be multi-domain, hybrid and require united national strength. The Indian Navy plays an important role in our neighbourhood as well as the global environment in far-off lands, where the efforts of the army can play both a supplementary and a complementary role in soft and hard diplomacy, which I refer to as smart diplomacy."

- ANI
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called upon newly elected local self-government institutions to collectively focus on development and public welfare, marking the end of the election campaign phase. He traced the state's unique decentralized governance model back to 1957, highlighting transformative initiatives like the People's Plan Campaign and recent structural reforms. The CM emphasized the increased responsibility to prevent people from slipping back into extreme poverty and to sustain environmental progress under projects like 'Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam'. He also noted that local bodies now function through collective governing councils, enabling cross-party cooperation for development.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan urges newly elected local bodies to prioritize development, public welfare, and sustain poverty eradication efforts.

Thiruvananthapuram, January 1 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday extended New Year greetings to the people and said that the newly elected local self-government institutions have a critical role in shaping the State's development.

Addressing a press conference, CM Vijayan said the phase of intense political campaigning during the recently concluded local body elections was now over, and that newly elected administrative councils had assumed office across all levels.

"With the elected councils taking charge, new responsibilities lie ahead of them," Vijayan said, calling for collective efforts focused on development and public welfare.

Tracing the historical roots of Kerala's decentralised governance model, Vijayan said the idea of bringing governance closer to the grassroots dates back to 1957.

"The three-tier Panchayat system and the urban governance structure we see today have a distinct historical background unique to Kerala. The idea of decentralising governance, moving it away from the Secretariat and closer to the grassroots was first recommended by the Administrative Reforms Committee led by E.M.S. in 1957. The committee proposed Panchayats as the basic units of governance at the village level and greater autonomy for elected local bodies," he said.

"What Kerala aimed for was not mere reform, but transformative change for making our local self-government institutions distinct from those in other states by empowering them financially, institutionally, and administratively," the Chief Minister said.

He highlighted the People's Plan Campaign launched on August 17, 1996, as a transformative moment that strengthened local bodies financially, administratively, and institutionally. Legislative amendments in 1999, based on the Sen Committee recommendations, further institutionalised mechanisms such as the Citizens' Charter and the Right to Information.

Vijayan also mentioned structural reforms in recent years, "Most recently, on February 19, 2022, a unified Local Self-Government Department was formed by merging Panchayat, Rural Development, Urban Affairs, Engineering, and Town and Country Planning departments. This created a unified platform to implement local government functions in a more people-centric and effective manner."

In this context, the Chief Minister said local bodies today have far greater resources and technological support than the first generation of elected representatives in 1995.

Highlighting Kerala's achievement in extreme poverty eradication, Vijayan said scientific surveys and micro-planning enabled time-bound interventions to identify and uplift the most vulnerable. However, he cautioned that the responsibility of the newly elected councils has increased. "Those lifted out of extreme poverty must not slip back, and those who fall into it must be brought out again," he said, urging all local bodies to implement the EPEP 2.0 project with a competitive and committed approach.

On environmental improvement, Vijayan said the 'Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam' project "made significant progress towards a completely waste-free state, both in approach and infrastructure".

He stressed that waste management remains a core responsibility of local governments and called for sustained efforts to sustain the progress to date.

The Chief Minister also highlighted key welfare initiatives, including the LIFE Housing Mission and the Kerala Care project. He said the milestone of completing five lakh houses under the LIFE Mission would be achieved next month, while Kerala Care is progressing towards universal palliative care through coordinated service delivery and volunteer participation.

Drawing a distinction between legislative bodies and Parliament, Vijayan said local self-government institutions function through governing councils rather than ruling and opposition benches. "Decisions and implementation are collective. This enables representatives across party lines to work together for development," he said.

"Last New Year, we were emerging from a major disaster. We entered 2025 amid the Mundakkai-Chooralmala tragedy. Malayalis across the world stood united with the affected people. As we enter 2026, we do so with the satisfaction of being able to provide the best possible rehabilitation and housing for them," he recalled the challenges faced last year.

He said, "Construction of 207 houses has reached the roofing stage, with around 1,600 workers engaged round-the-clock. Quality is ensured through 58-stage inspections and third-party testing. Contractors have a five-year defect liability," Vijayan said, adding that around 300 houses are expected to be handed over in the first phase by February.

The Chief Minister also announced the launch of the Citizens' Response Programme under the Nava Kerala Study Initiative, saying, "Every citizen's opinion matters. Collecting, consolidating, and incorporating public ideas into planning is integral to democracy. With this aim, the Citizens' Response Programme begins today to gather public input on development needs, employment opportunities, welfare delivery, and future planning. I urge everyone to wholeheartedly participate in this initiative that will strengthen the creation of a New Kerala," said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

- ANI
Key Insights

The projected fair value for IMCD is 154 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of 77.34 suggests IMCD is potentially 50% undervalued

The 126 analyst price target for IMCD is 18% less than our estimate of fair value

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of IMCD N.V. (AMS:IMCD) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

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The Calculation

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. 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.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 Levered FCF (, Millions) 358.2m 390.4m 451.4m 487.9m 497.0m 505.6m 514.5m 523.6m 532.9m 542.4m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Est @ 1.74% Est @ 1.76% Est @ 1.77% Est @ 1.78% Est @ 1.78% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.8% 335 342 371 375 358 341 325 310 295 281

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 3.3b

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.8%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 6.8%.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended New Year greetings while urging a mass movement to protect fundamental rights and constitutional values. He emphasized employment, women's safety, and farmers' prosperity as shared national resolves. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also conveyed heartfelt wishes for happiness, health, and harmony. The messages coincided with nationwide celebrations where authorities implemented robust security measures for public gatherings.

Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra extend New Year wishes, highlighting constitutional values, rights, and national harmony.

New Delhi, Jan 1 The Congress party extended warm New Year's greetings to the nation on Thursday, wishing for the happiness, good health and prosperity for the countrymen.

Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, extending his greetings on X, called on the people to fight for their fundamental rights and safeguard the Constitutional values.

"Let us make this year a mass movement to protect the rights of the vulnerable -- the right to work, the right to vote, and the right to live with dignity. Together, let us safeguard our Constitution and democratic values, empower citizens, and strengthen harmony in society," he said.

"Employment for our youth, safety for women, prosperity for farmers, dignity for those on the margins, and a better quality of life for all, these must be our shared resolve. May the year ahead bring happiness, prosperity, and progress to every one of you," Kharge added.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also took to social media and extended his wishes.

"Heartfelt New Year greetings to all of you. May the new year bring abundant happiness, good health, and success into your life," Rahul Gandhi said.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to X and wished the countrymen on the occasion.

"Heartfelt New Year wishes to all of you. May the New Year be filled with happiness, peace, prosperity, and joy for everyone. May there be mutual affection, cooperation, and goodwill among all fellow citizens," she said.

India welcomed the New Year with grand celebrations, countdown parties and festive gatherings, as state governments across the country stepped up security measures to ensure that the celebrations passed off smoothly and without incident.

In major metropolitan cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, large crowds thronged iconic landmarks such as India Gate, Connaught Place and Marine Drive to usher in the New Year, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

Meanwhile, authorities across the country issued traffic advisories, guidelines for restaurants and hotels, and deployed additional security forces in anticipation of massive footfall in public places.

- IANS
Authorities have issued an urgent, life-threatening evacuation order for suburbs east of Perth as an out-of-control bushfire burns near the city's international airport. Residents in Kalamunda, Maida Vale, and Forrestfieldhome to around 25,000 peopleare told to leave immediately in a westerly direction. The DFES warns that those who cannot evacuate must shelter in a room with water, as extreme radiant heat is deadly before flames arrive. While the airport remains operational, the fire has caused downed power lines and several road closures in the area.

A life-threatening bushfire near Perth Airport forces immediate evacuations for Kalamunda, Maida Vale, and Forrestfield. DFES warns "extreme heat will kill you."

Sydney, Jan 1 Authorities on Thursday morning issued an emergency warning for a life-threatening bushfire burning near the Perth Airport in Western Australia.

A warning issued shortly before 6 a.m. local time by the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said that residents in the Kalamunda region, 15 km east of central Perth and 5 km from the city's international airport, should leave immediately.

The DFES said that an out-of-control bushfire moving in a northerly direction posed a threat to lives and homes and that residents need to act immediately to survive.

It said that people in the affected area should leave in a westerly direction if it is safe to do so, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute could put your life in danger," the warning said.

Anyone who tries to leave and becomes stuck in their car has been advised to cover themselves with a woollen blanket and get onto the floor of the vehicle in case intense heat causes the windows to break.

The DFES said that people who are unable to leave the area should prepare to shelter in their home in a room with running water and a clear exit.

"You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you before the flames reach you," it said.

Kalamunda and the neighbouring affected suburbs of Maida Vale and Forrestfield had a combined population of around 25,000 people at the time of the 2021 national census.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that power lines are down in the warning area and several roads have been closed, but that Perth Airport has not been affected by the fire.

- IANS
London welcomed 2026 with a vibrant fireworks display centered on the illuminated London Eye, drawing crowds to iconic landmarks. Prime Minister Keir Starmer marked the occasion with a hopeful message about positive change and renewal for Britain. Celebrations extended to Scotland, where spectacular fireworks lit up the sky over historic Edinburgh Castle. The stunning visuals captured the capital cities in a dazzling showcase of light and public celebration.

London and Edinburgh welcomed 2026 with spectacular fireworks. See stunning visuals of the London Eye, Big Ben, and Edinburgh Castle celebrations.

London, January 1 When the clock struck midnight, the London sky lit up with a dazzling fireworks display, drawing thousands of revellers to major tourist landmarks including the London Eye, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.

Several visuals from London's New Year celebrations have surfaced online, capturing the UK's capital in all its splendour. Soaked in vibrant lights, London looked truly beautiful, with the iconic London Eye emerging as the centrepiece, illuminated in a stunning cascade of colours.

Check out some of the pictures from the New Year celebrations in London here. (Picture credits: Reuters)

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer posted a special message on X.

"In 2026, the choices we've made will mean more people will begin to feel positive change. The promise of renewal will become a reality, and Britain will turn the corner. From my family to yours: Happy New Year," he wrote.

In fact, New Year celebrations in Scotland also stole everyone's attention. Spectacular fireworks illuminated the sky over Edinburgh Castle as Scotland rang in the New Year 2026.

- ANI
The Shiv Sena has secured a significant early advantage in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation polls, with three of its candidates elected unopposed from a single ward, marking a hat-trick of uncontested victories. This development, alongside an unopposed BJP win in the same ward, delivered a clean sweep for the ruling Mahayuti alliance in that pocket. The victories were celebrated by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and attributed to the party's organizational strength. Meanwhile, the BJP also reported multiple unopposed wins across other municipal corporations, notably highlighting successes led by its women leaders.

Shiv Sena & BJP candidates elected unopposed in Kalyan-Dombivli & other civic bodies, marking early gains for the Mahayuti alliance ahead of polls.

Thane, Jan 1 In a significant boost for the Shiv Sena ahead of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation general elections, three party candidates from Ward No. 24 have been declared elected unopposed. The development marks the formal opening of the Shiv Sena's account in the upcoming civic polls and is seen as strengthening the Mahayuti alliance's position in the twin cities.

The Shiv Sena candidates who secured victory without contest are Ramesh Mhatre, Vishwanath Rane and Vrushali Joshi. Their election was confirmed after all rival candidates withdrew their nominations during the scrutiny process.

Alongside the three Shiv Sena corporators, Jyoti Patil of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an ally in the ruling Mahayuti coalition, was also declared elected unopposed from the same ward, resulting in a clean sweep for the alliance in this pocket.

Following the announcement, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Member of Parliament Dr Shrikant Shinde congratulated the newly elected corporators through a video call. They attributed the outcome to the organisational strength of the Shiv Sena and the continued public support for its leadership.

Party workers described the unopposed election of the three Shiv Sena corporators as a validation of the "Shinde style" of functioning and expressed confidence that similar results could follow in other wards of the civic body.

The development comes a day after the BJP made early gains in civic polls across Maharashtra by securing several seats unopposed on Wednesday, even before polling. As of Thursday, at least six candidates have reportedly been declared elected unopposed across different municipal corporations in the state.

In the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, Rekha Chaudhary was elected unopposed from Ward No. 18-A. A veteran corporator and district president of the BJP Mahila Morcha, she was the sole nominee from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) reserved ward.

Asawari Navre was elected unopposed from Ward No. 26-C of the KDMC. Contesting civic elections for the first time, she is reported to have strong family roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Ranjana Perkar was declared elected unopposed from Ward No. 26-B, completing a hat-trick of unopposed wins for the BJP in the KDMC.

State BJP president Ravindra Chavan personally congratulated the victorious candidates, noting that the party's account in the civic polls was opened by women leaders. He also facilitated a video call between the three unopposed candidates and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

In the Panvel Municipal Corporation, Nitin Patil was elected unopposed from Ward No. 18-B after the nomination of his sole rival, Rohan Gawand of the Peasants and Workers Party, was rejected during scrutiny due to an invalid caste certificate.

In the Dhule Municipal Corporation, the BJP secured two seats unopposed, party sources said.

In another notable development, Ujjwala Bhosale, wife of NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) City District President Ranjit Bhosale, joined the BJP two days ago. She was elected unopposed after the nominations of all opposing candidates were rejected during scrutiny, making her a corporator within 24 hours of joining the party.

Jyotsna Praful Patil was also elected unopposed from Ward No. 6-B, as no other candidate filed a nomination against her.

- IANS
Mission Sudarshan Chakra, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a futuristic defence initiative aimed at achieving complete strategic autonomy through indigenous research and manufacturing. The program, inspired by Operation Sindoor's precision strikes, focuses on developing advanced technologies to anticipate and counter future threats with speed and precision. By 2035, it seeks to establish a comprehensive security shield protecting both strategic and civilian assets across the nation. This mission underscores India's resolve to secure its sovereignty with homegrown capability and technological foresight, free from external constraints.

India's Mission Sudarshan Chakra aims for a fully indigenous, tech-advanced defence shield by 2035, marking a strategic shift towards autonomy.

New Delhi, January 1 Mission Sudarshan Chakra, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2025, marks a decisive step in India's journey towards strategic autonomy and self-reliance in defence, the Ministry of Defence said, underlining the initiative as a cornerstone of the country's evolving security doctrine.

Announced during the Prime Minister's Independence Day address from the Red Fort, the mission draws inspiration from the legendary Sudarshan Chakra of Shri Krishna and is aimed at neutralising enemy defence infiltrations while significantly enhancing India's offensive capabilities. The programme reflects India's transitional shift in its policy against terrorism and its resolve to respond to threats with speed, precision and strength.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra gained prominence in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives. During the operation, Indian Armed Forces carried out precision strikes against terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), employing state-of-the-art Made-in-India weapon systems. The operation was widely seen as a demonstration of India's growing defence self-reliance and its refusal to be constrained by nuclear blackmail or external pressure.

According to the Ministry of Defence, Mission Sudarshan Chakra is a futuristic programme with three key objectives: ensuring that defence systems are entirely researched, developed and manufactured within India; anticipating future warfare scenarios through predictive and advanced technologies; and creating precise, targeted systems capable of swift counter-action. By 2035, the mission aims to establish a comprehensive national security shield covering both strategic and civilian assets, including public spaces.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly stressed the importance of indigenous innovation, urging India's youth and scientific community to develop critical technologies such as jet engines within the country. He has described Mission Sudarshan Chakra as central to building a secure, self-reliant and resilient India in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

Invoking the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, PM Modi had earlier said that the mission embodies India's resolve to decisively defeat any adversary that attempts to threaten the nation's sovereignty, unity and integrity.

With Mission Sudarshan Chakra, the government has signalled that India's defence posture will be defined by indigenous capability, technological foresight and the readiness to protect national interests on its own terms.

- ANI
Mitchell Marsh's scintillating century, a 102-run blitz from 58 deliveries, set the foundation for a dominant Perth Scorchers victory. He was brilliantly supported by Aaron Hardie, who hammered an unbeaten 94 from just 43 balls, propelling the Scorchers to a formidable 229/3. In reply, the Hobart Hurricanes' chase never gained consistent momentum, despite brief cameos, finishing at 189/9. Marsh was deservedly named Player of the Match as the Scorchers secured a commanding 40-run win.

Mitchell Marsh smashed 102 off 58 balls to power Perth Scorchers to a 40-run victory over Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL 2025-26.

Hobart, January 1 Mitchell Marsh's scintillating century powered Perth Scorchers to a commanding 40-run victory over Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League 2025-26 on Thursday.

Opening the batting, Marsh smashed a brilliant 102 off just 58 balls, lacing his innings with 11 fours and five sixes. He was well supported by Aaron Hardie, who produced a blistering unbeaten 94 off 43 deliveries, striking nine boundaries and five maximums. The duo dismantled the Hurricanes' bowling attack and guided the Scorchers to a formidable total of 229/3 in their allotted 20 overs.

Chasing a mammoth target, Hobart Hurricanes were restricted to 189/9 despite a few spirited cameos. Nikhil Chaudhary emerged as their top scorer with a quickfire 31 off 15 balls, which included five fours and a six.

Hobart had opted to field after winning the toss, but their chase never quite gathered the required momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals. The first blow came early, with Mitchell Owen departing for 4 when the score was 14, giving Joel Paris his first wicket of the match. Tim Ward, who looked in good touch, followed soon after, falling to Ashton Agar for 27. The Hurricanes reached 50 in 6.3 overs and were 88/4 at the halfway stage of the innings.

Chaudhary and Matthew Wade then provided a brief revival, adding 56 runs. Wade played an aggressive knock of 29 off 14 balls before Chaudhary was dismissed by Cooper Connolly in the 12.2 overs. Wade fell in the very next over, dismissed by Agar, leaving Hobart struggling at 131/6 in 13.1 overs.

English all-rounder Rehan Ahmed chipped in with 18, but his effort was not enough. They soon slipped to 150/7. Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis remained unbeaten for 16 and could not take his team home.

Ashton Agar was the pick of the Perth bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/38 in his four overs in the high-scoring encounter. Hardie capped off an excellent all-round performance with 2/27 in three overs, while Paris claimed 2/36. Connolly was economical with figures of 1/23 in four overs, and Brody Couch also chipped in with 1/23 in three overs.

Marsh was adjudged the Player of the Match for his match-winning century, which laid the foundation for Perth Scorchers' emphatic win in Hobart.

- ANI
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited hospitals in Indore to meet patients hospitalized after drinking contaminated water, which has claimed seven lives. He announced financial assistance for the families of the deceased and directed officials to ensure free treatment for all affected. The administration has suspended responsible officials and is conducting extensive door-to-door surveys to identify more cases and distribute ORS packets. Emergency measures include deploying ambulances and closely monitoring the water supply to prevent further illness.

MP CM Mohan Yadav visits hospitals after contaminated water in Indore kills 7, hospitalizes 149. Officials suspended, financial aid announced.

Indore, January 1 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has visited hospitals in Indore and met people admitted after falling ill from consuming contaminated water.

The CM Yadav enquired about the health status of the patients and directed officials to ensure proper, timely treatment for all affected. He also asked the district administration to take all necessary steps to prevent further cases.

The Municipal Corporation has been supplying water to households in the affected areas. Ambulances have also been deployed to transport people showing any symptoms to hospitals promptly. The administration is closely monitoring the situation to ensure adequate medical care and a safe drinking water supply.

Meanwhile, at least four people have died, and more than 149 have been hospitalised in Indore after consuming contaminated water, prompting the state administration to step up emergency measures.

Indore District Magistrate Shivam Verma said that treatment is being provided to all affected individuals in accordance with the Chief Minister's directions. He said approximately 149 people are currently hospitalised, with their conditions being closely monitored.

The District Magistrate said survey teams are conducting door-to-door checks to identify more affected persons and prevent further spread of illness. He added that nearly 2,700 houses had been surveyed as of Tuesday, and the exercise is being extended to nearby areas. ANM and ASHA workers are also visiting households and distributing ORS packets to residents as a preventive measure.

The death toll in the contaminated water incident has increased to seven so far. The Chief Minister announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to each deceased person's family and free treatment for all affected people.

Earlier, Yadav expressed grief over the incident, paid tributes to the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for those undergoing treatment. He also directed strict action against the concerned officials responsible for the lapse.

Two officials have been suspended, while one has been dismissed from the service.

- ANI
Devotees in large numbers visited the Manshapurna Hanuman Temple in Gwalior on the first day of the New Year, standing in long queues to seek blessings for personal and national well-being. The temple's tradition of continuous Akhand Ramayana recitation added to the spiritual atmosphere as people prayed for peace and prosperity. Similar devotional gatherings were reported across India, including at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir and the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The day highlighted a widespread trend of beginning the New Year with faith and collective prayers for harmony and development.

Thousands visited Manshapurna Hanuman Temple in Gwalior on New Year's Day, praying for peace and prosperity. Similar scenes were seen at Vaishno Devi and Golden Temple.

Gwalior, January 1 A large number of devotees visited temples across Gwalior on Thursday to mark the New Year, offering prayers for happiness, peace, and prosperity.

Since early morning, a steady stream of worshippers has been visiting the renowned Manshapurna Hanuman Temple in the Padav area of the city, making it one of the most spiritually revered places for many.

Devotees, including families, elderly people, and youth, were seen standing in long queues to seek blessings.

Many said they prayed not only for personal well-being and success but also for peace, harmony, and the development of the country and the state.

Krishna Dubey, a devotee visiting the Manshapurna Hanuman Temple, shared New Year greetings and expressed his wishes for the year ahead.

"I have come here to this temple today, and many devotees are visiting at the same time. I only wish for the nation's peace along with prosperity and success for everyone, he said.

"A continuous recitation of the Akhand Ramayana, which has been a long-standing tradition at the temple, which is huge in itself. People are coming to present their wishes to God," he added.

Another devotee, Priyanka, also shared that she wants the people of Gwalior to understand their responsibility to the country amid global tensions.

"I want the Gwalior people to contribute towards the nation's growth and understand their responsibility, as we are all aware of the World's condition right now, which might prove to be difficult for us," she said.

The inflow of worshippers continued throughout the morning, reflecting strong faith and devotion as people began the New Year on a spiritual note.

Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, thousands of devotees visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra. \

Jyoti Singh, one of the pilgrims, said her journey was guided by faith. "I wanted to go to Vrindavan, but due to the blessings of Mata Rani, I have come here. May Mata Rani bless everyone," she said.

Punjab's Amritsar also saw large gatherings as devotees offered prayers and witnessed the traditional 'Prabhat Pheri' at the Shri Harmandir Sahib on the first day of the year.

In the national capital, devotees thronged prominent temples, including Jhandewalan Temple and the Sai Baba Temple at Lodhi Road, offering prayers for peace, prosperity and good health in 2026.

- ANI
South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman has expressed deep skepticism about China's recent claim that it mediated tensions between India and Pakistan following their military clashes in May. He argues China cannot be seen as a credible mediator by India due to its history of supplying weaponry to Pakistan, which was used in combat. The claim was made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who listed the India-Pakistan standoff among several global conflicts where Beijing played a mediating role. India has consistently dismissed any third-party involvement, stating the confrontation was resolved through direct military-to-military communication between the two nations.

South Asia expert Michael Kugelman urges skepticism toward China's claim it mediated the India-Pakistan conflict, citing Beijing's military support for Pakistan.

Washington, DC, January 1 South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman said China's claim of mediating between India and Pakistan should be treated with scepticism.

He also said that Beijing cannot be seen as a credible mediator as it has supported Pakistan, including by supplying weapons used during the conflict.

In an interview with ANI, Kugelman on Wednesday said, "In recent years, it does seem that Beijing has sought to showcase its global clout by pointing to its desire and capacity to serve as a mediator in conflicts. For it to say that it was involved in the India-Pakistan conflict back in May, I am not sure how credible a claim that is."

"I can't imagine that China would be seen as a credible mediator by India. There is good reason to believe that China did supply weaponry to Pakistan that was used in combat against India. That would be like someone giving a match to someone else, and then helping that person put out the fire. We need to treat this claim with scepticism," he said.

After US President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that Washington stopped a potential war between India and Pakistan, China has now claimed that it mediated tensions between the two countries following their military clashes earlier this year.

Speaking at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday (local time) said Beijing had played a mediating role in several global conflicts, including the India-Pakistan standoff, the Chinese Foreign Ministry shared a statement on X.

"To build peace that lasts, we have taken an objective and just stance, and focused on addressing both symptoms and root causes. Following this Chinese approach to settling hotspot issues, we mediated in northern Myanmar, the Iranian nuclear issue, the tensions between Pakistan and India, the issues between Palestine and Israel, and the recent conflict between Cambodia and Thailand," Wang said.

Wang's remarks come months after India and Pakistan were locked in a brief but intense military confrontation in May, triggered by the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 innocent lives.

India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

India has consistently dismissed claims of any third-party mediation, maintaining that the four-day confrontation was resolved through direct military-to-military communication.

New Delhi has maintained that, inflicted by this heavy damage, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called the Indian DGMO and both sides agreed to stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from May 10.

- ANI
India ushered in the New Year with vibrant gatherings at iconic locations like India Gate and Marine Drive, despite chilly winter conditions. State governments implemented extensive security measures, deploying thousands of police personnel and setting up traffic checkpoints to manage the massive footfall. Major cities, including Delhi and Bengaluru, saw stringent arrangements with senior officials monitoring celebrations to ensure public safety. Simultaneously, popular hill stations like Shimla witnessed a rush of tourists braving the cold to celebrate amid the mountains.

India welcomed 2026 with massive crowds at iconic spots. Discover how cities from Delhi to Bengaluru balanced festive joy with stringent security deployments.

New Delhi, Jan 1 India welcomed the New Year with grand celebrations, countdown parties and festive gatherings, as state governments across the country stepped up security measures to ensure that the celebrations passed off smoothly and without incident.

In major metropolitan cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, large crowds thronged iconic landmarks such as India Gate, Connaught Place and Marine Drive to usher in the New Year, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

Meanwhile, authorities across the country issued traffic advisories, guidelines for restaurants and hotels, and deployed additional security forces in anticipation of massive footfall in public places.

Despite chilling conditions in Delhi, Connaught Place and Vasant Vihar saw a steady influx of revellers, with families and groups gathering in markets and open spaces ahead of the New Year celebrations.

Speaking to IANS in Connaught Place, a tourist said, "I have come from Punjab to celebrate the New Year here, and I hope this year is good for everyone."

"It is cold, but we are happy to welcome 2026 here with our friends," another said.

Officials said that in areas expecting heavy crowds in the national capital, the police put comprehensive security arrangements in place to prevent any untoward incidents and to maintain law and order.

Security arrangements on the ground in Delhi were closely monitored by several senior officials, including six Assistant Commissioners of Police and one Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police. As many as 1,469 police personnel were deployed across Delhi's West District alone to ensure public safety during the celebrations.

In Rajasthan, stringent traffic safety measures were also implemented, including the setting up of checkpoints, inspection of vehicles and strict action against those found driving under the influence of alcohol.

In Maharashtra, eateries, restaurants, hotels, orchestra bars and pubs were permitted to operate till 5 a.m. on January 1 as part of the New Year celebrations.

In Bengaluru, around 20,000 police personnel were deployed to ensure smooth New Year's Eve celebrations, as more than ten lakh people were expected to gather at various locations across the city for the festivities.

Even as people in the eastern parts of the world began bidding farewell to 2025, popular hill destinations such as Shimla and Manali witnessed a huge rush of tourists and revellers, braving the biting cold to ring in the New Year amid the mountains.

- IANS
Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

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. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model .

Does the January share price for Gesco SE ( ETR:GSC1 ) 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. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

The 24.90 analyst price target for GSC1 is 11% less than our estimate of fair value

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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 1.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.3%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 24m (1 + 1.6%)  (7.3% 1.6%) = 422m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 422m ( 1 + 7.3%)10= 209m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 290m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 14.3, the company appears quite good value at a 49% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

XTRA:GSC1 Discounted Cash Flow January 1st 2026

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Gesco 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 7.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.362. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

See our latest analysis for Gesco

SWOT Analysis for Gesco

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Machinery market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Next Steps:

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Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta began the New Year with prayers at the historic Hanuman Temple in Yamuna Bazaar, seeking divine blessings for the prosperity and progress of the capital and the nation. She emphasized that Lord Hanuman's virtues of truth and service should inspire public welfare and positive thinking among all citizens. In a separate event, BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin offered prayers at the Ramakrishna Ashram on Kalpataru Day, linking spiritual inspiration to national development. Both leaders extended New Year wishes, framing the day's spiritual observances within the broader context of collective progress and duty.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta visited Yamuna Bazaar Hanuman Temple on New Year's Day 2026, praying for happiness, peace, and a developed Delhi and India.

New Delhi, Jan 1 On the first day of the New Year, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the ancient Hanuman Temple at Yamuna Bazaar and performed traditional prayers, seeking the blessings of Lord Bajrang Bali for a Viksit Delhi.

She prayed for happiness, peace, prosperity, and a bright future for the nation and the people of the capital.

Interacting with the media at the temple premises, the Chief Minister said that the New Year 2026 should bring joy and prosperity into the lives of all Indians, Delhi's families, brothers and sisters, and every resident.

She expressed her wish that Delhi continues to move forward on the path of progress and emerges as a strong, developed capital.

The Chief Minister also said that Lord Hanuman symbolises truth, courage, service, and determination.

His blessings inspire everyone to walk the path of public welfare, devotion to duty, and positive thinking. She prayed that the blessings of Bajrang Bali always remain upon Delhi and the nation.

After the prayers, the Chief Minister interacted with devotees and extended heartfelt New Year greetings to all.

Earlier on the occasion of Kalpataru Day, coinciding the New Year's Day, BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin on Thursday offered prayers at Ramakrishna Ashram in Delhi, a party leader said.

Calling upon youth to join nation-building, Nabin said, "The ashram of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa can be considered a place where Swami Vivekananda and others have inspired generations."

"Every youth in Bihar and across the country has always remembered him. Today is a special day. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa gave his disciples a divine vision today. As a blessing for fulfilling their wishes, he ensured that their desires were fulfilled," he said.

Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for ViksitBharat@2047, Nabin said he took inspiration from Swami Vivekananda while announcing five resolutions of a developed India, unity, liberation from the slavery of colonialism, pride in heritage and citizens' duties.

"Heartfelt wishes to all on Kalpataru Day! On this sacred occasion, today we paid obeisance at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Ji at the Ramakrishna Ashram located in Delhi," said Nabin in a message on X.

"On this very day in 1886, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Ji manifested as the 'Kalpataru' - the divine tree that grants self-realisation - and bestowed upon his disciples the boon of spiritual awakening. Revealing his divine state, he had said, 'May your consciousness be awakened," said Nabin.

"May the spiritual light of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Ji continue to forever illuminate the lives of us all on the path of truth, peace, and self-realisation," he said.

- IANS
President Donald Trump stated his New Year's resolution was "peace on earth" during a New Year's Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago resort. He quickly pivoted to highlighting strong economic growth, tariff revenue, and military funding, claiming the country was "back" and "strong." The gala featured a live painting performance that culminated in a portrait of Jesus, which was auctioned for $2.75 million to benefit charity. The event was attended by family, officials, and dignitaries, with Trump also commenting on investigations into alleged financial misconduct.

President Trump declared "peace on earth" as his New Year's resolution at a lavish Mar-a-Lago party, while touting economic gains and auctioning a $2.75M painting.

Washington, Jan 1 US President Donald Trump has said that "peace on earth" was his New Year's resolution as he addressed guests at a gathering at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, striking a brief note of aspiration before turning to a wide-ranging reflection on the state of the country.

When asked about his New Year's resolution at the New Year's Eve gathering on Wednesday, the President replied: "Peace. Peace on earth. Peace on earth." He did not respond to questions about the CIA's role in an attack on Venezuela or whether he would put boots on the ground in Ukraine.

A large number of eminent people were invited by Trump and the First Lady for the New Year's Eve celebrations. The scene was festive and theatrical, according to a White House pool report.

At the entrance to the party, a black carpet reading "Happy New Year Mar A Lago" in gold letters greeted guests. Musicians stood on pedestals surrounded by tall white candles, playing "God Bless America" and the "Star Spangled Banner".

Inside the ballroom, a massive white floral arrangement marked the entrance, while a band played "I've Had the Time of My Life".

In his remarks, Trump said the country was "doing really well", pointing to what he described as unprecedented investment flowing into the United States. He said factories were being built "all over the country" and cited growth figures that he said had exceeded predictions.

Trump also touted tariff revenue, saying the US had taken in "hundreds of millions of dollars", and spoke about military funding, declaring the country was "back" and "strong". He spoke about economic performance, investment, tariffs, and what he described as a rapid turnaround in national fortunes.

"I just want to tell you that the country is doing really well and doing really well," Trump said, adding that the US had more investment "coming into our country than any country ever in the history of the world by a lot".

He pointed to factories being built "all over the country" and said it was "really exciting to see", expressing confidence about growth figures that he said had exceeded expectations. "You saw 4.3. They were predicting 1.9. 4.4," Trump said, referring to the latest growth figures.

Trump also highlighted revenue from tariffs, saying the US had collected "hundreds of millions of dollars", and mentioned funding for the military. "We gave the military the entire military $1,776. That's not bad," he said.

"We're extremely happy that we're doing great as a country. We're back. We're strong," Trump said, adding, "I didn't think it could happen this fast. It's happening a lot faster than anybody would've thought possible."

The President praised Congressman Tom Emmer, saying he had watched him speak on television about the Somalian population, and thanked leaders in attendance, urging continued efforts to "take back our country". He also spoke about alleged financial misconduct, saying authorities were uncovering billions of dollars in losses and vowing to recover the money.

A centrepiece of the evening was a live art performance. Trump invited an artist, Vanessa Horabuena, to the stage, describing her as one of the world's greatest artists. As a band played a Christian worship song, the artist painted a canvas while dancing. The final work was revealed to be a portrait of Jesus.

Trump then auctioned off the painting, saying the proceeds would benefit St. Jude's and the sheriff's department. He opened the bidding at $100,000 and later offered to sign the portrait to raise its value. The painting ultimately sold for $2.75 million.

Among those spotted by the pool inside the ballroom were Sergio Gor, the US ambassador to India, businessman Phil Ruffin, Donald Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Other attendees included Eric and Lara Trump, Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, and White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly among the attendees, according to an Instagram post.

Trump also spoke about what he characterised as large-scale financial misconduct, saying authorities were uncovering billions of dollars in losses. "Can you imagine they stole $18 billion. That's just what we're learning about," he said, adding that investigations would continue.

"It was a giant scam," Trump said, vowing that the money would be recovered. "It's all coming back," he said, framing the effort as part of what he called a "green New Year".

- IANS
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat framed the organization's 100-year milestone as a solemn "moment of responsibility" rather than a display of bravery or power. He urged Hindu society to introspect, eliminate discrimination, and foster greater social harmony while focusing on solutions over problems. Bhagwat emphasized that all Indian languages are national languages and advocated for the use of indigenous products. Concluding his address, he appealed to citizens to follow the Constitution, linking the current era to a historical resurgence of Sanatana Dharma.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat marks the Sangh's centenary, calling it a moment of responsibility over bravery and urging social harmony, introspection, and constitutional values.

Raipur, January 1 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that Hindu Sammelans are being organised across the country as the Sangh completes 100 years of its journey, stressing that the occasion should not be viewed as an act of "bravery", but as a "moment of responsibility".

"The work of Sangh has completed 100 years, therefore, Hindu Sammelan are being organised across the country," Bhagwat said while addressing a Hindu Sammelan here, adding that the centenary celebrations are not meant for display of power.

"This is not bravery," he added.

Recalling the origin of the organisation, the RSS chief said, "Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar formed this Sangh with his blood."

He noted that crises are visible in every field today, but emphasised that merely discussing problems is not the solution. "The stress should be on finding solutions, and not just on discussions," Bhagwat said.

Narrating a story during his address, Bhagwat highlighted what he described as the "present condition of Hindu society" and urged people to introspect. He called upon the gathering to remove discrimination from their minds and work towards greater social harmony.

"We must remove discrimination from minds, inculcate social harmony," he said.

Emphasising linguistic diversity, Bhagwat asserted that all languages spoken in India are national languages and deserve equal respect. He further advocated the use of indigenous products, urging people to support local manufacturing.

Concluding his address, Bhagwat appealed to citizens to follow the Constitution.

On Sunday, Bhagwat, while addressing a gathering in Hyderabad, said that India must once again work towards becoming a 'Vishwaguru', not out of ambition, but because it is the need of the world, emphasising that the time has now come to carry forward the resurgence of Sanatana Dharma.

He cited events from a century ago, noting that around 100 years ago, Yogi Arvind declared that the resurgence of Sanatana Dharma was God's will and that the rise of the Hindu nation was essential to that resurgence.

- ANI
Operation Sindoor marked a strategic shift in India's response to cross-border terrorism, moving from surgical retaliation to a posture of doctrinal deterrence. Military experts highlight that the operation established new global benchmarks, with Air Defence emerging as the critical component in modern warfare between nuclear powers. The operation demonstrated India's capability to deliver a kinetic response without crossing territorial boundaries, setting a new normal in conflict dynamics. Experts warn that any future provocations could trigger an even more comprehensive "Operation Sindoor 2.0" targeting Pakistan militarily, economically, and diplomatically.

Experts analyze how Op Sindoor established India's posture of assured kinetic response to cross-border terror, setting new global military benchmarks.

New Delhi, January 1 It was a year India showed its military might, its technological prowess, the capability of its indigenous platforms and its resolve of zero tolerance to terrorism as it gave a befitting reply to Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, forcing the western neighbour to seek a ceasefire.

India struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir under Operation Sindoor on May 7 and effectively repelled Islamabad's subsequent escalation, pounding Pakistan airbases.

Experts said Operation Sindoor showed the world that India will take terror head-on, as also countries that are known for being fountainheads of terrorism and that India has now graduated from a posture of surgical retaliation to one of doctrinal deterrence, assuring retaliation to every proven act of cross-border terror.

Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon (retd), who has served eight tenures in Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism operational areas of Jammu and Kashmir and the North East, told ANI that Air Defence has emerged as the new sword arm of modern-day war fighting.

He noted that despite the emergence of several newer realities in the Indian neighbourhood - from the Gen Z protest in Nepal, the developments in Bangladesh under Interim Government Advisor Muhummad Yunus and the deepening of ties between India and Afghanistan - what did not change over the decades is Pakistan's support to cross-border terrorism.

"Pakistan's only ambition in life is to keep India internally unstable, and as a result of that, the Pahalgam terror attack was carried out by Pakistan to divert attention away from their internal problems of ineffective politics, military corruption, economic meltdown and the failure of their diplomatic outreach, amongst other factors," he said.

"After carrying out the barbaric Pahalgam attack, Pakistan did not take into consideration that India today is not the India of yesterday. It's a new India, which is economically fourth-largest economy in the world, a military might, the largest democracy in the world with strong political will. Pakistan did not include the rise of India in their calculus of terror."

He emphasised that in case Pakistan tries anything again, "Operation Sindoor 2.0 will hit them even harder - not only militarily, but also economically, politically and diplomatically".

Lt Gen Dhillon, who has commanded operations 15 Corps (Chinar Corps) responsible for military operations on the Line of Control and within the Kashmir Valley during the Pulwama terror attack, Balakote air strikes and abrogation of Article 370, highlighted how Operation Sindoor set a new global benchmark and a new normal in the fight against terrorism.

He specifically highlighted the importance of Air Defence having emerged as the new sword arm of modern-day war fighting. He said that the emergence and use of newer technologies have changed the face of war. He spoke about the importance of evolving own tactics and strategies to align with the changing technologies in the entire spectrum of warfighting.

"Operation Sindoor 1.0 set new benchmarks in the international military strategies and military tactics. During earlier wars, the borders used to be crossed, the territory captured and the prisoners of war taken - which were the quantifiable parameters of victory. During 1971 Indo-Pak war, we liberated the whole of East Pakistan and took 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war - that established the quantified parameters of victory. Now during Operation SINDOOR, what we saw was that two nuclear powers came to war for the first time in the history of the world (if we do not count Operation Kargil or Operation Vijay which was a limited operation) and not a single soldier or a tank or a gun crossed the line of control or international boundary - this is a new face of future wars," he said."

Air Defence emerged as the sword arm of the war fighting and played the major role - it defeated the Chinese radars, aircraft, missiles and drones, in addition to F-16s and the AWACS - these are the new benchmarks that have been set."

He said tomorrow's warfare is not going to be the traditional conventional trench warfare of the Second World War.

"It's neither going to be attrition warfare that we've seen in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Tomorrow's warfare is going to be dominated by air defence, electronic warfare, cyber warfare and space. It's going to be a non-contact warfare."

Expanding on the theme, he mentioned how wars will no longer be limited to the military domain.

"It's going to be fought in the economic domain; the domestic domain of disrupting the airlines, railways, electricity and banking grids. Destruction of onshore and offshore economic and military assets is going to be done through cyber, space, electronic and kinetic domains in stand-alone or overlapping operations. So future warfare is going to be different - swift, expensive, lethal and very telling," he said.

Speaking about the importance of the battle of narratives and perception management, he said, "Whether you won or lost a war is not going to be the only aspect - how you perceive it on social media and the media is going to be a parallel warfare, and India needs to gear up for this narrative warfare."

He suggested the need for a centralised, Integrated Information Centre for perception management based on truth and transparency.

Asked about how India's counter-terrorism doctrine has evolved over the last decade, he reiterated the parameters of India's policy against terrorism mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May shortly after Operation Sindoor.

Lt Gen Dhillon said that "in our counter-terrorism strategy, we are not going to differentiate between a terrorist and the organization he belongs to and the country supporting it- all three are terrorists and we will take necessary actions as per our national interests".

He underscored how Operation Sindoor showed to the world that India will take terror head-on and the countries that are known for being the fountainheads of terrorism in the world.

Expanding about the surgical precision of India's counter-terrorist operations and how they have ensured zero to minimal collateral damage, he said, "the world should draw the lessons and learn from the way we conduct our counter-terror operations".

Lt Gen Dhillon, who is also a noted author, said another lesson which the world can learn from India's military response "is to be precise with the selection of weapon systems".

"Ours are very ethical and moral counter-terrorism operation," he said.

Former High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria said Operation Sindoor was the most intense India-Pakistan conflict of the 21st century.

He noted that Operation Sindoor stood distinct when compared to India's previous responses to terrorism. It showcased the conventional power differential and India's growing technological edge.

"Op Sindoor was a full-spectrum, hi-tech offensive and defensive mission. Not a single man aircraft or a soldier crossed the border. It used drones, loitering munitions, electronic warfare, and layered air defences. All of this was pulled together by the IAF's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). It was also a clear demonstration of indigenous (Aatmanirbhar) capabilities, integrating technologies obtained from global partners," Bisaria told ANI in an email interview.

"India made it clear--cross-border terrorism will now be treated as an act of war, not just a diplomatic or policing issue. By hitting targets deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, India showed it won't stick to diplomatic protest or symbolic actions. Terrorism will be met with force wherever it emanates from," he said.

Bisaria noted that India's military response represented the latest phase in an evolving doctrine of what experts call 'Integrated Deterrence'--a term borrowed and adapted from broader international security parlance in a nuclear environment, but often reshaped for the unique contours of the Indo-Pak relationship.

"Integrated Deterrence rests on a multi-pronged approach: military readiness, diplomatic pre-emption, economic levers, and informational control. It goes beyond reactive defence, incorporating 'proactive signalling' and 'layered coercion'. In Operation Sindoor, India demonstrated each element with clarity," Bisaria told ANI.

He also underlined how Operation Sindoor sent a strong political message.

"After the Pahalgam terror attack, the Prime Minister publicly linked that event to India's military response. This signalled a shift to a predictable doctrine--terror attacks will have kinetic consequences. It aimed to restore deterrence by punishment. What was a posture with the ground strikes and air strikes has now solidified into a doctrine of assured response to cross-border terror."

The Former High Commissioner to Pakistan told ANI how this suite of actions was a clear departure from India's previous posture of strategic restraint.

"India has now graduated from a posture of surgical retaliation to one of doctrinal deterrence, assuring retaliation to every proven act of cross-border terror, each to be treated as an act of war. These are not isolated actions, but elements of a comprehensive doctrine aimed at deterring and pre-empting Pakistan, shaping its behaviour over time."

He talked about the evolution of India's counter-terrorism doctrine over the last decade. Noting that till 2008, India mostly relied on diplomacy and internal security- using Police, intelligence, and laws like UAPA as the main tools, he said that a global naming and shaming of Pakistan for terrorism and an attempt to cobble up a global concert against terror was a diplomatic objective.

"This was clearly not enough. Starting with the 2016 surgical strikes and 2019 Balakot airstrikes, India began hitting terror camps directly. That changed the posture, which in 2025, after the Pahalgam attack, has become a doctrine of assured kinetic response to cross-border terrorism".

"India's approach is often seen as a balance--strong enough to deter, careful enough to avoid escalation. Targeting only terror infrastructure, not civilians or unrelated military assets, has set a strong example. This is particularly stark, given the grinding wars that the world is dealing with in West Asia and in Ukraine," Bisaria added.

Bisaria, who held various positions, including High Commissioner to Canada, in his diplomatic career, highlighted how the shift from being a victim to being a responder has caught the world's attention--especially in a nuclear-armed region like South Asia.

"India must do this exercise even better, particularly in global media where Pakistan often moves swiftly with the first set of lies," he said.

The overall politico-military objective of Operation Sindoor was to punish Pakistan for fighting a proxy war. India demonstrated its military capability, national resolve, morality and political acumen, and the country's military leadership demonstrated maturity and strategic wisdom.

India is boosting its indigenous military capability. India's defence exports are also rapidly expanding and have reached Rs 23,500 crore.

- ANI
A young man named Yasir has reportedly been forcibly disappeared from Balochistan's Kech district, intensifying concerns over the province's human rights crisis. The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons continues its historic 6,043-day protest camp, demanding justice for thousands of missing persons. While one detainee was recently released, activists stress that individual cases do not solve the systemic practice of enforced disappearances. The organization has also appealed for the recovery of two missing police constables, underscoring how the crisis undermines rule of law in Pakistan.

Another Baloch youth is missing in Pakistan, fueling the enforced disappearance crisis. Families protest for 6,043 days as rights groups demand state accountability and justice.

Balochistan, January 1 A fresh case of alleged enforced disappearance has been reported from Balochistan's Kech district, once again drawing attention to the growing human rights crisis in the province.

A young man identified as Yasir, son of Nasir, was reportedly taken into custody during a late-night operation carried out in the Gowak area of Mand between Tuesday and Wednesday. Family members said he was detained around 3 am, after which all contact with him was lost.

Despite repeated efforts, authorities have provided no information regarding his whereabouts, intensifying fears for his safety, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

According to The Balochistan Post, the incident has further fuelled concerns over the continued practice of enforced disappearances, which rights groups say have become routine in Balochistan. Families of the disappeared often face prolonged uncertainty, with little legal recourse or official accountability.

In a related development, the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) confirmed the release of Mir Zaman Kurd, who had been missing since February 4, 2024, after allegedly being detained from the Daghari Cross area. While welcoming his release, VBMP chairman Nasrullah Baloch stressed that isolated recoveries do not resolve the broader crisis.

He said the state must take "serious and effective measures" to end enforced disappearances, calling the issue a grave violation of constitutional and human rights.

The long-running VBMP protest camp outside the Quetta Press Club also continued for the 6,043rd consecutive day, despite harsh weather conditions. Families of several missing persons, including those of Lal Muhammad Marri and Kaleemullah Marri, participated in the sit-in, demanding justice and transparency.

The protest has become one of the longest-running demonstrations in the country, symbolising the persistence of affected families, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post.

Meanwhile, VBMP also appealed for the recovery of two police constables, Ubaidullah and his cousin Muhammad Shifa, who reportedly went missing on November 21 while returning from duty in Mastung.

The organisation urged state institutions, law enforcement agencies and human rights bodies to intervene urgently and ensure their safe return, reiterating that enforced disappearances continue to undermine the rule of law in Pakistan, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm New Year 2026 greetings to the nation, praying for health, prosperity, and social harmony. The day also marked the 50th meeting of the PRAGATI governance platform, a decade-old system for proactive implementation. During the meeting, PM Modi reviewed five critical infrastructure projects spanning five states with a cumulative cost exceeding Rs 40,000 crore. He highlighted that the PRAGATI ecosystem has accelerated projects worth over Rs 85 lakh crore since its inception, institutionalizing delivery and reviving stalled projects for national development.

PM Modi extends New Year 2026 greetings, calling for harmony. The 50th PRAGATI meeting reviews projects worth Rs 40,000 crore, having accelerated over Rs 85 lakh crore since 2014.

New Delhi, January 1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended New Year greetings to the nation, wishing everyone an excellent 2026.

In a message shared on X, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the year ahead would bring good health and prosperity to all. He said he prays for success in people's efforts and fulfilment in all that they do.

The Prime Minister also prayed for peace and happiness in society, extending his best wishes for harmony and well-being as the country enters the new year.

Earlier, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi also took to X to wish people a happy New Year 2026, expressing hope that the year would bring good health, happiness, and success to everyone.

Across India, the New Year 2026 was welcomed with fireworks, prayers and public gatherings. Cities, hill towns and religious centres witnessed celebrations as people marked the occasion with family and friends.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 50th meeting of PRAGATI - the ICT-enabled multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation - earlier today, marking a significant milestone in a decade-long journey of cooperative, outcome-driven governance under his leadership.

The milestone underscores how technology-enabled leadership, real-time monitoring, and sustained Centre-State collaboration have translated national priorities into measurable on-the-ground outcomes, an official release said.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister reviewed five critical infrastructure projects across sectors, including roads, railways, power, water resources, and coal. These projects span five States and have a cumulative cost of more than Rs 40,000 crore.

Prime Minister noted that over the years, the PRAGATI-led ecosystem has helped accelerate projects worth more than Rs 85 lakh crore and supported the on-ground implementation of major welfare programmes at scale.

Prime Minister said that since 2014, the government has worked to institutionalise delivery and accountability, creating a system where work is pursued with consistent follow-up and completed within timelines and budgets. He said projects that were started earlier but left incomplete or forgotten have been revived and completed in the national interest.

Prime Minister concluded by stating that PRAGATI@50 is not merely a milestone; it is a commitment. PRAGATI must be strengthened further in the years ahead to ensure faster execution, higher quality, and measurable outcomes for citizens.

On the occasion of the 50th PRAGATI milestone, the Cabinet Secretary made a brief presentation highlighting PRAGATI's key achievements and outlining how it has reshaped India's monitoring and coordination ecosystem, strengthening inter-ministerial and Centre-State follow-through, and reinforcing a culture of time-bound closure, which resulted in faster implementation of projects, improved last-mile delivery of Schemes and Programmes and quality resolution of public grievances.

- ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will unveil portraits of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and educationist Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya at the Delhi Legislative Assembly on January 3. The event will also feature the release of a coffee table book titled "Bharat Mata," commemorating 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram. Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has coordinated with multiple departments to ensure proper arrangements for the expected 1,000 attendees. The portraits serve as a lasting tribute to the two national icons for their monumental contributions to India's democracy and public life.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will unveil portraits of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya at the Delhi Legislative Assembly on January 3.

New Delhi, January 1 The Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Vijender Gupta, on Thursday, informed that the Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh, will unveil the portraits of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya at the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Saturday.

In this regard, a high-level meeting was convened by Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta with senior officers from various departments, including Delhi Police, an official release stated.

The portraits will be installed in the Assembly House as a mark of deep respect and as a lasting tribute to the monumental contributions of these two national icons to India's democracy, education, culture and public life.

The programme, the release stated, will also witness the release of a coffee table book titled "Bharat Mata", which presents Indian nationalism as expressed through painting, architecture and literature. The publication is dedicated to the creative and artistic expression of India's national consciousness and commemorates the 150th anniversary of the composition of the National Song, Vande Mataram.

The Union Defence Minister will grace the programme as the Chief Guest. Additionally, the Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, and Padma Bhushan Ram Bahadur Rai, Chairman of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, will be attending as distinguished guests.

Other notable attendees include Parvesh Sahib Singh, Minister for Legislative Affairs, Government of Delhi, and Mohan Singh Bisht, Deputy Speaker, Delhi Legislative Assembly. The function will be presided over by the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. As part of the national observance, artists from Sahitya Kala Parishad will perform a patriotic cultural programme reflecting India's rich artistic and national heritage, the release noted.

According to the release, during the high-level meeting convened for the preparations of the programme with senior officers of the Delhi Police, Public Works Department, Horticulture Department, Fire Services, Health Department, and officials of the Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Vijender Gupta, issued necessary directions to ensure proper arrangements for the smooth conduct of the programme, with special emphasis on security, crowd management, traffic regulation, parking facilities, fire safety and medical preparedness. It was informed that around 1,000 people are expected to attend the programme, and all concerned departments were instructed to maintain close coordination to ensure a safe, orderly and dignified event.

Further, on the installation of portraits of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the Delhi Assembly Speaker stated that it is a meaningful homage to two towering national figures whose lives were dedicated to serving the nation and strengthening democratic values. He observed that their lives and contributions embody ideals of patriotism, courage and public service, which continue to inspire elected representatives and citizens alike.

Speaking about the coffee table book "Bharat Mata", he said that the publication brings together visual and literary representations that trace the evolution of India's national thought and cultural identity, offering readers a deeper understanding of how the idea of the nation has been expressed across different artistic traditions.

As per the release, the coffee table book "Bharat Mata", to be released on the occasion, is a thoughtfully curated publication that presents the idea of Indian nationalism through diverse artistic and cultural expressions. Bringing together select works of painting, architecture and literature, the book reflects the evolution of national consciousness and the emotional bond between the nation and its people. Published to mark 150 years of the composition of the National Song Vande Mataram, the volume seeks to highlight how artistic traditions have played a vital role in shaping and sustaining India's sense of identity, unity and cultural pride across generations.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, an eminent statesman, three-time Prime Minister, and a celebrated orator-poet, played a pivotal role in shaping modern India. His visionary leadership strengthened national security, advanced economic reforms, and uplifted India's global stature.

Meanwhile, Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, a revered freedom fighter, education reformer, and parliamentarian, worked tirelessly for India's independence and social upliftment. He staunchly opposed the oppressive Rowlatt Act and delivered five historic speeches against it, one lasting six and a half hours. As a member of the Imperial Legislative Council (1910-1920), he delivered 240 speeches and later 200 more in the Central Legislative Assembly (1924-1930), creating a record of 440 influential speeches dedicated to the welfare of the nation.

"The Delhi Legislative Assembly expresses deep pride in honouring these great leaders through this special occasion. The commemoration of their legacies stands as a reminder of their unwavering commitment to the nation, democratic values, and public welfare. Their inspiring journeys will continue to guide future generations and illuminate the path of India's progress with their enduring ideals and vision," the release stated.

- ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended heartfelt greetings to DRDO scientists and personnel on the organisation's 67th Foundation Day, praising their role in strengthening India's defence preparedness and strategic autonomy. He emphasized that developing indigenous, future-ready technologies is key to advancing the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence. The occasion also saw acknowledgments from Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and highlighted DRDO's recent achievement of a successful salvo launch of two 'Pralay' missiles. From a modest beginning with 10 laboratories in 1958, DRDO has grown into a multi-disciplinary organisation pivotal to India's defence innovation.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extends DRDO Day greetings, praising scientists for reinforcing India's strategic autonomy and advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat.

New Delhi, January 1 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday extended greetings for the DRDO Day to scientists, personnel, and their families, lauding their "commitment and scientific excellence."

In an X post, the Defence Minister hailed the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), noting that developing indigenous technologies reinforces India's "strategic autonomy."

He wrote, "On DRDO Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all @DRDO_India scientists, personnel and their families. Their unwavering commitment, scientific excellence and sense of national duty are vital to strengthening India's defence preparedness and advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence."

"By developing indigenous, future-ready technologies, DRDO is reinforcing our strategic autonomy and the confidence of our armed forces. I wish the entire DRDO family a year of meaningful breakthroughs and continued service to the nation," the Union Minister added.

January 1, 2026, marks the 67th Foundation Day of DRDO. According to the Defence Ministry, the DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).

Back then, DRDO was a small organisation with 10 establishments or laboratories. Over the years, it has grown multi-directionally in terms of the variety of subject disciplines, number of laboratories, achievements and stature.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi also extended wishes to all DRDO personnel and their families on the occasion.

"General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS and All Ranks of the Indian Army extend warm wishes and greetings to all DRDO personnel and their families on the occasion of DRDO Day," ADG PI wrote on X.

DRDO has marked several achievements in 2025, including the recent successful conduct of a salvo launch of two 'Pralay' missiles in quick succession from the same launcher off the coast of Odisha on Wednesday morning.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the flight test at about 10:30 hrs was conducted as part of user evaluation trials. Both missiles followed the intended trajectory and met all flight objectives, as confirmed by tracking sensors deployed by the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur. The terminal events were confirmed by telemetry systems installed on board the ship, deployed near the impact points.

'Pralay' is an indigenously developed solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile employing state-of-the-art guidance and navigation to ensure high precision. The missile is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads against various targets.

- ANI
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed a push for citizens to use the 'Mhari Sadak' app to report potholes, aiming to make all state roads pothole-free. The app has already received over 24,000 complaints, with action completed on more than 10,000 and work ongoing on nearly 13,000, leading to the repair of about 1.18 lakh kilometres of roads. The CM ordered strict, time-bound action against officers for incorrect complaint disposal and announced monthly district-level reviews of the app's performance. Further initiatives include developing one smart road per district, releasing funds for repairing approximately 46,531 km of roads, and applying white markings on 3,000 km for better fog visibility.

Haryana CM directs action on road complaints via the Mhari Sadak app, with over 24k complaints received and 1.18 lakh km of roads repaired. Learn about the state's pothole-free initiative.

New Delhi, January 1 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that messages should be sent to all registered driving licence holders and vehicle owners to download the 'Mhari Sadak' app so that maximum citizens can use the app and contribute towards making all roads in the state pothole-free.

According to a press release, the Chief Minister was chairing a review meeting of the Mhari Sadak app. He informed that so far, 24,482 complaints have been received on the app, out of which action has been taken to resolve 10,501 complaints, work is in progress on 12,930 complaints, and the remaining complaints are also being addressed. Upon resolution of complaints received through the app, 1,770 citizens have expressed satisfaction, and about 1.18 lakh km of roads have been made pothole-free.

Taking serious note of the incorrect disposal of complaints, the Chief Minister directed strict action against the concerned officers. He ordered time-bound and swift action after initiating inquiries against around two dozen district- and sub-division-level officers for overdue complaints on the app. He also reviewed in detail the issues faced by citizens while reporting potholes on the app and issued necessary directions to officers for their resolution.

The Chief Minister said that monthly review meetings of the Mhari Sadak app will be held at the district level under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioners, and necessary instructions in this regard have been issued to the officers, said the release. He directed the Engineer-in-Chief, Public Works Department, to submit a detailed report at the earliest regarding how many roads have been repaired so far, how many are currently under repair, and by when the remaining works will be completed.

As per the release, Nayab Singh Saini said that the Mhari Sadak app is functioning as an important citizen interface platform for infrastructure-related feedback in Haryana. While the system has shown commendable performance in data collection and public participation, efforts are being made to further improve departmental response, real-time tracking, and public communication. Roads under various departments, including Urban Local Bodies, Public Works Department, Haryana Urban Development Authority, Haryana State Marketing Board, Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, Zila Parishad, GMDA, PMDA, and others, have been brought under this app to make them pothole-free.

The Chief Minister said that providing information about road-related problems is the responsibility of every citizen. Complaints related to roads are being successfully registered and resolved promptly through the app. He added that the government will select one road in each district and develop it as a smart road, along with the construction of pathways alongside such roads, said the release. The Mhari Sadak app was launched by the government just last month, and since then, 19,629 people have downloaded the app.

He further informed that funds have been released for the repair works of approximately 46,531 kilometres of roads across the state. In addition, white road markings have been completed on about 3,000 kilometres of roads to ensure better visibility for vehicles during foggy conditions, as per the release.

During the meeting, PPT presentations prepared by several districts were also showcased, highlighting details of pothole-filling works.

- ANI
Pretoria Capitals opened their SA20 Season 4 account with a dominant 85-run bonus point victory over MI Cape Town at Newlands. Sherfane Rutherford was the star, blasting an unbeaten 47 off 15 balls and then taking a career-best 4/24 with the ball. Rutherford and Dewald Brevis (36* off 13) unleashed a devastating 86-run partnership from just 27 balls to power the Capitals to 220/5. MI Cape Town's chase faltered after a strong Powerplay start, with Keshav Maharaj taking 3/28 to help bowl them out for 135.

Sherfane Rutherford stars with bat and ball as Pretoria Capitals secure a massive 85-run bonus point victory over MI Cape Town in SA20 Season 4.

Cape Town, January 1 New Year's Eve proved to be the good luck charm for Pretoria Capitals as they joined Paarl Royals in opening their SA20 Season 4 accounts with their respective first victories on Wednesday, according to a release.

Capitals eased past MI Cape Town by 85 runs to earn a bonus point victory at Newlands.

Sherfane Rutherford enjoyed a New Year's Eve to remember with the West Indies allrounder delivering the perfect all-round performance for Capitals.

Rutherford (47 not out 15 balls, 6x6) and Dewald Brevis (36 not out off 13 balls, 1x4, 4x6) brought the fireworks with the bat before the Windies superstar delivered a career-best bowling performance of 4/24 to dismiss MI Cape Town for just 135 in response to the Capitals' mammoth 220/5.

The 'Sky Blues' pair delivered an explosive 86-run partnership off just 27 balls that offset a poor Powerplay after a fit-again Kagiso Rabada had helped reduce the visitors to 36/3.

It was a belligerent exhibition of power-hitting with 92 runs for the loss of just one wicket at a run-rate of 18.2 coming in the last five overs.

The duo almost matched each other shot for shot, but it was Rutherford's astonishing assault on Dewald Pretorius in the penultimate over that shocked the Newlands faithful.

The West Indian blasted four successive maximums, which formed part of a sequence of a half dozen sixes in a row that had been kickstarted by Brevis' double in the previous over.

It was the perfect ending after Shai Hope (45 off 30 balls, 3x4, 2x6) and Wihan Lubbe (60 off 36 balls, 7x4, 2x6) had done the initial resurrection job.

The four Player of the Match candidates were Dewald Brevis, Wihan Lubbe, Keshav Maharaj and Sherfane Rutherford with the West Indian winning 77.4% of the fan vote.

MI Cape Town's chase was always going to be dependent on their openers Ryan Rickleton (33 off 17 balls) and Rassie van der Dussen (28 off 20 balls) and the pair duly delivered a 60-run stand within the Powerplay.

But their dismissal within a short period of each scuppered MI Cape Town's run chase, despite Nicholas Pooran matching his fellow West Indian Rutherford by also smashing Keshav Maharaj (3/28) for four consecutive sixes in his six-ball 25.

Maharaj, though, had the last laugh by having Pooran caught in the midst of a three-wicket spell that ripped the heart out of MI Cape Town's middle-order and ultimately the hosts' challenge.

Earlier in the day, Paarl Royals captain David Miller masterminded his team's successful run-chase with a timely unbeaten 71 runs off just 38 balls.

- ANI
ROME, Jan 1 (Reuters) - Italy's foreign ministry said on Thursday the United States had sharply lowered proposed duties on several Italian pasta makers following a reassessment of their U.S. activities.

In October, the United States said that 13 Italian pasta companies would face an extra 92% duty - on top of the regular 15% rate on most EU imports - from January 2026, accusing two producers in particular, La Molisana and Garofalo, of selling pasta at unfairly low prices.

However, after a review, the U.S. Department of Commerce cut the tariff for La Molisana to 2.26%, while Garofalo's rate was set at 13.98%, the Italian foreign ministry said in a statement.

The remaining 11 producers, which were not individually examined in the review, face a tariff of 9.09%.

"The recalculation of the duties is a sign that U.S. authorities recognise our companies' constructive willingness to cooperate," the foreign ministry said.

It added that the full conclusions of the U.S. review would be released on March 11, adding that the ministry would continue to provide help to the companies affected in the coming weeks.

The threatened pasta tariffs had been an embarrassment to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who had hoped that her close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump would shield Italian companies from any additional tariffs.

Italy's total pasta exports were worth over 4 billion euros ($4.7 billion) in 2024, according to data from national statistics agency ISTAT. The U.S. market was worth almost $800 million to Italian firms.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Ros Russell)
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has approved reforms allowing scheduled commercial banks to independently establish and manage pension funds under the National Pension System. This move aims to address previous regulatory constraints and enhance market competition while safeguarding subscriber interests. Additionally, PFRDA has appointed three new trustees to the NPS Trust Board and revised the investment management fee structure to align with international benchmarks. These comprehensive reforms are designed to create a more resilient pension ecosystem, improving long-term retirement security for Indian citizens.

PFRDA reforms let scheduled commercial banks establish pension funds for NPS, aiming to boost competition, governance, and subscriber safeguards in India's pension system.

New Delhi, January 1 In a major policy move aimed at strengthening India's pension ecosystem, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has approved a series of reforms to promote sustainable growth of the National Pension System.

The reforms, announced on Thursday, focus on widening participation, improving governance, and safeguarding subscriber interests amid the expanding formalisation of the financial sector

A key highlight of the reform package is the proposal to allow Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) to independently set up Pension Funds for managing NPS.

"PFRDA 's board has approved, in principle, a framework to permit Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) to independently set up Pension Funds to manage NPS, with the objective of strengthening the pension ecosystem. This shall enhance competition and safeguard subscriber's interests. The proposed framework seeks to address existing regulatory constraints that had limited bank participation till now," Ministry of Finance said in a statement.

Until now, regulatory constraints had limited the participation of banks in pension fund sponsorship.

The newly approved framework seeks to address these constraints by introducing clearly defined eligibility criteria based on net worth, market capitalisation, and prudential soundness in alignment with Reserve Bank of India norms.

According to PFRDA, the detailed criteria will be notified separately and will apply uniformly to both new and existing pension funds.

The finance ministry said the move is expected to enhance competition, deepen the pension market, and strengthen safeguards for NPS subscribers.

In another significant development, PFRDA has appointed three new trustees to the Board of the NPS Trust following a formal selection process.

The newly appointed trustees are Dinesh Kumar Khara, former Chairman of the State Bank of India; Swati Anil Kulkarni, former Executive Vice President at UTI Asset Management Company; and Arvind Gupta, Co-founder and Head of the Digital India Foundation.

Khara has also been designated as the Chairperson of the NPS Trust Board, bringing extensive banking and governance experience to the role.

To align the NPS with evolving market realities and international benchmarks, PFRDA has also revised the Investment Management Fee (IMF) structure for Pension Funds, effective April 1, 2026.

The revised slab-based IMF introduces differentiated rates for government and non-government subscribers, with lower fees for higher assets under management (AUM) in the non-government segment.

The IMF for government sector employees under certain schemes will remain unchanged. Meanwhile, the Annual Regulatory Fee payable to PFRDA has been retained at 0.015 per cent of AUM, with a portion earmarked for the Association of NPS Intermediaries to support outreach and financial literacy initiatives.

PFRDA said the reforms are expected to create a more competitive, resilient, and well-governed NPS framework, ultimately improving long-term retirement outcomes and strengthening old-age income security for Indian citizens.

- ANI
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has barred 26 individuals from trading for manipulating the share price of DU Digital Global. The stock had surged an astonishing 2,467% from August 2021 to November 2022, a rise SEBI found was unsupported by fundamentals and driven by deceptive, coordinated trading. The regulator has ordered the return of illegal gains exceeding 98.78 lakh and imposed monetary penalties totalling 1.85 crore. This action underscores the risks in smaller, less liquid stocks and SEBI's focus on protecting investors and maintaining market integrity.

SEBI bars 26 traders, imposes 1.85Cr penalty for manipulating DU Digital Global shares, which surged 2467% artificially. Get the details.

Mumbai, Jan 1 The Securities and Exchange Board of India has taken strict action against alleged price manipulation in the shares of DU Digital Global, a company listed on the SME platform.

The market regulator has barred 26 individuals from trading in the securities market after finding that they were involved in artificially inflating the stock price.

In a detailed 142-page order, Sebi has directed the individuals to return illegal gains amounting to more than Rs 98.78 lakh.

In addition, it has imposed monetary penalties totalling Rs 1.85 crore. The regulator's action follows an investigation into an unusually sharp rise in the share price of DU Digital Global, which jumped from around Rs 12 in August 2021 to a peak of Rs 296.05 in November 2022.

According to the market regulator, the steep rise in the stock price was not supported by the company's business performance or any positive corporate announcements.

The regulator noted that there was no legitimate reason for the share price to surge by about 2,467 per cent within a year.

The investigation found that a group of connected traders had used deceptive and coordinated trading strategies to create artificial demand and trading volumes in the stock.

SEBI observed that such practices, including synchronised and circular trades, serve no genuine economic purpose and are aimed only at misleading investors by manipulating prices.

SEBI also pointed out that some of the individuals involved had faced regulatory action in earlier cases, indicating a repeated pattern of market misconduct.

The regulator said that when connected entities manipulate stock prices in this manner, ordinary investors ultimately suffer losses.

Emphasising the need to protect investors and maintain trust in the SME segment, SEBI said strong regulatory action is necessary to deter such behaviour and preserve the integrity of the securities market.

The trading ban imposed on the 26 individuals will remain in force for periods ranging from one year to 30 months.

DU Digital Global, earlier known as DU Digital Technologies, was listed on the NSE's SME platform in August 2021.

SEBI said the case highlights the risks of price manipulation in smaller and less liquid stocks and the importance of investor caution.

- IANS
The ancient Aravalli mountain range, a vital ecological barrier against the Thar Desert, is facing a silent crisis. A 2023 study reveals a staggering 32% loss of its green cover between 1975 and 2019, driven primarily by rampant mining and deforestation. This degradation threatens unique biodiversity, including leopards and hundreds of native plant species, while exacerbating desertification and groundwater depletion. If the current rate of loss continues, projections indicate a further 22% decline in forest cover by 2059.

The 2-billion-year-old Aravalli range is disappearing. Deforestation and mining have eroded 32% of its green cover since 1975, threatening biodiversity and desert expansion.

By Swikriti Swarnkar, New Delhi, January 1 The 2-billion-year-old mountain belt system - Aravalli range spread across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat came into limelight, when the definition of ranges contradicts the public interest.

The Aravalli Ranges are known as "Green lungs" of Delhi NCR, and serve as a vital ecological barrier, by preventing the eastward spread of the Thar Desert and recharging groundwater in semi-arid regions.

The Aravalli Range faces increasing threats due to deforestation, mining, grazing, and human encroachment. Forest lands around Sariska and Bardod Wildlife Sanctuaries were diverted before the 1980s, reducing their forest cover, according to a report of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The report further stated that Desertification is exacerbating as desert sands move eastward, compromising regions like Gurugram and Alwar. Mining activities have damaged aquifers, dried up lakes, and reduced the range's ability to support wildlife.

The northern end of the Aravalli Range forms isolated and rocky hills and ridges in between Haryana and Delhi, whereas the south-western range passes through Gujarat and Rajasthan.

According to the IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, the mountains are divided into two main ranges - the Sambhar Sirohi Range and the Sambhar Khetri Range in Rajasthan, with an extension of about 560 km. Guru Shikhar is the highest peak of the Aravalli with 1722 meters, located near Mount Abu. The drainage ofthe Ganga and Indus is divided by one extension of the Aravalli, from Delhi to Haridwar.

Aravalli's Silent Disappearance: 32% Green cover eroded

The Green cover of the Aravalli range shows alarming figures, which may cause a major impact on the environment.

In the research article titled "Assessment of Land-Use Dynamics of the Aravalli Range (India) using integrated geospatial and CART approach", authored by researchers from the Central University of Rajasthan (CURaj), including Prof. L.K. Sharma and others, it was stated that 32 per cent of "Green cover" was reduced from 1975 to 2019, driven by mining activities. It also mentioned that 8 per cent of the hills also vanished during this period.

It was published in the international journal Earth Science Informatics (Springer) in January 2023. According to the article, if the loss of green cover continues, the losses could reach 22 per cent by 2059.

Epic Tidbits: Aravalli holds back the Desert & Leopards kingdoms

It is not wrong to say Aravalli's the 'grandparents of Indian mountain', yes, you heard right. It is the mountain belt formed during the Proterozoic Era (long before dinosaurs roamed or the Himalayas even existed).

The most important proof came from a research paper written by two scientists, A.B. Roy and A. Kroner, and it was published in 1996 in a magazine called Geological Magazine.

Now, one more interesting fact is associated with it...We all know about the Harappan civilisation, but have you ever thought that through those ages, the Aravalli ranges hosted massive copper suppliers- the Ganeshwar-Jodhpura Culture, which produced and supplied copper to the Harappan civilisation.

The ranges are biodiversity hotspots for leopards, striped hyenas, Indian wolves, nilgai, jackals, porcupines, and the national bird, the peacock, as well. It has sanctuaries and reserve sites, which include Sariska Tiger Reserve, Jhalana Leopard Safari, and Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary.

Well, there is also one fact that the Aravalli ranges have worn down 300-900 m (roughly 1000-3000 feet) elevation over billions of years of erosion and weathering, which is shocking, and it is published by NASA Earth Observatory. It even compared the Aravallis to the Appalachian Mountains of the United States.

Risk to Flora and Fauna due to Aravalli degradation

The activities like deforestation, mining and urbanisation could lead to an extensive impact on the mountain belt.

There are around 300+ native plant species and 50 distinct flora species, 120 bird species and 25-30 mammal species, according to the manual "Plants of Northern Aravalli range in Delhi" published by the Department. Of Forest and Wildlife, GNCT of Delhi.

Additionally, over 252 avian species have been recorded in the sanctuary, along with over 86 butterfly species and 28 species of Reptiles and Amphibians as reported by BNHS Conservation Education Centre-Delhi in their long-term study of the area. The failure to save the Aravalli Range would devastate a critical biodiversity hotspot that supports a vast array of life.

How Aravalli protect the environment

The Northern ecological shield - Aravalli ranges act as a wall, protecting against desertification by halting arid winds, sand dunes through the desert area and preserving soil fertility for agriculture.

The porous and fractured rocks of the mountain support Luni, Banas and other streams by recharging and maintaining groundwater levels. It is a barrier against dust winds and large desert particles and influences the monsoon pattern as well.

Aravalli Green Wall Project

The Aravalli Green Wall Project is part of the Union Environment Ministry's vision to create green corridors across the country to combat land degradation and desertification.

The initial launch of the project was done by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav in Haryana on March 25, 2023, but the project saw major expansion at the National level by relaunch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 5, 2025.

The project covered states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi, where the Aravalli hills landscape spans over 6 million hectares of land. The project will involve planting native species of trees and shrubs on scrubland, wasteland and degraded forest land, along with rejuvenating and restoring surface water bodies such as ponds, lakes and streams, according to a PIB release.

The project will also focus on agroforestry and pasture development to enhance the livelihoods of local communities.

The Aravalli Green Wall Project has the following objectives: to improve the ecological health of the Aravalli range. The aim of the project is to prevent eastward expansion of the Thar Desert and to reduce land degradation by creating green barriers that will prevent soil erosion, desertification and dust storms, according to the release.

This green wall will help in carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change to enhance the biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Aravalli range by planting native tree species in the Aravalli region, providing habitat for wildlife, and improving water quality and quantity. Additionally, to promote sustainable development and livelihood opportunities by involving local communities in afforestation, agro-forestry and water conservation activities that will generate income, employment, food security and social benefits.

The Aravalli Range is not only an ecological feature but also has a profound and important effect on the social and economic well-being of the people who reside in its vicinity. The Aravalli Range is a significant contributor that influences water, air and climatic factors. The preservation of these ranges would be viewed as the sustainability of communities and a better future ahead for the generations.

- ANI
Manali and surrounding areas like Rohtang Pass witnessed their first snowfall of the year, drawing large crowds of celebratory tourists. Visitors from Gujarat, Delhi, and Chandigarh expressed joy and excitement, many experiencing snow for the very first time. The atmosphere was festive with tourists dancing, building igloos, and enjoying outdoor activities in the fresh snow. Amid the celebrations, many also reflected on the tragedies of 2025, expressing hopes for a safer and more peaceful 2026.

Tourists flock to Manali & Rohtang for the first snowfall of 2026, celebrating New Year with joy, snow activities, and hopes for a peaceful year.

Manali, January 1 Tourists thronged Rohtang and nearby Sissu as the region here witnessed its first snowfall of the year.

Tourists in large numbers gathered to celebrate the New Year as snow blanketed the region, fostering an atmosphere of happiness, joy, and excitement for several experiencing the snow for the first time.

Sanvi, a tourist from Gujarat, said, "I have watched the snow for the first time, it's beautiful. It's very cold here."

Another tourist, Jayancy said, "I am having so much fun here. My wish to see the snow has been fulfilled, I am watching live snow for the first time."

The tourists were seen happily dancing and enjoying the new year, with many of them forming snow houses or igloos and indulging in activities amid the chilly yet celebratory weather.

Amit Bharwad, a tourist from Gujarat, said, "We came to Rohtang on the first day of the new year, and it snowed. The tourists are enjoying the snow, and I hope 2026 turns out to be excellent for everyone. Whatever tragedies we all witnessed in 2025, I hope they don't return to anyone's life, and tourists can enjoy freely at tourist destinations."

Many tourists also hoped for a better fortune in 2026, after tragedies like the Pahalgam terror attack and Delhi blast left several families devastated and prayed that such incidents never occur again.

Visitors from Delhi, Chandigarh, and other cities have gathered in Manali to experience outdoor activities.

Areas like Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley witnessed heavy footfall.

- ANI
South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman has described the late former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia as a "political titan" for her role in shaping the country's democratic journey. He noted that her advocacy against military rule cemented her legacy as a central political figure for decades. Kugelman also interpreted India's swift diplomatic condolences and high-level funeral attendance as a signal of intent to re-engage with Bangladesh, anticipating a potential BNP-led government. However, he cautioned that any future government extending ties with India may face domestic political risks due to prevailing anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh.

South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman calls late PM Khaleda Zia a "political titan" who shaped Bangladesh's democracy. India's outreach signals re-engagement amid potential BNP return.

Washington, DC, January 1 South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman described late former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia as a "political titan," saying she played a key role in shaping the country's democratic journey and remained a central figure in its politics for decades.

Kugelman said that Zia was a prominent advocate of democracy who stood up to military rule.

He also added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's condolence message and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's decision to attend her funeral signal India's intent to re-engage with Bangladesh amid signs that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) could return to power in the next government.

In an interview with ANI, Kugelman on Wednesday said, "Zia was a political Titan in Bangladesh. It's common to frame her role in Bangladesh's politics in the context of her notoriously bitter rival with Sheikh Hasina. But we do need to give some credit for what she did as a leader. She was a prominent advocate of democracy in Bangladesh when she stood against the military."

"PM Modi very quickly issued condolence readings after the passing of Zia, and the EAM attending her funeral is significant. It should perhaps be seen with an eye toward what is coming in Bangladesh's politics," he said.

"There's a very good chance that the BNP will lead the next government in Bangladesh. The Indian government will be keen to engage with a government led by the BNP. There seems to be a recognition that it's important to get this relationship back on track. I suspect that the BNP government, which Tarique Rahman could lead, would be willing to reciprocate. However, given the current climate in Bangladesh, where there's a lot of anti-India sentiment, there could be some domestic political risks for the next elected government in Bangladesh to extend a hand to the Indian side," he added.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman Prime Minister, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. A dominant figure in national politics for decades, she led the country for three terms and played a key role in restoring democracy following years of military rule.

Zia was laid to rest today beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, according to Daily Star.

Zia was laid to rest following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the report said.

Thousands gathered to pay their final respects to the veteran leader.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia's death, extending condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh, and recalling his meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015.

- ANI
A powerful explosion and fire at the Constellation Bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in the early hours of New Year's Day has resulted in several fatalities and numerous injuries. With over 100 people inside at the time, emergency services deployed countless ambulances and helicopters in a major response, evacuating the trapped and transporting the severely burned. Hospitals across the French-speaking region are reportedly overwhelmed, struggling to cope with the influx of burn victims. Authorities have yet to determine the cause, though initial reports suggest fireworks at a concert may be involved, with a press conference scheduled for further details.

A deadly explosion at a Swiss bar on New Year's Eve left several dead and dozens injured, overwhelming hospitals with burn victims just weeks before the WEF meeting in Davos.

Geneva, January 1 A deadly explosion triggered a fire at a bar in Switzerland overnight, leaving "several injured and dead" and overwhelming nearby hospitals with burn victims, according to Swiss broadcaster Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen. The incident comes weeks ahead of the World Economic Forum's 2026 Annual Meeting, which will take place from January 19 to 23 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

The blast occurred around 1:30 am, Valais police spokesman Gaetan Lathion told the Keystone-SDA news agency, adding that the cause of the explosion remains unknown. He said more than 100 people were inside the restaurant at the time of the incident, underlining the scale of the emergency response that followed.

Emergency services rushed to the scene soon after the explosion, as authorities worked to evacuate those trapped inside the building. A helpline has since been set up for families and relatives of victims at the telephone number "084 811 21 17".

The impact of the incident was quickly felt beyond the immediate area. A doctor from the Rega air rescue service told French-language broadcaster RTS that hospitals across French-speaking Switzerland were struggling to cope with a surge of patients suffering from severe burns. The doctor urged the public to show solidarity and avoid risky activities on January 1.

As rescue operations continued, visuals circulating on social media, reportedly filmed from outside the Constellation Bar, showed flames burning inside the building while emergency responders converged on the site. The footage also captured numerous emergency vehicles arriving.

A witness told the broadcaster that "countless" ambulances, along with several helicopters, were deployed to evacuate and transport the injured, highlighting the seriousness of the injuries sustained.

While Swiss news outlet Blick reported that the blaze may have been triggered by fireworks during a New Year's Eve concert, Swiss police said the cause remains "unknown". According to SRF, the Valais cantonal police have scheduled a press conference for 10 am to provide further details on the incident and the ongoing investigation.

The incident took place in Crans-Montana, an upscale ski resort town located around two hours from Switzerland's capital, Bern.

- ANI
Taiwan's defense ministry detected three Chinese military aircraft sorties and multiple vessels operating near the island, with one aircraft crossing the sensitive median line. This activity follows the recent completion of the large-scale "Justice Mission 2025" military drills by China's Eastern Theatre Command. Chinese military spokespersons stated the drills tested joint operations and reaffirmed a commitment to counter "Taiwan independence." The situation highlights ongoing military tensions and patrols in the Taiwan Strait and its surrounding air defense identification zones.

Taiwan reports Chinese military activity near its waters, including an aircraft crossing the median line, following the completion of large-scale PLA exercises.

Taipei, January 1 Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected three sorties of Chinese military aircraft, 17 naval vessels and eight official ships operating around its territorial waters as of 6am on Thursday.

Of the three, one sortie crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ.

In a post on X, the MND said, "(U) 3 sorties of PLA aircraft, 17 PLAN vessels and 8 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 out of 3 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded."

Earlier on Wednesday, Taiwan detected 77 PLA aircraft, 17 PLAN vessels and eight official ships operating around itself.

In a post on X, he said, "77 PLA aircraft, 17 PLAN vessels and 8 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 35 out of 77 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded."

Earlier, the Chinese PLA Eastern Theatre Command completed the "Justice Mission 2025" Drills around Taiwan, the official press account of China's armed forces said on Wednesday.

In a post on X, China Military Bugle cited Senior Captain Li Xi, a spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Eastern Theatre Command.

"The PLA Eastern Theater Command has successfully completed 'Justice Mission 2025' military drills and fully tested the integrated joint operations capabilities of its troops. The troops of the PLA Eastern Theatre Command will remain on high alert at all times, keep strengthening combat readiness through arduous training, resolutely thwart the attempts of 'Taiwan Independence' separatists and external intervention, and firmly safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The drills, which have been codenamed 'Justice Mission 2025', involved the PLA Eastern Theatre Command dispatching its Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force troops to conduct joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan.

- ANI
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma hosted a New Year Open House at Lok Bhavan in Hyderabad, attended by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, cabinet ministers, bureaucrats, and hundreds of citizens. Concurrently, the Governor virtually inaugurated an Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Development Cell at RGUKT Basar, sanctioning funds from his discretionary quota to support rural students. He emphasized the cell's role in providing mentorship and industry links to tackle challenges in agriculture and healthcare. Meanwhile, separate New Year greetings were exchanged at the Chief Minister's residence and at the Andhra Pradesh Lok Bhavan in Vijayawada.

Governor Jishnu Dev Varma hosted New Year celebrations in Hyderabad, attended by CM, ministers, and citizens. He also inaugurated an innovation cell at RGUKT Basar.

Hyderabad, Jan 1 Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Thursday hosted New Year 2026 Open House celebrations at Lok Bhavan here.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, several Cabinet Ministers, senior bureaucrats and other prominent personalities called on the Governor and extended New Year greetings.

Hundreds of people from various walks of life across the state also participated in the celebrations, exchanging warm New Year wishes with the Governor.

Governor Varma conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the people of Telangana, wishing them a healthy, happy, safe and prosperous New Year.

Principal Secretary to the Governor M. Dana Kishore and other senior officials of Lok Bhavan were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, several ministers called on Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at his residence and conveyed New Year greetings to him.

Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Seethakka, Konda Surekha and Mohammed Azharuddin, along with Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of the Legislative Council and senior officials, met the Chief Minister and greeted him on the occasion.

The Chief Minister also released the diary and calendar of the Prison Department in the presence of senior officials from the department.

Earlier in the day, Governor Jishnu Dev Varma virtually inaugurated the Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Development (IIED) Cell at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT), Basar.

The Governor sanctioned funds from his discretionary quota for the establishment of the IIED Cell at RGUKT Basar.

Noting that RGUKT was established to provide technical education to rural youth, the Governor said the new cell would help foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students.

He said the IIED Cell would provide mentorship, infrastructure support, industry linkages and startup assistance to address challenges in agriculture, healthcare and sustainability sectors.

The Governor urged students to pursue innovation with ethical values for inclusive growth and expressed confidence that RGUKT Basar would emerge as a leading innovation hub contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat. He also assured all possible support to the IIED Cell in the future.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, along with First Lady Sameera Nazeer, participated in New Year celebrations held at the Durbar Hall of Andhra Pradesh Lok Bhavan in Vijayawada, where they cut a cake to mark the occasion.

Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand, along with his wife, presented a bouquet to the Governor and the First Lady and extended New Year greetings.

- IANS
Authorities have heightened security around Srinagar's Dal Lake with increased personnel, checkpoints, and CCTV surveillance to ensure safe New Year celebrations. Simultaneously, in the Doda district, security forces are conducting rigorous search operations in sub-zero temperatures across frozen forests and mountain caves to root out militants. Police officials confirmed the presence of local terrorists and the process of attaching properties of their supporters. Despite extreme weather and treacherous terrain, forces are committed to preventing terrorist incidents and ensuring peace as 2026 begins.

J-K deploys extra police & CCTV at Dal Lake for New Year 2026 celebrations. Simultaneously, security forces conduct harsh winter ops in Doda's forests against militants.

Srinagar, January 1 Authorities in Jammu & Kashmir have tightened security around the iconic Dal Lake on the occasion of the New Year. Measures have been taken to ensure the safety of residents and tourists celebrating the arrival of 2026.

Police and local administration have deployed additional personnel, established security checkpoints, and increased patrolling in and around the Dal Lake area. CCTV surveillance has also been enhanced to monitor crowd movement and prevent any untoward incidents.

Officials have urged citizens and visitors to cooperate with security measures and follow guidelines during New Year's festivities. The administration has assured that all necessary precautions have been taken to maintain law and order during the celebrations.

Earlier, highlighting ongoing security efforts, Senior Superintendent of Police Doda Sandeep Mehta confirmed that comprehensive security measures have been put in place for tourists visiting Bhaderwah. Police officials said that the "Army and Police have coordinated to fortify checkpoints and increase surveillance at critical points."

On the eve of the last day of 2025, sufficient security arrangements have been put in place for tourists visiting Bhaderwah and other areas of the district, SSP Sandeep Mehta said.

Addressing the media, he said the Army and Police have deployed additional manpower at all checkpoints and sensitive locations, and that security forces are continuously on duty. He added that foreign militants have been reported, but local terrorists are here in Doda, and assured that they will be neutralised soon. The SSP further said that persons providing support to militants have been identified and action, including attachment of their properties, is in process.

He reiterated that no terrorist incident will be allowed to occur in the district.

Meanwhile, to ensure a peaceful start to 2026, troops are navigating frozen forests and hidden mountain caves in Doda to root out potential threats before winter fully sets in.

In the dense forests, natural caves, and rugged mountainous terrain of the Doda Bhalesa belt, which borders Himachal Pradesh, security forces are conducting continuous search operations amid sub-zero temperatures and severe weather conditions.

Despite extreme hardship, heavy snowfall, and rugged terrain, the forces remain fully committed to confronting every terrorist threat and restoring lasting peace in the region. Their resolve to neutralise all dangers stands as a symbol of courage and sacrifice.

Undeterred by freezing temperatures, treacherous terrain, and heavy snowfall, Army units have expanded their operational reach into higher and snowbound areas to pursue and neutralise Pakistani terrorists attempting to exploit the harsh season for concealment.

- ANI
The Tamil Nadu government has officially sanctioned the first Jallikattu event of 2026 to be held on January 3 in Thatchankurichi village, Pudukkottai district. The permission mandates strict adherence to government SOPs and requires all applications to be submitted via an online portal to ensure transparency. Thatchankurichi traditionally hosts the season's inaugural event, with Pudukkottai district known for having the most bull entry points. Organizers are prioritizing enhanced safety measures and crowd control, following previous years which saw significant participation and a number of injuries.

Tamil Nadu approves the first Jallikattu of 2026 in Thatchankurichi village, Pudukkottai, with strict SOPs and online applications mandated for safety.

Chennai, Jan 1 The Tamil Nadu government has granted permission for the first Jallikattu event of 2026 to be held on January 3 at Thatchankurichi village in Pudukkottai district, officially marking the beginning of the state's annual bull-taming season.

The approval was issued through a government gazette by the Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department.

The event has been permitted under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, as amended by the Tamil Nadu Amendment Act, 2017.

According to the notification, the Jallikattu must be conducted strictly in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prescribed by the state government and the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services.

The district administration has been instructed to enforce all safety norms related to crowd management, public safety, and animal welfare, with special attention to disaster preparedness and emergency response mechanisms.

The order also reiterates that applications for conducting Jallikattu and similar traditional events must be submitted only through the designated online portal. Manual applications will not be entertained, a measure aimed at ensuring transparency and effective monitoring of compliance.

Thatchankurichi holds a unique place in Tamil Nadu's Jallikattu tradition, as it customarily hosts the first event of every season.

Pudukkottai district, where the village is located, is also known for having the highest number of vaadivaasals -- designated entry points for bulls -- in the state.

Official data from previous years underline the scale of the event. In 2025, around 600 bulls and nearly 350 tamers took part, attracting more than 4,500 spectators. That year, injuries were reported to 10 bull owners, six tamers, four spectators and one bull. In 2024, the event witnessed the participation of over 700 bulls, with 22 people sustaining injuries.

Meanwhile, organisers of the Vinerpu Matha Jallikattu committee have begun preparatory work for the upcoming event. Officials said priority is being given to strengthening safety measures, crowd regulation and coordination among departments to ensure the smooth and incident-free conduct of the traditional sport.

- IANS
South Koreas Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has indicted the Korbit exchange after a recently conducted comprehensive inspection.

The result of this exercise showed that the cryptocurrency exchange violated the Specific Financial Information Act.

This includes failures in customer due diligence, transaction restrictions, and dealings with unreported overseas VASPs.

First-In, First-Out Method for South Koreas Regulation

According to Wu Blockchain, an anti-money laundering (AML) inspection discovered that Korbit had fallen short of the Specific Financial Information Act.

It violated AML risk assessments for non-fungible tokens (NFTs). As a penalty for this offense, the FIU has imposed an institutional warning and a KRW 2.73 billion fine, which is equivalent to $1.88 million.

The CEO was also issued a caution, while the reporting officer was reprimanded. It is worth noting that Korbit has been under the radar of South Korean regulators for a while.

A month ago, the FIU was preparing major penalties for nearly every top crypto exchange after months of AML inspections.

Apart from Korbit, GOPAX, Bithumb, and Coinone were also on the list, based on a first-in, first-out method.

This means that the exchanges inspected earlier will be punished first. As a result, GOPAX should be next on the FIUs agenda.

FIU stated on its website that it will issue prior notices of fines for violations of customer identification and transaction restriction obligations by the exchange.

Korbit will be allowed at least 10 days to submit its opinions. After that, the fine amount will be finalized based on the submitted responses.

FIU Comes up With Strategy for Inspections

Going forward, the FIU is looking to sequentially conduct follow-up measures for the other on-site inspections.

As a warning to other crypto firms, the regulator will strictly impose sanctions on serious violations of special financial laws. It has made it clear that it is not relenting in its efforts to strengthen operators AML capabilities.

As a way of supporting the virtual asset market to grow with public trust, the FIU will also strengthen the money laundering capabilities and legal compliance systems of firms.

Meanwhile, it is rumored that Bybit is considering the acquisition of Korbit. It has met with Korbits management and intends to start with a 31.5% stake, which belongs to SK Planet. Another 60.5% stake is owned by NXC, the parent company of Nexon.

Read original story Korbit Exchange Indicted by South Korea's FIU Over AML Violation by Godfrey Benjamin at Coinspeaker.com
Tamil Nadu has heightened surveillance along its border with Kerala following a rise in avian influenza cases in the neighbouring state. Authorities have established check posts and temporarily banned the import of poultry and related products from Kerala into border districts like Nilgiris. Special teams are monitoring border crossings, and farmers are being instructed on strict biosecurity protocols to prevent the spread. The measures aim to curb transmission risks to both poultry and humans through early detection and containment.

Tamil Nadu intensifies surveillance, bans poultry imports from Kerala, and deploys special teams to contain the spread of avian influenza. Learn about the preventive measures.

Chennai, Jan 1 With a rise in avian influenza cases reported in parts of Kerala, including Alappuzha and Kottayam, authorities in Tamil Nadu have intensified surveillance along the border districts to prevent the disease from spreading into the state.

Enhanced monitoring has been put in place, particularly in the Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts, which share a long and porous boundary with Kerala.

Acting on the directions of the Animal Husbandry Department, special preventive measures have been initiated under the supervision of Joint Director Dr Balakrishnan. As part of these efforts, check posts have been established at Gudalur and Panthalur taluks in the Nilgiris district to closely monitor the movement of poultry and related materials from Kerala.

Nilgiris District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya said the transportation of live poultry, eggs, poultry waste and other related products from Kerala into the district has been temporarily banned as a precautionary measure.

The decision was taken in view of the increasing number of bird flu cases reported in neighbouring districts of Kerala and the potential risk of transmission into Tamil Nadu.

To ensure strict enforcement, special surveillance teams have been deployed at eight check posts along the Kerala border and one along the Karnataka border. Each team comprises a veterinary assistant, a veterinary inspector and a livestock maintenance assistant, working in coordination with the police, forest and revenue departments.

Officials have cautioned that avian influenza affects not only domestic poultry such as chickens, ducks and turkeys but can also spread through wild and migratory birds. There is also a risk of transmission to humans, making early detection and prevention critical.

Authorities have advised poultry farmers to strictly adhere to biosecurity measures. Farmers have been instructed to prevent wild birds from entering poultry farms, avoid rearing different species of birds together, restrict the entry of outsiders and vehicles into farm premises, and refrain from sharing farm equipment.

Disinfection of farm tools and equipment at least twice a month has been made mandatory. Farmers have also been urged to immediately report any unusual illness or sudden deaths among birds to the nearest veterinary assistant or animal husbandry office, enabling swift containment measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza.

- IANS
To welcome 2026, devotees gathered at the revered Jakhu Hanuman Temple in Shimla from the early morning of January 1st. The senior priest explained the temple's ancient origins, linking it to a moment in the Ramayana when Lord Hanuman paused there. Both local residents and tourists from places like Chandigarh and Delhi expressed their hopes for a peaceful and prosperous new year through their prayers. The event highlighted the temple's enduring significance as a spiritual starting point for the year for people from all walks of life.

Tourists and locals visited the ancient Jakhu Hanuman Temple in Shimla on New Year's Day 2026, seeking blessings for peace, prosperity, and a positive year ahead.

Shimla, January 1 At the beginning of 2026, many tourists and residents visited the revered Jakhu Hanuman Temple, located atop the Jakhu Hills in Himachal Pradesh's capital, Shimla, to offer prayers and seek blessings.

From early morning, devotees gathered at the temple to mark the first day of the year with prayers, wishing for peace, prosperity, and well-being. Both locals and tourists were seen offering prayers and expressing hope for a positive and auspicious year ahead.

Speaking to ANI, Ram Lal Sharma, a senior priest at Jakhu Hanuman Temple, highlighted the shrine's religious and historical importance. Extending New Year greetings, he said that with the start of 2026, they pray that the wishes of all devotees are fulfilled and that there is happiness and prosperity everywhere.

Sharma explained that the Jakhu Hanuman Temple holds immense significance in Hindu mythology.

"This is a very ancient temple. It is believed that during the Treta Yuga, when Lord Hanuman was carrying the Sanjeevani mountain to save Lakshman during the Ram-Ravana war, he paused here after hearing the name of Lord Ram being chanted by a sage engaged in deep meditation. Later, a saint received a divine vision, following which the idol of Lord Hanuman was established at this site," he said.

He added that devotees from far-off places visit the temple every year, especially on New Year, with deep faith to seek blessings and fulfil their wishes.

Among the devotees was resident Neelam Bhatia, who told ANI that she visited the temple to seek blessings for a peaceful and prosperous year.

"We came to the temple to take blessings so that the New Year is auspicious for everyone. We pray for prosperity and peace in every household. That is why we first came to Jakhu Temple to offer prayers," she said.

Tourist Harman from Chandigarh said he chose to begin the New Year by offering prayers at the temple.

"We have come to Shimla and visited the Hanuman Temple to bow our heads and pray so that the New Year is good for everyone," he told ANI.

Another tourist from Chandigarh, Tinku, said he had not visited the temple in a long time.

"We came to the Jakhu main temple on the New Year to have darshan of Lord Hanuman. After a long time, I have come here. We pray for happiness and peace, especially for our children, so that the New Year is good for everyone. We have come with friends to seek blessings," he said.

Visitor Sanjeev Sharma from Delhi said he visits Shimla every year because he also lives there, and makes a point of starting the New Year with prayers at Jakhu Temple.

"We stay in Shimla every year and always come to Jakhu Temple on New Year's Day. We want to begin the year from here. The first prayer of the morning is offered here. Fame and wealth come on their own, but we pray to become a good human being. We wish happiness and peace for everyone," Sanjeev told ANI.

- ANI
UAE and Qatar Leaders Strengthen Ties in New Year Phone Call on Regional Issues The leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar held a significant phone call on New Year's Day. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad focused on enhancing their countries' fraternal relations. Their discussion centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit. The call also served as a forum to exchange perspectives on pressing regional developments. Key Points: UAE-Qatar Leaders Discuss Fraternal Ties, Regional Developments Bilateral Cooperation

Regional Developments

GCC Unity

Mutual Interests Jan 1, 2026 1 min read

UAE President, Emir of Qatar discuss fraternal ties, regional developments in phone call

UAE President and Qatar's Emir held a phone call to strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchange views on regional developments of mutual interest.

"discussed fraternal relations and ways to strengthen cooperation for the benefit of both countries and their peoples. - UAE Presidential Announcement"

Abu Dhabi, January 1 President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone call today with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, during which they discussed fraternal relations and ways to strengthen cooperation for the benefit of both countries and their peoples. The two leaders also exchanged views on the latest developments in the region and issues of mutual interest. - ANI

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UAE Leaders Extend New Year Greetings to Global Heads of State for 2026

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent New Year greetings for 2026 to the world's heads of state. His message conveyed wishes for their continued health and the prosperity of their nations. The Vice Presidents and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also dispatched similar messages to global leaders and prime ministers. This coordinated diplomatic outreach underscores the UAE's commitment to maintaining positive international relations.

Key Points: UAE President, VPs Send 2026 New Year Greetings to World Leaders President's diplomatic outreach

Unified message from leadership

Wishes for global prosperity

Strengthening international relations
The United Nations begins 2026 with a significantly reduced regular budget of $3.45 billion, a 7.25% decrease from the previous year. As part of severe belt-tightening, the organization will abolish 2,900 positions, constituting a 19% cut in jobs. The financial strain is exacerbated by member states' arrears, particularly the United States withholding its approved 2025 contribution under the Trump administration. The adopted budget followed arduous negotiations and the defeat of amendments from Russia and Cuba, on which India abstained.

Facing a cash crunch, the UN adopts a $3.45 billion budget for 2026, cutting 2,900 jobs. The US, a top contributor, withholds dues.

United Nations, Jan 1 Facing a severe cash crunch, the world organisation starts 2026 with a shrunken budget of $3.45 billion and scheduled 19 per cent job cuts.

The General Assembly has adopted a budget that broadly reflects Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' proposal, but is higher than the $3.238 billion he had asked for.

This year's budget is about $270 million, or 7.25 per cent lower than 2025's $3.72 billion.

This budget covers only the main UN operations, and the budgets for the peacekeeping operations and other UN outfits, like UNESCO, the World Health Organisation, are separate.

India's share of the regular budget is 1.016 per cent based on an assessment calculated using a complex formula based on the gross national income, population and other factors.

Speaking earlier to the Assembly's Fifth Committee, which deals with the budget, Assistant Secretary-General Chandramouli Ramanathan said that as part of the belt-tightening, 2,900 positions will be abolished as of Friday, and about 1,000 employees had agreed to leave.

About the budget process that required arduous negotiations among 193 member countries, Ramanathan, the UN's top financial official, said, "That is something remarkable that you should not underestimate."

According to the UN, the arrears on December 1 were $1.586 billion -- $709 million in dues for 2024, and $877 million for 2025.

Because of this, Ramanathan appealed to member countries to send in their 2026 dues as quickly as possible.

Before the Assembly adopted the budget unanimously, a Russian amendment relating to provisions for investigations into human rights violations in Syria, and another from Cuba on the Secretary-General's adviser on the right or duty of nations to protect citizens against serious atrocities were defeated.

India abstained on both amendments.

The United States is the top contributor to the UN, assessed for 22 per cent of the budget, followed by China, responsible for 20 per cent.

The US under President Donald Trump, a vehement critic of the UN, has held back its contribution to the UN for 2025, even though it has been approved by Congress, creating a serious cash crunch.

Trump has proposed cutting US contributions to next year's regular budget by $610 million, and this could affect the viability of the budget that has been adopted.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in)

- IANS
The US Treasury Department has imposed new sanctions on four companies and identified four oil tankers as blocked property within Venezuela's oil sector. The action targets what officials call a "shadow fleet" used to generate revenue and evade sanctions for President Nicolas Maduro's government. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the move is part of President Trump's campaign to prevent the "illegitimate Maduro regime" from profiting off oil exports. The sanctions reinforce US accusations that Maduro heads a "narco-terrorist" regime destabilizing the region and flooding the US with drugs.

The US Treasury sanctions four companies and tankers in Venezuela's oil sector, targeting Maduro's "narco-terrorist" regime and its shadow fleet.

Washington, DC, January 1 The United States Department of the Treasury on Wednesday imposed sanctions on four companies operating in Venezuela's oil sector and identified four oil tankers as blocked property, according to an official release.

The move is part of President Donald Trump's renewed efforts to increase pressure on the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The sanctions announced on Wednesday are aimed at four companies and their linked oil tankers, which are accused of being involved in the transport of Venezuelan oil.

"President Trump has been clear: We will not allow the illegitimate Maduro regime to profit from exporting oil while it floods the United States with deadly drugs," Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a release.

"The Treasury Department will continue to implement President Trump's campaign of pressure on Maduro's regime," the release read.

Trump has alleged that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro heads what he describes as a "narco-terrorist" regime aimed at destabilising the United States, a claim that was reiterated in the latest sanctions announcement.

As per the official notice, these vessels, some of which are part of the shadow fleet serving Venezuela, continue to provide financial resources that fuel Maduro's illegitimate narco-terrorist regime.

"Maduro's regime increasingly depends on a shadow fleet of worldwide vessels to facilitate sanctionable activity, including sanctions evasion, and to generate revenue for its destabilising operations. Today's action further signals that those involved in the Venezuelan oil trade continue to face significant sanctions risks," the release read.

Recently, President Donald Trump said that it would be a "smart" move for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to relinquish power, as the United States continues to ramp up military and economic pressure on the South American nation.

Responding to questions about whether his administration's current strategy is designed to force Maduro from office, Trump remained noncommittal about the specific endgame but was clear about his advice to the Venezuelan leader.

"Well, I think it probably would," Trump said when asked if the goal was to force Maduro out."Can't tell. That's up to him what he wants to do. I think it would be smart for him to do that. Again, we're going to find out."

"Look, Venezuela did terrible things to the United States," Trump said.

"Hundreds of thousands of people, millions of people, into our open border. They sent their criminals, they sent their prisoners, they sent their drug dealers, they sent their mentally insane and incompetent people into our country, more than any other country," he added.

- ANI
US intelligence agencies have concluded there is no evidence to support Russia's claim that Ukraine attempted to assassinate President Vladimir Putin with a drone strike. The assessment found Ukraine was planning an operation against a military objective in the same broad region, but not targeting Putin's residence. Russia has used the allegation to justify further drone strikes on Odessa and to harden its position in peace negotiations. The incident has drawn international concern and prompted one of Donald Trump's stronger public rebukes of the Kremlin's role in obstructing peace.

US intelligence finds no evidence Ukraine targeted Putin, countering Russian claims used to justify escalated strikes and harden peace talk positions.

Washington, DC, January 1 US national security officials have concluded that Ukraine did not attempt to target Russian President Vladimir Putin or any of his residences in a reported drone operation, countering Moscow's allegation that Kyiv sought to assassinate the Russian leader, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The assessment is based on a Central Intelligence Agency evaluation that found no evidence of any attempted attack on Putin, according to a US official familiar with the intelligence findings. The CIA declined to comment publicly.

US intelligence agencies determined that Ukraine had been planning to strike a military objective located in the same broader region as Putin's country residence, but not in close proximity to it, the official said, according to the WSJ.

US President Trump appeared to dismiss Russia's allegation by sharing a link on Truth Social to a New York Post editorial questioning whether the strike had occurred and reposting the headline: "Putin 'attack' bluster shows Russia is the one standing in the way of peace."

The post followed a briefing by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who updated Trump on the intelligence review, according to a person familiar with the exchange. US intelligence agencies track developments inside Russia through a range of tools, including satellite imagery, radar coverage and intercepted communications, WSJ reported.

Trump earlier told reporters that he was "very angry" after Putin said during a phone conversation that Ukrainian drones had targeted his residence, known as Dolgiye Borody, or Long Beards, located along a lakeshore in northwestern Russia.

When asked whether US intelligence had confirmed the alleged incident, Trump responded: "You are saying, maybe the attack didn't take place--that is possible too, I guess, but President Putin told me this morning it did."

Ukraine has acknowledged responsibility for certain sabotage and assassination operations deep inside Russian territory but has strongly denied any attempt to target Putin or his residence.

Ukrainian officials have accused the Russian leader of using the allegation as a pretext to strain relations between Washington and Kyiv and to weaken Ukraine's leverage in US-mediated peace negotiations.

Russia's defence ministry sought to reinforce the claim by stating that it intercepted 91 Ukrainian drones allegedly aimed at Putin's Novgorod residence.

Russian officials released video footage that they said showed a downed Ukrainian drone fitted with explosives lying in the snow, the WSJ reported.

The allegation surfaced shortly after Trump held a nearly three-hour meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a discussion the US president described as "excellent," and during which he raised the possibility of travelling to Kyiv to push forward peace efforts.

Citing the alleged drone incident, Moscow has warned it could further harden its negotiating stance in ongoing peace talks and has launched additional drone strikes targeting the port region of Odessa.

Trump's Truth Social post criticising Russia's role in obstructing peace marked one of his strongest recent public rebukes of the Kremlin, which he has previously said is interested in ending the war with Ukraine.

Russia's allegation has drawn reactions from several countries across Asia and the Middle East.

Prime Minister Modi said he was "deeply concerned" about the reported incident, while Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described it as "a heinous act."

The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry also issued a statement expressing concern.

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said in a social media post that he spoke with national security advisers from Britain, France and Germany to discuss next steps toward securing peace.

Rustem Umerov, a senior Ukrainian national security official and negotiator, also participated in the discussions.

Witkoff said the talks focused on potential security guarantees and "deconfliction mechanisms" aimed at "help end the war and ensure it does not restart."

- ANI
Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari has superannuated as Vice Chief of the Air Staff after four decades of service, marked by his role as a test pilot and his involvement in operationalising systems during the Kargil War. His illustrious career saw him hold key appointments like AOC-in-C of the South Western Air Command and earn India's highest military honors. He is succeeded by Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, a decorated fighter pilot recognized for his leadership during Operation Sindoor earlier this year. Kapoor, with over 3400 flying hours, brings extensive operational and command experience from his previous role as AOC-in-C of the South Western Air Command.

Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari retires as Vice Chief of Air Staff after 40 years. Ace pilot Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor succeeds him. Read about their legacies.

New Delhi, January 1 Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari superannuated as Vice Chief of the Air Staff on 31 Dec 25, after four decades of distinguished service in the Indian Air Force. Commissioned on 07 Jun 1986, he is a highly accomplished fighter and test pilot who held several crucial appointments during his illustrious career, including that of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command.

An alumnus of RIMC, NDA and the US Air Command & Staff College, Air Marshal Tiwari was conferred the SYSM, PVSM, AVSM and VM. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of professionalism, leadership and operational excellence.

Air Marshal Tiwari was commissioned on June 7, 1986, as a Flying Pilot in the fighter stream of the IAF. With over 3600 hours of flying experience on various types of aircraft, the Air Marshal held diverse staff and command appointments.

In addition to being a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot, the Air Marshal is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, USA. During his eminent career in uniform, he served as the Directing Staff at the IAF Test Pilots' School and the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.

His extensive field experience encompassed operational testing of various weapons and systems, including the operationalisation of the 'Litening' Laser Designation Pod during the 1999 Kargil Operations. He was closely involved in different stages of flight testing of the Light Combat Aircraft.

The Air Marshal served as Air Attache at Paris from 2013 to 2016. During his career in the IAF, he held the positions of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects), Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air HQ (VB), and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command.

In recognition of his distinguished service, Air Marshal Tiwari was awarded the Param Vishishth Sewa Medal (2025), Ati Vishishth Sewa Medal (2022) and Vayusena Medal (2008). In 2025, for distinguished service in operations, he was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal.

Meanwhile, Ace fighter pilot Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor will take over as the new Vice Chief of Air Staff on January 1. He is presently the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Gandhinagar-based South Western Air Command.

He was awarded the Sarvottam Yudha Sewa Medal for his role in Operation Sindoor earlier this year. He commanded the SWAC at the time when the Indian Air Force launched multiple attacks on Pakistani air bases in the operations between May 6 and 10, causing heavy damage to them.

Air Marshal Kapoor was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 06 December 1986. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. A Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader, he has more than 3400 hours of flying experience.

During his illustrious career, the Air Marshal has held numerous field and staff appointments. His operational tenures include serving as the Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron in the Central Sector, the Station Commander of a flying base in the Western Sector, and the Air Officer Commanding of a premier air base.

He has held instructional tenures as Chief Instructor (Flying) at the Air Force Academy and as a Directing Staff member at the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. During his tenure at the Air Force Academy, the Air Officer was instrumental in the induction and operationalisation of PC-7 MK II aircraft in the IAF.

He has also undertaken a diplomatic assignment as the Defence Attache in Pakistan. His staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Strategy) at Air HQ, Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Central Air Command. Before taking over as AIC-in-C Training Command, he also served as the Air Officer-in-Charge, Personnel, at Air Headquarters in New Delhi.

- ANI
Veteran actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has passed away at the age of 71 in New York. Viola Davis led tributes, calling him a "wonderful actor and even better person," while longtime collaborator Spike Lee shared a heartfelt message. Whitlock was known for his roles in several Spike Lee films, including "Da Five Bloods" and "BlackKkKlansman," and had a notable career spanning "Goodfellas" and voice work for Pixar. His manager confirmed the news, stating he was "a brilliant actor and even better person" who will be deeply missed.

Viola Davis & Spike Lee mourn actor Isiah Whitlock Jr., known for roles in "Da Five Bloods," "BlackKkKlansman," and "Goodfellas." He was 71.

Los Angeles, January 1 The demise of veteran actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. left Hollywood extremely sad.

Offering condolences, actor Viola Davis took to Instagram and wrote, "Wonderful actor and even better person. Rest well Isiah! Your lifeforce will be missed."

Spike Lee also paid tribute to his longtime collaborator Isiah Whitlock Jr.

Lee shared a photo of himself with Whitlock on Instagram on Tuesday, writing, "Today I Learned Of The Passing Of My Dear Beloved Brother ISIAH WHITLOCK. GOD BLESS."

Whitlock played small roles in several of Lee's films, including "Red Hook Summer," "Chi-Raq," "She Hate Me" and "25th Hour."

His two major roles in Lee's filmography came with "Da Five Bloods," in which he plays Vietnam veteran Melvin alongside Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters and Norm Lewis, and "BlackKkKlansman," in which he starred as police officer Mr. Turrentine alongside Alec Baldwin, John David Washington and Robert John Burke, as per Variety.

Isiah Whitlock Jr. breathed his last on Tuesday in New York at the age of 71.

The news of his demise was shared by his manager, Brian Liebman. Taking to Instagram, he wrote, "It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr. If you knew him -- you loved him. A brilliant actor and even better person. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He will be very, very missed."

Whitlock also appeared as a doctor in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas and held roles in Chappelle's Show, Pieces of April, and Enchanted. He lent his voice to Pixar's Cars 3 and Lightyear and most recently to Hoppers, the studio's animated sci-fi comedy scheduled for release in 2026.

- ANI
Former diplomat Suresh K Goel states that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to Dhaka for Khaleda Zia's funeral was a significant step toward re-establishing normal political dialogue between India and Bangladesh. He highlights that recent political changes in Bangladesh, including the rise of jihadist elements since Sheikh Hasina's ousting, have strained bilateral engagement and made normal dialogue difficult. Goel expresses hope that free and fair elections will restore a political government in Bangladesh, creating a stable foundation for mutual cooperation. The visit, which included a meeting with BNP leader Tarique Rahman, underscored India's intent to rebuild a constructive partnership guided by a shared vision for the future.

Former diplomat Suresh K Goel analyzes EAM Jaishankar's Dhaka visit, highlighting its significance for restoring stable India-Bangladesh ties amid political shifts.

New Delhi, January 1 Former diplomat Suresh K Goel on Thursday noted that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to Dhaka to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia was an important step towards restoring normal political dialogue between India and Bangladesh amid strained bilateral ties.

Speaking about the visit, Goel said that while it could be viewed as a protocol engagement, it carried deeper political significance given Khaleda Zia's role in Bangladesh's political history and India's past engagement with her government.

He noted that despite periodic irritants, India and Bangladesh had earlier shared a "pleasant and effective relationship", and restoring such engagement remains important for both neighbours.

Referring to Jaishankar's remarks during the visit, Goel said the External Affairs Minister's expression of hope that Khaleda Zia's vision would continue to guide India-Bangladesh relations reflected New Delhi's intent to rebuild a stable and constructive partnership.

"When External Affairs Minister Jaishankar says that we hope the vision of Khaleda Zia will continue to guide relations between India and Bangladesh, it is a significant statement because we are talking about really establishing a normal political regime and a normal political dialogue between the two countries, where we can hope to restore the relationship between India and Bangladesh on a track where the two important neighbours should really be working with each other in their mutual interest," Goel said.

Goel said recent political developments in Bangladesh following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina had made bilateral engagement more difficult.

"In recent times, what we have found under Muhammad Yunus, and after the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina, is that jihadist elements seem to have taken over the political climate in Bangladesh, and the relationship has become difficult," he said.

Highlighting concerns over violence and the breakdown of dialogue, Goel added, "It is not just the killing of people of Indian origin in Bangladesh, but it has also become difficult to even carry on normal dialogue."

Against this backdrop, Goel expressed hope that Bangladesh would move towards restoring a political government through elections. "We do hope that sooner or later -- and sooner the better -- a political government can be restored on the basis of free and fair elections in Bangladesh," he said.

Stressing the importance of democratic processes, he added, "Free and fair elections are important in an atmosphere where killings are taking place these days. The government in Bangladesh has to make all possible efforts to ensure that."

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who represented India at the funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, also met her son and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman in Dhaka and handed over a condolence letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jaishankar's visit to the Bangladeshi capital lasted around four hours and took place amid strained relations between New Delhi and Dhaka since the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus assumed office. India has repeatedly raised concerns over the security situation in Bangladesh, particularly incidents targeting minority communities, including Hindus.

Khaleda Zia, a three-time prime minister of Bangladesh and chairperson of the BNP, passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. Her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, currently serves as the party's acting chairman and is widely viewed as a leading contender for the prime minister's post in the elections scheduled for February 12.

During his interaction with Rahman, the External Affairs Minister acknowledged Khaleda Zia's contribution to Bangladesh's democratic journey and conveyed India's optimism about the future of bilateral relations, expressing hope that ties between India and Bangladesh would strengthen following the forthcoming elections.

- ANI
In a year defined by companies pouring shocking sums of money into AI, one more deal squeaked in just before 2026.

Most Read from Fast Company



Meta just made a play on Manus, the buzzy Singapore-based company with Chinese roots that turned heads earlier this year when it showed its AI agents executing complex tasks, like hunting for real estate and sorting through resumes.

The deal is sure to turn heads too. Manus and its parent company Butterfly Effect are now based in Singapore but were founded in Chinaa country with a fraught relationship to the U.S. tech industryand maintain operations there. Facebooks parent company will reportedly pay more than $2 billion to acquire the startup, which it hopes will bolster its own lagging AI capabilities.

In a crowded field of soaring chipmakers, nimble startups laser focused on AI, and ancient tech giants like Microsoft making themselves freshly relevant with big AI bets, Meta is far from leading the packa fact the company seems well aware of.

The acquisition will bring the startups agentic AI tech on board, allowing Meta to potentially integrate it into its vast suite of products, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Metas AI chatbot. The Manus deal follows Metas $14.3 billion investment in AI training data startup Scale AI earlier this year.

Joining Meta allows us to build on a stronger, more sustainable foundation without changing how Manus works or how decisions are made, Manus CEO Xiao Hong said in a blog post announcing the news.

Metas (latest) course correction

Metas AI spending spree is only accelerating. After renaming itself Meta and declaring itself all in on the metaverse less than five years ago, Meta abandoned its courseand its massive investmentsto play catch-up on AI. Mark Zuckerberg declared last month that Meta plans to invest a mind-boggling $600 billion into U.S. AI tech and infrastructure by 2028.

Meta chief AI officer Alexandr Wang, formerly of Scale AI, welcomed the Manus team into the fold Tuesday in a post on X. Excited to announce that @ManusAI has joined Meta to help us build amazing AI products! Wang wrote, adding that the Meta Superintelligence Labs team will be hiring in Singapore. The Manus team in Singapore are world-class at exploring the capability overhang of todays models to scaffold powerful agents.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that indigenously developed DRDO weapon systems played a decisive role in the success of Operation Sindoor. He expressed confidence in DRDO's capability to lead the 'Sudarshan Chakra' initiative for comprehensive aerial defence over the next decade. Singh praised the organisation's evolution as a technology creator and its increased collaboration with industry, academia, and start-ups. He emphasised the need for continuous learning and innovation to keep pace with rapidly advancing warfare technologies.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh credits DRDO's indigenous weapon systems for their decisive role in Operation Sindoor, highlighting their commitment to national security.

New Delhi, January 1 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the weapon systems developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation played a decisive role during Operation Sindoor, which has served as a testament to its commitment towards safeguarding national interests.

According to an official release, the Defence Minister today chaired a review meeting at DRDO Headquarters in the national capital on the occasion of the 68th DRDO Foundation Day.

Speaking during his visit, the Defence Minister said, "The weapon systems developed by DRDO played a decisive role during Operation Sindoor, which serves as a testament to the professionalism and commitment of the organisation towards safeguarding national interests."

In an official statement, the Ministry of Defence commended the DRDO for bolstering India's indigenous capabilities by equipping the Armed Forces with state-of-the-art technologies/equipment.

Singh stated that DRDO's equipment performed seamlessly during the operation, boosting soldiers' morale.

Defence Minister exuded confidence that the DRDO will play a crucial role in the creation of Sudarshan Chakra as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day 2025 address from the ramparts of Red Fort.

"Under this initiative, DRDO is responsible for equipping our vital installations with an air defence system to ensure complete aerial protection over the next decade. We witnessed the importance of air defence in modern warfare during Operation Sindoor. I am confident that DRDO will work wholeheartedly to achieve this goal soon," he said.

Singh praised the DRDO for becoming a trusted partner and technology creator, which helps people look to it with hope, confidence, and belief. Acknowledging DRDO's collaboration with the private sector, he stated that increased engagement with industry, academia, and start-ups has created a synergistic defence ecosystem.

"DRDO has consistently improved its systems, processes, and working methods. From procurement to project management, from industry engagement to collaborating with start-ups and MSMEs, there is a visible effort to make the work easier, faster, and more reliable," he said.

The Defence Minister called upon the DRDO to continue marching ahead in sync with the rapidly evolving technological ecosystem and keep coming out with products that are relevant to the changing times.

He urged the organisation to continue focusing on innovation and to identify additional areas that can enhance private-sector participation. Appreciating the DRDO's efforts in deep tech and next-generation technologies, he stated that progress in this endeavour will not only enhance the nation's capabilities but also strengthen the defence ecosystem.

Emphasising that the present era is not just of science, but of continuous development and constant learning, Rajnath Singh stated that technology scanning, capability assessment, and future readiness are no longer just words in this changing world.

"The world is changing every day. Technology, innovation, and new warfare domains are rapidly advancing, making yesterday's knowledge obsolete. We must never assume that the learning process has ended. We must continue learning and challenge ourselves, paving the way for the new generation," he said.

During the meeting, the Minister was briefed by the Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, about the ongoing R&D activities, achievements of the organisation in 2025, various initiatives in promoting industry, start-ups and academia and the roadmap for 2026.

Rajnath Singh was apprised of the major targets set for 2026 and various reforms that the DRDO is taking for the betterment of the organisation.

Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth was present on the occasion. DGs, Corporate Directors, and other senior DRDO scientists and officials were also in attendance.

- ANI
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced a stringent policy to deport individuals declared as foreigners by the tribunal within one week, citing the pushback of 2,000 individuals so far. He highlighted the state's top ranking in implementing new criminal laws, with a significant drop in registered cases and a rise in conviction rates. The CM also detailed a series of major upcoming infrastructure projects, including an elevated corridor near Kaziranga and new Brahmaputra bridges, with foundation stones to be laid by the Prime Minister. Furthermore, he noted that the RBI has recognized Assam as the country's fastest-growing state economy from 2020 to 2025.

Assam CM announces pushback of declared foreigners within a week, cites improved law & order, and details major upcoming infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores.

Guwahati, January 1 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that the state government will push back a person within one week of being declared a foreigner by the tribunal.

Addressing a press conference, the Assam CM said that the government has identified and pushed back 2000 foreign nationals.

He said, "We have intensified pushback efforts. From now on, within one week of someone being declared a foreigner by the Foreigners' Tribunal, we will push them back. We have identified 2000 illegal foreigners and pushed them back."

The Foreigners' Tribunal in Assam handles cases involving immigrants and foreign nationals.

In line with this policy, CM Sarma, on December 25, had said that the state government has adopted a policy of "direct action with no compromise" against illegal immigrants, instructing district administrations to issue immediate expulsion orders wherever warranted.

Further, speaking to reporters, Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the state's law and order situation, claiming that the number of cases has declined and the conviction rate has risen.

He said, "As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, Assam has ranked 1st among all States in the implementation of the New Criminal Laws. 1.33 lakh cases were registered in 2021, and it has now reduced to 43,748 cases in 2025. Chargesheet filing before the court has increased by 81 per cent. In 2021, the conviction rate was 6 per cent; now it has increased to 26.38 per cent."

He also announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the 32-km Kaziranga elevated corridor in January and the foundation stone of the proposed Gelephu railway line project in February.

The Chief Minister said, "In the last five years in the infrastructure sector, lots of work has been done. Four new bridges over the Brahmaputra River are under construction. We will open the Guwahati- North Guwahati connecting bridge in February. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of a 32-km (total nearly 34 km) Kaziranga elevated corridor with an estimated cost of Rs 6957 crore on January 17 or 18."

"Twin tube under water tunnel connecting Gohpur to Numaligarh will be road cum rail Rs 22,000 crore, and the Finance Ministry has approved it. In February, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of the proposed Gelephu railway line project," he added.

Further, he said that the Aerocity will be constructed on 68 acres of land and the 120 MW Kopili hydro project will be inaugurated soon."

The Chief Minister said, "The proposed elevated corridor will be near the Guwahati airport. Aerocity will be constructed on 68 acres of land. An MoU has been signed with the Asian Development Bank, and a new modern hospital will be constructed at Guwahati Medical College (the current hospital will be completely demolished) with a cost of Rs 2200 crore. We will inaugurate the 120 MW Kopili hydro project soon."

He also hailed the state's economy, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recognised Assam as the fastest-growing state from 2020 to 2025.

He said, "RBI has recognised Assam as the fastest growing state across the country in 2020-2025. The national average was 29 per cent, and Assam's growth was 45 per cent. Assam's economy is undergoing a strong transformation with GSDP at current prices projected to surge from Rs 4.10 lakh crore in 2021-22 to Rs 7.41 lakh crore by 2025-26."

"Per capita income of the state has increased at a rate of 54 per cent, and is Rs 1.59 lakh. State's revenue has increased at a rate of 53 per cent," Sarma said.

Earlier on December 28, Assam BJP congratulated Himanta Biswa Sarma for his leadership after Assam emerged as India's fastest-growing state economy over the past five years, as per the latest Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data on Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at constant prices, a party release said.

- ANI
Operation Sindoor, launched in May 2025, was a decisive Indian military response to a terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir, successfully striking terror camps across the border. The operation demonstrated exceptional tri-service coordination and India's growing technological self-reliance in drone and electronic warfare. India's robust air defence systems subsequently neutralized a major retaliatory attack by Pakistan, protecting all vital assets. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the operation is merely paused, signaling India's readiness for an even more intense response if provoked again.

Review of India's 2025 Operation Sindoor, a decisive counter-terror strike showcasing tri-service coordination, air defence, and a warning to adversaries.

New Delhi, January 1 In its Year-End Review for 2025, the Ministry of Defence highlighted Operation Sindoor as a landmark military operation that underlined India's firm resolve against terrorism, technological self-reliance, and robust tri-service coordination.

Operation Sindoor was launched on the intervening night of May 06 and 07, 2025, in response to a heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent people, including a Nepali citizen. In a well-coordinated and precise operation, the Indian Armed Forces carried out strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), killing over 100 terrorists, along with their trainers, handlers and associates. Most of those eliminated belonged to terror outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.

The Defence Ministry stated that the operation inflicted maximum damage on terrorist infrastructure while ensuring minimum harm to the civilian population. Addressing Parliament on July 28 and 29, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the action was carried out purely in self-defence and was neither provocative nor expansionist.

The year-ender further noted that on May 10, 2025, at around 1:30 am, Pakistan launched a massive attack on Indian Air Force bases, Army ammunition depots, airports and military cantonments using missiles, drones, rockets and other long-range weapons, along with electronic warfare technologies. India's Air Defence System, Counter-Drone systems and electronic equipment successfully thwarted the attack, with the adversary failing to hit any targets and no vital assets sustaining damage.

India's response to the Pakistani attack was described as bold, decisive and effective. The Indian Air Force targeted Pakistani airbases, command and control centres, military infrastructure and air defence systems on the Western Front. Key airbases, including Chaklala, Sargodha, Rafiqui, Rahimyar Khan, Jacobabad, Sukkur and Bholari were struck, and the mission was successfully accomplished.

On May 10, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted India's DGMO, seeking a halt to military operations. This was followed by formal DGMO-level talks on May 12, during which both sides decided to cease military operations.

The Defence Ministry said Operation Sindoor marked a major milestone in India's journey towards technological self-reliance, particularly in drone warfare, layered air defence and electronic warfare. It was also cited as a shining example of tri-service coordination. While the Indian Air Force carried out aerial strikes, the Army remained firmly deployed along the Line of Control, responding effectively to Pakistani actions, and the Indian Navy maintained a strong posture in the North Arabian Sea, signalling India's readiness to strike vital targets from sea to land.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament that Operation Sindoor has only been halted, not ended, and warned that if Pakistan attempts any further nefarious actions, India is fully prepared for an even more intense and decisive response, the year-end review said.

- ANI
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as Mayor of New York City in a historic midnight ceremony at a decommissioned subway station, becoming the city's first Muslim mayor. The 34-year-old democratic socialist, also the first mayor of South Asian origin and the first born in Africa, took the oath on a Quran held by his wife. A larger public ceremony will follow, administered by Senator Bernie Sanders, before Mamdani begins his tenure focused on tackling the city's affordability crisis. His personal journey from Kampala to New York City hallmarks a significant shift in the city's political landscape.

Zohran Mamdani becomes NYC's first Muslim, South Asian, and African-born mayor in a historic midnight subway ceremony. Learn about his background and agenda.

New York, Jan 1 Zohran Mamdani has taken the oath of office as the new mayor of New York City in a historic midnight ceremony held at a decommissioned subway station in Manhattan, becoming the first Muslim to lead America's largest city.

Mamdani placed his hand on a Quran as he was sworn in, marking a first in the city's political history.

"This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime," Mamdani said moments after taking the oath.

The 34-year-old Democrat was sworn in by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a close political ally, at the old City Hall subway station, one of the original stops on the city's earliest underground line.

The station, renowned for its ornate arched ceilings and historic significance, served as the backdrop for the ceremony, with Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, holding the Quran during the oath.

Mamdani is set to be sworn in once again later in the day in a larger public ceremony at City Hall at 1 p.m. local time.

That event will be administered by US Senator Bernie Sanders, one of the new mayor's political inspirations, and will be followed by a public block party organised by the incoming administration.

The celebration is planned along a stretch of Broadway known as the "Canyon of Heroes", a location traditionally associated with ticker-tape parades.

Following the ceremonies, Mamdani and his wife will move from their one-bedroom, rent-stabilised apartment in an outer borough to the official mayoral residence in Manhattan.

He now begins what is widely regarded as one of the most demanding roles in American politics, stepping into office as one of the most closely watched political figures in the country.

Born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991, Mamdani is the son of acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and scholar-activist Mahmood Mamdani.

His personal journey reflects the convergence of multiple diasporas. Along with being New York City's first Muslim mayor, he is also the first mayor of South Asian origin, the first to be born in Africa, and, at 34, the youngest person to hold the office in generations.

Mamdani's family moved to New York City when he was seven years old, and he grew up in the city in the years following the September 11 attacks, a period during which many Muslims felt unwelcome.

He became an American citizen in 2018 and went on to work on political campaigns for Democratic candidates across the city before seeking elected office himself. In 2020, he won a seat in the New York State Assembly, representing a district in Queens.

Running a campaign that helped push "affordability" to the forefront of the political debate, the democratic socialist pledged to deliver sweeping changes aimed at easing the cost of living in one of the world's most expensive cities.

- IANS
Another 72 firearms are unaccounted for after being reported stolen to seven local law enforcement agencies in 2025  said to be removed from center consoles and front seats of parked cars, from dresser drawers and bedside tables of apartments, from womens purses and golf bags, cigar boxes and gun safes. In the latest installment of a three-plus-year series, Jeff D'Alessio chronicles what police officers and sheriff's deputies were told in every case.
Bhubaneswar assault victim succumbs to injuries, 2 arrested

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 23:45 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Bhubaneswar, Jan 1 (PTI) A youth who was critically injured in an attack by a group of five persons on December 27 died here on Thursday, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Babul Das, a resident of Nayapalli police station area.

Babul was attacked by a group of five persons while he was sitting outside his residence, police said, adding that two persons have been arrested in this connection.

He was initially taken to Capital Hospital and later shifted to a private facility where he died, police said.

Demanding arrest of all the accused, locals burnt tyres and blocked the busy road connecting Unit-8 DAV School to CRP Square.

We have arrested two persons, including a juvenile, and efforts are on to nab the rest, who are currently absconding," said Biswaranjan Senapati, ACP (zone-5) Bhubaneswar.

Preliminary investigation suggests the murder occurred due to past rivalry, he said, adding that a love triangle angle has also emerged. PTI BBM BBM MNB

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 23:45 IST

News agency-feeds Bhubaneswar assault victim succumbs to injuries, 2 arrested

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Boeing set to join Bangladesh fleet after protracted battle with Airbus

Last Updated: January 02, 2026, 02:15 IST

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Dhaka, Jan 2 (PTI) Bangladesh has decided in principle to procure 14 aircraft from US multinational Boeing, opting out of its rival European conglomerate Airbus after a protracted competition that also saw extensive diplomatic engagement by the countries concerned.

State-run BSS news agency reported that Biman Bangladesh Airlines decided to procure the Boeing aircraft at its annual general meeting as part of its fleet expansion plan.

The approved order comprises eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and four Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft," the report said, adding, however, that the deal would be finalised following further price negotiations and after meeting other terms set by Bimans techno-finance committee. PTI AR HIG HIG

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News agency-feeds Boeing set to join Bangladesh fleet after protracted battle with Airbus

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CM Dhami launches 100 new public buses in Uttarakhand

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 22:00 IST

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Dehradun, Jan 1 (PTI) Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged off 100 new buses from his camp office on Thursday, saying it will strengthen Uttarakhands public transport system.

A robust transport system is essential for improving civic amenities and economic development in the state, he said.

Dhami said the new buses of the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) will help the states tourism activities too.

He said the government is continuously working to strengthen the transport corporation. Thirteen new bus depots and workshops have been completed so far, while work on building bus depots at 14 other locations, including four ISBTs (inter-state bus terminals), is underway, he said.

Dhami said the new UTC buses are equipped with GPS, CCTV cameras, e-ticketing and other modern facilities and regular maintenance will will strengthen the safety of both passengers and employees.

Electric buses will also be included in the corporations fleet soon, the CM said.

He added that the government has worked to address the interests of the UTCs employees by increasing their dearness allowance, implementing the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission, and filling employee vacancies. PTI DPT SKY SKY

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A pedestrian walks past the flagship store of luxury retailer Neiman Marcus at Beverly Hills on Dec. 30, 2025. The property was recently sold to New York private real estate investment firm Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

The land below the Beverly Hills flagship store of luxury retailer Neiman Marcus has been sold to a New York investor as the owners of the department store chain sell property to pay debts.

Neiman Marcus, which has occupied the 9700 Wilshire Boulevard store since it opened in 1979, will continue to serve customers there as a tenant.

We made the strategic decision to sell the land beneath the Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills store and enter into a long-term lease with the new owner," said a spokesperson for Saks Global. "This opportunistic real estate transaction does not impact our day-to-day operations. We remain committed to serving our loyal Beverly Hills customers.

Saks Global, the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Saks Off 5th and Bergdorf Goodman, sold the Beverly Hills Neiman Marcus site for an undisclosed price.

The new owner of the property on the edge of the city's prestigious Golden Triangle is Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp., a private real estate investment firm owned by Ben Ashkenazy.

Ashkenazy also owns the former Barneys building on Wilshire Boulevard that is now occupied by Saks Fifth Avenue.

"This strategic acquisition significantly expands Ashkenazys presence in Beverly Hills and reinforces the firms focus on irreplaceable, best-in-class retail assets located in globally recognized luxury corridors," the company said in a statement.

Executives at Saks Global have signaled plans to shore up cash by offloading stores, or raising emergency financing.

It could also part with a stake in luxury retail chain Bergdorf Goodman to help pay off debts and reinvest in its core retail business, real estate data provider CoStar said.

The company faces a $100-million debt payment deadline at the end of December and is considering Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a last resort, Bloomberg said. The scramble comes a year after Saks Global purchased Neiman Marcus in a $2.7-billion deal.

The Beverly Hills retail property market is still one of the most robust in the country, said real estate broker Jay Luchs of Newmark. He was not involved in the Neiman Marcus property sale, but has brokered sales and leases of luxury stores in Southern California for more than two decades.

"This is probably the best it's ever been in Beverly Hills," he said, with "essentially nothing available" on Rodeo Drive for merchants in search of store space and demand climbing on nearby streets such as Wilshire Boulevard.

Some top-shelf brands are making their stores larger, and luxury brands, including LVMH, Chanel, Hermes and Richemont, are buying their stores instead of renting them, he said.
India, Pakistan exchange list of nuclear installations, civilian prisoners

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 17:30 IST

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New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) In continuing an annual practice that began in 1992, India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged lists of their nuclear installations that cannot be attacked in the event of hostilities.

The exchange of the details of the nuclear installations covered under a bilateral pact came notwithstanding ties between the two countries remained under deep freeze following the May 7-10 military conflict.

It was done simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.

The two sides also exchanged lists of prisoners in each others custody, with New Delhi urging Islamabad to expedite the release of 167 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners as they completed their jail-terms. It also sought immediate consular access to the 35 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistans custody.

The exchange of the list of nuclear installations took place under the provisions of an agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities between India and Pakistan," the MEA said.

The agreement was signed on December 31, 1988 and came into force on January 27, 1991.

The pact mandates the two countries to inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the first of January of every calendar year.

This is the 35th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992," the MEA said in a brief statement.

The ties between India and Pakistan hit rock bottom after India carried out Operation Sindoor in response to the horrific Pahalgam terror attack.

Though the military confrontation ended on May 10, the relations remained under deep freeze.

The two sides exchange lists of prisoners and fishermen twice a year, on January 1 and July 1, under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access.

India has shared names with details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan has shared details of 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or believed-to-be-Indian, according to the MEA.

The government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistans custody," it said in a statement.

Pakistan has also been urged to expedite the release and repatriation of 167 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners, who have completed their sentence." New Delhi has specifically asked Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civil prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation.

As a result of the sustained efforts by the government of India, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014," the MEA said.

This includes 500 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date," it added. PTI MPB ZMN

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 17:30 IST

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Mayawati calls for inclusive development, constitutional governance in new year

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 13:45 IST

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New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati on Thursday extended new year greetings to people in India and abroad and called for inclusive development, social harmony and strict adherence to constitutional values to ensure a dignified life for all sections of society.

In a statement issued here, Mayawati said the new year should bring happiness, peace, prosperity, security and self-respect to every citizen, especially the poor, marginalised and hardworking sections of society.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister expressed hope that the daily life of the Bahujan community becomes simpler and freer from the burdens of constantly changing rules, laws and hardships.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief said the benefits of development should reach all needy sections as per the welfare-oriented Constitution and not remain confined to a handful of people. She stressed that genuine development would be meaningful only when it helps eradicate poverty, unemployment and corruption, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and across the country.

Mayawati underlined the need for strong political and social struggle to secure better days for the Bahujan community, while also emphasising that elections should not turn into a system driven by manipulation and excessive use of money".

She also called for strict action against divisive forces spreading hatred and violence, without discrimination, to uphold the rule of law.

The BSP president urged the Centre and state governments to work in the spirit of unity in diversity" and equal respect for all religions, as envisaged in the Constitution.

Referring to Indias global role, Mayawati said adherence to constitutional values would help the country emerge as a guide for the world and strengthen relations with neighbouring nations, ultimately benefiting common citizens.

She further said the government should view the Bahujan population as a national asset and invest in their development, instead of framing policies that benefit only big industrialists and the wealthy.

Otherwise, she warned, inequality would continue to widen, forcing the poor to depend on limited government aid". PTI KIS PRK PRK

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Murder of retired IAF personnel in Ghaziabad orchestrated by sons: Police

Last Updated: January 02, 2026, 00:00 IST

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Ghaziabad (UP), Jan 1 (PTI) Five days after a retired Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel was gunned down, police on Thursday claimed that the murder was orchestrated by the mans sons, who hired contract killers, including a Uttar Pradesh cop.

The victim, Yogesh (58), a retired IAF employee and a native of Baghpat district, was shot dead by two bike-borne assailants on December 26 while returning to his residence in Ashok Vihar Colony in the Loni area, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of Loni Siddhartha Gautam said.

Police said Yogesh had been trying to get his house vacated by his sons, following which they allegedly plotted his murder out of greed for the property.

The sons allegedly hired a neighbour, Arvind (32), as a contract killer. Arvind, along with his brother-in-law Naveen, a constable posted in Kaushambi district, carried out the shooting, police said.

During interrogation, Arvind confessed that he and Naveen fired two shots at Yogesh, causing his death," the ACP said.

Arvind was arrested on Wednesday evening and produced before the chief judicial magistrates court in Ghaziabad on Thursday, which remanded him to 14 days judicial custody, police said.

A .315 bore country-made pistol, two live cartridges and used cartridges were recovered from his possession, police added.

The constable Naveen and the two sons of the victim are absconding and efforts are on to arrest them. Further investigation is underway, they said. PTI COR CDN OZ OZ

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First Published: January 02, 2026, 00:00 IST

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Odisha clash: Govt announces Rs 10 lakh for slain tribal womans family

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 22:00 IST

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Bhubaneswar, Jan 1 (PTI) The Odisha government on Thursday announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the tribal woman who was killed over a land dispute and house damage assistance up to Rs 75,000 in a subsequent clash in Malkangiri district last month.

The government has also decided to implement a series of measures to resolve various long-pending issues such as land rights, rehabilitation and education problems affecting tribal communities in Malkangiri, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulanada Mallik told reporters here.

He said the decisions were taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi recently on the basis of the ministerial teams visit to the violence-hit MV-26 village. The team, headed by Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, held discussions with the groups of tribals and Bengali settlers on December 11.

The angry tribal residents of Rakhelguda had set fire to over 200 houses of Bengali settlers at MV 26 village following the recovery of the headless body of a 51-year-old tribal woman from a river passing through their village. The police have arrested the accused person following the clash, and prohibitory orders had been imposed in the area and internet service suspended for about a week due to the tension.

The state government has decided to provide the special financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the deceased tribal woman identified as Lake Padiami of Rakhleguda village from the Chief Ministers Relief Fund," Mallik said, adding that the government has also decided to provide financial assistance for house damages in the clash.

He said, based on the district administrations report, each partially or fully damaged house in the village will be given financial assistance up to a maximum of Rs 75,000, as per the assessed loss. Similarly, for repair of damaged shops, each shopkeeper will be provided assistance up to a maximum of Rs 20,000, the minister said.

This apart, the government also discussed in detail the issues faced by local tribals. It has been decided that the district collector will review the hundreds of pending land related cases every fortnight and report on the progress to the government," he said.

Arrangements will be made to provide permanent pattas (land record) under the Forest Rights Act and the Odisha Government Land Settlement Act. The Collector will review the progress every month and inform the state government.

As resentment was brewing over non rehabilitation of families displaced by Machhkund Irrigation Project, it was decided that permanent pattas will be provided to the affected families. The Revenue & Disaster Management Department, in coordination with the Water Resources Department, will work out a long-term solution, the minister said.

The Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, has been asked to conduct a quarterly review of the rehabilitation and other land-related matters of Malkangiri district and report to the government.

The meeting also decided that steps will be taken for irrigation of upland farms of tribal farmers and others near Machhkund reservoirs. The local tribals and others will be facilitated to take benefits under the Chief Ministers Agriculture Development Scheme and other such programmes.

The minister said that the School and Mass Education Department will take steps to fill up vacant MLE (mother language education) teacher posts in Koya, Didayi and Bonda tribal languages at the primary school level.

In a bid to provide higher education to local tribals, the government decided to create more seats in higher secondary schools of Malkangiri district so that tribal and other students can continue their studies beyond Class X.

More hostels will be constructed in schools and colleges to provide accommodation to students coming from remote areas," the minister said. PTI AAM NN

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US intelligence rejects Russian claim of Ukraine drone plot against Putin

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 08:30 IST

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Washington, DC [US], January 1 (ANI): US national security officials have concluded that Ukraine did not attempt to target Russian President Vladimir Putin or any of his residences in a reported drone operation, countering Moscows allegation that Kyiv sought to assassinate the Russian leader, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.The assessment is based on a Central Intelligence Agency evaluation that found no evidence of any attempted attack on Putin, according to a US official familiar with the intelligence findings. The CIA declined to comment publicly.US intelligence agencies determined that Ukraine had been planning to strike a military objective located in the same broader region as Putins country residence, but not in close proximity to it, the official said, according to the WSJ.US President Trump appeared to dismiss Russias allegation by sharing a link on Truth Social to a New York Post editorial questioning whether the strike had occurred and reposting the headline: Putin attack bluster shows Russia is the one standing in the way of peace."The post followed a briefing by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who updated Trump on the intelligence review, according to a person familiar with the exchange. US intelligence agencies track developments inside Russia through a range of tools, including satellite imagery, radar coverage and intercepted communications, WSJ reported.Trump earlier told reporters that he was very angry" after Putin said during a phone conversation that Ukrainian drones had targeted his residence, known as Dolgiye Borody, or Long Beards, located along a lakeshore in northwestern Russia.When asked whether US intelligence had confirmed the alleged incident, Trump responded: You are saying, maybe the attack didnt take placethat is possible too, I guess, but President Putin told me this morning it did."Ukraine has acknowledged responsibility for certain sabotage and assassination operations deep inside Russian territory but has strongly denied any attempt to target Putin or his residence.Ukrainian officials have accused the Russian leader of using the allegation as a pretext to strain relations between Washington and Kyiv and to weaken Ukraines leverage in US-mediated peace negotiations.Russias defence ministry sought to reinforce the claim by stating that it intercepted 91 Ukrainian drones allegedly aimed at Putins Novgorod residence.Russian officials released video footage that they said showed a downed Ukrainian drone fitted with explosives lying in the snow, the WSJ reported.The allegation surfaced shortly after Trump held a nearly three-hour meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a discussion the US president described as excellent," and during which he raised the possibility of travelling to Kyiv to push forward peace efforts.Citing the alleged drone incident, Moscow has warned it could further harden its negotiating stance in ongoing peace talks and has launched additional drone strikes targeting the port region of Odessa.Trumps Truth Social post criticising Russias role in obstructing peace marked one of his strongest recent public rebukes of the Kremlin, which he has previously said is interested in ending the war with Ukraine.Russias allegation has drawn reactions from several countries across Asia and the Middle East.Prime Minister Modi said he was deeply concerned" about the reported incident, while Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described it as a heinous act."The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry also issued a statement expressing concern.Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff said in a social media post that he spoke with national security advisers from Britain, France and Germany to discuss next steps toward securing peace.Rustem Umerov, a senior Ukrainian national security official and negotiator, also participated in the discussions.Witkoff said the talks focused on potential security guarantees and deconfliction mechanisms" aimed at help end the war and ensure it does not restart." (ANI)

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News agency-feeds US intelligence rejects Russian claim of Ukraine drone plot against Putin

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Bengaluru Power Cut: Several Areas To Suffer Outage On January 2 | List

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 18:20 IST

BESCOM announces a power outage in Nagarabhavi division on January 2, 2026, affecting several areas.

The power cut would be due to essential maintenance by BESCOM. Image: Canva

Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) on Thursday announced a power outage in parts of Nagarabhavi division on January 2, 2026. As per the official notice, the power outage will be carried out from 10 am to 5 pm. The shutdown will affect several areas.

As per the official orders, the power cut is to facilitate maintenance and infrastructure-related works, including system strengthening and safety-related upgrades at substations and distribution lines.

Bengaluru Power Cut To Affect THESE Areas

As per the official notice by BESCOM, following areas under Nagarabhavi division will be affected:

Nagarabhavi

Manjunatha Nagar

Kalidasa Layout

Shanthinagar

Kottigepalya

Water Supply and Pumping Station areas and surrounding residential and commercial pockets will also be affected.

Residents are required to check local feeder-wise updates or call their helplines for details.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 18:20 IST

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BJPs Mini Pakistan Charge Pushes Kogilu Demolition Row Into New Territory

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 13:06 IST

Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka claimed that satellite images showed no residential structures a year ago, suggesting that the settlement had come up in the last few months

Rapid Read

The demolition drive, carried out in the early hours of December 20, flattened over 200 houses in Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout in Kogilu village near Yelahanka. (News18)

With deportations, document checks and a sharp interstate political exchange running parallelly, the Kogilu episode has moved far beyond a local demolition drive.

Allegations by the Karnataka BJP that the demolished settlement was a mini Pakistan" housing illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have pushed the controversy into a new terrain.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans charge that the Congress government in Karnataka was indulging in bulldozer politics" through the Kogilu demolitions has now taken a back seat, with the BJP escalating its attack with more serious allegations.

After visiting Kogilu Layout near Yelahanka, the BJP accused the Congress government of encouraging large-scale encroachments and illegal settlements. Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka claimed that satellite images and Google Maps showed no residential structures in the area a year ago, suggesting that the settlement had come up rapidly over the last few months.

How were electricity connections given so quickly?" Ashoka questioned, alleging that the Siddaramaiah government was deliberately allowing illegal colonies to mushroom. After misleading Kannadigas for years, the Congress is now creating mini Bangladeshs in Karnataka," he said.

Rejecting the BJPs charge of vote-bank politics, the Congress said the party had never used illegal immigrants for electoral gain. There is no question of that. The Congress has never indulged in such practices and never will," home minister G Parameshwara had said earlier.

Ashoka has previously accused the Congress of attempting to turn Karnataka into a mini Pakistan" for vote-bank benefits by appeasing minorities. His renewed attack in the wake of the Kogilu demolitions has given the controversy a fresh political edge.

The Karnataka government, however, has pushed back strongly. Parameshwara, responding to Ashokas claim that those displaced during the Kogilu Layout demolition were illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, said any such individuals found would be deported.

Identifying illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, he said, is part of a state-wide exercise and not limited to Kogilu alone. In July this year, Karnataka deported over 200 illegal Bangladeshi migrants following targeted crackdowns, particularly in the construction sector. Most of those deported were working as daily-wage labourers and were sent back after failing document verification. Several were found working in coffee estates and construction sites across the state.

Parameshwara said there would be no question of extending benefits to illegal immigrants if they are identified during police verification. If any Bangladeshi nationals are found to be staying illegally, the police will take them into custody and deport them. Those involved in criminal activities will face arrest. There will be no alternative housing or facilities for illegal immigrants," he said.

Parameshwara also warned the Opposition against what he described as loose and provocative remarks. While the BJP was free to oppose the government and protest, he said the issue should not be communalised. The law will take its course. There is no protection for anyone staying illegally," he said.

The Greater Bengaluru Authority is currently surveying the demolished area and compiling a list of those who lost their shelters. Once the list is prepared, the police will verify the background of each individualtheir origin, how long they have been in Bengaluru and the nature of their stay at the site. Decisions will be taken only after that process," the home minister said.

The Kogilu Demolitions

The Kogilu controversy stems from the demolition of 167 makeshift sheds at Kogilu in north Bengaluru on December 20. The structures stood on government land earmarked for a solid waste management facility.

As political pressure mounted, the Karnataka government announced that alternative housing would be provided to displaced families who are found to be genuine residents of Karnataka and do not own houses or residential sites. Initially, January 1 was indicated as the date for handing over new homes, but officials have since said the process could take a few more days as document verification is still underway.

The Greater Bengaluru Authority has deployed teams to scrutinise applications and identify eligible beneficiaries. Officials said the alternative accommodation would be located within a seven-kilometre radius of Kogilu.

The issue escalated after Vijayan criticised the demolition, arguing that it reflected a broader pattern of bulldozer raj" and pointing out that most of those affected were Muslims.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the illegal structures had come up on 15 acres of government land handed over to the municipal corporation for waste processing. We are providing alternative accommodation purely on humanitarian grounds," he said, reiterating that encroachment on government land would not be tolerated.

The chief minister also said action would be taken against officials who allowed the illegal sheds to come up in the first place. He pointed out that the land was close to a rock quarry and a garbage dumping site, with biogas emissions making it unsuitable for habitation.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 13:06 IST

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Caught On Camera: Speeding Car Hits Woman On Bengaluru Footpath On New Years Eve

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 23:20 IST

CCTV footage of the incident, which is now widely circulating online, shows the car abruptly veering left before ploughing into the woman on the footpath.

Screengrab of CCTV footage (Credits: X)

A woman narrowly escaped death after a speeding car allegedly driven by an intoxicated man struck her on a pavement in Bengalurus Sahakara Nagar on New Years Eve.

The incident occurred around 10 pm on December 31 near a shopping mall, at a time when large crowds had gathered across the city to welcome the New Year. The woman survived the impact and was rushed for medical assistance.

CCTV footage of the accident is also being widely circulated online. It shows the car suddenly swerving left before crashing into the woman walking on the footpath.

Police are reviewing the CCTV footage and said an investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause of the crash and whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

Seven Injured as Car Loses Control Near Phoenix Mall of Asia BengaluruSeven people, including a teenager, were injured after a car went out of control and mounted the pavement near Phoenix Mall of Asia. The incident occurred when the vehicle suddenly veered off the road, pic.twitter.com/WhjAHKVM6j  Karnataka Portfolio (@karnatakaportf) January 1, 2026

The incident comes despite the strict security arrangements announced by city authorities for New Year celebrations. Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh had earlier said elaborate traffic and safety measures were put in place, with a special emphasis on womens safety.

According to the police, nearly 20,000 personnel were deployed across the city. The force included teams from law and order, traffic, crime units, reserve platoons, striking parties, anti-sabotage squads, anti-terror teams and specialised crime units.

Several parts of the city known for their vibrant nightlife, including MG Road, Brigade Road, Church Street and Indiranagar, saw massive crowds. These areas were lit up with decorative lights and filled with music, DJs and celebrations, while restaurants and pubs hosted special countdown events.

Police said further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 23:20 IST

News bengaluru-news Caught On Camera: Speeding Car Hits Woman On Bengaluru Footpath On New Years Eve

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Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation To Be Divided Into 3 Bodies, Heres What We Know

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 18:21 IST

Reports indicate that the GHMC will be divided into three corporations after February 2026, namely Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri.

GHMC is likely to be split into three independent municipal corporations. (PTI/File)

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), which recently expanded to triple its former size to 2,053 square km, is likely to be divided into three independent municipal corporations, according to reports.

The formal merger of 27 surrounding municipalities and urban local bodies into the GHMC expanded the citys civic jurisdiction from 650 sq km to 2,053 sq km, placing it among the largest municipal corporations. The GHMCs administrative zones have been doubled from six to 12, and the municipal wards rose from 150 to 300.

However, rumours about dividing the civic body into three corporations have spread after GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan gave an evasive response during a media conference on Wednesday, saying that the corporation would remain as it is till February, according to a report by The Hindu.

In February, the term of the present council would come to an end, after which elections will have to be conducted for the next council. It is likely that GHMCs elections would take place after the division. Appointment of two Additional Commissioners for a cluster of three zones has also lent credence to this speculation.

The Additional Commissioners G Srijana and Vinay Krishna Reddy have been given charge of Kukatpally-Quthbullapur-Serilingampally and Malkajgiri-LB Nagar-Uppal clusters respectively, as per the report. Karnan said the zonal commissioners of the respective zones would report to the concerned Additional Commissioners, who would in turn report to the GHMC Commissioner.

Official sources told The Hindu that the GHMC would be divided into two or three corporations after February and work in terms of staffing is already underway. If the indications are to be believed, there could be three corporations after February, namely Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri.

Officials believe that Hyderabad would be the largest corporation with 150 wards, extending from Secunderabad up to Shamshabad. Cyberabad might include half of the remaining 300 wards, and Malkajgiri may constitute majority of the areas spread over the citys Eastern and Northern directions.

Meanwhile, a senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The New Indian Express that clarity on the proposal is likely to emerge during the ongoing Assembly session in Telangana, where the matter may be formally discussed. The government believes decentralisation of the GHMC is essential for efficient planning, focused development and better monitoring, as per the report.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 18:21 IST

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Delhi BMW Crash Chargesheet: Finance Ministry Official Could've Been Saved With Timely Care

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 16:03 IST

Navjot Singh, a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, was killed when a BMW allegedly hit his motorcycle on September 14, 2025.

Rapid Read

Navjot Singh, Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, was killed by a speeding BMW in September. (Image via X/@CSSforum_)

The Delhi Police have filed a 400-page chargesheet, saying the 52-year-old official who was run over by a speeding BMW near Dhaula Kuan in September 2025 was alive for at least 15 minutes and could have been saved with timely medical care.

On September 14, 2025, Navjot Singh, a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, was killed, and three people, including his wife, were injured after a BMW allegedly hit his motorcycle near Delhi Cantonment Metro Station on Ring Road.

After the crash, the woman driver and her husband, who was also in the car, helped take the injured couple to hospital  but not to the nearest facility. Instead, they drove about 17 km to Nuelife Hospital in GTB Nagar, as per reports. The accused was identified as Gaganpreet Makkad.

In a 400-page charge sheet filed before Judicial Magistrate Ankit Garg, police alleged that Makkad deliberately delayed providing critical medical assistance to the victim. It said the accident occurred at around 1.30 p.m. on September 14, 2025 when Makkads BMW X5, allegedly being driven at a speed of 100-110 kmph, crashed into a metro pillar near Delhi Cantonment Metro Station on Ring Road, overturned, and rammed into the Hari Nagar residents motorcycle.

The speed made it impossible to control the vehicle. The impact, despite the BMW being one of the sturdiest vehicles, shows the force with which the victims were struck," the charge sheet said, citing a speed analysis report obtained from BMW.

Police cited the postmortem report in saying that survival time of the deceased was at least 15 minutes", although details were being clarified. The final police report mentioned that instead of taking them to nearby hospitals such as the Delhi Cantonment Hospital or the AIIMS Trauma Centre, which were 10-15 minutes away, Makkad took the injured to Nulife Hospital in GTB Nagar, around 20 km from the crash site.

Golden Hour Wasted

The report alleged that Makkad has distant family links" with Nulife Hospital, and it took 23 minutes to reach there. Police had earlier claimed that an ambulance with a driver and paramedic reached the spot minutes after the crash, but the accused refused their assistance.

Additionally, the report described Nulife Hospital as a small two-storey nursing home with limited facilities" and alleged that the delay resulted in the wastage of the golden hour of trauma care." The police said the accused refused help from the ambulance staff and delayed medical assistance.

Notices issued to the hospital revealed the connection with Makkad, the charge sheet said, adding that documentary evidence regarding alleged manipulation of medical records was yet to be collected. The charge sheet also alleged that the accused falsely admitted herself to the ICU despite sustaining only minor injuries, allegedly to mislead investigators.

(with inputs from PTI)

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 16:00 IST

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Key Points

NuScale is an advanced nuclear company aiming to build small modular reactors (SMRs).

It is the only U.S. nuclear company with an NRC-approved SMR design.

Without a first customer, NuScale's future is uncertain.

10 stocks we like better than NuScale Power 

NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) is a nuclear company with first-mover advantage: It's the only reactor developer in the U.S. with a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) design certification for a small modular reactor (SMR).

Why does that matter? Well, SMRs are widely viewed as a vital part of clean energy, not just because they can supply carbon-free power (every nuclear company can do that), but because they can provide it from small, factory-built units that can be deployed where the grid can't produce continuous power.

Think: mining sites, military camps, research facilities, and (the big one) AI data centers.

Other developers of small reactors, like Oklo and Nano Nuclear Energy, are still embroiled in regulatory processes that could take years before design approval is achieved. And yet for all that first-mover advantage, NuScale is still down almost 20% on the year.

What's going on? Why isn't NuScale exploding in value like everyone expected?

Image source: Getty Images.

All systems go, but no projects or customers yet

The first thing to know about NuScale is that, for all its potential, it hasn't sold an SMR yet. True, NuScale has a potential first customer. RoPower, a Romanian project company, has announced interest in using six NuScale reactors for an SMR power plant in Doicesti, Romania.

NuScale has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ENTRA1 Energy to deploy up to 6 gigawatts (GW) of SMR power in connection with the Tennessee Valley Authority. This is encouraging, and yet neither has solidified into a signed contract with real dollars behind it.

Without SMRs in operation, or a timeline when they might be fired up for commercial use, this company could remain unprofitable. So, I'd approach NuScale cautiously. Investors should keep a close eye on the RoPower project, which is the closest thing to a sale that NuScale has. If that falls through -- and it's still possible that it can -- the stock would likely plummet.

Investors with risk aversion are better off with a nuclear energy exchange-traded fund (ETF).

Should you buy stock in NuScale Power right now?

Before you buy stock in NuScale Power, 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 NuScale Power wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
GK: Which City In India Is Known As The 'City Of Honey'?

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 17:00 IST

Maharajganj district in Uttar Pradesh is renowned for its honey production, with extensive beekeeping practices.

Uttar Pradesh is a leading honey-producing state in India. (File Photo)

Around the world, various cities and districts are celebrated for their distinctive identities, such as unique food, culture, or natural beauty. In India, Maharajganj district in Uttar Pradesh is affectionately known as the City of Honey," where honey production is a crucial part of everyday life and income. Beekeeping, honey extraction, and market transportation are vital sources of livelihood in every village.

Maharajganj is renowned for its extensive beekeeping practices and ideal environment for bees, characterised by fields, flowering crops, and greenery. Local farmers place bee boxes near their fields, earning a substantial income by selling honey, wax, and other products. This practice has led to Maharajganj being nicknamed the City of Honey."

Located in northeastern Uttar Pradesh near the Nepal border, Maharajganj is part of the Gorakhpur division. The regions sprawling fields, sugarcane and mustard crops, fruit trees, and lush villages create an excellent habitat for bees.

The widespread beekeeping, fertile land, seasonal flowers, and favourable climate contribute to Maharajganjs reputation. The honey produced here is known for its natural taste and purity, providing additional income to thousands of families alongside farming.

In Maharajganj, both traditional and modern methods are used for honey production. Farmers place beehives near fields, orchards, and forests, where bees collect nectar from mustard, litchi, sunflower, wildflowers, and seasonal plants. The multi-flower honey produced here is in high demand and sent to processing units.

The honey industry is vital to Maharajganjs rural economy, boosting farmers incomes, providing employment to small businesses and self-help groups, and creating job opportunities in honey collection, packaging, and marketing. Additionally, bees improve crop pollination, enhancing the production of fruits, vegetables, and seeds.

Uttar Pradesh is a leading honey-producing state in India, with districts like Maharajganj and Saharanpur playing significant roles. Honey production is steadily increasing due to the states favourable climate, crop diversity, and government initiatives.

India is becoming a major honey exporter, with significant demand for its honey in Europe, the Gulf countries, and Southeast Asia. States like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra contribute significantly to these exports, with Maharajganj playing a key role.

Meanwhile, China is the largest honey producer globally, practising organised beekeeping on a large scale and exporting honey to many countries.

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School Holiday Calendar 2026: Important Winter, Summer and Festival Breaks This Year

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 13:29 IST

As today, January 1, 2026, marks the start of the new year, schools nationwide are expected to announce their holiday plans for the 202627 academic cycle.

Throughout 2026, schools under CBSE and various state boards across India are expected to close for key national and cultural festivals/ (AI Generated Image)

As the new year begins on Thursday, schools are set to roll out their holiday schedules for the 202627 academic session. While private institutions may follow different timetables, several dates are expected to be observed uniformly by schools and colleges nationwide.

Winter and New Year holidays will keep many schools across India closed during the first half of January 2026. In Delhi, the winter break runs from 1 January to 15 January, bringing the academic year to a close, whereas schools in Jammu and Kashmir typically observe longer shutdowns, with some classes not resuming until February. Several institutions had already begun their holidays in late December 2025.

Schools facing severe foggy conditions may temporarily replace in-person classes with online instruction.

Throughout 2026, schools under CBSE and various state boards across India are expected to close for key national and cultural festivals, including:

1 January  New Years Day

26 January  Republic Day

45 March  Holi / Holika Dahan (dates vary by region)

31 March  Mahavir Jayanti

3 April  Good Friday

1 May  Labour Day / May Day

15 August  Independence Day

2 October  Gandhi Jayanti

20 October  Dussehra

8 November  Diwali

24 November  Guru Nanak Jayanti

25 December  Christmas Day

CBSE, ICSE, and state education boards each issue their own holiday lists, and private schools often adjust these to suit their schedules. Across India, schools typically close for summer vacation in May and June 2026 to beat the intense heat. The timing differs across states and boards, with some starting the break in early May and reopening in June or early July, influenced by regional weather patterns.

Parents and students are advised that school holidays may differ depending on the lunar calendar, state directives, weather conditions, and other factors. The holiday calendar outlined above is provisional. Those attending private schools should check with their institutions for confirmed dates, as private schools set their own schedules in line with government guidelines and institutional requirements.

This holiday list for 2026 should be used only as a reference for early planning by parents and students. Final dates for educational institutions may differ across states or cities. Verifying official circulars before each holiday is crucial for exam preparations, travel arrangements, and work schedules.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 13:26 IST

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UPSC GK: All About The Aravalli Controversy, Supreme Court Rulings Explained

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 09:00 IST

UPSC aspirants preparing for their prelims can study the Aravalli dispute thoroughly, expecting the topic to be raised in the set of questions.

The Aravalli range occupies a unique place in Indias ecological and cultural landscape. (Getty Images)

Every UPSC aspirant must closely follow the ongoing Aravalli hills controversy and the environmental debate it continues to generate. The Aravalli issue could well be among the topics students and aspirants get assessed on during their UPSC Prelims 2026 examination.

A question can be raised based on the Aravalli controversy in the integration of Environment, Polity and Geography amidst heated discussions and debate on current environmental challenges, sustainable development and the Supreme Court judgement.

Forest And Environmental Protection

For beginners, the Aravalli controversy relates to continuous attempts by the states of Haryana and Rajasthan to de-notify parts of the vast mountain range as non-forest land. If attempts to classify the range as a non-forest entity are successful, fears are that we will witness a widespread dilution of forest and environmental protection under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. It will lead to construction, mining and real estate projects in the area, harming the range that plays a critical role in Indias biodiversity.

Delhi-NCR Region Severely Impacted

Recognising the importance of the Aravalli hills to the countrys nature conservation and environmental protection efforts, the Supreme Court of India had banned mining in the hills. However, reports suggest those hills are still reeling with illegal mining. That has brought under scrutiny the SCs enforcement of judgment, failing to ensure the Aravalli Hills are well protected and preserved.

Spanning over 600-800 kms across the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana as well as the Delhi-NCR region, the Aravalli hills are considered the green lungs of the north Indians. Any destruction caused to this vast and influential range is considered a major environmental threat, leading to rising air pollution, groundwater depletion, desertification and higher temperatures. Environment experts have warned that damage to the Aravalli would result in the eastern expansion of the Thar Desert and worsen the already worrying climate change by reducing the rainfall.

While states argue that these hills dont officially identify as forests on record, environmentalists continue to cite their ecological importance and want them to be preserved. The topic may therefore fall in UPSC themes like federalism, environmental governance and judicial activism.

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China Begins 2026 With 13% Tax On Condoms And Birth Control: Whats Behind The Move?

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 09:42 IST

The measure kicks in on 1 January as China overhauls its VAT structure. It brings an end to the more-than-three-decade exemption on condoms, pills and IUDs.

Many young Chinese argue that pricier condoms will not change their decision not to have children when the cost of raising a child remains among the highest in the world. (Representational image)

China has begun 2026 by introducing a measure that has puzzled, angered and amused millions: a 13 per cent value-added tax on condoms and other contraceptives. For the first time in more than three decades, products such as condoms, birth control pills and intrauterine devices are no longer exempt from VAT. The change, which takes effect from Thursday, comes as Beijing struggles with a deep demographic crisis, a shrinking population and declining birth rates that have persisted for several years.

The new tax is part of a broader overhaul of Chinas VAT regime, which was first introduced in 1993. Back then, contraceptives were exempt because China was actively enforcing its one-child policy and providing free or subsidised birth control as a matter of state priority. During that era, some women underwent forced abortions and, in certain cases, children born in excess of the quota were denied identification numbers, effectively rendering them non-citizens.

Today, however, the same state is attempting to reverse the demographic slide by encouraging marriage and childbirth through subsidies, extended parental leave, and tax breaks for childcare, marriage-related services and elderly care.

Yet the decision to make contraception more expensive has prompted ridicule and concern in equal measure. Many young Chinese argue that pricier condoms will not change their decision not to have children when the cost of raising a child remains among the highest in the world.

The YuWa Population Research Institute notes that China is one of the most expensive countries in which to raise a child, a burden worsened by sky-high education costs and pressures on working mothers. A slowing economy and a prolonged property slump have also hit savings and eroded confidence among young families, making them more reluctant to plan for children.

Public health experts fear that higher costs could reduce access to contraceptives among students and low-income groups, increasing the risk of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

Why Is China Taxing Condoms Now?

The 13 per cent tax is embedded in a sweeping VAT law passed in 2024, which was part of a government effort to modernise its tax system and codify taxes previously governed by administrative rules. VAT is Chinas single largest source of revenue, making up close to 40 per cent of total tax collection, according to the BBC.

Since ending the one-child rule in 2015 and lifting the limit to three children in 2021, China has introduced numerous incentives for families. Provinces offer discounts on IVF treatment, cash handouts for extra children and extended paid leave for newlyweds. In 2024, the government allocated 90bn yuan for its first nationwide childcare subsidy programme and announced plans to expand national health insurance to cover all childbirth-related expenses.

Even so, births have continued to fall. China recorded just 9.54 million babies in 2024, roughly half the number born a decade earlier. Deaths have outpaced births for at least three years, and in 2023 India overtook China as the worlds most populous country.

What The New VAT Law Actually Does

The law subjects all contraceptive products  condoms, pills and devices  to the standard 13 per cent rate. These items had been VAT-exempt since 1993. At the same time, childcare services, marriage-introduction services and elderly care have been exempted from VAT in line with Beijings pronatal push.

Typical prices illustrate why experts say the tax is mostly symbolic: condoms generally cost between 40 and 60 yuan, while a months supply of contraceptive pills is priced at 50 to 130 yuan. According to the Guardian, taxing contraceptives is expected to bring in about 5bn yuan annually, negligible compared to Chinas public budget revenue of 22tn yuan.

Public Backlash And Social Media Ridicule

Reaction online has been immediate and derisive. Chinese social media users joked about buying lifetime supplies of condoms before prices rise, with one remarking: Ill buy a lifetimes worth of condoms now." Another wrote: What is wrong with modern society? They are truly going to extreme lengths just to make us have children."

Another user posted: People can tell the difference between the price of a condom and that of raising a child."

A Sky News interviewee, Hu Lingling, a mother of a five-year-old, said she was determined not to have another child and would lead the way in abstinence" as a form of rebellion. She said the measure was hilarious, especially compared to forced abortions during the family planning era".

Such reactions reflect a broader trend: young Chinese overwhelmingly say they are unwilling to have children due to the financial strain, career pressures and lack of social support.

Will Higher Prices Change Reproductive Behaviour?

Experts widely doubt that the tax will meaningfully alter reproductive decisions. University of Virginia demographer Qian Cai told Sky News the new tax would have a very limited" effect on reproductive behaviour and is unlikely to influence reproductive decisions, especially when weighed against the far higher costs of raising a child".

Yi Fuxian from the University of Wisconsin-Madison similarly argued that taxing contraceptives is only logical" now that China has shifted from limiting births to encouraging them, but added that higher prices will not persuade people to have children.

For many young Chinese, the financial burden of child-rearing dwarfs any marginal change in the cost of condoms or pills. Daniel Luo, a 36-year-old from Henan, told the BBC: A box of condoms might cost an extra five yuan. Over a year, thats just a few hundred yuan, completely affordable." He noted that the real pressure lies in the broader social and economic strain facing young people, with rising sex-toy sales and growing reliance on online interactions reflecting a wider hesitation around relationships and parenthood.

Together, these factors underscore why a VAT change alone cannot address Chinas demographic crisis. The countrys deeper challenges  high education expenses, workplace pressures, unstable economic conditions and lack of social support  continue to overshadow any small price adjustments in contraception.

Concerns Over Unintended Pregnancies And STIs

The most serious fear arising from the tax is reduced access to contraceptives among poorer groups. Multiple experts warn this could raise the risk of unintended pregnancies, abortions and sexually transmitted infections.

BBC interviewee Rosy Zhao from Xian said students or financially struggling individuals might take a risk" if contraception becomes too expensive. Qian Cai also warned that higher prices could reduce access to contraceptives among economically disadvantaged populations," potentially increasing STIs and leading to higher health-care costs".

What This Means For Chinese Women

Women would bear the brunt of limited contraceptive access. Yun Zhou, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Michigan, told the Guardian that if access to contraception did become difficult, the brunt of the negative effects will be borne by women, particularly by disadvantaged women."

This aligns with a broader tension: while China wants more births, young women increasingly cite crushing childcare expectations, workplace discrimination and lack of support as reasons to delay or avoid motherhood.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 09:39 IST

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From Gaganyaan To Artemis II: Global Missions That Make 2026 A Defining Space Year

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 14:34 IST

With missions stretching from the Moon to Mercury and Mars, 2026 will mark the shift from experimental demonstrations to operational deep-space activity.

The success of LVM3 commercial missions in 2025 and the rapid growth of domestic startups position the country to attract larger international payloads through NewSpace India Limited. (X/@isro)

After a momentous 2025 that proved what was technologically possible, 2026 will test whether major space powers can sustain human and robotic missions at scale. The year is also being described by scientists as the year of the Moon," with the return of astronauts to lunar proximity for the first time since the Apollo era and intense global activity at the lunar south pole.

Across the world, agencies are entering 2026 with ambitions that stretch from the EarthMoon system to Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and even the deep intergalactic medium. The year will mark a transition from isolated feats to the operational deployment of human missions, commercial launch systems, sustainable space infrastructure, and coordinated planetary defence. For India, it will be a defining phase in human spaceflight readiness, Earth-observation expansion, and commercial launch growth.

Why 2026 Is Being Called The Year Of The Moon?

Four astronauts will orbit the Moon for the first time in more than five decades. China will send a complex robotic mission to the South Pole. Several international payloads will ride onboard Chinese hardware. And lunar-adjacent technologies, from navigation systems to sample-analysis tools, will undergo major testing.

This lunar momentum is not just symbolic. Scientists believe the South Poles permanently shadowed craters could contain water ice, and its confirmation would reshape the cost, range, and feasibility of long-duration human missions to Mars and beyond.

Here are the missions and developments to watch in 2026.

NASAs Artemis II

NASAs Artemis II mission will be the worlds most closely watched spaceflight of 2026, not only because it is the first crewed Artemis mission but because it will take humans beyond Low Earth Orbit for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. The flight represents a generational return to deep space: no astronaut in more than fifty years has travelled far enough to see both the Earth and the Moon together from the far side.

The 10-day circumlunar mission will carry four astronautsReid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadas Jeremy Hansenon a trajectory that will swing them over 7,500 kilometres beyond the Moons far side. This path allows NASA to test how the Orion capsule behaves in the deep-space radiation environment, where conditions are significantly harsher than in Earth orbit.

Artemis II is designed to do something Artemis I could not: evaluate Orions entire life-support system with humans onboard. The crew will test carbon-dioxide removal systems, cabin-pressure controls, thermal regulation, and manual navigation capabilities while travelling well outside the Earths protective magnetic field. The mission will also validate communication links and emergency procedures that must work reliably before any attempt to land astronauts on the lunar surface.

NASA considers Artemis II the essential bridge between the programmes uncrewed test phase and the planned Artemis III landing later in the decade. The mission is central to the wider Artemis architecture, which aims to establish sustained human presence on and around the Moon.

Chinas Change-7 Mission

Chinas Change-7 mission, launching in mid-2026, is the second major lunar highlight of the year. It will explore the Moons south pole using an orbiter, lander, rover, and a unique hopper" spacecraft capable of jumping between illuminated and permanently shadowed regions.

The missions goal is to search for water ice and volatile matter" in shadowed craters, regions that sunlight never reaches and where temperatures can plunge far below minus 200 degrees Celsius. Tang Yuhua, deputy chief designer of Change-7, told state media that locating ice deposits could drastically reduce the cost and time needed to transport water from Earth for longer missions deeper into the solar system.

Change-7 will also strengthen Chinas international partnerships, carrying payloads from Egypt, Bahrain, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand, and the International Lunar Observatory Association.

What India Has Planned In 2026

For India, 2026 will be a critical year in establishing independent human-spaceflight capacity. ISROs Gaganyaan programme is expected to conduct additional uncrewed missions and potentially crew-rated tests focused on recovery systems, abort mechanisms, environmental control, and life-support operations.

A major milestone will be the Gaganyaan G1 mission, scheduled for early 2026, which will carry Vyommitra, a humanoid robot designed to simulate astronaut responses and validate systems for future crewed flights. ISRO chairman S. Somanath has said that work on the programme is nearing completion, with around 90 per cent of systems already integrated.

ISRO has also planned strategic Earth-observation launches in 2026, including EOS-5, EOS-10, and GISAT-1A, which will strengthen Indias imaging and reconnaissance capabilities.

Meanwhile, Aditya-L1Indias first solar observatorywill continue offering insights into solar storms, space weather, and their potential impact on satellites, power grids, and communication systems. By 2026, the mission promises long-duration, stable observations from the Lagrange-1 point, helping researchers better understand solar activity and its implications for the Earths near-space environment.

Indias private launch ecosystem is also expected to expand significantly in 2026. The success of LVM3 commercial missions in 2025 and the rapid growth of domestic startups position the country to attract larger international payloads through NewSpace India Limited.

What SpaceX Is Planning In 2026

SpaceX will pursue two parallel tracks: preparing its next-generation Starship system for deep-space logistics and continuing routine crew and cargo support for the International Space Station through the Falcon 9 programme.

The Starship super-heavy spacecraft, designed to be fully reusable, will take major steps toward operational status. SpaceX says it can carry around 150 tonnes in reusable mode and up to 250 tonnes expendable. A Starship mission is slated for NovemberDecember 2026, with the company planning to send cargo flights to Mars to test atmospheric entry and landing behaviour. These tests will feed into future crewed Mars missions.

Alongside its Mars-facing work, SpaceX will continue essential low-Earth-orbit operations. Falcon 9 will support the International Space Station through the Crew-12 mission, carrying four international astronauts as part of NASAs global partnership model.

Overall, SpaceXs maturing Starship architecture is expected to influence lunar logistics, satellite-constellation deployment, and long-range cargo missions.

Europes Big Missions

Hera: A Crash Scene Investigation In Space

In November 2026, ESAs Hera spacecraft will arrive at the asteroid Dimorphos to analyse the crater left by NASAs 2022 DART impact. The mission aims to improve Earths long-term planetary-defence strategies by studying how a deliberate asteroid impact modifies a targets surface and trajectory.

SMILE: Mapping Earths Magnetic Shield

The Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission, launching in April or May, will make X-ray and ultraviolet observations of the Earths magnetosphere. The mission will travel as far as 121,000 kilometres above the North Pole and capture continuous data for up to 45 hours per orbit. SMILE will help scientists understand how solar wind interacts with Earths protective magnetic bubble.

PLATO: Searching For Earth-Like Worlds

ESAs PLATO telescope, scheduled for launch in December 2026, will search for Earth-like exoplanets orbiting Sun-like stars, expanding Europes role in planetary discovery.

BepiColombo: Entering Mercurys Orbit

Orbiters from ESA and Japan will finally enter Mercurys orbit in 2026 after years of gravity-assist manoeuvres. They will study the planets magnetic environment, inner core, and surface in unprecedented detail. ESA says the information could help reconstruct the history of the entire solar system.

Japans MMX Mission

Japans Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission will aim to collect samples from Phobos, one of Marss two moons. It will contribute to understanding how Martian moons formed and how materials move around the solar system.

The New Space Race: Commercial Stations, Sustainability, And AI-Driven Earth Observation

Beyond individual flagship missions, 2026 is set to accelerate major structural shifts in how the global space sector operates. As the International Space Station nears the final phase of its service life, attention is shifting towards commercial space stations that can eventually take over its role.

Platforms such as Axiom Station, which began as modules attached to the ISS, are expected to move closer to partial or fully independent operations.

In-orbit servicing capabilities, such as autonomous docking, refuelling, and spacecraft life-extension, will also begin early operational use in 2026. Indias autonomous docking expertise demonstrated through its SpaDeX mission aligns with this global shift, signalling that such technologies will no longer remain experimental demonstrations but will start to form part of routine orbital activity.

Meanwhile, Earth-observation missions like NISAR will see their first full year of continuous data generation. Governments and private companies are expected to integrate this information with artificial-intelligence tools for a wide range of applications, from climate modelling and disaster response to urban planning and agricultural forecasting. This signals a broader trend in which satellites are no longer standalone assets but nodes in global data systems tied to machine learning and cloud-based analytics.

As launch rates rise and more actors enter orbit, 2026 will also intensify efforts around space sustainability. Space-traffic management, debris mitigation, and active-debris removal, once seen as long-term challenges, are now becoming urgent priorities. Regulatory norms that were voluntary in earlier years may begin to take the shape of enforceable international guidelines as the world adapts to an increasingly crowded orbital environment.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 14:25 IST

News explainers From Gaganyaan To Artemis II: Global Missions That Make 2026 A Defining Space Year

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Accused In 2012 Pune Blasts Case Shot Dead In Broad Daylight In Maharashtras Shrirampur

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 12:10 IST

Bunty Jahagirdar was shot dead while he was in Shrirampur to attend a funeral.

Bunty Jahagirdar, 2012 Pune blast case accused, shot dead in Maharashtras Shrirampur. (Image: X)

Aslam Shabbir Sheikh, also known as Bunty Jahagirdar, an accused in the 2012 Pune bomb blast case, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Maharashtras Shrirampur on Wednesday.

The motive behind the killing is not yet known.

Bunty Jahagirdar was shot dead while he was in Shrirampur to attend a funeral. he was attacked when he was returning from the cemetery, near the main gate of German Hospital.

The two attackers opened fire at close range and fled the spot immediately after the shooting.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to injuries, said Ahilyanagar Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge. The motive behind the attack is yet to be ascertained. Multiple teams have been formed to probe the case, and the investigation is on," Gharge was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Jahagirdar was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for his alleged involvement in the Jangli Maharaj Road serial blasts case. The four coordinated low-intensity explosions had rocked Pune on August 1, 2012.

Multiple criminal cases have been registered against Jahagirdar in Ahilyanagar district, including murder, bodily offences and criminal intimidation.

He was out on bail since 2023 in the bomb blasts case.

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Location : Maharashtra, India, India

First Published: January 01, 2026, 12:10 IST

News india Accused In 2012 Pune Blasts Case Shot Dead In Broad Daylight In Maharashtras Shrirampur

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CBI Books Delhi Man For Misusing PM Modi's Name In Emails To Pentagon, ISRO | Exclusive

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 11:03 IST

The CBI said the accused cited PM Modis blessings in e-mails to ISRO, HAL and the Pentagon, claiming he could help build Indias next military jet engine.

A representative photo of the CBI (Source: PTI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked a man who allegedly wrote e-mails to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and even the Pentagon, claiming he had the blessings" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help the government build an indigenous military jet engine. The flurry of e-mails misused the name of the Prime Minister, the CBI FIR has stated.

The FIR has been registered more than a year after these e-mails were sent by a man named Nisheeth Kohli, who lives in Vasant Kunj, Delhi. The PMO lodged a complaint last March stating that a copy of an email sent by Kohli to various offices of the Government of India was received in the PMO.

Kohli, vide his e-mail, has claimed that he wanted to help the Government of India to explore the development of an indigenous military jet engine. He further mentioned the name of Shri P.K. Mishra, Prime Ministers Office, New Delhi, to validate his credentials, and that he has the blessings and best wishes of the Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to proceed with this project. Prima facie, this appears to be a case of misuse of the name of the Principal Secretary to the Honble Prime Minister and the name of the Honble Prime Minister himself for professional purposes," the CBI FIR stated.

The CBI conducted a preliminary enquiry into the matter. It revealed that Kohli had sent an email to Premier Explosives Limited, the Director of the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), and the Chairman of ISRO, stating that he wanted to help the government explore the development of an indigenous military jet engine. He has the blessings and best wishes of Honble Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi to proceed with this project to be managed through ADE Director, DRDO, and his credentials can be validated with Mr P.K. Mishra at PMO, New Delhi," the e-mail said, according to the FIR.

Nisheeth Kohli sent another e-mail to the Director of the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), the Chairman of HAL India, and the ISRO Chairman, in which he mentioned that he is a Textile Chemistry Engineer from the Technological Institute of Textile and Sciences (TITS), Bhiwani, 2002 batch, and that if given the liberty to put forth his proposal, he could help ISRO, DRDO and the Government of India (GoI) to develop an indigenous military jet engine.

The enquiry further revealed that Kohli also sent an e-mail to Vice Admiral George M. Wikoff, a high-ranking United States Navy officer posted at the Pentagon, mentioning the same details.

The CBI has now booked Kohli for offences punishable under Section 62 read with Sections 319(2) and 318(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2010.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 11:02 IST

News india CBI Books Delhi Man For Misusing PM Modi's Name In Emails To Pentagon, ISRO | Exclusive

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Fire-Hit Goa Nightclub Was Built Illegally On Salt Pan, Operated Without Licence: Probe Report

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 08:43 IST

A magisterial inquiry found that the Goa nightclub where 25 people died in a December fire was illegally built on a salt pan and operated without a valid licence.

Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa (Photo: PTI)

A government-appointed magisterial inquiry has concluded that the Goa nightclub where 25 people lost their lives in a devastating fire earlier this month was illegally constructed on a salt pan and was allowed to function despite lacking mandatory permissions.

According to the report, which was made public on Wednesday, the nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora village of North Goa stood in the middle of a salt pan or water body, land on which construction is expressly prohibited.

The inquiry noted that erecting any structure on a salt pan is impermissible under existing laws as well as earlier regulations, and violates provisions of the Goa Land Revenue Code and Coastal Zone Regulations.

The report further revealed that the establishment continued to operate without a valid trade licence after March 31, 2024, when its licence expired.

Despite having the authority to act, the Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat failed to seal the premises or inform other departments that relied on the panchayat-issued trade licence to grant their own approvals.

The inquiry pointed to clear administrative negligence and alleged collusion.

Statements recorded during the probe showed that the panchayat secretary admitted he had not informed line departments about the non-renewal of the trade licence, even though permissions from those departments were contingent on a valid licence from the panchayat.

The village sarpanch also acknowledged that no steps were taken to shut down the establishment or alert authorities after the licence lapsed.

The report said this conduct indicated collusion with the nightclubs owners and violations of official conduct rules.

Serious procedural lapses were also identified in the original issuance of the licence in December 2023.

The inquiry observed that the application contained irregularities, including entries that appeared to have been added later in different ink, such as the house number and the description of the premises as a bar and nightclub.

Several mandatory documents, including approved building plans, land records and photographs, were missing from the application file.

Despite these deficiencies, the application, received on December 11, 2023, was cleared within days.

The village panchayat passed a resolution approving the licence on December 14, and the final certificate was issued on December 16, a pace the inquiry described as unusually hasty.

The panchayat secretary admitted he had not verified the house number while granting the licence to the hexagonal structure.

The report also highlighted that numerous complaints related to noise pollution and parking were lodged against the nightclub between January 2024 and December 2025.

However, these complaints were repeatedly closed with remarks stating that nothing amiss was found during inspections.

The inquiry noted that directions of the Bombay High Court at Goa concerning inspections and night patrolling in the area were not followed.

On the night of December 6, fireworks were organised at the nightclub without adequate safety precautions or fire-fighting equipment, according to a police report cited by the inquiry.

The fireworks allegedly triggered the blaze that killed 25 people, including tourists and staff.

The inquiry found that the club lacked emergency exits on both the ground and deck floors and was operating without valid permissions.

The probe also flagged forged police clearance documents and tampering with licence instruments to insert a house number.

The criminal case related to the fire is being investigated under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligent conduct with fire, forgery and criminal conspiracy.

Police have arrested eight people so far, including three owners of the nightclub.

Among them are Delhi-based brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who co-owned the establishment and were deported from Thailand after fleeing India hours after the incident.

Additionally, five Goa government officials have been suspended in connection with the case.

ALSO READ | Goa Fire Case: Did Luthra Brothers Use Fake Documents To Obtain Nightclub Licence? Probe On

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 08:22 IST

News india Fire-Hit Goa Nightclub Was Built Illegally On Salt Pan, Operated Without Licence: Probe Report

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How PRAGATI Quietly Rewired The Indian State

Written By :

News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 12:43 IST

The premise is to bring everyone who matters into the same room, put problems on the table in real time, assign responsibility by name & return every month until work is finished

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a meeting of the PRAGATI, the ICT-based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, in New Delhi. (PTI)

PRAGATIPro-Active Governance and Timely Implementationwas never designed as a headline-grabbing reform. It was conceived as a corrective to a chronic Indian problem: projects that began with ambition but ended up trapped between ministries, states, clearances and committees. Bridges took decades, airports spanned generations, and rail lines became symbols of administrative paralysis.

The premise behind PRAGATI was deceptively simple. Bring everyone who matters into the same roomvirtuallyput problems on the table in real time, assign responsibility by name, and return month after month until the work is finished. No file movement. No adjournments. No ambiguity about who owns the outcome.

Over 10 years, that premise has altered incentives within the system in ways that are now difficult to ignore.

According to figures presented at the milestone meeting, projects worth more than Rs 85 lakh crore have been accelerated through the PRAGATI-led ecosystem. Since 2014, 377 major projects have been reviewed, with nearly 94 per cent of identified issues resolved. For a bureaucracy more accustomed to incremental progress than closure, that statistic is telling.

Earlier, delays were structuraleveryone could plausibly say the problem lay elsewhere," said a senior Union government official who has participated in multiple PRAGATI meetings. Once the prime minister started reviewing projects personally, the luxury of deferring decisions disappeared. The system became uncomfortable with inaction."

That discomfort, officials say, is precisely the point. PRAGATI does not replace ministries or state governments; it exposes coordination failures that were previously buried under process. When a state raises a land acquisition issue, the relevant Union ministry is expected to respond in the same meeting. When a clearance is stuck, the reasons must be explained on record, in front of peers.

A senior state official described the change more bluntly. In the past, responsibility was so diffused that delay had no cost. Under PRAGATI, names are attached to problems. When timelines are discussed in front of the prime minister and other chief secretaries, there is no room to hide."

The origins of this approach lie outside Delhi. As chief minister of Gujarat, Modi had launched SWAGATa technology-enabled grievance redress system that imposed discipline and deadlines on the administration. PRAGATI is essentially that philosophy scaled up to national governance, applied not just to grievances but to the countrys most expensive and complex projects.

The effects are most visible in projects that once seemed cursed by delay. The Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge in Assam, conceived in the 1990s, languished for years before gaining momentum. The JammuUdhampurSrinagarBaramulla rail link, approved in 1995, struggled through technical, environmental and security challenges for decades. The Navi Mumbai International Airport, first proposed in 1997, remained stuck in land acquisition and clearance disputes long after Mumbais existing airport hit saturation.

These projects did not suddenly become easier. What changed was oversight. PRAGATI reviews forced frequent site visits, escalated deadlocks across agencies, and ensured that unresolved issues returned to the agenda month after month until they were closed.

These were not engineering miracles," said an official familiar with several such reviews. They were governance interventions. PRAGATI made completionnot progress reportsthe metric of success."

At the 50th meeting, the prime minister reviewed five new infrastructure projects across roads, railways, power, water resources and coal, spread across five states and costing over Rs 40,000 crore. Officials present said the emphasis remained consistent with earlier reviews: execution timelines, inter-agency coordination and removal of bottlenecks, rather than announcements of fresh initiatives.

Yet PRAGATIs remit is no longer limited to steel and concrete. The prime minister also used the meeting to review the PM SHRI schools scheme, signalling a broader shift in how social-sector programmes are monitored. His message to states was pointed: infrastructure alone does not define success. Outcomes do.

Chief secretaries were asked to personally track implementation, senior officers were encouraged to conduct field visits, and the scheme was positioned as a benchmark model whose success should be visible in classrooms, not just balance sheets.

This widening of focus reflects the prime ministers vision for the next phase of PRAGATI, articulated through a three-part framework: Reform to simplify, Perform to deliver, Transform to impact." Reform, in this view, is not about adding procedures but removing friction. Performance is measured equally by time, cost and quality. Transformation is judged by what citizens actually experiencefaster services, quicker grievance resolution and improved ease of living.

There is also a political subtext. PRAGATI exemplifies a version of cooperative federalism where authority is centralised in review but decentralised in execution. Nearly 500 Union secretaries and state chief secretaries have participated in PRAGATI meetings over the years, creating a shared accountability space that cuts across party lines and administrative hierarchies.

For the prime minister, PRAGATI now sits squarely within the broader narrative of Viksit Bharat @ 2047a time-bound ambition rather than a distant aspiration. States have been encouraged to institutionalise similar PRAGATI-like mechanisms, particularly in the social sector, at the level of the chief secretary.

Critics may argue that such a model is heavily dependent on the personal involvement of the top leadership. Supporters counter that this is precisely why it workssustained attention from the highest level creates urgency that no circular can replicate.

As PRAGATI crosses the 50-meeting mark, its significance lies less in the number than in the behavioural shift it has induced. A system once tolerant of delay is now visibly uneasy with it. In a country where governance failures often stem from coordination rather than capacity, that unease may prove to be PRAGATIs most lasting legacy.

In that sense, PRAGATI@50 is not a celebration of process, but a recommitment to outcomesand a reminder that, sometimes, the most consequential reforms are the ones that force the system to finish what it starts.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 12:43 IST

News india How PRAGATI Quietly Rewired The Indian State

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Kailash Vijayvargiya Assures Ex-Gratia, Free Treatment After Indore Water Contamination Kills 13

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 09:46 IST

MP minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has overseen relief efforts, ensured free treatment, and ordered a probe into official lapses after deaths due to contaminated water in Indore.

Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya (Image: PTI/File)

Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday outlined the steps taken to contain the water contamination crisis in Bhagirathpura, Indore, which has claimed 13 lives and affected over 1,100 residents.

Speaking to news agency ANI, he said, We are providing treatment to all the patients. We have deployed five ambulances. The number of patients arriving has decreased since yesterday. Since last night, 60 patients have arrived, and more than half have received primary treatment and been sent home."

Those whose condition is serious have been sent to the hospital. We have made 100 beds available at Arvind Hospital and allocated an entire 100-bed ward at MY Hospital. Some children have been sent to Chacha Nehru Hospital," he said.

Vijayvargiya stressed that the relief measures have been extended to ensure no one bears any treatment cost.

This is a settlement of economically weaker sections, so we have ensured that no one has to spend money on treatment. I am here, and we will stay here in Bhagirathpura until no more patients come in, and we will manage the entire situation," he said.

The source of the contaminated water has been identified and is being repaired. The situation will be back to normal within a day or two. People should boil water before drinking it. We have deployed 50 tankers and are providing Narmada water to the people, and we have also distributed chlorine to every household," he added.

#WATCH | Indore, Madhya Pradesh | Four people died in Indore due to contaminated water, and more than 149 people have been hospitalised.Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya says, I cannot comment on the number of deaths at this time However, we will provide Rs 2 pic.twitter.com/Xr27OI2IYB  ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2026

Separately, in a post on X, the minister expressed regret over earlier comments that were perceived as insensitive.

My team and I have been continuously working to improve the situation in the affected area without sleep for the past two days," Vijayvargiya wrote.

My people are suffering from contaminated water, and some have left us; in this state of deep sorrow, my words came out wrong in response to a media question. For this, I express my regret. But until my people are completely safe and healthy, I will not sit quietly," he added.

                                ,   :                       Kailash Vijayvargiya (@KailashOnline) December 31, 2025

According to news agency PTI, Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava confirmed seven fatalities so far, while over 1,100 people have been affected in Bhagirathpura, with 111 hospital admissions.

Vijayvargiya acknowledged lapses by officials and assured strict action.

I feel that a mistake has been committed, but it is better if we first ensure that all patients recover and create a positive environment rather than discuss this now. None of those responsible for the contaminated drinking water incident would be spared, even if the official concerned held a very high position," he said.

Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav said contamination occurred due to a leakage in the main water supply pipeline, over which a toilet had been constructed.

Following orders from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, a zonal officer and an assistant engineer have been suspended, while the services of an in-charge sub-engineer have been terminated.

A three-member committee, led by an IAS officer, has been set up to probe the incident.

The government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased.

Relief operations, including water distribution, chlorine supply, and medical care, continue under Vijayvargiyas supervision, while repairs to the pipeline are underway.

ALSO READ | MP Minister Admits Lapse After 8 Dead Due To Water Contamination

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 09:14 IST

News india Kailash Vijayvargiya Assures Ex-Gratia, Free Treatment After Indore Water Contamination Kills 13

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Intels (INTC) turnaround and manufacturing ambitions were dealt a severe blow when Nvidia (NVDA) decided to halt its trial of the 18A manufacturing technology. Touted as the technology that will help Intel turn its business around, the 18A is a 2 nm chip technology that offers superior power efficiency and chip density. Nvidias involvement was taken as a positive signal by many, but that optimism has faded away since this announcement.

The timing of this news is interesting in the context of Nvidias $5 billion investment in the company back in September. Having the backing of the largest chip designer in the world was considered a vital part of Intels recovery. However, investors are now finding out that this was possibly a purely financial decision, and there were no guarantees that Nvidia would either help in or promise to utilize Intels technologies for its manufacturing. As things stand, NVDA is clearly looking at alternatives.

More News from Barchart

Intel now needs to go back to the drawing board and figure out the answer to an important question: how does it develop an attractive, high-yield manufacturing process and win large single customers? Unless it can figure out the answer quickly, a revival would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

About Intel Stock

Intel is a leading semiconductor company that not only designs but also manufactures semiconductor chips for PCs, data centers, and other computing applications. It was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

Intels stock has lost almost 18% of its value since early December, when it hit a 52-week high of $44.01. However, its YTD performance of 87% comfortably outperformed the PHLX Semiconductor Indexs 44.7% performance. Much of this happened on the back of the support provided by President Donald Trump and the U.S. government, which boosted investor confidence.

www.barchart.com

Despite the poor stock performance in November, Intel stock is still pricing in a lot of future success and therefore looks overvalued. It continues to trade at a non-GAAP forward P/E of 106.48x, which is more than its own 5-year average of 48.17x. The companys TTM price-to-book value ratio is nearly the same as the 5-year average of 1.63x, though. In fact, it is less than half the sectors average, which means the stock is trading at a considerable discount to its peers. In the absence of a dividend, INTC stock still seems a risky bet, especially considering how Nvidia just pulled out of a manufacturing node that was a major part of Intels recovery plan.
Indore Water Contamination: 6-Month-Old Dies, Mother Says He Was 'Born After 10 Years of Prayers'

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: January 02, 2026, 15:30 IST

The child's mother, Sadhna Sahu, said the baby developed severe vomiting and diarrhoea after being fed milk mixed with water from the household supply

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The child was first taken to a government hospital and later shifted to a private facility, where doctors declared him dead. (News18 Hindi)

A six-month-old baby from Marathi Mohalla in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, has died allegedly after consuming contaminated water, sparking outrage among residents who have accused the civic body of prolonged negligence.

The childs mother, Sadhna Sahu, said the baby developed severe vomiting and diarrhoea after being fed milk mixed with water from the household supply. He was first taken to a government hospital and later shifted to a private facility, where doctors declared him dead.

My child is gone who knows how many more innocent lives will be lost," she said, breaking down while recalling that the boy was born after ten long years of prayers. She alleged that despite repeated complaints, dirty canal like water" had been supplied to the locality.

Sahu also said her 10-year-old daughter has now begun complaining of stomach pain, which the family believes is linked to the contaminated water.

The death comes against the backdrop of a wider water contamination scare in the Bhagirathpura belt. According to officials, 149 patients are currently under treatment across 27 hospitals in the city, while at least eight deaths have been reported in connection with suspected water-borne illnesses. Those affected range from children to elderly residents.

Residents claim their complaints to the Indore Municipal Corporation went unanswered for days.

Taking cognisance of the situation, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has ordered strict action. The municipal corporation has suspended the zonal officer and an assistant engineer pending inquiry. The state government has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased.

Meanwhile, the health department has stepped up chlorination in the affected areas and tankers have been deployed to supply drinking water.

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Location : Indore, India, India

First Published: January 01, 2026, 11:19 IST

News india Indore Water Contamination: 6-Month-Old Dies, Mother Says He Was 'Born After 10 Years of Prayers'

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Indore Water Contamination: HC Directs Civic Authorities To Provide Clean Water, Seeks Status Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 17:06 IST

The court directed municipal authorities and the state to submit a detailed report after several people were hospitalised in Indore due to the consumption of contaminated water.

Rapid Read

A representative photo for drinking water supply. (Getty Images)

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday directed civic authorities to ensure clean water in all areas and also asked the state to provide treatment for those who were hospitalised after drinking contaminated water in Indore.

At least eight people died, and more than 100 have been hospitalised in Indore after consuming contaminated water, prompting the state administration to step up emergency measures. The outbreak, which began after residents reported unusual taste and smell in municipal water supplied on December 25, has raised serious concerns about the safety of drinking water in the city.

The High Court directed the municipal authorities and the state government to submit a detailed report after several individuals were hospitalised in Indore due to the consumption of contaminated water. Civic authorities told the court that over 20 water tankers have been supplied to the affected areas. Residents alleged that they and their family members fell ill after consuming Narmada river water supplied through municipal tap connections. Many reported suffering from vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration. Taking cognisance of the situation, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has ordered strict action. The municipal corporation has suspended the zonal officer and an assistant engineer pending inquiry. The state government has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya visited affected families and assured them of full government support. He said around 198 people were hospitalised, with most now stable. No one is in the danger zone. One patient is on ventilator support but is out of danger," he stated, adding that treatment would be provided free of cost and expenses already incurred would be reimbursed. Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav said a leakage in the main water supply pipeline, near a toilet, likely caused contamination. Following Chief Minister Mohan Yadavs instructions, a zonal officer and an assistant engineer have been suspended, and an in-charge sub-engineer terminated. A three-member committee led by an IAS officer has been formed to probe the incident. Watch more videos Share this Article

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Location : Bhopal, India, India

First Published: January 01, 2026, 16:53 IST

News india Indore Water Contamination: HC Directs Civic Authorities To Provide Clean Water, Seeks Status Report

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Karnataka Man Posts Birthday Wish On Instagram With Ex-Girlfriends Photo, Then Murdered

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 16:39 IST

Police arrested four people in connection with the case, including the womans brother and fiance.

Police have registered a case under Sections 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace) and 103(1) (murder).

A 21-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death in Karnatakas Chikkamagaluru district after he uploaded a birthday wish on Instagram and WhatsApp using photographs of his former girlfriend, whose wedding was scheduled to another man, police said.

The victim, identified as Manjunath, was a resident of Tarikere taluk. Police arrested four people in connection with the case, including the womans brother and fiance. According to the police, the main accused are the womans brother Kiran, her fiance Venu and two others identified as Appu and Manu, all residents of Tarikere town.

Investigators said Kiran called Manjunath on Wednesday evening and asked him to meet near an underpass road. As per the first information report (FIR), around 7.45 pm, Venu confronted Manjunath over the birthday wish post that used the womans photographs. Police said Venu told Manjunath that if he intended to marry the woman, he should approach her family. Manjunath allegedly responded that he had no intention of marrying her.

Following the exchange, Kiran allegedly attacked Manjunath with a knife, accusing him of using his sisters photographs on social media. Manjunath was stabbed multiple times before the accused fled the scene, police said.

He was rushed to the Tarikere government hospital and later referred to a hospital in Shivamogga for further treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries.

Police have registered a case under Sections 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace) and 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and taken all four accused into custody.

We will take them to police custody for further probe," a police officer said, adding that the investigation is ongoing.

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Location : Karnataka, India, India

First Published: January 01, 2026, 16:39 IST

News india Karnataka Man Posts Birthday Wish On Instagram With Ex-Girlfriends Photo, Then Murdered

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Lokpal Cancels Controversial Rs 5-Crore Tender To Buy 7 BMW Cars Amid Public Backlash

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Vani Mehrotra



Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 14:40 IST

The Lokpal has cancelled its tender for seven luxury BMW cars worth around Rs 5 crore following criticism from opposition parties and civil society.

An AI-generated, representative image for Lokpal of India (News18)

In a big impact of the CNN-News18 campaign questioning the Lokpals move to procure seven expensive BMW cars, the Lokpal of India has now cancelled the controversial order. CNN-News18 has accessed the cancellation order dated December 17, 2025.

The order states the tender has been cancelled due to administrative reasons/issues" and the decision was taken vide a full bench resolution of Lokpal dated November 27, 2025.

The seven BMW cars were to be procured by the Lokpal of India for its seven members, and a tender was issued last October.

CNN-NEWS18 was the first to report on October 20 last year that the Lokpal of India wanted to buy seven high-end BWM Cars worth nearly Rs 70 lakh each and had floated an official tender for the same on October 16.

The total purchase was worth nearly Rs 5 crore, inviting much criticism.

The Lokpal would have spent over 10 per cent of its annual budget on the purchase of the seven BMWs at nearly Rs 5 crore if it had gone ahead with the purchase. The total budget of the Lokpal for 2025-26 is Rs 44.32 crore, as per documents.

Interestingly, as per the budget and expenditure for Lokpal for 2023-24, Rs 12 lakh was budgeted for motor vehicles".

However, the Lokpal did not spend any money in 2023-24 on motor vehicles as the actual expenditure shown is zero". Before that, Lokpal had not accounted for any expenditure on motor vehicles.

Former IPS officer and once a proponent of the Jan Lokpal, Kiran Bedi, had slammed the move of the Lokpal to procure BMWs.

Speaking with News18, Bedi said that it was a truly avoidable decision" as the Lokpal was not created for extravagance". She also sat on a dharna with activist Anna Hazare in 2013 to press for a Lokpal.

Respecting peoples sentiments, Lokpal must say we are now going to buy swadeshi cars. When the Prime Minister is emphasising swadeshi, then why is Lokpal buying foreign cars? Dont we have good Indian-made cars? The Lokpal decision is totally against the swadeshi mission of PM Modi," Kiran Bedi said.

The Lokpal presently is a seven-member body with a chairperson and six other members.

The Lokpal of India invites open tenders from reputed agencies for the supply of seven BMW 3 Series 330 Li Cars to the Lokpal of India," stated the October 16 document, specifying the model required as Sport (Long Wheelbase) and in white colour.

The Lokpal wanted these cars delivered at its office in Delhis Vasant Kunj Institutional Area within preferably two weeks but not later than 30 days from the date of issuing the supply order by the Lokpal.

As per the BMW website, the new BMW 3 Series Long Wheelbase was launched in India earlier this year, and it is the longest car in its segment with the most spacious second seat row.

The most luxurious rear seat experience with the longest wheelbase in this segment," says the BMW website about this latest car.

The Lokpal of India is the first institution of its kind established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 to inquire and investigate into allegations of corruption against public functionaries who fall within the scope and ambit of the above Act.

The Lokpal consists of a chairperson and eight members, out of whom four are judicial members.

The salary, allowances, and other conditions of service of the chairperson are the same as those of the Chief Justice of India.

The salary, allowances, and other conditions of service of the members are the same as those of a Supreme Court judge.

The selected vendor or firm was required to conduct a comprehensive, practical and theoretical training programme for the drivers and other designated staff members of the Lokpal of India to ensure efficient, safe, and optimal operation of the BMW vehicles supplied, the document says.

The training was to be conducted for a minimum duration of seven days and was to be completed within 15 days from the date of delivery of vehicles.

ALSO READ | Delhi High Court Quashes Lokpal Nod To CBI Chargesheet Against Mahua Moitra In Cash-For-Query Case

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 13:43 IST

News india Lokpal Cancels Controversial Rs 5-Crore Tender To Buy 7 BMW Cars Amid Public Backlash

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Pakistani Drone Drops IED, Ammunition, Drugs In J&K's Poonch; Massive Search Ops Launched

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 11:18 IST

A Pakistani drone intruded into Indian territory along the LoC in Poonchs Khadi Karmada, remaining in Indian airspace for over five minutes before returning across the border.

Pakistani drone inside LoC (Photos: CNN-News18/PTI)

A Pakistani drone crossed into Indian territory along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district and dropped suspected explosive material, ammunition and narcotics, prompting massive search operations by security forces.

According to official sources, the drone intruded into the Indian airspace in the Khadi Karmada area of Poonch and remained inside Indian territory for more than five minutes before returning across the LoC.

During the incursion, the drone dropped a consignment that included an improvised explosive device (IED), ammunition and drugs, raising serious security concerns in the sensitive border district.

Soon after the drone movement was detected, the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police launched extensive cordon and search operations in Khadi Karmada and adjoining areas to trace and secure the dropped items and to rule out any possible terrorist movement on the ground.

A video of the items dropped by the Pakistani drone has surfaced, showing the material recovered from the area.

Security agencies are examining the contents closely as part of their investigation and to assess the nature of the threat posed by the drone activity.

The incident comes amid heightened security measures across the Jammu region amid New Year celebrations.

As part of these intensified anti-terror operations, security forces have stepped up surveillance and ground checks in multiple districts, particularly along border areas and in forested hinterlands.

According to a news agency PTI report, security forces on Tuesday launched cordon and search operations along border areas and the mountainous hinterland of Poonch and Kishtwar districts as part of enhanced anti-terror measures.

Officials said the operations were initiated following specific intelligence inputs.

Acting on information about the presence of two terrorist groups operating in the Doda-Kishtwar forest areas, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Keshwan-Chatroo valley after apprehending a terrorist movement.

Troops deployed drones and other aerial surveillance equipment to monitor the area in a bid to track down the terrorists.

According to reports cited by PTI, two groups of Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists, with two to three operatives in each group, are believed to be present in the region, which has witnessed encounters in the past.

In Poonch, the Armys Romeo Force also carried out search operations at Khanetar Top along the Indo-Pak border and adjoining areas following suspected terrorist movement.

Officials said the troops were equipped with aerial surveillance support and sniffer dogs during the operation.

In addition, security forces have intensified vehicle checking along the Pathankot-Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Kathua, Samba, Jammu and Udhampur districts as part of the heightened alert ahead of the New Year, the PTI report mentioned.

ALSO READ | Op Sindoor Effect? In Threat To India, Lashkar Leader Vows To Continue Kashmir Mission

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'Milestone In Golden Letters': PM Modi Writes To Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Rajesh, Hails BJP's Win

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 13:02 IST

PM Modi, in a letter to newly elected Thiruvananthapuram Mayor VV Rajesh, termed the BJPs first-ever municipal corporation win in Kerala an epoch-making milestone.

File photos of PM Modi/VV Rajesh (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a heartfelt letter to the BJPs newly elected Thiruvananthapuram Mayor VV Rajesh, hailing the partys first-ever victory in a municipal corporation in Kerala as an epoch-making" moment and a milestone written in golden letters" in the political history of the state.

In the letter dated December 30, 2025, PM Modi congratulated Rajesh and Deputy Mayor Ashen Nath on taking oath on January 3, describing the BJPs success in the Kerala capital as a reflection of peoples faith in the partys vision of development and good governance.

In the midst of the festive season and as we begin the year 2026, history was made in the great city of Thiruvananthapuram when you took oath as the Mayor of the city," the Prime Minister wrote, adding that the occasion would truly signify" a historic political shift.

Recalling his memories of the city, PM Modi said Thiruvananthapuram holds a place of pride in the minds of every Malayali" and is blessed by Sree Padmanabhaswamy".

He noted that as the capital of Kerala, the city has nurtured thought leaders, social reformers, artists, musicians, poets, cultural giants, saints and seers", and said that the BJP being blessed by such a city was very humbling".

Our vision to build a Vikasit Thiruvananthapuram has resonated with people across the city, from all sections of society," the Prime Minister wrote, stating that voters had seen the work of the BJP-led government at the Centre and its efforts towards urban development in different states.

Thanking the people of the city, he said, I thank the people of this city for the warmth."

The Prime Minister underlined that the victory had brought immense happiness and pride" to BJP workers in Kerala and across India.

Powered by the blessings of the people of Thiruvananthapuram, what has happened is epoch-making. It is a milestone written in golden letters," he said.

PM Modi also took a sharp swipe at the states traditional political fronts, saying Keralas politics had long been dominated by the LDF and UDF, whose poor governance record is for everyone to see" and who had perpetuated a culture of corruption and brutal violence".

He praised BJP karyakartas for standing firm despite adversity, hostility and brutal violence".

Stating that the BJPs success in the capital signalled a larger political change, PM Modi wrote that the people of the state, especially the youngsters and women, are ready for a new dawn".

He said the BJP-NDA was emerging as the peoples option, rooted in nationalism without exclusion, development without corruption and governance without appeasement", and asserted that the fixed match of the LDF and UDF" was nearing its end.

Invoking social reformers such as Sree Narayana Guru, Mahatma Ayyankali, and Sri Narayana Padmanabhan, the Prime Minister urged Rajesh and his team to serve the city with inspiration drawn from their ideals and work towards improving Ease of Living" for citizens.

He concluded by wishing the new mayor and his team success in delivering governance with humility, compassion and decisiveness".

Reacting to the Prime Ministers letter, Rajesh, in a post on X, mentioned that the recognition was a New Years gift" to Kerala.

This recognition is the New Years gift given to Kerala by the Honourable Prime Minister," he said, adding that the political change in Thiruvananthapuram is the result of decades of hard work by BJP workers in Kerala".

This recognition is the New Years gift given to Kerala by the Honorable Prime Minister. The political change in Thiruvananthapuram is the result of decades of hard work by BJP workers in Kerala. This recognition is the New Years gift given to Kerala by Modiji pic.twitter.com/IetOr9WPbH VV RAJESH (@VVRAJESH_BJP) January 1, 2026

VV Rajesh was elected mayor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation after the party won 50 of the 101 wards, marking its first-ever victory in a municipal corporation in Kerala.

In the mayoral election, Rajesh secured 51 votes, including the support of an Independent councillor.

LDF candidate RP Sivaji received 29 votes, while UDFs KS Sabarinathan secured 19 votes, two of which were later declared invalid.

Senior BJP leaders, including state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, were present at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation office to witness Rajesh being elected mayor.

Union Minister Suresh Gopi and former BJP state president K Surendran were also present.

Rajesh later took the oath as mayor and said he would see all 101 wards as a single unit, seeking cooperation from all to make Thiruvananthapuram one of the top three cities in the country in terms of development".

ALSO READ | PM Modi Wishes Jyotiraditya Scindia On 55th Birthday, Praises Him For Improving Telecom Sector

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 12:59 IST

News india 'Milestone In Golden Letters': PM Modi Writes To Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Rajesh, Hails BJP's Win

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Treat Everyone As Ones Own: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Calls For End To Caste, Wealth Discrimination

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 14:55 IST

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat asserted that the entire country belongs to everyone while also urging people to combat loneliness by spending time with their families.

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Mohan Bhagwat said true social harmony begins by treating everyone as ones own and removing discrimination from ones mindset. (IMAGE: AFP)

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday urged people to rise above divisions of caste, wealth and language, calling on citizens to treat everyone as ones own".

Addressing a Hindu Sammelan at Sonpairi village in Chhattisgarhs Raipur district, Bhagwat also spoke about growing loneliness in society and said families should dedicate at least one day each week to collective activities such as shared meals, prayers and discussions to strengthen bonds.

He asserted that the country belongs to everyone and said the first step towards social harmony is removing discrimination and division from ones mindset.

The entire country belongs to everyone, and this spirit is true social harmony," Bhagwat said, adding that public facilities such as temples, water bodies and cremation grounds must be accessible to all Hindus without exception.

People should not judge others on the basis of caste, wealth, language or region and should instead treat everyone as their own, he said. The entire India is mine," Bhagwat added, describing this outlook as samajik samrasta (social harmony).

Stressing the importance of reviving family interactions, Bhagwat said families should spend quality time together at least once a week, engage in prayers according to their faith, eat home-cooked meals and hold meaningful discussions, which he described as mangal samvad.

People often fall into bad habits when they feel lonely. Regular interaction and dialogue within families can help prevent this," the RSS chief said.

He said temples, water bodies and cremation grounds should be open to all Hindus, describing social work as an effort of unity, not conflict. All local resources and facilities, water sources like ponds and wells, places of worship such as temples and monasteries, arrangements for religious activities, and even final rites after death, should be open to all Hindus.

If this can be achieved through dialogue and understanding, it should be done that way. There should be no violence, because this is about uniting people, not struggling against them," Bhagwat said.

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Location : Raipur, India, India

First Published: January 01, 2026, 14:40 IST

News india Treat Everyone As Ones Own: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Calls For End To Caste, Wealth Discrimination

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Bakrid 2026: When Is Eid-ul-Adha In India? Date, Rituals And Prayers

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 10:55 IST

Observed by Muslims across the world, Bakrid honours the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim and highlights the importance of kindness, gratitude, and helping those in need.

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Bakrid is marked by prayers, charity, and time spent with family and community.

Bakrid 2026: Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Bakrid, is one of the most important festivals in Islam. It is observed by Muslims across the world with prayers, sacrifice, and acts of kindness. The festival honours faith, obedience, and the spirit of giving.

Bakrid is linked to the story of Prophet Ibrahim, who showed complete trust in Allah. His willingness to follow Gods command is remembered every year through prayers and sacrifice. The festival also marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) 2026: Expected Date

Eid-ul-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Since the Islamic calendar depends on moon sighting, the exact date can change.

In 2026, Bakrid is expected to be observed on Wednesday, May 27, subject to confirmation after the moon is sighted.

Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) 2026: Rituals and Practices

Prayer Timings

Bakrid starts early in the morning with special Eid prayers, known as Salat al-Eid. These prayers are offered in mosques or open grounds and usually begin around 15 to 20 minutes after sunrise. The prayer includes two units and extra Takbeers praising Allah.

After the prayer, a sermon is delivered that speaks about faith, sacrifice, and caring for others. Muslims greet each other with Eid Mubarak" and return home to continue the days rituals.

Fasting Rules

Fasting is not allowed on the day of Eid-ul-Adha. It is meant to be a day of celebration, food, and sharing. Muslims are encouraged to eat, dress well, and spend time with family.

However, fasting is recommended before Eid, especially on the Day of Arafah. Fasting is not allowed on Bakrid and the three days that follow, known as the days of Tashreeq.

Charity (Zakat/Sadaqah)

One of the main rituals of Bakrid is Qurbani, or animal sacrifice. Muslims who can afford it sacrifice an animal such as a goat or sheep. This act remembers Prophet Ibrahims devotion to Allah. The meat is divided into three parts.

One part is kept for the family, one is shared with relatives and friends, and one is given to people in need. This ensures that everyone can take part in the celebrations.

Community Traditions

Charity is a key part of Bakrid. Along with Qurbani, Muslims are encouraged to give extra Sadaqah and Zakat. Food, clothes, and money are often donated to help those who are struggling. The idea is to make sure no one is left out during the festival and that joy is shared equally.

Bakrid 2026: How the Festival Is Observed

After prayers and sacrifice, families gather at home. Special meals are prepared, and sweets are shared with neighbours and friends. People visit relatives, exchange gifts, and children often receive Eidi.

Many people wear new clothes, apply henna, and decorate their homes. In some countries, Bakrid is a public holiday with cultural events and community gatherings.

Bakrid 2026: Significance

Bakrid teaches the value of faith, patience, and obedience to Allah. The story of Prophet Ibrahim reminds believers to put trust in God, even in difficult moments.

The festival also highlights kindness, sharing, and responsibility towards others. It encourages people to look beyond themselves and help those in need.

Bakrid 2026: Special Prayers / Surahs

On Bakrid, Muslims offer the special Eid prayer and continue reciting Takbeer-e-Tashreeq for several days. During Qurbani, specific prayers are recited.

Other Sunnah practices include bathing before prayers, wearing clean clothes, taking a different route to and from the mosque, and spending the day in gratitude.

Bakrid 2026: Wishes And Greetings

Bakrid Mubarak To You And Your Family! May your faith and good deeds bring peace and happiness into your life.

Wishing you a joyful Eid-ul-Adha filled with love, blessings, and togetherness. Wishes to the family!

May Allah accept your sacrifices and answer all your prayers. Eid Mubarak 2026!

Sending heartfelt wishes for a calm, blessed, and happy Bakrid. Wishes to all at home.

May this Eid strengthen family bonds and bring comfort to your heart.

Eid-ul-Adha Mubarak! May Allah bless you with good health and lasting happiness.

May your home be filled with laughter, warmth, and shared meals this Bakrid. Eid Mubarak!

Wishing you a blessed Bakrid guided by faith, gratitude, and kindness. Eid Mubarak To You!

May generosity and compassion light your path this Eid and always. Eid Mubarak.

Eid Mubarak to you and your loved ones. May your day be filled with joy and peace.

May Allahs mercy and guidance stay with you and your family.

Wishing you an Eid-ul-Adha that brings hope, harmony, and blessings to your life. Sending some special wishes and love to you!

Bakrid Mubarak! May your home be filled with peace, good food, and happy moments.

May this Bakrid remind us of faith, patience, and caring for one another. Eid Mubarak 2026.

Sending you sincere wishes for a meaningful and blessed Eid-ul-Adha.

Bakrid 2026: FAQs

What is Bakrid?

Bakrid, or Eid-ul-Adha, is a major Islamic festival that marks sacrifice and faith.

Why does the date change every year?

The festival depends on moon sighting, so dates vary each year.

What is Qurbani?

It is the ritual sacrifice of an animal, with meat shared among family and the needy.

How do people greet each other?

Muslims greet each other by saying Eid Mubarak."

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 10:55 IST

News lifestyle events Bakrid 2026: When Is Eid-ul-Adha In India? Date, Rituals And Prayers
Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Date, Moon Sighting, Prayer Timings And Wishes

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 11:10 IST

Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 marks the end of Ramadan, celebrating prayer, charity, unity, and joy among Muslims worldwide.

Eid-ul-Fitr reminds believers of compassion, humility, and care for those in need.

Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the most important festivals in Islam and marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It is a day of gratitude, charity, prayers, and togetherness. After a month of fasting, self-discipline, and reflection, Eid brings joy, forgiveness, and celebration to millions of Muslims across the world.

The festival symbolises spiritual renewal. It reminds believers of compassion, humility, and care for those in need. Families come together, mosques fill up early in the morning, and the day begins with prayers and warm greetings of Eid Mubarak.

Eid-ul-Fitr 2026: Date And Timings

Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 is expected to be observed around March 20 or March 21, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon. The exact date may vary by country and region.

Eid Day Begins: After sunset of the last Ramadan fast

After sunset of the last Ramadan fast Eid Prayer Time: Shortly after sunrise

Shortly after sunrise Celebrations End: By nightfall on the same day

Eid Prayer Timing and Duration

Prayer Time: Approximately 1530 minutes after sunrise

Approximately 1530 minutes after sunrise Duration: 1015 minutes

1015 minutes Venue: Mosques or open Eidgah grounds

Before the prayer, Muslims are required to give Zakat-ul-Fitr, a mandatory charity meant to ensure that even the underprivileged can celebrate Eid with dignity.

Eid 2026: Religious Background

Eid-ul-Fitr commemorates the successful completion of Ramadan, the month during which the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and teaches self-restraint, empathy, and devotion. Eid symbolises spiritual renewal and the reward for patience and faith.

Eid 2026: Rituals and Traditions

Common practices observed on Eid-ul-Fitr include:

Early Morning Bath: Symbolic of purification

Symbolic of purification Wearing New or Clean Clothes: Often in white or festive colours

Often in white or festive colours Eid Prayer: Offered in congregation

Offered in congregation Charity (Zakat-ul-Fitr): Given before prayer

Given before prayer Festive Meals: Traditional dishes and sweets

Traditional dishes and sweets Home Visits: Meeting relatives and neighbours

Eid 2026: Fasting Rules

Fasting is strictly forbidden on Eid-ul-Fitr Ramadan fast ends at sunset the previous evening Breaking the Fast  Traditionally with dates or water Foods Commonly Prepared  Sewaiyan, sheer khurma, biryani, kebabs Moderation is encouraged despite celebrations

Eid 2026: Dos And Donts

Dos

Give charity before Eid prayer

Attend Eid namaz

Greet others with warmth

Share food and happiness

Donts

Avoid disputes and negativity

Eid Mubarak: Eid Wishes and Messages

Wishing peace, health, and blessings this Eid.

May Allah accept your prayers and fasting.

Eid Mubarak! May this Eid bring you closer to Allah and fill your heart with gratitude.

May the blessings of Allah be with you and your family always. Eid Mubarak 2025!

Eid Mubarak to you and your family.

May this Eid bring joy and unity.

Sending warm wishes of love and light this Eid

Eid Mubarak! Celebrate with gratitude.

May your home be filled with peace.

Joy, hope, and prosperity to you this Eid.

Eid 2026: FAQs

When is Eid-ul-Fitr 2026?

Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 is expected to be observed around March 20 or March 21.

When will the moon rise?

It will depend on moon-sighting in the holy city of Mecca.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 11:10 IST

News lifestyle events Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Date, Moon Sighting, Prayer Timings And Wishes
When Is Onam 2026? Thiruvonam Date, Timings, And More About This Kerala Festival

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 09:50 IST

Onam celebrates Keralas culture with vibrant Pookalams, grand Onam Sadya, traditional rituals, and joyous festivities uniting families and communities.

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Onam 2026: Thiruvonam will be celebrated on August 26. (Image: Shutterstock)

Onam 2026: Onam is one of the most important festivals celebrated mainly in Kerala. It holds deep cultural significance for Malayali families around the globe. Closely connected to nature, the harvest season, and age-old traditions, Onam brings people together in a spirit of unity and joy. Homes are thoroughly cleaned, vibrant floral designs are created, and families prepare with care and enthusiasm to welcome the festive days.

The festival follows the Malayalam solar calendar and is observed during the month of Chingam. Onam is not a single-day celebration but a festival that lasts several days. Each day carries its own significance, marked by rituals that express faith, gratitude, and a strong sense of togetherness.

Onam in 2026 will be celebrated in the month of August.

Onam 2026: Date, Day And Timings

In 2026, Thiruvonam will be observed on August 26 (Wednesday). The date is decided based on the presence of Thiruvonam nakshatra during the Chingam month. This nakshatra is also known as Shravana in other Indian calendars.

The festival will be celebrated from August 16 to August 28, with the key day falling on August 26.

Onam 2026: Puja Muhurat & Duration

Here are the key timings for Thiruvonam in 2026, as per Drik Panchang:

Thiruvonam Nakshathram will begin at 10:51 PM on August 25

Thiruvonam Nakshathram will end at 12:48 AM on August 27

Onam 2026: History

Onam is closely associated with the legend of King Mahabali, a just and compassionate ruler who is believed to visit his people once every year. The festival is also linked to the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu, who sent Mahabali to the underworld but granted him permission to return annually. This symbolic homecoming serves as a reminder of values such as equality, honesty, and righteous governance.

The celebrations begin with Atham and continue for ten days, culminating in Thiruvonam. During this festive period, people adorn their homes with colourful pookkalams, enjoy traditional Onam meals, and participate in various cultural programs and celebrations.

Onam 2026: Rituals & Traditions

Onam is celebrated with many cultural activities, including traditional dances like Thiruvathira Kali, Pulikali (tiger dance), and Kathakali. These performances add colour and joy to the festival across Kerala.

On Thiruvonam, the most important day of Onam, it is believed that King Mahabali visits the earth. Homes are decorated with rice paste designs at the entrance to welcome him. Families prepare the Onam Sadya, a grand vegetarian meal served on banana leaves, and people return to their hometowns to celebrate the festival together.

Onam 2026: Special Food

Food is at the heart of Onam celebrations, with the Onam Sadhya being the main attraction. This grand vegetarian meal is served on a banana leaf and eaten by hand. It is usually prepared together by family members, showing unity and togetherness. The feast stands for simplicity, respect, and equality.

A traditional Sadhya has around 26 dishes that bring together sweet, sour, spicy, and salty tastes. It begins with crispy pappadam, banana chips, and jaggery-coated fritters. Pickles made with ginger, mango, and lemon add sharp flavours. Yoghurt-based dishes, vegetable stews, and mixed vegetable curries made with coconut form the core of the meal.

Steamed rice is served with lentil curry, ghee, and thick vegetable gravies. Dry vegetable dishes, yam stir-fries, pumpkin-based curries, and lentil preparations add variety and texture. Light soups made with tamarind and spices are served toward the end to help digestion.

The meal ends on a sweet note with traditional desserts made from rice ada, milk, jaggery, bananas, and dry fruits. Small bananas are often mixed with dessert and pappadam for extra taste. Together, these dishes make the Onam Sadhya a rich and memorable part of the festival.

Onam 2026: Significance

Onam is more than a harvest festival; it celebrates Keralas culture, traditions, and faith. Linked to the legend of King Mahabali, the festival stands for unity, prosperity, and devotion. From colourful Pookalam designs to the grand Onam Sadya with over 26 dishes served on banana leaves, Onam brings together rituals, food, and joy.

The festival also has deep religious importance. People thank the land for blessing them with rich harvests each year. They worship King Mahabali and Lord Vamana and pray for good health, long life, and happiness for their loved ones.

Onam 2026: Celebration Across India / Regions

Onam is Keralas biggest festival, but its celebrations are not limited to the state alone; many cities across India join in with colourful events and community gatherings.

In Chennai and Bengaluru, Malayali communities host cultural programs, music, dance, and floral decorations, bringing Keralas festival spirit to these cities.

In Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, the festival is marked with traditional processions, cultural shows, and the grand Onasadya feast served on banana leaves.

You will also find lively Onam gatherings in Mumbai and Delhi, where people come together to enjoy Onam Sadya, build floral pookalams, and celebrate with performances and competitions.

Even in Kolkata and Hyderabad, Malayali groups organise feasts and traditional rituals that reflect the joy and unity of Onam, showing how this harvest festival has spread across the country.

Happy Onam 2026: Wishes & Greetings

May the spirit of King Mahabalis benevolent rule fill your home with harmony and abundance. Happy Onam 2026!

Wishing you a harvest of happiness and a feast of memories. Have a blessed and joyful Onam.

Let the vibrant colours of the Pookkalam and the sweet taste of Payasam bring endless joy to your life. Onam Ashamsakal!

As the snake boats race and the Onam songs echo, may your life be filled with celebration. Happy Onam!

May the divine blessings of Onam fill your life with prosperity, peace, and good health.

Wishing you a wonderful celebration. Embrace the traditions, cherish the memories, and celebrate the spirit of togetherness. Happy Onam 2026!

Wishing you an Onam Sadhya so grand that its happiness lingers for the rest of the year.

May the fresh blossoms of your Pookkalam usher in a fresh and fragrant year for you. Onam greetings!

From our family to yours, we wish you a festival filled with the richness of tradition and the warmth of love. Happy Onam.

Let us welcome King Mahabali with open hearts and celebrate the golden era he represents. Onam Ashamsakal!

Wishing you a happy and prosperous Onam filled with warmth, smiles, and joyful moments. Happy Onam!

May this Onam bless you and your family with good health, success, and lasting happiness. Warm wishes for Onam!

Celebrate the true spirit of Onam with cheer, faith, and positivity. Happy Onam to you and your beloved family!

Sending warm wishes to you and your loved ones for an Onam filled with togetherness and joy. Happy Onam 2026!

May King Mahabalis blessings bring peace, positivity, and happiness into your home. Have a joyous Onam this year.

Onam 2026 FAQs

Why is Onam celebrated?

Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, who is believed to visit Kerala during this festival.

Which day is the most important during Onam?

Thiruvonam is the main and most important day of the festival.

What are the key rituals followed during Onam?

Making Pookalam, offering prayers, and preparing the Onam Sadya are key rituals.

What food is prepared during Onam?

A grand vegetarian feast called Onam Sadya, served on a banana leaf, is prepared.

What are the main cultural events during Onam?

Boat races, Pulikali, Kathakali, and other traditional dance performances are the highlights.

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Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India, India

First Published: January 01, 2026, 09:50 IST

News lifestyle events When Is Onam 2026? Thiruvonam Date, Timings, And More About This Kerala Festival
By Enes Tunagur and Laila Kearney

LONDON/NEW YORK, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Wednesday and recorded an annual loss of nearly 20%, as expectations of oversupply increased in a year marked by wars, higher tariffs, increased OPEC+ output and sanctions on Russia, Iran and Venezuela.

Brent crude futures shed about 19% in 2025, the most substantial annual percentage decline since 2020 and its third straight year of losses, the longest such streak on record. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude logged an annual decline of almost 20%.

On the last day of the year, Brent futures settled at $60.85 a barrel, down 48 cents, or 0.8%. U.S. WTI crude fell by 53 cents, or 0.9%, to settle at $57.42 a barrel.

BNP Paribas commodities analyst Jason Ying anticipates Brent will dip to $55 a barrel in the first quarter before recovering to $60 a barrel for the rest of 2026 as supply growth normalises and demand stays flat.

"The reason why we're more bearish than the market in the near term is that we think that U.S. shale producers were able to hedge at high levels," he said.

"So the supply from shale producers will be more consistent and insensitive to price movements."

U.S. crude stocks fell last week, but distillate and gasoline inventories grew more than expected, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. [EIA/S]

It was a modestly supportive report on crude drawdown, but the inners of the report are not so great and it will probably be a rough January and February with the holidays in the rearview mirror," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital Markets.

Crude inventories fell by 1.9 million barrels to 422.9 million barrels in the week ended December 26, the EIA said, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for an 867,000-barrel draw.

U.S. gasoline stocks rose by 5.8 million barrels in the week to 234.3 million barrels, the EIA said, compared with analysts' expectations for a 1.9 million-barrel build. Distillate stockpiles, including diesel and heating oil, rose by 5 million barrels to 123.7 million barrels, versus projections of a 2.2 million-barrel rise.

Oil production in the U.S. hit a record in October, according to the latest data from the EIA.

Oil markets had a strong start to 2025 when former President Joe Biden ended his term by imposing tougher sanctions on Russia, disrupting supplies to major buyers China and India.

The impact of the war in Ukraine on energy markets intensified when Ukrainian drones damaged Russian infrastructure and disrupted Kazakhstan's oil exports.
When Is Dev Deepawali 2026? Dev Diwali Date, Muhurat, Rituals And Significance

Published By :



Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 10:50 IST

Dev Deepawali 2026 is celebrated on Kartik Purnima, marking the Festival of Lights for the Gods. Know the Dev Diwali date, muhurat, rituals, significance and why Varanasi glows.

Rapid Read

Dev Deepawali will be celebrated this year on Tuesday, November 24.

Dev Deepawali 2026: Known as the Festival of Lights for the Gods, Dev Deepawali is a famous Hindu festival celebrated in Varanasi, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh and other regions of the country. Dev Deepawali, which is also spelt as Dev Diwali, is celebrated on the full moon night of Kartik Purnima, usually in the month of October or November and the festival takes place fifteen days after Diwali.

The festival becomes a visually grand show with the ghats of Varanasi being lit up with thousands of diyas. On this auspicious occasion, devotees offer prayers and they also take a holy dip in the Ganga to wash away sins and seek blessings.

Heres a look at some of the key aspects of Dev Diwali.

Dev Diwali 2026 Date And Shubh Muhurat

According to Drik Panchang, this year, Dev Deepavali will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 24.

As per Drik Panchang, Pradoshakal Dev Deepavali Muhurat is between 5:08 PM and 7:47 PM.

Purnima Tithi will commence this year at 11:42 PM on Nov 23 and it will come to an end at 8:23 PM on the very next day, according to Drik Panchang.

Dev Deepawali 2026: Origin

The origin of Dev Deepawali is connected to the tale of Tripurasura, a high-powered demon who created havoc across the three worlds. He had received boons from Lord Brahma that made him nearly invincible.

With time, he became arrogant and started tormenting the gods and looking for help; the deities turned to Lord Shiva. It was found out that Tripurasura could only be destroyed with a single arrow that struck and burned his three cities at once.

Taking the form of Tripurari, Lord Shiva then mounted a divine chariot and shot a powerful arrow that destroyed the demons cities in one strike. To celebrate this triumph, Lord Shiva and the gods descended to Earth and took a holy dip in the Ganga, a moment which is marked as Dev Deepawali.

Dev Deepawali: Rituals And Celebrations

The main tradition involved with this festival is Deepdan, the offering of oil lamps to the Ganga. The grand Ganga Aarti is also a major attraction. Devotees perform Ganga Snan on the morning of Kartik Purnima, taking a dip in the holy river in order to cleanse their souls and seek divine blessings.

Dev Deepawali: Significances

Dev Deepawali displays Indias rich cultural heritage, while the diyas signify purity, peace and the advent of divine energies on Earth. The lamps and candles are lit, thus illuminating the city and denoting the triumph of light over darkness.

Dev Deepawali Wishes And Messages

Wishing you a very happy Dev Deepawali!

On this Dev Deepawali, I wish you and your family divine peace and prosperity.

Lets celebrate the victory of light and spiritual energy. Happy Dev Deepawali!

Happy Dev Deepawali! Wishing you and your family a magnificent celebration.

Wishing you and your dear ones a bright, remarkable and blessed Dev Deepawali!

Wishing you and your family a very happy and prosperous Dev Deepawali 2026!

May the lights of Diwali illuminate your life. Happy Dev Deepawali 2026!

Let the divine lamps bring you eternal bliss. Happy Dev Deepawali!

Sending my best and heartfelt wishes to you on this auspicious occasion. Happy Dev Deepawali!

Wishing a holy and harmonious Dev Deepawali.

Dev Deepawali 2026 FAQs

When is Dev Deepawali 2026?

Dev Deepawali will be celebrated this year on Tuesday, November 24, as per Drik Panchang.

What are the auspicious timings?

As per Drik Panchang, Pradoshakal Dev Deepavali Muhurat is between 05:08 PM and 07:47 PM.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 10:50 IST

News lifestyle events When Is Dev Deepawali 2026? Dev Diwali Date, Muhurat, Rituals And Significance
Hanuman Jayanti 2026: Date, Muhurat, Rituals, Mantras, And Wishes

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 11:15 IST

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated at different times of the year across India according to their regional beliefs and the type of calendar being followed.

Rapid Read

Hanuman Jayanti will be celebrated on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Hanuman Jayanti is observed to celebrate the birth of Lord Hanuman. The deity is known for his strength, devotion and bravery. Also known as Hanuman Janmotsav, this sacred Hindu festival is marked on the full moon day during the Chaitra month.

It is observed at different times of the year in India according to the regional beliefs and the type of calendar being followed. But as per Drik Panchang, Hanuman Jayanti, which falls in the month of Chaitra Purnima, is widely celebrated as the main one.

Hanuman Jayanti 2026: Date, Timings And Shubh Muhurat

In 2026, Hanuman Jayanti will be observed on Thursday, April 2, according to Drik Panchang. The Chaitra Purnima Tithi will begin on April 1 at 7:06 am and will conclude on April 2 at 7:41 am. The Brahma Muhurta for that day will occur from 04:59 AM to 05:45 AM.

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Hanuman Jayanti lasts 41 days, beginning on Chaitra Purnima and concluding on the tenth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in Vaisakha month.

In Tamil Nadu, Hanuman Jayanti is known as Hanumath Jayanti and is observed during the Margashirsha Amavasya.

According to the Gregorian calendar, Tamil Hanumna Jayanti is celebrated in the month of January or December.

Meanwhile, in Karnataka, Hanuman Jayanti is observed on the thirteenth day of the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha as Hanuman Vratam.

Hanuman Jayanti 2026: Mythology Behind the Festival

In Hindu mythology, Lord Hanuman is revered as the 11th Rudra avatar of Lord Shiva, born to Anjana and Kesari through the blessings of the wind god Vayu.

Hanuman, also known as the Monkey God, is believed to have been born on Chaitra Purnima, under a rare celestial alignment that signifies divine purpose and celestial strength.

The epic Ramayana  sacred Hindu scriptures  showcases Hanumans pivotal role in helping Lord Rama rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana.

Hanuman Jayanti 2026: Rituals & Traditions

It is said that Lord Hanuman was born at sunrise. As a result, temples start spiritual activities before dawn and continue them after sunrise. Devotees celebrate Hanuman Jayanti by reciting Hanuman Chalisa, offering sweets, and decorating temples with flowers and flags. Many devotees fast from sunrise to sunset on Hanuman Jayanti, eating only fruits and satvik foods.

On Hanuman Jayanti, devotees follow traditional worship steps to perform puja: light a ghee lamp, perform abhishek with Ganga water, and wipe the idol clean.

Mix vermilion with ghee or jasmine oil and offer a sindoor chola, starting from Lord Hanumans left foot. Adorn him with silver or gold foil, a sacred thread (janeu), and new clothes. Offer bhog and perform aarti, reciting Hanuman Chalisa at least once.

Hanuman Jayanti 2026: Fasting Rules

On Hanuman Jayanti, devotees observe fasts as a mark of devotion. The fast can be observed in different ways: a complete fast (Nirjala Vrat) without food or water, a partial fast (Phalahari Vrat) with fruits, milk, and water, or having one meal after the puja.

Hanuman Jayanti 2026: Mantras & Chants

On this day, devotees read the Hanuman Chalisa or recite mantras to invoke his blessings for courage, success, and deliverance from evil. Here are a few mantras and their meaning:

Om Namo Bhagavate Anjaneyaya Mahabalaya Swaha

Om Shri Hanumate Namah

Om Anjaneyaya Vidmahe Vayuputraya Dhimahi, Tanno Hanumat Prachodayat

Bajrangbali Ki Jai

Om Panchmukh Hanumate Namah

Hanuman Jayanti 2026: Dos And Donts Guidelines For Devotees

Here are some dos and donts for Hanuman Jayanti to make the most of this holy day.

Dos

Offer sindoor to Lord Hanuman

Donating on this day is said to be auspicious, which is believed to eliminate your problems and lead to a peaceful life.

Lord Hanuman must be worshipped with red flowers, desi ghee, or sesame oil.

On the day of Hanuman Jayanti, it is considered very auspicious to feed jiggery, bananas, or gram dal, to monkeys.

Wear red or saffron-coloured clothes, which are considered sacred and favourable to Lord Hanuman

Donts

Tamasik food should be avoided on the day of Hanuman Jayanti.

On Hanuman Jayanti, no animal may be disturbed or injured.

Alcohol or intoxicants must not be used on this day.

Never worship a broken idol of Lord Hanuman

Hanuman Jayanti 2026: Significance of the Festival

Hanuman Jayanti is a celebration of Lord Hanumans birth, symbolising strength, devotion, and selfless service. Its a day to reflect on his values  courage, discipline, devotion, and humility. On this day, devotees observe fasts, recite Hanuman Chalisa, and offer prayers and sweets to seek his blessings.

As the protector against evil forces, Hanuman grants courage and energy to overcome obstacles. Students, athletes, and those facing challenges worship him for strength and guidance in their lives. Devotees across India celebrate this festival with faith and fervour, and the festivities highlight the cultural and spiritual diversity of Hanuman worship.

Hanuman Jayanti 2026: Wishes And Messages To Share

May the teachings and strength of Lord Hanuman be with you every day. Wishing you a very happy Hanuman Jayanti!

Happy Hanuman Jayanti to your loved ones. May we always carry Lord Hanuman in our hearts and he will carry us across the ocean of sorrow and lift our happiness.

Wishing you and your family a happy Hanuman Jayanti. May Sankatmochan keep you away from all troubles and problems.

On this auspicious day, may your hearts be filled with courage and love, just like Hanuman jis devotion to Lord Ram.

Hope this special day brings you courage and devotion. Jai Hanuman!

May Lord Hanumans strength and kindness guide you to ultimate glory!

I wish joy, harmony and prosperity on Hanuman Jayanti for you and your family. Happy Hanuman Jayanti 2025!

May Lord Hanuman help you face every challenge with strength and support you in every endeavour. Stay blessed!

Wishing my family, a Hanuman Jayanti filled with love and divine blessings.

Lets come together to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti and seek blessings for our familys happiness.

Hanuman Jayanti 2026: FAQs

Why do we celebrate Hanuman Jayanti?

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to honour the birth of Lord Hanuman, a deity symbolising immense strength, courage, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to Lord Rama.

When is Hanuman Jayanti 2026?

In 2026, Hanuman Jayanti falls on Thursday, April 2.

What are the main rituals?

On this day, devotees fast, offer red sindoor (vermilion) and jasmine oil to Hanuman idols, recite the Hanuman Chalisa and {Sundarakanda}, perform aarti, and distribute Prasad.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 11:15 IST

News lifestyle events Hanuman Jayanti 2026: Date, Muhurat, Rituals, Mantras, And Wishes
Emily In Paris' Desi Connection, Courtesy Earrings Lily Collins Wore On The Show

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 12:51 IST

Ridhi Asranis designs dazzle on-screen, blending Indian craftsmanship with international fashion.

Emily In Paris got a desi touch with earrings from Hyderabad-based designer (Photo Credit: X)

Desi fans of Emily in Paris are noticing more than just romantic twists and Parisian backdrops this season. Hyderabad-based jewellery brand Ridhi Asrani made a subtle yet stylish cameo on the show, adding an Indian touch to Emilys iconic wardrobe.

Lily Collins, who plays Emily, was seen wearing two statement hoop designs from the brand: Amalaka hoops and Karnika hoops. Styled by Marilyn Fitoussi, the earrings perfectly matched Emilys evolving fashion journey.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ridhi Asrani (@ridhiasranijewelry)

Speaking to India Today, she said, Emily in Paris represents modern femininity and self-expression at its fullest, and it felt good to see your designs speak for themselves."

Amalaka and Karnika hoops steal the spotlight

The Amalaka hoops feature marquise-shaped citrine crystals along the edges and pairs of pearls at each junction. They strike the perfect balance between statement and elegance. Collins paired them with a structured bustier top and a flowing A-line skirt featuring a bold polka dot print by Danish brand Stine Goya.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ridhi Asrani (@ridhiasranijewelry)

Collins paired them with a structured bustier top and a flowing A-line skirt. It features big polka dots on it by a denish brand called Stine Goya.

The Karnika hoops combine a huggie with a larger hoop, adorned with champagne-coloured crystals, granulation, and floral carvings. These were styled with a vibrant jacket, colourful pants, and a bralette top, creating a playful yet sophisticated look.

International recognition for Asrani

Interestingly, according to Elle, this is not Asranis first international spotlight. Her Amalaka earrings were previously seen on Sarita Choudhurys character Seema Patel in HBOs And Just Like That Asrani recalls the experience as a full-circle moment." She shared, Seeing Seema Patel wear my earrings felt like a cosmic wink from the universe. She embodies that bold, sensual, feminine energy I design for."

The designers journey to TV fame began simply. I just shared my Instagram handle with the costume designer. Danny Santiago loved a few pieces and requested they be sourced. When you move from alignment, the universe tends to meet you halfway," Asrani said.

Fans and global appeal

The reaction from fans has been overwhelming. A lot of SATC fans in their 40s to 60s reached out and purchased pieces, from London, New York, Dubai. It was truly special," she added.

Asrani emphasises that her brand is about depth and timelessness, not just virality. My brand is my alter ego. I design for women who are unapologetically themselves," she said, naming icons like Priyanka Chopra, Rihanna, and Simone Ashley as inspirations.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 12:51 IST

News lifestyle fashion Emily In Paris' Desi Connection, Courtesy Earrings Lily Collins Wore On The Show
Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambanis Simple, Serene Start To 2026 At Dwarkadhish Temple

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 14:43 IST

Radhika Merchant opts for a minimal, no-makeup ethnic look during the Ambani familys New Year visit to Dwarkadhish Temple, drawing praise for her understated elegance.

Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani keep it classic for the Ambanis spiritual start to the New Year

Mukesh Ambani welcomed the first day of 2026 on a spiritual note, choosing prayer over celebration as the year began. The Reliance Industries chairman visited the revered Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat to seek blessings for the New Year, accompanied by his younger son Anant Ambani and daughter-in-law Radhika Merchant.

The visit to the ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna was intentionally low-key and private. Known for beginning important milestones with prayer, the Ambani family spent time performing puja and briefly interacting with the temple priests before quietly departing, away from public attention.

Radhika Merchants understated temple look

Radhika Merchant kept her temple attire refreshingly minimal, favouring simplicity over statement dressing. She wore a cream kurta paired with a matching dupatta, steering clear of heavy embroidery or embellishments. A pair of cropped red pants added a subtle hint of colour, striking a thoughtful balance between elegance and restraint.

Respecting the sanctity of the setting, Radhika opted for a no-makeup look and styled her hair in a simple half-tied manner. Her pared-back appearance resonated widely online, with many praising her less is more" approach and effortless grace.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ambani Family (@ambani_update)

Traditional choices for Anant and Mukesh Ambani

Anant Ambani complemented the serene surroundings in a vibrant blue kurta set, bringing depth and contrast while staying rooted in traditional Indian wear. Mukesh Ambani remained true to his signature style, choosing a refined cream-and-brown ethnic ensemble that reflected quiet sophistication.

Together, the familys New Year visit highlighted a shared commitment to tradition, humility, and spiritual grounding, beginning 2026 with faith and simplicity rather than fanfare.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 14:43 IST

News lifestyle fashion Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambanis Simple, Serene Start To 2026 At Dwarkadhish Temple
As AQI Worsens Across India, Doctors Explain How Effective N95 Masks Really Are

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 09:21 IST

Health experts verify the safety and effectiveness of N95 masks and whether people should adopt them to tackle the ongoing pollution crises.

N95 masks come with filtration capabilities.

A video highlighting the effectiveness of the N95 mask as a protective tool against high pollution levels has caught peoples attention online. In the video, entrepreneur and paragliding pilot Aneesh Bhasin first deployed a portable air quality monitor at Mumbais Juhu Beach to record a real-time AQI reading. He then placed an N95 mask over the monitors air inlet and found that the AQI dropped drastically in a very short time, from 192 to just 37.

Insisting that N95 masks do work", Bhasin encouraged people to wear the protective gear to manage outdoor activities and travel requirements amid widespread poor air quality and health risks associated with it. Now, Dr Samir Garde, director, Dept of Pulmonology and Lung Transplant, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, spoke about the N95 masks and whether they are truly sufficient to safeguard against the challenge.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aneesh Bhasin (@aneeshb)

Expert On N95 Masks

The higher the AQI number, the worse the air quality. When AQI is below 50, the air is considered good. Between 100 and 200, it becomes unhealthy, especially for children, elderly people, and those with asthma or heart problems. When AQI crosses 300, the air is very harmful and can cause breathing trouble even in healthy people. This is where N95 masks become important," Dr Garde told the Indian Express.

Speaking over the N95 mask, Dr Garde said the protective oxygen gear is made to filter at least 95 per cent of tiny particles from the air, which includes dust, smoke, and other pollution particles known as PM2.5. These tiny particles are the most dangerous because they can enter deep into the lungs and even reach the bloodstream. When AQI is above 150, wearing an N95 mask outdoors can help reduce the amount of polluted air you breathe in," said the health expert.

It is advantageous during heavy traffic, construction work, or smoggy days. However, the mask must fit properly around the nose and mouth to work well. Loose or damaged masks offer less protection."

On The Experiment

Focusing on the experiment conducted by the Mumbai resident, Dr Manas Mengar, a consultant in pulmonology at KIMS Hospitals, Thane, said the video reinforced the N95 masks filtering qualities. When you cover the inlet of an AQI monitor with an N95 mask, you filter the air before it reaches the sensor. The air pollution around it stays the same. The mask prevents particles from reaching the device, which means it also has similar effects on the human body," Dr Mengar said.

Mengar advised people to exercise caution in the matter as N95 masks reduce their exposure to pollution and dont eliminate the threat. But dont confuse protection with a solution," said Dr Mengar in a warning, especially for the high-risk category featuring children, pregnant women and people with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 09:21 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness As AQI Worsens Across India, Doctors Explain How Effective N95 Masks Really Are
These 4 Drinks In The Morning Can Beat Constipation Suggests Gastroenterologist

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 12:46 IST

Identifying constipation as a common problem faced by individuals today, an experienced gastroenterologist suggested consuming these morning drinks.

Drinking a glass of warm water is the most reliable morning aid for bowel activity.

Constipation is not just a gut issue but also an annoying and persistent trouble that disrupts peoples everyday lives. Individuals dealing with constipation often experience bloating, a sense of discomfort in their stomach, and other gut-related challenges.

Dr Rohan Yewale, consultant gastroenterology and hepatology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, recommends incorporating these nutritious drinks in your lifestyle for improved bowel activity. Speaking to HT Lifestyle, Yewale said sufficient hydration is critical to revive a persons bowel activity.

Constipation is one of the most frequent digestive complaints seen in outpatient clinics, particularly among adults with sedentary routines, irregular meal timings, or inadequate hydration," said Yewale. Morning drinks assist bowel movement through three mechanisms. They rehydrate stool after overnight fluid loss."

They stimulate the gastrocolic reflex, which is naturally strongest in the morning. They support gut lining and microbial health, which determines how smoothly stool moves through the colon."

While pointing out that morning drinks should not be treated as laxatives, the doctor listed out these hydration choices to help the gut procedure and ensure the digestive system operates as smoothly as desired.

Warm Water

The gastroenterologist calls it the simplest and most reliable morning aid for bowel activity. Having stayed dehydrated for several hours overnight, the colon receives water from stool, which makes it slower and harder to pass. Drinking warm water upon waking up rehydrates the digestive tract and softens stool consistency.

Water With Soaked Seeds

Seeds like chia seeds are stacked with fibre. Soak these natural sources of fibre in the water overnight and consume them early in the morning. When fibre absorbs water, it forms a gel-like substance that ensures easy passage through the colon. Overall, water with soaked seeds increases stool bulk and moisture.

Fermented Liquid

This preparation provides our gut with good bacteria that boost stool frequency and consistency. Such drinks help restore a microbial balance and can be highly beneficial for those with irregular eating patterns. Experiencing constipation alongside gas or abdominal discomfort? Explore the benefits of fermented drinks.

Mild Herbal Infusions

Herbal drinks help lower the risk of constipation. Certain herbal infusions improve bile flow and intestinal movement and aid the overall digestion process. In contrast to stimulant laxatives, these herbal drinks never force bowel contraction or cause dependency. They support digestive secretions and gut reflexes.

However, if your constipation persists despite consuming these healthy morning drinks, the gastroenterologist suggests going for an immediate medical evaluation. Persistent unresolved constipation may indicate hypothyroidism, diabetes, medication effects, or pelvic floor dysfunction. Among individuals above the age of 40, Yewale noted blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, regular abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits as evident red flags to not ignore.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 12:46 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness These 4 Drinks In The Morning Can Beat Constipation Suggests Gastroenterologist
Golden Visa: Here's A List Of Countries That Are Offering Residence Permit To Indians

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 16:40 IST

A list of countries with a beneficial golden visa program to allow you to live, work and ultimately acquire citizenship there.

Several countries offer Golden Visas or residency-by-investment schemes that pave the way to citizenship via substantial investments. (News18)

A golden visa is a residence permit offered by a nation to people who submit a qualifying investment, which could be sums put in real estate, government bonds, or local businesses. In return, the countrys government and travel authorities issue the concerned individual a permit to live, work, study, and access healthcare.

The golden visa residency permit differs from citizenship by investment. While it gives an individual residency rights and a green signal to work and live, no passport is issued alongside it. Citizenship by investment comes with full citizenship rights and a passport. In some countries, their visa programs allow you to apply for citizenship after living there for a certain number of years.

People seek the golden visa as it gives them flexibility and security. A golden visa eases international travel, makes schooling and healthcare more accessible and opens up new business opportunities. It also provides a backup plan amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties. According to Henley & Partners data as of August 2025, here are some of the countries in the world that may offer you a golden visa as an Indian at varying investment charges.

Mauritius

Upon acquiring the golden visa, the residency applies to the entire family, including spouse, parents and children up to the age of 24. You get access to real estate, business investment, or professional activity and a long-term residence validity. Aspiring Indians require USD50,000 (Rs 43.7 lakh) worth of minimum investment in a company or professional activity.

Austria

The country has a private residence program. The visa opens doors to establish residence as a person of independent means. Visa holders also get visa-free travel access to all the European Schengen Area states and a possible citizenship eligibility after 10 years of residence. Aspirants must put in a minimum of EUR50,000 (Rs51.1 lakh) in liquid funds for the investment visa.

United Kingdom

The UKs innovator founder visa gives golden visa holders a path to permanent residence after 3 years. You and your family, including spouse and dependent children, get the clearance to live and work anywhere in the United Kingdom. Minimum investment: GBP50,000 (Rs59.1 lakh) in a new, viable business endorsed by a UK-approved body.

Canada

The North American country has a startup visa program. Visa holders can live, work, and retire anywhere in Canada. No age restrictions are enforced and no higher education is required. The visa opens path to citizenship after three years. You will require a minimum investment of CAD295,734 (Rs 1.8 crore).

Malaysia

For a golden visa, you need a minimum investment of MYR1 million (Rs2 crore) in a local fixed deposit. The pros include a 20-year residence visa, which is renewable for the next 20 years. No age restrictions apply on the main applicant. The visa covers spouse, parents, parents-in-law, and unmarried children under 21.

Switzerland

The Swiss Residence Program gives golden visa holders access to top-quality living, education, and healthcare in one of the worlds most stable economies. Minimum investment: CHF200,000 (Rs2.18 crore) annual lump-sum tax to a Swiss canton.

UAE

The Middle East nations Golden Visa Program gives you a 5-10-year renewable long-term residence. Those eyeing business opportunities will get to invest in the worlds fastest-growing financial hubs. Minimum investment: AED1 million (Rs2.3 crore) in property (for 5-year visa, age 55+).

Greece

Visa-free travel within Europes Schengen Area and an unlimited expiry date of the residence permit alongside citizenship eligibility (after 7+ years). You need to put in a minimum investment of EUR250,000 (Rs2.5 crore) in real estate, according to Greeces Golden Visa Program.

Italy

Italys investor visa program offers visa-free travel to Europes Schengen Area, residence amid its rich cultural heritage and global industries, and citizenship eligibility after 10+ years under special conditions. Applicants require a minimum investment of EUR250,000 (Rs2.5 crore) in an innovative start-up.

Portugal

You need a minimum investment of EUR250,000 (Rs2.5 crore) in cultural/artistic support or heritage preservation. Applicants receive visa-free travel in Europes Schengen Area, apart from the permit to live, work, and study in Portugal. Citizenship eligibility is attained (dual and multiple citizenships) after five years.

USA

The golden visa acquired via Americas EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program acts as a green card for the investor, spouse, and unmarried children under 21. It is a pathway to citizenship in the country. You will need a minimum investment of USD800,000 (Rs 7 crore) in a targeted employment area.

New Zealand

The residency program benefits the applicants spouse and dependent children up to age 24 as well. You get permanent residence through approved investments. A minimum investment of NZD5 million (Rs 25.7 crore) in approved managed funds or business investments (growth category) is required.

Hong Kong

Applicants will access long-term residency in one of Asias leading business hubs at a minimum investment of HKD30 million (Rs 33.7 crore)

Singapore

Its global investor program gives a pathway to permanent residency and access to a stable economy and a flourishing business hub. You can relocate your family and enjoy various tax incentives. Minimum investment? SGD10 million (Rs 68.2 crore) in a new/existing Singapore business that has at least 30 employees.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 16:40 IST

News lifestyle travel Golden Visa: Here's A List Of Countries That Are Offering Residence Permit To Indians
Travel Trends In 2026: Here's How Beaches, Cruises and Calm Luxury Will Take Over The Year

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 10:46 IST

Travel in 2026 is set to slow down, with people choosing calmer places and better planning over rushed trips.

Indian travellers are planning more trips in 2026.

Travel plans for 2026 are already taking shape, and the way people are choosing destinations is slowly changing. Instead of rushing from one place to another, many travellers are now thinking more carefully about where they go and why. The focus is shifting towards slower trips, better planning, and experiences that feel more personal.

Inputs from travel app founders, hotel groups, cruise companies, and travel creators suggest that 2026 will be less about showing off trips and more about enjoying them. Travellers want fewer crowds, more comfort, and places that allow them to settle in rather than rush through.

Travellers Are Planning Trips More Carefully Now

One of the biggest challenges people face today is sorting through too much travel information online. Paid promotions, edited photos, and fake reviews have made it harder to trust what you see.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Pia Shivdasani, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of travel app NowYouKnow, explained, Travellers do not need more information. They need recommendations rooted in trust and personal context. In a country as culturally diverse as India, a single aggregated rating rarely reflects an individuals taste or lifestyle. People decide through friends, shared experiences and real stories, not anonymous scores. That shift is shaping how trips will be planned in 2026."

Destinations That Offer Meaning Are Gaining Attention

Data from Skyscanner shows that Indian travellers are planning more trips in 2026 and are open to spending the same or more than before. The real change lies in intent. People are looking for places that feel calmer, less crowded, and closer to local life.

Seoul, South Korea, is drawing travellers who want to experience daily city life, from cafes and fashion to food and wellness spaces. Almaty, Kazakhstan, appeals to those looking for nature and culture without busy crowds, with mountains close to the city. Closer home, Kochi continues to attract travellers who enjoy good food, art-filled streets, and a slower pace that allows time to pause.

Beach Holidays Are About Calm, Not Crowds

Many travellers are choosing beach breaks to unwind rather than tick destinations off a list. Clear water, quiet surroundings, and simple days are becoming more important than famous beach names.

Travel influencer Rida Tharana told Hindustan Times, I think beach destinations away from the usual circuit are really going to grow. Places like Seychelles, the Philippines and Zanzibar feel especially tempting right now. Maybe it is also personal bias because all I want is a beach break with the bluest, calmest water. In India, Lakshadweep is definitely one to watch. Beyond that, most destinations already have their own momentum. People who have wanted to visit them for years will go anyway."

Cruise Travel Is Picking Up Pace In India

Cruise holidays are expected to grow in 2026 as more Indian travellers explore sea travel. Cruises now focus on relaxed schedules, food, culture, and time at sea instead of rushed stops. Routes from Indian ports are expanding to destinations like Dubai, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Lakshadweep, and Kochi. Luxury travel is no longer about packed schedules or checking off places. It now focuses on comfort, time, and meaningful experiences.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 10:46 IST

News lifestyle travel Travel Trends In 2026: Here's How Beaches, Cruises and Calm Luxury Will Take Over The Year
Abhishek Malhan Upset Over Engagement Rumours With Jiyaa Shankar: 'Stop Linking My Name'

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Last Updated: January 02, 2026, 03:00 IST

Bigg Boss OTT 2 finalist Abhishek Malhan has angrily reacted to renewed engagement rumours with Jiyaa Shankar, urging people to respect his privacy.

Jiya Shankar posted a romantic photo with a mystery man, with fans wondering if the man in the pic was Abhishek Malhan.

Abhishek Malhan, popularly known as Fukra Insaan, has finally addressed the engagement rumours linking him to Bigg Boss OTT 2 co-contestant Jiyaa Shankar. The YouTuber and reality TV star expressed his frustration after fresh speculation surfaced online, once again pairing his name with the television actress despite earlier clarifications from both sides.

The rumours gained traction after Jiyaa Shankar recently shared pictures with a mystery man, prompting renewed chatter about her personal life. Jiyaa was quick to shut down speculation of an engagement with Abhishek, clearly stating that the reports were false. Now, Abhishek has stepped forward to firmly distance himself from the narrative and urge people to stop dragging him into baseless link-up stories.

Abhishek Malhan reacts strongly to engagement rumours

Taking to his Instagram Stories, Abhishek shared a strongly worded note expressing disappointment and anger over the repeated rumours. Making his stance clear, he wrote, I want to make one thing very clearplease stop linking my name with anyone. I was part of a show three years ago, and that chapter ended there. My choices and stance were made very clear back then, and nothing has changed since."

The Bigg Boss OTT 2 finalist also pointed out that such speculation has become a recurring trend, resurfacing every year without any valid context. Highlighting the pattern, Abhishek added, Whats disappointing is that this has become a pattern. Almost every year, out of nowhere, the same narratives resurface without any reason or context. Even I can see it, and I believe the audience is smart enough to notice this pattern too."

Respect my personal life, says Fukra Insaan

Concluding his statement, Abhishek urged fans and social media users to respect his boundaries and allow him to focus on his career. He wrote, I dont entertain or participate in such games, assumptions, or unnecessary speculation. I prefer focusing on my work and moving forward positively. I request everyone to respect that and let things rest."

Abhishek and Jiyaa had formed a close bond during their stint inside the Bigg Boss OTT 2 house, which led to persistent rumours about their relationship even after the show ended. However, both have repeatedly clarified that they share nothing beyond friendship.

Meanwhile, Jiyaa Shankar is reportedly in a relationship with a mystery man and recently celebrated Christmas with him in London. The actress has kept her personal life largely private, choosing not to reveal further details.

With Abhishek now issuing a clear and firm statement, he hopes to put an end to the speculation once and for all and shift the focus back to his professional journey.

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First Published: January 02, 2026, 03:00 IST

News movies bollywood Abhishek Malhan Upset Over Engagement Rumours With Jiyaa Shankar: 'Stop Linking My Name'
Ikkis Review: Dharmendra Leaves Us Emotional, Agastya Nanda Delivers Sincere Performance As Arun Khetarpal

Written By :

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 10:11 IST

Ikkis Review: Ikkis brings Sriram Raghavan's fresh perspective on war films, Dharmendra's emotional last on-screen presence and Agastya Nanda's sincere performance.

Ikkis, starring Agastya Nanda and Dharmendra, releases in theatres on January 1, 2026

Ikkis U/A 4/5 1 January 2026|Hindi 2 hrs 24 mins | Drama Starring: Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat Director: Sriram Raghavan Watch Trailer

Ikkis is finally in theatres. Helmed by the National Award-winning filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, the film shares the inspiring story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal  Indias youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Khetarpal took on the enemy head-on during the Battle of Basantar, destroying 10 Pakistani tanks before losing his life.

While Amitabh Bachchans grandson Agastya Nanda plays the role of Arun in the movie, the project also stars Dharmendra, Simar Bhatia, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher in key roles, among others. But is Ikkis worth watching? Lets find out.

To begin with, I was a little sceptical about whether Sriram Raghavan would be able to successfully helm a war film. The filmmaker is otherwise best known for acclaimed thrillers such as Andhadhun, Ek Hasina Thi, and Merry Christmas. However, Raghavan does a brilliant job of bringing to light the untold story of Arun Khetarpal with sensitivity and conviction.

Khetarpal laid down his life at the tender age of just 21, and the film never lets you forget that sacrifice. Time and again, it circles back to this truth, constantly reminding the audience why the film is so aptly titled Ikkis.

With Ikkis, Sriram Raghavan proves that not every film centered on border conflicts needs to be loud or jingoistic. The films biggest strength lies in its calmness. It will not make you scream in theatres but will allow you to feel the emotional depth. War films that embrace subtlety are rare and in this regard, Ikkis offers something refreshingly different. Its measured approach brings a new perspective and that works remarkably well.

Agastya Nanda delivers a sincere and assured performance as 20-year-old Arun Khetarpal. He does complete justice to his role. He approaches the character with remarkable sincerity, and his dedication is clearly visible in every frame. The young actor brings together charm, courage, and emotional depth to convincingly portray the real-life hero. Whether its the lighter moments or the emotionally charged scenes, Agastya strikes the right balance. Agastyas infectious screen presence and committed performance make his portrayal truly commendable and worthy of praise.

Ikkis is a special film in more ways than one. It marks the last big-screen appearance of Dharmendra, who passed away in November 2025. The legendary actor essays the role of Arun Khetarpals father and his presence adds immense emotional weight to the narrative. Every scene featuring Dharmendra stirs a quiet ache, leaving you aware of his absence and the irreplaceable loss the Hindi film industry has suffered.

Sriram Raghavan gives Dharmendra generous screen time, perhaps deliberately, and it turns out to be one of the films wisest choices. Dharmendra serves as an emotional bridge between the past and the present, grounding the story with warmth, dignity and lived-in wisdom. His on-screen presence is deeply moving and lingers long after the film ends, leaving the audience teary-eyed.

If you come from a family that migrated from Pakistan during the time of Indian independence, Dharmendras character is bound to strike a deeply personal chord. It will make you think  what did our forefathers leave behind when they crossed the border, and at what cost did they begin their lives anew?

Dharmendra and Agastya have very less scenes together. The late legendary actor spends most of his time on screen with Jaideep Ahlawat  who essays the role of Brigadier Khwaja Mohammed Naseer, the Pakistani army officer who shot Arun Khetarpal. Ahlawat brings depth and conviction to his character, ensuring his presence is strongly felt on screen. With controlled expressions and emotional honesty, he manages to shine, leaving a lasting impression despite limited moments.

Dharmendra also shares a scene in Ikkis with Asrani  who also passed away in October 2025. Though Asrani only makes a short special appearance, he makes you realise what a gifted and skilled actor he was.

While Ikkis is an emotional movie that surely connects with the audience, it has a few technical shortcomings too. Raghavans otherwise restrained storytelling feels sluggish at times, particularly in the first half. Before the interval, the narrative often struggles to find momentum, leaving viewers wondering when the film will pick up pace. A tighter edit could have significantly improved the overall flow.

Additionally, the romantic subplot between Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia feels somewhat forced and unnecessary. While Bhatia delivers a sincere and graceful performance, the track does little to enhance the core narrative and could have been easily omitted without affecting the films emotional impact.

Overall, Ikkis is a must-watch for reasons more than one  Raghavans fresh perspective on war films, Dharmendras emotional last on-screen presence, Agastya Nanda and Jaideep Ahlawats sincere performances and above all, learn about Arun Khetarpals sacrifice for his motherland when he was just Ikkis.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 10:11 IST

News movies bollywood Ikkis Review: Dharmendra Leaves Us Emotional, Agastya Nanda Delivers Sincere Performance As Arun Khetarpal
Insiders were net buyers of Tidewater Inc.'s (NYSE:TDW ) stock during the past year. That is, insiders bought more stock than they sold.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit.

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Tidewater

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Independent Director Robert Robotti bought US$1.1m worth of shares at a price of US$42.14 per share. We do like to see buying, but this purchase was made at well below the current price of US$50.51. While it does suggest insiders consider the stock undervalued at lower prices, this transaction doesn't tell us much about what they think of current prices.

The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

Check out our latest analysis for Tidewater

NYSE:TDW Insider Trading Volume January 1st 2026

Tidewater is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find small cap companies at attractive valuations, this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Does Tidewater Boast High Insider Ownership?

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Tidewater insiders own about US$47m worth of shares. That equates to 1.9% of the company. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

So What Do The Tidewater Insider Transactions Indicate?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Tidewater shares in the last quarter. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Insiders do have a stake in Tidewater and their transactions don't cause us concern. If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

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.
Kajol Welcomes New Year With Ajay Devgn And Friends, Calls Life Precious And Unpredictable

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 12:40 IST

Taking to her Instagram handle, Kajol shared three photos giving glimpse of her celebration with Ajay Devgn and other close friends

Kajol Welcomes New Year With Ajay Devgn And Friends, Calls Life Precious And Unpredictable

Kajol and Ajay Devgn celebrated New Year with friends and family. The actress also shared happy photos from the intimate celebration, offering fans a glimpse into her New Year moments. Along with the pictures, Kajol penned a heartfelt message for fans.

Taking to her Instagram handle, Kajol shared three photos giving a glimpse of her celebration with Ajay Devgn and other close friends. She also penned a note for fans, calling life precious. Happy new year to one and all.. as we have seen in this past year life is precious and unpredictable.. so live it like it means something." Fans also reacted and wished the same.

Take a look here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kajol Devgan (@kajol)

Kajol Shares BTS Video With Her From The Sets

Recently, the actress took to her Instagram, and shared a BTS video from one of the brand shoots. In the video, the actress can be seen having a great time with her mother, Tanuja. She wrote in the caption, 2025 is nearly over and this I have to say was the highlight of my year. Me and my mom on a set together realising how the madness is doubled nothing is too much".

Kajols quirky nature has always set her apart in Bollywood. Unfiltered, spontaneous, and refreshingly honest, she has never tried to fit into the industrys polished mould. Whether its her candid interviews, playful banter on reality shows, or hilarious social media posts, Kajols humour feels effortless and real. She laughs loudly, speaks her mind, and embraces her imperfections with confidence.

Ajay Devgn & Cast To Shoot Drishyam 3 In Goa Starting January 8; Jaideep Ahlawat To Join The Schedule

Drishyam 3 is one of the most anticipated films of 2026, and with recent updates surrounding the project, it has become the talk of the town. Now, as the movies casting continues to make headlines, the shoot for the project is also going on in full swing. With the Mumbai schedule coming to an end, the team will now move to Goa to shoot a crucial leg, with new cast member Jaideep Ahlawat joining the team. Filming in Goa is set to commence from January 8, with the schedule expected to continue till the end of February. For this extensive schedule, it has been said that the entire cast of the film, including Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Rajat Kapoor, will be joining on set.

About Drishyam 3 casting changes

Akshaye Khanna, who is enjoying the success of Dhurandhar, has recently exited his much-anticipated film Drishyam 3. The news of Akshaye Khannas exit made headlines after the makers confirmed October 2, 2026, as the release date for the film. While Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Rajat Kapoor were listed as part of the principal cast, Akshaye Khannas name was conspicuously absent. Later, producer Kumar Mangat Pathak confirmed the exit to Bollywood Hungama.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 12:40 IST

News movies bollywood Kajol Welcomes New Year With Ajay Devgn And Friends, Calls Life Precious And Unpredictable
The Ba**ds of Bollywood's Rajat Bedi To Star In Farhan Akhtar Don 3 After Ranveer Singh, Vikrant Massey Exit?

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 21:45 IST

Rajat Bedi is reportedly in talks for Don 3 after Vikrant Masseys exit. Farhan Akhtar is reportedly keen on casting the actor in a key role.

Rajat Bedi To Star In Farhan Akhtar Don 3?

Farhan Akhtars Don 3 continues to see casting changes, and the film is once again in the spotlight. After Ranveer Singhs reported exit and later walk-outs by Kiara Advani and Vikrant Massey, a new name has now surfaced. Sources say Farhan Akhtar is considering actor Rajat Bedi for an important role in the third instalment of the franchise. Rajat recently grabbed attention for his comeback in The Ba**ds of Bollywood (2025), which seems to have worked in his favour.

The 51-year-old actor is reportedly in talks to step into the role that was earlier meant for Vikrant Massey. A source close to the development shared, Farhan is considering Rajat Bedi to play a pivotal part for which Vikrant was roped in originally. The actor-producer have done an official conversation around and the two are planning to meet around mid of Jan at their Khar office in Mumbai."

Why Vikrant Massey Stepped Away

As reported earlier by Bollywood Hungama in July 2025, Vikrant Massey exited Don 3 due to creative reasons. Industry insiders had said that the role lacked depth and required a physical transformation that did not align with the actors plans at the time. Following his exit, several reports suggested that actors like Aditya Roy Kapur and Vijay Deverakonda were also being considered. However, there has been no official confirmation from the makers on those names.

Hrithik Roshan in Don 3

Meanwhile, a recent Filmfare report claims that the makers have been searching for the perfect star to lead Don 3, with Hrithik Roshan emerging as a strong contender. The report states that the makers are keen on exploring the possibility of the War 2 actor becoming the new face of the iconic franchise. However, discussions are still at a very early stage, and no final decision has been made yet.

A source told Filmfare, Following Ranveers exit, Hrithik has emerged as a strong contender for the role. While discussions are still at a very early stage, it will be interesting to see whether Hrithik ultimately comes on board." Interestingly, Hrithik also had a cameo in Don 2 when Shah Rukh Khans character disguised himself as Hrithiks character in an important scene from the movie.

Don 3 Still Finding Its Shape

With multiple cast changes, Don 3 remains one of the most talked-about upcoming films. While the makers have stayed tight-lipped about final casting decisions, discussions around Rajat Bedi have added fresh buzz to the project. An official announcement from the team is still awaited.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 21:45 IST

News movies bollywood The Ba**ds of Bollywood's Rajat Bedi To Star In Farhan Akhtar Don 3 After Ranveer Singh, Vikrant Massey Exit?
Varun Dhawan's Photo Celebrating New Year With Wife Natasha Dalal And Friends Goes Viral

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 15:34 IST

Varun Dhawan will be seen in a completely fresh avatar in his next, Border 2".

Varun Dhawan's Photo Celebrating New Year With Wife Natasha Dalal And Friends Goes Viral

Varun Dhawan rang in the New Year with his wife Natasha Dalal and close friends, and a photo from the celebration has now gone viral on social media. The picture gives fans a glimpse into the actors joyful and relaxed New Year moments.

Taking to his Instagram stories, the actor shared a photo collage in which he is seen celebrating the New Year with his wife and friends. Other celebrities also share their celebration moments with fans. The actor has been keeping busy himself with the promotion of his upcoming war drama, Border 2 co starring Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty.

Take a look here:

Varun Dhawan Mourns The Loss Of His Beloved Pet Angel

Actor Varun Dhawan recently lost his beloved pet, Angel. The actor shared a heartfelt reel on Instagram, featuring Angels adorable moments and a few cherished throwback pictures. Taking to Instagram, the Student Of The Year actor informed his fans and followers about the heartbreaking loss of his beloved pet, Angel. Varun shared a reel that featured several cherished moments of Angel with both him and Natasha, along with a few touching throwback pictures that showed Angel had been a constant part of his life for many years. Accompanying the post was an emotionally charged caption. Varun wrote, RIP Angel," adding that heaven had gained another angel. He went on to thank her for being a wonderful puppy and a loving sister to Joey, Varuns other pet, who often makes appearances on his Instagram. He concluded the note on a poignant note, writing, We will miss you. See you down the road."

Varun Dhawan Says Border 2 Demanded Different Level Of Physical Discipline: Often In Tough Conditions

Varun Dhawan will be seen in a completely fresh avatar in his next, Border 2". However, in order to do justice to playing the role inspired by the real-life war hero, Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, he had to undergo some intense training that included strength training, endurance work, and mobility. Talking about his role, Varun revealed that even playing a soldier on screen required a certain level of physical and mental discipline. He added that things got even more interesting as they were shooting in real locations, something that helped him put himself in the mindset of a soldier.

Border 2 demanded a different level of physical and mental discipline, especially since we were shooting at real locations like Babina, and such situations really put you in the mindset of a soldier. Youre out there all day, often in tough conditions, so fitness becomes less about looking a certain way and more about stamina and recovery," explained Varun.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 15:34 IST

News movies bollywood Varun Dhawan's Photo Celebrating New Year With Wife Natasha Dalal And Friends Goes Viral
2025 KBS Drama Awards: Ok Taecyeon-Seohyun, Lee Jun Young-Jung Eunji Win Big | See Full List

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Last Updated: January 02, 2026, 01:51 IST

2025 KBS Drama Awards winners list: Ok Taecyeon, Seohyun, Lee Jun Young, Jung Eunji shine as For Eagle Brothers takes home the Daesang.

Seohyun and Taecyeon win 'Best Couple' at the 2025 KBS Drama Awards. [Courtesy: KBS]

The 2025 KBS Drama Awards brought the years K-drama celebrations to a poignant and celebratory close on December 31. Held at KBS Hall in Yeouido-dong, Seoul, the ceremony was presented by the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and hosted by former announcer Jang Sung Kyu along with actors Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min.

The evening honoured outstanding performances across miniseries, daily dramas and long-form projects, with popular on-screen couples emerging as major highlights. Ok Taecyeon and Seohyun, as well as Lee Jun Young and Jung Eunji, were among the biggest winners of the night, taking home Best Couple awards for their widely loved dramas.

This years awards ceremony carried an emotional undertone as winners and presenters paid tribute to veteran actor Lee Soon Jae, who passed away last month. Several recipients acknowledged his immense contribution to Korean television, remembering his legacy with heartfelt words.

 # | 251231 Seohyun and Taecyeon win 'Best Couple' at the 2025 KBS Drama Awards. Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/BFq3H16avP SEOHYUN NEWS (@SeohyunData) December 31, 2025

The most moving moment of the night came when For Eagle Brothers co-stars Ahn Jae Wook and Uhm Ji Won were announced as joint recipients of the Daesang (Grand Prize). Both actors were visibly emotional as they reflected on Lee Soon Jae, who had made history at the previous KBS Drama Awards as the oldest Daesang winner. Their win marked a major milestone for the drama, which dominated multiple categories throughout the evening.

the way junyoung escorting eunji down the stairs oh lee junyoung what a gentleman you're pic.twitter.com/M7l0p3LAkf J (@adorejunyoung) December 31, 2025

Complete list of 2025 KBS Drama Awards winners

Best New Actor

Lee Seok Gi fo For Eagle Brothers

Park Jung Yeon for Splendid Days

Shin Geul Gi for For Eagle Brothers

Best Couple

Lee Jun Young and Jung Eunji for Pump Up the Healthy Love

Ok Taecyeon and Seohyun for The First Night with the Duke

Jung Il Woo and Jung In Sun for Splendid Days

Hyun Woo and Ha Seungri for Marie and Her Three Daddies

Yoon Park and Lee Beom for For Eagle Brothers

Kim Young Kwang and Lee Young Ae for Walking on Thin Ice

Popularity Award

Lee Jun Young for Pump Up the Healthy Love

Jung Eunji for Pump Up the Healthy Love

Short Drama Award

Yang Dae Hyuk for Love Track  Loves Grace Period

Kim Ah Young for Love Track  Love Hotel

Male Excellence Award  Miniseries:

Lee Jun Young for Pump Up the Healthy Love and Ok Taecyeon for The First Night with the Duke

Female Excellence Award  Miniseries:

Seohyun for The First Night with the Duke and Jung Zi So for Who Is She

Female Excellence Award  Daily Drama:

Ham Eun Jung for Queens House

Male Excellence Award  Daily Drama:

Park Sang Myun for Good Luck and Park Yoon Jae for Queens House

Female Excellence Award  Long-form Drama:

Yoo In Young for Splendid Days and Jung In Sun for Splendid Days

Male Excellence Award  Long-form Drama:

Jung Il Woo for Splendid Days and Yoon Park (or Yoon Bak) for For Eagle Brothers

Best Actress (Top Excellence):

Lee Young Ae for Walking on Thin Ice and Lee Tae Ran for Splendid Days

Best Actor (Top Excellence):

Kim Young Kwang for Walking on Thin Ice

Writer Award:

Producer Choi Sung Yeol accepted in place of For Eagle Brothers writer Koo Hyun Sook

Best Young Actors:

Kim Gun Woo for Cinderella Game and Kim Si A for Walking on Thin Ice

Best Supporting Actor:

Kim Dong Wan for For Eagle Brothers

Best Supporting Actress:

Park Joon Geum for For Eagle Brothers

Best Writer:

Goo Hyun Sook for For Eagle Brothers

Who won the 2025 KBS Drama Awards Daesang / Grand Prize?

Ahn Jae Wook and Uhm Ji Won for For Eagle Brothers

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Location : Seoul, South Korea

First Published: January 02, 2026, 01:51 IST

News movies korean 2025 KBS Drama Awards: Ok Taecyeon-Seohyun, Lee Jun Young-Jung Eunji Win Big | See Full List
Dulquer Salmaan To Collaborate With Director Sampath Nandi? Here's What We Know

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 14:32 IST

The fresh collaboration has surely left fans super excited. However, nothing has been confirmed till now

Dulquer Salmaan To Collaborate With Director Sampath Nandi? Here's What We Know

Dulquer Salmaan has been shooting back-to-back and has also recently announced his next film, IM Game. And now a recent report has suggested that director Sampath Nandi and Malayalam star are teaming up for a fresh Telugu commercial drama project. Further details are under wraps.

As reported by 123 Telugu Cinema, Sampath Nandi, who earlier delivered a big hit with Racha, convinced Dulquer Salmaan with a solid script and fresh vision. Sources suggest that Dulquer was impressed with the narration and the unique treatment. But still an official confirmation is still awaited in this regard.

Dulquer Salmaan Next Film IM GAME First Look Poster Out

Dulquer Salmaan has set the internet buzzing once again as he officially announced his next film and revealed a gripping first-look poster titled IM GAME. The actor took to social media to share the poster. He has not shared much details, but it has surely left fans super excited. He was last seen in Kaantha, released on November 14, 2025 Taking to his Instagram stories, Dulquer Salmaan shared the poster. The first-look poster features him in a fierce, sharp, and power-packed avatar. Dressed in a pinstriped suit, sporting a bloodied hand and holding a gun, he sits on a vibrant red couch surrounded by a mix of characters, hinting at a world filled with crime, intrigue, and high-octane drama.

Announcement post:

Taking to his Instagram handle, Dulquer Salmaan shared the announcement poster and wrote, R E A D Y ??" The poster read IM Game. The first look poster will be released on November 28. Fans reacted with heart emojis. He is returning to Malayalam cinema after King of Kotha, which was released in 2023.

Kaantha- Cast and Storyline

The actor was last seen in Kaantha. The film received mixed response from the audience. Set in 1950s Madras, Kaantha explores the stormy relationship between rising film star T. K. Mahadevan (Dulquer Salmaan) and his mentor Ayya (Samuthirakani), a filmmaker whose mentorship finally leads to confrontation.

Bhagyashri Borse plays Kumari, Mahadevans love interest, while Rana Daggubati portrays Inspector Devaraj, also known as Phoenix," a vital role in a strange crime that develops among clashing egos and mounting ambition.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 14:32 IST

News movies telugu-cinema Dulquer Salmaan To Collaborate With Director Sampath Nandi? Here's What We Know
Vijay Deverakonda Welcomes 2026 In Rome With Rashmika Mandanna? Photos Go Viral

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 10:00 IST

Reportedly, Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna got engaged privately in October 2025, surrounded by close family members.

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna's wedding is reportedly set for February 26, 2026, in Udaipur.

Just a few days back, Rashmika Mandanna shared glimpses of her vacation from Rome, and guess who else is in the historic capital of Italy? Vijay Deverakonda.

Recently, Vijay Deverakonda took to his Instagram handle and revealed that he is vacationing in Rome too. The actor dropped a series of pictures in which he was seen enjoying as he visited some of the tourist locations in the city. One of the photos also featured Vijay posing in front of the iconic Colosseum, whereas another featured a lady leaning her head on the actors shoulder. While the ladys face wasnt visible, fans believe that she is Rashmika.

Happy new year my darling loves  May we grow up together, make great memories, do great things, spread love, cheer and life. Biggest kisses and hugs to all of you. ," Vijay wrote in the caption of his post.

Interestingly, just a few days back, Rashmika also posted a mix of photos and videos from the vacation, giving a peek into quiet celebrations, candle prayers, and time spent with close friends. While most of the posts showed Rashmika enjoying the city, a few subtle clips featuring Vijay quickly caught attention online. Fans zoomed in on these moments, especially one where Rashmika fed Vijay dessert before tasting it herself.

Reportedly, Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna got engaged privately in October 2025, surrounded by close family members. While the couple hasnt announced their engagement as of now, a report by Hindustan Times recently claimed that the wedding is scheduled for February 26, 2026, and will take place at a palace in Udaipur.

A source revealed that no celebrity guests will be invited and the event will be a private ceremony. Rashmika and Vijays wedding is planned at one of Udaipurs heritage palaces. Much like their engagement, the ceremony will be a close-knit affair with only their loved ones in attendance," the insider added.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 10:00 IST

News movies telugu-cinema Vijay Deverakonda Welcomes 2026 In Rome With Rashmika Mandanna? Photos Go Viral
Opinion | Angel Chakmas Death Demands More Than Condolences

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 14:53 IST

The murder of Angel Chakma in Dehradun is not just a tragic crime, but a mirror reflecting deeper failures of prejudice, policing and public conscience

Rapid Read

People hold a candle march demanding justice for Anjel Chakma and protesting discrimination against people from Northeast India in Agartala. (PTI)

The brutal murder of 24-year-old student from Tripura, Angel Chakma, in Dehradun should disturb every Indian, not only because a young life was lost, but because the conditions that led to it remain intact. To respond with only condolences is to fail him twice.

The real tribute lies in ensuring that no student, from any corner of India, walks our streets fearing insults, harassment, or violence, especially in places that pride themselves on being safe, spiritual, and welcoming.

The hills of Uttarakhand and the conscience of the country deserve better. Angel Chakmas death has forced India to confront uncomfortable questions about prejudice, aggression, alcohol-fuelled bravado, and a quiet cultural decay that is eroding public life.

Angel was attacked on December 9 while buying groceries with his younger brother in the Selaqui area on the outskirts of Dehradun. He suffered grievous injuries, multiple stab wounds and blows to the head, and after clinging to life for more than two weeks, he succumbed in hospital on December 26. A promising life ended, and a family was pushed into unending grief.

The circumstances surrounding the assault are chilling. Angel was reportedly stabbed after objecting to derogatory comments hurled at him. The crime has since triggered nationwide outrage, protests from student groups and civil society, and a heated political debate over the nature of the violence. Opposition parties have called it an act of racial hatred; the Uttarakhand government has countered that there is, so far, no conclusive evidence to classify it as racially motivated. Public opinion, meanwhile, remains divided.

Yet there is an aspect of this tragedy that transcends political positioning  the alleged behaviour of the accused after the assault. According to news reports, the attackers did not flee in panic, nor did they appear shaken by their own brutality. Instead, they are said to have returned to drinking and partying, as if nothing remarkable had happened.

That image, whether of callousness or moral emptiness, has unsettled many more than the crime itself. It is here that Angels murder becomes less an isolated criminal incident and more a disturbing reflection of a broader cultural breakdown.

Across many towns and cities, recreational drinking has drifted into reckless, antisocial conduct, which is celebrated as machismo, filmed on phones, and flaunted on social media. Alcohol is no longer merely an accompaniment to leisure; increasingly, it becomes the stage on which aggression performs.

Uttarakhand  the land of pilgrimage, quiet hills, and contemplative landscapes  now carries another, less flattering image. Over the past few years, it has come to be viewed as a weekend watering hole for visitors from neighbouring states. Sturdy SUVs roll through its winding roads, liquor shops dot its highways, and late-night revelry has become part of an emerging tourism economy.

This shift may be profitable for businesses and governments alike, but it has also coincided with a rise in alcohol-fuelled clashes, reckless driving, street brawls, and an erosion of the social restraints that once characterised public behaviour in the hills. When permissiveness is celebrated and enforcement is lax, violence becomes not merely possible  it becomes predictable.

Angels case sits at the crossroads of two dangerous currents  casual aggression and casual prejudice. His brothers complaint mentions racial slurs, the use of terms that people from the North-East have heard, endured, protested against, and suffered silently for decades. Such words do not merely insult; they diminish. They relegate fellow citizens into perpetual outsiders. They create the climate in which violence becomes easier, almost justified in the minds of the intolerant.

At the same time, investigators insist that evidence of racial abuse is not yet conclusive, and that the altercation may have escalated in the heat of the moment". That may be true  and due process demands patience. But dismissing the possibility of prejudice too quickly risks ignoring a lived reality that countless students and workers from the North-East confront across India.

Between the political urge to declare a hate crime" and the administrative tendency to label everything as a normal clash", lies the truth  layered, uncomfortable, and often inconvenient. What then must society  not merely the police  do?

First, honesty is essential. We must recognise that alcohol-centred socialisation, when combined with bravado and weak policing, has normalised violence. Regulating liquor more thoughtfully, limiting outlet density, enforcing timing rules, and clamping down on public drinking is not moral policing. It is public safety.

Second, the justice system needs speed and credibility. Swift FIR registration, sensitive investigation, and clear communication with families restore faith that the state stands with victims, not merely with procedure.

Third, education must confront prejudice head-on. Schools, universities, hostels, and workplaces need structured conversations about race, region, and respect  not as token seminars, but as sustained learning. Mocking someone for their appearance, accent, food, or culture is not humour. It is violence rehearsed.

Fourth, political leaders across parties must resist the temptation to turn tragedy into talking points. Angels death deserves justice, not amplification for electoral mileage.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, society must reclaim its moral compass. The spectacle of men celebrating after an assault is not merely the failure of law; it is the failure of conscience. No legal reform can substitute the simple human habit of restraint  knowing when to walk away, when to apologise, when to recognise another persons dignity.

(The writer is author and president, Centre for Reforms, Development & Justice. Views expressed are personal and solely those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect News18s views.)

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 14:53 IST

News opinion Opinion | Angel Chakmas Death Demands More Than Condolences

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 07:00 IST

1 / 10 Indias cab-hailing space has a new name to watch out for from today. Bharat Taxi, a home-grown, driver-owned cab platform, has officially gone live from today. It is being seen as an alternative to Ola and Uber at a time when both commuters and drivers are looking for better options. (Photo: bharattaxiapp.com)

2 / 10 What makes Bharat Taxi different right from the start is how it is built. It is Indias first government-backed, zero-commission cab service, run on a cooperative model. The platform is operated by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited and focuses on driver ownership, steady earnings and predictable fares for riders. (Photo: bharattaxiapp.com)

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3 / 10 To make the service accessible, the cooperative has launched the Bharat Taxi mobile app which is now available on both Android and iOS. The app is meant to keep things simple: book a ride, see the fare upfront and avoid last-minute surprises. (Photo: bharattaxiapp.com)

4 / 10 For commuters in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, pricing is likely to be the biggest relief. Bharat Taxi offers fixed fares with no surge pricing which means that your ride wont suddenly cost more just because its raining or peak hour has kicked in. Fares start at Rs 30 for the first 4 kilometres, go up to Rs 23 per kilometre for trips between 4 and 12 kilometres and drop to Rs 18 per kilometre for longer distances. (Photo: Pexels)

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5 / 10 Riders will also have a few choices when it comes to the kind of cab they book. The app offers multiple categories, including non-AC, AC, Premium and XL cabs. According to the platform, pickup times are expected to be quick often within a couple of minutes This is especially useful for daily office travel. (Photo: Pexels)

6 / 10 From a passengers point of view, transparent fares also bring a sense of control as the service aims to cut down on issues like sudden ride cancellations which have become common complaints on private platforms. Bharat Taxi includes driver verification and is linked with Delhi Police systems along with other government agencies to strengthen safety measures for both passengers and drivers during trips. (Photo: Pexels)

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7 / 10 Drivers, on the other hand, have more reason to stay logged in. As cooperative owners, they take home nearly the full fare (around 80 to 100 per cent), instead of losing a chunk to commissions. This reduces the need to chase incentives and makes accepting rides more worthwhile. (Photo: Pexels)

8 / 10 Government involvement adds another layer to how the service operates. Through integrations with DigiLocker and UMANG, Bharat Taxi ensures verified identities, real-time tracking and regular audits. (Photo: Facebook/DigiLocker)

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9 / 10 As for the rollout, the service began with a pilot in Delhi in November 2025, starting with around 650 driver-owned vehicles. The plan now is to expand to major cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Bhopal, Lucknow and Jaipur with more regions to follow. (Photo: Freepik)
Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 08:30 IST

1 / 10 As the clock strikes midnight on December 31, the world prepares to welcome 2026 with utmost joy and thrill. Different countries welcome the New Year at different times due to time zones, sharing joy across the globe. (Photo: Pexels)

2 / 10 In India, the day is celebrated with parties, fireworks, and family gatherings. While we may all share in the excitement, do you know that the New Year is not observed on January 1 in all of India? Lets find out what influences Indias traditional New Year. (Photo: Pexels)

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3 / 10 Indias traditional New Years follow lunar, solar, or lunisolar calendars connected to seasons, harvests, and religious cycles. (Photo: Pexels)

4 / 10 Some parts of the world, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, celebrate New Year in MarchApril, marking the start of a new harvest cycle. (Photo: Pexels)

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5 / 10 Observed on April 14/15 in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, symbolizing prosperity, hope, and new beginnings. (Photo: Pexels)

6 / 10 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra mark the New Year with Ugadi/Gudi Padwa. Celebrated in March or April, the featival is marked with neem-jaggery dishes and door decorations.

(Photo: Freepik)

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7 / 10 Puthandu/Vishu, celebrated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, includes kolams, ritual trays (kani in Kerala), and elaborate feasts. (Photo: Freepik)

8 / 10 Assam and West Bengals Bohag Bihu and Poila Boishakh marks the New Yaer. The states celebrate the harvest festival with music, dance, and traditional sweets in April. Celebrated on April 13 or 14, Vaisakhi honors Sikh heritage and the wheat harvest with joy and devotion.

(Photo: Freepik)

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9 / 10 Other communities celebrate New Year through festivals like Navreh (Kashmir), Cheti Chand (Sindhis), and Nutan Varsh (Gujarat). (Photo: Instagram/@adityarajkaul)
Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 09:30 IST

1 / 11 As the calendar flips and 2026 officially begins, New Year celebrations are once again in full swing across the world. While January 1 is widely recognised as the start of the year, the idea of New Year looks very different across Asia where multiple calendars (solar, lunar and religious) shape how and when the occasion is marked.

2 / 11 In many Southeast Asian countries, New Year isnt tied to just one date. Apart from January 1, several countries mark Solar New Years in April and Lunar New Year festivities in January or February.

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3 / 11 The Solar New Year, largely influenced by Buddhist traditions and the movement of the sun, is a major celebration across the region. In Thailand, it is known as Songkran, a festival that is also recognised in neighbouring areas. Laos celebrates it as Pi Mai or Pii Mai Lao while Myanmar marks the occasion as Thingyan. In Cambodia, the same festival is called Choul Chnam Thmey or Moha Sangkranta.

4 / 11 Lunar New Year which follow the moon cycle and usually fall between January and February, is mainly observed by communities of Chinese origin across Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, the festival is called Tet or Tet Nguyen an. Indonesia refers to it as Imlek or Sin Cai while Malaysia and Brunei call it Tahun Baru Cina.

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5 / 11 In the Philippines, the Lunar New Year is known as Bagong Taong Tsino or simply Chinese New Year. Singapore also celebrates it as Chinese New Year which makes it one of the most prominent festivals in the countrys calendar alongside the Gregorian New Year.

6 / 11 When it comes to January 1 itself, most Southeast Asian countries use Western naming conventions, often with a local twist. In the Philippines, New Years Eve is called Bisperas ng Bagong Taon while January 1 is Araw ng Bagong Taon. Malaysia refers to New Years Eve as Malam Tahun Baru.

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7 / 11 Thailand celebrates the Gregorian New Year too,usually with family gatherings and dinners even though Songkran remains the main traditional New Year. Timor-Leste uses the name Foiluma Tinan Foun, a term influenced by its Portuguese history. Countries like Brunei and Singapore often blend Gregorian celebrations with Lunar New Year observances.

8 / 11 Indias neighbouring countries also recognise January 1 but traditional New Years continue to hold strong cultural importance. Nepal celebrates its New Year in April as Baisakh Ek Gatey or through festivals like Bisket Jatra while Vaisakhi is also observed in parts of the region.

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9 / 11 Bangladesh marks its New Year as Pohela Boishakh or Sangrai usually in April. Sri Lanka celebrates Aluth Avurudda, the Sinhalese-Tamil New Year, around the same time. Bhutan observes Losar, a Tibetan Buddhist Lunar New Year that typically falls in February or March while Myanmars traditional New Year is Thingyan.

10 / 11 Beyond South and Southeast Asia, the Chinese-influenced Lunar New Year is celebrated in China as Chunjie, also known as the Spring Festival, usually in February. It remains one of the most widely observed New Year celebrations in the world.

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A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model .

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) Limited ( SGX:QC7 ) by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Story Continues

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. 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 2.5%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 5.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = S$38m (1 + 2.5%)  (5.8% 2.5%) = S$1.1b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= S$1.1b ( 1 + 5.8%)10= S$649m

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 S$898m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of S$0.6, the company appears quite good value at a 42% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

SGX:QC7 Discounted Cash Flow January 1st 2026

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 5.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

See our latest analysis for Q & M Dental Group (Singapore)

SWOT Analysis for Q & M Dental Group (Singapore)

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Healthcare market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Singaporean market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Q & M Dental Group (Singapore), we've put together three important aspects you should look at:

Risks: For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) that you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does QC7'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. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the SGX every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks 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.
Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 07:30 IST

1 / 9 January 1 is not just the beginning of a new year; it is also the date for several important events in India. The date marks several of the countrys achievements. It is also associated with multiple tragedies that shook the nation. On January 1, 2026, take a look at some of the biggest events that have taken place in India at the start of the year. (Photo: Pexels)

2 / 9 India recorded the highest number of births in the world on January 1, 2019, with 69,944 newborns. According to UNICEFs data, an estimated 395,072 babies were born on the New Year, with over half the births taking place in just eight countries, including India. India outpaced China, Nigeria, the US and Pakistan in this respect. (Photo: Pexels)

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3 / 9 According to UNICEFs data, China was in the second spot, with 44,940 newborns, followed by Nigeria in the third position with 25,685 babies. Pakistan (15,112), Indonesia (13,256), the US (11,086), the Democratic Republic of Congo (10,053) and Bangladesh (8,428) made up the rest of the major countries with the most births on January 1, 2019. (Photo: Pexels)

4 / 9 In a landmark decision, the Indian government decided to replace the Planning Commission with the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) on January 1, 2015. The decision was in accordance with PM Modis announcement during his 2014 Independence Day speech. The NITI Aayog was established to cement the partnership between states and the Union government. (Photo: Shutterstock)

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5 / 9 The organisation functions as a think-tank that provides central and state governments with relevant strategic and technical advice for key policy matters. The NITI Aayogs focus is on making the government an enabler instead of a provider of first and last resort. The agency aims to help India tackle complex challenges such as poverty elimination, safeguarding environmental and ecological assets, redressing inequalities and providing policy support to over 50 million small businesses. (Photo: https://niti.gov.in/)

6 / 9 January 1 is also the date on which several tragedies took place. A suspected honour killing in Lucknow claimed the lives of five family members in 2025. According to an NDTV report, a 24-year-old man named Arshad was accused of killing his mother and four sisters. He also recorded a video explaining why he committed the murders. (Photo: Pexels)

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7 / 9 In his video, Arshad said that his father had helped him kill his mother and sisters. He alleged that their neighbours and the land mafia in Budaun, their hometown, had captured their home and were planning to "sell" his sisters. Arshad put the blame on his neighbours, saying that their harassment drove him to commit the murders and save the honour of the women in his family. (Photo: Pexels)

8 / 9 In 2022, at least 12 people were killed, and another 20 were injured due to a stampede at the Vaishno Devi shrine. The stampede reportedly happened at around 2:30 am and was triggered by a heavy rush of devotees who were visiting the temple to seek the blessing of the goddess and at the beginning of the New Year. (Photo: ANI)

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Congress Compares Rahul Gandhi To Lord Ram; BJP Hits Out With 'Sycophancy Pro Max' Jibe

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 13:42 IST

Patole's response came in reaction to the BJP, which has been hitting out at Rahul Gandhi for not visiting the Ram temple since its inauguration.

File photo of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (PTI)

Congress leader Nana Patole on Wednesday sparked a political debate after he compared Rahul Gandhi to Lord Ram. Soon after Patoles analogy, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wasted no time and called it sycophancy pro max".

While responding to a question about Rahul Gandhi not visiting the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya so far, Patole said that the senior Congress leader is doing the work of Lord Ram".

Because Lord Rams work was to ensure justice for the harassed and deprived  Rahul Gandhi is doing the same. He likes to do this service instead of doing a photo session at the Ram Temple," the Congress leader said.

VIDEO | When asked about no visit by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya so far, Maharashtra Congress leader Nana Patole (@NANA_PATOLE) says, See Rahul Gandhi is doing the work of Bhagwan Shree Ram, because Bhagwan Shree Rams work was to pic.twitter.com/8CmHgjcNIT Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 31, 2025

The Congress leader, further in an indirect dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recalled that it was Rajiv Gandhi who was behind the opening of the lock at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Patoles response came in reaction to the BJP, which has been hitting out at Rahul Gandhi for not visiting the Ram temple since its inauguration.

BJP Hits Out At Patole

Following Patoles comparison of Rahul Gandhi and Lord Ram, BJP leaders hit out at the Congress leader, saying the party is insulting Hindu faith".

Once again, the Congress Party has shown sycophancy pro max. The Congress Party says that Rahul Gandhi is like Lord Ram. Just recently, they said Sonia Gandhi was the reason why Christmas can be celebrated. What kind of sycophancy? And then you are insulting the Hindu faith?" BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla questioned.

This is the same Congress Party that says Ram Mandir should not be built. This is the same Congress Party that says Ram Mandir Prana Prathishtha is naach gaana. They keep attacking and insulting the Hindu faith," he added.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 13:32 IST

News politics Congress Compares Rahul Gandhi To Lord Ram; BJP Hits Out With 'Sycophancy Pro Max' Jibe

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Born At Just 22 Weeks, This Baby Beat 5% Survival Odds To Prove The Doctors Wrong!

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 12:39 IST

Despite multiple episodes of pneumonia and several instances where doctors reportedly felt there was little more that could be done, the medical team continued treatment

Rapid Read

When Gabriel was born, he responded to a breathing tube, allowing doctors to begin aggressive treatment. (News18 Hindi)

In a remarkable case that has stirred fresh conversations about the limits of modern medicine, doctors at Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in the United States have successfully saved the life of a baby born just 22 weeks into pregnancy and weighing barely 450 grams.

The child, named Gabriel Golden, was so premature that his arms were said to be as thin as pencils and his hand smaller than part of his fathers finger. His mother, Caroline, had faced severe complications from the 14th week of pregnancy, including heavy bleeding. Her water broke at 18 weeks, a point at which doctors typically warn that the pregnancy may not continue.

Doctors informed the family that the babys chances of survival were less than 5%, with the additional likelihood of serious complications, including severely underdeveloped lungs and a high risk of brain and heart problems.

However, when Gabriel was born, he responded to a breathing tube, allowing doctors to begin aggressive treatment. He was admitted to the hospitals Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where he remained for a year. During this period, he developed chronic lung disease, and scans showed scarred lungs. Doctors eventually performed a tracheostomy to help him breathe.

Despite multiple episodes of pneumonia and several instances where doctors reportedly felt there was little more that could be done, the medical team continued treatment with advanced ventilator support. Gabriels parents, Caroline and Garreth, remained steadfast. While Caroline stayed at the hospital, Garreth reportedly travelled nearly six hours daily for work to manage expenses.

After a year-long battle, Gabriel was discharged. Doctors say his mental development is normal, though he still requires oxygen support. He is now recovering at home with his parents.

The case is being seen as a beacon of hope for families of extremely premature infants and a testament to how far neonatal care and technology have advanced, even when survival initially appears impossible.

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 01, 2026, 12:39 IST

News viral Born At Just 22 Weeks, This Baby Beat 5% Survival Odds To Prove The Doctors Wrong!

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On January 3, Look Up: A Rare Wolf Moon Will Light Up The Night Sky!

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 13:41 IST

Rising on January 3, 2025, the Wolf Moon will glow larger and brighter, turning an ordinary evening into a rare celestial moment

Rapid Read

The name Wolf Moon comes from ancient Native American and European traditions.

The start of 2026 will be anything but quiet, as the year opens with a stunning astronomical event. On January 3, 2026, the first full moon of the year, known as the Wolf Moon, will light up the night sky as a supermoon.

This is not just the first full moon of 2026, but also one of the biggest and brightest full moons of the year. On this day, the Moon will be at perigee, its closest point to Earth, making it appear about 14% larger and nearly 30% brighter than an average full moon.

Exact Timing Of The Full Moon

The Moon will reach peak fullness at 10:03 am GMT, which corresponds to 3:33 pm IST in India, on January 3. However, the most breathtaking views will occur after sunset, when the Moon rises into the evening sky.

On the evenings of January 2 and January 3, the Moon will appear unusually low on the eastern horizon. This positioning creates the famous moon illusion, an effect that makes the Moon look larger, more golden, and dramatically closer as it rises.

In India, the supermoon will become visible between 6 and 7 pm and will remain bright throughout the night. For the best experience, observers are advised to watch from open fields, rooftops, or rural areas, away from city lights and pollution.

Why Is It Called The Wolf Moon?

The name Wolf Moon comes from ancient Native American and European traditions.

January was a time of harsh cold, long nights, and food scarcity. During this period, wolves were often heard howling outside villages in search of food, giving the January full moon its evocative name.

What Exactly Is A Supermoon?

A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with perigee, the Moons closest approach to Earth. In January 2026, the Moon will be just 356,800 kilometres away, roughly 10 per cent closer than its average distance. This proximity makes the Moon appear larger, brighter, and especially photogenic.

Astronomers say this Wolf Moon supermoon will be the first of three to four supermoons expected in 2026, making it an exciting start for skywatchers.

Visibility Across India

The spectacle will be visible across the country, including cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru, provided the skies are clear.

In North India, cold winter air and clearer skies are likely to enhance the view, while in South India, the Moon will still appear impressively large as it rises in the eastern sky during the evening.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 13:41 IST

News viral On January 3, Look Up: A Rare Wolf Moon Will Light Up The Night Sky!

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Another Hindu Man Attacked, Set On Fire By Mob In Bangladesh; Escapes By Jumping Into Pond

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News18.com

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 22:11 IST

Khokon Das suffered serious injuries after being attacked and set on fire in an incident that occurred on December 31 in Bangladeshs Shariatpur district.

Violence against minorities has been on a rise in Bangladesh amid recent unrest. (File pic/AP)

A Hindu man received serious injuries after he was allegedly attacked by a mob in Bangladesh and set on fire, in yet another incident that highlighted rising violence against minorities in the country.

The 50-year-old victim, identified as Khokon Das, suffered serious injuries after being attacked and set on fire in an incident that occurred on December 31 in Bangladeshs Shariatpur district, according to reports. He was returning home when a mob allegedly intercepted him, assaulted him with sharp weapons, beat him repeatedly, and then set him ablaze.

The miscreants stabbed him multiple times with sharp weapons, poured petrol on his body and set him ablaze. However, Khokhon managed to escape by jumping in a nearby pond, but suffered serious injuries, according to a report by India Today. He was rescued by locals and rushed to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, with doctors saying his condition is critical.

Das wife said that he was attacked when he was coming back home after closing his medical shop. I dont know who did this. We need justice. My husband is a simple man; he did not harm anyone. He did not hurt anyone," she added.

The incident came as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was in Dhaka to attend the funeral of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, where he handed over a letter of condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman.

Bangladesh expressed its optimism for a fresh chapter in its relations with India following Jaishankars visit to Dhaka. The commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Riaz Hamidullah, shared on X that Bangladesh and India are looking forward to script a new chapter in ties, in shared interests driven by pragmatism and mutual interdependence."

Violence Against Bangladeshi Hindus

As violent protests engulfed Bangladesh in the wake of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadis murder, Dipu Chandra Das, a young garment factory, was lynched by a mob and his body was set on fire in Mymensingh. Meanwhile, the mob that encircled him in Bhaluka, many of whom he knew, took out their smartphones to record the spectacle.

On December 24, a 29-year-old Hindu youth, Amrit Mondal, was allegedly lynched by a mob in the Hossaindanga area of Kalimohar Union. Another 40-year-old Hindu man was killed on Monday evening after being shot by a colleague inside a garment factory in Bangladesh, in what police have described as an apparent accidental firing.

According to the MEA, around 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities have been reported during the tenure of Bangladeshs interim government.

Bangladesh, currently governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is grappling with a volatile mix of high-stakes electoral preparation and a breakdown in law and order that has left minority communities in a state of high alarm.

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Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: January 01, 2026, 17:05 IST

News world Another Hindu Man Attacked, Set On Fire By Mob In Bangladesh; Escapes By Jumping Into Pond

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'Came Out Of Jail Seriously Ill, Denied Overseas Care': BNP Blames Sheikh Hasina For Khaleda Zia's Death

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 18:16 IST

BNP claimed that Zias prolonged imprisonment, denial of adequate medical care, and restrictions on seeking treatment abroad caused irreversible damage to her health.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladeshs first woman prime minister. (AP file photo)

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has accused ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina of bearing responsibility for the death of BNP chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan made the allegation while speaking at Manik Mia Avenue on Wednesday ahead of Khaleda Zias namaz-e-janaza. On February 8, 2018, Khaleda Zia walked into jail after being subjected to the personal vengeance of fascist Hasina. But she came out of prison seriously ill," he said, according to The Daily Star.

Nazrul Islam Khan further claimed that Khaleda Zias prolonged imprisonment, denial of adequate medical care, and restrictions on seeking treatment abroad caused irreversible damage to her health and eventually led to her death.

Referring to medical opinions, he said, According to doctors at home and abroad, her illness worsened because she was denied the opportunity to receive treatment overseas during four years of house arrest. As a result, the uncompromising leader eventually succumbed to death. Fascist Hasina will never be free of responsibility for this death."

During his address, Nazrul Islam Khan also outlined Khaleda Zias political journey. He recalled how she joined the BNP on January 3, 1982, following the assassination of her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman. Despite facing repeated imprisonmentincluding under autocrat Hussein Muhammad Ershad, the so-called 1/11 regime, and again under Sheikh HasinaKhaleda Zia rose through the party ranks and led it as chairperson for 41 years.

He highlighted her role in restoring democracy after military rule in Bangladesh, leading a nine-year movement against Ershad, and securing free and fair elections in 1991. She was the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh and the second in the Muslim world," he said.

The BNP leader criticised her eviction from her residence and the 17-year prison sentence she received on what he described as fabricated charges. Yet she never compromised with authoritarian politics. This is why she became an enduring inspiration in the struggle against fascism," he said.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladeshs first woman prime minister, died on 30 December at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. She served three terms as prime minister and played a key role in strengthening democracy in the country.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Location : Bangladesh

First Published: January 01, 2026, 17:40 IST

News world 'Came Out Of Jail Seriously Ill, Denied Overseas Care': BNP Blames Sheikh Hasina For Khaleda Zia's Death

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Democracy Denied: Sheikh Hasinas Son Calls Bangladeshs Feb Polls Calculated Political Strike

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 10:05 IST

Sheikh Hasinas son accused the Yunus-led interim government of excluding millions of voters by banning the Awami League ahead of the February elections.

A collage featuring Tarique Rahman and Sajeeb Wazed, sons of former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, as political debate intensifies ahead of Bangladeshs February elections. (IMAGE: AFP/REUTERS)

Sheikh Hasinas son Sajeeb Wazed has accused Bangladeshs interim government of undermining democracy ahead of the countrys February elections, claiming the ban on the Awami League has deliberately excluded a large section of voters from the electoral process.

In a post on X on New Years Eve, Wazed described the February 2026 polls as democracy denied", alleging that the Yunus-led interim administration had engineered the election by barring his party from participating.

Bangladeshs February 2026 election is not a return to democracy  its democracy denied," Wazed wrote, criticising the decision to ban the Awami League.

He claimed that the move had effectively disenfranchised nearly 60 percent of voters in the country of more than 171 million people, pointing to the Awami Leagues electoral support base during his mothers years in power.

By banning the Awami League, the party of Sheikh Hasina and the choice of nearly 60 percent of voters, the Yunus government has deliberately locked millions out of the electoral process," Wazed said. An election that excludes the majority is not democratic  it is engineered."

This was not reform. It was a calculated political strike," he added.

Wazeds comments came as Bangladesh on Wednesday held a state funeral for former prime minister Khaleda Zia, marking the end of an era dominated by rivalry between the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Bangladeshs February 2026 election is not a return to democracy  its democracy denied.By banning the Awami League, the party of Sheikh Hasina and the choice of nearly 60% of voters, the Yunus government has deliberately locked millions out of the electoral process. An  Sajeeb Wazed (@sajeebwazed) December 31, 2025

Zia, the first woman to serve as Bangladeshs prime minister, died on Tuesday at the age of 80. Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Dhaka as her coffin was carried through the capital draped in the national flag, with flags flown at half-mast and heavy security deployed.

Despite years of ill health and imprisonment, Zia had earlier vowed to campaign in elections scheduled for February 12, the first national vote since Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a mass uprising in 2024.

The BNP is widely regarded as a frontrunner in the upcoming polls, with Zias son Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh last week after 17 years in exile, seen as a potential prime ministerial candidate if the party secures a majority.

New Reception, Old HistoryHistory doesnt disappearit returns repackaged. What were seeing now is not chaos, but a familiar politics where violence becomes a system, extortion a currency, and loyalty is bought, not earned. The years may change2001, 2006, 2024but the method pic.twitter.com/Gp9kCZ3udZ  Bangladesh Awami League (@albd1971) December 31, 2025

The Awami League, meanwhile, has used its social media platforms to warn voters against supporting the BNP. In recent posts, the party invoked the so-called Hawa Bhaban" era, referring to an office complex in Dhaka that critics described as an unofficial power centre during BNP rule under Khaleda Zia.

Hawa Bhaban was widely associated with Tarique Rahman at a time when he held no formal government position, and has long been cited by the Awami League as a symbol of alleged parallel governance and political interference. BNP leaders have denied the allegations.

The Awami League has also circulated news clippings and social media posts alleging that BNP leaders and cadres were involved in violence during the July 2024 uprising against Sheikh Hasina, which began as a student-led reform movement before descending into unrest.

Wazed argued that the ban on his party amounted to collective punishment of voters rather than accountability for wrongdoing.

Unable to defeat the Awami League in a free and fair contest, the state chose to remove it altogether," he wrote. Voters are not being punished for crimes or corruption  they are being punished for who they support. Their ballots are rejected before they are even cast."

No credible democracy bans its largest political party and still claims legitimacy," Wazed added. When a government fears voters more than it trusts elections, democracy doesnt weaken  it collapses."

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Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: January 01, 2026, 10:03 IST

News world Democracy Denied: Sheikh Hasinas Son Calls Bangladeshs Feb Polls Calculated Political Strike

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Zohran Mamdani Takes Oath As New York City's First Muslim Mayor With Hand On Quran

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 11:09 IST

Zohran Mamdani, age 34, was sworn in as New York's first Muslim mayor, set for a four-year term likely to involve clashes with President Donald Trump.

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New York Attorney General Letitia James, left, administers the oath of office to mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, center, as his wife Rama Duwaji looks on, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (IMAGE: AP Photo)

Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani was sworn in early Thursday as the next mayor of New York City, beginning a four-year term at the helm of the United States largest city.

Although Mamdani and US President Donald Trump held a cordial meeting last year, political observers have said the two are expected to clash during Mamdanis tenure, given their sharply differing political positions.

Mamdani, who is New York Citys first Indian-origin mayor, took his oath of office just after midnight at an abandoned subway station beneath City Hall. He placed his hand on the Quran during the ceremony, becoming the citys first Muslim mayor.

The oath was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a political ally, at the former City Hall subway station, one of the citys original stops, known for its arched ceilings and historical significance.

In brief remarks following the ceremony, Mamdani described the location as a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city." He also announced the appointment of Mike Flynn as his commissioner of the Department of Transportation.

This is truly the honour and privilege of a lifetime," Mamdani said.

VIDEO | New York, US: Zohran Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) is sworn in as the Mayor of New York during a private midnight ceremony at the Old City Hall Station.#NewYorkMayor #ZohranMamdani #USPolitics(Source  Third party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/D6pvSwmBil  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 1, 2026

He concluded his remarks with a brief farewell before leaving the station.

Mamdani is scheduled to be sworn in again later Thursday in a public ceremony at City Hall, to be administered by US Senator Bernie Sanders, a longtime political mentor. The ceremony will be followed by a public block party along a stretch of Broadway known as the Canyon of Heroes," traditionally associated with New Yorks ticker-tape parades.

Mamdani now begins one of the most demanding roles in American politics, stepping into office as one of the countrys most closely watched political figures.

Youngest Mayor In Generations

In addition to being the citys first Muslim mayor, Mamdani is also its first of South Asian descent and the first to be born in Africa. At 34, Mamdani is also the citys youngest mayor in generations.

In a campaign that helped make affordability" a buzzword across the political spectrum, the democratic socialist promised to bring transformative change with policies intended to lower the cost of living in one of the worlds most expensive cities. His platform included free child care, free buses, a rent freeze for about 1 million households, and a pilot of city-run grocery stores.

But he will also have to face other responsibilities: handling trash and snow and rats, while getting blamed for subway delays and potholes.

Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, an academic and author. His family moved to New York City when he was 7, with Mamdani growing up in a post-9/11 city where Muslims didnt always feel welcome. He became an American citizen in 2018.

(with inputs from the Associated Press)

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Location : New York, United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 01, 2026, 10:46 IST

News world Zohran Mamdani Takes Oath As New York City's First Muslim Mayor With Hand On Quran

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'Will Come Back When Crime Soars': Trump Orders National Guard To Leave Chicago, LA, Portland

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 08:00 IST

Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, claiming their presence had reduced crime.

A file photo of US President Donald Trump (AP)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that National Guard troops are being withdrawn from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, claiming that their presence had led to a sharp reduction in crime and warning that federal forces could return in a much different and stronger form" if crime rises again.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump asserted that the deployment of National Guard personnel was solely responsible for improved law and order in the three cities, all of which are led by Democratic administrations.

We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact," Trump wrote.

He further claimed, Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it werent for the Federal Government stepping in."

Trump also criticised Democratic mayors and governors for opposing the deployments, questioning their opposition despite what he described as clear results.

It is hard to believe that these Democrat Mayors and Governors, all of whom are greatly incompetent, would want us to leave, especially considering the great progress that has been made???" the post read.

Trump also said the withdrawal is temporary and suggested that federal forces could return if crime trends reverse.

We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again  Only a question of time!" he mentioned in the post.

The move comes after legal challenges repeatedly blocked or limited the administrations efforts to deploy National Guard troops in the three cities.

The Associated Press reported that governors typically control their states National Guard units, and Trumps decision to deploy troops against the wishes of Democratic state and local leaders led to court battles in Illinois, Oregon and California.

Trump has made a crackdown on crime in major cities a central theme of his second term, portraying the deployments as part of a broader push against crime, immigration and protests, the report noted.

He has also raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, arguing that legal challenges brought by opponents have hindered his plans.

However, the report mentioned that in Chicago and Portland, National Guard troops were never actually deployed on city streets as legal challenges played out.

During a court hearing over the proposed Chicago deployment, a Justice Department lawyer told the court that the Guards role would be to protect federal property and federal agents, not solving all of crime in Chicago."

Local officials in both cities disputed Trumps claims that federal intervention reduced crime.

Chicago officials said in a statement, cited by the Associated Press, that the city recorded 416 homicides in 2025, the lowest number since 2014, attributing the decline to local policing and public safety efforts.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilsons office also said the citys reduction in crime was the result of local police work and public safety programmes, not the presence of federal troops.

The countrys Supreme Court, in December, refused to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area, a significant setback for the President, even though the order was not a final ruling.

In Oregon, a federal judge permanently blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland after a trial, ruling that the deployment was unlawful.

In Los Angeles, Trump had earlier federalised the California National Guard after protests erupted over immigration arrests.

Thousands of troops were initially deployed to protect federal buildings and agents, but their numbers were gradually reduced.

On Wednesday, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, ordered control of the National Guard to be returned to California Governor Gavin Newsom.

ALSO READ | Putin Voices Confidence In Victory In Ukraine In His New Year Speech

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 07:58 IST

News world 'Will Come Back When Crime Soars': Trump Orders National Guard To Leave Chicago, LA, Portland

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'Dont Understand Why My Husband Was Targeted': Wife Of Hindu Man Attacked In Bangladesh

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 22:59 IST

Seema Das said that her husband, Khokon Chandra Das, was attacked without provocation while returning home after closing his shop.

Security personnel are seen in Bangladesh. (Image: File)

The wife of a Hindu man who was attacked with sharp weapons and set on fire in Bangladesh said she is unable to understand why her husband was targeted so brutally, insisting that the family had no disputes with anyone in their village. Seema Das told NDTV that her husband, Khokon Chandra Das, was attacked without provocation while returning home after closing his shop.

We have no dispute with anyone on any issue. We dont understand why my husband was suddenly targeted," she said.

We are Hindu. We just want to live peacefully. The attackers were Muslims and the police are trying to arrest them. I request the government for help," she added.

Khokon Das ran a medicine and mobile banking business in his village, located about 150 km from the capital Dhaka. The attack took place on Wednesday night as he was returning home after shutting his shop. According to his wife, Khokon Das recognised two of the attackers, after which they poured petrol on his head and face and set him on fire. In a desperate attempt to save himself, he jumped into a nearby pond, which helped extinguish the flames. The attackers fled soon after. Local residents rushed him to a nearby hospital but doctors later referred him to Dhaka Medical College due to the severity of his injuries.

Seema Das said the couple has three children, and that doctors told the family Khokon Das had lost a large amount of blood and needed at least six units to stabilise his condition.

Bangladesh has witnessed escalating violence against minorities, including Hindus, under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus- a charge denied by the administration.

Last week, India expressed grave concern over what it described as unremitting hostility" against minorities in Bangladesh and said it was closely monitoring developments in its neighbourhood. The Bangladesh government, in response, said it remained committed to protecting minority communities.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 01, 2026, 22:59 IST

News world 'Dont Understand Why My Husband Was Targeted': Wife Of Hindu Man Attacked In Bangladesh

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Kaiser Aluminum (KALU) is trading at new 3-year highs.

The stock is up nearly 70% over the past year and has strong technical momentum.

KALU maintains a 100% Buy opinion from Barchart.

Analyst and investor sentiment is bullish, with multiple Buy ratings and low short interest at 3.34%.

Todays Featured Stock

Valued at $1.91 billion, Kaiser Aluminum (KALU) is a leading producer of semi-fabricated specialty aluminum (ALH26) products, serving customers worldwide with highly engineered solutions for aerospace and high-strength, general engineering, and custom automotive and industrial applications. The companys North American facilities produce value-added sheet, plate, extrusions, rod, bar, tube, and wire products.

What Im Watching

I found todays Chart of the Day by using Barcharts powerful screening functions to sort for stocks with the highest technical buy signals; superior current momentum in both strength and direction; and a Trend Seeker buy signal. I then used Barcharts Flipcharts feature to review the charts for consistent price appreciation. KALU checks those boxes. Since the Trend Seeker signaled a new Buy on Oct. 8, the stock has gained 44.22%.

More News from Barchart

www.barchart.com

Barchart Technical Indicators for Kaiser Aluminum

Editors Note: The technical indicators below are updated live during the session every 20 minutes and can therefore change each day as the market fluctuates. The indicator numbers shown below therefore may not match what you see live on the Barchart.com website when you read this report. These technical indicators form the Barchart Opinion on a particular stock.

Kaiser Aluminum scored a new 3-year high of $119.13 on Dec. 30.

KALU has a Weighted Alpha of +85.27.

Kaiser has a 100% Buy opinion from Barchart.

The stock gained 69.50% over the past year.

KALU has its Trend Seeker Buy signal intact.

The stock recently traded at $118.65 with a 50-day moving average of $99.07.

Kaiser made 15 new highs and gained 23.53% in the last month.

Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 80.70.

Theres a technical support level around $115.88.

Dont Forget the Fundamentals
40 Killed, 100 Injured As Explosion Rips Through Bar In Luxury Swiss Ski Resort

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 14:53 IST

An explosion of unknown origin at Le Constellation bar in Crans Montana killed and injured several people as Swiss police and emergency services responded to the ongoing incident.

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Authorities said several people were injured in the blast at a bar in the Swiss ski resort. (IMAGE: @OsiOsint1/X)

A violent fire tore through the Le Constellation bar in the Swiss Alpine resort town of Crans-Montana during New Year celebrations, following one or more explosions, Swiss broadcaster RTS reported early Thursday.

Regional daily Le Nouvelliste said its sources were describing a heavy toll", with around 40 dead and 100 injured". Police also said the explosion is not being treated as terror-related.

Valais cantonal police earlier said there were deaths and injuries, without releasing an official toll. Emergency services remain on site, with multiple ambulances deployed and Air-Glaciers helicopters mobilised for rescue and evacuation operations.

Valais is known as Wallis in German, reflecting Switzerlands multilingual system.

Ambulances were still parked outside the bar hours later, and broken windows could be seen. Local media described a smell of burning still in the air".

Swiss daily Blick cited a doctor at the scene suggesting that the death toll could be in the dozens".

Heavy Toll

Regional daily Le Nouvelliste also said its sources were describing a heavy toll", with around 40 dead and 100 injured".

There has been an explosion of unknown origin," Gaetan Lathion, a police spokesman in Wallis canton in southwestern Switzerland, was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

Swiss media suggested that the fire may have started when pyrotechnics were used during a concert, but police said the cause was unknown.

Lathion said the explosion occurred at around 1:30 am (0030 GMT) at the Le Constellation bar, which is popular with tourists, as revellers rang in the New Year. The police spokesman said some 100 people had gathered there for New Year celebrations.

According to the Swiss broadcaster, the explosion occurred in the basement of the bar and triggered the fire. Le Constellation, which is typically open until 2:00 am, has the capacity to accommodate up to 400 people. Lathion said some 100 people had gathered there for New Year celebrations.

 Several people were ki!!ed and others injured after an explosion tore through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana, Swiss police say. A cantonal police spokesperson told AFP that the blast was of unknown origin while confirming multiple fatalities. pic.twitter.com/GGbEOvvKrk Osint World (@OsiOsint1) January 1, 2026

A source involved in managing the emergency response described the incident to the broadcaster as a major disaster", warning that the number of victims could be significant. The source compared the scale of the tragedy to the 2012 bus crash in Sierre that killed 28 people.

RTS reported that investigators are not, at this stage, treating the incident as a criminal act. An accidental cause has not been ruled out, but the exact origin of the explosion and subsequent fire remains unknown.

The 10:00 am press briefing will mark the first official appearance of Frederic Gisler, who assumed office as commander of the Valais cantonal police on January 1, the broadcaster said.

Helicopters Overhead

Police said the areas was completely closed to the public", and that a no-fly zone over Crans Montana has been imposed".

The party was in full swing music and champagne flowing freely," a resident who said they lived nearby told 24 heures, a Lausanne newspaper.

But as news of the fire broke, they said, the carefree mood vanished and people began gathering in the street. We could hear the sirens in the distance. Around me, people were stunned, worried, silent."

We heard helicopters all night long," another neighbour told 24 heures.

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Location : Bern, Switzerland

First Published: January 01, 2026, 11:45 IST

News world 40 Killed, 100 Injured As Explosion Rips Through Bar In Luxury Swiss Ski Resort

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Express Statutory Authority: US Court Sides With Trump On $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 08:21 IST

The US Chamber of Commerce had appealed a court ruling upholding President Donald Trumps $100,000 H-1B visa fee.

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US President Donald Trump speaks as he sits next to a "Trump Gold Card" sign, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

US District Judge Beryl Howell, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, dismissed arguments put forward by the US Chamber of Commerce and ruled on December 23 that President Donald Trump had the legal authority to impose the $100,000 H-1B visa fee.

Judge Howell ruled that Trump acted under an express statutory grant of authority, according to a Bloomberg report. The legal battle over the H-1B visa fee has now moved to an appeals court after the Chamber of Commerce filed a notice of appeal this week, challenging the District Courts decision. A federal judge had earlier refused to block the measure.

Howell, who serves on the US District Court for the District of Columbia, rejected the Chambers argument that the fee violates federal immigration law and exceeds the fee-setting authority granted to the executive branch by Congress.

In its October lawsuit, the Chamber had also argued that the presidential proclamation unlawfully overrides existing statutes governing visa costs.

Announced by presidential proclamation in September, the fee is part of President Donald Trumps broader effort to curb what he has described as abuse of the H-1B visa programme, which allows US employers to hire college-educated foreign workers for specialised roles, particularly in technology, engineering and healthcare.

Though the Chamber had a solid judge, Obama-appointee Judge Beryl Howell, whos been tough on the Trump administration, she handed Trump a sweeping victory. If Judge Howell didnt find legal defects in the novel proclamation, we doubt the DC Circuit or US Supreme Court would either," litigation analyst Matthew Schettenhelm, associated with Bloomberg Intelligence, highlighted in a note.

The case is Chamber of Commerce v. US Department of Homeland Security, 25-cv-03675, US District Court for the District of Columbia.

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 01, 2026, 08:11 IST

News world Express Statutory Authority: US Court Sides With Trump On $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

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'Joy And Laughter Turned To Screams': Swiss Bar Fire Eyewitnesses Recall Night Of Horror

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 21:57 IST

Eyewitnesses who were near the bar when the blaze broke out spoke of terrifying moments as people scrambled for safety.

Rescue staffers and firefighters in the area where a fire broke out in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. (Police Cantonale Valaisanne via AP)

Residents and tourists in Switzerlands Crans-Montana have described scenes of chaos and panic as a fire tore through the popular Le Constellation bar in the early hours of New Years Day. Several dozen people are presumed dead and around 100 injured, according to authorities, though the exact number of casualties remains uncertain.

Eyewitnesses who were near the bar when the blaze broke out spoke of terrifying moments as people scrambled for safety. A resident who lives close to the bar said the party had been in full swing, with music and celebrations in progress. It was all joy and laughter then suddenly people were screaming and running," they told Swiss media.

Another neighbour described the confusion caused by fireworks and bright lights, initially making it hard to understand what was happening. With the fireworks, we didnt understand what was going on at first. Then we saw the smoke. Its terrible, a lot of young people go to that bar," he said.

Tourists in the area also shared their experiences. One visitor from New York filmed bright orange flames pouring from the building and said he could hear people calling for help. People were running, shouting, trying to get out," he told AFP. Helicopters could be seen circling overhead as emergency services rushed to the scene.

The early hours of the day turned from celebration to tragedy, with neighbours recalling the silence and shock that followed. We could hear the sirens in the distance. Around me, people were stunned, worried, silent," said another local. Ambulances lined the streets for hours, and the smell of smoke lingered long after the fire was extinguished.

Authorities have stressed that the fire is not believed to have been caused by an attack. Police and fire officials continue to investigate the exact cause, while hospitals across Switzerland treat the injured. Significant resources are also being mobilised to identify the victims and return their remains to their families.

(With inputs from AFP)

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Location : Switzerland

First Published: January 01, 2026, 21:57 IST

News world 'Joy And Laughter Turned To Screams': Swiss Bar Fire Eyewitnesses Recall Night Of Horror

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Khaleda Zias Son Thanks Bangladeshis For Peaceful Conduct During Mothers State Funeral

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 09:04 IST

The BNP leader thanked citizens, security forces and interim government officials for ensuring a peaceful farewell for his mother.

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BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman (C) pictured standing alongside chief adviser of the country's interim government Muhammad Yunus (2L) during the burial ceremony of his mother and the nation's former prime minister Khaleda Zia a day after her death in Dhaka. (IMAGE: AFP)

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday thanked citizens and officials involved in the funeral and burial of his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, saying their cooperation and professionalism made it possible to bid her farewell with dignity and respect.

Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh last week after 17 years in exile, is widely seen as a key figure in the BNP ahead of elections scheduled for February.

In a post on his verified Facebook page shortly before 7.15 am local time, Tarique said he was expressing gratitude on behalf of himself and his family to everyone who helped ensure that Khaleda Zias janaza and burial were conducted smoothly.

During this time of deep grief, the compassion, respect and sense of responsibility shown by all of you have touched our hearts," he wrote, addressing both the general public and those assigned official duties during the funeral rites.

Rahman Thanks Yunus

Tarique described his mothers final farewell as a historic" moment, saying it was carried out with due honour and dignity for the people of Bangladesh. He said this was possible because of the care, professionalism and responsibility displayed by those involved.

In yesterday's moments of deep personal loss, I want to speak from the heart and thank the many individuals whose care and professionalism helped the country conduct itself through my mothers final farewell.I am deeply grateful to the officers and personnel of the Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/H1pDtpKZ9o  Tarique Rahman (@trahmanbnp) January 1, 2026

In a separate post on X, Tarique also thanked Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and members of the interim cabinet for attending the funeral in person and helping guide the day with steadiness and care" during what he described as a moment of national mourning.

In his social media posts, the BNP leader specifically thanked members of the army, navy and air force, security and law enforcement agencies, journalists, as well as advisers to the chief adviser and various ministries of the interim government.

On behalf of my family, I thank each of you, not as institutions but as people, for the empathy, respect and sense of duty you showed at a time when we were grieving a great loss," he wrote. Your efforts made it possible, Alhamdulillah, for our family and for the nation to honour her memory with dignity."

Khaleda Zia, a three-time prime minister and the first woman to lead Bangladesh, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. She was laid to rest on Wednesday following a state funeral in Dhaka, declared by the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Thousands of mourners gathered as her coffin was taken through the capital, with flags flown at half-mast and heavy security deployed. Prayers were held near parliament before she was buried beside her late husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981.

The interim government declared three days of national mourning, with Yunus saying the country had lost a great guardian". Leaders of the armed forces laid wreaths at the burial site, and a bugle sounded during the final rites.

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Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: January 01, 2026, 08:58 IST

News world Khaleda Zias Son Thanks Bangladeshis For Peaceful Conduct During Mothers State Funeral

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Marrying A US Citizen No Longer Guarantees Green Card? What Immigrants Need To Know

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 19:12 IST

As per experts, marriage-based Green Card applications are under heightened review, particularly under policies shaped during the administration of Donald Trump.

A Green Card puts immigrants on the path to US citizenship and allows them to live and work permanently in the country.

Marriage to a US citizen has long been seen as one of the most reliable routes to securing a Permanent Resident Card, commonly known as a Green Card. But immigration experts now warn that marriage alone no longer guarantees permanent residency.

A Green Card puts immigrants on the path to US citizenship and allows them to live and work permanently in the country. While Green Card holders do not enjoy all the rights of US citizens, they have access to many key benefits, making the permit highly sought after.

Does Marriage Still Make Someone Eligible For A Green Card?

Under US law, the spouse of a US citizen is classified as an immediate relative," making them eligible to apply for a Green Card through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, immigration attorney Brad Bernstein said that eligibility does not mean approval.

Marriage by itself does not get you a Green Card," Brad Bernstein said, warning that applications are now being examined far more closely.

Why Are Marriage-Based Applications Facing More Scrutiny?

According to Brad Bernstein, marriage-based Green Card applications are under heightened review, particularly under policies shaped during the administration of Donald Trump. Officials are focusing less on the legal status of a marriage and more on whether it is genuine in practice. This shift is part of a broader crackdown on immigration pathways, which previously included the suspension of the Diversity Visa Lottery that issued up to 50,000 immigrant visas annually.

Is Living Together Now The Key Requirement?

Brad Bernstein said cohabitation has become a decisive factor in marriage-based Green Card cases, adding, Being in a relationship does not get you a Green Card. Living together gets you a Green Card."

He cautioned that couples who are married but live separately are at immediate risk of rejection.

If spouses do not share a home, then their Green Card case is already going down," he said, adding that immigration officers do not accept reasons such as work, education, finances or convenience for living apart.

What Happens If A Couple Lives Separately?

According to Brad Bernstein, living apart often triggers deeper scrutiny, including marriage fraud investigations, tougher interviews and, in many cases, outright denial of the application.

If youre not living in the same house every day, immigration is going to start questioning the marriage," he said, adding, Once they question it, theyre investigating and once theyre investigating, theyre looking to deny you."

How Does USCIS Decide If A Marriage Is Genuine?

USCIS does not rely solely on addresses or documents. Instead, officers assess the totality of the relationship" to determine whether a marriage was entered into in good faith. Under USCIS policy, a marriage can meet all legal requirements and still be denied if officials believe the couple had no good faith intent to live together as spouses" and entered the marriage primarily to obtain immigration benefits.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 01, 2026, 19:12 IST

News world Marrying A US Citizen No Longer Guarantees Green Card? What Immigrants Need To Know

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At Least 40 Killed In Crans-Montana Bar Fire, Swiss Police Rule Out Terrorist Attack | Top Updates

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 23:19 IST

The blaze broke out shortly after midnight at Le Constellation, a bar in the luxury ski resort town of Crans-Montana.

Rescue efforts are still ongoing and the area has been closed off.

Swiss police said that the deadly fire at a crowded bar in the Alps during New Years celebrations was not a terrorist attack. At least 40 people are presumed dead and around 100 others injured in what is being described as one of Switzerlands worst peacetime disasters in recent years.

The blaze broke out shortly after midnight at Le Constellation, a bar in the luxury ski resort town of Crans-Montana, where revellers had gathered to welcome the New Year. Investigators said it was still too early to determine the exact cause of the fire but stressed that terrorism had been ruled out.

Several tens of people are presumed dead and around 100 injured, most of them seriously," police said, declining to give precise casualty figures as identification efforts continued.

Here are top updates on Crans-Montana bar fire:

Emergency Response Overwhelms Local Facilities

Swiss authorities mounted a large-scale emergency response, deploying helicopters, ambulances, police and fire services to the scene. Officials said the number of injured was so high that nearby hospitals, including intensive care units and operating theatres, quickly reached capacity. A reception centre and a helpline have been established for relatives of those affected, as officials work to identify victims and inform families.

Foreign Nationals Among Victims

Police said several nationalities were involved in the incident. While authorities did not provide a breakdown, they said many of those injured and killed were visitors who had travelled to the Alps to celebrate the New Year. Italys foreign ministry said in a statement that Swiss police believe around 40 people were killed and about 100 injured, though Swiss officials have not confirmed those figures.

Area Sealed Off, Cause Still Under Investigation

The area around the bar has been completely cordoned off and a temporary no-fly zone imposed over Crans-Montana to allow emergency and investigative operations to continue uninterrupted. Swiss media reported that the fire may have started after pyrotechnics were used during a New Years concert but police said the cause of the blaze remains unknown and warned against speculation.

Crans-Montana, a municipality of around 10,000 residents, lies in the heart of the Swiss Alps about 40 kilometres north of the Matterhorn. Formed in 2017 through the merger of several towns, it stretches from the Rhone Valley up to the Plaine Morte glacier and is known globally for its ski slopes, nightlife and festive New Year atmosphere.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: January 01, 2026, 16:01 IST

News world At Least 40 Killed In Crans-Montana Bar Fire, Swiss Police Rule Out Terrorist Attack | Top Updates

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'Peace, Peace On Earth': Trump Frames His New Years Resolution In Three Words | Watch

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 08:59 IST

Donald Trump celebrated his new year alongside allies at the fancy New Years Eve bash at the famous Mar-a-Lago.

Donald Trump during a New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, US, December 31, 2025. (REUTERS)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, with the start of 2026, voiced a New Years resolution that sounded almost universal  Peace. Yes, Trump, who considers himself as the advocate of peace and claims to have stopped eight wars in 2025, started his 2026 with a resolution of Peace On Earth".

Trump celebrated his new year alongside allies at the fancy New Years Eve bash at the famous Mar-a-Lago. The Presidents annual New Years bash at the Palm Beach manor was well-attended by the MAGA elite.

However, what attracted everybodys attention was Trumps New Years resolution. The reporters question drifted through the cold air like a ritual  Mr President, do you have a New Years resolution?"

Donald Trump paused and swiftly said, Yes, I do." He then answered with Melania on his side, smiling  Peace. Peace on Earth."

REPORTER: Mr. President, do you have a New Years resolution?"PRESIDENT TRUMP: Peace. Peace on Earth." pic.twitter.com/NXS1QAJg46  Fox News (@FoxNews) January 1, 2026

Suggesting himself as a Champion of Peace, Trump in the last few months have repeatedly boasted about ending eight international conflicts, including the India-Pakistan war. However, his claim is a bit exaggerated.

Apart from the India-Pakistan conflict, Trump has credited himself for also ending the Cambodia-Thailand and Iran-Israel war, among others.

In fact, for his over-amplified claims, he has also demanded a Nobel Peace Prize and repeatedly argued that his role in ending wars deserved global recognition. In fact, when the prize did not come to him, he expressed disappointment, suggesting that his efforts were ignored while others received acclaim.

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 01, 2026, 08:59 IST

News world 'Peace, Peace On Earth': Trump Frames His New Years Resolution In Three Words | Watch

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Switzerland Bar Fire Shouldn't Be Seen In Isolation: Intel Assessment | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 19:00 IST

Swiss investigators said it was still too early to determine the exact cause of the fire but stressed that terrorism had been ruled out

Rapid Read

Rescuers and fire-fighters work at the site of a fire that ripped through the bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026. (AFP)

Agencies are examining all possible angles in the devastating fire at a luxury ski resort in Switzerland during New Year celebrations, which has killed 40 people so far, even as local police have ruled out a terror attack" angle, CNN-News18 has learnt.

While authorities have not specified the exact cause behind the blaze, intelligence agencies believe the incident should not be seen in isolation, given that the development comes just days after the Sydney Bondi Beach attack, prompting heightened scrutiny of violent incidents and lone-actor threats across Western countries.

Top intelligence sources indicated to CNN-News18 that the Switzerland incident cannot be viewed in isolation, particularly in the backdrop of the recent Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, which has brought renewed focus on lone-actor and ideologically inspired violence across Western countries.

In the Bondi Beach tragedy, Sajid Akram (50) and his son, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, opened fire on a crowd of nearly 1,000-2,000 attendees at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration, killing 16 people. Investigators believe the duo pledged allegiance to ISIS prior to the attack. The incident also led to a diplomatic row, with Australias prime minister Anthony Albanese rejecting accusations from his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, that Australias recognition of a Palestinian state earlier this year had contributed to the deadly antisemitic terrorist attack.

Switzerland is regarded as a high-symbolic-value European target due to its role as a global diplomatic hub. The country hosts several international institutions and global diplomatic infrastructure, including United Nations bodies, despite its long-standing neutral stance.

Indian intelligence agencies are in close coordination with European counterparts to assess broader trends emerging after the Gaza war. Sources said a growing section of the global Muslim diaspora is being exposed to narratives framing the conflict as collective punishment", with such messaging increasingly directed at Western societies.

Investigators are tracing potential exposure to Palestine-linked extremist propaganda ecosystems, including encrypted and semi-open online platforms used to circulate emotionally charged visuals, sermons, and calls for action.

Swiss authorities have reiterated that no final conclusions have been drawn. Until the precise cause of the fire is established, officials maintain that accidental, criminal, and ideological explanations will all continue to be examined.

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Location : Switzerland

First Published: January 01, 2026, 19:00 IST

News world Switzerland Bar Fire Shouldn't Be Seen In Isolation: Intel Assessment | Exclusive

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Trump Says Hes Increasing His Aspirin Dose. Logic: He Wants Nice, Thin Blood

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 22:27 IST

Donald Trumps physician Sean Barbabella said that the US President takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily as a preventive measure for cardiac health.

US President Donald Trump is seen at the White House.

US President Donald Trump said he is taking a larger daily dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend, citing concerns about his heart and blood circulation.

They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I dont want thick blood pouring through my heart," Donald Trump told Wall Street Journal, adding, I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?"

Donald Trump, 79, is the second-oldest person to serve as US president, after his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, who left office at the age of 82 after dropping his 2024 re-election bid amid questions about his fitness.

Donald Trumps physician Sean Barbabella told the Journal that the US President takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily as a preventive measure for cardiac health. By comparison, the Mayo Clinic says a low-dose aspirin regimen- most commonly 81 milligrams- is typically recommended for older adults when advised by a doctor.

Daily aspirin use can help lower the risk of heart attack or stroke in people over 60, though medical experts caution that higher doses may increase the risk of bleeding and should be taken only under medical supervision.

Donald Trumps health has been under renewed attention in recent months following visible bruising on his hands, reports of brain imaging and instances where he appeared to close his eyes during public events.

The White House said earlier that the bruising was the result of Donald Trump shaking large numbers of hands and described the imaging as preventive. While earlier reports suggested Donald Trump had undergone an MRI in October, both he and Sean Barbabella told the Journal that the US President actually received a CT scan.

Sean Barbabella said doctors had initially considered either an MRI or a CT scan but opted for the latter to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues." The scan revealed no abnormalities, according to the physician.

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: January 01, 2026, 22:27 IST

News world Trump Says Hes Increasing His Aspirin Dose. Logic: He Wants Nice, Thin Blood

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US Intel Contradicts Russian Claim, Says Ukraine Didn't Target Putins Residence: Reports

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 10:39 IST

US intelligence, including the CIA, has suggested that Ukraine may not have targeted any of Putins residences in the recent alleged drone attack in northern Russia, reports said.

Matryoshka dolls, depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump (Photo: AFP)

US intelligence has determined that Ukraine did not target one of the residences of Russian President Vladimir Putin in a recent alleged drone attack in northern Russia, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing US officials.

The assessment, which included input from the Central Intelligence Agency, undercuts claims made by Moscow and initially accepted by US President Donald Trump.

According to Reuters, the CIAs evaluation found no evidence that Ukraine had attempted to strike Putin or any of his residences.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the conclusion, which was later confirmed by US officials, as per the report.

CNN also reported on Wednesday that the CIA assessment, briefed to President Donald Trump by Director John Ratcliffe, concluded that the alleged attack on Putins Novgorod residence did not take place.

The Russian allegation emerged on Monday, when Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Ukraine had launched dozens of drones targeting Putins home in the Novgorod region.

Lavrov said Moscow would review its negotiating position following the supposed attack.

The Russian defence ministry released video footage on Wednesday showing Major General Alexander Romanenkov describing fragments of a downed Ukrainian Chaklun-V drone carrying a six-kilogram explosive device that, according to Moscow, did not detonate.

The ministry stated that 91 drones had been intercepted, claiming they were headed for Putins residence, though details on how their destination was identified remained unclear.

Trump initially expressed concern over the alleged strike, telling reporters he was very angry" after speaking with Putin, who spoke to him about the incident.

I dont like it. Its not good," the US President said, though he acknowledged that the allegation could be false.

Following the CIA briefing, Trump appeared more sceptical, sharing a New York Post editorial on Truth Social, accusing Russia of blocking peace in Ukraine.

Ukraine has categorically denied any involvement, describing the allegations as a disinformation campaign intended to create friction between Kyiv and Washington after the Mar-a-Lago meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In a briefing paper circulated to European Union delegations, Kyiv alleged that Russian officials near-identical statements suggested pre-coordination, and residents near the alleged target reported hearing no air defence activity during the night of the supposed attack.

European officials have also cast doubt on Moscows claims.

Kaja Kallas, the EUs foreign policy chief, called the reports a deliberate distraction" and urged the international community not to accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately targeted Ukraines infrastructure and civilians since the start of the war."

Former US envoy Kurt Volker said, There is no evidence that Putin seeks peace and wants Ukraine to be successful. All evidence is to the contrary."

The Russia-Ukraine war, which began with Russias fullscale invasion on February 24, 2022, continues into its fourth year.

It remains the deadliest conflict in Europe in decades, involving widespread conventional warfare in eastern and southern Ukraine, drone and missile strikes across front lines and deeper into populated areas, and intensive diplomatic engagement aimed at peace talks.

ALSO READ | Ukraine 10% Away From Deal To End War: Zelenskyys New Year Address On Peace With Russia

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 10:29 IST

News world US Intel Contradicts Russian Claim, Says Ukraine Didn't Target Putins Residence: Reports

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Despite the positive news, XRP can't outrun its structural issues. First, banks don't have to use the token to benefit from instant cross-border transfers through Ripple Payments, because the network also supports the use of fiat currency. That means the success of Ripple Payments won't necessarily boost the value of XRP.

The lawsuit threatened to derail Ripple's business model, which pressured the price of XRP. But the SEC agreed to drop the case and all pending appeals in August as part of President Donald Trump's pro-crypto policy agenda, ending the five-year legal battle for good. This sent XRP barreling to a seven-year high.

XRP has a total supply of 100 billion tokens. About 60.5 billion are in circulation, and the other 39.5 billion are held by Ripple, which slowly releases them to meet demand from financial institutions. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Ripple in 2020 because of this arrangement, arguing that XRP should be classified as a financial security like any other instrument issued by a company -- whether a stock or a bond.

A company called Ripple created a payment network called Ripple Payments, which lets banks settle cross-border transactions with one another directly and instantly. Ripple launched XRP to serve as a bridge currency to standardize those transactions. For example, a British bank might send XRP to a Japanese bank instead of sending British pounds, thus eliminating costly foreign-exchange conversion fees.

Both cryptocurrencies face structural issues that I predict could result in further declines of 50% (or more) this year. Read on.

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) fell by 20% in 2025 and has declined 49% from its recent high. Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB), on the other hand, hasn't set a new high in four years, and it's declined by 67% for 2025.

The cryptocurrency industry entered 2025 on a high, with the total value of all coins and tokens in circulation sitting at about $3.5 trillion. After a few ups and downs throughout the year, that value has fallen to less than $3 trillion as I write this, led by declines in some of the industry's most speculative tokens.

I predict both could lose more than 50% of their value in 2026.

XRP and Shiba Inu are two popular cryptos locked in severe downtrends because of their persistent structural issues.

The toal value of all cryptocurrencies in circulation declined during 2025, with some of the most speculative tokens experiencing the biggest losses.

Story Continues

Second, Ripple launched its own stablecoin at the end of 2024 called RippleUSD. Stablecoins offer practically zero volatility, so they are better for making payments compared to traditional cryptocurrencies like XRP, which experience significant swings in value over short periods of time.

Without a reliable organic source of demand, XRP is at the mercy of speculative investors, which isn't a recipe for sustainable long-term upside. After the token set its previous all-time high in 2018, it plunged by more than 90% in less than a year.

Since it's already down 49% from its most recent peak, I think history could repeat itself. That leaves room for a further decline of at least 50% in 2026.

Shiba Inu's relevance continues to fade

Shiba Inu was launched in 2020 by an anonymous developer named Ryoshi who wanted to emulate the success of the cryptocurrency industry's original meme token, Dogecoin. It performed beyond Ryoshi's wildest expectations, delivering a staggering return of 45,278,000% during 2021, which would have been enough to turn a perfectly timed investment of just $3 into $1 million.

But meme tokens typically don't have any utility, so once investor sentiment turns negative, they tend to lose most of their value. True to form, Shiba Inu had plummeted more than 90% by mid-2022.

The only way for a cryptocurrency like Shiba Inu to build sustainable value is to increase adoption, whether as a payment mechanism or as a store of value. Unfortunately, just 1,112 merchants around the world are willing to accept the token in exchange for goods and services (according to crypto directory Cryptwerk), so it isn't having much success on that front. It's not a good store of value, either, considering it hasn't set a new all-time high since 2021.

Shiba Inu also has a glaring supply problem that will be a barrier to another historic bull run. There are 589.2 trillion tokens in circulation, which means even at the current price of $0.000007 per token, the ecosystem has a market capitalization of $4.2 billion. If it rose to a more typical price of $1, it would then have a market cap of $589.2 trillion, making it the most valuable asset in the entire world by a wide margin.

That is obviously unrealistic, and it raises the question: If Shiba Inu can't find an organic source of demand, and speculative investors don't have a probable chance of generating another historic return, then who is left to buy the token? This conundrum is the reason it lost more than 60% of its value in 2025, and I predict a decline of 50% or more for 2026.

Should you buy stock in XRP right now?

Before you buy stock in XRP, consider this:

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Prediction: These 2 Popular Cryptocurrencies Will Plunge by 50% (or More) in 2026 was originally published by The Motley Fool
We Look Forward To Working Together: US Embassys New Year Message On India Ties

Curated By :

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Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 13:35 IST

The US Embassy said it was optimistic about deepening cooperation with India in 2026 as it marked the New Year.

Rapid Read

Sergio Gors appointment as US envoy also places a close aide of President Donald Trump at the centre of IndiaUS relations. (IMAGE: PTI)

The US Embassy in India marked the start of 2026 on Thursday with a message highlighting the strength of IndiaUS ties and expressing optimism about deeper cooperation in the year ahead.

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2026, we celebrate the strong partnership between the United States and India," the Embassy said in a post on X. It added that Washington looked forward to working with New Delhi to further strengthen the relationship by advancing shared prosperity, safety, and opportunity for our people."

A day earlier, on December 31, the Embassy had shared a year-end wrap video highlighting key moments in IndiaUS relations over the past year. Accompanying the video, the US mission wrote: New year loading but first, the rewind! Take a look back at the top moments that shaped the U.S-India partnership this year, while we get ready for another year of even stronger #USIndia ties."

The video featured Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the United States and his meeting with President Donald Trump, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars engagement with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the Quad Foreign Ministers Summit, and a 10-year update on the IndiaUS Defence Partnership Framework.

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2026, we celebrate the strong partnership between the United States and India. We look forward to working together to make our partnership even strongeradvancing shared prosperity, safety, and opportunity for our people. pic.twitter.com/VJAntMp6Rf U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) January 1, 2026

It also highlighted US Vice President JD Vances visit to India, progress in space cooperation including the NASA-ISRO Earth observation mission NISAR, and the appointment of Sergio Gor as the US envoy, underscoring sustained diplomatic engagement between the two sides.

On the economic front, while trade ties faced friction over tariffs and market access during the year, India and the US continued talks to address differences, with efforts under way to finalise a bilateral trade agreement.

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First Published: January 01, 2026, 13:35 IST

News world We Look Forward To Working Together: US Embassys New Year Message On India Ties

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'Why Should We Leave?': Family Of Hindu Man Lynched In Bangladesh Seeks Justice, Safety

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: January 01, 2026, 19:37 IST

The garment workers family and supporters call his death a case of systematic targeting of Hindus as concerns rise over the increasing significance of Jamaat

Rapid Read

Dipu Dass widow Megha (in pic) says she spoke to her husband from his clothing factory at 4pm the day he was murdered. (News18)

In Bangladesh, Dipu Chandra Dass small hut is filled with two criesone of his one-and-a-half-year-old daughter who is hassled by the crowd of unknown people and second of his 25-year-old widow, Megha, who now faces an uncertain future.

Das, a young garment worker in Bhaluka upazila of Mymensingh district, was brutally lynched by a mob on December 18. The frenzied crowd accused the 27-year-old of making derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad during a factory event and then brutally lynched him before hanging his body from a tree and setting it ablaze.

As the incident led to an uproar across the globe, the Bangladesh government sent emissaries to Dass family to promise them that their future is safe. However, many feel that with elections over in February, the promises will eventually dry up.

Outside the hut, young children enjoy their games and all seems normal. However, the park where they usually play is filled with huge posters commemorating Dasending the deception of normalcy.

Dass rituals have been completed for now and the next ceremony will be held after 45 days. But even 14 days since his death, the family remains inconsolable.

Speaking to News18, Megha says she spoke to her husband from his clothing factory at 4pm the day he was murdered. Dass mother says he called her but she could only say hello before he disconnected the call.

The garment workers family and supporters call his death a case of systematic targeting of Hindus. Nalini Kaanu Sarkar, who heads the Bangladesh Hindu Parishad and has been parked at Dass home, tells News18: Its not new. It has been happening for some time now. Women are unsafe and Hindu men cant get promotions as they are easy targets. This is shameful."

So, what next for the family and others like them?

The rise of Jamaat is a concern for Hindus in Bangladesh. There are around 13 million Hindus in the country, who make up 7-9 per cent of its population. The Jamaat is known for its radical Islamic policies and is keen to see they are followed through. In many parts of the country, its this view that is gaining traction.

There is also palpable anger against India for sheltering Bangladeshs former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Its this anger which often spills over against Hindus in a bid to hurt India.

Sources in the Bangladesh government have complained that India is using the country as a pawn to nurture its own politics. For instance, in Bengal, the issue of illegal intruders has become a poll plank. And while Bangladesh would want to have a good equation with India, the attack on Hindus will be a sore point, especially in an election year.

For India, there is no way it can go soft on Hindus being attacked. And this is true across party lines. While BJP has made this an election issue, Congress leader Priyanka Vadra too had raised it in the Lok Sabha.

Amid the din, Dass family, and many like them, continue to live in fear but refuse to leave the country. This is our country. We have worked here for generations. Why should we leave? Why not make it safe for us instead?" his father asks.

This is a question that poll aspirants like Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)s acting chairman Tariq Rahman, the Jamaat, and student organisations will have to answer.

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Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: January 01, 2026, 18:54 IST

News world 'Why Should We Leave?': Family Of Hindu Man Lynched In Bangladesh Seeks Justice, Safety

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The long-running tug-of-war over who controls California's National Guard has ended with a quiet retreat from Washington. State Attorney General Rob Bonta says the Trump administration has dropped its bid to block a federal court order that returns command of the Guard to Gov. Gavin Newsom, ABC10 reports. The move means an order from the US District Court for the Northern District of California now takes full effect, ending months of extended federal control. In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, Trump said he was also dropping his push to deploy troops in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, the AP reports.

Troops had already left Los Angeles and while they were deployed to Portland and Chicago, legal challenges meant that they were never on the streets, the AP notes. "We won in court," said Newsom spokesman Izzy Gardon, per the New York Times. "Trump's rambling here is the political version of 'you can't fire me, I quit.'"

ABC10 reports that the reversal in California came after the US Supreme Court, in a related case out of Illinois, rejected what California officials had described as a sweeping view of the president's power to seize control of state Guard units and direct their missions. A Ninth Circuit panel had already refused to put the California district court's injunction on hold, ordering the Guard deployment in and around Los Angeles to wind down earlier this month. The troops, however, remained under federal authority until the administration formally backed off its request to stall the ruling.

Bonta, a Democrat, framed the case as a test of constitutional limits on executive power, accusing Trump of treating Guard members as "political pawns" and using them inappropriately in immigration operations and public displays. "There is a reason our founders decided military and civilian affairs must be kept separate; a reason that our military is, by design, apolitical," he said. "Now, in the face of a stinging rebuke by the US Supreme Court, the Trump Administration is backing away from its efforts to federalize and deploy California National Guard troops."
Farmers are now learning how much aid they can expect to receive from a $12 billion package that President Trump announced earlier this month. The Department of Agriculture released figures Wednesday for how much aid per acre farmers can plan on for each row crop. The details arrived after most farmers have already met with their bankers to arrange financing for next year's crops and placed orders for the seed and fertilizer they will need, the AP reports. Officials have promised that the payments will arrive by the end of February. Soybean farmers have been hit especially hard by Trump's trade war with China, which stopped buying any American crops after he announced his tariffs this spring.
The US military has reported striking five boats the Trump administration says were smuggling drugs over two days, killing a total of eight people while others jumped overboard and may have survived. US Southern Command did not reveal where the attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday occurred. A video of Tuesday's attack posted by Southern Command on social media shows three boats traveling in a close formation, which is unusual, and the military said they were in a convoy along known narco-trafficking routes and "had transferred narcotics between the three vessels prior to the strikes." The military did not provide evidence for the claim, the AP reports.

The military said three people were killed when the first boat was struck, while people in the other two boats jumped overboard and moved away from the vessels before they were attacked. Southern Command said it immediately notified the US Coast Guard to activate search and rescue efforts. The statement did not say whether those who jumped off the boats were rescued. Calling in the Coast Guard is a change; the military drew heavy scrutiny after killing the survivors of an attack in early September with a follow-up strike to their disabled boat. Some Democratic lawmakers and legal experts said the military committed a crime, while the administration and some Republican lawmakers say the follow-up strike was legal.

US forces attacked two more boats on Wednesday, killing five people the US claims were smuggling drugs along known trafficking routes. In a separate statement, the Southern Command did not provide evidence of trafficking or reveal the body of water in which the attacks occurred. Previous attacks have been in the Caribbean Sea and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Videos posted with the statement on social media showed a boat in the water and explosions. The latest attacks bring the total number of known boat strikes to 35 and the number of people killed to at least 115 since early September, according to numbers announced by the Trump administration.
Actor George Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, were granted French citizenship because "they contribute, through their distinguished actions, to France's international influence and cultural outreach," the French government said Wednesday, defending their naturalization that was questioned by a junior French minister. The naturalizations of the Kentucky-born star of the Ocean's series of heist movies, his wife and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, and their twins Ella and Alexander were announced last weekend in the Journal Officiel, where French government decrees are published, per the AP .

Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister at the Interior Ministry, expressed misgivings Wednesday that some of the Clooneys' new French compatriots may think that the star couple was granted special treatment. The actor speaks only what he himself says is "horrible, horrible" French. "The message being sent is not good," Vedrenne said in an interview with broadcaster France Info. "There is an issue of fairness that, in my eyes, is absolutely essential."

The couple purchased an estate in France in 2021, and Clooney has said that it's their primary residence. Non-French residents of France have multiple possible routes to becoming naturalized. It wasn't clear whether the 64-year-old actor retained his American citizenship. His 47-year-old wife was born in Lebanon and raised in the UK and naturalized by France under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. The 8-year-old twins were born in London. The Foreign Ministry said the Clooneys were eligible for citizenship under a French law that allows for the naturalization of foreign nationals who contribute to France's international influence and economic well-being.

It argued that France's cinema industry will benefit from the actor's clout as a global movie star and said that as a lawyer, Amal Clooney regularly works with academic institutions and international organizations in France. "They maintain strong personal, professional, and family ties with our country," the ministry said. "Like many French citizens, we are delighted to welcome Georges and Amal Clooney into the national community," it concluded, giving the actor's first name a French twist by adding an "s" at the end. The decision was also defended by Vedrenne's superior at the Interior Ministry, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, who said he signed the naturalization decree. "It's a big chance for our country," he said.
A packed New Year's Eve party at a Swiss ski resort turned into a mass-casualty disaster, with "several dozen" dead and about 100 injured, reports the Guardian . A blaze erupted around 1:30am local time Thursday in Le Constellation, a popular bar in the high-end resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland, authorities said. Most of the injured are in serious condition, and victims were airlifted to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva, and Zurich.

A no-fly zone was declared over the area, and officials deployed 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances as emergency crews worked through the night. Swiss officials say there is no indication the explosion was intentional. "At the moment we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack," prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud told reporters, per Reuters, while confirming a full investigation is underway. The AP reports that officials called the blaze an "embrasement generalise," a firefighting term describing how a blaze can trigger the release of combustible gases that can then ignite violently and cause what English-speaking firefighters would call a flashover or a backdraft.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, citing early information from Swiss police, said the fire may have been triggered by fireworks or a firecracker, but that remains unconfirmed. Italy's foreign ministry said around 40 people were believed dead, though local police have not given a precise toll, notes Reuters. Some of those killed and injured are foreign nationals, according to cantonal security chief Stephane Ganzer.

"What was meant to be a moment of joy turned, on the first day of the year in Crans-Montana, into mourning that touches the entire country and far beyond," Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin wrote on X.
The Middle East markets have shown a mixed performance, with Egypt's stock exchange outpacing its Gulf counterparts in 2025, while oil prices and regional tensions have weighed on Saudi Arabia's market sentiment. Amid these dynamics, identifying stocks that can thrive involves looking for companies with strong local economic fundamentals and resilience to broader market fluctuations.

Top 10 Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals In The Middle East

Name Debt To Equity Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Health Rating Y.D. More Investments 51.67% 27.49% 36.12%  Saudi Azm for Communication and Information Technology 3.26% 17.17% 23.30%  Analyst I.M.S. Investment Management Services NA 31.20% 44.24%  Terminal X Online 12.94% 13.43% 44.27%  Najran Cement 14.49% -4.20% -30.16%  C. Mer Industries 76.92% 13.56% 68.93%  Amanat Holdings PJSC 10.86% 27.51% -0.92%  Amir Marketing and Investments in Agriculture 32.43% 3.87% 6.98%  Ajman Bank PJSC 53.89% 16.11% 18.02%  Birikim Varlik Yonetim Anonim Sirketi 59.38% 42.42% 36.01% 

Click here to see the full list of 182 stocks from our Middle Eastern Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener.

Below we spotlight a couple of our favorites from our exclusive screener.

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: Qassim Cement Company is involved in the manufacture and sale of cement within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a market capitalization of SAR4.62 billion.

Operations: Revenue from manufacturing and selling cement is SAR1.15 billion. The net profit margin has shown fluctuations over recent periods, reflecting changes in operational efficiency and market conditions.

Qassim Cement, a debt-free player in the Middle East cement industry, has shown resilience despite some challenges. Over the past year, its earnings grew by 11%, outperforming the Basic Materials sector's -4% performance. Trading at approximately 31% below its estimated fair value, it appears undervalued. Recent earnings for Q3 reported sales of SAR 246 million and net income of SAR 41 million, down from SAR 65 million last year. For nine months ending September 2025, sales reached SAR 843 million with net income at SAR 191 million. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of SAR 0.80 per share payable in December.

SASE:3040 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jan 2026

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: The Gold Bond Group Ltd. provides storage, conveyance, and logistical solutions for cargoes and containers, with a market capitalization of 904.55 million.
US intelligence has found there's no truth to Russia's Monday claim that Ukraine triedand failedto hit Vladimir Putin's residence in northern Russia with a swarm of drones, according to US officials cited by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times . The Journal 's source says the US determined that Ukraine was going after a military target in the same Novgorod region where Putin's country residence is located, though the target isn't near it.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed President Trump on the finding, per a person familiar with the matter. The Times notes Trump hasn't publicly embraced the assessment, but on Wednesday he shared a New York Post editorial that questioned Putin's account. Trump had previously said he was "very angry" after Putin told him about the alleged attack in a phone call, though he also allowed Monday that he had no independent confirmation and that it was "possible" the episode never happened.

Russia had seized on the claim to warn it might toughen its posture in already difficult peace talks. On Wednesday, its Defense Ministry alleged that 91 Ukrainian drones bound for Putin's home had been intercepted; it shared a video showing what it claimed was an explosives-laden Ukrainian drone that had been taken down.
North Korea kicked off the new year with fireworks, martial arts, and a fresh round of speculation about the regime's future. State media on Thursday reported that leader Kim Jong Un attended New Year's festivities in Pyongyang featuring patriotic songs, dances, and a taekwondo display. At his side: daughter Kim Ju Ae, who appeared in official photos sitting next to her father and holding his hand, reports Reuters . Her prominent presence will likely fuel ongoing assessments by outside analysts that she's being positioned as his eventual successor, though North Korea has made no such announcement.

In a holiday speech, Kim praised what he described as the population's efforts leading to "successes and phenomenal changes" in 2025, and urged unity ahead of a major political gathering expected in early 2026. That meeting, the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party, is set to outline five-year plans touching on the country's nuclear and weapons programs, as well as its struggling economy.

Kim also used the occasion to address North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, calling them the country's "greatest strength and pride and a strong pillar" in a message and telling them, "Be brave. Behind you are Pyongyang and Moscow," per the official Korean Central News Agency.
Drug prices are poised to climb in the new year on hundreds of medicines even as the Trump administration publicly leans on pharmaceutical companies to bring costs down. According to data from research firm 3 Axis Advisors, at least 350 brand-name drugs are set for list price increases in 2026, including COVID, RSV, and shingles vaccines, along with cancer drug Ibrance, Reuters reports. That's up from more than 250 drugs at this point last year. The median hike is about 4%, roughly in line with 2025, and doesn't factor in rebates or other discounts negotiated with insurers and pharmacy benefit managers.

Pfizer is planning the largest number of hikesaround 80 medicinestouching everything from its COVID treatment Paxlovid and migraine drug Nurtec to hospital staples like morphine. Most of its increases stay under 10%, though COVID vaccine Comirnaty will rise 15%, and some low-cost hospital drugs will jump more than fourfold. Pfizer and GSK both framed the adjustments as necessary to fund research and cover rising costs; GSK will lift prices on about 20 products by 2% to 8.9%. The deals President Trump negotiated with drug companies apply to Medicaid, not the commercial health plans that cover most Americans, the Hill notes.

Not every move is upward: List prices will fall on about nine drugs, including a cut of more than 40% for diabetes medication Jardiance and related treatments sold by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly, Reuters reports. Jardiance is among the first 10 drugs to go through Medicare's new price negotiation, which led to a roughly two-thirds reduction for that program.

Dr. Benjamin Rome, a health policy researcher, tells Reuters that companies appear to be raising prices while negotiating deals with insurers behind the scenes and setting a different price for direct-to-consumer sales. The Trump administration's deals "are being announced as transformative when, in fact, they really just nibble around the margins in terms of what is really driving high prices for prescription drugs in the US," Rome says.
Bulgarians began withdrawing euros for the first time on Thursday after the former communist nation joined the euro currency as its 21st member. Cash machines in the capital, Sofia, dispensed brand new euro banknotes, replacing the lev, which will still be in use for cash payments in January, the AP reports. However, people will receive only euros in change.

The country of nearly 6.7 million people was one of the poorest when it first became a member of the European Union in 2007. Joining the European single-currency system means deeper EU integration after its 1989 transition from a Soviet-style economy to democracy and free markets. However, the historic milestone arrives amid political instability, with the conservative-led government forced to resign earlier this month following nationwide anti-corruption protests, and skepticism among ordinary people, fueled by fears of price rises.
Ron DeSantis is spending his final year as Florida governor trying to slam the brakes on artificial intelligence while much of rest of his party steps on the gas. As President Trump and GOP leaders in Washington promote AI as an economic and strategic priority, DeSantis is positioning himself as one of the country's most prominent Republican skeptics, Politico reports. He's warning that "mindless slop" generated by AI, deepfakes, and automation could destabilize jobs, communities, and even "self-government." At a Dec. 18 event, DeSantis said: "Let's not try to act like some type of fake videos or fake songs are going to deliver us to some kind of utopia."

He's especially focused on the data centers that power AI systems. The governor has sided with local opponents of the massive facilities, arguing they devour electricity and water while offering limited benefits to nearby residents. CNBC notes that Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is at the opposite end of the political spectrum and agrees on "virtually nothing" else with DeSantis, has also emerged as a leading opponent of data centers, suggesting a "political reckoning is brewing over the AI industry's impact on electricity prices, grid stability and the labor market."

DeSantis is pushing a package of state-level rules ahead of the 2026 session that would require companies to disclose when Floridians are interacting with AI, block AI from providing therapy or mental health counseling, and give parents more control over their kids' use of the technology, Politico reports. He also wants to cut off state subsidies for data centers and allow stricter scrutiny of their environmental and noise impacts. Business groups and tech advocates are urging lawmakers not to slow what they call a global technological wave, saying Florida should court data centers as job creators and economic engines.

The clash is unfolding as Trump's new executive order seeks "global AI dominance" through a light-touch national framework and threatens legal action against states with "onerous AI laws." DeSantis insists his plans fall within states' rights and will survive any court fight.
China has condemned the demolition of a monument honoring the Chinese community in Panama, the latest development as the Trump administration pushes for the Central American nation to distance itself from Beijing. Panama's president echoed the condemnation, blaming local authorities and pledging that the monument would be rebuilt, the AP reports.

Videos circulated on social media earlier this week showing large excavators tearing down the monument, which commemorated 150 years of Chinese presence in Panama and Chinese migrants who helped build railroads and the Panama Canal.
NASA's biggest research library is about to go darkand much of what's inside may never be seen again. The Trump administration is shutting the main library at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Friday as part of a campus-wide consolidation that will also close 13 buildings and more than 100 labs this year. NASA says the staff will spend 60 days sorting through tens of thousands of books, journals, and technical documents; some will head to government storage, while the rest will be discarded. Many of the materials have never been digitized and aren't available anywhere else, the New York Times reports.

Agency officials describe the move as long-planned cost-cutting, not a retreat from science. NASA spokeswoman Bethany Stevens said the reorganization began before Trump took office and will save about $10 million a year while avoiding nearly $64 million in building repairs. But Goddard workers, their union, and Maryland Democrats say the administration accelerated closures during the federal government shutdown, when the campus was largely empty, and they warn that specialized test gear and other equipment has already been thrown out. Sen. Chris Van Hollen said he'll fight moves that undermine Goddard's mission. Rep. Zoe Lofgren said in a statement in November that the moves and closings "risk causing significant delays for multi-billion-dollar missions under development," per USA Today.

Some scientists worry most about what's on the shelves. Former Goddard planetary scientist Dave Williams, who spent decades curating mission data and obscure spaceflight journals, said the library holds Soviet-era rocket texts and Apollo-era experiment records that "you can't just get online." With the Space Science Data Coordinated Archive already offline, he and others fear NASA is erasing its own memoryand risking repeat mistakes on future missions, per the Times. After the closure, staff will be pushed to digital tools like an "Ask a Librarian" service and interlibrary loans, while losing a physical hub where engineers and researchers traded ideas over books and coffee. Among the projects designed and built there are the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes.
Saying that "Today begins a new era," Mayor Zohran Mamdani assured New Yorkers on Thursday that he will use the power of government to serve all of them, regardless of their political views. "I promise you this," Mamdani said after taking the oath in a public ceremony outside City Hall, hours after being sworn in privately , per the New York Times . "If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor. Regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, I will celebrate with you, mourn alongside you, and never, not for a second, hide from you." After reassuring business leaders since his election , Mamdani said he will not back away the positions that put him in office. "I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist," he said.

Mamdani, 34, a former New York State Assembly member from Queens, campaigned on an aggressively pro-affordability agenda, per the Washington Post. He has pledged to freeze rents on nearly 1 million rent-stabilized apartments, make city buses free and faster, and establish universal child care, funded in part by higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy, including billionaires who opposed his candidacy. Many of those proposals would require approval from Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature. "We will govern expansively and audaciously," Mamdani told the crowd, adding, "To those who insist that the era of big government is over, hear me when I say this: No longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power to improve New Yorkers' lives."

The inauguration underscored Mamdani's alignment with the Democratic Party's left flank. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York joined him at City Hall, with Sanders dismissing criticism that in "the richest country in the history of the world," Mamdani's housing agenda is radical. When Sanders called for raising taxes on the rich and large corporations, sections of the crowd of several thousand responded with "Tax the rich!" chants.

The Times posted a transcript of Mamdani's speech here.
KOBE, Jan 01 (News On Japan) - More people are struggling with what to do about family graves, as the number of people choosing to close ancestral burial plots continues to rise across Japan.

Amid these changes, Kobe has decided to introduce a new form of burial, reflecting shifting attitudes toward death and memorialization. The city plans to develop a forest cemetery where cremated remains are buried beneath trees, offering an alternative to traditional gravestones. The move comes as more families find it difficult to maintain graves due to distance, aging, or the absence of successors.

At a recent cemetery consultation event held by the city, many attendees sought advice about grave management. Some said they were considering closing long-held family graves, while others were unsure how to handle ancestral plots located far from where they now live. One man explained that his family grave, which dates back more than 200 years, is located in Okayama, making it difficult to visit or maintain regularly. Another said his children live in Osaka, leaving him as the only one responsible for upkeep, and he worries there will be no one left to care for the grave in the future.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, more than 160,000 graves were closed nationwide last year, roughly double the number recorded a decade ago. A survey released this month by a Tokyo funeral services company found that nearly 70 percent of people responsible for grave maintenance feel it is a burden.

Traditionally, graves were passed down through generations, with families responsible for ongoing care. However, newer burial options have emerged in response to changing lifestyles, including communal graves managed by third parties and nature-based burials that do not require descendants to maintain them.

In Osaka, workers were recently seen removing gravestones at a cemetery following requests from families with no heirs to continue upkeep. Funeral service providers say consultations related to grave closures reached around 6,900 cases in fiscal 2024, nearly double the previous year.

Against this backdrop, Kobe announced this week that it will introduce forest burial sites starting next fiscal year. The plan involves burying powdered remains beneath trees in a shared burial area without individual gravestones. The site, located within a park, will accommodate about 1,600 burials over a 20-year period. The city says this will be the first such initiative run by a municipal government.

Officials say demand for communal and nature-oriented burials has been rising, reflecting changing values around death and memorials. Similar burial methods are already in place in parts of Osaka, where ashes are mixed with soil and returned directly to the earth. Trees and natural vegetation are left untouched, with the forest itself serving as the memorial.

At one such site, visitors walk along forest paths where burial areas blend seamlessly into the landscape. Operators say about 70 percent of users sign contracts while still alive, and since the program began two years ago, around 10 people have already been laid to rest there.

One man from Osaka who signed a pre-need contract said he was drawn to the calm, natural environment and the idea of returning to nature rather than being confined to a grave. He said he felt it would be less lonely and less burdensome for his family. His daughter agreed, saying the arrangement allowed her to respect her fathers wishes without worrying about future maintenance.

Families who choose these burials can visit the forest at any time, treating it as a place to reflect or take a quiet walk rather than a traditional gravesite. Many say the approach allows them to think about death in a more positive and natural way.

As attitudes toward burial continue to evolve, more people are choosing options that reduce the burden on their families while reflecting their personal values. With fewer descendants able or willing to maintain traditional graves, forest burials and communal memorials are emerging as practical alternatives, offering a new answer to how people in Japan choose to be remembered.

Source: KTV NEWS
One of the major changes he noted is that companies no longer fund their employees retirements. Sethi pointed out that companies, including those owned by boomers, rarely offer pensions anymore, meaning the retirement burden has been shifted to individual employees.

What would have been relatively straightforward or easy decades ago is virtually impossible today  to work a normal entry-level job on one income, buy a house, have a car, said Sethi.

He then attacked OLearys habit of lecturing people about wasting money on coffee. Did Kevin OLeary become worth hundreds of millions of dollars from not spending money on coffee? No, he added.

Dave Ramsey is still recommending 15-year mortgages and these mythical 12% mutual funds that he refuses to name, said Sethi.

Ramsey and OLeary are two of the most influential voices in American personal finance, shaping how millions budget, invest and tackle debt. But Sethi says their frameworks were built for a different era  before todays high housing costs and the shift from pensions to DIY retirement.

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Heres why he believes these frameworks dont work and what young people should focus on instead.

Sethi also argued that some of the financial advice out there  from the likes of Dave Ramsey and Kevin OLeary  is outdated and stuck in old financial frameworks that dont take into account the modern economic reality for most Americans.

This can mainly be seen, according to him, in pensions and housing. This is not about young people spending too much on avocado toast, said Sethi.

Sethi claimed boomers built wealth in a system that no longer exists, then changed the rules in ways that make it harder for younger people to benefit.

Why is it that boomers were able to buy houses on a single income, but for young people, even saving for a down payment feels impossible? asked personal finance expert Ramit Sethi on an episode of I Will Teach You To Be Rich. (2)

According to a poll from the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, 43% of Americans aged 18 to 29 are struggling or getting by with limited financial security, and only 30% believe theyll be better off financially than their parents. (1)

If youre young and feel like youll never be able to afford a house or comfortably retire, youre not alone.

Story Continues

This observation is supported by data. Over the years, traditional pensions have been supplanted by 401(k)s and IRAs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 15% of private industry workers had access to a defined benefit plan in 2023. (3)

More than three-quarters of respondents to a survey by the nonprofit National Institute on Retirement Security agreed that the disappearance of traditional pensions has made it harder for workers to achieve the American Dream.

Sethi also discussed the housing factor. Boomers, who are sitting on an estimated $18 to $19 trillion in real estate (4), bought houses when the government was explicitly encouraging home ownership through policies and mortgages that made buying a house affordable, he said.

Thats not the case today. Boomers account for 42% of all home buyers, while millennials account for 29% (down from 38% a year ago) and Gen Z makes up just 3%, according to the National Association of Realtors 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report.

The report also found that half of older boomers and 40% of younger boomers are purchasing homes entirely with cash. (5)

Scott Beyer, a columnist fellow at the Independent Institute think-tank, believes boomers are the lead architects of restricting home supply. Much of this is due to boomers buying multiple investment properties, avoiding high interest rates via all-cash purchases, he said.

And while theres nothing wrong with investing in housing, these purchases, he added, naturally reduce available housing stock for younger generations. (6)

Read More: This is the quiet portfolio shift many wealthy investors are making in 2026. Should you consider it too?

How to overcome systemic barriers

So if the system is stacked against younger people, is there anything they can do about it?

I dont spend my days with my nose buried in my phone tracking my bank account in two-cent increments, and you dont need to either, said Sethi. Here are some areas where young people should focus instead.

Earn more: It makes sense to cut back where you can, like reviewing your subscriptions and canceling ones you dont use anymore. But cutting back can only get you so far if youre already stretched thin. The solution is earning more.

That could mean learning the skill of negotiating your salary. Maybe it means starting to look for a new job that pays you more or starting a side business to bring in an extra thousand dollars a month, said Sethi.

Save and invest consistently: When it comes to saving and investing for the future, consistency is key. Rather than feeling guilty because you spent money on a fancy coffee, Sethi recommends automating your savings and investments so you dont even have to think about it. Instead, you go about your life while automatically, invisibly, you are building wealth in the background.

The only time you need to make adjustments is if you get a raise or start earning more and want to bump up your savings rate. Investing regularly, especially automatically, is a key to building wealth. Thats because of compounding. When you invest money, it compounds, meaning interest earns interest on itself, he said.

Make conscious choices: Fear-based financial rules can keep people stuck in shame-based budgeting and decision-making. This can lead to paralysis or suboptimal decisions.

So, rather than following fear-based strategies, like never using credit  which isnt realistic for a lot of people  it may be more important to learn how to manage a reasonable amount of risk.

Theres a lot of financial advice out there. Ask yourself whether that advice creates fear or shame, and whether its realistic, given your economic circumstances.

You may also want to seek the advice of a qualified financial advisor who can assess your personal situation and help you create a plan to meet your goals.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics (1); YouTube (2); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (3); National Institute on Retirement Security (4); Realtor.com (5); National Association of Realtors (6); Independent Institute (7).

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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Did you know there are some financial metrics that can provide clues of a potential multi-bagger? Ideally, a business will show two trends; firstly a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an increasing amount of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. So when we looked at Eversendai Corporation Berhad (KLSE:SENDAI) and its trend of ROCE, we really liked what we saw.

Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit.

Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for Eversendai Corporation Berhad, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.053 = RM52m  (RM2.8b - RM1.9b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2025).

Therefore, Eversendai Corporation Berhad has an ROCE of 5.3%. Ultimately, that's a low return and it under-performs the Construction industry average of 10%.

View our latest analysis for Eversendai Corporation Berhad

KLSE:SENDAI Return on Capital Employed January 1st 2026

While the past is not representative of the future, it can be helpful to know how a company has performed historically, which is why we have this chart above. If you'd like to look at how Eversendai Corporation Berhad has performed in the past in other metrics, you can view this free graph of Eversendai Corporation Berhad's past earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What Can We Tell From Eversendai Corporation Berhad's ROCE Trend?

It's great to see that Eversendai Corporation Berhad has started to generate some pre-tax earnings from prior investments. The company was generating losses five years ago, but now it's turned around, earning 5.3% which is no doubt a relief for some early shareholders. Additionally, the business is utilizing 49% less capital than it was five years ago, and taken at face value, that can mean the company needs less funds at work to get a return. The reduction could indicate that the company is selling some assets, and considering returns are up, they appear to be selling the right ones.

For the record though, there was a noticeable increase in the company's current liabilities over the period, so we would attribute some of the ROCE growth to that. The current liabilities has increased to 66% of total assets, so the business is now more funded by the likes of its suppliers or short-term creditors. And with current liabilities at those levels, that's pretty high.
South Koreas Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has imposed an institutional warning and fines totaling 27.3 billion ($1.89 million) on Korbit, citing widespread violations of the countrys anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.

In a statement, the FIU said it had identified multiple breaches following a comprehensive on-site inspection of the cryptocurrency exchange conducted between October 16 and October 29, 2024.

Thousands of AML Breaches Identified

According to the FIU, Korbit committed approximately 22,000 violations related to customer due diligence and transaction-restriction obligations.

The FIU states more than 12,800 cases involved failures in customer identification, including accepting unclear or incomplete identity documents, approving accounts with missing or improperly recorded addresses, failing to re-verify customer identities when required, and allowing transactions for customers whose money-laundering risk ratings had been upgraded without additional checks.

An additional 9,100 cases involved breaches of transaction-restriction rules where Korbit allowed trading activity for customers whose identity verification had not been completeda direct violation of Korean AML requirements.

Transactions With Unregistered Overseas Platforms

The FIU also found that Korbit facilitated 19 crypto asset transfers involving three overseas virtual asset service providers that were not registered under South Korean law. Such transactions are explicitly prohibited under the Specified Financial Transaction Information Act.

Separately, the regulator identified 655 violations related to Korbits failure to conduct money-laundering risk assessments before supporting new products, including certain NFT-related services.

Accountability Measures

In addition to the institutional penalty, the FIU said it has also imposed disciplinary measures on senior management. Korbits chief executive received a formal caution, while the companys compliance reporting officer was issued a reprimand, reflecting their responsibility for the scale and nature of the violations.

The FIU said the sanctions reflect a comprehensive review of the severity of the breaches, their causes, and the companys corrective actions, as well as precedents under existing law.

The regulator added that further details of the sanctions will be published on its website following the completion of procedural steps, including the final confirmation of the fine amount after Korbit is given the opportunity to submit opinions.

The FIU emphasized it will continue to pursue follow-up enforcement actions stemming from ongoing inspections and warned that serious violations of AML regulations will be dealt with strictly.
Three popular dining establishments in Atlantic and Cape May counties are closing for renovations and seasonal maintenance in January.

But they all promise to reopen when the work is complete.

The Crab Trap Restaurant at 2 Broadway in Somers Point will be temporarily closed from Jan. 5 through Jan. 12 for repairs and maintenance. The restaurant plans to reopen Jan. 13, according to a Facebook post by the owners.

The Inn at Sugar Hill in Mays Landing announced a seasonal closure that will extend through the winter months. In a Facebook post Monday, the restaurant said it will close Jan. 1 and reopen in April.

As we welcome the New Year, were excited to share that the Inn at Sugar Hill will be taking some time for a few minor updates and improvements, the restaurant said in its post. The Inn at Sugar Hill will be closing on January 1 and will reopen in April as we prepare for a warm and exciting 2026 summer season.

The restaurant noted that customers can visit its sister restaurant  A Touch of Italy in Egg Harbor Township  while the Inn at Sugar Hill is closed.

A Touch of Italy reopened in December after undergoing renovations following a fire in 2023.

And the Tuckahoe Inn on Route 9 in Upper Township plans to be closed during January, also for renovation work.

The restaurant is scheduled to reopen in February.
Have you ever had a moment where everything suddenly made sense?

We expect understanding to come slowly  but sometimes it arrives all at once.

Thats where the word epiphany comes in.

Its the word that describes that moment when the light bulb goes off in your head and you find the answer or come to a desired conclusion.

Heres what you need to know about the word epiphany so you can start using it today.

What is the definition of epiphany?

The word epiphany is a noun that primarily refers to a moment of sudden revelation or insight.

It can also refer to the Christian feast of the Epiphany on January 6, which celebrates the day the baby Jesus is visited by the three wisemen.

How is the word epiphany pronounced?

The word epiphany is pronounced /i-PI-fuh-nee/.

How can you use epiphany in a sentence?

I had an epiphany while studying and finally understood the concept. The novel centers on the protagonists epiphany and personal growth. In a sudden epiphany, the answer felt obvious, as if it had been there all along.

What is the origin of the word epiphany?

According to Brittanica, the word epiphany comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning manifestation.

This term was used to describe the Christian holiday of Jesus first manifestation to the Magi, who represented the Gentiles.

The term epiphany was first used in English in the 14th century, according to Etymonline.

What famous book quoted the word epiphany?

Fans of author Donna Tartts 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Goldfinch will recognize the term used by the main character, Theodore Decker.

I had the epiphany that laughter was light, and light was laughter, and that this was the secret of the universe, the passage reads.
After a 30-year-high for pedestrian fatalities and a spike in over all traffic deaths killed in 2024, New Jersey had a less deadly year in 2025 and did better than predictions by national safety officials.

The New Jersey State Police reported a drop in the number of traffic deaths, from 684 in 2024 to 575 in 2025, representing a 15% drop. State Police caution this is a preliminary number that could change.

The figure met a goal of reducing traffic fatalities to 577 deaths in 2025 that was set in the state Highway Safety Plan.

New Jersey also did better than projections by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which forecast the state would see a 10% drop in traffic deaths between 2024 and 2025.

Nationally, the NHTSA projected a sharp drop in traffic fatalities for 2025 even though Americans drove about 25 billion more miles.

In 2024, Ocean County had the highest number of fatalities in the state with 62 people killed in 53 crashes, followed by Middlesex County with 48 death in 48 crashes.

Essex County had the third highest death toll with 42 people killed in 42 crashes. Hunterdon County had the fewest deaths in 2025 with 6 people killed in 6 crashes.

Fewer pedestrians were killed in 2025, dropping from 230 in 2024 to 173, according to State Police data. In 2024, pedestrian deaths had increased 30% compared to 2023.

Essex County had the most pedestrian deaths at 25, followed by 17 pedestrians killed in Ocean County.

Statewide, one less cyclist was killed in 2025, 17, compared to 18 killed in 2024.

The reduction in fatalities came as the state started a new Target Zero initiative this year.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law on Jan. 13 creating the first-of-its-kind, 13-agency Target Zero Commission to develop a plan for eliminating traffic deaths by 2040.

The commission approved its draft report of recommendations to reduce fatalities on Dec. 18.

The 72-page plan, described as the nations first statewide strategy to end roadway fatalities, laid out an ambitious roadmap.

It recommends proposed laws for the legislature to consider and additional measures for state agencies and local law enforcement to implement.

During a Dec. 1 public hearing, several safety advocates and families of fatal crash victims called on Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrills administration to act on the reports recommendations.

A copy of the report will be provided to Sherrills transition team, state Department of Transportation officials said. Copies of the approved report were also sent to Murphy and the state legislature.

That report leans heavily on the U.S. Department of Transportations Safe Systems Approach, comprising actions to address issues around having Safer People, Safer Roads, Safer Speeds, Safer Vehicles, and Better Post-Crash Care.

It made specific recommendations in seven areas: driver education, pedestrian safety, road design, driver awareness of safety laws, speed management, vehicle safety and post-crash care.

The report also identified 140 sections of interstate, state highways and local roads as high-injury areas that need attention.
A version of this story was first published in 2022.

Eddie Rabbitt grew up in East Orange and became a country music superstar in Nashville, but never stopped being a Jersey Boy.

One of his lesser-known songs endures, more than a quarter-century after his death, as the tale of his improbable rise. It namechecks the Jersey Shore, Palisades, Pulaski Skyway, Clairmont Diner, Hurricane Bar in Newark and the streets of Old East Orange, not the usual fare of country music.

Jersey Boy is what Rabbitt titled his 1990 song.

Coming out of New Jersey was unusual, for a person who became as big as he did in country music, Michael McCall, associate director of editorial for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, told NJ Advance Media in 2022.

Rabbitt, who would have turned 84 on Nov. 27, had 26 songs that topped the country music charts between 1976 and 1989. At his peak in the early 1980s, I Love a Rainy Night, Drivin My Life Away, Step by Step and Someone Could Lose a Heart Tonight crossed onto the pop music charts.

Rabbitts duet with Crystal Gayle, You and I, was Billboards 12th most popular song in 1983. Two years later, Rabbitt performed You and I on TVs Solid Gold with six-time Grammy Award winner Dionne Warwick, who is 11 months older than Rabbitt and also grew up in East Orange.

It was a remarkable rise for a son of Irish immigrants who was earning $50 per night singing at the Hurricane Bar in Newark before deciding that, to have any chance of being discovered, he would need to move to the nations unofficial capital of country music.

Ellen Emery recalled watching Rabbitt sing on weekends at the Hurricane Bar and how she and her friends got to know him, sometimes sharing meals at a diner.

Hed sit there having breakfast, and have a napkin there, and start writing on it. He was always writing lyrics, Emery said in 2022.

Rabbitt, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, was also acclaimed as a songwriter. His big break came in 1969, about a year after leaving New Jersey, when Elvis Presley recorded Kentucky Rain. He wrote Ronnie Milsaps first No. 1 song, Pure Love, released in 1974.

His writing appealed to people long before he was making hit records, McCall said.

His first two country No. 1 hits, Drinkin My Baby (Off My Mind) and You Dont Love Me Anymore, were released in 1976 and 1978.

Rabbitt is not among the 158 members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, which typically inducts three members per year via an anonymous panel chosen by the Country Music Association. He might have a better chance at making the New Jersey Hall of Fame, which lets the public vote every year on dozens of nominees from a selection committee.

A spokesperson for the New Jersey Hall of Fame said in 2022 that Rabbitt had been recommended for consideration, but he was not among the inductees in 2023, 2024 or 2025.

Jersey Boy, on the album of the same name, was released eight years before Rabbitt died of cancer at 56. It opens with Rabbitts parents immigrating from Ireland in 1924, settling in New Jersey and buying a house with a big front porch.

The lyrics recount his Boy Scout master teaching him how to play the guitar, tossing snowballs with his best friend Charlie, his first true love Carol and the decision that changed his life.

I remember thinking long ago when telling a bartender named Stewart / I dont think Ill be discovered singing country music here in Newark / So I took a Greyhound Bus on down to Nashville knocked on doors and made some friends / One opened up and I walked through and I never was the same again.

McCall said Jersey Boy reminded him a little of Coal Miners Daughter, the iconic 1970 song by Loretta Lynn about growing up in Kentucky.

Its a great song, and also that idea of getting later in his career, talking about his earlier life and roots. Its a Coal Miners Daughter sort of song, he said.

Rabbitt told an interviewer in 1990 that Jersey Boy happened by accident.

I wrote a song one night ... a song I never planned to record, actually. I was just noodling around on the piano, just singing about the George Washington Bridge and the Clairmont Diner and the Hurricane Bar and all these places and I was just having fun with it, singing, oh Im a Jersey boy, Rabbitt said while appearing on Sudzin Country, a longtime music program hosted by Herb Sudzin.

Jersey Boy is the source for some of what is known about Rabbitts early years in New Jersey. His familys house was on North 19th Street in East Orange. He attended an elementary school down on the corner, not named in the song, but a graduation program posted online shows he attended 8th grade at the former Our Lady of All Souls school.

Rabbitt appears to have gotten his musical interest from his father, who played the fiddle and accordion. It is believed he attended East Orange High School but did not graduate.

While Rabbitt performed in other clubs, Emery credits the long-closed Hurricane Bars late owner, Morris Weber, with giving him wider exposure.

Back then, it was the place to go for country music, said Emery, who was living in Belleville at that time.

When Rabbitt performed at Drew University in Madison in the early 1980s, he invited some who knew him before he was famous, including Weber and Emery, and they all got together after the show.

I think he gave me roses, Emery said. He never lost being humble of where he came from.

Rabbitt was married and had three children. One of his children died very young following an unsuccessful liver transplant.

His 14th album was released in 1997 after Rabbitt underwent chemotherapy and had part of a lung removed. It was entitled, Beatin the Odds.

Rabbitt died eight months later. His death was announced publicly only after his funeral.

He died too young, Emery said, a sentiment often shared by his fans.

Eddie Rabbitt, left, performing with Carl Perkins, center, and Vince Gill, right, in January 1991, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) ASSOCIATED PRESS

In the 1990 interview upon the release of Jersey Boy, Rabbitt seemed content with everything that had come his way.

Im a guy who sat in East Orange, New Jersey, he recalled, listening to a radio, sitting on the edge of the bed with my guitar, listening to the country music coming out of that radio and loving it, and learning it, and remembering it and playing it ... who dreamed about being a country star.
South Korea's Financial Services Commission (FSC) has reportedly proposed limiting major shareholders of cryptocurrency exchanges to 15-20% ownership stakes, a regulatory bombshell dropped on December 30-31 that is now casting a long shadow over the industry's outlook for 2026.

The proposal would force the founders and controlling shareholders of Korea's top five exchanges to divest significant portions of their holdings.

A New Year Clouded by Uncertainty

The timing of the announcementjust days before the new yearhas left industry participants scrambling to assess the implications. A local media outlet first broke the story on December 30, which was subsequently covered by major financial outlets. What was expected to be a celebratory period marking another year of growth in one of the world's most active crypto markets has instead become a period of anxious speculation about the future of exchange ownership structures.

"The industry entered 2026 under a cloud of regulatory uncertainty," one exchange executive told reporters. "Deals that were on the verge of closing are now back on the drawing board."

Sweeping Changes to Governance

Under the proposed Digital Asset Basic Act, the FSC aims to transform crypto exchanges from founder-controlled private enterprises into quasi-public infrastructure, similar to Alternative Trading Systems (ATS) under Korea's Capital Markets Act.

The impact would be immediate and far-reaching:

Exchange Largest Shareholder Current Stake Required Divestment Upbit (Dunamu) Founder (Song Chi-hyung) 25.52% 5-10% Bithumb Bithumb Holdings 73.56% 53-58% Coinone Founder (Cha Myung-hun) 53.44% 33-38% Korbit NXC 60.5% 40-45% GOPAX Binance 67.45% 47-52%

The proposal also signals a shift from the current registration system to a full-licensing regime, with regulators conducting fitness reviews of major shareholdersa level of scrutiny previously reserved for traditional financial institutions.

Mega-Deals in Limbo

Two of the most significant corporate developments in Korea's crypto sector now face major complications.

Naver's planned merger with Dunamu, which would create a fintech giant valued at approximately 20 trillion won ($14 billion), is directly affected. The current structurewhere Naver Pay would hold 100% of Dunamuis fundamentally incompatible with the proposed ownership caps.

Similarly, Mirae Asset's acquisition of Korbit, for which a memorandum of understanding was recently signed with major shareholders NXC and SK Planet, faces an uncertain path forward. Industry observers note that investing over 100 billion won without securing management control undermines the strategic rationale for the deal.
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Zip Code
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol found evidence his efforts to turnaround the coffee chains fortunes are working while scrolling on Reddit.

During an interview at the Wall Street Journal Leadership Institute earlier this month and published on Monday, Niccol said he was reading a Reddit thread of people going through the interview process at Starbucks, with some users asking what interview question they should be prepared for. Other users, ostensibly those who work at the coffee chain, responded that candidates should be prepared to talk about their value of customer service.

More from Yahoo Scout Why does Niccol oppose fully automated drink-making? What specific changes has Niccol implemented in Starbucks stores? How is mobile ordering challenging Starbucks customer service goals? What early results show Niccol's turnaround plan working?

If you dont like customer service, youre probably not going to like working at Starbucks. Were in that transition of getting people to understand that, Niccol said. When I saw that in the Reddit thread, I was like, OK, were making progress on what the standard of services that we want [are].

Customer service has been at the core of Niccols Back to Starbucks plan he implemented when he took the help of the company in September 2024. Niccol has espoused the hopes of returning Starbucks to a cozy third space, away from the image of being a hurried pitstop to pick up a morning espresso, and toward 1990s nostalgia of lingering over a latte. He told WSJ he wants the Starbucks experience to harken back to the fictional coffee shop Central Perk, beloved by the sitcom Friends characters.

To achieve this relaxed effect, the coffee chain has implemented a swath of changes to its stores, including installing comfier seating and returning seats to thousands of locations where most furniture was moved to accommodate more mobile ordering, as well as writing customers names in Sharpie on each to-go cup. It cut back on its menu size in hopes of speeding up orders and introduced trendy items like protein-infused drinks to lure in customers.

There is tremendous value in being a world-class, customer-service company combined with great craft, great quality food, Niccol said at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in September. When you look at putting those two things together for the price that we will have to charge for it, I think it will turn out to be invaluable.

Early signs indicate Niccols efforts to revive the brand are working. In October, the company reported global sales in stores open for at least one year had risen for the first time in two years.

Customer service challenges for the mobile order crowd

One complication with Niccols vision of a Starbucks filled with lingering patrons is that 70% of store ordersincluding 40% drive-thru and 30% mobile, according to the CEOcome from customers looking to grab a coffee and go. He said expectations of store employees to greet and serve customers is the same, regardless of how long they are actually in the store.
FilmOffaly, a project of Offaly County Council, has launched a new training workshop designed to empower business professionals, particularly those in leadership roles within creative and tech startups.

Creative Entrepreneur Stephen Fagan will lead an intensive one-day workshop on Wednesday February 4th at Esker Arts Centre, Tullamore. The Mission Critical workshop is designed by Fagan to combine strategic business development with values-based leadership. Participants will learn to lead with authenticity while building resilient, growth-oriented enterprises.

The programme developed through Fagans decades of hands-on creative and strategic experience in the global creative industries. A trained animator, his career has seen him work as a senior creative and producer. He is the co-founder of Screen Irelands Creative Leaders Programme and is a strong advocate for connecting and empowering businesses by bringing people together through workshops and creativity.

Mission Critical addresses the unique challenges facing founder directors in leadership roles. By combining values-based leadership with practical business development, participants will emerge with the tools and mindset necessary to build sustainable, purpose-driven organisations that can thrive in the creative/tech sector.

FilmOffalys Darren Lee said Stephen is a highly inspiring mentor and an expert in organisation culture. This workshop is something that local SMEs in the creative and tech sectors wont want to miss, and we hope it provide a great springboard for emerging Offaly businesses.

The Course is free and open to emerging business leaders in the creative and tech sectors. Applications close on January 21st and further details can be found at www.FilmOffaly.ie .

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TULLAMORE native, Fiona OMalley has announced that she will be stepping down as Chief Executive Officer of Turn2Me after more than four years in the role, to take up the position of CEO of Sonas in February 2026.

Ms OMalley, who has led Turn2Me through a period of significant growth and impact, will remain in her role over the coming months to support a smooth transition. During her tenure, Turn2Me strengthened its position as a national mental health charity, expanding access to free online counselling and support services at a time of growing demand for mental health care.

Ms OMalley brings a broad background across journalism, communications, advocacy, law and leadership within the charity sector. She began her career in journalism, working with media outlets including Vogue, The Irish Times, The Sunday Times, and The Observer. After returning to Ireland in 2015 following more than four years in London, she took up a communications role with the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).

She later served as Head of Communications for CMRF Crumlin, the charity supporting Crumlin Childrens Hospital, before moving on to World Vision Ireland, where she held the role of Director of Communications, Fundraising, Marketing, Irish Public Engagement and Advocacy. In 2021, alongside her professional career, OMalley was called to the Bar after completing her legal studies at Kings Inns.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Offaly columnist advises to 'be a beginning in a broken world in 2026'

Reflecting on her time at Turn2Me and her next chapter, Ms OMalley said: It has been a huge privilege to lead Turn2Me and to work alongside such a dedicated team supporting peoples mental health across Ireland. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. Im very excited about this new opportunity and about starting with Sonas, a charity that does such fantastic and vital work supporting women and children affected by domestic violence.

Sonas is the largest domestic violence refuge group in Ireland and provides frontline services to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. The organisation is funded by the Department of Justice through Cuan, the national agency responsible for coordinating responses to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Turn2Mes Board of Directors has thanked Ms OMalley for her leadership and commitment, noting her contribution to strengthening the organisations governance, visibility, and service delivery. Details regarding succession planning will be announced in due course.

REVIEW: Esker Arts in Tullamore celebrates a successful year
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"Either this nation shall kill racism, or racism shall kill this nation." (S. Jonas, August 2018)

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"How do you spell ICE in German? GESTAPO." (S. Jonas, May 2025)

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First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.

Pastor Martin Niemoller. (c. 1946)

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A consideration of the multi-pronged threats represented by the Second Trump Administration and its ideological/functional base as spelled out in great detail in "P2025" that are aimed at destroying Constitutional Democracy in the United States is one that I have written on many times in this space and will certainly be doing so again. This column focuses (once again) on the most recent element of the TrumpRepubloFascist regime's ongoing attempt to impose a form of "Christian Nationalism" on our Constitutional Republic. It is a topic upon which I have most recently commented here. What brings me back to it so soon are the well-noted "Christmas Greetings" with which the Trumpers chose to adorn the usual, time-honored Federal government "holiday greetings" on its various websites.

The "greetings" included:

" ' Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote. 'May His light bring peace, hope, and joy to you and your families.' "

"Posts by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Homeland Security Department and the Labor Department followed in a similar vein. 'The joyous message of Christmas is the hope of Eternal Life through Christ,' Mr. Rubio said."

" 'Let Earth Receive Her King,' the Labor Department said."

The Times article noted that "Government officials have traditionally steered clear of such overtly religious language, as the Constitution bans an official state religion. The First Amendment's establishment clause prohibits the government from establishing a religion or favoring one religion over another, while the free exercise clause protects the religious expression of all faiths. [The exact wording of, as it happened, is the first clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution is: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, . . ."]

"In response to a request for comment, a White House spokeswoman, Anna Kelly, issued a short statement [obviously issued in the "Christmas spirit"], saying: 'Who are the critics? You? And Merry Christmas!' "

One of the most extensive Christmas messages was posted by the Homeland Security Department on Christmas Eve. It read, 'We are blessed to share a nation and a Savior,' and included a video that featured images including the American flag, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, President Trump and a Nativity scene, along with the words 'Remember the miracle of Christ's birth.' " (One could note a certain irony in the fact that it is, of course, the DHS ICE program which violates more than one clause-of/amendment-to the Constitution (beginning with the denial of "due process" upon being arrested)].

If this imposition of a particular religious ideology on a set of Federal Government websites were a one-off, one might say: "Oh what the hey. They're just having fun, expressing one particular of end-of-year holiday spirit." (As well, one could note that no Channukah greetings were posted during the Eight Days of the Jewish holiday. But some might note further that doing so could be considered argumentative.) However, and it is a big HOWEVER, this imposition of a particular religious viewpoint on a set of Federal government websites is not a stand-alone event.

Consider, for example, the commentary offered at the funeral of Charlie Kirk, by the Vice-President of the United Sates, J.D. Vance (who, some would say, occupies the pole position in the race for the 2028 Republican Presidential nomination):

"At the funeral for the assassinated Far Right leader, Charlie Kirk, on September 21, 2025, Vice-President J. D. Vance, [d]elivered an emotional tribute to Charlie Kirk . . . He said in part: "Charlie brought the truth that Jesus Christ was the King of Kings, and all truth flowed from this first and most important one. . . I have talked more about Jesus Christ in the past two weeks than I have in my entire time in public life,' Vance told the audience.' That is an undeniable legacy of the great Charlie Kirk. . . . For Charlie, we will rebuild this United States of America to greatness. For Charlie, we will never shrink, we will never cower, and we will never falter, even when staring down the barrel of a gun.' The vice president closed his Arizona remarks with a call to action, declaring Kirk both a hero to the United States of America and a martyr for the Christian faith."

Further, consider that last statement, from a Vice-President of the United States of America giving a funeral address for a member of his political party: "[Kirk was] a martyr for the Christian faith." Again let me say that I am writing on this subject again (and will continue to do so) because in addition to the overall and very real threat to U.S. Constitutional Democracy posed by what I call "TrumpRepubloFascism," is the very threat that it could be made into a particular kind of what one might call "TrumpReligioRepubloFascism." Specifically, distinguishing this form of fascism from many of the others that have over time been thrust upon humanity by authoritarian rulers and parties, based on what the RepubloFascists have already told us (e.g., again see the Vance speech above) this one would embed elements of a particular brand of Christian doctrine into whatever governing text they would choose to use to justify/underlie their governing modus operandi . Indeed, it must be re-emphasized that at the Kirk funeral there was a central focus on how Republican leadership went out of their way to connect Kirk's version of the Christian Faith to the Republican Party.

Below I am publishing once again an excerpt from my book, that is a fictional Inaugural Address delivered by a then-future-fictional Republican President, Jefferson Davis Hague, in which among other things he announces, and provides the rationale for, the conversion of the Republican Party to the "American Christian Nation Party." Of course among other basic provision of the Constitution that the TrumpRepubloFascists have already trampled upon is the first clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or pro hibiting the free exercise thereof; . . . "

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Author's Note: In 1996, I published a book (in its current printing) entitled "The 15% Solution: How the Republican Religious Right Took Control of the U.S., 1981-2022." In summary, it is a fictional history of the conversion of the United States from a democratic Constitutional Republic to an apartheid state governed by a dictatorship under the control of a successor to the Republican Party called the "American Christian Nation Party." To give the reader some idea of what nation would be about I present just below the "2nd Inaugural Address" of that party's President, J. D. Hague.

(The "J.D." was entirely coincidental. After all, I wrote the book in 1994-95. As it happened, the character's fictional parents were ardent segregationists who had named their second son after Jefferson Davis. As for the family name, they were descendants of the at-the-time-of-writing-still-well-known 1940's Mayor of Jersey City, N.J., Frank Hague. Their first son was named after Nathan Bedford Forrrest, one of the most well-known founders of the post-Civil War Ku Klux Klan.)

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The 15% Solution: Chapter 10 --- 2008: The Second Inaugural Address of President Jefferson Davis Hague, December 25, 2008 (abridged)

My fellow Americans under God. I stand here before you on the birth day of our Lord Jesus Christ, anticipating in all humili ty the opportunity you have so gra ciously given me to continue to do His bidding as your President. And I can tell you that His bidding now is to continue to fight the good fight, for the Lord, and for you the American people under God.

In fighting this fight, to the best of my ability, blessed by both our Lord Jesus Christ and you, the American people under God, I am both pleased and privileged to be able to announce today the first step we of the Second Hague Administration have taken to do just that. We have converted our nation's leading political party, the Republican"'Christian Alliance, the party of God"'fearing people that has put you in complete con trol of the government here in Washington, into a brand"'new entity.

This is an historic decision, comparable to the one that estab lished the original Republican Party back in the mid"'19th centu ry. For all of us, Christian and pagan American alike, it will usher in a glorious new era of peace and harmony under the blessings of our Lord and his only son whose birthday we cele brate today, Jesus Christ.

Reflecting the spirit of our times, and the best of all American tradi tions, we have named our new party the American Chris tian Nation Party. For yes, in truth, declaring and carrying out Chris tian policies is the only way that we will be able to contin ue to fight the good fight to rescue our beloved country from the forces of sin, Godlessness, and liberalism [2] that continue to drag her down. . . .

To our friends who are not Christians we say first, join us, for the Chris tian Way is the Godly Way. But for those Ameri cans who choose to con tinue to exercise their right as an American to freely prac tice the reli gion of their choosing, a right we fiercely defend, we say ally with us, to carry out the work of the Lord. And let me make it very clear that no one has any thing to fear from our new party or the new poli cies we will be carrying out, as long as he is a loyal American, devot ed to God.

But let me also make it very clear that woe be to him who is God less, or worships a false God, or does not accept the Holy Bible as the innerant word of our Lord God and his only son Jesus Christ. For upon him will fall the wrath of God-- and our wrath too. Let that be known. . . .

Let me now turn to sharing with you the genesis of our brand new American Christian Nation Party. It sprang from the God"'inspired minds of the forefathers of our movement. And it is the thinking of some of them, both great and small, that I would like to share with you now.

To set the stage as it were, I will first turn to the writings of Thomas P. Monaghan, a Senior Counsel of the American Cen ter for Law and Justice (1994):

"In human existence there is only one moral order. This is an order that, through the grace of God, has been re vealed to all hu man beings. The Lord gives us reason and faith so that at all times and in all places, we are called to the good, which is ulti mately God Himself. We all-- Christians, pagans, and oth ers-- have this law engraved on our hearts, . . . The choice before us today is what it has always been: Christ or Caesar. Caesar can never give the hu man heart that for which it hun gers. Christ can."

And how in our country, with our valued Constitution, do we recon cile Caesar and Christ? The Rev. Pat himself told us (ACLU, 1992):

"The Constitution of the United States is a marvelous doc u ment for self"'government by Christian people [emphasis added]. But the minute you turn the document into the hands of non"'Christian peo ple and athe ist people, they can use it to de stroy the very foundation of our soci ety."

And the Rev. Pat Robertson told us how Christian governmental control is to be achieved and maintained (Freedom Writer, 2/95):

"Christians founded this nation, they built this nation, and for three hundred years they governed this nation. We can govern again. That's why I founded the Christian Co ali tion. . . . The mis sion of the Christian Coalition is sim ple: to mobilize Chris tians one precinct at a time, until once again we are the head and not the tail, and at the top rather than the bottom of our political system." [6]

And finally the Rev. Pat, in 1993 speaking at his Regent Uni ver sity law school, predicted that what we have now achieved would indeed be achieved by us (Clarkson): "One day, if we read the Bi ble correctly, we will rule and reign along with our sovereign, Jesus Christ."

And our revered Randall Terry, the founder of Operation Rescue, the prototype of those many organizations which now militantly protect and defend God's Way, said back in August 1993 (Foxman): "Our goal is a Christian nation. We have a biblical duty, we are called by God, to conquer this country. We don't want equal time. We don't want plu ralism." . . .

And finally, my friends, in an early version of Focus on the Family's Community Impact Curriculum, we are told: "[T]his was really a Christian nation and, as far as its founders were con cerned, to try separating Christianity from gov ernment is virtually im possible and would result in unthink able damage to the nation and its people."

It is this thinking and these thinkers and their successors that have provided the foundation of our new Party. But I want to tell you that our Party has not been formed with Christian lead ership alone. The ACNP provides nothing if it does not pro vide a "Big Tent" to accom modate many differing views on how we can best move our nation forward.

Thus I am pleased to announce that we have been joined by and wel come as integral parts of our new Party, among others The Or der, the Ku Klux Klan, the Leadership Coalitions for America, the Skinheads Factions, the Militias, Jews for Christ and Tradition, the Aryan Na tions, the Men of Liberty, the Pos se Comitatus, the Armed Survivalists, and Christian Iden tity.

The Republican"'Christian Alliance has been strong, and it has brought us a long way. But we have yet a long way to go, and it is the Ameri can Christian Nation Party that will get us there. In clos ing, my friends and fellow Christian Americans, let us join together in pledging alle giance to our new Christian flag [10]:

"I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Saviour, for whose Kingdom it stands, one Saviour, cruci fied, risen, and coming again [11], with life and liberty for all who believe."

Thank you, my friends, God bless the God"'fearing, and good night.

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For the references and notes that I used in composing this address, "The Second Inaugural Address of President Jefferson Davis Hague, December 25, 2008," taken from my book "The 15% Solution," originally published in 1996, see: Click Here.

For a disclaimer on that text, see, from the original publication of the book: "There is no indication or evidence that the Christian Coali tion, Keith Fournier, R.J. Rushdooney, Thomas P. Monaghan, the Rev. Pat Robertson, Kirk For dyce, Randall Terry, the Rev. Jerry Falwell, Mr. Robert Flood, Mrs. Cheryl Gillaspie, Mr. Robert Simonds, Focus on the Family, or any other organization, or any of the other historical personages mentioned in the 'Hague Second Inau gural' else where in this chapter or elsewhere in this book in a similar manner, would have sup ported or approved of any of the thoughts, positions, or actions taken by Jefferson Davis Hague or any member, employee, or associate of his government, either of the U.S. or the NAR, or of any of the events that occurred in the United States or the New American Republics subsequent to the delivery of the [entirely fictional] 'Hague Sec ond Inaugural Address' and the implementation of the policies car ried out pursuant to it."

Also, a lengthy list of references can be found in the earlier OEN re-publication of the Hague Presidential Address.
In early December, at a private home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, I had the opportunity to interview Rabbi Arik Ascherman before he spoke to a group gathered to learn about his organization, Torat Tzedek (Torah of Justice). It is a non-profit he founded in 2017 and for which he serves as Executive Director.

Approximately thirty-five people had seated themselves in the living room. Those present skewed older, but several were in their twenties, including a young woman I talked with who was considering traveling to the West Bank to engage in "protective presence" action with Torat Tzedek.



The host, Paul, introduced Ascherman. There was a simultaneous Zoom of the event underway, and a map projected on a screen, where a nine-minute video, "A Protective Presence," was shown. The land illustration documented areas where the Palestinian communities were, overlapped by outposts, settlements, and complete zones controlled by settlers.



"Rabbi Arik is praying with his body," Paul said. "On a daily basis, he confronts messianic settlers. He is a deep believer in tradition. We are at a crossroads of history. Where will our people stand?"



Ascherman began to describe his engagement, which ranges from legal advocacy (helping a Palestinian landowner to file a complaint) to acting as a physical barrier between Palestinians and radical, often violent, settlers. "We have a finger in the dyke, but the dyke is disintegrating," he said.

Laying out the strategy of the settlers, Ascherman elucidated how they established shepherding outposts to take over and displace Palestinians from their lands. They bring in flocks with the mindset of, "If we can't expel them from the West Bank, we'll push them out of Area C to Areas A and B."

Although Ascherman has had successes, such as stopping the construction of a settler-built road, his tribulations have been extensive. He has been beaten, put in jail with no sustenance but water ("It was to get me out of the way!"), seen pogroms enacted upon Palestinian villages, and the cutting down of olive trees with chainsaws. "[Palestinian] communities are fleeing, sometimes at gunpoint," he stated. "Judges in the Israeli high court don't believe that the police can't do the job."



In a lengthy (11/20/25) Times of Israel blog, Ascherman wrote a piece specifically directed to Israel's President Herzog, refuting that the assaults upon Palestinians are only perpetrated by a small handful of "troubled youth. .Rather, as he told those gathered, "We have to accept the reality. It's not just a handful of youth. We have photos of soldiers working hand in hand with settlers."



When speaking about the complicity of Israeli security forces, Ascherman commented that some of the most violent days are Shabbat. He painted a picture of a "horde of settlers on the ridge," Palestinian homes in flames, sheep stolen, and a volunteer with a broken arm.



After setting the stage, Ascherman delivered his "ask". It went beyond money, though they need that too in order to defray the cost of legal battles, and in one instance, 25,000 shekels to rebuild after an attack in October 2025. Ascherman was upfront when he said, "But tonight, I need more than that. I need your feet on the ground. There aren't enough of us Israelis. We need you with us. If we had twenty people 24/7, it would be a game-changer. This is the reality we are facing right now."



Pointing to the map, Ascherman said, "All the red is under settler control. Palestinians are still in their homes due to incredible bravery, but settlers are going after villages now." He pinpointed his commitment to Palestinian villagers. "We have to try everything, because everything is on the line. If there is anything that can redeem what we've done--" His voice trailed off.

Ascherman continued. "One thing I can promise [to Palestinians], you will not be alone." His voice broke. "Like when our doors were broken down. You will not be alone. We will do whatever, whatever, whatever we can."



It was a highly emotional moment, and the room was completely silent.



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A second significant Oregon employer in as many weeks has notified state workforce officials that it plans a mass layoff.

Vacuum Technique said it will close its facility in Clackamas because of changing business needs. Seventy-eight jobs will be eliminated, according to a new filing with the states Higher Education Coordinating Commission. The filings are required when large layoffs occur.

The facility will close on June 30. Layoffs will begin on April 30, according to the filing. Workers were given notice on Dec. 9.

The company, which is based in Clackamas, operates service centers in Texas, New Jersey and Sweden, according to its website. It specializes in repairing and refurbishing industrial vacuums for a variety of industries, including semiconductors.

The news comes after Purelight Power, a Medford-based solar company, told state officials last week that it will be shutting down operations and eliminating 109 jobs, including 84 in Medford.

The company said it will soon file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, meaning it will liquidate its assets. In its filing with the state, Purelight CEO JD Beck said the tax and spending bill backed by President Donald Trump and signed into law this summer kneecapped the company by cutting solar energy tax credits.

Some lawmakers had warned about what the legislation would mean for renewable energy, with Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden calling it a death sentence for Americas wind and solar industries.

In the letter, Beck said Purelights layoffs took place on Dec. 23 and 26, after attempts to sell the company or obtain new financing werent successful.

Oregons employers reported nearly 9,000 mass layoffs this year, topping the pace of job cuts during the worst days of the Great Recession.

Oregons unemployment rate has climbed a full percentage point in the past year to 5.2%, its highest level since the pandemic. Oregon has the third-highest jobless rate of any state, behind only California (5.6%) and Nevada (5.3%.)

Mike Rogoway contributed to this report.
Home improvement retailer Lowes is buying another company for about $8.8 billion in cash. The deal will add Foundation Building Materials to Lowes operations.

Foundation Building Materials, which was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, has more than 370 locations in the United States and Canada and sells drywall, metal framing, ceilings, doors and hardware products. The company works with about 40,000 professional builders and contractors who use these materials for large projects.

Its locations include one branch in Oregon located in Beaverton and six branches in Washington.

Lowes says the purchase will expand its sales to professional contractors and builders through an expanded product assortment, faster fulfillment, improved digital tools and a robust trade credit platform.

Company leaders said the deal will help Lowes grow in a market segment worth $250 billion. Officials said many big construction jobs need fast delivery, digital tools and good service, and Foundation Building Materials can help Lowes improve those areas.

Completing the acquisition of FBM is an important step in accelerating our Total Home strategy to serve large Pro customers within a $250 billion total addressable market. We would like to extend a warm welcome to the FBM team, and we look forward to building on their proven track record of profitable growth, said Marvin R. Ellison, Lowes chairman, president and CEO in a statement.

Analysts say this move makes Lowes a stronger competitor with Home Depot, which has also been buying businesses that serve professionals.

A Lowes press release said Foundation Building Materials will continue to be led by its founder, Ruben Mendoza, and its senior leadership team with over 200 years of combined industry experience.

Lowes reportedly ended fiscal year 2024 with sales of more than $83 billion. The chain operates over 1,700 home improvement stores and employs about 300,000 associates.
A quarter-century ago, a small Vancouver company got started with a bright idea: making powerful lasers to light the fiber-optic cables that formed the nascent internet.

It was a heady time, with dot-com startups attracting billions of dollars to remake commerce online. This new company in Vancouver, then called nLight Photonics, raced to build a laser factory to supercharge these new communication networks.

We all know what happened next: The dot-com bust cratered demand for new fiber networks. That sent nLight into a tailspin.

Twenty-five years later, nLight is hot again. The company, now headquartered in Camas, is the Portland areas best-performing stock over the past year. Shares were up nearly 260% in 2025, buoyed by its new business making lasers powerful enough to shoot down military drones on the battlefield.

Lasers can address these threats. They can also address rockets, artillery, missiles, co-founder and CEO Scott Keeney said at nLights 25th anniversary celebration last September. The companys stock finished the year at $37.51, near its highest point ever.

This has been a robust year on Wall Street, with the S&P 500 index up about 16%. Much of that growth was fueled by the explosive demand for artificial intelligence, triggering big investments in the tech companies behind the new technologies and companies building the data centers that enable them.

None of Oregon and Southwest Washingtons biggest companies are major players in A.I. and so their stocks havent benefited from that boom. The result was uneven performance among the regions publicly traded companies, with most faring less well than the broader stock market.

Among the regions few standouts, though, none fared better than nLight.

We have the highest power laser in the world right now at 350 kilowatts, Keeney said in September. And were on our way to 1 megawatt of power from a single laser.

More powerful lasers mean they can tackle greater threats. And Keeney said its much more cost-effective to shoot down attackers with a laser than with an antiaircraft missile, because each missile costs millions of dollars to build.

As long as you have an energy source, youve got the laser available so you dont run out, Keeney said.

The companys guiding principle over the past 25 years, he said, has been that lasers performance would increase exponentially, enabling more powerful lasers suited to new applications. Keeney said nLights lasers are helping build rocket engines, cars and in healthcare, to treat kidney stones.

Investors are excited about nLights potential but the company still has progress to make financially. Though its revenues were up 20% through the first nine months of the year, at $180.2 million, it still recorded an $18.6 million loss.

Intel is another company with much to prove.

The chipmakers stock jumped 84% during 2025, despite dismal financial results and mass layoffs that eliminated 15,000 jobs across the business  including 3,000 at its largest site in Washington County.

With a major stockpile of cash on hand, investors are hopeful that Intel can find its footing. President Donald Trump negotiated an $8.9 billion investment in the company last summer, making the federal government as its largest shareholder. And the company collected billions more through investments by SoftBank and Nvidia.

And a reputable supply chain analyst said in November that Intel may be close to a deal to manufacture computer chips for Apples Mac computers and iPads. That would be a major breakthrough in Intels multiyear effort to become a contract manufacturer and could open the door to similar opportunities.

It was a tough year for some of the biggest companies based in Oregon. Shares in Nike fell by 16% and Columbia Sportswear was down 34% during 2025 as they were buffeted by the Trump administrations trade war, competitors and fickle consumer tastes.

The regions worst-performing stocks were childcare chain Kindercare and the quirky technology business Digimarc.

Shares in Kindercare, based in Lake Oswego, dropped more than 75% in 2025. The company has reported poor enrollment figures, undermined by declining government support for childcare services and a difficult economy for working parents.

Digimarcs stock dropped more than 80% in the past year. The Beaverton companys digital watermark technology is designed to identify and authenticate items, in the real world and online, and to catch employees who provide information to journalists.

But Digimarc hasnt found a way to make money with its technology.

It hasnt reported an annual profit since 2012. Sales were down 16% through the first nine months of 2025, a period when the company reported a $28 million loss.

This is Oregon Insight, The Oregonians weekly look at the numbers behind the states economy. View past installments here.
Quick Read

Goldman Sachs expects more Fed cuts in 2026 in response to potential labor market softness.

The firm sees opportunities in small caps and middle-income consumer plays as the rally broadens beyond Magnificent Seven.

Apple CEO Tim Cook recently purchased $3M worth of Nike shares.

A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) just unveiled its 2026 Investment Outlook, and it's definitely worth a read if you're looking to ring in the new year right. Undoubtedly, forward-looking forecasts are not to be taken as gospel. However, as a guide, they can offer a ton of value, especially for those who aren't quite sure how the stage is set for a new year. Undoubtedly, you've probably heard that valuations are on the higher end, and, as a result of that, prospective returns for the decade ahead will be on the more modest side.

In any case, 2026 looks like it could be a year for stock pickers, rather than the passive investors who just opt to own the entire S&P 500. As the rally broadens out, rewarding names beyond the Magnificent Seven, things could get really interesting.

Notably, Goldman Sachs sees more Fed cuts in 2026, perhaps in response to softness in the labor market. Add the potential for a new, perhaps far more dovish Fed chair, and it seems like we might get a pair of cuts for the new year. Of course, tariffs and other macro headwinds are worth watching closely. And while 2026 is not expected to be a recession year, there are risks and tech trends (of course, there's AI) to look out for.

In the new year, Goldman sees opportunity in taking on a more active approach, as small caps and other themes (think the rise of the middle-income consumer and non-U.S. markets) look to fare well in this environment.

Let's check out two names that I think fit the bill for the climate Goldman sees up ahead.

Nike

As a play on the resilient middle-income consumer, Nike (NYSE:NKE) stands out as a great value bet, especially after ricocheting off multi-year depths of below $60 per share. Undoubtedly, even if the middle-income consumer spends at a decent rate in 2026, there's no guarantee that Nike will find its footing again, especially given growing competition at the local mall-based sneaker stores.

Undoubtedly, you've probably seen more than a handful of new, emerging brands in the footwear aisle, many of which might be fresher or more cutting-edge than the classics Nike offers. While it's tough to forecast fashion industry dynamics, I do think the brand is too powerful to count out.
A man charged in a violent sexual assault in Northwest Portland in October was previously sentenced to nearly a decade in state prison for a first-degree rape of a stranger, court records show.

In the new case, Armando Duran-Maya is accused of entering his ex-girlfriends Northwest Portland apartment without permission, beating the woman with a hammer and, after the attack, kidnapping her.

The woman, Rachelle Mesa Sanchez, escaped from Duran-Maya by bolting from a taxicab bound for one of his mothers rental homes in Hillsboro, court documents allege.

The Oregonian/OregonLive typically does not name victims of sexual assault. Mesa Sanchez contacted the news organization and asked to be publicly identified, both to draw attention to Duran-Mayas violent history and to encourage other survivors of sex crimes to come forward and report attacks.

Justice is a good thing, and we shouldnt be afraid, she said in a Tuesday interview. You still have a chance to be happy again, and help other people, too.

Duran-Maya, 54, is being held in the Washington County Jail on a parole violation from the earlier rape conviction, booking records show. He hasnt yet appeared in Multnomah County Circuit Court to be formally charged with first-degree rape, kidnapping, second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and menacing.

A defense attorney has not yet been appointed to the case.

In August 1998, Duran-Maya donned a mask and broke into a strangers apartment in Portland late at night, attacked the woman and then fled.

Investigators used DNA to match Duran-Maya to the crime, but he escaped to Mexico and wasnt arrested until 2006, when authorities learned he had moved to Puyallup, Washington.

A Multnomah County jury convicted him of first-degree rape the following May. Duran-Maya was set to be deported at the end of his sentence, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported at the time.

Mandatory minimums known as Measure 11 applied to the case, according to court records. The available records dont give Duran-Mayas release date from the Oregon Department of Corrections.

Mesa Sanchez, 37, said she began dating Duran-Maya in 2024 during a rough patch in her life. Duran-Maya, who was using the alias Fernando, manipulated her and made her scared to leave her home, she said.

She said she cut off all communication with him earlier this year, after Duran-Maya was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender and then giving false information to a police officer.

Prosecutors allege Duran-Maya broke into Mesa Sanchezs empty Portland apartment on Oct. 13 and waited until Mesa-Sanchez came home.

When she told him to leave, Duran-Maya rained down blows with a hammer, and about an hour later, pushed her into a taxi, claiming he had a gun and would shoot her if she didnt comply, according to court records.

As the cab waited at a light, Mesa Sanchez leapt out of the car, ran and screamed for help. Passersby came to her assistance, while Duran-Maya allegedly fled.

Hes a monster, Mesa Sanchez said.

While Duran-Maya sits behind bars, Mesa Sanchez said she is recovering physically, relying on her faith, family and friends for support.
The seventh graders in Maddie Hines project-based math class in North Portland are learning all about how to run sophisticated experiments where they come up with a hypothesis, test it out using the mathematics theyve learned in class and come to a conclusion.

Little do the students at Cesar Chavez K-8 know that they themselves are data points in a districtwide experiment aimed at increasing and diversifying the number of students who are both eligible and prepared to take advanced math classes in high school and beyond.

Early results suggest that Portland Public Schools hypothesis  that offering students the chance to double-dose on math in seventh grade would open up eighth grade algebra to more students of color and from lower-income families  is proving correct. The district first began offering that option in fall of 2024.

If the results hold up in years to come, Portland will have cracked the code on a problem thats been stumping school districts nationwide: How to make sure that eighth grade algebra, and the higher-level math classes and lucrative career paths it can unlock, is not solely the provenance of affluent students whose families have the privilege and know-how to push for their inclusion.

It used to be that the only way to guarantee entry into eighth grade algebra at Portland Public Schools was to test into a course called compacted math for seventh grade, which covers two years of middle school math concepts in one, setting students up for algebra in eighth grade. Typically, about a third of the districts students score highly enough to qualify; a small handful of others complete a performance task set by their teachers to gain entry.

The overwhelming majority of seventh graders currently taking compacted math, though, are from middle and upper income families  91.2% for the 2025-2026 school year, according to the districts figures. And 73% of them are white.

By contrast, 33% of the 204 seventh graders district who currently take project-based math are from lower-income families, and 50% of them are students of color. The hands-on class, offered as an elective in addition to the regular seventh grade math sequence, is being taught at nine schools districtwide: Astor, Bridger/Creative Science, Vernon, Faubion and Chavez K-8 schools and Robert Gray, George, Lane and Ockley Green middle schools.

Thu-Tam Doan, the districts middle grades program administrator for science and math, said that the districts data suggests that it making progress at closing the gap on access to Algebra with this course.

Among the now-eighth graders who took project-based math in the 2024-2025 school year, 59% moved on to algebra, Doan said, including 57% of students of color enrolled in the class.

This is Hines second year teaching the hands-on, project-based math; she also teaches eighth grade algebra. She said this years eighth graders hit the ground running in September, much more prepared for algebra after their year of double-dose math than their predecessors had been.

Theyve got a much stronger and deeper understanding of what, say, slope actually means, she said. They fly through stuff. I dont have to preteach. And our kids are being encouraged to aspire. Its nice to have our kids have high expectations, and to meet them.

A student in Maddie Hines' class shows off her math project. Julia Silverman

Three-quarters of the way through the first semester, 80% of her seventh graders in project-based math were passing the class, having just finished a project designed in tandem with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife that used math to test the impacts of dam removal and rising water temperatures on the native salmon population in rivers throughout the region. Coming up in 2026: linear algebra and geometric transformation concepts, plus the chance to build models of the zaniest amusement park they can imagine.

Taking algebra in eighth grade sets students up to tackle geometry in ninth grade, advanced algebra by 10th grade, pre-calculus in 11th grade and calculus by their senior year.

Many selective colleges view calculus as a prerequisite for a serious applicant; it is also foundational knowledge for well-paying careers in engineering and technology.

By contrast, if students enter high school without algebra under their belt, its much harder to make it to calculus without doubling up on math while juggling other course requirements or going to summer school.

Mindful that white and Asian students have been historically overrepresented in advanced math classes, San Francisco tried banning eighth grade algebra entirely, an attempt to level the playing field. The move provoked a parent revolt and an eventual reversal. New York City went the opposite direction, making eighth grade algebra available to any student who wanted to take it, but that too backfired, leading to underprepared students who werent ready for the material.

Portlands goal, Doan has said, is to map out a third way forward.

The real proof will come as the students who have been through project-based math  this years eighth graders will be the first  enter high school and register for math classes. The plan is to closely track how many stick with advanced math, and how well they do.

But for now, Doan said, the prognosis is encouraging.

Student work examples in Maddie Hines' seventh grade project based math class at Cesar Chavez K-8 in North Portland. Julia Silverman

During a recent class, Hines students showed off the calculations theyd use to inform their research, science fair style, explaining their conclusions to parents, teachers and others.

This class is a huge step forward, into opportunities for high school and college, a student named Osvaldo said.

This class can help us know math faster, a classmate named Esme chimed in.

Hines said that when the Cesar Chavez staff sat down to work out the schedule for the year, they made a point to cast a wide net for the project-based math class, sending personal letters to parents to encourage them to talk with their kids about signing up, and looking not only for students who had good math scores but those who had expressed interest in learning more.

Because enrolling in project-based math took away a treasured elective slot  a particular barrier for native Spanish speakers, whose other elective slot is filled up with an extra core English Language Arts class  the schools band teacher agreed to start offering an after-school band program.

That was the biggest barrier, for students who were on the fence about doing project-based math, Hines said. Now, they dont have to choose.
Roughly 140 clinicians at Legacy Health have reached a new tentative agreement, ending a strike that began Dec. 2.

The agreement, reached Tuesday night, marks the second time the group of advanced practice providers  nurse practitioners, physician associates and clinical nurse specialists  struck a deal with Legacy Health. The clinicians, represented by the Oregon Nurses Association, unionized in late 2023 and staff Legacy hospitals and clinics throughout Oregon and southwest Washington.

The move comes just days after workers voted overwhelmingly to reject a pact reached last week, saying it fell short, particularly on wages and long-term earning potential. Both parties returned to the table Tuesday and Legacy revised its offer, union officials said.

Legacys latest proposal includes across-the-board wage increases, clearer rules for extra shift pay, higher compensation for night shifts and extended hours and the creation of a new labor-management committee aimed at improving communication, union leaders said in a statement.

Legacy officials said the workers are now voting on whether to ratify the agreement, with results expected by Saturday or sooner. Under the agreement, employees would return to work no later than Sunday and there would be no lapse in benefits coverage, Legacy officials said in a statement.

If ratified, the deal would become the first union contract for Legacys advanced practice providers. It would also add just-cause protections for discipline and termination, limiting the health systems ability to make unilateral workplace decisions, union officials said.

If workers vote against ratifying the agreement, both sides have agreed to a 90-day cooling-off period. During that time, employees would continue working while negotiations continue, but another strike would not be allowed, Legacy officials said.
The Oregon Humane Society celebrated a record number of adoptions in 2025, sending 12,482 pets from its Portland and Salem campuses to new homes during the year.

The final pet adopted at the Northeast Portland campus in 2025 was a kitten named Stevie, who is going to a new home with three other cats and two dogs, according to the nonprofit.

A kitten named Macaroni was the final pet adopted from the Salem campus. Macaroni arrived at the campus in mid-November as a stray and had stayed in a foster home until she was ready for adoption, the organization said.
President Donald Trump issued the first vetoes of his second term on Tuesday, rejecting two low-profile bipartisan bills, a move that had the effect of punishing backers who had opposed the presidents positions on other issues.

Trump vetoed drinking water pipeline legislation from Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, a longtime ally who broke with the president in November to release files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He also vetoed legislation that would have given the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida more control of some of its tribal lands. The tribe was among groups suing the administration over an immigration detention center in the Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz.

Both bills had bipartisan support and had been noncontroversial until the White House announced Trumps vetoes Tuesday night.

Trump appeared to acknowledge the tribes opposition to the detention facility in a letter to Congress explaining his veto. The Miccosukee Tribe has actively sought to obstruct reasonable immigration policies that the American people decisively voted for when I was elected, Trump wrote.

Trump did not allude to Boebert in his veto of her legislation, but raised concerns about the cost of the water pipeline at the heart of that bill.

In an interview later Wednesday with Politico, Trump also criticized the states Democratic Gov. Jared Polis while saying that he issued the veto because Theyre wasting a lot of money and people are leaving the state. Theyre leaving the state in droves. Bad governor.

Boebert, one of four House Republicans who sided with House Democrats early on to force the release of the Epstein files, shared a statement on social media suggesting that the veto may have been political retaliation.

I sincerely hope this veto has nothing to do with political retaliation for calling out corruption and demanding accountability. Americans deserve leadership that puts people over politics, her statement said. Boebert added in another post: This isnt over.

The Florida legislation had been sponsored by Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez, whom Trump has endorsed. Gimenez and the Miccosukee Tribe were not immediately available for comment on Wednesday.

When asked whether the vetoes were punishment, the White House did not answer and instead referred to Trumps statements explaining the vetoes.

Congress can override the vetoes by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the House and the Senate, but its unclear if theres enough support in the Republican-controlled chambers to do so, especially heading into a midterm election year where many of them will be on the ballot and many GOP members will count on Trumps backing.

Boeberts legislation, the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, aimed to improve access to clean drinking water in eastern Colorado.

While the congresswoman has long been a staunch supporter of Trump, she found herself at odds with the president with her support this year for legislation that required the Justice Department to release files related to Epstein.

Trump fought the proposal before reversing in the face of growing Republican support for releasing the files. Members of his administration even met with Boebert in the White House Situation Room to discuss the matter, though she didnt change her mind.

Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd of Colorado, who co-sponsored the legislation, said he was deeply disappointed by Trumps veto.

This was a bipartisan, unanimous bill passed by Congress to uphold a long-standing federal commitment to southeastern Colorado, Hurd said in a statement.

He said the legislation did not authorize any new construction spending or expand the federal governments original commitment to the pipeline project, but adjusted the terms of repaying its costs.

-- Michelle L. Price and Meg Kinnard, The Associated Press
DENVER (AP)  Ben Nighthorse Campbell, the former senator and U.S. representative of Colorado known for his passionate advocacy of Native American issues, died Tuesday. He was 92.

Campbell died of natural causes surrounded by his family, his daughter, Shanan Campbell, confirmed to The Associated Press.

Campbell, a Democrat who stunned his party by joining the Republican Party, stood out in Congress as much for his unconventional dress  cowboy boots, bolo ties and ponytail  as his defense of childrens rights, organized labor and fiscal conservatism.

A member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe, Campbell said his ancestors were among more than 150 Native Americans, mostly women, children and elderly men, killed by U.S. soldiers while camped under a flag of truce on Nov. 29, 1864.

He served three terms in the House, starting in 1987. He then served two terms in the Senate, from 1993 to 2005.

Among his accomplishments was helping sponsor legislation upgrading the Great Sand Dunes National Monument in southern Colorado to a national park.

He was a master jeweler with a reputation far beyond the boundaries of Colorado, said Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper on X. I will not forget his acts of kindness. He will be sorely missed.

FILE - Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo., in 2004. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) AP

Seen as a maverick

The motorcycle-riding lawmaker and cattle rancher was considered a maverick even before he abruptly switched to the Republican Party in March 1995, angry with Democrats for killing a balanced-budget amendment in the Senate. His switch outraged Democratic leaders and was considered a coup for the GOP.

I get hammered from the extremes, he said shortly afterward. Im always willing to listen ... but I just dont think you can be all things to all people, no matter which party youre in.

Considered a shoo-in for a third Senate term, Campbell stunned supporters when he dropped out of the race in 2004 after a health scare.

I thought it was a heart attack. It wasnt, said Campbell. But when I was lying on that table in the hospital looking up at all those doctors faces, I decided then, Do I really need to do this six more years after Ive been gone so much from home? I have two children I didnt get to see grow up, quite frankly.

He retired to focus on the Native American jewelry that helped make him wealthy and was put on display at the Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of the American Indian.

He also worked on a line of outdoor gear with a California-based company, Kiva Designs, and became a senior policy adviser with the powerhouse law firm of Holland & Knight in Washington.

Campbell founded Ben Nighthorse Consultants which focused on federal policy, including Native American affairs and natural resources. The former senator also drove the Capitol Christmas Tree across the country to Washington, D.C., on several occasions.

He was truly one of a kind, and I am thinking of his family in the wake of his loss, said Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette on X.

Born April 13, 1933, in Auburn, California, Campbell served in the Air Force in Korea from 1951 to 1953 and received a bachelors degree from San Jose State University in 1957. He attended Meiji University in Tokyo from 1960 to 1964, was captain of the U.S. judo team in the 1964 Olympics and won a gold medal in the Pan American Games.
Washington could join more than a dozen states that have regulations on fast-growing and controversial license-plate-reading surveillance cameras under a bill Sen. Yasmin Trudeau plans to propose.

The bill would require public agencies to delete any footage their cameras  such as those sold by Flock Safety or those installed on Seattle police patrol cars  collect within 72 hours. There would be some exceptions, including retaining footage that could help police investigate a violent crime.

The bill would also require anyone outside an agency to obtain a search warrant to view the agencys database. Trudeau, D-Tacoma, plans to formally introduce the bill next week, just before the state Legislature is set to begin its session for the year.

The bill comes as cities and police agencies across the state have turned off or suspended their Flock cameras over swelling concerns about privacy, safety and potential use of footage for federal immigration enforcement.

The proposed legislations 72-hour limit came as a compromise after researching laws in 16 other states and speaking with law enforcement members and civil rights advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Trudeau said.

The majority of footage generated by Flock Safetys cameras is not viewed or downloaded before being automatically deleted from a cloud-based storage system within 30 days, according to the company.

Representatives for the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs declined to be interviewed for this story, but spokesperson Barbara Smith said the organization has reviewed Trudeaus proposal and will continue to have constructive dialogue with her and other lawmakers.

In a November statement, the associations executive director, Steve Strachan, said the cameras, like other policing tools, are used not to erode freedoms but to protect them."

Trudeau said while her proposal wont satisfy the cameras fiercest advocates or critics, it will make sense to everyone.

If youre going to deploy a technology that has the potential to be wielded against the people you are protecting, you have to understand what it takes to deploy that technology responsibly, she said.

Automated license plate readers in the spotlight

The devices, also called automated license plate readers, exploded in popularity over the past decade, as vendors advertised them to police agencies as tools for helping find stolen cars, missing and endangered people and crime suspects.

The cameras capture up to a dozen time-stamped photos of any passing vehicles. Artificial intelligence software analyzes and stores the images and information about each vehicle  including its license plate number, bumper stickers and damage  into a searchable database controlled by the customer.

As the devices popularity soared, privacy and civil rights advocates warned that the images and data could be used to track peoples movements and behaviors.

Such criticism spiked after University of Washington researchers in October published a report showing federal immigration enforcement agencies had searched the Flock Safety databases of at least 18 police agencies in the state, often without their knowledge.

A Skagit County Superior Court judges ruling that Flock Safety footage must be made public under state law exacerbated fears of the footage potentially being used for stalking and harassment.

Redmond and Lynnwood turned off their cameras in October, followed by the Skamania County sheriffs office in November. Mountlake Terraces city council recently voted unanimously to cancel that citys Flock Safety contract.

Concerns reverberated to the states capital, where Olympia police placed black hoods over the citys 15 cameras before uninstalling them in December. At a Dec. 3 city meeting, police Chief Shelby Parker said removing the cameras might slow her investigators, but that the publics trust was too important to risk.

Since August 2024 when the cameras were installed, the footage  about four million images per month  helped Olympia police recover 29 stolen cars, and was used in 112 cases ending in arrests, including one kidnapping and six homicides, she said.

Without the cameras, Parker said it could take investigators more time to identify and find stolen cars, crime suspects and missing people.

Nevertheless, its true this tool has helped us move faster, but it never replaced our skill, Parker said. Well adapt.

Hillary Moralez, acting chair of the 44th Legislative District Democrats, agreed.

The organization, which covers towns such as Snohomish and Mill Creek, called for a statewide removal of Flock Safety cameras in November.

The group pointed to UWs report and examples such as a KING 5 report saying Redmond police arrested the wrong person in August based on information from Flock Safety.

These kinds of (technologies) are a genie in a bottle, and once you let it out, its really hard to get it back, said Moralez. And if you give up that one ounce of security, you could be giving up so much more.

Police agencies and cities should reconsider using the cameras until some regulations are in place, Moralez said. She said its possible Trudeaus legislation will strike a good balance between preventing crime and protecting peoples privacy and civil rights.

We are giving up a ton of security to find a few stolen cars, Moralez said. Why do we need to have those for a smaller problem that could be handled by humans?

Lawmakers had sought to regulate the cameras in 2019. But a bill to require public agencies to delete most footage within 12 hours died, Trudeau said, adding that the public wasnt paying close attention at the time.

The situation is different now, she said.

Knowing people are so afraid and that were trying to build trust with law enforcement, we need to look very, very closely when were using this technology, Trudeau said. People cant really ignore it.

 2025 The Seattle Times. Visit www.seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Alvord Desert has been on my Oregon bucket list for the past several years. As a former desert dweller, I have an affinity for open, arid landscapes and heat.

Shortly after moving to Oregon, I was surprised to hear that this state known for its lush forests and endless rain had its own remote, barren landscape, fit with hot springs and a dry lakebed to boot.

The catch? Its in southeastern Oregon, the opposite corner of the state from me and about a seven-hour drive from Portland.

There was also a time element to getting there: only a few months of the year offer conditions dry enough to drive on and explore the dry lakebed playa, a key attraction. In the winter, your car would get stuck in the wet playa. In the dead of summer, you risk extreme heat.

This September, I made the trek to the Alvord Desert. Now it ranks as one of my favorite trips in Oregon.

Winter is a great time to plan ahead for your Northwest adventures. While you can visit any time of the year, (especially for hot springs in the winter) the best time to visit the Alvord Desert and explore the lakebed is usually July to October. Heres why I love it and what you can do there.

Stay at or visit Alvord Hot Springs

Alvord Hot Springs offers soaking and lodging on the edge of the Alvord Desert playa. Vickie Connor | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Visiting Alvord Hot Springs is nonnegotiable. This family-owned destination is near the end of a long, gravel road, and my car was completely covered in a layer of dust upon arrival.

Alvord Hot Springs is open to both day-use and overnight visitors. Overnight guests can use the hot springs at all hours and have the choice of camping in designated spots or spending the night in a converted military bunker with multiple bed arrangements. Just make sure to bring your own bedding.

Each bunker has its own fire ring and picnic table and is just a stones throw from the soaking pools.

Alvord Hot Springs offers lodging in converted military bunkers on the edge of the Alvord Desert. Vickie Connor | The Oregonian/OregonLive

I stayed in the bunker and paid $90, after a discount for using cash.

The soaking pools here are nothing fancy, but they are clean, the temperature is adjustable and the views from the tubs are incredible. In one direction, you can gaze at Steens Mountain and maybe catch a glimpse of a big horn sheep. Pivot the other way, and stare into the seemingly endless desert landscape.

Pro tip: Wake up at sunrise and take a dip. The air is chilly, the sky is a sherbet gradient and the pools are less crowded.

The Alvord Desert is in the far southeastern corner of Oregon and is about a seven-hour drive from Portland. In the dry summer months, cars can drive on the playa. Vickie Connor | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Drive on the playa

This dry cracked lake bed was once covered in a 200-foot deep lake tens of thousands of years ago. Today it is a sight for the eyes. In the summer, you can drive on to the playa without the risk of your car getting stuck. Alvord Hot Springs guests receive special access to a road leading to the playa, just a short drive from the property.

The space seems unending. It stretches six miles long and 11 miles wide. Thrill seekers put pedal to the metal and push their vehicles to high speeds (not this grandma stuck in a 30-year-old body).

You can even camp on the playa. Just remember, bring everything you need; this area is very remote and the nearest sundry shop aside from the Alvord Hot Spring front office is a long drive away.

Pro-tip: Ditch the shoes and spread your toes into the playa as you look toward Steens Mountain. Im told youll experience a spiritual and energetic shift, according to the cattle-rancher working the front office of Alvord Hot Springs.

A pronghorn walks through farm land in Southeastern Oregon on Sept. 17, 2025, near Fields, Oregon. Vickie Connor | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Observe the wildlife

Several hours into this drive to the Alvord Desert youll start to notice you arent in Portland anymore. Wildlife signs warn of large cattle. If you miss those, you surely wont miss the cattle roaming directly in front of your car in the roadway.

Cattle farms are plentiful in the area, so this will be a regular occurrence. As will be coyote sightings, with some of the animals running parallel to your car or darting into the tall grass that lines the roads.

A few miles outside Alvord Hot Springs, I saw a creature that from a distance seemed to resemble a deer, but it had unusual horns. And it wasnt an elk. I pulled over quickly and grabbed my long lens to snap a photo. I used my phone to help me identify the creature as a pronghorn antelope.

Pronghorn antelope look like they could only possibly belong in the Lion King.

Fun fact: Pronghorn antelope can reach a running speed of nearly 60 miles an hour.

Alvord Hot Springs offers lodging in converted military bunkers on the edge of the Alvord Desert. Stargazing on clear nights offers incredible views. Vickie Connor | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Take in the stars

Simply put, the stars here will dazzle you. This region is known for its dark skies and is part of the planned expansion of Oregons Dark Sky Sanctuary.

Whether you are out on the playa stargazing or just outside your military bunker lodging at the hot springs, its easy to spot the Milky Way here and the perfect spot to see a meteor shower.

For star photography, bring your DSLR, tripod and tinker with long exposure to find your best shot.
Authorities in South Texas were searching for a total of three missing teen girls.

On Tuesday, a body was found in a field near one of the womens homes, with a firearm nearby.

A 14-year-old reported missing from the area was found safe, while a third girl remains missing.

Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, went missing on Christmas Eve. On Dec. 29, the Bexar County Sheriffs Office released video footage from someone driving by a person they believed to be Olmos in the early morning hours of Christmas Eve. Police believed Olmos was in imminent danger. Police did not go into detail as to why, but said they believed she was walking on her own.

A plea was sent to the public to share any home or vehicle footage they may have from around the area in Bexar County, where Olmos was last seen.

On Dec. 30, authorities announced that searchers near Olmos house had found a body. No foul play is suspected.

The identity of the deceased person has not been confirmed, according to Sheriff Javier Salazar. We hope that we can try to expedite that process to be able to get the community answers that everybodys been waiting for, Salazar said.

While the public searched for Olmos, two other teen girls went missing. On Dec. 29, 14-year-old Sofia Peters-Cobos was reported missing. She was found safe the following day, according to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office.

On Christmas, 17-year-old Angelique Johnson went missing in San Antonio. Authorities believe that she has her cell phone on her, but her current whereabouts is still unknown. Johnson was last seen in the 130 block of Exeter Place near Potranco Road. Its unclear what she was wearing at the time of her disappearance.
he insists on a fundamental equality of purpose between them that I recognize from conversations with my

About an author who got a big advance and then got slandered and shamed for writing about Mexicans but ended up not being Mexica
For the first time, Tesla has taken the unusual step of previewing its own delivery expectations ahead of its fourth-quarter results, a move that has raised eyebrows across Wall Street.

In a post on its investor relations website, Tesla published what it called a company-compiled delivery consensus, putting global Q4 deliveries at 422,850 vehicles, a figure that would mark a 15% year-on-year decline. That estimate sits below Bloombergs broader consensus of around 445,000 units, which implies a milder 10% drop. Tesla noted the median analyst estimate was even lower, at roughly 420,400 vehicles.

The early disclosure has fueled speculation that Tesla is attempting to soften the market reaction ahead of a disappointing report. While Tesla shares were little changed in early trading, the numbers underline mounting pressure on the companys core auto business.

A fourth-quarter slowdown was widely expected following the loss of the $7,500 U.S. EV tax credit at the start of the quarter. U.S. sales appear to have taken a particularly hard hit. According to Cox Automotives Kelley Blue Book, Tesla sold about 125,900 vehicles in the U.S. during Q4, down more than 22% from a year earlier. International markets were expected to offset some of that weakness, but not enough to prevent an overall decline.

For the full year, consensus expectations now point to roughly 1.64 million deliveries, an 8% drop from 2024 and Teslas second consecutive annual decline. Deutsche Bank has warned even those estimates may prove optimistic.

Ordinarily, back-to-back years of falling sales would be difficult to reconcile with Teslas valuation. The stock is up nearly 14% this year and trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio north of 200. Yet many analysts argue Tesla is no longer being valued as a carmaker.

Bullish analysts increasingly frame Tesla as a long-term bet on autonomy, robotics, and AI, with robotaxis and full self-driving technology seen as the real prize. In that context, weak deliveries matterbut not as much as the promise of what comes next.

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You get the geopolitical intelligence, the hidden inventory data, and the market whispers that move billions - and we'll send you $389 in premium energy intelligence, on us, just for subscribing. Join 400,000+ readers today. Get access immediately by clicking here.
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Thiel Capital, founded by the billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel, opens a new Miami office amid California's proposed wealth tax debate. Marco Bello/Getty Images

Thiel Capital opened a new Miami office amid California's proposed wealth tax debate.

Peter Thiel, who founded Thiel Capital, bought a home in the area in 2020.

A healthcare workers' union floated a 5% tax on CA residents with net worths exceeding $1 billion.

Thiel Capital is expanding in Miami.

On Wednesday, the private investment firm founded by the billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel said it has opened a new office in Miami.

Thiel Capital's press release said that the new office is located in Wynwood, a former warehouse district that has become a hub for startups, investors, and cultural institutions. The lease was signed in December, and the new office will "complement Thiel Capital's existing operations in Los Angeles," the firm said.

The announcement comes as a proposal for a wealth tax was floated in California.

Miami's startup and finance scene heated up during the pandemic and in the years that followed, with many big firms from California and New York relocating their headquarters and expanding their offices there.

San Francisco-based Founders Fund, the venture capital firm cofounded by Thiel, has had an office in Miami since 2021. In 2020, Thiel bought an $18 million house in Miami's Venetian Islands.

California is debating a proposed wealth tax that would impose a one-time 5% tax on residents with net worths exceeding $1 billion, to be paid over five years.

The wealth tax still needs 870,000 signatures to even make it to the ballot in November 2026, where it would then be approved or rejected by voters at the ballot box. However, billionaires have already been critical of the plan and warned of an exodus of the wealthy.

It was proposed by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West and designed to offset anticipated cuts to healthcare, education, and food assistance.

In comparison to an income tax, a wealth tax is a levy on all of an individual's net worth, because it is difficult to quantify the annual income of a person who doesn't earn normal paychecks but has other assets that gain value every year. The tax would apply to the roughly 200 billionaires residing in California, which has a total population of over 39 million people. The SEIU-UHW estimates that the one-time tax will bring in $100 billion over five years for the state.

Celebrity attorney Alex Spiro wrote a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom on behalf of his clients, warning that his clients will "permanently relocate" if the California wealth tax passes.

Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for Newsom's office, told Business Insider that the governor has "consistently opposed state-level wealth taxes" and that a wealth tax, "if implemented at a state-only level, they drive a race to the bottom."
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) The Gambian government has confirmed a tragic maritime incident involving a boat reportedly carrying more than 200 migrants, which capsized around midnight on 31 December 2025 near Jinack Village in the countrys North Bank Region
By Dan Nephin, LNP, via Tribune News Service

A Lancaster city man who spent at least two years in prison for a DUI crash that seriously injured a woman a decade ago is now charged with causing her death, nearly two years after she died at Lancaster Hospice and Community Care.

East Lampeter Township police on Tuesday charged Michael Anthony Ortiz, 32, of the 200 block of North Duke Street, with homicide by vehicle while DUI in the death of Eliena Rodriguez, 36.

Rodriguez was the front-seat passenger in Ortizs 2001 Jaguar sedan when he crossed into the westbound lane of Old Philadelphia Pike and crashed head-on into a utility pole near the Smoketown Diner around 1 a.m. Sept. 6, 2015.

Rodriguez was severely injured and underwent more than a dozen surgeries and spent the rest of her life in rehabilitation and long-term care until dying at hospice on Jan. 3, 2024.

Ortiz sustained minor injuries at the time. Neither he nor Rodriguez were wearing seatbelts.

Ortiz had a blood alcohol content of .13%; above Pennsylvanias legal limit for intoxication at .08%. Ortiz told police he was very tired after leaving a bar and pizza shop in Lancaster city and must have fallen asleep. Police wrote in charging documents that a lack of skid marks and other evasive maneuvers supported Ortizs claim that he fell asleep.

Rodriguezs older sister, Jessica Rodriguez, said learning of the new charges was bittersweet and nothing could bring back her sister.

Our sister did not die the night of the crash, but that crash stole her life piece by piece, Jessica Rodriguez said.

Jessica Rodriguez said her understanding was Ortiz and her sister met working at House of Pizza and had gone out together the night before the crash.

Charging documents said the Lancaster County Coroners report listed her cause of death as respiratory failure and sepsis due to pneumonia related to traumatic brain injury and other complications because of the crash.

Every day it got worse. With the brain damage, her brain wasnt sending certain signals to her body and was sending (other) signals to her body, Jessica Rodriguez said. She explained that that caused her sisters muscles to contract abnormally.

At one point, one of her sisters feet turned in and curled unnaturally toward her head, resulting in surgery to cut muscle and ligaments to try to rectify the problem.

Her neck also began contracting abnormally, but further surgery wasnt possible because of infections from bed sores, Jessica Rodriguez said.

Watching her live with the consequences of his choice was a slow, ongoing heartbreak for our family. Her injuries shaped every day of her remaining life. Her death is not separate from that night  it is the consequence of it, Jessica Rodriguez said. Accountability matters because our sisters life mattered.

Eliena, a McCaskey High School graduate, had mostly grown up in Lancaster after moving here from New York City as a child, Jessica Rodriguez said, recalling her sister as someone who loved to read  romance, thrillers and science fiction.

Eliena later moved to Florida for a couple years and had moved back to Lancaster just 18 days before the crash, Jessica Rodriguez said.

Case history

Ortiz appeared at a brief arraignment hearing Wednesday afternoon before District Judge William Mankin, where he was informed of his charges and released on $50,000 unsecured bail.

His attorney, Edwin Pfursich, declined comment after the hearing.

On May 4, 2016, Ortiz pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while DUI and related charges. He was sentenced to two to four years in state prison, followed by three years of probation.

Homicide by vehicle while DUI carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of three years.

Ortiz was also charged on Dec. 2 with DUI in Lancaster city stemming from a June 3 incident. Details of that arrest were unavailable Wednesday.

Jessica Rodriguez learned of that arrest through a relative and it disappointed her.

It would have been nice to see he learned his lesson, she said. Hopefully, he will get the maximum and learn his lesson (for Elienas death.) Eight years of suffering we endured while he lived his life.

Ortizs preliminary hearing in Rodriguezs death is scheduled for Jan. 12 before District Judge Denise Commins.
By Gavin J. Quinton, the Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Rain was falling over Californias Southland on Wednesday afternoon as the region headed into the New Year soggy and with the near certainty of a wet 2026 Tournament of Roses parade.

Forecasters warned of a near 100% chance of rain falling on the parade route Thursday, marking the first wet New Years organizers have seen since 2006.

The bulk of the rain looks like its going to start late tonight (Wednesday), said meteorologist Bryan Lewis, and continue into tomorrow morning.

Lewis expects the chance of thunderstorms to begin tapering off around 9 to 10 a.m., or about two to three hours after the parades 8 a.m. Pacific time kickoff.

Theres also a chance of lightning, as with any thunderstorm, Lewis noted.

Lightning typically seeks the highest conductive point, raising concerns in large open areas with bleacher-seated crowds and steel-framed parade floats.

Floats could be vulnerable, especially out in the middle of the street. ... Winds and heavy rain could [affect] some of those floats too, Lewis said. If there is lightning, people should try to move to covered areas, indoors or into vehicles.

A worker boards Sephora ahead the Rose Parade on Colorado Boulevard on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Pasadena, California. (Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times/TNS) TNS

Rose Parade officials didnt immediately respond to The Times request for comment Wednesday, but Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian told CBS News that parade organizers were preparing their responses to different weather scenarios.

We have policies and procedures in place for rain, for lightning, whatever the case may be, Derderian said. We have our fire department inspect all of the bleachers and stands to make sure theyre safe. If we need that extra assistance to help move people along or shelter in place, we feel confident that we can.

In 2006, four floats had breakdowns, spectators wore ponchos, and musicians struggled with wet instruments and flags.

Organizers said for Thursdays event, float riders would have ponchos on hand, and additional tow trucks will be staged along the route in case floats stall.

Event attendees should note that umbrellas are not permitted along the parade route because they block the view for others. Parade organizers have urged spectators to bring a rain jacket or poncho instead.

Urban flooding remains a risk in Pasadena and throughout Los Angeles, Lewis said.

The citys Emergency Operations Center activated Wednesday to coordinate preparedness measures.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Trump administration is facing a new legal complaint from a group of government employees who are affected by a new policy going into effect Thursday that eliminates coverage for gender-affirming care in federal health insurance programs.

The complaint, filed Thursday on the employees behalf by the Human Rights Campaign, is in response to an August announcement from the Office of Personnel Management that it would no longer cover chemical and surgical modification of an individuals sex traits through medical interventions in health insurance programs for federal employees and U.S. Postal Service workers.

The complaint argues that denying coverage of gender-affirming care is sex-based discrimination and asks the personnel office to rescind the policy.

This policy is not about cost or care  it is about driving transgender people and people with transgender spouses, children, and dependents out of the federal workforce, Human Rights Campaign Foundation President Kelley Robinson said in a statement announcing the move.

The complaint, filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, includes testimonies from four current federal workers at the State Department, Health and Human Services and the Postal Service who would be directly affected by the elimination of coverage.

For instance, the Postal Service employee has a daughter whose doctors recommended that she get puberty blockers and potentially hormone replacement therapy for her diagnosed gender dysphoria, which would not be covered under the new OPM policy, according to the complaint.

The complaint notes that the workers are making the claim on behalf of themselves and a class of similarly situated federal employees.

The Trump administration has taken other steps to restrict care for transgender Americans, particularly minors. In December, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released proposals that would block gender-affirming care to minors, including a policy that would bar Medicare and Medicaid dollars to hospitals that provide such care to children.

Senior Trump officials, such as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., call gender-affirming care malpractice for minors. But such restrictions go against recommendations from major medical groups such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Central Pennsylvania animal lovers got their new year started with a frigid dip into the Susquehanna River.

Hundreds of attendees ushered in 2026 by lining up along the shore decked out in swimsuits, winter clothing or costumes.

They plunged into those waters from the shores of Harrisburgs City Island, where the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area hosted its annual Penguin Plunge fundraiser. The Thursday event was the fundraisers 29th year.

At noon, organizers gave a countdown, and participants waded into the water, hollering and splashing in the cold.

The air temperature was 24 degrees for the plunge with a water temperature of 37 degrees.

Previous Penguin Plunges:

The plunge, which sees around 200 participants a year, has a $60,000 goal this year. The plunge is meant to kick off a new year of fundraising for the Humane Society.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russian drones blasted apartment buildings and the power grid in the southern Ukraine city of Odesa in an overnight attack that injured six people, including a toddler and two other children, officials said Wednesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence in his countrys eventual victory in the nearly four-year war against its neighbor.

Four apartment buildings were damaged in the Odesa bombardment, according to regional military administration head Oleh Kiper. The DTEK power provider said two of its energy facilities had significant damage. The company said 10 substations that distribute electricity in the region have been damaged in December.

Russia has escalated attacks on urban areas of Ukraine. As its invasion approaches a four-year milestone in February, it has also intensified targeting of energy infrastructure, seeking to deny Ukrainians heat and running water in the bitter winter months.

Between January and November, more than 2,300 Ukrainian civilians were killed and more than 11,000 were injured, the United Nations said earlier in December. That was 26% higher than in the same period in 2024 and 70% higher than in 2023, it said.

Renewed diplomatic push to stop the fighting

Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff said he, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trumps son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner had a productive call with the national security advisers of Britain, France, Germany and Ukraine to discuss advancing the next steps in the European peace process.

We focused on how to move the discussions forward in a practical way on behalf of (Trumps) peace process, including strengthening security guarantees and developing effective deconfliction mechanisms to help end the war and ensure it does not restart, Witkoff said in a post on X.

He added that a main element of the conversation was the reconstruction of Ukraine and how to ensure its prosperity in the future.

Wednesdays call comes after U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday and announced that a settlement is closer than ever before. European and Ukrainian officials plan to meet Saturday, lead Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov reaffirmed, adding that U.S. representatives were expected to join remotely.

Zelenskyy also is due to hold talks next week with European leaders supporting his efforts to secure acceptable terms.

Putin is convinced of victory

Despite progress in peace negotiations, which he didnt mention, Putin reaffirmed his belief in Russias eventual success in its invasion during his traditional New Years address.

He gave special praise to Russian troops deployed in Ukraine, describing them as heroes fighting for your native land, truth and justice.

We believe in you and our victory, Putin said, as cited by Russian state news agency Tass.

The Russian Defense Ministry said 86 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over Russian regions, the Black Sea and the illegally annexed Crimea peninsula.

Russia claims Putins residence was attacked

Russias Defense Ministry released a video of a downed drone that it said was one of 91 Ukrainian drones involved in an alleged attack this week on a Putin residence in northwestern Russia, a claim Kyiv has denied as a lie.

The nighttime video showed a man in camouflage, a helmet and a Kevlar vest standing near a damaged drone lying in snow. The man, his face covered, talks about the drone. Neither the man nor the Defense Ministry provided any location or date.

The video and claims could not be independently verified.

Kyiv has denied the allegations of an attack on Putins lakeside country residence and called them a ruse to derail progress in peace negotiations.

Ukraines Center for Countering Disinformation said Wednesday the images could not be considered evidence of the attack as the origin of the damaged drone, as well as the time and location of the video itself, remained unknown.

It took Russia more than two days to fabricate this evidence. The photographs of metal fragments laid out on the snow, published by the Russian Defense Ministry, do not prove anything in themselves, the center said in a statement on its website.

There is no video of air defense operations in the area of the residence, no recorded drone crashes in the claimed locations and no consistency even in its own figures, which have changed repeatedly.

Maj. Gen. Alexander Romanenkov of the Russian air force claimed that the drones took off from Ukraines Sumy and Chernihiv regions. At a briefing where no questions were allowed, he presented a map showing the drone flight routes before they allegedly were downed by Russian air defenses over the Bryansk, Tver, Smolensk and Novgorod regions.

The European Unions foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, called the Russian allegations a deliberate distraction from peace talks.

Ukraine weapons fund receives billions of dollars

Zelenskyy said Romania and Croatia are the latest countries to join a fund that buys weapons for Ukraine from the United States.

The financial arrangement, known as the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL, pools contributions from NATO members, except the United States, to purchase U.S. weapons, munitions and equipment.

Since it was established in August, 24 countries are now contributing to the fund, according to Zelenskyy. The fund has received $4.3 billion, with almost $1.5 billion coming in December, he said on social media.

Meanwhile, Ukraines Security Service carried out a drone strike on a major Russian fuel storage facility in the northwestern Yaroslavl region early Tuesday, according to a Ukrainian security official who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Long-range drones struck the Temp oil depot in the city of Rybinsk, part of Russias state fuel reserve system, the official told The Associated Press. Rybinsk is about 800 kilometers (500 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
NEW YORK (AP)  From Sydney to Paris to New York City, crowds rang in the new year with exuberant celebrations filled with thunderous fireworks or light shows, while others took a more subdued approach.

As the clock struck midnight in Japan, temple bells rang and some climbed mountains to see the years first sunrise, while a light show with somersaulting jet skis twinkled in Dubai. The countdown to 2026 was projected onto the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, while in Moscow people celebrated in the snow.

In New York Citys Times Square, revelers braved frigid temperatures to celebrate with the famed New Years Eve ball drop.

In Rio de Janeiro, crowds packed more than 4 kilometers (2 1/2 miles) of the citys Copacabana Beach for concerts and a 12-minute fireworks show, despite high tides and large waves that rocked barges carrying fireworks.

Other events were more subdued. Hong Kong held limited celebrations following a recent fire at an apartment complex that killed 161 people. Australia saluted the new year with defiance less than a month after its worst mass shooting in almost 30 years.

There was disaster in the Swiss resort town of Crans-Montana, where a fire at a bar in the early hours of the new year killed multiple people.

Ball drop in New York City

Crowds bundled up against the chilly temperatures cheered and embraced as the New Years Eve ball covered in more than 5,000 crystals descended down a pole and confetti fell in Times Square.

Revelers wearing tall celebratory hats and light-up necklaces had waited for hours to see the 12,350-pound (5,602-kilograms) ball drop. The festivities also included Tones and I performing John Lennons Imagine just before midnight.

The television hosts interviewed visitors who were attending from such places as Florida, Mexico and South Korea, and read peoples wishes for the new year. A sixth grader from Dallas, Texas, told one of the hosts that he wants to get good grades in 2026 and have a better year.

Police in the city had planned additional anti-terrorism measures at the ball drop, with mobile screening teams. It was not in response to a specific threat, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Moments after the ball dropped it rose again, sparkling in red, white and blue, to mark the countrys upcoming 250th birthday.

A few miles away in a decommissioned subway station, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor during a private event just after midnight Thursday.

More security in Sydney

A heavy police presence monitored crowds watching fireworks in Sydney. Many officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the event, after two gunmen targeted a Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, killing 15.

An hour before midnight, victims were commemorated with a minute of silence, and the crowd was invited to show solidarity with Australias Jewish community.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns had urged residents not to stay away from festivities, saying extremists would interpret smaller crowds as a victory: We have to show defiance in the face of this terrible crime.

Shadows of war and disasters

Indonesia scaled back festivities in solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides in parts of Sumatra a month ago that killed over 1,100. Fireworks on the tourist island of Bali were replaced with traditional dances.

Hong Kong rang in 2026 without fireworks over Victoria Harbor after the massive fire in November. Facades of landmarks were turned into countdown clocks and a light show at midnight.

And in Gaza, Palestinians said they hope the new year brings an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The war humiliated us, said Mirvat Abed Al-Aal, displaced from the southern city of Rafah.

Around Europe

Pope Leo XIV closed out the year with a plea for the city of Rome to welcome foreigners and the fragile. Fireworks erupted over European landmarks, from the Colosseum in Rome to the London Eye.

In Paris, revelers converged around the glittering Champs-Elysees avenue. Taissiya Girda, a 27-year-old tourist from Kazakhstan, expressed hope for a calmer 2026.

I would like to see happy people around me, no war anywhere, she said. Russia, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, I want everybody to be happy and in peace.

In Scotland, where New Years is known as Hogmanay, First Minister John Swinney urged Scots to follow the message of Auld Lang Syne by national poet Robert Burns and show small acts of kindness.

Greece and Cyprus turned down the volume, replacing traditional fireworks with low-noise pyrotechnics in capitals. Officials said the change was intended to make celebrations more welcoming for children and pets.

In Crans-Montana, a fire that swept through a bar at 1:30 a.m. caused heavy casualties, according to police, who gave no firm death toll but planned a news conference later in the morning.

___

By Ted Shaffrey and Hallie Golden of the Associated Press. Golden reported from Seattle. Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.
By ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP)  Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City on Thursday, taking over one of the most unrelenting jobs in American politics with a promise to transform government on behalf of the citys striving, struggling working class.

Mamdani, a Democrat, was sworn in at a decommissioned subway station below City Hall just after midnight, placing his hand on a Quran as he took his oath as the citys first Muslim mayor.

After working part of the night in his new office, Mamdani then returned to City Hall in a taxi cab around midday Thursday for a grander public inauguration where U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of the mayors political heroes, administered the oath for a second time.

Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed, but never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try, Mamdani told a cheering crowd.

To those who insist that the era of big government is over, hear me when I say this: No longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power to improve New Yorkers lives, he said.

Throngs turned out in the frigid cold for an inauguration viewing party just south of City Hall on a stretch of Broadway known as the Canyon of Heroes, famous for its ticker-tape parades.

Throughout the ceremony, Mamdani and other speakers hit on the theme that carried him to victory in the election: Devotion to using government power to lift up the millions of people who struggle with the citys high cost of living.

Mamdani peppered his remarks with references to those New Yorkers, citing workers in steel-toed boots, halal cart vendors whose knees ache from working all day and cooks wielding a thousand spices.

I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist, Mamdani said. I will not abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical.

Before administering the oath, Sanders told the crowd that most of the things Mamdani wants to do  including raising taxes on the rich  arent radical at all.

In the richest country in the history of the world, making sure that people can live in affordable housing is not radical, he told the crowd. It is the right and decent thing to do.

Mamdani was accompanied on the stage by his wife, Rama Duwaji. The previous mayor, Eric Adams, was in attendance, sitting near another former mayor, Bill de Blasio.

Actor Mandy Patinkin, who recently hosted Mamdani to celebrate Hannukah, sang Over the Rainbow with children from an elementary school chorus. The invocation was given by Imam Khalid Latif, the director of the Islamic Center of New York City. Poet Cornelius Eady read an original poem called Proof.

In addition to being the citys first Muslim mayor, Mamdani is also its first of South Asian descent and the first to be born in Africa. At 34, Mamdani is also the citys youngest mayor in generations.

At the watch party on Broadway, onlookers stood shoulder to shoulder gazing up at several jumbotrons and singing and dancing to stave off the cold, with some passing out hot cocoa and hand warmers. Many described feeling as though they were witnessing history.

Among them was Ariel Segura, a 16-year-old Bronx resident, who had arrived five hours earlier to secure a place near the front of the crowd.

Im out here fan-girling a politician, its kind of crazy, he said, wiping away tears as Mamdani concluded his speech. Now its time to hold him accountable.

In a campaign that helped make affordability a buzzword across the political spectrum, Mamdani ran on a focused platform that included promises of free child care, free buses, a rent freeze for about 1 million households and a pilot of city-run grocery stores.

Mamdani insisted in his inaugural address that he will not squander his opportunity to implement those policies.

A moment like this comes rarely. Seldom do we hold such an opportunity to transform and reinvent. Rarer still is it the people themselves whose hands are on the levers of change. And yet we know that too often in our past, moments of great possibility have been promptly surrendered to small imagination and smaller ambition, he said.

But he will also have to face other responsibilities: handling trash and snow and rats, while getting blamed for subway delays and potholes.

In opening remarks to the crowd, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez praised New Yorkers for choosing courage over fear.

We have chosen prosperity for the many over spoils for the few, she said.

Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, an academic and author. His family moved to New York City when he was 7, with Mamdani growing up in a post-9/11 city where Muslims didnt always feel welcome. He became an American citizen in 2018.

He worked on political campaigns for Democratic candidates in the city before he sought public office himself, winning a state Assembly seat in 2020 to represent a section of Queens.

Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, are departing their one-bedroom, rent stabilized apartment in the outer-borough to take up residence in the stately mayoral residence in Manhattan.

Mamdani inherits a city on the upswing, after years of slow recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Violent crime has dropped to pre-pandemic lows. Tourists are back. Unemployment, which soared during the pandemic years, is also back to pre-COVID levels.

Yet deep concerns remain about high prices and rising rents.

During the mayoral race, President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from the city if Mamdani won and mused about sending National Guard troops to the city.

But Trump surprised supporters and foes alike by inviting the Democrat to the White House for what ended up being a cordial meeting in November.

I want him to do a great job and will help him do a great job, Trump said.

Still, tensions between the two leaders are almost certain to resurface, given their deep policy disagreements, particularly over immigration.

Several speakers at Thursdays inauguration criticized the Trump administrations move to deport more immigrants and expressed hope that Mamdanis City Hall would be an ally to those the president has targeted.

Mamdani also faces skepticism and opposition from some members of the citys Jewish community over his criticisms of Israels government.

Still, Mamdani supporters in Thursdays crowd expressed optimism hed be a unifying force.

There are moments where everyone in New York comes together, like when the Mets won the World Series in 86, said Mary Hammann, 64, a musician with the Metropolitan Opera. This feels like that  just colder.
Key Points

In May, famed investor Warren Buffett announced his planned resignation from his CEO role.

Abel inherits a huge cash pile, powerful insurance and energy operations, and a huge equity portfolio.

The stock's conservative valuation contrasts nicely with the high-flying valuations of AI beneficiaries.

10 stocks we like better than Berkshire Hathaway 

Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) is entering a moment investors have expected for a long time: Warren Buffett has said Greg Abel will take over as chief executive officer at year-end. Of course, Buffett will remain chairman after the CEO handoff. But the Oracle of Omaha's role will be far more passive than it used to be.

The implications of the handoff are enormous because Berkshire is designed to operate from a small but critical corporate center. Even more, much of the conglomerate's value comes from balance sheet discipline and capital allocation decisions made by the people at this center, putting immense pressure on the CEO role.

Image source: Motley Fool.

The transition

Fortunately, Berkshire shareholders have known who Buffett's successor would be for years. The news of Abel being selected as Buffett's successor first broke in May 2021. And then Buffett surprised shareholders in early May of 2025 when he told investors at the company's annual shareholder meeting that he would step down from his CEO position at the end of the year, with Abel being promoted to CEO effective Jan. 1, 2026.

As far as Buffett? He will remain chairman and will "hang around" and "could conceivably be useful in a few cases," he told shareholders at the company's 2025 annual meeting. However, even in this case, he said that the final word on any decision will be Greg's once Greg becomes CEO.

Who is Greg Abel?

Buffett has high praise for Abel, noting in a press release in November that he "has more than met the high expectations I had for him when I first thought he should be Berkshire's next CEO."



He continued:

He understands many of our businesses and personnel far better than I now do, and he is a very fast learner about matters many CEOs don't even consider. I can't think of a CEO, a management consultant, an academic, a member of government -- you name it -- that I would select over Greg to handle your savings and mine.

Leading up to his appointment as CEO of Berkshire, Abel served as vice chairman, overseeing non-insurance operations for the company.

Inheriting a war chest

Buffett is leaving Abel with a war chest so big that he could completely transform the company if he wanted to.
Bill Rettew, Daily Local News, via Tribune News Service

NORTH COVENTRY  Someone required medical care after being attacked Sunday by a coyote on Warwick Furnace Road, according to a Crimewatch report posted by the North Coventry Police Department.

The Chester County Health Department reported that it is not known whether the coyote is rabid.

No further details were provided about how the person came into contact with a coyote or an update on their condition. Warwick Furnace Road is rural, with some scattered homes and wooded areas.

Residents are strongly advised to not attempt to engage or catch the coyote. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is involved in locating the animal.

Residents are advised to stay away from any wild animals and remain aware of their pets, reads the website post.

Any resident who may come into contact with a coyote should contact the Chester County Health Department at 610-344-6225 for further information and guidance.
By John A. Tures

Our West Georgia community became captivated by a dozen Buddhist monks and their dog, walking from Texas to Washington DC to promote peace. Their march, the reaction, and how Americans feel about peace around the world, are all anyone seems to be talking about this holiday season.

This Walk for Peace heading throughout the Southeast United States has led to an unprecedented outpouring of support along their nearly 2,500 mile journey from Fort Worth to Washington, along with their plucky pooch Aloka.

I got to see the crowds gather for the monks at a Baptist church in LaGrange. Ive read tales of city officials greeting them, police escorts, and other leaders and members of all kinds of faiths coming to see them on this special march. The Facebook posts from friends have warmed my heart.

Of course, there have been some critics, locally and nationally, who disapprove of the monks. Peace  what about The Prince of Peace! one stated.

Others claimed they worshipped Buddha as a god. (They dont.)

Wheres ICE when you need them? one person posted.

What shocked me was how many more positive notes there were supporting not only the monks and their mission, but noting the goals Christians, Jewish people and Buddhists have in common.

It seems their long walk is needed now more than ever.

There are a series of ongoing attempts to end Russias brutal invasion of Ukraine. But when shown details of the Russian-White House talking points, Americans are skeptical of the proposal.

YouGov polls show massive skepticism among Democrats and Republicans (other polls confirm this bipartisan skepticism), which call for Ukraine to shrink its army, be barred from NATO, blocking NATO from coming into Ukraine, and having the Ukrainians withdraw from Donetsk, without Russia having to concede anything or face even reasonable sanctions for their slaughter of civilians in initiating the bloodiest conflict since World War II.

It seems most Americans do understand the WWII lessons of appeasing the rapacious appetite for dictators, and that giving everything to irridentism only breeds more conflict.

Americans express concerns in polls about the Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement. Theres a lot of concern that such a deal may not last, and that certainly any forced relocation of Palestinians to South Sudan or somewhere else in the Sahara is probably unlikely to go well.

Theres a growing anger with the Israeli government and its actions in America. Its important for the U.S. not to assume all Jews support Prime Minister Netanayahu, and he and his party frequently receive a small percentage of the public vote.

Americans want peace, but they recognize that one-sided deals which reward an aggressor or fail to punish the instigator are not even close to being the solution. As these monks, and Americans who admire their courage and commitment know, we need to be looking for true peace.

John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. His views are his own. He can be reached at jtures@lagrange.edu or on X at @johntures2.
By Brooke Schultz, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

A person was injured by a coyote this week in Chester County, and officials are trying to locate the animal, health officials said.

The Chester County Health Department said in a social media post that the injured person was seeking medical care. The incident happened Sunday on Warwick Furnace Road in Warwick Township.

The injury, which broke skin, occurred on a trail during daylight hours, a spokesperson for the county said in an email Wednesday. No one else was involved, and there have been no further reports of contact with a coyote in that area, he said.

The department does not know if the coyote was rabid.

The last incident with a coyote was reported to the health department in late October, in the southern part of the county, the spokesperson said. Several people were injured, and the coyote was rabid, the health department said at the time. Everyone injured was identified and was provided medical guidance in that incident, the department said.

The state game commission was involved with locating the coyote, officials said.

Coyotes are not necessarily rare in Pennsylvania, and their numbers are growing. They have been spotted near Philadelphia, and can thrive in suburban and urban areas, according to Chester Countys parks department.

In Chester County, they are usually spotted near heavy, brushy cover and around woods, fields, and agricultural areas where their prey (mice, voles, rabbits, woodchucks, and birds) live. Sightings and signs have been reported in all county parks, the county said previously.

They rarely attack humans, but they will engage with pets. Health officials advised residents to remain aware of their pets following this weeks incident in Warwick Township.

Residents who come in contact with a coyote are asked to call the Chester County health department at 610-344-6225 for further information and guidance.
The Trump administration has said it is freezing child care funds to all states until they provide more verification about the programs in a move fueled by a series of fraud schemes at Minnesota day care centers run by Somali residents.

All 50 states will be impacted by the review, but the Republican administration is focusing most of its ire on the blue state of Minnesota and is calling for an audit of some of its centers.

Minnesota Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement Wednesday that he was exploring all our legal options to ensure that critical childcare services do not get abruptly slashed based on pretext and grandstanding.

It is unclear how much more robust the verification process for other states will be than it already has been.

Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim ONeill called the decision a response to blatant fraud that appears to be rampant in Minnesota and across the country in a social media post announcing the change on Tuesday.

Here are some things to know about these moves:

More verification needed for all states to get child care funds

All 50 states will have to provide additional levels of verification and administrative data before they receive more funding from the Child Care and Development Fund, according to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson. However, Minnesota will have to provide even more verification for child care centers that are suspected of fraud, such as attendance and licensing records, past enforcement actions and inspection reports.

In his social media post on Tuesday, ONeill said all Administration for Children and Families payments nationwide would require justification and a receipt or photo evidence before money is sent, but the HHS spokesperson said Wednesday that the additional verifications only apply to CCDF payments.

Walz says Trump is politicizing the issue

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, said in a social media post that fraudsters are a serious issue that the state has spent years cracking down on but that this is a political move that is part of Trumps long game.

State Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy condemned the move in a statement Wednesday.

Republicans are playing sick games and winning devastating prizes, Murphy said. And now, tens of thousands of Minnesota families will pay the price as Donalds Trumps agents strip away crucial funding.

Fraud investigations could stretch to other programs, states

The administration launched efforts in recent weeks to track down fraud in other programs in Minnesota and is looking at fraud in blue states such as California and New York, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an interview with Fox & Friends on Wednesday.

The administration will continue to send officers to investigate potential fraud sites in Minnesota and deport undocumented immigrants, Leavitt said, adding that the Department of Homeland Security is considering plans to denaturalize citizens.

The Department of Labor is also investigating the states unemployment insurance program, Leavitt said. The administration this month threatened to withhold SNAP food aid funding from Democratic-controlled states, including Minnesota, unless they provide information about people receiving assistance.

Attention focused on Minnesota

The announcement came a day after U.S. Homeland Security officials conducted a fraud investigation in Minneapolis, questioning workers at unidentified businesses. Trump has criticized Walzs administration over the cases, capitalizing on them to target the Somali diaspora in the state, which has the largest Somali population in the U.S.

In his post Tuesday, ONeill, who is serving as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, referenced a right-wing influencer who posted a video last week claiming he found that day care centers operated by Somali residents in Minneapolis had committed up to $100 million in fraud.

Meanwhile, there are concerns about harassment that home-based day care providers and members of the Somali community nationwide might face amid the vitriol, including Trumps comments earlier this month referring to Somali immigrants as garbage. Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown released a statement saying, Showing up on someones porch, threatening, or harassing them isnt an investigation. Neither is filming minors who may be in the home.

Minnesota child care centers are alarmed

Maria Snider, director of the Rainbow Child Development Center and vice president of advocacy group Minnesota Child Care Association, said fear is rising among both families  many of which are living paycheck to paycheck  and child care centers that rely on the federal funding. Without child care system tuition, centers may have to lay off teachers and shut down classrooms, she said.

In Minnesota, the application process for the funding is complex and multi-layered, Snider said. Her own child care center has been subjected to random audits, she said, and all centers are required to submit to licensing visits by officials.

I dont know what else I would provide, she said.

Ahmed Hasan, director of the ABC Learning Center that was one of those featured in the video by the right-wing influencer, said on Wednesday that there were 56 children enrolled at the center. Since the video was posted, Hasan, who is Somali, said his center has received harassing phone calls making staff members and parents feel unsafe.

He said the center is routinely subject to checks by state regulators to ensure they remain in compliance with their license.

Theres no fraud happening here, Hasan told The Associated Press. We are open every day, and we have our records to show that this place is open.
Pennsylvanias promising another BIG political year. Its good to know your state and its players. Answers at the end (dont peek).

If Josh Shapiro is reelected in November, it will be four times in a row that Pennsylvania voted for a Democratic governor. When has that happened before?

1852 when Gov. William Bigler followed Gov. Francis Shunk. 1974 when Gov. Milton Shapp followed Gov. David Lawrence Its never happened before. 2006 when Gov. Rendell followed Gov. Casey

Ten years ago, pre-Donald Trump, registered Democrats in Pennsylvania outnumbered registered Republicans by nearly a million: 3.963 million to 2.964 million. The Democratic edge now is roughly:

80,000 50,000 60,000 10,000

After a year in which the state budget was four months late and the Legislature passed the fewest new laws in a decade, its 253 members still got their annual raises. Whats their new 2026 base pay?

$97,550 $113,575 $105,6850 A brass farthing

Speaking of passing bills, how many bills did the nations largest full-time legislature pass in the year before a reelection year?

210 115 65 42

Stacy Garrity, state Treasurer, GOP candidate for governor and retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel, earned honors and what nickname for managing prison camps while deployed during the Iraq War?

Princess of Prisoners Queen of Combatants Angel of the Desert Sisters of the Sands

The Center for American Progress, a left-leaning D.C. think tank, says all GOP Senators vote with Donald Trump at least 93% of the time. What about Pennsylvanias GOP Sen. Dave McCormick?

100% 90% 93% 89%

Sen. John Fetterman, in his new book Unfettered, admits he once, on an open mic, called Josh Shapiro what?

A little narcissistic Napoleon wannabe A jagoff A misguided Wawa lover A sexual expletive coupled with a specific posterior body part

Shapiro needs a great 2026; really needs to get s--- done because:

Hes seeking reelection to a second four-year term Needs to pump up his national cred for a 2028 presidential run Hes now the highest paid governor in America All of the above

Betting on a late state budget any year is a pretty safe bet because:

Theres not enough time or enough lawmakers to get it done Leaders are controlled by Apophis, Egypts evil god of chaos Its been late 13 times in the 20 years Nobody knows what day its due

Is 2026 the year the Legislature hikes the minimum wage, legalizes weed, reforms redistricting, enacts merit selection of judges, penalizes leaders for late budgets?

Ha, ha, hagood one Youre joking, right? Ask Apophis Maybe next year

(Answers: 3, 2, 2, 3, 3, 1, 4, 4, 3, 4)

John Baer may be reached at baer.columnist@gmail.com
On Dec. 22, SIDU stock nearly doubled after the company announced it had secured a contract under the Missile Defense Agencys (MDA) Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program. The SHIELD contract supports President Trumps plan for the Golden Dome for America's missile defense system. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract has a ceiling value of $151 billion. Notably, securing a spot on the IDIQ makes Sidus Space eligible to compete for future task orders as the MDA defines work requirements, but it does not guarantee any revenue on its own.

Shares of the innovative space and defense technology company have dropped 27% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. However, SIDU shares have spiked more than fourfold over the past month, largely driven by three key catalysts that Ill outline below.

Valued at a market cap of $94.1 million, Sidus Space operates across the commercial space, aerospace, and defense sectors. The company acts as a space mission enabler, offering services that span satellite design, manufacturing, and data collection. Its flagship product, LizzieSat, is a 3D-printed, multi-mission satellite built for flexibility and cost efficiency, with the ability to integrate new technologies to support a wide range of mission needs. The company also provides AI-driven Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) through its Orlaith AI ecosystem, which features proprietary FeatherEdge and Cielo platforms for processing and delivering space-based data insights.

One of the beneficiaries of this shift has been Sidus Space (SIDU), a little-known microcap that has seen its shares soar as optimism around Trumps space agenda spreads across the sector. Recent headlines around defense contracts and capital raises have only added fuel to the move. But beneath the excitement lies a critical question for investors: does a more aggressive U.S. push toward the Moon actually translate into meaningful financial upside for Sidus Spaceor is the stock simply being swept higher by speculation and short-term momentum? Lets take a closer look!

Investor excitement around space stocks has been building rapidly as President Donald Trump renews his push for U.S. leadership in space and pledges a return to the Moon before the end of the decade. That rhetoric has helped lift the entire space technology sector, sending shares of both well-known names and obscure microcaps higher.

Story Continues

This milestone reflects our ability to deliver integrated solutions across multiple domains and demonstrates the strength of our approach to building long-term capability within the defense sector, said Carol Craig, founder and CEO of Sidus Space.

Earlier, on Dec. 19, SIDU shares jumped more than 35% after President Trump signed an executive order titled Ensuring American Space Superiority, which formally calls for a U.S. return to the lunar surface by 2028, aligning with the final year of his second term. The directive represents an update to his first-term 2017 space policy, which had originally targeted 2024 for a human landing before facing delays.

Sidus Space took advantage of its stock surge by pricing two public offerings. The first offering closed last Wednesday, raising roughly $25 million in gross proceeds, while the second closed on Monday and generated about $16.2 million. Interestingly, SIDU shares sold off after the first offering was announced but rebounded once it closed, and the same pattern played out following the second offering. This suggests investors shifted their focus to the companys long-term growth prospects, betting that the fresh capital will be used to fund future expansion. The company said it plans to deploy the new capital toward sales and marketing, operating expenses, product development, manufacturing expansion, working capital, and general corporate purposes.

Such capital raises are especially critical for companies generating only modest revenue while continuing to burn cash, and in SIDUs case, the timing could hardly have been better. In the third quarter, the companys revenue stood at $1.3 million, down 31% year-over-year (YoY). The revenue decline reflected a strategic pivot away from legacy services toward new commercial models. At the same time, its net loss widened 55% YoY to $6.0 million. The company held $12.7 million in cash as of Sept. 30, while cash burn totaled $14.1 million over the first nine months of the year, equating to roughly $4.7 million per quarter. However, following the recent capital raise, the companys liquidity position appears solid.

Space Stocks Post Strong Year With Further Upside Likely Amid U.S. Lunar Mission Push

SIDUs stock gains have come amid a favorable backdrop for space technology companies. The sector has had a strong year, buoyed by rising excitement around a potential SpaceX IPO, increased launch activity, and President Trumps executive order calling for a U.S. return to the Moon by 2028. Newly appointed NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said on CNBC last Friday that the U.S. will return to the Moon during President Trumps second term. Isaacman told CNBCs Closing Bell Overtime that Mr. Trumps renewed commitment to lunar exploration is critical to unlocking what he called the orbital economy. We want to have that opportunity to explore and realize the scientific, economic, and national security potential on the moon, Isaacman said.

Isaacman said lunar opportunities include building space-based data centers and infrastructure, along with the potential extraction of Helium-3, a rare gas embedded in the moons surface that could one day serve as a key fuel for fusion power. He added that once a moon base is established, NASA would look to invest in nuclear power and space-based nuclear propulsion to support further exploration. NASA is currently working with multiple contractors, including SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Boeing (BA), as part of its Artemis campaign, which is focused on returning to the Moon and laying the groundwork for future missions to Mars.

Meanwhile, Sidus Space serves as a key subcontractor to Collins Aerospace on NASAs $3.5 billion Exploration Extravehicular Activity Services (xEVAS) contract, helping develop next-generation spacesuits and hardware for the ISS and Artemis lunar missions. It also supports lunar exploration through other NASA programs such as the Intuitive Machines-led RACER lunar rover team. Earlier this month, Sidus Space announced it was serving as a subcontractor to MobLobSpace under a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award focused on improving orbital debris monitoring. Its also worth noting that this year, Sidus Space completed on-orbit operations of its advanced onboard edge computer, FeatherEdge GEN-2, integrated into the ongoing commissioning of LizzieSat-3.

Does the U.S. Lunar Mission Push Make SIDU Stock a Buy?

Undoubtedly, the U.S. push to return to the Moon provides a positive backdrop for the entire space sector. However, it appears the key catalyst currently driving Sidus Space shares is the companys inclusion on the SHIELD contract. In any case, I dont view SIDU stock as a Buy at current levels. Buying the stock now would amount to chasing a rally, which is rarely a good idea, and the recent surge appears driven largely by speculation and short-squeeze dynamics rather than underlying fundamentals. Thats because neither a renewed commitment to lunar missions by the Trump administration nor inclusion on the SHIELD contract guarantees a direct financial impact.

Sidus Space has light coverage on Wall Street, with just one analyst following the stock and assigning it a Strong Buy rating. The analysts bullish stance is also reflected in SIDU stocks $10 price target, which implies upside potential of more than 270%.

www.barchart.com

On the date of publication, Oleksandr Pylypenko did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High around 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with light rain developing after midnight. Low around 45F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 56F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 43F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
By P.J. Huffstutter and Julie Ingwersen

CHICAGO, Dec 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture released details on Wednesday about how much row crop farmers will receive next year from a $12 billion aid program, but soybean growers say such payments fall short of helping those hurt by low crop prices and trade disputes.

More from Yahoo Scout Why are soybean growers dissatisfied with payment amounts? What caused the current U.S. farm economic crisis? How much will farmers receive per acre from aid program? When will farmers receive their aid program payments?

The Farmer Bridge Assistance program is expected to distribute $11 billion in one-time payments to farmers, who will be paid on a per-acre rate if they planted one of the 19 commodity crops identified as being eligible for the program, USDA said in a statement on Wednesday.

U.S. farmers produced massive corn and soybean harvests this fall amid a global glut of grain, and lost billions of dollars amid falling crop prices. Soybean farmers were particularly hard hit by the loss of soybean sales to China, by far the world's top buyer, when it turned to South American suppliers during stalled trade talks.

While the aid is expected to help farmers prepare for the next planting season, growers and agricultural economists say the payments are a fraction of farm losses and will not rescue the sagging U.S. farm economy.

The highest per-acre payments will be paid to rice farmers, who could receive $132.89 an acre; cotton farmers, at $117.35 an acre; and oat farmers, at $81.75 an acre. Meanwhile, farmers are eligible for a payment of $44.36 per corn acre, $30.88 per soybean acre and $39.35 per wheat acre. The payments are calculated using 2025 planted acres, cost-of-production data, and market conditions, USDA said.

Due to significant trade losses this year, the payment rate for soybeans will likely not be enough for soybean farmers to keep their operations financially solvent as we move into the next planting season, said Scott Metzger, an Ohio farmer and president of the American Soybean Association, a trade group that represents nearly a half-million soybean producers.

Sorghum growers are set to receive more than soybean growers at $48.11 per acre, and see the payments as a welcome help even as export demand has improved recently, said Tim Lust, chief executive officer of the National Sorghum Producers.

Other crops that qualify include peanuts, sorghum, barley, canola, sunflower, lentils, peas, mustard, safflower, flax, large and small chickpeas, and sesame. The payments are expected to be received by February 28, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump initially unveiled the $12 billion aid package for American farmers on December 8, as farm groups and Republican farm-state lawmakers have sought the aid in part to support farmers with purchases of seeds, fertilizer and other expenses.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 1, 2026 / Leading international 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 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
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In 2025, Black Book expanded global healthcare IT research coverage; issued 32 complimentary, vendor-neutral benchmarking reports; advanced a 36KPI qualitative performance framework supported by Google Looker analytics and Qualtrics engagement; and compiled 311,732 verified end-user survey and satisfaction poll responses worldwide. This 2025 intake builds on a longitudinal repository now approaching four million verified enduser reviews captured over the past decade.TAMPA, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / December 31, 2025 / Black Book Market Research LLC ("Black Book"), the independent healthcare IT research and public opinion polling organization, today released its 2025 YearinReview summarizing the research announcements, nocost publications, and client-rated recognitions issued throughout the calendar year across major media distribution platforms and industry channels.Throughout 2025, Black Book sustained its vendor-agnostic commitment to independently validated healthcare IT, digital health, and outsourcing market intelligence - delivering actionable benchmarking resources without vendor sponsorship, pay-for-inclusion, commissioned influence, or performance-improvement consulting arrangements tied to rankings. In an environment increasingly shaped by AI marketing claims, cybersecurity urgency, and interoperability mandates, Black Book's mission remained consistent: elevate verified end-user experience into decision-grade intelligence for boards, executive leadership, clinicians, operators, and public-interest stakeholders.2025 Industry Contributions at a GlanceIn 2025, Black Book's contributions centered on improving market transparency and decision quality across healthcare IT and services, including:Public-interest, no-cost research access at scale for provider, payer, and government stakeholders to support procurement due diligence, modernization prioritization, and risk reduction.Modernized KPI science aligned to AI-era accountability, expanding evaluation models to incorporate measures such as algorithmic trust, explainability, governance readiness, and operational impact - moving beyond legacy "satisfaction-only" scoring approaches.Interoperability and compliance intelligence that translated regulatory readiness (including cross-border frameworks) into vendor and infrastructure benchmarking that can be used by CIOs, compliance leaders, and policymakers.Cyber-resilience benchmarking designed to help healthcare organizations prioritize defensible security architectures, vendor accountability, and incident readiness using client-validated findings.Global comparative market visibility to help stakeholders understand regional vendor performance, localization requirements, and implementation realities across international health systems.2025's HighestDemand, MostDownloaded Black Book Reports and Media Room ReleasesDuring 2025, Black Book announced and distributed more than thirty (30+) complimentary, vendorneutral benchmarking reports, reference guides, and special research releases. The following titles ranked among Black Book's highestdemand and mostdownloaded releases - reflecting strong pull from both global healthcare IT users and executives, as well as industry media and market stakeholders:NoCost Benchmarking Reports, Reference Guides, and Special Research Releases Most Downloaded by Global IT UsersThe 2025 Black Book of Healthcare IT Consultants and Advisory Firms - a 580page reference profiling 260 consulting and advisory firms with clientrated performance benchmarks.Black Book of Healthcare Cybersecurity 2025 Edition - vendorneutral benchmarking of healthcare security categories, operational readiness, and market performance insights.2025 Comprehensive Guide to Patient Engagement and Healthcare Consumer Communication Technologies - benchmarking patient access, communications platforms, and engagement technology trends.2025 Black Book of Population Health & ValueBased Care IT Solutions - benchmarking population health and VBC enablement technologies supporting care coordination, analytics, and quality performance improvement.AIDriven Data Activation Platforms: 2025 Black Book Survey on Population Health Impact - evaluating AIenabled data activation, predictive insights, and operational outcomes supporting population health and VBC objectives.The Rise of Robotic Process Automation in Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management - research benchmarking RPAenabled revenue cycle efficiency, automation impact, and operational scalability.The 2025 Black Book of Healthcare RCM Startups and ScaleUps - profiling emerging revenue cycle innovators with clientrated benchmarks and KPIbased performance indicators.2025 EHR Workflow Efficiency Benchmarking Report - benchmarking workflow performance and enduser experience factors influencing clinician productivity, usability, and documentation burden across care settings.2025 Cloud Adoption in Healthcare Benchmarking Report - assessing cloud migration trends, hosting and managed services performance, operational outcomes, and modernization readiness across healthcare IT environments.The State of AIEnabled Virtual Care in U.S. Healthcare - benchmarking operational outcomes and access improvements associated with virtual nursing and AIsupported care models.Virtual Care Crosses the Threshold: AI Delivers 23% Average Impact in U.S. Hospitals - special research release highlighting measured AIenabled virtual care impact findings.Black Book Research Unveils Strategic Innovations to Lead Healthcare IT Market Intelligence in the Age of AI - research announcement detailing Black Book's AIera market intelligence and methodology advancements.The 2025 Black Book of Vaccine Informatics and Immunization Technology - assessing realworld performance and interoperability requirements supporting immunization initiatives.The 2025 Black Book Report of the Middleware Mandate - benchmarking interoperability platforms and readiness tied to emerging data exchange and compliance expectations across regions.The 2025 Black Book of Global Healthcare Information Technology / Global EHR Market Benchmarking Updates - a 650page, multicountry benchmarking resource evaluating international healthcare IT performance across diverse markets and health systems.Highly Downloaded 2025 Newswire.com Media Room Releases Reflecting Industry Media DemandBlack Book Research Unveils Strategic Innovations to Lead Healthcare IT Market Intelligence in the Age of AIBla
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NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / December 31, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilJanuary 2, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between June 20, 2025 and November 5, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Courts for the District of Maryland and the Eastern District of Virginia.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of CarMax and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-kmx/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action by overseeing lead counsel with the goal of obtaining a fair and just resolution, you must request this position by application to the Court byJanuary 2, 2026 .About the LawsuitsCarMax and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On September 25, 2025, the Company announced its Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 financial results, disclosing among other things, that retail unit sales had decreased 5.4%, comparable store unit sales had decreased 6.3%, wholesale units had decreased 2.2%, and net earnings per diluted share of $0.64 compared to $0.85 a year ago. On this news, the price of CarMax's shares fell $11.5 per share, or 20.07%, to close at $45.60 per share on September 25, 2025.The first-filed case is Cap v. CarMax, Inc., No. 25-cv-03602. A subsequent case, Indiana Public Retirement System v. CarMax, Inc., No. 25-cv-01056, was filed in the Eastern District of Virginia.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 31, 2025 / Goldgroup Mining Inc. ("Goldgroup" or the "Company") (TSXV:GGA)(OTCQX:GGAZF).Goldgroup announces that, subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), it has entered into an agreement with a private arm's length British Columbia company under which it has agreed to sell all of the issued and outstanding Class "A" shares and Class "B" common shares in the capital (collectively the "Apolo Shares") of Minera Apolo, S.A. de C.V. ("Apolo"), which owns all the issued and outstanding shares of Minera Catanava, S.A. de C.V. ("MC"). Apolo and MC collectively hold a 100% interest in the Pinos gold/silver project ("Pinos") located in Zacatecas State, the second largest mining state in Mexico. Pinos comprises 30 contiguous mining concessions over 3,816 hectares. The sale of Apolo is an Arm's Length Transaction and there are no finder's fees payable.Ralph Shearing, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Having received an unsolicited bid for Pinos, management determined that it would be the best use of the Company's resources to dispose of the Pinos asset based on the Company's recent acquisition of the San Francisco gold mine, which is a much larger and more advanced project than Pinos. The Company's focus will be the continued development and optimization of our flagship Cerro Prieto heap-leach gold mine and advancing towards a re-start of gold production at the San Francisco gold mine (see news release dated December 24, 2025). Both assets are located within 44km in a straight line from each other in the state of Sonora, Mexico. The San Francisco gold mine represents a unique opportunity to consolidate a highly prospective gold district." Mr. Shearing further stated: "At this stage of our Company's development, with Pinos being a non-core asset, management and the board of directors has elected to monetize Pinos with an attractive, high cash purchase offer, deploying the sale proceeds towards Cerro Prieto optimization and re-starting gold production at San Francisco.Under the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement, Goldgroup has agreed to sell all the Apolo Shares to a private arm's length British Columbia company (the "Purchaser") in consideration of the payment to Goldgroup of US$5,000,000 in stages, with US$2,450,000 deposit payable on signing which will be refunded if the transaction does not close by February 16, 2026, US$550,000 to be paid on closing and US$2,000,000 to be secured by a Promissory Note and paid on or before the date that is six (6) months from the Closing Date. Further, the Purchaser has agreed to assume any and all liabilities of Goldgroup associated with Apolo, MC and the Pinos project, including the assumption of US$400,000 remaining payable on the original purchase agreement in addition to debt in the amount of US$1,500,000 payable to the previous owners of Apolo that will be triggered by the sale of Apolo. Goldgroup, the Purchaser and the previous owners of Apolo have also agreed to enter an Assumption and Acknowledgement Agreement under which the previous owners acknowledge and agree that they will have no further recourse against Goldgroup for any liabilities related to Apolo, MC and the Pinos project, all of which have been assumed by the Purchaser.Cautionary Statement The closing of the sale of Apolo is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.Clarification regarding Investor Relations Agreement At the request of the TSXV, Goldgroup wishes to clarify its news release of October 13, 2025, regarding the retention of Machai Capital Inc. to provide digital marketing services on behalf of the Company. Goldgroup advises that it paid Machai Capital Inc. $200,000 as an upfront fee. Further Goldgroup advises that neither Machai Capital Inc. nor its principal Suneal Sandhu owned any securities of Goldgroup as at October 13, 2025.About Goldgroup Goldgroup is a Canadian-based mining Company with two high-growth gold assets in Mexico. In addition to the San Francisco gold mine, the Company has a 100% interest in the producing Cerro Prieto heap-leach gold mine located in the State of Sonora. An optimization and exploration program is underway at Cerro Prieto to significantly increase existing production and resources. The acquisition of Molimentales del Noroeste, S.A. de C.V. ("Molimentales"), the owner of the San Francisco gold mine is subject to final approval from the TSXV.Goldgroup is led by a team of highly successful and seasoned individuals with extensive expertise in mine development, corporate finance, and exploration in Mexico.For further information on Goldgroup, please visit www.goldgroupmining.com On behalf of the Board of Directors"Ralph Shearing" Ralph Shearing, CEOFor more information:+1 (604) 306-6867410 - 1111 Melville St.Vancouver , BC, V6E 3V6 www.goldgroupmining.comir@goldgroupmining.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 press release.CAUTIONARY NOTES REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATIONCertain information contained in this news release, including any information relating to future financial or operating performance, may be considered "forward-looking information" (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law) and "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Actual results could differ materially from the conclusions, forecasts and projections contained in such forward-looking information.These forward-looking statements reflect Goldgroup's current internal projections, expectations or beliefs and are based on information currently available to Goldgroup. In some cases forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.Forward-looking information is subject to
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 31, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Integer Holdings Corporation ("Integer" or the "Company") (NYSE:ITGR). 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 Integer and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until February 09, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Integer 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]October 23, 2025, when Integer cut its full-year 2025 guidance and informed investors it expected net sales growth of -2% to 2% and organic sales growth of 0% to 4% for the full year of 2026. Integer further admitted that two of its electrophysiology devices had experienced "slower than forecasted" market adoption and expected the slower demand impact "to continue into 2026." Analysts immediately reacted, noting that Integer's sales guidance was "materially below the Street." On this news, Integer's stock price fell $35.22 per share, or 32.28%, to close at $73.89 per share on October 23, 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
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 31, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or the "Company") (NYSE:ARE). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Alexandria and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 26, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Alexandria securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On October 27, 2025, Alexandria reported below-expectation financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal year 2025 and, in particular, cut its full-year 2025 funds from operations, or FFO, guidance. The Company attributed the setback to lower occupancy rates, slower leasing activity and, most notably, a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its Long Island City property.On this news, Alexandria's stock price fell $14.93 per share, or 19.17%, to close at $62.94 per share on October 28, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 31, 2025 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) between January 27, 2025 and October 27, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period") of the important January 26, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Alexandria Real Estate Equities 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 Alexandria Real Estate Equities class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48531 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 26, 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 handle 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 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 provided investors with material information concerning Alexandria Real Estate's expected revenue and funds from operations ("FFO") growth for the 2025 fiscal year, particularly as it related to the growth of Alexandria Real Estate's real estate operations. The defendants' statements included, among other things, confidence in Alexandria Real Estate Equities' lease activity, occupancy stability, and ability to develop its tenant pipeline.According to the lawsuit, defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of its Long Island City ("LIC") property. In particular, Alexandria Real Estate's claims and confidence about the leasing value of the LIC property as a life-science destination. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Alexandria Real Estate Equities class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48531 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.
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Local Seattle Based Dog boarding and daycare firm plans to expand in 2026.SEATTLE, WA / ACCESS Newswire / December 31, 2025 / In 2026, Seattle Dog Boarding (SDB) is proud to celebrate it's tenth year of operation in the Pinehurst neighborhood in Northeast Seattle. The small, home based hobby kennel started one day in 2016 with just one daycare dog named Otis. SDB founder Pete O'Neil had co-owned a firm operating three high end dog grooming salons in NYC for 8 years. His family sold / closed the shops in Manhattan soon after the 2008 Financial Crash. Seattle is considered one of the best cities to own and love a dog in the USA.66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet.Dogs are the most popular pet in the U.S. (65.1 million U.S. households own a dog), followed by cats (46.5 million households) and freshwater fish (11.1 million households).Millennials make up the largest percentage of current pet owners (33%), followed by Gen X (25%) and baby boomers (24%)In 2022, Americans spent $136.8 billion on their pets, up nearly 11% from 2021 ($123.6 billion).Essential dog expenses cost an average of $1,533 annually.SDB plans to reopen its grooming room in 2026. Months ago, the groomers working at SDB relocated back to Brazil "There is such a shortage of well-trained professional dog groomers in the USA now," said O'Neil the small firm plans to bring training back to it services offered to dog parents in 2026. O'Neil's UW interns have helped research the concept of a new healthy dog great that O'Neil Enterprises plans to roll out in 2026 after 2 years of taste tests with customer's dogs. Pete says his 3-year-old Golden Ivy loves the new national brand of dog treats. SDB is also expanding its canine charity activities in the new year having purchased a vintage Ford van that will be used as the community out reach vehicle. SDB will continue to bring dog food to dogs living with homeless parents. Starting this spring the SDB van will be attending dog and family events all over the Pacific North West helping with dog foster care programs and local pet adoptions.###Seattle Dog boarding facilities take extra precautions as mystery dog respiratory illness. SDB news coverage on NBC affiliate.Contact:Pete O'Neil- Communications Manager, ONEIL ENTERPRISESEmail: peteoneil@ yahoo.com SOURCE: O'Neil Enterprises / Seattle Dog Boarding
Produced by Uchenna Mbunabo and directed by Alexandra Kureave Hul and Uchenna Mbunabo, Lessons of the Heart is a modest but emotionally engaging Nigerian film that explores love, ambition, and personal choice within a rural setting.

Through the lives of Amaka, her family, her tutor Chijioke, and the NYSC corper Tosin, the movie presents a familiar but relatable struggle between societal expectations and individual dreams.

With a cast that includes Uchenna Mbunabo, Bright Morgan, Charity Omah, Chinedum Odiaka, and Faith Okeh, the movie illustrates how parental control and personal desires can compromise the freedom and future of young people in society.

Plot

Amaka (Uche Montana) is a young girl preparing for her JAMB exam. She attends weekend lessons taught by Chijioke (Bright Morgan). At this time, her mother (Charity Omah) wants her to marry Uche (Chinedum Odiaka), a rich and kind man in the village. Amaka, however, likes Chijioke and helps him with house chores to show her feelings.

Amakas hope is broken when Chijioke becomes interested in Tosin (Faith Okeh), a new NYSC corper in the village. To be closer to her crush and tutor, Amaka refuses marriage and tells her mother she wants to focus on schooling, which leads to her later confessing her love to Chijioke, who turns her down.

Moreover, Tosin later returns to her old boyfriend, breaking the romantic expectations of Chijioke. Afterwards, Chijioke tries to return to Amaka.

Desperately, Chijioke lies to Amakas mother that Amaka could commit suicide if forced into marriage. As a result, the mother ends Amakas relationship with Uche and sends her back to private lessons in Chijiokes house.

Amaka later discovers Chijiokes lie and chooses her own path. She leaves all to focus on her education and future.

Societal ill

Societally, Amakas main problem is the pressure from her mother to marry Uche rather than focusing on her education. At the same time, Amaka has feelings for her lesson teacher, Chijioke, which is a misplaced priority for someone who has failed JAMB three times previously.

Her confusion and pain grow when Chijioke turns his attention to Tosin, the new NYSC corper in the village. The movie illustrates how parents sometimes impose their wishes on their children without considering their childrens dreams. It includes misplaced priorities among younger people rushing into romantic relationships without a clear future in sight.

Chijioke and Tosins relationship shows selfishness and a lack of honesty. Meanwhile, Tosin also keeps Chijiokes hope of a relationship high only when she has problems with her boyfriend.

Review

The actions of the characters show how people can use others for their own benefit. Some scenes are dramatic, and a few events feel rushed, but they still convey a clear message.

Ultimately, the movie conveys a powerful lesson: Amaka learns to stop living for others.

Other events add drama to the movie, including a taxi dispute between Tosin and a Taxi driver (Emeka Odika) before Chijioke intervenes, and arguments between Amaka and her brother, Ekene (Christian Effiong), who also prefers Uche as the best suitor for Amaka.

Finally, the setting, use of local language, and simple village lifestyle ground the story in realism. This makes the characters dilemmas feel original despite the straightforward plot.

Even though the JAMB students look more mature than real candidates, which signalled an error in parts of the movies casting, the movie still teaches essential lessons about patience, self-respect, and choosing the right path in life.

Verdict: 7/10
Gunmen have killed three residents in an attack on a community in Nasarawa State.

The victims were killed on Tuesday when armed attackers invaded Akunza Ashige community in Lafia Local Government Area of the state.

The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the attack on Wednesday.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ramhan Nansel, said the command received a distress call following the invasion of the community by gunmen.

Upon receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, immediately deployed a detachment of mobile police personnel and other tactical teams to the area, Mr Nansel said.

He said two corpses were recovered during the initial response, while nine injured persons were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals.

Unfortunately, one of the injured persons died in the early hours of Wednesday, while others are still receiving treatment, the police spokesman added.

Mr Nansel said the commissioner has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department and the Assistant Commissioner of Police overseeing operations to carry out a comprehensive investigation to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

He also extends his condolences to the families of the victims and prays for the speedy recovery of those injured, the spokesman said.

The police assured residents of Akunza Ashige and surrounding communities that those responsible would be brought to justice, urging the public to remain calm and provide useful information to security agencies.

Previous Nasarawa attack

The Akunza Ashige attack occurred barely a day after armed persons stabbed two Catholic priests during a night raid on the parish house of St Rita Catholic Church, Unity Estate, Mararaba, in Karu Local Government Area of the state.

The attackers reportedly invaded the residence around 2.30 a.m. on Monday, stabbing the priests and leaving them in critical condition, while the parish priest escaped unhurt.

The reverend fathers were identified as Comas Baye, the priest in residence and a member of the Knights of St John International, and Chris Pever, a visiting priest and former assistant priest of the parish.

Both priests were taken to the Nativity Catholic Hospital in Jikwoyi, Abuja, for treatment. Mr Pever sustained severe injuries, including a fracture to his left arm, and underwent surgery, while Mr Baye was reported to be battling partial stroke complications. Church sources said both were responding to treatment.

The Abuja Grand Commandery of the Knights of St John International condemned the attack, describing it as a reflection of worsening insecurity around Abuja and neighbouring states.

We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the heinous, barbaric, and reprehensible attack on Catholic priests at the Parish House of St Rita Catholic Church, Unity Estate, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, the group said in a statement signed by its Grand President, Francis Njoku, and Grand Secretary, Etta Peters.

It warned that the incident was part of a broader pattern of attacks on places of worship and religious leaders within the Federal Capital Territory and adjoining states.

There are no indications, so far, that the two attacks in separate local governments of Nasarawa were carried out by the same groups.

Community reacts

Meanwhile, the Migili Youth Association has condemned the Akunza Ashige attack, describing it as a grave threat to peace in the Ashige Chiefdom of Lafia Local Government Area.

READ ALSO: Gunmen abduct woman in fresh midnight attack in Niger community

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its publicity secretary, Samuel Akala, the group said the violence had deepened fear among residents, especially women, children, and the elderly.

The senseless act of violence against innocent and law-abiding citizens is an affront to humanity and our shared values, the association said.

The group called on Governor Abdullahi Sule to deploy more security personnel to vulnerable communities within the chiefdom and ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
Digital Ascension Group CEO Jake Claver once made a bold prediction: XRP will hit $100 before 2026.

Now, it is Jan. 1. And XRP is nowhere near a three-figure price.

The last day of 2025 saw an intense debate on Claver's price prediction, and the XRP community was divided.

Related: XRP address count hits record high as new ETF debuts

Bold prediction for XRP

Claver was under fire after doubling down on his year-long prediction that XRP would soar to $100.

A few days before 2025 ended, he claimed that major institutions are stacking up XRP behind the scenes and that todays price is merely a shadow of whats coming.

On Dec. 31, XRP was near $1.84, far away from Claver's prediction.

After missing the price target in 2025, Claver reiterated on Jan. 1 that Ripples 1,700 non-disclosure agreements likely cover talks with governments, banks, and Fortune 500 firms, hinting at catalysts for mass adoption.

At press time on Jan.1, XRP was trading at $1.86, down 19.9% year over year.

Accusations of deception and investor outrage

Crypto influencer Zach Rector also accused Claver of misleading investors, citing a 2023 lawsuit in the Western District of New York against Clavers firm, Digital Ascension Group.

The case involved fabricating over $1 million in transfer screenshots and resulted in a permanent injunction in early 2025.

Rector alleged Claver concealed this during a March 2025 interview while promoting funds under Digital Wealth Partners that have since underperformed by more than 4% after fees.

More News:

XRP community split between faith and skepticism

Supporters argue that XRPs shrinking exchange reserves signal a potential breakout. Data from Binance showed that XRP reserves on the exchange declined to approximately 2.64 billion XRP, marking their lowest level since 2024.

Others, including influencer Dom Kwok, urge realism,

Im bullish long-term, but its important to be rational."

Fellow crypto influencer John Squire came out to defend Claver.

It didnt happen. Time passed and the target wasnt reached. But turning a missed prediction into a public execution says more about the crowd than about the person who spoke up.

For XRP to reach $100, its market capitalization would need to exceed $6 trillion, a staggering leap from the current $113 billion.

Recently, Geoffrey Kendrick, the global head of digital assets research at Standard Chartered Bank, issued an extremely bullish price prediction for XRP. He predicted that XRP would jump by almost 300% to hit a price target of $8 in 2026.

Related: XRP address count hits record high as new ETF debuts

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Jan 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Trading News & Analysis section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The National Assembly has said it is taking steps to address public concerns over alleged discrepancies in the Tax Acts, promising to make available certified copies of the bills signed by President Bola Tinubu.

The Director of Information, Bullah Bi-Allah, in a statement on Thursday, said the Assembly has directed the Clerk to release the transmitted tax bills.

According to him, the bills include the certificate pages to allow the public to verify the documents.

He said the management had taken note of the alleged discrepancies between votes and proceedings of the National Assembly and the gazetted versions of passed tax acts.

He said the decision to release the document was in response to public calls for transparency, adding that the release would allow members of the public to review and verify the documents.

He, however, said that despite widespread public interest, only a limited persons have formally requested the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised bills, affirming that all such requests had been processed.

According to him, the clerk is also working with the Federal Government Printing Press to publish the duly certified and assented Acts in compliance with the law.

He said the gazettes are expected to be ready on Thursday.

Mr Bi-Allah said, while it was the duty of the clerk to initiate the gazetting process, the statutory responsibility for printing and publication lies with the federal government printing press.

To strengthen institutional processes, he said the National Assembly would review procedures for the transmission and gazetting of bills.

Henceforth, all bills for presidential assent will be routed through presidential liaison officers.

No request for gazetting an act of the National Assembly will be entertained by the printing press, unless initiated by the Clerk to the National Assembly or his authorised representative.

National Assembly appreciates Nigerians for their interest and constructive engagement in strengthening transparency, accountability and professionalism in the legislative process.

The four laws signed by President Bola Tinubu on 26 June 2025 are the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigerian Tax Administration Act, the National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act.

Background

A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto), had drawn the attention of the House to the tax laws, alleging that the versions passed by the National Assembly differed from the copies gazetted and made available to the public.

Mr Dasuki said he obtained copies of both the bills passed by the National Assembly and the gazetted versions, and discovered discrepancies between them.

In response, the House of Representatives set up a seven-member committee to investigate the alleged inconsistencies.

Although the committee has yet to submit its report, the lower chamber has ordered the re-gazetting of the tax laws.

READ ALSO: Court refuses to stop implementation of new tax laws

In a statement on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu said the implementation of the laws would commence today, 1 January, as originally scheduled.

Mr Tinubu said his administration was aware of the public discourse surrounding alleged changes to some provisions of the recently enacted tax laws.

No substantial issue has been established that warrants a disruption of the reform process. Absolute trust is built over time through making the right decisions, not through premature, reactive measures.

I emphasise our administrations unwavering commitment to due process and the integrity of enacted laws. The Presidency pledges to work with the National Assembly to ensure the swift resolution of any issue identified, the president said.
The National Chairperson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has said the opposition coalition under the party emerged from necessity to halt Nigerias steady drift towards a one-party state.

In a New Year message, Mr Mark, a former senate president, said the coalition was formed as a rescue mission to restore hope, democracy and accountable leadership in the country.

He said the coalition understood the heavy responsibility involved, noting that credibility depends on patriotism, sacrifice and genuine service to the people.

Mr Mark, a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that since its unveiling in July, Nigerians nationwide had shown overwhelming support, with renewed political enthusiasm continuing to grow.

He acknowledged public scepticism caused by years of unfulfilled promises but urged citizens to overcome doubt and join the collective rescue mission.

We do not claim perfection, but our commitment to duty, integrity and the right side of history remains unwavering for Nigerias future, he said.

Mr Mark urged Nigerians not to surrender to despair, insisting national rebirth was possible if citizens rose with courage and unity.

He stressed that meaningful change would come through vision, participation and peaceful civic engagement, not violence.

The ADC national chairperson said 2026 could mark the beginning of national renewal if Nigerians reclaimed their power through unity and democratic action.

He urged citizens to enter the new year with faith, courage and hope, despite economic hardship and lingering insecurity.

READ ALSO: Otti speaks on his Labour Party membership as Peter Obi defects to ADC

Mr Mark paid tribute to fallen soldiers and security personnel who died defending the nation against insurgents, bandits and criminal elements.

He also expressed sympathy for civilians killed in violent attacks, urging prayers for affected families and the nation.

On behalf of the ADC, Mr Mark wished Nigerians a peaceful new year filled with unity and resilience.

(NAN)
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated his Special Adviser on Policy Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), Hadiza Bala-Usman, and renowned academic and journalist, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, on the occasion of their birthdays.

In separate messages issued on Thursday, the President described both celebrants as distinguished Nigerians whose careers reflect excellence, service, and enduring contributions to national development.

Ms Bala-Usman clocks 50 on 2 January 2026. President Tinubu praised her as a dedicated patriot whose nearly three decades in public service exemplify sacrifice, diligence, and purpose-driven leadership.

The President recalled her early career at the Bureau of Public Enterprises, noting that she demonstrated exceptional clarity of vision and a strong grasp of the structural reforms required to stimulate economic growth, even at a young age.

He also highlighted her leadership roles at the Abuja Enterprise Agency and the Nigerian Ports Authority, describing them as defining milestones in her career.

According to him, she broke barriers, raised standards, and strengthened accountability in public administration.

President Tinubu further commended her political contributions, particularly her role in party organisation and institutional development within the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he said helped entrench internal democracy, organisational effectiveness, and excellence.

In her current role as Special Adviser and Head of the CRDCU, Hadiza (Bala-Usman) continues to distinguish herself as an astute public administrator through discipline, clear thinking, and a firm focus on results, the President said.

He added that her efforts have strengthened the governance framework and evidence-based performance, while enhancing the delivery of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

I thank her for her single-minded commitment to our administration and national service. I pray for strength, wisdom, good health, and grace for her to remain an inspiration to women, young people, and emerging leaders across the country, Mr Tinubu said.

The President also felicitated Professor Abiodun Adeniyi on his 60th birthday, describing him as a public intellectual of note and a towering figure in academia and the media.

Professor Adeniyi, a professor of communication and the registrar of Baze University, Abuja, has built an extensive career spanning journalism, scholarship, media strategy, and public relations.

President Tinubu acknowledged his contributions as a journalist, author, essayist, public analyst, and commentator, noting that he has made important interventions in public policy discourse and facilitated numerous capacity-building initiatives across sectors.

Professor Adeniyi is a public intellectual of note. He has made important interventions in public policy and facilitated numerous capacity-building initiatives, the President said.

President Tinubu wished both celebrants many more years of good health, success, and continued impact on the nation.

The messages were signed by the Presidents Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked Ipele in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, sending fresh panic across the town.

Reports say residents have been displaced from their homes and are seeking refuge in nearby bushes for fear of being killed by the gunmen.

A resident who spoke to our correspondent on the phone but did not want his name mentioned due to fear of being attacked said the incident occurred at about 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

He said the gunmen attacked the Divisional Police Headquarters in the town with gunfire and explosives.

It was also reported that the attackers, numbering about 20, targeted the police facility and subsequently set it ablaze.

As I speak to you, we are still hiding in a nearby bush for fear that they might attack us at our houses.

We just received information that soldiers have been deployed to the scene to handle the situation. We are not anywhere near confirming that, he said.

Another resident who claimed to be close to the scene when the attack occurred said the gunmen, who came heavily armed, overwhelmed the police personnel on duty for over an hour before fleeing the scene.

It was a terrorist attack. The attackers, numbering about 20, came into the Ipele community in a commando style and began to shoot sporadically before attacking the Police Divisional Station in Ipele, the resident said.

It was a serious incident because many of us had to flee into the bush. The sounds from the attack were terrifying, and none of us could withstand it.

At the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation of casualties, though security agencies have since been deployed to the area.

Police speak

The Ondo State Police Command has reacted to the attack, stating no church was involved in the attack.

In a statement by its Spokesperson, Jimoh Abayomi, the police condemned the attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Headquarters.

The statement proceeded to give details on how the gunmen unleashed terror on the rural community.

According to preliminary reports, at about 9:41 p.m., a group of armed men numbering between 20 and 30 invaded the police station, firing assault rifles and deploying dynamite, the statement read.

The attackers set the station ablaze, leading to the destruction of the building and several exhibits. However, no life was lost in the attack as of the time of this report.

Upon receipt of the report, a joint patrol comprising the Police, Military, Civil Defence, and other non-state actors promptly mobilised to the scene; however, the attackers had already carried out the act before their arrival.

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police for the State, Adebowale Lawal, described the attack as a tragic and reprehensible act against the peace and security of Ondo State.

He urged members of the public to remain calm, assuring them that the situation is firmly under control.

He also ordered the immediate deployment of additional operational assets, including Tactical Teams, Explosive Ordnance DisposalChemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) units, and Police Mobile Force personnel to the area.

He said a coordinated manhunt for the attackers is currently underway.

The attack is coming barely a week after the US coordinated air strikes on terrorists hideouts in Sokoto State and some parts of the North.

The terrorists have continued their attacks with a Christmas Eve attack on a Mosque in Borno State, showing that the bandits still have the capacity to strike at any spot within the country despite the onslaught against them.

READ ALSO: Kidnappers abandon victims during hot chase by security operatives in Ondo

The attack, which occurred at Gambaru Market Mosque in Maiduguri, the state capital, left five people dead and 35 others injured.

Wednesdays attack in Ipele would be the second in the Owo Local Government Area by gunmen.

The first was the 5 June 2022 mass shooting and bomb attack in a Catholic Church in Owo, during which scores were killed, and several others were injured in others were wounded in the attack.
Nigerias First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has extended New Year wishes to Nigerians, emphasising hope, peace, and unity for 2026.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mrs Tinubu thanked God for the past year and praised what she described as the resilience of Nigerians.

She highlighted the enduring spirit of Nigerians: our courage, our strength, our creativity, and our unwavering belief in a better tomorrow.

I am deeply inspired by women, men and young people across the nation who continue to work tirelessly to uplift their families, communities and our country, she said.

The First Lady urged Nigerians to choose peace, empathy, and unity, and to invest in the well-being of children, women, and vulnerable populations.

Let us create opportunities in our individual space that allow every Nigerian to thrive with dignity, she said, expressing belief in Nigerias potential.

Education Fund

In a related statement, Mrs Tinubu thanked supporters of her Oluremi @65 Education Fund, which has raised N25.5 billion for the National Library project.

She announced that the donation account would be closed on 31 December, noting that any further support for the project would be channelled through the Ministry of Education.

Mrs Tinubu launched the initiative for the commemoration of her 65th birthday in September.

I extend my appreciation to all Nigerians, family, friends, and well-wishers who generously supported the Oluremi @65 Education Fund, created in commemoration of my 65th birthday on 21 September 2025, towards building the National Library, the statement reads.

Your support affirms our shared commitment to education, preservation of knowledge and national development. I am deeply encouraged by the goodwill and unity this initiative has inspired.
The Ebonyi State Government has procured three new aircraft as part of its plan to launch Ebonyi Air, a proposed airline in Ebonyi State, Nigerias South-east.

Governor Francis Nwifuru disclosed this on Wednesday while delivering his 2026 New Year address to the people of the state.

Mr Nwifuru said the aircraft were acquired under the Ebonyi Air initiative and are expected to arrive in January 2026.

The governor explained that the decision to procure the aircraft was a strategic economic move aimed at opening up the state to investment, tourism, and increased business opportunities, rather than a quest for prestige.

Reliable air transport makes it easier for investors to do business, for professionals to move in and out of the state, and for our people to connect with other parts of the country and beyond, he said.

Mr Nwifuru stressed that the proposed Ebonyi Air will reduce travel time and costs, encourage private sector participation, and position the state as a competitive destination for economic activities.

The move, he added, will support job creation and strengthen the state governments engagement with the wider national economy.

The governor noted that the aircraft procurement aligns with his administrations Peoples Charter of Needs Agenda, which prioritises infrastructure development, economic empowerment, and inclusive growth across all local government areas of the State.

He assured residents that the project would be managed prudently to ensure value for money, maintaining that improved connectivity was critical to attracting investors and accelerating development.

Mr Nwifuru expressed optimism that the arrival of the three aircraft would mark a new phase in the states economic expansion and reinforce its commitment to sustainable growth and development in 2026 and beyond.

He expressed gratitude to residents of Ebonyi State for their resilience amid economic challenges in 2025, noting that the relative peace and unity enjoyed by the state remained one of its strongest assets.

The Ebonyi governor commended farmers, traders, workers, youths, and community leaders for sustaining social and economic stability despite economic hardships.

He reaffirmed his administrations commitment to the Peoples Charter of Needs Agenda, stressing that all government policies and expenditures are guided by the need to improve the lives of Ebonyi residents and protect the future of the next generation.

Achievements

Mr Nwifuru said his administration recorded some achievements in 2025 in Ebonyi State, which he said included demerging of the education sector to improve efficiency, expanding scholarship opportunities, launching of model schools, and stability in tertiary institutions.

The governor boasted that his administration has revitalised primary healthcare centres across the state while hospitals were upgraded, and health workers recruited in addition to expansion of the states health insurance scheme to provide free maternal and child care.

He also said roads were constructed and rehabilitated across all local government areas, rural connectivity improved, and major bridges and projects delivered, including renewal works in Abakaliki metropolis.

2026 Budget and local govt elections

Mr Nwifuru further said that the states N884.8 billion 2026 budget prioritises capital projects, education, healthcare, agriculture, economic empowerment, security, and social welfare, assuring residents that the budget would be implemented with transparency and fiscal discipline.

He also announced plans to establish a modern cement factory in the state to harness its abundant limestone deposits, create jobs, boost internally generated revenue, and reduce the cost of building materials.

The governor assured residents that local government elections scheduled for 2026 would be free and fair, assuring that there would be no imposition of candidates.

He added that appointed officials intending to contest must resign to ensure fairness.

Mr Nwifuru also announced that he has granted state pardons to eight individuals, including five posthumous pardons.

He said the decision is in line with constitutional provisions and is part of efforts to promote reconciliation and healing.

Launching of airline

If Ebonyi successfully launches its commercial airline, it will be the fifth state to do so in Nigeria and second in the countrys South-east.

The first is Ibom Airline, which was set up in June 2019 and wholly owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, in the South-south region of the country.

Ibom Airline was followed by Cally Air which was launched in 2021 by the Cross River State Government, also in the South-south.

The third was Enugu Air which was unveiled by the Enugu State Government in July 2025, the first in the South-east.

In November, Bayelsa State Government joined in the fray when the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, commissioned and then flew one of the states two newly acquired aircraft from Abuja to the states airport at Amassoma, near Yenagoa.

Governor Diri, at the time, hinted that he had directed the aircraft to be registered under the name Air Bayelsa or Bayelsa Air before commencing full operations.
The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese (APC, Benue), has said the most significant challenges faced by the 10th House in 2025 were largely internal, driven by disputes and pressures that, in previous assemblies, could have fractured the Green Chamber.

Mr Agbese cited the controversy surrounding alleged discrepancies between tax laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted as one of the most critical tests of the Houses institutional credibility.

He also said controversies over recruitment into the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), members welfare, constituency project implementation, and the handling of the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State subjected the House to intense strain, testing its cohesion and leadership capacity.

In a statement on Wednesday, the lawmaker described 2025 as a defining year for the House, noting that the survival of the institution depended largely on how its leadership managed internal disagreements rather than external opposition.

According to him, Speaker Abbas Tajudeens leadership style, marked by restraint, consultation, and strict adherence to parliamentary rules, prevented disagreements from escalating into full-blown crises.

Despite the many challenges we encountered in 2025, Speaker Abbas justified his leadership. He proved that leadership is not about convenience, but about standing on truth and making sacrifices for the collective good of the institution and the country.

There were issues in 2025 that, if it were to be in the past, would have broken the unity of the House. But under Speaker Abbas, those issues did not escalate because he placed the institution above personal or sectional interests, he said.

Addressing the controversy over alleged alterations of the gazetted tax laws, which are said to be different from what the National Assembly approved, Mr Agbese noted that it was one of the challenging tests of leadership for the speaker.

He described the incident as a defining moment for the 10th House, stressing how the leadership handled the issue and demonstrated institutional maturity, especially after the concern was formally raised on the floor of the House by Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto).

According to him, Mr Tajudeen moved swiftly by constituting a seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate the discrepancies and report back to the House, rather than dismissing or downplaying the claims.

Mr Agbese added that the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly also directed the Clerk to commence the re-gazetting of the tax laws to ensure alignment with what lawmakers actually passed.

This shows responsive leadership, he said. The National Assembly, as the custodian of legislative authority, has responded not with defensiveness or evasion, but with institutional sobriety. The leadership of both Chambers has activated the very safeguards that give law its moral and legal force: verification, certification, and transparency. This is not an act of weakness. It is the essence of legislative strength.

Mr Agbese, pointing to the controversy surrounding recruitment into the NASC, recalled that the issue generated strong emotions and sharp divisions among lawmakers.

The NASC employment controversy almost turned the parliament against itself. Emotions were high, interests were conflicting, and pressure was intense. But the speaker handled it with wisdom and maturity, ensuring that the House did not descend into chaos, he said.

Mr Agbese said the speakers insistence on due process and dialogue helped calm tensions, allowing grievances to be addressed without undermining the authority or stability of the House.

On members welfare and constituency project concerns, the deputy spokesperson said the leadership again adopted a patient approach, even as lawmakers openly expressed frustrations.

Members welfare and constituency projects are sensitive issues. They touch directly on our responsibilities to our constituents. Speaker Abbas ensured that these matters were addressed through engagements and transparency, rather than confrontation, he said.

He also pointed to the handling of the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State as a major institutional test, stressing that the House acted strictly within constitutional and procedural boundaries.

On the issue of the state of emergency in Rivers State, our rule book was our guiding principle. Speaker Abbas ensured that emotions were set aside and that decisions were taken in line with the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House, he said.

According to him, the speakers approach helped prevent the issue from polarising lawmakers along partisan or regional lines, thereby preserving the integrity of the House.

READ ALSO: Court refuses to stop implementation of new tax laws

Mr Agbese said Mr Tajudeen emerged stronger in 2025 after navigating a combination of political, institutional and leadership challenges, insisting that the House remains committed to strengthening Nigerias democracy.

Speaker Abbas has shown that leadership is about service, sacrifice and accountability. In 2025, he passed every test placed before him, not for personal glory, but for the stability of the House and the progress of our democracy, he said.

He expressed confidence that the speakers leadership style going into 2026 and beyond would continue to guide the House through future challenges, reinforcing its role as the peoples parliament.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Wednesday rejected a request to halt the implementation of Nigerias new tax laws, clearing the way for the federal government to commence their enforcement from 1 January (Thursday) as planned.

The ruling gave the nod to the federal government and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to proceed with the enforcement of four new tax laws enacted in 2025.

The judge, Bello Kawu, in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, struck out an ex parte application filed by the African Initiative for Abuse of Public Trustees, holding that the request lacked merit and failed to establish sufficient legal grounds for interim relief. Being an ex parte application, the request was heard by the court in the absence of the necessary parties.

After rejecting the application on Wednesday, the court fixed 9 January for a hearing that will involve all necessary parties to the dispute.

The plaintiff had sued the Nigerian government, President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly, alleging discrepancies in the tax laws recently signed by the president.

The group sought an interim injunction restraining the federal government, FIRS, the National Assembly and other relevant agencies from implementing the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025, pending the determination of its substantive suit.

It also requested that the court restrain the president from enforcing the laws across the federation pending the hearing of its motion on notice.

Ruling

But in rejecting the applicants request, the judge ruled that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate how the implementation of the tax laws would cause irreparable harm or violate any provision of the constitution.

The judge held that fiscal policy and economic reforms fall within the powers of the government and that disagreements over duly enacted tax laws cannot, on their own, justify halting their implementation.

He further noted that once a law has been validly enacted and gazetted, any alleged errors or controversies arising from it can only be addressed through legislative amendment or a substantive court order, not by an interim injunction.

He also ruled that an ex parte motion, which is an application heard by the court in the absence of the adverse parties, cannot be used to set aside the implementation of an enacted law.

Consequently, the court held that there was no legal impediment to the commencement of the new tax regime and affirmed that implementation should proceed as scheduled on 1 January.

He said the court lacks power to stop implementation of a law already signed by the appropriate authority without concrete evidence of any wrongdoing.

The judge added in the certified true copy of the ruling circulated online, At this preliminary stage it will be difficult, if not impossible, to prove any wrongdoing because at this stage the court should be careful not to touch on the main issue.

It is my considered opinion that granting injunction at this preliminary stage will be touching the subject matter in the main suit. It should be noted that once an Act is signed into law, it can only be repealed by the lawmakers or any offending section set aside by the court of law. Be that as it may, an ex parte application cannot be used to set aside the coming into force of any Act already signed into law or gazetted.

In view of the above, the implementation of the Tax Act 2025 and other related Acts will commence on 1 January 2026 and continue to be in force pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion before this Honourable Court.

He then fixed 9 January for further hearing.

The tax law controversies

The controversies center on four major tax laws signed in 2025 as part of the federal governments broader fiscal and economic reform agenda.

The laws consolidate and replace several existing statutes governing companies income tax, personal income tax, value-added tax, capital gains tax and stamp duties.

According to the federal government, the reforms are aimed at boosting non-oil revenue, simplifying tax administration, expanding the tax base and reducing revenue leakages, while introducing technology-driven systems such as digital filing and electronic compliance monitoring.

The laws also restructure federal tax administration through the establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service and the strengthening of coordination across federal, state and local governments via a Joint Revenue Board.

However, the laws drew controversies following disclosure on the floor of the House of Representatives in December 2025, when a lawmaker, Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto), raised a matter of privilege alleging that the contents of the recently gazetted tax laws did not reflect what lawmakers debated and approved.

Mr Dasuki told the House that the discrepancies had compromised his legislative rights and those of his colleagues.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the allegation prompted the House to set up a seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate claims of discrepancies between the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted and made publicly available.

READ ALSO: No going back on new tax laws implementation from January 1 Tinubu

The issue has generated public debate, with some civil society groups, professional bodies and lawmakers raising concerns over the discrepancies between the versions of the bills passed by the National Assembly and those later gazetted.

Those concerns culminated in the suit being dismissed by the FCT High Court, clearing the final legal obstacle to the rollout of the new tax regime.

The federal government has brushed off calls to suspend implementation of the laws pending a thorough investigations into the discrepancies in the laws.
Gunmen have kidnapped a traditional ruler in Kwara State, the Aniwo 1 of Aafin community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, and one of his sons, Olaolu Olaonipekun, during a late-night attack on his palace.

The PUNCH, which first reported the incident, said the attack occurred on Wednesday night, when about eight armed men stormed the palace around 8 p.m., firing shots and demanding to see the traditional ruler and his wife.

A family member who was inside the palace at the time told The PUNCH that panic broke out as the attackers began shooting when occupants tried to secure the building.

Around 8 p.m., I noticed some strange movements outside and alerted those inside. We started locking the doors and switching off the lights, but when they realised, they began shooting sporadically, the source said.

According to the account, the gunmen forced their way into the palace after breaking down the door and demanded to see the traditional ruler. The source said Mr Olaonipekun eventually came out to prevent further harm. They were about eight in number. They used their guns to break the door and asked for the Kabiyesi. They were also asking for his wife, the source said.

The traditional rulers wife was reportedly injured during the attack. She was hit in the arm by a bullet when they were trying to gain entrance, the source added, noting that one of the kings sons, who emerged from hiding with her, was also seized by the attackers.

The source said the leader of the gang spoke fluent English and appeared to have a specific target. The leader spoke very good English. The only thing they kept asking for was the Kabiyesi and his wife, the source said. The queen was later taken to hospital for treatment.

Local vigilantes were unable to repel the attack, reportedly because only two were on duty at the time. The incident was reported that night to police divisions in Owu Isin and Ijara Isin, as well as to a joint local security network in Ikosin.

When contacted on Thursday, the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the command was aware of the incident and was gathering details. I will get in touch with you immediately once I have detailed information about the incident, she told PREMIUM TIMES.

The abduction adds to growing concerns over insecurity in Kwara, especially in Ifelodun and other rural areas bordering forests. In late November, gunmen abducted the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, from his farm in the same local government area. He was held for weeks before his release after negotiations and the alleged payment of ransom.

PREMIUM TIMES has reported a series of kidnappings and attacks across Kwara in recent weeks, including the abduction of church worshippers in Eruku, the seizure of farmers in Patigi and Edu areas, and the kidnapping of foreign construction workers along forest corridors linking the state to Niger and Kogi.

Security analysts say the repeated targeting of traditional rulers, farmers and travellers reflects the expansion of armed groups operating from forest hideouts, despite recent efforts by federal and state authorities to strengthen patrols and deploy forest guards across vulnerable communities.
Warren Buffett rocked the business world in 2025 by announcing he would step down as CEO.

The Berkshire Hathaway boss penned two of his famous shareholder letters and bet on Alphabet.

Buffett briefly went viral and grew Berkshire's cash pile to a record level of over $350 billion.

Warren Buffett sent shockwaves through the business world in 2025 when he revealed it would be his final year as Berkshire Hathaway CEO  ending a six-decade run in which he transformed the failing textile mill into a vast conglomerate worth over $1 trillion.

The legendary investor also penned two of his iconic shareholder letters, briefly became a meme, built Berkshire's cash pile to more than $350 billion, took a stake in Alphabet, and rolled out the biggest changes to his company's leadership in decades.

Here are Buffett's 6 highlights from his last year as CEO:

1. "Spend it wisely"

Warren Buffett Nati Harnik/AP

Buffett penned his yearly shareholder letter in February, foreshadowing his departure by talking up two of his planned successors, Greg Abel and Todd Combs.

He hailed Abel, Berkshire's non-insurance boss and his pick for Berkshire's next CEO, for his honesty and decisiveness. He praised Geico CEO Todd Combs  also one of Buffett's two investment managers, hired to eventually take over Berkshire's portfolio  for swinging the auto insurer from a pre-tax underwriting loss of $1.9 billion in 2022 to a $7.8 billion profit in 2024.

"Geico was a long-held gem that needed major repolishing," Buffett wrote, hailing the improvement under Combs as "spectacular."

Buffett touted Berkshire's tax payments during his tenure, noting the company had gone from paying zero income tax to almost $27 billion in 2024, the most of any US company in history.

He urged the federal government to "spend it wisely," saying it should go toward helping people who "get the short straws in life."

2. Going viral

Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Nati Harnik/AP

Buffett went viral during the market correction in March, as followers lauded his prescience in reducing core positions such as Apple and Bank of America and amassing a record cash pile before stocks slumped.

Social media was filled with people parroting Buffett's advice to "be greedy when others are fearful," and sharing memes about him celebrating or being nonchalant about the sell-off.

By late March, Berkshire shares were up 16% for the year while the benchmark S&P 500 index was down 2%, reflecting the conglomerate's appeal as a safe haven and Buffett's reputation for capitalizing on crises.
A faction of the Labour Party (LP), led by its embattled National Chairperson, Julius Abure, claims that the LP made a mistake in selecting Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.

Obiora Ifoh, the national spokesperson of the LP faction, stated this in a statement on Wednesday night, shortly after Mr Obi defected from the LP to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, defected to the ADC on Wednesday in Enugu, alongside top politicians, including senators and former governors, from other political parties, mainly in the South-east.

The former governor finished third, with 6,101,533 votes, as the presidential candidate of the LP during the 2023 general election, which was won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Greatest political mistake

Reacting, in the statement, Mr Ifoh claimed the LP made the greatest political mistake to have fielded Mr Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.

We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake.

We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians. We are already working out the best prospect that we hope will bring Nigeria back to its glorious days, he stated.

Mr Ifoh argued that the LP had been liberated by Mr Obis defection and wondered why he took a long time to exit the LP, given that the party had in September 2024 parted ways with him and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.

We have patiently waited for this day. The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing.

It will be on record that the leadership of the Labour Party had since urged Obi and his disgruntled followers to exit the party if they were unable to work with the leadership of the party, he said.

As a matter of fact, the party had suspended many of the lawmakers for anti-party and was clearly going to mete the same treatment on the presidential candidate (Mr Obi) but for the intervention of some well-meaning Nigerians.

Peter Obi, Alex Otti responsible for crisis in Labour Party

Mr Ifoh also accused Mr Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State of being responsible for the leadership crisis in the LP.

It was them that sponsored the insurrection against the Julius Abure leadership. We had also expected Governor Otti to follow Obi out of the party.

We are surprised that even though he (Otti) has been suspended from the party, he is still loitering around. It is still not too late for him to follow his political leader, he said.

The national spokesperson argued that the political rally in Enugu, where Mr Obi announced his defection on Wednesday, was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South-east.

All we saw were mere political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today, he claimed, adding that the development was an indication that his political ambition would fail.

He (Obi) has clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior 2023, he added.

Background

Previously, the LP had been battling an intense leadership crisis, which had split the party into two factions.

While Mr Abure leads one of the factions, Messrs Obi and Mr Otti belong to another faction of the LP.

The LPs factional National Executive Committee had sacked the Abure-led executive in September 2024 and appointed Nenadi Usman, a former minister of finance and ex-Kaduna South senator, to lead a 29-member caretaker committee and facilitate the election of a new party leadership within 90 days.

But weeks later, the Court of Appeal in Abuja recognised Mr Abure as the national chairperson of the LP.

However, the Supreme Court on 4 April 2025, set aside the judgement of the lower court.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court unanimously held that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to have affirmed Mr Abure as chairperson of the LP since the substance of the case was about the partys leadership.

It held that the issue of leadership was an internal affair of a party over which courts lacked jurisdiction.

The court upheld the appeal filed by Mrs Usman against the judgement.

The Supreme Court held that Ms Usmans appeal was meritorious, and also dismissed the cross-appeal filed by the Mr Abure-led faction of the LP for lacking merit.

READ ALSO: Otti speaks on his Labour Party membership as Peter Obi defects to ADC

But the Abure-led faction of the LP argued the Supreme Court did not sack Mr Abure and other executives of the party.

The factional national spokesperson of the LP, Mr Ifoh, claimed that the Supreme Courts position was that the matter was purely an internal affair of the party, insisting that the court did not set aside the Court of Appeal judgement of 13 November 2024, which affirmed Mr Abure as the national chairperson of the party.

Since then, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not publicly confirmed or published Mrs Usmans name as the national chairperson of the LP as required by law.

As of 1 January 2026, INECs official records still recognise Mr Abure as the national chairperson of the LP.

Meanwhile, Mr Obi had repeatedly suggested that the crisis in the LP was orchestrated by the APC-led federal government to weaken the opposition party ahead of the 2027 election.
Two people were killed and at least six others were injured in separate road traffic crashes recorded across Lagos on New Years Day, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has said.

In a statement posted on X on Thursday by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, the agency said the fatal crash occurred at Iyana Itire, inward Oshodi, following a collision between a Volkswagen commercial bus and a Toyota Sienna car.

LASTMA said two occupants died in the crash. It said its officials arrived promptly at the scene, evacuated the area and contacted the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit to remove the bodies of the deceased, while traffic was controlled to prevent further disruption.

In a separate incident along the Ibeju Bridge, inward Eleko axis of the LekkiAjah Expressway, a DAF tanker collided with an Opel Zafira car. Two victims sustained critical injuries and were rescued by LASTMAs emergency response team before being taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Another crash was recorded at Owode Elede, inward Owode Onirin on the Ikorodu Road corridor, involving a Volkswagen commercial bus and a Toyota Corolla. Four persons were injured in the accident and were evacuated to a hospital by LASTMA operatives, who also restored traffic flow in the area.

Reacting to the incidents, LASTMAs General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the crashes as avoidable, attributing them largely to reckless driving and excessive speeding.

He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and urged motorists to obey traffic regulations, particularly during festive periods marked by increased vehicular movement.

Mr Bakare-Oki also commended LASTMA personnel for their prompt response, noting that their interventions helped to prevent further casualties.

The agency reiterated its commitment to enforcing traffic laws, responding swiftly to emergencies and intensifying public sensitisation on road safety across the state.

Road traffic crashes remain a recurring public safety challenge in Lagos, Africas most populous city, where high vehicle density, commercial transport pressure and speeding often combine to increase accident risks, especially during festive and high-mobility periods such as the New Year.

Official data from LASTMA show that thousands of road accidents are recorded annually across major corridors, including Ikorodu Road, Oshodi routes and the LekkiAjah Expressway.
The governments of Lagos and Ogun states once again, commiserate with the families of the two young men Lateef Ayodele and Gami Cina who tragically and unfortunately lost their lives in the road accident involving Anthony Joshua on Monday 29th Dec 2025 . We pray The Almighty grant the repose of their soul whilst granting their families and loved ones the fortitude to bear this very sad and painful loss.

Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening . Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital late this evening as he was deemed clinically fit to recuperate from home.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu deeply appreciate the public concern and show of love and affection over this very sad and unfortunate incident. They also appreciate Mr President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for all fatherly support he gave through out the process.

We also want to appreciate the team of doctors and medical personnel at the Lagoon Hospital Ikoyi that attended to Anthony and those that sustained injuries . The quality of care and professionalism is truly commendable.

Signed: .Gbenga Omotoso Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos.

Kayode Akinmade Special Adviser Information and Strategy Ogun
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has assured residents of a stronger commitment to deliver quality governance as the state enters 2026. In his New Year message, Governor Radda expressed optimism that 2026 would bring greater prosperity, deeper peace and accelerated development across the state.

The Governor disclosed that peace is gradually returning to Katsina State following concerted efforts by the government, security agencies, traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders. Some of our frontline local government areas previously terrorized by banditry have witnessed drastic reduction in criminal activities. We are optimistic that 2026 will bring even greater security improvements, Governor Radda stated.

He commended security personnel, community watch corps, traditional institutions and residents for their cooperation in the fight against insecurity. Governor Radda also noted his administrations considerable investment in the education sector, including provision of bursaries, launching of scholarship awards, massive construction and renovation of classrooms and distribution of multimillion-naira educational materials.

He disclosed that the Building Your Future administration has prioritized education as the foundation for sustainable development, ensuring that no child is denied quality learning due to financial constraints. The Governor revealed that the government has launched Urban Renewal Projects in the three senatorial districts, including construction of roads and other infrastructural edifices.

He assured residents that the state would commission more legacy projects in 2026, transforming the urban and rural landscape to match international standard and achieve improved quality of life. Mr Radda further disclosed that his administration has made giant strides in agriculture and livestock development, supporting farmers to achieve bumper harvests. Our agricultural interventions have helped address the issue of food insecurity and empowered thousands of women. We will continue to support our farmers and livestock breeders to ensure Katsina feeds itself and contributes to national food security, he said.

The Governor announced significant improvements in the health sector, including the approval of 15 fully equipped conventional ambulances and the ongoing assembly of tricycle ambulances to cover all 361 wards. He disclosed that primary health centres are being upgraded to operate 24 hours, with recruitment of health personnel ongoing to support service delivery.

Governor Radda revealed that he has toured all 34 local government areas to commission projects and listen to the yearnings of residents. The feedback from our people during the statewide tour will inform our actions in 2026. We listened, we took note, and we will deliver, the Governor assured. He urged residents to remain patient, prayerful and supportive of government policies designed to improve their lives.

Governor Radda prayed for peace, prosperity and divine guidance for Katsina State and Nigeria in 2026. May Allah grant us a year of progress, unity and abundant blessings. May our state continue to flourish, and may our people enjoy the fruits of peace and development, the Governor prayed. He wished all residents a happy and prosperous New Year.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commended residents of the state for their unwavering support of his administration, reaffirming that his focus in the new year remains the building of a prosperous, inclusive, and economically diversified Ogun State, anchored on strategic infrastructure and human capital development.

The Governor made this known in his 2026 New Year broadcast on Thursday.

He described Ogun State not merely as a geographical entity but as a community united by shared purpose, mutual support, and a collective desire for progress.

According to him, the New Year presents another opportunity to strengthen collective resolve, deepen collaboration between government and citizens, and advance further along the path of sustainable development.

Our shared experience has reaffirmed a simple but powerful truth: when citizens and government work together in trust and shared responsibility, progress is inevitable, Governor Abiodun said. Reiterating his administrations vision, he added: Our vision remains focused on building a prosperous and inclusive Ogun State driven by economic diversification, strategic infrastructure, and human capital development.

Through deliberate reforms, targeted investments, and forward-looking policies, we are building an economy that creates opportunities for all and protects the most vulnerable.

Guided by our Building Our Future Together mantra and implemented through our ISEYA Development Agenda, our administration continues to deliver people-focused governance with discipline, transparency, and compassion.

Governor Grants Clemency to 71 Inmates

In the exercise of the prerogative of mercy, Governor Abiodun granted clemency to 71 inmates in the state. The clemency included the early release of 46 inmates who had served substantial portions of their short-term sentences, the release of 19 capital offenders on compassionate grounds due to age, infirmity, or prolonged incarceration, and the commutation of death sentences to life imprisonment for six inmates.

The governor emphasised rehabilitation and reintegration, stressing the importance of giving deserving individuals a second chance to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to society.

Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development

Highlighting progress across key sectors, Mr Abiodun expressed gratitude to the people of Ogun State for their patience and resilience despite the challenges faced in 2025.

He noted that the states economy has grown significantly, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimated at 17 trillion, while Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) increased from 52 billion in 2020 to 250 billion in 2025.

On major infrastructure projects executed by his administration, the governor listed the completion of the Gateway International Airport, widely acknowledged as the fastest-built international airport in the world; the construction of over 1,500 kilometres of roads across the states 20 Local Government Areas; and ongoing work on the Kajola and Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Ports.

Healthcare, Education, Agriculture and Social Investment

Mr Abiodun also highlighted achievements in healthcare, education, agriculture, and social development. These include the expansion of the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme to over 70,000 residents, reconstruction of health facilities, deployment of solar-powered energy systems, implementation of Electronic Medical Records (EMR), and completion of the 250-bed Ogun State Medical Centre of Excellence.

In education, the administration renovated science laboratories, rehabilitated Government Technical Colleges, and empowered over 39,000 individuals through skills acquisition programmes.

In agriculture, the governor said over 33,075 farmers were supported, 9,000 hectares of farmland mechanised, and processing facilities established across farm settlements to boost food security and agro-industrial growth.

Women Empowerment, Jobs and Security

Mr Abiodun disclosed that his administration disbursed 560 million in grants to women-owned businesses, supported over 54,000 women, and provided 600 million in grants to 5,400 businesses, promoting job creation and local economic growth.

On security, Governor Abiodun said public safety and investor confidence were strengthened through the recruitment and equipping of 6,700 security personnel across the state.

The governor reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive governance and citizens participation in the 2026 budget planning process, assuring residents that his administration remains steadfast in delivering sustainable development and shared prosperity.
The Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who is seeking a second term in office, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), about two weeks after an official announced he had joined another party.

His resignation was announced in a letter dated 29th December 2025, and addressed to the Ward Chairman of Ampang West Ward, Mangu Local Government Area.

The letter was formally received and acknowledged by the ward leadership on 30th December 2025.

The resignation occurred about 12 days after the national chairman of Nigerias ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, announced that Mr Mutfwang had joined the ruling party.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that Mr Yilwatda announced this on 18 December 2025 during the partys 14th National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

Speaking to party leaders, Mr Yilwatda, a native of Plateau State, described Mr Mutfwangs decision to join the APC as a strategic gain for the ruling party, particularly in consolidating its influence in the North-central geopolitical zone.

With the defection of Governor Mutfwang, the entire North-Central region is now governed by the APC, Mr Yilwatda said, highlighting the significance of the development for the partys national outlook and electoral prospects.

The resignation

The sequence of events shows that Mr Mutfwang joined a new party before formally exiting the PDP, on whose platform he won the Plateau governorship in 2023.

In his resignation letter, Mr Mutfwang expressed gratitude to the PDP for the platform it provided and acknowledged the support of party leaders, members, and supporters throughout his tenure.

I sincerely appreciate the PDP for providing me with the political platform to participate in the democratic process. I acknowledge the support of party leaders, members, and supporters at all levels during my time in the party, and I remain grateful for the trust reposed in me, he stated.

The governor explained that the decision was driven by prevailing political realities and his personal commitment to impactful leadership and service delivery, which he believes may be better pursued on a different platform.

Mr Mutfwang joins a growing list of state governors who have left the PDP. Most of them have joined the APC. This includes the governors of Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Enugu states.
Key Points

No pharmaceutical stock investor likes it when one of their holdings slices drug prices.

This one is reducing the costs of a top medicine in a huge Asian market.

10 stocks we like better than Novo Nordisk 

Since pharmaceutical companies rely on the revenue generated from approved medicines, price cuts can put pressure on their fundamentals. That was the dynamic behind Novo Nordisk's (NYSE: NVO) fall on the stock market Monday; news that its Wegovy would cost less in a major market drove the company's shares down by nearly 2%.

Chop, chop

Novo Nordisk stated only that it was reducing the prices of its highly popular drug in China, although it did not provide details on the specific reductions. Reuters cited a report from Chinese media outlet Yicai stating that the two highest monthly doses of Wegovy received a 48% cut apiece, to between 987 yuan ($141) and 1,284 yuan ($183).

Image source: Getty Images.

In a statement Novo Nordisk provided to Reuters, the Danish pharmaceutical company wrote, "We believe this pricing adjustment in China will further help alleviate the treatment burden for patients and improve their quality of life."

The move likely has more to do with staying competitive in the massive Asian country. The company's patent on semaglutide, the active ingredient in the drug, expires in 2026. Local pharmaceutical companies are currently developing either their own versions of semaglutide or similar weight-loss treatments.

Sustained competitive pressure

This isn't a new tactic by Novo Nordisk, which has faced intense competition from both approved medicines (like Eli Lilly's Zepbound) and third-party "compounders" (makers of custom drugs) that use legal loopholes to continue concocting Wegovy-like products. In November, for example, the company reduced Wegovy prices by as much as 37%.

This hot, competitive landscape is a fact of life for Novo Nordisk, but I think management is being as reactive and strategic as it can to try and cope. Meanwhile, its activity in the lab is yielding results; it recently earned approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an orally administered version of Wegovy.

Should you invest $1,000 in Novo Nordisk right now?

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The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Novo Nordisk 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 $507,744!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,153,827!*
PUNJAB, Pakistan, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a lively classroom in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan, Salma Qadeer and Muqadas Zahra sit side-by-side, ready to learn. The desks are occupied by workbooks and pencils. The walls around them are filled with colorful posters and student artwork.

Salma and Muqadas are more than just classmates. They are mother and daughter, on a shared educational journey.

Muqadas, 12, and her mother Salma, 35, at the ALP centre in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan.  UNICEF Pakistan/Aliraza Khatri

Along the way, 12-year-old Muqadas and 35-year-old Salma have found a supportive community of teachers and fellow classmates. There is no judgment based on age or background, only a shared commitment to learning. "I am so excited to be back in school. I am in grade 6 and hope to go to college and become a doctor one day," says Muqadas.

Thanks to funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nation, UNICEF Pakistan in collaboration with the local government and its implementing partner, has established eight Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) elementary centres to address education barriers faced by girls, which have only worsened following the recent devastating floods in the country. The new ALP centres mean that Salma, Muqadas, and other girls and women in Pakistan have a safe, supportive environment to learn and grow in their community.

Education Challenges in the Village

Living in a village with limited resources and no schools for girls beyond the fifth grade, Muqadas was out of school for nearly a year after completing grade 5. "After completing fifth grade, I lost hope of studying further as there was no elementary school for girls in our village or the nearby areas," says Muqadas. "My parents are poor and couldn't afford to send me to the city for further education. I could not study for almost a year. I stayed home, helping my mother with household chores, but missed school a lot."

Years ago, Salma, Muqadas's mother, faced a similar situation. She had no choice but to end her schooling after fifth grade. Even though her father, a schoolteacher, believed in educating girls, there were no elementary schools in the area for her to attend.

In such communities with limited resources and opportunities for girls, early marriage is often seen as a solution  and, really, only option  for girls, but this further interrupts their education, and restricts their future aspirations and opportunities. Salma faced this reality as a child.

"After fifth grade, I could not study further, and my parents married me off," says Salma. "Even after marriage, I wanted to get an education, but there was no opportunity as I had to take care of the family and there were no learning centres or schools for people my age."

Challenging Societal Norms

When UNICEF piloted the ECW-funded ALP elementary in the area, Salma and her family initially hosted the centre in their home. Girls from all over the village gathered at their house to learn.

Watching her daughter and the girls dive back into learning, Salma felt inspired. She wanted to return to school as well. Salma shared her desire with her family and husband, expressing her wish to attend school alongside their daughter. Despite being a busy mother and wife, Salma was determined to break gender and societal norms by pursuing her education. "I couldn't imagine that I would ever enroll in a school again, along with my daughter," she says. "When I saw young girls studying in the ALP centres at our home, my interest renewed."

As more girls joined, the small space became crowded, and the centre had to move to a bigger primary school. This move was initially a challenge for Salma, who juggled many other responsibilities at home as a mother of five children. However, her resolve to keep learning was strong and she persevered.

At home, Salma's husband offers strong encouragement to both his daughter and wife as they pursue their education, overcoming obstacles and paving the way for a better future for their entire family.

Learning Together at the Centre

At the centre, Muqadas and Salma immerse themselves in subjects such as math, Urdu and English. As they encounter challenging lessons, Salma leans on her daughter, and together they tackle difficult assignments. She says, "I feel good about coming to the school with my daughter. My teacher Ayesha encourages me and Muqadas also helps me with homework."

Twelve-year-old Muqadas has found joy at the centre. Beyond allowing her to continue her academic studies, the centre has given her a chance to gain support from her caring teachers and also play games with friends. "I feel safe and happy in the centre. The teachers are friendly, and they help us learn our lessons. We also have the opportunity to play," says Muqadas.

Salma sees the big impact a chance at a continued education is having on her daughter, but also recognizes the impact for young women and mothers like her, saying, "We need more ALP centres as not only the young girls but even married women want to learn."

Education Cannot Wait Funds ALP Centres

Pakistan is extremely susceptible to natural disasters worsened by climate change, such as droughts, floods and earthquakes. The extraordinary monsoon rains in 2022 caused massive flooding and landslides across the nation. More than 1,700 people lost their lives, and over 30,000 schools were damaged or destroyed. The floods in Pakistan impacted 33 million people, half of them children.

The ECW-supported ALP centres provide hope for out-of-school girls and women unable to access education due to the unavailability of schools in their area. The programmes provide students the opportunity to complete their middle school education in 20 months while maintaining the required learning outcomes.

Established as part of UNICEF's Flood Response Programme in two flood-affected districts of South Punjab  Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur  the centres offer a flexible learning model, bringing learning solutions to the doorsteps of girls and addressing concerns around access and safety.

ECW investments in Pakistan provide both urgent educational interventions to combat the effects of climate change and long-term support through the Multi-Year Resilience Programme. Additionally, ECW is piloting an Anticipatory Action programme in Pakistan to support emergency readiness and response to climate disasters.

Investing in Girls' Futures

For girls and women who once believed that education was unattainable, initiatives like the ALP are life-changing. "If this centre had not been established, I would have lost the opportunity to learn beyond fifth grade," says Muqadas.

Returning to school means more than just learning for Salma and her daughter, Muqadas. It's an opportunity to overcome past barriers and seek a future beyond domestic duties.

Investing in girls' education is essential. It provides them with the agency to shape their future. With education, girls break the cycle of poverty and support economic prosperity within their families and communities. An investment in girls' education is an investment in an equitable and fairer future for all.

Salma hopes that she and Muqadas have broken the cycle of an education short, and have instead set a new norm for the generations of girls that will come after them. She says, "I want all my children to be educated so they can progress in life."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2852926/53744714739_7e76085141_o.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656121/Education_Cannot_Wait_Logo.jpg
Italian project award and continued progress in France support the company's expansion across the European clean energy market

MILAN, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Skyworth PV, a global provider of photovoltaic solutions, has achieved another milestone in its global expansion with the execution of an agreement for a 10 MW distributed photovoltaic power plant project in Ocre, a town in Italy's Abruzzo region. This agreement marks the start of the project's construction phase. The latest achievement, coupled with the steady progress of a separate 10 MW project in Bordeaux, France, highlights the company's continued momentum in building a resilient, scalable clean energy network across key European markets.

The successful execution of the agreement in Italy exemplifies Skyworth PV's disciplined execution of its international growth strategy and reflects the role of global renewable energy providers in supporting the worldwide energy transition through bankable, long-term solutions.

1. Strategic Focus: Targeting Key Markets and Expanding the European Footprint

Amidst a dynamic and competitive global PV environment, Skyworth PV remains committed to its global strategy by prioritizing investment in established, high-potential international markets. Italy, benefiting from abundant solar resources and a mature regulatory framework, has long been a key European market for the company. This new Italian project, in tandem with other initiatives like the 10 MW Bordeaux project in France, contributes to Europe's energy transformation.

This development not only strengthens Skyworth PV's European project portfolio and reinforces its operational execution and brand presence in regional markets, but also lays a solid foundation for its further expansion across the continent.

2. Project Snapshot: Building a Green Benchmark and Delivering Clean Power

Located near the border of Italy's Lazio and Abruzzo regions, the project has an installed capacity of 10 MW. Upon completion, it is expected to generate approximately 14.059 million kWh of electricity annually. This will meaningfully reduce local carbon emissions each year while ensuring a stable supply of clean electricity.

The project, now in the "Ready to Build" (RTB) stage, has secured a place in the Italian government's feed-in tariff auction mechanism, supporting its future grid connection and long-term revenue stability.

3. Innovative Model: Integrating Local Expertise and Setting a New Partnership Paradigm

The project is being implemented by a joint venture between Skyworth PV and a local Italian partner. As the EPC contractor, Skyworth PV takes full responsibility for the plant's overall construction and supply of key equipment.

The JV structure reflects Skyworth PV's emphasis on compliance and market-driven localization in overseas markets. It effectively combines the company's strengths in PV technology, product manufacturing, and project financing with the Italian partner's deep understanding of the local market, regulations and resources. This collaboration facilitates efficient and compliant project implementation and establishes a commercially sustainable model of shared risk, shared benefit and complementary strengths. It offers a replicable and scalable cross-border partnership model, providing a reference framework for other clean energy companies expanding globally.

The successful signing in Italy and the steady progress in France mark a significant milestone in Skyworth PV's global journey. These projects reflect the company's long-term commitment to accelerating the global clean energy transition and demonstrate its growing role in delivering reliable solar infrastructure across international markets.

Skyworth PV remains committed to deepening its global presence. By harnessing its advanced technologies and local partnerships, the company will continue to drive the global energy transition and expand access to clean power for communities worldwide.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UGREEN, a consumer electronics brand focused on practical tech for everyday life, has launched its "Stay Connected, Stay Together" campaign for users in the Middle East. This campaign is designed for family gatherings and festive celebrations, keeping devices powered so people can stay close, share more, and worry less about low batteries and missing essentials. With a focus on togetherness and shared moments, the campaign aligns with the peak festive period, including New Year, the Dubai Shopping Festival, and Eid al-Fitr.

UGREEN Fast-Charging Power Kit Under the Theme of "Stay Connected, Stay Together".

As part of the campaign, UGREEN is introducing a limited-edition Fast-Charging Power Kit in a gift-box format. With refined packaging designed for gifting, the kit is made for festive occasions and shared moments.

The UGREEN Fast-Charging Power Kit brings together four carefully chosen products that cover everyday charging and tracking needs.

UGREEN Nexode Power Bank with Built-in USB-C Cable 45W 20000mAh for weekend trips and long days away from the socket. One owner commented on Amazon that it is powerful enough to charge a MacBook, iPhone, action camera, and iPad for a whole weekend.

for weekend trips and long days away from the socket. One owner commented on Amazon that it is powerful enough to charge a MacBook, iPhone, action camera, and iPad for a whole weekend. UGREEN Nexode 45W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable for neat, tangle-free charging at home or in hotels. A reviewer highlighted its solid build quality and loved the retractable USB-C cable, which removes extra clutter when travelling.

for neat, tangle-free charging at home or in hotels. A reviewer highlighted its solid build quality and loved the retractable USB-C cable, which removes extra clutter when travelling. UGREEN FineTrack Smart Finder to help users quickly locate keys, bags, and other essentials. Users praise the simple setup and smooth integration with Apple's Find My network.

to help users quickly locate keys, bags, and other essentials. Users praise the simple setup and smooth integration with Apple's Find My network. UGREEN USB-C to USB-C PD Fast Charging Cable 60W for reliable high-speed charging across different devices. One UAE customer described it as an "excellent product overall" that offers dependable performance at a fair price.

The Power Kit is now available in the UAE on Amazon, Noon, Virgin, Jumbo, Lulu, and Sharaf DG. In KSA, it will be available from February on Amazon, Noon, and in offline retail stores. More than a simple bundle, it is designed to turn everyday tech into moments of genuine human connection.

Through this campaign, UGREEN sends warm holiday blessings to Middle Eastern users and underlines its commitment to them. UGREEN will also partner with influencers in the Middle East to host New Year and Ramadan-themed gifting activities on social media. For more information on the Power Kit, please visit the UGREEN official website.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2852817/1920x1080.jpg
NEW YORK, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: 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 [email protected] 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=45553 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] 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 Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
Focusing on global out-licensing of Phase 2 assets PF1801 and PF1804.

Company to engage with global big pharma in San Francisco to accelerate U.S. clinical entry.

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ImmunoForge Co., Ltd. (Co-CEOs Sung-Min Ahn and Kiho Chang), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in rare diseases, today announced that its leadership team will be in San Francisco during the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (January 1215, 2026) to conduct strategic 1-on-1 meetings with global pharmaceutical companies and investors.

ImmunoForge's key highlights for partnering during J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference 2026

Instead of a formal stage presentation, ImmunoForge is focusing on high-level private partnering sessions to discuss the clinical progression and licensing of its key pipelines. The company's primary objective is to secure strategic partners capable of spearheading U.S. clinical trials for its Phase 2 assets.

Key Highlights for Partnering:

Monthly long-acting ELP (Elastin-Like Polypeptide) platform: Peptide conjugation and Protein fusion possible

BBB penetrating ELP (Elastin-Like Polypeptide) platform: BBB shuttle platform fusing ELP to make monthly CNS drugs

PF1801 (Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis , DMD & Sarcopenia ): Currently in a Phase 2 study in South Korea. With U.S. FDA Phase 2 IND clearance already secured for both indications, the asset is primed for an immediate U.S. clinical launch by a global partner.

Currently in a Phase 2 study in South Korea. With already secured for both indications, the asset is primed for an immediate U.S. clinical launch by a global partner. PF1804 (DMD Cardiomyopathy): This promising asset also received FDA Phase 2 IND clearance , standing ready for clinical execution.

This promising asset also received , standing ready for clinical execution. PF1807 (Sarcopenia): A monthly sarcopenia therapy based on use patent for the prevention and treatment of myositis and sarcopenia.

based on use patent for the prevention and treatment of myositis and sarcopenia. KF1601 (CML): While domestic rights have been successfully licensed out ahead of a Phase 1 launch in Korea next year, global licensing rights (excluding Korea) are open for discussion, offering a validated opportunity for international partners.

"Our goal for JPM 2026 week is to meet with potential partners who can leverage our FDA-cleared INDs to rapidly bring these therapies to the U.S. market," said a representative from ImmunoForge. "As a lean biotech, we have focused on de-risking our assets through regulatory clearances; we are now looking for the right global collaborators to take these programs through the next phase of clinical development and to the commercial markets. In addition to licensing deals with global pharmaceutical companies, we are also actively willing to pursue NewCo models led by investors. In line with this strategy, we intend to expand our development capabilities by introducing our diverse pipeline to global companies, including our established long-acting ELP platform and the newly developed BBB-penetrating ELP platform technology."

Schedule for Meeting

ImmunoForge is currently accepting meeting requests for the week of JPM 2026. To schedule a session with our executive team in San Francisco, please contact:

Business Development Team

About ImmunoForge

ImmunoForge is a clinical-stage, venture-backed biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for muscular and rare diseases. The company leverages its proprietary long-acting ELP (Elastin-Like Polypeptide) platform technology to extend the half-life of peptide-based drugs, enabling weekly or monthly dosing schedules.

The company's lead candidate, PF1801 (froniglutide), is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial for Polymyositis (PM) and Dermatomyositis (DM) in South Korea. Recognizing its therapeutic potential, the U.S. FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to PF1801 for PM, DM, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Additionally, PF1804 (pemziviptadil) has received U.S. FDA IND approval for a Phase 2 study in DMD-associated cardiomyopathy and is ready for clinical commencement with strategic partners.

ImmunoForge is also advancing a diverse early-stage pipeline, including PF1802 (CNS), PF1803 (Osteoarthritis), and KF1601 (Oncology). To accelerate the delivery of these transformative medicines to patients worldwide, ImmunoForge is actively seeking global co-development and licensing partnerships for both its pipeline assets and its ELP platform technology.

SOURCE ImmunoForge
NEW YORK, Jan. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Alibaba Group Holding Limited ("Alibaba" or the "Company") (NYSE: BABA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Alibaba and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On November 14, 2025, citing a White House memo, the Financial Times reported that Alibaba is providing technological support for Chinese military operations against targets in the United States.

Following this news, Alibaba's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $6.04 per ADR, or 3.78%, to close at $153.80 per ADR on November 14, 2025.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of investors in cryptocurrency issued by Balancer (ticker: BAL), resulting from allegations that Balancer may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So what: If you purchased Balancer cryptocurrency you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48945 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On November 3, 2025, Bloomberg published an article entitled "Hack Drains Over $100 Million From Crypto Protocol Balancer." The article stated that "Balancer, a decentralized finance protocol, has been hit by a major exploit that drained more than $100 million in digital assets, according to blockchain security firms. Security researchers at PeckShield and Cyvers flagged the incident on Monday, warning that funds linked to the attacker's wallet were still being siphoned. Total losses have climbed to about $128 million, Cyvers said in a message."

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

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The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

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[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
Swig is giving fans across the country a golden opportunity to win, fill, and re-fill a limited-edition Gold Tumbler with free Swig for a year through fun games and engaging contests

SANDY, Utah, Jan. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Swig, Home of the Original Dirty Soda, is starting 2026 with the ultimate prize for its brand fans nationwide: Free Swig for a Year. Through its "FREE SWIG FOR A YEAR 2026  The Gold Tumbler Giveaway," Swig is giving away limited-edition Gold Tumblers that entitle their winning owners to one free 44 oz. refill per day for the next year per the Official Rules. Over the course of the month and the campaign, roughly 100 Gold Tumblers will find their way to lucky winners and recipients.

All instructions, Official Rules, and an alternate method of entry will go live January 1, 2026, at www.FreeSwig.com. Residents in nearly every state are eligible (except in New York and Rhode Island)  even if a Swig isn't nearby. Swig has dirty soda fans in all corners of the country, and this campaign is designed to reach them wherever they are.

"We're thrilled to bring back our 'Free Swig for a Year' campaign to ring in 2026 with our customers and fans," said Dylan Roeder, Chief Marketing Officer for Swig. "Our fans mean the world to us, and we wanted to craft an experience that is as playful as all the different dirty sodas that make their day. This year's Gold Tumbler giveaway offers more ways than ever to play, from Instagram DMs to collectibles, encouraging customers to connect with us and celebrate the new year by having Swig-inspired fun together."

Across three weeks in Januaryplus a special pre-launch teaseSwig fans can participate in a mix of digital and in-store experiences for a chance to win a coveted Gold Tumbler. There's something in the campaign for everyone  mysteries, social games of chance, and mini-collectibles pave the pathway to a Gold Tumbler.

For more details on the "Free Swig for a Year" 2026 campaign, the Official Rules for each promotion, and an alternate method of entry, follow @swigdrinks on Instagram or visit www.FreeSwig.com.

ABOUT SWIG

Swig, Home of the Original Dirty Soda, is one of the fastest-growing and most successful beverage-focused brands in the country. Founded in 2010, Swig formally introduced the concept of the "dirty soda" to customers, who quickly embraced the brand's unique drink mixes, blending classic sodas with bold flavors, fresh fruits, purees, and creams. In addition to their trademark dirty sodas, Swig also offers water-based drinks called Refreshers, customizable energy drinks called Revivers, and sweet and savory snack options, including its famous pink frosted sugar cookie. Swig has expanded to over 120 locations in 16 states, becoming thousands of people's go-to destination for refreshing drinks. For more information, visit Swig.com.

SOURCE Swig
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
Seoul, Jan 1 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Thursday that he will actively support potential talks between North Korea and the United States this year as a "pacemaker," adding that he will also continue to keep up facilitating ways to restore relations with Pyongyang.

In an annual New Year's speech, Lee said he "will actively support the resumption of North Korea-US talks and continue pursuing the restoration of inter-Korean relations this year."

Last year, Lee held summit talks with US President Donald Trump, who expressed his hope to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un -- a move that Lee supported by pledging to become a "pacemaker" to help Trump play a role as a "peacemaker."

Still, North Korea has shown few signs of returning to the dialogue table, but analysts have suggested that Pyongyang may pursue diplomacy after it holds a key party congress early this year, reports Yonhap news agency.

Inter-Korean tensions have remained high as Pyongyang has snubbed Seoul's peace overtures, as North Korea and Russia were deepening their military cooperation, particularly after the North's dispatch of its troops in support of Moscow's war against Ukraine.

Lee also stressed the importance of diplomacy despite stalled talks with North Korea.

He said the government is implementing measures to ease military tensions and restore trust between the two Koreas and is building consensus with the international community, including the US and China, on peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

"We will replace unstable growth constrained by the threat of war with stable growth supported by peace," he said. "Steadfast peace is synonymous with growth, and robust security is the driving force behind prosperity."

In the speech laying out his agenda for 2026, Lee vowed to pursue his peace vision on the basis of what he called a "comprehensive strategic alliance" with the US and strong "self-reliant" national defence.

He said Seoul's recent trade deal with Washington has helped ease economic uncertainty, adding that the Korea-US alliance is now entering a "new renaissance." Lee expressed hope that Washington's approval of Seoul's push to build nuclear-powered submarines, along with efforts to expand uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing capabilities, will serve as a solid backbone for the nation's economic recovery.

On the domestic front, Lee said his administration will shift away from a growth model centred on the Seoul metropolitan area and move toward more balanced and sustainable development nationwide.

Plans are in place for customised strategies across five regional hubs -- the Seoul metro area, the southeast, northeast, central and western regions -- along with three special self-governing provinces: Jeju, Gangwon and North Jeolla.

The transition to the new development framework, he said, "is not a favour to the provinces" but "an essential strategy for national resurgence."

He also said the government will look for ways to spread economic opportunities and benefits beyond a small number of large conglomerates to start-ups, venture firms and small and mid-sized companies.

Addressing the high number of fatal industrial accidents, Lee pledged to strengthen workplace safety and promised greater investment in the cultural sector to promote various kinds of Korean content across the world.

"Culture itself is the economy and a future growth engine, and it has become a linchpin of national competitiveness," he said.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
The conversion structure reduced friction for allocators who wanted regulated exposure without operational changes to custody arrangements. GXRP's steady flows demonstrate how institutional familiarity still matters in ETF adoption, even when competitors offer lower fees.

Grayscale's strength came from existing relationships. Assets from its XRP Trust rolled directly into GXRP at launch, creating instant scale without requiring new capital commitments. The fund now manages more than $220 million, and that capital has proven stickyinvestors didn't rotate out after launch-week excitement faded.

Daily inflows often exceeded $100 million outside headline events, signaling durable allocation rather than event-driven trading. Canary's book reflects committed institutional demand building positions over weeks.

Canary Capital defined the market early. XRPC launched on November 13 and pulled in $250 million on day one. The fund now holds approximately $384 million, roughly 30% of total XRP ETF assets. That share stayed stable despite cheaper competitors entering the market, showing institutions favored liquidity and early access over low fees.

In 50 days, XRP ETFs absorbed $1.3 billion while locking 746 million XRProughly 1.14% of the 65.5 billion circulating supplywith virtually zero redemptions through late December. The pace shows how quickly institutional capital can tighten supply before prices respond. Here's how issuers performed.

Institutional capital entered steadily even while XRP's price fell 50% from its July 2025 peak of $3.56, and the broader crypto markets struggled through Decembers volatility. With inflows averaging $27.7 million daily and 746 million XRP now locked in ETF custody, the question becomes structural: What happens to supply, liquidity, and market depth if XRP ETF flows reach $5 billion?

In just 50 days since launch, XRP ETFs pulled in $1.3 billion with 43 consecutive trading days of positive inflowsthe first and only zero-inflow day occurred on December 26, 2025. That pace ranks XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) among the fastest institutional adoption curves outside Bitcoin.

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Exchange balances fell 58% in 2025 to 1.7B XRP. Combined with ETF lockup this removes significant liquidity from active trading.

At $27.7M daily inflows XRP ETFs reach $5B by mid-May 2026. That would lock 2.6B XRP or 4% of circulating supply.

XRP ETFs absorbed $1.3B in 50 days and locked 746M XRP (1.14% of circulating supply) with only one zero-inflow day since launch.

Story continues

Franklin Templeton XRPZ: Cost Leadership Strategy

Franklin took a different approach. XRPZ launched with a 0.19% expense ratiothe lowest in the categoryand raised over $190 million. Adoption has been measured rather than explosive, which fits its target audience.

As annual portfolio reviews roll through advisory practices in Q1 2026, Franklin's market share may rise as cost-conscious allocators shift from higher-fee competitors. These quieter flows still contribute meaningfully to tightening available XRP supply, even if they don't generate daily headline volume.

Bitwise and 21Shares: Broadening the Base

Bitwise attracts active trading desks that rebalance frequently, resulting in uneven but persistent inflows as institutions adjust crypto exposure tactically. 21Shares extends reach through international distribution channels, particularly in Europe where cross-border ETF access matters for multi-jurisdiction allocators.

Extrapolating to the $5 Billion Threshold: Mid-May 2026 at Current Pace

Joyseulay / Shutterstock.com  Joyseulay / Shutterstock.com

At the current pace, XRP ETF inflows show steady institutional commitment rather than speculative bursts. With roughly $27.7 million entering daily on average over 50 days, assets continue climbing on a predictable trajectory driven by consistent allocation rather than momentum trading.

Maintaining this velocity places the $5 billion milestone approximately 130 days away from current levels, pointing to mid-May 2026. Hitting that threshold would lock an estimated 2.6 billion XRP into ETF custodyrepresenting roughly 4% of the 65.5 billion circulating supply. That's a fourfold increase from current 1.14% lockup levels.

That accumulation compounds existing supply removal happening outside ETFs. Exchange balances fell dramatically throughout 2025, dropping from approximately 4 billion XRP at year-start to just 1.6-1.7 billion by late Decembera 58% decline. While ETFs absorbed 746 million of that withdrawal, the remaining 1.5+ billion XRP moved into private custody wallets, institutional cold storage, and long-term holder addresses, showing accumulation extending well beyond regulated products.

XRP's supply is fixed at 65.5 billion in circulation, so tokens placed in regulated custody don't return to active trading unless investors redeem ETF shares. If institutional positions remain in place for quarters rather than weeks, liquidity tightens through structure rather than sentiment, fundamentally reshaping market depth and available float over time regardless of short-term price moves.

What Could Accelerate XRP ETF Inflows Beyond $5 Billion?

TopMicrobialStock / Shutterstock.com  TopMicrobialStock / Shutterstock.com

ETF inflows rarely move in straight lines. Three forces could push XRP funds past the $5 billion mark faster than the current 130-day projection.

BlackRock XRP ETF Filing Would Shift the Landscape

BlackRock's absence remains the largest variable in XRP's ETF growth trajectory. The firm's Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) attracted over $40 billion in assets within its first year, demonstrating BlackRock's unmatched ability to mobilize institutional capital at scale through its Aladdin platform connections and relationships with thousands of wealth advisors.

The firm tends to wait for regulatory clarity rather than chase first-mover advantage. Once confident in the legal framework, BlackRock moves decisively. A late XRP ETF filing from BlackRock would carry enormous weight with allocatorsmany institutions wait for BlackRock's entry as implicit validation. Based on IBIT's trajectory, a BlackRock XRP ETF could potentially bring $1-2 billion in launch-month inflows alone, compressing timelines dramatically.

Utility Expansion Through RLUSD Creates Sticky Demand

As Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin expands across blockchains and into lending marketscurrently at approximately $1.3 billion market capXRP gains functional relevance beyond passive custody. RLUSD settlement on XRP Ledger creates organic demand for XRP as a bridge currency and fee-payment mechanism.

Utility-backed flows tend to be stickier than speculative positioning. If RLUSD scales to $5-10 billion and begins facilitating significant cross-border settlement volume through ODL corridors, the narrative around XRP shifts from "crypto asset" to "payments infrastructure token."

Bitcoin-Led Market Recovery Typically Lifts Altcoin Flows

XRP ETF inflows held remarkably steady despite Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs facing significant outflows during the same November-December period. If Bitcoin reclaims $100,000+ and sustains that level through Q1 2026, ETFs across all crypto assets often see second-wave institutional demand. A healthier macro backdrop could lift daily XRP ETF subscriptions well above the current $27.7 million average.

XRP Price Outlook: Structure Building Before Sentiment Shifts

XRP ETF inflows have fundamentally shifted the conversation from price speculation to structural market changes. Sustained allocations totaling $1.3 billion over 50 days, 746 million XRP locked away from trading circulation, and disciplined institutional behavior through volatile December conditions all point to a market changing quietly beneath range-bound price action.

The path to $5 billion isn't guaranteedmacro shocks, prolonged underperformance, or capital fragmentation could derail the current trajectory. But the path is measurable and predictable if current conditions hold. At $27.7 million daily, XRP ETFs reach $5 billion by mid-May 2026, locking 4% of circulating supply into regulated custody.

From a technical standpoint, XRP consolidating between $1.85-$2.00 while ETF accumulation continues supports the supply squeeze thesis building over months. A decisive breakout above $2.20 with expanding volume would signal the structural changes are beginning to impact price discovery.

If $5 billion hits with XRP trading above $2.50, the combination of reduced available float and improving sentiment could accelerate moves toward $3-4 as patient institutional positioning meets returning retail demand.

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Seoul, Jan 1 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has told the country's troops dispatched to support Russia in its war against Ukraine that their combat participation helps cement the "invincible alliance" between Pyongyang and Moscow, state media reported on Thursday.

Kim delivered the message in a New Year's letter addressed to North Korean soldiers stationed overseas, dated Wednesday and released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops and conventional weapons to support Russia's war efforts, with thousands believed to have been killed in action, reports Yonhap news agency, quoting KCNA.

Extending New Year's greetings, Kim said 2025 was shining brightly thanks to the "imperishable" honour the troops safeguarded with their blood and lives.

"All of you have safeguarded heroically the dignity and honour of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)," Kim said, lauding them as "the greatest strength, pride and a strong pillar" of the country.

Kim said he hopes to reunite with the soldiers as early as possible, adding that he has no greater hope than seeing all of them return home safely and urging them to pay special attention to their safety.

"Thanks to your self-sacrificing and devoted struggle, the militant fraternity and friendship and invincible alliance between our country and Russia grow firmer," he also noted.

The leader told the forces, "Behind you are Pyongyang and Moscow," urging them to "be brave" for the sake of the Russian people and the undying fame of North Korea.

The KCNA separately reported on Kim's meeting with families of overseas soldiers on the sidelines of a New Year's celebration held in Pyongyang the previous day.

Kim said he "thinks much more of the commanding officers and combatants of the overseas operations units" at the turn of the year, proposing to wish for the beloved people to return home safe after discharging their mission, the KCNA said.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, Jan 1 : India welcomed the New Year with grand celebrations, countdown parties and festive gatherings, as state governments across the country stepped up security measures to ensure that the celebrations passed off smoothly and without incident.

In major metropolitan cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, large crowds thronged iconic landmarks such as India Gate, Connaught Place and Marine Drive to usher in the New Year, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

Meanwhile, authorities across the country issued traffic advisories, guidelines for restaurants and hotels, and deployed additional security forces in anticipation of massive footfall in public places.

Despite chilling conditions in Delhi, Connaught Place and Vasant Vihar saw a steady influx of revellers, with families and groups gathering in markets and open spaces ahead of the New Year celebrations.

Speaking to IANS in Connaught Place, a tourist said, "I have come from Punjab to celebrate the New Year here, and I hope this year is good for everyone."

"It is cold, but we are happy to welcome 2026 here with our friends," another said.

Officials said that in areas expecting heavy crowds in the national capital, the police put comprehensive security arrangements in place to prevent any untoward incidents and to maintain law and order.

Security arrangements on the ground in Delhi were closely monitored by several senior officials, including six Assistant Commissioners of Police and one Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police. As many as 1,469 police personnel were deployed across Delhias West District alone to ensure public safety during the celebrations.

In Rajasthan, stringent traffic safety measures were also implemented, including the setting up of checkpoints, inspection of vehicles and strict action against those found driving under the influence of alcohol.

In Maharashtra, eateries, restaurants, hotels, orchestra bars and pubs were permitted to operate till 5 a.m. on January 1 as part of the New Year celebrations.

In Bengaluru, around 20,000 police personnel were deployed to ensure smooth New Yearas Eve celebrations, as more than ten lakh people were expected to gather at various locations across the city for the festivities.

Even as people in the eastern parts of the world began bidding farewell to 2025, popular hill destinations such as Shimla and Manali witnessed a huge rush of tourists and revellers, braving the biting cold to ring in the New Year amid the mountains.
Kyiv, Jan 1 : In his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine wants the war to end but will not accept a weak peace agreement, stressing that any deal must not come at the cost of the country's future.

His remarks came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his belief that Moscow would prevail in the ongoing conflict.

Speaking just before midnight in a 21-minute televised address to the nation, Zelensky acknowledged that Ukrainians were exhausted after nearly four years of war, a period he noted was longer than the German occupation of many Ukrainian cities during World War II.

However, he made it clear that fatigue would not translate into capitulation.

"What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," Zelensky said, adding, "We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very," he said. "Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken."

The Ukrainian leader warned that any agreement without firm and credible guarantees would only prolong the conflict rather than resolve it.

"Any signature placed on weak agreements only fuels the war," he said. "My signature will be placed on a strong agreement."

Zelensky said that ongoing diplomatic efforts were focused on securing a durable and meaningful settlement. "That is exactly what every meeting, every phone call, every decision is about now," he said. "To secure a strong peace -- not for a day, a week or two months, but peace for years."

He added that weeks of US-led diplomacy, including talks held last weekend with US President Donald Trump in Florida, had brought negotiations close to completion.

"A peace agreement is 90 per cent ready," Zelensky said. "That 10 per cent contains everything. It will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe."

However, he acknowledged that unresolved territorial issues remain the central obstacle to a final deal.

According to Ukrainian media reports, Russia currently occupies around 19 per cent of Ukrainian territory, largely in the southern and eastern regions. Moscow has been demanding that Kyiv withdraw from parts of the eastern Donbas region that Russian forces have not fully captured.

Ukraine, on the other hand, wants the front lines to be frozen at their current positions. Zelensky rejected Russian demands for a complete Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas, calling them "deception."

"Does anyone still believe them? Unfortunately, yes," he said. "Because too often the truth is avoided and called diplomacy when in fact it is simply lies dressed up in business suits."

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday told soldiers fighting on the front lines that Moscow remains confident of prevailing in Ukraine, even as the conflict stretches into yet another year with no clear end in sight.

In a brief New Year address aired first in the Kamchatka peninsula, the easternmost Russian region to usher in 2026, Putin praised the troops engaged in the war as "heroes" and sought to project resolve after nearly four years of fighting, according to The Moscow Times.

Addressing what he described as Russia's "fighters and commanders", the president said, "We believe in you and our victory."
New Delhi, Jan 1 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed warm greetings to the nation on the occasion of the New Year, wishing for peace and prosperity in society.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Wishing everyone a wonderful 2026! May the year ahead bring good health and prosperity, with success in your efforts and fulfilment in all that you do. Praying for peace and happiness in our society."

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also took to social media and posted, "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all of you on the Anglo New Year. May this auspicious occasion of the New Year bring a message of new hope, positive energy, and sustained progress into the life of every citizen of Delhi."

She wished for happiness, prosperity, and excellent health of the countrymen and said, "May this New Year be auspicious, joyful, and filled with achievements for all of you."

"Our commitment to the service of Delhi and public welfare will be implemented this year with new energy and even greater resolve. The fundamental strength of Delhi, which continues to advance steadily toward development and good governance, is the trust and active participation of its citizens. This New Year provides an opportunity to deepen our shared responsibility for building a strong, inclusive, and prosperous capital," CM Gupta added.

India welcomed the New Year with grand celebrations, countdown parties and festive gatherings, as state governments across the country stepped up security measures to ensure that the celebrations passed off smoothly and without incident.

In major metropolitan cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, large crowds thronged iconic landmarks such as India Gate, Connaught Place and Marine Drive to usher in the New Year, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

Meanwhile, authorities across the country issued traffic advisories, guidelines for restaurants and hotels, and deployed additional security forces in anticipation of massive footfall in public places.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Washington, Jan 1 : US President Donald Trump has announced that his administration is pulling the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, a few days after the US Supreme Court ruled against the administration.

"We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that crime has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and only by that fact. Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were gone if it weren't for the Federal Government stepping in," Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social on Wednesday (local time).

"We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again," Trump said, calling Democrat mayors and governors of those areas "greatly incompetent."

The announcement came just a few days after the Supreme Court blocked Trump's plan to send the National Guard to Chicago to protect US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's agents, reports Xinhua news agency.

Trump has argued that it's necessary to deploy the National Guard to these Democrat-ruled places due to surging crime, while Democrats have questioned the political motivations behind such moves.

The court denied the Trump administration's request in a 6-3 vote.

"At this preliminary stage, the government has failed to identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois," the court said in an order published on its website.

The dispute dates back to October 4, when Trump called 300 members of the Illinois National Guard into active federal service in Illinois, particularly in and around Chicago. The following day, members of the Texas National Guard were also federalised and sent to Chicago, according to the court.

On October 9, the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued a temporary restraining order barring the federalisation and deployment of the National Guard in Illinois.

The decision was upheld on October 16 by the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, which allowed the administration to federalise the National Guard but not to deploy its members.

The Trump administration then appealed to the Supreme Court.
Chennai, Jan 1 : The Tamil Nadu government has granted permission for the first Jallikattu event of 2026 to be held on January 3 at Thatchankurichi village in Pudukkottai district, officially marking the beginning of the state's annual bull-taming season.

Chennai, Jan 1 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government has granted permission for the first Jallikattu event of 2026 to be held on January 3 at Thatchankurichi village in Pudukkottai district, officially marking the beginning of the stateas annual bull-taming season.

The approval was issued through a government gazette by the Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department.

The event has been permitted under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, as amended by the Tamil Nadu Amendment Act, 2017.

According to the notification, the Jallikattu must be conducted strictly in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prescribed by the state government and the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services.

The district administration has been instructed to enforce all safety norms related to crowd management, public safety, and animal welfare, with special attention to disaster preparedness and emergency response mechanisms.

The order also reiterates that applications for conducting Jallikattu and similar traditional events must be submitted only through the designated online portal. Manual applications will not be entertained, a measure aimed at ensuring transparency and effective monitoring of compliance.

Thatchankurichi holds a unique place in Tamil Naduas Jallikattu tradition, as it customarily hosts the first event of every season.

Pudukkottai district, where the village is located, is also known for having the highest number of vaadivaasals -- designated entry points for bulls -- in the state.

Official data from previous years underline the scale of the event. In 2025, around 600 bulls and nearly 350 tamers took part, attracting more than 4,500 spectators. That year, injuries were reported to 10 bull owners, six tamers, four spectators and one bull. In 2024, the event witnessed the participation of over 700 bulls, with 22 people sustaining injuries.

Meanwhile, organisers of the Vinerpu Matha Jallikattu committee have begun preparatory work for the upcoming event. Officials said priority is being given to strengthening safety measures, crowd regulation and coordination among departments to ensure the smooth and incident-free conduct of the traditional sport.
Washington, Jan 1 : US President Donald Trump has said that "peace on earth" was his New Year's resolution as he addressed guests at a gathering at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, striking a brief note of aspiration before turning to a wide-ranging reflection on the state of the country.

Washington, Jan 1 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has said that "peace on earth" was his New Year's resolution as he addressed guests at a gathering at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, striking a brief note of aspiration before turning to a wide-ranging reflection on the state of the country.

When asked about his New Year's resolution at the New Year's Eve gathering on Wednesday, the President replied: "Peace. Peace on earth. Peace on earth." He did not respond to questions about the CIA's role in an attack on Venezuela or whether he would put boots on the ground in Ukraine.

A large number of eminent people were invited by Trump and the First Lady for the New Year's Eve celebrations. The scene was festive and theatrical, according to a White House pool report.

At the entrance to the party, a black carpet reading "Happy New Year Mar A Lago" in gold letters greeted guests. Musicians stood on pedestals surrounded by tall white candles, playing "God Bless America" and the "Star Spangled Banner".

Inside the ballroom, a massive white floral arrangement marked the entrance, while a band played "I've Had the Time of My Life".

In his remarks, Trump said the country was "doing really well", pointing to what he described as unprecedented investment flowing into the United States. He said factories were being built "all over the country" and cited growth figures that he said had exceeded predictions.

Trump also touted tariff revenue, saying the US had taken in "hundreds of millions of dollars", and spoke about military funding, declaring the country was "back" and "strong". He spoke about economic performance, investment, tariffs, and what he described as a rapid turnaround in national fortunes.

"I just want to tell you that the country is doing really well and doing really well," Trump said, adding that the US had more investment "coming into our country than any country ever in the history of the world by a lot".

He pointed to factories being built "all over the country" and said it was "really exciting to see", expressing confidence about growth figures that he said had exceeded expectations. "You saw 4.3. They were predicting 1.9. 4.4," Trump said, referring to the latest growth figures.

Trump also highlighted revenue from tariffs, saying the US had collected "hundreds of millions of dollars", and mentioned funding for the military. "We gave the military the entire military $1,776. That's not bad," he said.

"We're extremely happy that we're doing great as a country. We're back. We're strong," Trump said, adding, "I didn't think it could happen this fast. It's happening a lot faster than anybody would've thought possible."

The President praised Congressman Tom Emmer, saying he had watched him speak on television about the Somalian population, and thanked leaders in attendance, urging continued efforts to "take back our country". He also spoke about alleged financial misconduct, saying authorities were uncovering billions of dollars in losses and vowing to recover the money.

A centrepiece of the evening was a live art performance. Trump invited an artist, Vanessa Horabuena, to the stage, describing her as one of the world's greatest artists. As a band played a Christian worship song, the artist painted a canvas while dancing. The final work was revealed to be a portrait of Jesus.

Trump then auctioned off the painting, saying the proceeds would benefit St. Jude's and the sheriff's department. He opened the bidding at $100,000 and later offered to sign the portrait to raise its value. The painting ultimately sold for $2.75 million.

Among those spotted by the pool inside the ballroom were Sergio Gor, the US ambassador to India, businessman Phil Ruffin, Donald Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Other attendees included Eric and Lara Trump, Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, and White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly among the attendees, according to an Instagram post.

Trump also spoke about what he characterised as large-scale financial misconduct, saying authorities were uncovering billions of dollars in losses. "Can you imagine they stole $18 billion. That's just what we're learning about," he said, adding that investigations would continue.

"It was a giant scam," Trump said, vowing that the money would be recovered. "It's all coming back," he said, framing the effort as part of what he called a "green New Year".
Chennai, Jan 1 : As the Pongal festival approaches, farmers across the coastal delta districts of Tamil Nadu have urged the Stalin government to expedite the release of compensation for crops damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.

They have called for the immediate publication of beneficiary lists and early disbursal of relief amounts to help them cope with mounting financial stress caused by extensive crop losses.

The cyclone, which struck the region in late November, severely affected standing samba and thaladi paddy crops in several districts, particularly Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai. Prolonged heavy rainfall and waterlogging led to large-scale damage, leaving thousands of farmers struggling to recover their losses just weeks before the harvest season.

In the Nagapattinam district, officials estimate that around 26,416 farmers are eligible for compensation. Crop damage has been recorded across approximately 38,395 acres, and a proposal seeking Rs 26.41 crore in relief has already been forwarded to the government. Similarly, in Mayiladuthurai district, around 22,083 farmers have been identified as affected, with crop loss reported over 38,642 acres.

A compensation proposal amounting to Rs 26.59 crore has been submitted for approval. Farmersa organisations have pointed out that relief for earlier crop losses, including those suffered during the previous samba and kuruvai seasons, is still pending. In addition, several cultivators are awaiting settlement of crop insurance claims related to cotton and paddy losses.

The delay in payments has increased financial pressure on farming households, many of which depend on timely compensation to prepare fields for the next cultivation cycle.

The farmer representatives have urged the government to ensure that all pending compensation and insurance amounts are credited directly to beneficiariesa bank accounts before the Pongal festival. They have stressed that timely assistance is essential to help farmers manage debt, meet cultivation expenses, and sustain agricultural activity in the delta region.

Under the State Disaster Response Fund norms, farmers are eligible for an input subsidy of Rs 17,000 per hectare, or Rs 6,880 per acre, for irrigated, horticultural, and annual plantation crops that have suffered damage exceeding 33 per cent. The assistance is capped at a maximum of two hectares per farmer.

Officials noted that cyclone-related flooding submerged approximately 55,789 acres of crops in Mayiladuthurai and about 81,653 acres in Nagapattinam, highlighting the scale of destruction and the urgent need for timely relief.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, Jan 1 : With the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections witnessing a surge in "internal dissent" within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has personally taken charge to suppress the rebellion.

Over the last two days, the Chief Minister has initiated a strategic outreach to pacify disgruntled candidates and party workers across various cities, recognising that "internal rebellion" could derail the party's prospects in major corporations.

As the number of rebels continues to rise in several key municipalities, CM Fadnavis has reportedly reached out to prominent local leaders via telephone, instructing them to contain the internal strife.

CM Fadnavis has been provided with a detailed list of specific rebels whose candidacies could significantly damage the party's electoral prospects.

The Chief Minister has not only taken the initiative to quell rebellion, but has also assigned senior ministers, including Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Chandrakant Patil, Girish Mahajan and state BJP President Ravindra Chavan to hold talks with rebels and convince them to follow the party line.

To ensure the party's official candidates face minimal interference, the Chief Minister has assigned specific responsibilities to these leaders, who have been tasked with monitoring cities where the rebellion is most acute.

BJP sources indicate that the Chief Minister also held direct conversations with several "powerful" rebel candidates to understand their grievances and persuade them to withdraw their opposition.

The move comes at a time when "loyalist" party workers have expressed open resentment.

Incidents of unrest have been reported across the state, including an attempt to blacken the vehicle of Minister Atul Save and the heckling of senior leader Bhagwat Karad in Sambhajinagar.

In Nashik, several aspirants targeted Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan for "neglecting" loyalists during ticket distribution.

In some instances, party office-bearers have even faced physical altercations during local meetings. In areas like Mira Road, former BJP corporators have gone to the extent of formulating independent panels to challenge official party nominees, complicating the path to the BJP's majority.

"The Chief Minister's intervention as an effort to turn the "Bandoba" (rebels) into "Thandoba" (those who have cooled down/pacified). By leveraging personal diplomacy and delegating crisis management to regional heavyweights, the Chief Minister and the party leadership aim to present a united front before the polling begins," said BJP sources.

Meanwhile, the BJP has successfully managed to pacify key rebels in Mumbai, where the party is contesting 137 seats, leaving 90 seats for its ally Shiv Sena.

In a significant breakthrough, Mumbai BJP President Amit Satam has convinced rebel candidate Sandeep Jadhav to withdraw his independent nomination from Goregaon.

Sandeep Jadhav, the General Secretary of the BJP's local unit, had filed his nomination as an independent candidate from Ward No. 54 in the Goregaon Assembly constituency.

Despite Jadhav's name appearing favourably in internal party surveys, the BJP leadership opted to field Viplav Awasare instead. Nettled by the snub, Jadhav had resigned from the party to contest independently, posing a serious threat to the BJPas official candidate.

However, following a late-night meeting on Wednesday, Amit Satam successfully mediated the dispute. Satam reportedly assured Jadhav of a significant position within the Mumbai BJP Executive Committee and promised that his dignity within the party would be upheld.

"To hoist the saffron flag over Mumbai, we must work under 'Devabhauas' (Devendra Fadnavis) leadership for the sake of the city and the nation," Satam told Jadhav.

Following this assurance, Jadhav agreed to withdraw his nomination and has pledged to campaign for the official candidate, Viplav Awasare.

The resolution in Goregaon is part of a larger, state-wide "cleanup operation" led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

As the deadline for withdrawing applications looms, the BJP leadership is working around the clock to ensure that the "rebel factor" does not split the party's vote bank, particularly in the high-stakes battle for Mumbai.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)
New Delhi, Jan 1 : Flight operations across several parts of northern and eastern India, including Delhi, were affected on Thursday as dense fog engulfed large swathes of the region, sharply reducing visibility and prompting airlines to issue advisories for passengers.

Low visibility conditions led to disruptions at multiple airports, including those in Delhi, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati, with airlines cautioning travellers to remain alert and check flight updates to avoid inconvenience.

Delhi began the New Year under a thick blanket of fog, pollution and biting cold, as air quality continued to remain in the "very poor" category.

Dense fog combined with low temperatures further tightened its grip on the national capital, worsening already poor environmental conditions.

According to the latest data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 372, indicating persistently high pollution levels across the city.

Air India, early on Thursday, issued an advisory on X warning passengers that low visibility conditions in parts of north India, including Delhi, could disrupt flight operations.

"Weather forecasts for tomorrow morning indicate low visibility due to fog in parts of northern India, including Delhi, which may impact flight schedules across the network," the airline said.

The carrier added that its 'FogCare' initiative was in place to assist travellers. "Our 'FogCare' initiative provides advanced alerts to passengers on flights most likely to be affected. It offers the option for you to either reschedule your flight at no extra cost or receive a full refund," Air India informed passengers late Wednesday.

The airline also advised travellers to check the latest flight status on its official website and to allow additional time for travel to the airport due to prevailing conditions.

IndiGo airline also flagged weather-related disruptions, stating in a post on X, "Low visibility and fog over #Ranchi and #Bhubaneswar have impacted flight schedules. We are keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly."

The airline urged passengers to remain updated on their flight details through official channels.

"We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Be assured, our teams are here to assist you at every step and ensure support. Here is hoping clearer skies help us serve you better soon, and thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time," IndiGo said.

As fog continued to linger over parts of the Northeast, IndiGo also alerted passengers about slower aircraft movement at Guwahati airport.

"Departures and arrivals to and from the city, as well as certain routes across our network, may experience short delays as we work through the weather conditions," the airline stated.

Visibility dropped sharply in Guwahati as fog and haze covered the skies over the Assam capital, affecting normal flight operations.

SpiceJet, meanwhile, informed its passengers about adverse weather conditions in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya and Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala, cautioning that the situation could impact flight operations at both airports.

Lucknow airport also recorded low visibility early on Thursday. According to forecasts, visibility at the airport is expected to improve to around 1,200 metres, with the India Meteorological Department predicting further improvement to nearly 2,000 metres between noon and 2 p.m.
Institutional capital is executing a sharp rotation. While the broader digital asset market shed $446 million last week, XRP investment products recorded $70.2 million in inflows, according to the latest CoinShares Digital Asset Fund Flows Report.

The divergence is stark. Bitcoin products saw $443 million in outflowsone of the largest weekly pullbacks since October. Ethereum funds followed suit, losing $59.3 million.

Source: CoinShares

XRP (trading at $1.87, +0.43%) and Solana (trading at $125, +1.41%) were the only outliers, with SOL products attracting a modest $7.5 million.

This capital reallocation shows a strategic shift within institutional portfolios, as investors increasingly seek opportunities beyond the established giants like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The robust inflows into XRP products suggest a growing conviction in alternative digital assets that are thought to be emerging from regulatory uncertainty and offering fresh investment avenues.

This strategic diversification reflects a re-evaluation of risk-reward profiles, setting the stage for a closer examination of the specific geographical forces at play in this market-wide recalibration.

The Data: U.S. Sellers, German Buyers

The sell-off was almost entirely U.S.-driven. American funds saw $460 million in withdrawals, likely triggered by lingering macro uncertainty and tariff rhetoric.

Conversely, German investors bought the dip. Germany-based funds posted $35.7 million in inflows, bringing their month-to-date accumulation to $248 million.

Source: CoinShares

Since the mid-October ETF launches in the US, XRP and Solana have seen $1.07 billion and $1.34 billion of inflows respectively, bucking the negative sentiment seen across other assets, James Butterfill, head of research at CoinShares, noted.

Specific vehicle data reflects the demand: Franklin Templetons recently launched XRP fund alone captured $28.6 million of the weekly volume.

What the Flows Suggest

This isnt just a rotation; its a regulatory arbitrage trade. The capital flight from Bitcoin ($2.8B outflows since mid-Oct) coincides directly with the launch of spot XRP and SOL ETFs. Institutions are reallocating risk budgets toward assets with fresh regulatory wrappers and lower saturation.

The Germany-U.S. split is equally important because European desks are accumulating while U.S. entities de-risk ahead of Q1 fiscal shifts. Expect this bifurcation to persist until the tariff narrative stabilizes.

Read original story XRP ETPs Absorb $70M as Institutions Rotate Out of Bitcoin by David Pokima at Cryptonews.com
Koppal, Jan 1 : A taluk hospital health officer has been named as an accused in the FIR on charges of destruction of evidence in connection with a gang-rape case in Karnataka's Koppal district, police said on Thursday.

According to the police, although the accused in the gang-rape case were arrested within a few hours of the incident, the role of Yalaburga taluk health officer Dr Shivakumar in allegedly protecting the accused has come to light during the investigation.

The police have booked the health officer under Section 238(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to knowingly causing evidence of an offence to disappear or providing false information to shield an offender from legal punishment.

The police stated that the negligence of the health officer is prima facie evident. Police personnel had signed the materials and evidence collected in the presence of the doctor. However, it is alleged that the accused doctor ensured that 16 pieces of material and DNA evidence gathered during the investigation were concealed.

By this act, the doctor allegedly helped the accused evade the course of justice. Even after the police sought the evidence and questioned him, the accused officer reportedly displayed arrogance, the police said.

The gang-rape occurred on November 17, following which the police arrested four men in connection with the case.

The arrested persons were identified as Laxmana and Basavaraj, both residents of Gajendragadh, and Mutturaj and Shahikumar from Yalaburga.

According to the police, the accused committed the crime at a dilapidated house near Maddura.

In her complaint, the victim stated that she knew one of the accused, Laxmana, who owed her Rs 5,000.

Under the pretext of returning the money, he called her to Kushtagi town.

He allegedly took her on a motorcycle and made her drink juice laced with an intoxicating substance. Later, the other accused joined him and committed the crime.

The police have registered the case under relevant Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Ayodhya: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh light a ceremonial lamp during the second anniversary of the 'Pran Pratishtha' (consecration) ceremony of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, in Ayodhya on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.. Image Source: IANS/X/@myogiadityanath

January 01 : Ayodhya: The second anniversary of the consecration of Lord Ram's idol at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, observed as Pratishtha Dwadashi', was marked with deep devotion on Wednesday. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took part in the ceremony. On this occasion, CM Yogi also extended New Year greetings, praying for the prosperity and well-being of all.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that Ayodhya has witnessed several phases of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement since India's independence. He noted that the very name Ayodhya signifies a land untouched by war, a place whose valour, glory, and strength no enemy could ever overcome. However, he said that due to selfish motives, religious extremism, and appeasement-driven politics, some forces had turned Ayodhya into a centre of unrest and conflict.

Referring to previous governments, CM Yogi said, Despite Ayodhya being a city of peace, terror attacks occurred during their tenure. Attempts were made to spill blood in the sacred city, but such designs failed, he said, adding that Ayodhya is protected by divine grace and the presence of Lord Hanuman at Hanuman Garhi.

He recalled the 2005 terror attack, stating that the PAC jawans acted swiftly and neutralized the attackers.

The Chief Minister said, Ayodhya will always remember three historic milestones achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi within the past 11 years. For the first time in independent India, a Prime Minister visited Ayodhya on August 5, 2020, to perform the Bhoomi Pujan of the Shri Ram Temple. On January 22, 2024 (Paush Shukla Dwadashi), the Prime Minister again visited Ayodhya Dham to complete the consecration of the grand idol of Ram Lalla. Later, on November 25, 2025, on the occasion of Vivah Panchami, he hoisted the saffron flag of Sanatan Dharma on the main spire of the Ram Temple, conveying the message that Sanatan Dharma stands above all and will always remain aloft.

CM Yogi Adityanath also highlighted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's direct involvement in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement during his tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and in various organizational roles.

He said, It was a moment of pride and emotion to witness Lord Ram Lalla enshrined at the Janmabhoomi after 500 years and to see the magnificent temple take shape.

He recalled seeing the Defence Minister become emotional while hoisting the Sanatan Dharma flag at the Maa Annapurna Temple on Pratishtha Dwadashi.

The Chief Minister said that before 2017, Ayodhya lacked basic amenities such as electricity, water, sanitation, roads, connectivity, and security. People were once beaten or jailed for chanting Jai Shri Ram, he said, but today devotees from across India and the world visit Ayodhya and are inspired by its message. Visitor numbers, which once stood at just a few lakhs, have crossed 45 crore in the past five years.

He added that Ayodhya, the capital of the Suryavanshi dynasty, has now become the country's first solar city. He said, The city boasts an international airport, double-line railway connectivity, and vastly improved infrastructure. Roads that were once single-lane have been expanded into four-lane highways, ensuring seamless connectivity from all directions.

Gorakshpeethadhishwar and Chief Minister Mahant Yogi Adityanath said that today, people can freely chant Jai Shri Ram and Ram-Ram across the country.

He also mentioned that a major government employment scheme has been launched under the name Jai Shri Ram, which he described as one of the largest employment initiatives to date. Under this scheme, unemployed individuals seeking work in their village panchayats will be assured 125 days of employment within their own villages.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the present generation is truly fortunate. Recalling five centuries of history, he noted that from 1528 to 1992 and even beyond, devotees of Lord Ram repeatedly rose every 2025 years to reclaim the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

He added, Despite oppression, the use of force, lathis, and bullets, they neither bowed down nor gave up. Unmoved by power or persecution, they continued their struggle with unwavering resolve. The movement gained decisive momentum under the leadership of the RSS, while Ashok Singhal played a pivotal role in uniting revered saints on a common platform. With this, the mark of slavery was erased, and the way was cleared for the construction of a grand Ram Temple.

The Chief Minister said, The present ceremony marks the completion of two years since the consecration.

He emphasized that every follower of Sanatan Dharma must come forward to preserve the dignity, sanctity, and grandeur of Ayodhya for generations to come.

He described this moment not as the end of a journey, but as the beginning of a new chapter. Along with taking pride in our heritage, he said, there is a need to set new standards of development.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, CM Yogi said, Every Indian has been called upon to contribute to building Viksit Bharat.

As the nation approaches 100 years of independence, he urged citizens to resolve to protect the country's heritage and excel in their respective fields. Only through collective effort, he said, can the national flag and the flag of Sanatan Dharma be raised higher, firmly establishing India as a leading global power.
New Delhi, Jan 1 : The security agencies have their task cut out this year as the situation in Bangladesh is worsening and Pakistan is back to its old tricks to try and destabilise India. At least three Intelligence Bureau assessments suggest that the biggest challenge this year would be Bangladesh and the security situation in the northeastern states.

An official stated that two highly troubled nations -- Myanmar and Bangladesh -- are holding elections this year, and one could anticipate trouble. There is intense international scrutiny due to the deteriorating security situation in both countries. Hence, the elections would be extremely crucial, another official said.

India, however, is particularly concerned about the elections that are set to take place in Bangladesh on February 12. With the Awami League barred from the contest, the fight is between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the ISI-backed Jamaat-e-Islami.

Under the Muhammad Yunus regime, the persecution of minorities has gone up, and incidents of violence are being reported every day. Further, Yunus, under pressure from the Jamaat, has been too friendly with Pakistan and, in the bargain, made several exceptions that include opening up the sea-route and easing visa norms.

An official explained that the Bangladesh situation will be far more tricky when compared to Myanmar, where there is no anti-India sentiment, but that is not the case in Bangladesh. There is a rhetoric in Bangladesh portraying India as the chief troublemaker. The Jamaat is known to be anti-India, but joining them is the National Citizen Party (NCP), which has also been drumming up a similar rhetoric.

Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of the NCP, has threatened to shelter anti-India forces. Most of the political outfits in Bangladesh believe that the elections can be won on an anti-India rhetoric. This explains why the Bangladesh establishment has been soft on terror groups such as the Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islamic (HuJI), Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB), among others. These groups are being nurtured by the Yunus regime and ISI, particularly to shake up northeastern India, officials say.

Yunus himself has referred to the northeast as alandlockeda. Additionally, there have been several instances when Greater Bangladesh maps have appeared in Bangladesh. This is a clear strategy by the ISI which is aimed at creating trouble in the northeastern states.

While making provocative statements relating to the region, the ISI has also been trying to activate its modules in these states. Earlier this week, the Assam Police busted a Bangladesh-linked terror module and arrested 11 persons. This module was activated by the ISI to carry out terror attacks in the northeastern states in the run-up to the elections. This terror group operated under the banner of Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK). However, officials say that this is a proxy of the JMB, which is one of the top terror groups operating out of Bangladesh.

Intelligence Bureau officials say that the border would be fragile in the run-up to the elections in both countries. Any violence that takes place in these countries has the potential of spilling over into the northeastern states and West Bengal. Officials also warn that during this crucial period, there is ample evidence to suggest that Indian insurgent groups operating in Myanmar and the ISI-backed elements in Bangladesh would look to enter India and create trouble.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that in the run-up to the elections and before formal diplomatic channels open up, the ISI would use its proxies to push hard. Attempts would be made to push lakhs of illegal immigrants into the northeastern states and West Bengal. With this, they would attempt to push in arms and ammunition, fake currency, and narcotics, the official said.

Another official said for New Delhi, it would be a wait-and-watch game until the election process is complete. Until then, the priority would be the borders so that the security situation in India does not turn chaotic, the official further added.
January 01 : Lucknow: The National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NESDA) 2025 report highlights Uttar Pradesh as a state playing a strong and decisive role in digital governance. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state has demonstrated that even with a large and complex administrative structure, governance can be made simple, transparent and citizen-centric through the effective use of technology.

According to the NESDA report, a total of 23,934 e-services are being delivered across the country, of which Uttar Pradesh accounts for 929 e-services. This places the state among the leading states in the country. Most notably, Uttar Pradesh has achieved 100 percent implementation of all 59 mandatory e-services. This achievement reflects that the Yogi government has treated digital services not merely as a target, but as the backbone of governance.

In the domain of local governance and utility services, 8,463 e-services are available nationwide. Uttar Pradesh has shown significant progress in this segment as well. Services such as caste certificates, income certificates, domicile certificates, birth and death registration, pensions and scholarships are now available with just a few clicks. This has benefited residents in both rural and urban areas alike.

Uttar Pradesh also holds a strong position in integrated service delivery portals. As per the NESDA report, nearly 88 percent of the state's e-services are available through unified portals. Platforms such as Nivesh Mitra and e-District offer more than 822 services at a single point for citizens and investors. This integration has had a positive impact on both Ease of Doing Business and public convenience.

Over the past year, the number of e-services in Uttar Pradesh has shown consistent growth. In November 2024, the state had around 800 e-services, which increased to 929 by November 2025. This steady expansion is the result of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's continuous monitoring and administrative reforms.

Along with mandatory services, Uttar Pradesh has also strengthened its grievance redressal mechanisms. According to NESDA, 33 states and Union Territories have achieved full compliance in public grievance-related services, with Uttar Pradesh being prominently included. This indicates that the government is not only delivering services but is also actively listening to citizens through digital platforms.

The governance model of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is based on faceless, paperless and time-bound administration, and the NESDA report's findings validate this approach. Today, Uttar Pradesh stands as a model for other states in the field of digital administration and continues to move forward steadily towards establishing itself as the digital engine of a new India.
Seoul, Jan 1 : South Korea's Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back conducted his first inspection of the year on Thursday aboard an airborne early warning aircraft amid lingering security concerns over North Korea, the ministry said.

Ahn flew on the E-737 Peace Eye, flanked by KF-21, FA-50 and TA-50 jets, marking the first time homegrown aircraft were used for such an escort mission, according to the defence ministry.

"Sustainable peace is possible when a nation has the strength to defend itself," Ahn said, adding that the military must proactively prepare for future security challenges through independent defence capabilities.

During the flight, Ahn spoke with commanders from multiple units, including the captain of the ROKS Gwanggaeto the Great destroyer deployed in the East Sea and a Marine battalion commander stationed on Baengnyeong Island near the maritime border with North Korea, reports Yonhap news agency.

Ahn also stressed the need to maintain firm operational readiness in a call with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Yong-sung, his office said.

Meanwhile, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung on Thursday urged troops to be prepared to respond promptly in the event of enemy provocations, his office said.

Jin made the remarks as he presided over the military's first situation assessment meeting of the year and held video talks with units in remote areas, including a general outpost near the border with North Korea and a Marine unit on the South Korean border island of Yeonpyeong. North Korea's shelling of Yeonpyeong in 2010 killed two South Korean civilians and two Marines.

He instructed troops to respond promptly and in line with established principles and standards in the event of enemy provocations, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Jin was also briefed by commanders of overseas contingents and stressed the need to maintain operational readiness while ensuring the safety of deployed personnel.

A total of 1,005 South Korean troops are deployed across 13 overseas regions, mainly on United Nations peacekeeping and multinational security missions, with key units stationed in Lebanon, South Sudan and waters off Somalia for anti-piracy operations, according to the Defence White Paper 2022, the latest year for which data are available.
Indore, Jan 1 : After more than 150 residents of India's cleanest city, Indore, fell ill following the consumption of contaminated drinking water, a shocking revelation has emerged about poor coordination between Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav and senior officials of the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC).

The disclosure was made by Madhya Pradesh Urban Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya after he, along with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, visited several hospitals late Wednesday night and later held a review meeting with IMC officials and the Mayor.

"We have identified the location where the drinking water supply got contaminated due to a sewerage connection. Inspections are also underway in other areas, and the issue will be resolved soon. However, it has been noticed that there was a lack of coordination between the Mayor and municipal officials, and action will be taken in this regard," Vijayvargiya told reporters.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the situation in Indore's Bhagirathpura area -- where residents reported acute stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea -- as an "emergency-like situation." He assured strict action against those found responsible.

"An investigation is underway, and I am prepared to take tough action against those responsible for the Bhagirathpura water tragedy," Yadav said. He added that patients are being treated in nearly 30 hospitals across Indore and that it would take some time to ascertain the exact number of casualties.

According to the Indore district administration, around 40,000 people in Bhagirathpura were screened over the past three days. Of them, 2,456 were found suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea and were provided with first-aid treatment at their homes.

Official data released late Wednesday night showed that 212 patients were hospitalised, with at least 30 admitted to ICUs in various hospitals.

While authorities have not yet released an official death toll, Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav stated that at least seven people had died as of Wednesday.

Earlier, on Tuesday night, the Madhya Pradesh government suspended two senior IMC officials, while senior Public Health Engineering (PHE) official Shubham Shrivastava was removed from service with immediate effect.

An inquiry panel headed by senior IAS officer Navjeevan Panwar is investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday sought a status report on the Bhagirathpura incident, directing authorities to submit it on January 2.
Jaipur, Jan 1 : On the first day of the New Year, major temples across Rajasthan witnessed massive crowds of devotees, with long queues and heavy traffic jams from the early hours of the morning.

In Jaipur, devotees began lining up outside Govinddevji Temple and Motidungri Ganeshji Temple as early as 4 a.m. The heavy influx of pilgrims led to congestion at Badi Chaupar and Chandi Ki Taksal Road in the walled city (Parkote area).

Most of the vehicles entering the area were carrying devotees seeking darshan at Govinddevji Temple. In Sikar, the doors of Khatushyamji Temple have been opened continuously for the past 6 day, and devotees on Thursday will be allowed darshan until late in the night.

To mark the New Year, machine-generated snowfall was arranged at the temple premises, adding to the festive atmosphere.

To manage the crowd, the 17-kilometre-long pedestrian route from Ringas to Khatu has been declared a complete no-vehicle zone from 10 a.m. on Wednesday until 10 a.m. on January 2. In Chittorgarh district, devotees visiting Shri Sanwaliyaji Temple are being allowed entry only through the Meera Circle gate until January 2 as part of crowd-control measures.

Meanwhile, a large number of devotees also reached Mehandipur Balaji Temple in Dausa to seek blessings on the first day of the New Year.

Overall, temples across the state saw a strong turnout, reflecting deep faith and traditional New Year devotion among people.

A massive crowd gathered early on Thursday morning at the Trinetra Ganesh Temple in Sawai Madhopur as devotees arrived for New Year darshan.

By around 6 a.m., a queue of vehicles stretching nearly half a kilometer formed on the approach road, causing long delays. Traffic remained stuck for an extended period as the influx of devotees continued.

Devotees began reaching the Khadi Ganesh Temple in Rangbari, Kota, from 5 a.m., but adverse weather conditions kept the crowd thinner than usual. Temple authorities reported a noticeably lower turnout compared to previous years.

The Salasar Balaji Temple in Churu opened its doors at 1 a.m for New Year darshan. By 7 a.m, nearly 70,000 devotees had already paid their respects. Officials estimate that more than 1.5 lakh devotees may visit the temple throughout the day.

At Jaipuras historic Govind Devji Temple, devotees lined up as early as 4 a.m for Mangala Jhanki darshan. The Motidungri Ganesh Temple witnessed a heavy rush since early morning. Long queues formed as families arrived to seek blessings of Lord Ganesha on the first day of the New Year.

A sudden surge of vehicles heading toward Govind Devji Temple caused traffic congestion at Badi Chaupar around 4 a.m. Cars were lined up bumper-to-bumper as pilgrims made their way to early morning darshan.
Ayodhya: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath felicitates Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during the second anniversary of the 'Pran Pratishtha' (consecration) ceremony of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, in Ayodhya on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.. Image Source: IANS/X/@myogiadityanath

January 01 : Ayodhya: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accompanied by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, arrived in Ayodhya today to take part in the second anniversary celebrations of the consecration of Lord Ram Lalla at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. On this auspicious occasion, he first offered prayers at Hanuman Garhi and then had darshan of Lord Ramlala at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Thereafter, amid Vedic chants, he installed the Dharm Dhwaja atop the spire of the Maa Annapurna Temple within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex.

Expressing deep emotion, the Defence Minister said, What more could I ask for today? It feels as though I have received everything I ever desired in life. Lord Ram Himself chose me for this moment, which is why I am here today.

Calling it the most fortunate day of his life, he recalled that two years ago, the re-consecration of Lord Ram at this sacred site marked a historic moment of pride for the entire nation. He said that today, Lord Ram's glory illuminates not only India but the entire world.

Rajnath Singh remarked that every street and intersection of Ayodhya resonates with the spirit of Ram. From Kanak Bhavan and Dashrath Mahal to Hanuman Garhi, the entire city shines in the divine presence of Maa Sarayu.

He emphasized that this spiritual radiance is no longer confined to Ayodhya alone, but has spread across the whole of Awadh and the nation. Describing the day as glorious, he reminded everyone that this sacred land endured immense sacrifices and humiliation for centuries for Lord Ram, yet its faith never wavered. He termed the consecration of Lord Ram in Ayodhya as the consecration of India's spiritual power, and said that the present generation is truly fortunate to have witnessed this historic moment with their own eyes.

Describing the Ram Temple movement as the grandest narrative in the world, the Defence Minister said it is unparalleled in both scale and time. He noted that from India to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, people from diverse communities who revere Lord Ram felt connected to this movement. He said a 500-year-long, peaceful struggle of such magnitude has no parallel in history. He added that along with the construction of the Shri Ram Temple, Ayodhya is witnessing rapid development through improved air, rail, and road connectivity, creating new opportunities in industry and trade. This development wave, he said, is not limited to Ayodhya but is reaching the entire Awadh region and the country at large.

He congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for their visionary leadership under the double-engine government.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh cited Lord Ram's teachings on righteousness, stating that even in war, dharma must never be abandoned.

He said, The Indian Army acted with restraint and resolve, taking precise and purposeful action to teach terrorists a lesson by striking their hideouts.

He also mentioned that just as a grand and divine temple of Lord Ram has been established in Ayodhya Dham, a magnificent temple is also being constructed at the birthplace of Maa Janaki in Punaura Dham.

Concluding his address, the Defence Minister prayed, May this flag of Sanatan Dharma continue to fly as long as the sun and the moon endure. May Lord Ram guide us all on the path of duty.
New Delhi, Jan 1 : The Harkat-ul-Jihad Islami (HuJI) and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB), the two top terror groups in Bangladesh are increasingly going to use their proxies while carrying out activities in India, Intelligence agencies have said.

These groups are also looking to create home-grown outfits in India, so that Bangladesh has the deniability factor.

This is similar to what the Lashkar-e-Tayiba or Jaish-e-Mohammad have been doing in India. The Lashkar-e-Tayiba uses groups such as the The Resistence Front for operations in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

In the case of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, the proxies are the Peopleas Anti-Fascist Front (PAAF) and the Kashmir Tigers (KT). While these groups are just proxies, both the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad try and pass them off as home-grown outfits.

The emphasis that the ISI and Jamaat-e-Islami have been giving these terror groups is immense. Most of its cadres who were in jail were released without any explanation following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. They have been given a free hand to operate in the country, but the message is that all attacks should be focussed on India.

While the immediate threat persists in bordering states, officials say that these groups are capable of operating in both North and South India.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that they have been witnessing a new trend where the HuJi and JMB are concerned. Their modules across India are operating under different aliases and this is a clear strategy to dodge the security agencies, the official added.

The Assam and Tripura police in a joint operation busted a module that was called Imam Mahamude Kafila (IMK). This is a proxy of the JMB, the probe found. Officials say that this module has been around, but was re-activated recently to carry out attacks in India. The JMB also has other Indian affiliates namely the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen India and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Hindustan.

The HuJI, too, has several proxies that are in the process of being activated in India ahead of the West Bengal elections, officials say.

The HuJI had in the past operated alongside the Indian Mujahideen. It also has proxies such as Harkat-ul-Ansar (HuL) and the Asif Reza Commando Force (ARCF). This is the same group that claimed responsibility for the 2002 attack on the American Centre in Kolkata.

Proxies such as the IMK and ARCF largely comprise Indians and illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Both the HuJI and JMB have activated these proxies. The agencies are keeping a close watch not only at the borders but also within the country for the movement of illegal immigrants. A massive push is being made to rope in more migrants into these terror groups. The aim is to create modules across the country, with the focus largely being on the northeast, West Bengal and the southern states, an official explained.

This is a strategy that has been used most by terror groups based out of Pakistan. The main hurdle that the agencies face is the delay in the probe once the module is busted. The idea of operating under a different name is with the intention to confuse. It takes some time before the trail reaches up to the actual terror group, an officer said.

Having multiple proxies for each terror group is something that the ISI suggested, so that no trail leads up to Bangladesh in case a terror attack is carried out.

Pakistan has resorted to similar tactics to avoid the blame. It wants the same in Bangladesh as well, so that the country does not come under scrutiny from international organisations such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Another official said that the implementation of all these tactics is a clear indicator that there is a sense of urgency to carry out something major in India.

The security agencies, especially at the states that border Bangladesh are on their toes as there is a surge in terror related activity.

On the borders major attempts are being made to push in illegal immigrants into the country. According to officials these terror groups are trying to push more illegal immigrants with the intention of recruiting them into the proxy groups that are operating in India.
Bengaluru, Jan 1 : Commenting on the recent honour killing case reported from Hubballi, in which a father hacked his pregnant daughter to death for marrying a Dalit man, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated that more than laws, there is a need to create awareness among the people.

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Thursday, Parameshwara said, "We are living in a modern world. Society must change. Inter-caste marriages are not new. Hundreds of years ago, Basavanna had conducted inter-caste marriages."

"Even today, the occurrence of honour killing incidents indicates that society is not receiving the right messages. More than laws, awareness must be created among the people. We will complete the investigation and legal procedures in this case at the earliest," he said.

The minister said that he visited Hubballi on Wednesday. "In the honour killing incident in which a father hacked his pregnant daughter to death, I met the family and spoke to the family members. The mother of the victim is in critical condition and is still hospitalised. I also visited her," he stated.

On the Dharmasthala case, he stated that the government will complete the procedures and also in the cases which have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

When asked about the tasks to be assigned to officers in the new year based on incidents from the previous year, Parameshwara said, "I have reviewed the survey report. We will discuss the incidents that took place last year. I have explained to them the sensitivity of the issues. I trust they will deliver."

Meanwhile, Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa visited the house of Vivekananda Doddamani at Inamveerapura village near Hubballi, whose pregnant wife was hacked to death by her father over an inter-caste marriage. He consoled the family members and handed over a cheque for Rs 17 lakh.

It may be recalled that on December 21, 2025, in an honour killing incident reported from Inamveerapura village, a father brutally murdered his own daughter.

The girl's father and relatives also assaulted the victim's husband, Vivekananda Doddamani, and his family members. Mareppa Doddamani, Sunil Harijan, Sangeetha Harijan, Renavva, Ananya Doddamani, Yallappa Doddamani and Huvamma Doddamani sustained injuries in the attack.

According to the police, 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. The police arrested the father and two others in connection with the case.

Vivekananda has demanded the death penalty for those responsible.
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Kabul, Jan 1 : Around 2.8 million Afghan refugees have returned to their homeland, Afghanistan, in 2025, according to the country's Ministry of Economy.

"About 2.8 million refugees returned home in a year. The economy has grown, and the hopes have increased for further economic stability in the future," the Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) quoted the ministry's spokesperson, Abdul Rahman Habib, on Wednesday night as saying.

Habib did not give more details on the return of Afghan refugees.

However, Habib noted that the Afghan government would continue to support the private sector, foreign investment and implement major development projects to increase local products as part of an economic strategy to stabilise the national economy, create job opportunities and eventually alleviate poverty, reports Xinhua news agency.

Millions of Afghan refugees had been living in neighbouring Pakistan and Iran in the past more than four decades, escaping war and civil unrest.

Earlier on Wednesday, over 2,000 Afghan refugees were repatriated from Pakistan and Iran in a single day, a Taliban official said.

Sharing the High Commission for Addressing Migrants' Issues report on X, Taliban deputy spokesperson Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat stated that 450 families, comprising 2,254 people, returned to Afghanistan on Tuesday, Pajhwok Afghan News reported.

He said that Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan through the Spin Boldak crossing in Kandahar, the Bahramcha crossing in Helmand, the Torkham crossing in Nangarhar, the Islam Qala crossing in Herat and Pul-i-Abresham in Nimroz.

He noted that 199 returning families, comprising 1,018 people, were taken to their respective home areas, while 417 families were provided humanitarian assistance.

Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat stated that telecommunication firms provided 390 SIM cards to returning refugees.

As many as 2,827 Afghan migrants were deported from Iran and Pakistan.
Kolkata, Jan 1 : On the first day of the New Year, which coincides with the foundation day anniversary of the Trinamool Congress, the party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, gave a call to her party to stand firm in protecting the democratic rights of the people of the state in the days to come.

In her social media message released on Thursday morning, the Chief Minister did not name the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) directly, but tuned her message in such a way that it was clear that her target was the Union government and the ruling party at the Centre.

CM Banerjee began her message by recollecting how, since its foundation on January 1, 1998, the Trinamool Congress had relentlessly pursued the movement against the former CPI(M)-led Left state government in West Bengal, though she did not refer to the Left Front directly.

"On the occasion of the Foundation Day of the All India Trinamool Congress, I extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all. Intending to serve Ma-Mati-Manush, the journey of the Trinamool Congress began on this day in 1998.

"The core guiding principle of this historic journey is the honour of the motherland, the development of Bengal, and the protection of the democratic rights of the people.

"Even today, every worker and supporter of our party remains steadfast and committed to this goal. I humbly pay my respects and homage to their tireless efforts and sacrifices," CM Banerjee's social media message read.

In the very next line, CM Banerjee stated that although her party had received the popular mandate to rule West Bengal since 2011, she had not forgotten her duty to stand firm and continue struggles and movements to protect the democratic rights of the people.

"The Trinamool Congress family is today blessed with the grace, love, and prayers of countless people. With your unwavering support as our sustenance, we remain resolute in the fight for every individual in this great democratic nation. We will not bow to any malevolent forces, and disregarding all enmity, our struggle for the common people will continue lifelong," CM Banerjee added.

She ended her message by offering "salutations and respects" to all her party workers and supporters of the state government led by her.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 1 : Days after he created history by becoming the first mayor from the BJP in Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor V.V. Rajesh was excited after getting a congratulatory letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Taking to his social media account, Rajesh wrote, "This recognition is the New Year's gift given to Kerala by the Honorable Prime Minister. The political change in Thiruvananthapuram is the result of decades of hard work by BJP workers in Kerala. This recognition is the New Year's gift given to Kerala by Modiji," said Rajesh and shared the letter also.

Incidentally, in the state, there are six Corporations, and Rajesh created history when he was elected as the first mayor in Kerala from the BJP, after the NDA won 50 seats in the 101-member council.

The BJP touched the magical figure of 61 after getting the support of one of the two Independents.

The party wrested the Corporation from the CPI(M)- led Left Front, which had been ruling it for over four decades.

In the letter, PM Modi congratulated Rajesh as well as the deputy mayor, Asha Nath, and pointed out that the BJP's success in the Kerala capital was a reflection of people's faith in the party's vision of development and good governance.

"In the midst of the festive season and as we begin the year 2026, history was made in the great city of Thiruvananthapuram when you took oath as the Mayor of the city," the Prime Minister wrote, adding that the occasion would "truly signify" a historic political shift.

Recalling his memories of the city, PM Modi said Thiruvananthapuram holds "a place of pride in the minds of every Malayali" and is "blessed by Sree Padmanabhaswamy".

He noted that as the capital of Kerala, the city has nurtured "thought leaders, social reformers, artists, musicians, poets, cultural giants, saints and seers", and said that the BJP being blessed by such a city was "very humbling".

"Our vision to build a Vikasit Thiruvananthapuram has resonated with people across the city, from all sections of society," the Prime Minister wrote, stating that voters had seen the work of the BJP-led government at the Centre and its efforts towards urban development in different states.

Thanking the people of the city, he said, "I thank the people of this city for the warmth."

The Prime Minister underlined that the victory had brought "immense happiness and pride" to BJP workers in Kerala and across India.

"Powered by the blessings of the people of Thiruvananthapuram, what has happened is epoch-making. It is a milestone written in golden letters," he said.

"The success of our Party in the capital of Kerala signals that the people of the state, especially the youngsters and women, are ready for a new dawn. The BJP-NDA is emerging as the people's option, rooted in nationalism without exclusion, development without corruption and governance without appeasement. The fixed match of the LDF and UDF of being friends in Delhi and 'rivals' in Kerala is about to end soon. Kerala wants to break free from their broken promises," wrote the PM in the letter.

Meanwhile, the top state BJP leadership has already announced that they are waiting for PM Modi to arrive in the state capital city later this month, which could be the launch of the BJP's Assembly election campaign.

The Assembly polls are expected to be held in April/May, and after winning the reins of a Corporation, the entire state party unit is geared to ensure that they will open their account in the 140-member Kerala Assembly.

In 2016, O. Rajagopal, a veteran BJP leader, became the party's first legislator when he won from the Nemom Assembly constituency, but the party failed to retain the seat at the 2021 polls.
January 01 : Lucknow: The year 2026 is set to emerge as a year of new hope for the people of the state. In 2026, the Yogi government is going to offer ten major gifts to the people, which will make their lives easier, more convenient, and economically stronger. These include 1.5 lakh government jobs for the youth, the Ganga Expressway to accelerate economic growth, the fifth Ground Breaking Ceremony, the Global Investors Summit, and several other major initiatives. All these initiatives are in the pipeline and will materialize on the ground in 2026. These ten major gifts are as follows:

1. Gift of 1.5 lakh government jobs for the youth of the state

In 2026, the Yogi government will issue recruitment advertisements for around 50,000 posts each in the police and education departments. Along with this, recruitment will be carried out for 20,000 posts in the revenue department. Vacant posts will also be filled in departments such as prisons, housing development, women and child development (nutrition), and health.

The process of issuing recruitment advertisements across various departments is in its final stage.

In 2026, the police department will release recruitment advertisements for around 50,000 posts. Preparations for this have been completed. The police department will recruit around 30,000 constables and 5,000 sub-inspectors, in addition to about 15,000 other posts.

According to official sources, the education department will also recruit around 50,000 personnel, ranging from assistant teachers to principals. Similarly, 20,000 posts will be filled in the revenue department, with the highest number being for lekhpals. In addition, around 30,000 posts will be filled in the health, housing development, prisons, and women and child development (nutrition) departments.

According to information from various official sources, total new recruitments will exceed 1.5 lakh.

2. Noida International Airport to become the country's Jewar

Located in Jewar near Delhi, India's largest international airport-Noida International Airport ,is proposed to be inaugurated soon. Built at a cost of 7,000 crore over 3,300 acres, the airport will initially start operations with one runway, while up to five runways can be made operational in the future. The airport will have the capacity to handle one crore passengers annually, with an average of 150 flights operating daily.

3. Ganga Expressway to give new momentum to economic growth

In 2026, a new chapter will be added to infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, with the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway-the state's longest and most ambitious road project so far. This expressway will not only reduce travel time but will also provide fresh momentum to the state's economic development.

The Ganga Expressway is approximately 594 kilometers long and will connect Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh with Prayagraj in eastern Uttar Pradesh. It will pass through 12 districts and 518 villages. Built at a cost of 36,230 crore, the foundation stone of this project was laid in December 2021.

4. Investments to take shape through the fifth Ground Breaking Ceremony

After positioning Uttar Pradesh as a dream destination for investors worldwide, the Yogi government is now focused on translating investments into projects on the ground.

In this direction, the government is preparing to organize its fifth Ground Breaking Ceremony (GBC) at the beginning of 2026. Through this, investment projects worth over 5 lakh crore will be implemented.

Across its two terms, the Yogi government has already brought industrial projects worth over 15 lakh crore to the ground through four Ground Breaking Ceremonies and has ensured jobs and employment opportunities for more than 60 lakh youth.

5. Large-scale investment to be attracted through GIS

In addition to the GBC, the Yogi government is also considering organizing another Global Investors Summit (GIS) in 2026. Given that the 2023 GIS received investment proposals worth over 35 lakh crore, the 2026 edition is expected to be even more grand.

For this, the Industrial Development Department and Invest UP have prepared an extensive action plan. To attract maximum investors, roadshows will be organized across major states in the country as well as several leading countries, as was done earlier.

6. Nivesh Mitra 3.0 to accelerate Ease of Doing Business

As a major step toward improving Ease of Doing Business, the next version of the state's flagship online single-window clearance system-Nivesh Mitra 3.0-will be launched in 2026. Several innovations will be incorporated to make it more investor-friendly.

7. 53 types of minor surgeries to be conducted in AYUSH hospitals.

The Yogi government is continuously taking major steps to ensure quality healthcare for patients in government hospitals.

In this sequence, facilities for surgeries will be introduced in AYUSH hospitals in 2026. This will reduce the burden on allopathic hospitals and ensure that patients do not have to wait long for minor surgeries.

8. Strict rules to curb black marketing of codeine-based cough syrups and NDPS-category drugs

The Yogi government will frame strict rules to prevent black marketing of codeine-based cough syrups and NDPS-category drugs. In this regard, the FSDA headquarters has sent a proposal to the government. Geo-tagging of wholesale establishments dealing in these drugs will be mandatory. Complete photo and video records of storage capacity, purchase, and sale details will have to be maintained. Additionally, drug inspectors will verify the experience certificates of technical personnel at wholesale establishments.

9. Call center capacity to be doubled to curb cyber fraud

The Yogi government is taking the growing menace of cyber fraud and crime in the state very seriously. As part of this effort, the government will double call center capacity in 2026 to curb cybercrime and fraud. Currently, Dial 112 has 20 staff members per shift across three shifts in its call center. Similarly, at the first floor of the DCP South Office in Lucknow, 30 staff members operate per shift across three shifts. This capacity will be doubled.

10. KanpurLucknow Expressway work to be completed by February

The KanpurLucknow Expressway will be completed by February. This expressway is 63 kilometers long and is being built at a cost of around 4,700 crore. Once operational, travel time from Lucknow Airport to Kanpur will be reduced to just 40 minutes, compared to the current two to three hours.
New Delhi, Jan 1 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday visited the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi to express condolences over the death of Bangladesh National Party (BNP) chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Signing the condolence book, Singh conveyed deep sorrow and extended his thoughts to Khaleda Ziaas family and the people of Bangladesh.

"Went to the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi. Signed the Condolence Book expressing our profound sorrow at the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of Bangladesh," the Defence Minister posted on X.

Following Singh's visit, Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, took to X, stating, "Honoured to welcome HE Rajnath Singh, Hon Indian Defence Minister at Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi as he conveyed condolences of India and paid homage to former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson (late) Khaleda Zia, in Delhi."

Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar visited Dhaka to represent India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia, the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He conveyed the Indian government's condolences to the BNP Acting Chairperson, Tarique Rahman, on the passing of his mother and former Bangladesh PM.

In a post on X, the EAM said that upon arrival in Dhaka, he met with Tarique Rahman and handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of India. Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia's vision and values will guide the development of our partnership," he added.

EAM Jaishankar acknowledged Zia's contribution to democracy and expressed optimism about strengthening India-Bangladesh ties in the wake of a democratic transition following the upcoming elections.

Sharing photos of EAM's meeting with Tarique Rahman, Hamidullah, posted on X stating "HE Dr S Jaishankar Hon. External Affairs Minister, in Dhaka, conveys condolences of the people and Govt of India as Bangladesh mourns passing of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, recognised her contribution to democracy and expressed optimism to strengthen India Bangladesh ties following democratic transition in Bangladesh thru the upcoming election (Feb 2026)."

Khaleda Zia, a three-time Prime Minister and long-time chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, died early Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness. She was 80.

She was laid to rest with full State honours on Wednesday afternoon beside her husband, country's former President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, according to local media reports.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, Jan 1 : Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee has ignited a political controversy after stating that the Opposition needs to fight on the ground rather than confining its efforts to media or social media platforms, citing electoral defeats in Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra and Bihar.

Following his remarks, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp attack on Opposition parties, many of whom had earlier projected unity under an alliance during the Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP claimed that political parties are now seeking to distance themselves from the Congress, asserting that the grand old party has turned into a "liability" for its allies.

The controversy comes as Banerjee intensified his allegations of "vote theft" against the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday.

"The country should unite; every party must address vote theft. This is why Opposition parties lost in Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Bihar: people wanted to vote for them," Banerjee said.

He further underlined the need for a different approach by the Opposition, stating, "The Opposition's fight is required not on media or social media, but on the ground. People are watching. If you put up a fight, the BJP won't win, because it will be the people who decide."

Seizing on Banerjee's remarks, the BJP mounted a strong offensive against the Opposition, claiming there is no clarity or cohesion within the INDIA bloc.

Speaking to IANS, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "The year may have changed, but the issues and confusion within the INDIA bloc remain the same. There is no clear mission or vision, only confusion and division. Abhishek Banerjee has now started directly attacking Congress, raising questions against the party itself."

Poonawalla further added, "This is not just from Trinamool; in Kerala, the Left is also questioning the Congress, and the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar has also held Congress responsible for its defeat. Congress is a political liability, and hence its allies are trying to break off the alliance with it."

BJP National Spokesperson R.P. Singh also told IANS that the Opposition alliance lacked substance.

"There is no doubt that there is no real alliance under the name of the 'INDIA bloc.' It was only for the Lok Sabha elections. Now, everyone wants to distance themselves from Congress -- from Omar Abdullah to Stalin and Abhishek Banerjee -- everyone," he said.

BJP National Spokesperson Rohan Gupta also took the opportunity to criticise the INDIA bloc and its "failed attempts to save their politics."

"They always come together for their own benefit, but when they get defeated, the alliance breaks, be it Congress-AAP and now Congress-Trinamool. The reality is that whether it's Trinamool or Congress, they have lost public trust and are now making failed attempts to save their politics," he told IANS.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, Jan 1 : Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday indicated that India is likely to receive its first Bullet Train on August 15, 2027.

The country is going to witness its first Bullet Train running on tracks next year, Vaishnaw said.

"Buy a Bullet Train ticket as on the Independence Day in 2027, the country will get its first Bullet Train," he said.

Vaishnaw also said that the Vande Bharat Express chair car has created a new sense of confidence across the country, and people have appreciated it a lot.

"Requests are now coming in from all over India to run Vande Bharat trains, and almost every MP wants one. With the same comfort, safety, and standards, a new overnight journey will begin with the Vande Bharat Sleeper," he mentioned.

Indiaas first Bullet Train project spans 508 kms between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Of this, 352 km lies in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and 156 km in Maharashtra.

According to the government, the corridor will connect major cities such as Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi, Thane, and Mumbai, and is expected to cut travel time between the two metros to around two hours, significantly boosting inter-city mobility.

As per the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRCL), over 85 per cent of the corridor a"around 465 km a" is being built on elevated viaducts, with 326 km already completed.

In November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a detailed review of the Mumbaia"Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project during his visit to Gujarat, marking a key moment in Indiaas push towards next-generation transport infrastructure.

During the visit, the Prime Minister inspected the Surat station a" a structure inspired by the cityas globally renowned diamond industry. With a height of 26.3 metres and a built-up area of 58,352 square metres, the station includes three levels: The ground floor for parking and security checks, the concourse level for lounges, restrooms, kiosks and ticketing, and the platform level for passenger boarding.

While structural work is complete, finishing touches such as interiors and station amenities are currently underway. Track works, including RC track-bed construction and temporary track installation, have also been completed at the site.

Progress on river bridges is also substantial, with 17 of 25 bridges constructed. The 47-km Surata"Bilimora section is among the most advanced stretches, where civil works and track-bed preparation have been fully completed.
Chennai, Jan 1 : With just four months remaining for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, political activity across the State has intensified, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit on Sunday is set to mark a major turning point in the evolving electoral landscape.

The visit is being closely watched as a key step towards strengthening the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu.

HM Shah will arrive in Tiruchirappalli on January 4 and proceed to Pudukottai, where he will participate in the concluding event of the state-level campaign led by BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran.

The event will be held at Pallathivayal in Nathampannai village, where a massive public meeting is being organised with elaborate arrangements, including a large stage and pavilion.

Senior leaders of the NDA, including AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Tamil Maanila Congress leader G. K. Vasan, PMK leaders and other alliance partners, are expected to attend.

Following the public meeting, HM Shah will stay overnight in Tiruchirappalli.

On January 5, he is scheduled to visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam and later attend the Pongal celebration at the Army Ground in Mannarpuram, where around 1,000 women are expected to participate.

The visit is seen as a crucial effort to consolidate the NDA in Tamil Nadu. BJP leaders have been holding continuous consultations with AIADMK leadership on seat-sharing and alliance coordination.

Sources indicate that discussions are also underway to bring other political groups, including those led by O. Panneerselvam and AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran, into the alliance fold.

Meanwhile, the ruling DMK has intensified its own campaign.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has been touring districts, inaugurating development projects, distributing welfare assistance, and energising party cadres as part of his outreach programme.

The DMK is projecting its governance record and welfare schemes as the cornerstone of its re-election bid. On the other hand, the AIADMK, under Edappadi K. Palaniswami, has stepped up its statewide campaign, accusing the DMK government of administrative failures and unfulfilled promises.

With HM Shah's visit expected to firm up alliance dynamics and energise the BJP-led front, Tamil Nadu's political arena is witnessing heightened activity, setting the stage for a fiercely contested Assembly polls.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Bengaluru, Jan 1 : Commenting on the controversy surrounding the demolition of encroached government land and the rehabilitation of encroachers following AICC intervention in Bengaluru, former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan alleged that all encroachers were Bangladeshis and accused the Karnataka government of diverting the issue under the pretext of providing houses to the poor.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday, Ashwath Narayan claimed, "All encroachers are Bangladeshis. Technically, no one is eligible for house allotment. A probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is required in this regard. If I am wrong, anyone can challenge me. There is a report in the department  ask them. Around 25 lakh Bangladeshis are here. You may feel alarmed hearing this figure, but I am making this statement responsibly and not as a general remark."

He reiterated that the core issue was the presence of alleged illegal immigrants and should not be diverted. "Why I am stressing this is because Bangladeshis have illegally come here. This aspect is being ignored. Now, the discussion is limited only to providing houses to the poor. These are Bangladeshi nationals," he alleged.

"The allotment of houses must be done strictly as per the list, and priority should be given to eligible applicants. Fundamentally, house allotment is a separate issue. The beneficiaries here are Bangladeshis. The government has a report stating that more than 25 lakh Bangladeshis are here. This is a serious concern and a matter of national security. Instead of focussing on this, the Karnataka government is staging drama to conceal the issue," he alleged.

"What can you expect from the Minister for Housing and Waqf, Zameer Ahmed Khan? Let them carry on. But the fundamental questions must be answered. The government should make public details of the houses being allotted to encroachers and clarify to whom they were originally allotted," Ashwath Narayan said.

Meanwhile, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh stated in Bengaluru that his department, along with the Social Welfare Department, had conducted a survey at the Kogilu demolition site. "Ninety of the affected persons are locals. Only those who are local and eligible  around 90 people  will be rehabilitated," he said.

Senior BJP MLA S.R. Vishwanath, who represents the Yelahanka constituency near the demolition site, claimed, "It is government land at Kogilu village. Over the past two years, illegal structures were built in a phased manner. Both illegal immigrants and locals settled there. Local Congress leaders promised them houses, collected money from them, built the structures, and collected rent every month."

"The structures were not built by the residents. Congress leaders constructed them and collected rent. The government later realised this and officials carried out the eviction. For two days, nothing happened. After the Kerala Chief Minister's statement, the AICC intervened. Then the entire government rushed there and promised rehabilitation. The Chief Minister convened an emergency meeting, something that was not done even during the IPL tragedy," Vishwanath alleged.

"They have collected documents and are planning to provide houses at Byappanahalli, built with Central and State subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Genuine beneficiaries are required to pay Rs 10.50 lakh, while encroachers are being offered houses at Rs 2.50 lakh, with BBMP contributing Rs 5 lakh and the Minority Department Rs 2.50 lakh," he said.

"In and around Bengaluru, one lakh houses have been built, and no one is paying money. Here, beneficiaries are asked to pay only Rs 2.50 lakh. This will be an embarrassment to the government. If houses are allotted, we have collected documents to approach the court. The issue will be challenged legally, and a complaint will also be submitted to the Governor," he said.

"I will put up structures for the poor in my constituency as well and let the state provide houses to them. There is no provision in the law to regularise encroachments or encroachers. Otherwise, huts will mushroom on government land across the state," he warned.
January 01 : Lucknow: In a significant step towards establishing Uttar Pradesh as the country's best investment destination, the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to take another major leap forward.

With the objective of making Ease of Doing Business more effective, transparent, and investor-friendly, the government is developing an advanced online single window clearance system, 'Nivesh Mitra 3.0'. This upgraded version is likely to be launched in 2026 and aims to provide investors with a seamless, integrated, and intelligent digital experience.

The state's investment nodal agency, Invest UP, is finalising the development of the platform, incorporating feedback and suggestions from investors as well as domain experts to ensure global best practices.

The new system is being designed for complete integration with the National Single Window System (NSWS), ensuring that all required approvals, clearances, and services at both the central and state levels are available on a single platform. This integration will eliminate the need for investors to approach multiple departments repeatedly and will significantly accelerate the execution of projects.

By streamlining processes and reducing procedural bottlenecks, Nivesh Mitra 3.0 is expected to enhance investor confidence and improve overall efficiency.

To further strengthen transparency and accountability in governance, Nivesh Mitra 3.0 will be comprehensively integrated with IGRS (Integrated Grievance Redressal System), the Chief Minister's Dashboard (Darpan), Nivesh Sarathi, OIMS, and the India Industrial Land Bank (IILB).

Through this integration, investor grievances can be directly registered on IGRS, enabling real-time monitoring up to the Chief Minister's Office level. Simultaneously, the Chief Minister's Dashboard will clearly display department-wise progress, pending cases, and the status of decisions, thereby reinforcing mechanisms for fixing accountability among officials and ensuring timely resolution.

One of the most distinctive features of Nivesh Mitra 3.0 will be its AI-based smart dashboard. This advanced tool will enable real-time data analysis, live tracking of investment proposals, and performance assessment of departments. By identifying potential obstacles at an early stage, the system will facilitate quicker interventions and informed, data-driven decision-making.

The integration of artificial intelligence is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening policy formulation as well as effective on-ground implementation.

Keeping investor convenience at the core, the portal will feature a robust multi-channel communication system. Investors will receive regular updates on their application status, approvals, objections, and grievance redressal through WhatsApp, email, and SMS. This proactive communication framework will ensure faster information flow, greater transparency, and enhanced trust between investors and the administration.

Over the years, the Yogi government has positioned Uttar Pradesh prominently on the investment map through initiatives such as the Global Investors Summit, wide-ranging policy reforms, simplified procedures, and a strong push for digital governance. Nivesh Mitra 3.0 is expected to further strengthen this foundation, serving as a milestone initiative that not only boosts investor confidence but also elevates departmental efficiency and administrative transparency to new levels.

Experts believe that with the implementation of Nivesh Mitra 3.0, the process of industrial establishment in Uttar Pradesh will become simpler, time-bound, and free from corruption. This initiative is poised to significantly advance the vision of an Atmanirbhar Uttar Pradesh by accelerating industrial growth, generating employment opportunities, and driving economic empowerment across the state.
Amaravati, Jan 1 : The re-launch of Amaravati capital development works, Google's announcement to set up a $15 billion AI data centre in Visakhapatnam, and agreements for major investments across sectors were among the key developments in Andhra Pradesh in the year 2025.

The highlight was the resumption of state capital works, as promised by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition during the elections held in 2024. With the support of the BJP-led government at the Centre, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu restarted work on his dream project.

On May 2, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi re-launched the Amaravati development works, nearly 10 years after laying the foundation stone for the new capital of Andhra Pradesh. The state government restarted work on projects worth Rs 56,000 crore, including the High Court, Legislative Assembly, State Secretariat, and four towers housing Heads of Departments (HoDs).

Chief Minister Naidu is confident that the works will be completed by March 2028.

The year also saw the launch of the second phase of land pooling in Amaravati. Under this phase, 16,666 acres of land will be acquired across seven mandals in the Amaravati capital region. According to Naidu, the existing 29-village footprint is inadequate to build a metropolitan entity comparable to Hyderabad.

In October, he inaugurated the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) office, marking a significant milestone in the capital's development. The state-of-the-art seven-storey structure, spread over a built-up area of 28,562 square metres, has been constructed in the upcoming administrative core of Amaravati.

In November last year, CM Naidu, along with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, laid the foundation stone for the regional headquarters of 15 public sector banks and insurance companies in Amaravati.

The government also announced ambitious plans to develop Amaravati as a Quantum Valley, on the lines of Silicon Valley in the United States. Naidu expressed confidence that Andhra Pradesh would lead the quantum revolution in India.

"Within six months, the first quantum computer will be operated from Amaravati and within two years, quantum computers will be manufactured here and supplied to the world," he said in a recent event.

Google's announcement to set up its largest data centre in Visakhapatnam came as a major boost to the state. Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh believes this development will transform Visakhapatnam in the same way Microsoft's facility transformed Hyderabad.

It is estimated that Google's $15 billion investment over five years would generate employment for 1.88 lakh people, create a Rs 48,000-crore impact on the local economy during the period, and have a 25-times multiplier effect.

The state government claims to have attracted investments worth $120 billion (Rs 10 lakh crore) over the last 16 months. During the recently held CII Summit in Visakhapatnam, the government entered into 610 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) involving investments of Rs 13.25 lakh crore, expected to generate 16.13 lakh jobs.

The government has decided to set up MSME parks in all 175 Assembly constituencies. Lokesh claimed Andhra Pradesh is attracting massive investments due to the speed of doing business, in which the State ranks first.

With a cluster-based approach and vertical and horizontal integration, the government has set a target of transforming Andhra Pradesh into a $2.4 trillion economy by 2047. The Greater Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor alone is envisioned as a $1 trillion economy. The state will have three economic corridors, with the other two in Amaravati and Rayalaseema.

Anantapur has been developed as a mobility valley with the KIA Motors plant, while the north Anantapur and Kurnool districts are attracting major renewable energy, pumped storage projects, and cement factories. An electronics manufacturing ecosystem is being created in Chittoor and Kadapa districts, and Nellore district already has a large industrial ecosystem in the form of Sri City.

The government is working towards fulfilling its 'Super Six' promise of creating 20 lakh jobs in five years, with five lakh jobs targeted in the IT sector alone.

To deliver on these commitments, the coalition government rolled out several welfare schemes. Under the Talliki Vandanam scheme, financial assistance of Rs 10,090 crore was disbursed to benefit 67.27 lakh students. The scheme provides Rs 15,000 annually for every child studying in a government school.

On August 15, the government introduced the Stree Sakthi scheme, offering free travel for women in APSRTC buses. So far, 3.25 crore women have availed the facility, with the government spending Rs 1,144 crore on the scheme.

The government also distributed three free LPG cylinders per year, benefiting two crore women at a cost of Rs 2,684 crore. Under the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme, Rs 6,310 crore was credited to the accounts of 46 lakh farmers.

Under the NTR Bharosa pension scheme, Rs 33,000 crore is being distributed annually to over 63 lakh beneficiaries.

To improve governance delivery, the government introduced citizen services through WhatsApp Governance and adopted data-driven decision-making for disaster management.

In August, the government rolled out the ambitious P4 Initiative (Public-Private-People Partnership) to achieve the goal of zero poverty by 2029. The initiative aims to empower underprivileged families through community participation, mentorship, and access to resources.

The P4 model focuses on connecting wealthier individuals and institutions with needy families to provide customised support for employment, healthcare, and entrepreneurship, while integrating existing welfare schemes and leveraging technology, including AI, for needs assessment.
New Delhi, Jan 1 : The year that was, truly tested the resilience of India on its "multi-alignment" strategy, proving that a nation can indeed be a "friend to all" while remaining beholden to none, according to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.

New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS) The year that was, truly tested the resilience of India on its "multi-alignment" strategy, proving that a nation can indeed be a "friend to all" while remaining beholden to none, according to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.

"By choosing multi-alignment over binary allegiances, India has ensured that in a fractured world, it remains the most stable bridge across the fissures," added the Lok Sabha member from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram.

In a newspaper column published this New Year's Day, Tharoor has reflected on India's geopolitical and economic trajectory as the world entered 2026.

Placing India at the crossroads of global turbulence  marked by fractured supply chains, tariff wars, climate urgency, and digital fragmentation  he argued that India's "multi-alignment" strategy has allowed it to remain a bridge across fissures.

Earlier, Tharoor has occasionally praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government's policies, sparking protests from the Congress. His remarks  ranging from applauding the PM's speeches to defending foreign policy decisions  have often led Congress leaders to distance themselves, stressing that Tharoor's views are personal and not the party's official stance.

In Thursday's column, he described 2025 as a year of "maximal interdependence and minimal trust", where partnerships have become transactional, economic ties weaponised, and strategic assumptions destabilised.

"New Delhi has deepened ties with the Global South while balancing relations with Washington, Moscow, and Beijing," he observed, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin's New Delhi visit in face of intense Western scrutiny was "a bold assertion of sovereign autonomy".

The move served as "a reminder that India refuses to be a 'spoke' in anyone else's wheel."

Simultaneously, the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit in August and the launch of the Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) naval exercise signalled India's intent to lead as a 'Vishwa Bandhu'," asserted Tharoor, who is also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs.

He noted that the collapse of markets following China's restriction of rare earth exports and US President Donald Trump's imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods exemplify this new reality.

Yet, despite India's vulnerability, especially in its green transition and labour-intensive industries, Tharoor stated that the country has responded with confidence  diversifying trade partners, accelerating the National Critical Mineral Mission, and deepening ties with the Mineral Security Partnership.

Against external shocks, he observed, India's domestic fundamentals remained buoyant. The rupee weakened under tariff pressure, but fiscal stability was maintained, he wrote, and further emphasised that the enactment of four labour codes and the SHANTI Act for nuclear energy investment demonstrated a proactive approach to reform.

Tharoor interpreted these moves as evidence of India building a "fortress-like" economy capable of withstanding global volatility.

Here again, his analysis aligns with earlier praise for the Modi government, which he once described as having successfully implemented structural reforms that positioned India as a rising economic power.

As India surpassed Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy, Tharoor called it a testament to a "golden period" of structural reform. The Congress MP has also mentioned India positioning itself as the voice of the Global South at COP30 in Brazil, and championing equitable climate action, demanding that developed nations move beyond targets towards the actual delivery of predictable support.

Additionally, he lauded India pioneering a unique "tech-diplomacy" footprint in an area where "global giants dominate the World Wide Web and the Internet splinters into sovereign fragments".

With technology a defining force of 2025, as AI accelerated its impact on labour markets and energy systems, "India's push into AI innovation hubs and digital public infrastructure offers a pathway to global leadership," he added.

Agreeing that the task ahead is not simple, he said, "India has shown that the path forward is not to retreat from the world, but to engage with a clear vision that prioritises national interest without abandoning global responsibility".
Ranchi, Jan 1 : While January 1 is celebrated across the world as the beginning of a new year, the day remains a symbol of grief and sacrifice for Jharkhand's Kharsawan. Seventy-seven years ago, on January 1, 1948 -- a few months after India attained independence -- the soil of Kharsawan was soaked in blood during a brutal firing on tribal protesters, an incident often compared to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

On that fateful day, thousands of tribals had gathered to oppose the proposal to merge the princely states of Kharsawan and Seraikela with the then Orissa. The protest was triggered by the demand for a separate state, and was met with indiscriminate police firing, leaving scores dead.

As every year, large numbers of people assembled at the Martyrsa Memorial in Kharsawan on Thursday to pay homage to those who laid down their lives.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, former Chief Minister Arjun Munda, Minister Deepak Birua, Singhbhum MP Joba Majhi, Chakradharpur MLA Sukhram Oraon, Kharsawan MLA Dashrath Gagrai, and Ichagarh MLA Sabita Mahato were among the leaders who visited the memorial on Thursday morning and paid floral tributes.

The Chief Minister announced the formation of a judicial panel to identify and honour those martyred during the massacre.

After paying tribute, Soren said: "Today is Martyrsa Day as well as the first day of the year. For the world, it is New Year's Day -- a day of celebration. But for the tribals, indigenous people, farmers, and labourers of Jharkhand, January 1 is Martyrs Day. Jharkhand is steeped in the history of sacrifice; perhaps no other state has witnessed so many martyrs."

"A draft has been prepared for this purpose. A judicial inquiry commission will be constituted, with retired judges as its members. The martyrs of this firing will be honoured before the next Martyrs Day," he said.

The firing was linked to the reorganisation of princely states following Independence. A proposal to merge Kharsawan and Seraikela with Orissa had triggered strong opposition from the local tribal population, who instead demanded a separate state. To press their demand, a massive public meeting was organised at the Kharsawan Haat ground on January 1, 1948, under the leadership of renowned tribal leader Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda.

Tribal activists from Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Chaibasa, Simdega, Khunti, Tamar, and other areas had gathered in Kharsawan to participate in the meeting. However, Jaipal Singh Munda could not reach the venue for some reason.

Subsequently, the gathering decided to proceed towards the Kharsawan royal palace to convey their demands to the king. Anticipating unrest, the Orissa government had deployed a heavy police force.

As the crowd moved towards the palace, police issued warnings to stop. When these warnings went unheeded, the police opened fire indiscriminately on the unarmed protesters.

The Kharsawan firing is remembered as one of the most brutal episodes of repression in the history of Indiaas tribal movements.

In a speech delivered on January 11, 1948, Jaipal Singh Munda recounted that bodies were strewn across the Kharsawan market area, while the wounded cried out for help and water.

He alleged that the administration sealed off the area, preventing entry or exit, and that by evening, bodies were loaded onto trucks and disposed of in forests and rivers.

Even after more than seven decades, the exact number of those killed in the firing remains unknown. The report of the tribunal constituted to investigate the massacre has also not been made public to date.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Kolkata, Jan 1 : A man died on Thursday after suffering a heart attack on December 27, 2025, shortly after returning from a hearing related to the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, the police said.

The incident took place in the Swarupnagar area of North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

The deceased has been identified as Sultan Sardar, a 60-year-old resident of the area. Incidentally, his name was not included in the 2002 voter list of West Bengal.

He had recently received a summons to appear for a hearing as part of the ongoing SIR process. Sultan died four days after returning from the hearing.

The incident occurred at Swarupda village under Swarupnagar police station limits. According to family members, the elderly man suffered a cardiac arrest and died on Thursday morning.

Family sources said Sultan had been a long-time resident of the locality, but there were certain issues related to his identity documents and other papers. His name was also missing from the 2002 voter list. Five days prior to the hearing, a notice was delivered to his residence asking him to appear before officials in connection with the SIR process.

Accordingly, Sultan went to the Swarupnagar Block Development Office (BDO) on December 27 for the hearing. Family members alleged that during the hearing, officials informed him that there were discrepancies in his documents. It is alleged that the elderly man became extremely anxious and distressed after being told about the problems.

According to Sultan's family, he had been suffering from severe anxiety since returning from the hearing. They claimed that the mental stress affected his health, following which he fell ill and eventually suffered a heart attack.

After remaining unwell for several days, Sultan passed away on Thursday morning.

Sultan's wife, Dilwara Bibi, told local reporters that her husband was working as a migrant labourer in 2002, when the previous SIR exercise was conducted in the state, and had been employed in another state at that time. As a result, although the names of his parents featured in the 2002 voter list, Sultan's name was not included.

During the ongoing SIR process, Sultan was summoned to appear before officials at the Swarupnagar BDO office. Recounting the events, Dilwara said, "He went to the BDO office for the hearing on December 27. There, he was told that there were discrepancies in his documents. My husband returned home very worried and then fell ill. He kept saying, 'Where will I go at this age, leaving my children and family behind?'"

Sultan's son, Osman, alleged that the SIR process had triggered fear in his father. "My father died due to the fear of this SIR. This SIR process should be stopped immediately. Otherwise, none of us will survive. We will all die," he said.

Following the death, local police were informed about the incident. According to police sources, the matter is being looked into. However, no formal complaint has been lodged with the Swarupnagar police station so far.
Kathmandu, Jan 1 : Nepal has implemented the Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS) to ensure the safety of foreign nationals visiting the country and to control potential crimes involving foreign nationals.

Developed by the Department of Immigration, the FNMIS is a nationwide digital database designed to collect real-time information on foreign nationals from the moment they apply for a visa until they leave the Himalayan nation.

All entities  including hotels, airlines, travel and trekking agencies, money exchange counters, and other service providers offering services to foreign nationals  are required to register in the system to ensure its effective implementation.

Although the department stated that the system would be mandatorily implemented at star-rated hotels within the Kathmandu Valley starting Thursday in the first phase, many other service providers had also registered with the system by Thursday afternoon. "As many as 1,416 tourism service providers, including hotels, travel companies, and money exchangers, joined the system by Thursday afternoon," Tikaram Dhakal, a Director at the department, told IANS.

As per the plans announced earlier by the immigration authority, the system will be implemented across all star-rated hotels nationwide, airlines, tour and travel companies, and money exchangers in the second phase, starting from March 1. It will then be progressively extended to all types of hotels, guest houses, and services provided by other public and private institutions.

"One of the reasons behind implementing this system is to track foreign nationals in Nepal, enabling the government to control possible criminal activities involving them," Dhakal said. "Another reason is to ensure prompt rescue operations for foreign tourists visiting remote and inaccessible parts of the Himalayan country during times of crisis."

He added that foreign nationals have been found involved in activities such as cryptocurrency transactions and dating-app scams under the cover of registered technology companies, religious conversion, and teaching the Quran and the Bible beyond the scope of their visa categories.

The department said the system mainly aims to ensure that foreigners engage only in activities permitted under their visa category, while improving visitor safety and emergency response mechanisms.
Bengaluru, Jan 1 : Amid the demolition row, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Mandya district of Karnataka have written an open letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, stating that if he intervenes in the matter, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar would immediately act and fulfil their demands.

Following a comment by Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan alleging that the Karnataka government was adopting the 'bulldozer' model of Uttar Pradesh to raze houses belonging to Muslims in Bengaluru, the AICC intervened, after which the Congress-led government in Karnataka announced rehabilitation measures and the allotment of houses to encroachers.

Protesting this development, BJP workers in Mandya staged a protest and addressed a letter to the Kerala Chief Minister.

"There are many poor people in our district and across the state who are yet to be allotted houses. If you raise your voice on their behalf and show concern for them, people firmly believe that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Deputy Chief Minister will make the allotments," the letter said.

The letter, written in Kannada, further stated, "The moment you comment on social media, houses are immediately allotted to illegal immigrants."

"Sir, the moment you wrote a single post asking for a humanitarian alternative arrangement for the people of the illegal Kogilu settlement in Bengaluru, our Karnataka government panicked and announced that new houses would be provided at Baiyappanahalli in Bengaluru. This has made Kannadigas understand the extent of your power," the letter said.

"In Karnataka, nearly 14,000 people have lost their homes due to floods, rain-related damage, landslides and other natural calamities. They are living in plastic sheds without shelter. Thousands of people have been waiting for years, like thirsty birds, for sites and houses under various housing schemes.

"If you kindly write one post expressing concern for the poor of our state, we believe our Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister will certainly follow your directions. In our state, people are even saying that the entire administration of Karnataka has been handed over to you through a General Power of Attorney," the BJP stated.

"We worship Lord Rama, Krishna, Shiva and Parvati a" we request you to show compassion towards us as well," the letter stated.

The letter further recalled that when night traffic restrictions through the Bandipur reserve forest route were lifted, when the Karnataka government provided compensation for an elephant stampede in Kerala, and when funds were given by Karnataka to build houses in Kerala, it became clear how influential the Kerala Chief Minister was.

"Therefore, we earnestly appeal to you to raise your voice on our behalf as well. If possible, please also ask your state's MP and AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, to write a post," BJP workers said.

"We thought that CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar are strong leaders. We didn't know that they were so helpless in front of you. We realised that you are the super CM. Our CM and Deputy CM are fighting for the position and appeasing one section of society. We are people who wear a tilak and worship Hindu gods. You (Kerala CM) can show mercy on us as well. In total, nearly 40 lakh people in Karnataka are waiting for housing facilities. Amar, Akbar and Anthony should be treated equally. Only Akbar is considered, and Amar and Anthony have nothing in Karnataka," the letter stated.
Bengaluru, Jan 1 : Responding to allegations by BJP leaders that the Congress-led government in Karnataka is providing houses to Bangladeshi encroachers, Housing and Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan on Thursday said there was no question of allotting houses to outsiders and challenged the opposition to prove that the affected persons were Bangladeshis.

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Zameer Khan said: "All of them are locals. Even if outsiders had stayed there and lost their houses, we will not allot houses to them. Propaganda is being spread. I observed that the Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, visited the site and claimed that they are Bangladeshis. He is the Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly. I want to ask him -- can Bangladeshis be allotted houses here?"

He further said, "Even if outsiders are present, is it legally possible to allot houses to them? Document verification is currently under way. The Deputy Commissioner and the Tahsildar have advised us not to rush the process so that no injustice is done, and they have sought more time."

"Hence, I met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and conveyed that we should not hurry to allot houses on January 1 as announced earlier, and instead take time and do it on January 2. The Deputy Commissioner has spoken to me. Almost everything is in place," the minister said.

Zameer Khan said that a total of 257 houses are located at Kogilu Layout, of which 167 houses were demolished.

"The final decision rests with the Chief Minister. Only local residents will be allotted houses. For political reasons, statements are being made. How is that tenable?" he asked.

He said that beneficiaries must be residents of Karnataka and should possess Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards and Aadhaar cards.

"Is it possible to allot houses to outsiders? There is no question of doing so. Those who speak Urdu or come from outside will not be given houses," he stated.

"There must be authentic documents such as voter ID cards and ration cards. Let the opposition prove that the affected persons are Bangladeshis. How can they live here in India? How can they be in Karnataka? Is it possible? They should not speak irresponsibly," the minister charged.

Meanwhile, sources said that on Friday (January 2), the government will allot houses to those whose homes, built on government land, were demolished at Kogilu Layout in Bengaluru. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation are making the allotments for eligible beneficiaries.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed officials to identify genuine beneficiaries. Revenue Department and GBA officials are carrying out the verification process, and preparations have been completed to hand over the houses, sources said.

Meanwhile, in a post on social media platform X, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Thursday alleged: "In Karnataka, Kannadigas are being deceived and 'mini Bangladeshes' are being created. After the Congress-led government came to power, the state is turning into a hub of mini Bangladeshes. The government has gone down on its knees following a single tweet from the Kerala government."

He further said: "How did information about the eviction drive at Kogilu Layout reach Pakistan? Did the information leak from a Pakistani sleeper cell operating here? While lakhs of poor people in our state, including Scheduled Castes and backward community families, are waiting after applying for houses and sites, the Congress government -- which should have supported them -- has chosen to appease Muslims from other states.

"Instead of taking strict action against migrants who had illegally encroached upon Karnataka's land, this anti-national Congress government has bowed to the diktats of the high command," Ashoka stated.
Chennai, Jan 1 : Tamil Nadu is expected to continue experiencing light to moderate rainfall at isolated locations over the next few days, with the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, forecasting showers across several parts of the state until January 3.

According to the weather department, southern districts are likely to receive relatively higher rainfall activity during this period, driven by moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal. In its latest bulletin, the RMC said that districts in south Tamil Nadu, particularly the ghat regions of Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari, may witness spells of moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall.

The presence of favourable wind patterns and moisture-laden easterly flows is expected to trigger intermittent showers, especially in hilly and windward regions. The department has advised residents in these districts to remain cautious, as heavy rainfall in hilly terrain could lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas and minor disruptions to daily activities.

Farmers have also been advised to take necessary precautions to protect standing crops, especially in areas prone to sudden downpours.

Elsewhere in the state, light rain is likely to occur at isolated places, with partly cloudy skies prevailing in many interior districts. Chennai and its neighbouring districts may experience light showers on January 2, accompanied by mist or haze during the early morning hours. Visibility could be slightly reduced during the early hours, particularly in suburban and coastal areas.

Weather officials said the current rainfall pattern is largely influenced by moisture convergence over the southern peninsula, although no major weather system, such as a low-pressure area, has formed over the Bay of Bengal at present.

From January 4 onwards, a gradual decline in rainfall activity is expected across Tamil Nadu. The weather department has forecast predominantly dry conditions across most districts from January 4 to January 6, with only isolated light showers possible in a few pockets.

Day temperatures are likely to remain near normal during this period, while night temperatures may dip slightly in interior regions. Residents have been advised to stay updated with local weather bulletins and take necessary precautions, particularly in districts vulnerable to heavy rainfall and waterlogging.
Khandwa, Jan 1 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, on Thursday, offered prayers at the Raj Rajeshwari Tripur Sundari Temple located on the banks of Narmada river during a visit on the occasion of the 'New Year'.

Chief Minister Yadav accompanied his wife Seema Yadav during the prayer.

Later on Thursday, the Chief Minister visited a maternal and child health centre being run by the Raj Rajeshwari Temple Trust, during which he held interaction with women and staff members to obtain information about the health services being provided at the centre.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Yadav also distributed nutritional food materials to pregnant and lactating women and extended best wishes to them, the Chief Minister's Office said on his official X account.

Notably, malnutrition has been unending and a serious issue in Madhya Pradesh despite a huge amount of money being spent year after year from the Central and state governments.

According to official data tabled in the state Assembly in August 2025, 85,330 children have been admitted to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres in tribal blocks from 2020 to June 2025.

Yearly admissions of children here are rising sharply from 11,566 in 2020-21 to 20,741 in 2024-25, the state government data said.

The state government's data revealed that more than 10 lakh children in Madhya Pradesh are malnourished, including 1.36 lakh severely stunted.

While the national rate of severe and moderate malnutrition in children under the age of five years was 5.4 per cent in April 2025, in Madhya Pradesh it stood at a staggering 7.79 per cent.

The crisis is compounded by anaemia. As much as 57 per cent of women in Madhya Pradesh are anaemic, weakening the next generation even before birth.

As per the government record, Madhya Pradesh spends Rs 980 per child at Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres.

In Anganwadis, severely malnourished children are allocated Rs 12 per day, while normal children receive Rs 8.

In 2025-26, the state government had allocated Rs 4,895 crore, yet ground realities remain unchanged.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government has said that Madhya Pradesh has moved out of the 'BIMARU' tag in 2023.
Gandhinagar, Jan 1 : Gujarat has provided over 2.58 lakh beneficiaries with homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G) over the last three financial years, including 93,000 houses constructed in the current year alone.

Gandhinagar, Jan 1 (IANS) Gujarat has provided over 2.58 lakh beneficiaries with homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana  Gramin (PMAY-G) over the last three financial years, including 93,000 houses constructed in the current year alone.

The scheme aims to provide dignified, pucca housing to rural families previously deprived of adequate shelter, improving living standards, health, sanitation, and overall well-being.

The PMAY-G scheme is funded jointly by the Centre (60 per cent) and the State (40 per cent), providing Rs 1.20 lakh per house in phased assistance, along with an additional Rs 50,000 during the roof-cast stage, directly credited to beneficiaries' bank accounts.

Further, around 3,000 landless families have received assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh for purchasing plots, ensuring they too can access a permanent home.

Under the guidance of Rural Development Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya and State Minister Sanjaysinh Mahida, the Gujarat government continues to ensure that rural and landless citizens can fulfil their dream of owning a pucca house.

"These homes are not just structures; they are the foundation for dignity, security, and prosperity in rural areas," officials said.

Recently, in Narmada, an e-home handover ceremony was held to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, with the special presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The event witnessed the allocation of homes worth Rs 1,008.19 crore to 61,125 beneficiaries, setting a benchmark for rural development and housing transformation in the State.

The PMAY-G initiative continues to act as a beacon of hope for homeless families in rural Gujarat, contributing significantly to the State's vision of a developed India by 2047, by enabling citizens to move from temporary shelters to secure, permanent homes.

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana  Gramin (PMAY-G) is a flagship rural housing scheme launched by the government of India to provide pucca houses with basic amenities to rural families living without adequate shelter.

Funded jointly by the Centre (60 per cent) and the state (40 per cent), the scheme offers phased financial assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh per house, with an additional Rs 50,000 provided at the roof-casting stage to help beneficiaries complete construction.

PMAY-G also extends support to landless families, offering up to Rs 1 lakh for plot purchase, ensuring access to a permanent home. The programme emphasises dignity, safety, and improved living standards, contributing to better health, sanitation, and socio-economic upliftment.

Over the past three years, states like Gujarat have successfully provided homes to over 2.58 lakh rural families, with special e-home handover events marking milestones, often in the presence of national leaders.

By enabling rural citizens to transition from temporary or inadequate shelters to secure, well-constructed homes, PMAY-G serves as a cornerstone of India's vision for inclusive rural development and a "Housing for All" mission, significantly impacting livelihoods and community well-being.
New Delhi, Jan 1 : Delhi Minister for Social Welfare Ravinder Indraj Singh said on Thursday that no compromise would be made on the quality of development works and strict action would be taken against officials failing to complete works within the stipulated timeframe.

Ravinder Indraj, who is also the Minister in-charge Minister of North West Delhi, said this during an interaction with residents and assured that all dilapidated water supply and sewer lines would be replaced.

He also directed officials to ensure that no water or sewer connections are provided without approved building plans.

Ravinder Indraj visited Deep Vihar, Begumpur, Barwala Road, Rajiv Nagar, Rajiv Nagar Extension, Pappu Colony, Krishna Colony, Shiv Vihar and Shahbad Dairy, where he held direct interactions with residents and issued immediate instructions to officials for prompt redressal of grievances.

During the outreach programme, residents raised issues related to the construction of roads and lanes, water supply, cleaning of drains and sewer overflows before the Cabinet Minister.

Concerns regarding waterlogging during the monsoon season were also highlighted at several locations, said an official statement.

The Cabinet Minister instructed officials from the Delhi Jal Board, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Public Works Department and other concerned departments present on the spot to ensure time-bound, transparent and quality-driven resolution of all complaints.

Ravinder Indraj stated that, as per the directions of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, officials must regularly inspect their respective areas, monitor the quality of development works and maintain continuous engagement with residents.

He reviewed the deadlines of ongoing development projects and emphasised that such public outreach programmes would continue regularly, along with consistent monitoring of compliance with issued directions.

The Minister stated that the governmentas objective is to ensure that every colony is equipped with robust basic infrastructure such as roads, sewerage, water supply, sanitation and street lighting, enabling citizens to lead a dignified life.

He reiterated that the overall development of North West Delhi remains his top priority, and the government is fully committed to achieving the goal of a Developed Delhi in partnership with the people.
New Delhi, Jan 1 : Industry leaders on Thursday said they believe that India's economic position will strengthen further in 2026, with exports expected to gain momentum due to free trade agreements signed with key countries.

Speaking to IANS, they said policy stability and expanding global trade ties will help drive growth in the coming year.

They also said that free trade agreements signed with countries such as Oman, New Zealand and the UK in recent months are expected to give a strong boost to India's exports.

Speaking to IANS, All Gujarat Textile Federation president Ashok Jirawala said India reaching the fourth spot globally is a matter of pride.

"This achievement has been possible due to a stable government and supportive policies," he said.

He added that the government has taken several positive steps for the textile sector in recent years, including better availability of quality yarn, which has helped the industry grow.

"The free trade agreements signed in 2025 have opened new opportunities for exporters. He expressed confidence that these agreements will lead to a sharp rise in exports in the coming years," Jirawala said.

Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Nikhil Madrasi said the new year has brought renewed hope for the country.

"India has now moved ahead of Japan in terms of economic size and is aiming to become the world's third-largest economy by 2028," he said.

"To achieve this goal, India must significantly increase exports and build alternative global trade arrangements instead of depending heavily on the US," he mentioned.

India Bullion and Jewellers Association Gujarat state head Nainesh Pachchigar said the gems and jewellery sector plays a key role in India's export growth.

He said India exports jewellery and gems worth around $7.8 million every day. "The industry is working to scale this up further, and the recently signed free trade agreements are expected to provide additional momentum," Pachchigar stated.
Bengaluru, Jan 1 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D. K. Shivakumar on Thursday said that elections to all local bodies, including the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) municipal corporations, will be held within this year.

Shivakumar, who is also the Urban Development Minister, was speaking to the media after inaugurating the new flyover near the Hebbal flyover and later, near his residence in Bengaluru.

When asked about his New Year's resolutions, he said, "The year 2026 has begun on an auspicious note. In 2025, we provided good governance. Through the investorsa meet and the tech summit, we have taken Karnataka forward. We have kept our promises."

He said historic decisions had been taken in the irrigation sector. "The decisions taken in the Upper Krishna Project (UKP), the Tungabhadra project, and the courtas decision on the Mekedatu project will go down in history. The trust reposed in us by the people has boosted our confidence. Our government is working to live up to that trust," he said.

"In my 35 years of political life, I have never organised such large-scale programmes in Bengaluru. Even when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the city, he praised Bengaluru. Though he did not allocate funds to the city, we are determined to give Bengaluru a new shape," he stated.

He said that Bengaluru welcomed 2026 after bidding farewell to 2025 in a peaceful manner due to effective security arrangements.

"I congratulate Home Minister G. Parameshwara and the entire Home Department for ensuring that no untoward incidents took place," he said.

"For the smooth movement of vehicles to the international airport and the northern parts of Bengaluru, we have inaugurated the second loop of the Hebbal flyover today. Residents of this area had been complaining about traffic congestion near Hebbal. We found a solution at a rapid pace and eased the traffic bottleneck," he said.

He said the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), which has completed 50 years, has undertaken several historic projects that had never been attempted before.

"Land is being acquired from farmers to implement the 120-km-long Bengaluru Business Corridor (BBC). As compensation, 35 per cent of the land is being given back to farmers as commercial land. Farmers are also being offered good compensation for developing small townships. In the coming days, a 1.5-km tunnel road will come up in this area. A flyover will be constructed near Mekhri Circle in three phases. We are also planning to build an elevated road from Tumakuru Road to K.R. Puram to form the Outer Ring Road (ORR)," he explained.

"We had decided to acquire some Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) land from the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) Road authorities, but they raised objections. NICE believes that it is bigger than the government. Therefore, we will find an alternative route. We know how to teach them a lesson. We have identified alternative BDA land for the skydeck project. Due to issues related to aircraft navigation towers, the skydeck will be built at a suitable location," Shivakumar said.
Hyderabad, Jan 1 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao on Thursday demanded that if the Telangana government proposes to make a PowerPoint presentation in the Legislative Assembly, the principal Opposition party, the BRS, must also be given the same opportunity in the spirit of parliamentary democracy.

Speaking to the media at Telangana Bhavan, KTR said that once members enter the Assembly, there is no distinction between the Chief Minister and an ordinary legislator. "All 120 MLAs enjoy equal rights on the floor of the House. If the government presents its version, the Opposition must also be allowed to present its facts," he said.

The Telangana government is likely to make a PowerPoint presentation in the Assembly on Friday on irrigation projects and river water-sharing issues.

"You present your version and allow us to present ours. As the principal Opposition, we are fully prepared to explain how Telangana's agriculture and irrigation were transformed over the last ten years under BRS governance," said KTR, as the BRS leader is popularly known.

KTR asserted that the BRS is fully prepared to place facts and data before the Assembly.

Recalling an earlier instance, KTR said that when former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao made a PowerPoint presentation in the Assembly on March 31, 2016, the Congress party had boycotted the House, calling it a violation of parliamentary traditions. "What was unacceptable thenhow has it suddenly become acceptable now?" he asked.

He said that a letter has been submitted to the Speaker seeking fairness and equal opportunity for the Opposition in the matter.

Launching a sharp attack on the Congress government, KTR questioned the Chief Minister's understanding of irrigation and river water issues. He alleged that the Chief Minister had publicly claimed that the Bhakra Nangal Project was located in Telangana, whereas it is actually located in Himachal Pradesh.

"A Chief Minister who does not even know basic river basins wants to lecture us on irrigation?" KTR asked, adding that the Chief Minister was also unaware of the river basin to which the Devadula project belongs.

KTR highlighted what he described as the government's failures in the irrigation sector, referring to the collapse of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel that claimed eight lives, the collapse of the Sunkishala project, and the submergence of the Vattem pump house.

"What should we learn from youhow to make check dams fail, how Medigadda collapsed, or how Telangana's rightful share in Krishna waters was handed over to the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB)?" he asked.

He further accused the Congress government of neglecting the PalamuruRangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme for the past two years and questioned whether even a single additional acre had received irrigation water under the present regime.

"Have they repaired even one tank or restored a single canal?" KTR asked.
New Delhi, Jan 1 : Washington's "change in approach" towards the war in Ukraine and United States President Donald Trump becoming "the first Western leader to engage Russia" were termed the most consequential political developments of the year by Moscow's global television network.

New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS) Washington's "change in approach" towards the war in Ukraine and United States President Donald Trump becoming "the first Western leader to engage Russia" were termed the most consequential political developments of the year by Moscow's global television network.

"For the first time since the conflict escalated in 2022, Ukraine went through an entire year without launching a major, theatre-shaping offensive. The contrast with previous years is stark," according to an article published on the website of RT, the state-controlled international news television network.

"After three years in which politics tried to outrun the battlefield, 2025 marked a significant reversal. Ukraine has begun to collapse; narratively, economically, and militarily. For the first time since the conflict escalated, there was no Ukrainian offensive whatsoever, never mind one capable of reshaping the front lines," said the article.

However, the most consequential political development of the year was not Russia's breakthrough on the front lines, but a change in Washington's approach.

The commentary referred to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent US visit, where he sought President Trump's backing for a revised 20-point peace plan.

Sunday's meeting ended after more than three hours of talks in Florida, with neither leader announcing any breakthrough.

"Trump's initiative, effectively doorstepping Zelensky with a peace proposal just as his international reputation slumped over a $100 million corruption scandal involving his close associates, was not about sympathy for Moscow, but on the reality that wars between major powers end through negotiated settlement, not narrative victory," claimed the unsigned article.

Incidentally, Trump had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the Zelensky meeting. While the US President appeared non-committal in backing Zelensky's peace plan even before the meeting, Russia had termed it "radically different" from the one it was working on with Washington.

The article emphasised Ukraine's position and Washington-Moscow relations, stressing the security interests of the US and Russia.

"The 'spirit of Anchorage,' as it came to be described, rested on a simple premise: peace in Ukraine is inseparable from a broader stabilisation of US-Russia relations, and any settlement must respect the security interests of both sides," the report said, referring to the Trump-Putin meeting in the Alaskan city.

The report was critical of Europe's stand, noting, "While Washington shifted toward realism, the European Union moved in the opposite direction."

It claimed that under the leadership of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Vice-President Kaja Kallas, the European Union has "fully fused its political identity with Ukraine's maximalist position, moving from stakeholder to partisan."

According to earlier reports, Ursula von der Leyen has been emphasising the importance of Ukraine's accession to the European Union as a guarantee of peace, where the bloc's enlargement will benefit not only the countries that join, but also Europe itself.

"Europe insisted on framing the conflict primarily in ideological terms  democracy versus authoritarianism, good versus evil  and treated compromise as moral failure rather than diplomatic necessity. That posture placed Brussels fundamentally at odds with the logic emerging from Washington after Anchorage," asserted the article.

It said that the gambit to steal Russian assets frozen in the bloc failed, rubber-stamping the bloc's diplomatic irrelevance to any peace process, it continued.

It added that the EU was not removed from negotiations by conspiracy or hostility; it removed itself by making meaningful mediation impossible.

In an apparent reference to Moscow's own peace plans, the article stated, "Zelensky is no longer 'winning', and the war will not be fought 'for as long as it takes.' Peace frameworks have been drafted elsewhere. Texts have been exchanged between major powers before Kiev sees them. It is invited to comment, amend, and react  not to define the process."
New Delhi, Jan 1 : Despite the steep cut in GST rates, a growth of over 6 per cent in gross monthly collection in December is encouraging, industry experts said on Thursday.

India's GST (goods and services tax) collection recorded a 6.1 per cent increase to Rs 1,74,550 crore in December 2025 compared to Rs 1,64,556 crore the same month of the previous year, reflecting the increase in economic activity during the month.

"If this momentum continues for the remaining months of this fiscal, the YoY growth of around 9 per cent is still possible, which seems to be the target government might also be looking at," said Pratik Jain, partner, Price Waterhouse & Co LLP.

Central GST collections in December rose to Rs 34,289 crore, state GST collections to Rs 41,368 crore, and integrated GST collections to Rs 98,894 crore.

According to Manoj Mishra, Partner and Tax Controversy Management Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, December GST numbers reinforce the structural strength of India's formal economy -- an encouraging signal as India consolidates its position as the world's 4th largest economy, surpassing Japan.

"The composition of collections is equally telling with import-related IGST growth of 19.7 per cent points to resilient supply chains and manufacturing momentum, while steady domestic collections reflect stable consumption," he mentioned.

The standout metric remains refunds at Rs 28,980 crore, up 30.9 per cent YoY, underscoring the system's growing emphasis on business liquidity, even as export refunds saw only a marginal 1.9 per cent dip amid global trade softness.

Strong contributions from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Haryana continue to anchor revenues.

The government raised Rs 4,551 crore via the GST compensation cess, which is continuing only as a transitory arrangement till the entire loan and interest liability are settled. The full-year collection was Rs 88,385 crore, compared to Rs 1.1 lakh crore in 2024.

"As Budget 202627 approaches, these trends strengthen the case for policy focus on building on the GST 2.0 reforms focusing on end-to-end automation of compliances, reduction of unwarranted litigation and calibrated credit framework to sustain growth without compromising revenue certainty," said Mishra.
Kolkata, Jan 1 : Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Ritabrata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, suggesting three measures to revive the ailing jute industry amid the closure of several jute mills in West Bengal due to a crisis in the supply of raw jute.

According to Banerjee, the first measure involves announcing a raw jute stabilisation or buffer framework that would clearly define reserve norms, ensure transparent release triggers, and provide for time-bound stock rotation linked to minimum support price (MSP) procurement.

The second measure proposed is the formulation of a defined strategy to predict and evenly distribute production-control-cum-supply-order (PCSO) demand. This, he said, would help ensure the timely finalisation of prices and prevent demand compression, which often destabilises both jute farmers and mills.

The third and final measure focuses on strengthening farmer-facing MSP operations to facilitate faster procurement processes, expand outreach, improve grading support and ensure assured payment timelines for cultivators.

In his letter, Banerjee also highlighted the current crisis faced by jute mills in West Bengal in the wake of the Bangladesh situation, noting that several mills have curtailed shifts or suspended operations due to unaffordable raw material costs and acute working capital stress. This, he said, has resulted in thousands of jute mill workers losing their employment.

Referring to the plight of jute farmers, Banerjee pointed out that cultivators remain exposed to uncertainty, with no assurance that the prevailing high prices are the outcome of sustainable policy support rather than temporary scarcity in the market.

He further claimed that the government's own food grain procurement system is facing packaging stress, reviving concerns over dilution and the possible use of alternatives to jute packaging.

"The jute sector is not merely an industry; it sustains millions of farmers and workers and supports a strategic national packaging requirement. Without timely and decisive intervention, the present crisis could cause long-term structural damage to the sector.

"I request your personal attention and earliest action to restore stability, confidence and fairness in the raw jute market," Banerjee wrote in the letter.
Chandigarh, Jan 1 : Haryana Environment, Forest and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh on Thursday said the government is committed to the conservation of the Aravali mountain range.

With this objective, the government is implementing the Haryana Aravali Green Wall Project, which focuses on addressing major environmental challenges such as desertification, land degradation, and drought. A detailed action plan has been prepared to implement this project by 2030.

Expressing gratitude to the Central government, he said Haryana is getting the opportunity to host this important event at the IUCN Pavilion is a matter of pride for the state.

He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, landmark initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and aEk Ped Maa Ke Naama have been launched, which have transformed environmental conservation into a mass movement.

These initiatives are inspiring people at the global, national, and local levels to adopt sustainable lifestyles.

Inspired by the Prime Ministeras vision, and under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the government has launched innovative initiatives such as Oxy Van, Pran Vayu Devta Yojana, and Van Mitra Yojana to promote community participation. These schemes will prove to be a strong pillar in the direction of Aravali conservation.

The Forest Minister said a proposal has been prepared to provide an annual honorarium to farmers for the conservation of native tree species such as 'Jati' and 'Roheda' in the southern Haryana regions of Mahendragarh, Rewari, Narnaul, Charkhi Dadri, Badhra, and Loharu, on the lines of the Pran Vayu Devta Yojana. This initiative aims to maintain greenery in the Aravali region and directly involve local communities in conservation efforts.

Rao Narbir Singh said the Aravali mountain range holds immense ecological significance for Haryana. It acts as a natural barrier against desertification and is a vital source of biodiversity, water security, and climate balance.

The Aravali plays a crucial role in groundwater recharge, improvement of air quality, mitigation of climate change impacts, and supporting livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions.

He said the Aravali range is globally recognised as a landscape of cultural and historical significance, symbolising the deep relationship between humans and nature.

The Forest Minister said through the Aravali Green Wall Project, Haryana is committed to cooperation with all Aravali states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi.

Projects such as the Gurugram Aravali Biodiversity Park are successful models of ecosystem restoration and have been declared Indiaas first OECM (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure), validating IUCNas global guidelines.

Rao Narbir Singh said that Haryana welcomes the new definition of the Aravali mountain range given by the Supreme Court. He said the government has prepared a proposal to conserve nearly 90 per cent of the Aravali area.

The government aims to create green employment, enhance public participation, and strengthen biodiversity conservation and environmentally friendly resource management in the Aravali region.

--IANS

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Manila, Jan 1 : At least 22 people were injured when a grenade exploded in a residential area in Cotabato province in southern Philippines, shortly after midnight on Thursday, local police said.

Police said two men riding on a motorcycle lobbed the fragmentation grenade at the crowd as residents were welcoming the New Year along the national highway in Matalam town.

Based on witnesses' accounts, police said a black motorcycle slowed down as it passed the area where people were celebrating. One of the two men riding the motorcycle allegedly threw what was believed to be a hand grenade before speeding away, Xinhua news agency reported. Seconds later, the explosive detonated, sending shrapnel flying and hitting several people, mostly on their lower extremities.

The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities have not yet released details on the condition of the victims.

Police have launched a manhunt operation and are coordinating with local officials and community members to identify the suspects.

Security has also been tightened in the area to prevent similar incidents as investigations continue.

Last month, following the death of two soldiers in explosions from anti-personnel landmines in Camarines Sur province on Luzon island, the Philippine army had said that it has intensified pursuit operations against the New People's Army (NPA) rebels.

The NPA has waged a decades-long insurgency since 1969, seeking to overthrow the government.

The group continues to operate mainly in rural areas across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, though security officials say its ranks have sharply declined in recent years.

According to the military, the NPA's current strength is estimated at around 1,000 fighters -- far below its peak of roughly 25,000 in the mid-1980s.

Meanwhile, the number of firework-related injuries recorded during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the Philippines dropped by 42 per cent compared with the same period of last year, the country's Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday.

From December 21, 2025, to January 1, 2026, the DOH recorded 235 firework-related injuries, significantly lower than the 403 cases logged during the same period last year.

Despite the decline, the DOH said the figure may still increase as surveillance continues until January 5.
Indore, Jan 1 : As residents of Bhagirathpura slum in Indore grapple with a deadly outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea linked to contaminated water, the Madhya Pradesh government has yet to release exact data on the number of fatalities.

Local claims suggest the death toll could be as high as 13, while official acknowledgments remain stuck at just four, leaving families in anguish and no authority able to provide a definitive count.

Meanwhile, new cases of illness are still emerging, with more than 50 people currently hospitalised and reports of fresh admissions on Thursday.

The crisis, which has unfolded over the past week, highlights a stark discrepancy between ground realities and administrative reports.

Between December 25 and 31, 2025, locals reported at least 12 deaths, including recent claims from two families on Thursday.

The deceased include Arvind, the son of Hiralal Kulkarni, and Shankar, both succumbing to symptoms of severe vomiting and diarrhoea, local sources said.

Despite these accounts, the district administration insists only four deaths are directly attributable to the outbreak caused by contaminated water.

This ambiguity has fuelled public outrage and political bickering.

Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari lambasted the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government, saying, "Indore has consistently voted the BJP MPs and MLAs to power, but they have poisoned Indore's water. The question arises; 13 deaths have occurred, and the Chief Minister says that only four deaths have occurred. Was it the Chief Minister's responsibility to hide the death toll? We have formed a committee, and a complete investigation is underway. We demand that the families of the deceased be given a compensation of one crore rupees each. The Chief Minister should punish those responsible for this incident."

Reacting to State Congress President Patwari's claims against the BJP-led state government, State Urban Administration Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who also serves as the local MLA, visited the affected families on Thursday to distribute government relief cheques of Rs 2 lakh each.

However, the gesture was met with resistance; a victim's family refused the aid, expressing frustration over the state government's inaction.

A video of the protest has gone viral on social media, capturing the Minister's encounter with angry residents who surrounded him, complaining that dirty water has been supplied for the past two years despite repeated complaints.

"If our complaints had been heard earlier, so many people would not have died," women in the area told Minister Vijayvargiya.

Vijayvargiya, who left the spot on a scooter with BJP Corporator Kamal Waghela, later addressed the controversy over the death toll before the media saying, "The administration officials have informed me that four people have died due to this outbreak, but there are reports of eight or nine deaths here (in Bhagirathpura). We will verify this information, and if found to be true, the families of the deceased will be provided with financial assistance as announced by the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav."

He added that around 200 people have been admitted to hospitals, with no one currently in immediate danger -- one patient remains on a ventilator but is stable.

"Our effort is to save people's lives and provide maximum service. We are going to help those who are economically weak. We will provide assistance from the government as well as from society."

The outbreak has prompted urgent interventions from local authorities.

Following initial reports of three deaths and about 149 hospitalisations, the Indore District Magistrate Shivam Verma and District Municipal Commissioner Dileep Kumar Yadav inspected the area.

The municipal corporation is now supplying clean water directly to homes, and ambulances have been stationed for symptomatic residents, Minister Vijayvargiya said.

Minister Vijayvargiya also convened a meeting with the Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav and officials to address the water contamination issue.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered an inquiry, directing the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing Department, Sanjay Dubey, with investigating the matter.

Dubey visited the Bhagirathpura slum on Thursday morning to assess the situation.

Doctors treating the affected note that individuals with weaker immune systems, including children and the elderly, have been hit the hardest.

Most cases involve stomach infections manageable with medication, but the persistence of new infections underscores the ongoing threat.

As Indore, the cleanest city in India, faces this public health scandal, residents demand transparency and swift action.

With no exact death toll forthcoming and illnesses unabated, the state government's response remains under scrutiny, raising broader questions about water quality management in urban slums.
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REMINISCENCES

OF A

STOCK OPERATOR

REMINISCENCES

OF A

STOCK OPERATOR By Edwin Lefevre with a new Introduction by

Benton W. Davis American Research Council  Larchmont, New York

Copyright  1923 by George H. Doran Company All Rights Reserved Reprinted by arrangement with Doubleday & Company, Inc. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 64-23364

Printed in the United States of America

To

Jesse Lauriston Livermore

CONTENTS

I 1 II 14 III 30 IV 39 V 55 VI 67 VII 80 VIII 87 IX 100 X 117 XI 131 XII 144 XIII 160 XIV 173 XV 190 XVI 199 XVII 215 XVIII 230 XIX 238 XX 245 XXI 257 XXII 273 XXIII 293 XXIV 304

I 1

I went to work when I was just out of grammar school. I got a job as quotation-board boy in a stock-brokerage office. I was quick at figures. At school I did three years of arithmetic in one. I was particularly good at mental arithmetic. As quotation-board boy I posted the numbers on the big board in the customers room. One of the customers usually sat by the ticker and called out the prices. They couldnt come too fast for me. I have always remembered figures. No trouble at all.

There were plenty of other employes in that office. Of course I made friends with the other fellows, but the work I did, if the market was active, kept me too busy from ten A.M. to three P.M. to let me do much talking. I dont care for it, anyhow, during business hours.

But a busy market did not keep me from thinking about the work. Those quotations did not represent prices of stocks to me, so many dollars per share. They were numbers. Of course, they meant something. They were always changing. It was all I had to be interested inthe changes. Why did they change? I didnt know. I didnt care. I didnt think about that. I simply saw that they changed. That was all I had to think about five hours every day and two on Saturdays: that they were always changing.

That is how I first came to be interested in the behaviour of prices. I had a very good memory for figures. I could remember in detail how the prices had acted on the previous2 day, just before they went up or down. My fondness for mental arithmetic came in very handy.

I noticed that in advances as well as declines, stock prices were apt to show certain habits, so to speak. There was no end of parallel cases and these made precedents to guide me. I was only fourteen, but after I had taken hundreds of observations in my mind I found myself testing their accuracy, comparing the behaviour of stocks to-day with other days. It was not long before I was anticipating movements in prices. My only guide, as I say, was their past performances. I carried the dope sheets in my mind. I looked for stock prices to run on form. I had clocked them. You know what I mean.

You can spot, for instance, where the buying is only a trifle better than the selling. A battle goes on in the stock market and the tape is your telescope. You can depend upon it seven out of ten cases.

Another lesson I learned early is that there is nothing new in Wall Street. There cant be because speculation is as old as the hills. Whatever happens in the stock market to-day has happened before and will happen again. Ive never forgotten that. I suppose I really manage to remember when and how it happened. The fact that I remember that way is my way of capitalizing experience.

I got so interested in my game and so anxious to anticipate advances and declines in all the active stocks that I got a little book. I put down my observations in it. It was not a record of imaginary transactions such as so many people keep merely to make or lose millions of dollars without getting the swelled head or going to the poorhouse. It was rather a sort of record of my hits and misses, and next to the determination of probable movements I was most interested in verifying whether I had observed accurately; in other words, whether I was right.

Say that after studying every fluctuation of the day in an active stock I would conclude that it was behaving as it always did before it broke eight or ten points. Well, I would3 jot down the stock and the price on Monday, and remembering past performances I would write down what it ought to do on Tuesday and Wednesday. Later I would check up with actual transcriptions from the tape.

That is how I first came to take an interest in the message of the tape. The fluctuations were from the first associated in my mind with upward or downward movements. Of course there is always a reason for fluctuations, but the tape does not concern itself with the why and wherefore. It doesnt go into explanations. I didnt ask the tape why when I was fourteen, and I dont ask it to-day, at forty. The reason for what a certain stock does to-day may not be known for two or three days, or weeks, or months. But what the dickens does that matter? Your business with the tape is nownot to-morrow. The reason can wait. But you must act instantly or be left. Time and again I see this happen. Youll remember that Hollow Tube went down three points the other day while the rest of the market rallied sharply. That was the fact. On the following Monday you saw that the directors passed the dividend. That was the reason. They knew what they were going to do, and even if they didnt sell the stock themselves they at least didnt buy it. There was no inside buying; no reason why it should not break.

Well, I kept up my little memorandum book perhaps six months. Instead of leaving for home the moment I was through with my work, Id jot down the figures I wanted and would study the changes, always looking for the repetitions and parallelisms of behaviourlearning to read the tape, although I was not aware of it at the time.

One day one of the office boyshe was older than Icame to me where I was eating my lunch and asked me on the quiet if I had any money.

Why do you want to know? I said.

Well, he said, Ive got a dandy tip on Burlington. Im going to play it if I can get somebody to go in with me.

How do you mean, play it? I asked. To me the only4 people who played or could play tips were the customersold jiggers with oodles of dough. Why, it cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars, to get into the game. It was like owning your private carriage and having a coachman who wore a silk hat.

Thats what I mean; play it! he said. How much you got?

How much you need?

Well, I can trade in five shares by putting up $5.

How are you going to play it?

Im going to buy all the Burlington the bucket shop will let me carry with the money I give him for margin, he said. Its going up sure. Its like picking up money. Well double ours in a jiffy.

Hold on! I said to him, and pulled out my little dope book.

I wasnt interested in doubling my money, but in his saying that Burlington was going up. If it was, my note-book ought to show it. I looked. Sure enough, Burlington, according to my figuring, was acting as it usually did before it went up. I had never bought or sold anything in my life, and I never gambled with the other boys. But all I could see was that this was a grand chance to test the accuracy of my work, of my hobby. It struck me at once that if my dope didnt work in practice there was nothing in the theory of it to interest anybody. So I gave him all I had, and with our pooled resources he went to one of the near-by bucket shops and bought some Burlington. Two days later we cashed in. I made a profit of $3.12.

After that first trade, I got to speculating on my own hook in the bucket shops. Id go during my lunch hour and buy or sellit never made any difference to me. I was playing a system and not a favorite stock or backing opinions. All I knew was the arithmetic of it. As a matter of fact, mine was the ideal way to operate in a bucket shop, where all that a5 trader does is to bet on fluctuations as they are printed by the ticker on the tape.

It was not long before I was taking much more money out of the bucket shops than I was pulling down from my job in the brokerage office. So I gave up my position. My folks objected, but they couldnt say much when they saw what I was making. I was only a kid and office-boy wages were not very high. I did mighty well on my own hook.

I was fifteen when I had my first thousand and laid the cash in front of my motherall made in the bucket shops in a few months, besides what I had taken home. My mother carried on something awful. She wanted me to put it away in the savings bank out of reach of temptation. She said it was more money than she ever heard any boy of fifteen had made, starting with nothing. She didnt quite believe it was real money. She used to worry and fret about it. But I didnt think of anything except that I could keep on proving my figuring was right. Thats all the fun there isbeing right by using your head. If I was right when I tested my convictions with ten shares I would be ten times more right if I traded in a hundred shares. That is all that having more margin meant to meI was right more emphatically. More courage? No! No difference! If all I have is ten dollars and I risk it, I am much braver than when I risk a million, if I have another million salted away.

Anyhow, at fifteen I was making a good living out of the stock market. I began in the smaller bucket shops, where the man who traded in twenty shares at a clip was suspected of being John W. Gates in disguise or J. P. Morgan traveling incognito. Bucket shops in those days seldom lay down on their customers. They didnt have to. There were other ways of parting customers from their money, even when they guessed right. The business was tremendously profitable. When it was conducted legitimatelyI mean straight, as far as the bucket shop wentthe fluctuations took care of the shoestrings. It doesnt take much of a reaction to wipe out a6 margin of only three quarters of a point. Also, no welsher could ever get back in the game. Wouldnt have any trade.

I didnt have a following. I kept my business to myself. It was a one-man business, anyhow. It was my head, wasnt it? Prices either were going the way I doped them out, without any help from friends or partners, or they were going the other way, and nobody could stop them out of kindness to me. I couldnt see where I needed to tell my business to anybody else. Ive got friends, of course, but my business has always been the samea one-man affair. That is why I have always played a lone hand.

As it was, it didnt take long for the bucket shops to get sore on me for beating them. Id walk in and plank down my margin, but theyd look at it without making a move to grab it. Theyd tell me there was nothing doing. That was the time they got to calling me the Boy Plunger. I had to be changing brokers all the time, going from one bucket shop to another. It got so that I had to give a fictitious name. Id begin light, only fifteen or twenty shares. At times, when they got suspicious, Id lose on purpose at first and then sting them proper. Of course after a while theyd find me too expensive and theyd tell me to take myself and my business elsewhere and not interfere with the owners dividends.

Once, when the big concern Id been trading with for months shut down on me I made up my mind to take a little more of their money away from them. That bucket shop had branches all over the city, in hotel lobbies, and in near-by towns. I went to one of the hotel branches and asked the manager a few questions and finally got to trading. But as soon as I played an active stock my especial way he began to get messages from the head office asking who it was that was operating. The manager told me what they asked him and I told him my name was Edward Robinson, of Cambridge. He telephoned the glad news to the big chief. But the other end wanted to know what I looked like. When the manager told me that I said to him, Tell him I am a short7 fat man with dark hair and a bushy beard! But he described me instead, and then he listened and his face got red and he hung up and told me to beat it.

What did they say to you? I asked him politely.

They said, You blankety-blank fool, didnt we tell you to take no business from Larry Livingston? And you deliberately let him trim us out of $700! He didnt say what else they told him.

I tried the other branches one after another, but they all got to know me, and my money wasnt any good in any of their offices. I couldnt even go in to look at the quotations without some of the clerks making cracks at me. I tried to get them to let me trade at long intervals by dividing my visits among them all. But that didnt work.

Finally there was only one left to me and that was the biggest and richest of allthe Cosmopolitan Stock Brokerage Company.

The Cosmopolitan was rated as A-1 and did an enormous business. It had branches in every manufacturing town in New England. They took my trading all right, and I bought and sold stocks and made and lost money for months, but in the end it happened with them as usual. They didnt refuse my business point-blank, as the small concerns had. Oh, not because it wasnt sportsmanship, but because they knew it would give them a black eye to publish the news that they wouldnt take a fellows business just because that fellow happened to make a little money. But they did the next worse thingthat is, they made me put up a three-point margin and compelled me to pay a premium at first of a half point, then a point, and finally, a point and a half. Some handicap, that! How? Easy! Suppose Steel was selling at 90 and you bought it. Your ticket read, normally: Bot ten Steel at 90. If you put up a point margin it meant that if it broke 89 you were wiped out automatically. In a bucket shop the customer is not importuned for more margin or put to the8 painful necessity of telling his broker to sell for anything he can get.

But when the Cosmopolitan tacked on that premium they were hitting below the belt. It meant that if the price was 90 when I bought, instead of making my ticket: Bot Steel at 90, it read: Bot Steel at 91. Why, that stock could advance a point and a quarter after I bought it and Id still be losing money if I closed the trade. And by also insisting that I put up a three-point margin at the very start they reduced my trading capacity by two-thirds. Still, that was the only bucket shop that would take my business at all, and I had to accept their terms or quit trading.

Of course I had my ups and downs, but was a winner on balance. However, the Cosmopolitan people were not satisfied with the awful handicap they had tacked on me, which should have been enough to beat anybody. They tried to double-cross me. They didnt get me. I escaped because of one of my hunches.

The Cosmopolitan, as I said, was my last resort. It was the richest bucket shop in New England, and as a rule they put no limit on a trade. I think I was the heaviest individual trader they hadthat is, of the steady, every-day customers. They had a fine office and the largest and completest quotation board I have ever seen anywhere. It ran along the whole length of the big room and every imaginable thing was quoted. I mean stocks dealt in on the New York and Boston Stock Exchanges, cotton, wheat, provisions, metalseverything that was bought and sold in New York, Chicago, Boston and Liverpool.

You know how they traded in bucket shops. You gave your money to a clerk and told him what you wished to buy or sell. He looked at the tape or the quotation board and took the price from therethe last one, of course. He also put down the time on the ticket so that it almost read like a regular brokers reportthat is, that they had bought or sold for you so many shares of such a stock at such a price at9 such a time on such a day and how much money they received from you. When you wished to close your trade you went to the clerkthe same or another, it depended on the shopand you told him. He took the last price or if the stock had not been active he waited for the next quotation that came out on the tape. He wrote that price and the time on your ticket, O.K.d it and gave it back to you, and then you went to the cashier and got whatever cash it called for. Of course, when the market went against you and the price went beyond the limit set by your margin, your trade automatically closed itself and your ticket became one more scrap of paper.

In the humbler bucket shops, where people were allowed to trade in as little as five shares, the tickets were little slipsdifferent colors for buying and sellingand at times, as for instance in boiling bull markets, the shops would be hard hit because all the customers were bulls and happened to be right. Then the bucket shop would deduct both buying and selling commissions and if you bought a stock at 20 the ticket would read 20. You thus had only , of a points run for your money.

But the Cosmopolitan was the finest in New England. It had thousands of patrons and I really think I was the only man they were afraid of. Neither the killing premium nor the three-point margin they made me put up reduced my trading much. I kept on buying and selling as much as theyd let me. I sometimes had a line of 5000 shares.

Well, on the day the thing happened that I am going to tell you, I was short thirty-five hundred shares of Sugar. I had seven big pink tickets for five hundred shares each. The Cosmopolitan used big slips with a blank space on them where they could write down additional margin. Of course, the bucket shops never ask for more margin. The thinner the shoestring the better for them, for their profit lies in your being wiped. In the smaller shops if you wanted to margin your trade still further theyd make out a new ticket, so they10 could charge you the buying commission and only give you a run of  of a point on each points decline, for they figured the selling commission also exactly as if it were a new trade.

Well, this day I remember I had up over $10,000 in margins.

I was only twenty when I first accumulated ten thousand dollars in cash. And you ought to have heard my mother. Youd have thought that ten thousand dollars in cash was more than anybody carried around except old John D., and she used to tell me to be satisfied and go into some regular business. I had a hard time convincing her that I was not gambling, but making money by figuring. But all she could see was that ten thousand dollars was a lot of money and all I could see was more margin.

I had put out my 3500 shares of Sugar at 105. There was another fellow in the room, Henry Williams, who was short 2500 shares. I used to sit by the ticker and call out the quotations for the board boy. The price behaved as I thought it would. It promptly went down a couple of points and paused a little to get its breath before taking another dip. The general market was pretty soft and everything looked promising. Then all of a sudden I didnt like the way Sugar was doing its hesitating. I began to feel uncomfortable. I thought I ought to get out of the market. Then it sold at 103that was low for the daybut instead of feeling more confident I felt more uncertain. I knew something was wrong somewhere, but I couldnt spot it exactly. But if something was coming and I didnt know where from, I couldnt be on my guard against it. That being the case Id better be out of the market.

You know, I dont do things blindly. I dont like to. I never did. Even as a kid I had to know why I should do certain things. But this time I had no definite reason to give to myself, and yet I was so uncomfortable that I couldnt stand it. I called to a fellow I knew, Dave Wyman, and said to him: Dave, you take my place here. I want you to do something11 for me. Wait a little before you call out the next price of Sugar, will you?

He said he would, and I got up and gave him my place by the ticker so he could call out the prices for the boy. I took my seven Sugar tickets out of my pocket and walked over to the counter, to where the clerk was who marked the tickets when you closed your trades. But I didnt really know why I should get out of the market, so I just stood there, leaning against the counter, my tickets in my hand so that the clerk couldnt see them. Pretty soon I heard the clicking of a telegraph instrument and I saw Tom Burnham, the clerk, turn his head quickly and listen. Then I felt that something crooked was hatching, and I decided not to wait any longer. Just then Dave Wyman by the ticker, began: Su and quick as a flash I slapped my tickets on the counter in front of the clerk and yelled, Close Sugar! before Dave had finished calling the price. So, of course, the house had to close my Sugar at the last quotation. What Dave called turned out to be 103 again.

According to my dope Sugar should have broken 103 by now. The engine wasnt hitting right. I had the feeling that there was a trap in the neighbourhood. At all events, the telegraph instrument was now going like mad and I noticed that Tom Burnham, the clerk, had left my tickets unmarked where I laid them, and was listening to the clicking as if he were waiting for something. So I yelled at him: Hey, Tom, what in hell are you waiting for? Mark the price on these tickets103! Get a gait on!

Everybody in the room heard me and began to look toward us and ask what was the trouble, for, you see, while the Cosmopolitan had never laid down, there was no telling, and a run on a bucket shop can start like a run on a bank. If one customer gets suspicious the others follow suit. So Tom looked sulky, but came over and marked my tickets Closed at 103 and shoved the seven of them over toward me. He sure had a sour face.

12 Say, the distance from Toms place to the cashiers cage wasnt over eight feet. But I hadnt got to the cashier to get my money when Dave Wyman by the ticker yelled excitedly: Gosh! Sugar, 108! But it was too late; so I just laughed and called over to Tom, It didnt work that time, did it, old boy?

Of course, it was a put-up job. Henry Williams and I together were short six thousand shares of Sugar. That bucket shop had my margin and Henrys, and there may have been a lot of other Sugar shorts in the office; possibly eight or ten thousand shares in all. Suppose they had $20,000 in Sugar margins. That was enough to pay the shop to thimblerig the market on the New York Stock Exchange and wipe us out. In the old days whenever a bucket shop found itself loaded with too many bulls on a certain stock it was a common practice to get some broker to wash down the price of that particular stock far enough to wipe out all the customers that were long of it. This seldom cost the bucket shop more than a couple of points on a few hundred shares, and they made thousands of dollars.

That was what the Cosmopolitan did to get me and Henry Williams and the other Sugar shorts. Their brokers in New York ran up the price to 108. Of course it fell right back, but Henry and a lot of others were wiped out. Whenever there was an unexplained sharp drop which was followed by instant recovery, the newspapers in those days used to call it a bucket-shop drive.

And the funniest thing was that not later than ten days after the Cosmopolitan people tried to double-cross me a New York operator did them out of over seventy thousand dollars. This man, who was quite a market factor in his day and a member of the New York Stock Exchange, made a great name for himself as a bear during the Bryan panic of 96. He was forever running up against Stock Exchange rules that kept him from carrying out some of his plans at the expense of his fellow members. One day he figured that there13 would be no complaints from either the Exchange or the police authorities if he took from the bucket shops of the land some of their ill-gotten gains. In the instance I speak of he sent thirty-five men to act as customers. They went to the main office and to the bigger branches. On a certain day at a fixed hour the agents all bought as much of a certain stock as the managers would let them. They had instructions to sneak out at a certain profit. Of course what he did was to distribute bull tips on that stock among his cronies and then he went in to the floor of the Stock Exchange and bid up the price, helped by the room traders, who thought he was a good sport. Being careful to pick out the right stock for that work, there was no trouble in putting up the price three or four points. His agents at the bucket shops cashed in as prearranged.

A fellow told me the originator cleaned up seventy thousand dollars net, and his agents made their expenses and their pay besides. He played that game several times all over the country, punishing the bigger bucket shops of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis. One of his favorite stocks was Western Union, because it was so easy to move a semiactive stock like that a few points up or down. His agents bought it at a certain figure, sold at two points profit, went short and took three points more. By the way, I read the other day that that man died, poor and obscure. If he had died in 1896 he would have got at least a column on the first page of every New York paper. As it was he got two lines on the fifth.

14

II

Between the discovery that the Cosmopolitan Stock Brokerage Company was ready to beat me by foul means if the killing handicap of a three-point margin and a point-and-a-half premium didnt do it, and hints that they didnt want my business anyhow, I soon made up my mind to go to New York, where I could trade in the office of some member of the New York Stock Exchange. I didnt want any Boston branch, where the quotations had to be telegraphed. I wanted to be close to the original source. I came to New York at the age of 21, bringing with me all I had, twenty-five hundred dollars.

I told you I had ten thousand dollars when I was twenty, and my margin on that Sugar deal was over ten thousand. But I didnt always win. My plan of trading was sound enough and won oftener than it lost. If I had stuck to it Id have been right perhaps as often as seven out of ten times. In fact, I always made money when I was sure I was right before I began. What beat me was not having brains enough to stick to my own gamethat is, to play the market only when I was satisfied that precedents favored my play. There is a time for all things, but I didnt know it. And that is precisely what beats so many men in Wall Street who are very far from being in the main sucker class. There is the plain fool, who does the wrong thing at all times everywhere, but there is the Wall Street fool, who thinks he must trade all the time. No man can always have adequate reasons for buying15 or selling stocks dailyor sufficient knowledge to make his play an intelligent play.

I proved it. Whenever I read the tape by the light of experience I made money, but when I made a plain fool play I had to lose. I was no exception, was I? There was the huge quotation board staring me in the face, and the ticker going on, and people trading and watching their tickets turn into cash or into waste paper. Of course I let the craving for excitement get the better of my judgment. In a bucket shop where your margin is a shoestring you dont play for long pulls. You are wiped too easily and quickly. The desire for constant action irrespective of underlying conditions is responsible for many losses in Wall Street even among the professionals, who feel that they must take home some money every day, as though they were working for regular wages. I was only a kid, remember. [I did not know then what I learned later, what made me fifteen years later, wait two long weeks and see a stock on which I was very bullish go up thirty points before I felt that it was safe to buy it. I was broke and was trying to get back, and I couldnt afford to play recklessly. I had to be right, and so I waited.] That was in 1915. Its a long story. Ill tell it later in its proper place. Now lets go on from where after years of practice at beating them I let the bucket shops take away most of my winnings.

And with my eyes wide open, to boot! And it wasnt the only period of my life when I did it, either. A stock operator has to fight a lot of expensive enemies within himself. Anyhow, I came to New York with twenty-five hundred dollars. There were no bucket shops here that a fellow could trust. The Stock Exchange and the police between them had succeeded in closing them up pretty tight. Besides, I wanted to find a place where the only limit to my trading would be the size of my stake. I didnt have much of one, but I didnt expect it to stay little forever. The main thing at the start was to find a place where I wouldnt have to worry about getting16 a square deal. So I went to a New York Stock Exchange house that had a branch at home where I knew some of the clerks. They have long since gone out of business. I wasnt there long, didnt like one of the partners, and then I went to A. R. Fullerton & Co. Somebody must have told them about my early experiences, because it was not long before they all got to calling me the Boy Trader. Ive always looked young. It was a handicap in some ways but it compelled me to fight for my own because so many tried to take advantage of my youth. The chaps at the bucket shops seeing what a kid I was, always thought I was a fool for luck and that was the only reason why I beat them so often.

Well, it wasnt six months before I was broke. I was a pretty active trader and had a sort of reputation as a winner. I guess my commissions amounted to something. I ran up my account quite a little, but, of course, in the end I lost. I played carefully; but I had to lose. Ill tell you the reason: it was my remarkable success in the bucket shops!

I could beat the game my way only in a bucket shop, where I was betting on fluctuations. My tape reading had to do with that exclusively. When I bought the price was there on the quotation board, right in front of me. Even before I bought I knew exactly the price Id have to pay for my stock. And I always could sell on the instant. I could scalp successfully, because I could move like lightning. [I could follow up my luck or cut my loss in a second.] Sometimes, for instance, I was certain a stock would move at least a point. Well, I didnt have to hog it, I could put up a point margin and double my money in a jiffy; or Id take half a point. On one or two hundred shares a day, that wouldnt be bad at the end of the month, what?

The practical trouble with that arrangement, of course, was that even if the bucket shop had the resources to stand a big steady loss, they wouldnt do it. They wouldnt have a customer around the place who had the bad taste to win all the time.

17 At all events, what was a perfect system for trading in bucket shops didnt work in Fullertons office. There I was actually buying and selling stocks. The price of Sugar on the tape might be 105 and I could see a three-point drop coming. As a matter of fact, at the very moment the ticker was printing 105 on the tape the real price on the floor of the Exchange might be 104 or 103. By the time my order to sell a thousand shares got to Fullertons floor man to execute, the price might be still lower. I couldnt tell at what price I had put out my thousand shares until I got a report from the clerk. When I surely would have made three thousand on the same transaction in a bucket shop I might not make a cent in a Stock Exchange house. Of course, I have taken an extreme case, but the fact remains that in A. R. Fullertons office the tape always talked ancient history to me, as far as my system of trading went, and I didnt realise it.

And then, too, if my order was fairly big my own sale would tend further to depress the price. In the bucket shop I didnt have to figure on the effect of my own trading. I lost in New York because the game was altogether different. It was not that I now was playing it legitimately that made me lose, but that I was playing it ignorantly. I have been told that I am a good reader of the tape. But reading the tape like an expert did not save me. I might have made out a great deal better if I had been on the floor myself, a room trader. In a particular crowd perhaps I might have adapted my system to the conditions immediately before me. But, of course, if I had got to operating on such a scale as I do now, for instance, the system would have equally failed me, on account of the effect of my own trading on prices.

In short, I did not know the game of stock speculation. I knew a part of it, a rather important part, which has been very valuable to me at all times. But if with all I had I still lost, what chance does the green outsider have of winning, or, rather, of cashing in?

It didnt take me long to realise that there was something18 wrong with my play, but I couldnt spot the exact trouble. There were times when my system worked beautifully, and then, all of a sudden, nothing but one swat after another. I was only twenty-two, remember; not that I was so stuck on myself that I didnt want to know just where I was at fault, but that at that age nobody knows much of anything.

The people in the office were very nice to me. I couldnt plunge as I wanted to because of their margin requirements, but old A. R. Fullerton and the rest of the firm were so kind to me that after six months of active trading I not only lost all I had brought and all that I had made there but I even owed the firm a few hundreds.

There I was, a mere kid, who had never before been away from home, flat broke; but I knew there wasnt anything wrong with me; only with my play. I dont know whether I make myself plain, but I never lose my temper over the stock market. I never argue with the tape. Getting sore at the market doesnt get you anywhere.

I was so anxious to resume trading that I didnt lose a minute, but went to old man Fullerton and said to him, Say, A. R., lend me five hundred dollars.

What for? says he.

Ive got to have some money.

What for? he says again.

For margin, of course, I said.

Five hundred dollars? he said, and frowned. You know theyd expect you to keep up a 10 per cent margin, and that means one thousand dollars on one hundred shares. Much better to give you a credit

No, I said, I dont want a credit here. I already owe the firm something. What I want is for you to lend me five hundred dollars so I can go out and get a roll and come back.

How are you going to do it? asked old A. R.

Ill go and trade in a bucket shop, I told him.

Trade here, he said.

19 No, I said. Im not sure yet I can beat the game in this office, but I am sure I can take money out of the bucket shops. I know that game. I have a notion that I know just where I went wrong here.

He let me have it, and I went out of that office where the Boy Terror of the Bucket Shops, as they called him, had lost his pile. I couldnt go back home because the shops there would not take my business. New York was out of the question; there werent any doing business at that time. They tell me that in the 90s Broad Street and New Street were full of them. But there werent any when I needed them in my business. So after some thinking I decided to go to St. Louis. I had heard of two concerns there that did an enormous business all through the Middle West. Their profits must have been huge. They had branch offices in dozens of towns. In fact I had been told that there were no concerns in the East to compare with them for volume of business. They ran openly and the best people traded there without any qualms. A fellow even told me that the owner of one of the concerns was a vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce but that couldnt have been in St. Louis. At any rate, that is where I went with my five hundred dollars to bring back a stake to use as margin in the office of A. R. Fullerton & Co., members of the New York Stock Exchange.

When I got to St. Louis I went to the hotel, washed up and went out to find the bucket shops. One was the J. G. Dolan Company, and the other was H. S. Teller & Co. I knew I could beat them. I was going to play dead safecarefully and conservatively. My one fear was that somebody might recognize me and give me away, because the bucket shops all over the country had heard of the Boy Trader. They are like gambling houses and get all the gossip of the profesh.

Dolan was nearer than Teller, and I went there first. I was hoping I might be allowed to do business a few days before they told me to take my trade somewhere else. I walked in. It was a whopping big place and there must have been at20 least a couple of hundred people there staring at the quotations. I was glad, because in such a crowd I stood a better chance of being unnoticed. I stood and watched the board and looked them over carefully until I picked out the stock for my initial play.

I looked around and saw the order-clerk at the window where you put down your money and get your ticket. He was looking at me so I walked up to him and asked, Is this where you trade in cotton and wheat?

Yes, sonny, says he.

Can I buy stocks too?

You can if you have the cash, he said.

Oh, I got that all right, all right, I said like a boasting boy.

You have, have you? he says with a smile.

How much stock can I buy for one hundred dollars? I asked, peeved-like.

One hundred; if you got the hundred.

I got the hundred. Yes; and two hundred too! I told him.

Oh, my! he said.

Just you buy me two hundred shares, I said sharply.

Two hundred what? he asked, serious now. It was business.

I looked at the board again as if to guess wisely and told him, Two hundred Omaha.

All right! he said. He took my money, counted it and wrote out the ticket.

Whats your name? he asked me, and I answered, Horace Kent.

He gave me the ticket and I went away and sat down among the customers to wait for the roll to grow. I got quick action and I traded several times that day. On the next day too. In two days I made twenty-eight hundred dollars, and I was hoping theyd let me finish the week out. At the rate I was going, that wouldnt be so bad. Then Id tackle the other21 shop, and if I had similar luck there Id go back to New York with a wad I could do something with.

On the morning of the third day, when I went to the window, bashful-like, to buy five hundred B.R.T. the clerk said to me, Say, Mr. Kent, the boss wants to see you.

I knew the game was up. But I asked him, What does he want to see me about?

I dont know.

Where is he?

In his private office. Go in that way. And he pointed to a door.

I went in. Dolan was sitting at his desk. He swung around and said, Sit down, Livingston.

He pointed to a chair. My last hope vanished. I dont know how he discovered who I was; perhaps from the hotel register.

What do you want to see me about? I asked him.

Listen, kid. I aint got nothin agin yeh, see? Nothin at all. See?

No, I dont see, I said.

He got up from his swivel chair. He was a whopping big guy. He said to me, Just come over here, Livingston, will yeh? and he walked to the door. He opened it and then he pointed to the customers in the big room.

Dyeh see them? he asked me.

See what?

Them guys. Take a look at em, kid. Theres three hundred of em! Three hundred suckers! They feed me and my family. See? Three hundred suckers! Then yeh come in, and in two days yeh cop more than I get out of the three hundred in two weeks. That aint business, kidnot for me! I aint got nothin agin yeh. Yer welcome to what yeve got. But yeh dont any more. There aint any here for yeh!

Why, I

Thats all. I seen yeh come in day before yesterday, and22 I didnt like yer looks. On the level, I didnt. I spotted yeh for a ringer. I called in that jackass therehe pointed to the guilty clerkand asked what youd done; and when he told me I said to him: I dont like that guys looks. Hes a ringer! And that piece of cheese says: Ringer my eye, boss! His name is Horace Kent, and hes a rah-rah boy playing at being used to long pants. Hes all right! Well, I let him have his way. That blankety-blank cost me twenty-eight hundred dollars. I dont grudge it yeh, my boy. But the safe is locked for yeh.

Look here I began.

You look here, Livingston, he said. Ive heard all about yeh. I make my money coppering suckers bets, and yeh dont belong here. I aim to be a sport and yer welcome to what yeh pried offn us. But more of that would make me a sucker, now that I know who yeh are. So toddle along, sonny!

I left Dolans place with my twenty-eight hundred dollars profit. Tellers place was in the same block. I had found out that Teller was a very rich man who also ran up a lot of pool rooms. I decided to go to his bucket shop. I wondered whether it would be wise to start moderately and work up to a thousand shares or to begin with a plunge, on the theory that I might not be able to trade more than one day. They get wise mighty quick when theyre losing and I did want to buy one thousand B.R.T. I was sure I could take four or five points out of it. But if they got suspicious or if too many customers were long of that stock they might not let me trade at all. I thought perhaps Id better scatter my trades at first and begin small.

It wasnt as big a place as Dolans, but the fixtures were nicer and evidently the crowd was of a better class. This suited me down to the ground and I decided to buy my one thousand B.R.T. So I stepped up to the proper window and said to the clerk, Id like to buy some B.R.T. Whats the limit?

23 Theres no limit, said the clerk. You can buy all you pleaseif youve got the money.

Buy fifteen hundred shares, I says, and took my roll from my pocket while the clerk starts to write the ticket.

Then I saw a red-headed man just shove that clerk away from the counter. He leaned across and said to me, Say, Livingston, you go back to Dolans. We dont want your business.

Wait until I get my ticket, I said. I just bought a little B.R.T.

You get no ticket here, he said. By this time other clerks had got behind him and were looking at me. Dont ever come here to trade. We dont take your business. Understand?

There was no sense in getting mad or trying to argue, so I went back to the hotel, paid my bill and took the first train back to New York. It was tough. I wanted to take back some real money and that Teller wouldnt let me make even one trade.

I got back to New York, paid Fullerton his five hundred, and started trading again with the St. Louis money. I had good and bad spells, but I was doing better than breaking even. After all, I didnt have much to unlearn; only to grasp the one fact that there was more to the game of stock speculation than I had considered before I went to Fullertons office to trade. I was like one of those puzzle fans, doing the crossword puzzles in the Sunday supplement. He isnt satisfied until he gets it. Well, I certainly wanted to find the solution to my puzzle. I thought I was done with trading in bucket shops. But I was mistaken.

About a couple of months after I got back to New York an old jigger came into Fullertons office. He knew A.R. Somebody said theyd once owned a string of race horses together. It was plain hed seen better days. I was introduced to old McDevitt. He was telling the crowd about a bunch of Western race-track crooks who had just pulled off some24 skin game out in St. Louis. The head devil, he said, was a pool-room owner by the name of Teller.

What Teller? I asked him.

Hi Teller; H. S. Teller.

I know that bird, I said.

Hes no good, said McDevitt.

Hes worse than that, I said, and I have a little matter to settle with him.

Meaning how?

The only way I can hit any of the short sports is through their pocketbook. I cant touch him in St. Louis just now, but some day I will. And I told McDevitt my grievance.

Well, says old Mac, he tried to connect here in New York and couldnt make it, so hes opened a place in Hoboken. The words gone out that there is no limit to the play and that the house roll has got the Rock of Gibraltar faded to the shadow of a bantam flea.

What sort of a place? I thought he meant pool room.

Bucket shop, said McDevitt.

Are you sure its open?

Yes; Ive seen several fellows whove told me about it.

Thats only hearsay, I said. Can you find out positively if its running, and also how heavy theyll really let a man trade?

Sure, sonny, said McDevitt. Ill go myself to-morrow morning, and come back and tell you.

He did. It seems Teller was already doing a big business and would take all he could get. This was on Friday. The market had been going up all that weekthis was twenty years ago, rememberand it was a cinch the bank statement on Saturday would show a big decrease in the surplus reserve. That would give the conventional excuse to the big room traders to jump on the market and try to shake out some of the weak commission-house accounts. There would be the usual reactions in the last half hour of the trading, particularly in stocks in which the public had been the most25 active. Those, of course, also would be the very stocks that Tellers customers would be most heavily long of, and the shop might be glad to see some short selling in them. There is nothing so nice as catching the suckers both ways; and nothing so easywith one-point margins.

That Saturday morning I chased over to Hoboken to the Teller place. They had fitted up a big customers room with a dandy quotation board and a full force of clerks and a special policeman in gray. There were about twenty-five customers.

I got talking to the manager. He asked me what he could do for me and I told him nothing; that a fellow could make much more money at the track on account of the odds and the freedom to bet your whole roll and stand to win thousands in minutes instead of piking for chicken feed in stocks and having to wait days, perhaps. He began to tell me how much safer the stock-market game was, and how much some of their customers madeyoud have sworn it was a regular broker who actually bought and sold your stocks on the Exchangeand how if a man only traded heavy he could make enough to satisfy anybody. He must have thought I was headed for some pool room and he wanted a whack at my roll before the ponies nibbled it away, for he said I ought to hurry up as the market closed at twelve oclock on Saturdays. That would leave me free to devote the entire afternoon to other pursuits. I might have a bigger roll to carry to the track with meif I picked the right stocks.

I looked as if I didnt believe him, and he kept on buzzing me. I was watching the clock. At 11:15 I said, All right, and I began to give him selling orders in various stocks. I put up two thousand dollars in cash, and he was very glad to get it. He told me he thought Id make a lot of money and hoped Id come in often.

It happened just as I figured. The traders hammered the stocks in which they figured they would uncover the most stops, and, sure enough, prices slid off. I closed out my trades26 just before the rally of the last five minutes on the usual traders covering.

There was fifty-one hundred dollars coming to me. I went to cash in.

Im glad I dropped in, I said to the manager, and gave him my tickets.

Say, he says to me, I cant give you all of it. I wasnt looking for such a run. Ill have it here for you Monday morning, sure as blazes.

All right. But first Ill take all you have in the house, I said.

Youve got to let me pay off the little fellows, he said. Ill give you back what you put up, and anything thats left. Wait till I cash the other tickets. So I waited while he paid off the winners. Oh, I knew my money was safe. Teller wouldnt welsh with the office doing such a good business. And if he did, what else could I do better than to take all he had then and there? I got my own two thousand dollars and about eight hundred dollars besides, which was all he had in the office. I told him Id be there Monday morning. He swore the money would be waiting for me.

I got to Hoboken a little before twelve on Monday. I saw a fellow talking to the manager that I had seen in the St. Louis office the day Teller told me to go back to Dolan. I knew at once that the manager had telegraphed to the home office and theyd sent up one of their men to investigate the story. Crooks dont trust anybody.

I came for the balance of my money, I said to the manager.

Is this the man? asked the St. Louis chap.

Yes, said the manager, and took a bunch of yellow backs from his pocket.

Hold on! said the St. Louis fellow to him and then turns to me, Say, Livingston, didnt we tell you we didnt want your business?

Give me my money first, I said to the manager, and he27 forked over two thousands, four five-hundreds and three hundreds.

What did you say? I said to St. Louis.

We told you we didnt want you to trade in our place.

Yes, I said; thats why I came.

Well, dont come any more. Keep away! he snarled at me. The private policeman in gray came over, casual-like. St. Louis shook his fist at the manager and yelled: You ought tove known better, you poor boob, than to let this guy get into you. Hes Livingston. You had your orders.

Listen, you, I said to the St. Louis man. This isnt St. Louis. You cant pull off any trick here, like your boss did with Belfast Boy.

You keep away from this office! You cant trade here! he yells.

If I cant trade here nobody else is going to, I told him. You cant get away with that sort of stuff here.

Well, St. Louis changed his tune at once.

Look here, old boy, he said, all fussed up, do us a favor. Be reasonable! You know we cant stand this every day. The old mans going to hit the ceiling when he hears who it was. Have a heart, Livingston!

Ill go easy, I promised.

Listen to reason, wont you? For the love of Pete, keep away! Give us a chance to get a good start. Were new here. Will you?

I dont want any of this high-and-mighty business the next time I come, I said, and left him talking to the manager at the rate of a million a minute. Id got some money out of them for the way they treated me in St. Louis. There wasnt any sense in my getting hot or trying to close them up. I went back to Fullertons office and told McDevitt what had happened. Then I told him that if it was agreeable to him Id like to have him go to Tellers place and begin trading in twenty or thirty share lots, to get them used to him. Then,28 the moment I saw a good chance to clean up big, Id telephone him and he could plunge.

I gave McDevitt a thousand dollars and he went to Hoboken and did as I told him. He got to be one of the regulars. Then one day when I thought I saw a break impending I slipped Mac the word and he sold all theyd let him. I cleared twenty-eight hundred dollars that day, after giving Mac his rake-off and paying expenses, and I suspect Mac put down a little bet of his own besides. Less than a month after that, Teller closed his Hoboken branch. The police got busy. And, anyhow, it didnt pay, though I only traded twice. We ran into a crazy bull market when stocks didnt react enough to wipe out even the one-point margins, and, of course, all the customers were bulls and winning and pyramiding. No end of bucket shops busted all over the country.

Their game has changed. Trading in the old-fashioned bucket shop had some decided advantages over speculating in a reputable brokers office. For one thing the automatic closing out of your trade when the margin reached the exhaustion point was the best kind of stop-loss order. You couldnt get stung for more than you had put up and there was no danger of rotten execution of orders, and so on. In New York the shops never were as liberal with their patrons as Ive heard they were in the West. Here they used to limit the possible profit on certain stocks of the football order to two points. Sugar and Tennessee Coal and Iron were among these. No matter if they moved ten points in ten minutes you could only make two on one ticket. They figured that otherwise the customer was getting too big odds; he stood to lose one dollar and to make ten. And then there were times when all the shops, including the biggest, refused to take orders on certain stocks. In 1900, on the day before Election Day, when it was foregone conclusion that McKinley would win, not a shop in the land let its customers buy stocks. The election odds were 3 to 1 on McKinley. By buying stocks on29 Monday you stood to make from three to six points or more. A man could bet on Bryan and buy stocks and make sure money. The bucket shops refused orders all that day.

If it hadnt been for their refusing to take my business I never would have stopped trading with them. And then I never would have learned that there was much more to the game of stock speculation than to play for fluctuations of a few points.

30

III

It takes a man a long time to learn all the lessons of all his mistakes. They say there are two sides to everything. But there is only one side to the stock market; and it is not the bull side or the bear side, but the right side. It took me longer to get that general principle fixed firmly in my mind than it did most of the more technical phases of the game of stock speculation.

I have heard of people who amuse themselves conducting imaginary operations in the stock market to prove with imaginary dollars how right they are. Sometimes these ghost gamblers make millions. It is very easy to be a plunger that way. It is like the old story of the man who was going to fight a duel the next day.

His second asked him, Are you a good shot?

Well, said the duelist, I can snap the stem of a wineglass at twenty paces, and he looked modest.

Thats all very well, said the unimpressed second. But can you snap the stem of the wineglass while the wineglass is pointing a loaded pistol straight at your heart?

With me I must back my opinions with my money. My losses have taught me that I must not begin to advance until I am sure I shall not have to retreat. But if I cannot advance I do not move at all. I do not mean by this that a man should not limit his losses when he is wrong. He should. But that should not breed indecision. All my life I have made mistakes, but in losing money I have gained experience and accumulated31 a lot of valuable donts. I have been flat broke several times, but my loss has never been a total loss. Otherwise, I wouldnt be here now. I always knew I would have another chance and that I would not make the same mistake a second time. I believed in myself.

A man must believe in himself and his judgment if he expects to make a living at this game. That is why I dont believe in tips. If I buy stocks on Smiths tip I must sell those same stocks on Smiths tip. I am depending on him. Suppose Smith is away on a holiday when the selling time comes around? No, sir, nobody can make big money on what someone else tells him to do. I know from experience that nobody can give me a tip or a series of tips that will make more money for me than my own judgment. It took me five years to learn to play the game intelligently enough to make big money when I was right.

I didnt have as many interesting experiences as you might imagine. I mean, the process of learning how to speculate does not seem very dramatic at this distance. I went broke several times, and that is never pleasant, but the way I lost money is the way everybody loses money who loses money in Wall Street. Speculation is a hard and trying business, and a speculator must be on the job all the time or hell soon have no job to be on.

My task, as I should have known after my early reverses at Fullertons, was very simple: To look at speculation from another angle. But I didnt know that there was much more to the game than I could possibly learn in the bucket shops. There I thought I was beating the game when in reality I was only beating the shop. At the same time the tape-reading ability that trading in bucket-shops developed in me and the training of my memory have been extremely valuable. Both of these things came easy to me. I owe my early success as a trader to them and not to my brains or knowledge, because my mind was untrained and my ignorance was colossal.32 The game taught me the game. And it didnt spare the rod while teaching.

I remember my very first day in New York. I told you how the bucket shops, by refusing to take my business, drove me to seek a reputable commission house. One of the boys in the office where I got my first job was working for Harding Brothers, members of the New York Stock Exchange. I arrived in this city in the morning, and before one oclock that same day I had opened an account with the firm and was ready to trade.

I didnt explain to you how natural it was for me to trade there exactly as I had done in the bucket shops, where all I did was to bet on fluctuations and catch small but sure changes in prices. Nobody offered to point out the essential differences or set me right. If somebody had told me my method would not work I nevertheless would have tried it out to make sure for myself, for when I am wrong only one thing convinces me of it, and that is, to lose money. And I am only right when I make money. That is speculating.

They were having some pretty lively times those days and the market was very active. That always cheers up a fellow. I felt at home right away. There was the old familiar quotation board in front of me, talking a language that I had learned before I was fifteen years old. There was a boy doing exactly the same thing I used to do in the first office I ever worked in. There were the customerssame old bunchlooking at the board or standing by the ticket calling out the prices and talking about the market. The machinery was to all appearances the same machinery that I was used to. The atmosphere was the atmosphere I had breathed since I had made my first stock-market money$3.12 in Burlington. The same kind of ticker and the same kind of traders, therefore the same kind of game. And remember, I was only twenty-two. I suppose I thought I knew the game from A to Z. Why shouldnt I?

I watched the board and saw something that looked good33 to me. It was behaving right. I bought a hundred at 84. I got out at 85 in less than a half hour. Then I saw something else I liked, and I did the same thing; took three-quarters of a point net within a very short time. I began well, didnt I?

Now mark this: On that, my first day as a customer of a reputable Stock Exchange house, and only two hours of it at that, I traded in eleven hundred shares of stock, jumping in and out. And the net result of the days operations was that I lost exactly eleven hundred dollars. That is to say, on my first attempt, nearly one-half of my stake went up the flue. And remember, some of the trades showed me a profit. But I quit eleven hundred dollars minus for the day.

It didnt worry me, because I couldnt see where there was anything wrong with me. My moves, also, were right enough, and if I had been trading in the old Cosmopolitan shop Id have broken better than even. That the machine wasnt as it ought to be, my eleven hundred vanished dollars plainly told me. But as long as the machinist was all right there was no need to stew. Ignorance at twenty-two isnt a structural defect.

After a few days I said to myself, I cant trade this way here. The ticker doesnt help as it should! But I let it go at that without getting down to bed rock. I kept it up, having good days and bad days, until I was cleaned out. I went to old Fullerton and got him to stake me to five hundred dollars. And I came back from St. Louis, as I told you, with money I took out of the bucket shops therea game I could always beat.

I played more carefully and did better for a while. As soon as I was in easy circumstances I began to live pretty well. I made friends and had a good time. I was not quite twenty-three, remember; all alone in New York with easy money in my pockets and the belief in my heart that I was beginning to understand the new machine.

I was making allowances for the actual execution of my orders on the floor of the Exchange, and moving more cautiously.34 But I was still sticking to the tapethat is, I was still ignoring general principles; and as long as I did that I could not spot the exact trouble with my game.

We ran into the big boom of 1901 and I made a great deal of moneythat is, for a boy. You remember those times? The prosperity of the country was unprecedented. We not only ran into an era of industrial consolidations and combinations of capital that beat anything we had had up to that time, but the public went stock mad. In previous flush times, I have heard, Wall Street used to brag of two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-share days, when securities of a par value of twenty-five million dollars changed hands. But in 1901 we had a three-million-share day. Everybody was making money. The steel crowd came to town, a horde of millionaires with no more regard for money than drunken sailors. The only game that satisfied them was the stock market. We had some of the biggest high rollers the Street ever saw: John W. Gates, of Bet-you-a-million fame, and his friends, like John A. Drake, Loyal Smith, and the rest; the Reid-Leeds-Moore crowd, who sold part of their steel holdings and with the proceeds bought in the open market the actual majority of the stock of the great Rock Island system; and Schwab and Frick and Phipps and the Pittsburg coterie; to say nothing of scores of men who were lost in the shuffle but would have been called great plungers at any other time. A fellow could buy and sell all the stock there was. Keene made a market for the U.S. Steel shares. A broker sold one hundred thousand shares in a few minutes. A wonderful time! And there were some wonderful winnings. And no taxes to pay on stock sales! And no day of reckoning in sight.

Of course, after a while, I heard a lot of calamity howling and the old stagers said everybodyexcept themselveshad gone crazy. But everybody except themselves was making money. I knew, of course, there must be a limit to the advances and an end to the crazy buying of A.O.T.Any Old35 Thingand I got bearish. But every time I sold I lost money, and if it hadnt been that I ran darn quick Id have lost a heap more. I looked for a break, but I was playing safemaking money when I bought and chipping it out when I sold shortso that I wasnt profiting by the boom as much as youd think when you consider how heavily I used to trade, even as a boy.

There was one stock that I wasnt short of, and that was Northern Pacific. My tape reading came in handy. I thought most stocks had been bought to a standstill, but Little Nipper behaved as if it were going still higher. We know now that both the common and the preferred were being steadily absorbed by the Kuhn-Loeb-Harriman combination. Well, I was long a thousand shares of Northern Pacific common, and held it against the advice of everybody in the office. When it got to about 110 I had thirty points profit, and I grabbed it. It made my balance at my brokers nearly fifty thousand dollars, the greatest amount of money I had been able to accumulate up to that time. It wasnt so bad for a chap who had lost every cent trading in that selfsame office a few months before.

If you remember, the Harriman crowd notified Morgan and Hill of their intention to be represented in the Burlington-Great Northern-Northern Pacific combination, and then the Morgan people at first instructed Keene to buy fifty thousand shares of N.P. to keep the control in their possession. I have heard that Keene told Robert Bacon to make the order one hundred and fifty thousand shares and the bankers did. At all events, Keene sent one of his brokers, Eddie Norton, into the N.P. crowd and he bought one hundred thousand shares of the stock. This was followed by another order, I think, of fifty thousand shares additional, and the famous corner followed. After the market closed on May 8, 1901, the whole world knew that a battle of financial giants was on. No two such combinations of capital had ever opposed each36 other in this country. Harriman against Morgan; an irresistible force meeting an immovable object.

There I was on the morning of May ninth with nearly fifty thousand dollars in cash and no stocks. As I told you, I had been very bearish for some days, and here was my chance at last. I knew what would happenan awful break and then some wonderful bargains. There would be a quick recovery and big profitsfor those who had picked up the bargains. It didnt take Sherlock Holmes to figure this out. We were going to have an opportunity to catch them coming and going, not only for big money but for sure money.

Everything happened as I had foreseen. I was dead right andI lost every cent I had! I was wiped out by something that was unusual. If the unusual never happened there would be no difference in people and then there wouldnt be any fun in life. The game would become merely a matter of addition and subtraction. It would make of us a race of bookkeepers with plodding minds. Its the guessing that develops a mans brain power. Just consider what you have to do to guess right.

The market fairly boiled, as I had expected. The transactions were enormous and the fluctuations unprecedented in extent. I put in a lot of selling orders at the market. When I saw the opening prices I had a fit, the breaks were so awful. My brokers were on the job. They were as competent and conscientious as any; but by the time they executed my orders the stocks had broken twenty points more. The tape was way behind the market and reports were slow in coming in by reason of the awful rush of business. When I found out that the stocks I had ordered sold when the tape said the price was, say, 100 and they got mine off at 80, making a total decline of thirty or forty points from the previous nights close, it seemed to me that I was putting out shorts at a level that made the stocks I sold the very bargains I had planned to buy. The market was not going to drop right37 through to China. So I decided instantly to cover my shorts and go long.

My brokers bought; not at the level that had made me turn, but at the prices prevailing in the Stock Exchange when their floor man got my orders. They paid an average of fifteen points more than I had figured on. A loss of thirty-five points in one day was more than anybody could stand.

The ticker beat me by lagging so far behind the market. I was accustomed to regarding the tape as the best little friend I had because I bet according to what it told me. But this time the tape double-crossed me. The divergence between the printed and the actual prices undid me. It was the sublimation of my previous unsuccess, the selfsame thing that had beaten me before. It seems so obvious now that tape reading is not enough, irrespective of the brokers execution, that I wonder why I didnt then see both my trouble and the remedy for it.

I did worse than not see it; I kept on trading, in and out, regardless of the execution. You see, I never could trade with a limit. I must take my chances with the market. That is what I am trying to beatthe market, not the particular price. When I think I should sell, I sell. When I think stocks will go up, I buy. My adherence to that general principle of speculation saved me. To have traded at limited prices simply would have been my old bucket-shop method inefficiently adapted for use in a reputable commission brokers office. I would never have learned to know what stock speculation is, but would have kept on betting on what a limited experience told me was a sure thing.

Whenever I did try to limit the prices in order to minimize the disadvantages of trading at the market when the ticker lagged, I simply found that the market got away from me. This happened so often that I stopped trying. I cant tell you how it came to take me so many years to learn that instead of placing piking bets on what the next few quotations were38 going to be, my game was to anticipate what was going to happen in a big way.

After my May ninth mishap I plugged along, using a modified but still defective method. If I hadnt made money some of the time I might have acquired market wisdom quicker. But I was making enough to enable me to live well. I liked friends and a good time. I was living down the Jersey Coast that summer, like hundreds of prosperous Wall Street men. My winnings were not quite enough to offset both my losses and my living expenses.

I didnt keep on trading the way I did through stubbornness. I simply wasnt able to state my own problem to myself, and, of course, it was utterly hopeless to try to solve it. I harp on this topic so much to show what I had to go through before I got to where I could really make money. My old shotgun and BB shot could not do the work of a high-power repeating rifle against big game.

Early that fall I not only was cleaned out again but I was so sick of the game I could no longer beat that I decided to leave New York and try something else some other place. I had been trading since my fourteenth year. I had made my first thousand dollars when I was a kid of fifteen, and my first ten thousand before I was twenty-one. I had made and lost a ten-thousand-dollar stake more than once. In New York I had made thousands and lost them. I got up to fifty thousand dollars and two days later that went. I had no other business and knew no other game. After several years I was back where I began. Noworse, for I had acquired habits and a style of living that required money; though that part didnt bother me as much as being wrong so consistently.

39

IV

Well, I went home. But the moment I was back I knew that I had but one mission in life and that was to get a stake and go back to Wall Street. That was the only place in the country where I could trade heavily. Some day, when my game was all right, Id need such a place. When a man is right he wants to get all that is coming to him for being right.

I didnt have much hope, but, of course, I tried to get into the bucket shops again. There were fewer of them and some of them were run by strangers. Those who remembered me wouldnt give me a chance to show them whether I had gone back as a trader or not. I told them the truth, that I had lost in New York whatever I had made at home; that I didnt know as much as I used to think I did; and that there was no reason why it should not now be good business for them to let me trade with them. But they wouldnt. And the new places were unreliable. Their owners thought twenty shares was as much as a gentleman ought to buy if he had any reason to suspect he was going to guess right.

I needed the money and the bigger shops were taking in plenty of it from their regular customers. I got a friend of mine to go into a certain office and trade. I just sauntered in to look them over. I again tried to coax the order clerk to accept a small order, even if it was only fifty shares. Of course he said no. I had rigged up a code with this friend so that he would buy or sell when and what I told him. But that40 only made me chicken feed. Then the office began to grumble about taking my friends orders. Finally one day he tried to sell a hundred St. Paul and they shut down on him.

We learned afterward that one of the customers saw us talking together outside and went in and told the office, and when my friend went up to the order clerk to sell that hundred St. Paul the guy said:

Were not taking any selling orders in St. Paul, not from you.

Why, whats the matter, Joe? asked my friend.

Nothing doing, thats all, answered Joe.

Isnt that money any good? Look it over. Its all there. And my friend passed over the hundredmy hundredin tens. He tried to look indignant and I was looking unconcerned; but most of the other customers were getting close to the combatants, as they always did when there was loud talking or the slightest semblance of a scrap between the shop and any customer. They wanted to get a line on the merits of the case in order to get a line on the solvency of the concern.

The clerk, Joe, who was a sort of assistant manager, came out from behind his cage, walked up to my friend, looked at him and then looked at me.

Its funny, he said slowlyits damned funny that you never do a single thing here when your friend Livingston isnt around. You just sit and look at the board by the hour. Never a peep. But after he comes in you get busy all of a sudden. Maybe you are acting for yourself; but not in this office any more. We dont fall for Livingston tipping you off.

Well, that stopped my board money. But I had made a few hundred more than I had spent and I wondered how I could use them, for the need of making enough money to go back to New York with was more urgent than ever. I felt that I would do better the next time. I had had time to think calmly of some of my foolish plays; and then, one can see41 the whole better when one sees it from a little distance. The immediate problem was to make the new stake.

One day I was in a hotel lobby, talking to some fellows I knew, who were pretty steady traders. Everybody was talking stock market. I made the remark that nobody could beat the game on account of the rotten execution he got from his brokers, especially when he traded at the market, as I did.

A fellow piped up and asked me what particular brokers I meant.

I said, The best in the land, and he asked who might they be. I could see he wasnt going to believe I ever dealt with first-class houses.

But I said, I mean, any member of the New York Stock Exchange. It isnt that they are crooked or careless, but when a man gives an order to buy at the market he never knows what that stock is going to cost him until he gets a report from the brokers. There are more moves of one or two points than of ten and fifteen. But the outside trader cant catch the small rises or drops because of the execution. Id rather trade in a bucket shop any day in the week, if theyd only let a fellow trade big.

The man who had spoken to me I had never seen before. His name was Roberts. He seemed very friendly disposed. He took me aside and asked me if I had ever traded in any of the other exchanges, and I said no. He said he knew some houses that were members of the Cotton Exchange and the Produce Exchange and the smaller stock exchanges. These firms were very careful and paid special attention to the execution. He said that they had confidential connections with the biggest and smartest houses on the New York Stock Exchange and through their personal pull and by guaranteeing a business of hundreds of thousands of shares a month they got much better service than an individual customer could get.

They really cater to the small customer, he said. They make a specialty of out-of-town business and they take just42 as much pains with a ten-share order as they do with one for ten thousand. They are very competent and honest.

Yes. But if they pay the Stock Exchange house the regular eighth commission, where do they come in?

Well, they are supposed to pay the eighth. Butyou know! He winked at me.

Yes, I said. But the one thing a Stock Exchange firm will not do is to split commissions. The governors would rather a member committed murder, arson and bigamy than to do business for outsiders for less than a kosher eighth. The very life of the Stock Exchange depends upon their not violating that one rule.

He must have seen that I had talked with Stock Exchange people, for he said, Listen! Every now and then one of those pious Stock Exchange houses is suspended for a year for violating that rule, isnt it? There are ways and ways of rebating so nobody can squeal. He probably saw unbelief in my face, for he went on: And besides, on certain kinds of business weI mean, these wire housescharge a thirty-second extra, in addition to the eighth commission. They are very nice about it. They never charge the extra commission except in unusual cases, and then only if the customer has an inactive account. It wouldnt pay them, you know, otherwise. They arent in business exclusively for their health.

By that time I knew he was touting for some phony brokers.

Do you know any reliable house of that kind? I asked him.

I know the biggest brokerage firm in the United States, he said. I trade there myself. They have branches in seventy-eight cities in the United States and Canada. They do an enormous business. And they couldnt very well do it year in and year out if they werent strictly on the level, could they?

Certainly not, I agreed. Do they trade in the same stocks that are dealt in on the New York Stock Exchange?

Of course; and on the curb and on any other exchange in43 this country, or Europe. They deal in wheat, cotton, provisions; anything you want. They have correspondents everywhere and memberships in all the exchanges, either in their own name or on the quiet.

I knew by that time, but I thought Id lead him on.

Yes, I said, but that does not alter the fact that the orders have to be executed by somebody, and nobody living can guarantee how the market will be or how close the tickers prices are to the actual prices on the floor of the Exchange. By the time a man gets the quotation here and he hands in an order and its telegraphed to New York, some valuable time has gone. I might better go back to New York and lose my money there in respectable company.

I dont know anything about losing money; our customers dont acquire that habit. They make money. We take care of that.

Your customers?

Well, I take an interest in the firm, and if I can turn some business their way I do so because theyve always treated me white and Ive made a good deal of money through them. If you wish Ill introduce you to the manager.

Whats the name of the firm? I asked him.

He told me. I had heard about them. They ran ads in all the papers, calling attention to the great profits made by those customers who followed their inside information on active stocks. That was the firms great specialty. They were not a regular bucket shop, but bucketeers, alleged brokers who bucketed their orders but nevertheless went through an elaborate camouflage to convince the world that they were regular brokers engaged in a legitimate business. They were one of the oldest of that class firms.

They were the prototype at that time of the same sort of brokers that went broke this year by the dozen. The general principles and methods were the same, though the particular devices for fleecing the public differed somewhat,44 certain details having been changed when the old tricks became too well known.

These people used to send out tips to buy or sell a certain stockhundreds of telegrams advising the instant purchase of a certain stock and hundreds recommending other customers to sell the same stock, on the old racing-tipster plan. Then orders to buy and sell would come in. The firm would buy and sell, say, a thousand of that stock through a reputable Stock Exchange firm and get a regular report on it. This report they would show to any doubting Thomas who was impolite enough to speak about bucketing customers orders.

They also used to form discretionary pools in the office and as a great favor allowed their customers to authorize them, in writing, to trade with the customers money and in the customers name, as they in their judgment deemed best. That way the most cantankerous customer had no legal redress when the money disappeared. Theyd bull a stock, on paper, and put the customers in and then theyd execute one of the old-fashioned bucket-shop drives and wipe out hundreds of shoe-string margins. They did not spare anyone, women, school-teachers and old men being their best bet.

Im sore on all brokers, I told the tout. Ill have to think this over, and I left him so he wouldnt talk any more to me.

I inquired about this firm. I learned that they had hundreds of customers and although there were the usual stories I did not find any case of a customer not getting his money from them if he won any. The difficulty was in finding anybody who had ever won in that office; but I did. Things seemed to be going their way just then, and that meant that they probably would not welsh if a trade went against them. Of course most concerns of that kind eventually go broke. There are times when there are regular epidemics of bucketeering bankruptcies, like the old-fashioned runs on several banks after one of them goes up. The customers of the others get frightened and they run to take their money out. But45 there are plenty of retired bucket-shop keepers in this country.

Well, I heard nothing alarming about the touts firm except that they were on the make, first, last and all the time, and that they were not always truthful. Their specialty was trimming suckers who wanted to get rich quick. But they always asked their customers permission, in writing, to take their rolls away from them.

One chap I met did tell me a story about seeing six hundred telegrams go out one day advising customers to get aboard a certain stock and six hundred telegrams to other customers strongly urging them to sell that same stock, at once.

Yes, I know the trick, I said to the chap who was telling me.

Yes, he said. But the next day they sent telegrams to the same people advising them to close out their interest in everything and buyor sellanother stock. I asked the senior partner, who was in the office, Why do you do that? The first part I understand. Some of your customers are bound to make money on paper for a while, even if they and the others eventually lose. But by sending out telegrams like this you simply kill them all. Whats the big idea?

Well, he said, the customers are bound to lose their money anyhow, no matter what they buy, or how or where or when. When they lose their money I lose the customers. Well, I might as well get as much of their money as I canand then look for a new crop.

Well, I admit frankly that I wasnt concerned with the business ethics of the firm. I told you I felt sore on the Teller concern and how it tickled me to get even with them. But I didnt have any such feeling about this firm. They might be crooks or they might not be as black as they were painted. I did not propose to let them do any trading for me, or follow their tips or believe their lies. My one concern was with getting together a stake and returning to New York to trade in46 fair amounts in an office where you did not have to be afraid the police would raid the joint, as they did the bucket shops, or see the postal authorities swoop down and tie up your money so that youd be lucky to get eight cents on the dollar a year and a half later.

Anyhow, I made up my mind that I would see what trading advantages of this firm offered over what you might call the legitimate brokers. I didnt have much money to put up as margin, and firms that bucketed orders were naturally much more liberal in that respect, so that a few hundred dollars went much further in their offices.

I went down to their place and had a talk with the manager himself. When he found out that I was an old trader and had formerly had accounts in New York with Stock Exchange houses and that I had lost all I took with me he stopped promising to make a million a minute for me if I let them invest my savings. He figured that I was a permanent sucker, the ticker-hound kind that always plays and always loses; a steady-income provider for brokers, whether they were the kind that bucket your orders or modestly content themselves with the commissions.

I just told the manager that what I was looking for was decent execution, because I always traded at the market and I didnt want to get reports that showed a difference of a half or a whole point from the ticker price.

He assured me on his word of honor that they would do whatever I thought was right. They wanted my business because they wanted to show me what high-class brokering was. They had in their employ the best talent in the business. In fact, they were famous for their execution. If there was any difference between the ticker price and the report it was always in favor of the customer, though of course they didnt guarantee that. If I opened an account with them I could buy and sell at the price which came over the wire, they were so confident of their brokers.

Naturally that meant that I could trade there to all intents47 and purposes as though I were in a bucket shopthat is, theyd let me trade at the next quotation. I didnt want to appear too anxious, so I shook my head and told him I guessed I wouldnt open an account that day, but Id let him know. He urged me strongly to begin right way as it was a good market to make money in. It wasfor them; a dull market with prices seesawing slightly, just the kind to get customers in and then wipe them out with a sharp drive in the tipped stock. I had some trouble in getting away.

I had given him my name and address, and that very same day I began to get prepaid telegrams and letters urging me to get aboard of some stock or other in which they said they knew an inside pool was operating for a fifty-point rise.

I was busy going around and finding out all I could about several other brokerage concerns of the same bucketing kind. It seemed to me that if I could be sure of getting my winnings out of their clutches the only way of my getting together some real money was to trade in these near bucket shops.

When I had learned all I could I opened accounts with three firms. I had taken a small office and had direct wires run to the three brokers.

I traded in a small way so they wouldnt get frightened off at the very start. I made money on balance and they were not slow in telling me that they expected real business from customers who had direct wires to their offices. They did not hanker for pikers. They figured that the more I did the more Id lose, and the more quickly I was wiped out the more theyd make. It was a sound enough theory when you consider that these people necessarily dealt with averages and the average customer was never long-lived, financially speaking. A busted customer cant trade. A half-crippled customer can whine and insinuate things and make trouble of one or another kind that hurts business.

I also established a connection with a local firm that had a direct wire to its New York correspondent, who were also48 members of the New York Stock Exchange. I had a stock ticker put in and I began to trade conservatively. As I told you, it was pretty much like trading in bucket shops, only it was a little slower.

It was a game that I could beat, and I did. I never got it down to such a fine point that I could win ten times out of ten; but I won on balance, taking it week in and week out. I was again living pretty well, but always saving something, to increase the stake that I was to take back to Wall Street. I got a couple of wires into two more of these bucketing brokerage houses, making five in alland, of course, my good firm.

There were times when my plans went wrong and my stocks did not run true to form, but they did the opposite of what they should have done if they had kept up their regard for precedent. But they did not hit me very hardthey couldnt, with my shoestring margins. My relations with my brokers were friendly enough. Their accounts and records did not always agree with mine, and the differences uniformly happened to be against me. Curious coincidencenot! But I fought for my own and usually had my way in the end. They always had the hope of getting away from me what I had taken from them. They regarded my winnings as temporary loans, I think.

They really were not sporty, being in the business to make money by hook or by crook instead of being content with the house percentage. Since suckers always lose money when they gamble in stocksthey never really speculateyoud think these fellows would run what you might call a legitimate illegitimate business. But they didnt. Copper your customers and grow rich is an old and true adage, but they did not seem ever to have heard of it and didnt stop at plain bucketing.

Several times they tried to double-cross me with the old tricks. They caught me a couple of times because I wasnt looking. They always did that when I had taken no more49 than my usual line. I accused them of being short sports or worse, but they denied it and it ended by my going back to trading as usual. The beauty of doing business with a crook is that he always forgives you for catching him, so long as you dont stop doing business with him. Its all right as far as he is concerned. He is willing to meet you more than half-way. Magnanimous souls!

Well, I made up my mind that I couldnt afford to have the normal rate of increase of my stake impaired by crooks tricks, so I decided to teach them a lesson. I picked out some stock that after having been a speculative favorite had become inactive. Water-logged. If I had taken one that never had been active they would have suspected my play. I gave out buying orders on this stock to my five bucketeering brokers. When the orders were taken and they were waiting for the next quotation to come out on the tape I sent in an order through my Stock Exchange house to sell a hundred shares of that particular stock at the market. I urgently asked for quick action. Well, you can imagine what happened when the selling order got to the floor of the Exchange; a dull inactive stock that a commission house with out-of-town connections wanted to sell in a hurry. Somebody got cheap stock. But the transaction as it would be printed on the tape was the price that I would pay on my five buying orders. I was long on balance four hundred shares of that stock at a low figure. The wire house asked me what Id heard, and I said I had a tip on it. Just before the close of the market I sent an order to my reputable house to buy back that hundred shares, and not waste any time; that I didnt want to be short under any circumstances; and I didnt care what they paid. So they wired to New York and the order to buy that hundred quick resulted in a sharp advance. I of course had put in selling orders for the five hundred shares that my friends had bucketed. It worked very satisfactorily.

Still, they didnt mend their ways, and so I worked that trick on them several times. I did not dare punish them as50 severely as they deserved, seldom more than a point or two on a hundred shares. But it helped to swell my little hoard that I was saving for my next Wall Street venture. I sometimes varied the process by selling some stock short, without overdoing it. I was satisfied with my six or eight hundred clear for each crack.

One day the stunt worked so well that it went far beyond all calculations for a ten-point swing. I wasnt looking for it. As a matter of fact it so happened that I had two hundred shares instead of my usual hundred at one brokers, though only a hundred in the four other shops. That was too much of a good thingfor them. They were sore as pups about it and they began to say things over the wires. So I went and saw the manager, the same man who had been so anxious to get my account, and so forgiving every time I caught him trying to put something over on me. He talked pretty big for a man in his position.

That was a fictitious market for that stock, and we wont pay you a damned cent! he swore.

It wasnt a fictitious market when you accepted my order to buy. You let me in then, all right, and now youve got to let me out. You cant get around that for fairness, can you?

Yes, I can! he yelled. I can prove that somebody put up a job.

Who put up a job? I asked.

Somebody!

Who did they put it up on? I asked.

Some friends of yours were in it as sure as pop, he said.

But I told him, You know very well that I play a lone hand. Everybody in this town knows that. Theyve known it ever since I started trading in stocks. Now I want to give you some friendly advice: you just send and get that money for me. I dont want to be disagreeable. Just do what I tell you.

I wont pay it. It was a rigged-up transaction, he yelled.

51 I got tired of his talk. So I told him: Youll pay it to me right now and here.

Well, he blustered a little more and accused me flatly of being the guilty thimblerigger; but he finally forked over the cash. The others were not so rambunctious. In one office the manager had been studying these inactive-stock plays of mine and when he got my order he actually bought the stock for me and then some for himself in the Little Board, and he made some money. These fellows didnt mind being sued by customers on charges of fraud, as they generally had a good technical legal defense ready. But they were afraid Id attach the furniturethe money in the bank I couldnt because they took care not to have any funds exposed to that danger. It would not hurt them to be known as pretty sharp, but to get a reputation for welshing was fatal. For a customer to lose money at his brokers is no rare event. But for a customer to make money and then not get it is the worst crime on the speculators statute books.

I got my money from all; but that ten-point jump put an end to the pleasing pastime of skinning skinners. They were on the lookout for the little trick that they themselves had used to defraud hundreds of poor customers. I went back to my regular trading; but the market wasnt always right for my systemthat is, limited as I was by the size of the orders they would take, I couldnt make a killing.

I had been at it over a year, during which I used every device that I could think of to make money trading in those wire houses. I had lived very comfortably, bought an automobile and didnt limit myself about my expenses. I had to make a stake, but I also had to live while I was doing it. If my position on the market was right I couldnt spend as much as I made, so that Id always be saving some. If I was wrong I didnt make any money and therefore couldnt spend. As I said, I had saved up a fair-sized roll, and there wasnt so much money to be made in the five wire houses; so I decided to return to New York.

52 I had my own automobile and I invited a friend of mine who also was a trader to motor to New York with me. He accepted and we started. We stopped at New Haven for dinner. At the hotel I met an old trading acquaintance, and among other things he told me there was a shop in town that had a wire and was doing a pretty good business.

We left the hotel on our way to New York, but I drove by the street where the bucket shop was to see what the outside looked like. We found it and couldnt resist the temptation to stop and have a look at the inside. It wasnt very sumptuous, but the old blackboard was there, and the customers, and the game was on.

The manager was a chap who looked as if he had been an actor or a stump speaker. He was very impressive. Hed say good morning as though he had discovered the mornings goodness after ten years of searching for it with a microscope and was making you a present of the discovery as well as of the sky, the sun and the firms bank roll. He saw us come up in the sporty-looking automobile, and as both of us were young and carelessI dont suppose I looked twentyhe naturally concluded we were a couple of Yale boys. I didnt tell him we werent. He didnt give me a chance, but began delivering a speech. He was very glad to see us. Would we have a comfortable seat? The market, we would find, was philanthropically inclined that morning; in fact, clamoring to increase the supply of collegiate pocket money, of which no intelligent undergraduate ever had a sufficiency since the dawn of historic time. But here and now, by the beneficence of the ticker, a small initial investment would return thousands. More pocket money than anybody could spend was what the stock market yearned to yield.

Well, I thought it would be a pity not to do as the nice man of the bucket shop was so anxious to have us do, so I told him I would do as he wished, because I had heard that lots of people made lots of money in the stock market.

53 I began to trade, very conservatively, but increasing the line as I won. My friend followed me.

We stayed overnight in New Haven and the next morning found us at the hospitable shop at five minutes to ten. The orator was glad to see us, thinking his turn would come that day. But I cleaned up within a few dollars of fifteen hundred. The next morning when we dropped in on the great orator, and handed him an order to sell five hundred Sugar he hesitated, but finally accepted itin silence! The stock broke over a point and I closed out and gave him the ticket. There was exactly five hundred dollars coming to me in profits, and my five hundred dollar margin. He took twenty fifties from the safe, counted them three times very slowly, then he counted them again in front of me. It looked as if his fingers were sweating mucilage the way the notes seemed to stick to him, but finally he handed the money to me. He folded his arms, bit his lower lip, kept it bit, and stared at the top of a window behind me.

I told him Id like to sell two hundred Steel. But he never stirred. He didnt hear me. I repeated my wish, only I made it three hundred shares. He turned his head. I waited for the speech. But all he did was to look at me. Then he smacked his lips and swallowedas if he was going to start an attack on fifty years of political misrule by the unspeakable grafters of the opposition.

Finally he waved his hand toward the yellow-backs in my hand and said, Take away that bauble!

Take away what? I said. I hadnt quite understood what he was driving at.

Where are you going, student? He spoke very impressively.

New York, I told him.

Thats right, he said, nodding about twenty times. That is ex-actly right. You are going away from here all right, because now I know two thingstwo, student! I know what you are not, and I know what you are. Yes
Bhubaneswar, Jan 1 : Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Thursday said the state government is examining the demands of the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA) and that efforts are under way to fulfil all reasonable demands of doctors in the coming days.

Speaking to the media, Mahaling said, "I have personally held discussions with the OMSA twice. We have also held official discussions with the association, and our government has shown seriousness in addressing the doctors' demands over the past 16 months. They were cheated by the previous government, but they have faith in our government."

He further said that the state government has constituted a high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration and Public Grievance (GA&PG) Department to examine the demands raised by the doctors.

The committee also includes the secretaries of the Health, Finance and Law departments as members. The minister said he is personally in touch with the committee and expressed hope that a decision would be taken soon in this regard.

The doctors' association has been agitating for a long time over an 18-point charter of demands. These include implementation of the Central Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP), inclusion of dental and ad hoc doctors under DACP, the KBK (KalahandiBalangirKoraput) Exit Policy, permission for transfer of medical officers posted in KBK areas after completion of their five-year tenure, a transparent transfer policy, cadre restructuring, safety and security for medical officers posted at health facilities across the state, and health insurance coverage for all doctors.

Speaking to IANS, OMSA president Kishore Chandra Mishra said, "The previous government had also constituted a ministerial committee to consider our demands, but nothing came of it. The present government has now formed a secretarial committee. Is it right to delay a decision on fulfilling the rightful demands of doctors under the pretext of forming committees?"

He further said that doctors would continue with their protest until their demands are fulfilled by the state government.
Hyderabad, Jan 1 : As many as 2,731 people were caught driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol during New Year celebrations in three police commissionerates covering Greater Hyderabad. In the special drive undertaken by police on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1, a total of 1,198 drunk drive cases were booked in Hyderabad commissionerate limits.

Police in Cyberabad booked 928 cases while 605 motorists were caught in Rachakonda commissionerate.

The Hyderabad traffic police conducted a special enforcement drive against drunken driving from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. to ensure road safety and prevent road accidents.

The primary objective of this special drive was to ensure that commuters reach their destinations safely, to deter drunken driving, and to minimize the risk of fatal and non-fatal road accidents during the New Year celebrations.

Hyderabad Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) R. Venkateshwarlu said that the Hyderabad traffic police aimed to welcome the New Year without a single accident, thereby enabling citizens to celebrate responsibly and safely.

Of the total 1,198 cases booked, 1,042 were two-wheeler riders, 51 were three-wheelers and 105 were four-wheeler and other vehicle drivers.

Offenders were categorised based on their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels. A total of 175 offenders had BAC levels ranging from 35 mg/100 ml to 50 mg/100 ml.

The police registered 468 cases for BAC levels ranging from 51-100, 293 cases for 101-150 and 163 cases for 151-200.

Police said 51 offenders were found to have BAC levels ranging from 201-250 and 31 offenders from 251-300.

Seventeen cases were booked for BAC levels of above 300 mg/100 ml.

The Joint Commissioner said that there will be zero tolerance on drunken driving and this special drive will continue. He urged the commuters to cooperate with Hyderabad traffic police.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar thanked citizens for an incident-free New Year. He posted on 'X' that strong enforcement, effective awareness, and public support resulted in zero incidents with drunk driving enforcement drives everywhere.

"This didn't happen by chance. Awareness worked, responsibility won, and your cooperation made the difference. Let us all continue working together to make Hyderabad a much more safer and truly global city," he wrote.

The Commissioner also congratulated all officers for the successful conduct of New Year's Eve 'bandobast' and the strict enforcement of drunk-driving laws.
Moscow, Jan 1 : Russian air defences have downed 250 drones over the past day, including 12 targetting the Moscow region overnight, Russia's Defence Ministry said Thursday.

The air defences also shot down one guided aerial bomb and a Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft, the ministry said.

Russian forces have hit Ukrainian energy facilities, ammunition depots, drone assembly sites, as well as 154 temporary deployment sites of the Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries, it added.

Russia's Ministry of Defence on Wednesday released a flight map and video footage showing the wreckage of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) used in an attempted attack on the official residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

At a regular briefing, the ministry presented footage of the intercepted drones, showing black UAV fragments, wooden structural components and red electrical wiring scattered in the snow at the interception sites.

The ministry also published a detailed flight map tracing the drones' routes, Xinhua news agency reported. According to the map, the UAVs were launched from Ukraine's Sumy and Chernihiv regions, with some flying over Russia's Bryansk, Smolensk and Tver regions before being destroyed.

The map indicates that part of the drones followed a near-direct eastward route, while others took a longer path, flying close to the Russia-Belarus border through the Bryansk and Smolensk regions and later near the border between the Tver and Pskov regions.

Interception points marked on the map show that the drones were downed over the Bryansk, Smolensk and Novgorod regions, the ministry said.

The ministry added that the attempted attack occurred overnight between Sunday and Monday, caused no casualties, and resulted in no damage to Russian territory or the presidential residence.
Bengaluru, Jan 1 : Condemning the Congress-led government's decision to allot houses to encroachers whose residential structures were demolished at Kogilu Layout in Bengaluru following intervention by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), the Karnataka BJP on Thursday announced a protest on January 5 at Freedom Park in the state capital.

Senior BJP MLA S.R. Vishwanath made the announcement while addressing the media at the party headquarters here. "On January 5, we will launch a major agitation at Freedom Park in Bengaluru opposing the government's move to allot houses to encroachers," he said.

Vishwanath said the BJP has constituted a five-member fact-finding committee and that its first meeting was held on Thursday. "Two members of the committee are currently out of station. Once they return, we will visit the site," he said.

He alleged that the government has failed to allot houses to people who had paid Rs 1 lakh six years ago under housing schemes. "As per the law, beneficiaries should have an annual income of up to Rs 3 lakh, and in Bengaluru Urban district, those seeking houses under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme must have documents proving residence in Bengaluru for at least five years," he said.

"The Revenue Department is supposed to issue such certificates. I have spoken to Revenue officials, and they have informed me that no such certificates have been issued. If houses are to be allotted and possession is to be given, beneficiaries must make full payment," Vishwanath added.

He further alleged that people who had paid money several years ago are still waiting for houses, while encroachers are being provided housing facilities. "According to me, this is completely illegal. If the government proceeds with the allotment, we will challenge it in court and also submit a complaint to the Governor," he said.

Expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal alleged that the move was driven by vote-bank politics. "The high command has warned the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister. Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan is least concerned about the state and the nation. His only aim is to ensure an increase in the population of his community," Yatnal alleged.

He further accused the Housing Minister of pursuing an agenda of what he described as the "Islamisation of India" and claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, instead of rehabilitating local residents, was preparing to allot houses to non-locals who had not lived in the area for years.

"Their background has not been verified, and for the sake of votes, the government is rushing to allot houses," Yatnal said.

Accusing the Chief Minister of appeasing the Muslim community, Yatnal alleged that Siddaramaiah was neglecting the concerns of other communities in the state.

Responding to the allegations, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the BJP-led government was in power at the Centre. "If Bangladeshis or Pakistanis are present in the state, let the Centre send them out. Who allowed them to enter the country in the first place? One cannot merely make allegations for show," he said.
New Delhi, Jan 1 : India enters 2026 facing a complex matrix of geopolitical friction, internal security deadlines, and climate-induced economic pressures, marking a shift from the stabilisation efforts of the previous year, according to official data and strategic analysts.

While the domestic economy maintains a growth trajectory above seven per cent, New Delhi is currently navigating a "diplomacy of repair" to address 50 per cent US tariffs on key exports imposed in 2025.

The Indian government is pushing for a trade settlement in early 2026 through various levels of talks to unlock stalled investment following the August 6 Executive Order by the US President Donald Trump, which targeted India's record-high purchases of discounted Russian oil.

On the internal security front, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the Indian government's goal to make India "Maoist-free" by March 31, 2026.

It remains to be seen whether the deadline can be met, even as official records show that Maoist presence has shrunk from 125 districts in 2014 to just three in 2025.

Operations like 'Operation Black Forest' neutralised 270 Maoists last year, including top leaders Nambala Keshav Rao and Madvi Hidma, a resident of Chhattisgarh's Maoist-infested Sukma district.

Data reveals that the surrender rates of Maoists surged to 1,225 nationwide in 2025, supported by state rehabilitation packages offering up to Rs 20 lakh in rewards.

Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra have been declared 'Maoist-free' by their respective governments, while Chhattisgarh has reclaimed strongholds such as Bijapur, Sukma, and Dantewada, leaving only three vulnerable districts in the tribal-dominated state.

Maoist violence has also declined sharply, with incidents falling by 53 per cent and security personnel fatalities dropping by 73 per cent between 2014 and 2024.

Security agencies reported a 95 per cent conviction rate in terror-related cases via the National Investigation Agency, but warned of "white-collar terrorism" involving professionals.

This follows the November 10 Delhi car blast near the Red Fort in which 15 persons were killed and several hurt.

Following the Delhi terror blast, a Jaish-e-Mohammeda"linked network, including doctors from a Faridabad-based Al Falah University, was dismantled.

The bomber, Umar Un Nabi, an assistant professor at the Al-Falah Medical College and a native of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, was also killed in the car bomb blast.

The doctors along with other aides allegedly planned the terror plot and raised Rs 26 lakh to fund terror activities.

Investigations have traced their funding networks and shell fronts, resulting in at least eight arrests so far including Al-Falah University founder Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, with several other suspects currently under surveillance.

Cyber fraud and so-called "digital arrest" scams witnessed a sharp rise in 2025, with India losing nearly Rs 1,000 crore every month to online fraud.

Nearly 18,000 such cases were reported within just two months, leading to the arrest of more than 16,000 accused across the country through coordinated action by the state cyber police and the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.

Addressing the Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu warned that cybercrime, digital fraud, and deepfakes pose serious threats to social, economic, and national security, underscoring the need for robust cyber defences.

The Supreme Court termed digital arrest scams an organised national menace, granting the Central Bureau of Investigation nationwide jurisdiction and directing close coordination with the Reserve Bank of India, Department of Telecommunication, banks, and state cyber units to track money trails, strengthen KYC norms, and swiftly freeze suspicious accounts.

Diplomatic experts emphasise that 2026 requires a "cautious reset" with China.

Despite a 2025 meeting between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, where both agreed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) must remain peaceful, more than 60,000 troops remain deployed.

India continues a dual approach of firm military posture and calibrated economic de-risking.

The threat from Pakistan continues to persist after the Pahalgam attack and India's subsequent response against its neighbour in May last year.

Although infiltration and domestic terror incidents have declined significantly, India cannot afford to lower its guard along the north-western frontier.

While Bangladesh does not pose a direct strategic threat to India like China or Pakistan, rising domestic unrest and attacks on minorities, including Hindus, remain a serious concern for India.

This has become particularly significant following the removal of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year.

IANS

snj/khz
Bhopal, Jan 1 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is set to attend the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos at Switzerland, from January 19 to 23, 2026, where he will pitch the state as a premier investment destination, government officials said on Thursday.

The prestigious global summit, themed "A Spirit of Dialogue", will focus on fostering open discussions to unlock new sources of economic growth amid geopolitical and societal challenges, a statement said on Thursday.

Chief Minister Yadav's participation aims to engage directly with top global industry leaders, multinational companies, and policymakers.

He will highlight Madhya Pradesh's strengths and supportive policies in key priority sectors to attract fresh investments and strengthen the state's international brand as a future-ready economy, the statement said.

A major focus will be on the "Automotive and New Mobility" sector, showcasing the robust ecosystem in clusters like Pithampur for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, battery storage, and auto components, the statement added.

In "Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen", the state will present landmark projects such as the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project and Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Project, alongside emerging opportunities under the Green Hydrogen policy.

For "IT, ESDM (Electronics System Design and Manufacturing), and Global Capability Centres", Indore and Bhopal will be positioned as rising hubs, emphasising incentives from the IT, Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES), and Electronics System Design and Manufacturing Policy 2023.

The "Food Processing" sector will spotlight Madhya Pradesh as India's "Food Basket", promoting investments in mega food parks and agriculture value chains.

During the visit, Chief Minister Yadav will hold one-on-one meetings with the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and global industrialists.

Existing investors will share success stories in sectoral roundtables on automotive, energy, IT, healthcare, and food processing.

The Chief Minister will also join WEF sessions discussing critical topics like labour, energy security, renewable energy, and food security.

With India sending a strong delegation -- including several Chief Ministers and more than 100 CEOs -- Chief Minister Yadav's Davos outreach underscores Madhya Pradesh's ambition to drive sustainable growth and position itself prominently on the global investment map.
Islamabad, Jan 1 : The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed its deep concerns over the security and law and order situation in the country's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province throughout 2025. The region remains alarmingly unstable, witnessing frequent militant attacks.

Citing Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, the HRCP in its latest report titled 'Caught in the Crossfire: Civilians, Security and the Crisis of Justice in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Merged Districts' stated that at least 82 militant attacks had occurred nationwide in July 2025 alone, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including its former tribal districts, accounting for nearly two thirds of this number.

Additionally, 45 militant attacks were recorded in the province in September 2025, killing 54 people and injuring 49.

Of these cumulative figures in September, the province's merged districts "accounted for 20 militant attacks claiming 21 lives" including six Pakistani security personnel, three militants and 12 civilians and injuring seven.

According to the HRCP, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the President of the Awami National Party (ANP) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, described the security situation as significantly more precarious than generally perceived. He stated that a range of militant organisations were operating not only in the merged districts but also in settled areas of the province, adding that the terrorist outfit Daesh was reportedly active in the region.

Similarly, the rights body said, the provincial president of the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), Sikandar Sherpao, claimed that "approximately 550 incidents of violence had occurred since January 2025, predominantly in the merged districts". Citing Sherpao, the rights body stated that while "actual militant actors" were operating in the region, they were now accompanied by "copycat groups and hardened criminal networks, compounding the law-and-order challenges".

The QWP leader also identified the situation in Waziristan and the Bajaur region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as particularly grave, stating that the influence of the terror group Daesh or Islamic State Khorasan Province was "expanding to the extent that civil servants and police personnel felt compelled to go into hiding by late afternoon."

The HRCP mission further highlighted that the continued practice of enforced disappearances remains a cause for concern.

"The testimonies heard by the mission imply that persons accused of 'anti-state' activities are frequently not produced before the courts in accordance with constitutional guarantees. The mission observes that the reported political victimisation of rights-based movements such as the PTM (including arbitrary restrictions on members' freedom of movement and assembly) and progressive parties such as the ANP is detrimental to democratic politics," the rights body stated.

The HRCP also voiced alarm at reports of "censorship, intimidation and targeted attacks against journalists, particularly those covering enforced disappearances and militant violence" in the province.
Ramban, Jan 1 : The Health Department, on Thursday, intensified the 'Anaemia Mukt Bharat' campaign in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district by organising a special awareness and training programme involving trained doctors, ASHA workers, and other female health staff.

During the programme, ASHA workers were sensitised about effective strategies to prevent and manage anaemia among women and children.

Trained doctors educated participants on the identification, prevention, and management of anaemia, while emphasising the crucial role played by ASHA workers in reaching out to communities at the grassroots level.

Medical experts stressed that ASHA workers should regularly visit their assigned areas, spread awareness, identify anaemia cases at an early stage, and ensure proper guidance and follow-up.

The initiative aims to strengthen interventions at the ground level so that, through collective and sustained efforts, Ramban district can be made anaemia-free.

Speaking to IANS, Dr. Reyaz said that continuous efforts are being made under the 'Anaemia Mukt Bharat' campaign in the district and gaps are being identified.

he added that an open discussion was held during the Ramban programme and work on the campaign would now begin at the grassroots level.

He also said that ASHA workers will administer Iron Folic Acid syrup to children aged between six months to five years, at a dose of one millilitre per week.

The intake will be closely monitored, and records will be maintained.

Once mothers are adequately informed, they will be encouraged to administer the syrup themselves.

For children aged between five to nine years, pink tablets will be given, while blue tablets will be provided to children aged between 10 and 19 years.

Dr. Ankula said that ASHA workers were thoroughly briefed about the 'Anaemia Mukt Bharat' programme during the event.

She said that the ASHA workers were trained on how to conduct door-to-door visits and ensure proper distribution of medicines to children.

The campaign reflects the Health Department's commitment to combating anaemia through awareness, early detection, and sustained community-level intervention across the Ramban district.
Imphal, Jan 1 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a second Provisional Attachment Order (PAO), attaching assets worth Rs 33.66 crore belonging to two private companies in Manipur, their sole director, and others, in connection with an alleged cheating case involving nearly 5,000 gullible investors, officials said.

The Imphal Sub-Zonal office has issued 2nd Provisional Attachment Order (PAO) to the tune of Rs 33.66 crore on M/s Birla Emporium Pvt Ltd, M/s Ira Finance Pvt. Ltd., its Director Yumnan Irabanta Singh and others in relation to cheating of 5000 gullible investors.

ED initiated the investigation based on FIR registered by the CID (Crime Branch), Manipur, under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code IPC, 1860, against Yumnam Irabanta Singh, Director of M/s Birla Emporium Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Ira Finance Pvt. Ltd.

Through the FIRs, it was alleged that during the period from 2019 to 2021, Yumnam Irabanta Singh was operating a fraudulent investment/deposit scheme that promised investors a high return, but finally, he and his associates had siphoned off several individual depositors' funds. Investigation revealed that Singh and his entities were operating an unauthorised deposit scheme by collecting huge amounts of money from the public with a promise of exorbitant returns.

According to ED, Singh, along with his associates, has cheated approximately 5,000 investors of Manipur and thereby caused wrongful loss to these gullible depositors to the tune of more than Rs 250 crore and subsequent wrongful gain to himself.

It is also revealed that the M/s Birla Emporium Private Limited and M/s Ira Finance Private Limited have given loans to public/borrowers against the security of their property (Loan Against Property), and the properties of the loanees were transferred and registered in the name of the Directors and staff of M/s. Birla Emporium Private Limited, by executing the sale deed.

The ED said that the company closed its doors to the depositors in the first quarter of 2020 without returning the promised funds to them.

The properties which were registered in the name of the promoters were also kept under their custody without returning them.

Further, these funds, which are Proceeds of Crime (POC), were subsequently utilised in the acquisition of several properties. The ED had earlier identified and provisionally attached various movable and immovable properties in the name of M/s Birla Emporium Pvt. Ltd., Yumnam Irabanta Singh, Director of the company and his associates, amounting to Rs 28.02 crore.

Further, Prosecution Complaint for confiscation of attached properties has been filed before the Special PMLA (Prevention of Money-Laundering Act) court, Imphal East, on 06.06.2025 against M/s Birla Emporium Pvt. Ltd and Shri. Yumnam Irabanta Singh, and others.

Further course of investigation led to the identification of 121 more immovable properties which are registered in the name of M/s Birla Emporium Pvt. Ltd., M/s Ira Finance Pvt. Ltd., Yumnam Irabanta Singh, Director of the company and his associates, which were obtained out of POC.

In this regard, the immovable properties amounting to Rs 33.66 crore are provisionally attached. So far, a total amount of Rs 61.68 crore pertaining to various movable and immovable properties in the name of M/s Birla Emporium Pvt Ltd, Yumnan Irabanta Singh and his associates have been provisionally attached. Further investigation is underway.

--IANS

sc/dan
Mumbai, Jan 1 : The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has taken strict action against alleged price manipulation in the shares of DU Digital Global, a company listed on the SME platform.

The market regulator has barred 26 individuals from trading in the securities market after finding that they were involved in artificially inflating the stock price.

In a detailed 142-page order, Sebi has directed the individuals to return illegal gains amounting to more than Rs 98.78 lakh.

In addition, it has imposed monetary penalties totalling Rs 1.85 crore. The regulatoras action follows an investigation into an unusually sharp rise in the share price of DU Digital Global, which jumped from around Rs 12 in August 2021 to a peak of Rs 296.05 in November 2022.

According to the market regulator, the steep rise in the stock price was not supported by the companyas business performance or any positive corporate announcements.

The regulator noted that there was no legitimate reason for the share price to surge by about 2,467 per cent within a year.

The investigation found that a group of connected traders had used deceptive and coordinated trading strategies to create artificial demand and trading volumes in the stock.

SEBI observed that such practices, including synchronised and circular trades, serve no genuine economic purpose and are aimed only at misleading investors by manipulating prices.

SEBI also pointed out that some of the individuals involved had faced regulatory action in earlier cases, indicating a repeated pattern of market misconduct.

The regulator said that when connected entities manipulate stock prices in this manner, ordinary investors ultimately suffer losses.

Emphasising the need to protect investors and maintain trust in the SME segment, SEBI said strong regulatory action is necessary to deter such behaviour and preserve the integrity of the securities market.

The trading ban imposed on the 26 individuals will remain in force for periods ranging from one year to 30 months.

DU Digital Global, earlier known as DU Digital Technologies, was listed on the NSEas SME platform in August 2021.

SEBI said the case highlights the risks of price manipulation in smaller and less liquid stocks and the importance of investor caution.
Key Points

It's important to know what costs you may be looking at as a Medicare enrollee.

Signing up on time could be a huge money-saver.

Getting supplemental insurance could save your finances in retirement.

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Most people would probably agree that Medicare is a key program for millions of retirees today. But whether you're planning to enroll in 2026 or are simply trying to plan for the future, it's important to understand Medicare's ins and outs. Here are four key things to know about Medicare this year.

1. Costs are going up

One big Medicare myth is that it's a source of free healthcare for seniors. While Part A, which covers hospital care, generally does not charge enrollees a premium, there's a monthly premium associated with Part B, which covers outpatient care. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans also charge their own premiums (though there are $0 premium plans available).

Image source: Getty Images.

In addition to Medicare premiums, there can be out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. And in 2026, many of those costs are rising.

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The standard monthly Part B premium, for example, will be $202.90 in 2026, up from $185 last year. That increase is apt to eat into Social Security recipients' upcoming cost-of-living adjustment. That's because seniors enrolled in Social Security and Medicare at the same time pay their Part B premiums out of their monthly benefits directly.

Medicare Part B's annual deductible is also rising from $257 to $283. And the Part A inpatient deductible for a hospital stay is going up from $1,676 to $1,736. Daily coinsurance rates under Part A are also rising, so it's important to budget accordingly.

2. Medicare won't cover everything

Although Medicare covers a wide range of treatments and healthcare services, there are certain things it won't cover. Some big ones include dental care, vision exams, and hearing aids.

Now if you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, you may have coverage for these services. Otherwise, you'll need to factor them into your retirement budget. If you have access to a health savings account, you may want to reserve some of those funds for your senior years so you can use that money to pay for things Medicare won't.

3. Signing up on time is key

Your initial Medicare enrollment period is seven months long. It begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after that month.

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It's important to sign up for Medicare on time to avoid a gap in coverage. But you should also know that a late enrollment could cost you.

For each 12-month period you're eligible for Part B but fail to sign up, you face a lifelong surcharge on your monthly premiums. Those could add up over time, creating a financial strain throughout your entire retirement.

4. You may want to get supplemental insurance right away

Because Medicare coverage can some with many large out-of-pocket costs, and because original Medicare doesn't put a cap on annual spending, it's important to have a backup plan in case you go through a period of hefty medical bills. That's where Medigap comes in.

Medigap is supplement insurance. It won't cover services Medicare won't. But it could pick up the tab for coinsurance, deductibles, and other costs you might incur for Medicare-covered services.

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The best time to get a Medigap plan is during the six-month period that begins the first day of the month you're 65 or older and have Medicare Part B. You can sign up later, but during that initial window, Medigap issuers must sell you a policy at the best available rate, regardless of the state of your health. Once that window passes, you can be charged more.

Knowing how Medicare works is a key part of retirement planning and budgeting. Keep these points in mind so you have a good handle on Medicare this year.

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4 Things Every Retiree Needs to Know About Medicare in 2026 was originally published by The Motley Fool
New Delhi, Jan 1 : On the occasion of Kalpataru Day, coinciding the New Year's Day, BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin on Thursday offered prayers at Ramakrishna Ashram in Delhi, a party leader said.

Calling upon youth to join nation-building, Nabin said, "The ashram of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa can be considered a place where Swami Vivekananda and others have inspired generations."

"Every youth in Bihar and across the country has always remembered him. Today is a special day. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa gave his disciples a divine vision today. As a blessing for fulfilling their wishes, he ensured that their desires were fulfilled," he said.

Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for ViksitBharat@2047, Nabin said he took inspiration from Swami Vivekananda while announcing five resolutions of a developed India, unity, liberation from the slavery of colonialism, pride in heritage and citizens' duties.

"Heartfelt wishes to all on Kalpataru Day! On this sacred occasion, today we paid obeisance at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Ji at the Ramakrishna Ashram located in Delhi," said Nabin in a message on X.

"On this very day in 1886, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Ji manifested as the 'Kalpataru'  the divine tree that grants self-realisation  and bestowed upon his disciples the boon of spiritual awakening. Revealing his divine state, he had said, 'May your consciousness be awakened," said Nabin.

"May the spiritual light of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Ji continue to forever illuminate the lives of us all on the path of truth, peace, and self-realisation," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that Aam Aadmi Party leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha and Kuldeep Singh are completely rattled and, to remain in the news, keep making one irresponsible statement or another daily.

The Delhi BJP spokesperson said that whether it is commenting on a slip of the tongue by the Chief Minister, performing a havan in the name of the Sun God, or making statements regarding the Women's Allowance, these three AAP leaders are only turning themselves into objects of ridicule.

The people of Delhi want to ask Bharadwaj that while he makes daily remarks over a verbal slip by Chief Minister Gupta, what does he have to say about the statements made by his party's former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal goof-ups which included "providing higher education in hospitals, world-class medical treatment in schools, and referred to 26 January as Independence Day?"

The public wants to ask AAP leader Kuldeep Kumar that while the Delhi government has already constituted a committee for the Women's Allowance, why has his party's Punjab government, even after three and a half years in power, failed to implement the Women's Honour Allowance announced there till date, asked Kapoor.
New Delhi, Jan 1 : The widely quoted Corruption Perceptions Index, prepared annually by Transparency International, has ranked Pakistan 135 out of 180 countries for 2024, according to an article in the Pakistan media.

There is a need to see the change in ranking of Pakistan over the years, as the incidence of corruption has been highlighted in a recent report by the IMF, the article in the financial newspaper Business Recorder said.

In 2015, Pakistan was placed at 117 out of 168 countries, equivalent to the 70th percentile. Therefore, there has been a worsening in Pakistanas ranking over the last decade. This can be seen as a justification for the IMF report.

Pakistan also has a low rating in the Human Development Index (HDI) of the United Nations Development Programme, which is considered generally the most appropriate index to assess the overall economic state of a country.

The HDI has three components of education, health, and per capita income. It is an indictment of Pakistan, as it has the lowest ranking of 168 among South Asian countries. This ranking places the country in the 87th percentile and categorises Pakistan with a low level of human development. Among the three indicators, the worst ranking of Pakistan is in education.

A comparison is made with Pakistanas HDI ranking in 2015. It was placed at the ranking of 147 out of 188 countries, equivalent to the 78th percentile. It is now at the 87th percentile. Therefore, Pakistan has performed poorly in human development over the last decade, the article pointed out.

This article also looked at Pakistanas credit rating based on the assessment by S&P, Moodyas, and the Morningstar DBRS. The rating scale of each agency is from the best of AAA to the lowest at DD. The ratings of a country by each agency are combined to produce an overall score, TE, which ranges from 0 to 100. Altogether, the latest assessment includes 155 countries.

The latest rating of Pakistan is of B- by S&P and Caa by Moodyas. No rating has been given to Pakistan by the DBRS. Overall, the score, TE, of Pakistan is 21 out of 100. The resulting ranking of Pakistan out of the 155 countries is 131. This is the 84th percentile in the ranking; the higher the percentile, the worse the ranking. Therefore, Pakistan still has a relatively low credit rating.

Hopefully, with the successful continuation of the IMF Programme, this rating will improve further in 2026, along with further enhancement in foreign exchange reserves, the article added.
New Delhi, Jan 1 : Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has urged members of the former ruling Awami League to join its ranks, pledging "full responsibility" for leaders and activists from the party, now banned from participation in the February 12 general election, media reports said.

"You will join our party from the Awami League, and we will take responsibility for you. Be it the jail, the police station, or any duty, we will handle it," said Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former lawmaker Latifur Rahman at Madanmore in Chapai Nawabganj district of Bangladesh, according to the Dhaka-based news website bdnews24.

The call is an apparent bid at consolidating its base, where the Jamaat is contesting upcoming polls as part of a 10-party alliance in an attempt at returning to power in the South Asian country.

It faces a challenge from its former ally, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), where the Jamaat was a junior member in a coalition government led by the recently deceased former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

The Jamaat has faced a series of bans and legal challenges, with the initial restriction imposed in 1972 for "misusing religion for political purposes".

It has since been involved in various political and legal disputes.

The last Awami League government of now-in-exile former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had also imposed a ban due to the Jamaat's perceived threat to public security and its alleged 'pro-Pakistan' role in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war.

After Hasina's government was deposed in 2024, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration lifted the ban and the party's registration was restored following a Supreme Court decision.

Now, the Jamaat will contest the February polls after a gap of about 17 years, marking its return to mainstream politics in Bangladesh.

The bdnews24 report later added that Latifur Rahman urged the BNP workers also to join the Jamaat, emphasising "your responsibilities will be ours", adding "Do not compare the current Jamaat with the old. Today, Jamaat is far stronger".

An earlier report in Bangladesh's Daily Observer news site had mentioned about several leaders and activists from the former ruling Awami League joining other parties, like the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, in the wake of the changes in the country's political equation after the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.

Around June last year, according to the Daily Observer report, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders were more reluctant than the BNP to welcome former Awami League members into their fold.

While some local Jamaat leaders claim to have "forgiven" past actions by the Awami League, they remain hesitant about including outsiders in leadership positions, it had added.

Reports quoting opinion poll outcomes suggest that the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is expected to finish a close second to the BNP in the February election.

Overall, the country's political environment remains highly unstable following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

It is currently experiencing significant unrest marked by violence, protests, targeted attacks on minorities, and strained diplomatic relations with India.

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was among six foreign dignitaries to attend Khaleda Zia's funeral on Wednesday.

He also handed over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's condolence letter to the deceased former Prime Minister's son Tarique Rahman, who is the BNP's Acting Chairman.
New Delhi, Jan 1 : The Delhi government's Education Department has filed a formal police complaint against attempts to spread falsehoods and create a fake narrative that school teachers in the city are proposed to be deployed for counting stray dogs, an official said on Thursday.

Director of Information Publicity Sushil Singh told mediapersons that though the department had issued a "Fake news" alert, such doctored videos and social media content, it was necessary to uncover the conspiracy behind it.

"The complaint has been filed to look into the role of individuals who have amplified the conspiracy through social media platforms," he said.

He said the culprits were trying to achieve objectives other than political criticism.

Singh criticised the misuse of social media for spreading falsehoods and said the police have been requested to investigate.

Singh said, "The Directorate of Information and Publicity is addressing the media today to highlight the misuse of social media platforms and how falsehoods about government decisions are created through fake reels and videos."

"The objective of the Directorate of Education and the Directorate of Information and Publicity is to set the record straight, explain how misinformation spreads, and outline the government's response. A false narrative was circulated alleging that government school teachers were directed to count stray dogs," he said, blaming some vested interests.

Many reels were circulated on social media, and in some clips, some people were impersonating teachers and giving false and misleading statements related to dog count duty, he said.

"This claim was baseless and fabricated, and it presented an impression that there was an official order, whereas there was no such directive," he said.

The false claim originated from the misrepresentation of a routine circular by the Directorate of Education.

The Directorate has clarified that no such circular was issued. "This was not routine political criticism. It created public outrage and undermined the position of the Directorate," he said.
Kolkata, Jan 1 : In the mysterious death of a woman Home Guard in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, the accused police officer has finally been arrested, the police said on Thursday.

Sub-Inspector Sayan Bhattacharya of the Canning Police Station was arrested from the Swarupnagar police station area in Basirhat of North 24 Parganas district earlier in the day.

Following the arrest, the accused was the produced before the Alipore court.

According to sources, the police sought his custody for seven days for further investigation.

Officers say that questioning the Sub-Inspector is necessary to determine the cause of the woman Home Guard's death.

It is said that more information may emerge from the questioning of the accused.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe the death of the woman Home Guard in South 24 Parganas district's Canning and the accused police officer was suspended from service.

A case under section relating to murder had startled Sayan Bhattacharya, after the family of the deceased accused him of playing a role in the death of the woman Home Guard Reshmi Molla whose body was recovered from police residential quarters in Canning on December 27.

Following the incident, the accused Sub-Inspector had gone missing.

The deceased Home Guard's family alleged that Reshmi had an extramarital affair with the accused Sub-Inspector and that she was murdered after the affair came to light.

Following this, the Baruipur district police registered a murder case and launched an investigation into the matter.

The body of the woman Home Guard was recovered from a residential quarters of the Canning Police Station on Saturday.

The body of 22-year-old Guljan Parveen Molla, also known as Reshmi, was found hanging from a ceiling inside a room of the police quarters.

She was a resident of Uttar Moukhali area under Jibantala Police Station in Canning Block II.

Incidentally, Reshmi's father, Rashid Molla, was murdered in Bhangar area of South 24 Parganas district during the Panchayat elections nearly two years ago.

Following the murder of Reshmi's father, being the eldest daughter of the family, was given job as a woman Home Guard.
New Delhi, Jan 1 : The inaugural function of "Delhi Shabdotsav 2026", a three-day Indian literary and cultural festival, will be held at National Stadium on Friday with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in attendance, an official said.

New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS) The inaugural function of "Delhi Shabdotsav 2026", a three-day Indian literary and cultural festival, will be held at National Stadium on Friday with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in attendance, an official said.

Earlier, after the poster launch of the event on December 29, CM Gupta was apprised by Art and Culture Minister Kapil Mishra on the event's schedule and other related campaign activities.

CM Gupta wrote on X, "Following the launch of the poster for the 'Delhi Shabdotsav' program, the organisers' team met under the leadership of Cabinet colleague Shri @KapilMishra_IND ji."

"From January 2 to 4, esteemed thinkers, writers, and speakers from across the country will participate in 'Delhi Shabdotsav', organised by the Delhi Government and Suruchi Prakashan at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium. During the programme, book releases, cultural presentations, and a poets' conclave will also be held," wrote the Chief Minister on X.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister's Cabinet colleague Ashish Sood, MLAs Abhay Verma and Rajkumar Bhatia, along with other distinguished guests, were present.

Mishra told reporters that the Art and Culture Department of the Delhi government and a publishing house will jointly organise the country's largest literature and cultural festival.

"The Delhi Government is organising the country's largest cultural and literary festival on January 2, 3, and 4. From now on, it will be held annually under the Ministry of Culture and branded as the 'Delhi Shabdotsav'," Mishra told reporters.

The event will feature over 100 prominent speakers, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Sunil Ambekar, Manmohan Vaidya and Sachchidanand Joshi, along with more than 40 book releases, six cultural performances, and two poets' meets.

"Students from the nearly 40 universities from Delhi NCR will also participate in the cultural event," he said.

Mishra said the event will feature programmes like Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Bhajan Sandhya, Kavi Sammelan and Somnath Jyotirlinga Darshan.

He said the Delhi Chief Minister will inaugurate the festival, while Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma will also attend the event.
Agartala, Jan 1 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday urged students to combine academic knowledge with modern technology and spirituality to build a bright and meaningful future, stressing that education must be rooted in morality and practical learning.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Golden Jubilee Year Celebration Festival of the Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE) at Nazrul Kalakshetra here, the Chief Minister said that alongside textbook learning, students should use modern technology to gain practical knowledge and real-life skills.

"For a successful future, one must pursue true education along with moral values. Education helps an individual establish a distinct identity in society," Saha said, adding that spending some time on spirituality helps students remain mentally calm and focused.

Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP), he said it was introduced on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make the country's education system contemporary and student-centric.

"Educated youth are among the most valuable assets of the world. Technology has been integrated with education, and the Prime Minister is working to make India a global education hub. The state government is also implementing several projects to ensure timely and quality education," said Saha, who also holds the Elementary and Secondary Education portfolio.

Highlighting the journey of the TBSE, the Chief Minister noted that the board was established in 1976 and is celebrating its golden jubilee this year.

He emphasised the need to draw guidance from former officers and employees to further strengthen the board. Saha said that since the implementation of the NEP, students appearing for TBSE examinations have shown improved performance. He urged the board to take further initiatives to enhance academic results.

Listing key initiatives undertaken by the state government, Saha mentioned programmes such as Nipun Tripura, Mission Mukul and the Vidya Setu Module to strengthen the education system. Bicycles are being provided to girl students, while the 'Super 30' project has been launched to support higher education aspirants. Teachers are also receiving regular training, with about 7,700 teachers trained so far, he said.

The Chief Minister added that smart classrooms have been introduced in all schools to improve learning outcomes, while new hostels have been opened for students from tribal areas. As many as 47 hostels have been constructed under various schemes, including PM Janman.

He also announced that the state aims to establish one Eklavya Model Residential School in each of the 58 blocks of Tripura. Saha said the state government is also expanding higher education infrastructure, including new colleges, universities and technical institutions.

During the event, 23 meritorious students were felicitated for their outstanding performance in the secondary and higher secondary examinations from 2022 to 2025.

The Chief Minister presented certificates to the awardees and unveiled a souvenir marking the golden jubilee year of the TBSE.

Secretary of the Education Department Ravel Hemendra Kumar, Maharaj Swami Bhaktisudhananda of Viveknagar Ramakrishna Math, TBSE President Dhananjay Ganachowdhury and Board Secretary Joydeep Bhattacharya were among those present on the occasion.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Jan 1 : In the wake of large scale ethnic violence that occurred last month in the tribal-dominated Malkangiri district, the Odisha government, on Thursday, took a series of decisions to address various grievances of the tribals in the district.

The decisions were made during a high-level meeting held at the Lok Seva Bhawan under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

As per a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), it was decided that the Malkangiri District Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay will review hundreds of pending cases under Regulation 2/56 (as amended in 2002) every fortnight and apprise the progress to the Southern Revenue Divisional Commissioner Sangram Keshari Mohapatra and the state government.

The state government has also decided to provide permanent land titles to the landless and homeless tribal families in the state.

"Expeditious arrangements will be made to provide permanent 'pattas' under the FRA (Forest Rights Act) and OGLS (Odisha Government Land Settlement Act). The District Collector shall review the progress every month and inform the state government," the CMO added.

The Odisha government further resolved to provide permanent 'pattas' to families displaced by the Machhkund Irrigation Project.

As per the state's high-level meeting's decisions, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Deoranjan Kumar Singh, will conduct a quarterly review of all revenue-related matters of Malkangiri district and report to the state government.

"The Water Resources Department will take steps in the coming days to provide irrigation facilities to upland agricultural lands of tribal and other communities located near water bodies," the CMO noted.

The state government also decided that arrangements will be made to ensure tribal applicants can benefit from the Chief Minister's Agriculture Development Scheme, PMEGP (Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme), and PMFME (Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises).

Vacant Multilingual Education teacher posts in Koya, Didayi, and Bonda tribal languages at the primary school level will be filled immediately by the State School and Mass Education Department.

Additionally, the state government resolved to create more seats in higher secondary schools of Malkangiri district so that tribal and other students can continue their studies beyond Class 10.

More hostels will also be constructed in schools and colleges to provide accommodation to students from remote areas in the state.

A special financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund will be provided to the family of the deceased Lake Padiami, a resident of Rakhelguda village, whose brutal killing by miscreants from the nearby MV-26 village of Malkangiri district triggered large scale violence by local tribals against refugees from Bangladesh on December 7 and 8 last year.

"Based on the district administration's report, each partially or fully damaged house in MV-26 village will receive financial assistance of up to Rs 75,000 as per the assessed loss. Similarly, for the repair of damaged shops, each shopkeeper will be provided assistance of up to Rs 20,000 according to the assessed value. The concerned departments shall regularly inform the Chief Minister's Office about the implementation of the above decisions," the CMO told.

According to reports, the murder of a 51-year-old tribal widow, Lake Padiami from Rakhelguda village -- reportedly over a land-related dispute -- and the subsequent recovery of her headless body after four days, floating in a river, triggered widespread violence by tribals of Rakhelguda and adjoining villages on December 7 and 8.

The protesting villagers set more than 50 houses on fire and ransacked over 160 houses belonging to residents of the MV-26 village.

Hundreds of Bengali-speaking families --- who migrated from Bangladesh decades ago and have been residing in MV-26 village -- fled their homes and took shelter in nearby villages to escape the violence.

In view of the tense situation, the state government clamped prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS Act and suspended internet services in the district.

Several platoons of the Central Armed Police Forces and the Odisha Police have also been deployed to prevent further escalation.
Patna, Jan 1 : An unfortunate incident has shaken Katihar district in Bihar after unidentified miscreants opened fire on a youth, killing him on the spot, police said on Thursday.

The incident occurred near the NH-77 at Kursela Chowk under the Kursela police station area.

The incident has triggered panic and fear across the region.

The deceased has been identified as Sagar Jha alias Mithu Jha, a resident of Kataria village under Kursela police station.

According to Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Ranjan Kumar Singh, Mithu Jha had a criminal background and was recently released on bail in connection with the high-profile Mithun Yadav murder case of Navgachia.

"Mithu Jha has a criminal record. He was allegedly involved in a murder case. Besides, two Arms Act cases were also registered against his name. He was currently on bail in a murder case," SDPO Singh said.

Police say the incident may be linked to an old rivalry or gang war, though the exact motive is still under investigation.

The incident occurred around 5:45 p.m. at the busy NH-77 Kursela Chowk, a time when traffic and public movement were high.

The sudden attack created chaos in the area.

After committing the crime, the accused fled the spot, brandishing firearms and firing in the air.

Upon receiving information, the Kursela police rushed to the spot.

Mithu Jha lost his life at the crime spot.

The Kursela police recovered Jha's body and sent it to the Sadar Hospital for a post-mortem.

"Given the seriousness of the incident, we have cordoned off the area and launched an intensive investigation. A CCTV footage from nearby locations is being examined to identify the attackers," the SDPO added.

SDPO Singh said that the case is being thoroughly investigated, and police teams are raiding suspected hideouts to arrest those involved.

He added that additional police forces may be deployed in Kataria village and nearby areas to prevent any escalation of tension.

Following the incident, security has been tightened, and police remain on high alert to maintain law and order in the region.
Jammu, Jan 1 : The police in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Thursday said they have attached an immovable property belonging to Pakistan-based terror handler and launch commander Rafiq Nai alias Sultan under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

In a statement, the police said the attachment was carried out as part of a decisive action against terror networks operating from across the border.

The attachment has been effected in connection with FIR No. 194/2024 registered at Gursai police station in Poonch district. The property attached comprises four marlas and two sarsai of agricultural land situated at Village Nar in the Nakka Majhari area of Mendhar tehsil, Poonch district.

Police said the attached property is owned by Rafiq Nai alias Sultan, son of Mohd Afsar, a local resident who is presently operating as a Pakistan-based handler and launch commander of the banned terrorist outfit Tahreek-ul-Mujahideen/Jammu Kashmir Ghaznavi Force.

According to the police, Rafiq Nai alias Sultan is actively involved in supervising narcotics and weapons smuggling, facilitating infiltration of trained terrorists, and attempting to revive terrorist activities in the PoonchRajouri sector.

He has been declared a designated individual terrorist and is wanted in multiple serious criminal cases, including several FIRs, police said.

The attachment was executed by a joint team of Mendhar police station and the Revenue Department after following all due legal procedures, including verification, documentation and approval from the competent authority.

Police said the market value of the attached property has been assessed at approximately Rs 10 lakh.

"This action forms part of a broader and sustained strategy to dismantle the financial, logistical and support infrastructure of terrorist networks and to ensure that individuals involved in anti-national and terror-related activities are deprived of their resources," the police said.

District Police Poonch reiterated its commitment to act firmly and lawfully against all elements involved in terrorism and activities prejudicial to the security and sovereignty of the nation, and assured that such measures would continue in the interest of peace, public safety and national security.
Hyderabad, Jan 1 : The 85th All India Industrial Exhibition got off to a colourful start on Thursday.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka along with the State Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu and State Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar inaugurated 'Numaish', as the annual trade fair is popularly known.

'Numaish', as one of the world's oldest annual consumer exhibitions is popularly known, will be inaugurated by Telangana government.

More than 1,000 stalls have been set up on the sprawling Numaish Maidan for the annual 45-day-long exhibition.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the state government is extending full support to the All India Industrial Exhibition Society (AIIES) to conduct the annual fair.

He noted that 'Numaish' has a long history.

Deputy Chief Minister Vikramarka, who also inaugurated the stall of the Chanchalguda Jail, said the Exhibition Society should rise to global standards.

He said that the society's efforts in social service, education, and women's empowerment are commendable.

The Deputy Chief Minister added that the state government is making plans to transform Hyderabad into a world-class safe city, free from pollution.

Traders and various business organisations from various states are sell their products at the fair.

This year, the organisers have hiked the entry fee to Rs 50 from Rs 40 per head.

Every day the exhibition will be open for visitors from 4 to 10:30 p.m.

It will be open till 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Numaish-e-Masnuaat-e-Mulki, or 'Numaish' in short, made a humble beginning in 1938 as an event to promote locally produced goods.

The seventh Nizam of Hyderabad State, Mir Osman Ali Khan, inaugurated the first 'Numaish'.

Enthused by the good response, it was decided to make it an annual event and use the earnings to promote education.

Beginning with just 50 stalls and a capital of Rs 2.50, it has today evolved into one of the biggest industrial exhibitions in the country.

It was a group of graduates from Osmania University who came up with the idea of an exhibition to conduct an economic survey of the state.

'Numaish' could not be organised in 1947 and 1948 due to the turmoil in the aftermath of India's Independence.

With Hyderabad acceding to the Indian Union, the event bounced back in 1949.

The exhibition could not be held in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

From amusement rides to shopping with good bargains and a variety of lip-smacking food, the annual event offers loads of fun and frolic.

In its 85th year, it is considered the mother of all carnivals -- and an integral part of Hyderabad's rich culture.

It draws people not just from the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad but from other parts of Telangana and even neighbouring states.

The fair begins on January 1 every year and continues for 45 days.

Traders from various parts of the country set up their stalls during the exhibition, which is visited by 45,000 people every day.

A unique blend of economy and culture, the event is organised on the sprawling grounds and revenues from the fair are spent on a group of educational and charitable institutions run by the Society.
In Once There Was a Town: The Memory Books of a Lost Jewish World (St. Martin's, Jan.), food historian and urban anthropology expert Jane Ziegelman explores Holocaust survivors' yizkor books, which document the towns they once knew.

The first two books by Ziegelman, the former director of the Tenement Museum's culinary center, examine the role of food in the Depression (A Square Meal: A Culinary History of the Great Depression), coauthored with her husband, the James Beard winner Andrew Coe, and its role in the immigrant experience in New York City (97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement).

She spoke with PW about Once There Was a Town and how Holocaust survivors endeavored to keep their memories and heritage alive through writing.

What is a yizkor book?

Yizkor means "remember." Yizkor books were compiled to preserve memories about towns that no longer existed. They contained stories written by ordinary people, which described the people, culture, and history of such towns.

What interested you to write about yizkor books?

Few people know that yizkor books exist. I happen to be very lucky in that my family was closely involved in the production of one of them. In the 1970s, my great-uncle was instrumental in publishing the yizkor book of his hometown, Luboml, in Ukraine. Roughly 30 years later, my father arranged for a translation into English. When I paged through that, I understood that I was holding a treasure. When I did some research, I learned that there are thousands of these books. A large part of my motivation in writing this was to bring knowledge of these books to a larger audience.

Why do you think that so few people, even those familiar with writings from the Holocaust, know about them?

The writers of Yizkor books were torn by competing impulses. On one hand, there was an impulse to document, to make sure the world never forgot, and to make sure the world had the full story. On the other hand, when they brought these books into their homes, they wanted to protect their children and their grandchildren from the horrors that they had experienced. In many cases, these books were put on top shelves where children couldn't reach them, or were never brought into the home at all. So, that ambivalence on the part of the people who wrote them is part of the answer. Another is that these books were largely dismissed by historians as the work of amateurs, and therefore unreliable.

But surely many historical accounts are the work of amateurs?

Yes, it was really a kind of academic superiority complex. These writers were untrained, and therefore presumably lacked the intellectual architecture to sift out fact from fiction. That's not what these books are about. These books are about eyewitnesses, telling what they saw. While there's plenty of objective information in them, just as importantly, there's also plenty of subjective information. For example, the contributors to a yizkor book often wrote as if they were writing a eulogy. In a eulogy, you don't tell all what was wrong with the guy. So, I do think that there is some effort to not include the bad stuff, such as domestic abuse and alcoholism, which certainly existed in these towns. It's that balance between what people report that they see, and what they feel that makes the books so powerful to read.

Do you anticipate your book being of interest beyond Jewish readers with European backgrounds?

Yes, even for non-Jews, there's something very universal in these stories. I was always trying to weave together stories of individualshistory on a very small scaleand their relevance to history on a large scale. There is a refrain that you see over and over in yizkor booksremember me, remember us, remember this. To remember, in Judaism, is to connect you with your past, and with other people who share your past. So, it's a really important way of holding people together as a group, and it's been intrinsic to Jewish survival. It's that desirewhich is profound and a universal human desireto leave some kind of mark after our mortal selves are gone that yizkor books speak to. I want to be clear that yizkor books are not a unique cultural phenomenon. There are other cultures that have produced something along these lines, such as after the Cambodian massacres, when similar books were written.

How can someone find out if there's a yizkor book for the town that their family came from?

JewishGen.org, administered by the Museum of Jewish Heritage, has a full staff to help people find lost relatives and to find materials such as yizkor books.
Images by Patrick McCarthy / Match Grade Media

Designed by Victor Kalashnikov and Yevgeny Dragunov, both men, the sons of legendary Soviet firearms designers, the PP-19 Bizon was adopted by Russian forces in 1996. Sharing more than 60% parts compatibility with the AK-74, the PP-19 Bizon has long held American fascination entirely due to the strange helical magazine used to feed this Russian submachine.

The design is surprisingly simple. Blowback operation, no gas system, no locking bolt, and classic AK controls. But the magazine is where the magic happens.

Since its impossible to get the real PP-19 Bizon in the United States, American manufacturing has finally given the people what they want, the Palmetto State Armory / Soviet Arms Stizon. Combining a PSA AKV with the Stuff And Things Stizon magazine system, we have our Bizon At Home.

SOVIET ARMS AKV STIZON SPECS

Forged Front Trunnion

Forged Bolt/Carrier

Stamped 1mm Steel Receiver

10.5 Nitrided 4150 Steel Barrel

9x19mm

1 in 10 Twist

Stuff and Things Inc. Stizon Flash Hider

Picatinny Top Railed, Hinged Dust Cover

Fixed Rear Sight

Enhanced Extended Safety Lever

Fire Control Group: Single Stage, Single Hook

Soviet Arms Pistol Grip  Black

Stuff and Things Inc. Stizon Aluminum Handguard

PSA AK Picatinny Stock Adapter with Triangle Side Folding Brace

Stuff and Things Inc. Stizon 55RD Magazine

AKV w/ Triangle Brace Extended: 27

AKV w/ Triangle Brace Folded: 19

Palmetto State Armory $1,200

ACCESSORIES

To round out this build, a few extras were added. While the flash hider used is very true to the OG Bizon, suppressors are life. Staying true to the Bizon design, PSA didnt shoulder the Stizons barrel, and so mounting a suppressor isnt super simple. Thankfully, the fix is simple.

Sovereign Development offers a tri-lug adapter that can be face-mounted, so no shoulder is needed. Pick your thread pitch, pick your caliber, and mount it up. This adapter works on a range of firearms like the PSA AKV, KUSA KP9, Springfield Kuna, and more.

Mine is just torqued on, no Rocksett or anything. So far, its worked perfectly. There are other options for this same type of adapter, but most of them cost a lot more money than Sovereign Developments offering. Very happy with this mount.

Mounted to the Sovereign Development adapter is my Shadow Systems HS923 suppressor with a tri-lug mount. Why? While it isnt clone-correct, its the closest-looking suppressor that is currently on my shelf. Good sound, good suppression, and it has a tri-lug mount. Good enough.

On top sits a Novus Precision PDS1 optic. This is probably the most questionable optic ever to grace one of my firearms, but drip matters. The PDS1 is a Chinese-made clone of the Russian 1P87 red dot. Developed around 2016, the 1P87 was going to be part of Russias modernization program to bring their warfighters into the age of red dots. Due to circumstances entirely under their control, this has mostly not happened.

Getting a 1P87 in the United States is extremely difficult, questionable legal, ethically murky, and costs somewhere around $1,500-$2,000 for a red dot that is flatly not very good. Even in 2016, when it was developed.

The Novus Precision PDS1 is entirely legal, easy to order, and only costs about $380. And since this red dot was chosen entirely for looks and vibe, this is one of the rare times that getting the Chinese knock-off is absolutely the right thing to do.

To my surprise, the PDS1 really isnt that bad of an optic. But more on that later.

ON THE RANGE

The Stizon is fun. Its just fun. This is absolutely not the firearm to keep by your bed for when something goes bump in the night, but not every firearm needs to be that gun.

Instead, the Stizon is something that is clearly designed to appeal to the type of person who just needs to get dorky with things sometimes. Overall, the Stizon is heavy, kind of awkward, not well-balanced, and rattles like a muraca. But its so much fun.

Blowback AK 9mm is basically what you expect, not the smoothest or softest shooting PCC ever made, but it works, and it looks awesome. The PSA AKV is a solid design that brings me a lot of joy to shoot. But its a 9mm AK. Not super refined, has some quirks, but it works.

Stuff and Things magazine works shockingly well. For being such a weird design and then getting grafted onto a firearm never designed to use it, its been entirely reliable in the several hundred rounds run through it. While the Stizon ships with the black polymer magazine, Stuff and Things also sent me one of the clear poly mags to show off exactly how they work. The clear mags dont have that cloner-vibe, but getting to see the helical magazine at work is super cool.

Downside? These mags are $160 each. Not exactly something you can afford to stack deep.

But at the same time, how many do you really need for a fun range gun? And with 55+ rounds on tap per mag, its not like you need to reload often.

Speaking of reloads, getting bullets into the magazine is wicked easy, if a bit odd. Using the lever at the front cap of the magazine to twist the ratcheting system open and make room for each cartridge, this is a lot easier to load than something like the Magpul D-60. But does require a lot more shaking and gentle encouragement to get the cartridges to feed into the magazine system. Its not hard once you get used to it a little, but its also not fast.

Having never seen a real 1P87 red dot, its hard to be sure, but there is no doubt in my mind that the Novus PDS1 is a better optic than the real thing. That doesnt mean its a bomb-proof optic, but its not broken yet either.

Major drawbacks on a real 1P87 red dots are the deep blue filter on the lens, underpowered illumination, and horrible battery life. All of these problems are fixed in the Novus PDS1 clone. Blue tint on the glass is still there, but its really subtle. Not perfect, but hardly there. PDS1 illumination is bright and easy to see, even in the hell desert sun of Southern Arizona. Its winter now, so the sun isnt as bad as it could be, but its still damn bright out, and the PDS1 has no problem with it.

Battery life for the 1P87 is said to be about 100 hours on a mid-high setting. Novus claims 8,000 hours on a mid-setting. I left the Novus on at max brightness for over a week, and it hasnt drained the battery yet, so its definitely better than the Russian battery life. Both red dots lack any shake awake or auto off feature, but thats not surprising for a design almost 10 years old and a clone of that design.

LOOSE ROUNDS

$1,200 for the PSA Stizon feels like a lot of money, and it is. Add the cost of an extra magazine, suppressor, suppressor adaptor, red dot, and ammo to fill the magazines, and this becomes a very expensive toy really fast.

Everything in this build was provided by the manufacturers as a part of this review, and thats probably the only way this build would have been made. Its hard to see myself dropping more than 2 grand on this or a similar build for what is absolutely just a really fun range gun.

Thats probably where this falls apart for most people. For a gun that has no real justification other than Its a lot of fun, $1,200 (just to start) is a lot of money. If you have that cash to burn, this is definitely not the worst way to spend it because, and this is true, the Stizon is so damn fun.

If you already have a PSA AKV or KUSA KP9, the conversion kit from Stuff and Things is only $340. That gets you the handguard, flash hider, and one magazine. This makes a lot more sense in the money area.

Palmetto State Armory $1,200

Depending on sales and when you jump on it, it might be possible to buy a standard PSA AKV and the conversion kit for less than what a complete PSA Stizon runs you.
The government on Wednesday launched Rs 4,531 crore market access support (MAS) intervention scheme for a six-year period (FY26-31) to improve global reach, visibility and competitiveness of Indian exporters through structured and outcome-oriented interventions.

Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters

The scheme is aimed at benefiting first-time exporters, firms from priority sectors such as agriculture, leather, handloom, toys and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) exporters.

The MAS was launched under Rs 25,060 export promotion mission that was approved by the Union Cabinet in November.

The launch of the scheme came against the backdrop of exporters grappling with challenges due to the imposition of 50 per cent tariff by the United States (US) on several Indian products.

Department of Commerce additional secretary and Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Ajay Bhadoo told reporters that the scheme mainly aims to resolve the long-term disabilities or challenges faced by exporters and should not be seen as a measure to counter US tariffs.

During the current fiscal, Rs 500 crore has been allocated towards the scheme.

To begin with, arrears worth Rs 330 crore will be cleared at the earliest.

Bhadoo also said that the scheme will have an MSME-bias as it not only focuses on export product and market diversification, but also on the diversification of beneficiaries, so that more exporters can benefit from the scheme.

The government has also planned over Rs 5,000 crore interest equalisation scheme, which will be notified soon, Bhadoo said.

Under MAS, structured financial and institutional support will be provided for buyer-seller meets, participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions, mega reverse buyer-seller meets organised in India, and trade delegations to priority and emerging export markets.

A forward-looking three-to-five-year calendar of major market access events will be prepared and approved in advance, enabling exporters and organising agencies to plan participation well ahead of time.

A minimum participation of 35 per cent MSMEs has been mandated for supported events, with special prioritisation being accorded to new geographies and smaller markets to encourage export diversification.

"Event-level financial support ceilings and cost-sharing ratios have been rationalised, with preferential support being extended to priority sectors and markets.

"Small exporters with export turnover of up to Rs 75 lakh in the preceding year will be provided partial airfare support to encourage participation by new and small exporters, the commerce department said in a statement.

Bhadoo further said that the government will also create an index to evaluate the performance of exporters during the duration of the scheme.

India has moved away from subsidising exports and instead is relying on remission mechanisms through schemes such as Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products and Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies.
'The worst part is that after the attack on December 9, the Dehradun police refused to register an FIR for the murder.'

IMAGE: Anjel Chakma, a student from Tripura, was murdered by goons in Uttarakhand. Photograph: Kind courtesy X

'I am not Chinese. I am an Indian.'

This was what 24-year-old Anjel Chakma, a student from Tripura who was violently attacked by a racist mob on December 9, 2025 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, told his killers.

When Anjel and his brother Michael went to buy household items in Dehradun's Selakui locality, a group of intoxicated men began using racial slurs against them.

When Anjel objected to their remarks, the men turned violent and attacked him with rods and knives, according to the first information report. After fighting for his life for 16 days at a hospital in Dehradun, Anjel died.

The Dehradun police now claims no racial slurs were used against Anjel that led to his fight with the goons and eventually his death.

In the opinion of Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh, Anjel's death does not fall in the racist category.

This has created a furore among Indian students from the north east across India. They demand that strict action be taken against all the accused responsible for Anjel Chakma's death.

"Our opinion is that these murder accused were locals with good political connections, therefore the Dehradun police wanted to protect the killers," Drishya M Chakma, President, All India Chakma Students Union, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.

Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh says the attack on Anjel Chakma was not provoked by a racist comment.

I don't know what type of definition he is talking of. Someone is calling you 'Chinki' 'Chinese', 'Momos' when you are an Indian citizen to which Anjel Chakma protested. He was kicked and beaten up by goons in Dehradun which led to his death.

If this is not racial comments, then I don't know what kind of comments this comes under according to the Dehradun police.

Are you sure Anjel was called 'Chinki', 'Chinese', 'Momos'?

Yes, because Anjel's younger brother Michael was present when the attack took place. The Dehradun police refuses to believe Michael, but believes the accused who murdered Anjel.

The worst part is that after the attack on December 9, the Dehradun police refused to register an FIR for the murder.

Our student leader Vipul Chakma along with Deepa Chakma, who is from Tripura and works for the Delhi police, had to go to Dehradun and put pressure on the Dehradun police to register an FIR.

We had to put pressure on the police through some people whom we knew in Dehradun to register the case.

After 3 days, on December 12, the Dehradun police finally registered the case.

IMAGE: A candlelight march in Agartala, December 30, 2025, demanding justice for Angel Chakma. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

This happened even though Anjel's father is a soldier with the Border Security Force guarding India's borders. Yet no case was registered for his son's death.

That is what happened. His father wanted to retire early as Anjel told him to do so. Anjel got a job in a German multinational company from the college campus.

But he has been killed now. The dream of his family is shattered forever.

What happened according to you?

Anjel and Michael were going on a motorbike to a market in Dehradun on December 9 around 6 to 7 pm. Anjel was driving and Michael was sitting behind him.

Some goons made a comment, 'Aey chicken momo, aey Chinese kahan ja raha hai (You chicken momos, you Chinese, where are you going?)'. Anjel then stopped the motorbike and told the goons that they were from Tripura and not Chinese.

This led to an argument in which the goons started beating Michael.

When Anjel intervened to protect his brother they took out a knife and rods and killed him.

Anjel was rushed to hospital and his friends went to file an FIR, but the police did not register the case.

The doctors too did not inform the police about this case. It was their duty to do so, but they did not do. (Anjel died 16 days later on December 25.)

Were these killers acquainted with Anjel before this incident?

No, they never met him earlier. They commented 'Momos' and 'Chinese' to Anjel and his brother which resulted in his death. The attackers also threatened Michael that if he informed the police he too would meet the same fate as Anjel.

IMAGE: A candlelight march in Agartala demanding justice for Angel Chakma. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Why was the Dehradun police trying to dismiss the case?

Our opinion is that these murder accused were locals with good political connections, therefore the Dehradun police wanted to protect the killers.

One accused has run away (to Nepal) and is absconding.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called Angel Chakma's father after Anjel's death and assured Mr. Chakma that strict action would be taken against the murderers.

This is reassuring for sure, but we are not satisfied with the way the Dehradun police is giving contradicting statements daily.

They have sidelined the statement of the victim's family member, Anjel's brother Michael Chakma.

The police claimed earlier that Michael and Anjel were drinking after which the argument broke out. We reject such statements.

The racial slurs the murderers used against Anjel and Michael -- do students from the north east face these slurs in other parts of India?

I too faced these kind of slurs in Delhi. I studied in north India for 12 years.

You go to a market as a north east Indian student, even hawkers will call you, 'Aey Momo kya lena hai? (Aey, Momo, what do you want to buy?) 'Chinki kya lena hai? (You Chinki, what do you want?)'

In cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru these kinds of statements against north east Indian students are found on a lesser scale.

IMAGE: A candlelight march at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, December 30, 2025, demanding justice for Anjel Chakma. Photograph: ANI Photo

Are we failing as a society that we have not been able to sensitise people about Indians from the north east?

Society and governments have to take responsibility.

In 2014, a young student from Arunachal Pradesh, Nido Tania, was murdered in Lajpat Nagar, Delhi.

He was insulted racially which led to a fight with locals which led to his murder. Later, all the accused were sentenced to jail.

After that, the Bezbaruah Committee was formed and it recommended what should be done across metro cities, what the government should do for students or migrants from north east India.

Unfortunately, it remained only on paper and implementation was not done on the ground.

In north east India we know where Mumbai is, who are the people who live in Mumbai, for that matter even Chennai or Delhi.

But in north India in particular, if you ask them where Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur or Nagaland is, they will not know.

They will not know how many tribes exist in the north east. They do not have basic awareness. I believe there has to be a change in the school syllabus which has to include these things.

The rest of India at the school level must be taught the culture and tribes of north east India.

Anjel Chakma's death has shocked the nation. Do you think this will lead to some change on the ground?

People have suddenly become more aware of the racial slurs that north east students face in other parts of the country.

People who want to change these things will ensure they change it, but those who do not want it to change they will be the way they are.

The ruling party, Opposition parties need to speak about these issues in Parliament.

What can we do online to change this mentality?

One thing that is happening is that people from the rest of India have started coming to the north east.

Last week I saw people from north India visiting Kohima. He was saying (on social media) that he always thought that north east Indians eat all kind of vague things, but that is not the case. Such things change people's attitudes.

IMAGE: Members of the Tripura Chakma Students Association in Agartala hold letters to Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, seeking ex-gratia assistance and swift justice in the Angel Chakma murder case. Photograph: ANI Photo

Eat all kind of things? Do you mean the belief that north east Indians eat dogs?

Yes, it is true. When I was in boarding school I was asked do I eat dogs? I used to feel bad, but later I realised that they were ignorant due to lack of awareness.

Now, they know more about north east Indians, therefore things are changing.

Do you feel we need to have a law like the Atrocities Act which we have to protect Dalits where one cannot make racial slurs against north east Indians?

There is already a law protecting scheduled tribes. Anjel Chakma belonged to a scheduled tribe. The SC/ST Act has not been added even now in the Dehradun police'S FIR against Anjel's killers.

There is negligence from the police as they do not want this case to be taken seriously.

Once they impose this ST Act against Anjel's killers the case will have to be taken very seriously as they will be responsible to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

We have written to the police that they must add the ST Act against Anjel's killers.

We are also stating that the Bezbaruah Committee's recommendations must be implemented.

Helpline numbers for north east students must be available in all major cities.

Right now only Delhi has a special cell and a helpline phone number (1093) dedicated for north east Indians (external link).

We are supposed to know each other as Indians.

We celebrate Bhrigu Phukan's victory against foreign invaders, then what is the point if someone from north east India gets killed just because of his looks?
According to the NIA, Md Kamruj Zaman was found guilty of raising a local module of the banned Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Assam during 2017-2018.

Kindly note the image has been published only for representational purposes..

A Pakistan-based terror conspiracy aimed at spreading fear in Assam has ended in a life sentence, with a special court in Guwahati convicting a key operative who helped set up a local module of a banned militant outfit.

A special court of the National Investigation Agency in Guwahati has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for raising a module of a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation in Assam to carry out terror activities.

The convict, Md Kamruj Zaman, also known as Kamaruddin, was awarded three separate punishments under provisions of anti-terror legislation, with the maximum sentence being life imprisonment.

The court ordered that all three sentences will run concurrently.

Zaman was also fined Rs 5,000 in each case, with an additional three months of simple imprisonment stipulated in the event of default.

According to the NIA, Zaman was found guilty of raising a local module of the banned Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Assam during 2017-2018.

The agency said the conspiracy was aimed at striking terror in the minds of people and destabilising peace in the region.

Investigations revealed that Zaman had recruited several individuals, including Sahnawaz Alom, Saidul Alam and Omar Faruk, along with others, to further the objectives of the terror outfit.

The NIA had filed a chargesheet against five accused in the case in March 2019.

During the trial, Sahnawaz Alom, Saidul Alam and Omar Faruk pleaded guilty and were subsequently convicted.

The fifth accused, Jaynal Uddin, died due to illness while the trial was underway.

The conviction and sentencing underline continued efforts by investigating agencies to dismantle terror networks operating in the north east and prevent extremist groups from gaining a foothold in the region.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Upset over being denied tickets by the Bharatiya Janata Party despite being its 'loyal workers for years', several aspirants have rebelled against the party and are now contesting the upcoming elections to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) as independent candidates.

IMAGE: People look at election campaign material at a shop ahead of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections, in Nagpur on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo

They say denial of tickets to long-time workers of the party and choosing the turncoats or outsiders instead has spread discontent among the party cadres and led to their resignations in Nagpur, the home turf of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari.

Elections to 29 civic bodies in Maharashtra, including in Nagpur, will be held on January 15.

There are 151 seats in the Nagpur civic body.

The BJP is contesting 143 seats along with eight by Shiv Sena.

Ajit Pawar's NCP is fighting over 90 seats. While Congress is contesting all 151 seats without any tie-up, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar is in the fray from 79 seats.

Vinayak Dehankar, a long-time BJP worker and husband of former mayor Archana Dehankar, was denied ticket from Ward 17, which prompted him to resign and enter the poll arena as an independent. His wife, however, opposed this decision and said she would campaign only for BJP candidates and not support her husband.

Their difference in opinion even led her to shift to her brother's place temporarily to 'avoid disputes'.

Speaking to a TV channel, Vinayak Dehankar said he had been working in this ward and constituency since the last many years.

Although it was a citadel of Congress, he helped the BJP grow in this ward, he claimed.

"Party's senior leaders had assured me the party would consider my name while finalising the candidate in Ward 17, but that did not happen," he said.

"I would not have minded if some young worker of the party had been fielded by the party. However, tickets were given to rebels...members coming from Congress and also to those from other wards and not to a local. This was very disappointing. Hence, I decided to contest as an independent," he said.

"I resigned from the BJP with a very heavy heart," he said.

According to him, his wife, who is the state office-bearer of the BJP, was annoyed with his decision.

"She said that she cannot support me in elections and went to stay at her brother's place. But, I am contesting on the basis of work that I have done in this ward and I will surely win," he expressed confidence.

Speaking to a news channel, his wife Archana Dehankar said that her husband could not get a ticket from this ward for certain political reasons.

"He should have accepted the party's decision and supported it. Instead, he decided to contest independently. I have urged him to withdraw his nomination," she said.

"In order to avoid any more disputes at home, I decided to go to my brother's house for a few days. This is not a family dispute, but an ideological fight," she said.

Similarly, in Ward 16 (D), around 80 BJP workers along with ward president Gajanan Nishitkar resigned after the latter was denied ticket by the party.

Talking to PTI, Nishitkar said he has been working with the BJP since the last 30 years in various capacities and contributed to the growth of the party.

According to him, he and his supporters have developed family-like relations with local people.

Nishitkar said he was supposed to get a ticket in the 2017 civic polls itself, but the party gave a chance to someone else, and he respected the decision at that time.

"This time also, my name was in the race, but the ticket went to a woman candidate from another ward and not to a local resident," he said, adding that the party workers were enthusiastic that he would contest the elections but it did not happen.

"BJP is in my blood, I got offers from other parties as well, but I declined. However, I along with 80 other aggrieved party workers and office-bearers, have resigned from the party," he said.

Another seasoned local leader of the BJP and a six-time corporator, Sunil Agrawal, is also fighting the upcoming election as an independent candidate after being denied a ticket from Ward 14, which went to a woman candidate.

"My supporters feel that had the seat been reserved for women, it would not have mattered. But since it was unreserved, they feel that I should have been fielded by the party," he said.

Meanwhile, Ninad Dixit, a young entrepreneur and sportsman with strong RSS roots, is in the fray as an independent from Ward 22, located in Mahal area, which also houses the Sangh headquarters.

Dixit, 25, is an accomplished mallakhamb player who won three gold medals at the university level.

When asked why he did not try to contest the election as a BJP candidate, Dixit said that he did not have a primary membership of the BJP.

Besides, the citizens of the area had decided to avoid the mainstream parties and have an alternative.

According to him, people from his locality formed Nagrik Samiti Prabhag 22 and invited applications from young and promising people whom everyone would support.

He said the committee members encouraged him to fight.

"I have been getting a very good response from the people. I hope to win the elections and will be able to serve the people," he said.
A day after a 25-year-old woman was reportedly gang-raped in a moving van through the night and thrown out of the speeding vehicle, chilling details have surfaced pointing at the brutality of the two alleged perpetrators.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: Pexels.com

According to the victim's family members, when the woman, a mother of three, screamed for help, the accused allegedly threatened to kill her before taking turns to rape her.

They later threw her out of the speeding van on a desolate stretch of the little-populated Gurgaon-Faridabad road after driving around for about three hours, they said, bringing back memories of the horror of the Nirbhaya rape on a similar chilly December night 13 years ago.

The two men accused of the Faridabad assault, one from Uttar Pradesh and the other from Madhya Pradesh, have since been arrested and sent to judicial custody, police said.

According to officials at a private hospital where the woman was admitted on Wednesday, her condition remains stable on Thursday.

"The victim, whose condition is stable now, is undergoing treatment at the hospital," Dr Amit Yadav, director of the private hospital, said.

Haryana Congress president Rao Narender Singh, who visited the woman at the hospital on Thursday, raised questions on the 'deteriorating law and order situation' in the state.

Calling it an inhumane and heinous crime, Rao said such cases must be tried in a fast-track court.

"I saw the victim, who was unconscious and unable to speak, with significant injuries to her face. Law and order have collapsed in Haryana, exposing the BJP government that boasts of women's safety," Singh said.

The woman, who had been living with her parents after troubles with her husband, suffered severe injuries to her head and face, which required more than 12 stitches, police said.

Recapping what had happened, police said that according to the survivor's sister, the woman had argued with her mother on Monday evening, after which she went to her friend's house in Sector 23.

As she was getting late, she took an auto-rickshaw to the NIT 2 Chowk and then walked to the Metro Chowk.

As she stood there around midnight to take an auto to Kalyanpuri, the two men, who live in Faridabad, offered the woman a lift, but instead of taking her to her destination, they allegedly drove towards Gurugram and raped her inside the moving van, police said.

She was driven around through the night and thrown out of the vehicle near Raja Chowk in Faridabad around 3 am.

Her sister said in her complaint that the woman was seriously injured after she was thrown out of the vehicle.

"Considering her condition, we decided to admit her to a private hospital," she said.

Police have seized the Maruti Eeco used in the alleged crime, a senior officer said.
A Hindu businessman has been brutally attacked, hacked and set on fire by miscreants in Bangladesh, police said on Thursday.

IMAGE: Activists from various Hindu groups protest against attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, near Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, on December 23, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

The victim, identified as 50-year-old Khokon Chandra Das, was assaulted near Keurbhanga Bazar in Damudya in Shariatpur district on Wednesday night while returning home after closing his shop, Bengali daily Prothom Alo reported, quoting police.

He was later shifted to Dhaka for advanced treatment as his condition deteriorated.

Das, who runs a medicine shop and mobile banking business, was travelling in an autorickshaw when the attackers intercepted the vehicle and allegedly beat him up, hacked him with sharp weapons and then poured petrol on his head before setting him on fire, the report said.

In a bid to save himself, Das jumped into a roadside pond, prompting locals to raise an alarm.

The attackers fled the scene, police said, adding that he was rescued by locals and taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, before being referred to Dhaka due to the severity of his injuries.

Nazrul Islam, a doctor at the emergency department of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, said Das suffered multiple injuries across his body, including a serious wound to his abdomen, along with burn injuries on his face, head and hands.

His wife, Seema Das, said the family could not understand why he was targeted. She claimed that his husband recognised two of the attackers, which is why they tried to kill him.

Damudya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rabiul Haque said two men, identified as Rabbi and Sohag, have been named in the case.

"Efforts are underway to arrest them and identify others involved in the attack," he said.

On December 18, a 25-year-old Hindu man, identified as Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob and his body set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh city.

A week later, on Dec 24, another Hindu man, identified as Amrit Mondal, was lynched over alleged extortion in Rajbari town's Pangsha upazila.

According to the 2022 census, the Hindu population in Bangladesh is approximately 13.13 million, which accounts for about 7.95% of the country's total population.

There has been a spate of violence targeting the minority community in the country in the last few weeks.
In continuing an annual practice that began in 1992, India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged lists of their nuclear installations that cannot be attacked in the event of hostilities.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

The exchange of the details of the nuclear installations covered under a bilateral pact came notwithstanding ties between the two countries remained under deep freeze following the May 7-10 military conflict.

It was done simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.

The two sides also exchanged lists of prisoners in each other's custody, with New Delhi urging Islamabad to expedite the release of 167 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners as they completed their jail-terms.

It also sought immediate consular access to the 35 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody.

The exchange of the list of nuclear installations took place under the provisions of an agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

'India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities between India and Pakistan,' the MEA said.

The agreement was signed on December 31, 1988 and came into force on January 27, 1991.

The pact mandates the two countries to inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the first of January of every calendar year.

'This is the 35th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992,' the MEA said in a brief statement.

The ties between India and Pakistan hit rock bottom after India carried out Operation Sindoor in response to the horrific Pahalgam terror attack.

Though the military confrontation ended on May 10, the relations remained under deep freeze.

The two sides exchange lists of prisoners and fishermen twice a year, on January 1 and July 1, under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access.

India has shared names with details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan has shared details of 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or believed-to-be-Indian, according to the MEA.

'The government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody,' it said in a statement.

'Pakistan has also been urged to expedite the release and repatriation of 167 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners, who have completed their sentence.'

New Delhi has specifically asked Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civil prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation.

'As a result of the sustained efforts by the government of India, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014,' the MEA said.

'This includes 500 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date,' it added.
Crowds thronged illuminated malls, recreational centres and tourist spots and devotees visited places of worship and took a dip in holy rivers as people across the country welcomed the New Year with joy and enthusiasm on Thursday.

IMAGE: Artists celebrate on the first day of New Year 2026, in Varanasi. Photograph: ANI Photo

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and chief ministers of several states greeted people on the occasion and wished for peace and prosperity.

In the national capital, roads near the India Gate and Connaught Place witnessed massive traffic snarls while serpentine queues formed at key metro stations on Thursday.

A commuter said the Central Secretariat metro station was particularly crowded as a large number of people used the metro to reach India Gate and nearby areas.

"There was a huge rush at the station as many people were heading towards India Gate to celebrate the New Year," the commuter said.

Devashish, who visited India Gate with his family, said the area was heavily crowded, though police personnel were seen trying to manage the situation.

In Goa, one of the country's most sought-after New Year destinations, saw restaurants, beach shacks and nightclubs packed with tourists and locals.

Revellers flocked to beaches on Wednesday night to ring in the New Year amid fireworks, music and parties, with major coastal stretches in North Goa witnessing heavy traffic jams.

At the stroke of midnight, the skies over the coastline lit up with colourful fireworks as people cheered, hugged and wished one another, ushering in the New Year to the sound of music and waves.

In his greeting, Prime Minister Modi hoped the New Year brings success and happiness.

"Wishing everyone a wonderful 2026! May the year ahead bring good health and prosperity, with success in your efforts and fulfilment in all that you do," he said in a post on X.

"Praying for peace and happiness in our society," the prime minister said.

In a post on X, President Murmu said, "On the joyous occasion of New Year, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all Indians in the country and abroad."

Vice President Radhakrishnan expressed hope that 2026 strengthens the resolve to make India a stronger nation.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge extended New Year greetings and called for a mass movement to protect the right to work, to vote and to live with dignity.

Mizoram, the Christian-majority state, celebrated New Year with religious and traditional fervour, marking it with community feasts and church services.

Thanksgiving ceremony, worship service, prayers and congregational singing (zaikhawm) were held in churches across the state on Thursday.

Usually, the New Year is celebrated for two days in the state. All churches in the state held midnight services on Wednesday night to bid farewell to 2025 and welcome 2026.

In Maharashtra, the New Year began on a rainy note for Mumbaikars as several parts of the country's financial capital witnessed moderate to heavy showers on Thursday morning.

On the eve of New Year, the Mumbai police booked more than 200 persons for drunk driving which was lower than figures in similar action on the last day of 2023 and 2024.

People across the country thronged temples, shrines and other places of worship to seek blessings on the New Year's Day.

In Uttar Pradesh, the New Year began with a massive pilgrim surge across the state as dense fog and biting cold failed to deter devotees from thronging major religious centres amid tight security arrangements.

Thousands of devotees took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, while Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi saw very high pilgrim turnouts. In Ayodhya, Ram temple management suspended VIP darshan passes and requested local residents to postpone visits to allow out-of-town pilgrims to have their darshan in view of the unprecedented rush.

In Odisha, thousands of devotees thronged the pilgrim city of Puri and made a beeline for the 12th-century shrine to have darshan of sibling deities - Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath.

In other states including Bihar and Rajasthan, large crowds of devotees visited major temples on the first day of 2026 to offer prayers and seek blessings.

In West Bengal, large gatherings were seen at various tourist destinations across the state as people stepped out in large numbers to welcome the New Year.

In the state capital, people thronged the Alipore Zoo, Eco Park, Nicco Park and Victoria Memorial, braving the winter chill.

Devotees gathered in large numbers at the Kashipur Udyan Bati and Dakshineswar Kali temple to observe Kalpataru Diwas, an annual religious festival of the Ramakrishna Math monastic order.

In Karnataka, music and celebration marked New Year euphoria across Bengaluru from the night of Wednesday, with huge number of people stepping out to welcome 2026 amid lights, laughter and heightened security.

Tamil Nadu welcomed 2026 with vibrant celebrations at beaches and public spaces and prayers at temples amid tight security.

The year started with rainfall, possibly the heaviest in a long while on the first day of the year, weather enthusiasts said.

Telangana ushered in the New Year with grand celebrations and revelry at apartment complexes, hotels and clubs amid tight security arrangements.

New year parties were organised late into the night at residential complexes and also public spaces in Hyderabad with loud music.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Thursday stated that around 40 people have died and 100 others have been injured in a non-arson fire at the 'Le Constellation' bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, citing information provided by the Valais Cantonal Police.

IMAGE: Emergency personnel work at the site of an explosion and fire at the 'Le Constellation' bar, in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland, on January 1, 2026. Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

In a statement, the Italian MFA said the victims are currently unidentifiable due to severe burns, noting that a collection point for family members has been established at the Regent Conference Centre in Crans-Montana.

'According to information provided by the Valais Cantonal Police, there are approximately 40 deaths and 100 injuries due to the non-arson fire that occurred at the Constellation bar last night in Crans-Montana. The victims cannot be identified due to the severe burns they suffered. A collection point for family members has been set up at the Regent conference center in Crans-Montana,' the statement read.

However, as per Cantonal Police Commander Frederic Gisler, the bar fire had killed several dozen and left 100 others injured, CNN reported.

However, no exact number was provided.

The Italian MFA further added that the Italian Ambassador to Switzerland and the Italian Consul General in Geneva are travelling to the site of the incident for assessment.

According to the Valais Cantonal Police, the fire broke out on New Year's Eve at approximately 1.30 am at the 'Le Constellation' bar.

Significant police, fire, and rescue forces responded immediately to the scene, and a large-scale emergency operation is ongoing.

The area has been completely cordoned off, and a no-fly zone has been established over Crans-Montana, the police said in their statement.

'Significant police, fire, and rescue forces immediately responded to the scene to assist the numerous victims. The operation is still ongoing. The area is completely closed off. A no-fly zone has been established over Crans-Montana,' the statement read.

Following the incident, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, expressed grief over the tragedy, noting that a 'moment of joy turned into a tragedy'.

'What was a moment of joy turned into a tragedy in Crans-Montana last night, felt across the country and beyond. The Federal Council has taken note of this with deep dismay. Its thoughts are with the victims, the injured, and their families, and it extends its deepest condolences,' stated in a post on X.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with the victims' families and the Swiss government over the incident.

'Deep emotion following the fire in Crans-Montana. My thoughts go to the bereaved families and the injured. To Switzerland, to its people and to its authorities, I convey the full solidarity of France and our fraternal support,' he stated in a post on X.

According to CNN, citing two witnesses, the deadly fire might have been triggered by sparklers attached to champagne bottles.

"There were waitresses carrying champagne bottles with sparklers on them, and they carried them close to the ceiling, which caused it to catch fire," one witness said, as quoted by CNN.

"One waitress was standing on another waiter's shoulders, and the bottle and the flames were just a few centimetres away from the ceiling," the other added, as quoted by CNN.

Both witnesses estimated that at least 200 people were inside the bar at the time.

The US Embassy in Bern also expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended thoughts and prayers to the victims, the injured, and their families.

The Embassy also urged US citizens in Switzerland to notify their families of their safety.

'The U.S. Embassy in Bern is deeply saddened by the tragic fire that occurred overnight in Crans-Montana. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and their loved ones. We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders and emergency personnel for their swift and courageous efforts,' the US Embassy in Bern said in its statement.

'We encourage U.S. citizens in Switzerland to notify family and friends of their safety,' it added.

The British Embassy noted in its statement that nationals from multiple countries may be affected by the fire, with Swiss emergency services responding.

The Embassy further said it is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7.

'Swiss emergency services are responding to a fire in Crans-Montana, with nationals from multiple countries likely affected. We continue to monitor the situation. Whilst we have not been approached for assistance, our staff stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7,' the statement read.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said that his Nationalist Congress Party is in talks with the Shiv Sena, led by his peer Eknath Shinde, over seat sharing for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls.

IMAGE: After forging an alliance with Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that his NCP is in talks with Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena for the same. Photograph: / Rediff.com

He was speaking to reporters after paying tribute at the 'Jay Stambh' (victory pillar) near Pune on the 208th anniversary of the Koregaon Bhima battle.

Pawar said that although they are in touch with Shiv Sena over seats, the picture will be clearer after the scrutiny of nomination papers and withdrawals by candidates.

Earlier, the party had said that it had tied up with Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar for the two municipal corporations.

NCP and Shiv Sena are constituents of the ruling Mahayuti, along with the Bharatiya Janata Party, while the NCP-SP belongs to the Opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi.

However, in this year's civic polls, state-level alliances have blurred with parties joining hands with rival camps in several cities.

The nomination process for the January 15 polls began on December 23 and ended on December 30, while January 2 is the last date for withdrawal of nominations. The final list of candidates will be published on January 3.

Asked about tickets given to some candidates with criminal backgrounds, Pawar said they had stitched up an alliance with Republican Party of India-Sachin Kharat faction, and it was their call to nominate candidates as per their choice.

Tickets were given to Sonali Andekar, daughter-in-law of gang leader Suryakant, alias Bandu Andekar, and his sister-in-law Laxmi Andekar in Pune.

"We have already forged an alliance with RPI-Sachin Kharat faction. We are contesting in alliance with NCP-SP in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. We are also having talks with Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant. Possibly, we will come to an understanding over some seats with Shiv Sena for these civic bodies," he said.

Elections to 29 municipal corporations in the state, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic bodies, will be held on January 15, and votes will be counted the next day.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold loss case suspects that more gold was lost from the temple than what has been recovered so far from the prime accused.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

The suspicion was stated in an application filed by the SIT before the Kollam Vigilance Court seeking custody of three accused -- sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty, Smart Creations CEO Pankaj Bhandari and jeweller Govardhan Roddam.

In the petition, the SIT said copper plates clad with gold, with a total weight of 42.100 kg, were handed over to prime accused Potty for electroplating at Smart Creations in 2019.

After the plating process, the remaining gold was allegedly siphoned off by the accused.

According to the SIT, gold-clad copper plates, including those from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols, plates from two nearby pillars and seven plates from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), were removed and taken for replating.

The seven plates from the Sreekovil doorframes included two plates depicting the Dasavatar, two bearing rashi symbols, two plates on the upper portion of the doorframes, and one plate on the Prabha Mandalam above the doorframe, which had idols of Siva and Vyali sculpted on it, the application said.

In the custody application, the SIT said Bhandari confessed that around 109.243 grams of gold was taken by him as fees for replating.

On October 25, 2025, Bhandari produced 109.243 grams of gold before the SIT, claiming it was equivalent to what he had taken as fees in 2019.

The gold recovered during the plating process was handed over to Govardhan, the SIT said.

On October 24, 2025, Govardhan produced 474.960 grams of gold before the SIT, claiming it was equivalent to the quantity he received from Potty after electroplating.

However, the SIT said further investigation revealed that there was more gold in the gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalaka idols, pillars and Sreekovil doorframes than the quantity produced by Bhandari and Govardhan.

The SIT said the report of scientific analysis of samples of plated gold on copper plates sent to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, is awaited.

So far, the SIT has arrested 10 people, including two former presidents of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) who were associated with the Communist Party of India-Marxist.

The SIT, appointed by the Kerala high court, has been given a deadline to complete the investigation by this month.

Meanwhile, a political row erupted after reports emerged about the SIT's reported move to interrogate UDF convenor Adoor Prakash.

The reports claimed that Prakash would be questioned following the emergence of a recent photograph of Potty standing with Sonia Gandhi.

Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan on Thursday said the High Court should re-examine the decision to appoint two new officers to the SIT, alleging that the appointments were made with the knowledge of two senior IPS officers and a senior Crime Branch official who is a staunch CPI-M supporter.

"These officers were appointed to leak information from the SIT. Hardcore CPI(M)-leaning officials are acting under pressure from the Chief Minister's Office," he alleged, adding that the court-appointed SIT was not being allowed to function independently.

Satheesan said information about Prakash being interrogated was leaked, while the questioning of CPI-M leader Kadakampally Surendran last week was kept secret.

He said Prakash would cooperate if the police called him for evidence or statements, but alleged that attempts were being made to 'balance' the case, as CPI-M leaders were responsible for the 'gold theft'.

Similarly, Prakash said he came to know about the SIT's plan to interrogate him through media reports.

He alleged that the chief minister's political secretary P Sasi was behind the recent developments involving him.

"I am ready to appear before the SIT whenever required. I will request the presence of the media if they call me for interrogation. Otherwise, I will reveal all the details that I convey to the SIT," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister's Office issued a statement refuting Prakash's claims.

It said the SIT was constituted by the Kerala High Court and the probe is being conducted under the supervision of a Division Bench of the court, with a strict directive that investigation details should not be disclosed outside.

Neither the Chief Minister's Office nor the political secretary has any role or involvement in the matter, the statement said, adding that the allegation made by the MP was completely baseless and false.

On the other hand, CPI-M leaders alleged that Satheesan questioned the credibility of the SIT after learning that Prakash would be interrogated.

"It is unfortunate that Satheesan has changed his version and is now blaming the SIT when it is going to interrogate Prakash. They see that the Sabarimala gold issue is now coming towards them and are taking measures to prevent it," CPI-M state secretary M V Govindan said.

He said the people of Kerala know the truth and the LDF government has not protected any accused in the case.

"We continue to maintain that no one will be protected and those behind the loss of gold from Sabarimala will be punished. It is the UDF that is changing its stance," he said.
Nearly three months after students and teachers launched protests demanding the removal of Tezpur University Vice Chancellor (VC) Shambhu Nath Singh, the Ministry of Education (MoE) asked him to proceed on leave and ordered the setting up of an enquiry panel to probe into the allegations against him, according to officials.

IMAGE: Tezpur University students protest over alleged corruption and administrative lapses, in Sonitpur. Photograph: ANI Photo

The university has been witnessing sustained protests since mid-September against irregularities allegedly committed by Singh.

The protesters pursued a 24-hour hunger strike on Monday on the completion of 100 days of their agitation without any success.

"A three-member enquiry panel has been set up to probe into all matters pertaining to the ongoing situation in Tezpur University including allegations levelled against the Vice Chancellor. The VC shall recuse himself from all duties and proceed on leave immediately and shall remain on leave till the completion of enquiry," a senior MoE official said.

The enquiry panel has been asked to submit its report within a maximum of three months. The committee will be headed by Manipur University Vice Chancellor N Lokendra Singh.

The other two members of the panel are Nagaland University Vice Chancellor Jagadish Kumar Patnaik and UGC Secretary Manish R Joshi.

Meanwhile, the ministry has appointed Amrendra Kumar Das from IIT Guwahati's Department of Design as Pro Vice Chancellor of Tezpur University.

Earlier this month, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had spoken to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urging him to appoint a Pro Vice Chancellor immediately to restore academic stability at the campus.

Tezpur University, one of the two central universities in Assam established in 1994 under the 1985 Assam Accord, has been witnessing turmoil since September 27 last year and calls for the VC's removal have intensified.

The situation in Tezpur University had been tense with students accusing the VC and varsity authorities of not showing due respect to cultural icon Zubeen Garg, even as the state was mourning his death.

Apart from fiscal irregularities, the varsity community is also protesting the alleged deforestation and ecological destruction at the picturesque campus carried out under Singh's administration.

The VC abstained from the campus after the university witnessed heated scenes and an exchange of words between Singh and students on September 22. It led to a situation where he had to nearly flee from the spot.

At least 11 faculty members and senior officials have either resigned from their posts or left the university since the protests began in September.
The world welcomed 2026 with spectacular celebrations across continents.

From dazzling fireworks illuminating iconic landmarks like the London Eye, Marina Bay, and Copacabana beach to intimate gatherings at historic sites, the New Year brought together diverse cultures in joyous unity.

World leaders marked the occasion while millions gathered from Times Square to Tokyo's Meiji Shrine, creating unforgettable moments of hope and celebration for the year ahead.

IMAGE: Girls celebrate New Year 2025 at Ganga Ghat, Varanasi. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump delivers remarks as the screen behind him mistakenly says 'Happy Birthday' during a New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

IMAGE: Pope Leo XIV visits the Nativity scene on New Year's Eve in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Photograph: Vincenzo Livieri/Reuters

IMAGE: French President Emmanuel Macron appears on a screen as he delivers his New Year's speech to France at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Photograph: Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters

IMAGE: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae attend an event to celebrate the New Year in Pyongyang. Photograph: Korean Central News Agency via Reuters

IMAGE: Fireworks explode over the Belgrade Waterfront project and Sava river during the New Year celebrations in Belgrade, Serbia. Photograph: Djordje Kojadinovic/Reuters

IMAGE: Men dressed as Santa Claus pose on New Year's Eve in downtown Ankara, Turkey. Photograph: Efekan Akyuz/Reuters

IMAGE: People take part in New Year celebrations near St Basil's cathedral in central Moscow. Photograph: Anastasia Barashkova/Reuters

IMAGE: Fireworks explode near the London Eye ferris wheel to mark New Year's celebrations in London. Photograph: Maja Smiejkowska/Reuters

IMAGE: Fireworks explode during New Year's celebrations in Valletta, Malta. Photograph: Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters

IMAGE: People pray on the first day of the new year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. Photograph: Manami Yamada/Reuters

IMAGE: Fireworks explode as drones display '2026 in the night sky during New Year celebrations in Barcelona. Photograph: Bruna Casas/Reuters

IMAGE: Fireworks explode over the Marina Bay during the New Year celebrations in Singapore. Photograph: Ore Huiying/Reuters

IMAGE: Fireworks explode over the glass dome of the Reichstag building to mark New Year's celebrations in Berlin. Photograph: Lisi Niesner/Reuters

IMAGE: A couple kiss during New Year celebrations in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Photograph: Borut Zivulovic/Reuters

IMAGE: Fireworks explode above Ljubljana castle to mark New Year celebrations in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Photograph: Borut Zivulovic/Reuters

IMAGE: Fireworks explode during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok. Photograph: Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters

IMAGE: People watch as fireworks explode over the Kigali Convention Centre during the New Year's celebrations in Kigali, Rwanda, December 31, 2025. Photograph: Jean Bizimana/Reuters

IMAGE: The Cape Malay choir reacts in Bo-Kaap during New Year celebrations in Cape Town, South Africa. Photograph: Esa Alexander/Reuters

IMAGE: Fireworks explode over the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge to mark New Year's celebrations in Lagos, Nigeria. Photograph: Sodiq Adelakun/Reuters

IMAGE: Security forces watch New Year's Day celebration fireworks in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Photograph: Luc Gnago/Reuters

IMAGE: People gather at Times Square, New York City, on New Year's Eve. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

IMAGE: People hold sparklers next to a Christmas tree during New Year's celebrations in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Gleb Garanich/Reuters

IMAGE: Fireworks explode during New Year's celebrations at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photograph: Tita Barros/Reuters

IMAGE: People take a selfie during New Year's celebrations in Dubai. Photograph: Amr Alfiky/Reuters

IMAGE: Women celebrate the 2026 in Ranchi. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: A couple poses in snow-covered Gulmarg. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: People enjoy themselves at Connaught Place in New Delhi. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

Photographs curated and Feature Presentation by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
In terms of economic development, we can be proud of this years achievements, President Ilham Aliyev said in his address on the occasion of the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year.

Emphasizing that Azerbaijans foreign exchange reserves have reached a historic record of over $80 billion, the head of state said that the countrys external debt has decreased further and today accounts for only 6.3 percent of gross domestic product. He noted that Azerbaijans foreign exchange reserves exceed its external debt by 16 times.
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Charity Clark is Vermont Attorney General. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
BRATTLEBORO  Education, housing and infrastructure are agreed to be important ongoing priorities for legislators in the new session as they t
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the New Year with a speech that stressed a peace agreement with Russia can't come "at any cost" as the two sides traded air strikes, highlighting the divide still to be overcome to stop the war.

The 21-minute long New Year's Eve address came as he prepared for the next round of peace negotiations and as Ukrainian forces struck back at the Kremlin's energy assets following intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

A US-brokered peace deal is "90 percent" complete, Zelenskyy said, but he warned that the remaining 10 percent will be difficult and that it will decide "the fate of peace, Ukraine, and Europe."

"What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No. We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said in the televised address.

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken."

The Ukrainian leader insisted that he will only sign a "strong agreement" as any signature "placed on weak agreements will only fuel the war."

In a far shorter address to Russians, President Vladimir Putin told his country it would win the war in Ukraine as he spoke about Russia's destiny and the unity of its citizens, which he said guaranteed the sovereignty and security of the "Fatherland."

"I congratulate our fighters and commanders on the beginning of the New Year! We believe in them and in our victory," Putin said in the brief, three-minute address, which was dominated by talk of what the Kremlin calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Hours after the two leaders gave their addresses, actions on the battlefield belied the prospects of peace.

Zelenskyy said Russia had targeted energy infrastructure in seven regions across Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russian officials claimed Ukraine killed at least 24 people, including a child, in a drone strike on a hotel and cafe where civilians were ringing in the New Year in a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine's Kherson region.

The claim could not be independently verified.

Asked about the incident, Dmytro Lykhoviy, Ukrainian military spokesman, told Interfax Ukraine that Kyiv's forces attack only Russian military or energy assets, without referring specifically to the reported hotel strike.

Ukrainian forces "comply with the norms of international humanitarian law and strike exclusively at the enemy's military targets, facilities of the fuel and energy complex of the Russian Federation and other legitimate targets, with the aim of reducing the military potential of the aggressor country," Lykhoviy was quoted as saying.

Global Diplomatic Push

A flurry of diplomatic activity was sparked in November 2025 when US President Donald Trump pressed Zelenskyy to accept a 28-point peace proposal that many saw as heavily favoring Russia.

Ukraine and its European allies -- led by Britain, France, and Germany -- scrambled to develop a counterproposal, eventually putting forward a 20--point plan that took in more of Kyiv's interests, especially on security guarantees and territorial integrity.

Zelenskyy said national-security advisers from the so-called Coalition of the Willing countries would hold a meeting in Ukraine on January 3, just ahead of a gathering of European leaders on January 6 in Paris.

The coalition is an informal grouping of some 30 countries, led by Britain and France, that have expressed interest in supporting peace-keeping efforts in the event of a cease-fire in Ukraine. It was not known which of the countries would participate in the meetings.

Zelenskyy urged the "entire world' to pressure Moscow and said taking the Kremlin at its word is a "verdict against shared international security."

French President Emmanuel Macron said in his New Year's Eve speech that European states and other allies will make "concrete" commitments to Ukraine's security during the Paris talks.

Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, on December 31 said he had a "productive" phone call with the national-security advisers of Britain, France, and Germany to discuss the peace process.

Witkoff said participants also discussed a Ukrainian "prosperity package" and that Rustem Umerov, Kyiv's main negotiator, was also on the call, along with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner.

"We focused on how to move the discussions forward in a practical way on behalf of [Trump's] peace process, including strengthening security guarantees and developing effective deconfliction mechanisms to help end the war and ensure it does not," he added.

WSJ: US Finds Ukraine Did Not Target Putin

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal, citing US national-security sources, said Washington has determined that Ukraine did not target Russian President Vladimir Putin or one of his residences, directly contradicting Kremlin assertions, which have yet to be independently verified.

The report said a CIA assessment found that no attempted attack against Putin had occurred. It said Ukraine did strike a military target that it had previously hit, located in the same region as Putins country residence but not especially close by.

Trump initially seemed to accept Putin's claim of an attack, despite vehement denials by Kyiv.

He later appeared to play down the Russian claim, posting -- without comment -- a link to a New York Post editorial and sharing the headline: Putin attack bluster shows Russia is the one standing in the way of peace.

Reuters cited a source as saying Trump reposted the article after receiving a briefing from CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, also rejected Russia's claims, calling them "a deliberate distraction," without providing details.

With reporting by Reuters
New data has revealed that 8 in 10 of the most in-demand professionals in 2025 were in construction related sectors, as skills shortages mount across the industry.

Findings from IrishJobs show that project managers were the most sought-after professional by employers in 2025, with demand growing 7% year-on-year. Playing a critical role in keeping projects on schedule and ensuring strong returns on investment, demand for project managers is particularly acute in the construction and IT sectors.

Accountants, site managers, supervisors and quantity surveyors make up the top four most in-demand roles. Construction related roles have now topped the most highly sought after roles for three consecutive years.

Demand for accountants has increased by a significant 39% over the past 12 months, rising from seventh to second position. Supervisor in construction appears in the top 10 list for the first time.

The insights are based on an analysis of searches by recruiters in the IrishJobs TalentBank, a CV database of over 1.7 million job candidates, which enables employers and recruiters to source and connect with potential talent.

Engineer (6th), foreman (7th), electrician (8th) and site engineer (9th) all feature in the top ten most in-demand professionals. Nurse (10th) completes the top ten, falling from fifth position last year. Demand for foreman increased by 33% while engineer rose by a significant 26%. The rankings reflect high levels of demand for skilled professionals across the construction, skilled trades and engineering sectors to meet the growing needs of the Irish economy for housing and other critical infrastructure.

IrishJobs data on the most frequently posted job openings by employers in 2025 reveal the top jobs across different sectors of the economy. Senior software engineer is the top job in the IT sector, amid the accelerating AI transformation. Data scientist holds its position as the top job in the science sector for the second consecutive year. Loss prevention manager is the top job in the finance sector, production operator in the manufacturing sector, and customer delivery driver in the logistics sector.

Regional Trends

In Dublin, customer assistant was the most in-demand role. This was followed by clinical nurse manager, healthcare assistant and staff nurse. Healthcare roles were also highly sought after in Cork, making up two of the top four roles, clinical nurse manager (2nd) and staff nurse (3rd). Sales assistant takes the top position in Cork, while electrician is in fifth position.

In Limerick, science and pharma make up two of the top three positions, reflecting the cluster of science and pharmaceutical firms based in the city and county. CQV (Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation) engineer is the most highly sought-after role, followed by Customer support representative, and QC analyst. Customer assistant takes the top spot in Galway. Clinical Nurse manager and sales assistant are the second and third most in-demand roles in the county.

Commenting on the release of the findings, Christopher Paye, country director of the Stepstone Group Ireland with responsibility for IrishJobs, said: As employers continue to face a tight labour market, skills shortages are likely to persist across many areas of the economy in 2026.

Our findings show that 8 in 10 of most in-demand professions in Ireland in 2025 were in construction and related sectors. With construction topping the most highly sought after roles for three consecutive years now, its clear that this persistent skills shortage is having a major impact on the delivery of housing and critical infrastructure in Ireland.
Five people died on County Roscommon roads in 2025. The provisional road traffic collision figures released today, January 1st, show a concerning increase in fatalities on Irish roads in 2025.

Highest numbers of fatalities were recorded in Dublin (22), Cork (21), and Galway (17).

The report published by the RSA today analyses fatalities that occurred on public roads. This report shows that a total of 185 people lost their lives in 174 fatal collisions on public roads during 2025, compared to 171 deaths in 157 fatal collisions in 2024. This represents an increase of 14 fatalities, or an 8% rise, year on year.

Of these 185 fatalities in 2025: 76 were drivers (41%), 41 were pedestrians (22%), 30 were motorcyclists (16%), 21 were passengers (11%), 14 were pedal cyclists (8%), 3 were e-scooter users (2%).

The report highlights a rise in deaths among drivers, as well as among vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, pedal cyclists and motorcyclists. The number of cyclists killed in 2025 was the highest since 2017, while the number of motorcyclist fatalities was the highest recorded since 2007.

In contrast, fatalities among passengers decreased compared to 2024. Overall, approximately three quarters of those killed were male, with one quarter female.

February (11 fatalities) and June (11 fatalities) recorded the lowest number of deaths in 2025, while November and December saw the highest number of fatalities, with 21 fatalities and 24 fatalities respectively.

The average number of deaths per month in 2025 was 15, compared with 14 per month in 2024.

Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Sean Canney TD, said: Last year was an incredibly difficult year on Irish roads. Too many families have faced heartbreak. Too many communities have been left grieving. It is a stark reminder that road safety is not just a policy area or a set of statistics  this is about peoples lives, about loved ones, about futures changed in an instant.

My absolute priority as Minister for Road Safety is to make Irish roads safer for everyone, and I will continue to work closely with all road safety stakeholders in the New Year to achieve this.

Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA, said: It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the tragic loss of life on Irelands roads in 2025. We are deeply concerned by the increase in fatalities, particularly among our most vulnerable road users  cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists.

With sustained political commitment, a whole-of-government response, and adequate resourcing and funding, I firmly believe we can reverse this tragic increase in road deaths.

Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne, An Garda Siochana, Roads Policing and Community Engagement, said: 2025 has been a devastating year for the families of the 190 persons who died on our roads. Each of these deaths has had a profound impact on their loved ones, families, friends, colleagues and communities.

An Garda Siochana remains committed to improving road safety and minimising the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and will continue to do so in 2026 targeting those drivers with the most risky and dangerous driving behaviours.

As a society we all need to work together to bring real impact to Vision Zero Irelands Road Safety Strategy 2030.

We once again need to adjust attitudes to driver behaviour and make driving while under the influence of any intoxicant, inappropriate speed and driving while distracted unacceptable behaviours.

As a society we all need to call them out! By working together as communities, we can all make our roads safer in 2026.
Funding has been announced for four animal welfare charities in County Roscommon.

The four charities in the county to benefit from the funding, announced by Minister for Agriculture Food and Marine Martin Heydon, are Animal Haven Ireland, 4,000; Fairyglen Community Animal Sanctuary, 19,750; Roscommon SPCA, 48,875 and TNR South Roscommon, 13,000. Leitrim animal welfare will receive 35,000.

Minister Heydon has urged the public to think carefully before getting a pet. "A pet can bring great joy, but with that comes responsibility," he said.
BJP leader calls Shah Rukh Khan traitor'; says Bangladeshi player Rahman won't be able to step outside airport

Som's statement comes a day after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister

Shah Rukh Khan News: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sangeet Singh Som on Thursday sharply criticised Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, calling him a traitor for allegedly investing in a Bangladeshi player, and warned that the player won't be able to step outside the airport.

Speaking to ANI, Sangeet Singh Som said, The way Hindus are being persecuted in Bangladesh, women and girls are being raped, their homes are being burned, and anti-India slogans are being chanted there.

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He made the remarks while talking about a statement made by spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur, according to ANI.

Despite this, he continued, traitors like Shah Rukh Khan, I'm calling him a traitor because everything he has is given by India, given by the people of India, but where do they invest this money? They invest it in players from a country that is working against India.

Sangeet Singh Som further stated that Shah Rukh Khan would not be able to make Rahman play in India.

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I want to tell people like Shah Rukh Khan that they will not succeed. At any cost, they will not be able to get Mustafizur Rahman to play here. Rahman won't be able to step outside the airport, he remarked.

People like Shah Rukh Khan are traitors, they eat in India and sing praises of Pakistan and Bangladesh... he alleged.

Sangeet Singh Soms statement comes a day after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and met her son, Tarique Rahman.

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On arrival in Dhaka, met with Mr Tarique Rahman @trahmanbnp, Acting Chairman of BNP and son of former PM of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia.



Handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister @narendramodi.



Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and pic.twitter.com/xXNwJsRTmZ  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 31, 2025

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The External Affairs Minister also handed over to Tarique Rahman a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

(For more news apart from Breaking: Amritpal Singh MehroIAAAAAAn detained in UAE in Kanchan Kumari Murder Case," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
He said that literacy is the foundation for social and economic progress while strengthening Chandigarh's contribution to the national vision of Shikshit Bharat  Sashakt Bharat'. File Photo.

Officials said the mission was executed in a phased and inclusive manner.

Chandigarh Declared Fully Literate Union Territory Under ULLAS Scheme

Chandigarh has achieved a historic milestone by being declared a fully literate Union Territory under the Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) - Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram. ULLAS is a central adult literacy initiative.

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Under the ULLAS programme, around 15,000 learners participated and successfully passed the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) conducted in September 2025.

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria described the declaration as a proud moment that reflects the power of collective effort, community participation and the unwavering commitment of the Administration towards building an enlightened and empowered society. He said that literacy is the foundation for social and economic progress while strengthening Chandigarhs contribution to the national vision of Shikshit Bharat  Sashakt Bharat.

UT Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad attributed the achievement to meticulous planning, strong inter-departmental coordination, and the dedication of educators and volunteers at the grassroots level.

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Officials said the mission was executed in a phased and inclusive manner. Learners, including elderly citizens and working adults, were identified through door-to-door surveys and provided tailored instruction in schools, parks and homes. Samajik Chetna Kendras (social awareness centres) were established in all 111 government schools, and 150 nodal in-charges were appointed to drive the campaign. A specialist taskforce and 18 state resource groups supported the drive towards complete literacy.

The achievement aligns with the vision of universal literacy and lifelong learning set forth in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Source: The Tribune
Assam: Four bridges over Brahmaputra underway; Modi to lay foundation stone of projects in Jan, Feb (ANI Photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the 32-kilometre Kaziranga elevated corridor

Assam News: Four new bridges over the Brahmaputra River are under construction in the northeastern state of Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday (January 1, 2026), while speaking about developmental projects in the state, news agency ANI reported.

He added that the GuwahatiNorth Guwahati connecting bridge will be opened for public use in February.

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The chief minister further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the 32-kilometre Kaziranga elevated corridor (total length nearly 34 kilometres), with an estimated cost of rupees 6,957 crore, on January 17 or 18.

Sarma also said that the twin-tube underwater tunnel connecting Gohpur to Numaligarh will be a road-cum-rail project costing rupees 22,000 crore, adding that it has been approved by the Finance Ministry.

He added that Prime Minister Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the proposed Gelephu railway line project in February.

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The proposed elevated corridor will be near the Guwahati airport. Aerocity will be constructed on 68 acres of land. An MoU has signed with the Asian Development Bank, and a new modern hospital will be constructed at Guwahati Medical College (the current hospital will be completely demolished) with a cost of rupees 2,200 crore. We will inaugurate the 120 MW Kopili hydro project soon... he further added.

(For more news apart from Govt Bans Oral Medicines Containing Nimesulide Above 100 mg with Immediate Effect," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Several deaths in Indore after consuming contaminated water; 198 people hospitalised

Minister was seen a day earlier responding in a manner unbecoming of a public servant when NDTV reporter questioned him about the condition

Madhya Pradesh News: Following massive outrage over his indifference to a matter of life and death, and with the lives of hundreds at stake, Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Thursday finally met the families of people affected after consuming contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore, a city ironically known nationwide for its cleanliness.

After meeting the families, the minister, while speaking to the media, said that around 198 people have been hospitalised after consuming contaminated water. He claimed that no one was in the danger zone.

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Speaking about the death toll due to the contaminated water, the minister stated, As per officials, four people have died, but the people here have said that nine people have lost their lives. We will look into it and offer compensation...

The minister was seen a day earlier responding in a manner unbecoming of a public servant when an NDTV reporter questioned him about the condition of the affected people, deaths in the area, and compensation. He was also seen using abusive language during the interaction.

(For more news apart from Several deaths in Indore after consuming contaminated water; 198 people hospitalised," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Punjab CM Mann's South Korea Roadshow Draws Massive Investor Interest From Global Companies

The Chief Minister emphasised Punjab's vision to build technology-driven and innovation-led collaborations with South Korea.



Punjab CM Manns South Korea Roadshow Draws Massive Investor Interest From Global Companies



Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Manns high-impact investment roadshow in South Korea concluded with an overwhelming response, as many top industrial giants expressed keen interest towards investment in the state.

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CM Mann addressed a large gathering of business leaders; the Chief Minister presented Punjab as a stable, transparent, and future-ready investment destination. He highlighted the states strong industrial ecosystem, including a reliable and cost-effective power supply, peaceful labour relations, a skilled and hard-working workforce, and excellent connectivity to major markets, which, according to him, make Punjab one of the most attractive places for global investors. Mann reiterated that his government follows an investor-centric governance model aimed at predictability, efficiency, and full support throughout the business journey.

During the roadshow, the Chief Minister emphasised Punjabs vision to build technology-driven and innovation-led collaborations with South Korea, particularly across key domains. He said the state is open for new partnerships in manufacturing, technology, food processing, research, and other emerging sectors. Mann added that the government aims to strengthen both economic and cultural ties with South Korea to build a future of shared prosperity.

The Chief Minister also highlighted key reforms undertaken by the state, such as the FastTrack Punjab single-window system offering 173 services, auto-deemed approvals, PAN-based business identifiers, and amendments to the Punjab Right to Business Act, which ensure timely in-principle approvals. He also noted that Invest Punjab has already facilitated on-ground investments worth over INR 1.4 lakh crore. He said that his approach is rooted in partnership, where government and industry work as equal collaborators.

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Mann invited global investors to the 6th Progressive Punjab Investors Summit scheduled from March 1315, 2026, at ISB Mohali and said the upcoming summit will showcase the states growth and new opportunities for collaboration. He reassured South Korean companies of full support from the Punjab government and stressed that their investments would not only boost the states economy but also create new employment opportunities for youth.

He further added that the Seoul roadshow witnessed participation from a wide range of corporate leaders, financial advisors, R&D bodies, trade associations, and members of the Indian and Punjabi diaspora. Senior representatives from Bloomberg, BRICS India Trade Pvt. Ltd., legal firms Kim and Chang and Shin and Kim LLC, KOTRA, Daeyoung Corp., Gawon International Co. Ltd., TagHive, the Punjabi Association of Korea, Inmac Global, and other organisations attended the event. He said that their participation reflects strong institutional interest in exploring business opportunities with Punjab.

He described the Seoul event as a milestone in Punjabs international outreach and reaffirmed that the state is positioning itself as a reliable, future-ready global investment destination.


Punjab's First Successful Liver Transplant at Government Institute in Mohali

He said that PILBS continues to expand as Punjab's first dedicated liver and biliary sciences centre.



Punjab's First Successful Liver Transplant at Government Institute in Mohali

Punjabs healthcare system has completed the successful completion of the first liver transplant at a government-run institute, the Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS) in Mohali, under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Manns government.

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Punjab Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research Minister Dr Balbir Singh addressed the media alongside the successfully operated patient on Tuesday. He stated that this is the first time such a complex and delicate surgery has been successfully performed at a state-run institute in Punjab. He was accompanied by Principal Secretary Health, Kumar Rahul.

Dr Balbir Singh highlighted that the life-saving procedure was conducted at an approximate cost of INR 12 lakh, significantly lower than the INR 45-50 lakh charged at private hospitals. The liver transplant was performed on November 27, 2025, and the patient is under recovery, with discharge expected in the next few days.

The Health Minister congratulated the medical team led by Dr Virendra Singh, Director of PILBS and Professor & Head of Hepatology, and Dr K Rajasekhar, Professor & Head of Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery, and described this achievement as a major milestone for the institute.

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Dr Singh expressed gratitude to PGIMER, Chandigarh, for providing the organ from a brain-dead donor from Haryana and also extended heartfelt thanks to the donors family for their exemplary act of organ donation, which has benefitted multiple recipients.

He said that PILBS continues to expand as Punjabs first dedicated liver and biliary sciences centre, offering comprehensive care, advanced procedures, 24x7 emergency, and ICU services. A 175-bed patient care block is under construction to further enhance capacity and services.

The minister also highlighted new facilities at the institute, including a fully operational Diagnostic Block with a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) machine. An order for a new CT scanner has been placed, MRI tenders are in progress, and a new automated biochemistry analyser will be operational within a week. The institute now also houses a state-of-the-art blood bank, among the most advanced in Punjab.

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Dr Balbir Singh reiterated that the CM-led government is equipping all government medical colleges with secondary and tertiary care facilities, including existing neuro and cardio labs.

He announced that Government Medical College, Patiala, is set to offer renal transplantation by the coming year and added that all government medical colleges will soon become organ receiving centres.

Dr Singh urged citizens to pledge for organ donation and noted that Punjab currently ranks 9th nationally with 20,000 registered donors and is on track to become one of the top states in this sector.

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He reiterated the governments commitment to free healthcare and informed that agencies have been finalised to implement Rs 10 lakh cashless treatment under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojna, which will be launched statewide in January 2026
Editorial: The Legislative Assembly resolution has limited significance

The only opposition was made by BJP member Ashwani Sharma, who is also the working president of Punjab BJP.

Punjab Vidhan Sabha session 2025: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday passed a resolution unopposed against the implementation of the G-Ram-G scheme in place of MGNREGA. The state government had called a one-day session of the Vidhan Sabha for this purpose. During this session, the opposition Congress openly criticized the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on MGNREGA, but did not oppose the resolution.

The only opposition was made by BJP member Ashwani Sharma, who is also the working president of Punjab BJP.

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Taking advantage of political maneuvering, he thought it better to walk out during voting on the resolution. During the discussion on the resolution, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his fellow ministers, apart from other speakers of the ruling party, also lashed out against the central government. He called the Modi government anti-Dalit and accused it of a well-planned conspiracy to snatch the livelihood of Dalit workers and directly destroying the federal structure of the country. The Chief Minister claimed that the naming of the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme as VB-G-Ram-Ji is a ploy to snatch the right of employment from rural Dalit workers.

Similar views were expressed by other speakers. The resolution passed demanded that the new scheme be withdrawn and the old MGNREGA scheme be restored in its original form. Punjab has taken the initiative in opposing the G-Ram-Ji scheme in this way. It is possible that other states ruled by opposition parties will also adopt a similar strategy. It is a different matter that other states have not yet given any clear information about their future strategy. However, the significance of the resolution passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha unopposed is legally symbolic. State Assemblies cannot repeal any law passed by Parliament. Yes, they can certainly challenge the legality of such laws in the Supreme Court. That is why many legal experts have been expressing the opinion that instead of getting the resolutions passed by the Assemblies, a judicial challenge may prove more effective.

In view of this reality, Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar had called the AAP governments move to call a special session of the Vidhan Sabha as event management. However, despite such criticism being justified to some extent, one fact is that the way in which the Modi government has been imposing every important legal step on the entire country is both wrong and a violation of constitutional norms. It is the central government's duty to take the states into confidence and give due consideration to their objections before taking steps that undermine their interests and rights or put an undue burden on their exchequer. Such sense of duty or sensitivity is missing from the Modi government's behavior. Punjab has two main objections to 'G-Ram-Ji': the naming of the scheme and the 60:40 percent ratio of wages to be paid to the employables. Under 'MGNREGA', the entire wage fixed by the center was paid by the central government.

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The state government could have increased that amount and paid it to the beneficiaries according to its financial capacity. Now the center has to pay 60 percent and the remaining 40 percent has to be paid by the state government. Due to this ratio, many other central schemes have already stalled in half the states of the country because the state governments are either not in a financial position to pay the 40 percent share or they are resorting to political blunders. The MGNREGA scheme was quite popular during the initial years of its launch by the UPA government in 2005, but its success waned after 2010. Apart from scandals like corruption and forgery, the scheme has never been able to achieve the target of 100 days of employment every year.

In this regard, the national average has been between 45 and 50 days. In Punjab, it has come down to 30 days. One reason for this is that the daily wage under MGNREGA in Punjab is around Rs 313 while in Haryana it is from Rs 357 to 388. The low wages and allegations of bias at the Panchayat or political level have prevented the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme from proving effective and successful. In such a situation, the resolution in the Legislative Assembly is certainly a sign of legislative opposition, not a great political achievement.
Attractive Romania  history, tradition, nature

Attractive Romania is the first nationwide EU-funded programme to support historical and cultural tourism.

Source: romania-atractiva.ro

Daniel Onea, 01.01.2026, 14:00

Attractive Romania is the first nationwide EU-funded programme to support historical and cultural tourism and forming part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. It was first launched in May 2024 and is coordinated by the ministry for investment and European projects, the government body in charge of attracting EU funds to Romania. Dragos Pislaru, the minister for investment and European projects told RRI about the scope of the project:

The project proposes 12 themed culture tourist routes, which cross the entire country. After Via Transilvanica, which is known to everyone, we are now proposing Romanian and foreign visitors 12 routes that bring together over 700 different tourist attractions, as well as a multimedia platform allowing them to discover them. Basically, we find these wonderful places across Romania, included in 12 themes, and we propose them to tourists visiting the country. The programme consists of 275 major sites 450 adjacent sites. All of them have their own life, their own promotion and related events. Lets take the Castles Route, for example. This route is important because it features well-known tourist attractions, such as the Corvin Castle, the Apafi Gergely Castle, Teleki, the Ion Ghica Mansion, and the Ugron Castle. Basically, some of these sites have been restored as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. So, on the one hand, we are promoting them, and on the other hand, we help renovate these sites of national tourist and cultural interest, which are brought to the attention of tourists.

The central element of the programme is the dedicated mobile application, available free of charge in several international languages. It transforms the simple visit of a tourist site into an immersive experience. Tourists do not only receive dry historical data, but also have access to legends, local stories and digital reconstructions of some of the structures.

The most important thing is to understand that today we are no longer just talking about heritage sites, but that each such place has a story in itself. In the application that we made and in the content that we created, we simply say: In the footsteps of the knights, a legendary journey through the castles of Romania. We have the stories of each castle, through which we describe both the architectural part and the stories through which you can imagine what it was like during the time of the counts or noble courts in Romania. The Castles Route basically creates a kind of circuit, so that tourists can spend several nights, find an extra reason to visit the country and not just go to a city, stay one night and then leave.

One of the secondary, but vital, objectives of the program is to de-congestion of the conventional tourist areas, such as the Prahova Valley or the Romanian Black Sea coast, and redirect visitor flows to rural areas or to more remote communities. By including niche objectives, such as fortified churches, local gastronomy and handricraft workshops, Attractive Romania can stimulate small local economies, as we learn from Dragos Pislaru, the minister of investments and European projects:

As these objectives are promoted, a potential influx of tourists will naturally lead to the emergence or development of local areas that are not necessarily among the most visited. I will give you an example: in Arges County, in Aninoasa, we promote gastronomic traditions. We do not only promote heritage buildings. We can find offers related to local customs, crafts, or elements related to religious tourism. In the Moldova area, for example, there is already a visiting pattern, but we are now structuring the information, making it available, so that everything is in one place. We contribute to supporting local ecosystems to develop small businesses, whether we are talking about the culinary area or accommodation, using this wealth that Romania has.

Apart from the application, the project has an essential physical component: the installation of road signs and information panels for the 275 main sites. This infrastructure is complemented by an impressive digital archive, which includes virtual tours and 3D animations providing access to the heritage sites even to those who cannot travel in person.

Before getting to visit the places, potential tourists have at their disposal over 2,000 multimedia materials, including texts, photos, videos, guides, 3D animations, and virtual tours. For the 275 main tourist attractions, there will be road signs as part of dedicated road infrastructure that crosses no less than 35 counties. The other day, I was at the launch of the E-heritage project, a project of almost 30 million euros, in which we are practically digitizing all of the Romanian cultural heritage. So, on the one hand we build or rehabilitate castles, on the other hand we promote these tourist attractions.

The Attractive Romania platform has already reported impressive figures, with over 300,000 active users and increased interest from tourists from Germany, Hungary, Italy and France. In conclusion, Minister Dragos Pislaru launches a direct invitation to all those who want to see another face of Romania:

My invitation to all Romanians and to all potential foreign tourists is a very simple one. We have a country that is truly wonderful. We are now using European money to increase accessibility through this application, Attractive Romania. Download the application, have a look at it and if you feel inspired, go and see these beautiful places, because they will enrich your heart and give you a little more hope to truly believe that Romania is developing in step with the times.

The Attractive Romania program is worth approximately 7,155,000 euros, and the main beneficiaries are local authorities, but also tourists, both Romanian and foreign. Holiday ideas can be found on the romania-atractiva.ro website or in the Attractive Romania application, available for Android and IoS mobile platforms.
The Yellow Tie, a film about conductor Sergiu Celibidache

The Yellow Tie, a film, which hit the cinemas later this year, follows the life and career of conductor Sergiu Celibidache  from his childhood in interwar Romania, through the difficult period of war and famine, to his international acclaim

John Malkovich

Christine Lescu and Corina Sabau, 03.01.2026, 14:00

Pianist, composer and conductor, considered one of the most important musicians of the 20thcentury, Sergiu Celibidache was born in Roman, Neamt County, on June 28, 1912. His father, Demosthenes, of Greek origin, was a cavalry officer. His fascination with the piano began at just four years old  a moment about which Celibidache would later confess: When I was 4 years old, I would give concerts, like that, without an audience, in an empty attic, without light, with a lot of dust and very cold. I used to thank the audience, although I didnt know what that really meant.

After ending his military career, in the mid-1930s he went first to Paris, then to Berlin, to continue his musical studies. In 1945 he was invited to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and a year later he became a teacher at the International Institute of Music in Berlin. Since 1949, Celibidache has been a guest conductor of prestigious orchestras around the world  in Austria, Italy, France, Central and South America. In 1978 he returned to Romania for a short period of time, where he conducted the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra in Bucharest. In 1987, on his 75th birthday, he received the Golden Coin of Honor of the city of Munich, followed by the NettunodOro awards in Bologna and the Golden Needle of Honor of the city of Milan.

The main parts of the film have been entrusted to internationally renowned actors such as John Malkovich, Ben Schnetzer, Sean Bean, Miranda Richardson and Kate Phillips. The production is considered one of the most ambitious in recent Romanian cinema, with a budget of around 20 million euros, filming in numerous locations and a team that worked for over seven years on the film.

While many viewers appreciate The Yellow Tie for its accessible story, built in a way that will reach a wide audience, even those unfamiliar with classical music, some critics consider the film  although grandiose in production  to be too schematic, with artificial dialogues and inconsistent characters. The film is directed by Serge Ioan Celibidache, the conductors son, who also wrote the screenplay with James Olivier. Serge Ioan Celibidache spoke to us about how he constructed the screenplay.

Serge Ioan Celibidache: That was perhaps the biggest challenge, in the sense that we had a lot of notes and we had to fit it into two hours and 15 minutes to get the essence out. We have three main characters and we enter each ones world, so it was important to respect the three-act structure and cut out everything that was not directly related to the story. It was also difficult to find a balance between not becoming overly intellectual, which we didnt want, but also not to seem superficial, because the story emphasizes some moments that I would say have a philosophical charge. Thats why we made a very careful and rigorous selection of the moments that make up the story and it took a very long time to get to this draft, were talking about years.

We also spoke with Serge Ioan Celibidache about the role played by John Malkovich, who has an important contribution to the film, playing the conductor Sergiu Celibidache in adulthood.

Serge Ioan Celibidache:We chose John Malkovich because hes a cultural reference for everyone, and thats what we wanted from the beginning, to create a believable character. Furthermore, John Malkovich can naturally go from calm to unpredictable outbursts when something unpleasant comes up. Thats how my dad was  he had a bit of madness, an energy that could explode out of nowhere. Everything goes well until you say the wrong thing and the atmosphere suddenly changes. I felt that John Malkovich can play this side very well, and in the film there are actually two clear moments where the tension builds and youre almost afraid of his character. Its important, because its about the essence of the character: although hes generous and has a big heart, there are situations where you dont want to push him too far. Choosing Malkovich was also extremely constructive for us. He gave us credibility with the financiers, he helped us travel with the film and have international visibility. He was essential in the whole financing process, which, inevitably, the entire production is based upon it.

This film encourages you to believe in yourself and your destiny. The most important thing is to dare to dream. It is a spectacular example of determination, of calling on destiny and of pursuing a passion against all obstacles, says the films director, Serge Ioan Celibidache, about The Yellow Tie.

(bill)
January 1, 2026

A roundup of domestic and world news

Newsroom, 01.01.2026, 13:55

New Years Message  In 2026, it is essential that the state becomes more efficient, fairer and closer to citizens, the Romanian President Nicusor Dan said in his New Years message. He said that 2025 was a year of trials, anxieties and normal questions, but also of resistance and civic maturity. Many Romanians felt the pressure of the rising cost of living, fears about job stability and the uncertainty of an increasingly unpredictable world, but Romania remained firmly anchored in its democratic values and European and Euro-Atlantic commitments, the president added. A message also came from the Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, who expressed his confidence that Romanians can overcome difficulties and that Romania can become a place where every citizen can build a better future. The head of the government in Bucharest admitted that the year which just ended was difficult, as it was necessary to put the states finances in order and correct certain shortcomings. Bolojan believes, however, that if the government spends money prudently in 2026, no further tax or fee increases will be necessary.

Reges  Since January 1, Reges Online, the new digital register for employee records, has come into force in Romania, which fully replaces the Revisal platform. The transition to the electronic system is mandatory for all employers, who must complete the data from the Individual Employment Contracts active at the date of accessing the register and which are not found in the Revisal system. According to the Labor Inspectorate, Reges Online allows real-time reporting, secure online access and greater transparency, for both employers and employees, who will be able to more easily verify the data from the contracts. Employers who do not register on the new platform risk fines between 15 and 20 thousand lei. Also starting today, parcels worth less than 150 Euros coming from outside the European Union will be charged 25 lei upon entry into Romania. The measure concerns goods delivered as part of distance sales from third countries.

Cyprus  Cyprus takes over today the presidency of the Council of the European Union from Denmark for the next 6 months. Nicosia will try to manage the Unions heavy files and bring more attention to the Eastern Mediterranean. A first priority point will be migration, Cyprus being in the front line on the migration route. Thus, the Cypriot government will insist on the implementation of the European Pact for Migration, with an emphasis on shared responsibility and protecting external borders. Another major direction is security, not only from a military point of view but also from a cyber and energy point of view. In this regard, Cyprus will focus on collaboration with its neighbors in the south of the Union and with those in the Middle East, from where the EU still supplies most of its oil needs. Another key point is the accession to the Union of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and the states in the Western Balkans.

Euro zone  Bulgaria is now the 21st member state of the Euro zone, 19 years after joining the European Union. Bulgaria abandoned its national currency, the leva, in circulation since the late 19th century, in the hope of strengthening its economic ties with other euro zone members, but also out of fear of rising prices in an unstable political context. After the New Year, light projections on the facade of the Bulgarian National Bank headquarters in the capital Sofia showed the Bulgarian euro coins. The single currency, the Euro, was introduced on January 1, 2002, initially in 12 EU countries, and is currently used by almost 360 million Europeans. Romania is also a candidate for adopting the Euro, but currently, due to budgetary imbalances, it does not meet the Maastricht convergence criteria, which establish a series of macroeconomic targets that a country must meet in order to adopt the European currency.

Talks  The US President Donald Trumps advisers held talks on Wednesday with Ukraines chief negotiator and the national security advisers of Great Britain, France and Germany about the next steps in ending Russias war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian president, who recently met with the US leader, said that the US peace plan for Ukraine was about 90% ready as of late December 2025. In his New Years speech, Volodymyr Zelensky said that the remaining 10% contained everything, adding that this 10 percent would determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe. As soon as Washington and Kyiv announced progress in peace talks, Moscow launched, without evidence, the accusation that Ukraine had targeted a luxury residence of Vladimir Putin and, as a result, warned that it would toughen its position in negotiations to end the war. In the meantime, the states supporting Kyiv will meet on January 6 in Paris. The French President Emmanuel Macron said that the meeting would materialize each allys support for Ukraine. (LS)
January 1, 2026 UPDATE

The latest news from RRI

Newsflash

Newsroom, 01.01.2026, 20:00

New Years Message  In 2026, it is essential that the state becomes more efficient, fairer and closer to citizens, the Romanian President Nicusor Dan said in his New Years message. He said that 2025 was a year of trials, anxieties and normal questions, but also of resistance and civic maturity. Many Romanians felt the pressure of the rising cost of living, fears about job stability and the uncertainty of an increasingly unpredictable world, but Romania remained firmly anchored in its democratic values and European and Euro-Atlantic commitments, the president added. A message also came from the Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, who expressed his confidence that Romanians can overcome difficulties and that Romania can become a place where every citizen can build a better future. The head of the government in Bucharest admitted that the year which just ended was difficult, as it was necessary to put the states finances in order and correct certain shortcomings. Bolojan believes, however, that if the government spends money prudently in 2026, no further tax or fee increases will be necessary.

Explosion  Tens of people have died and about 100 have been injured in the fire that followed an explosion in a bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana on the New Years Eve, the local police commander confirmed. The origin of the explosion remains undetermined. Swiss authorities have ruled out the possibility of a terrorist attack and are considering fireworks as the cause of the explosion. The incident took place around 1:30 local time, while hundreds of tourists were celebrating the New Year. The Romanian Foreign Ministry announces that, currently, Swiss officials are carrying out procedures to identify the people affected by the explosion and that, so far, there are no requests for consular assistance at the Romanian Embassy in Bern. Romanias President Nicusor Dan sent his condolences to the Swiss people following the tragedy. In a message posted on the X platform, he said he was deeply saddened by the explosion and fire that caused numerous casualties and injuries. Dan emphasized that he wishes a speedy recovery to the injured and conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims, the Swiss people, and his counterpart, Guy Parmelin.

Cyprus  Cyprus took over on Thursday the presidency of the Council of the European Union from Denmark for the next 6 months. Nicosia will try to manage the Unions heavy files and bring more attention to the Eastern Mediterranean. A first priority point will be migration, Cyprus being in the front line on the migration route. Thus, the Cypriot government will insist on the implementation of the European Pact for Migration, with an emphasis on shared responsibility and protecting external borders. Another major direction is security, not only from a military point of view but also from a cyber and energy point of view. In this regard, Cyprus will focus on collaboration with its neighbors in the south of the Union and with those in the Middle East, from where the EU still supplies most of its oil needs. Another key point is the accession to the Union of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and the states in the Western Balkans.

Euro zone  Bulgaria is now the 21st member state of the Euro zone, 19 years after joining the European Union. Bulgaria abandoned its national currency, the leva, in circulation since the late 19th century, in the hope of strengthening its economic ties with other euro zone members, but also out of fear of rising prices in an unstable political context. After the New Year, light projections on the facade of the Bulgarian National Bank headquarters in the capital Sofia showed the Bulgarian euro coins. The single currency, the Euro, was introduced on January 1, 2002, initially in 12 EU countries, and is currently used by almost 360 million Europeans. Romania is also a candidate for adopting the Euro, but currently, due to budgetary imbalances, it does not meet the Maastricht convergence criteria, which establish a series of macroeconomic targets that a country must meet in order to adopt the European currency.

Talks  The US President Donald Trumps advisers held talks on Wednesday with Ukraines chief negotiator and the national security advisers of Great Britain, France and Germany about the next steps in ending Russias war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian president, who recently met with the US leader, said that the US peace plan for Ukraine was about 90% ready as of late December 2025. In his New Years speech, Volodymyr Zelensky said that the remaining 10% contained everything, adding that this 10 percent would determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe. As soon as Washington and Kyiv announced progress in peace talks, Moscow launched, without evidence, the accusation that Ukraine had targeted a luxury residence of Vladimir Putin and, as a result, warned that it would toughen its position in negotiations to end the war. In the meantime, the states supporting Kyiv will meet on January 6 in Paris. The French President Emmanuel Macron said that the meeting would materialize each allys support for Ukraine.

Drones  Russia attacked several regions of Ukraine with over 200 drones on the first day of the year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that most of them were shot down by the air defense systems. Russias attacks also targeted the Odessa region and Ukrainian ports on the Danube near Romania, and two Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets took off urgently in the morning to monitor the border area with Ukraine in the Tulcea county node (southeast). The Romanian Defense Ministry reported that no unauthorized intrusions into Romanian airspace were recorded.

Reges  2026 brings an increase in local taxes in Romania. Thus, the tax on buildings, land and cars increases. On average, these taxes increase by 80%. The exact level of most taxes will vary from one locality to another depending on the decisions of local councils. In addition, for electric cars, which until now were exempt from taxes in many localities, a fixed tax of 40 lei per year has been introduced. The authorities justified these changes by the need to increase local budget revenues and by the need to adapt to current economic realities. At the same time, since January 1, Reges Online, the new digital register for employee records, has come into force in Romania, which fully replaces the Revisal platform. The transition to the electronic system is mandatory for all employers, who must complete the data from the Individual Employment Contracts active at the date of accessing the register and which are not found in the Revisal system. According to the Labor Inspectorate, Reges Online allows real-time reporting, secure online access and greater transparency, for both employers and employees, who will be able to more easily verify the data from the contracts. Employers who do not register on the new platform risk fines between 15 and 20 thousand lei. Also starting on Thursday, parcels worth less than 150 Euros coming from outside the European Union will be charged 25 lei upon entry into Romania. The measure concerns goods delivered as part of distance sales from third countries. (LS)
RRIs Personality of the Year in 2025

US president Donald Trump is chosen Personality of the Year in 2025 by RRI's listeners and Internet and social media users.

President Donald Trump

Eugen Cojocariu, 01.01.2026, 14:00

Radio Romania International again held its now already traditional survey among its listeners and Internet and social media users to decide who among international public figures from all areas had the strongest positive contribution on the world in 2025.

So, the 2025 Personality of the Year on RRI is United States president Donald Trump. Fan Hongjie, of China, chose Trump for his unusual and daring approach in the field of migration control and domestic reforms, as well as for his international peace initiatives; while Stefano Citterio, from Italy, argued: For me, the personality of the year in 2025 was, undoubtedly, for better or worse, Donald Trump. First he increased customs tariffs for a number of countries, then he lowered them; he promoted a number of peace initiatives, not all acceptable or accepted. Despite his not always likable manner at European level, he is without a doubt one of the few who really does get involved in order to solve things. His arrogance is sometimes counterproductive, but its hard to find politicians on the world stage who are not arrogant.

The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Maria Corina Machado from Venezuela, was a close runner-up among RRIs listeners and users.

Other public figures who were nominated for the title included United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the late Pope Francis, the new pope Leo XIV, Romanias new president Nicusor Dan, Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian president Vladimir Putin, Italys prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Japans prime minister Sanae Takaichi, United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese and the former United Nations humanitarian affairs coordinator Martin Griffiths, as well as the businessman Elon Musk and Stanford University computer scientist Fei-Fei Li.

There were also proposals for collective winners, such as the people behind the AI technology, the journalists from across the globe who are opposed to war and convey accurate information to the public, and the peoples who continue to suffer because of absurd wars, extremism or for religious reasons.
After launching the highly anticipated Sierra SUV in India, Tata Motors has closed the sales account for the month of December 2025 on a positive note, where YoY sales analysis is concerned in the domestic market. The companys domestic and export operations along with their EV business under Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd all fell in the green.

Tata Sales Dec 2025

In the month of December 2025, Tata Motors sold a total of 50,046 units and closed the sales account for the month and for calendar year 2025. When compared to the 44,230 units sold in December 2024, Tata Motors registered a 13.15% YoY growth and gained 5,816 units in volume at the same time.

It was not all smooth sailing for the brand, as there were 57,436 units sold in a month before in November 2025, which led to a 12.87% MoM decline, losing 7,390 units in volume, MoM. Tata international business is booming on a YoY basis as the company now operates in multiple nations outside of India like South Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka and others.

Where numbers are concerned, Tata shipped 473 units in December 2025, which was a massive 701.69% YoY growth over 59 units shipped in the same period last year. Tata Motors pushed out 6,906 units of its electric vehicles sold under Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, which saw a healthy 24.16% YoY growth, gaining 1,344 units in volume.

So, Tatas total sales stood at 50,519 units, registering a 14.07% YoY growth over 44,289 units sold in December 2024. In Q4 of CY25, Tata managed to push huge volumes. 1,71,013 units to be precise. This led to a 22.30% YoY growth over 1,39,829 units sold in Q4 of CY24, gaining 31,184 units in volume YoY.

Statement from Tata Motors

Mr. Shailesh Chandra, MD and CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. said, CY25 saw steady progress for the PV industry powered by a growing preference for SUVs and accelerating adoption of cleaner, emission-friendly powertrains. For Tata Motors, it was the fifth consecutive year of record-breaking annual sales, with 587,218 units sold, including the highest-ever EV volumes of 81,125 units in a calendar year.

For Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, the momentum sparked by the rollout of GST 2.0 in late Q2 FY26 gained further traction in Q3, resulting in several new records. We achieved our highest-ever quarterly wholesales of 171,103 units, while retail sales/registrations crossed the coveted 200,000 units milestone for the first time. Nexon led the charge as Indias top-selling car/SUV in October and November and is on track to retain this leadership for Q3 FY26, with sales ~64,000 units. Punch dominated its segment and Tiago delivered robust growth, reinforcing its preference among hatchback favorites.

December was another standout month as we continued our growth trajectory with 22% growth YoY. At the same time, our retail sales significantly exceeded wholesales, driving dealer inventory down to ~18 days, and underscoring our strategic focus on demand-led growth and prudent channel health management.

Our multi-powertrain strategy delivered exceptional YoY growth in Q3FY26, with CNG volumes crossing 47,000 units and overall SUV volumes rising by a strong 18%. EV adoption accelerated significantly, supported by enhanced capabilities, longer range, lifetime battery warranty, and price parity with ICE counterparts, translating to a robust 50% YoY growth. Q3 FY26 also witnessed major product introductions, including the unveiling of Harrier and Safari in petrol and the launch of the highly anticipated Sierra, which has been exceptionally well received.

Looking ahead, we remain confident about the PV industrys growth. With deliveries of recently introduced products commencing in Q4 and an exciting pipeline of launches and innovations on the anvil, Tata Motors is well poised to accelerate its growth trajectory in FY26.
Firefly Books & Comics, "dedicated to the joys of readings and uniting nerds everywhere," has opened at 29 College Ave. in Rexburg, Idaho. Owned by Jon Cooney and his two children, Ashli Cooney and Tristan Cooney, the bookstore carries books, comics and manga, BYU-Idaho Scroll reported.

"A lot of the excitement comes from talking to people who like the same weird stuff that we like," said Ashli Cooney. "We want to be a community place where people can come and enjoy time with other people who like the same things. We've designed the store purposefully to be flexible, so if people want more of something we can accommodate."

Jon Cooney agreed, noting that he hopes customers will feel comfortable coming in and making requests if they don't find what they're looking for.

Earlier this fall, EastIdahoNews.com reported that Ashli Cooney had moved to Rexburg from California in 2011 to attend Brigham Young University-Idaho. She had always been a voracious reader and was a frequent shopper at Porter's Craft and Frame. "I'd come in here and I'd say, 'Man, I want to turn this into a bookstore,' " she recalled. "That was my dream. I loved the location, I loved the history of the building.... It all felt very serendipitous when we started saying, 'Let's make this happen,' and then this became available."

Jon Cooney, who has collected comic books all his life and managed a bookstore in college, moved to Rexburg to fulfill his own bookstore dream and because it was the right place and time: "I couldn't believe there was a college town without (something like this). I'd seen on the Life in Rexburg Facebook group people asking, 'Where's the comic shop?' I was living in St. Louis and I moved here to open it."
The MoU aims to strengthen forensic science education and research through academic collaboration between the two universities.

The tie-up emphasizes advanced forensic tools, technology-driven methods, and strong STEM-based skill development.

Both institutions will work together in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, including incubation support and applied projects.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Gandhinagar, to expand education, research, and technology use in forensic sciences. The agreement was signed in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel.

The partnership aims to give students and faculty from both universities access to advanced learning and research opportunities in forensic sciences. It will also promote the use of modern technology and scientific tools to strengthen forensic education and practice.

AKTU Vice Chancellor Prof. JP Pandey said the collaboration between a technical university and a forensic sciences university will benefit society as a whole. He explained that forensic science depends heavily on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Strong technical education helps forensic professionals analyze evidence accurately, solve complex cases faster, and support the justice system with reliable results.

Under the MoU, AKTU and NFSU will work together in education, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Both institutions plan to encourage student and faculty participation in joint academic programs, research projects, and skill development initiatives.

Special focus areas will include forensic biology and serology, forensic chemistry and toxicology, and the examination of questioned documents and fingerprints. The collaboration will also support advanced research methods and the application of new technologies in forensic investigations.

In addition, the universities will cooperate in incubation and entrepreneurship activities. This will help students and researchers turn innovative ideas into practical solutions, startups, and technology-driven services in the forensic domain.

Also Read: Andhra Pradesh to Introduce Quantum Tech Courses for Students

The partnership reflects a growing emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and real-world applications of science and technology. By combining technical expertise with forensic specialization, AKTU and NFSU aim to build skilled professionals who can meet the evolving demands of law enforcement, legal systems, and public safety.

The agreement is expected to create long-term academic value, enhance research output, and prepare students for specialized careers in forensic science and related fields.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Several inmates serving out lengthy prison sentences for homicide cases on Staten Island are up for parole in 2026, while one man has just about served his time, state records show.

Among those being considered by board commissioners this year is a man who stated he was high on quaaludes when he murdered a 10-year-old girl in Oakwood; a gunman who police said was acting on a drug dispute outside his Stapleton apartment building, and a construction worker with a history of mental health issues who stabbed his actress girlfriend to death in West Brighton.

In considering whether to grant an inmate conditional release, the New York State Parole Board wants to know, in part, how they plan to manage life with a felony record while staying away from criminal activity, according to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Board commissioners take into consideration letters sent on behalf of the parole applicant, along with any correspondence from family and friends of the victim. They also review the inmates prison record, looking for participation in rehabilitative programs, or conversely any transgressions while incarcerated.

Records show the following individuals are eligible for early release, or release, this year.

Keith Vischio

In May, the New York State Board of Parole is scheduled to interview a notorious killer on Staten Island about the possibility of conditional release.

Keith Vischio is seen in this photo from the Advance's front page being taken into custody in July 1980 for the murder of Lorraine Pacifico, 10.

Keith Vischio, now 65 years old, was convicted decades ago of murdering of a 10-year-old girl in Oakwood, near the Staten Island Railway tracks.

The vicim, Lorraine Pacifico, was killed July 7, 1980, devastating her family and rocking the surrounding community.

Keith Vischio, now 60, savagely slew Lorraine Pacifico, pictured, on July 7, 1980, in Oakwood. A state parole board once again refused to release him.

Family at the time said Lorraine was a gifted swimmer, and her mother dreamed that one day she could showcase her talent at the Olympic Games.

Vischio is currently serving a sentence of 20 years to life at the Adirondack Correctional Facility in Ray Brook.

At a previous parole board hearing in which the request ultimately was denied by the board, Vischio offered insight into his mindset that day.

He said that in the hours prior to the killing, he quit his job as a clerk for a Manhattan stock-brokerage firm, and that he was high on quaaludes and had been drinking alcohol when he carried out the murder.

Posing in this 2017 mugshot photo, notorious Staten Island killer Keith Vischio, now 65, is up for parole again in May.

In denying Vischio early release, parole board commissioners stated in one ruling:

 This panel is concerned with the violent nature of your murder offense as well as your ongoing course of conduct that you engaged in during and after the commission of your crime.

A review of your records lead the panel to conclude that your release would be incompatible with the welfare of society...

Jose Roman

In 2005, a Bronx man was sentenced to 15 years of incarceration after pleading guilty to a fatal stabbing on Staten Islands North Shore.

Jose Roman, now 52, was granted early release in 2018, but then violated parole and was sent back to prison on a sentence of 2 to 4 years. Hes now scheduled for release in February 2026, state records show.

The homicide unfolded near Birch Road and Yale Street in Mariners Harbor, according to Advance/SILive.com archives. The victim, Raymond Saldana, was just steps from his home when he was killed.

Leonard Wilson

Convicted of killing a man in 1999 outside a West Brighton apartment building, Leonard Wilson, of Stapleton, was denied parole in July after board members determining 25 years was not enough.

Prosecutors in the 2001 trial of Leonard Wilson said the defendant shot a man outside an apartment building on Hill Street in Stapleton, over the course of an attempted drug robbery. Google Maps

This month, Wilson, now 51, is due up again for parole consideration, records show. He currently is serving a sentence of 25 years to life in the Woodbourne Correctional Facility.

The victim, Keith DeGroat, 23, of Elm Park, was found shot to death outside of his apartment building. Prosecutors at the time said the shooting was tied to the local drug trade.

In taking the witness stand at trial, Wilson, who went by Sha, stated he didnt intend on killing DeGroat, but did want DeGroat to stop selling drugs on his block. He said the shotgun went off during a struggle over the weapon.

Kevin Howard

A West Brighton man convicted in the 2006 stabbing death of his girlfriend had his first shot at parole two years ago. He was denied.

Police arrested Howard after a vehicle pursuit that ended with him crashing into a pole at the intersection of Richmond Terrace and Broadway in West Brighton. Staff shot

Kevin Howard, now 67, will have another chance in May. The former construction worker with a history of mental health issues currently is serving out a sentence of 18 and a half years to life at Fishkill Correctional Facility in Beacon.

The victim, Jude Carabba, 47, of Silver Lake, was a mother and an actress who came from a large family. Her father was a prominent doctor and military veteran.

Jude Carabba, who was killed by her boyfriend decades ago in the man's West Brighton apartment, poses in this head shot. She was an actress, described by family as a generally happy person. (Submitted)

Prosecutors said the stabbing played out inside the defendants residence on Howard Avenue. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Carabba dead. Howard fled in a vehicle, which he crashed into a telephone pole a short distance away before being placed under arrest, the Advance/SILive.com reported at the time.

In the months leading up to Carabbas death, her father pleaded with her to stay away from the defendant, according to reports at the time.

In the fallout of the murder, family described her as a generally happy person living out her dream, noting bit parts on Law & Order, The Sopranos and Casino.

In handing down the prison sentence in 2007, Justice Leonard P. Rienzi cited Howards history of psychiatric struggles, as well as the poignant and moving letters he received from Carabbas family.

Barry Rodrigo

After being denied parole nearly 10 times, a South Beach man convicted of killing his girlfriends 2-year-old daughter has another shot at freedom in March.

Rodrigo, pictured here in 2015, said he carried out dozens of beatings on 2-year-old Lisa Nugent in July 1995, which resulted in the girl's death. (Advance/SILive.com)

Barry Rodrigo, now 54 years old, was most recently denied parole in late 2024, state records show. He currently is serving a sentence of 15 years to life at Groveland Correctional Facility in Sonyea.

During a parole interview in 2021, Rodrigo was asked about what triggered the repeated beatings of the victim, Lisa Nugent, in July 1995, which according to an autopsy report resulted in her death.

He said he was in a volatile relationship with the girls mother, and that he was acting out his feelings of frustration and inadequacy.

In this July 1995 photo, Barry Rodrigo, center is seen in police custody at the 122nd Precinct in New Dorp, following the death of Lisa Nugent.

I took the anger out on an innocent child.  (Someone who) could not fight back, a transcript of the 2021 parole-board interview quoted him as saying. "  (I was) thinking about what Ive been going through  not liking myself, thinking about that Im stuck not getting anywhere. Thats probably what was going through my mind  not liking the place that Im in.

Rodrigo added that he was frequently high and drunk at the time, and that he carried out as many as 30 beatings on the girl when he was alone with her.
Zohran Mamdani, who was sworn in as mayor of New York City on Thursday, reversed his campaign stance on mayoral control of New York City schools earlier this week, saying he will seek to retain authority over the nations largest school system as he announced Kamar Samuels as his pick for schools chancellor, The New York Times reported.

The move marks a shift for Mamdani, who argued during his campaign that mayoral control sidelines teachers, parents and students from key education decisions.

Though I held concerns about mayoral control, I also know that New Yorkers need to know where the buck stops: with me, Mamdani said on Wednesday, as reported in The Times. My approach to mayoral control will ensure that community involvement is not ceremonial or procedural but tangible and actionable.

According to the outlet, Mamdani said he will ask state lawmakers to extend mayoral authority over schools when the Legislature considers renewing it, a process that typically occurs every two or four years.

He announced Samuels as the new school chancellor on Wednesday. Samuels was most recently a schools superintendent in Upper Manhattan.

The chancellor oversees a $40 billion operating budget and more than 1,500 schools across the five boroughs. By comparison, Maryland has about 1,400 public schools statewide, according to The Times.

Samuels begins his new role on Thursday, with outgoing Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos remaining for a month to help with the transition, the report said.
President Donald Trump is facing scrutiny on social media after reposting attacks on the Kennedy family, just hours after news broke of the death of Tatiana Schlossberg, the daughter of Caroline Kennedy and granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy.

Schlossberg, 35, died on Tuesday, over a month after she publicly disclosed her hard-fought battle with acute myeloid leukemia, according to a post from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, which was signed by her family.

In an essay published by The New Yorker, the environmental journalist and former Bergen Record municipal reporter said she was diagnosed on May 25 of last year, the same day her second child was born. Following months of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, Schlossberg wrote that her doctor told her he could keep me alive for a year, maybe, during her latest clinical trial.

This could not possibly be my life, Schlossberg wrote in the essay.

Trump did not directly react to the announcement, but took to his Truth Social platform to share posts criticizing the Kennedy family over their objections to the recent addition of his name to the Kennedy Center, the prominent performing arts hub in Washington, D.C.

The Kennedy Family have LONG neglected the Kennedy Center, btw, journalist Raheem Kassam wrote on X in a post promoted by Trump. They dont raise money for it. They never show up. And the only Kennedy who has been there recently is a member of Trumps cabinet.

Another user posted: The Trumps have always been supporters of the arts. The Kennedys are supporters of the Kennedys.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced earlier this month that the Kennedy Center had been renamed following a vote by its board of trustees. She went on to congratulate the former president, who was assassinated in 1963, saying this will be a truly great team long into the future!

The Kennedy family, however, had quite the opposite reaction.

Microphones were muted and the board meeting and vote NOT unanimous, Jack Schlossberg, a Kennedy grandson running for the U.S. House, wrote on X.

Joe Kennedy III, a former congressman and grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy, argued that the decision could face legal consequences. Democratic lawmakers have claimed that it is illegal to change the name of the living memorial established by Congress.

It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says, he said in a post.

Kerry Kennedy, a lawyer and daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, accused Trump and his administration of repressing free expression, targeting artists, journalists, and comedians, and erasing the history of Americans whose contributions made our nation better and more just over the past year.

Some things leave you speechless, and enraged, and in a state of disbelief, Maria Shriver, the daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, also posted. At times such as that, its better to be quiet. For how long, I cant say.

A number of critics quickly took aim at Trump over his new posts.

On a day when the Kennedy family is grappling with an unimaginable personal loss, Donald Trump chose to use his platform to launch petty, vindictive attacks against them, the MeidasTouch Network wrote on X. Yet another stunning display of cruelty and utter lack of basic human decency.

Journalist John Harwood said that our president is mentally ill.
Editors note: Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be reduced with the proper mental health support and treatment. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

Nigerian content creator Anda Damisa used his final Instagram post on Dec. 29 to tell his nearly 100,000 followers he no longer had the energy to continue living.

I lived a full and adventurous life, people who know me can testify, I just dont have the energy to continue anymore, Damisa wrote. I love you all. Kiss kiss.

Damisa, who went by the username LazyWrita online, was a published poet who shared lifestyle content and brand partnerships on social media, according to PEOPLE.

In his final post, he revealed he had deactivated his TikTok and YouTube accounts and his website was no longer accessible.

Damisa showed signs of struggle in the months before his death. On Oct. 31, Damisa described the difficulty he faced that month.

October really put me through it, mentally, emotionally, and in ways I didnt see coming, he wrote. Some days felt heavy and some lessons hit too hard, but I kept pushing through.

On Nov. 10, he addressed his reduced online presence, responding to friends who had asked why he had disappeared.

It got to a time everything felt too loud and I just couldnt keep up anymore. The things that used to bring me joy started to feel heavy, and even the simplest moments lost their spark, Damisa wrote. So, I stepped away, to breathe, to remember who I was beneath all the noise.

PEOPLE noted that authorities have not publicly confirmed Damisas cause of death.

***

Editors note: The Advance/SILive.com typically limits reporting on suicides to those that occur in crowded public places, involve public figures, or, in special circumstances, where there is a larger public impact. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Various parts of New York will experience snow for the first weekend of 2026.

Although New York City will be spared any accumulation, other parts of the state will need to bear with the impacts of both lake effect snow and a clipper storm.

A clipper storm, as defined by the National Weather Service, is a fast-moving storm that drops into the U.S. over the Great Lakes from Alberta, Canada.

The storm is expected to move through the state Saturday night into Sunday morning, according to Matt Benz, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather. Snow is expected particularly from the New York Thruway on north.

This clipper storm also renews the threat of lake effect snow downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario going into Sunday, Benz said. Since Monday, several parts of the state along the Great Lakes have been experiencing heavy lake effect snowfall.

Areas near Syracuse and points north of there, as well as ski country south of Buffalo, will likely see lake effect snow Saturday morning, according to Benz. Between Wednesday and Saturday, areas along the Great Lakes could see upwards of a foot of snow.

The snow from the clipper storm will be more widespread and could impact areas such as Rochester, Binghamton and areas north and west of the Hudson Valley.

Those areas could see a little bit of light snow, however, that accumulation is not expected to amount to much outside of those areas within snow bands coming off of Lake Ontario.

It [the clipper storm] looks like its a pretty quick-moving system, you know, by Sunday morning it looks like it should be exiting the area, added Benz.

Given the light nature of this snowfall, Benz does not foresee hazardous travel conditions on Sunday.

As for the city, wind conditions will improve this weekend, but temperatures will remain several degrees below average with highs generally in the 30s on both Saturday and Sunday, Benz told the Advance/SILive.com.

But looking dry for the weekend and, more importantly, not as windy, said Benz. Like I said, we just had this long stretch of what just seemed like a blustery stretch of weather and it looks like - at least by the weekend - things begin to improve there. High pressure moves overhead and that kind of relaxes the winds a bit, so it should feel maybe not quite as harsh to be outside here as we head into the weekend.
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BusinessMarketsBillionaires Billionaires boom: Worlds richest got $3.3 trillion richer in 2025 Dylan Sloan and Jack Witzig January 1, 2026  4:45pm 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 worlds 500 richest people added a record $US2.2 trillion ($3.3 trillion) to their collective fortunes this year, as booming markets in everything from equities to cryptocurrencies to precious metals sent the value of their holdings soaring. The gains, which brought their combined net worth to $US11.9 trillion, were turbocharged by Donald Trumps election victory in late 2024, and were only briefly derailed by tariff fears in April, when plunging markets caused the biggest one-day wealth wipeout since the pandemic. Elon Musk, Gina Rinehart and Larry Ellison with their ballooning fortunes are among the winners of 2025. AP/Getty Big Tech led the charge as artificial-intelligence euphoria continued to bolster US mega-cap stocks. About a quarter of all the gains recorded by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index came from just eight individuals, including Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison, Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, Google parent Alphabets co-founder Larry Page and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Notably, though, that represented a smaller contribution than last year, when the same eight billionaires made up 43 per cent of the total gains.

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When the year began, Musk was indisputably the boldface name on the list of the worlds richest. He became a major political player for the first time after donating nearly $US300 million to Trumps reelection campaign, and spent much of early 2025 in Washington, DC, spearheading the administrations cost-cutting efforts. Related Article Billionaires Rich like Bill Gates: Meet the Saudi sisters wielding $75 billion in a mans world However, it was Ellison, not Musk, who ended up stealing the show. Fuelled by a massive run-up in Oracle shares as the longtime cloud infrastructure company ramped up spending on AI, he briefly overtook Musk as the worlds richest man in September. Although Oracle shares have since slumped about 40 per cent from their peak, Ellison ended the year making headlines for his involvement in the bid by Paramount Skydance  run by his son David Ellison  to acquire Warner Bros Discovery.

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Gains werent confined to the United States. While the S&P 500 Index posted an annual increase of close to 17 per cent, it was outperformed by a 20 per cent in the UKs FTSE 100 and a 30.6 per cent rise in Hong Kongs Hang Seng. Other asset classes did even better: Precious metals recorded one of their best years in decades amid a rush to safe havens, while copper and rare earths also emerged as commodities of key geopolitical importance, with major holders including Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart and Chiles Luksic family adding billions to their fortunes. Before a recent selloff, crypto was also on track to beat equity returns for the year: Bitcoin surged to all-time highs following Trumps election win and extended those gains as his administration approved a series of crypto-friendly policies. However, a massive slide starting in October saw it wipe out all of those gains and then some, battering the wealth of billionaires including the Winklevoss twins, Changpeng Zhao and Michael Saylor. Heres a list of some of the years biggest winners and losers, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

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The winners Larry Ellison Net worth: $US249.8 billion Yearly gain: $US57.7 billion Larry Ellison briefly overtook Elon Musk as the worlds richest man in September. AP

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At 81, Oracles co-founder is taking on more day-to-day responsibility at the company and leading the charge on its huge, debt-fuelled push into AI infrastructure. Ellisons net worth surged $US89 billion on September 10 following a blowout quarterly earnings report tied to Oracles AI expansion plans, the largest one-day net worth increase ever recorded by Bloombergs wealth index to that point. Ellison has also been deploying his fortune in the media sector, personally guaranteeing the equity portion of his son Davids $US108 billion hostile bid to purchase Warner Bros Oracles ongoing plans to spearhead the $US500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure project and take an equity stake in TikToks US operations could continue to reshape Ellisons wealth into 2026 and beyond. Elon Musk Net worth: $US622.7 billion Yearly gain: $US190.3 billion

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After becoming the biggest donor of the 2024 election cycle, Musk spent much of the early part of the year in Washington as his Department of Government Efficiency slashed funding and initiated mass staffing cuts at federal agencies. That came at the expense of his wealth, as Teslas stock was hammered over that period, in part due to backlash from consumers over his political activity. Elon Musks net worth rebounded after he left the White House following a public falling-out with Trump. AP But Musks net worth rebounded after he left the White House following a public falling-out with Trump. A recent insider share sale at SpaceX made it the worlds most valuable private company and pushed his fortune above $US600 billion for the first time. Meanwhile, Tesla shareholders voted to approve a new compensation package that provides him a clear path to becoming the worlds first trillionaire if he guides the carmaker to an ambitious series of performance targets over the coming years.

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Gina Rinehart Net worth: $US37.7 billion Yearly gain: $US12.6 billion Gina Rinehart is riding the rare earths boom. Bloomberg Few billionaires benefited more this year from a global focus on securing supplies of vital rare-earth minerals than Australias richest person.

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Rare earths Rinehart hates renewables, but her green metals bets are booming Colin Kruger Senior business reporter Largely through her privately held business Hancock Prospecting, Rinehart has amassed the largest rare-earths portfolio outside China and positioned herself as a key player in an increasingly tense geopolitical battle over control of the materials, which are essential for technologies ranging from semiconductors to electric vehicles. Shes also attended events at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and is an investor in Trump Media & Technology Group, the publicly listed firm that operates the presidents social media platform, Truth Social. Rinehart increased the size of her stake by about two-thirds in the three months to June 30. Donald Trump & family Net worth: $US6.8 billion

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Yearly gain: $US282 million Since beginning his re-election campaign, Trump and his family have involved themselves in a dizzying array of deals which have enriched the clan at a scale unprecedented in modern presidential history. Its a lucrative presidency: Donald Trump with sons Eric and Don Jr. AP Over the past 15 months, the familys fortune has increased by about 70 per cent even after a recent slide. In the days leading up to his second inauguration, Trump and his wife Melania promoted a pair of memecoins bearing their names, which briefly soared in value before plunging. Still, the Trump token has added more than $US200 million to the familys wealth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Trump also co-founded the crypto platform World Liberty Financial with his sons weeks before the 2024 election. Since then, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump have jumped into crypto projects including digital currency miner American Bitcoin Corp.

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One of Trumps biggest assets, a stake in Trump Media, leapt in value in December after it announced a merger with nuclear fusion company TAE Technologies, although its still down more than 70 per cent from its January highs. The US president was also handed a victory in August when a $US464 million civil fraud penalty was struck down on appeal, even as the court upheld the finding that he broke the law by inflating the value of assets like his Mar-a-Lago resort. The losers Manuel Villar Net worth: $US10 billion Yearly loss: $US12.6 billion

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Villar, once the richest man in the Philippines, saw more than $US18 billion of his fortune vanish in a matter of days after shares of his property development firm, Golden MV Holdings, plunged more than 80 per cent following the end of a six-month trading suspension in November. Manuel Villar, once the richest man in the Philippines, has seen large chunks of his fortune vanish. Trading had been halted after Golden MV didnt file financial results following the revelation that it had acquired a tract of land from Villar for $US93 million, but later revalued it at more than $US23 billion. Earlier this month, Villar also sold his full stake in water utility PrimeWater to grocery tycoon Lucio Co. PrimeWater had been investigated for possible irregularities by the government in July. Bob Pender and Mike Sabel Net worth: $US7 billion each

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Yearly loss: $US17.7 billion each After three sluggish years for initial public offerings, US liquefied natural gas provider Venture Globals January listing was expected to be the start of a big year for new issues, boosted by a business-friendly US administration and a massive backlog of deals. Disappointing IPO: Mike Sabel (left) and Bob Pender (right). Bloomberg As Venture Global prepared to go public, its co-founders were poised to hold stakes worth nearly $US30 billion apiece in what was slated to be the largest energy IPO in over a decade. However, the listing ultimately missed the mark: Tepid demand for its shares forced the firm to downsize the offering, and the stock has since fallen more than 70 per cent after disappointing quarterly results and the loss of a key arbitration suit to oil giant BP, one of its biggest customers.

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Michael Saylor Net worth: $US3.8 billion Yearly loss: $US2.6 billion Through the first half of the year, Saylors Strategy Inc was one of the darlings of the booming crypto market, which rose to all-time highs following Trumps election win in November 2024 and continued to climb as the administration rolled out a series of pro-crypto policies. Shares of Michael Saylors Strategy suffered as the Bitcoin price dropped. AP

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Strategy pioneered the crypto treasury company model, holding billions of dollars worth of Bitcoin on its balance sheet and regularly selling additional stock to raise cash with which to add to the hoard. That model generated huge returns through early October, when Bitcoin hit fresh highs. However, things began to turn south soon after as a slump in Bitcoins value sent Strategys stock price plunging by more than half, dragging Saylors net worth down nearly $US6 billion from its high-water mark in the process. Wang Xing Net worth: $US7.9 billion

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Yearly loss: $US3.5 billion Wang, the co-founder and chairman of Meituan, Chinas largest food delivery platform, saw his wealth plunge almost 31 per cent in 2025 after the company reported its first quarterly net loss in almost three years in November. Meituan founder Wang Xing has seen almost a third of his wealth evaporate. Getty Although Chinese equity markets notched a banner year  the benchmark Shanghai Composite gained 18 per cent  Meituan has suffered from weakening domestic consumer demand and three-way competition with Alibaba and JD.com. In response to domestic headwinds, Meituan has been pursuing overseas markets, recently expanding into Brazil and the Middle East. Bloomberg

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Rich Listers
What to stream this week: Run Away; Shiva Baby; Top of the Lake; Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts; Run; and Goodbye June.

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This weeks picks include the true-ish tale of the Postcard Bandit, a new Harlen Coben thriller, a stand-up set from Kumail Nanjiani and ace Kiwi drama Top of the Lake has a new streaming home. Run  (Binge) A career criminal still imprisoned in Western Australia, Brenden Abbott made headlines in the 1980s and 1990s for robbing banks, successfully living as a fugitive for years, and twice escaping jail when he was caught by police. His infamy was stoked by a pithy nickname: The Postcard Bandit. Abbott supposedly sent law enforcement taunting postcards, but the story was a myth concocted by police. Its fitting, really. To this day, Abbotts life and crimes are well-suited to invention. Boasting a very clear disclaimer about what based on a true story allows for, Run is a six-part drama that attempts to paint a complete portrait of Abbott (George Mason) during his halcyon years. It works, competently and with much invention, as a familiar crime genre piece, but in terms of doing what police across the country tried for years  capturing Brenden Abbott  it falls short. The cops and robbers DNA that fills in the gaps can feel generic, while the psychological portrait is grasping. Brenden Abbott (George Mason) during the Fremantle Prison riot in Run. The complication for the writing team, headed by Matt Cameron (The Clearing, Prosper), is that simply couching Abbott as a criminal anti-hero is reductive and time-worn. He terrorised hundreds of people at gunpoint during about 50 brazen bank robberies, and Run is rightly at pains to show how that trauma wasnt always easily shaken. A teller at the very first bank robbery depicted, in Perths 1987 suburbs, Nola (Julie Nihill), slowly falls apart in the years after staring down the barrel of a masked Abbotts gun. Robyn Malcolm as Brendens tough-as-nails-mum Thelma in Run.

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There are moments of high adrenaline, including the opening sequence where Abbott sets off a jail riot, but Run is focused on Abbott as a cool professional who is driven but also derailed by personal flaws. Editor's pick Australian TV OK, Ive dealt with all of this: Why Evonne Goolagongs story still matters He cant resist the risky association with his boneheaded brother, Glenn (David Howell), yearns to reconnect with the father who abandoned him and tries to control the love of his life, Jackie (Ashleigh Cummings), and subsequently the mother of his child, Lily (Roxie Mohebbi). Is that Brenden Abbott, or is it Don Draper? The driven police officer meant to be Abbotts reflection, Gary Porter (Keiynan Lonsdale), is a cipher for too long, while the storytelling eschews the procedural skills Abbott genuinely possessed. Theres minimal reference to his patient preparation, little detail on how a pre-digital fugitive operated. Repeatedly, Abbotts professional moves are depicted as rash reactions to personal setbacks  his father wont see him, so Abbott storms into a bank. The great Robyn Malcolm sharpens every scene as Abbotts mother, Thelma, but its never clear just who Run is truly pursuing. Comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani. Simon Schluter Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts  (Disney+) The friction between now and then is often at play in this stand-up special from American actor and comic Kumail Nanjiani. Hes quick to point out that he got his start doing stand-up in Chicago, so this performance at the citys Vic Theatre is a comeback after 10 years in the Hollywood mainstream with Silicon Valley, The Big Sick and The Eternals  the Marvel movie no one liked. The question is: Whats changed? Nanjiani has many (night) thoughts.

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Review The Queens Gambit made chess cool. This series turns it into a psychological thriller A Pakistani-American who has always explored the perception of being considered an outsider, Nanjiani now has fame to cloud his connection to his sense of self. His droll bits dont directly reference his success, but it lingers even as he riffs on his ageing cats health and married life. Sometimes, the dialogue he recounts has a sitcom banter to it, but the laughs have a genuine persistence. Nanjiani explores the everyday stuff and pokes fun at his situation. He got ripped in the gym for The Eternals and never slimmed down, but is quick to point out that, these muscles are decorative. It all builds to a finale where Nanjiani digs into how others perceived his fame, and what that did to him when he dwelt on it. Its a hall of mirrors that Nanjiani wisely makes communal: I wasnt OK, hes saying, and maybe you arent either. James Nesbitt in Run Away. Run Away  (Netflix) Netflix has an unofficial tradition of launching a new British adaptation of a Harlan Coben mystery novel on the first day of the year. In 2025, it was Missing You, this year its Run Away. The storytelling stays true to form, with many, many twists and a central crisis defined by overreaching cruelty and a lurking implausibility. However, its an above-average instalment, thanks in part to the lead performance of James Nesbitt as Simon Greene, a father trying to track down his drug-addicted daughter, Paige (Ellie de Lange). Fred Melamed, Rachel Sennott and Polly Draper in Shiva Baby.

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Shiva Baby  (Mubi) If youve finished the first season of HBO Maxs I Love LA, Rachel Sennotts tart comedy of 20-something success and succour, its worth going back to her 2020 breakthrough performance headlining this charged comedy written and directed by Emma Seligman. Sennott plays Danielle, a young New Yorker whose ennui and self-destructive impulses come to a head at the Jewish mourning ceremony she attends with her family. The independent film is deeply funny, but plays like a thriller  you never know when Danielle might snap. Sennott is terrific, with reactions that are revelatory. Helen Mirren and Kate Winslet in Goodbye June. Goodbye June  (Netflix) Family is everything in Kate Winslets directorial feature debut: the film was written by her son, Joe Anders, and the subject is an ageing matriarch, June Cheshire (Helen Mirren), determined to fix her familys faults while theyre assembled following her terminal cancer diagnosis in the days before Christmas. Its a story open to the syrupy and the sentimental, and it cant quite escape the formulaic, despite an overqualified supporting cast  including Timothy Spall, Toni Collette and Winslet  giving their all to the reconciliation dynamic underpinning the plot. Elisabeth Moss in Top of the Lake.

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LifestyleFashionThe Verdict Opinion If you have a problem with thong bikinis, the problem is you In this column, we deliver hot (and cold) takes on pop culture, judging whether a subject is overrated or underrated. Damien Woolnough Fashion editor January 2, 2026  5:30am

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The recent outbreak of thongs (G-strings, not flip-flops) at beaches and swimming pools has prompted a revival of prudish responses from casual swimsuit observers. Not since the days of bikini beach inspectors at Bondi have so many zinc-covered noses wrinkled in disgust at the bold attempts of sun worshippers to achieve maximum vitamin D exposure. Teenagers who years earlier could have been building sandcastles au naturel are deemed too young for the revealing silhouette of barely there swimsuit bottoms, and those who have been fighting gravity for decades too old. Despite the critics, the thong continues to spread faster than glandular fever at a school formal. Lets get the sexism behind these complaints out of the way. Love Island has helped to popularise the thong bikini. Sara Mally/PEACOCK via Getty Images Men have been tapping into the trend for years, with surf lifesavers submitting to self-imposed wedgies to reduce the risk of friction burns from skimpy fabric while rowing. That doesnt explain why the gathered fabric remains unplucked from clenched glutes while lifesavers stand on the beach. Patriarchal privilege has shielded them from complaints. For that, I say thank you.

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Scholars look back even further, with the thong regarded as one of the earliest forms of clothing worn by men to protect their genitals. It is not known whether they were worn when swimming, though male and female Japanese divers would don white versions of the buttock-dividing fundoshi when gathering pearls. The unsolicited opinions start when women start wearing thongs for their own satisfaction. Sound familiar? Please see similar reactions to trousers, bloomers and miniskirts. In the 70s, the modern swim thong entered popular culture  and womens wardrobes  thanks to US designer Rudi Gernreich as a response to the banning of nudity on Californian beaches. The Thong is my response to a contradiction in our society: nudity is here; lots of people want to swim and sun themselves in the nude; also lots of people are still offended by public nudity, Gernreich, who died in 1985, wrote in his manifesto. Gernreichs Thong, which was designed for men and women, has since entered the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute in New York and Londons V&A museum. The National Gallery of Victoria missed out on the Thong but has one of Gernreichs less successful but equally influential topless swimsuits in its collection. In 2019, the Gernreich thong was re-released, with a version in updated fabrics available for purchase, but this fashion throwback is not driving the trend. A cocktail of Love Island episodes, TikTok trends, body positivity and considerable profit margins seems to be propelling an increase in the bottom line of thongs.

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Swimsuits should be practical, comfortable, quick-drying and useful. Jessica Hromas So why the outrage? Are they stylish? In my opinion, no, but thats not the point. Stylish swimsuits are as rare as genuine vintage Chanel handbags at discount prices on the internet. Aside from the classic Jets black one-piece, some sleek Eres and Bondi Born straight neck, spaghetti strap numbers and Matteaus asymmetric maillots, swimsuits have as much chance of making you look runway-ready as that singlet your uncle gave you after a trip to Bali. Stylish swimsuits are also challenging for men. If Daniel Craig had emerged from the water as James Bond in Casino Royale wearing a thong, boardies or Speedos instead of La Perlas Grigioperla Lodato swim shorts, his run as 007 might have lasted as long as George Lazenbys.

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Swimsuits dont have to be stylish. They should be practical, comfortable, quick-drying and useful for swimming and enjoying the pleasures of the beach, pool or dam at the bottom of the paddock. If they make you feel good and dont cause physical injury or perform a disappearing act when diving off a pier, youre winning. Editor's pick The Verdict Is this the most underappreciated summer song of the century? (Yes) The thong ticks all of these boxes. It dries faster than board shorts the size of culottes that leave body-conscious teenage boys waterlogged for hours; they can be more comfortable than an elastic gripping your thighs, and allow you superior sensory sensation of sun and water. There are drawbacks. Sitting on concrete without the protection of a towel can leave buttocks more dimpled than a mandarin. Failing to apply enough sunscreen can leave them the same colour. If thongs make you feel uncomfortable, stop and ask yourself why. A harmless swimsuit shouldnt trigger this level of outrage. Save that for people who wear denim to weddings. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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NationalNSWBondi shooting Editorial Warnings about men who preach hate fell on deaf ears The Herald's View Editorial January 2, 2026  5:00am

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Federal and state law enforcement agencies were apparently heedless of repeated warnings about radical Islamic hate preachers spreading their vile venom in Sydney. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Jewish Board of Deputies had been raising concerns about rhetoric from some hardline preachers since the Hamas raid of October 7, 2023, and Israels continuing strong response brought the Middle East conflict to our shores. Controversial Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad. Edwina Pickles The Heralds Michael McGowan reports that along with notorious cleric Wissam Haddad, specific concerns were relayed about the extremist group Hizb ut-Tahir, as well as some clerics linked to Salafist group ASWJ. They included sermons in a Bankstown Islamic centre and a Lakemba mosque where Hamas were lauded as freedom fighters and warriors and flags of Islamic State and al-Qaeda praised. The issue of hate preachers has come into focus since the mass shooting of 15 people at a Jewish community gathering by IS-inspired father and son killers at Bondi Beach and the links between one of the alleged gunmen, Naveed Akram, and members of a Sydney IS terror cell which had been associated with preachers such as Haddad.

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AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed authorities were examining a host of sermons which potentially incited hatred against the Jewish community. Related Article Analysis

Bondi shooting Labor has its reasons for denying a royal commission. But its latest doesnt land NSW particularly has been moving fast to protect the Jewish community. Premier Chris Minns has imposed a blanket ban on protests, strengthened hate speech legislation, and is now countenancing the deployment of Defence personnel and allowing Jewish organisation the Community Services Group to be further armed. He also sanctioned NSW Police to carry assault rifles on New Years Eve and is cracking down on hate preachers. These involved sweeping changes to freedoms that were never considered until Bondi Beach. It is a new path that we must tread warily. Regrettably, some of the response to Bondi Beach has also descended into political football and bickering  a rift that has been widened by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese refusing to hold a federal royal commission into antisemitism.

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The fact is that both federal and state authorities have been scrambling to overhaul security operations in response to the Bondi Beach shootings and indications since suggest they had dropped the ball comprehensively in the years before. The various inquiries that have been set in train will undoubtedly examine why authorities failed to predict the potential problems with the Hanukkah celebration, but the rise of ranting hate preachers was not a bolt from the blue. Obviously, these men and their hate groups do not represent mainstream Islam. The Herald revealed last month that as far back as a decade ago, senior members of Sydneys Muslim community had urged police to take action against Haddad. The Hamas massacre of Jewish people in Israel on October 7, 2023, and the Israeli governments response, have inflamed hatreds and passions across the globe. But Haddad and his ilk have been a predictable and persistent problem in Sydney that authorities failed to address despite continuing warnings from the very community they targeted with hate. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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The prime ministers rose-tinted reflections on our 125th anniversary ignore a stark constitutional and social reality (On this 125th birthday, lets rise to our national character, January 1). We must remember that the Commonwealth exists merely at the pleasure of the states. It was granted limited powers only because the colonies recognised that defence, immigration, customs and taxation required a level of interdependency. Beyond these administrative basics, what are we actually celebrating? Our history remains marred by endemic racism and discrimination. Today, this is compounded by a bitter internecine warfare among the intelligentsia, even as we struggle to process modern tragedies. After 125 years, one would hope for a sense of national maturity. Instead, we are met with sniping politicians and a vacuum where singular leadership should be. Chris Rivers, Port Macquarie Hes good  hes very good. What an inspiring address to the nation from the leader, with no sniping at the opposition, no crowing about partisan achievements  simply an all-inclusive pat on the back and encouragement to move forward in harmony, with pride in our nation. How refreshing. Thanks, Albo. Elizabeth Denny, Watsons Bay We have much to be thankful for as Australians and there is much enshrined in our national character worth celebrating. However, we cannot deny the inherent racism of our original constitution or the structural conflicts of the federal system which, despite referendums and national cabinets, continue to affect the lives of the poor, the elderly and Indigenous people in particular. Australians are losing faith in the efficacy of the democratic system and the ability of governments to represent them. There is a danger that the peace, equality and respect lauded by Anthony Albanese will become as mythic as the bush men and women who embodied our national character in the past. We would do well to heed the call to promote compassion, courage and an instinct for fairness but so would our political leaders. Now, more than ever, we need a coming together to seek the common good, and our parliaments would do well to set the example. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls The mighty platypus, symbol of our nation Tamielle Brunt It is interesting that our prime minister, who continues to resist calls from many quarters for a royal commission into the Bondi attack, has chosen to write about the platypus, a creature that swims around foraging with its eyes closed and its head in the sand. Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills Our prime minister has written a rousing piece to recognise Australias birthday  with the hugely important exception of singling out antisemitism as a threat rather than radicalism, bigotry and discrimination as a whole. This is an egregious error. Lewis Kaplan, Birchgrove Good speech, Prime Minister, but it should have been broadcast as a stand-alone verbal address to the whole nation. Times are such that we are not only in great need of compassionate and wise leadership, but one of fervent strength and courage. Time for you to rise to the O Captain! My Captain! of us all, spell out your viewpoint to galvanise and lead us into action to address this odious lack of cohesion and tolerance in our society, exemplified even in our fractured political party discourse. The need for a PMs loud and visible guidance has never been so critical. Get up on that podium and speak out to us. Judy Finch, Taree

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Anthony Albanese says our task is to confront and defeat the threat of antisemitism together as Australians. To meet this test of our national character by holding true to the best of our national character. Prime Minister, I say your task is to protect all Australians. You need to rise above self-interest and hold true to the best of our national character. Your place in history, your legacy, as national leader is at stake. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach Following the appalling shootings at Bondi, little has been written about the contrast between Australia and the United States. The nationwide shock and horror at the murder of 15 innocent people will haunt us for years to come. In the US, mass shootings are so frequent that citizens have become immune to the suffering and threats to the nation. Are we a lucky country? Yes, of course we are. Despite the ongoing trauma of Bondi, Australians have shown that they are not willing to countenance anything less than strong gun control and action to root out and destroy hatred that showed at Bondi. Australia has shown us this. I am even prouder to be an Australian now. Terry Charleston, Cootamundra Address the obvious You would think the Bondi tragedy alone would be enough to warrant a thorough investigation (Bondi inquiry vital to protect nation: Top silk, January 1). Consider events since October 7, 2023, and a royal commission becomes an imperative. There is hate in sections of our community, on our streets, in places of worship, in our universities, in our institutions. The federal government cant ignore the bleeding obvious. We need to know why this happened and how to stop it from happening again. Simon Pitts, Riverview Prime Minister, your extraordinary decision not to hold a royal commission into the Bondi Beach massacre is disturbing and invites so many questions. I am reminded of the time-honoured saying, those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear. Michael Gamble, Belmont (Vic) Why cant we do both? Immediate measures in response to the tragic Bondi attack, followed by a royal commission into racism in all its despicable manifestations? Rob Phillips, North Epping Byelection, Barnaby

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Well said to your correspondent (Letters, January 1)  trust in your politician is paramount. Barnaby Joyce, who campaigned as a National to represent the people of New England, has fallen out of love with his own party. The people he purports to represent are less represented as a result. Joyce is at fault with this selfish decision, but it highlights a flaw in our electoral process that any politician can change allegiances midterm and retain the seat. Joyce should resign and go to a byelection, but that would involve integrity and trust. Geoff Nilon, Mascot Time to go into the hall of mirrors, Barnaby James Brickwood As a fellow voter in New England, I concur absolutely with your correspondent. I moved to Kentucky, NSW, in 2012, expecting to be represented by Tony Windsor, an independent, principled man. Instead, since then, I have been (mis-)represented by a bigoted buffoon who has now joined his ilk in Pauline Hansons One Nation party, an arguably neo-fascist organisation. As I watch neo-fascism rise across the world, I join other decent Australians in condemning both these divisive nonentities and appeal to all Australians to rid us, politically, of the threat they represent. Ian Usman Lewis, Armidale Plenty of smokescreens Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg had every responsibility to tax tobacco (The budget that became a big drag, January 1). After all, its aim was to stop society from smoking, thereby reducing health-related illnesses and the flow-on of healthcare costs. Im guessing it worked if less revenue has been raised from tobacco excise (I know someone will argue its now a black market). Jenny Greenwood, Hunters Hill Shane Wright refers to the reaction of criminals and law-abiding smokers. If someone buys what they know to be an illicit product from criminals, they are no longer law-abiding. Steve Bright, North Avoca Stop threatening eSafety chief

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Interesting that Jim Jordan, chairman of the US house judiciary committee, is willing to charge Julie Inman Grant with contempt if she doesnt submit herself to his committee to answer their charges of attempting to design and implement a global censorship regime (US threatens eSafety chief with contempt charges, January 1). He and his committee, as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are more interested in (and invested in) the profits of their mega-tech buddies than the online safety of their own nations children. It looks as though they are victims themselves of these tech companies who can demand a change to these laws, the whole administration in the US has lost all of its social morals and all of those fundamentalist Christians and their leaders have gone missing again when it comes to confronting big business. This is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper. Ian Ferrier, Long Jetty eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant considers US threats Alex Ellinghausen US Congress threats towards Australias eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant are themselves beneath contempt. Australia is attempting to build children of consequence, of individual thought and personal social interaction. US Congress attempts to continue to monitor, control and misguide our children through digital interface are indeed contemptuous. The contempt charges should be directed in the other direction. Stand firm, Ms Inman Grant, and full power to your objectives for our children. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer Rather than banning under-16s from social media, can we please ban them from riding those awful e-bikes? I would rather have the little bastards sitting in their bedrooms scrolling and watching porn than doing wheelies and being hoons on the wrong side of the road or nearly killing my Jack Russell when we are out on our walk. John Campbell, South Golden Beach Howards real legacy A government working against its people and against professional advice (Howard overreach on defence, IR ended Lib rule, January 1): Afghanistan/Iraq  soldiers and their families, Work Choices  mums and dads and their families, climate impacts  all Australians. Thats the legacy. Margaret Wilkie, Peregian Beach (Qld) This old man  John Howard Dylan Coker

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The current Liberals look to John Howard as their inspiration. This was a prime minister, rejected by the electorate, who pigheadedly sent troops to a protracted war based on a myth and who wanted to implement a cruel IR policy designed to weaken workers rights. The Liberals would be well advised to look elsewhere for direction. John Cotterill, Kingsford It beggars belief that the conservative side of politics still trots out John Howard as the shiny example of how to win power and govern. The release of the Cabinet papers highlights his ineptitude regarding the war in Afghanistan and industrial relations with WorkChoices. World events and weak opposition leaders delivered him four terms of government. Its hard to believe his policies and views would gain wide acceptance in 2025, yet the conservatives still lie at his feet seeking wise counsel. Mike Kenneally, Manly Waterfall missed Why was the waterfall firework not from the road level of the Harbour Bridge? Its iconic. Gillian Forbes, Congo But where was the waterfall? Dominic Lorrimer Theres nothing I despise more than celebrating New Years Eve with fireworks. Can we please, from next year, upgrade to drone light shows? Theyre cheaper, cleaner, more environmentally friendly and far more spectacular. Mokhles Sidden, South Strathfield AI points the finger

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NationalQueenslandCity life Drone pilot captures explosive footage of Brisbanes fireworks show Catherine Strohfeldt January 1, 2026  7:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Thousands across Brisbane marvelled as fireworks lit up the sky on Wednesday night. Not Michael Rubio, who had his back to the display, despite his plum position on the riverbank. Rubio, a drone pilot who runs videography business Waking Dream, instead focused on manoeuvring a tiny interloper as it whizzed past exploding rockets. I get to see in my goggles directly what the drone sees, he said. Michael Rubio piloting a gimbal drone during Brisbanes 2026 New Years fireworks show. Matthew Ryan Flying the drone millimetres away from exploding fireworks  just creates amazing footage.

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The video Rubio captured, shared on Thursday morning, shows the view from his drone  a manually piloted first-person view (FPV) craft  as it skims past sparks and smoke. The drones are built out of carbon fibre, so theyre really durable, he said. Ive flown through exploding fireworks and its never melted or damaged a propeller, a screen or anything. Rubio said he was more concerned about retrieving the drone from the Brisbane River had it cut out or lost power.

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They have a lot of power and a lot of capacity, but they dont run for very long, he said. First-person view drones differ from more traditional gimbal drones, which have a mounted camera that takes sweeping static shots. Related Article Updated

New Year See how the worlds biggest cities rang in the new year Rubio said his set-up for flying an FPV required a spotter  Matthew Ryan  to help him maintain situational awareness of his actual body. With their shorter battery life, carbon fibre bodies, and immersive piloting method, Rubio said FPVs needed to be operated both as a small aircraft and as a camera, rather than simply hovering and panning.

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Everything the camera sees is directly how you position the drone into a movement, so it makes it far more dynamic ... more like a bird, I guess you could say, he said. Rubio, who transitioned to becoming a full-time drone pilot and videographer in 2025, said he mainly filmed extreme sports, tourism and real estate content, film and television footage, and live event coverage. Michael Rubio said he needed goggles to pilot the more immersive FPV drones, unlike the handheld controls used for a more traditional gimbal drone (pictured). Matthew Ryan He said the New Years Eve footage had been months in the planning. Rubio first worked with Brisbane-based fireworks operator Skylighter on a show earlier in 2025, when talks about the New Years Eve display began.

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He said Skylighter handled most of the logistics, while he ran the test flights in the lead-up to Wednesday nights show. Related Article Updated

City life Brisbane revellers brave the rain amid boosted police presence for NYE But it wasnt all smooth sailing. Arriving shortly after 5pm, he and Ryan had to overcome a few last-minute hurdles. Initially, we were meant to be operating from the bridge, Rubio said. We had to go to a Plan B and operate from where the other drone light show was, which ended up being quite good because there was a bit more undercover area to get away from the rain when it started raining a bit heavier.

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Rubio used the FPV drone for the 7.45pm display, and a gimbal drone to film the midnight show, walking away with about 20 minutes of footage by the end of the night. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalBondi shooting Opinion The Bondi gunmen and the threat of leaderless terrorism Waleed Aly Columnist, author and academic January 2, 2026  5:00am

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One of the inescapable paradoxes of a terrorist attack is that we are most desperate for answers, and most moved to diagnose it, in its immediate aftermath when we know the least about it. In this respect, the tragedy of Bondi was no different, spawning a broad spectrum of immediate accounts. For some, this was nothing less than the shocking return of Islamic State, which we had come to assume was a spent force after the destruction of its purported caliphate in 2019. At the other extreme, this was simply the work of two crazed people in isolation. A middle view, focusing especially on the pairs recent trip to the southern Philippines, posits some kind of small network between them and the terrorist groups active in Mindanao. Flower tributes at the footbridge where the Bondi shootings took place. Oscar Colman Now, after nearly three weeks of investigation, the Australian Federal Police has given us a fuller picture. As it stands, they believe the two men received no training or logistical preparation in the Philippines, and acted alone. No one  including the formal Islamic State organisation  directed them to undertake this slaughter. The commissioner stresses this is very much an initial assessment, and is therefore open to revision. Even so, its an important first marker: both predictable and hugely concerning. It is entirely in line with how terrorism is changing, and underscores just how difficult authorities task has become. The truth is Islamic State is not back or resurgent in any meaningful way as an organisation, aside from its modest gains in Syria, sub-Saharan Africa, and in Afghanistan, where it is often fighting the Taliban. But not for years has it been able to direct attacks of its own in far-off lands. Thats no small mercy when you recall what those attacks were like. Recall the 2015 terror attacks in Paris in which 130 were killed, 90 at the Bataclan theatre and 40 others at a range of other sites: planned in Syria, then organised by a cell in Belgium. Bondi does not seem to come from a world of networks and cells. All signs are it was much more self-driven than that.

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Thats apparently true, even of the infamous trip to the Philippines. The federal polices current view is that the alleged terrorists barely left their hotel, which if true, suggests something ad hoc about the whole affair. Someone with connections to Islamic State representatives is unlikely to be so careless as to fly from Manila to Davao, leaving behind a trail. And someone who does that is unlikely even to know where Islamic State operatives are. With that in mind, the federal polices preliminary assessment isnt a surprise. Related Article Bondi shooting Glimpses, maybes and a ping: On the murky trail of the Bondi gunmen in the Philippines Islamic State still matters here, but not as an organisation. It matters as a brand. It becomes a symbol to be worn by whomever wishes to wear it. A year ago yesterday, it was Shamsud-Din Jabbar driving a truck through a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. In 2024, it was a 15-year-old boy stabbing a 50-year-old Jewish man in Zurich, having pledged allegiance to Islamic State in a video. The year before that, a man stabbing a teacher at his old school in France, and another shooting two Swedes dead in Brussels. Indeed, this is the same process we saw with al-Qaeda, whose central organisation perpetrated September 11, got seriously damaged when the US-led coalition invaded Afghanistan, but which then inspired a series of self-starting terrorist attacks in the West. This is chaos. No one is in control of it. Not even the Islamist terrorist organisations in whose name these attacks occur. To be clear, they have embraced this fact, frequently exhorting whoever is consuming their propaganda to take these acts of violence upon themselves, but they ultimately have no say in where or when this happens. Terrorism hasnt so much evolved as devolved to this point where the violence is so radically democratised that it can properly be called leaderless. Naturally, governments try to impose order on the chaos. But their tools are made for a more concrete threat. A traditional terrorist organisation has a structure you can break, a leader you can encircle, a chain of command you can disrupt. It is a walnut to the states sledgehammer. But as the American-French scholar Scott Atran has observed, leaderless terrorism is more like a ball of mercury. Taking to it with a sledgehammer doesnt crush it, it just makes it take on new, scattered forms.

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Thats why, when ASIO director-general Mike Burgess warned us  well before Bondi  that our greatest threat remains a lone actor using an easily obtained weapon, rather than something directed by an offshore group like Islamic State, he was describing just how dangerous the threat is, not downplaying it. But Burgess would know that there is no such thing as a truly lone actor in the broad sense. Its almost never a story of one or two crazed, isolated people. Some may act entirely alone, at their own initiative, but all feel some connection to a broader movement. Related Article Opinion

Bondi shooting Bondi shows us that politics is the very worst forum for us to try to stand together Waleed Aly Columnist, author and academic Thats one reason the federal police this week spoke of its flying squad of disruptors who have been combing through the sermons line by line of Muslim preachers we believe are inciting hatred towards the Jewish community. With no structured organisation to disrupt, the focus shifts to the rhetoric that contributes to this leaderless radicalisation. That makes sense as far as it goes, even if its a thorny area to legislate. The trouble is were dealing with an environment that, by ASIOs own description, is far more complex than just that, where, as Burgess has it, social media, mental health, the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories meet. Hate preachers are one thing. An important thing. But the online world, with its rabbit holes and silos and chaotic availability of every extremist discourse, is yet something else. And no government has shown the ability to tackle that. We dont yet know precisely how these things combined in the Bondi case. We know very little of the alleged perpetrators backstories. We know some of their influences, which naturally, police are investigating. But we dont yet know which were most instrumental, and how many of these were virtual rather than personal. Eventually, though, we should. And this week is a reminder to pay attention to the end. Because while terrorism, with its emotionally lacerating horror, demands from us strong immediate reactions, its also true that our first impressions are rarely as sound as our last. Waleed Aly is a broadcaster, author and academic. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here.
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PoliticsFederalTaiwan Australia deeply concerned about Chinas live fire drills as Xi calls reunification unstoppable Nick Newling January 1, 2026  11:02am 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

Australian officials have rebuked Chinas extensive live fire drill that encircled Taiwan, raising concerns with the country just hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping said the reunification of the island with the mainland was unstoppable. The latest set of exercises, labelled Justice Mission 2025, deployed the largest military show of force targeting Taiwan in decades, which Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said was deeply concerning and risked inflaming tensions in the region. Chinas President Xi Jinping. Alex Ellinghausen Australia strongly opposes any actions that increase the risk of accident, miscalculation or escalation. Differences should be managed through dialogue, not the use of force or coercion, the statement read. Australia opposes any unilateral action to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Peace and stability are in all our interests. Australian officials have raised concerns with Chinese counterparts.

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The statement confirmed Australian officials had raised their concerns with Chinese counterparts over the drills. Following repeated affirmations that China would seek to reunify with Taiwan by 2027, the Peoples Liberation Army held a two-day drill around Taiwan on Monday. The drill, featuring aircraft and warships, simulated a blockade of the country with live-fire exercises encircling the main island, while dozens of rockets struck waters near its northern and eastern shores. In his annual New Years Eve speech offered shortly after the exercises completion, Xi echoed sentiments from last year, saying: Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are connected by blood that is thicker than water. The historical trend toward national reunification is unstoppable. Taiwans defence ministry said 77 Chinese aircraft and 25 navy and coast guard vessels had been operating around the island in the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday. A spokesperson for the ministry called the action by the Chinese Communist Party an aggressive and militaristic provocation that endangered regional stability.

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China relations Nothing worries me: Trump waves off Chinas biggest war games near Taiwan In February 2025, a flotilla of three Chinese warships travelled within 150 nautical miles of Sydney, raising alarm bells after they performed live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea that forced the diversion of commercial flights. Concerns over the actions of the Chinese navy near Australia returned last month as the government monitored a Chinese navy task group in the Philippine Sea. Australia does not formally recognise Taiwan as a sovereign nation, but has long maintained a commitment to maintaining the current independence of the island. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in July, said, we support the status quo when it comes to Taiwan, we dont support any unilateral action there, under questioning over the role Australia could play in a potential conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan. In July, the Financial Times reported that US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby, the man who ordered the review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine pact, has been privately pushing Australia and Japan to commit to backing the US in any future conflict over Taiwan.

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In November, Taiwanese representative to Australia, Douglas Hsu, implored the federal government to consider including the island nation in the pact. with Bloomberg and Reuters Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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PoliticsFederalTrade wars Australia demands China respect trade deal after shock beef tariffs Mike Foley and Elias Visontay Updated January 1, 2026  4:59pm ,first published January 1, 2026  8:30am 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

Australias trade and agriculture ministers have condemned Chinas shock decision to impose new tariffs that could cost the beef industry $1 billion a year. China, the worlds biggest importer of beef, overnight set the new import duties of 55 per cent above a certain quota to protect its local farmers from international competition of major export nations including Argentina, Brazil and Australia. Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said Australian exporters would have to seek new markets for beef when Chinas tariffs kick in. Erin Jonasson. Trade Minister Don Farrell said the government had told China the move to curb Australian exports was unnecessary. We have made it clear to China that Australian beef is not a risk to their beef sector, and that we expect our status as a valued Free Trade Agreement partner to be respected, Farrell said.

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Trade wars Australian beef exempted from US tariffs as Trump cops cost-of-living backlash Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said she had serious concerns with this decision by China. The Albanese government is working closely with the Australian beef industry to determine the full implications of this measure. The new tariffs will apply to all imports into China, from any country, once China receives its annual quota of 2.7 million tonnes of beef imports, just short of the 2.9 tonnes it imported in 2024. Australian farmers fear that red meat powerhouse Brazil could move fast to flood the lucrative market and grab most of the market share under the quota, leaving nations such as Australia to cop higher tariffs.

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The Australian Meat Industry Council warned the measures could slash local beef exports to China by about a third from recent levels, hitting trade worth more than $1 billion. This decision will have a severe impact on trade flows to China over the duration of the measures enforcement, said chief executive officer Tim Ryan. Imports of Australian beef are not a cause of damage to the domestic beef industry in China. Australia shipped 266,000 tonnes of beef to the Chinese market in the 12 months to the end of November, according to the industry councils figures, which comprises roughly eight per cent of Chinas beef imports. The new quota was introduced after a 12-month investigation by China, which found that rising imports had undermined local producers. This means the action is permitted under World Trade Organisation rules, which sanction so-called safeguard measures to protect domestic industries.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday was more circumspect than his ministers, saying Australia had not been singled out by China, and added he was optimistic about the beef industrys prospects in new markets. This is an announcement that is across the board, Albanese said. Australian beef is in my view, proudly as the prime minister, the best in the world. Our products are in great demand right around the world, and we expect to continue. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Chinas trade restrictions were a test of the Albanese governments diplomacy. What the prime minister needs to do is leverage the very good relationship that he tells us he has with President Xi, and make sure he makes contact, and makes it very clear that Australia should not be included in any of these arrangements, Ley said.

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Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said Australian exporters would have to seek new markets for beef when Chinas tariffs kick in. This would squeeze profit margins, he said, but deliver good news for Australian shoppers. For the average Australian, when they walk into the supermarket, they may get to enjoy some of that premium beef that would have once gone to China, he said. Related Article Taiwan Australia deeply concerned about Chinas live fire drills as Xi calls reunification unstoppable That could be seen as a good thing, but we want farmers to be rewarded for what they produce too.

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Robert Mackenzie, a beef producer that runs Mackas Pastoral north of Newcastle, said the quota announcement was devastating for his business, which counts Chinese buyers among his top customers. This has hit us like a tonne of bricks, Mackenzie said. I can understand why the Chinese government might want to make their local beef more accessible for local consumers, but Im not sure this is the right way to go about it. Robert Mackenzie, centre-right, with father Bruce and sons James (left) and Jack (right), at Mackas Pastoral Cattle Australia, the peak body for graziers, agreed with the forecasted $1 billion loss of exports to China and said the quota system would restrict access to reliable meat products. Editor's pick Updated

New Year See how the worlds biggest cities rang in the new year

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Chairman Garry Edwards said Chinas restrictions breached the spirit of the free trade deal with Australia, and demanded an explanation for the decision. We are deeply disappointed by this decision  a decision we believe to be entirely unwarranted and at odds with the sentiment of the free trade agreement we share, said Edwards. In 2020, China imposed $20 billion of trade sanctions as an act of political retribution against the Morrison government with bans on barley, wine, lobster, timber, major beef exporters, timber and cotton. It cited labelling and health certificate requirements as reasons for the beef bans, and claimed biosecurity issues were the reason for the lobster, cotton, barley and timber restrictions. The restrictions came in response to then-prime minister Scott Morrisons push for an independent coronavirus inquiry. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.


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PoliticsFederalBondi shooting Albanese says security agency chiefs were the experts who advised against a royal commission Rob Harris Updated January 1, 2026  2:47pm ,first published January 1, 2026  10:39am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has insisted that the heads of Australias national security agencies have all backed his decision to not call a royal commission into antisemitism and the Bondi shootings, despite mounting calls from the victims families, the Jewish community and more than 200 barristers and former judges. When asked at a press conference on the Central Coast which experts advised the government not to hold a royal commission, Albanese first identified former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson, who will helm a rapid government inquiry into intelligence failures before the alleged terrorist attack, and then said, Ive spoken about the people who advise the government, the heads of all of the authorities. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says all the national agencies back his decision on an inquiry. Alex Ellinghausen Asked if the heads of ASIO, ASIS and the Australian Federal Police had warned against a royal commission, the prime minister said he meant we take advice from all of our agencies and all of the experts. On Tuesday, a day after 17 families of Bondi victims released an open letter pleading for a national inquiry into antisemitism, the prime minister insisted his decision to stick to the Richardson inquiry was informed by advice from actual experts, but he declined to name them.

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Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke have insisted their decision was informed by advice that a royal commission would showcase hate speech and antisemitism, proving too divisive and dangerous for national unity. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett on Tuesday declined to answer when asked if she thought a royal commission would damage national unity and security, saying only it was a matter for the government. But Australias human rights commissioner has disagreed with Albanese, becoming the first government-appointed official to publicly back demands for the highest form of federal inquiry. In a statement posted on LinkedIn on New Years Eve, Lorraine Finlay said existing reviews were insufficient to grapple with the underlying causes of the violence. Lorraine Finlay, the government-appointed human rights commissioner, has endorsed a royal commission into antisemitism. Alex Ellinghausen

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The Richardson review will examine our national security framework. But understanding the deeper causes of violence is critical. The Bondi terrorist attack was driven by antisemitism, she wrote. Confronting that directly must be a national priority. A federal royal commission is essential to fully understand what has happened and ensure it never happens again. The Islamic State-inspired Bondi attack on a Hanukkah celebration, which left 15 dead and more than 40 hospitalised, has prompted renewed debate about antisemitism and national security, with Jewish community leaders arguing that only a federal royal commission can fully examine ideological drivers, institutional failures and the broader social conditions that enabled the violence. Related Article Exclusive

Bondi shooting Bushfire inquirys top silk says royal commission essential for harmony Finlay, appointed by the Morrison government in November 2021 for a five-year term, was previously a law lecturer at Murdoch University, who had also worked as a senior human trafficking specialist with the Australian Mission to ASEAN and as a state prosecutor at the WA Director of Public Prosecutions.

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Her appointment drew some criticism at the time because she was previously a Liberal Party candidate for the West Australian parliament and president of the states Liberal Womens Council. She has been contacted for comment. In an opinion piece published in The West Australian last month, Finlay argued that law enforcement responses alone would not be enough to defeat antisemitism. We also need visible leadership. Political and community leaders must speak with clarity and courage, rejecting inflammatory rhetoric and modelling respect. Interfaith initiatives and civic programs can help rebuild trust and remind us that diversity is not a threat  it is extremism that threatens our safety. These steps matter because antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem  it is an Australian problem. It corrodes the social fabric that binds us together as Australians. If we fail to act decisively now, we risk normalising hatred in ways that will haunt future generations. Related Article Bondi shooting Hes a coward: Niece of Bondi victim lashes PM over royal commission

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Speaking on ABC radio on Thursday, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the response to the Bondi attack was comprehensive, with four processes under way - a criminal case, a NSW royal commission, the Richardson review into intelligence and security agencies and the implementation of recommendations from the governments antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal. The prime ministers position around this, supported by all of us who have been working with him on it, is that we need urgent action now, urgent response now, and thats what these four processes will do, including the Richardson inquiry, which will report at the end of April, she said. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. 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
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Exclusive PoliticsNSWExtremism Jewish groups warned police about hate preachers multiple times before Bondi massacre Michael McGowan January 2, 2026  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

Australian Jewish groups repeatedly warned federal and state law enforcement agencies about radical Islamic hate preachers before last months Bondi massacre, but saw little action despite examples of clerics calling jihad the solution to the conflict in the Middle East, and describing Jews as evil and cursed. This masthead can also reveal the Minns government was warned by antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal in February that its changes to racial incitement laws were utterly unworkable because they were too focused on the likely effect of conduct rather than the conduct itself. Brother Ismail, Wissam Haddad and Brother Mohammed Trad. Following the alleged terror attack, in which two gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish celebration in Bondi, politicians and law enforcement agencies have promised a crackdown on so-called hate preachers. No arrests have been made but this week AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett referred to a flying squad of hate disruptors who were focused on high-harm, high-impact, politically motivated violence and were examining a host of sermons which potentially incited hated against the Jewish community.

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But Jewish groups including the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Jewish Board of Deputies have been raising concerns about rhetoric from some hardline preachers since the most recent outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East more than two years ago. Along with radical cleric Wissam Haddad, this masthead has been told specific concerns were relayed to authorities about the extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir, as well as some clerics linked to Salafist group ASWJ. Wissam Haddad at the March for Humanity on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Andrew Quilty They include a sermon given by a cleric linked to Hizb ut-Tahrir, Brother Mohammed Trad. First reported by The Australian, in late 2023 he called for Muslim armies to be the final solution to the conflict in Gaza. During the sermon, which was given at the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown, run until recently by Haddad, Trad said the war in Gaza has to be a spark for the Muslim community and the final solution. Muslims, he said, should unite under a leader who implements the sharia and sends Muslim armies to defend the lands of Islam.

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The Al Madina Centre, which Canterbury-Bankstown Council announced would be shut down last month, has long been linked to radical preachers. Related Article Exclusive

Bondi shooting Hes a honeypot: The radical Islamic cleric linked to the Bondi shooter who keeps dodging the law In October 2023, after Hamas invasion of Israel, a cleric known only as Brother Ismail called Hamas freedom fighters and warriors, said jihad was the solution and praised the flags of ISIS and Al-Qaeda. If the Australian government likes it or not, if the ASIO likes it or not, if they want to deport me from Australia or not, jihad is the solution for the Islamic nation, he said. There is no other way to defend Muslims and erase this humiliation from the Islamic nation, but fighting for the sake of Allah. That sermon prompted NSW Police to launch an investigation, but the probe was dropped after officers determined he had not breached any laws.

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Whilst the term incite has been used in s93Z of the act and in civil vilification provisions for some time, it is utterly unworkable because it fixes the threshold of liability on the likely effect of the conduct on the audience, rather than the conduct itself, the submission from the envoy states. In a statement, a spokeswoman for Attorney-General Michael Daley said the government had been engaging with the antisemitism envoy, and that the offence of inciting racial hatred would be subject to a review after 12 months. We have been very clear about the fact there is more work to do to prevent hate speech, the spokeswoman said. The issue of so-called hate preachers has come into focus since the Bondi shooting because of links between one of the alleged gunmen, Naveed Akram, and members of a Sydney ISIS terror cell which had been associated with preachers such as Haddad. Special envoy on antisemitism Jillian Segal said changes to NSW racial incitement laws were utterly unworkable. Kate Geraghty

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This masthead revealed last month that as far back as a decade ago senior members of Sydneys Muslim community had urged police to take action against Haddad. Ran Porat, an academic at Monash University who also works as a research associate for the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, said while law enforcement may have taken the threat of Islamic extremism seriously, it could be difficult for the legal system to grapple with the threat. Some clerics, he said, spoke in a sort of code, with certain sayings, or contexts that were not immediately obvious to laypeople. He used the example of clerics referring to the enemies of Islam. They may not say the Jews, but those in the audience know they are speaking about Jews, or else mainstream Australians, or gay people, he said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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PoliticsVictoriaVictorian Parliament Opinion Parallels between modern Victoria and the Cain-Kirner era hold lessons for Allan  and Wilson Kieran Rooney State political reporter January 2, 2026  5:00am

January 2, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

It is all too tempting to pore over the cabinet documents of the Cain and Kirner government, released for the first time this week, and think that history is repeating itself. History is full of patterns, and its easy to see the problems of our time in the issues of the 1980s and early 1990s. The new cabinet with premier John Cain (front row, third from left) on the steps of Parliament House in 1982. John Lamb A Labor government challenged by record debt levels, a rogue construction union requiring an external administrator, a female premier given the difficult challenge of righting the ship and winning a historic fourth term in government for Labor. The Cain government even had a flight expenses scandal that would make Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses ministers blush.

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Governor Brian Murray and his wife were given free overseas airline tickets, prompting negotiations between Cain and Murray that ultimately led to the governors resignation to avoid a scandal. Cabinet approved a $30,000 lump-sum payment, $15,000 in relocation payments and a full pension six-tenths the salary of the chief justice. With all these similarities, the temptation is to see Premier Jacinta Allan as a 21st-century Joan Kirner, headed towards a glass cliff of electoral oblivion. Premier Joan Kirner opens a poker machine venue in 1992. William West But while the same themes can echo across time, history can never truly repeat itself, and to compare the Victoria of 2025 to that of 1992 ignores the full story. While the economy may not be as rosy as the premier and treasurer like to say it is, it is much more resilient and diverse than at the time Victoria was labelled the rust bucket state. Those who lived through that time will remember long lines around the corner outside offices offering government support. It was something the rest of us first saw during the early days of COVID-19.

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The unemployment rate in 1992 was 11.4 per cent, and youth unemployment was reaching 30 per cent. By comparison, Victorias unemployment rate now sits at 4.7 per cent and about 10.5 per cent of young people have not found work. These figures are trending in the wrong direction but are nowhere near the tough circumstances of the 1990s. There are difficulties looming in terms of energy costs and keeping Victorias manufacturing base at home, but that base is not yet hollowed out and can be preserved and modernised. Monash University politics professor Paul Strangio concedes there are parallels between then and now, but says the current situation is far less dire for Labor. We can all imagine that Labor will still survive the next election. A lot can happen over the next 12 months, he says. Kirner was doomed, the government was doomed, pretty much from 1990 if not 1989. So if history is not repeating, are there still lessons to be learnt from these insights into a long-term Labor government?

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Kirner was forced to turn to selling off government businesses to support the budget, and managed to do so for significantly better prices than the cabinet expected. Perhaps that indicates what can be done when embracing innovative approaches to find budget solutions. Allans challenge is that in the modern era there is little left to sell. The premier could also use the release of documents that informed the rollout of poker machines in Victoria as evidence why the government could go harder on tackling gambling harm or bring its reforms forward. Related Investigation

Building Bad Building Bad In the 1980s, the industrial relations minister authorised a raid on the Builders Labourers Federation, the union was deregistered, and the government locked it out of work on state-funded projects amid concerns about its operations. Allan has promised to root out the rotten culture at the CFMEU exposed by The Age, and late last year passed reforms to labour hire laws. The just-released cabinet documents show the state has the capacity to go further if the premiers current planned solutions fail to fix the industry.

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The cabinet papers also reveal a government committed to serious reform in areas such as social justice, education, transparency and electoral policy. Removing antiquated laws that allow upper house parties with small vote shares to pool preferences and get elected, a move that is widely anticipated, would be a good start in modern times but should be accompanied by reforms to make the upper house as representative as possible. There are no votes to be gained in improving freedom-of-information legislation, but an overhaul of the current system to favour disclosure would be a fitting tribute to John Cain, the premier who introduced the laws and who is the reason we are reading cabinet documents today. But the most useful lesson in these cabinet papers may suit the purposes of Opposition Leader Jess Wilson. They paint a picture of a government that achieved much having formulated major policy platforms before coming to power.

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It was a government also underpinned by a lot of work in opposition in terms of developing policy. You dont seem to see that sort of activity emulated by modern political parties, Strangio says. Related Article Victorian Parliament First-ever release of Victorian cabinet documents reveals pokies warning The cabinet knew what it stood for and what it wanted to achieve. This allowed it to undertake significant transformation for the state and continue the modernising of Victoria begun under Liberal premier Rupert Hamer. There is less than 12 months to go until the state election. The Coalition would be wise to emulate the work of Cain and have a significant policy agenda that would give it, and the public, confidence it is capable of governing. Its a sentiment echoed by James Cain, Johns son, who says a lot of the reforms of his fathers government can be directly linked to the work done in opposition.

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If theres one thing that echoes through the decades, that truth in political life exists now as it did then, he says. If you do the hard work and youve got a really sound policy proposition to offer, and you have the privilege of being elected, you can do extraordinary things. Kieran Rooney is a Victorian state political reporter. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here.
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WorldEuropeRussia-Ukraine war Laughable: Moscows claim of drone attack on Putin residence slapped down Gram Slattery and Jonathan Landay January 1, 2026  1:04pm 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

West Palm Beach, Florida: Ukrainian and European officials have rejected Moscows claims that Ukraine targeted a personal residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin with a drone attack, an incident that threatens to disrupt US-led peace negotiations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov this week alleged that Ukraine tried to attack Putins residence in the northern Novgorod region with dozens of drones, adding that Moscow would review its negotiating position as a result. This image made from undated video provided by the Russian Defence Ministry Press Service shows a man standing by what it said was a downed drone involved in an alleged attack on a residence of President Vladimir Putin. AP US national security officials found that Ukraine did not target Putin or one of his residences in a drone strike, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. The paper reported the conclusion was supported by a CIA assessment that found no attempt to target Putin or one of his residences. A CIA spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment. US President Donald Trump initially expressed sympathy for the Russian charge, telling reporters on Monday that Putin had informed him of the alleged incident and that he was very angry about it.

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By Wednesday, he appeared more sceptical, sharing on social media a New York Post editorial accusing Russia of blocking peace in Ukraine. A source familiar with the issue said on condition of anonymity that Trump reposted the editorial after he was briefed on Putins allegations by CIA director John Ratcliffe. The source declined to disclose any details of Ratcliffes briefing. Ukraines Foreign Ministry said the Russian footage was laughable. AP Ukraine has denied it carried out such an attack, describing the allegation as a Russian disinformation campaign meant to drive a wedge between Kyiv and Washington after a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that both sides described as cordial and productive. In a detailed briefing paper that Ukraine distributed to European Union delegations this week, seen by Reuters, Kyiv alleged the Russian allegations were designed to sabotage agreements made during the Florida meeting between Trump and Zelensky.

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On Wednesday, Kaja Kallas, the EUs top diplomat, called Russias claims a deliberate distraction. Related Article Updated

Russia-Ukraine war Trump very angry after Putin accuses Ukraine of attack on presidential home No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately targeted Ukraines infrastructure and civilians since the start of the war, she wrote on X. As of Wednesday, there was no independent confirmation of the attack. But Russias charges  and the European and Ukrainian reaction  underscored how both sides have sought to shape Trumps view of the war in Ukraine, now nearly four years old. There is no evidence that Putin seeks peace and wants Ukraine to be successful, as Trump asserted last weekend after speaking to the Russian leader, said Kurt Volker, a former US ambassador to NATO who served as special representative for Ukraine negotiations during Trumps first term.

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All evidence is to the contrary, he said. The Russian and Ukrainian embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The White House also did not immediately respond. On Wednesday, Russias defence ministry released video footage showing a senior officer, Major General Alexander Romanenkov, setting out details of how Moscow says it believes Ukraine attacked Putins Novgorod residence. The video included footage of a Russian serviceman standing next to fragments of a device claimed to be a downed Ukrainian Chaklun-V drone carrying a six-kilogram explosive device, which had not detonated. Reuters could not confirm the location and the date of the footage and model of the destroyed device could not be immediately verified.

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Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said the footage was laughable and that Kyiv was absolutely confident that no such attack took place. Before Lavrov made his accusation on Monday, Novgorod Governor Alexander Dronov said air defence and fighter jets were shooting down Ukrainian drones. Russia claimed the downed drone was Ukrainian Chaklun-V model carrying a 6kg explosive device, which had not detonated. Reuters could not confirm the location or the date of the footage. AP While Trump said on Monday that the attack could have been a Russian false flag operation, he has at times appeared willing to accept controversial statements by Putin at face value. The US president last year repeated Putins assertions that Russian forces had encircled Ukrainian forces in Russias Kursk region, even as US intelligence indicated that was not true. The debate over the alleged Ukrainian attack also comes as some Western intelligence officials quietly argued that Russia sought to delay additional punitive moves by Washington designed to force Moscow into a peace deal.

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In the Ukrainian briefing paper, Kyiv noted that in the hours after the alleged attack, various Russian officials made extremely similar comments in public that  in Ukraines view  suggested a premeditated co-ordination among officials in Moscow. Related Article Analysis

Russia-Ukraine war The six words from Trump that had Zelensky  and the world  wincing The Ukrainian paper also noted that residents of a town near Putins Novgorod residence told local media they heard no sounds of air defences on the night of the alleged attack. The Russian defence ministry published inconsistent accounts of the alleged Ukrainian drone attacks. In a statement posted late on Sunday on its channel on the Telegram messaging platform, the ministry said 89 long-range Ukrainian attack drones were intercepted around the country between 7am the day before and 11pm that evening.

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They included 18 that were hit over the Novgorod region, it said, without alleging that any were involved in an attack on Putins residence there. On Monday afternoon, the ministry issued a second statement that its air defences had intercepted 91 drones, all of them bound for Putins residence, including 41 that were hit over Novgorod, between Saturday and Sunday. Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldNorth AmericaVaccination Opinion This is the damage RFK Jnr has done in less than a year Jeneen Interlandi Contributor January 1, 2026  4:33pm

January 1, 2026  4:33pm 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

In the days before Christmas, as measles, whooping cough and influenza continued to spread and surge across the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services came perilously close to scrapping the nations long-standing list of recommended childhood vaccines. The number of US children catching measles is rising. Sydney Morning Herald As CNN reported, the agencys plan was to go with a shorter list, along the lines of what Denmark recommends. As Politico reported soon after, that plan was jettisoned at the last minute over legal and political concerns. Sources in and around the department have since suggested that something far worse may still be in the offing. They could still move to align us with a country like Denmark, said Dr Demetre Daskalakis, a former director of the Centres for Disease Control and Preventions respiratory disease division. He resigned in August in protest of the agencys politicisation of vaccine policy. But they could also just scrap the list altogether, so that there are no official recommendations, only vague suggestions. Either of those changes would be unconscionable. Among other things, the CDC list, also known as the childhood vaccine schedule, helps determine which vaccines are covered by insurance, which are included in the Vaccines for Children Program that supplies crucial shots to the un- and underinsured, and which are protected from certain liabilities that might otherwise drive vaccine makers from the US market. Altering those recommendations, or downgrading them to shared clinical decision making, would upend those protocols, and could make it nearly impossible for millions of families to receive certain lifesaving vaccines, even if they still want them.

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However, neither move would be surprising. In the 11 months since he was confirmed as health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr has wreaked steady havoc on the nations vaccination policies and programs. He cancelled hundreds of millions of dollars in federal investment for mRNA vaccines, including ones that would have improved our ability to fight the next flu pandemic. He chased away doctors and scientists at the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC who oversaw federal vaccine policy for decades. Photo: Joe Benke Perhaps worst of all, he fired the entire 17-member Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices, known as ACIP. It is responsible for advising the CDC on which vaccines to recommend for whom. It now consists of a mix of ideologues and incompetents handpicked by Kennedy himself. Already, it has: Rescinded recommendations for any flu shots containing thimerosal, a preservative that keeps multi-dose vaccine bottles free of bacteria and other contamination. It has been in use for nearly a century and has decades worth of data validating its safety.

Revoked a long-standing recommendation of the measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox, or MMRV, combination vaccine for children younger than four. The policy change is not based on any valid medical or scientific concern.

Stopped recommending COVID-19 vaccines for healthy people younger than 65 unless they talk to a health care provider, a move that makes it harder for people who want or need those shots to get them.

Changed the recommendations for hepatitis B vaccination from saying all newborns should have this shot to one that might as well be a shrug emoji: new mothers who test negative should decide for themselves whether to have their babies vaccinated at birth, but might consider waiting.

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None of these changes are evidence-based. All run counter to what the CDCs own experts (and most of the nations leading medical groups) have advised. And all are likely to sow confusion, undermine public trust and ultimately drive the nations vaccination rates down. We are already hearing about pregnant women who test positive for Hep B deciding not to get the shot, said Dr Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Centre at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Because the message theyre getting from that recommendation is that the vaccine itself is dangerous. Proponents of the push to align US recommendations with those of so-called peer nations such as Denmark, Japan and Germany  all of which recommend fewer shots than the US  have billed it as a commonsense corrective. But, as innumerable doctors and scientists have explained, when it comes to public health, countries with fewer shots on their must-have list are not actually our peers. In Denmark, to take the administrations favourite example, prenatal care is free and universal. More than 95 per cent of pregnant women are screened for hepatitis B, and those who test positive are promptly treated and duly monitored. In Japan and in most European nations, primary care systems have the capacity to find and vaccinate children who face a higher risk for vaccine-preventable diseases  and in many of those countries, paid sick leave also helps minimise the spread of contagions through schools and offices. None of this is true in the US, where nearly a quarter of pregnant women lack adequate prenatal care, and those who face the highest risk of contracting and spreading vaccine-preventable diseases are often the least likely to have access to doctors or pharmacies. When US health officials tried to stamp out hepatitis B through vaccination programs aimed at high-risk groups, they failed miserably. It was not until they carried out a universal, at-birth vaccination policy in 1991 that hepatitis B infections finally plummeted  by about 99 per cent. In fact, if the US public health system has one thing going for it relative to other nations, its probably vaccines. As the CDCs own data indicates, routine childhood vaccination has prevented hundreds of millions of illnesses and tens of millions of hospitalisations. It has also saved half a trillion dollars in medical costs, a figure that jumps into the multitrillions once you factor in indirect, societal costs like lost productivity and lost wages.

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The US tends to have higher rates of measles vaccination than Europe, and fewer measles cases as a result. Compared with Denmark, we also tend to have lower hospitalisation rates for rotavirus (which causes diarrhoea and can be fatal in infants and children) and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV (which is a leading cause of hospitalisation among children). The reason for those disparities is not in dispute: we vaccinate routinely against both viruses. Denmark does not. Kennedy and his supporters have said repeatedly that parents should be able to decide for themselves whether to vaccinate their children. But the Trump administrations actions have put the nation on course for a future where even those who want vaccines may not be able to get them. Related Article Review Drugs, sexting and Trumps tantrums: RFKs alleged digital lover Olivia Nuzzis memoir lands Anytime you move away from a clear, universal recommendation, implementation becomes more difficult, said Dr. Fiona Havers, a vaccine expert who resigned from the CDC in protest in June. Does insurance still have to cover a shot that falls under shared clinical decision-making? Maybe. Can you still get it at the pharmacy? Not necessarily. For now, health insurers have promised to continue covering vaccines, regardless of what the CDC does or says, presumably because they understand that vaccinating people is far cheaper than letting them get sick. But consumers would have no obvious recourse if those insurers eventually changed their minds  and, in any case, that promise applies only to families that have commercial health insurance to begin with. About half of all American children rely instead on the federally funded Vaccines for Children Program  and that program falls squarely within the jurisdiction of Kennedy, our anti-vaxxer in chief.

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If the CDC does change the childhood schedule to resemble Denmarks, or scraps that schedule altogether, and if the health secretary decides to adjust the Vaccines for Children Program accordingly, about half of all American families could suddenly find themselves with no clear way to get essential vaccines  their best possible protection against a roster of devastating diseases., including rotavirus, RSV and hepatitis B. In the meantime, the FDA is angling to make an even bigger and more enduring impact on Americans access to vaccines. After claiming, without presenting a shred of proof, that COVID vaccines played a role in the death of 10 children, top officials at the agency have proposed a roster of new requirements for the shots, including several that critics say would be logistically impossible and could leave us with no FDA-approved COVID or flu vaccines. That loss of approval would be disastrous, Daskalakis, Havers and others say. Changes to the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program could also seriously undermine vaccine access. The program, which compensates people who suffer rare side effects from certain vaccines, was established in 1988 after a tidal wave of lawsuits threatened to drive vaccine makers from the American market. If Kennedy decides to exempt any shot that falls under the fuzzy rubric of shared clinical decision-making from this program  and if nobody stops him  vaccine makers may once again threaten to leave the U.S. market. Kennedy could also drive those companies away by adding autism to the list of conditions for which they are potentially liable. (Decades of research has debunked the assertion that vaccines cause autism. But Kennedy and his supporters have proved astoundingly impervious to that evidence.) They will stop selling vaccines here, Havers said. And regardless of what ACIP says, regardless of what FDA says, regardless of what your doctor says, and regardless of what you actually want, if companies dont sell them, people cant get them.

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We dont have to wonder what that future will look like. We can glimpse it already in communities across the country where measles and whooping cough are resurgent and where infants and young children have already died from both. We can also see it foretold in the current flu season: this years flu vaccine has proved an imperfect match to the currently circulating strains. New shots, based on mRNA technology, would have one day enabled us to avoid this kind of misfire. But the nations leaders have imperiled that future with the decisions they made this year. It should not surprise anyone that 2025  when the nations most prominent anti-vaxxer rose to the highest health office in the land  is ending with our vaccine policies in disarray and our access to vaccines increasingly imperiled. Kennedy has brought us to this precipice by aggressively subverting nearly every process and protocol that previously governed our public health institutions. He has granted political appointees enormous sway over agency scientists. He has excluded people with meaningful expertise from his planning and deliberations. And he has fired dissenters all the way up to the CDC director and replaced them with lackeys, sycophants and wellness grifters. The relentless norm-shattering is not just a byproduct of Kennedys larger plans; it is a central feature. Bureaucratic changes to arcane and acronym-laden programs are easy to overlook or forget after a brief flash of indignation, especially in a world saturated with bleak, worrisome headlines. But its through that overlooking that we may eventually lose vaccines altogether. Vaccines are a triumph of human ingenuity, modern medicine and public health. With them, we have beaten back smallpox, chickenpox, yellow fever, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, COVID, meningitis and more. If Kennedy continues to force the nation down the course hes now set, we will be left to explain to future generations how we came to abandon them. The New York Times
Taiwan's president vows to 'steadfastly defend' sovereignty after China drills



Taipei, Jan 1 (AFP) Jan 01, 2026



Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed on Thursday to defend the democratic island's sovereignty in a New Year's speech, after China carried out military drills.

Beijing launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets, navy ships and coastguard vessels this week to encircle Taiwan's main island, in exercises condemned by Taipei "as highly provocative".

China claims democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it.

"My stance has always been clear: to steadfastly defend national sovereignty, strengthen national defence and whole-of-society resilience, comprehensively establish effective deterrence capabilities, and build robust democratic defence mechanisms," Lai said in a televised address from the Presidential Office.

Lai said the government would "build a safer and more resilient Taiwan", a day after China declared it had completed the drills around the island.

"In the face of China's escalating expansionist ambitions, the international community is closely watching whether the people of Taiwan have the determination to defend themselves," Lai added.

China's show of force follows a bumper round of arms sales to Taipei by the United States, Taiwan's main security backer, and comments from Japan's prime minister that the use of force against Taiwan could warrant a military response from Tokyo.

Lai said international support for Taiwan "has never wavered", which signalled that "Taiwan is no longer just Taiwan".

"We are not only indispensable, we are also a trustworthy, responsible force for good in the international community," he said.

Lai's speech capped a dramatic few weeks in Taiwan, with a deadly metro stabbing attack in Taipei that left three people dead and a deepening domestic political crisis.

The opposition-controlled parliament has stymied passage of the government's annual budget and an additional $40 billion defence spending bill aimed at developing an integrated air defence system.

The Kuomintang party (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party are furious after Premier Cho Jung-tai, who belongs to Lai's Democratic Progressive Party, refused to sign opposition-backed amendments to a revenue-sharing bill, preventing them from taking effect.

Lai publicly supported Cho's decision, further enraging opposition parties, which have launched impeachment proceedings against them.

"I hope that our ruling and opposition parties can stand united," Lai said.

"Only through unity not division can we avoid sending the wrong signals to China that it could invade Taiwan."
Russian overnight attacks on Ukraine fell in December: AFP analysis



Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan 1 (AFP) Jan 01, 2026



Ukrainian air force data showed a slight fall in overnight Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine in December, despite strikes on energy infrastructure cutting power to hundreds of thousands, an AFP analysis showed Thursday.

Russia fired at least 5,134 drones in overnight attacks in the final month of 2025, six percent less than the month before, while the number of missiles fell by 18 percent in the same period, according to the data.

However, the same data showed Ukraine destroyed a smaller share of the total sum of missiles and drones in December -- 80 percent, compared with 82 percent in November.

Ukraine came under intense pressure in 2025, both from Russian bombardment and on the battlefield, where it has steadily ceded ground to the Russian army.

Moscow -- which denies targeting civilians -- has fired drones at Ukraine every single night since May 10, when a unilateral three-day truce announced by President Vladimir Putin to coincide with a grand military parade in Moscow ended.

US President Donald Trump, who regularly complains he does not receive credit as a peacemaker, has engaged in talks with both sides in a bid to end the fighting.

But he has so far failed to extract major concessions from the Kremlin -- which currently occupies around a fifth of Ukraine.

Kyiv says Russia is not interested in peace and is deliberately trying to sabotage diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war to seize more Ukrainian territory.
China military drills near Taiwan 'unnecessarily' raise tensions: US



Washington, United States, Jan 1 (AFP) Jan 01, 2026



Chinese war games around Taiwan "unnecessarily" spiked tensions in the region, the US State Department said Thursday, calling on Beijing to "cease its military pressure."

"China's military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region increase tensions unnecessarily. We urge Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

Beijing launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets, navy ships and coastguard vessels on Monday and Tuesday this week to encircle Taiwan's main island, saying the drills simulated a blockade of main Taiwanese ports.

Taipei condemned the exercises as "highly provocative."

China claims that democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it.

"The United States supports peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including by force or coercion," Pigott said.

US President Donald Trump said Monday he was not concerned about China's live-fire drills, appearing to brush aside the possibility of counterpart Xi Jinping ordering an invasion.

"I have a great relationship with President Xi. And he hasn't told me anything about it. I certainly have seen it," Trump told reporters when asked about the exercises.

"I don't believe he's going to be doing it," Trump said in apparent reference to an invasion.

"They've been doing naval exercises for 20 years in that area. Now people take it a little bit differently."

Beijing's show of force came after the Trump administration approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan.

The United States has been committed for decades to ensuring Taiwan's self-defense, while staying ambiguous on whether the US military itself would intervene in an invasion.

China's latest military exercise was the sixth major round of maneuvers since 2022 when a visit to Taiwan by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi enraged Beijing.
Over the past five years, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan have significantly increased their strength, said President Ilham Aliyev in his address on the occasion of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year.

Supplied with new weapons and equipment, our Army is now capable of performing any task, the head of state emphasized.
I am constantly being asked with disbelief why I voted for BREXIT. My answer is inevitably complex. I have often been challenged as to whether I am brain-dead. I dont think I am. Firstly, I believe in sovereignty. I dislike the idea of unelected bureaucrats, at the whim of 27 countries, deciding the UKs destiny. Once a law has been placed on the statute book, and it proves down the line to be ill-judged, it is unlikely that all 27 members will agree to revoke it. Therefore, it will remain on the statute book. I also dislike the fact that there is a persistent stench of fraud allegations that prevail in Strasbourg. They never seem to dissipate. Its not an image I feel comfortable with or an association I can look up to and respect. I have also felt that the UK has been treated rather like the uninvited guest. We never seemed part of the inner circle. Consequently, resentment grew when asked to financially underwrite less well-off members. Over the years, I have never felt that EU audited accounts have been submitted on a very regular basis.
Alas, Celebrity Traitors is over for another year. But at least we get another round of The Traitors: Joe Public edition. Twenty or so contestants will be returning to Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands to battle it out for a massive cash prize. The catch, of course, is that some of the group are Traitors, tasked with murdering their fellow contestants. The rest of the group must root them out and banish them first. Always good fun!
Ultimately, I found that my time in a hammock was a welcome break from my daily tasks. A moment of calm wedged between the chaos of life that helped me to become more grounded, and reinvigorated me to tackle the second half of the day. For many, its hard to find the time  on top of trying to exercise, eat seven vegetables a day, walk 10,000 steps  to carve out some space for relaxation. And while its not something that many will be able to weave into their weekly routine, its a good tool to be aware of when you need to hit pause on life and step out of your schedule for a moment.
"Every time council officers agreed a certain contractor could do the job, we waited 6 months or more to hear back about when the works would begin - only to be told that they would need to send round more companies for new quotes," she said.
A City Hall spokesman said: "A range of flags were displayed on the London Eye to represent the wide variety of countries of origin of people who live in and contribute to the success of London. These animated flags were small and moving so were not all entirely clear at every point as they gradually formed into the Union Flag."
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Equally, its not fair to my former colleagues who were policing around those times, as theyre left with this sort of perception around that they were involved in all manner of things, when the reality is theres very few, if any, officers from the past have actually been brought through the courts and criminally prosecute it for things that may or may not have happened.
Edinburghs Hogmanay is truly back with a bang, and to return with so many sold-out events across the four-day festival, shows just how much support there is from both locals and international visitors to celebrate in the capital.
"While offering our admiration for the heroic first responders and the selfless emergency services, we wanted, above all, to convey our deepest possible sympathy to all those who have been so dreadfully affected by this horrific disaster.
Julianna Duennes Russ is a breaking and trending news reporter at the Austin American-Statesman. She covered business as a Dow Jones intern for the San Antonio Express-News and has bylines with the Associated Press and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She holds Bachelors degrees in journalism, international affairs and comparative literature from the University of Georgia, where she also earned a certificate in sports media. When shes not writing, you can find Julianna strolling Zilker Park or cuddling with her orange cat, Colby. Reach out to her at julianna.russ@statesman.com with news or notes.
Austin's daily temperatures from July 1 to Dec. 31 National Weather Service

Although Austin didnt break records with 100-degree days in the summer, we broke a sweat surprisingly in the spring, fall and a little bit in December. Did 2025 end up being our third consecutive hottest year on record? Not quite, but it did make the top 5.

To find the hottest year, we calculated the average daily temperatures by adding the highest and lowest temperature readings of each day and dividing them by two. Then, we averaged all of those averages from the calendar year to get the annual average daily temperature.

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We ranked the hottest years in Austins weather history, based on the highest annual average temperatures, and found that 2023 was in second place at 72.2 degrees, and 2024 was in first place at 72.7.

Austin's daily temperatures from Jan. 1 to June 30. National Weather Service

Heading into the final week of December, Austins average daily temperature for the year to date (as of Dec. 27) was coasting at a toasty 72.2 degrees, matching the near-record average for 2023. But a strong cold front surged into Texas and Austin was caught in the grip of an arctic air mass.

Before Austin could cross the finish line into 2026, the near-freezing morning temperatures earlier this week skewed the citys annual average daily temperature to end up around 71.9 degrees on Wednesday, putting the year in fifth place.

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In 2025, Austin recorded its:

5th-warmest March

5th-warmest April

8th-warmest May

2nd-warmest October

2nd-warmest November

6th-warmest December.

Austin's top 10 warmest years National Weather Service

Thursday-Friday forecast

New Years Day in Austin will be mostly sunny with temperatures reaching an especially comfortable 74 degrees amid southwesterly winds of 5 to 10 mph in the morning that become gusty later in the day. At night, skies turn mostly cloudy before gradually becoming clear overnight with temperatures staying above 58 degrees.

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The warming trend (this week) will be more evident on New Years Day as a thermal ridge moves off the Mexican plateau into our area, the weather service said in a forecast bulletin posted online Wednesday.

The extended forecast for Austin from the National Weather Service shows afternoon temperatures returning to the upper 70s after a brief dip this weekend. National Weather Service

Forecasters added that the southerly winds will be pushing higher dew points into the area, so temperatures Thursday night are forecast to be substantially milder and largely in the 50s. Dew point temperatures can indicate the amount of heat-retaining water vapor is in the air.

Austin on Friday will enjoy sunny skies and afternoon temperatures hitting 86 degrees, which would match the daily heat record set in 2006 and would be the warmest temperatures expected in the next seven days. Blustery winds will persist, this time out of the west, at 5 to 10 mph with gusts as strong as 20 mph. At night, skies will be mostly clear, with temperatures heading into predawn Saturday as low as 56 degrees.

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The temperature outlook from the National Weather Services Climate Prediction Center has high confidence that Texas could have above-normal temps throughout January, but Austin has only a 47% chance of being warmer than normal. Climate Prediction Center/National Weather Service

Looking ahead to 2026

The temperature outlook from the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center has high confidence that Texas could have above-normal temps in the first three months of 2026, but Austin has only a 37% chance of being warmer than normal. Climate Prediction Center/National Weather Service July 1- Dec. 31 Austin daily temperatures National Weather Service

Forecasters expect an area of low atmospheric pressure to moves along the Red River to our northeast, redirecting winds from the west to the northwest.

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"A weak cold front should move in from the north behind the outgoing low pressure system," the weather service said. "That should tone temperatures and dew points down slightly for the weekend, but above average warmth continues with highs in the 70s to low 80s."

Saturday and Sunday, peak daytime temperatures in Austin will be lower, only reaching the mid-70s. Nighttime temps will be in the upper 40s to lower 50s under clear skies more conducive to radiational cooling.

An upper-level ridge of high atmospheric pressure "then strengthens heading into early next week, causing moist southerly flow to return and supporting a warming trend through midweek," the weather service said.

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The driver of the bus that ran over several people in Bhandup said on Wednesday that more people would have died had he not steered the vehicle into a pole.



Four people were killed and several injured when the electric bus ploughed into a crowd at around 10 pm on Monday. The incident occurred on one of the busiest stretches outside Bhandup Railway Station, where commuters were standing in queues.



Had I did not diverted the bus towards the pole, more people would have been run over, Santosh Sawant, the driver, said.



Police officials said Sawant was cognisant of the December 2024 accident in Kurla involving a BEST bus, which resulted in the death of nine pedestrians.



The driver involved in that accident, Sanjay More, is currently in jail, waiting for the Bombay High Court to hear his bail application.



The officials said they were also questioning the driver from whom Sawant took over on Monday. Sawant is claiming that the driver on the previous shift had left the bus in Drive mode and pulled the handbrake, an official said.



As per the rules, the bus should have been in neutral. Sawant apparently released the handbrake, which led to the accident, the official said.



Sawant had previously told the investigators that when the bus started rolling, he panicked and got confused between the brake and the accelerator, the official said.



Sawant said once he realised that he had lost control, he turned right and deliberately collided with the pole. He was scared that the angry mob would kill him, the official said.



He is constantly changing his statement to avoid staying behind bars for a long time.



The driver had also blamed technical problems with the bus for the accident, the official said. We are waiting for the Road Transport Offices analysis to determine whether the bus any fault.



Sawant has been booked under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and other sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.




A screengrab from a video posted by U.S. Southern Command on X, showing a convoy of three alleged drug boats that were destroyed by the command on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, as part of Operation Southern Spear. (U.S. Southern Command via X)



U.S. Southern Command announced it conducted strikes Tuesday against three alleged drug boats traveling as a convoy in international waters.

The command said in an X post on Wednesday that intelligence confirmed narcotics had been transferred between the three vessels prior to the strikes. It did not provide evidence for the claim.

The post said three alleged narco-terrorists were killed on one vessel in the first engagement, and those aboard the other two boats jumped off before follow-up strikes sank the remaining ships.

The command immediately notified the Coast Guard to commence a search and rescue after the strikes, it said. The post did not say whether any were rescued. The call for Coast Guard assistance comes after the Pentagon faced scrutiny by lawmakers for a follow-up strike in September that killed two survivors of an initial attack.

On Dec. 30, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted kinetic strikes against three narco-trafficking vessels traveling as a convoy. These vessels were operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence pic.twitter.com/NHRNIzcrFS  U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) December 31, 2025

Tuesdays attack brings the total killed in the 33 known strikes on alleged drug boats to 110.

Tuesdays strikes are part of Operation Southern Spear and targeted what SOUTHCOM said were Designated Terrorist Organizations. It did not identify the organizations.

SOUTHCOM did not say where the attack on the convoy took place, instead saying the boats traveled along known narco-trafficking routes, in language it has previously used to describe similar strikes. The previous strikes have taken place in waters near Venezuela, usually in the Caribbean but also in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

President Donald Trump and others in his administration have said most of the Southern Spear strikes have targeted Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua, which the U.S. has labeled a foreign terrorist organization.

Trump has claimed the strikes have led to an about 97% drop in drug trafficking by sea.

The latest strikes come just about a week after the U.S. attacked a facility on Venezuelas coast on Dec. 24 that was allegedly used to load drug-smuggling boats.

That drone strike  the first known U.S. attack on Venezuelan soil  was conducted by the CIA, according to the New York Times, who cited unnamed American officials. The facility was believed to be used by Tren de Aragua in drug smuggling operations, the Times reported. No one was killed in that attack.

Stars and Stripes reporters Corey Dickstein and Svetlana Shkolnikova contributed to this report.
The 139th Medical Group partnered with the Naval Medical Center in San Diego to practice emergency simulations and sharpen their medical skills, July 15, 2025. (Audrey Chappell/U.S. Air National Guard)



WASHINGTON  The defense bill that President Donald Trump signed into law puts an end to many military experiments on cats and dogs and declares a ceasefire to shooting animals in trauma exercises.

The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, enacted Dec. 18, includes a provision that bans the Defense Department from continuing to conduct and sponsor painful research on domestic cats and dogs as live test subjects.

The bill also orders the Defense Department to ensure that it will not engage in live-fire trauma training that targets dogs, cats, nonhuman primates and marine mammals.

Supporters said the bill ends exercises that involved shooting, critically wounding and killing goats and pigs to help educate medics in treating combat injuries. The legislation directs the military to use technologically advanced human simulators instead.

The shift is part of a government-wide effort to phase out the use of live animals in federally sponsored tests, studies and training, with pressure growing from the Trump administration, Congress and animal welfare groups to end the practice.

The Navy in May implemented a total ban on experiments using cats and dogs. The Department of Veterans Affairs is phasing out research on cats, dogs and non-human primates.

The defense secretary can make exceptions in the interests of national security. Exemptions also may be made for training and studies related to military or service animals.

Lawmakers from both parties welcomed the restrictions on live-animal tests and trainings in the 2026 defense bill.

It is indefensible to waste tax dollars designed to boost our national security on cruel and pointless experiments on cats and dogs, said Sen. Jodi Ernst, R-Iowa, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard.

Research and testing methods involving dogs and cats are outdated. We must adopt more scientific approaches to improve lives, said Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., a former first lieutenant in the Air Force. The military, for example, increasingly uses technologically advanced human simulators that physicians say better prepare medics for battlefield injuries.

New restrictions on using domestic cats and dogs in military studies target research that is painful but does not end all experiments.

Defunded are animal experiments that cause significant and unrelieved pain and distress, under criteria set by the Agriculture Department.

Our investigation has identified at least 10 active military contracts worth roughly $29 million that are funding painful experiments on dogs and cats in laboratories around the world. These projects  and any others now or in the future  are prohibited from spending taxpayer dollars for painful tests on cats and dogs, said Justin Goodman, senior vice president for advocacy and public policy at White Coat Waste Project, a nonprofit that works to end animal testing by federal agencies.

The bills language banning the military from conducting live-fire trauma tests on animals identifies dogs, cats, nonhuman primates and marine mammals. But advocates say the prohibition applies to all animals. The defense secretary is directed to use alternatives that include advanced simulators, mannequins and cadavers.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which advocated for the ban, said it has worked for years to replace animals in trauma training with superior human-relevant simulators.

Live-fire trauma tests using animals have been banned in full by the Coast Guard and greatly reduced by the other armed forces, said Shalin Gala, PETA vice president.

But pigs and goats are still used for this training. With the passage of the NDAA, for the first time no live animals, including goats and pigs, will be shot for trauma training in 2026, Gala said.
Members of the Texas National Guard arrive on Oct. 7, 2025, at the Army Reserve Training Center in Elwood, Ill. (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune/TNS)



National Guard troops will be leaving Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland, Ore., President Donald Trump announced Wednesday in a post on Truth Social.

The deployments will end  for now, anyway  despite the fact that CRIME has greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact, Trump said.

We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again  Only a question of time! he said.

The president has made fighting crime a centerpiece of his second term, but the administrations push to deploy the troops in Democrat-led cities has been met with legal challenges at nearly every turn.

Troops had already left Los Angeles after the deployment earlier this year as part of a broader crackdown on not only crime but also immigration. National Guard troops had been sent to Chicago and Portland, but they were never on the streets as legal challenges played out.

The Trump administration has portrayed the cities as war-ravaged and lawless amid its crackdown on illegal immigration. Officials in the affected cities and states have said military intervention was not needed and that federal involvement is inflaming the situation.

In September, the president suggested to a collection of senior military officers that American cities should be used as training grounds to combat an invasion from within. Trump spoke of fighting foreign enemies alongside domestic ones that are more difficult in many ways because they dont wear uniforms and doubled down on sending the Guard into U.S. cities.

But legal challenges, including many losses in court, had complicated the administrations plans.

The Supreme Court in December refused to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area. The order was not a final ruling but was a significant and rare setback by the high court for the presidents efforts.

Hundreds of troops from California and Oregon were deployed to Portland, but a federal judge barred them from going on the streets. A judge permanently blocked the deployment of National Guard troops there in November after a three-day trial.

California National Guard troops had been removed from the streets of Los Angeles by Dec. 15 after a court ruling. But an appeals court had paused a separate part of the order that required control of the Guard to return to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

In a Tuesday court filing, the Trump administration said it was no longer seeking a pause in that part of the order. That paves the way for the California National Guard troops to fully return to state control after Trump federalized the Guard in June.

Trump also ordered the deployment of the Tennessee National Guard to Memphis in September, a move supported by the states Republican Gov. Bill Lee and senators. A Tennessee judge blocked the use of the Guard, siding with Democratic state and local officials who sued.

Contributing: The Associated Press; Tribune News Service
Wayne State University campus is seen in Detroit on March 5, 2024. (Daniel Mears, The Detroit News/TNS)



(Tribune News Service)  Wayne State University is seeking veterans with post traumatic stress disorder to participate in a study testing the impacts of cannabis use to treat the disorder.

During the clinical trials, veterans will participate in a 12-week treatment program testing varying levels of THC and CBD, two primary compounds found in cannabis, the university said in a press release earlier this month. Researchers will evaluate how these treatments affect mood, mental health, and overall well-being in participating veterans.

University researchers will run two studies as part of the research program titled Warrior C.A.R.E.: one to examine the use of cannabis for treating PTSD and suicidality in veterans, and the other to examine the use of cannabis, along with therapy, for treating PTSD and suicidality in veterans.

This study represents a critical step in addressing the mental health challenges facing veterans, said one of the projects lead investigators, Dr. Leslie Lundahl. By using rigorous scientific methods, we aim to understand whether cannabis can play a safe and effective role in improving veterans lives.

More than 6,400 U.S. military veterans died by suicide in 2022, the university said, and accounts for 15% of all adult suicide deaths.

Wayne State was awarded three grants totaling $30 million from the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency for its research.

The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act, which was approved by Michigan voters in November 2018, allowed for grants like the ones Wayne State received to study the potential medical effects of cannabis, said David Harns, public relations manager for the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency.

The law established the Marijuana Regulation Fund and directed the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency to allocate $40 million to support FDA-approved clinical trials focused on researching the efficacy of marijuana in treating medical conditions affecting U.S. armed services veterans and in addressing veteran suicide prevention, Harns said via email.

These grants were awarded through a Request for Proposals process and he said Wayne State University was selected because of its research capacity, academic expertise, and ability to conduct clinical trials that meet federal standards.

(This research has) potential to generate credible, evidence-based data on whether cannabis may offer therapeutic benefits for veterans experiencing conditions such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress, or other service-related health challenges, Harns said. By funding FDA-approved studies, the state aims to contribute meaningful findings that can inform medical practice, public policy, and future treatment options for veterans.

The Wayne State research team has now obtained all required federal, state, and local approvals for the first two grants and recruitment is now officially open, the university said in a release earlier this month.

Requirements for participants include: veteran status, ages 19-69, have smoked cannabis in the last year, experienced PTSD symptoms, and are willing to complete the screening process that includes clinical interviews, blood draws and saliva samples.

Veterans interested in participating in the study are asked to fill out a form on the research programs webpage and can call (313) 473-7733 with any questions.

2025 www.detroitnews.com.

Visit at detroitnews.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
World War II veteran B.L. Craighead Jr., of San Antonio, sits in the open cockpit of a Stearman biplane at Castroville Municipal Airport in Castroville, Texas, on Dec. 30, 2025. (Dream Flights)



An Army veteran who served as an aviator during World War II was given the chance to fly again for his 101st birthday, creating an unforgettable moment for himself and his family.

B.L. Craighead Jr., of San Antonio, flew in a vintage open-cockpit Stearman biplane  an aircraft he piloted during his World War II service  at Castroville Municipal Airport on his birthday Tuesday.

The flight experience was coordinated by Dream Flights, a nonprofit organization that takes Americas senior veterans on open-air flights in WWII-era biplanes. Since 2011, Dream Flights has flown in 49 states, honoring nearly 8,000 WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans with free flights.

About 40 of Craigheads family and friends gathered at the runway to witness the moment, and Julie, his granddaughter, said everyone cried throughout the day as they watched his reactions because it was so magical.

He was so happy, and it was just the best thing I could ever imagine, Julie said Wednesday. I cant ask for a better gift in the whole wide world.

Friends and family of World War II veteran B.L. Craighead Jr. stand on the runway at Castroville Municipal Airport in Castroville, Texas, on Dec. 30, 2025. (Dream Flights)



Julie also got the chance to be in another plane and taxi alongside Craighead to the end of the runway before he took off. She said he was overjoyed to see his granddaughter in a plane he had flown years ago during the war.

I was waving to him, and he had both of his hands up in the air, and he was waving and wanting to stand up, Julie said. Ive never seen him like that in my life.

Though Craighead is usually nervous about getting into bed for fear of falling, he was full of determination and excitement when it was time to climb into the plane.

Hunter Stuckey, the pilot who flew Craighead, said that once he was seated in the cockpit, memories of flying 80 years ago came flooding back to him.

He started saying, I remember,  said Stuckey. When we got up in the air, he was super animated and was just looking out the side the whole time.

Craighead, at 17, joined the newly formed Army Air Forces in 1941. He trained as a pilot at Sheppard Field, which is now Sheppard Air Force Base. He then became an instructor and flew out of Randolph Field, which is now Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, and other airfields across the state. He flew many different types of planes during his service.

Stuckey flew Craighead over the lake near where he grew up and then circled a nearby veterans community, where residents looked up and waved, recognizing the plane. They were in the air for 30 minutes.

The whole experience was just as good for me as it was for him, Stuckey said. He had a blast and so did I, which is awesome.

When they landed, Craigheads family and friends lined the runway and saluted as he taxied past. Stuckey said Craighead started crying out loud as he watched each of his loved ones display a sign of respect toward him.

I hope that the family saw him in his glory days, Stuckey said. Hes not sitting in a wheelchair. Hes in front of this cool airplane that he actually flew, and hes in here, looking cool with his helmet on and everything. This is the real dude right here.

Craighead is one of more than 1,000 WWII veterans who have been honored by Dream Flights. Following the flight, he took part in a tradition reserved for members of the Greatest Generation  signing his name on the aircrafts tail.

Im super thankful for all the freedoms that we have here in the country, and its all because of these dudes, Stuckey said. I just hope he (Craighead) knows that we all support him. Were on his team and everybody loves him.
Mumbais mangroves are a climate shield against storm surges, holding the shoreline in place and keeping the creeks alive. While the government highlights that the states mangrove cover is rising in assessments, the reality around the city is starkly different. The mangroves of Mumbai are dying.



A recent satellite-based assessment cited by activists has flagged large mangrove loss across the Mumbai and MMRs coastal belt. One of the primary triggers is dumping of debris, which allows for under-the-radar reclamation and ultimately, a quiet conversion of wetlands into buildable plots.



Mumbai Mirrors nine-point field map tracks the citys disappearing mangroves, detailing its the same story repeated across locations.



1) Diva-Mumbra: Mangroves vs the dump



Along the Thane-Diva belt, environmentalists have repeatedly alleged that unscientific dumping in and around the creek has destroyed mangrove patches as a slow-choke.



Its a familiar playbook: waste and debris change the intertidal profile, choke pneumatophores (breathing roots), cut off tidal exchange and the mangroves die standing. In June-August 2025, city-based environmental NGO Vanashakti wrote to the Forest Department, the Mangrove Cell, and the State Government, exposing details of how nearly 1,500 illegal hutments  some constructed with concrete  have occupied protected Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and mangrove zones.



Jayesh Gupta, a civil engineer and long-time environmental activist working in the Diva-Mumbra mangrove belt, said, Since 2016, slums have mushroomed rapidly across the Diva-Mumbra stretch. Weve repeatedly flagged the issue with the Mangrove Cell and other concerned authorities, but nothing has been done. Even solid waste dumping is rampant, and the Thane Municipal Corporation has turned a blind eye. This is a patternfirst, the mangroves are encroached, then theyre deemed degraded, and finally, the land is quietly handed over to the builder lobby and land mafia, Gupta told Mumbai Mirror.



2) Thane-Rabodi: Wetlands reshaped for work



In Rabodi, an environmentalists complaint this month alleged debris dumping on wetlands and mangrove damage linked to a helipad-related activity.



In a recent complaint to divisional commissioner Konkan, chief conservator of Forest (CCF), Environment and Police authorities, Vanashakti has alleged large-scale destruction of mangroves and illegal reclamation on CRZ-1B land in the heart of Thane  allegedly carried out by the Thane Police themselves.



The complaint, sent by Vanashakti Director Stalin Dayanand, raises serious questions about how reclamation work for a new road is being executed adjacent to the recently created helipad near the police ground at Rabodi.



3) Mangroves of Navi Mumbai



Earlier this year large-scale deforestation of mangroves and associated trees in Sector 52A of Nerul in Navi Mumbai by a private developer had sparked outrage among environmentalists and residents. The area, which falls under CRZ and is under the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (Cidco) is home to a diverse ecosystem, including flamingos, jackals, and mongooses.



Meanwhile in Airoli that sits beside one of the regions most publicly celebrated coastal ecosystems, activists have long flagged debris dumping and delayed enforcement in the mangrove belt. Authorities have carried out demolitions and removals in parts of Navi Mumbai including Airoli, Ghansoli, Nerul, Kharghar etc after pressure and notices, including action against unauthorised structures and clusters. While there are plans to build mangrove parks in Ghansoli and Airoli, the green patches are being systematically destroyed, activists have flagged.



But there is hope. In August 2020, Dharmesh Barai, a resident of Nerul, began cleaning the polluted shores alone. Today he leads a group of more than 90,000 volunteers, collectively known as the Environment Life Foundation. Together, they have successfully removed over 750 tonnes of waste from the mangroves.



4) Malwani: Debris mafia and demolitions



Recent official drives in Malwani have demolished hundreds of illegal structures in the mangrove zone, including permanent multi-storey constructions. On the ground, activists describe a system where mangroves are cut, the land stuffed with debris, and plots informally sold, with complaints, they say, routinely bouncing between offices.



The area frequently sees illegal structures built on mangrove land, leading to large-scale demolition drives, with recent actions in November 2025 clearing hundreds of hutments. These mangroves are vital for Mumbais survival, helping reduce flooding and supporting unique flora and fauna, making their preservation critical, said Naeem Kazmi, a school teacher and social activist. Projects like the Mumbai Coastal Road have led to debates and court permissions for mangrove felling, balanced byh compensatory afforestation plans.



5) Charkop Sector 08: A paper trail of warnings, assurances and limited accountability



Residents of Charkop Sector 08, through local groups and environmental activist Mili Kishore Shetty, have begun to formally objecting to the VersovaDahisar Coastal Road interchange alignment. Shetty filed an RTI with the BMC Bridges Department in May 2025, seeking approvals, drawings, work orders and environmental clearances related to the interchange near Charkop.



The Ministry of Environment & Forests (earlier clearance referenced) Documents show that the coastal road project has CRZ clearance, with conditions routed through the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA). However, residents argue that on-ground impacts at Charkop were never independently reassessed once final alignments and interchanges were fixed.



Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Mili Shetty, a Charkop resident and environmental activist, said, There are 22 residential towers on the northern side, while the southern edge is lined with mangroves, separated by a boundary wall. That stretch has effectively become an easy access point to the mangroves, and illegal debris dumping continues there.



6) Kannamwar NagarVikhroli: The takeover of leftover mangroves



The Vikhroli mangrove belt near Kannamwar Nagar has earlier seen re-encroachment after demolitions, supported by satellite comparisons over time. More recently, reports have described mangroves cut and land filled with debris to build rooms.



In September 2025, the Kannamwar Nagar belt joined Mumbais growing list of mangrove violation sites after police booked office-bearers of a local residential association for alleged destruction of mangroves and illegal construction.



7) Cuffe Parade: south mumbais invisible reclamation frontier



In South Mumbai, reports have pointed to illegal reclamation and a long-running encroachment build-up between Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade, with expansion accelerating in recent years. For decades, slums like Ambedkar Nagar grew on mangrove land, using bamboo stilts and debris, leading to habitat destruction. The Maharashtra Mangrove Cell has conducted major drives, clearing hundreds of illegal structures, often under court orders to protect mangroves. The core problem here is lack of jurisdictional clarity between multiple agencies, said K Rajeshwari, a local resident and a social activist.



8) Wadala: salt pans turning into new land (and a court-mandated clean-up)



Wadalas salt pan intertidal zone, parts of which host mangroves, has been repeatedly flagged for encroachment, cabins/huts, and debris dumping. After tribunal scrutiny, demolitions were carried out and authorities were pushed towards a time-bound remedial plan including restoration of mangroves  a rare instance where the system formally acknowledged both the damage and the need to reverse it. But restoration is the hard part: once tidal hydrology is altered and the substrate is compacted by debris, planting becomes cosmetic unless the wetland is allowed to breathe again.



9) DahisarBorivali: where mangroves disappear on paper before they vanish on ground



From Ganpat Patil Nagar and Kutchi Compound in Dahisar to Borkar Compound and the Essel WorldGorai belt in Borivali, official records reveal a familiar pattern in Mumbais mangrove battle: complaints pile up, inspections confirm violations, but enforcement gets trapped in a maze of maps, ownership claims and court stays.



In Borivali Wests EksarDharma Nagar belt, repeated complaints by residents and activists flagged large-scale debris dumping, blockage of tidal channels and permanent constructions creeping into mangrove buffer zones. A criminal case has since been registered under planning and environmental laws, and the BMC issued demolition and regularisation notices. However, the landowner moved court and secured an interim stay.



Further north, in the Essel WorldGorai stretch, a PIL has been filed documenting alleged reclamation of CRZ-I land, obstruction of tidal flow and conversion of wetlands into buildable plots over more than a decade, despite repeated High Court interventions and reports by the Mangrove Cell.



Ganpat Patil Nagar in Dahisar has been on the mangrove conflict map for nearly three decades. Residents and activists have repeatedly alleged encroachments, debris dumping and even deliberate burning to clear land for further tenements despite repeated demolition drives. Every inspection confirms dumping and construction, yet action gets stalled over maps, ownership disputes and court stays, said Harish Pandey, activist and member of the New Link Road Residents Forum.



QUOTE BOX:



Mumbai needs a unified coastal enforcement command, bringing together the collector, forest department, police and ward machinery, backed by a public. Night-time ferrying of construction debris by trucks must face a crackdown through GPS-tagging and route audits of C&D waste carriers, with instant seizure for dumping near creeks. Demolition alone doesnt work because violators treat them as a business expense. We need time-bound prosecution



Stalin Dayanand, environmentalist and director of NGO, Vanashakti
SIDNEY - There was a bittersweet edge to the air as the All is Bright tour concluded its final day on Sunday, December 21, 2025, particularly for Kendra Mitchell, the woman responsible for bringing the tour to life each year.

"We're so excited for Christmas, glad to be done with the year," Mitchell said. "It's been great. I've seen a ton of people, both from around our community and from outside the community, so it's been a really good year."

The final All is Bright weekend featured Tinsel and Tacky Weekend, where guests embraced their tackiest outfits and wore necklaces of tinsel. The fun continued with appearances from the Grinch and his dog on Saturday, who posed for photos with visitors, and a mysterious penguin making an appearance on Sunday.

The kids' corner remained a highlight for families, with a different craft offered each night. On Friday, children made snowman tealights. Saturday brought back the salt painting activity from sensory night, and Sunday featured pipe-cleaner snowflakes. All crafts were funded by the Cheyenne County Tourism Board.

Concessions were also successful, with the Table of Grace, Sidney Practical Shooters, and Leyton High School senior Macey Roelle running the stand over the final weekend to raise funds for their respective causes. Mitchell noted Roelle participated to earn money for a school trip, showcasing her dedication and hard work.

This year's tour also featured a tree decorating competition, with more than 60 businesses participating. Visitors voted on the best-decorated trees, judging them for ornaments, themes, and creativity. Security First Bank sponsored prizes, including trophies and a cash donation to a charity chosen by each winning business.

Pedaler's Corner earned third place with a bike-themed tree and selected Elk Lodge renovations as the recipient of a $50 donation. Smoker Friendly took second place with a vibrant flamingo-themed tree and chose Sidney Middle School for a $100 donation.

The first-place winner was Blackburn Eye Clinic, which featured a pastel glasses theme inspired by the phrase "spectacular spectacles." Evie Blackburn, credited by her husband, Dr. Sean Blackburn, for designing the decorations, said the project was both fun and a way to participate in the community.

"I love Christmas, love decorating, so this was just a great opportunity to do both," Evie said. "And yet really just be part of the community and see how creative so many of our businesses and organizations are, so it was super exciting."

Blackburn Eye Clinic's first-place prize included a $200 donation, which the business chose to give to the Table of Grace food pantry.

An honorable mention went to the Elston House, earning the kids' choice award based on votes from students who attended the tour on field trips during the final week.

Businesses have until January 11, 2026, to take down their decorations. Otherwise, Mitchell said they will either be stored or discarded as the trees are packed away for next year.

"I hate taking Christmas decorations down," Mitchell said. "But it has to happen."

This year's tour drew nearly 4,500 visitors, a 27% increase over last year's 3,538 attendees. This includes about 600 K-6 students, along with teachers and staff from area schools, that attended through field trips.

"It just keeps getting bigger," Mitchell said. "People coming and then telling their friends and family is how this is growing a lot. It's hard to describe what this event is on a flyer or an ad; after you come see it, you understand."

While plans for next year's tour are not yet finalized, Mitchell said that they already have ideas for new additions, but she declined to spoil the surprises.

"It will be different next year," Mitchell said. "It's always a little bit different in here. You'll just have to wait and see."
POTTER - Local business owner Drew Enevoldsen will open a new business, The Depot, on January 19, 2026, on Chestnut Street in Potter.

"I'm just hoping to see everybody on January 19," Enevoldsen said. "Come help us dream and see what this place could potentially be."

The Depot will combine several services under one roof, including a general store, remote office space, and a rentable commercial kitchen. The for use kitchen is one of only 14 in Nebraska, with the nearest comparable facility currently located in Gering.

For entrepreneurs looking to sell food products to the public, access to leased commercial kitchen space can significantly expand business opportunities. Enevoldsen said the kitchen allows local food artisans to produce goods more efficiently, increasing both inventory and potential profit.

Nebraska's Cottage Food Law, passed in 2019 under Legislative Bill 304, limits entrepreneurs who prepare food outside a commercial kitchen from selling their products through restaurants or retail stores. While direct to consumer sales remain legal, such as at farmers markets or seasonal events, the law restricts third party retail involvement. Enevoldsen said access to a commercial kitchen can help entrepreneurs move beyond those limitations.

The concept represents a groundbreaking approach to supporting small, grassroots businesses by lowering barriers to entry for aspiring entrepreneurs. By offering access to licensed facilities and shared resources, the space creates an opportunity for individuals who might otherwise be unable to launch a business. The availability of such a facility is also expected to draw interest from beyond the immediate area, as similar opportunities are limited across the region.

"The Cottage Law is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to see if they want to be bakers," Enevoldsen said. "But it's limiting."

As an added benefit, Enevoldsen said kitchen renters will also have the option to sell their products in the attached store for a commission. He said several vendors have already signed on. Products will range from salt and hot sauce to a limited selection of meats and dog food. The store will also carry staple items such as milk and eggs.

Enevoldsen said the kitchen is already licensed and inspected by the state of Nebraska. To meet requirements, the facility includes an automatically closing door, five dedicated sinks with required cleaning chemicals, and temperature monitored refrigeration.

According to Enevoldsen, the kitchen is fully equipped for bakers and food producers. Equipment includes commercial ovens, proofers, a stand up mixer, and a granite pastry table sourced from a former candy shop in Estes, Colorado.

Anyone planning to use the facility to prepare food that will be sold or offered to the public will be required to first complete a Food Handler's Safety course. The course is available both online and in person. For more information or to enroll, individuals can contact Becky Falconer at 402 430 3471.

The Depot will also welcome youth entrepreneurs. Enevoldsen said he hopes to eventually create a dedicated space for young business owners and host trade shows highlighting Cheyenne County's youngest entrepreneurs.

"Whatever it is that they're going, it has to be their project though," Enevoldsen said. "I'm all for the parents helping, but I don't want it to be just the parents' business and the kids just sit there. We really want to encourage, especially local kids like in Cheyenne County, Kimball area, that it's exciting to try to develop a business idea that can stay here."

Enevoldsen also owns Chuckaboo Station, a coffee shop, bar, and pizza restaurant. He said the idea for The Depot grew from repeatedly having to turn away entrepreneurs due to Cottage Food Law restrictions.

At the same time, he recognized the former Potter Co Op Food Store building, which closed in 2011, as an ideal location.

"I've just always been a creator, naturally, so I'm always looking for ways to create new spaces, create new opportunities," Enevoldsen said. "I wouldn't say it's necessarily food. I like the challenge of making something and seeing a need and filling a need."

Work on the project began a year and a half ago. After considering several names, Enevoldsen settled on The Depot, citing Potter's railroad history and the building's resemblance to a train station. More importantly, he said the name reflects the sense of community he hopes to foster.

"The main idea of the depot was just the fact that that's where people would gather, like a train station," Enevoldsen said. "All sorts of different people come together, like where your different train lines cross, so this is where we want all the different business venues to come across each other."

Renovations focused on updating insulation and installing appropriate equipment. Enevoldsen also launched a website and social media presence for the business.

Those interested in renting kitchen or office space, or selling products through The Depot, can visit potterdepot.com or call 970 324 4193. The Depot is located at 322 Chestnut Street in Potter.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Julie Abbott, a Republican who served in the Onondaga County Legislature from 2019 before losing in the November election, will start a part-time job with the county on New Years Day.

Abbott will become an administrative assistant in the countys Water Environment Protection Department, which runs the countys wastewater treatment system, according to paperwork filed with the county Comptrollers Office.

She has been a member of the Legislatures Environmental Protection Committee since 2019 and chair since 2022. That committee oversees WEP projects and spending.

Abbott, a former NewsChannel 9 broadcaster who lives in Skaneateles, will be paid $31.20 per hour.

That would add up to $32,000 in earnings a year. The legislator job pays $38,478 a year.

She would be able to keep county health benefits if she works at least 20 hours a week, said county Comptroller Marty Masterpole.

According to the countys personnel department, being an administrative assistant involves responsibility for assisting department heads or program administrators in the performance of a wide range of administrative duties.

County Executive Ryan McMahon appointed Abbott to the legislatures 6th district in 2019 to fill a vacancy. She won election three times, but lost to Democrat Greg Eriksen in November as Democrats reclaimed the majority for the first time in nearly 50 years.

The district includes all of Skaneateles, Marcellus and Spafford, and part of Camillus.

Abbott was one of four Republican legislators who lost to Democrats in November. None of the other three Republicans have been named to county jobs, Masterpole said.

Abbott, a Syracuse University graduate, is a real estate agent. She began her career as a journalist with WSYR, where she was on the talk show Bridge Street.

Abbott did not respond to messages today seeking comment.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- On his last day as mayor, Ben Walsh praised the work of his snow plow drivers during the biggest storm in 80 years in the snowiest major city in America.

Then, he ordered workers to be ready for the next squalls, which are expected to start tonight, just before the New Years ball drops on his eight years in office.

The citys snow plow service fumbled in a brief, six-inch dump Friday night and Saturday morning. City officials owned up to their poor plow management and promised to do better.

So when the next storm rolled in, Walsh said, they were prepared.

Tuesday, two feet of snow landed on Syracuse streets  the highest single-day total since 1946.

This time, Walsh said, the city public works commissioner had ordered enough snow plow drivers to work overtime. The maintenance staff had 18 big plows ready for service. They pulled in a dozen other smaller plows and trucks.

Residents, let down by the weekend service, stood ready to judge as they watched the snow fall. A video of a stuck plow circulated on social media.

Walsh was also watching. He saw a plow drive by his house on Austin Avenue at about 12:30 a.m. By the time the sun rose, the street was again covered in snow.

If I had not literally seen the plow go down my street at 12:30 a.m., I would not have believed that a plow went down the street, he said.

Walsh drove down Bellevue Avenue to City Hall. Later he drove his daughter to the East Side. All of the citys main arteries were navigable, he said.

By Wednesday morning, the only places left to plow were narrow streets where at least 150 illegally parked cars blocked the way, he said.

I think people take it for granted when they talk about how they remember it back in the day, he said. If youre not 80 years old, you dont remember a storm like we had yesterday.

Walsh went on a short defensive rant about the communitys response to the latest storm.

He said he has made snow removal a priority in his administration. Eight years ago, the citys fleet of serviceable large plows was depleted and aging fast. Just 13 plows were available ahead of major storms in 2020. He brought the number up to 23 with two more on order.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh speaks before unveiling the names of three new snowplows at a press conference Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. The city's Golden Snowball trophy sits on the podium. (Jeremy Boyer I JBoyer@syracuse.com) Jeremy Boyer I JBoyer@syracuse.com

Walsh said he asked the staff to measure the streets, so they could alert people who live on the most narrow streets to be sure to park on the correct side during a storm.

During Walshs term, the city has expanded a program to plow sidewalks when it snows three inches or more. The city now plows 145 miles of sidewalks.

Walsh said he also hired a fleet manager and urged the city to hire subcontractors to help. Only one responded.

Hiring drivers has been difficult. Pay is lower than private contractors and the city has not negotiated a new contract with the union since 2021. He said they have been unable to find a way to offer incentives outside of the contract.

Its not as simple as just giving people a raise, he said.

The city has ordered a full staff of snow plow drivers to report to work today and Thursday, which is New Years Day, and through the weekend, he said.

The city did not mandate enough drivers to work last weekend because they underestimated the expected snow fall. Walsh called that a miscue.

Lesson learned there, he said. But we are (fully staffed) now and I think the proof is in the performance.

At midnight, Walsh hands the snow plowing over to the next mayor, his current Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens.

What advice does he have for her?

Just continue to raise the bar, he said. Ive set the bar high.

Drivers take note: There is a special Syracuse parking phenomenon tonight that affects which side of the street is legal for parking.

The city has odd-even parking, which means cars have to move to the opposite side of the street most days at 6 p.m.

But today is an odd day followed by another odd day  December 31 and January 1.

So that means cars that park on the odd side after 6 p.m. Wednesday can stay put on Thursday night.

Illegally parked cars could be ticketed or towed. Two dozen cars were towed Tuesday.
Syracuse, N.Y.  In a historic moment for the city of Syracuse, Sharon Owens took the oath of office Wednesday evening, becoming the citys first Black mayor.

Owens, 62, is the citys 55th mayor in its 177-year history. She is the second woman to hold the position.

The swearing-in ceremony was held in Syracuses City Hall before about 30 family members, friends, supporters, city officials and reporters.

People crowded into the mayors office for the ceremony.

There was a buzz of excitement throughout the room with one supporter exclaiming to Owens husband, Shaun Owens, Wow, this is really happening, oh my goodness!

Shaun Owens held the Bible during the ceremony as his wife was sworn in. They were joined by their daughter, Simone, and son, Isaac.

Syracuse City Court Judge Staci Dennis-Taylor gave the oath. Owens repeated after Dennis-Taylor, promising to perform her role to the best of her ability while upholding the state and national constitutions.

Outgoing Mayor Ben Walsh, joined by his family, was the first to applaud after Owens was sworn in.

Owens signed the official oath book of the City of Syracuse under the watch of City Clerk Patricia McBride.

I am not going to cry, Owens said immediately after the ceremony, before thanking God and her supporters for believing in her. Lets kick butt for this city.

The group then walked to the hall where Owens photograph was unveiled on a wall that features photos of the citys mayors. Her photo appears in color. Walshs previous color photo was replaced by a black and white copy to match the previous mayors.

Walsh and his family quietly snuck out as Owens answered questions, but not before the two shared a big hug.

This moment has been a long time coming for Owens, who has worked in public service for over 40 years after arriving at Syracuse University from her hometown of Geneva in 1981.

Owens overwhelmingly won Novembers mayoral election, getting 73.5% of the vote.

Earlier, Owens secured a similarly decisive 62% of the vote to win the Democratic mayoral primary despite the Onondaga County Democratic Committee endorsing opponent Pat Hogan.

Owens spent the last eight years as deputy mayor for Walsh, who reached his term limit and could not run again.

After graduating from SU in 1985, Owens spent time as a key figure working with nonprofit organizations throughout the community including the Dunbar Center, PEACE Inc., Jubilee Homes and Home Headquarters.

She also worked as the deputy commissioner of neighborhood development under the last female mayor, Stephanie Miner, where she worked alongside Walsh. Walsh made her his second-in-command after he became mayor in 2018.

As deputy mayor, Owens had key involvement in the citys police reform efforts, forming the gun violence reduction office and strengthening housing policies.

Owens said Wednesday night that she was not done fighting for affordable housing in the city, mentioning modular and pre-built homes as an avenue forward that she has already been discussing.

She also said replacing the citys lead pipes, straightening out the budget and developing the Inner Harbor are other challenges she plans to attack soon.

Owens said she already has her executive staff lined up and they have a meeting scheduled Monday to get the gears turning. She said she would be ready for any challenge as soon as tomorrow.
As Mumbai prepares for the BMC elections, political parties appear united in public, but their candidate lists reveal internal turmoil and tough decisions. Several senior local leaders, including former winners, have been dropped.



This election cycle reflects a visible shift in priorities, driven by family influence, linguistic arithmetic, internal factionalism and alliance seat-sharing compulsions. For at least five former corporators who once won convincingly, the contest ended even before nomination day.



Samita Kamble



Samita Kamble, a two-time corporator from Mulund West, is known for local work. Despite her record, the BJP replaced her with Neil Somaiya, son of a senior leader. Somaiyas original ward in Mulund East became reserved, prompting the party to relocate him. The move effectively pushed Kamble out of contention and reignited questions within the party about if family weight is now outweighing local seniority and past performance.



Sources say when Kamble demanded a ticket from the ward, she was informed that since it is an open ward, priority will be given to make candidates. Sources further say that her husband Vinod Kamble, a former district head of the party, also sought a ticket from the same ward, along with five other party workers. The multiple claims further complicated the internal decision-making process. I was not upset with the party. My roots belong to the party, and I have always worked for it, she said, seeking to downplay speculation of discontent



Bhalchandra Shirsat



In Ghatkopar East, the BJP denied a ticket to Bhalchandra Shirsat, a two-time corporator and former leader of the BJP group in the BMC. Shirsat was prepared to contest from Ward 130, which is reserved for OBC candidates. However, the party reportedly opted for Dharmesh Giri to maintain what leaders described as linguistic balance in an area with a substantial Gujarati-speaking population.



In nearby wards, the BJP has already fielded two Marathi-speaking candidates, prompting a strategic recalibration. Out of six wards in the Ghatkopar area, other prominent faces in the contest include Rakhi Jadhav, who earlier joined the BJP from the Sharad Pawar camp, and former corporator Ritu Tawde. Shirsat did not respond to repeated calls for comment.



Santosh Dhuri



In Worli, alliance politics proved decisive in ending the electoral plans of Santosh Dhuri, a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader close to Raj Thackeray and a former corporator elected in 2012. Dhuri was keen to contest from Ward 192, but the seat was allotted to Shiv Sena (UBT) under the opposition alliances seat-sharing arrangement. Compounding his exclusion, Sena (UBT) MLC Sunil Shinde threw his weight behind his brother Nishikant Shinde, leaving Dhuri with no viable political space in the ward.



Sagar Singh Thakur



In Kandivali, Sagar Singh Thakur, a two-time corporator who has previously been associated with both the BJP and the Congress, was denied a ticket despite Ward 29 being an open seat. Party sources attributed his exclusion to intense internal clashes and factional disputes within the local unit. Instead, BJP worker Nitin Chauhan has been nominated from the ward. Thakur, like several others in similar situations, did not respond to calls.



Sheetal Mhatre



In Dahisar, two-time Shiv Sena corporator Sheetal Mhatre will not be contesting the upcoming election. Unlike others, Mhatre has said the decision was her own.



I decided not to contest the election and will work for the party, she said. Mhatre, a spokesperson of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is a prominent woman leader of the party.




Standing side-by-side with President Donald Trump outside his residence in Palm Beach, Florida, dressed in a twinning suit and tie, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu grinned as the US leader responded to a question from a reporter about whether his Israeli counterpart should be pardoned in his trial for bribery and fraud.



Hes a wartime prime minister who is a hero, Trump said. How do you not give a pardon? I think its a very hard thing not to do it.



While the meeting on Monday at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate focused on pressing Middle East issues such as Iran and Trumps 20-point peace plan for Gaza, for Netanyahu, it was also a domestic power play.



The premiers visit to the US paused his cross-examination in Case 4000, in which Netanyahu is charged with bribery and fraud for allegedly advancing regulatory decisions in exchange for favourable press coverage. Netanyahu has denied all charges and described the case as a witch hunt.



The trip also gave Netanyahu a PR boost ahead of elections in Israel in the new year. They will be the first since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which shattered his security credentials in the eyes of much of the public. During their joint news conference, Trump repeatedly praised Netanyahu, saying that if there had been another leader in place on October 7, its possible Israel would not exist right now.



Netanyahus critics have accused him of dragging out regional conflicts and amping up alleged threats from Iran to distract from his legal woes and the probing of the security failings that led to the attacks.



But ever a political survivor, Netanyahu, Israels longest-serving prime minister, has managed to cling to his position as a seemingly endless slew of domestic scandals and investigations have nipped at his heels.



Recently, Israeli media outlets have published reports detailing what they said were missed warnings from Egypt about the security situation in Gaza ahead of October 7. Also, whats known as Qatargate in Israel  an allegation that members of the prime ministers office were paid by Qatar to promote its interests  has returned to haunt Netanyahu as new details leaked online.



Opposition politicians in Israel have described the Qatar-related accusation as an act of treason and demanded Netanyahus resignation.



In Gaza, Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition have been reluctant to move forward with a US-backed ceasefire agreement brokered in October. But the next phase could pave the way for a return of the Palestinian Authority, the body that governs the Palestinian-controlled parts of the West Bank, as well as new Palestinian police forces and near-total Israeli withdrawal.



Ahead of the meeting in Florida, there was an expectation that Trump is going to let Bibi have it over Gaza, said Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to the United States. But the appearance by the two leaders appeared to be pretty much a love fest, he said.



Oren said one of the most remarkable comments came from Trump when he pledged potential military action against Iran. I hope theyre not trying to build up again, Trump said of Tehrans missile arsenal. The US also carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear sites in June. Because if they are, were going to have no choice but very quickly to eradicate that buildup, he said.



Despite criticism from his MAGA base that he is prioritising foreign policy over domestic issues, Trump put a credible military threat back on the table, Oren said, adding that Netanyahus decision to tell Trump he had been awarded the Israel Prize, the states highest cultural honour, appealed to the presidents ego.



Netanyahu is legally obliged to hold elections this year. His Likud party took a beating in opinion polls after October 7, but has clawed its way back to the top spot, with a slim lead over its nearest rival.



Netanyahu will conduct polls over the weekend, and if the needle moves even slightly, I believe he will trigger elections, said Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.



The Washington Post




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Netflix is kicking off 2026 with a bang, thanks to the return of one of its most successful shows  and the addition of one of cinemas most bankable franchises.

This month will see the streamer bounce back from two huge removals by releasing part one of Bridgertons fourth season, starring Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha in the lead roles.

Therell also be a new crime thriller from Joe Carnahan starring real-life friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, and rock climber Alex Honnold, the subject of documentary Free Solo, will free climb Tapei 101, one of the planet's tallest skyscrapers, in a live special set to air through the night in the UK.

But in the US, the streamers biggest moment will be every James Bond film becoming available on Netflix for the first time. Their addition arrives following a licensing deal with Amazon MGM Studios, who owns the rights.

Find the full list of every new release arriving on Netflix in January 2026 below  and a rundown of everything being removed here.

NB: The Independent put this list together with help from Whats on Netflix.

ORIGINAL

Movies

9 January

People We Meet on Vacation  UK/US

16 January

The Rip  UK/US

21 January

Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart  UK/US

22 January

Cosmic Princess Kaguya!  UK/US

23 January

The Big Fake  UK/US

open image in gallery ( Netflix )

Television

1 January

Dr Seusss Red Fish, Blue Fish season two  UK/US

Love from 9 to 5 season one  UK/US

My Korean Boyfriend season one  UK/US

Run Away season one  UK/US

Time Flies season one  UK/US

2 January

Land of Sin season one  UK/US

5 January

Defying Destiny season one  UK/US

7 January

Unlocked: A Jail Experiment season two  UK/US

8 January

HIS & HERS season one  UK/US

Love is Blind: Germany season two  UK/US

9 January

Alpha Males season four  UK/US

13 January

The Boyfriend season two  UK/US

14 January

Taskaree: The Smugglers Web season one  UK/US

The Queen of Flow season three  UK/US

15 January

Agatha Christies Seven Dials season one  UK/US

Love Through a Prism season one  UK/US

To Love, To Lose season one  UK/US

The Upshaws part seven  UK/US

16 January

Can This Love Be Translated? season one  UK/US

No Tail to Tell season one  UK/US

20 January

Star Search season one  UK/US

WWE: Unreal season two  UK/US

22 January

Finding Her Edge season one  UK/US

23 January

Skyscraper Live  UK/US

29 January

Bridgerton season four, volume one  UK/US

open image in gallery Luke Thompson is leading 'Bridgerton' season five ( Netflix )

Documentary

27 January

Take That  UK/US

Comedy

7 January

Marcello Hernandez: American Boy  UK/US

27 January

Mike Epps: Delusional  UK/US

LICENCED

Movies

1 January

Becky  UK

Bleeding Tiger: Resolution  US

Bruno  US

Colombiana  US

Conan the Destroyer  US

Dawn of the Dead (2004)  US

Despicable Me  US

Despicable Me 2  US

District 9  US

Dune (2021)  US

Erin Brockovich  US

Facing the Giants  US

Ford v Ferrari  US

Forever My Girl  US

Free Solo  US

Ghostbusters (2016)  US

Green Room  US

Harry and the Hendersons  US

Hellboy (2004)  US

Johnny Mnemonic  US

Just Go With It  US

Lies We Tell  US

Lone Survivor  US

Man on Fire  US

The Miracle Season  US

Monty Pythons The Meaning of Life  US

Mr Malcolms List  US

My Girl  US

Only the Brave  US

Pitch Perfect  US

Pitch Perfect 2  US

Priscilla  US

Raging Bull  UK

30 Minutes or Less  US

12 Years A Slave  US

Twins  US

Wild Things  US

The Vanishing of Sidney Hall  US

2 January

After the Quake  US

3 January

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire  UK

5 January

The Life of Chuck  UK

open image in gallery Tom Hiddleston in The Life of Chuck ( Neon )

7 January

Good Night, and Good Luck: Live from Broadway  UK

9 January

Depeche Mode: M UK/US

Stone Cold Fox  US

The Threesome  US

12 January

Bob Marley: One Love  US

14 January

Distorted  US

15 January

Amish Stud  US

Bone Lake  US

The Children Act  US

James Bond collection  US

Dr No

From Russia with Love

Goldfinger

Thunderball

You Only Live Twice

On Her Majestys Secret Service

Diamonds Are Forever

Live and Let Die

The Man with the Golden Gun

The Spy Who Loved Me

Moonraker

For Your Eyes Only

Octopussy

A View to a Kill

The Living Daylights

Licence to Kill

GoldenEye

Tomorrow Never Dies

The World Is Not Enough

Die Another Day

Casino Royale

Quantum of Solace

Skyfall

Spectre

No Time to Die

Never Say Never Again

Kumiko: The Treasure Hunter  US

The Royal We  US

Suitcase Killer: The Melanie McGuire  US

16 January

Licorice Pizza  US

25 January

Chatroom UK

Ordinary Angels  UK

open image in gallery Ordinary Angels is arriving on Netflix (  2023 Lionsgate )

Television

1 January

Detective Conan collection three  US

Falling Skies season one to five  US

The Good Doctor season one to seven  UK

Physical: Welcome to Mongolia season one (new episodes weekly)  US

Transformers: Earthspark season three  US

2 January

Found season one to two  US

Grizzly & The Lemmings season four  US

Your Turn to Kill season one  US

3 January

The Following season one to three  US

6 January

Good Cop / Bad Cop season one  US

7 January

11.22.63 season one

9 January

Prodigal Son season one to two  US

14 January

Veronica Mars season one to three  US

16 January

Southland season one to five  US

19 January

Sandokan season one  US

open image in gallery Freddie Highmore in The Good Doctor ( ABC / screengrab )

20 January

Just a Dash season one to three  US

Rizzoli & Isles season one to seven  US

24 January

Agatha Christies Poirot  UK

26 January

My Sesame Street Friends: My Sesame Music  US
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Think of a David Attenborough documentary, and certain scenes will inevitably come to mind. Elephants striding across the savanna; polar bears hunting atop a frigid tundra; vividly strange deep-sea fish zipping through a coral reef. The 99-year-old documentarians latest project, Wild London, confronts us with images that are both more and less familiar. A pigeon boarding a train on the London Undergrounds Circle line. Two foxes fighting in front of a red Mini. Snakes winding their way along Regents Canal. Its wildlife youve probably seen with your own eyes, captured with an intimacy you almost certainly havent.

Throughout my life, Ive had the good fortune to travel the world, witnessing many natural spectacles, Attenborough says at the start of the programme. But this is the place to which Ive always returned. A sprawling megacity may seem no home for a nature lover like me, but there is a wild side to London. Its clear from the off that this is something of a more personal undertaking for the TV veteran, who has lived in London for nearly his entire life. It was, says Passion Planets Gaby Bastyra  an executive producer of Wild London  a no brainer to make this standalone programme with Attenborough, who has witnessed a centurys worth of changes to Londons ecosystem firsthand.

We wanted to focus on the attitude towards nature that [Attenborough] can bring, she tells me. Hes been instrumental in that, bringing wildlife to the world, and I think even he was surprised by some of the stories. Its true: in one segment of the programme, we see Attenborough examine the successfully reintroduced wild beavers living in Ealing. Its a development he never thought he would live to see. If someone had told me when I first moved here that one day I would be watching wild beavers in London, I would have thought they were mad, he says, emotively.

Working with Attenborough was incredibly inspiring, says Bastyra. Hes so knowledgeable, she continues, and hes still, if I dare say, so interested, and still learning and open to learning. I think he really enjoyed it, too. Attenborough, she points out, more or less invented the nature documentary genre. Therell never be anything quite like a David Attenborough documentary, she adds. Even though this isnt a long series, its slightly more intimate in some ways.

There is, its true, a real sense of the up-close-and-personal to Wild London. Attenborough is physically present on screen (not just narrating, as has been the case with some of his recent projects), and can be seen reminiscing, lying in the grass, and handling animals himself (including, for what is said to be the first time, a baby peregrine falcon). With just a few months left until his centennial, its spiriting to watch him speak with such enthusiasm and sincerity, still undulled by age and experience. And the specificity of Londons wildlife really does seem to mean something to him. You just slightly assume that Attenborough lives somewhere in the countryside, with gambolling deer and bunnies coming up to him, Bastyra says. But hes chosen to live in London, and loves coming home to it when hes done with his travels. So theres something really lovely about the connection to his home, that resonates through the film.

Wild London is obviously not the first nature documentary to be shot within an urban environment. Recent Attenborough docs such as A Perfect Planet, The Green Planet and Planet Earth III have all featured episodes dedicated to the interactions between wildlife and the human world. Wild London is unusual, however, in this being its entire purview  and filming it involved its own specific set of challenges.

open image in gallery Attenborough with a harvest mouse in Greenford, London ( BBC/Passion Planet Ltd )

Because its a city, there are a lot of people around, says Bastyra. And there are a lot of different permissions to gain. If youre filming in Yellowstone [national park], you get a permit to film in Yellowstone, and thats all you need, for many square miles. In London, you could be filming on one side of the road, and if the animal moves to the other side, it becomes a different authority, and you need a different permission. Thats part of the job, but it was just much more intense.

To make matters more complicated, Wild London was produced on a short turnaround (for a nature doc), shooting having only begun in March; the unusually hot, dry summer was a stroke of good fortune, keeping the animal subjects visible and lively. (When the weathers bad, it doesnt look good on camera, and animals quite often hide away.)

Naturally, Wild London, co-produced by the London Wildlife Trust,will probably carry the most interest for the 9 million-odd people who live in the UKs capital. But there are worthwhile messages here for everyone. The biggest misconception people have about Londons wildlife, explains David Mooney, the organisations chief executive, is that there is no wildlife  or that the wildlife is just pests. But London is actually nearly 50 per cent green space. Its a massive metropolis, and wildlife is thriving.

open image in gallery Fine-feathered friends: Attenborough and a peregrine chick at the Houses of Parliament, London ( BBC/Passion Planet Ltd )

In fact, as [Attenborough] says in the documentary, theres actually more of a thriving ecosystem in some parts of London than there is in rural areas  because there are no pesticides. Intensive agriculture, adds Mooney, can do fast damage to the ecological ecosystem of the open countryside.

Over the course of Attenboroughs seven-decade career as a nature documentarian, the focus has shifted increasingly towards the existential threats animals face because of humankind: the climate emergency is a glaring presence in every recent Attenborough project. Wild London is, though, a hopeful programme, one that tempers its account of ecosystems-under-threat with genuine success stories.

Its about making people aware of whats right under their noses, as well, says Bastyra. Its about coexistence. Foxes are a good example. Everyone gets annoyed  they rip your bins, and make noise, and leave rubbish everywhere. But they are this incredible animal, and theyre just trying to take dinner for their babies, you know? When you see a fox family rearing, and you see those beautiful little cubs, you just want them to do well and survive.

Weve got to share this space, she adds, and we dont have any more right to be here than them.

Wild London airs on New Years Day at 6.30pm on BBC One and on iPlayer
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The Great British Bake Off is set to introduce an innovative audience choice week in its upcoming series, allowing viewers to directly influence the baking challenges.

Contestants will prepare bakes suggested by fans at home, which will then be assessed as normal by judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith.

Viewers can submit their ideas via channel4.com/takepart, with a deadline of 18 January.

For the first time ever, Prue and I are going to be sharing the reins for this audience choice week, Hollywood said.

We want to give our brilliant viewers the chance to help shape the show, and see their ideas come to life in the tent.

Hollywood said he is really looking forward to seeing what great ideas come through.

open image in gallery Noel Fielding, Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith and Alison Hammond on The Great British Bake Off ( Channel 4 )

People often come up to me in the street with challenges they wish they could see on the show, well now is the perfect opportunity!

Dame Prue said: Im really looking forward to Bake Offs very first audience choice week, giving the shows fans the opportunity to have their say about what bakes theyd like to see in the tent.

The Great British Bake Off will return to Channel 4 later this year.

In November, Jasmine Mitchell, a 23-year-old medical student from Edinburgh, was crowned the victor of 2025s series after making the largest cake in Bake Off history.

open image in gallery Jasmine Mitchell won the Great British Bake Off in 2025 ( Channel 4 )

Previous winners have included Georgie Grasso, Matty Edgell, Syabira Yusoff and Giuseppe DellAnno.

Mitchell said she was overjoyed after her 1.2-metre showstopper led to her season 16 triumph over fellow competitors Tom Arden and Aaron Mountford-Myles.

She received two Hollywood handshakes during her time on the show  and became the second contestant in Bake Off history to receive five Star Baker wins.

Hollywood said that Mitchell was the best winner the show had had in a while.
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Netflixs hit sci-fi series Stranger Things has come to an end after nearly a decade  but the finale has drawn wildly polarised reactions from fans.

The final episode of the show, titled Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up, debuted on the streaming service during the early hours of New Years Day (in the UK), a week after the previous batch of episodes dropped.

Spoilers follow for the Stranger Things finale... you have been warned!

In the final episode of the show, the heroes from Hawkins, Indiana, ultimately manage to defeat Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), thanks to the supernatural abilities of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Will Byers (Noah Schnapp).

After Joyce (Winona Ryder) cuts off the villains head, Hopper (David Harbour) and Murray (Brett Gelman) rig bombs on the interdimensional bridge to the Upside Down, with Eleven seemingly staying behind in the nether world to sacrifice herself.

With a large chunk of the episode still remaining, there is then a time jump to the year 1989, and we are shown what has happened to the remaining characters  the crew has started to move on from the traumatic events of the series, and Joyce and Hopper get engaged.

open image in gallery Stranger Things ended with a feature-length finale on New Years Day ( Netflix )

In one of the final scenes of the show, Mike (Finn Wolfhard) claims that Eleven had actually faked her own death, and had managed to make it out of the Upside Down. As he speaks, we see an older Eleven wandering through a faraway place, before reaching a town.

Its unclear whether Eleven really survived or not, with series co-creator Ross Duffer stating that she lives on in their hearts, whether thats real or not.

Many viewers were critical of the finale, with the decision to eliminate Vecna so early in the episode frequently criticised on social media.

Main villain killed halfway in, nobody important died, no explanation on henry creel origin story, & only 18 month time jump. Stranger Things finale was the stupidest f***ing ending ive seen right up there with The Umbrella Academy, read one widely shared post on X/Twitter.

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open image in gallery Eleven in the finale of Stranger Things ( Netflix )

The biggest mistake they made was a whole 50 minutes of the episode just being the epilogue, couldve used at least 30 of those 50 minutes to make the fighting scenes better, another fan wrote.

Am much disappointed to that extent that I dont even want to talk about Stranger Things, someone else remarked.

Others, however, were more positive on the conclusion, with one person writing: Am i the only one who enjoyed that stranger things ending?

Me being happy with the stranger things finale and coming on twitter to see everyone complaining, someone else joked.

Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix.
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Beans had a conspicuously good year. As gut health, fibre and the slow reckoning with ultra-processed food dominated food chat in 2025, pulses kept turning up as the sensible answer hiding in plain sight. Not flashy, not new, but quietly doing exactly what weve been told to want: feeding our guts, filling us up and asking very little in return. And as Veganuary looms and the post-Christmas bloat makes itself known, they feel less like a trend and more like common sense catching up.

Beans work because they solve several January problems at once. Theyre naturally plant-based, deeply comforting and cheap enough to make eating better feel achievable rather than performative. Heart UK puts it plainly: Cholesterol-busting beans are packed with goodness, and the evidence is strong, noting that just four servings a week can make a real difference to heart health. Diabetes UK highlights their low glycaemic index and high fibre content  good news for blood sugar, digestion and that sluggish, overfed feeling many of us know too well by now.

Then theres the long view. Professor Tim Spector has described beans as incredibly high in protein and fibre and really good for the planet, praising their anti-inflammatory benefits and their knack for making food taste better rather than worse  a rare feat in January eating.

Which brings us to these five recipes. Smoky barbecue beans, silky white-bean hummus, fennel-spiked cannellini dishes and Mediterranean butter beans that earn their place on toast. Proof that beans arent about denial  theyre about eating well, properly, and carrying that habit beyond January.

Quick-fire BBQ beans

open image in gallery Smoky, sticky and deeply satisfying  the kind of beans that make toast feel like a proper meal ( Veganuary )

This quick and easy recipe is far greater than the sum of its parts. Its smoky, spicy, rich flavours really hit the spot, leaving you sated and  dare we say it  happy.

Ingredients:

A little oil (unless you are using a non-stick pan)

1 small white onion, peeled and diced

1 green chilli, chopped finely (seeds left in if you like the heat)

2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely sliced

 tsp oregano

 tsp fennel seeds

 tsp smoked paprika

 tsp black pepper

Pinch of salt

1 x 400g tin kidney beans, drained and rinsed

75g barbecue sauce

Spring onion, chopped to garnish

Method:

1. Heat a non-stick saucepan on a medium-high heat. If you dont have a non-stick pan, use a little oil.

2. Add the onion, chilli and garlic to the pan, then the herbs and spices, the pepper and salt. Cook for a couple of minutes. Keep stirring.

3. Splash in a little bit of water (or beer!) to loosen it up and saute for 3 minutes.

4. Add the beans and barbecue sauce to the pan. Add 50ml of water and bring to the boil. Cook on a medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Splash in a little more water if it looks like it is drying out or going to stick.)

5. Remove from the heat and serve on a big hunk of toasted wholemeal bread.

Recipe by Derek Sarno

Greens and beans with paprika

open image in gallery A gentle reset dish: nourishing, fibre-rich and far more comforting than it has any right to be ( Veganuary )

This is the perfect pick-me-up after a big night out or whenever you are in need of something nourishing for body and soul. And dont panic by the amount of greens with your beans! They really shrink down so youll get all the goodness without the bulk.

Ingredients:

150g spring greens (or collards or Savoy cabbage), rinsed and chopped into bite-sized pieces

1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped

1 red chilli, diced (seeds removed unless you want more heat)

1 medium tomato, diced

1 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, peeled and diced

1 x 400g tin cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 tbsp tomato puree

 tsp smoked paprika

Salt and pepper

100g baby spinach

Handful parsley, chopped

Method:

1. Bring a pan of water to the boil. Add the chopped greens, then immediately remove the pan from the heat, and let the greens stay in the hot water, gently cooking. Set the pan aside.

2. Meanwhile, mix the garlic, red chilli and chopped tomato in a bowl. Set aside.

3. Heat a little olive oil in a large pan on the hob, ensuring the bottom of the pan is coated. Add the onion and beans, then the tomato puree, smoked paprika, salt and pepper and half of the chopped tomato. Cook, stirring even now and then, until it starts to brown and stick to the pan  about five minutes.

4. Then add 125ml water, bring to the boil, lower the heat and let simmer for another 4-5 mniutes. Remove from the heat and pour the beans into a separate dish. Set aside.

5. Drain the greens, squeezing out any excess water. Set aside.

6. Now, put the saucepan you cooked the beans in back onto the heat (no need to clean it!). Add a little more olive oil, the remaining tomatoes, garlic and chilli, and some more salt and pepper. Cook for a minute or two, then add the drained greens. Saute for a few minutes, adding 2 tablespoons of water.

7. Add the spinach to the pan, and let it steam for a few minutes, stirring, until the spinach has wilted. Load the greens and then some beans onto toasted malted bread. Sprinkle with parsley.

Recipe by Derek Sarno

White beans and fennel with harissa

open image in gallery Creamy cannellini beans meet fennel sweetness and a hit of heat  weeknight food with restaurant energy ( Veganuary )

Well, this is rather fancy and yet it can be in your belly in under 15 minutes. The gentle Italian flavours combine with the kick of harissa to create a heartwarming plate of feel-good fare.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, peeled and diced

1 bulb fennel, chopped into small pieces

1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped

1 x 400g tin cannellini beans

100ml vegetable stock

Handful spinach

Handful parsley, chopped

1 tsp vegan butter

2 tbsp harissa sauce

Method:

1. Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the onions and fennel. Add some salt and saute over a medium-high for 5-6 minutes, stirring every now and then, until both are softening. Add the garlic and cook for one minute more.

2. Add the beans to the pan along with the stock and bring it to a simmer for 4-5 minutes until the fennel is soft and most of the water has gone.

3. Remove from the heat, add the spinach to the pan and cover it again until the spinach has wilted. Add the parsley and vegan butter.

4. Load it onto your toasted sourdough bread.

5. Dollop a good tablespoon of harissa paste on top.

Recipe by Derek Sarno

White bean hummus

open image in gallery A leftfield take on beans on toast, and a reminder that self-care can be blitzed in under five minutes ( Veganuary )

Oh look! Weve gone leftfield! There are so many different ways to create beans on toast and we believe that rustling up a tasty, tangy, home-made dip is a scrumptious act of self-care. It takes just moments to make so you can put your bagel in the toaster and have the dip ready by the time it pops.

Ingredients:

1 x 400g tin cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

Juice and zest of half a lemon

1 clove garlic, peeled and roughly chopped

1 tsp tahini

 tsp ground cumin

2 tbsp olive oil

Pinch salt

1 tbsp chopped parsley

Method:

1. Put all the ingredients except the parsley into a blender and blend, adding a little water if you need a looser consistency.

2. Spread onto your toasted bagel and scatter the parsley on top.

Recipe by Veganuary

Mediterranean butter beans

open image in gallery Rich, herby and unapologetically comforting  the sort of January food that doesnt feel like a compromise ( Veganuary )

The richness of the sundried tomatoes with the saltiness of the olives takes this version of the beans on toast classic to next-level soul food. Stay with the theme and serve the beans on top of toasted olive bread, focaccia or ciabatta.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, peeled and diced finely

2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped finely

 tsp dried chilli flakes

1 x 400g tin butter beans, drained and rinsed

3 tbsp sundried tomato paste

2 tbsp green olives, sliced

100ml vegetable stock

Pinch black pepper

1 tbsp basil or dill, chopped

Method:

1. Heat the olive oil in a pan, and add the onion and saute for 5-6 minutes, then add the garlic and chilli flakes, and cook for 2 minutes more.

2. Stir in the butter beans, sundried tomato paste, olives, vegetable stock and black pepper. Cover and let simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Remove from the heat, then load onto your toasted bread and top with fresh herbs.

Recipe by Veganuary
PARIS (AP)  Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney were granted French citizenship because they contribute, through their distinguished actions, to Frances international influence and cultural outreach, the French government said Wednesday, defending their naturalization that was questioned by a junior French minister.

The naturalizations of the Kentucky-born star of the Oceans series of heist movies, his wife and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, and their twins Ella and Alexander were announced last weekend in the Journal Officiel, where French government decrees are published.

Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister at the Interior Ministry, expressed misgivings Wednesday that some of the Clooneys new French compatriots may think that the star couple was granted special treatment. The actor speaks only what he himself says is horrible, horrible French.

The message being sent is not good, Vedrenne said in an interview with broadcaster France Info. There is an issue of fairness that, in my eyes, is absolutely essential.

The couple purchased an estate in France in 2021 and Clooney has said that its their primary residence. Non-French residents of France have multiple possible routes to becoming naturalized. It wasnt clear whether the 64-year-old actor retained his American citizenship. His 47-year-old wife was born in Lebanon and raised in the U.K and naturalized by France under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. The 8-year-old twins were born in London.

The Foreign Ministry said the Clooneys were eligible for citizenship under a French law that allows for the naturalization of foreign nationals who contribute to Frances international influence and economic well-being.

It argued that Frances cinema industry will benefit from the actors clout as a global movie star and said that as a lawyer, Amal Clooney regularly works with academic institutions and international organizations in France.

They maintain strong personal, professional and family ties with our country, the ministry said.

Like many French citizens, we are delighted to welcome Georges and Amal Clooney into the national community, it concluded, giving the actors first name a French twist by adding the s at the end.

The decision was also defended by Vedrennes superior at the Interior Ministry, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, who said he signed the naturalization decree.

Its a big chance for our country, he said.

In recent media interviews when he was promoting Jay Kelly, Clooney said that he is trying to teach himself French using a language-learning app. He said that his wife and children speak the language perfectly.

They speak French in front of me so that they can say terrible things about me to my face and I dont know, he joked, speaking to French broadcaster Canal+.

French media have reported that the Clooneys live part-time in their luxury 18th-century villa outside the town of Brignoles in southern France, where they can keep a lower profile and their children are protected from unauthorized photographs by French privacy laws.

In an interview with Esquire in October, Clooney said: I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood.

I dont want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I dont want them being compared to somebody elses famous kids, he said. Growing up away from the spotlight in France, they have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.

By JOHN LEICESTER

Associated Press
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Entrepreneur Natasha Nelson always knew she was different.

The 35-year old from Stone Mountain, Georgia, struggled with establishing social norms.

She found small talk difficult, and couldnt understand why people did things like make the bed.

She was diagnosed with autism in 2023 - just after her youngest daughter was also diagnosed.

Now, Nelson is encouraging people to seek a diagnosis if they also think, or have long had suspicion, that they could be on the spectrum.

If your life has always felt like it was in chaos and you dont feel comfortable and you dont feel like you thrive and you just feel like youre constantly surviving and going from one thing to the next, what you got to lose? Nelson said.

Common signs of autism include trouble with social communication and a fixation on certain routines or topics  Nelson says people have become my special interest now  and may go unnoticed during someones childhood.

But it can be costly and difficult to obtain an autism diagnosis later in life due to a shortage of medical professionals trained to work specifically with adults. Here's more information on what you should know about adult autism diagnoses.

open image in gallery Natasha Nelson, who was diagnosed as autistic as an adult ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

What is autism and when is it usually diagnosed?

Autism spectrum disorder is a range of intellectual, language and social difficulties, like rigidly following routines, having fixed or obsessive interests and struggling to hold eye contact or understand nonverbal communication. Autism is typically diagnosed during childhood, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children be screened as early as 18 months.

Why are more adults being diagnosed with autism?

More adults have sought insight on their own neurodiversity in the last decade  often after their children are diagnosed or after seeing social media posts. A study published in 2024 in JAMA Network Open showed a 452 per cent increase in autism diagnoses among adults age 26 to 34 from 2011 to 2022.

Some traits of autism can go unnoticed until adulthood, when there are new social demands. Others may have learned how to hide certain behaviors, known as masking.

Adults have learned to compensate over time, said Whitney Ence, a psychologist at the University of California San Francisco who works with autistic adults. They may have learned like I cant display that in public, and so I do that in private."

There's also an overlap of symptoms between various disorders like ADHD and OCD that can complicate an autism diagnosis due to difficulties with nonverbal social cues or executive functions like attention span, working memory and problem-solving.

open image in gallery Nelson was diagnosed once her daughter was confirmed as autistic ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

What are the symptoms of autism in adults?

Symptoms present differently for everyone, and many of the traits are common for people without autism, like enjoying routines or enjoying going down rabbit holes of information.

But to meet the diagnostic definition of autism, the symptoms must cause significant impairment, said Dr. Arthur Westover, a psychiatrist who specialises in autism at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Were human beings in general. We like routines ... just having a bit of pleasure and feeling better with routines does not mean youre autistic," Westover said. "It goes a little bit deeper than that.

Russell Lehmann, 34, has lived with his autism diagnosis for more than 20 years. The motivational speaker has routines that he describes as both comfortable and stressful. Eating the same food and buying the same groceries, he said, brings him comfort. But if he skips going to the gym for an hour and a half every day, he becomes overwhelmed with feelings of depression and failure.

Its like no gym, no day, he said. ... My routine is an incredibly existential burden, because every night I go to bed knowing I have to do a routine I do not like simply to function.

How does a diagnosis work?

While there are various online screening tools, autism is a complex diagnosis, so experts recommend talking to your primary care physician for a psychiatry referral.

That psychiatrist might want to interview people who were present in your early childhood, like family and friends, who can attest to symptoms being present at that time.

Some psychiatrists may refer you to a psychologist, who can give you a standardized diagnostic autism test or will use their own clinical judgement. There is no brain scan or blood test for autism.

Getting an autism diagnosis as an adult can be costly and take some time. Westover said there's a major shortage of specialists who work with autistic adults. Nelson's diagnosis took three years and she paid more than $3,000 out-of-pocket.

Ence also suggests that you ask yourself a few questions when considering getting a professional diagnosis, and to know that you may run into a waitlist: What is leading me down this pathway to think that I need a professional diagnosis? Do I need access to services? Are there services I dont have available to me?
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Ordinary and universal, the act of writing changes the brain. From dashing off a heated text message to composing an op-ed, writing allows you to, at once, name your pain and create distance from it. Writing can shift your mental state from overwhelm and despair to grounded clarity  a shift that reflects resilience.

Psychology, the media and the wellness industry shape public perceptions of resilience: Social scientists study it, journalists celebrate it, and wellness brands sell it.

They all tell a similar story: Resilience is an individual quality that people can strengthen with effort.

The American Psychological Association defines resilience as an ongoing process of personal growth through lifes challenges.

News headlines routinely praise individuals who refuse to give up or find silver linings in times of hardship. The wellness industry promotes relentless self-improvement as the path to resilience.

In my work as a professor of writing studies, I research how people use writing to navigate trauma and practice resilience. I have witnessed thousands of students turn to the written word to work through emotions and find a sense of belonging. Their writing habits suggest that writing fosters resilience. Insights from psychology and neuroscience can help explain how.

open image in gallery People can use the written word to work through their feelings ( Getty/iStock )

Writing rewires the brain

In the 1980s, psychologist James Pennebaker developed a therapeutic technique called expressive writing to help patients process trauma and psychological challenges. With this technique, continuously journaling about something painful helps create mental distance from the experience and eases its cognitive load.

In other words, externalizing emotional distress through writing fosters safety. Expressive writing turns pain into a metaphorical book on a shelf, ready to be reopened with intention. It signals the brain, You dont need to carry this anymore.

Translating emotions and thoughts into words on paper is a complex mental task. It involves retrieving memories and planning what to do with them, engaging brain areas associated with memory and decision-making. It also involves putting those memories into language, activating the brains visual and motor systems.

Writing things down supports memory consolidation  the brains conversion of short-term memories into long-term ones. The process of integration makes it possible for people to reframe painful experiences and manage their emotions. In essence, writing can help free the mind to be in the here and now.

Taking action through writing

The state of presence that writing can elicit is not just an abstract feeling; it reflects complex activity in the nervous system.

Brain imaging studies show that putting feelings into words helps regulate emotions. Labeling emotions  whether through expletives and emojis or carefully chosen words  has multiple benefits. It calms the amygdala, a cluster of neurons that detects threat and triggers the fear response: fight, flight, freeze or fawn. It also engages the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that supports goal-setting and problem-solving.

About the author Emily Ronay Johnston is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Global Arts, Media and Writing Studies at University of California, Merced. This article was first published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

In other words, the simple act of naming your emotions can help you shift from reaction to response. Instead of identifying with your feelings and mistaking them for facts, writing can help you simply become aware of whats arising and prepare for deliberate action.

Even mundane writing tasks like making a to-do list stimulate parts of the brain involved in reasoning and decision-making, helping you regain focus.

Making meaning through writing

Choosing to write is also choosing to make meaning. Studies suggest that having a sense of agency is both a prerequisite for, and an outcome of, writing.

Researchers have long documented how writing is a cognitive activity  one that people use to communicate, yes, but also to understand the human experience. As many in the field of writing studies recognize, writing is a form of thinking  a practice that people never stop learning. With that, writing has the potential to continually reshape the mind. Writing not only expresses but actively creates identity.

Writing also regulates your psychological state. And the words you write are themselves proof of regulation  the evidence of resilience.

Popular coverage of human resilience often presents it as extraordinary endurance. News coverage of natural disasters implies that the more severe the trauma, the greater the personal growth. Pop psychology often equates resilience with unwavering optimism. Such representations can obscure ordinary forms of adaptation. Strategies people already use to cope with everyday life  from rage-texting to drafting a resignation letter  signify transformation.

open image in gallery Writing by hand slows your thinking and allows you to process information ( Getty/iStock )

Building resilience through writing

These research-backed tips can help you develop a writing practice conducive to resilience:

1. Write by hand whenever possible. In contrast to typing or tapping on a device, handwriting requires greater cognitive coordination. It slows your thinking, allowing you to process information, form connections and make meaning.

2. Write daily. Start small and make it regular. Even jotting brief notes about your day  what happened, what youre feeling, what youre planning or intending  can help you get thoughts out of your head and ease rumination.

3. Write before reacting. When strong feelings surge, write them down first. Keep a notebook within reach and make it a habit to write it before you say it. Doing so can support reflective thinking, helping you act with purpose and clarity.

4. Write a letter you never send. Dont just write down your feelings  address them to the person or situation thats troubling you. Even writing a letter to yourself can provide a safe space for release without the pressure of someone elses reaction.

5. Treat writing as a process. Any time you draft something and ask for feedback on it, you practice stepping back to consider alternative perspectives. Applying that feedback through revision can strengthen self-awareness and build confidence.

Resilience may be as ordinary as the journal entries people scribble, the emails they exchange, the task lists they create  even the essays students pound out for professors.

The act of writing is adaptation in progress.
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Sprinkles Cupcakes has permanently closed, its founder has said, leaving fans shocked and saddened.

Known for its storefront bakeries and viral ATM-style vending machines that stocked decadent cupcakes 24/7, Sprinkles was founded in 2005 by Candace Nelson, who shared news of the abrupt closure Wednesday in an Instagram video.

I thought Sprinkles would keep growing and be around forever, Nelson said. I thought it was going to be my legacy.

Nelson founded the company California, later expanding with storefronts and ATMs in New York and Texas, among other states. She made history in 2012 when the worlds first cupcake ATM was launched in Beverly Hills.

After Nelson sold the company to a private equity firm in 2012, she did not retain any involvement in its operations, though Sprinkles continued to expand with additional bakeries, as well as specialty flavors and promotions.

open image in gallery Candace Nelson founded Sprinkles in 2005 ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Sprinkles was known for its viral cupcake ATMs that vended decadent treats 24/7 ( Getty Images )

As of publication, the Sprinkles website remains live, though several pages display an error message when clicked on. The Independent has contacted the company for comment.

Longtime fans of the bakery have been left disheartened by the news, with celebrities and supporters filling the comments section of Nelsons video.

This makes me so sad. They are absolutely the BEST cupcakes!!! actor Francesca Capaldi wrote.

I am so so shocked that theyre closing. This is so so sad, podcast host Kat Zammuto shared.

Noooooo!!!! Theyre still the best cupcakes! Whos gonna replace the best fricking red velvet cupcake that exists?! This doesnt make sense! wrote actor Amrapali Ambegaokar. I sincerely hope you can find a way to buy them back and create a new way for us to still have these legendary cupcakes!

open image in gallery Cupcakes vended from the Sprinkles ATMs came in small boxes with branded stickers ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Sprinkles abruptly closed all remaining locations December 31 ( AFP via Getty Images )

I was diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and had to shave my hair on my bday. My friend hosted a party for this and helped cut my hair and she got sprinkles cupcakes for everyone, one fan commented.

But fans arent alone in their sadness and confusion. Sprinkles latest social media posts have been flooded by comments from alleged employees claiming the company gave one day notice of the closures.

Thanks for the one day notice of unemployment and no severance! one commented on a recent Instagram post while another said, One day notice is crazy. Just used us for the holidays then tossed us aside.

Cupcakes are sweet. One-day layoff notices are not. Yikes, what a bold way to celebrate 20 years and ring in the new year, a third wrote.
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An American horseback tour operator who spent her days leading guests along Antiguas picturesque shoreline has died after a brutal assault earlier this month.

Karen Johannsen, 66, of Madison, Wisconsin, was beaten while conducting horseback riding tours on Runaway Beach, suffering catastrophic injuries that doctors said left her with no hope of recovery, according to WIC News.

Officers responded to the attack at Dickenson Bay around 11 a.m. on December 19, to find Johannsen unconscious, according to the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

According to a press release from police, Johannsen was on a trail ride when a man hit her on the head with an unknown object.

Johannsen was transported to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre for emergency treatment and later airlifted to the University of Wisconsin Hospital for additional care.

open image in gallery Karen Johannsen was brutally beaten while conducting horseback riding tours in Antigua. She died on December 26 ( Facebook )

According to her family, Johannsen had suffered extensive injuries, including a massive head injury, a fractured jaw and several broken bones. Her brain injury was so severe that she was placed on life support and could not breathe on her own. Doctors told relatives she would never regain neurological function.

Johannsens condition declined and she died on December 26.

A homicide investigation was launched and authorities are currently have a man in custody for questioning. Johannsens sister Lyn told WMTV the man in custody is a former boyfriend. Police have not released his name.

Johannsen was the daughter of the owners of Johannsens Greenhouse, which was a staple in Madison for 50 years, according to WMTV. The business closed in 2013.

Johannsen had been living in Antigua and frequently shared updates on social media about her horseback riding tours, highlighting her deep connection to the island and its tourism community.

Police extended condolences to Johannsens family and urged anyone with information related to the case to contact the Criminal Investigations Department.

open image in gallery Johannsen frequently shared updates on social media about her horseback riding tours in Antigua, highlighting her deep connection to the island and its tourism community ( Facebook )

In a formal statement issued to Antigua News on behalf of the Government and People of Antigua and Barbuda, Minister Fernandez extended condolences to Johannsens family.

On behalf of the Government and People of Antigua and Barbuda, I extend our deepest condolences on the untimely passing of your beloved sister, Karen. She was a wonderful person who brought joy and warmth to everyone she met, especially here in Antigua, where she loved so dearly.

Fernandez described Johannsen as a dedicated contributor to the islands tourism industry, particularly through her horseback riding experiences along Antiguas coastline.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time, the statement continued. May her memory be a source of comfort and her spirit live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
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CultureCelebrityCelebrity life Totally mediocre: Trump lashes Clooney after star granted French citizenship Chris Hook January 1, 2026  3:09pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

US President Donald Trump has seemingly welcomed the news Hollywood star George Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, have been granted French citizenship, calling the pair two of the worst political prognosticators of all time and claiming the actor was better known for his politics than his totally mediocre movies. The naturalisation of the US-born star of the Oceans series of heist movies, his human rights lawyer wife and their twins Ella and Alexander was announced last weekend in the Journal Officiel, where French government decrees are published. George and Amal Clooney at the 78th Tony Awards in New York last year. AP Clooney flagged the move in an interview with Esquire in October, saying he was worried about raising our kids in LA, in the culture of Hollywood. I dont want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I dont want them being compared to somebody elses famous kids, he said. Growing up away from the spotlight in France, they have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.

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On Thursday morning (AEDT), Trump responded on his Truth Social platform, declaring it was Good News! Two of the worst political prognosticators of all time, have officially become citizens of France which is, sadly, in the midst of a major crime problem because of their absolutely horrendous handling of immigration much like we had under Sleepy Joe Biden, Trump wrote. US President Donald Trump said George Clooney wasnt a movie star at all. AP Before taking aim at Clooneys movie career, Trump referenced the stars intervention in the 2024 presidential race, during which Clooney withdrew support for then incumbent and candidate Biden. Remember when Clooney, after the now infamous debate, dumped Joe during a fundraiser, only to go onto the side of another stellar candidate, Jamala(K!), who is now fighting it out with the worst governor in the Country, including Tim Waltz, Gavin Newscum, for who is going to lead the Democrats to their future defeat, Trump wrote.

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Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre, movies. He wasnt a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who complained, constantly, about common sense in politics. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Related Article US politics George Clooney claps back at Donald Trump as verbal spat continues French government defends decision The French government said the couple were granted citizenship because they contribute, through their distinguished actions, to Frances international influence and cultural outreach. It was responding to concerns raised by Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister at the Interior Ministry, who said this week that some of the Clooneys new French compatriots may think the star couple were granted special treatment. The actor speaks only what he himself says is horrible, horrible French.

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The message being sent is not good, Vedrenne said in an interview with broadcaster France Info. There is an issue of fairness that, in my eyes, is absolutely essential. The couple bought an estate in France in 2021, and Clooney has said that its their primary residence. Non-French residents of France have multiple possible routes to becoming naturalised. It wasnt clear whether the 64-year-old actor retained his American citizenship. His 47-year-old wife was born in Lebanon and raised in the UK and naturalised by France under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. The eight-year-old twins were born in London. Related Article US politics You know George: Biden failed to recognise Clooney at major fundraiser, new book says The Foreign Ministry said the Clooneys were eligible for citizenship under a French law that allows for the naturalisation of foreign nationals who contribute to Frances international influence and economic wellbeing. It argued that Frances cinema industry will benefit from the actors clout as a global movie star and said that as a lawyer, Amal Clooney regularly worked with academic institutions and international organisations in France.

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They maintain strong personal, professional and family ties with our country, the ministry said. Like many French citizens, we are delighted to welcome Georges and Amal Clooney into the national community, it concluded, giving the actors first name a French twist by adding the s at the end. The decision was also defended by Vedrennes superior at the Interior Ministry, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, who said he signed the naturalisation decree. Related Article Opinion

World markets Buckle up for a volatile year of Trump-Xi bromance, Taiwan and Kim Its a big chance for our country, he said.

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In recent media interviews when he was promoting his film Jay Kelly, Clooney said he was trying to teach himself French using a language-learning app. He said his wife and children speak the language perfectly. They speak French in front of me so that they can say terrible things about me to my face and I dont know, he joked, speaking to French broadcaster Canal+. French media have reported that the Clooneys live part-time in their luxury 18th-century villa outside the town of Brignoles in southern France, where they can keep a lower profile and their children are protected from unauthorised photographs by French privacy laws. With AP
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PoliticsVictoriaCity life Erecting a fence in these areas is about to become harder, but locals are cheering Rachael Ward January 2, 2026  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

Installing a fence, undertaking earthworks or building developments along Melbournes waterways will soon require council permission, as the state moves to better protect wildlife and the environment. Private and public land along 17 rivers and creeks in Melbourne will be affected by significant landscape overlay protections, which brings a patchwork of rules across the city, from January 20. Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association chair Helen van den Berg by Steele Creek in Niddrie. Justin McManus Landowners with properties near waterways will need a permit to clear vegetation, install fences taller than 1.4 metres that arent made from a transparent material such as wire, or conduct earthworks deeper than 60 centimetres. Building or making significant alterations to structures along waterways, construction above six metres in specific areas and works within 50 metres of a river or creek bank will also require a permit to be completed lawfully.

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Related Article Water restrictions Water warning as Melburnians put on alert for restrictions The overlay changes will affect land along major waterways such as the Maribyrnong, Plenty and Werribee rivers and apply to properties near Merri Creek, Darebin Creek, Edgars Creek, Koonung Creek, Gardiners Creek, Moonee Ponds Creek, Steele Creek, Deep Creek, Emu Creek, Jacksons Creek, Kororoit Creek, Stony Creek, Cherry Creek and Skeleton Creek. Certain sections of the Barwon, Leigh, Moorabool and Yarrowee rivers, in the states west, will also be affected. Protections already apply to the Yarra River. About 1300 people submitted feedback on the changes in early 2025, which are intended to protect the wildlife corridors that animals use to access water, help manage flooding, reduce the visual impact of buildings and promote the overall health of Melbournes waterways.

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Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association chair Helen van den Berg said she hoped the rules would stop large construction in areas that overshadow rivers and creeks. There are some pretty atrocious old examples, and some newer ones, on the Maribyrnong River of multistorey buildings within 50 metres of river that are causing shade, she said. Van den Bergs home backs onto a now-protected creek, and she said she would encourage neighbours to plant native vegetation at the edges of their properties instead of building fences. There is a great deal of wildlife in our cities, and the more we do to support them, the more their populations can increase, she said.

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People For A Living Moorabool co-ordinator Cameron Steele said the changes would give locals the ammunition to fight back against developers. We can really advocate for our waterways in a far stronger fashion than we had been able to before, he said. Steele Creek in Niddrie is affected by significant landscape overlay protections. Justin McManus Waterways Network convenor Andrew Kelly said that previously, each council has had their own planning requirements, which led to a patchwork of rules around the city, But while he welcomed the changes, Kelly said he had hoped they would go further.

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Related Article City life Tens of thousands of Melbourne homes deemed at risk of landslides This is great achievement, but it has yet to go far enough, he said. Id like to see them extend it to Dandenong Creek, to the waterways of the south-east of Melbourne, which seems to have been left out of this. Kelly said that within the new overlay, there was still wriggle room for a council to exercise its own interpretation of planning requirements. University of Melbourne professor of geomorphology David Kennedy also has reservations, and said developments along Melbournes waterways had been happening at breakneck speed and, in many areas, the horse had already bolted.

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Kennedy questioned how the new rules would be enforced and whether the planning minister could intervene in certain applications to councils. It will be interesting to see how this is applied, whether its applied to the individual putting up a fence or doing some minor works around the house as opposed to big developments, he said. Banyule Council resident David, who asked not to include his last name, said one of the primary reasons he had bought his home was because of the direct view onto Darebin Creek. On the side of the river opposite his home, there is an industrial estate. David said he was hoping the changes would improve property values by locking in residents views and prevent developers from building large apartment blocks nearby. It would be good to have a few more checks and balances on what they do, he said.

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Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said it was important to protect rivers and creeks, which kept the city cool, healthy and greener. This is about protecting what makes our city such a great place to live today and ensuring future generations can enjoy these special places too, she said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
A fire at a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana in the early hours of New Years Day has left about 40 people dead and over 100 injured, according to authorities.

Here is a look at some other nightclub, bar and music venue fires that have led to significant death tolls:

 December 2025: A fire ripped through a popular nightclub in Arpora village, in Indias Goa state, killing 25 people, including kitchen workers and tourists.

 March 2025: A fire and ensuing stampede at the crowded Pulse club in Kocani, North Macedonia, killed 63 people, most of them young revelers, and injured more than 200. It was set off by a pyrotechnic flame that engulfed the roof of the club.

 April 2024: A blaze at the Masquerade nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey, trapped workers and employees while the venue was closed for renovations, leaving 29 people dead. It was located on the ground and basement floors of a 16-story residential building.

 October 2023: A fire that started at a nightclub in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia and spread to two other clubs left 13 people dead.

 January 2022: A nightclub in Sorong, in Indonesias West Papua province, burned after two groups attacked each other inside the building. Nineteen people were killed.

 January 2022: A blaze at Livs Nightclub Yaouba in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, set off explosions that killed 17 people. The government suggested that fireworks set the roof alight and the fire then spread to areas where cooking gas was stored.

 December 2016: Thirty-six people died in a fire at a warehouse in Oakland, California that had been converted into a residence and event space for artists dubbed the Ghost Ship. The blaze, which broke out during an electronic music and dance party, moved so quickly that victims were trapped on the illegally constructed second floor.

 October 2015: A blaze that broke out during a rock bands pyrotechnics display at the Colectiv nightclub in the Romanian capital, Bucharest, killed 64 people and left some 190 injured.

 January 2013: A fire killed more than 200 people at the Kiss nightclub in the city of Santa Maria in southern Brazil. Investigators said soundproofing foam on the ceiling caught fire and released poisonous gases that quickly killed those attending a university party.

 December 2009: Some 152 people died when a blaze broke out at the Lame Horse nightclub in Perm, Russia. It started when an indoor fireworks display ignited a plastic ceiling decorated with branches.

 January 2009: An indoor fireworks display after a New Years countdown ignited a blaze in the Santika club in Bangkok, Thailand, killing 67 people and injuring many more. Victims died from burns, smoke inhalation, and from being crushed.

 September 2008: A fire killed 44 people at the jammed King of Dancers nightclub in Shenzhen, China, when a stampede broke out after a fireworks show ignited the ceiling.

 December 2004: In Buenos Aires, Argentina, a fire killed 194 people at the crowded Cromagnon Republic club after a flare ignited ceiling foam. Club owner Omar Chaban was sentenced to 20 years in prison for causing the deadly fire and for bribery. Others received lighter sentences.

 February 2003: A fire at the Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, in the United States, killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others. Fireworks being used by the band set fire to flammable foam inside the club.

 January 2001: A fire at a cafe in the Dutch town of Volendam where people were celebrating the New Year killed 14 people and injured more than 200.

 December 2000: A fire that was blamed on a welding accident killed 309 people at a disco in the central Chinese city of Luoyang.

 October 1998: An arson attack against an overcrowded youth disco in the Swedish city of Goteborg killed 63 people and left around 200 injured. Four people were later convicted for starting the fire.

 March 1996: A fire at the Ozone Disco Pub in Quezon City, Philippines, killed 162 people. A large proportion of the victims were students partying to mark the end of the academic year.

 March 1990: An arson attack at the Happy Land nightclub in the Bronx borough of New York City killed 87 people. It started when a man angry with his girlfriend threw gasoline on the clubs only exit and set it on fire, then jammed down the metal front gate so people were trapped.

 December 1983: A fire at the Alcala dance hall in Madrid, Spain, left 78 people dead and more than 20 injured.

 May 1977: A fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky, killed 165 people and injured more than 200.

 November 1942: The deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history killed 492 people at Bostons Cocoanut Grove club. The fire at what had been one of Bostons foremost nightspots led to new requirements for sprinkler systems and accessible exits.

 April 1940: A fire ignited the decorative Spanish moss draping the ceiling of the Rhythm Night Club in Natchez, Mississippi, killing 209 people. The windows had been boarded up to prevent people from sneaking in.

By The Associated Press
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PoliticsVictoriaTrade unions Fake names and a $2m transfer: How the CFMEUs forerunner did business in the 1980s Kieran Rooney January 1, 2026  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 secretary of the Builders Labourers Federation transferred $2 million into trust accounts set up under fake names as it sought to keep money away from the Cain government before it was deregistered. Newly released cabinet papers reveal the militant unions guerrilla tactics throughout the 1980s and detail brazen actions that mirror those taken by the CFMEU since its alleged infiltration by organised crime that was exposed by this masthead, the Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes. Then Victorian premier John Cain and secretary of the BLF Norm Gallagher. The Age The BLF was the direct precursor to the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Energy Union, and would be permanently deregistered by the Hawke Labor government in 1986. The documents also show opaque subcontracting arrangements on construction sites, and their use to avoid regulation and scrutiny, were a key issue in the 1980s that prompted a full investigation in 1983.

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The issue has persisted for decade and prompted the Allan government to pass labour hire changes in December to address systemic flaws. Cabinet papers from 1987, when the state government authorised a raid on the BLFs headquarters in Melbourne, show the government faced a considerable challenge reining in the behaviour of then-secretary Norm Gallagher. The Builders Labourers Federation was a precursor to the CFMEU. Peter Rae/Fairfax Media They detail how Gallagher evaded authorities, even as his offices were raided by police. In a report to cabinet, Ian Sharp, who was appointed by the government as custodian of the BLF, explained the unions tactics and revealed that between April and October 1986, Gallagher transferred $2.06 million to Australian Fixed Trusts under the pseudonym Lester Normans  a play on his middle name and the first name of assistant secretary Norman Wallace.

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Building Bad Major Big Build labour hire company embroiled in fraud investigation When that account was closed, the funds were moved to accounts with new aliases  Luigi Locarno, run by Gallagher, and Keith McKaskill, linked to Wallace. In the application form Lester Normans gives his date of birth as 20th September 1932 which is the same date as Mr. Gallaghers. Clearly Normans is Gallagher, Sharp wrote. The manner in which these funds have been spent is yet to be examined. Certainly, money has been spent and the amount left for the benefit of members is greatly reduced. Gallagher was tasked with securing members funds for safe keeping. Minutes obtained by Sharp show the secretary told a branch meeting in April 1987 that he would rot in jail before he would give the funds up for the government.

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Mr. Gallagher then claimed there was a security problem and that most likely the meeting room was bugged. He therefore indicated that he would not divulge the whereabouts of the funds unless directed by a majority of the meeting.  But one of the most brazen moves by the BLF came months later, on October 13, 1987  the day Sharp received authorisation to raid the unions headquarters. Norm Gallagher, secretary of the BLF, in Melbourne in 1984. Michael Rayner Four hours after police had visited the Lygon Street building, about $766,000 was transferred to Western Australia. This defied the order authorising the raid and the seizing of the unions assets. In an article published in The Canberra Times on October 21, Gallagher bragged that the cash had been withdrawn and taken to a place safer than Fort Knox.

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Related Article Joan Kirner A uni, casino and low-rise housing: The Docklands that might have been It was done for two reasons: one was we thought wed give labour minister Steve Crabb enough rope to hang himself as he was gloating over the raid, he said. And secondly, we had to give our own people enough time to have that money removed. In his report to cabinet, Sharp agreed that the Victorian branch was essentially the power base of the BLF, but noted its membership had fallen. He estimated that by the time of the raid, it had about 600 financial memberships with another 400 honorary members. Sharp concluded that, putting aside whether the BLF leadership was fit to follow industrial relations rules, the erosion of memberships and finances meant the union was unlikely to serve its intended purpose soon or be able to play any worthwhile role in the industrial relations of the Australian building and construction industry.

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Victorian Parliament Historys cruel ledger squared by a peek into 332 boxes from the past By 1994, the remnants of the BLF were eventually merged into the CFMEU, and many assets were frozen by the government and not released until 2002. Most of the accusations throughout the saga never ended in charges. The echoes of the BLFs financial manoeuvres continue today as the CFMEUs administrator fights a brazen move by former CFMEU bosses to regain control of a secret $1 million election slush fund. The turmoil follows the exit of long-time secretary John Setka, who was forced to resign in July 2024 after revelations the CFMEU had been infiltrated by underworld figures and bikies were published. An independent administrator was subsequently appointed by the federal government. Setka has since been charged by Victoria Polices Taskforce Hawk over allegations of attempting to threaten or intimidate the government-appointed administrator.

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The taskforce was created to probe multiple areas of concern around corruption and organised crime in the building sector. The newly released cabinet papers also reveal the labour hire sector was a primary concern for the Cain government, mirroring the systemic issues currently plaguing the Allan government. Former CFMEU head John Setka. In December 1983, a state government committee investigating cash-in-hand and pyramid subcontracting schemes warned that hundreds of millions of dollars were being paid untaxed on Victorian sites annually. Field investigations across 54 projects found the practices on all but three. Of those projects, 39 were run by government departments or authorities. Some contractors informed the committee that they faced no alternative but to either leave the field of work to those contractors engaged in avoidance practices or copy their example, the 1983 report found.

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Building Bad Building Bad The committee recommended long service leave be extended to the entire sector, and for departments to have greater oversight that its projects were complying with the law. Forty years later, the challenges surrounding labour hire and subcontractors in Victoria remain. In the last week of parliament for 2025, the Allan government passed laws giving the Labour Hire Authority stronger investigation powers and the ability to impose tougher tests on fit and proper people who are registered. These changes follow a series of arrests and raids over allegations of corrupt payments of labour hire firms on state government building sites, with labour hire emerging as a key contemporary issue at the centre of corruption on construction sites.

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Victorias corruption watchdog wants follow-the-money powers, which would allow it to pursue taxpayer funds that make their way through these extra levels of payments. Government policy and contractual requirements that took effect from January 1 require contractors to report criminal and unlawful behaviour they observe on state-funded projects. The government has established the Construction Complaints Referral Service, designed as a central hub for reporting industry misconduct. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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PoliticsVictoriaVictorian Parliament How a late-night parliamentary vote fuelled by dim sims changed voluntary assisted dying laws Rachel Eddie January 2, 2026  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

From strange scenes at an underworld kingpins funeral to a visceral portrait of a killer, these are The Ages defining images of 2025. See all stories .

Eight years after becoming the first Australian state to legalise voluntary assisted dying, Victoria had a more conservative scheme than other jurisdictions that followed. Parliamentarians had watched family and friends die painfully, heard from constituents whose loved ones starved themselves, or had chosen to die on their own terms. In 2025, after years of advocacy, Labor and the Coalition granted MPs a conscience vote to remove barriers in an overhaul of the regime. After being knocked back from accessing Victorias voluntary assisted dying scheme, Glenn Mack decided to end his life by not eating or drinking. Justin McManus Glenn Mack (pictured) had earlier been knocked back from the states voluntary assisted dying scheme and decided to stop eating and drinking to hasten his death. The 85-year-old was refused access because his specialist doctors were unable to say that his host of medical conditions would kill him within six months.

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Related Article Healthcare A 2am sitting, tears and dim sims: Assisted dying reform passes lower house The Age sat down with Mack, sipping on a glass of rose at a pub in Trentham in central Victoria, the day before he started refusing food and fluids. He died on July 6 after three weeks. Three months later, Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas would introduce amendments to loosen the schemes restrictions. In late-night and emotive debates, fuelled by dim sims, parliament amended the law to allow those with a 12-month prognosis to access voluntary assisted dying.

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A gag clause that barred doctors from initiating conversations about assisted dying with their patients was also removed, and the bill further stipulated the minimum information that health practitioners who conscientiously object will need to provide patients. The government ultimately accepted amendments to clarify which health practitioners and nurse practitioners would be able to raise voluntary assisted dying during discussions about end-of-life care. Parliament had heard concerns the bill, if passed without amendment, would have allowed podiatrists, optometrists and chiropractors to initiate the conversation. Glenn Mack having lunch with his friend Bob Waterhouse in Trentham. Justin McManus Granting a conscience vote allowed for a more emotive and at times bitter debate. Most Labor MPs from the Catholic-influenced SDA sub-faction had sought to block the reform and had referred to voluntary assisted dying as assisted suicide, prompting retorts from Thomas, Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt, and Pakenham MP Emma Vulin who is living with motor neurone disease.

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Australia votes Dutton, Hamer and the image that became an instant election meme On a point of order, acting Speaker, sorry to interrupt, but I would like the member on his feet to stop referring to it as assisted suicide, Vulin said. The chamber had been brought to tears when Vulin, who will leave parliament after the November state election, made her contribution to the debate through text-to-speech technology. I may one day choose voluntary assisted dying, she said. It is not about giving up; it is about retaining agency over the most personal decision any person can ever make: how they leave this world. I do not know how my journey with MND will end, but I do know this: the knowledge that I may have voluntary assisted dying as an option gives me strength. It allows me to live with more peace, to focus on the moments that matter and to spare my loved ones from witnessing my prolonged suffering, which serves no purpose. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
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TechnologyCybersecurity Cyber expert gets rare Australian visa by hacking the government David Swan January 1, 2026  4:16pm 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 British cybersecurity expert has been given coveted Australian permanent residency status after hacking the governments systems while his visa application was under review. Jacob Riggs gained the 858 National Innovation visa in December after a seven-month application process that culminated in him probing the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trades networks to demonstrate his credentials in real time, and identifying a critical vulnerability. Jacob Riggs, 36, received the 858 National Innovation visa in December after a seven-month application process that culminated in him probing the Australian governments attack surface to demonstrate his capabilities in real time. Riggs, global director of information security for a large software-as-a-service provider, said he identified the exploitable flaw in under two hours while working from his home in Bexley, south-east London, in July. Riggs visa, formerly known as the Global Talent visa, has an approval rate of less than 1 per cent. According to migration consultancy VisaEnvoy, more than 9000 expressions of interest have been submitted since the program commenced, with just 304 applicants invited and about 85 granted residency.

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I approached it as a routine security assessment and simply applied the same methodology I use professionally, Riggs, 36, told this masthead. He said the vulnerability he identified met the threshold for critical severity under CVSS standards, the industry rating framework. DFAT operates a formal Vulnerability Disclosure Policy, permitting security researchers to test its systems within a defined scope. Riggs reported the issue to DFAT and was subsequently acknowledged on the departments disclosure program honour roll. Jacob Riggs, director of Information security for a large software-as-a-service provider. DFAT were very quick to respond and remediate, Riggs said, declining to share additional evidence beyond his public blog post. I feel this would go against the spirit of the confidentiality between myself and DFAT. The 858 visa requires applicants to demonstrate internationally recognised achievement in priority sectors, including cybersecurity. The program typically attracts Nobel laureates and Olympic medallists  professionals with singular, verifiable credentials.

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Cybersecurity presents a distinct challenge. Theres no trophy equivalent of an Olympic Gold Medal, Riggs wrote on his blog. Theres no singular hallmark of excellence you can lean on, so everything comes down to what youve actually done. Related Article Bondi shooting Fake hero, wrong suspect: Misinformation floods social media after Bondi shooting His application supplied about 60 pages of evidence spanning bug bounty payouts, formal recognition letters from universities and governments worldwide, and documentation of vulnerability disclosures to major technology companies. Riggs, who barely completed secondary school, said he lacked traditional academic credentials. Instead, he submitted professional accreditations and letters acknowledging his responsible disclosure work, materials he described as unexpectedly perfect for the assessment criteria. I ended up hitting the attachment limit, he wrote.

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With his application still under review, Riggs decided to provide contemporary evidence of his skills. Given the bar the 858 sets, it became clear during the application process that I should also make efforts to show the current value in my capabilities, he wrote, noting his role spans leadership responsibilities beyond hands-on technical work. He acknowledged Australian government infrastructure was generally well-hardened, which only piqued my interest more. Jamieson OReilly, founder and chief executive of cybersecurity firm Dvuln. Dominic Lorrimer The gamble appears to have paid off. Riggs completed the entire process without engaging migration agents or immigration lawyers, a decision he described as very on-brand.

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The case highlights both the challenges of assessing elite cyber talent and the potential for Australias innovation visa program to attract professionals whose contributions are difficult to measure through conventional metrics. Related Article Opinion

Technology & democracy Silicon Valleys billionaire elite cant engineer our consent Chris Zappone Senior reporter, aviation By May 2025, nearly 6000 people had expressed interest in the revamped 858 program, with only seven successful grants at that point. Two Iraqi-born scientists, Dr Bilal Bahaa Zaidan Al-Jubouri and Dr Aos Alaa Zaidan, secured visas for AI expertise in healthcare and agriculture applications. Cybersecurity researcher Jamieson OReilly said Australias cyber skills shortage was worsened by structural barriers preventing existing talent from contributing. There are highly capable security practitioners in this country who cant get near government work because theyre not attached to a large consultancy or dont fit the procurement mould. So we talk about skills shortages while simultaneously locking out skilled people, he told this masthead.

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He said pathways such as the 858 visa were valuable for addressing genuine gaps, but the priority should be removing barriers for local talent. He added this case pointed to deeper structural issues in Australian government security procurement. This vulnerability survived annual IRAP assessments, two outsourced penetration tests, and internal testing before someone outside the system found it. Thats the detail worth paying attention to. Riggs said he plans to relocate to Sydney within 12 months to continue cybersecurity work. Theres a lot to consider when you move your entire life to another country, he said. I also have a cat and he still needs convincing. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Home Affairs did not respond to requests for comment before deadline. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Cybersecurity

Immigration David Swan is the technology editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He was previously technology editor for The Australian newspaper. or email. Connect via X
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WorldEuropeRussia-Ukraine war Australian man killed fighting with Ukraine forces: reports Jack Gramenz January 1, 2026  6:51pm 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

Authorities are working to confirm reports an Australian fighting in Ukraine has died. Russell Allan Wilson was reportedly killed in December. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of reports that an Australian has died in Ukraine and is seeking confirmation from local authorities, a department spokesperson said on Thursday. The Australian governments travel advice is do not travel to Ukraine. Friends say Australian Russell Allan Wilson has died fighting for Ukraine. Instagram: @full_metal_tango

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A post on social media paying tribute to Wilson said he was killed in action on December 12. Related Article Analysis

Russia-Ukraine war The six words from Trump that had Zelensky  and the world  wincing He didnt die for glory. He didnt die for medals or headlines. He died because he believed some things are worth standing for  even when the cost is everything, the post read, a week after Wilson was reportedly killed. Ukraine is freer today because of him  but the world is quieter without his laugh, his stubborn courage, his presence beside us. The ABC reported a comrade and friend of Wilsons had confirmed the death, which had also been reported by Russian war bloggers.

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The department has been providing consular assistance to Wilsons family. The movements of Australians overseas are not monitored by the department. Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine is also limiting the departments ability to assist. Travel advice, last updated in July, warns Australians not to travel to Ukraine due to the volatile security environment and military conflict. When an Australian dies overseas the confirmation of their death is usually conducted by local authorities. The ongoing conflict could significantly delay any official confirmation from Ukrainian authorities.

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Some other Australians have previously been killed fighting in Ukraine, while Melbourne teacher Oscar Jenkins was sentenced to 13 years in a Russian prison in May after he was captured in December 2024. He was found guilty of fighting as a mercenary alongside Ukrainian forces following a trial Foreign Minister Penny Wong has labelled a sham. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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Updated WorldEuropeFire The sparks flew up: About 40 people killed in New Year bar fire at Swiss ski resort David Crowe and Daniel Lo Surdo Updated January 2, 2026  11:47am ,first published January 1, 2026  6:31pm 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

Key points The fire at the Crans-Montana resort  a popular ski and hiking area  quickly spread through basement bar Le Constellation after the ceiling caught alight as hundreds of young people celebrated New Years Eve.

Witnesses said the blaze may have started when a champagne bottle with a sparkler in it ignited the ceiling.

At least one Australian was injured. Witnesses said panicked revellers were forced to smash windows to escape the rapidly spreading flames and smoke.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin said it was one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known and that most of the dead were young people.

Australias Department of Foreign Affairs is making urgent enquiries with Swiss authorities to determine whether any other Australians were involved.

Geneva: A tragic accident is being blamed for a fire that swept through a crowded bar in Switzerland in the early hours of the new year, killing about 40 people and injuring at least 115 others. The fire at the Crans-Montana ski resort quickly spread through the basement bar Le Constellation after the ceiling caught alight as hundreds of young people celebrated about 1.30am (11.30am AEDT) on New Years Day. Witnesses said a champagne bottle topped with a sparkler may have ignited the blaze when it was raised too close to the ceiling, while others described the panic of people smashing windows to escape. Loading Swiss authorities said foreign tourists were among those killed but warned it could take days to establish the death toll because many of the bodies were badly burned.

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In a photograph of the bar reportedly taken by a survivor before the fire broke out and sent to Frances BFMTV, a woman can be seen on the shoulders of a man, holding bottles in her hands with sparklers attached. BFMTV. Police said the bodies of some victims were still in the bar and pledged to work around the clock to identify everyone. Experts are using dental and DNA records to try to identify the dead At least one Australian was injured in the blaze, cabinet minister Chris Bowen revealed on Friday morning. He said the patient was receiving medical assistance and their family was being given consular support. Its clearly a terrible, terrible tragedy, and Im sure all Australians send their condolences to the people of Switzerland, and the people involved, Bowen told ABC radio on Friday morning. Swiss President Guy Parmelin said the nightclub was a scene of indescribable violence and distress as dozens of ambulances and 150 emergency workers rushed to the bar.

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He said it was one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known and that most of the dead were young people. Geneva University Hospitals Robert Larribau said many of the victims were very young ... between 15 and 25 years old. He said the patients they were treating had suffered third-degree burns and internal burns after breathing in smoke, he told the BBC via a translator. Social media footage shows the bar ablaze. X/@tyroneking36852 Larribau said local hospitals were also stretched, as the number of people with severe burns exceeded the capacity of the countrys burn units in Bern, Zurich and Lausanne. About 50 people are believed to have been badly burned and the hospital nearest the fire  in Sion  was quickly overwhelmed. Frederic Gisler, the police chief for the Valais district that includes the resort, said international victims were expected to be among those killed or injured. Right now, we have around 40 people who have lost their lives and around 115 people who are injured, many of them very seriously, he said.

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Beatrice Pilloud, attorney-general of the Valais Canton, said it was too early to determine the cause of the fire, but she played down early fears of an attack on the bar. At no moment is there a question of any kind of attack, Pilloud said. She later said the number of people who were in the bar was currently totally unknown, adding that its maximum capacity will be part of the investigation. For the time being, we dont have any suspect, she added, when asked if anyone had been arrested over the fire. An investigation has been opened, not against anyone, but to illuminate the circumstances of this dramatic fire.

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Two women told French broadcaster BFMTV that they were inside when they saw a barman carrying a barmaid on his shoulders. The barmaid was holding a lit candle in a bottle that set fire to the ceiling and flames quickly spread and collapsed the ceiling, they said. A promotional video posted on YouTube by Le Constellation in 2024 showed waitresses carrying bottles with sparklers attached, sending sparks into the air around the restaurant. One witness told The Times that she saw the flames spread across the ceiling from the sparks. Everyone was having fun and then I saw someone put a lit sparkler or a firework like a candle in a champagne bottle on a high table, the witness, Julie, told The Times.

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The sparks flew up to the ceiling and the whole thing caught fire. In a few seconds, the entire ceiling was on fire. Another witness speaking to BFMTV described people smashing windows to escape the blaze, some gravely injured, and panicked parents rushing to the scene in cars to see whether their children were trapped inside. Police officers inspect the area where a fire broke out at Le Constellation bar. AP Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old from Paris who survived the blaze, described total chaos inside the bar. One of his friends died and two or three were missing. He said he did not see the fire start but had seen waitresses arrive with Champagne bottles with sparklers. Clavier told the Associated Press he felt like he was suffocating and initially hid behind a table, then ran upstairs and tried to use a table to break a Plexiglas window. It fell out of its casing, allowing him to escape. Im still in shock, he said.

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At a New Years Day press conference, Valais local government leader Mathias Reynard said: This evening should have been a time of celebration, but it turned into a nightmare. Swiss authorities confirmed those affected came from multiple countries. The interior of Le Constellation after the blaze. Police Cantonale Valaisanne King Charles and Queen Camilla expressed their shock and sorrow at the deaths and injuries. My wife and I were appalled, and greatly saddened, to learn of the devastating fire last night in Crans-Montana, in Switzerland, the King said in a statement. It is utterly heartbreaking that a night of celebration for young people and families instead turned to such nightmarish tragedy.

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Australias Department of Foreign Affairs is making urgent enquiries with local authorities to determine whether any other Australians were involved. It said anyone needing consular assistance should contact the 24-hour emergency centre on +61 2 6261 3305. [DFAT] is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian that has been injured and is receiving medical care following the fire, a spokesperson said. Police officers inspect the area. AP Thirteen of the wounded were Italian citizens, and another six Italians are unaccounted for, Italys ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, told state-run RAI television. The French foreign ministry said eight of its citizens were missing and it could not rule out that some were among the dead.

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The Valais municipality had banned New Years Eve fireworks due to a lack of rainfall in the past month, according to its website. Authorities said 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances had been mobilised. A reception centre and helpline had been set up for impacted families, Lathion said. Flowers left on a railing after the fire. Getty Images The community is in the heart of the Swiss Alps, just 40 kilometres north of the Matterhorn and 170 kilometres east of Geneva. Crans-Montana is a popular ski and hiking area that is home to 10,000 residents outside the peak ski season.

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Tents are set up outside Le Constellation bar as authorities investigate the blaze. Getty Images With AP, Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldEuropeFire Fireworks to blame for at least eight other horror nightclub fires January 2, 2026  9:35am 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 fire at a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana in the early hours of New Years Day has left dozens of people presumed dead and about 100 injured, including an Australian. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which spread through the bar after the ceiling caught alight. One witness said the fire began with a sparkler or firework attached to a bottle of champagne. A photograph of the Swiss bar reportedly taken by a survivor before the fire broke out. BFMTV At least eight other fatal fires in nightclubs over the past 25 years have been started by fireworks or flares that have mostly ignited the ceiling. That includes a blaze less than 12 months ago, when 63 people were killed after a pyrotechnics display at a nightclub in North Macedonia ignited the ceiling. Fires at nightclub, bar and music venues around the world have killed hundreds of people since the 1940s. These are some of the worst incidents.

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December 2025: A fire ripped through a popular nightclub in Arpora village, in Indias Goa state, killing 25 people, including kitchen workers and tourists. March 2025: A fire and ensuing stampede at the crowded Pulse club in Kocani, North Macedonia, killed 63 people, most of them young revellers, and injured more than 200. It was set off by a pyrotechnic flame, captured below, that engulfed the roof of the club. April 2024: A blaze at the Masquerade nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey, trapped workers and employees while the venue was closed for renovations, leaving 29 people dead. It was located on the ground and basement floors of a 16-storey residential building. October 2023: A fire that began at a nightclub in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia and spread to two other clubs left 13 people dead.

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January 2022: A nightclub in Sorong, in Indonesias West Papua province, burned after two groups attacked each other inside the building. Nineteen people were killed. January 2022: A blaze at Livs Nightclub Yaouba in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, set off explosions that killed 17 people. The government suggested that fireworks set the roof alight and the fire then spread to areas where cooking gas was stored. A fire breaks out at a warehouse dance party in Oakland, California, in December 2016. AP December 2016: Thirty-six people died in a fire at a warehouse in Oakland, California that had been converted into a residence and event space for artists, dubbed the Ghost Ship. The blaze, which broke out during an electronic music and dance party, moved so quickly that victims were trapped on the illegally constructed second floor. October 2015: A blaze that broke out during a rock bands pyrotechnics display at the Colectiv nightclub in the Romanian capital, Bucharest, killed 64 people and left some 190 injured.

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January 2013: A fire killed more than 200 people at the Kiss nightclub in the city of Santa Maria in southern Brazil. Investigators said that soundproofing foam on the ceiling caught fire and released poisonous gases that quickly killed those attending a university party. December 2009: Some 152 people died when a blaze broke out at the Lame Horse nightclub in Perm, Russia. It started when an indoor fireworks display ignited a plastic ceiling decorated with branches. Rescuers retrieve the body of a victim outside a nightclub in Perm, Russia in December 2009. AP/RTR Russian Channel January 2009: An indoor fireworks display after a New Years countdown ignited a blaze in the Santika club in Bangkok, Thailand, killing 67 people and injuring many more. Victims died from burns, smoke inhalation and from being crushed. September 2008: A fire killed 44 people at the jammed King of Dancers nightclub in Shenzhen, China, when a stampede broke out after a fireworks show ignited the ceiling.

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December 2004: In Buenos Aires, Argentina, a fire killed 194 people at the crowded Cromagnon Republic club after a flare ignited ceiling foam. Club owner Omar Chaban was sentenced to 20 years in prison for causing the deadly fire and for bribery. Others received lighter sentences. February 2003: A fire at the Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, in the United States killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others. Fireworks being used by the band set fire to flammable foam inside the club. Footage from WPRI-TV television shows a pyrotechnics display that ignited a fatal fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, in February 2003. WPRI-TV January 2001: A fire at a cafe in the Dutch town of Volendam where people were celebrating New Year killed 14 people and injured more than 200. December 2000: A fire that was blamed on a welding accident killed 309 people at a disco in the central Chinese city of Luoyang.

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October 1998: An arson attack against an overcrowded youth disco in the Swedish city of Goteborg killed 63 people and left about 200 injured. Four people were later convicted for starting the fire. March 1996: A fire at the Ozone Disco Pub in Quezon City, Philippines, killed 162 people. A large proportion of the victims were students partying to mark the end of the academic year. March 1990: An arson attack at the Happy Land nightclub in the Bronx borough of New York killed 87 people. It started when a man angry with his girlfriend threw gasoline on the clubs only exit and set it on fire, then jammed down the metal front gate so that people were trapped. December 1983: A fire at the Alcala dance hall in Madrid, Spain left 78 people dead and more than 20 injured. May 1977: A fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky, killed 165 people and injured more than 200.

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November 1942: The deadliest nightclub fire in United States history killed 492 people at Bostons Cocoanut Grove club. The fire at what had been one of Bostons foremost nightspots led to new requirements for sprinkler systems and accessible exits. Related Article Updated

Fire The sparks flew up: About 40 people killed in New Year bar fire at Swiss ski resort April 1940: A fire ignited the decorative Spanish moss draping the ceiling of the Rhythm Night Club in Natchez, Mississippi, killing 209 people. The windows had been boarded up to prevent people from sneaking in. AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.

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Switzerland

Tragedy
Cultural & Historical Significance

Baucis holds profound significance in Greek mythology as one half of the elderly Phrygian couple who demonstrated exceptional hospitality to Zeus and Hermes in disguise. According to Ovid's Metamorphoses, when the gods visited the region in mortal form, only Baucis and her husband Philemon offered them shelter and food despite their poverty. Their selfless generosity contrasted with the inhospitality of their wealthy neighbors, who were punished with a flood. As reward for their piety, the gods transformed their humble cottage into a magnificent temple and granted their wish to die simultaneously, eventually turning them into intertwining trees guarding the sanctuary. This myth established Baucis as an enduring symbol of xenia (sacred hospitality), marital devotion, and the virtue of simple, pious living. The story has been interpreted as illustrating Greek religious values, the importance of proper conduct toward strangers, and the belief that the gods test human morality through disguise. Baucis represents the ideal of the virtuous common person whose humble actions have cosmic significance.
BALAJI CAN BE CONSIDERED FOR NEXT TIE, SAYS RAJPAL





INDIAS Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal on Thursday said experienced doubles specialist N Sriram Balaji remains very much in the national reckoning despite being left out of the squad for the upcoming tie against the Netherlands, stressing that team combinations dictated the selection.

Rajpal explained that the choice was influenced by the need for a deuce-court specialist in the doubles pairing, with Rithvik Bollipalli fitting that role alongside Yuki Bhambri, who prefers to play from the ad court. Looking at combinations, we were searching for a deuce-court player. Yuki plays only from the ad court, so Rithvik is a deuce-court specialist.

Balaji will remain in the fray, Rajpal told PTI. The deuce court is the right side of the court from where each game starts , while the ad court (Advantage) is the left side. The skipper underlined that Balajis omission should not be seen as a reflection of his ability or standing within the team, pointing to the Chennai based players proven record in pressure situations.

Balaji has played singles earlier at crucial times for India and has handled crucial rubbers for the country. He is a core member of the Indian team and could very well be considered for the next tie, if fit, Rajpal added.
Bhopal celebrates second anniversary of Shri Ram Lallais consecration

Staff Reporter:

THEcapital city of Madhya Pradesh was steeped in spiritual fervour on Wednesday as residents and political leaders gathered to celebrate the second anniversary (Pratishtha Dwadashi) of the historic consecration of Lord Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya Dham. Organised by Huzur MLA Rameshwar Sharma at the Yuva Sadan office in Malviya Nagar, the event featured a majestic replica of the Shri Ram Temple and a highaltitude fireworks display that illuminated the citys skyline.

The festivities commenced on the eve of the anniversary when Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav inaugurated the detailed exhibition showcasing a magnificent replica of the Ayodhya Temple. This annual initiative by MLA Rameshwar Sharma has become a centrepiece of the citys cultural calendar.

Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Yadav remarked that the day of Ram Lallas Pran Pratishtha (consecration) remains a golden chapter in Indian history, emphasising that such commemorations are vital for connecting the younger generation with their cultural and spiritual roots.

The main event held on Wednesday saw the participation of Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar as the chief guest. Addressing a large gathering of citizens and party workers, Speaker Tomar officially commenced the fireworks ceremony.The sky was transformed into a canvas of vibrant colours as the skyscraping fireworks display drew thousands of onlookers.

In his address, Speaker Tomar lauded the initiative, stating that the celebrations at Yuva Sadan have evolved into a distinct cultural identity for Bhopal. He noted that the life of Shri Ram serves as a timeless message of dignity (Maryada) and duty, and such gatherings strengthen the fabric of unity and faith within society.

Ram is the Essence of Sanatana Identity: Rameshwar Sharma: The visionary behind the event, MLA Rameshwar Sharma, expressed that the life of a Sanatani (follower of Eternal Dharma) is incomplete without the grace of Lord Shri Ram. The arrival of Ram Lalla in his magnificent temple is our greatest festival, and we are committed to celebrating this milestone every year with equal grandeur, Sharma said.

He further shared that since the temples establishment in Ayodhya two years ago, a resolution was taken to observe this date annually in Bhopal as the Pratishtha Dwadashi festival. The event witnessed a massive turnout, including several prominent public representatives, BJP officials, and thousands of devotees who joined in the chants and celebrations.
BNP leader Tarique returns to Dhaka





BANGLADESH Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka to a rousing welcome by thousands of his supporters on Thursday after over 17 years in self-exile - - a homecoming that is expected to energise the party ahead of the February 12 parliamentary elections. Shortly after landing at the Hazrat Shahjalal International airport, Rahman, the leading contender to be the countrys next prime minister, stood barefoot on Bangladeshi soil in a symbolic gesture to mark his return to the countrys politics.

Hours later, the 60-year-old son of ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia, addressing his supporters, gave a clarion call to maintain peace and stability in the country and presented a broad plan to build an inclusive Bangladesh. Itis time for us all to build the country together.We want to build a safe Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, no matter who a woman, man, or child is, they should be able to leave their homes safely and return safely, he said.

The homecoming of the BNP heir apparent comes amid a fresh wave of unrest and political instability gripping Bangladesh following the killing of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who was a prominent face in last years mass protests that forced the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government. I have a plan for the people of my country and for my country, he said referring to US civil rights activist Mart in Luther KingsI have a dream remark.

In his speech to BNP supporters at the July 36 Expressway in Dhaka, Rahman said he wants to make an inclusive Bangladesh where people, irrespective of castes, creeds and faiths, can live in a peaceful environment. We have people from the hills and the plains in this country Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians.We want to build a safe Bangladesh, where every woman, man and child can leave home safely, he said.

Rahman, accompanied by wife Zubaida and daughter Zaima, was received at the Hazrat Shahjalal International airport in Dhaka by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior party leaders amid tight security.
Contaminated water crisis hits Indore: 7 dead, hundreds hospitalised

Staff Reporter:

INDORE is grappling with a deadly public health emergency as contaminated drinking water in the Bhagirathpura area has left more than hundreds seriously ill and claimed seven lives, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava confirmed on Wednesday amid conflicting claims over the number of fatalities. The Health Department has reported three deaths due to the diarrhoea outbreak in the Bhagirathpura area.

But to my knowledge, four more people suffering from the disease were brought to hospitals and they too died, he told reporters. Bhargava said that a preliminary assessment suggested that drainage water entered the drinking water pipeline due to leakage, which triggered an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting in the falling ill due to consumption of contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident and announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased, besides saying the Government would bear the entire cost of treatment of all patients. Earlier, residents reported vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe dehydration, prompting a surge in hospital admissions.

Preliminary investigations suggest a pipeline leak may have allowed sewage to mix with the water supply, sparking widespread alarm over the citys sanitation and safety standards. Hospitals are stretched to capacity, and citizens are demanding immediate action as authorities scramble to contain the outbreak and assess its full impact.

A committee of senior officials formed to investigate: While addressing the health emergency, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav described the incident as extremely tragic and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. The Chief Minister has ordered strict monitoring of the water supply system and immediate corrective measures to prevent further casualties.

The zonal officer, assistant engineer, and in-charge assistant engineer of Zone 4 under the Public Health Engineering Department were suspended, while the chief in-charge engineer was dismissed. A committee of senior officials has been formed to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and identify those responsible for negligence.

District Collector Shivam Verma confirmed that the administration is maintaining continuous oversight, with the Health Department reviewing treatment protocols and patient care. Opposition leaders have condemned the tragedy as a result of Governments negligence. Congress leader Umang Singhar described the incident as not a natural disaster but a failure of administration, noting that thousands fell ill and eight lives were lost due to water.

Singhar has written to the Chief Minister demanding a high level investigation, strict action against responsible officials, and proper compensation for affected families. He criticised the governments inaction despite repeated complaints from residents over the past two months.

Senior Congress leader Jitu Patwari called the deaths a horrific outcome of BJP governments insensitivity, highlighting that over 150 people were hospitalised and four citizens died. Visiting Vermas Hospital in Indore, Patwari described the scene as one of fear and despair, urging the government to ensure prompt treatment, fair compensation, and accountability for negligence. Both leaders emphasised that affected families and patients deserve justice and transparent handling of the crisis.
Fearless Leap





BOLLYWOOD actor Kiara Advani penned a note recently describing her role in the upcoming film Toxic: A FairyTale for GrownUps, as nothing short of transformative. Headlined by Yash, the film is set to release in theatres on March 19, 2026. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, known for Moothon and Liars Dice, it is produced byVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations.

Advani, who essays the role of Nadia in the film, shared a note on her Instagram story. The 34-yearold actor said it has been the toughest role, and required months of hardwork. "A role that demanded more from me - physically, mentally, emotionally and felt nothing short of transformative. My toughest one yet. Months of hard work. One fearless leap," she wrote. The makers also released the first look poster of the actor on Sunday.

In her note, Advani said she is grateful for the response on it. "To see this first look receive so much love means everything. Grateful beyond words," she added. Toxic is also the first film in India to be simultaneously shot in English and Kannada languages. Even filmmaker Geetu Mohandas has heaped praise on Kiara Advanis performance in his upcoming directorial Toxic.

He described it as nothing short of transformative. Speaking about Advanis performance, Geetu said, Some performances dont just belong to a film, they redefine an artist.What Kiara created on screen in this film is nothing short of transformative. As a director, I am deeply proud of her and for the performance she has delivered, and for the faith and heart she brought into our shared journey.

The Kannada movie marks Yash's first project since the release of the KGF: Chapter 2 (2022) in the superhit franchise. Advani's later work is War 2, which was directed by Ayan Mukerji and featured the actor alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. It was a sequel to War, which released in 2019.
Fireworks, Festivity, Faith: Bhopal ushers inNew Year 2026 with spectacular celebrations

Staff Reporter:

THECity of Lakes, a vibrant blend of Nawabi heritage and modern flair, welcomed the arrival of 2026 with unparalleled energy and enthusiasm. As the clock struck midnight, the city skyline was set ablaze with a kaleidoscope of fireworks, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the capitals residents. The iconic Boat Club and VIP Road remained the heart of the celebrations. As dusk fell, thousands gathered along the banks of the Upper Lake.

Braving the winter chill, groups of youngsters were seen dancing to rhythmic beats, and the air echoed with chants of Happy New Year the moment the countdown ended. In a unique display of festive spirit, many chose to ring in the year aboard decorated cruises and boats, celebrating amidst the serene waves of the lake. The citys premier hotels and clubs hosted themed extravaganzas featuring Bollywood hits and EDM tracks.

Live bands and renowned DJs kept the dance floors packed until the early hours. Families were seen indulging in specially curated gala dinners and cake-cutting ceremonies, sharing moments of joy and togetherness. To ensure a peaceful celebration, the Bhopal Police deployed over 1,600 personnel across strategic locations. Stringent checks were conducted at major intersections like 10 Number Market, MP Nagar, Bittan Market, and Gulmohar.

Police utilised breathalysers to curb drunken driving incidents, maintaining a visible presence to deter any untoward activity. While the youth danced the night away, a significant section of the city sought divine blessings to begin the year. Long queues of devotees were witnessed at the Curfew Wali Mata Temple, Birla Temple, and Gufa Mandir.

Special Aartis were performed at midnight, with citizens praying for peace, prosperity, and health in the coming year.

The celebrations took a more traditional turn in Old Bhopals Chowk and Ibrahimpur areas, where residents gathered around bonfires on rooftops to enjoy local delicacies.
Khaleda Zia laid to rest amid emotional farewell





DHAKA :

HUNDREDS of thousands of people on Wednesday bid an emotional farewell to former Prime Minister and BNP patriarch Khaleda Zia as she was laid to rest near the parliament building amid tight security. Zia, the three-time Prime Minister and a towering political figure, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, several senior leaders from Pakistan, Nepal and other neighbouring countries, diplomats and top political and military brass of Bangladesh attended Zias funeral at Manik Mia Avenue. Zias coffin, draped in the national flag, was brought to the funeral site in a convoy from her residence. Thousands of mourners gathered outside the parliament complex to have a last glimpse of their beloved leader. Many Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters were seen carrying flags featuring Zias photographs. Bangladeshs interim Government chief Muhammad Yunus, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, and Zias son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman were among those joining the funeral prayers.

Please pray to Allah seeking her place in heaven, Zias elder son, Rahman, told the crowd ahead of the prayers. Baitul Mokarram National Mosques chief cleric Mohammad Abdul Kader led the funeral prayers (namaz-e-janaza) held at the Manik Mia Avenue of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (parliament building). BNPs Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief biography of Zia. Mourners from all walks of life offered prayers seeking forgiveness for the departed soul, as they burst into tears, being emotional with the passing of their beloved leader. After the funeral prayers, she was laid to rest beside her husbands grave with State honour at around 4:30 pm (local time). Bhutans Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo DN Dhungyel joined the funeral, while the Maldives was represented by its Higher Education and Labour Minister Ali Haidar Ahmed. Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and heads of international organisations stationed in Dhaka also attended Zias funeral prayers. In a televised address to the nation, Chief Adviser Yunus on Tuesday announced a three-day state mourning and a one-day general holiday.

Zia had been suffering from multiple complex and chronic health conditions, including liver and kidney complications, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and infection-related problems. She last appeared in public on November 21 when she joined the Armed Forces Day reception at Dhaka Cantonment. Two days later, she was admitted to Evercare Hospital for routine tests, during which doctors detected a chest infection and decided to keep her under observation.

Her political journey, spanning over four decades, was one of tremendous highs and lows: from leading a major party and governing the country to being convicted on corruption charges and later receiving a presidential pardon. Her appearance as a public figure in the political arena at the age of 35 was not a planned debut; rather, she was thrust into politics after the 1981 assassination of her husband, a military ruler turned politician who founded BNP in 1978. In 1991, BNP won the elections, and Zia became the first woman prime minister in Bangladesh and second in the Muslim world after Pakistans Benazir Bhutto.
Police BANDOBAST on New Yeareve to curb anti-social activities



Staff Reporter :

JABALPUR police remained on toes to avert any untoward incident on the eve of New Year celebrations. Police conducted intensive search of vehicles at all the main streets and corners of the city till the late night for prevention of anti-social activities.

Under the direction of Superintendent of Police, Sampat Upadhyay, additional security arrangements were made for avoiding anti-social activities and drunken driving in the city during New Year celebrations. For this separate police teams were constituted under supervision of Additional SPs, CSPs and SDOPs in urban and rural areas.

Police personnel conducted checking of suspected vehicles and implemented traffic norms. Additional police deployment was made at main squares and streets in the city. Police conducted vehicles checking at different checking points at main streets and squares with breath analysers for avoiding drunk driving.

Additional police personnel, along with mobile vehicles and patrolling teams, kept vigilant eye throughout the city. All the senior officers and SHOs of different police stations monitored the law and order situation. Besides this, police parties were deployed near venues of new-year celebration, hotels, clubs and restaurants and functions were concluded within time specified by the police.
Raipur sarafa leader urges PMO to ban gold, silver futures trading

By Kirit Joshi :

a sharp surge in global bullion prices, concerns have intensified over the impact of futures trading on Indias physical gold and silver market. Gold prices touched an all-time high of Rs 1,40,200 per 10 grams, while silver was traded at Rs 2,34,200 per kilogram on Wednesday, reflecting strong bullish momentum in international markets. Raising alarm over the growing vulnerability of the retail sarafa trade, former president of the Raipur Sarafa Association Harakh Malu has written to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), urging the removal of gold and silver from futures trading.

In his letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Malu flagged what he described as excessive speculation, market distortion and the rising risk of money laundering linked to bullion futures. Malu stated that while the Central Government has permitted futures trading in several commodities, gold and silver trading has increasingly drifted away from its original purpose of facilitating physical delivery and price discovery.

Instead, he argued, futures trading in bullion has become predominantly speculative, widening the gap between spot prices and futures prices and creating instability in the physical market. He pointed out that this disconnect has intensified at a time when global gold and silver prices are witnessing a strong upward trend, compounding uncertainty for domestic traders. According to Malu, sharp and frequent price fluctuations driven by speculative activity are severely impacting small and medium bullion traders, many of whom operate on limited working capital and thin margins.

Highlighting the human cost of market volatility, Malu said that sustained financial losses have placed immense pressure on families dependent on the sarafa business. He noted that traders are facing mounting stress, anxiety, and social strain due to unpredictable price movements that are beyond their control. In extreme situations, he warned, prolonged losses could push individuals towards severe mental distress.

Malu also alleged that international entities exercising influence over futures trading are increasingly dictating prices in the physical bullion market. He cautioned that when futures prices begin to override actual demand-supply dynamics, it encourages parallel and unaccounted transactions, thereby increasing the risk of money laundering.

Calling for decisive intervention, Malu suggested that removing gold and silver from the futures market would help restore balance between physical and paper trading, curb speculative excesses and protect genuine traders and consumers.

He emphasised that such a step would provide much-needed stability to the bullion sector, especially when gold and silver are globally regarded as safe havens assets amid economic uncertainty. Appealing to the Prime Minister to view the issue from both economic and humanitarian perspectives, Malu said timely action would safeguard livelihoods across the bullion trade and bring relief to thousands of families dependent on the sector.
Individuals named Bressal are often perceived as possessing strong leadership qualities and natural authority. The name's martial origins suggest personality traits including determination, courage, and the ability to face challenges head-on. They tend to be strategic thinkers who approach obstacles with careful planning rather than impulsive action, reflecting the Celtic ideal of the wise warrior who combines strength with intelligence.



Beyond the battlefield connotations, Bressal suggests a personality marked by loyalty and protective instincts toward family and community. These individuals often exhibit strong principles and a sense of honor, standing firm in their convictions while remaining adaptable to changing circumstances. The name carries an air of traditional values combined with practical wisdom, suggesting someone who respects heritage while navigating modern challenges effectively.



In interpersonal relationships, Bressal implies reliability and steadfastness. People with this name are typically seen as pillars of strength in their social circlesthe ones others turn to in times of crisis. However, the battle association also suggests they may have a competitive nature and strong drive to succeed. Their strength is typically balanced with compassion, making them natural leaders who inspire confidence rather than fear in others.
Top Maoist leader Ganesh Uike, 5 others killed in gunfights in Odisha





TOP Maoist leader Ganesh Uike, who carried a bounty of Rs 1.1 crore on his head, was among six red rebels killed in gunbattles with security forces in Odishas Kandhamal district, police said on Thursday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called it a major breakthrough, while Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described it as a remarkable success to build a Naxal-free India. CPI(Maoist) central committee member Uike was the chief of the banned outfit in Odisha, Sanjeeb Panda, an ADG rank officer heading anti-Naxal operations in the state, said.

Two Maoists from Chhattisgarh were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Gumma forest in Belghar police station area on Wednesday night. Fresh gunbattles took place in a forest in Chakapad police station area on Thursday morning, in which four other Maoists, including Uike, were killed, he said. Four Maoists were killed in the gunfight.

One of them was identified as 69-year-old Ganesh Uike, who is also known by his aliases Pakka Hanumantu, Rajesh Tiwari, Chamru and Rupa. He was a native of Pullemala village under Chendur mandal in Telanganas Nalgonda district, Panda said. The identity of the other three Naxals, including two women,was yet to be ascertained, the officer said. Taking to X, Shah said, In a major operation in Kandhamal, Odisha, 6 Naxalites, including Central Committee Member Ganesh Uike, have been neutralised so far. With this major breakthrough, Odisha stands at the threshold of becoming completely free from Naxalism.

We are resolved to eliminate Naxalism before the 31st of March 2026.Majhi,whoisalso the Home Minister of the State, congratulated the police personnel for their indomitable courage, professionalism and excellent coordination. Today, Odisha has achieved a remarkable success in the campaign to build a Naxal-free India. During the on going joint operation in Kandhamal district, 6 Naxalites, including Ganesh Uike, a member of the Naxal Central Committee, have been neutralised, Majhi said in a social media post. With this significant breakthrough, Odisha stands on the thres hold of being completely free from Naxalism, he said.

We are determined to completely eradicate Naxalism. The development of the State and the safety of the people are our highest priorities. Peace and progress will determine The future direction of Odisha, the Chief Minister said. Addressing a press conference, DGP YB Khurania said, While two Maoists were gunned down on Wednesday, four others, including Ganesh Uike, were neutralised this morning. The killing of a central committee member is a big success for Odisha Police.

It has broken the backbone of the Maoists in the State. The DGP said operations were underway at different places along the Kandhamal Ganjam inter-district boundary. We hope to get more success. This is one of the biggest operations against Maoists in Odisha in recent times. We thank the security personnel involved in the operation. We are determined to meet the Union Home Ministers target of eliminating Naxalism by March, 2026, he added.
Regency Capital Management Inc. DE purchased a new stake in White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 811 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $1,356,000.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in shares of White Mountains Insurance Group by 183.3% in the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 17 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in White Mountains Insurance Group by 325.0% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 17 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its position in White Mountains Insurance Group by 90.9% in the 1st quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 21 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Steph & Co. acquired a new position in White Mountains Insurance Group in the second quarter worth $47,000. Finally, CWM LLC grew its holdings in shares of White Mountains Insurance Group by 34.8% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 31 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 8 shares during the last quarter. 88.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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White Mountains Insurance Group Price Performance

White Mountains Insurance Group stock opened at $2,078.17 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $1,987.37 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1,863.81. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The stock has a market cap of $5.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.24 and a beta of 0.36. White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. has a 12-month low of $1,648.00 and a 12-month high of $2,143.25.

Insiders Place Their Bets

White Mountains Insurance Group ( NYSE:WTM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The insurance provider reported $72.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $57.00 by $15.21. The company had revenue of $864.20 million for the quarter. White Mountains Insurance Group had a net margin of 5.63% and a return on equity of 7.19%.

In other White Mountains Insurance Group news, Director Philip A. Gelston sold 165 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,048.51, for a total value of $338,004.15. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 1,568 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,212,063.68. This trade represents a 9.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 3.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of White Mountains Insurance Group in a report on Monday, December 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, White Mountains Insurance Group currently has an average rating of Hold.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on White Mountains Insurance Group

White Mountains Insurance Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. is a Bermuda-based diversified insurance and financial services holding company organized in 1985 and headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. The company operates through a portfolio of insurance, reinsurance and specialty finance businesses, offering a blend of underwriting expertise and investment management to institutional clients worldwide. As a publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WTM), White Mountains seeks to generate long-term shareholder value by combining disciplined capital management with strategic acquisitions and organic growth initiatives.

Through its principal operating subsidiariesmost notably Sirius International Insurance Group, Ltd.

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Shares of Equifax, Inc. (NYSE:EFX  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the twenty brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, twelve have assigned a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $274.7333.

EFX has been the topic of several research analyst reports. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Equifax from $287.00 to $297.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Equifax from $300.00 to $285.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Equifax from $285.00 to $250.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $295.00 price objective on shares of Equifax in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Equifax from $245.00 to $234.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 8th.

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Insider Transactions at Equifax

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Equifax

In related news, EVP Jamil Farshchi sold 4,925 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.94, for a total transaction of $1,176,779.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 39,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,405,634.16. This trade represents a 11.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, CEO Mark W. Begor sold 27,959 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $231.10, for a total value of $6,461,324.90. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 142,934 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $33,032,047.40. This represents a 16.36% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure . Over the last three months, insiders have sold 54,270 shares of company stock worth $12,580,837. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Equifax during the second quarter valued at about $334,521,000. Generation Investment Management LLP lifted its stake in shares of Equifax by 63.4% in the 1st quarter. Generation Investment Management LLP now owns 2,801,325 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $682,291,000 after acquiring an additional 1,087,446 shares during the last quarter. Harris Associates L P boosted its holdings in Equifax by 27.6% during the 1st quarter. Harris Associates L P now owns 4,570,557 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,113,205,000 after acquiring an additional 987,772 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its position in Equifax by 55.9% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 1,318,914 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $321,235,000 after acquiring an additional 472,861 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Equifax by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 15,282,951 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $3,920,535,000 after purchasing an additional 316,048 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.20% of the companys stock.

Equifax Trading Down 1.7%

Shares of EFX stock opened at $217.07 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $26.57 billion, a PE ratio of 41.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 1.59. Equifax has a 52-week low of $199.98 and a 52-week high of $281.07. The businesss fifty day moving average is $214.32 and its 200 day moving average is $236.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.74.

Equifax (NYSE:EFX  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The credit services provider reported $2.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.10. Equifax had a return on equity of 19.28% and a net margin of 11.08%.The business had revenue of $1.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.52 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.85 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equifax has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.980-2.080 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 7.550-7.650 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Equifax will post 7.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Equifax Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 24th were issued a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 24th. Equifaxs dividend payout ratio is presently 37.95%.

About Equifax

(Get Free Report)

Equifax Inc (NYSE: EFX) is a global data, analytics and technology company that specializes in consumer and commercial credit reporting, decisioning tools and identity solutions. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Equifax is one of the three major consumer credit reporting agencies in the United States and provides credit information and related services to lenders, employers, governments and consumers worldwide.

The companys offerings include consumer credit reports and scores, credit monitoring and identity protection services, and a range of business-oriented products for risk management, fraud detection and compliance.

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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of the Sudan, Azernews reports.

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincerest congratulations and best wishes to you and your people on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of independence of the Republic of the Sudan.

I believe that we will continue to make joint efforts to develop relations and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Sudan in a spirit of friendship and in line with the interests of our peoples.

On such a remarkable day, I wish robust health, success in your endeavors, and your friendly people peace and prosperity.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 29 December 2025, the letter reads.
Individuals named Breynne are often perceived as having a strong, grounded presence combined with natural elegance. The name's association with hills suggests someone who is stable yet elevated in perspective, capable of seeing the bigger picture while maintaining firm roots. They tend to exhibit resilience and endurance, much like the enduring nature of geographical features, able to withstand challenges while maintaining their core identity.



Breynnes are frequently described as having a calming, earthy presence that inspires confidence in others. Their personality often blends practicality with creativity, showing both the steadfast reliability of the earth and the inspirational quality of elevated viewpoints. They may be natural leaders who guide others with wisdom and patience, offering support and perspective while encouraging growth and exploration in those around them. This combination of strength and gentleness makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both emotional intelligence and practical problem-solving.
XPENG Inc. Sponsored ADR (NYSE:XPEV  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seventeen ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $25.3667.

A number of research analysts have issued reports on XPEV shares. CLSA upgraded XPENG to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded shares of XPENG from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $29.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of XPENG in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Daiwa America upgraded shares of XPENG from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated a reduce rating on shares of XPENG in a research report on Monday.

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XPENG Price Performance

NYSE XPEV opened at $20.30 on Monday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $21.45 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $20.69. XPENG has a 52 week low of $11.14 and a 52 week high of $28.24. The stock has a market cap of $19.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -48.33 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24.

XPENG (NYSE:XPEV  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 17th. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.47) by $0.41. XPENG had a negative return on equity of 9.25% and a negative net margin of 4.02%.The company had revenue of $1.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.48 billion. Analysts forecast that XPENG will post -0.96 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of XPENG by 356.9% in the third quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 1,090,930 shares of the companys stock worth $25,550,000 after buying an additional 1,515,591 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its position in shares of XPENG by 228.7% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,639,403 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,313,000 after acquiring an additional 1,140,593 shares in the last quarter. Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new position in XPENG in the 1st quarter worth approximately $8,514,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its stake in XPENG by 32.6% in the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 135,518 shares of the companys stock worth $2,423,000 after purchasing an additional 33,282 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its position in XPENG by 29.4% during the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 127,533 shares of the companys stock worth $2,280,000 after purchasing an additional 28,983 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 21.09% of the companys stock.

XPENG Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

XPENG Inc (NYSE: XPEV) is a China-based developer and manufacturer of smart electric vehicles. The company designs, engineers and sells battery-electric sedans and sport-utility vehicles along with related software and services. Founded in 2014, XPENG positions itself as a technology-driven automaker with a focus on vehicle connectivity, software-defined features and advanced driver assistance systems.

Product offerings center on passenger EVs spanning compact crossovers and midsize sedans, supported by in-house software platforms and over-the-air update capabilities.

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Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCMKTS:ANTH  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $0.00 and traded as high as $0.0001. Anthera Pharmaceuticals shares last traded at $0.0001, with a volume of 2,487 shares.

Anthera Pharmaceuticals Stock Performance

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About Anthera Pharmaceuticals

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Anthera Pharmaceuticals, trading on the OTC Markets under the symbol ANTH, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies for patients suffering from serious and rare inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The companys research and development efforts center on both biologic and small-molecule approaches designed to modulate key pathways in immune system dysfunction. Antheras strategy includes advancing lead candidates through late-stage clinical trials while exploring additional indications for its pipeline assets.

The companys most advanced asset, blisibimod, is a selective antagonist of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) that has been evaluated in clinical studies for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) VP Christopher Mead sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $258.11, for a total value of $1,032,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 17,327 shares in the company, valued at $4,472,271.97. This represents a 18.76% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Trading Down 1.0%

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stock opened at $259.09 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $253.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $285.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $66.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.73 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a current ratio of 1.06. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a 52 week low of $236.34 and a 52 week high of $351.23.

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.51 by ($0.19). The company had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.34 billion. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a return on equity of 11.98% and a net margin of 13.58%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 20.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.26 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 11.54 EPS for the current year.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Dividend Announcement

Institutional Trading of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th were issued a dividend of $0.65 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s dividend payout ratio is currently 38.86%.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in AJG. AlphaQuest LLC bought a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the 1st quarter worth $33,000. Axiom Investors LLC DE increased its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 34.9% in the first quarter. Axiom Investors LLC DE now owns 781,227 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $269,711,000 after buying an additional 201,900 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board raised its position in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 669.8% during the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 86,536 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,876,000 after acquiring an additional 75,295 shares during the last quarter. Vident Advisory LLC lifted its position in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 110.3% in the 1st quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 7,332 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,531,000 after purchasing an additional 3,845 shares during the period. Finally, Saudi Central Bank acquired a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the first quarter valued at $34,000. 85.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on AJG. Wolfe Research set a $289.00 price target on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $330.00 to $277.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Piper Sandler cut their target price on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $295.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, December 15th. Barclays lowered shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and decreased their price target for the company from $328.00 to $250.00 in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their target price on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $275.00 to $272.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $302.22.

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co is a global insurance brokerage and risk management firm headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Founded in 1927 by Arthur J. Gallagher, the company has grown from a regional broker into an international professional services organization that arranges insurance, provides consulting and designs risk-transfer solutions for commercial, industrial, public sector and individual clients.

The companys core activities include property and casualty insurance brokerage, employee benefits consulting and administration, and a range of risk management services.

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Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX:BOQPF  Get Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Thursday, January 1st, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Stockholders of record on Sunday, February 15th will be paid a dividend of 1.301 per share on Sunday, February 15th. This represents a dividend yield of 126.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 28th.

Bank of Queensland Stock Performance

Bank of Queensland Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Queensland Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services in Australia and New Zealand. The company operates in Retail Banking, BOQ Business, and Other segments. It offers personal banking services comprises savings and term deposits, and transactional accounts; debit and credit cards; home, personal, and car loans; and travel, home and content, landlord, and car insurance, as well as investment services comprising online share trading services, and self-managed superannuation funds.

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Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 15,930,297 shares, an increase of 33.4% from the November 30th total of 11,941,999 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 4,901,954 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.2 days. Approximately 7.6% of the shares of the company are short sold. Approximately 7.6% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 4,901,954 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.2 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BBY has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Truist Financial set a $77.00 target price on shares of Best Buy in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Best Buy from $85.00 to $80.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. BNP Paribas Exane lowered their price target on Best Buy from $69.00 to $68.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Best Buy from $97.00 to $99.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Loop Capital upped their target price on Best Buy from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $84.11.

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Best Buy Price Performance

NYSE BBY traded down $0.92 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $66.91. 2,160,268 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,321,904. The company has a market capitalization of $14.02 billion, a PE ratio of 22.16, a PEG ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.26. Best Buy has a 52-week low of $54.99 and a 52-week high of $91.68. The firms 50-day moving average is $75.86 and its 200-day moving average is $73.57.

Best Buy (NYSE:BBY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The technology retailer reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.31 by $0.09. Best Buy had a return on equity of 50.02% and a net margin of 1.54%.The business had revenue of $9.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.57 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.26 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Best Buy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.250-6.350 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Best Buy will post 6.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Best Buy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 16th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.7%. Best Buys payout ratio is currently 125.83%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Best Buy news, Chairman Richard M. Schulze sold 74,553 shares of Best Buy stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.31, for a total transaction of $6,285,563.43. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman owned 11,451,911 shares in the company, valued at approximately $965,510,616.41. This trade represents a 0.65% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 1,534,993 shares of company stock worth $126,626,855. 0.47% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Best Buy

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in shares of Best Buy by 106.7% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 11,744 shares of the technology retailers stock worth $864,000 after acquiring an additional 6,061 shares during the period. Trexquant Investment LP purchased a new position in shares of Best Buy during the first quarter valued at approximately $2,757,000. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Best Buy by 191.9% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 10,714 shares of the technology retailers stock worth $789,000 after purchasing an additional 7,043 shares during the last quarter. Maverick Capital Ltd. boosted its stake in Best Buy by 59.0% in the 1st quarter. Maverick Capital Ltd. now owns 88,633 shares of the technology retailers stock worth $6,524,000 after buying an additional 32,880 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Best Buy by 2.3% in the first quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 16,632 shares of the technology retailers stock valued at $1,224,000 after purchasing an additional 369 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.96% of the companys stock.

Best Buy Company Profile

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Best Buy Co, Inc is a leading North American consumer electronics retailer that sells a broad range of products including computers, mobile phones, televisions and home theater systems, major appliances, smart-home devices, gaming hardware and software, wearables and related accessories. The company operates through a mix of large-format stores, smaller specialty locations and an e-commerce platform, offering national and private-brand merchandise from major consumer-technology manufacturers as well as third-party sellers.

Beyond product retailing, Best Buy provides a suite of services aimed at installation, repair and ongoing technical support.

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BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (NYSE:BDJ  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 272,286 shares, an increase of 41.5% from the November 30th total of 192,455 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 418,622 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.7 days. Based on an average trading volume of 418,622 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.7 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BDJ. Cerity Partners LLC bought a new position in BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust during the second quarter valued at approximately $3,451,000. Shaker Financial Services LLC boosted its position in shares of BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust by 128.1% during the 2nd quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 627,929 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $5,582,000 after acquiring an additional 352,617 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its holdings in shares of BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust by 9.3% in the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 3,980,743 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $35,389,000 after purchasing an additional 338,684 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp bought a new stake in BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust in the first quarter worth $2,495,000. Finally, Waterfront Wealth Inc. raised its stake in BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust by 32.6% during the third quarter. Waterfront Wealth Inc. now owns 915,733 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $8,219,000 after purchasing an additional 225,076 shares in the last quarter.

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BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE BDJ traded up $0.06 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $9.46. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,227,107 shares, compared to its average volume of 430,447. BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust has a 52 week low of $7.16 and a 52 week high of $9.50. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $9.12 and a two-hundred day moving average of $8.99.

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust Announces Dividend

About BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 22nd will be issued a $0.0619 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 22nd.

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BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (NYSE: BDJ) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in dividend-paying equity securities. The trust pursues an enhanced dividend strategy, focusing on U.S. large-capitalization common stocks with a history of dividend payments. To augment income generation, BDJ may also employ an option overlay strategy, writing covered call options on select securities or indices.

Since commencing operations in 2006, BDJ has been advised by BlackRock Fund Advisors, one of the worlds largest asset managers.

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Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO  Get Free Report) (TSE:ELD) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the eight ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $31.20.

EGO has been the subject of several analyst reports. Wall Street Zen cut Eldorado Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Eldorado Gold in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Canaccord Genuity Group raised Eldorado Gold from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. National Bankshares reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Eldorado Gold in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Eldorado Gold from $25.50 to $33.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd.

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Eldorado Gold Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of NYSE:EGO opened at $35.95 on Friday. Eldorado Gold has a 1-year low of $13.29 and a 1-year high of $37.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 2.79 and a quick ratio of 2.28. The stock has a market cap of $7.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.97, a P/E/G ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 0.57. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $30.53 and a 200 day moving average price of $26.32.

Eldorado Gold (NYSE:EGO  Get Free Report) (TSE:ELD) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.41 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by ($0.08). Eldorado Gold had a net margin of 22.15% and a return on equity of 8.89%. The business had revenue of $436.44 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $422.25 million. Sell-side analysts predict that Eldorado Gold will post 1.5 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eldorado Gold

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EGO. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Eldorado Gold during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,936,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Eldorado Gold by 5.4% in the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 30,732 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $517,000 after buying an additional 1,580 shares in the last quarter. Trexquant Investment LP grew its holdings in Eldorado Gold by 21.6% during the first quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 331,354 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $5,573,000 after acquiring an additional 58,760 shares during the period. L1 Capital Pty Ltd grew its holdings in Eldorado Gold by 22.7% during the first quarter. L1 Capital Pty Ltd now owns 8,774,080 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $147,580,000 after acquiring an additional 1,621,173 shares during the period. Finally, Maverick Capital Ltd. raised its position in Eldorado Gold by 121.3% in the first quarter. Maverick Capital Ltd. now owns 47,294 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $795,000 after acquiring an additional 25,923 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.58% of the companys stock.

About Eldorado Gold

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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.

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Shares of United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE:UCB  Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Hold by the seven research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $35.40.

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of United Community Banks in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Community Banks

In other United Community Banks news, EVP Richard Bradshaw sold 1,654 shares of United Community Banks stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.23, for a total transaction of $50,000.42. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 75,226 shares in the company, valued at $2,274,081.98. This trade represents a 2.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . 0.43% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in United Community Banks in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of United Community Banks during the first quarter worth $26,000. First Horizon Corp acquired a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the third quarter valued at $27,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of United Community Banks by 213.8% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,048 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 714 shares during the period. Finally, Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.29% of the companys stock.

United Community Banks Stock Performance

NYSE:UCB opened at $31.20 on Monday. The companys 50-day moving average is $30.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.07. United Community Banks has a 1-year low of $22.93 and a 1-year high of $34.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.38 and a beta of 0.87.

United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.05. United Community Banks had a net margin of 20.67% and a return on equity of 9.42%. The firm had revenue of $276.85 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $270.85 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.57 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 27.4% compared to the same quarter last year.

United Community Banks declared that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Monday, December 8th that authorizes the company to repurchase $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 2.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

United Community Banks Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. United Community Bankss payout ratio is 39.68%.

United Community Banks Company Profile

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United Community Banks, Inc (NYSE: UCB) is a bank holding company headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia. It operates primarily through its subsidiary, United Community Bank, providing a broad range of banking and financial services to individual, business and governmental customers. The companys core offerings include deposit accounts, commercial and consumer lending, mortgage origination, treasury and cash management services, and wealth management.

In addition to traditional banking products such as checking, savings and money market accounts, United Community Bank specializes in commercial real estate financing, small business administration (SBA) loans, equipment financing and agricultural lending.

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CACI International, Inc. (NYSE:CACI  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 668,679 shares, a decline of 18.5% from the November 30th total of 820,362 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 254,146 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.6 days. Currently, 3.1% of the companys stock are sold short. Currently, 3.1% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 254,146 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.6 days.

Institutional Trading of CACI International

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CACI. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new position in CACI International during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in CACI International by 110.5% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 80 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in CACI International during the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH acquired a new position in shares of CACI International during the 2nd quarter worth $55,000. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. raised its holdings in shares of CACI International by 180.0% during the 2nd quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 140 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $67,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. 86.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Truist Financial raised their target price on CACI International from $600.00 to $735.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of CACI International from $639.00 to $759.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on CACI International from $567.00 to $624.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Citigroup assumed coverage on CACI International in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. They set a neutral rating and a $642.00 price target for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of CACI International in a report on Monday. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $618.17.

CACI International Price Performance

CACI International stock traded down $6.79 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $532.22. The companys stock had a trading volume of 187,364 shares, compared to its average volume of 249,697. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $580.22 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $519.51. CACI International has a twelve month low of $318.60 and a twelve month high of $632.77.

CACI International (NYSE:CACI  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The information technology services provider reported $6.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.20 by $0.65. The company had revenue of $2.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.26 billion. CACI International had a return on equity of 15.92% and a net margin of 5.70%.CACI Internationals revenue for the quarter was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $5.93 earnings per share. CACI International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 27.130-28.030 EPS. Research analysts forecast that CACI International will post 23.94 earnings per share for the current year.

About CACI International

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CACI International Inc is a leading provider of information solutions and services to the U.S. federal government, with a primary focus on defense, intelligence, homeland security and federal civilian agencies. The company delivers advanced technology and domain expertise to support mission-critical operations, offering capabilities in areas such as data analytics, cyber security, network integration, enterprise IT modernization and logistics support. By integrating software, hardware and professional services, CACI helps clients enhance situational awareness, improve decision making and maintain critical infrastructure resilience.

Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, CACI has evolved from a small consulting operation into a global enterprise.

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People named Carson are typically characterized by a blend of practicality and adventure, reflecting the name's origins in both marsh-dwelling resourcefulness and frontier exploration. They often demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities and adaptability, able to navigate challenging situations with calm determination. This practical nature is complemented by an independent streak that values personal freedom and self-reliance. Carsons tend to be grounded individuals who prefer direct communication and authentic relationships over superficial social interactions.



Their personality often includes a strong sense of loyalty and responsibility, particularly toward family and close friends, combined with the courage to pursue new opportunities. Many exhibit leadership qualities that are more collaborative than authoritarian, preferring to lead by example rather than command. This balance of steadfast reliability and adventurous spirit makes Carsons well-suited for roles requiring both consistency and innovation. They typically approach life with a mixture of traditional values and modern thinking, creating a personality that respects heritage while embracing progress.
California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,186,602 shares, a decrease of 19.1% from the November 30th total of 1,466,795 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 559,446 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.1 days. Approximately 2.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Approximately 2.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 559,446 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.1 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of California Water Service Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,757,000. Amundi lifted its holdings in California Water Service Group by 19.4% in the third quarter. Amundi now owns 2,276,599 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $104,318,000 after buying an additional 369,430 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake in California Water Service Group by 5,365.1% in the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 368,074 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $16,891,000 after acquiring an additional 361,339 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in California Water Service Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $5,979,000. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. acquired a new stake in California Water Service Group during the 2nd quarter worth $4,548,000. 82.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CWT has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Robert W. Baird set a $55.00 price target on California Water Service Group in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of California Water Service Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $55.00.

California Water Service Group Price Performance

Shares of California Water Service Group stock traded down $0.27 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $43.30. The company had a trading volume of 218,501 shares, compared to its average volume of 463,403. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market capitalization of $2.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.65. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $45.06 and a 200 day simple moving average of $45.83. California Water Service Group has a 1-year low of $41.29 and a 1-year high of $51.63.

California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The utilities provider reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.20 by ($0.17). The firm had revenue of $311.24 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $321.35 million. California Water Service Group had a return on equity of 8.23% and a net margin of 13.61%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.03 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that California Water Service Group will post 3.15 earnings per share for the current year.

California Water Service Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 21st. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th were issued a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. California Water Service Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 52.40%.

California Water Service Group Company Profile

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California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) is a publicly traded holding company that provides regulated water utility services through its subsidiaries. The company delivers safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater management to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers across California, Hawaii and New Mexico. Its principal operating units include California Water Service, New Mexico Water Service and Hawaii Water Service, each responsible for endtoend water supply operationsfrom source development and treatment to distribution and customer service.

Founded in 1926 as the California Water Service Company, the group has grown to become one of the largest investorowned water utilities in the United States by customer count.

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Shares of Cap Gemini SA (OTCMKTS:CGEMY  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Tuesday . 1,481,858 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 354% from the previous sessions volume of 326,681 shares.The stock last traded at $33.33 and had previously closed at $33.54.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Cap Gemini from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Cap Gemini currently has an average rating of Hold.

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Cap Gemini Stock Down 0.2%

Cap Gemini Company Profile

The firm has a fifty day moving average of $31.76 and a two-hundred day moving average of $30.77.

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Cap Gemini (OTCMKTS: CGEMY), commonly known as Capgemini, is a global professional services and consulting firm that provides technology-led business transformation services. The companys core activities include management and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, cloud migration and managed services. Capgemini delivers solutions across the digital value chain, combining strategy, design, engineering and operations to help clients modernize legacy systems, implement cloud platforms, deploy data and AI capabilities, and secure IT environments.

Founded in 1967 by Serge Kampf and headquartered in Paris, Capgemini has grown through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions to broaden its capabilities and geographic footprint.

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Centerspace (NYSE:CSR  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 963,675 shares, a growth of 40.4% from the November 30th total of 686,357 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 203,644 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.7 days. Currently, 5.8% of the companys stock are sold short. Currently, 5.8% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 203,644 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.7 days.

Centerspace Trading Up 0.4%

NYSE CSR opened at $66.79 on Thursday. Centerspace has a 1 year low of $52.76 and a 1 year high of $69.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 0.18 and a quick ratio of 0.18. The company has a market capitalization of $1.12 billion, a PE ratio of 37.31 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a fifty day moving average of $64.20 and a 200 day moving average of $60.56.

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Centerspace (NYSE:CSR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by ($0.03). Centerspace had a net margin of 11.14% and a return on equity of 3.52%. Centerspace has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.880-4.960 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Centerspace will post 4.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Centerspace Dividend Announcement

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Centerspace

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 30th will be given a $0.77 dividend. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.6%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 30th. Centerspaces dividend payout ratio is currently 172.07%.

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. HighTower Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Centerspace in the first quarter valued at $321,000. Graham Capital Management L.P. grew its position in shares of Centerspace by 128.3% during the 1st quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P. now owns 7,850 shares of the companys stock valued at $508,000 after acquiring an additional 4,411 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in shares of Centerspace by 199.5% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 15,720 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,019,000 after purchasing an additional 10,472 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Centerspace by 32.5% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 4,891 shares of the companys stock worth $317,000 after purchasing an additional 1,200 shares during the period. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in Centerspace by 2.0% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 14,790 shares of the companys stock valued at $958,000 after purchasing an additional 287 shares during the period. 79.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have weighed in on CSR. Raymond James Financial reissued a market perform rating on shares of Centerspace in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Centerspace from $60.00 to $74.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, November 17th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Centerspace from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Centerspace in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, Piper Sandler cut their price objective on Centerspace from $68.00 to $66.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 10th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $69.38.

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About Centerspace

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Centerspace is an owner and operator of apartment communities committed to providing great homes by focusing on integrity and serving others. Founded in 1970, as of September 30, 2023, Centerspace owned interests in 71 apartment communities consisting of 12,785 apartment homes located in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Centerspace was named a Top Workplace for the fourth consecutive year in 2023 by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

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CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the twenty brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, fifteen have given a hold recommendation, three have assigned a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $93.0625.

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on CF shares. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on CF Industries in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. They issued an overweight rating and a $100.00 target price on the stock. HSBC cut their price target on CF Industries from $95.00 to $91.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of CF Industries in a research report on Monday. Bank of America raised their target price on CF Industries from $82.00 to $83.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Cibc Captl Mkts upgraded CF Industries to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd.

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CF Industries Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of NYSE:CF opened at $77.35 on Monday. The companys fifty day moving average is $80.38 and its two-hundred day moving average is $86.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.99 and a current ratio of 2.27. CF Industries has a 1-year low of $67.34 and a 1-year high of $104.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.32 and a beta of 0.68.

CF Industries (NYSE:CF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The basic materials company reported $2.19 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.06 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $1.66 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.59 billion. CF Industries had a net margin of 20.47% and a return on equity of 18.14%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 21.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.55 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that CF Industries will post 5.83 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in CF Industries by 24.4% in the 2nd quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 95,289 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $8,767,000 after acquiring an additional 18,666 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of CF Industries by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 276,542 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $25,442,000 after purchasing an additional 15,291 shares during the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of CF Industries in the 1st quarter worth approximately $849,000. Swiss National Bank lifted its stake in CF Industries by 2.7% during the second quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 504,000 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $46,368,000 after purchasing an additional 13,200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Foster & Motley Inc. lifted its stake in CF Industries by 131.4% during the second quarter. Foster & Motley Inc. now owns 32,829 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $3,020,000 after purchasing an additional 18,640 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.06% of the companys stock.

CF Industries Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

CF Industries Holdings, Inc is a leading global manufacturer of hydrogen and nitrogen products for agricultural and industrial customers. The company specializes in the production of ammonia, granular urea, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), nitric acid and ammonium nitrate, which serve as key inputs for fertilizer blends, industrial chemicals and other downstream applications.

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, CF Industries operates production facilities and distribution terminals across North America and the United Kingdom.

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Shares of CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CNO  Get Free Report) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $39.29 and traded as high as $43.50. CNO Financial Group shares last traded at $42.8560, with a volume of 567,779 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of CNO Financial Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of CNO Financial Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler increased their price target on CNO Financial Group from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded CNO Financial Group from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $42.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on CNO Financial Group from $44.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $45.00.

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CNO Financial Group Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $41.20 and a 200-day simple moving average of $39.36. The stock has a market cap of $4.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.85 and a beta of 0.86.

CNO Financial Group (NYSE:CNO  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, May 19th. The financial services provider reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $968.30 million during the quarter. CNO Financial Group had a return on equity of 15.81% and a net margin of 6.64%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that CNO Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CNO Financial Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th were paid a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 10th. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. CNO Financial Groups payout ratio is presently 23.78%.

Insider Transactions at CNO Financial Group

In related news, CIO Eric R. Johnson sold 48,665 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.24, for a total transaction of $2,006,944.60. Following the sale, the executive owned 671,542 shares in the company, valued at $27,694,392.08. This represents a 6.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CMO Rocco F. Tarasi III sold 9,283 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.60, for a total transaction of $395,455.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer directly owned 73,932 shares in the company, valued at $3,149,503.20. This represents a 11.16% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 3.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of CNO Financial Group

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in CNO Financial Group by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 4,302,316 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $170,157,000 after purchasing an additional 42,467 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in CNO Financial Group by 3.8% in the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,239,944 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $128,140,000 after buying an additional 118,417 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its stake in CNO Financial Group by 70.9% in the second quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 1,546,745 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $59,673,000 after buying an additional 641,950 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in shares of CNO Financial Group by 72.7% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,333,698 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $51,641,000 after acquiring an additional 561,327 shares during the period. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of CNO Financial Group by 8.1% during the third quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 898,238 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $35,525,000 after acquiring an additional 66,937 shares during the period. 95.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About CNO Financial Group

(Get Free Report)

CNO Financial Group is an Indianabased holding company that offers a range of insurance and retirement solutions through its operating subsidiaries. Its primary business activities include life insurance, annuities, and supplemental health insurance products designed to help individuals plan for retirement and manage healthrelated expenses. The company serves middleincome Americans, with particular emphasis on senior customers seeking guaranteed coverage and reliable income streams.

Originally founded as Conseco in 1979, the company underwent a financial restructuring and rebranded as CNO Financial Group in 2010.

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Commonwealth Bank of Australia Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:CMWAY  Get Free Report) shares gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $107.77, but opened at $104.01. Commonwealth Bank of Australia shares last traded at $108.09, with a volume of 706 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group set a $130.18 price objective on Commonwealth Bank of Australia and gave the company a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Reduce and an average target price of $130.18.

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Commonwealth Bank of Australia Stock Performance

About Commonwealth Bank of Australia

The stocks fifty day moving average price is $105.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $110.82. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18.

(Get Free Report)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia is one of Australias largest banking and financial services organizations, offering a broad range of products for individual, business and institutional customers. Established by the federal government in 1911, the group has grown into a diversified financial services company that provides everyday banking, lending, payments, wealth management and insurance solutions. The companys securities are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and it also has American Depositary Receipts trading OTC under the symbol CMWAY.

Core activities include retail and business bankingdeposit accounts, transaction services, mortgages, credit cards and personal and commercial lendingalongside institutional banking services such as corporate finance, markets and transaction banking.

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Credit Suisse X-Links Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Mortgage REIT ETN (NYSEARCA:REML  Get Free Report)s stock price rose 0.2% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $6.00 and last traded at $5.99. Approximately 562,400 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 9% from the average daily volume of 620,396 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.98.

Credit Suisse X-Links Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Mortgage REIT ETN Price Performance

The stocks 50 day moving average price is $5.99 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $5.99.

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Ninety One UK Ltd trimmed its stake in shares of Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:CCI  Free Report) by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 423,077 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 9,405 shares during the quarter. Ninety One UK Ltds holdings in Crown Castle were worth $40,823,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Crown Castle during the 2nd quarter worth about $629,431,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Crown Castle by 3,051.5% during the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 5,472,810 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $562,221,000 after buying an additional 5,299,155 shares in the last quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. acquired a new position in shares of Crown Castle during the first quarter valued at approximately $149,661,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of Crown Castle by 33.9% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,657,030 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $375,697,000 after acquiring an additional 926,721 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BROOKFIELD Corp ON lifted its position in shares of Crown Castle by 1,919.4% in the first quarter. BROOKFIELD Corp ON now owns 848,277 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $88,416,000 after acquiring an additional 806,271 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.77% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Daniel K. Schlanger sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.08, for a total value of $2,942,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 65,571 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,431,203.68. This represents a 31.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Wolfe Research upgraded Crown Castle from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $114.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Crown Castle from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $127.00 target price on shares of Crown Castle in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $112.00 price target on shares of Crown Castle and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d) rating on shares of Crown Castle in a research report on Monday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $111.35.

Get Our Latest Report on CCI

Crown Castle Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of CCI stock opened at $88.86 on Thursday. Crown Castle Inc. has a twelve month low of $84.20 and a twelve month high of $115.76. The companys 50-day moving average price is $90.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $96.87. The stock has a market cap of $38.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.36, a PEG ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 0.94.

Crown Castle (NYSE:CCI  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The real estate investment trust reported $1.12 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.04 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $1.07 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.05 billion. Crown Castle had a negative net margin of 95.37% and a negative return on equity of 619.62%. Crown Castles quarterly revenue was down 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.84 earnings per share. Crown Castle has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.230-4.350 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Crown Castle Inc. will post 6.67 EPS for the current year.

Crown Castle Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were given a dividend of $1.0625 per share. This represents a $4.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. Crown Castles payout ratio is presently -39.98%.

Crown Castle Profile

(Free Report)

Crown Castle is a U.S.-focused communications infrastructure company organized as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, operates and leases shared wireless infrastructure. Its primary business consists of providing tower-based site leases, small cell networks and fiber solutions that support mobile voice and data transmission for wireless carriers, cable companies and other enterprise customers. The companys assets are positioned to enable network coverage and capacity, including the densification projects associated with 4G LTE and 5G deployments.

Its product and service offerings include ground-based tower sites that host multiple wireless operators, distributed small cell nodes and associated fiber backhaul used to connect sites into carrier networks, and site development and maintenance services.

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Debenhams Capital PLC (LON:DEBS  Get Free Report) rose 8.9% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as GBX 23 and last traded at GBX 22. Approximately 4,041,807 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 22% from the average daily volume of 5,166,430 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 20.20.

Debenhams Capital Stock Up 3.3%

The stock has a market cap of 313.29 million and a P/E ratio of -2.30. The firms 50 day simple moving average is GBX 17.65.

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Debenhams Capital (LON:DEBS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 27th. The company reported GBX (0.51) earnings per share for the quarter.

About Debenhams Capital

Founded in the heart of Manchesters historic textile district in 2006 by Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane as boohoo, the group today is home to a portfolio of innovative fashion brands targeting style and quality conscious consumers with up-to-date and inspirational fashion. What started as one brand, growing extensively in the UK and Internationally, is today a platform of multiple brands servicing customers globally, generating sales in excess of 1bn.

Almost half of our products are designed and sourced in the UK and distributed globally from our international distribution centres based in the North of England.

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Eaton Vance Floating Rate ETF (NYSEARCA:EVLN  Get Free Report) dropped 0% on Monday . The stock traded as low as $49.45 and last traded at $49.47. Approximately 123,745 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 19% from the average daily volume of 103,593 shares. The stock had previously closed at $49.49.

Eaton Vance Floating Rate ETF Price Performance

The business has a 50-day moving average of $49.62 and a 200-day moving average of $49.81.

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Institutional Trading of Eaton Vance Floating Rate ETF

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Eaton Vance Floating Rate ETF stock. Ameriprise Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Eaton Vance Floating Rate ETF (NYSEARCA:EVLN  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 552,321 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,435,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. owned 1.85% of Eaton Vance Floating Rate ETF at the end of the most recent reporting period.

About Eaton Vance Floating Rate ETF

The Eaton Vance Floating-Rate ETF (EVLN) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund is actively managed, seeking high current income by holding sub-investment grade floating-rate loans and corporate debts issued globally. EVLN was launched on Feb 6, 2024 and is issued by Eaton Vance.

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Individuals named Corwine are typically characterized by their deep capacity for loyalty and emotional intelligence. They possess an innate ability to form genuine, heartfelt connections with others, often serving as trusted confidants and mediators in both personal and professional relationships. Their name meaning 'friend of the heart' manifests in their personality through exceptional empathy and intuitive understanding of human emotions. Corwines are often drawn to helping professions where they can nurture and support others, displaying remarkable patience and compassion.



These individuals tend to be reflective and thoughtful, valuing deep, meaningful conversations over superficial interactions. They have a natural talent for making others feel understood and valued, often becoming the 'heart' of their social or family circles. While they may not seek the spotlight, their quiet strength and reliable nature make them pillars in their communities. Corwines typically exhibit a balanced combination of emotional sensitivity and practical wisdom, enabling them to provide both comfort and sound advice to those around them. Their Christian upbringing often reinforces these traits, encouraging them to live out their name's meaning through service and genuine care for others.
Ero Copper (NYSE:ERO  Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at Freedom Capital to a strong-buy rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on ERO. Cibc World Mkts lowered Ero Copper from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating on shares of Ero Copper in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Ero Copper from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. CIBC reissued a neutral rating on shares of Ero Copper in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Ero Copper from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, December 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $28.50.

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Ero Copper Stock Performance

NYSE ERO opened at $28.32 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $23.78 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $19.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.46. Ero Copper has a 1 year low of $9.30 and a 1 year high of $29.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.94 billion, a PE ratio of 21.29 and a beta of 1.23.

Ero Copper (NYSE:ERO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.36 by ($0.09). Ero Copper had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 23.44%.The firm had revenue of $177.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $309.30 million. Analysts predict that Ero Copper will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ero Copper

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Ero Copper by 82.0% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 275,598 shares of the companys stock worth $3,340,000 after purchasing an additional 124,179 shares during the last quarter. Frontier Capital Management Co. LLC boosted its position in Ero Copper by 21.5% during the 2nd quarter. Frontier Capital Management Co. LLC now owns 1,354,239 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,819,000 after buying an additional 239,935 shares during the period. Impala Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Ero Copper by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Impala Asset Management LLC now owns 1,699,100 shares of the companys stock worth $28,494,000 after acquiring an additional 49,199 shares during the last quarter. Amundi increased its position in shares of Ero Copper by 6.7% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 617,803 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,950,000 after acquiring an additional 38,923 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners raised its stake in shares of Ero Copper by 37.5% during the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 889,154 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,979,000 after acquiring an additional 242,594 shares during the last quarter. 71.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Ero Copper

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Ero Copper Corp (NYSE: ERO) is a Canada-based natural resource company focused on the production of copper concentrate from its Brazilian operations. The companys flagship asset is the Vale do Curaca mining complex in the state of Bahia, which includes multiple underground mines and a centralized processing facility. Ero Coppers primary product is copper concentrate, which is sold to smelters and end users around the world.

The Vale do Curaca complex comprises the Pilar and Surubim underground mines, supported by a fully integrated processing plant.

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Vanderbilt University raised its holdings in shares of Extra Space Storage Inc (NYSE:EXR  Free Report) by 83.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 16,980 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 7,749 shares during the period. Vanderbilt Universitys holdings in Extra Space Storage were worth $2,393,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of EXR. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al boosted its position in shares of Extra Space Storage by 67.2% in the 3rd quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al now owns 125,687 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $17,714,000 after purchasing an additional 50,500 shares during the period. Segment Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Extra Space Storage by 8.5% in the third quarter. Segment Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,709 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $382,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares in the last quarter. Ethic Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Extra Space Storage by 298.0% during the third quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 22,441 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,163,000 after purchasing an additional 16,802 shares during the period. Perigon Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Extra Space Storage during the third quarter valued at approximately $284,000. Finally, E. Ohman J or Asset Management AB increased its stake in Extra Space Storage by 14.3% in the 3rd quarter. E. Ohman J or Asset Management AB now owns 9,566 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,348,000 after buying an additional 1,200 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 99.11% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI reissued a cautious rating on shares of Extra Space Storage in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Truist Financial cut their price objective on Extra Space Storage from $150.00 to $142.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Extra Space Storage from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their target price on shares of Extra Space Storage from $148.00 to $146.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Extra Space Storage in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $147.00.

Extra Space Storage Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NYSE:EXR opened at $130.32 on Thursday. Extra Space Storage Inc has a 12 month low of $121.03 and a 12 month high of $162.77. The company has a quick ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The companys 50-day moving average price is $133.09 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $140.56. The firm has a market cap of $27.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.27.

Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.08 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.06 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $858.46 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $736.26 million. Extra Space Storage had a net margin of 28.40% and a return on equity of 6.56%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.07 EPS. Extra Space Storage has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.120-8.20 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Extra Space Storage Inc will post 8.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Extra Space Storage Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.0%. Extra Space Storages dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 144.64%.

Extra Space Storage Company Profile

(Free Report)

Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR) is a real estate investment trust that specializes in the ownership, development and operation of self-storage properties. The company provides storage solutions for residential and commercial customers, offering a range of unit sizes, climate-controlled units and specialized options such as vehicle and boat storage. Extra Space Storage markets itself as a customer-focused operator, with online rentals, contactless move-in options and ancillary retail products like packing supplies and insurance to support tenant needs.

Its business model combines property ownership with third-party management and development activities.

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Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 28,027,039 shares, an increase of 35.2% from the November 30th total of 20,725,394 shares. Approximately 2.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 16,211,640 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days. Based on an average trading volume of 16,211,640 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days. Approximately 2.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

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Here are the key news stories impacting Freeport-McMoRan this week:

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Positive Sentiment: Raymond James raised its price target on FCX to $53 and maintained an outperform rating, providing analyst support that could cap downside and attract buyers who follow broker guidance. MarketScreener

Raymond James raised its price target on FCX to $53 and maintained an outperform rating, providing analyst support that could cap downside and attract buyers who follow broker guidance. Positive Sentiment: Rising metals prices (copper, silver, gold) are a tailwind for Freeports revenue and longterm outlook  recent coverage highlights strong commodity rallies that typically benefit major copper producers like FCX. MarketBeat

Rising metals prices (copper, silver, gold) are a tailwind for Freeports revenue and longterm outlook  recent coverage highlights strong commodity rallies that typically benefit major copper producers like FCX. Positive Sentiment: Silver and broader metals momentum (e.g., silvers surge) continues to attract flows to miners and refiners, a thematic positive that can lift FCX alongside peers. 247wallst

Silver and broader metals momentum (e.g., silvers surge) continues to attract flows to miners and refiners, a thematic positive that can lift FCX alongside peers. Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary notes FCX among names in focus during mixed futures trading; this is general market noise that can amplify moves but doesnt change company fundamentals. Benzinga

Market commentary notes FCX among names in focus during mixed futures trading; this is general market noise that can amplify moves but doesnt change company fundamentals. Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms (Glancy Prongay & Murray, The Gross Law Firm, Bronstein Gewirtz & Grossman, Rosen, Faruqi & Faruqi) are filing reminders and solicitations for leadplaintiff motions in a securitiesclassaction tied to a class period through Sept. 24, 2025, with a Jan. 12, 2026 leadplaintiff deadline  increasing litigation headline risk, potential legal costs, and investor uncertainty. PR Newswire GlobeNewswire GlobeNewswire 2 GazetteXtra/Rosen Newsfile/Faruqi

Freeport-McMoRan Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of FCX stock traded down $0.62 on Wednesday, hitting $50.79. The companys stock had a trading volume of 8,774,545 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,717,104. The stock has a market capitalization of $72.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.77, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.49. Freeport-McMoRan has a fifty-two week low of $27.66 and a fifty-two week high of $53.76. The firms fifty day moving average price is $44.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $43.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 2.45 and a quick ratio of 1.19.

Freeport-McMoRan Cuts Dividend

Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The natural resource company reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.74 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 7.84% and a net margin of 7.97%.The businesss revenue was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.38 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Freeport-McMoRan will post 1.68 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be given a dividend of $0.075 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 15th. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is presently 21.13%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Freeport-McMoRan news, CAO Stephen T. Higgins sold 28,423 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.99, for a total value of $1,364,019.77. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 105,294 shares in the company, valued at $5,053,059.06. This trade represents a 21.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CAO Ellie L. Mikes sold 9,572 shares of Freeport-McMoRan stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.66, for a total transaction of $456,201.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 38,761 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,847,349.26. This trade represents a 19.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 0.75% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Freeport-McMoRan

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of FCX. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. bought a new position in Freeport-McMoRan during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1,962.9% during the 3rd quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 722 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 687 shares in the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Pilgrim Partners Asia Pte Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the third quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 80.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on FCX. Dbs Bank decreased their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $51.00 to $48.00 in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. HSBC cut their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $50.00 to $48.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Freeport-McMoRan from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $54.00 to $48.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on Freeport-McMoRan from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Freeport-McMoRan presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $49.87.

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Freeport-McMoRan Company Profile

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Freeport-McMoRan Inc is a U.S.-based natural resources company primarily engaged in the exploration, mining and processing of copper, gold and molybdenum. Its operations encompass large-scale open-pit and underground mining as well as associated concentrator and milling facilities. The company produces copper in the form of concentrates and cathodes, and also recovers gold and molybdenum as co-products; its business model includes exploration, development, mining, beneficiation and the sale of bulk commodities to smelters and industrial customers.

Freeport-McMoRan conducts operations and development activities across multiple geographies, with substantial assets in the Americas and Indonesia.

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Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (TSE:GTE  Get Free Report) (NYSEMKT:GTE) shares passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$5.85 and traded as high as C$5.99. Gran Tierra Energy shares last traded at C$5.92, with a volume of 78,567 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on GTE shares. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of Gran Tierra Energy from C$8.00 to C$6.50 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Roth Capital upgraded shares of Gran Tierra Energy to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Gran Tierra Energy currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$8.25.

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Gran Tierra Energy Stock Down 1.0%

The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 176.57. The firm has a market cap of C$206.83 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.28, a PEG ratio of 0.23 and a beta of 0.96. The firms 50 day simple moving average is C$5.86 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$5.99.

Gran Tierra Energy (TSE:GTE  Get Free Report) (NYSEMKT:GTE) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported C($0.57) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Gran Tierra Energy had a return on equity of 11.08% and a net margin of 7.17%.The business had revenue of C$207.82 million for the quarter. On average, equities analysts forecast that Gran Tierra Energy Inc. will post 0.1092044 EPS for the current year.

About Gran Tierra Energy

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Gran Tierra Energy Inc is an independent energy company. It is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and gas properties in proven, under-explored hydrocarbon basins that have access to established infrastructure. The firm produces primarily light crude oil, supplemented with medium crude and natural gas. Gran Tierra holds interests in producing and prospective properties in Colombia and prospective properties in Ecuador. The company has a strategy that focuses on establishing a portfolio of producing properties, plus production enhancement and exploration opportunities to provide a base for future growth.

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Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE:ASR  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 110,341 shares, a decline of 15.9% from the November 30th total of 131,195 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 50,684 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days. Currently, 0.4% of the companys stock are short sold. Currently, 0.4% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 50,684 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ASR. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co grew its holdings in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 13,798 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $4,478,000 after buying an additional 254 shares in the last quarter. Voleon Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $243,000. Verition Fund Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste by 70.9% in the third quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 11,419 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $3,692,000 after purchasing an additional 4,739 shares in the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste by 8.8% in the third quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 54,889 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $17,747,000 after purchasing an additional 4,448 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC increased its position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste by 119.0% in the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 6,953 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,248,000 after purchasing an additional 3,778 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 10.57% of the companys stock.

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Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ASR traded down $1.43 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $322.59. The companys stock had a trading volume of 32,261 shares, compared to its average volume of 40,671. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 2.69 and a quick ratio of 2.69. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste has a 52 week low of $249.21 and a 52 week high of $360.00. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $309.14 and a two-hundred day moving average of $315.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.68 billion, a PE ratio of 17.10 and a beta of 0.59.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste Announces Dividend

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste ( NYSE:ASR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The transportation company reported $3.84 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $5.26 by ($1.42). Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste had a return on equity of 20.67% and a net margin of 31.96%.The business had revenue of $478.54 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $502.91 million. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste will post 23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced an annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 8th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 26th were paid a dividend of $8.1473 per share. This represents a yield of 271.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 26th. Grupo Aeroportuario del Surestes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 200.58%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley cut Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and set a $300.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Scotiabank upgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $305.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on ASR

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste Company Profile

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Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, SAB. de C.V. (NYSE: ASR) is a leading airport operator in Mexico specializing in the development, operation and management of airports under long-term concession agreements. The companys core business activities include the operation of passenger and cargo terminals, the administration of retail and service concessions, the provision of parking and ground-support services, and the implementation of security and maintenance programs.

ASR holds concession rights for nine airports across southeastern Mexico, including premier tourism hubs such as Cancun, Cozumel and Huatulco, as well as regional facilities in Merida, Oaxaca, Veracruz and Minatitlan.

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Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores S.A. (NYSE:AVAL  Get Free Report) dropped 3.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $4.10 and last traded at $4.12. Approximately 36,972 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 67% from the average daily volume of 110,991 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.26.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Citigroup raised Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Price Performance

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $4.16 and a 200 day moving average price of $3.51. The stock has a market cap of $4.81 billion, a PE ratio of 12.29 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores (NYSE:AVAL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The bank reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.10 by $0.01. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores had a net margin of 4.61% and a return on equity of 5.95%. The business had revenue of $1.15 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.23 billion. As a group, research analysts forecast that Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores S.A. will post 0.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Inspire Investing LLC grew its stake in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 37.4% during the first quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 20,129 shares of the banks stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 5,484 shares in the last quarter. Stokes Family Office LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 51.5% during the 2nd quarter. Stokes Family Office LLC now owns 62,129 shares of the banks stock worth $175,000 after acquiring an additional 21,129 shares during the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. raised its position in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 69.0% in the 2nd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 21,049 shares of the banks stock worth $59,000 after purchasing an additional 8,594 shares during the period. Vise Technologies Inc. purchased a new stake in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores during the second quarter valued at about $56,000. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd bought a new stake in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores in the second quarter valued at approximately $78,000. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Company Profile

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Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores SA is a leading Colombian financial holding company that offers a diversified range of banking and financial services across Latin America. As one of the largest financial conglomerates in Colombia, Grupo Aval provides commercial and retail banking, leasing, insurance brokerage, pension fund management and investment banking through its principal subsidiaries.

Its core banking operations are conducted through a network of well-established institutions, including Banco de Bogota, Banco de Occidente, Banco Popular and Banco AV Villas, which together serve individual consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporate clients.

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Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV (OTCMKTS:GBOOY  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 38,364 shares, a drop of 17.9% from the November 30th total of 46,710 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 44,873 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.9 days. Approximately 0.0% of the companys stock are sold short. Approximately 0.0% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 44,873 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.9 days.

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV Stock Up 0.1%

GBOOY traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $46.42. The companys stock had a trading volume of 32,859 shares, compared to its average volume of 28,096. Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV has a 1 year low of $31.02 and a 1 year high of $56.06. The stocks 50-day moving average is $47.68 and its 200-day moving average is $46.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.88, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a current ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41.

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Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV (OTCMKTS:GBOOY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.42 by ($0.18). Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV had a net margin of 12.92% and a return on equity of 21.99%. As a group, research analysts expect that Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV will post 4.84 EPS for the current year.

About Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, commonly known as Banorte, is a major Mexican financial services holding company headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico. The group operates a universal banking franchise that serves retail, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporate clients across Mexico. Banorte provides a broad suite of banking services through an extensive branch network and digital channels and maintains an international investor presence, including ADRs that trade on the U.S. OTC market under the symbol GBOOY.

Banortes core businesses include retail and commercial bankingoffering deposit accounts, payment and cash management services, consumer and mortgage loans, credit and debit cards, and lending to corporate clients.

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Equity Bancshares (NYSE:EQBK  Get Free Report) is one of 20 public companies in the State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Equity Bancshares to related companies based on the strength of its institutional ownership, dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares Equity Bancshares and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Equity Bancshares 5.01% 11.67% 1.33% Equity Bancshares Competitors 7.23% 6.94% 0.79%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Equity Bancshares and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Equity Bancshares 0 2 0 1 2.67 Equity Bancshares Competitors 29 163 196 18 2.50

Dividends

As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 7.95%. Given Equity Bancshares rivals higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Equity Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Equity Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Equity Bancshares pays out 60.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies pay a dividend yield of 2.3% and pay out 67.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

71.8% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.2% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are owned by institutional investors. 6.6% of Equity Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Equity Bancshares and its rivals gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Equity Bancshares $335.67 million $62.62 million 37.25 Equity Bancshares Competitors $826.72 million $104.06 million 37.36

Equity Bancshares rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Equity Bancshares. Equity Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Volatility and Risk

Equity Bancshares has a beta of 0.88, indicating that its share price is 12% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Equity Bancshares rivals have a beta of 1.03, indicating that their average share price is 3% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Equity Bancshares rivals beat Equity Bancshares on 10 of the 15 factors compared.

About Equity Bancshares

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Equity Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Equity Bank that provides a range of banking, mortgage banking, and financial services to individual and corporate customers. The company accepts various demand, savings, money market, and time deposits. Its loan products include commercial and industrial, commercial real estate-backed, commercial lines of credit, working capital, term, equipment financing, acquisition, expansion and development, borrowing base, real estate construction, homebuilder, agricultural, government guaranteed, and other loan products to national and regional companies, restaurant franchisees, hoteliers, real estate developers, manufacturing and industrial companies, agribusiness companies, and other businesses. The companys loan products also comprise various consumer loans to individuals and professionals, including residential real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, installment loans, unsecured and secured personal lines of credit, overdraft protection, and letters of credit. It also provides debit cards; online banking solutions, such as access to account balances, online transfers, online bill payment, and electronic delivery of customer statements; mobile banking solutions comprising remote check deposits with mobile bill pay; ATMs; and treasury management, wire transfer, automated clearing house, and stop payment services. In addition, the company offers cash management deposit products, such as lockbox, remote deposit capture, positive pay, reverse positive pay, account reconciliation services, zero balance accounts, and sweep accounts, as well as banking services through telephone, mail, and personal appointments. As of December 31, 2021, it operated a network of 69 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas.

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Helios Towers plc (LON:HTWS  Get Free Report)s stock price traded up 0.9% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 165.21 and last traded at GBX 165.21. 954,567 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 74% from the average session volume of 3,671,629 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 163.80.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently weighed in on HTWS. Berenberg Bank raised their price target on Helios Towers from GBX 175 to GBX 215 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their target price on shares of Helios Towers from GBX 255 to GBX 245 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 230.

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Helios Towers Stock Performance

The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 158.07 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 139.73. The firm has a market capitalization of 1.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.66 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a quick ratio of 1.97, a current ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of -2,151.68.

Helios Towers announced that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Thursday, November 6th that allows the company to repurchase $0.00 in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Helios Towers Company Profile

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Helios Towers is a leading independent telecommunications infrastructure company, having established one of the most extensive tower portfolios across Africa and the Middle East. It builds, owns and operates telecom passive infrastructure, providing services to mobile network operators.

Helios Towers owns and operates telecommunication tower sites in Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana, South Africa, Senegal, Madagascar, Malawi and Oman.

Helios Towers pioneered the model in Africa of buying towers that were held by single operators and providing services utilising the tower infrastructure to the seller and other operators.

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Hennessy Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCK  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 449,500 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $43,417,000. Crown comprises approximately 1.5% of Hennessy Advisors Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest holding.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vinva Investment Management Ltd increased its position in shares of Crown by 152.9% during the 2nd quarter. Vinva Investment Management Ltd now owns 194,348 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $20,393,000 after purchasing an additional 117,494 shares during the last quarter. Greenland Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Crown during the second quarter worth $589,000. Inspire Investing LLC bought a new stake in Crown during the first quarter worth $762,000. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp raised its position in Crown by 426.8% during the second quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp now owns 22,711 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,339,000 after acquiring an additional 18,400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Andra AP fonden lifted its stake in Crown by 52.6% in the second quarter. Andra AP fonden now owns 20,900 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,152,000 after acquiring an additional 7,200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.93% of the companys stock.

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Crown Trading Down 0.6%

Shares of CCK stock opened at $103.11 on Thursday. Crown Holdings, Inc. has a 12-month low of $75.98 and a 12-month high of $109.48. The company has a market capitalization of $11.89 billion, a PE ratio of 12.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.76. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $98.69 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $99.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65.

Crown Announces Dividend

Crown ( NYSE:CCK Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The industrial products company reported $2.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.98 by $0.26. The company had revenue of $3.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.13 billion. Crown had a return on equity of 26.86% and a net margin of 7.79%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.99 earnings per share. Crown has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.650-1.75 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 7.700-7.80 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Crown Holdings, Inc. will post 6.96 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 6th were issued a dividend of $0.26 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 6th. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Crowns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.87%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Timothy J. Donahue sold 8,476 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.01, for a total value of $890,064.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 440,580 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $46,265,305.80. The trade was a 1.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, COO Djalma Novaes, Jr. sold 19,754 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.02, for a total transaction of $1,995,549.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 96,841 shares in the company, valued at $9,782,877.82. This trade represents a 16.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on CCK shares. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and set a $115.00 price objective (up from $110.00) on shares of Crown in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on Crown from $116.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Crown from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, October 26th. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $117.00 target price on shares of Crown in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $126.00 target price (up from $118.00) on shares of Crown in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $118.08.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Crown

About Crown

(Free Report)

Crown Holdings, Inc is a leading global supplier of rigid packaging products for consumer goods markets. The company designs, manufactures and sells metal packaging for beverage, food, household, personal care and specialty products. Its portfolio includes aluminum and steel beverage cans, steel food cans, aluminum aerosols, metal closures and ends, offering customers end-to-end solutions from design and prototyping to large-scale production.

Founded in 1919 as the Crown Cork & Seal Company, Crown has grown through strategic acquisitions and investments in advanced manufacturing technologies.

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Women named Cullodena typically exhibit a unique blend of strength and gentleness, mirroring the resilient yet delicate nature of moss-covered landscapes. They often possess deep emotional intelligence and a calm, grounded presence that others find comforting. Their connection to the name's earthy origins frequently manifests as practical wisdom, patience, and an ability to thrive in challenging circumstances while maintaining their gentle nature.



Cullodenas are often deeply intuitive and spiritually attuned, with a strong sense of heritage and tradition. They tend to be nurturing figures who create stability in their relationships and communities, much like moss provides stability to fragile ecosystems. While they may appear reserved initially, they reveal remarkable depth and resilience over time. Their personality combines the steadfastness of ancient stone with the adaptability of living moss - able to weather storms while continuing to grow and support life around them. This creates individuals who are both anchors in times of trouble and sources of gentle growth and renewal.
Hennessy Advisors Inc. lessened its holdings in National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG  Free Report) by 12.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 185,544 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 25,500 shares during the period. Hennessy Advisors Inc.s holdings in National Grid Transco were worth $13,483,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH bought a new position in shares of National Grid Transco in the second quarter valued at about $31,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in National Grid Transco in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Huntington National Bank grew its stake in National Grid Transco by 41.1% in the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 501 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its holdings in National Grid Transco by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 526 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 263 shares during the period. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in National Grid Transco by 58.8% during the second quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 651 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 241 shares during the last quarter. 4.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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National Grid Transco Stock Down 0.4%

NGG stock opened at $77.44 on Thursday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $76.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $73.42. National Grid Transco, PLC has a 12 month low of $55.82 and a 12 month high of $78.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.90.

National Grid Transco Dividend Announcement

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be given a dividend of $1.0657 per share. This represents a yield of 284.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 21st.

A number of research analysts have commented on NGG shares. BNP Paribas Exane lowered National Grid Transco from an outperform rating to an underperform rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. National Bankshares set a $85.50 target price on shares of National Grid Transco in a report on Friday, December 12th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of National Grid Transco in a research report on Friday, December 12th. They issued an overweight rating and a $85.50 price target for the company. Finally, BNP Paribas downgraded National Grid Transco from a strong-buy rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $83.80.

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National Grid Transco Company Profile

(Free Report)

National Grid Transco (NYSE: NGG) is a utility company focused on the transmission and distribution of electricity and natural gas. The company builds, owns, operates and maintains large-scale energy infrastructure, including high-voltage electricity transmission lines, electricity distribution networks and high-pressure gas pipelines. Its core activities center on providing safe, reliable delivery of energy to residential, commercial and industrial customers while meeting regulatory requirements across its service territories.

Services provided by National Grid Transco encompass network operation and maintenance, system balancing and control, metering and connections, and capital investment in grid modernization and reliability projects.

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Shares of Huntsman Corporation (NYSE:HUN  Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Reduce from the fourteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eight have given a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $10.2273.

HUN has been the subject of a number of research reports. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of Huntsman from $15.00 to $14.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Bank of America reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $8.00 target price (down previously from $9.00) on shares of Huntsman in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. KeyCorp restated a sector weight rating on shares of Huntsman in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Citigroup upped their price target on Huntsman from $8.50 to $10.50 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price objective on Huntsman from $7.00 to $8.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Thursday, December 18th.

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Huntsman Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:HUN opened at $10.03 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $1.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.28 and a beta of 0.68. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $9.37 and a 200 day moving average price of $9.90. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. Huntsman has a twelve month low of $7.30 and a twelve month high of $18.53.

Huntsman (NYSE:HUN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The basic materials company reported ($0.03) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.13) by $0.10. The company had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.45 billion. Huntsman had a negative return on equity of 3.26% and a negative net margin of 5.69%.The companys quarterly revenue was down 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.10 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Huntsman will post 0.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Huntsman Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a dividend of $0.0875 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.35 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.5%. Huntsmans payout ratio is currently -18.42%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Huntsman

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Strategic Advocates LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Huntsman during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. acquired a new position in Huntsman in the third quarter worth about $33,000. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its stake in Huntsman by 197.6% during the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 3,661 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 2,431 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Huntsman by 104.9% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,935 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 2,015 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Byrne Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Huntsman in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.81% of the companys stock.

About Huntsman

(Get Free Report)

Huntsman Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals with headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas. Founded in 1970 by entrepreneur Jon Huntsman Sr., the company has grown through strategic acquisitions and organic expansion to establish a broad portfolio of products serving diverse end markets. Huntsman maintains a presence in more than 30 countries, operating manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East.

The company organizes its operations into several core business segments, including Polyurethanes, Performance Products, Advanced Materials, and Textile Effects.

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IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. (CVE:IB  Get Free Report) traded down 14.3% on Wednesday . The company traded as low as C$0.15 and last traded at C$0.18. 332,217 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 431% from the average session volume of 62,516 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.21.

IBC Advanced Alloys Price Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$0.20 and a 200-day moving average of C$0.12. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 343.32. The company has a market cap of C$20.60 million, a P/E ratio of -6.00 and a beta of 2.49.

About IBC Advanced Alloys

(Get Free Report)

IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. develops, produces, and sells specialty alloy products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Copper Alloys and Engineered Materials segments. It offers various copper alloys as castings and forgings, such as beryllium copper, chrome copper, oxygen-free high conductivity copper, and aluminum bronze in the form of plates, blocks, rounds, discs, bars, rings, tubes, rods, and other custom forgings, as well as specialty copper alloy forgings for plastic mold tooling and resistance welding applications.

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ING Group, N.V. (NYSE:ING  Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 3,336,245 shares, an increase of 30.3% from the November 30th total of 2,559,551 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,915,639 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,915,639 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are short sold.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Citigroup Inc. boosted its stake in ING Group by 249.9% during the third quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 2,047,717 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $53,404,000 after buying an additional 1,462,527 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in shares of ING Group by 197.6% during the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,667,239 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,661,000 after acquiring an additional 1,106,926 shares in the last quarter. ABC Arbitrage SA increased its stake in ING Group by 280.3% in the third quarter. ABC Arbitrage SA now owns 900,936 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $23,496,000 after acquiring an additional 664,063 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in ING Group by 7.3% in the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 8,764,562 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $191,681,000 after acquiring an additional 593,424 shares during the period. Finally, Curi RMB Capital LLC acquired a new position in ING Group in the first quarter worth about $6,833,000. 4.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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ING Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ING traded down $0.12 on Wednesday, hitting $27.98. 953,705 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,564,176. The companys 50 day moving average price is $26.23 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $24.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $81.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.60, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.99, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.11. ING Group has a one year low of $15.47 and a one year high of $28.36.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ING Group ( NYSE:ING Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $6.92 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. ING Group had a return on equity of 11.57% and a net margin of 26.94%. Research analysts expect that ING Group will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on ING shares. Cfra Research raised shares of ING Group from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered ING Group from a hold rating to a moderate sell rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of ING Group in a report on Monday. Citigroup raised shares of ING Group to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised shares of ING Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and five have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy.

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ING Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

ING Group N.V. is a Dutch multinational financial services company headquartered in Amsterdam. Formed through the consolidation of Dutch financial businesses, ING operates as a banking and financial services group that serves retail, small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporates and institutional clients. The company is organized under a two-tier governance model common in the Netherlands, with an Executive Board responsible for day-to-day management and a Supervisory Board providing oversight.

INGs principal activities include retail and direct banking, commercial and wholesale banking, corporate lending, transaction services and cash management, and a range of investment and savings products.

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Ocean Park Asset Management LLC grew its position in Invesco Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:BKLN  Free Report) by 30.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,087,886 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 1,419,752 shares during the period. Invesco Senior Loan ETF makes up approximately 5.3% of Ocean Park Asset Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Ocean Park Asset Management LLCs holdings in Invesco Senior Loan ETF were worth $127,419,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Bogart Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Invesco Senior Loan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Woodard & Co. Asset Management Group Inc. ADV grew its stake in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 258.9% in the second quarter. Woodard & Co. Asset Management Group Inc. ADV now owns 1,658 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,196 shares in the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 213.6% during the second quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 1,712 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 1,166 shares during the period. Finally, China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF during the second quarter valued at about $62,000.

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Invesco Senior Loan ETF Stock Performance

Shares of BKLN opened at $21.00 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $20.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.93. Invesco Senior Loan ETF has a 52-week low of $20.02 and a 52-week high of $21.15.

Invesco Senior Loan ETF Company Profile

The Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of senior loans issued by banks to corporations. BKLN was launched on Mar 3, 2011 and is managed by Invesco.

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Invesco S&P Spin-Off ETF (NYSEARCA:CSD  Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 14,449 shares, a drop of 22.3% from the November 30th total of 18,596 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,447 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.9 days. Approximately 1.7% of the companys stock are short sold. Approximately 1.7% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 2,447 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.9 days.

Institutional Trading of Invesco S&P Spin-Off ETF

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P Spin-Off ETF by 202,244.2% in the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 315,657 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,681,000 after buying an additional 315,501 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new stake in Invesco S&P Spin-Off ETF during the third quarter valued at approximately $4,675,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P Spin-Off ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $211,000. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P Spin-Off ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $214,000. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Invesco S&P Spin-Off ETF in the second quarter worth $185,000.

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Invesco S&P Spin-Off ETF Trading Down 1.2%

Shares of CSD traded down $1.22 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $99.73. The company had a trading volume of 352 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,205. The company has a market capitalization of $83.77 million, a PE ratio of 20.37 and a beta of 1.18. Invesco S&P Spin-Off ETF has a one year low of $63.06 and a one year high of $104.69. The companys fifty day moving average price is $98.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $91.83.

About Invesco S&P Spin-Off ETF

Guggenheim Spin-Off ETF, formerly Claymore/Beacon Spin-Off ETF, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the performance, before the Funds fees and expenses, of an equity index called the Beacon Spin-off Index (the Index). The Fund will invest at least 90% of its total assets in common stock, American depositary receipts (ADRs) and master limited partnerships (MLPs) that comprise the Index and depositary receipts representing common stocks included in the Index (or underlying securities representing ADRs included in the Index).

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iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF (NYSEARCA:HEWC  Get Free Report) were up 0.1% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $28.86 and last traded at $28.83. Approximately 3,100 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 14% from the average daily volume of 3,603 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.80.

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF Stock Up 0.1%

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $28.83 and a 200 day simple moving average of $28.83. The company has a market cap of $12.69 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.49 and a beta of 0.76.

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Canada ETF (HEWC) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap Canadian stocks, hedged against movements in the Canadian dollar for USD investors. HEWC was launched on Jul 1, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock.

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iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:ISCB  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 5,426 shares, a decline of 18.5% from the November 30th total of 6,657 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 3,027 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.8 days. Currently, 0.1% of the companys shares are short sold. Currently, 0.1% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 3,027 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.8 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ISCB. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 22,619 shares of the companys stock worth $1,433,000 after buying an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its holdings in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF by 4.0% during the second quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 5,450 shares of the companys stock worth $318,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Comerica Bank lifted its position in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF by 30.3% in the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 929 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the period. Mariner LLC lifted its position in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF by 4.0% in the third quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 6,477 shares of the companys stock worth $411,000 after purchasing an additional 252 shares during the period. Finally, Key Financial Inc boosted its stake in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF by 49.6% during the 3rd quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,155 shares of the companys stock valued at $74,000 after purchasing an additional 383 shares in the last quarter. 0.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:ISCB traded down $0.60 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $65.01. 3,285 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,416. The firm has a market cap of $256.79 million, a P/E ratio of 37.36 and a beta of 1.12. iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF has a 52-week low of $46.59 and a 52-week high of $67.44. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $64.55 and its 200 day simple moving average is $62.43.

About iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF

The iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar US Small Cap Extended index, a market-cap-weighted index of US small-cap stocks ISCB was launched on Jun 28, 2004 and is managed by BlackRock.

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iShares MSCI Chile ETF (BATS:ECH  Get Free Report)s share price passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $37.36 and traded as low as $25.4820. iShares MSCI Chile ETF shares last traded at $40.53, with a volume of 130,335 shares traded.

iShares MSCI Chile ETF Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $815.37 million, a P/E ratio of 12.06 and a beta of 0.74. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $37.49 and a 200-day moving average price of $33.86.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI Chile ETF

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 131.2% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 988,892 shares of the companys stock worth $32,594,000 after buying an additional 561,165 shares during the last quarter. Whitebox Advisors LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 52.1% in the 3rd quarter. Whitebox Advisors LLC now owns 86,718 shares of the companys stock worth $2,858,000 after acquiring an additional 29,718 shares during the period. Seldon Capital LP lifted its position in iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Seldon Capital LP now owns 338,177 shares of the companys stock worth $11,146,000 after acquiring an additional 7,700 shares during the last quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 5.9% during the third quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC now owns 77,340 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,549,000 after acquiring an additional 4,340 shares during the period. Finally, Centiva Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF in the third quarter valued at about $443,000.

About iShares MSCI Chile ETF

iShares MSCI Chile Capped ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Chile Capped Investable Market Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Chile Investable Market Index (the Index). The Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure broad based equity market performance in Chile. The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Santiago Stock Exchange.

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KB Home (NYSE:KBH  Free Report) had its price objective cut by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $71.00 to $50.00 in a report published on Monday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the construction companys stock.

KBH has been the topic of several other reports. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of KB Home from $60.00 to $55.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Raymond James Financial lowered KB Home from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 24th. Oppenheimer started coverage on KB Home in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. They issued a market perform rating on the stock. Bank of America dropped their price objective on KB Home from $62.00 to $58.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded KB Home from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $63.82.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on KBH

KB Home Stock Down 1.0%

KBH stock opened at $56.38 on Monday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $61.41 and its 200-day moving average price is $60.28. The stock has a market cap of $3.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.48, a PEG ratio of 2.52 and a beta of 1.40. KB Home has a twelve month low of $48.90 and a twelve month high of $72.64.

KB Home (NYSE:KBH  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, December 18th. The construction company reported $1.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.79 by $0.13. KB Home had a net margin of 6.88% and a return on equity of 11.40%. The company had revenue of $1.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.66 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.52 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 15.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that KB Home will post 8.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

KB Home Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 13th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 13th. KB Homes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20.37%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Albert Z. Praw sold 20,284 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.08, for a total transaction of $1,218,662.72. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 104,062 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,252,044.96. This represents a 16.31% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 3.89% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of KB Home

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Fulcrum Asset Management LLP purchased a new position in KB Home during the third quarter worth $36,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its holdings in shares of KB Home by 44.4% in the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 781 shares of the construction companys stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. purchased a new position in shares of KB Home during the 2nd quarter worth about $44,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in KB Home by 2,848.4% during the 3rd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 914 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 883 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in KB Home by 56.3% during the 3rd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 944 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 340 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.09% of the companys stock.

About KB Home

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KB Home is an American homebuilding company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1957, it was among the first homebuilders to go public, offering investors access to one of the nations largest residential construction platforms. The company is structured to serve a broad spectrum of homebuyers, with a particular focus on first-time, first move-up and active adult segments. As a public company trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol KBH, KB Home draws on decades of experience in land acquisition, construction and community planning.

At its core, KB Home designs and constructs single-family detached and attached homes, townhomes and condominium units.

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Women named Deann are often perceived as possessing a balanced combination of strength and compassion, reflecting the name's divine origins. They tend to be natural caregivers with strong intuitive abilities, often displaying wisdom beyond their years and a calming presence that others find comforting. Typically, Deanns are known for their reliability and practical approach to problem-solving, combined with a creative streak that allows them to see solutions where others see obstacles.



Their personality often includes a quiet confidence rather than overt assertiveness, making them effective leaders who lead through example and empathy rather than authority alone. Many Deanns develop strong community ties and are often pillars in their social circles, offering stability and thoughtful guidance to those around them. They typically value deep, meaningful relationships over casual acquaintances and are known for their loyalty and discretion. The name's association with divinity often translates into individuals who seek purpose and meaning in their lives, frequently gravitating toward helping professions or community service roles where they can make a tangible difference in others' lives.
Just Eat plc (OTCMKTS:JSTTY  Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 5.7% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $14.15 and last traded at $11.10. 4,400 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 49% from the average session volume of 2,950 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.50.

Just Eat Price Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average of $11.10 and a 200 day moving average of $11.10.

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About Just Eat

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Just Eat Takeaway.com N.V. operates as a leading online food delivery marketplace, connecting consumers with a wide range of restaurants and takeaway outlets through its digital platforms. Founded in 2001 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the company has grown into a global enterprise by offering web and mobile ordering services, payment processing solutions and, in select markets, its own delivery logistics network. Users can browse menus, place orders and track deliveries in real time via the companys branded apps and websites.

The companys portfolio includes wellknown brands such as Just Eat in the United Kingdom and Canada, Takeaway.com in the Netherlands and Germany, Menulog in Australia and New Zealand, and Grubhub in the United States.

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Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 6,668,510 shares, a drop of 23.8% from the November 30th total of 8,746,384 shares. Currently, 5.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 3,074,115 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.2 days. Based on an average daily volume of 3,074,115 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.2 days. Currently, 5.0% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Leggett & Platt Price Performance

LEG stock traded up $0.05 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $10.99. The stock had a trading volume of 982,644 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,727,437. Leggett & Platt has a 52-week low of $6.47 and a 52-week high of $12.03. The company has a current ratio of 2.15, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $10.18 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.65. The company has a market cap of $1.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.83 and a beta of 0.75.

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Leggett & Platt (NYSE:LEG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The company reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.30 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $1.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.02 billion. Leggett & Platt had a net margin of 5.38% and a return on equity of 16.27%. Leggett & Platts quarterly revenue was down 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.32 earnings per share. Leggett & Platt has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.000-1.100 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Leggett & Platt will post 1.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Leggett & Platt Dividend Announcement

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Leggett & Platt

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Leggett & Platts dividend payout ratio is 12.42%.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LEG. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Leggett & Platt by 18.4% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 164,600 shares of the companys stock worth $1,302,000 after acquiring an additional 25,628 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Leggett & Platt by 36.3% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 1,175,452 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,298,000 after purchasing an additional 312,840 shares during the period. State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in Leggett & Platt during the first quarter worth about $89,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board raised its stake in Leggett & Platt by 15,000.0% during the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 634,200 shares of the companys stock worth $5,017,000 after purchasing an additional 630,000 shares during the period. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC boosted its holdings in Leggett & Platt by 1,495.6% in the 1st quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 1,539,758 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,179,000 after purchasing an additional 1,443,257 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.23% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on LEG. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $11.00 price target on shares of Leggett & Platt in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Leggett & Platt in a research note on Monday. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Leggett & Platt from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on shares of Leggett & Platt from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Leggett & Platt from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $11.67.

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About Leggett & Platt

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Leggett & Platt, Inc is a diversified manufacturer specializing in the design, engineering and production of a wide range of engineered components and products. The companys offerings span several end markets, including residential bedding, commercial and residential furniture, automotive seating and interiors, aerospace applications and industrial products. By integrating product design with proprietary manufacturing processes, Leggett & Platt serves as a key supplier to both original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket distributors.

The companys core product lines include coil springs and support systems for mattresses and furniture, adjustable bed mechanisms, engineered components such as extruded and formed metal products, and specialty foam and bedding products.

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LG Display Co., Ltd. (NYSE:LPL  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 554,429 shares, a growth of 30.2% from the November 30th total of 425,973 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 305,559 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are sold short. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 305,559 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days.

LG Display Stock Performance

NYSE LPL traded down $0.03 during trading on Thursday, reaching $4.19. The companys stock had a trading volume of 236,522 shares, compared to its average volume of 287,873. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $4.46 and its 200-day moving average price is $4.33. LG Display has a twelve month low of $2.43 and a twelve month high of $5.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a current ratio of 0.62. The firm has a market cap of $4.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.98, a P/E/G ratio of 0.26 and a beta of 1.54.

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LG Display (NYSE:LPL  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The electronics maker reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. LG Display had a negative net margin of 2.25% and a negative return on equity of 7.60%. The company had revenue of $4.95 billion during the quarter. As a group, analysts anticipate that LG Display will post 0.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of LG Display

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of LPL. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership purchased a new stake in LG Display in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $7,862,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of LG Display by 114.6% during the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 1,948,975 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $10,174,000 after acquiring an additional 1,040,826 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC increased its position in LG Display by 898.4% during the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 404,155 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $2,110,000 after purchasing an additional 363,673 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in LG Display by 12.0% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,510,470 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $5,166,000 after acquiring an additional 161,409 shares during the period. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP grew its stake in LG Display by 792.0% in the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 175,839 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $918,000 after acquiring an additional 156,126 shares during the period.

Several brokerages have weighed in on LPL. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of LG Display in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group raised shares of LG Display from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded LG Display from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 22nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Reduce.

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LG Display Company Profile

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LG Display Co, Ltd., headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is a global manufacturer of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels. The company designs and produces display solutions for a wide range of applications, including televisions, desktop monitors, notebook computers, tablets, smartphones, signage and automotive screens. Its product offerings span large-screen television modules, ultra-high definition monitors, flexible and transparent OLED displays, and specialized industrial panels.

LG Display operates a network of production facilities and research centers across Asia, including major manufacturing sites in Paju and Gumi, South Korea, as well as Wuhan, China.

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LY Corporation Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:YAHOY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 65,774 shares, a growth of 24.4% from the November 30th total of 52,888 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 678,961 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 678,961 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short.

LY Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of OTCMKTS:YAHOY opened at $5.29 on Thursday. LY has a 12 month low of $5.16 and a 12 month high of $8.41. The company has a market capitalization of $18.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.92 and a beta of 0.85. The firms 50-day moving average is $5.44 and its 200 day moving average is $6.27.

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LY (OTCMKTS:YAHOY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The technology company reported $0.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $3.43 billion during the quarter. LY had a net margin of 10.35% and a return on equity of 6.38%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that LY will post 0.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About LY

LY Corporation engages in the online advertising and e-commerce businesses in Japan. The company provides LINE, a communication app; and Yahoo! JAPAN, an internet service that offers search, news, weather, shopping, auction, and other services. It also offers reuse, membership, and payment-related services. The company was formerly known as Z Holdings Corporation and changed its name to LY Corporation in October 2023. LY Corporation was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Chiyoda, Japan. LY Corporation operates as a subsidiary of A Holdings Corporation.

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Macquarie Group Limited (ASX:MQGPF  Get Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Thursday, January 1st, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 11th will be given a dividend of 1.59 per share on Wednesday, March 11th. This represents a dividend yield of 150.0%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 23rd. This is a 0.6% increase from Macquarie Groups previous interim dividend of $1.58.

Macquarie Group Stock Performance

About Macquarie Group

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Macquarie Group Limited provides diversified financial services in Australia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through four segments: Macquarie Asset Management (MAM), Banking and Financial Services (BFS), Commodities and Global Markets (CGM), and Macquarie Capital. The MAM segment provides investment solutions to clients across various capabilities in private markets and public investments, including infrastructure, green investments, agriculture and natural assets, real estate, private credit, asset finance, equities, fixed income, and multi-asset solutions.

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Mather Group LLC. grew its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:VGK  Free Report) by 1.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 8,480,853 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 148,559 shares during the period. Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF comprises about 6.8% of Mather Group LLC.s portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest holding. Mather Group LLC. owned 2.46% of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF worth $676,772,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 8.9% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 38,672,725 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,997,136,000 after purchasing an additional 3,167,220 shares during the last quarter. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan increased its stake in Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 37.3% in the 2nd quarter. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan now owns 8,835,451 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $684,747,000 after purchasing an additional 2,400,165 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 5,084,722 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $394,066,000 after buying an additional 185,995 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its stake in Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 43.3% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,109,288 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $240,970,000 after buying an additional 939,927 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Angeles Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF in the first quarter worth about $191,989,000.

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Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Price Performance

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF stock opened at $83.61 on Thursday. Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF has a fifty-two week low of $62.02 and a fifty-two week high of $84.26. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $81.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $79.53. The company has a market cap of $28.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.04 and a beta of 0.93.

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Profile

Vanguard European Stock Index Fund is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of stocks issued by Companies located in the markets of Europe. The Fund on focuses indexing investment approach by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the common stocks included in the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index. The Funds investment advisor is The Vanguard Group, Inc

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Mather Group LLC. trimmed its stake in shares of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD  Free Report) by 7.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 47,613 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 3,975 shares during the quarter. Mather Group LLC.s holdings in General Dynamics were worth $16,236,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of General Dynamics during the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Louisbourg Investments Inc. purchased a new position in General Dynamics in the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. Quarry LP grew its holdings in General Dynamics by 783.3% during the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 106 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 80.3% in the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 110 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 64.7% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 112 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.14% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

GD has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Robert W. Baird set a $390.00 target price on shares of General Dynamics in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a $400.00 price objective on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on General Dynamics in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $410.00 price target for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $280.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Vertical Research upgraded shares of General Dynamics from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $400.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $358.50.

General Dynamics Price Performance

GD stock opened at $336.69 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The company has a market capitalization of $90.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.82, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.40. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $341.85 and a 200-day simple moving average of $324.61. General Dynamics Corporation has a twelve month low of $239.20 and a twelve month high of $360.50.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The aerospace company reported $3.88 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.69 by $0.19. General Dynamics had a net margin of 8.18% and a return on equity of 18.27%. The firm had revenue of $12.91 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.49 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.35 EPS. General Dynamicss revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. General Dynamics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.300-15.35 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Corporation will post 14.83 EPS for the current year.

General Dynamics Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, January 16th will be issued a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 16th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. General Dynamicss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.89%.

Insider Transactions at General Dynamics

In other General Dynamics news, VP David Paddock sold 20,360 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $334.92, for a total transaction of $6,818,971.20. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 36,644 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,272,808.48. This represents a 35.72% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

General Dynamics Profile

(Free Report)

General Dynamics is a major American aerospace and defense contractor that designs, manufactures and supports a broad range of products and services for government and commercial customers worldwide. Headquartered in the United States (Reston, Virginia), the company supplies platforms and systems used by armed forces, civil authorities and private operators across multiple domains including air, land, sea and cyber.

Its principal activities span several operating businesses: a business aviation unit that develops and supports Gulfstream business jets; land systems that produce armored combat vehicles and related logistics and sustainment services; marine systems that design and construct submarines and surface ships for navies; and mission systems and information technology operations that provide command-and-control, communications, cybersecurity and systems-integration services.

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Merit Financial Group LLC increased its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 9.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 141,730 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 11,831 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $9,363,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC now owns 72,816 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,887,000 after purchasing an additional 1,175 shares during the period. Security National Bank boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 438.2% during the third quarter. Security National Bank now owns 10,937 shares of the companys stock valued at $722,000 after purchasing an additional 8,905 shares in the last quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Altria Group by 411.9% during the third quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC now owns 20,070 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,326,000 after buying an additional 16,149 shares during the period. Calamos Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Altria Group by 2.4% during the third quarter. Calamos Advisors LLC now owns 60,140 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,973,000 after buying an additional 1,390 shares during the period. Finally, Wolff Financial Management LLC raised its stake in Altria Group by 1.6% in the third quarter. Wolff Financial Management LLC now owns 14,551 shares of the companys stock worth $961,000 after buying an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have issued reports on MO. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. UBS Group decreased their price objective on Altria Group from $68.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $62.33.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Altria Group stock opened at $57.67 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $58.75 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $61.64. The company has a market cap of $96.81 billion, a PE ratio of 11.01, a PEG ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.48. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $50.08 and a fifty-two week high of $68.60.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.01. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 319.43% and a net margin of 37.89%.The firm had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.31 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.38 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be issued a $1.06 dividend. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is 80.92%.

Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, October 30th that allows the company to buyback $2.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to reacquire up to 1.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Altria Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc (NYSE: MO) is a U.S.-based consumer goods company whose principal business is the manufacture and sale of tobacco products. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the companys operations are focused primarily on the U.S. market and include the production, marketing and distribution of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and cigars. Its flagship cigarette franchise in the United States is sold through its operating subsidiaries and is among the most recognizable cigarette brands in the country.

Altrias principal operating businesses include Philip Morris USA (cigarettes), U.S.

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Moody Aldrich Partners LLC lessened its holdings in Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE:CPK  Free Report) by 16.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 34,740 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 7,078 shares during the quarter. Moody Aldrich Partners LLC owned approximately 0.15% of Chesapeake Utilities worth $4,679,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in Chesapeake Utilities during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Chesapeake Utilities by 292.9% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 220 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 164 shares during the period. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Chesapeake Utilities by 1,909.1% in the second quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 221 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Chesapeake Utilities by 94.7% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 222 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC grew its holdings in shares of Chesapeake Utilities by 17.3% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,058 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $143,000 after acquiring an additional 156 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.11% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Chesapeake Utilities

In other news, COO Jeffery S. Sylvester sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.08, for a total value of $137,080.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 11,916 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,633,445.28. The trade was a 7.74% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jeffry M. Householder sold 1,908 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.83, for a total transaction of $240,083.64. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 51,916 shares in the company, valued at $6,532,590.28. This trade represents a 3.54% 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 18,500 shares of company stock worth $2,355,265. Insiders own 2.68% of the companys stock.

Chesapeake Utilities Stock Down 0.5%

CPK stock opened at $124.65 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has a 12-month low of $115.12 and a 12-month high of $140.59. The company has a 50 day moving average of $130.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $127.56. The company has a market cap of $2.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.06 and a beta of 0.79.

Chesapeake Utilities (NYSE:CPK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.82 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by ($0.08). Chesapeake Utilities had a net margin of 14.77% and a return on equity of 9.03%. The company had revenue of $179.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $167.30 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.80 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. Chesapeake Utilities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.150-6.350 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation will post 5.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Chesapeake Utilities Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $0.685 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $2.74 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Chesapeake Utilitiess payout ratio is 48.50%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CPK has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen raised Chesapeake Utilities from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, December 13th. Barclays set a $141.00 target price on Chesapeake Utilities and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. BTIG Research assumed coverage on shares of Chesapeake Utilities in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Chesapeake Utilities in a research report on Monday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $141.00.

View Our Latest Research Report on Chesapeake Utilities

Chesapeake Utilities Profile

(Free Report)

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) is a diversified energy services holding company headquartered in Dover, Delaware. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company engages in natural gas distribution, transmission and storage; propane distribution; wholesale propane supply; and contract compression and natural gas liquids processing. Its core mission is to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective energy solutions to residential, commercial and industrial customers across multiple U.S.

Further Reading

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My Personal CFO LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (BATS:DFIC  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 119,576 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,921,000. Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF accounts for approximately 1.5% of My Personal CFO LLCs holdings, making the stock its 19th largest holding.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in DFIC. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd acquired a new stake in Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF during the second quarter worth about $52,000. CWM LLC grew its holdings in shares of Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF by 10.4% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,050 shares of the companys stock worth $126,000 after purchasing an additional 382 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. increased its position in Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF by 99.3% during the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 4,666 shares of the companys stock worth $145,000 after purchasing an additional 2,325 shares in the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF by 11.3% during the 2nd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,788 shares of the companys stock worth $180,000 after purchasing an additional 588 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can raised its holdings in Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF by 15.5% in the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 5,936 shares of the companys stock valued at $185,000 after buying an additional 795 shares during the period.

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Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF Stock Up 34.5%

Shares of DFIC stock opened at $34.49 on Thursday. Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF has a fifty-two week low of $24.59 and a fifty-two week high of $31.97. The firms 50 day moving average price is $33.57 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $32.50. The stock has a market cap of $10.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.80 and a beta of 0.83.

Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF Profile

The Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (DFIC) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund actively selects companies of all market capitalizations in developed markets outside the US. Holdings are fundamentally screened to emphasize relatively low-priced and profitable small-caps. DFIC was launched on Mar 23, 2022 and is managed by Dimensional.

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Women named Estefana are typically perceived as possessing a natural grace combined with inner strength and determination. They often exhibit leadership qualities and a regal bearing that aligns with the name's meaning of being 'crowned.' Estefanas tend to be ambitious yet compassionate, with a strong sense of justice and fairness that guides their interactions with others. Their personality often blends traditional values with modern thinking, creating individuals who respect heritage while embracing progress.



Socially, Estefanas are known for their loyalty and deep connections with family and close friends. They possess excellent communication skills and often serve as peacemakers in conflicts, using their diplomatic nature to bridge differences. While they can be reserved initially, once trust is established, they reveal warm, nurturing personalities with a sharp intellect and creative problem-solving abilities. Their combination of strength and sensitivity makes them effective in both professional and personal spheres, often excelling in roles that require both empathy and authority.



In professional settings, Estefanas often demonstrate remarkable perseverance and attention to detail, approaching challenges with both practical wisdom and innovative thinking. They tend to be natural mentors, guiding others with patience and insight while maintaining high standards for themselves. This balance of firm principles and flexible understanding makes them respected leaders and trusted confidantes in various aspects of life.
Nabors Industries Ltd. (NYSE:NBR  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $41.08 and traded as high as $53.88. Nabors Industries shares last traded at $53.3390, with a volume of 159,256 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on NBR shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded Nabors Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $66.00 price objective on shares of Nabors Industries and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Nabors Industries in a research note on Monday. Susquehanna reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $56.00 target price on shares of Nabors Industries in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Barclays set a $50.00 price target on shares of Nabors Industries and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $55.00.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Nabors Industries

Nabors Industries Stock Down 1.1%

The companys 50 day simple moving average is $51.21 and its 200-day simple moving average is $41.32. The company has a current ratio of 2.09, a quick ratio of 1.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50. The firm has a market cap of $795.27 million, a P/E ratio of 5.66 and a beta of 0.97.

Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The oil and gas company reported ($3.67) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($2.37) by ($1.30). Nabors Industries had a net margin of 7.08% and a negative return on equity of 30.85%. The company had revenue of $825.51 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $824.61 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($6.86) earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 11.8% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Nabors Industries Ltd. will post -6.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nabors Industries

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Brigade Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in Nabors Industries during the first quarter valued at $37,653,000. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. grew its stake in shares of Nabors Industries by 445.5% during the 1st quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 600,000 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $25,026,000 after purchasing an additional 490,000 shares during the period. Apollo Management Holdings L.P. increased its position in shares of Nabors Industries by 54.2% during the 2nd quarter. Apollo Management Holdings L.P. now owns 650,623 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $18,230,000 after purchasing an additional 228,787 shares during the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP increased its position in shares of Nabors Industries by 232.2% during the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 185,841 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $7,595,000 after purchasing an additional 129,904 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Nabors Industries by 59.5% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 338,566 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $9,488,000 after purchasing an additional 126,243 shares during the period. 81.92% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Nabors Industries

(Get Free Report)

Nabors Industries Ltd. is a global oil and gas drilling contractor that provides land and offshore drilling rigs, drilling equipment and related services to energy companies around the world. The companys operations span two core segments: drilling and evaluation, which includes landbased and platform drilling rigs as well as wellbore survey services, and wellbore technologies, offering pressure control equipment, downhole tools and specialized maintenance services. Nabors integrated model combines rig operations with engineered products and field support, positioning it as a fullservice provider in the upstream sector.

The company maintains a diverse, modern fleet of automated and conventional drilling rigs and has pioneered advanced drilling technologies, including automated drilling controls and managed pressure drilling systems.

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Ninety One SA PTY Ltd bought a new position in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm bought 76,514 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $12,952,000. Valero Energy makes up 1.9% of Ninety One SA PTY Ltds portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Magnetar Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $227,000. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC lifted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 33.8% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 10,552 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,394,000 after purchasing an additional 2,668 shares in the last quarter. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec boosted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 2.4% in the first quarter. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec now owns 76,800 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $10,144,000 after purchasing an additional 1,782 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Valero Energy by 81.2% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,413,182 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $186,498,000 after purchasing an additional 633,157 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its stake in Valero Energy by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 504,397 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $66,616,000 after buying an additional 20,657 shares during the period. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Erste Group Bank began coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Monday, November 10th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Raymond James Financial reiterated a strong-buy rating and issued a $195.00 price target (up previously from $181.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Valero Energy from $181.00 to $194.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Bank of America restated a neutral rating and set a $195.00 price objective (down from $198.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, Mizuho reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $192.00 target price (up from $190.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $183.20.

Valero Energy Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of Valero Energy stock opened at $162.89 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $49.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.01, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.76. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $171.98 and a 200 day moving average price of $157.57. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. Valero Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $99.00 and a fifty-two week high of $185.62.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The oil and gas company reported $3.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.15 by $0.51. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 8.69% and a net margin of 1.21%.The business had revenue of $32.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $28.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.14 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 20th were issued a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 20th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. Valero Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 94.36%.

Insider Activity at Valero Energy

In other news, CFO Jason W. Fraser sold 9,933 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.02, for a total transaction of $1,728,540.66. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 134,196 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,352,787.92. This represents a 6.89% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.04% of the companys stock.

About Valero Energy

(Free Report)

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texasbased integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The companys operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.

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Ninety One UK Ltd raised its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI  Free Report) by 29.7% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 767,877 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after purchasing an additional 175,625 shares during the quarter. Ninety One UK Ltds holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $351,142,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Motorola Solutions by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,885,593 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $9,202,016,000 after buying an additional 384,479 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 1.3% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,681,622 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $3,237,985,000 after acquiring an additional 101,408 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Motorola Solutions by 1.2% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,386,899 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $1,839,569,000 after purchasing an additional 51,474 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 0.8% in the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 3,401,738 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $1,430,295,000 after purchasing an additional 27,206 shares during the period. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its position in shares of Motorola Solutions by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 2,921,004 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $1,278,845,000 after purchasing an additional 47,368 shares during the last quarter. 84.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Motorola Solutions Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of MSI stock opened at $383.12 on Thursday. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a one year low of $359.36 and a one year high of $492.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.59, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $384.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $424.74. The stock has a market cap of $63.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 0.99.

Motorola Solutions Increases Dividend

Motorola Solutions ( NYSE:MSI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The communications equipment provider reported $4.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.85 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $3.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.99 billion. Motorola Solutions had a net margin of 18.71% and a return on equity of 118.48%. The businesss revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.74 EPS. Analysts predict that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 13.55 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.21 per share. This is a positive change from Motorola Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.01. This represents a $4.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. Motorola Solutionss dividend payout ratio is 38.84%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have issued reports on MSI. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a report on Monday. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Motorola Solutions from $509.00 to $495.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Northcoast Research upgraded shares of Motorola Solutions from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $450.00 target price for the company in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Finally, Piper Sandler restated a neutral rating and issued a $465.00 price target (down from $495.00) on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $495.00.

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About Motorola Solutions

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Motorola Solutions, Inc is a provider of mission-critical communications and analytics solutions for public safety and commercial customers. The company designs, manufactures and supports a range of communications equipment and software aimed at enabling first responders, government agencies and enterprises to coordinate and operate reliably in high-pressure environments. Its offerings emphasize secure, resilient connectivity and situational awareness for organizations that require dependable voice, data and video communications.

Product lines include land mobile radio (LMR) systems and handheld and vehicle-mounted radios used by police, fire and emergency medical services; broadband push-to-talk and LTE-based solutions; command-and-control center software for incident management and records; and video security and analytics systems.

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Ninety One UK Ltd trimmed its position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU  Free Report) by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,019,424 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 47,920 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltds holdings in AngloGold Ashanti were worth $142,026,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new position in AngloGold Ashanti during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Optimum Investment Advisors bought a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its holdings in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 30.3% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,023 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 238 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in AngloGold Ashanti in the second quarter worth $69,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in AngloGold Ashanti by 579.2% in the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,664 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $76,000 after acquiring an additional 1,419 shares in the last quarter. 36.09% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on AU shares. HSBC reissued a reduce rating and set a $55.00 price objective on shares of AngloGold Ashanti in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of AngloGold Ashanti from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, December 13th. Roth Capital increased their price target on shares of AngloGold Ashanti from $84.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on AngloGold Ashanti from $128.00 to $131.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Zacks Research lowered AngloGold Ashanti from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 23rd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $86.00.

AngloGold Ashanti Stock Performance

Shares of AU opened at $85.39 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 2.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The stock has a market cap of $35.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.81 and a beta of 0.58. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $79.93 and its 200-day moving average price is $65.53. AngloGold Ashanti PLC has a 52 week low of $22.77 and a 52 week high of $91.65.

AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 12th. The mining company reported $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by ($0.02). AngloGold Ashanti had a net margin of 26.25% and a return on equity of 24.01%. The company had revenue of $2.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.53 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that AngloGold Ashanti PLC will post 3.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AngloGold Ashanti Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 12th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th were paid a $0.91 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.3%. AngloGold Ashantis payout ratio is presently 80.18%.

AngloGold Ashanti Company Profile

(Free Report)

AngloGold Ashanti is a global gold mining company engaged in the exploration, development, production, processing and sale of gold. Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, the companys core activities span the full mining value chain from greenfield exploration and mine development through to ore processing and rehabilitation. Gold is the primary commodity produced, with individual operations sometimes yielding other byproducts depending on local geology and processing methods.

The company was formed in 2004 through the merger of AngloGold and Ashanti Goldfields, creating a diversified international gold producer.

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NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO  Get Free Report) traded up 3.3% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $5.79 and last traded at $5.5150. 78,054,760 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 35% from the average session volume of 57,942,609 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.34.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. UBS Group downgraded shares of NIO from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of NIO from $8.60 to $6.90 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of NIO in a report on Monday. Wall Street Zen raised NIO from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $7.00 target price on shares of NIO in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, NIO presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $6.73.

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NIO Price Performance

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NIO

The company has a market cap of $10.62 billion, a PE ratio of -3.51 and a beta of 1.04. The firms 50-day moving average is $5.80 and its 200-day moving average is $5.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36.

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Aspex Management HK Ltd bought a new stake in shares of NIO in the third quarter worth $266,700,000. WT Asset Management Ltd bought a new position in shares of NIO in the third quarter worth approximately $142,120,000. Ghisallo Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NIO in the third quarter worth $91,440,000. Voloridge Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of NIO during the 3rd quarter valued at $89,952,000. Finally, RWC Asset Advisors US LLC purchased a new position in shares of NIO during the 3rd quarter valued at $79,761,000. Institutional investors own 48.55% of the companys stock.

About NIO

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NIO Inc is a pioneer in the premium electric vehicle (EV) segment, dedicated to the design, development and manufacture of smart, high-performance EVs. Established in November 2014 and headquartered in Shanghai, China, the company focuses on integrating cutting-edge electric propulsion, advanced connectivity and autonomous driving technologies into its automotive platforms. NIOs vision centers on creating a holistic user experience that extends beyond the vehicle itself, encompassing energy services and digital solutions.

The companys product lineup includes flagship SUVs and sedans such as the ES8, ES6, EC6, ET7 and ET5, each engineered to deliver strong performance, long range and a suite of intelligent driver-assistance features.

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NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 4,094,527 shares, a drop of 18.4% from the November 30th total of 5,017,597 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,599,345 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.6 days. Currently, 2.1% of the companys shares are short sold. Currently, 2.1% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,599,345 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.6 days.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other NRG Energy news, VP Virginia Kinney sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $163.82, for a total value of $3,276,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 43,191 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,075,549.62. The trade was a 31.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.86% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NRG. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in NRG Energy by 2.2% in the second quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,944 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $473,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the period. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in NRG Energy by 3.0% during the third quarter. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,222 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $360,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Donald L. Hagan LLC increased its position in NRG Energy by 2.0% in the second quarter. Donald L. Hagan LLC now owns 3,384 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $543,000 after buying an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of NRG Energy by 5.0% in the third quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC now owns 1,410 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $228,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the period. Finally, Golden State Equity Partners lifted its position in shares of NRG Energy by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter. Golden State Equity Partners now owns 1,589 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $257,000 after buying an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.72% of the companys stock.

NRG Energy Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of NRG traded down $1.07 on Thursday, reaching $159.36. The stock had a trading volume of 776,629 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,679,185. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.82 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $165.13 and a 200-day simple moving average of $160.10. NRG Energy has a 12-month low of $79.57 and a 12-month high of $180.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.45, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.05.

NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $2.78 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.93 by $0.85. The business had revenue of $7.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.53 billion. NRG Energy had a return on equity of 103.57% and a net margin of 4.84%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.90 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that NRG Energy will post 6.36 EPS for the current year.

NRG Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Monday, November 3rd were issued a $0.44 dividend. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 3rd. NRG Energys payout ratio is presently 26.31%.

NRG Energy announced that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Thursday, November 6th that allows the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the utilities provider to purchase up to 9.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on NRG shares. Morgan Stanley restated an underperform rating on shares of NRG Energy in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of NRG Energy in a report on Monday. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of NRG Energy from $185.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $198.00 price objective on shares of NRG Energy in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Zacks Research cut NRG Energy from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $199.21.

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NRG Energy Company Profile

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NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) is a U.S.-based integrated power company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company develops, owns and operates a diversified portfolio of power generation assets and participates in wholesale and retail energy markets. NRG supplies electricity to utilities, commercial and industrial customers, and retail consumers, while also providing energy-related products and services designed to manage consumption and support reliability.

NRGs generation mix includes conventional thermal plants as well as renewable and distributed energy resources.

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Hennessy Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE  Free Report) by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 405,654 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 18,500 shares during the period. Hennessy Advisors Inc.s holdings in ONEOK were worth $29,601,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of ONEOK by 1.7% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 76,510,971 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $6,245,591,000 after purchasing an additional 1,314,002 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in ONEOK by 2.9% during the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 21,570,904 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,760,833,000 after buying an additional 613,674 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in ONEOK by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,800,797 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,284,303,000 after buying an additional 355,751 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in ONEOK by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 8,386,831 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $684,617,000 after buying an additional 46,892 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in ONEOK in the 2nd quarter valued at about $562,832,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.13% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently issued reports on OKE. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of ONEOK from $102.00 to $95.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Argus upgraded ONEOK from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $79.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $94.00 target price on ONEOK in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on ONEOK from $90.00 to $82.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and issued a $82.00 price objective (down from $100.00) on shares of ONEOK in a report on Friday, October 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $88.00.

ONEOK Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of ONEOK stock opened at $73.52 on Thursday. ONEOK, Inc. has a twelve month low of $64.02 and a twelve month high of $111.02. The stock has a market cap of $46.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.51 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $71.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $74.34.

ONEOK (NYSE:OKE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $1.49 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.48 by $0.01. ONEOK had a return on equity of 15.12% and a net margin of 10.58%.The company had revenue of $8.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.23 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.18 earnings per share. ONEOK has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.970-5.770 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that ONEOK, Inc. will post 5.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ONEOK Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 3rd were issued a $1.03 dividend. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.6%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 3rd. ONEOKs dividend payout ratio is currently 75.74%.

Insider Transactions at ONEOK

In other news, Director Brian L. Derksen acquired 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was bought at an average price of $66.00 per share, with a total value of $165,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 21,200 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,399,200. The trade was a 13.37% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.21% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

ONEOK Company Profile

(Free Report)

ONEOK, Inc (NYSE: OKE) is a publicly traded midstream energy company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The company owns and operates a portfolio of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) pipelines, processing facilities, fractionators and storage and terminal assets. Its operations are focused on gathering, processing, transporting, fractionating and marketing NGLs and interstate natural gas, providing critical infrastructure that connects hydrocarbon production to refineries, petrochemical plants and other end markets.

ONEOKs asset base includes pipeline systems and processing plants that move and condition natural gas, along with infrastructure for the transportation, storage and fractionation of NGLs such as ethane, propane and butane.

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Perigon Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF (BATS:EVUS  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund acquired 24,296 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $764,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF during the 3rd quarter worth about $45,000. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $214,000. World Investment Advisors acquired a new position in shares of iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF during the third quarter worth about $239,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $390,000. Finally, Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF by 11.7% in the second quarter. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC now owns 14,425 shares of the companys stock valued at $434,000 after acquiring an additional 1,515 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF stock opened at $32.08 on Thursday. iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF has a 52-week low of $25.85 and a 52-week high of $31.11. The company has a market capitalization of $24.38 million, a P/E ratio of 19.19 and a beta of 0.86. The company has a 50 day moving average of $31.73 and a 200 day moving average of $31.05.

About iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF

The iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Value ETF (EVUS) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund is a passively managed fund that tracks an index of US value stocks with certain environmental, social, and governance criteria. The fund aims to maximize its ESG exposure. EVUS was launched on Jan 31, 2023 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:PIAIF  Get Free Report) rose 4.1% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $8.85 and last traded at $8.85. Approximately 1,000 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 95% from the average daily volume of 19,591 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.50.

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Trading Down 0.2%

The firms 50-day moving average price is $7.63 and its 200-day moving average price is $7.02.

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About Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China

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Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China is one of the largest integrated financial services providers in China, headquartered in Shenzhen. Established in 1988, Ping An has grown into a diversified conglomerate, offering a broad range of insurance, banking, asset management and technology-driven financial services. The company is publicly traded on the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchanges, and its American depositary receipts are quoted over the counter under the ticker PIAIF.

At the core of Ping Ans operations is its insurance business, which encompasses life insurance, property and casualty insurance, health insurance and pension products.

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Plimoth Trust Co. LLC cut its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 7.9% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 56,330 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 4,818 shares during the quarter. Exxon Mobil accounts for 1.4% of Plimoth Trust Co. LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. Plimoth Trust Co. LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $6,351,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil in the second quarter valued at $6,163,719,000. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC bought a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil in the 2nd quarter valued at about $607,621,000. First Trust Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 150.2% during the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 7,602,601 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $819,560,000 after purchasing an additional 4,563,707 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 200.7% during the 2nd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 2,014,446 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $217,162,000 after purchasing an additional 4,015,099 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 10,809.8% in the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,095,106 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $333,652,000 after purchasing an additional 3,066,736 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.80% of the companys stock.

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Exxon Mobil Stock Down 0.5%

NYSE XOM opened at $120.36 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The company has a market cap of $507.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.49, a PEG ratio of 7.61 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a 50 day moving average of $117.09 and a 200-day moving average of $113.44. Exxon Mobil Corporation has a 1-year low of $97.80 and a 1-year high of $121.80.

Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, June 17th. The oil and gas company reported $0.65 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $57.55 billion for the quarter. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 11.22% and a net margin of 8.99%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were paid a $1.03 dividend. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. This is a boost from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.99. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is presently 59.88%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently commented on XOM shares. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Exxon Mobil from $146.00 to $148.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Exxon Mobil from $135.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. BNP Paribas Exane upgraded Exxon Mobil from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $114.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 8th. TD Cowen raised their price target on Exxon Mobil from $128.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Exxon Mobil from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and thirteen have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $129.45.

View Our Latest Research Report on XOM

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.19, for a total transaction of $351,570.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 28,584 shares in the company, valued at $3,349,758.96. This represents a 9.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.03% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Exxon Mobil Company Profile

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Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) is an integrated oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, production, refining, distribution and marketing of petroleum products and the manufacture and sale of petrochemicals. Its operations span the full energy value chain, including upstream exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas; midstream transportation and storage; and downstream refining, product distribution and retail. The company also produces a broad range of chemical products for industrial and consumer applications.

ExxonMobil markets fuels and lubricants under well-known brands such as Exxon, Mobil and Esso, and its Mobil 1 motor oil is a prominent consumer product.

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Individuals named Gilala are typically characterized by their radiant optimism and enduring positive outlook on life. They possess a natural ability to find joy in everyday moments and often serve as sources of inspiration and comfort to those around them. Their personality reflects the name's meaning of 'eternal joy,' manifesting as resilience in difficult times and an ability to maintain hope and happiness regardless of circumstances. These individuals tend to be emotionally intelligent, empathetic, and skilled at creating harmonious environments.



Gilalas often exhibit creative tendencies and artistic expression, channeling their inner joy into various forms of art, music, or writing. They are typically social beings who value deep connections with family and community, and they have a special talent for bringing people together. Their joyful nature is balanced by a thoughtful depth, as they understand that true eternal joy comes from meaningful relationships and spiritual fulfillment rather than superficial pleasures. They are often described as having a 'light' about them that positively influences everyone they encounter, and they tend to approach challenges with grace and perspective.
Newmont, Freeport-McMoRan, Barrick Mining, Hecla Mining, and First Majestic Silver are the five Gold stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Gold stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose main business is finding, mining, processing, financing or otherwise holding gold  including miners, refiners and royalty/streaming firms. Their prices generally move with the gold bullion price but can be more volatile because they also reflect company-specific factors like production, costs and reserves, so investors use them to gain exposure to gold or as a potential hedge. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Gold stocks within the last several days.

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Newmont (NEM)

Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Fiji, and Ghana.

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FCX

Barrick Mining (B)

Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX.



In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick.

Read Our Latest Research Report on B

Hecla Mining (HL)

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

Read Our Latest Research Report on HL

First Majestic Silver (AG)

First Majestic Silver Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of mineral properties with a focus on silver and gold production in North America. Its projects include the San Dimas mine covering an area of approximately 71,867 hectares located in Durango State, Mexico; the Santa Elena that covers an area of approximately 102,244 hectares located in Sonora State, Mexico; and the La Encantada covering an area of approximately 4,076 hectares located in Coahuila State, Mexico.

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Qudian Inc.  Sponsored ADR (NYSE:QD  Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 440,863 shares, a decrease of 17.4% from the November 30th total of 533,915 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 301,106 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.5 days. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 301,106 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.5 days.

Qudian Price Performance

QD stock traded up $0.05 on Wednesday, hitting $3.81. 383,033 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 301,995. The stock has a market capitalization of $642.71 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.60 and a beta of 0.77. The businesss fifty day moving average is $4.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is $4.13. Qudian has a twelve month low of $2.04 and a twelve month high of $5.08.

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Qudian (NYSE:QD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 24th. The company reported $0.35 EPS for the quarter. Qudian had a return on equity of 7.04% and a net margin of 909.27%.The business had revenue of $1.20 million during the quarter.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Qudian in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Qudian has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Qudian

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Qudian

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in shares of Qudian by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 166,372 shares of the companys stock valued at $448,000 after purchasing an additional 3,793 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its holdings in Qudian by 4.4% in the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 136,759 shares of the companys stock valued at $584,000 after acquiring an additional 5,799 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new position in Qudian during the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC grew its holdings in Qudian by 46.8% during the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 360,632 shares of the companys stock worth $1,540,000 after acquiring an additional 114,892 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.10% of the companys stock.

About Qudian

(Get Free Report)

Qudian Inc is a China-based consumer finance technology company that offers online small-ticket credit products and services to young, high-potential customers. The companys platform leverages big data analytics and machine learning to assess creditworthiness, underwrite loans and manage credit risk. By streamlining the loan application process through mobile and web channels, Qudian aims to deliver rapid access to credit for everyday consumptive and lifestyle needs.

Through its proprietary credit scoring system, Qudian provides installment loans, micro-lending products and point-of-sale financing solutions under various branded offerings.

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Regent Peak Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund purchased 7,380 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $2,328,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. comprises about 0.5% of Regent Peak Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 29th largest position.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Creative Planning lifted its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 2.2% during the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 1,364,887 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $395,695,000 after purchasing an additional 29,844 shares during the last quarter. Aviva PLC increased its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 6.0% in the 2nd quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 2,232,458 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $647,212,000 after purchasing an additional 126,742 shares in the last quarter. Triangle Securities Wealth Management raised its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 14.1% during the 3rd quarter. Triangle Securities Wealth Management now owns 25,822 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $8,145,000 after buying an additional 3,191 shares during the period. Kelman Lazarov Inc. lifted its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 16.9% during the second quarter. Kelman Lazarov Inc. now owns 1,257 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $364,000 after buying an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gladwyn Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $534,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.55% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

JPM has been the subject of a number of research reports. Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. KGI Securities upped their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $300.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Morgan Stanley set a $331.00 price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $343.00 to $330.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $329.19.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other JPMorgan Chase & Co. news, insider Robin Leopold sold 966 shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $311.92, for a total value of $301,314.72. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 58,479 shares of the companys stock, valued at $18,240,769.68. The trade was a 1.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.47% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting JPMorgan Chase & Co. this week:

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Trading Down 0.4%

NYSE:JPM opened at $322.22 on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 12 month low of $202.16 and a 12 month high of $330.86. The firm has a market cap of $877.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.96, a P/E/G ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. The companys 50 day moving average is $311.80 and its 200-day moving average is $301.76.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $5.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.83 by $0.24. The business had revenue of $47.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $44.42 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 20.90% and a return on equity of 17.18%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s quarterly revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $4.37 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 18.1 EPS for the current year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 6th will be issued a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 6th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.72%.

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.

(Free Report)

JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) is a diversified global financial services firm headquartered in New York City. The company provides a wide range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, corporations, governments and institutional investors worldwide. Its operations span retail banking, commercial lending, investment banking, asset management, payments and card services, and treasury and securities services.

The firms principal business activities are organized across several core lines: Consumer & Community Banking, which offers deposit accounts, mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and branch and digital banking under the Chase brand; Corporate & Investment Banking, which provides capital markets, advisory, underwriting, trading and risk management services; Commercial Banking, delivering lending, treasury and capital solutions to middle-market and corporate clients; and Asset & Wealth Management, which offers investment management, private banking and retirement services to institutions and high-net-worth individuals.

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Several brokerages have updated their recommendations and price targets on shares of Regions Financial (NYSE: RF) in the last few weeks:

12/29/2025  Regions Financial had its buy (b) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/22/2025  Regions Financial had its buy (b) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/22/2025  Regions Financial had its price target raised by analysts at Truist Financial Corporation from $26.00 to $29.00. They now have a hold rating on the stock.

12/17/2025  Regions Financial had its price target raised by analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $30.00 to $31.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

12/13/2025  Regions Financial was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a sell rating.

Regions Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a $0.265 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $1.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.9%. Regions Financials payout ratio is currently 46.70%.

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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.

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Owlet, Inc. (NYSE:OWLT  Free Report)  Investment analysts at Northland Capmk increased their FY2025 earnings estimates for Owlet in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, December 30th. Northland Capmk analyst O. Rickert now expects that the company will post earnings of ($0.22) per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of ($2.72). The consensus estimate for Owlets current full-year earnings is ($0.76) per share. Northland Capmk also issued estimates for Owlets FY2026 earnings at ($0.78) EPS and FY2027 earnings at ($0.10) EPS.

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Owlet (NYSE:OWLT  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.23) by $0.26. The company had revenue of $31.99 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $26.00 million. Owlet had a negative return on equity of 0.36% and a negative net margin of 39.32%.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Northland Securities set a $20.00 price objective on shares of Owlet and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday. William Blair started coverage on shares of Owlet in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Owlet from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 15th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Owlet from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Owlet in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $14.25.

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Owlet Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of Owlet stock opened at $16.25 on Thursday. Owlet has a 12-month low of $2.75 and a 12-month high of $16.94. The firms 50-day moving average price is $12.28 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $9.48. The company has a market capitalization of $277.55 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.51 and a beta of 1.80.

Institutional Trading of Owlet

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in OWLT. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Owlet in the first quarter worth $43,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Owlet by 70.0% during the second quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 402,260 shares of the companys stock worth $3,379,000 after purchasing an additional 165,657 shares during the period. XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Owlet in the second quarter worth about $90,000. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Owlet during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $336,000. Finally, Archon Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Owlet in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $442,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.60% of the companys stock.

About Owlet

(Get Free Report)

Owlet Baby Care, Inc is a consumer health technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of smart baby monitoring products. The companys flagship device, the Owlet Smart Sock, is a wearable monitor that tracks a newborns heart rate and oxygen saturation levels and transmits real-time data to a mobile app. Owlet has since expanded its product suite to include the Owlet Cam, an HD video monitor with audio and motion alerts, and the Dream Sock, a non-wearable device that collects sleep metrics to help parents understand and improve their babys rest patterns.

Founded in 2013 by engineer and father Kurt Workman, Owlet is headquartered in Lehi, Utah.

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Salzgitter AG (OTCMKTS:SZGPY  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Tuesday . 6,000 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 8% from the previous sessions volume of 6,537 shares.The stock last traded at $4.71 and had previously closed at $4.79.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on SZGPY shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Salzgitter from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating on shares of Salzgitter in a research report on Monday, November 17th. BNP Paribas raised Salzgitter to an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. UBS Group raised Salzgitter from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Salzgitter from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on SZGPY

Salzgitter Stock Down 1.3%

The business has a 50 day moving average price of $3.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $3.17. The stock has a market cap of $2.54 billion, a P/E ratio of -11.72 and a beta of 1.47.

Salzgitter (OTCMKTS:SZGPY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The basic materials company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.05) by $0.14. The company had revenue of $2.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.64 billion. Salzgitter had a negative return on equity of 4.31% and a negative net margin of 2.09%. On average, research analysts forecast that Salzgitter AG will post -0.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Salzgitter Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Salzgitter AG is a leading European steel producer headquartered in Salzgitter, Germany. The company operates an integrated steelworks, encompassing ironmaking, steelmaking, continuous casting and rolling mills. Its core business revolves around the production and processing of steel products for various industries, including automotive, construction, mechanical engineering and energy.

Founded in 1937 as part of Germanys industrial expansion, Salzgitter evolved through post-war reconstruction and state ownership before being privatized in the late 1990s.

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Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE:ASC  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,977,677 shares, a drop of 19.0% from the November 30th total of 2,441,732 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 559,679 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.5 days. Currently, 4.9% of the companys stock are sold short. Currently, 4.9% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 559,679 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.5 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on ASC shares. Zacks Research lowered shares of Ardmore Shipping from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and set a $15.00 price objective on shares of Ardmore Shipping in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Ardmore Shipping in a report on Wednesday, December 24th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price target on Ardmore Shipping from $13.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $13.67.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Ardmore Shipping

Ardmore Shipping Stock Performance

ASC traded up $0.08 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $10.59. The company had a trading volume of 560,223 shares, compared to its average volume of 505,511. Ardmore Shipping has a 12-month low of $8.32 and a 12-month high of $13.85. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $12.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $11.42. The stock has a market cap of $430.17 million, a PE ratio of 13.58 and a beta of -0.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 4.08 and a current ratio of 4.46.

Ardmore Shipping (NYSE:ASC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The shipping company reported $0.31 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.03. Ardmore Shipping had a return on equity of 6.69% and a net margin of 11.50%.The company had revenue of $81.25 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $48.38 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.55 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 15.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Ardmore Shipping will post 1.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ardmore Shipping Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 12th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th were paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. This is a positive change from Ardmore Shippings previous quarterly dividend of $0.07. Ardmore Shippings dividend payout ratio is presently 51.28%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its holdings in shares of Ardmore Shipping by 6.3% in the 1st quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 17,263 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $173,000 after acquiring an additional 1,024 shares in the last quarter. Trexquant Investment LP raised its position in shares of Ardmore Shipping by 100.3% during the 1st quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 186,301 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $1,824,000 after buying an additional 93,311 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Ardmore Shipping by 31.2% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 77,769 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $761,000 after purchasing an additional 18,500 shares during the last quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Ardmore Shipping by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 451,387 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $4,419,000 after buying an additional 16,458 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in Ardmore Shipping by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 24,701 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $242,000 after buying an additional 1,102 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.22% of the companys stock.

Ardmore Shipping Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ardmore Shipping Corporation is a Bermuda-based provider of seaborne transportation services for refined petroleum products. The company owns and operates a modern fleet of product tankers, including medium-range (MR), long-range 2 (LR2) and Aframax vessels. Ardmore Shipping focuses on the ocean carriage of clean and dirty petroleum products under time charters, bareboat charters and spot voyages, serving a diverse customer base that includes major oil companies and trading houses.

Since its founding in 2005, Ardmore Shipping has grown its fleet through newbuilding contracts, second-hand acquisitions and fleet renewals, aiming to maintain a high quality, fuel-efficient profile.

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John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE:HPF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 34,273 shares, a decrease of 19.6% from the November 30th total of 42,644 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 38,936 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.9 days. Based on an average daily volume of 38,936 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.9 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in HPF. UBS Group AG lifted its position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 8.2% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 339,995 shares of the companys stock worth $5,729,000 after purchasing an additional 25,779 shares in the last quarter. Axim Planning & Wealth increased its stake in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Axim Planning & Wealth now owns 332,810 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,608,000 after buying an additional 10,752 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 14.8% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 182,941 shares of the companys stock worth $3,083,000 after buying an additional 23,622 shares in the last quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. lifted its position in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 7.5% during the 3rd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 142,493 shares of the companys stock worth $2,401,000 after buying an additional 9,998 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Guggenheim Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the 2nd quarter worth about $687,000.

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John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Stock Performance

Shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II stock traded down $0.06 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $16.09. The stock had a trading volume of 99,243 shares, compared to its average volume of 38,377. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $16.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $16.28. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II has a 52 week low of $14.56 and a 52 week high of $17.58.

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Dividend Announcement

About John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 11th will be paid a $0.1235 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 11th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 9.2%.

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John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE: HPF) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the fund primarily invests in preferred securities issued by U.S. and, to a lesser extent, international issuers. Its diversified portfolio may include investment-grade and below-investment-grade preferred stocks, corporate debt securities, convertible securities and, when deemed appropriate, common equity.

Launched in June 2006, HPF employs leverage through preferred share borrowings and other forms of financing to enhance income potential.

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KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETF (NYSEARCA:KTEC  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 48,418 shares, an increase of 30.1% from the November 30th total of 37,204 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 29,052 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.7 days. Approximately 1.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Approximately 1.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 29,052 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.7 days.

KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETF Stock Down 1.5%

Shares of NYSEARCA:KTEC traded down $0.24 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $15.66. 47,370 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 67,493. The firm has a market capitalization of $54.81 million, a PE ratio of 52.20 and a beta of 0.48. KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETF has a 52 week low of $12.60 and a 52 week high of $19.69. The companys 50 day moving average is $16.78 and its two-hundred day moving average is $17.05.

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KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETF Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 22nd were paid a dividend of $0.5254 per share. This represents a yield of 329.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 22nd. KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETFs dividend payout ratio is presently 173.33%.

Institutional Trading of KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETF

KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETF Company Profile

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in KTEC. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETF by 10.5% during the 2nd quarter. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC now owns 37,348 shares of the companys stock worth $601,000 after acquiring an additional 3,534 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its stake in KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETF by 153.4% during the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 5,575 shares of the companys stock worth $106,000 after purchasing an additional 3,375 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $447,000. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETF by 268.8% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 181,503 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,946,000 after purchasing an additional 132,285 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. bought a new position in shares of KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $207,000. Institutional investors own 63.86% of the companys stock.

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The KraneShares Hang Seng TECH Index ETF (KTEC) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Hang Seng Tech index, a market-cap-weighted index of the 30 largest Chinese technology companies. KTEC was launched on Jun 9, 2021 and is managed by KraneShares.

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LendingClub Corporation (NYSE:LC  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 3,759,392 shares, a decline of 23.8% from the November 30th total of 4,930,505 shares. Currently, 3.4% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,713,116 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.2 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,713,116 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.2 days. Currently, 3.4% of the companys shares are sold short.

LendingClub Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:LC opened at $18.90 on Thursday. LendingClub has a 52-week low of $7.90 and a 52-week high of $20.94. The company has a market capitalization of $2.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.48 and a beta of 2.14. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $18.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $16.04.

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LendingClub (NYSE:LC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The credit services provider reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.30 by $0.07. LendingClub had a return on equity of 7.68% and a net margin of 10.94%.The firm had revenue of $107.79 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $256.27 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.13 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 31.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that LendingClub will post 0.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LendingClub announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, November 5th that authorizes the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the credit services provider to reacquire up to 4.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of LendingClub from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of LendingClub from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and set a $20.00 target price (up previously from $18.00) on shares of LendingClub in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Janney Montgomery Scott lifted their price target on LendingClub from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of LendingClub in a research report on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $21.57.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on LendingClub

Insider Activity at LendingClub

In related news, Director Erin Selleck sold 2,390 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.47, for a total transaction of $46,533.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 76,377 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,487,060.19. The trade was a 3.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Scott Sanborn sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.29, for a total transaction of $578,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 1,210,070 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,342,250.30. This trade represents a 2.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 3.19% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On LendingClub

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in LC. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new position in LendingClub in the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Quarry LP increased its stake in LendingClub by 1,427.2% in the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,810 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 2,626 shares during the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in LendingClub during the second quarter worth $53,000. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of LendingClub in the 3rd quarter valued at $59,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its holdings in shares of LendingClub by 46.7% during the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 4,051 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 1,290 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.08% of the companys stock.

About LendingClub

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LendingClub Corporation operates an online lending marketplace that connects borrowers seeking personal and small business credit with individual and institutional investors. The platform leverages technology to streamline the loan application and underwriting process, offering unsecured personal loans, auto refinancing, and small business loans. In addition to lending products, LendingClub provides high-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its banking charter, following its acquisition of Radius Bank in 2021.

Founded in 2006 by Renaud Laplanche, LendingClub pioneered peer-to-peer lending in the United States, helping to democratize access to credit and investment opportunities.

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Cultural & Historical Significance

Jeslynn emerged in the late 20th century as part of the trend toward creating unique, blended names. It represents a departure from traditional naming conventions, reflecting a cultural shift toward individuality and personal expression in naming practices. The name combines the popularity of Jessica (which peaked in the 1980s-1990s) with the timeless appeal of Lynn, creating a name that feels both familiar and distinctive.



This name reflects contemporary Western naming trends where parents often combine elements from different names to create something unique for their children. It represents the modern approach to naming that prioritizes phonetic appeal and personal significance over historical or familial traditions. Jeslynn embodies the 21st-century values of creativity and individuality in personal identity formation, serving as an example of how naming practices evolve to reflect changing social values and personal preferences.
Suzano S.A. Sponsored ADR (NYSE:SUZ  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 3,319,692 shares, a decrease of 20.1% from the November 30th total of 4,156,630 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,599,739 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.3 days. Currently, 0.3% of the companys shares are short sold. Currently, 0.3% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 2,599,739 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.3 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Suzano in a research note on Monday. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Suzano from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Suzano Price Performance

Shares of Suzano stock remained flat at $9.35 during trading on Wednesday. The company had a trading volume of 586,986 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,621,407. Suzano has a twelve month low of $8.41 and a twelve month high of $10.86. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $9.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.30. The company has a quick ratio of 2.52, a current ratio of 3.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.97. The stock has a market cap of $12.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.09 and a beta of 0.74.

Suzano (NYSE:SUZ  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.32 by ($0.03). Suzano had a net margin of 13.03% and a return on equity of 16.39%. The firm had revenue of $2.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.23 billion. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Suzano will post 1.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Suzano Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a special dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 11th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 22nd will be paid a dividend of $0.2036 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 22nd. Suzanos dividend payout ratio is presently 18.75%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Suzano

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in Suzano by 4.9% during the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,668,689 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,686,000 after buying an additional 77,356 shares during the period. Compass Rose Asset Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Suzano during the third quarter valued at approximately $9,917,000. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda raised its stake in shares of Suzano by 57.9% in the second quarter. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda now owns 695,916 shares of the companys stock worth $6,549,000 after purchasing an additional 255,319 shares during the last quarter. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Suzano during the 3rd quarter valued at about $6,413,000. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in Suzano by 14.5% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 557,366 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,178,000 after purchasing an additional 70,396 shares during the period. 2.55% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Suzano

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Suzano SA is a Brazil-based pulp and paper company recognized as one of the worlds leading producers of eucalyptus pulp. The company develops and supplies a wide range of fiber-based products that serve global demand in printing and writing papers, tissue paper, packaging, and specialty paper markets. With an extensive network of industrial units and logistics operations, Suzano manages every stage of production from forest plantations to final delivery, emphasizing integrated operations and quality control.

At the core of Suzanos business is its sustainable forestry model, which covers more than one million hectares of managed eucalyptus plantations across Brazil.

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TBC Bank Group PLC (LON:TBCG  Get Free Report) shares rose 0.7% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 4,075 and last traded at GBX 4,044.02. Approximately 43,779 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 82% from the average daily volume of 239,325 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 4,015.

TBC Bank Group Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of 2.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 1.67, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 4,030.16 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 4,384.43.

TBC Bank Group Company Profile

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TBC Bank Group PLC (TBC PLC) is a public limited company registered in England and Wales. TBC PLC is the parent company of JSC TBC Bank (TBC Bank) and a group of companies that principally operate in Georgia in the financial sector. TBC Bank, together with its subsidiaries, is a leading universal banking group in Georgia. TBC PLC also offers non-financial services via TNET, the largest digital ecosystem in Georgia. Since 2019, TBC PLC has expanded its operations into Uzbekistan by operating fast growing retail digital financial services in the country.

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Ninety One UK Ltd cut its holdings in Ternium S.A. (NYSE:TX  Free Report) by 8.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,208,389 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 198,721 shares during the quarter. Ninety One UK Ltds holdings in Ternium were worth $76,697,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in TX. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Ternium by 4.6% in the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 5,358,772 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $161,298,000 after purchasing an additional 237,741 shares in the last quarter. Amundi grew its position in Ternium by 3.4% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 490,076 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $14,550,000 after buying an additional 16,006 shares during the last quarter. Aberdeen Group plc acquired a new position in Ternium in the second quarter worth approximately $258,000. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. lifted its position in shares of Ternium by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. now owns 3,412,385 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $102,713,000 after acquiring an additional 312,595 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oaktree Capital Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Ternium by 13.2% during the 2nd quarter. Oaktree Capital Management LP now owns 919,709 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $27,683,000 after acquiring an additional 107,100 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 11.98% of the companys stock.

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Ternium Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSE:TX opened at $38.20 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $37.03 and a two-hundred day moving average of $34.41. The company has a quick ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 2.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. Ternium S.A. has a 12-month low of $24.00 and a 12-month high of $39.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.86 and a beta of 1.36.

Ternium Announces Dividend

Ternium ( NYSE:TX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The basic materials company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.78 by ($0.68). The firm had revenue of $3.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.02 billion. Ternium had a return on equity of 1.89% and a net margin of 3.72%.Terniums revenue was down 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.16 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Ternium S.A. will post 4.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th were issued a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. This represents a yield of 503.0%. Terniums dividend payout ratio is currently 60.61%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Ternium from $32.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Scotiabank decreased their price objective on shares of Ternium from $41.00 to $40.00 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Ternium from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Hsbc Global Res raised Ternium to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, HSBC set a $41.00 price objective on Ternium and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Ternium currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $35.56.

View Our Latest Stock Report on TX

About Ternium

(Free Report)

Ternium SA (NYSE:TX) is a leading vertically integrated steel producer with operations across the Americas. The company manufactures a broad range of flat and long steel products, including hotrolled and coldrolled coils, galvanized and tin-coated sheets, plates, rebars, wire rods, bars and structural sections. These products serve diverse end markets such as automotive, construction, energy, industrial machinery, home appliances and packaging.

Established in 2005 through the consolidation of steel assets in Argentina and Mexico, Ternium has grown to operate major production facilities in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Central America and the United States.

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The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the sixteen ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eleven have assigned a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $390.0667.

Several research firms recently issued reports on SHW. Wells Fargo & Company set a $410.00 price target on Sherwin-Williams and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research note on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $405.00 price target on shares of Sherwin-Williams and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. UBS Group restated a buy rating and issued a $422.00 price objective (up from $400.00) on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $375.00 to $368.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 14th.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams Stock Down 0.6%

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank bought a new position in Sherwin-Williams during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,296,565,000. Viking Global Investors LP raised its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 101.4% in the second quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 1,957,750 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $672,213,000 after purchasing an additional 985,520 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 601.0% during the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 839,756 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $288,339,000 after purchasing an additional 719,965 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 4,029.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 621,532 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $213,410,000 after buying an additional 606,482 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi increased its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 55.8% in the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 1,665,333 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $587,047,000 after buying an additional 596,657 shares in the last quarter. 77.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Shares of NYSE:SHW opened at $324.23 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11. The firm has a market cap of $80.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.63, a P/E/G ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 1.24. Sherwin-Williams has a 12 month low of $308.84 and a 12 month high of $379.65. The companys 50-day moving average price is $334.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $343.26.

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The specialty chemicals company reported $3.59 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.44 by $0.15. Sherwin-Williams had a net margin of 11.05% and a return on equity of 66.75%. The business had revenue of $6.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.21 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.37 earnings per share. Sherwin-Williamss revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sherwin-Williams has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.250-11.450 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Sherwin-Williams will post 12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sherwin-Williams Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were paid a dividend of $0.79 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Sherwin-Williamss payout ratio is 30.83%.

Sherwin-Williams Company Profile

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Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) is a global manufacturer and distributor of paints, coatings and related products. Founded in 1866 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the company supplies a broad range of coatings for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Its product offering includes architectural paints and stains, industrial and protective coatings, automotive finishes, and a variety of sundry products such as primers, sealants and specialty treatments used by professionals and consumers.

The company sells through multiple channels, including a large network of company-operated retail paint stores that serve professional contractors and do-it-yourself consumers, as well as through distributors and mass retailers.

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VanEck Digital India ETF (NYSEARCA:DGIN  Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 9,243 shares, a decrease of 19.4% from the November 30th total of 11,467 shares. Approximately 2.1% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,968 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.7 days. Based on an average daily volume of 1,968 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.7 days. Approximately 2.1% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Institutional Trading of VanEck Digital India ETF

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of VanEck Digital India ETF by 887.2% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 3,534 shares of the companys stock worth $156,000 after purchasing an additional 3,176 shares during the last quarter. Archford Capital Strategies LLC increased its position in VanEck Digital India ETF by 18.4% in the third quarter. Archford Capital Strategies LLC now owns 5,752 shares of the companys stock worth $230,000 after buying an additional 895 shares during the period. Accurate Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in VanEck Digital India ETF in the second quarter valued at $343,000. Flagstar Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in VanEck Digital India ETF by 2.9% in the second quarter. Flagstar Advisors Inc. now owns 8,963 shares of the companys stock valued at $396,000 after buying an additional 251 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of VanEck Digital India ETF during the third quarter valued at $840,000.

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VanEck Digital India ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA DGIN traded up $0.07 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $40.94. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,846 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,341. The firm has a market cap of $18.42 million, a P/E ratio of 40.34 and a beta of 0.63. VanEck Digital India ETF has a 1-year low of $35.10 and a 1-year high of $45.08. The firms fifty day moving average price is $42.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $42.00.

About VanEck Digital India ETF

The VanEck Digital India ETF (DGIN) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MVIS Digital India index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of Indian companies that are involved in the digitalization of Indias economy. DGIN was launched on Feb 15, 2022 and is managed by VanEck.

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Viking Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:VIK  Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 3,679,624 shares, a drop of 17.6% from the November 30th total of 4,467,323 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,441,502 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.5 days. Currently, 0.8% of the companys stock are short sold. Currently, 0.8% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 2,441,502 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.5 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on VIK shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded Viking from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 22nd. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Viking from $74.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Viking in a research note on Monday. Truist Financial boosted their price target on Viking from $59.00 to $61.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised Viking from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $60.00 to $80.00 in a report on Monday, December 15th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $66.00.

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Viking Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of Viking stock traded down $0.63 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $71.49. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,557,331 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,845,360. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $65.16 and a 200-day moving average of $60.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.68, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.63. The stock has a market cap of $31.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.41, a P/E/G ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 2.12. Viking has a twelve month low of $31.79 and a twelve month high of $74.61.

Viking (NYSE:VIK  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The company reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.01. Viking had a net margin of 15.53% and a return on equity of 716.92%. The business had revenue of $2 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.89 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 19.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Viking will post 1.49 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Viking

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Viking in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Pittenger & Anderson Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Viking in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Private Trust Co. NA acquired a new stake in shares of Viking in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. CI Investments Inc. raised its stake in Viking by 53.1% during the 3rd quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 551 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in Viking by 342.0% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 663 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 513 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.84% of the companys stock.

About Viking

(Get Free Report)

Viking Holdings Ltd engages in the passenger shipping and other forms of passenger transport in North America, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through River and Ocean segments. The company also operates as a tour entrepreneur for passengers and related activities in tourism. As of December 31, 2023, it operated a fleet of 92 ships, including 81 river vessels comprising 58 Longships, 10 smaller classes based on the Longship design, 11 other river vessels, and 1 river vessel charter and the Viking Mississippi; 9 ocean ships; and 2 expedition ships.

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VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al reduced its position in Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR  Free Report) by 23.6% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 167,970 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 52,000 shares during the period. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Als holdings in Ventas were worth $11,756,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ventas during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Ventas by 52.7% during the second quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 536 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 185 shares during the period. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Ventas during the second quarter valued at about $35,000. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of Ventas by 61.3% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 974 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $62,000 after acquiring an additional 370 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new position in shares of Ventas in the second quarter worth about $67,000. 94.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Ventas Trading Down 1.8%

Shares of VTR opened at $77.41 on Thursday. The companys fifty day moving average is $77.59 and its 200 day moving average is $70.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $36.36 billion, a PE ratio of 148.87, a P/E/G ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.78. Ventas, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $56.68 and a fifty-two week high of $81.89.

Ventas Announces Dividend

Ventas ( NYSE:VTR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.88 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.87 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.44 billion. Ventas had a return on equity of 2.05% and a net margin of 4.28%.Ventass quarterly revenue was up 20.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.80 EPS. Ventas has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.450-3.480 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Ventas, Inc. will post 3.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a $0.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. Ventass dividend payout ratio is 369.23%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on VTR. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and set a $93.00 target price on shares of Ventas in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price objective on shares of Ventas from $77.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Ventas from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Scotiabank boosted their target price on shares of Ventas from $74.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on shares of Ventas in a research report on Friday, September 19th. They set a neutral rating and a $73.00 target price for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ventas currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $79.31.

View Our Latest Analysis on Ventas

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Ventas news, CEO Peter J. Bulgarelli sold 3,924 shares of Ventas stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total transaction of $294,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 112,564 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,442,300. The trade was a 3.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Debra A. Cafaro sold 317,258 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.24, for a total value of $23,553,233.92. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 1,145,695 shares of the companys stock, valued at $85,056,396.80. This represents a 21.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 673,268 shares of company stock worth $49,679,007 in the last ninety days. 0.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Ventas

(Free Report)

Ventas, Inc (NYSE: VTR) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in healthcare-related real estate. The company acquires, owns and manages a diversified portfolio of properties serving the healthcare continuum, including senior housing communities, skilled nursing facilities, medical office buildings, life science and research centers, and other properties leased to healthcare providers and operators. Ventas generates revenue through long-term leases, property management and selective development activities focused on meeting the real estate needs of the healthcare sector.

Ventas business model combines property ownership with active asset management and capital markets activity.

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VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al cut its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 15.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 78,564 shares of the companys stock after selling 14,600 shares during the quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Als holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $59,944,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Steph & Co. grew its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 290.0% in the third quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 39 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Bare Financial Services Inc lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 263.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 40 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE LLY opened at $1,075.00 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $1,003.00 and a two-hundred day moving average of $846.93. The company has a market capitalization of $1.02 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.37. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $623.78 and a 1 year high of $1,111.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.24.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 109.52% and a net margin of 30.99%.The business had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.09 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.18 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a dividend of $1.73 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This is an increase from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 29.35%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LLY has been the subject of several research reports. CICC Research boosted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $801.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Monday, December 1st. Wall Street Zen upgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. HSBC reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $1,070.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an outperform rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $1,155.36.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is a global pharmaceutical company founded in 1876 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and therapies for patients worldwide. Eli Lilly maintains operations and commercial presence across North America, Europe, Asia and other regions, serving both developed and emerging markets. The company has been led in recent years by President and Chief Executive Officer David A.

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West Branch Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 1,190.5% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 955 shares of the investment management companys stock after buying an additional 881 shares during the quarter. West Branch Capital LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $761,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 617,504.5% during the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 29,058,291 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $20,566,005,000 after acquiring an additional 29,053,586 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,138,031,000. Ninety One UK Ltd acquired a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $408,780,000. AGF Management Ltd. increased its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 2,429.6% during the 2nd quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 485,375 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $343,524,000 after purchasing an additional 466,187 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 100,678.6% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 404,122 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $286,017,000 after buying an additional 403,721 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.21% of the companys stock.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of NYSE:GS opened at $878.28 on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $439.38 and a 12-month high of $919.10. The company has a market capitalization of $263.42 billion, a PE ratio of 17.84, a PEG ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.36. The business has a 50 day moving average of $831.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $769.77. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53.

The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The business had revenue of $15.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.68 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.18% and a return on equity of 15.29%. The businesss revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $8.40 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were issued a $4.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 2nd. This represents a $16.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is presently 32.50%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on GS. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $725.00 to $790.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. BNP Paribas Exane boosted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $685.00 to $775.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. UBS Group raised their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $762.00 to $805.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Citigroup upped their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $700.00 to $765.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, HSBC increased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $652.00 to $677.00 in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $792.67.

Get Our Latest Analysis on The Goldman Sachs Group

The Goldman Sachs Group Profile

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc is a global investment banking and financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1869 as a commercial paper business, the company has grown into a diversified financial institution that provides a broad range of services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. The firm is led by Chief Executive Officer David M. Solomon and operates across major financial centers worldwide.

Goldman Sachs core businesses include investment banking, global markets, asset and wealth management, and consumer banking.

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Several analysts have recently updated their ratings and price targets for Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM):

12/29/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/23/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its price target raised by analysts at Evercore ISI from $190.00 to $195.00. They now have an in-line rating on the stock.

12/22/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/15/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/8/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/1/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/24/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/21/2025  Williams-Sonoma was given a new $206.00 price target on by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

11/20/2025  Williams-Sonoma was given a new $175.00 price target on by analysts at UBS Group AG. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

11/20/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its price target lowered by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from $202.00 to $188.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

11/20/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its price target lowered by analysts at TD Cowen from $225.00 to $210.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

11/20/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its price target lowered by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group from $225.00 to $220.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

11/17/2025  Williams-Sonoma was downgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating.

11/14/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its neutral rating reaffirmed by analysts at UBS Group AG.

11/14/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its price target raised by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group from $215.00 to $220.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

11/11/2025  Williams-Sonoma had its price target raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $190.00 to $205.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 16th. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.5%. Williams-Sonomas payout ratio is currently 29.04%.

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Insider Activity at Williams-Sonoma

In related news, CEO Laura Alber sold 12,161 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $181.07, for a total value of $2,201,992.27. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 846,927 shares in the company, valued at approximately $153,353,071.89. This represents a 1.42% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

WilliamsSonoma, Inc is a specialty retailer focused on the home and culinary markets, best known for premium cookware, kitchen tools and home furnishings. The company traces its roots to a single cookware store founded by Chuck Williams in 1956 in Sonoma, California, and has evolved into a multibrand home furnishings and housewares business. Its merchandise mix spans cookware and kitchen electrics, tabletop and food prep items, furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative accessories designed for both everyday use and higherend interiors.

The company operates a portfolio of consumer brands that target distinct segments of the home market.

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Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Karisma holds deep roots in Christian tradition, originating from the Greek term 'charisma' which appears in the New Testament to describe spiritual gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit. These gifts include wisdom, healing, prophecy, and other divine endowments meant to build up the Christian community. Throughout church history, the concept of charisma has been central to understanding how God works through individuals for the benefit of the collective faith community.



In contemporary Christian contexts, the name continues to symbolize a child as a special blessing from God, carrying the hope that the individual will develop spiritual gifts and use them for positive influence. The name's journey from ancient Greek through early Christian theology to modern usage demonstrates how religious concepts can evolve into personal names while retaining their core spiritual significance. This blending of ancient spiritual meaning with modern personal identity makes Karisma a name that bridges historical depth with contemporary relevance.
Chain Bridge Bancorp (NYSE:CBNA  Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report released on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other research firms have also commented on CBNA. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d) rating on shares of Chain Bridge Bancorp in a research report on Monday. Raymond James Financial set a $37.00 price objective on Chain Bridge Bancorp and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $33.00.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on CBNA

Chain Bridge Bancorp Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:CBNA opened at $34.48 on Tuesday. Chain Bridge Bancorp has a 52 week low of $20.01 and a 52 week high of $38.42. The companys fifty day moving average is $32.58 and its 200-day moving average is $30.04. The company has a market capitalization of $226.20 million, a PE ratio of 12.06 and a beta of 0.54.

Chain Bridge Bancorp (NYSE:CBNA  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.70 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $13.12 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.45 million. Chain Bridge Bancorp had a net margin of 32.83% and a return on equity of 12.10%. On average, analysts forecast that Chain Bridge Bancorp will post 2.22 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Chain Bridge Bancorp in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. bought a new position in Chain Bridge Bancorp in the second quarter valued at about $33,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. bought a new position in Chain Bridge Bancorp in the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Chain Bridge Bancorp in the second quarter worth about $53,000. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund bought a new stake in Chain Bridge Bancorp during the 2nd quarter worth about $101,000.

Chain Bridge Bancorp Company Profile

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Chain Bridge Bancorp, Inc (NYSE: CBNA) is the bank holding company for Chain Bridge Bank, a full-service community commercial bank headquartered in Oakton, Virginia. Founded in 1999, the company is focused on serving small- and middle-market businesses, professional firms and individual clients throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Through its subsidiary, Chain Bridge Bank provides a comprehensive suite of deposit products, including checking, savings and money market accounts, as well as time deposits.

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Ovintiv Inc. (TSE:OVV  Free Report)  Research analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q3 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Ovintiv in a research note issued on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $1.26 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $1.28. The consensus estimate for Ovintivs current full-year earnings is $5.66 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Ovintivs Q1 2027 earnings at $1.71 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.72 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.72 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $7.07 EPS.

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OVV has been the topic of several other research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of Ovintiv from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. William Blair raised Ovintiv to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Roth Capital raised Ovintiv to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Ovintiv to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Ovintiv presently has a consensus rating of Buy.

Ovintiv Price Performance

Shares of OVV stock opened at C$53.79 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$54.30 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$55.06. The company has a market capitalization of C$13.62 billion, a PE ratio of 57.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.05 and a beta of 0.85. Ovintiv has a twelve month low of C$42.35 and a twelve month high of C$66.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 63.59.

Ovintiv (TSE:OVV  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported C$0.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$2.88 billion during the quarter. Ovintiv had a net margin of 20.34% and a return on equity of 19.62%.

Ovintiv Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. Ovintivs payout ratio is 129.03%.

Key Ovintiv News

Here are the key news stories impacting Ovintiv this week:

Negative Sentiment: Zacks trimmed its FY2027 EPS forecast to $7.07 from $7.23  a modest reduction but a downward revision to the companys multi-year outlook. (Zacks research note)

Zacks trimmed its FY2027 EPS forecast to $7.07 from $7.23  a modest reduction but a downward revision to the companys multi-year outlook. (Zacks research note) Negative Sentiment: Zacks lowered FY2026 to $5.04 (from $5.16) and trimmed FY2025 to $5.94 (from $6.08), signaling weaker near-term expectations. (Zacks research note)

Zacks lowered FY2026 to $5.04 (from $5.16) and trimmed FY2025 to $5.94 (from $6.08), signaling weaker near-term expectations. (Zacks research note) Negative Sentiment: Quarterly cuts across 20252027: notable revisions include Q1 2026 $1.15 from $1.18, Q2 2026 $1.11 from $1.14, Q4 2026 $1.52 from $1.56, Q3 2026 $1.26 from $1.28, and Q1Q3 2027 moved slightly lower (Q1 2027 $1.71 from $1.74; Q2/Q3 2027 $1.72 from $1.76). These are broad but relatively small trims to quarterly flows. (Zacks research note)

Ovintiv Company Profile

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Ovintiv Inc is a leading North American exploration and production (E&P) company focused on developing its high-quality, multi-basin portfolio. Ovintiv works to safely produce crude oil and natural gas-products that make modern life possible for all. The Company is focused on creating long-term shareholder value while contributing to the strength and sustainability of the communities where it operates.

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In contemporary naming trends, Kerri has transitioned from its peak popularity in the late 20th century to become a more distinctive choice today. While it no longer ranks among the top names, it maintains recognition and appeal for parents seeking a name with Irish heritage that feels familiar yet uncommon. The name works well in professional contexts while retaining its friendly, approachable quality. Modern usage shows some preference for the simplified 'Keri' spelling, though 'Kerri' remains popular among those wanting to emphasize the name's Irish origins. The name continues to be chosen by parents who appreciate its strong, single-syllable sound, cultural significance, and the balance it strikes between being recognizable and distinctive in today's diverse naming landscape.
The Bollywood war drama Ikkis hit theatres on Thursday, and the story of 21-year-old Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpalwho gave Pakistani forces hell on board his Famagustais already being hailed for walking a path different from that of chest-thumping patriotism. The Sriram Raghavan directorial is being largely accepted as a fitting tribute to the braveheart who laid down his life during the Battle of Basantara glorious chapter in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. The nation honoured Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal's valour with a Param Vir Chakra (PVC).

Agastya Nanda plays Arun Khetarpal in Ikkis, as the movie chronicles the legendary story of the tank commander who knocked out ten Pakistani tanksprimarily M48 Patton tankswith his Centurion main battle tank before being overrun and killed.

For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India

ALSO READ | When Kumaon Regiment's bayonets couldn't penetrate Chinese PLA soldiers, heads got smashed; how Major Shaitan Singhs body was moved from Rezang La after battle

A British tank originally designed to fight the Nazis, the Centurion found takers in 14 nations. A total of 4,423 Centurion tanks across all production models were manufactured, a report said. Apart from the UKs NATO allies, such as Canada, Denmark, and the Netherlands, it was also used by Israel, South Africa, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, and India. Here are five things to know about the tank that was commanded by Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal during the Battle of Basantar:

In the fifties, the Dutch army replaced its outdated Shermans and Rams with 592 British Centurion tanks. The first choice was the American build M47 Patton, but because of the war in Korea, these were not available. In the eighties, the slow tank was replaced by the Leopard II. pic.twitter.com/k0883c1UpM  Klaas Meijer (@klaasm67) April 4, 2023

1. A single model capable of fulfilling the roles of light, medium, and heavy tankscombining high firepower, strong armour protection, and cross-country mobilitycame to be known as the Main Battle Tank during the Cold War era. These tanks are entrusted with engaging enemy armour on the battlefield, countering and disrupting infantry, breaking through fortified defensive lines etc. A main battle tank typically has a crew of three to four personnel, with its main gun mounted on a turret capable of 360 degrees of rotation. The Centurion is regarded as a pioneer among main battle tanks.

2. The Centurion's success is also hailed as the fruition of hard-earned lessons that the Brits learnt fighting the Nazis. To meet the demands of World War II, England fast-tracked tank production, which led to poor designs. Finally, the British Army understood that they couldnt keep urgently building tanks that were obsolete while they were being built. The A41 Centurion was a culmination of all the design and combat lessons learned by British tank designers during World War II in terms of protection, mobility and firepower, said Stuart Wheeler, historian for the UK-based Tank Museum.

3. The Centurions combat debut happened during the Korean War. Taking on Chinese troops in the mountainous Korean terrain, the tanks were used to support UN-US forces during the Battle of the Imjin River in 1951. The tanks were reportedly effective in supporting British-led UN forces against numerically superior Chinese infantry. According to reports, a US general on the ground praised the Centurion and its crews for showing that anywhere a tank can go is tank countryeven the tops of mountains.

4. The Centurion tanks reportedly came in 13 versions, including the 1952 Mark 5 model. Weighing 50 tons, it mounted a 20-pounder (84 mm) cannon and carried a crew of four: commander, gunner, loader, and driver. A notable feature of this design was a stabiliser that enabled the cannon to fire accurately while the vehicle was moving. When the war broke out, the Centurion Mk.7 was one of the most modern Western tanks, and India had 20-pounder guns attached to them. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal's Famagusta Jx 202 was one of these.

ALSO READ | Battle of Rezang La: Why Major Shaitan Singhs 120 Bahadurs had to protect Indias critical Chushil sector from China EXPLAINED

5. Each tank measured between 9.83 and 9.85 metres in length, 3.39 metres in width, and stood 2.94 to 3.01 metres high. Depending on the configuration, it weighed from 50.73 to 51.82 tonnes and had a maximum fuel capacity of 1,037 litres. It recorded a maximum speed of 35 kilometres per hour and had an operational range of 102 to 190 kilometres. Its off-road mobility allowed it to cross a 3.35-metre trench, climb a step of 91.4 centimetres, and navigate through water up to 1.45 metres deep. According to a report by Forecast International, each Centurion was sold at a price of $261,000 in equivalent 1962 United States dollars. A Centurion brought up to late 1980s standards by Vickers had a unit price of $580,000 in equivalent 1995 United States dollars.
I will never forget that last day and how that last scene felt  it was just so surreal, said Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers in the Netflix sci-fi drama Stranger Things. Elaborating on the final season of the career-defining show, the 21-year-old American actor confessed it has been tough. In his own words, The goodbye was hard. I grappled with this feeling like my life is over and Im in a crisis; this is my whole identity and all Ive ever known, and now its ending.

**WARNING: Minor plot reveals, spoilers ahead**

With the two-hour-long finale of Stranger Things streaming not just on Netflix but also in select movie theatres across the US, Noah Schnapp is reportedly steering clear of online reactions. Although his friends have started texting him, declaring that they loved it so much they have been moved to tears, the young actor has no misconceptions that there will also be negative comments. "My friends are texting me already, like, Oh my God, I loved it, or Oh my god, Im sobbing right now. But no, I havent checked anything online," he told the Los Angeles Times in an exclusive interview.

After the powerful revealwhich few saw comingWill Byers sexuality became the most discussed aspect of the plot. Noah Schnapp told the media outlet that he used to hide the fact that Will was homosexual because of a personal connection with the character. He used to say Will was not queer but was instead heavily affected by trauma. During his younger years, the pressure around the character was tougher to handle, he recollected.

When I was younger, I always felt this pressure  like interviewers would ask me, Do you feel a personal connection? Anything personally close to the character? I would always kind of deflect. And I would say, Well, no, hes [Will] not queer. Hes just growing up slower, and hes suffering from his trauma. I felt defensive over Will, almost to make sure that he wasnt gay because I felt it personally," he reportedly told the LA Times.

As he became older, he gained further clarity. "Our stories there were intertwined and, eventually, as I got older, I noticed how people really dive deeper into that sexual identity for him. And I saw people with such positive reactions to it. It definitely had an impact on me, like, Oh, people dont care as much as I used to think they did. It helped me in my own journey. I think having accepted it publicly before having filmed this scene changed everything for me. It allowed me to be fully vulnerable and feel all the real emotions as much as possible in that scene, which was my goalto make it feel just like I was living it. If I was still hiding, I wouldnt have been able to authentically show that."

(The context is being purposefully omitted to avoid further spoilers)

Will Byers of 'Stranger Things'

Will Byers, aged 11, being dragged to the alternate dimension of the Upside Down while returning from a friends house was crucial to the series' plot. Will thus became the 'Zombie Boy'  as he made it back alive while most believed he had died that night. Until the first volume of the final season, Will was tormented by the beasts and dangers of the Upside Down, before he decrypted the secret to his suffering to emerge as a superhero  just like his good friend, Eleven.
Over 7,000 people have been infected with Candida Auris, a drug-resistant and deadly fungus, overwhelming the hospitals, nursing homes and medical facilities in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the latest numbers are recorded in 27 US states in 2025 alone. The numbers are likely to rise in 2026, they say.

Considering the severity of the illness, the CDC has labelled the disease as an 'urgent antimicrobial resistance threat'.

First reported in the US in 2016, Candida Auris's strains are considered a superbug as they are resistant to all types of medications that are usually widely used to treat fungal infections. The vulnerable group, especially the elderly, infants and those with underlying health issues, are under threat. Raising concerns, the disease is most commonly spread in hospitals.

Why is the disease dangerous?

According to experts, there is no treatment currently, as the fungus is resistant to any existing medical treatment.

Recently, a study published in the US found that the cases have "rapidly increased" in several states. According to scientists, climate change is contributing to the spread of Candida auris.

Though people with a healthy immune system may be able to fight off the infection, the highest risk is considered those with catheters, breathing tubes, feeding tubes and so on in hospitals.

The CDC, earlier, estimated that 3060% of people with C. auris infections have died. However, many of these people had other serious illnesses that also increased their risk of death.

What is Candida Auris?

For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH

Candida Auris (C.auris) is a type of fungus that can cause severe illness and spread easily between patients in hospitals and nursing homes. It can cause a wide range of infections, from skin to more severe, life-threatening infections, including bloodstream infections.

Often being resistant, i.e., the fungus has developed the ability to defeat the drugs designed to destroy it, to antifungal medications, the infections can be difficult and sometimes impossible to treat.

Symptoms of C. auris

Though the symptoms depend on the infection site, the most common ones include fever, chills, and headaches.
The real battles of 2026 will be fought in the states, as five statesKerala, West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherrygo to the polls. These contests are important given the timing; they arrive at the midpoint of the Lok Sabhas tenure that began in 2024, and their results will offer pointers for the 2029 contest.

The 2026 cycle is also crucial because the future of many veteran leaders is at stake. Several of them have already seen the prime of their political careers.

While conversations around these state polls will be far more animated and the coverage shriller, another quieter set of elections will offer a glimpse into succession battles within parties. This year, 72 Rajya Sabha MPs will retire, including senior leaders such as H. D. Deve Gowda, a former prime minister, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and NCP(SP) leader Sharad Pawar.

West Bengal: Mamata Banerjees longevity vs BJP consolidation

West Bengals election is about whether Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee can convert her resilience into another term. After 15 years in office, the Trinamool Congress faces organisational fatigue, leadership bottlenecks, and sustained pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Home Minister Amit Shah camped in the state for three days to sharpen his partys electoral strategy, attacking the Trinamool government over appeasement and infiltration.

The BJP, despite repeated losses, has entrenched itself as the principal opposition. The Congress and the Left remain marginal. A weakened TMC mandate would complicate the return of senior leaders to the Rajya Sabha and limit Banerjees influence in national opposition politics.

Tamil Nadu: Stalins battle vs Opposition arithmetic

Tamil Nadu remains one of the most consequential state elections of 2026. For Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, the challenge is no longer legitimacy but durability. After five years in power, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) faces voter fatigue, governance scrutiny, and pressure from new entrants in state politics.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (AIADMK) leadership uncertainty and the BJPs limited expansion leave the opposition fragmented, but this also raises expectations from the ruling party. A reduced mandate, even without defeat, would weaken the DMKs grip on Rajya Sabha nominations.

Puducherry, voting alongside Tamil Nadu, adds volatility. Its fractured mandate history means national parties often treat it as a bargaining chip. In a year with tight Rajya Sabha numbers, even one seat can matter.

Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarmas test

This will be the first election in Assam fought on the governance record of its first-time Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma. His governance style, strong central backing, and his effort to frame the polls as a civilisational battle make him crucial to the BJPs North East strategy. Earlier, he was instrumental in forming most BJP-led governments in the region.

However, ethnic tensions and alliance management with regional partners remain fault lines, while an increasingly assertive Congress under Gaurav Gogoi also poses a challenge. A decisive victory would significantly raise Sarmas national profile within the party.

Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayans legacy

Keralas elections are different. Here, parties that are allies at the national level are each others staunchest rivals. At 80, Pinarayi Vijayan is the oldest serving chief minister in the country. At a time when mainstream parties such as the BJP and Congress are pushing younger faces for the next decade, the Left faces a historical challenge. It currently heads the only Left-ruled government in the country.

The Congress has been buoyed by the recent round of local body polls, where the BJP also made a noticeable entry. A defeat would weaken the Lefts national footprint, while a victory would make Vijayan the most consequential Left leader of the decade.

Rajya Sabha exits of 2026

Once assembly poll verdicts settle the numbers, the focus will shift sharply to Parliament. In 2026, 72 Rajya Sabha members are scheduled to retire, making it a decisive year for the political longevity of senior politicians.

Among the most prominent Congress leaders retiring are party president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior strategist Digvijaya Singh, and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Their return will depend on the Congresss state-level strength, especially in Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Others facing retirement include K. T. S. Tulsi from Chhattisgarh and Phulo Devi Netam, underlining how state performance will dictate the partys presence in the upper house.

The BJPs list is longer and politically uncertain, as many leaders may not secure another term in the Rajya Sabha. With the party appointing a younger chief in Nitin Nabin, several seniors may need accommodation in the Upper House to maintain balance if they do not find space in the organisation or the Union cabinet.

Retirements include Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, former Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma, and senior organisational figures such as Ram Chander Jangra, Brij Lal, and Naresh Bansal. From Maharashtra, Bhagwat Karad and Dhairyashil Patil are due to retire, while the North East will see exits such as Rebia Nabam and Vanlalvena.

The retirement list also includes regional stalwarts such as Sharad Pawar, Tiruchi Siva, Kanimozhi, and M. Thambidurai from Tamil Nadu, and Ram Nath Thakur and Harivansh from Bihar. After the polls, the BJPs numbers may rise further, especially after gains in Bihar. Similarly, a strong showing in this years Assembly elections would help it send more members to the upper house and push its legislative and reform agenda more forcefully.
CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan said the Kerala government had signed the PM SHRI scheme without completing discussions either within the Left Democratic Front (LDF) or in the cabinet.

On October 23, 2025, K. Vasuki, Secretary of the General Education Department, signed the MoU on behalf of the state government. The LDF has long opposed the National Education Policy (NEP), calling it centralising, exclusionary, and a threat to state autonomy. It has described PM SHRI as a backdoor entry for the NEP and had resisted signing the scheme until then. However, the government decided to proceed after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 10.

The MoU was prepared in Delhi on October 16. When media reports about it surfaced, CPI raised questions at the cabinet meeting on October 22. Neither the CM nor Education Minister V. Sivankutty informed the cabinet that the MoU had already been finalised. The government signed the agreement the very next day. CPI leaders, other LDF allies, and even sections of the CPI(M) leadership learnt about it through media reports.

On October 27, the CPI(M) state secretariat reportedly discussed the issue and concluded that withdrawing from PM SHRI was no longer feasible. Instead, it decided to explain to the CPI the circumstances under which the agreement was signed. While the chief minister attempted reconciliation, the CPI remained firm in demanding accountability. CPI ministers submitted a protest letter to Vijayan, saying they felt misled as a major cabinet decision had been withheld from them. They also threatened to boycott cabinet meetings.

Eventually, the CPI(M) and the chief minister stepped back, and the cabinet decided to form a subcommittee to examine the feasibility of withdrawing from the scheme. Following this, CPI ministers agreed to attend cabinet meetings again.

Govindan has now stated that the partys self-criticism is that the issue was not properly discussed within the party, the LDF, or the government at the time. However, no action has been taken against either the chief minister or the education minister for bypassing party processes.

He said the PM SHRI issue did not figure prominently when the party later analysed its poor performance in the recent local body polls. When the PM SHRI issue arose, the party made its position clear at that very moment, Govindan told THE WEEK.

On the broader question of the government signing PM SHRI, Govindan reiterated that the party and the government are not the same. The party does not believe that every position it takes can automatically be implemented by the government. Many criticisms arise from the misconception that all Left positions must necessarily translate into government action, he said.

When asked whether a Left government is not meant to implement Left policies, Govindan said governance operates within structural limits. This is not something new. EMS said this as early as 1957. The executive, judiciary, legislature, and the media together shape governance. Having a legislative majority does not mean everything the Left proposes can be implemented. The CPI(M) has never been under that illusion, he said.

At the same time, Govindan acknowledged that PM SHRI was a sensitive issue and should have been discussed collectively before signing. That did not happen. That is what led to this situation. That is why a cabinet subcommittee was formed, he said. The committee is yet to submit its report.

After the subcommittee was constituted, the Kerala government formally asked the Union government to put the implementation of PM SHRI in the state on hold.

The signing of PM SHRI is closely linked to the Centre blocking Samagra Shiksha funds. Although PM SHRI was launched in 2022 and Kerala initially refused to sign it, the state continued to receive funds until the first half of the 202324 financial year. When Kerala sought the third instalment, it was denied on the grounds that the state had not joined PM SHRI. In March 2024, the state assured the Centre it would sign the MoU before the 202425 academic year to receive 37.5 per cent of the sanctioned funds. When this assurance was not fulfilled, funds remained blocked. The Centre released a portion of pending arrears (for the ongoing financial year) only after Kerala signed the PM SHRI agreement.

Asked whether the CPI(M) or the Left has alternatives to such coercive measures by the Centre, Govindan said the only option was to mobilise public opinion against what he called the Centres wrong policies and clearly explain the issues to the people.
Two weeks from now, on January 15, 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra will go to polls. The results will be out the next day.

Whatever be the results, what has emerged as of now is that there is no clear Mahayuti versus Maha Vikas Aghadi fight in these elections. Instead, what is dominating is the local-level tie-ups and alliances.

In Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, both factions of the NCP have come together to take on the BJP, which is extremely aggressive after emerging as the number one in the first round of elections to municipal councils. NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar have formed an alliance to ensure that they retain their bastion of the twin cities of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. This alliance was formed despite strong opposition from NCP leader Sharad Pawar's Pune president, Prashant Jagtap, but the pressure from local activists and party cadres was so great that Jagtap quit the party and joined Congress when his opposition to the alliance was rejected. Sharad Pawar himself said that the alliance was done purely considering the sentiments of party cadres from both factions.

Interestingly, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said today that his NCP is in talks with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena over seat-sharing for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls.

He said that although they are in touch with Shiv Sena over seats, the picture will be clearer after the scrutiny of nomination papers and withdrawals by candidates. Earlier, the party had said that it had tied up with Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) for the two municipal corporations.

We have already forged an alliance with RPI (Sachin Kharat faction). We are contesting in alliance with NCP (SP) in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. We are also having talks with Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant. Possibly, we will come to an understanding over some seats with Shiv Sena for these civic bodies, he told reporters.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis may have earlier claimed that the BJP and Shinde Shiv Sena will fight the elections as the Mahayuti alliance, but they are together in only 15 of the 29 municipal corporations. In the MMR region, they are together in Mumbai and Thane but are fighting against each other in Kalyan-Dombivali, Ulhasnagar, and Navi Mumbai municipal corporations.

The picture that has emerged is of local strongmen guiding their party leaders to form alliances for local benefits. For instance, the Shinde Sena and NCP leader Ajit Pawar are together in Nashik, Dhule, and Solapur municipal corporations in their fight against the BJP.

The ball is in the voters court now.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, President of the Republic of Cuba.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I cordially congratulate you and through you, your entire people on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Cuba - Liberation Day.

I believe that Azerbaijan-Cuba relations, built on good traditions, will continue to advance in a spirit of friendship and cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, in line with the interests of our peoples.

Availing myself of the opportunity, I extend my congratulations and best wishes to you on the occasion of the New Year of 2026, wishing you robust health, success in your endeavors, and everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Cuba.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 29 December 2025, the letter reads.
Individuals bearing the name Labib are commonly perceived as possessing sharp analytical minds and exceptional cognitive abilities. They typically exhibit a natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge that drives them to explore various subjects in depth. Labibs are often characterized by their methodical approach to problem-solving, carefully weighing options and considering multiple perspectives before making decisions. Their intelligence is not merely academic but extends to practical wisdom, allowing them to navigate complex situations with remarkable clarity and insight. This combination of intellectual prowess and practical judgment often makes them sought-after advisors and reliable problem-solvers in both professional and personal contexts.



Beyond their cognitive strengths, Labibs frequently demonstrate strong emotional intelligence and social awareness. They tend to be good listeners who understand nuances in communication and can read between the lines in social interactions. While they may sometimes appear reserved or contemplative, this is usually a reflection of their thoughtful nature rather than social awkwardness. Labibs often develop deep, meaningful relationships based on mutual respect and intellectual connection. Their balanced personalitycombining intelligence with empathymakes them effective leaders, trusted friends, and valued community members who contribute thoughtful perspectives to any discussion or endeavor.
As India steps into 2026, the Supreme Court is not just preparing for another year of hearings, it is bracing for decisions that will quietly shape how millions of people live, vote, breathe and speak. Behind the legal jargon and constitutional arguments lie ordinary anxieties, the fear of being struck off a voter list, the despair of waiting years for bail, the helplessness of breathing toxic air, and the uncertainty of how freely one can speak online.

The courts docket for the year reflects these everyday concerns. Elections, personal liberty, environment, free speech and social reform dominate the list of cases waiting to be heard. Together, they capture a country wrestling with power, identity and accountability in a sharply polarised political moment.

Under Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, the Supreme Court enters 2026 attempting a difficult balancing act, delivering constitutional clarity while also repairing a justice system burdened by delays, backlogs and public scepticism.

Electoral rolls under the scanner

For millions of voters, the right to vote is not an abstract constitutional promise but a fragile entry on a list. That fragility is at the heart of challenges to the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls carried out in several states.

Petitioners have told the Supreme Court stories of names disappearing without notice, of migrant workers unable to prove residence, and of elderly voters discovering too late that their democratic voice has been erased. The courts task in 2026 will be to decide whether the process of cleaning voter lists has crossed into disenfranchisement.

Any ruling is likely to set nationwide standards on how voter rolls are revised, how verification is conducted, and how close to elections such exercises can be carried out.

Personal laws and the equality question

Equally personal are the pending challenges to nikah halala and polygamy. These cases are not merely about legal doctrines or religious texts, they are about women asking whether dignity and equality can coexist with long-standing personal law practices.

The petitions have remained pending for years, reflecting judicial caution around deeply sensitive social questions. In 2026, the Supreme Court is expected to move the conversation forward, even if incrementally. Any outcome whether definitive or deferential will signal how the Constitution negotiates its promise of equality with claims of religious freedom in a changing society.

Bail, arrest and the new criminal laws

Few encounters with the justice system are as traumatic as arrest, and few delays as devastating as waiting endlessly for bail. As India adjusts to its new criminal laws, the Supreme Court will hear multiple petitions questioning expanded police powers, arrest procedures and bail standards.

The court has repeatedly reminded lower courts that bail is the rule and jail the exception, especially when undertrials spend years in prison without conviction. In 2026, that principle is expected to be translated into clearer guidance one that could mean the difference between freedom and prolonged incarceration for thousands of accused persons.

Pollution, public health and accountability

For residents of Delhi-NCR, pollution is not a policy failure; it is a daily physical reality. Despite years of court-monitored action, air quality continues to worsen, turning environmental litigation into a fight for basic survival.

In 2026, the Supreme Court appears increasingly unwilling to accept temporary fixes and emergency measures. Recent hearings suggest impatience with blame-shifting between governments. By framing pollution as a right-to-life and public health issue, the court is raising the stakes, demanding accountability from institutions that have long escaped it.

Free speech in a digital age

As speech moves online, the courtroom has become a battleground over tweets, posts and videos. Challenges to content regulation, provisions resembling sedition, and restrictions on dissent under new laws will push the Supreme Court to define the limits of state power in the digital public square.

CJI Surya Kants reform agenda

Behind the constitutional cases lies a quieter struggle, fixing a justice system stretched to breaking point. Chief Justice Surya Kant has made institutional reform a central priority.

His flagship initiative, Mediation for the Nation, seeks to resolve disputes before they harden into long legal battles. The court has also adopted a targeted pendency reduction strategy, identifying categories such as cheque bounce, land acquisition and tax disputes that clog courtrooms and exhaust litigants.

Another understated but impactful change has been the push towards predictable listing, offering lawyers and litigants something rare, certainty about when their cases will be heard.
A Naxalite leader wanted in more than 15 criminal cases was killed in an encounter with security forces in Bihar's Begusarai district on Wednesday.

According to the police, Dayanand Malakar, the secretary of the North-Bihar Central Zonal Committee of the outlawed CPI-Maoist, had a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head.

"Malakar, alias Chotu, a Naxal wanted by the police in more than 14 criminal cases, died following an encounter with a joint team of the STF and district police in the Teghra area of Begusarai on Wednesday evening," the Special Task Force (STF) of Bihar Police said in a statement.

They said the security personnel, acting on a tip-off, reached the spot where Malakar was hiding along with his associates.

"Upon noticing the police, Malakar tried to escape and fired at the officers. The security personnel retaliated in self-defense. Malakar was injured in the encounter, and two of his accomplices were arrested," the statement said.

Malakar was rushed to the nearest government hospital, where he was declared dead.

A 5.56mm INSAS rifle, a country-made pistol, 25 live cartridges, and 15 spent cartridges were recovered from the scene.

Police said the ultra leader was involved in several Naxalite operations in north Bihar.
Though UAE has vowed to pull out its counter-terrorism troops from Yemen amid Saudi Arabian pressure, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists have refused withdraw from recently occupied regions.

The STC said its forces will continue to be deployed in the recently occupied provinces.

The internationally recognised government led by the Presidential Leadership Council has warned against the military advances by the separatists. Its head Rashad al-Alimi warned STC that there will be severe consequences if they move to more territories in Hadramout and Al-Mahra provinces.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

This comes days after the separatist forces seized control of resource-rich provinces. Following this, Saudi Arabia alleged that the UAE is backing the separatists and posing threat to Saudi border security. Riyadh carried out airstrikes on an alleged weapons shipment heading to STC from the Port of Mukalla.

However, the UAE defence ministry on December 31 refuted the accusations, saying the targeted shipment did not contain weapons. It further claimed that the shipment was intended for UAE forces operating in Yemen.

"The UAE reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the security and stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its full respect for the Kingdoms sovereignty and national security, and its rejection of any actions that could threaten the security of the Kingdom or the wider region," read the statement.
An Air India pilot was recently detained at Canada's Vancouver Airport for allegedly drinking before flying a Boeing 777 from Vancouver to Delhi (via Vienna) on December 23.

This comes after a staff member at the airport's duty-free area reported the pilot to the Canadian authorities, who subjected him to a breathalyser testwhich he failed, as per a Times of India report.

However, it is unclear how she found out that he was intoxicated. While some reports say she found him smelling of liquor while buying a bottle at the duty-free, others claim that she had seen him sipping wine that he had been offered.

Nevertheless, the pilot was detained after the Canadian authorities confirmed he had been drunk.

As a result, the AI 186 ultra-long-haul flight he was supposed to fly was delayed by two hours, after which another pilot was found. After it reached Vienna, the AI 186 was handled by another set of pilots, who flew it to Delhi.

The pilot was flown to Delhi a couple of days later and is being probed. The issue has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is also examining the same, the report added, citing people in the know.

Air India, which said it would be treating the matter "sternly", added that it regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers, and that the pilot had been taken off flight duties till the end of the DGCA probe into the incident.

"Pending the outcome of the investigation, any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy," the airline pointed out.

"It happens, but they almost always get caught. A good co pilot (and this goes for either seat) will try to spot it before they wreck their career and have them call out sick. Some people require consequences though," a Redditor said in an online forum about pilots drinking before flying.

Comment

byu/williamparsons11 from discussion

inaviation

"I'm guessing it probably happens more than we want to admit ... scary to think about," another Redditor wrote, in the discussion.

Comment

byu/williamparsons11 from discussion

inaviation

"What a shame and a security issue it could be !!" an X user wrote.
Miscreants tried to kill Hindu businessman Khokon Chandra Das since he recognised the attackers, charged his wife Seema Das on Thursday. Bangladesh police have so far identified two members of the gang that attempted to murder Das.

Khokan Chandra Das, a middle-aged businessman running a pharmacy at Keurbhanga Bazar in Bangladesh's Shariatpur district, was attacked by a violent group on New Year's eve. Das was returning home after the day's business when the attack happened.

According to Seema Das, the attackers might have tried to kill her husband since he recognised them. "My husband closes the shop every night and returns home with the money from the day's sales. Terrorists attacked him on Wednesday night. He recognized two of the attackers," Prothom Alo reported quoting Seema.

According to the publication, Seema suspects the mob might have tried to kill her husband since he identified them. Seema said they do not have any enemies or disputes with anybody in the locality.

On Wednesday evening, while returning after closing his shop, a violent mob waylaid Khokan and attacked him. Khokan was attacked while he was passing through Tiloi area, at around 9 pm, on Wednesday. The mob allegedly hit him, stabbed Khokan with sharp weapons and set him on fire after pouring petrol all over his body. Reportedly, Khokan jumped into a pond nearby and survived the attack. Khokan suffered serious burn injuries in the incident.

"We don't understand why the terrorists suddenly targeted my husband and attacked him," a terrified Seema told Prothom Alo. According to doctors, Khokan has grievous burn injuries in his hands, face and rear of his head. He has been taken to the hospital in Dhaka for advanced treatment, doctors said.

According to the Bangladesh police, they have identified two attackers, and efforts are underway to nab them. "Efforts are being made to identify who else is involved in the incident," Damudya Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Rabiul Haque told Prothom Alo.

The attack against Khokan is the fourth case of targeted violence against minority members in the neighbouring country since the beginning of December. A fresh bout of violence erupted in Bangladesh after the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

Last week, Amrit Mondal, a 29-year-old youth, was allegedly lynched to death in Bangladesh's Kalimohar. According to Bangladeshi officials, Mondal was allegedly attacked amid an extortion bid.

Earlier in December, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, was killed in Bangladesh, allegedly over false blasphemy charges. Despite India's concerns, Bangladesh authorities maintained that they were isolated incidents and India was trying to project them as a systemic attack against minorities.
A Hindu businessman was brutally attacked and set on fire on New Year's eve in Bangladesh. The 40-year-old businessman reportedly suffered grievous burn injuries and escaped from a violent after he managed to jump into a pond nearby.

According to reports, Khokan Chandra runs a pharmacy at Keurbhanga Bazar in Bangladesh's Shariatpur district. On Thursday evening, while returning after closing his shop, a violent mob waylaid Khokan and attacked him.

Khokan was attacked while he was passing through Tiloi area, at around 9 pm, on Wednesday, NDTV reported. The mob allegedly hit him, stabbed khokan with sharp weapons and set him on fire after pouring petrol all over his body. Reportedly, Khokan jumped to a pond nearby and survived the attack. Khokan suffered serious burn injuries in the incident.

Fresh violence has erupted in Bangladesh following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi in December. Media houses and cultural sites were attacked.

The attack against Khokan is the fourth case of targeted violence against minority members in the neighbouring country. Last week, Amrit Mondal, a 29-year-old youth, was allegedly lynched to death in Bangladesh's Kalimohar. According to Bangladeshi officials, Mondal was allegedly attacked amid an extortion bid.

Earlier in December, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, was killed in Bangladesh, allegedly over false blasphemy charges. Though India had raised concerns about the recent attacks against minorities with the Bangladesh authorities, Dhaka maintained that they were isolated incidents and India was trying to project them as a systemic attack against minorities.
The fire at a crowded bar that killed "several dozens" of people during a New Year's Eve party in the ski resort of Crans-Montana might have spread extremely quickly, a new report said, citing officials in the know.

Officials have described the fire at the 'Le Constellation' bar as 'embrasement generalise'.

This is a French firefighting term that describes a fire spreading extremely quickly, because of how the blaze triggers the release of combustible gases, suddenly raising the heat and igniting violently.

 Au moins 40 personnes sont mortes et plus de 100 ont ete blessees dans lexplosion survenue dans un bar a la station de ski de Crans-Montana, en suisse.



Aucune information sur le bilan definitif ni sur lorigine de lexplosion na ete communiquee pour le moment.

Le bilan pic.twitter.com/D1276kSqgD  LMS Radio, La Musique Star   (@LAMUSIQUESTAR) January 1, 2026

According to an Associated Press report, this term is the French equivalent of the English term 'flashover', which is used to describe the almost-instantaneous spread of fires in certain places.

Notably, flashovers typically happen at places constructed with poor ventilation or combustible building materials, indicating that this might have been a possibility at the crowded bar.

However, the Swiss police have not yet confirmed these details, as it is reportedly not yet safe for forensic teams to enter the wreckage, according to Valais Canton attorney general Beatrice Pilloud.

ALSO READ | Why Crans-Montana Constellation Bar fire victims are taken to Sion, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich hospitals?

Local media reports also say that a part of the venue was underground, and had a relatively narrow entrance. Considering that there had been about 100 people in the bar at the time for a New Year party, it would have complicated the evacuation process.

Even at a press conference today, the police did not state an official reason for the blast. Certain Swiss outlets like Blick claim that the fire may have been caused by pyrotechnics during a concert at the bar.

ALSO READ | Was the deadly blast at a bar in Switzerland caused by pyrotechnics?

However, the police have ruled out the possibility of a terror attack, Pilloud added, declaring that "at no moment is there a question of any kind of attack".

The tragedy has also sparked discussions on fire safety in Switzerland, with one Redditorwho claims to be a risk engineer who primarily inspects places for fire risksclaiming that "among specialists, we've known for years that such a tragedy was going to happen".

Comment

byu/NtsParadize from discussion

insuisse

"In Switzerland, inspections by the authorities are practically nonexistent in this area. Once the operating permit is granted, the responsibility falls on the operator," the Redditor added.
India appears to be extending an olive branch to Bangladesh, based on recent developments. Not only did EAM S Jaishankar attend BNP leader Khaleda Zias funeral in Dhaka, but there are also unconfirmed reports that an Indian diplomat held a secret meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman.

According to a report published by Reuters on Wednesday, the meeting between Rahman and an Indian diplomat took place in early 2025.

Regarding the secrecy of the meeting, the Jamaat ameer told Reuters that the matter was kept secret at the request of the Indian official. However, diplomats from other countries met with him openly.

Though India is yet to react to the reports formally, the Jamaat ameer said the party has always been open to each other. There is no alternative to improving relations," he said. Rahman told Reuters that the meeting happened at his home after he returned home from treatment. When I returned home after my treatment after falling ill in the middle of the year, many people from home and abroad came to meet me. Just as diplomats from other countries came, two Indian diplomats also came to see me at my house. Like others, I spoke to them too," he said.

After the reports gained attention, Rahman took to Facebook to clarify about the meeting. He claimed that he wanted to publicize the meeting. We told them during the conversation that we would publicise the meetings to all the diplomats here. We want to give you the same. Then they requested that I not do it. We said it was ideal that a meeting between representatives of the two countries be held publicly. There is no privacy here, he said.

The Jamaat leader added that he was surprised to learn that some Bangladeshi media had been reporting about the secret meeting with India.

I strongly condemn this kind of news and urge the concerned to refrain from presenting confusing news without knowing the facts in the future, he said.
Russian authorities installed in the southern Kherson region accused Ukraine of attacking a hotel and a cafe on New Year's Eve, killing more than 20 people, and leaving nearly 30 people injured.

According to Volodymyr Saldo, the governor of the region, three Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) struck a cafe and a hotel at Khorly, beside the Black Sea coast.

"Many were burned alive. A child was killed," he claimed in a Telegram post, alleging that the attack took place just before midnight.

Pro-Russian outlets say 24 people died, while 29 were left injured, offering photos of the wreckage allegedly caused by Kyiv's drones.

He also alleged that one of the drones carried an "incendiary mixture", that he claimed had been used by Ukraine to "burn our fields in the summer".

However, the Ukrainian Armed Forces has not yet responded to these claims.

Kyiv, on the other hand, has also accused Russia of overnight drone strikes into January 1, 2026including strikes on critical energy infrastructure in the Odesa Oblast, as well as a major fire and several explosions in Lutsk, located about 420km west from Kyiv.

"This is the kind of fire we have in our Lutsk this New Year instead of festive lights," said Lutsk Mayor Ihor Polishchuk.

Kherson is one of four regionsin addition to Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhiaclaimed by Moscow as its own in 2022.

Though Russia was pushed out of most of Kherson, especially the city, it continues to occupy the southern region, where it installed Saldo as governor. The parts of Kherson inhabited by Ukraine also face regular drone attacks from Russian forces on the other side of the Dnipro River.
A blast tore through a bar in Crans-Montana, a ski resort in Switzerland, leaving several dead and injured, according to the police. Police spokesman Gaetan Lathion told reporters that the explosion was of unknown origin.

As per reports, the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. at a bar called Le Constellation, which can accommodate 400 people. Popular with tourists, the bar was hosting a New Year's Eve party.

Images published by Swiss media show a building engulfed in flames and emergency services nearby. "The operation is still underway," a spokesperson added. . More than 100 people were in the bar at the time of the incident. Police, firefighters, and several helicopters were on the scene after the explosion.

An explosion followed by a fire ripped through a bar in the Swiss resort town of Crans-Montana, killing several people and leaving others critically injured, police said. pic.twitter.com/XjH7NkjPkS  Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 1, 2026

Though the police said the blast was of unknown origin, Swiss news outlet Blick reported that the blast and subsequent fire may have been caused by pyrotechnics during a concert. It added that the incident occurred while guests were celebrating the new year and that the fire is now under control. There are also reports that the police are not treating it as a terror-related incident.

Crans-Montana is a luxury ski resort in the heart of the Swiss Alps, about a two-hour drive from the Swiss capital, Bern. The bar where the explosion took place is located in the basement of the building.

(To be updated)
Individuals named Law are typically perceived as possessing strong leadership qualities, moral integrity, and a natural authority that commands respect. They often exhibit a calm, steady demeanor reminiscent of the hill from which their name derivesstanding firm in their convictions while providing stability for others. Their personality tends to be characterized by reliability, logical thinking, and a strong sense of justice, making them natural mediators and decision-makers in both personal and professional settings.



Beyond their authoritative presence, Laws are often deeply principled individuals who value structure and order while maintaining compassion for others. They typically demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to see situations from multiple perspectives. Their grounded nature allows them to approach challenges methodically, while their inherent sense of fairness ensures they consider the wellbeing of all involved. These traits often lead them to roles where they can guide, protect, or establish systems that benefit their communities.
An explosion tore through a crowded bar during a New Year's Eve party in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana. The fire broke out at 1.30 a.m. local time in a bar called "Le Constellation" in the resort in southwestern Switzerland. The cause of the blast remains unclear, but authorities said it appeared to be an accident.

While the Swiss government believes "several dozen" people have died in the fire, the Italian foreign ministry, citing Swiss police, says they believe around 40 people have died. The Swiss government had stated earlier on Thursday that it cannot be more specific about the death toll as things stand.

ALSO READ | Is Crans Montana's Constellation Bar a place of the elite and rich? Swiss Police rules out terror attack after explosion

Meanwhile, the Italian foreign ministry claimed that the victims could not be immediately identified because of the severity of their burns, Reuters said in a report. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the fire may have been caused by fireworks. "It seems to have been an accident caused by a fire, by some explosion, by some firecracker thrown during New Year's celebrations," he told Italy's Sky TG24 TV channel.

Meanwhile, the BBC reported that 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances and 150 responders were sent to the scene by authorities  revealing the intensity of the fire that broke out at the bar, which can host 300 people at a time. In a saddening development, the British media was reportedly told by first responders on ground zero that the majority of those who survived the tragedy are "significantly" injured with severe burns.

Where are the injured treated?

The intensive care unit of the Valais hospital, the local institution to which most of the injured were rushed, is now full, the BBC report said. This has prompted many to be moved to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich, Reuters said in a report.

ALSO READ | Was the deadly blast at a bar in Switzerland caused by pyrotechnics?

Some of the victims are from other countries, said Stephane Ganzer, head of security for the Valais canton. The canton's head of police, Frederic Gisler, said a helpline had been opened for relatives. "I can't hide from you that we are all shaken by what happened overnight in Crans," Gisler told the press conference. "Our count is about 100 injured, most seriously, and unfortunately tens of people are presumed dead," he said.
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City mayor on New Year's Eve inside the old abandoned City Hall subway station on Thursday. Before the inauguration ceremony, a long list of barred items from the event was shared by Zohran Mamdani, leaving the social media users stunned.

Weapons, explosives, and illegal substances were banned. Among other items included were strollers, bicycles, umbrellas, Flipper Zero devices and Raspberry Pis.

Raspberry Pis and Flipper Zero devices are technology-based gadgets. Raspberry Pis are a series of small single-board computers, especially low-cost ones used for coding, electronics projects and basic software. While Flipper Zero devices are gadgets that interact with wireless signals involving RFID cards and Bluetooth devices.

https://t.co/hsvtY3vUTJ



Zohran Mamdani drops 'insane' list of items banned at NYC mayoral inauguration



372

House of cards.

12 deals rejected (today alone).

Panic in DC.

TRUST SESSIONS.

Enjoy the show.

Q



273

R

RED

D



372

> 12 WINNING21 PAINT THE PICTURE

> 3 pic.twitter.com/HLEd6ykXaM  JoAnn (@Jmsesq555) January 1, 2026

According to tech experts, putting a ban on these niche items was unusual, as far more advanced tech-based gadgets were allowed.

Social media was flooded with messages after the 'unusual' ban list was shared, leaving many users shocked. "The stroller is the most insane to me as it looks like he's anti-baby," said a user.

"What should I wear and what should I bring?" wrote another social media user.

"Going from the ban list, it's the lamest party ever. Why even bother?" shared another user.

List of items banned:

Large bags

Weapons, fireworks or explosives

Large backpacks or duffel bags

Drones or remote-controlled aerial devices

Strollers

Coolers

Chairs

Blankets

Umbrellas

Bicycles or scooters

Alcoholic beverages

Illegal substances

Pets

Large items that could obstruct the views of spectators around you

Laser Pen

Bats/Batons

Flipper Zero

Raspberry Pi
There is a scene in Ikkis where Lt. Arun Khetarpal (a suitably enthusiastic and driven Agastya Nanda) is lovingly admiring the poster of the 1969 war movie The Bridge at Remagen, and his girlfriend Kiran (Simar Bhatia) asks, "You love war movies, do you?" Ikkis demonstrates that its maker, Sriram Raghavan, also loves war movies. He understands what makes the great war movies... great. He understands that when you're making a men-on-a-mission movie, it's most important to focus on the qualities of the men  their individual personalities, what makes them tick, what their goals are, their guilt, regrets...

Like the best of the men-on-a-mission movies set against the backdrop of a major battle or tumultuous historical event, such as The Guns of the Navarone, The Dirty Dozen, or even The Great Escape, Ikkis takes us up close to its lead characters, spending the necessary time to get us acquainted with them, enough to get us invested in their fates.

But here's another brilliant thing that Raghavan does with Ikkis that I didn't expect to see going in. Before getting into it, I want to be honest here: I was a bit sceptical, initially, at the thought of the filmmaker behind Johnny Gaddar, Andhadhun, and Merry Christmas making a war movie at a time when there are so many of them being made, across various eras in Indian history, with no standout qualities whatsoever  most of them extremely aggressive and characterised by a fervently jingoistic behaviour. There's nothing wrong with making a patriotic movie  any war movie would feel empty and lifeless if it were unpatriotic  but Ikkis demonstrates how you can do it beautifully.

It knows that you can make a war movie that respects its heroes, salutes their valour and sacrifices, without taking unnecessary detours, without passing off fiction as truth, without excessive battle cries... basically, without giving audiences a headache. The casting is spot on, across the board, with Sikandar Kher, as Arun's superior, bringing just the right measure of comic respite when he is not busy taunting the younglings.

Raghavan and his writing team take a non-linear approach, with events from 1971 and 2001  before and after the demise of Arun Khetarpal  running concurrently. The idea here is prioritising humanity, harmony, and brotherhood above politics and religion, reinforced by the presence of the dynamic between one character who is the heart and soul of Ikkis, ML Khetarpal (Dharmendra), and Brigadier Nisar (Jaideep Ahlawat).

ALSO READ | Famagusta: Which tank did 'Ikkis' hero Arun Khetarpal use to destroy Pakistani Patton tanks in Basantar? 5 Centurion MBT facts

This is a film that's running through the perspective of these two characters, aside from Arun's. The fact that Arun's father hailed from Pakistan's Sargodha and lived there before the Partition adds an extremely poignant dimension to the storytelling. The 2001 Pakistan portions that see ML Khetarpal visiting Nisar and his family are some of the most moving portions from Ikkis.

Ikkis is a fitting swan song for Dharmendra, who imbues his character with a strong sense of history and ethos. The filmmaking also benefits from the manner in which it dispenses certain bits of information. Raghavan believes that some "missing" developments are more impactful when revealed at a much later time, a belief shared by Ahlawat's Nisar, a character whose significance to the story is a crucial "plot twist" revealed in due time, suitably heightening the emotional weight by the time we get to the finale.

Raghavan's filmmaking is also a delight for cinephiles who are sticklers for details and prefer their war movies with a noticeable degree of inventiveness. Aside from the multiple timelines giving the film a slightly Dunkirk-esque quality, we get some moving transitions with the aid of Raghavan's editor, Monisha R. Baldawa. The sequence where Arun enters Pakistan and remarks that "everything looks just the same," and the film cuts to the 2001 timeline with his father having a lovely time with Nisar's family and friends in Pakistan. The sequence where Arun's father tells Nisar about a piece of his father's binocular that he hid in the bark of a tree still resting at his former home, followed by Nisar peering into the lens, and the film cuts to the extreme close-up of Arun's eyes reflecting a burning tank  a shot reminiscent of the opening of Ridley Scott's Blade Runner. Or how about a radio playing an old song next to a lonely dead soldier, as though the machine was singing the eulogy for him because there was no one else to do that for him?

ALSO READ | Who was Arun Khetarpal? Ikkis is based on real-life story of Battle of Basantar hero

Credits also to cinematographer Anil Mehta for stripping the battle sequences of unnecessary glamour and instead opting for a straightforward approach  an effective combination of clear geography, coherent action, and neatly rendered visual effects. The focus is more on realistic mood and atmosphere than carnage (rarely depicted in slow motion, and for good reason). Ikkis, in a nutshell, has some of the best qualities of Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (unglamorous action) and Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan (strong emotional quotient). It's one of the best anti-war films ever made. I shouldn't have doubted Sriram Raghavan.



Film: Ikkis

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Cast: Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra, Sikandar Kher, Aryan Pushkar, Simar Bhatia

Rating: 4/5
GOA

The Church Of Our Lady Of The Immaculate Conception is illuminated with the Indian tricolour on New Year eve, in Panaji
iShares Morningstar Value ETF (NYSEARCA:ILCV  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 30,774 shares, a growth of 43.3% from the November 30th total of 21,476 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 50,005 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.6 days. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 50,005 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.6 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Morningstar Value ETF in the second quarter valued at about $46,000. Silicon Valley Capital Partners acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Morningstar Value ETF during the third quarter worth about $51,000. Caitlin John LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Morningstar Value ETF in the third quarter worth $72,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in iShares Morningstar Value ETF during the 3rd quarter worth about $84,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its position in shares of iShares Morningstar Value ETF by 92.0% during the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 966 shares of the companys stock worth $87,000 after purchasing an additional 463 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Morningstar Value ETF Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of ILCV traded down $0.59 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $94.36. The company had a trading volume of 24,524 shares, compared to its average volume of 34,889. iShares Morningstar Value ETF has a 52-week low of $70.58 and a 52-week high of $95.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.33 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $93.29 and a two-hundred day moving average of $88.92.

iShares Morningstar Value ETF Company Profile

The iShares Morningstar Value ETF (ILCV) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of value stocks, selected from the top 90% of the US market-cap spectrum. ILCV was launched on Jun 28, 2004 and is managed by BlackRock.

Further Reading

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Samsara Inc. (NYSE:IOT  Get Free Report) insider John Bicket sold 1,953 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.74, for a total transaction of $69,800.22. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link.

John Bicket also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, December 30th, John Bicket sold 85,773 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.96, for a total transaction of $3,084,397.08.

On Monday, December 29th, John Bicket sold 82,274 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.27, for a total value of $2,984,077.98.

On Thursday, December 18th, John Bicket sold 33,939 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.75, for a total value of $1,315,136.25.

On Wednesday, December 17th, John Bicket sold 136,061 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.37, for a total value of $5,220,660.57.

On Wednesday, December 3rd, John Bicket sold 24,162 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.15, for a total value of $921,780.30.

On Tuesday, December 2nd, John Bicket sold 145,838 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.85, for a total value of $5,519,968.30.

On Wednesday, November 19th, John Bicket sold 46,559 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.11, for a total transaction of $1,681,245.49.

On Tuesday, November 18th, John Bicket sold 123,441 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.51, for a total transaction of $4,506,830.91.

On Wednesday, November 5th, John Bicket sold 20,723 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.52, for a total transaction of $798,249.96.

On Tuesday, November 4th, John Bicket sold 149,277 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.94, for a total value of $5,812,846.38.

Samsara Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE IOT traded down $0.55 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $35.43. 2,857,717 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,010,016. Samsara Inc. has a 52-week low of $31.40 and a 52-week high of $61.90. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $38.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $38.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.44 billion, a PE ratio of -442.88 and a beta of 1.61.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Samsara ( NYSE:IOT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.12 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $415.98 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $398.92 million. Samsara had a negative net margin of 2.79% and a negative return on equity of 3.49%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 29.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.07 earnings per share. Samsara has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.500-0.500 EPS and its Q4 2026 guidance at 0.120-0.130 EPS. Analysts predict that Samsara Inc. will post -0.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on IOT shares. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Samsara from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Samsara from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Bank of America upped their price target on Samsara from $53.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. KeyCorp started coverage on Samsara in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. They issued an overweight rating and a $55.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Samsara from $50.00 to $53.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, September 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Samsara presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $51.53.

Read Our Latest Research Report on IOT

Key Stores Impacting Samsara

Here are the key news stories impacting Samsara this week:

Positive Sentiment: Zacks added Samsara (IOT) to its Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list  a short-term positive catalyst that can attract buyer interest. Zacks Article

Zacks added Samsara (IOT) to its Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list  a short-term positive catalyst that can attract buyer interest. Positive Sentiment: Several brokers have raised price targets and maintained buy/outperform ratings (Bank of America, Cowen, RBC, Piper Sandler), and the stock retains an average analyst stance of Moderate Buy  supportive for medium-term demand. Analyst Coverage

Several brokers have raised price targets and maintained buy/outperform ratings (Bank of America, Cowen, RBC, Piper Sandler), and the stock retains an average analyst stance of Moderate Buy  supportive for medium-term demand. Neutral Sentiment: Recent quarter: revenue beat consensus (revenue +29% YoY) but EPS missed and margins remain negative; company gave FY2026 EPS guidance (0.50) and Q4 guidance (0.120.13)  mixed fundamentals leave room for both upside and continued investor caution. Earnings & Guidance

Recent quarter: revenue beat consensus (revenue +29% YoY) but EPS missed and margins remain negative; company gave FY2026 EPS guidance (0.50) and Q4 guidance (0.120.13)  mixed fundamentals leave room for both upside and continued investor caution. Negative Sentiment: Large insider sales from senior leaders: John Bicket sold a total of ~170,000 shares across Dec. 2931 (~$6.14M), and co?founder Sanjit Biswas sold ~160,000 shares (~$5.78M). Combined executive selling (~330k+ shares, roughly $1112M) is likely pressuring sentiment. SEC filings: Bicket and Biswas sales. Bicket/Biswas Form 4

Large insider sales from senior leaders: John Bicket sold a total of ~170,000 shares across Dec. 2931 (~$6.14M), and co?founder Sanjit Biswas sold ~160,000 shares (~$5.78M). Combined executive selling (~330k+ shares, roughly $1112M) is likely pressuring sentiment. SEC filings: Bicket and Biswas sales. Negative Sentiment: Additional director/office sales: Director Jonathan Chadwick sold 10,000 shares (Dec. 26) and CAO Benjamin Kirchhoff sold 1,683 shares  further insider liquidity that can reinforce downward pressure. Chadwick Form 4

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Samsara by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 29,716,700 shares of the companys stock worth $1,106,947,000 after acquiring an additional 1,913,474 shares in the last quarter. Sands Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Samsara by 6.4% in the 3rd quarter. Sands Capital Management LLC now owns 20,518,332 shares of the companys stock valued at $764,308,000 after purchasing an additional 1,242,122 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of Samsara by 107.8% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,611,956 shares of the companys stock worth $223,244,000 after purchasing an additional 2,910,916 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Samsara by 65.6% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,877,254 shares of the companys stock worth $193,387,000 after purchasing an additional 1,931,870 shares during the period. Finally, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership grew its position in Samsara by 74.8% during the second quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 3,964,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $157,700,000 after purchasing an additional 1,696,341 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.02% of the companys stock.

About Samsara

(Get Free Report)

Samsara develops an industrial Internet of Things (IoT) platform designed to help organizations monitor, manage, and optimize physical operations. The company combines connected hardware  including telematics devices, GPS trackers, dash cameras, and environmental sensors  with cloud-based software to provide real-time visibility into vehicles, mobile equipment, and fixed assets. Its software offers tools for fleet management, driver and worker safety, asset tracking, compliance (including electronic logging), maintenance scheduling, and operational analytics.

The Samsara platform emphasizes integration of live data streams with analytics and workflow features to drive efficiency and safety across industries that rely on dispersed equipment and mobile workforces.

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Globe Life (NYSE: GL) has recently received a number of price target changes and ratings updates:

12/29/2025  Globe Life had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/22/2025  Globe Life was upgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating.

12/15/2025  Globe Life had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/15/2025  Globe Life had its overweight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Morgan Stanley. They now have a $176.00 price target on the stock.

12/11/2025  Globe Life had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Cowen Inc.

12/11/2025  Globe Life had its price target raised by analysts at TD Cowen from $182.00 to $199.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

12/8/2025  Globe Life had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/1/2025  Globe Life had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/24/2025  Globe Life was downgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating.

11/21/2025  Globe Life had its overweight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Piper Sandler. They now have a $167.00 price target on the stock.

11/17/2025  Globe Life had its price target lowered by analysts at Morgan Stanley from $179.00 to $177.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

Globe Life Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 5th will be issued a $0.27 dividend. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 5th. Globe Lifes dividend payout ratio is currently 7.83%.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Globe Life news, CEO Frank M. Svoboda sold 9,379 shares of Globe Life stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.43, for a total value of $1,317,092.97. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 35,868 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,036,943.24. The trade was a 20.73% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.97% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Globe Life, traded on the NYSE under the symbol GL, is a U.S.-based insurance holding company that underwrites and distributes a range of life and supplemental health insurance products. Through its subsidiary brandsGlobe Life, American Income Life, Liberty National Life, United American Insurance Company and Family Heritage Lifeit offers term life, whole life, fixed annuities and supplemental health coverage designed to meet the needs of individuals and families across various socioeconomic segments.

The companys product suite includes low-cost, easy-to-understand life insurance policies, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, hospital indemnity plans and specified disease insurance.

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Shares of Malaga Financial Corp. (OTCMKTS:MLGF  Get Free Report) traded up 8.5% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $23.40 and last traded at $23.00. 1,950 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 57% from the average session volume of 4,538 shares. The stock had previously closed at $21.1932.

Malaga Financial Trading Down 2.8%

The company has a market capitalization of $213.01 million, a PE ratio of 9.82 and a beta of 0.09. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $22.09 and its 200-day simple moving average is $21.09.

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Malaga Financial (OTCMKTS:MLGF  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 9th. The company reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter.

Malaga Financial Company Profile

Malaga Financial Corporation operates as the holding company for Malaga Bank that provides various community banking products and services to personal and business customers. It offers checking, savings, NOW, and money market accounts, certificates of deposits, business banking, consumer, and demand deposits. The company also provides commercial real estate, single and multi-family residential mortgage, consumer, 14-unit investment property, construction, personal, and business loans; home equity lines of credit; and certificates of deposit.

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iShares MSCI Japan Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:SCJ  Get Free Report)s stock price traded up 0.5% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $92.61 and last traded at $92.58. 6,738 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 73% from the average session volume of 25,301 shares. The stock had previously closed at $92.10.

iShares MSCI Japan Small-Cap ETF Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $156.08 million, a P/E ratio of 13.39 and a beta of 0.50. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $91.74 and its 200-day simple moving average is $89.67.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI Japan Small-Cap ETF

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of SCJ. Fiduciary Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Japan Small-Cap ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $416,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan Small-Cap ETF by 412.8% during the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 5,128 shares of the companys stock worth $393,000 after acquiring an additional 4,128 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Japan Small-Cap ETF by 169.6% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,197 shares of the companys stock worth $187,000 after acquiring an additional 1,382 shares during the last quarter.

About iShares MSCI Japan Small-Cap ETF

The iShares MSCI Japan Small-Cap ETF (SCJ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Japan Small Cap index, a market-cap-weighted index of small-cap Japanese stocks. SCJ was launched on Dec 20, 2007 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Abitibi Royalties Inc. (CVE:RZZ  Get Free Report) was down 0.6% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$26.80 and last traded at C$27.00. Approximately 4,551 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 22% from the average daily volume of 3,730 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$27.15.

Abitibi Royalties Price Performance

The businesss fifty day moving average price is C$27.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$27.00. The stock has a market capitalization of C$336.50 million and a PE ratio of -168.75.

Abitibi Royalties Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Abitibi Royalties Inc engages in exploring, evaluating, and promoting mineral properties and other projects in Canada. Its flagship royalty is 3% net smelter return royalty located on the eastern portion of the Canadian Malartic mine that includes the East Malartic, Odyssey, Sladen, Sheehan, Jeffrey, Barnat Extension, Gouldie Zone, and the Charlie Zone. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in Val-d'Or, Canada.

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Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Leary holds profound cultural significance as an Irish surname tracing back to the ancient Gaelic O Laoghaire clan. Originating from County Cork, the O'Learys were historically the ruling family of the Ui Laoghaire territory around Rosscarbery, where they maintained lordship until the 17th century. The name's meaning - 'calf keeper' or 'herdsman' - reflects the central importance of cattle in early Irish society, where wealth was measured in livestock and skilled animal husbandry commanded respect. This connection to cattle culture places the name at the heart of traditional Irish economic and social structures.



Throughout Irish history, the Leary name has been associated with both cultural preservation and rebellion. The clan produced several notable Gaelic poets and scholars who helped maintain Irish language and traditions during periods of English domination. During the 19th and 20th centuries, many Learys participated in Irish nationalist movements and the Gaelic revival. The name's journey to America during the Great Famine and subsequent immigration waves made it a familiar surname in Irish-American communities, where it continues to symbolize Irish heritage, resilience, and the immigrant experience. The modern associations with both Timothy Leary's counterculture and Denis Leary's working-class characters add contemporary layers to this historically rich name.
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (NYSEARCA:HEZU  Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 9,642 shares, a decrease of 28.2% from the November 30th total of 13,427 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 80,922 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 80,922 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.1% of the companys shares are sold short.

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA HEZU traded down $0.29 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $43.76. The stock had a trading volume of 10,325 shares, compared to its average volume of 101,906. The companys 50 day moving average price is $43.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $41.94. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF has a twelve month low of $33.95 and a twelve month high of $44.61. The firm has a market cap of $700.16 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.09 and a beta of 0.76.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF by 4.7% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 51,645 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,013,000 after buying an additional 2,309 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its position in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF by 1,177.9% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 22,888 shares of the companys stock valued at $892,000 after purchasing an additional 21,097 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF by 26.4% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 155,423 shares of the companys stock worth $6,057,000 after purchasing an additional 32,459 shares in the last quarter. Ascent Group LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $324,000. Finally, Strategic Blueprint LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF by 21.2% in the second quarter. Strategic Blueprint LLC now owns 6,614 shares of the companys stock valued at $271,000 after acquiring an additional 1,159 shares in the last quarter.

About iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (HEZU) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap securities from the eurozone, while hedging out its exposure to the euro currency relative to the US dollar. HEZU was launched on Jul 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Shares of Bk Technologies, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:BKTI  Get Free Report) shot up 0.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $76.95 and last traded at $74.51. 33,854 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 12% from the average session volume of 38,664 shares. The stock had previously closed at $74.38.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Lake Street Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Bk Technologies in a report on Monday, September 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $74.00.

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Bk Technologies Stock Performance

The companys 50 day simple moving average is $71.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $63.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $278.22 million, a PE ratio of 22.53 and a beta of 0.48.

Bk Technologies (NYSEAMERICAN:BKTI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $1.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.96 by $0.31. Bk Technologies had a return on equity of 40.39% and a net margin of 15.71%.The company had revenue of $24.41 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.10 million. Bk Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.800-3.800 EPS.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bk Technologies

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BKTI. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in shares of Bk Technologies by 3,882.6% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 916 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 893 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Bk Technologies by 43.0% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 12,769 shares of the companys stock worth $501,000 after purchasing an additional 3,839 shares during the period. Uniplan Investment Counsel Inc. lifted its holdings in Bk Technologies by 40.1% in the first quarter. Uniplan Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 108,225 shares of the companys stock worth $4,245,000 after buying an additional 30,998 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Bk Technologies in the first quarter worth $225,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in Bk Technologies in the first quarter worth $367,000. Institutional investors own 55.05% of the companys stock.

Bk Technologies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

BK Technologies Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of professional two-way radio communications equipment and systems. The companys product portfolio includes portable radios, mobile radios, repeater and dispatch consoles, antennas and related accessories. BK Technologies serves a broad range of end markets that require reliable voice and data communications, including public safety agencies, government entities, utilities, transportation, oil and gas, mining and commercial applications.

BK Technologies offers both analog and digital radio platforms, supporting industry standards such as Project 25 (P25) for mission-critical communications.

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Anadolu Efes Biracilik ve Malt Sanayii Anonim Sirketi (OTCMKTS:AEBZY  Get Free Report) traded up 1.2% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $0.3133 and last traded at $0.3133. 12,000 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 77% from the average session volume of 52,221 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.3095.

Anadolu Efes Biracilik ve Malt Sanayii Anonim Sirketi Trading Down 1.2%

The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $0.31 and a 200 day simple moving average of $0.38.

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About Anadolu Efes Biracilik ve Malt Sanayii Anonim Sirketi

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Anadolu Efes Biracilik ve Malt Sanayii Anonim Sirketi (OTCMKTS:AEBZY) is a leading Turkish beverage company primarily engaged in the brewing of beer and production of malt. Its core product portfolio includes well-known beer brands such as Efes Pilsen, Efes Draft and Bomonti, as well as a range of specialty and seasonal brews. In addition to the brewing business, Anadolu Efes operates a malt division that supplies high-quality malt to both its own breweries and third-party clients, serving food and beverage manufacturers across multiple regions.

The company maintains a broad geographic footprint, serving domestic and international markets through a network of breweries and distribution channels.

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NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 4,094,527 shares, a decline of 18.4% from the November 30th total of 5,017,597 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,599,345 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.6 days. Currently, 2.1% of the companys shares are sold short. Currently, 2.1% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,599,345 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.6 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on NRG shares. Morgan Stanley restated an underperform rating on shares of NRG Energy in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. UBS Group began coverage on NRG Energy in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. They set a buy rating and a $211.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of NRG Energy in a research report on Monday. Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of NRG Energy in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. They set a sector outperform rating and a $212.00 price objective for the company. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on NRG Energy from $185.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, NRG Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $199.21.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on NRG Energy

Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NRG Energy

In other news, VP Virginia Kinney sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $163.82, for a total transaction of $3,276,400.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 43,191 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,075,549.62. This trade represents a 31.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . 0.86% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NRG. Amundi raised its holdings in shares of NRG Energy by 772.5% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 4,378,022 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $406,342,000 after buying an additional 3,876,235 shares during the last quarter. Holocene Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of NRG Energy by 113.3% during the second quarter. Holocene Advisors LP now owns 1,444,271 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $231,921,000 after purchasing an additional 767,014 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of NRG Energy by 289.1% during the first quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,023,168 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $97,672,000 after purchasing an additional 760,201 shares during the period. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC increased its stake in NRG Energy by 492.5% in the 2nd quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC now owns 883,781 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $141,918,000 after buying an additional 734,624 shares during the period. Finally, Consolidated Press International Holdings Ltd. purchased a new position in NRG Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $98,360,000. 97.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

NRG Energy Price Performance

NYSE NRG traded down $1.07 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $159.36. 776,629 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,679,185. NRG Energy has a 52-week low of $79.57 and a 52-week high of $180.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.45, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The company has a market capitalization of $30.54 billion, a PE ratio of 23.82 and a beta of 1.26. The firms 50-day moving average is $165.13 and its 200-day moving average is $160.10.

NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $2.78 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.93 by $0.85. NRG Energy had a net margin of 4.84% and a return on equity of 103.57%. The business had revenue of $7.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.90 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that NRG Energy will post 6.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

NRG Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 3rd were paid a $0.44 dividend. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 3rd. NRG Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.31%.

NRG Energy declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Thursday, November 6th that permits the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the utilities provider to reacquire up to 9.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

NRG Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) is a U.S.-based integrated power company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company develops, owns and operates a diversified portfolio of power generation assets and participates in wholesale and retail energy markets. NRG supplies electricity to utilities, commercial and industrial customers, and retail consumers, while also providing energy-related products and services designed to manage consumption and support reliability.

NRGs generation mix includes conventional thermal plants as well as renewable and distributed energy resources.

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Fidelity Sustainable High Yield ETF (NYSEARCA:FSYD  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 5,119 shares, a decline of 17.5% from the November 30th total of 6,203 shares. Approximately 0.4% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 24,389 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Based on an average trading volume of 24,389 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Approximately 0.4% of the companys stock are short sold.

Fidelity Sustainable High Yield ETF Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of Fidelity Sustainable High Yield ETF stock traded down $0.07 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $48.44. The companys stock had a trading volume of 25,245 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,369. Fidelity Sustainable High Yield ETF has a 1-year low of $44.30 and a 1-year high of $49.08. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $48.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $48.24. The company has a market cap of $67.82 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.19 and a beta of 0.46.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Fidelity Sustainable High Yield ETF

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Fidelity Sustainable High Yield ETF stock. Sunbelt Securities Inc. lifted its position in Fidelity Sustainable High Yield ETF (NYSEARCA:FSYD  Free Report) by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 27,658 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,549 shares during the quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. owned about 1.98% of Fidelity Sustainable High Yield ETF worth $1,345,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Fidelity Sustainable High Yield ETF Company Profile

The Fidelity Sustainable High Yield ETF (FSYD) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund is an actively managed fund that combines a multi-factor quantitative screen, fundamental analysis, and ESG rating to select high-yield bonds issued by global corporations that exhibit sustainability practices. FSYD was launched on Feb 15, 2022 and is managed by Fidelity.

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Hanover Foods Co. (OTC:HNFSA  Get Free Report) shares traded down 2.2% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $45.00 and last traded at $45.00. 2,181 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 176% from the average session volume of 791 shares. The stock had previously closed at $46.00.

Hanover Foods Stock Performance

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $45.28 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $45.58.

About Hanover Foods

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Hanover Foods Corporation engages in processing, packaging, and selling fresh canned and frozen products. It offers baked beans, beans, canned blends and vegetables, frozen blends and vegetables, kosher, pork and beans, soft pretzels, steam in bag products, and tomatoes, as well as soups, salads, and broths. The company was founded in 1924 and is based in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

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Capri Holdings Limited (NYSE:CPRI  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 7,167,426 shares, a decline of 19.5% from the November 30th total of 8,902,664 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,935,903 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.4 days. Approximately 6.2% of the companys stock are short sold. Approximately 6.2% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 2,935,903 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.4 days.

Capri Stock Performance

Capri stock traded down $0.11 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $24.40. The stock had a trading volume of 1,191,500 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,413,095. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.91 billion, a PE ratio of -2.48, a P/E/G ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 1.48. Capri has a 12 month low of $11.86 and a 12 month high of $28.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.97. The firms 50-day moving average price is $23.90 and its 200 day moving average price is $21.27.

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Capri (NYSE:CPRI  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported ($0.03) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.14 by ($0.17). Capri had a negative return on equity of 138.53% and a negative net margin of 29.55%.The business had revenue of $856.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $825.74 million. Capri has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.700-0.80 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 1.200-1.400 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Capri will post 0.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Capri

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Capri

In other Capri news, CFO Rajal Mehta sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.96, for a total value of $259,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 741 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,236.36. This trade represents a 93.10% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock.

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in Capri during the 1st quarter worth about $62,000. Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in shares of Capri by 70.0% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 380,838 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,514,000 after buying an additional 156,757 shares during the period. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. purchased a new stake in shares of Capri in the first quarter worth about $8,673,000. Banque Transatlantique SA bought a new position in shares of Capri in the first quarter valued at approximately $65,000. Finally, Ionic Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Capri during the first quarter valued at approximately $296,000. 84.34% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CPRI has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Capri in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Telsey Advisory Group upped their price objective on Capri from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Barclays initiated coverage on Capri in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. They set an overweight rating and a $31.00 target price on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Capri from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Guggenheim upgraded shares of Capri to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $27.23.

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About Capri

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Capri Holdings Limited (NYSE: CPRI) is a global luxury fashion company that designs, markets and distributes a range of premium lifestyle products. The companys principal brandsMichael Kors, Versace and Jimmy Choooffer handbags, ready-to-wear apparel, footwear, watches, jewelry, fragrance and other accessories. Capri Holdings combines in-house design talent with international sourcing, manufacturing and retail operations to deliver collections that reflect each brands distinct heritage and aesthetic vision.

Formed in 2018 through the rebranding of Michael Kors Holdings following the acquisition of Versace, Capri has since integrated Jimmy Choo into its portfolio.

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Shares of Air Industries Group (NYSEAMERICAN:AIRI  Get Free Report) were down 3.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $2.88 and last traded at $2.99. Approximately 478,329 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 74% from the average daily volume of 275,207 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.09.

Air Industries Group Trading Up 3.7%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $3.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $3.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.67 million, a PE ratio of -5.48 and a beta of 0.01.

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Air Industries Group (NYSEAMERICAN:AIRI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Air Industries Group had a negative return on equity of 12.48% and a negative net margin of 4.01%.The company had revenue of $10.31 million for the quarter. Equities analysts expect that Air Industries Group will post -0.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Air Industries Group Company Profile

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Air Industries Group stock. Citadel Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Air Industries Group ( NYSEAMERICAN:AIRI Free Report ) in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 24,629 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $77,000. Citadel Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.52% of Air Industries Group as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 42.68% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Air Industries Group, Inc (NYSE American: AIRI) is a precision engineering company headquartered in Ronkonkoma, New York. The firm specializes in the design, development and manufacture of air and gas handling solutions for high-performance applications. Its core offerings include turbomachinery components such as blowers, fans, compressors and turbines, as well as heat exchangers and related assemblies. Air Industries Group serves as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and a trusted supplier to a range of industries, with a particular focus on defense and aerospace.

The companys product portfolio addresses the demanding requirements of military and commercial aerospace platforms, providing mission-critical airflow and thermal management systems.

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Shares of Cybin Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:CYBN  Get Free Report) rose 4.4% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $8.74 and last traded at $8.71. Approximately 1,477,533 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 90% from the average daily volume of 776,156 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.34.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Guggenheim increased their price target on Cybin from $39.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have issued a Buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Cybin presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $89.33.

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Cybin Trading Down 4.6%

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cybin

The firms 50 day moving average is $6.57 and its 200 day moving average is $6.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 8.58 and a quick ratio of 8.58. The company has a market cap of $206.05 million, a PE ratio of -2.10 and a beta of 0.67.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bollard Group LLC purchased a new position in Cybin during the second quarter worth about $1,317,000. AdvisorShares Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of Cybin by 46.4% during the 2nd quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC now owns 88,383 shares of the companys stock valued at $742,000 after acquiring an additional 28,000 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in shares of Cybin by 66.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 29,443 shares of the companys stock valued at $247,000 after acquiring an additional 11,790 shares during the last quarter. Cowa LLC increased its position in shares of Cybin by 12.8% in the second quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 13,200 shares of the companys stock worth $111,000 after purchasing an additional 1,500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its stake in Cybin by 46.7% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 7,543 shares of the companys stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 2,400 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 17.94% of the companys stock.

About Cybin

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Cybin Inc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of psychedelic-based therapeutics for the treatment of mental health disorders. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the company is pioneering novel drug candidates designed to improve safety and efficacy over naturally occurring psychedelics. Cybins research emphasizes proprietary formulations and delivery methods to optimize bioavailability and patient experience.

The companys pipeline includes multiple investigational products, such as sublingual psilocybin analogs, deuterated tryptamines, and other small-molecule derivatives.

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Adtalem Global Education Inc. (NYSE:ATGE  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,254,753 shares, a growth of 22.6% from the November 30th total of 1,023,085 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 588,293 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.1 days. Approximately 3.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Approximately 3.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 588,293 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.1 days.

Insider Activity at Adtalem Global Education

In related news, Director Kenneth J. Phelan acquired 508 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of $98.29 per share, with a total value of $49,931.32. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 18,783 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,846,181.07. This represents a 2.78% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Michael W. Malafronte bought 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was bought at an average price of $91.85 per share, with a total value of $91,850.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 100,445 shares in the company, valued at $9,225,873.25. This represents a 1.01% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Adtalem Global Education

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ATGE. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Adtalem Global Education by 444.8% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 605,137 shares of the companys stock valued at $90,940,000 after buying an additional 494,058 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Adtalem Global Education by 124.3% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 699,027 shares of the companys stock valued at $70,350,000 after acquiring an additional 387,330 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Adtalem Global Education during the second quarter valued at about $42,699,000. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in Adtalem Global Education by 96.2% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 465,068 shares of the companys stock valued at $71,830,000 after acquiring an additional 228,065 shares during the period. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its stake in Adtalem Global Education by 96.5% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 428,966 shares of the companys stock worth $66,254,000 after acquiring an additional 210,709 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.84% of the companys stock.

Adtalem Global Education Trading Down 0.5%

NYSE ATGE traded down $0.51 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $103.49. 323,997 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 494,069. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.76 billion, a PE ratio of 15.49, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 0.98. Adtalem Global Education has a 1-year low of $86.26 and a 1-year high of $156.26. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $103.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $121.35.

Adtalem Global Education (NYSE:ATGE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.75 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.57 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $462.29 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $452.30 million. Adtalem Global Education had a return on equity of 18.74% and a net margin of 13.79%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.29 EPS. Adtalem Global Education has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.600-7.90 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Adtalem Global Education will post 6.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ATGE has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating and issued a $158.00 target price on shares of Adtalem Global Education in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Adtalem Global Education in a research report on Monday. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Adtalem Global Education from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, September 20th. Barrington Research reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $170.00 target price on shares of Adtalem Global Education in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $163.00 price target on shares of Adtalem Global Education in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $156.50.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Adtalem Global Education

Adtalem Global Education Company Profile

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Adtalem Global Education (NYSE:ATGE) is a leading provider of postsecondary education and professional development solutions. Through a network of brands and institutions, the company delivers degree programs and continuing education in high-demand fields such as healthcare, business, technology and the sciences. Adtalems offerings span campus-based and online formats, catering to diverse learner needs and career stages.

The companys portfolio includes Chamberlain University, which specializes in nursing and healthcare; Carrington College, offering career-focused programs in allied health, business and trades; Walden University, a fully online institution for graduate and undergraduate degrees; and a suite of medical and veterinary schools, including Ross University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, both located in the Caribbean.

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Individuals named Macayla are often described as compassionate, spiritually inclined, and nurturing. They tend to possess strong intuitive abilities and emotional intelligence, making them excellent listeners and supportive friends. Many Macaylas demonstrate natural leadership qualities combined with humility, often taking on caregiving roles in their families and communities. Their spiritual nature frequently manifests as deep empathy and a desire to help others, while their creative side may express itself through artistic pursuits or innovative problem-solving.



These individuals typically value meaningful relationships over superficial connections and often serve as pillars of strength during difficult times. Their combination of practical wisdom and spiritual depth makes them sought-after advisors and confidantes. Macaylas are often drawn to professions involving care, education, or spiritual guidance, where they can use their natural gifts to make a positive impact. While they may appear gentle, they possess inner strength and resilience that helps them navigate life's challenges with grace and faith.
InvenTrust Properties Corp. (NYSE:IVT  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,824,114 shares, an increase of 22.3% from the November 30th total of 1,490,953 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 537,881 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.4 days. Approximately 2.4% of the companys stock are sold short. Approximately 2.4% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 537,881 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.4 days.

InvenTrust Properties Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of IVT stock traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $28.20. The company had a trading volume of 445,798 shares, compared to its average volume of 471,967. The company has a market cap of $2.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.68. InvenTrust Properties has a 12 month low of $25.21 and a 12 month high of $31.04. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $28.27 and a 200-day simple moving average of $28.22.

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InvenTrust Properties (NYSE:IVT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.45 by ($0.37). The company had revenue of $74.47 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $73.57 million. InvenTrust Properties had a net margin of 40.46% and a return on equity of 6.65%. InvenTrust Properties has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.800-1.830 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that InvenTrust Properties will post 1.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

InvenTrust Properties Announces Dividend

Hedge Funds Weigh In On InvenTrust Properties

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 30th will be given a $0.2377 dividend. This represents a $0.95 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 30th. InvenTrust Propertiess dividend payout ratio is presently 62.09%.

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of IVT. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in shares of InvenTrust Properties by 67.5% in the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 28,543 shares of the companys stock valued at $784,000 after buying an additional 11,499 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC grew its stake in shares of InvenTrust Properties by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,624,186 shares of the companys stock worth $77,072,000 after acquiring an additional 166,881 shares during the period. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in InvenTrust Properties in the 1st quarter worth about $429,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP lifted its holdings in InvenTrust Properties by 537.3% during the first quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 120,795 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,548,000 after purchasing an additional 101,842 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new position in InvenTrust Properties in the 1st quarter worth about $632,000. Institutional investors own 61.70% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on IVT shares. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and set a $33.00 price objective (up previously from $32.00) on shares of InvenTrust Properties in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Wall Street Zen lowered InvenTrust Properties from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of InvenTrust Properties in a research note on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on InvenTrust Properties in a research report on Friday, October 17th. They set a neutral rating and a $30.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on InvenTrust Properties in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. They issued an overweight rating and a $33.00 target price on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $31.60.

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InvenTrust Properties Company Profile

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InvenTrust Properties Corp is a self?managed real estate investment trust specializing in suburban and urban retail real estate. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, the company focuses on the acquisition, leasing and management of open?air shopping centers that serve everyday consumer needs.

The companys portfolio is concentrated in neighborhood and community retail assets anchored by grocery stores, pharmacies and national service tenants. InvenTrust engages in active leasing strategies, property management services and selective development and redevelopment initiatives designed to enhance long?term cash flow and tenant mix.

InvenTrust Properties was created in 2019 through the spin?off of its predecessor, Inland Real Estate Investment Corp, and adopted its current name upon separation.

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Aarons Holdings Company, Inc. (NYSE:PRG  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 3,178,456 shares, a growth of 35.1% from the November 30th total of 2,352,942 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 532,998 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.0 days. Approximately 8.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Approximately 8.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 532,998 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.0 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on PRG shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded Aarons from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday. TD Cowen cut their target price on Aarons from $38.00 to $37.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. B. Riley began coverage on shares of Aarons in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. They set a buy rating and a $50.00 price target for the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Aarons in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, BTIG Research raised shares of Aarons from a sell rating to a neutral rating and set a $31.00 target price for the company in a research note on Friday, November 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $41.71.

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View Our Latest Research Report on PRG

Aarons Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE PRG traded down $0.79 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $29.48. 328,311 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 609,022. The company has a market cap of $1.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.48 and a beta of 1.75. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $29.29 and a 200 day moving average price of $31.11. Aarons has a 52 week low of $23.50 and a 52 week high of $44.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 4.74 and a quick ratio of 2.65.

Aarons (NYSE:PRG  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.17. Aarons had a net margin of 6.54% and a return on equity of 22.36%. The firm had revenue of $595.11 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $586.11 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.77 EPS. Aaronss quarterly revenue was down 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. Aarons has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.350-3.450 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.550-0.650 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Aarons will post 3.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aarons Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th were paid a $0.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 18th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Aaronss payout ratio is currently 13.20%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Aarons

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd grew its stake in Aarons by 503.6% during the 2nd quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 109,597 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,217,000 after acquiring an additional 91,439 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of Aarons during the first quarter worth approximately $577,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new stake in shares of Aarons during the second quarter worth approximately $6,191,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its position in Aarons by 33.6% during the second quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 42,578 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,250,000 after purchasing an additional 10,700 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Aarons by 2.3% in the second quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 17,674 shares of the companys stock worth $519,000 after acquiring an additional 390 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.92% of the companys stock.

About Aarons

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PROG Holdings, Inc (NYSE: PRG), formerly known as Aarons, is a North American provider of lease-to-own and consumer finance solutions. The company operates through two primary segments: Aarons Business Solutions and Progressive Financial Services. Through Aarons Business Solutions, PROG offers customers access to furniture, electronics, home appliances and technology products via lease ownership arrangements, serving both individual consumers and small businesses.

The Progressive Financial Services segment provides lease-purchase and retail point-of-sale financing programs to customers with limited credit histories.

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Entravision Communications Corporation (NYSE:EVC  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $2.50 and traded as high as $3.04. Entravision Communications shares last traded at $2.9850, with a volume of 191,742 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Entravision Communications in a research note on Monday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Entravision Communications currently has a consensus rating of Sell.

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Entravision Communications Trading Down 1.0%

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $2.76 and a 200 day simple moving average of $2.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a current ratio of 1.74. The firm has a market cap of $266.57 million, a P/E ratio of -2.25 and a beta of 1.25.

Entravision Communications (NYSE:EVC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported ($0.11) earnings per share for the quarter. Entravision Communications had a negative return on equity of 66.12% and a negative net margin of 27.92%.The business had revenue of $120.63 million during the quarter.

Entravision Communications Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be paid a $0.05 dividend. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.8%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 16th. Entravision Communicationss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -15.38%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Entravision Communications news, COO Liberman A. Jeffery sold 20,153 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.15, for a total value of $63,481.95. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 58,357 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $183,824.55. This represents a 25.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders sold a total of 920,000 shares of company stock worth $2,658,527 in the last three months. 8.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Entravision Communications

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in Entravision Communications during the first quarter valued at approximately $366,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Entravision Communications by 35.7% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 26,568 shares of the companys stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 6,991 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Entravision Communications in the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in Entravision Communications by 14.0% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 595,685 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,251,000 after purchasing an additional 73,103 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in Entravision Communications by 7.4% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 470,465 shares of the companys stock valued at $988,000 after purchasing an additional 32,321 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.46% of the companys stock.

Entravision Communications Company Profile

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Entravision Communications Corporation (NYSE: EVC) is a diversified Spanish-language media and advertising company headquartered in Santa Monica, California. The company develops and distributes multimedia content tailored to Hispanic audiences across the United States, leveraging a combination of traditional broadcasting and digital platforms to reach consumers and marketers seeking to engage this fast-growing demographic.

In its broadcasting segment, Entravision owns and operates more than 50 television stations affiliated primarily with leading Spanish-language networks, as well as over 40 radio stations in key U.S.

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TAL Education Group (NYSE:TAL  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday after Wall Street Zen upgraded the stock from a hold rating to a buy rating. The stock has a 200-day moving average of $11.01 and traded as high as $11.04. TAL Education Group shares last traded at $11.0250, with a volume of 2,309,716 shares.

Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on TAL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of TAL Education Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $16.00 price target for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of TAL Education Group in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of TAL Education Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $13.91.

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Institutional Trading of TAL Education Group

TAL Education Group Stock Down 1.0%

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TAL. Vident Advisory LLC grew its position in shares of TAL Education Group by 30.3% in the 1st quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 29,139 shares of the companys stock valued at $385,000 after acquiring an additional 6,772 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in TAL Education Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $258,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in TAL Education Group by 4.4% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 303,747 shares of the companys stock worth $4,012,000 after purchasing an additional 12,875 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new position in TAL Education Group during the first quarter worth approximately $1,902,000. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its stake in TAL Education Group by 2,125.9% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 12,628,646 shares of the companys stock valued at $166,824,000 after buying an additional 12,061,305 shares during the period. 37.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

The stock has a market cap of $6.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 0.06. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $11.40 and a 200-day simple moving average of $11.01.

TAL Education Group (NYSE:TAL  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.16 by $0.05. TAL Education Group had a return on equity of 4.71% and a net margin of 6.45%.The business had revenue of $861.35 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $819.03 million. On average, equities analysts anticipate that TAL Education Group will post 0.2 earnings per share for the current year.

TAL Education Group Company Profile

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TAL Education Group is a leading provider of after-school tutoring services in China, specializing in K-12 academic instruction. The company offers a range of programs designed to help primary and secondary school students strengthen their core competencies in subjects such as mathematics, English, Chinese language and science. TAL leverages both in-person learning centers and digital platforms to deliver its curriculum, aiming to support student progress through interactive lessons and personalized study plans.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Beijing, TAL Education Group has grown into one of Chinas largest private education firms.

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Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (NYSEARCA:RETL  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 360,347 shares, a growth of 32.7% from the November 30th total of 271,507 shares. Currently, 10.1% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 528,766 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.7 days. Based on an average daily volume of 528,766 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.7 days. Currently, 10.1% of the companys shares are sold short.

Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares Trading Down 2.5%

RETL stock traded down $0.24 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $9.22. The stock had a trading volume of 109,705 shares, compared to its average volume of 444,537. The firm has a market cap of $32.92 million, a P/E ratio of 13.74 and a beta of 3.79. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $8.91 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $9.07. Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares has a 1-year low of $4.12 and a 1-year high of $11.22.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of RETL. Jane Street Group LLC grew its holdings in Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares by 52.2% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 36,083 shares of the companys stock worth $220,000 after purchasing an additional 12,383 shares during the period. Simplex Trading LLC raised its holdings in shares of Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares by 1,026.9% during the second quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 16,566 shares of the companys stock valued at $125,000 after purchasing an additional 15,096 shares during the period. Group One Trading LLC bought a new position in shares of Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares during the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its stake in shares of Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares by 393.7% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 53,966 shares of the companys stock valued at $410,000 after buying an additional 43,035 shares during the period.

About Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares

Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3x Shares, formerly Direxion Daily Retail Bull 2x Shares, seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of 300% of the performance of the Russell 1000 Retail Index. The Retail Index is an index comprised of companies that sell to consumers those discretionary products supplied by manufacturers. These companies include specialty retailers, as well as diversified retailers, such as department stores, discount stores, and superstores. Its investment sector includes hypermarkets and super centers, Internet retail, home improvement retail, apparel retail, general merchandise stores, department stores, automotive retail, specialty stores, home furnishing retail, computer and electronics retail, and catalog retail.

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iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF (NYSEARCA:EPU  Get Free Report)s share price were down 0.8% on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $72.10 and last traded at $72.35. Approximately 40,501 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 4% from the average daily volume of 42,183 shares. The stock had previously closed at $72.91.

iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF Stock Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average price of $65.50 and a 200-day moving average price of $57.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $282.17 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.17 and a beta of 0.76.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Fifth Third Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,408,000. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $680,000. Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF in the second quarter valued at $857,000. Finally, Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF in the third quarter valued at $355,000.

About iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF

The iShares MSCI Peru ETF (EPU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI All Peru Capped index, a market-cap-weighted index of Peruvian firms. EPU was launched on Jun 19, 2009 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas (NYSE:LND  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 64,767 shares, a drop of 27.6% from the November 30th total of 89,471 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 55,762 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 55,762 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days.

Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas Stock Down 0.7%

NYSE LND traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $3.59. 4,988 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 45,098. Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas has a 1-year low of $3.47 and a 1-year high of $4.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $3.65 and a 200 day simple moving average of $3.75.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LND. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas during the 2nd quarter valued at about $37,000. ERn Financial LLC bought a new position in Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas during the third quarter valued at $50,000. Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP grew its stake in shares of Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas by 750.8% during the second quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP now owns 18,624 shares of the companys stock valued at $71,000 after buying an additional 16,435 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its stake in Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas by 66.2% in the 2nd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 36,799 shares of the companys stock worth $141,000 after buying an additional 14,651 shares during the period. 1.15% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on LND shares. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d) rating on shares of Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas in a research report on Monday. Itau BBA Securities cut shares of Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, September 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas currently has an average rating of Reduce.

View Our Latest Analysis on Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas

About Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas

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Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas is a Brazil-based agribusiness company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of agricultural land in key farming regions across the country. The companys core activities include identifying undervalued or underutilized rural properties, implementing infrastructure improvements and modern farming practices, and either operating the land directly or selling it to third parties. Brasilagros land bank spans several states in Brazil, with holdings in Maranhao, Bahia, Tocantins, Goias and Mato Grosso, among others.

In its agricultural operations, Brasilagro cultivates a variety of crops such as soybeans, corn and cotton, leveraging advances in crop genetics, irrigation and soil management to enhance productivity and sustainability.

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Insurance Australia Group Limited (OTCMKTS:IAUGY  Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 1.2% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $27.19 and last traded at $27.19. 231 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 77% from the average session volume of 990 shares. The stock had previously closed at $26.88.

Insurance Australia Group Stock Up 1.2%

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $25.96 and a 200-day simple moving average of $27.10.

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About Insurance Australia Group

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Insurance Australia Group (OTCMKTS:IAUGY) is a leading general insurance underwriter headquartered in Sydney, Australia. The company provides a broad range of personal and commercial insurance products, including home, motor, travel, business and liability coverage. IAG serves individual policyholders, small to mid-sized enterprises and large corporate clients through a diversified distribution network of brokers, direct sales, affinity partnerships and digital channels.

Formed in 2000 through the merger of several Australian and New Zealand insurers, IAG has since grown to become the largest general insurer in its home markets.

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Deutsche Wohnen SE (OTCMKTS:DTCWY  Get Free Report)s stock price fell 3.5% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $12.10 and last traded at $12.10. 188 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 93% from the average session volume of 2,569 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.5350.

Deutsche Wohnen Stock Down 3.5%

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $16.54 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $14.30.

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Deutsche Wohnen Company Profile

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Deutsche Wohnen SE is a Germany?based real estate company primarily engaged in the acquisition, development and management of residential and commercial properties. Headquartered in Berlin, the company holds a diversified portfolio of multi?family apartments and office spaces, with a strategic focus on long?term rental income. Deutsche Wohnens shares are traded on German exchanges and its American Depositary Shares (ADS) are available over the counter under the ticker DTCWY.

The companys property portfolio spans major German urban centers including Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Leipzig and Dresden.

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iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEUR  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,197,433 shares, a decrease of 24.6% from the November 30th total of 1,588,425 shares. Approximately 1.2% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 641,699 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.9 days. Based on an average daily volume of 641,699 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.9 days. Approximately 1.2% of the companys shares are short sold.

iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA IEUR traded down $0.27 on Wednesday, reaching $70.98. The company had a trading volume of 868,765 shares, compared to its average volume of 961,677. The companys fifty day moving average is $69.42 and its 200-day moving average is $67.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.78 and a beta of 0.93. iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF has a 1-year low of $53.17 and a 1-year high of $71.50.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of IEUR. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF by 6,520.0% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 274,466 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,170,000 after purchasing an additional 270,320 shares during the period. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $41,000. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its stake in iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 415,484 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,505,000 after buying an additional 10,782 shares during the last quarter. Betterment LLC grew its stake in iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF by 35.6% in the 2nd quarter. Betterment LLC now owns 224,406 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,856,000 after buying an additional 58,917 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new position in iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $526,000.

iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF Company Profile

The iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF (IEUR) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Europe IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of developed European securities. IEUR was launched on Jun 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Individuals bearing the name Norval are typically associated with characteristics reflecting their name's geographical origins and Scottish heritage. They often exhibit a grounded, practical nature combined with quiet determinationqualities that echo the resilience required to thrive in Scotland's challenging northern landscapes. Norvals tend to be perceived as reliable and steadfast, with a deep sense of loyalty to family and tradition that mirrors the clan loyalties of their Scottish origins. Their personality often blends introspection with capability; they're the type who thinks carefully before acting but follows through with consistent effort. The 'valley' aspect of their name suggests both humility and nurturing qualitiesthey provide shelter and support to those in their care while maintaining the strength suggested by the 'north' direction. This combination creates individuals who are both anchors and guides: stable presences who offer direction without domineering. Their Scottish roots often manifest in a dry wit, practical intelligence, and the ability to endure hardship with grace. While they may not seek the spotlight, Norvals typically command respect through their consistent character and the quiet competence they bring to their endeavors.
Krane Shares China Credit Index ETF (NYSEARCA:KBND  Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 0% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $31.39 and last traded at $31.39. 100 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 66% from the average session volume of 292 shares. The stock had previously closed at $31.38.

Krane Shares China Credit Index ETF Trading Up 0.0%

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $31.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $31.39.

About Krane Shares China Credit Index ETF

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The Krane Shares China Credit Index ETF (KBND) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund passively invests in Chinese RMB-denominated fixed income securities, and fixed allocations to various sectors. KBND was launched on Dec 2, 2014 and is managed by KraneShares.

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Banco Santander Chile (NYSE:BSAC  Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report issued on Tuesday.

A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on BSAC. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Banco Santander Chile in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup lowered Banco Santander Chile from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Banco Santander Chile from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on Banco Santander Chile from $24.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Banco Santander Chile currently has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $27.67.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BSAC

Banco Santander Chile Stock Performance

Banco Santander Chile stock opened at $31.07 on Tuesday. Banco Santander Chile has a 52 week low of $18.19 and a 52 week high of $31.67. The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.51. The stock has a market cap of $14.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 0.58. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $29.88 and a 200-day moving average of $26.66.

Banco Santander Chile (NYSE:BSAC  Get Free Report) last issued 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 net margin of 24.74% and a return on equity of 22.18%. The business had revenue of $740.10 million during the quarter. On average, analysts expect that Banco Santander Chile will post 2.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Banco Santander Chile

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. TT International Asset Management LTD acquired a new position in shares of Banco Santander Chile during the third quarter valued at $24,685,000. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. lifted its position in Banco Santander Chile by 200.9% in the 3rd quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 832,647 shares of the banks stock valued at $22,065,000 after purchasing an additional 555,919 shares during the last quarter. INCA Investments LLC boosted its stake in Banco Santander Chile by 36.4% during the 3rd quarter. INCA Investments LLC now owns 715,192 shares of the banks stock valued at $18,953,000 after purchasing an additional 191,014 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in Banco Santander Chile by 120.3% in the 3rd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 254,585 shares of the banks stock worth $6,747,000 after purchasing an additional 139,015 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of Banco Santander Chile in the first quarter valued at approximately $2,990,000. 6.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Banco Santander Chile

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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.

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PressLogic (PLAI) is planning to raise $9 million in an IPO on the week of January 5th, IPO Scoop reports. The company will issue 1,800,000 shares at a price of $4.00-$6.00 per share.

In the last year, PressLogic generated $14.77 million in revenue and $1.91 million in net income. PressLogic has a market-cap of $83.20 million.

American Trust Investment Services acted as the underwriter for the IPO.

PressLogic provided the following description of their company for its IPO: (Incorporated in the Cayman Islands) We provide digital marketing services to companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Our content marketing solutions include a digital marketing solution segment, which offers editorial content, influencer marketing and display advertising, along with advertisements. We run nine proprietary media brands with over 12 million subscribers and followers, including nine websites, five apps, 11 Facebook fanpages, 11 Instagram profiles and eight YouTube channels, as of the date of this prospectus. Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars (converted from Hong Kong dollars) for the 12 months that ended June 30, 2025. (Note: PressLogic filed its F-1/A on Oct. 14, 2025, and disclosed the terms of its small IPO: The company is offering 1.8 million shares at a price range of $4.00 to $6.00 to raise $9.0 million, if priced at the mid-point of its range. Background: PressLogic filed its F-1 to go public in September.) .

PressLogic was founded in 2016 and has 124 employees. The company is located at 26/F, Chinachem Leighton Plaza 29 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay Hong Kong Tel: +852 3709 2787 and can be reached via phone at +852 3709 2787 or on the web at https://www.presslogic.online/.

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Storebrand ASA (OTCMKTS:SREDF  Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 94,509 shares, a decline of 23.7% from the November 30th total of 123,808 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 7,285 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 13.0 days. Based on an average trading volume of 7,285 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 13.0 days.

Storebrand ASA Trading Up 4.3%

SREDF stock opened at $17.20 on Thursday. Storebrand ASA has a twelve month low of $16.07 and a twelve month high of $17.20. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $15.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $14.84.

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Storebrand ASA Company Profile

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Storebrand ASA is a leading Norwegian financial services group specializing in long-term savings and insurance solutions. Headquartered in Oslo, the company traces its roots to the 18th century and has grown into one of the foremost providers of life insurance, pensions, and health-related coverage in the Nordic region.

The companys core activities encompass individual and corporate pension plans, life and non-life insurance products, and comprehensive health insurance services. Through its subsidiaries, Storebrand offers defined contribution and defined benefit schemes, personal pension savings accounts, and disability protection.

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Tempus AI, Hut 8, and BigBear.ai are the three Artificial Intelligence stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Artificial intelligence stocks are shares of companies whose primary business involves developing, producing, or providing AI technologies and services  including machine learning software, AI platforms, specialized chips, and cloud AI infrastructure. For stock market investors, these equities offer exposure to potential growth from AI adoption but also come with industry-specific risks such as rapid technological change, competitive concentration, and higher volatility. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Artificial Intelligence stocks within the last several days.

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Tempus AI (TEM)

Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics.

Hut 8 (HUT)

Hut 8 Corp., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, builds, manages, and operates data centers for digital assets mining, computing, and artificial intelligence in the United States. It operates in four segments: Digital Assets Mining, Managed Services, High Performance Computing Colocation and Cloud, and Other.

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BigBear.ai (BBAI)

BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. provides artificial intelligence-powered decision intelligence solutions. It offers national security, supply chain management, and digital identity and biometrics solutions. The company also provides data ingestion, data enrichment, data processing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and predictive visualization solutions and services.

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Shares of OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE:OUT  Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Buy by the seven research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $24.5714.

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on OUT shares. TD Cowen upgraded OUTFRONT Media from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $24.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised OUTFRONT Media from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $19.00 to $25.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. New Street Research set a $24.00 target price on OUTFRONT Media in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating and set a $23.00 target price (up previously from $20.00) on shares of OUTFRONT Media in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of OUTFRONT Media from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th.

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OUTFRONT Media Price Performance

OUT opened at $24.11 on Monday. OUTFRONT Media has a 1 year low of $12.95 and a 1 year high of $24.84. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $21.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $19.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.03 billion, a PE ratio of 35.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.75, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.79.

OUTFRONT Media (NYSE:OUT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.50 by ($0.21). The company had revenue of $467.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $458.32 million. OUTFRONT Media had a return on equity of 21.56% and a net margin of 6.86%.During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.19 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that OUTFRONT Media will post 1.59 EPS for the current year.

OUTFRONT Media Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th were paid a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. OUTFRONT Medias dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 176.47%.

Insider Buying and Selling at OUTFRONT Media

In related news, Director Manuel A. Diaz sold 11,270 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.18, for a total transaction of $249,968.60. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 58,786 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,303,873.48. This represents a 16.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On OUTFRONT Media

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new stake in shares of OUTFRONT Media during the third quarter worth about $29,000. Private Trust Co. NA purchased a new stake in OUTFRONT Media during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. IFP Advisors Inc raised its position in shares of OUTFRONT Media by 16.5% in the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 4,107 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $78,000 after purchasing an additional 582 shares in the last quarter. Rossby Financial LCC boosted its stake in shares of OUTFRONT Media by 42.4% during the 2nd quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 6,953 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $113,000 after buying an additional 2,071 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of OUTFRONT Media by 113.7% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 7,964 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $130,000 after buying an additional 4,238 shares during the last quarter.

OUTFRONT Media Company Profile

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OUTFRONT Media Inc is a leading out-of-home (OOH) advertising company offering a broad range of billboard, transit and digital display solutions across major urban markets in the United States and Canada. Its portfolio encompasses traditional static billboards, high-resolution digital signage, transit media on buses, trains and taxis, as well as street furniture placements such as bus shelters, kiosks and urban panels. The company partners with brand marketers to deliver high-impact campaigns that engage consumers outside the home environment.

Through an extensive network of assets in key metropolitan areas, OUTFRONT provides advertisers with premium visibility along highways, city streets and transit corridors.

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Shares of Brandywine Realty Trust (NYSE:BDN  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Reduce from the five research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have assigned a hold rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $4.00.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on BDN shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an underweight rating on shares of Brandywine Realty Trust in a research report on Monday, November 24th. KeyCorp downgraded Brandywine Realty Trust from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Truist Financial lowered Brandywine Realty Trust from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price objective for the company from $5.00 to $4.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Brandywine Realty Trust in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered their target price on Brandywine Realty Trust from $5.00 to $4.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 14th.

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Brandywine Realty Trust Stock Performance

Brandywine Realty Trust stock opened at $2.92 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $507.20 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.73 and a beta of 1.30. Brandywine Realty Trust has a 12 month low of $2.83 and a 12 month high of $5.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a current ratio of 2.14 and a quick ratio of 2.14. The stocks 50-day moving average is $3.25 and its 200-day moving average is $3.84.

Brandywine Realty Trust (NYSE:BDN  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by ($0.01). Brandywine Realty Trust had a negative return on equity of 19.55% and a negative net margin of 38.03%.The business had revenue of $121.42 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $119.11 million. Equities analysts anticipate that Brandywine Realty Trust will post 0.66 earnings per share for the current year.

Brandywine Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 22nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 7th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.0%. Brandywine Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -29.91%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director James C. Diggs sold 23,190 shares of Brandywine Realty Trust stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.47, for a total transaction of $80,469.30. Following the sale, the director owned 128,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at $446,491.84. The trade was a 15.27% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Gerard H. Sweeney acquired 88,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $3.38 per share, for a total transaction of $299,130.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 3,042,210 shares in the company, valued at $10,282,669.80. This represents a 3.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 3.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BDN. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new stake in shares of Brandywine Realty Trust in the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Ballentine Partners LLC acquired a new position in Brandywine Realty Trust in the third quarter worth about $55,000. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Brandywine Realty Trust by 48.5% in the second quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 14,042 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 4,588 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning raised its stake in Brandywine Realty Trust by 23.9% during the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 14,244 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $61,000 after buying an additional 2,749 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in Brandywine Realty Trust by 146.6% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 14,625 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $63,000 after buying an additional 8,694 shares in the last quarter. 87.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Brandywine Realty Trust

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Brandywine Realty Trust (NYSE: BDN) is an internally managed real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the acquisition, development, and management of office and mixed-use properties. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, the company focuses on creating high?quality, transit?oriented workplaces that meet evolving tenant demands for sustainability, technological connectivity, and flexible design. Brandywines portfolio emphasizes Class A office space, often integrated with retail, residential or hospitality components to foster vibrant, live?work?play environments.

Since its founding in 1994, Brandywine has executed a strategy of disciplined property investment and targeted development.

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Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL  Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Hold from the eleven ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $483.7778.

KNSL has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Kinsale Capital Group in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $460.00 to $450.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 27th. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $448.00 to $442.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Kinsale Capital Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, December 14th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Kinsale Capital Group in a research note on Monday.

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Kinsale Capital Group Price Performance

Kinsale Capital Group stock opened at $390.97 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.09 and a current ratio of 0.09. Kinsale Capital Group has a 52 week low of $349.00 and a 52 week high of $512.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.96. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $390.48 and a 200-day moving average of $433.65.

Kinsale Capital Group (NYSE:KNSL  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The financial services provider reported $5.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.79 by $0.42. The firm had revenue of $497.51 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $446.00 million. Kinsale Capital Group had a return on equity of 25.66% and a net margin of 26.30%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 19.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $4.20 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Kinsale Capital Group will post 17.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kinsale Capital Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Thursday, December 11th that allows the company to repurchase $250.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to buy up to 2.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Kinsale Capital Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th were paid a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 28th. Kinsale Capital Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 3.34%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kinsale Capital Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bamco Inc. NY lifted its holdings in shares of Kinsale Capital Group by 1.4% during the third quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 1,788,590 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $760,616,000 after purchasing an additional 24,796 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Kinsale Capital Group by 2.1% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 593,914 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $288,657,000 after purchasing an additional 12,040 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in Kinsale Capital Group by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 450,044 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $191,386,000 after purchasing an additional 25,428 shares during the last quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Kinsale Capital Group by 11.1% during the 3rd quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 290,524 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $123,548,000 after buying an additional 29,053 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in Kinsale Capital Group by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 274,724 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $116,829,000 after buying an additional 6,934 shares during the period. 85.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kinsale Capital Group Company Profile

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Kinsale Capital Group, Inc (NYSE:KNSL) is a specialty property and casualty insurance company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Established in 2009, the company focuses on underwriting complex and underserved risks across the United States. Kinsale operates through a network of wholesale brokers and independent agencies, offering tailored coverage solutions for a range of niche industries.

The companys product portfolio includes general liability, business auto, professional liability, environmental liability, inland marine, cyber liability, and other specialty lines.

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Solgold (OTCMKTS:SLGGF  Get Free Report) and Seabridge Gold (NYSE:SA  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, valuation, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

34.9% of Seabridge Gold shares are held by institutional investors. 12.8% of Seabridge Gold shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Profitability

This table compares Solgold and Seabridge Golds net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Solgold N/A -26.92% -12.63% Seabridge Gold N/A -5.16% -3.16%

Risk and Volatility

Analyst Ratings

Solgold has a beta of 1.21, meaning that its share price is 21% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Seabridge Gold has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its share price is 15% less volatile than the S&P 500.

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Solgold and Seabridge Gold, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Solgold 0 0 0 0 0.00 Seabridge Gold 2 0 1 0 1.67

Seabridge Gold has a consensus price target of $65.00, suggesting a potential upside of 119.37%. Given Seabridge Golds stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Seabridge Gold is more favorable than Solgold.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Solgold and Seabridge Golds top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Solgold N/A N/A -$36.25 million ($0.01) -36.10 Seabridge Gold N/A N/A -$22.80 million ($0.38) -77.97

Seabridge Gold is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Solgold, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Seabridge Gold beats Solgold on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Solgold

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SolGold Plc, a mineral exploration and development company, explores for and develops mineral properties in Ecuador, Australia, Chile, and Solomon Islands. The company primarily explores for copper, gold, silver, and molybdenum deposits. Its flagship project is the Cascabel Project that covers an area of approximately 50 square kilometers located in Imbabura province, Northern Ecuador. The company was formerly known as Solomon Gold plc and changed its name to SolGold plc in May 2012. SolGold Plc was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia.

About Seabridge Gold

(Get Free Report)

Seabridge Gold Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition and exploration of gold properties in North America. The company also explores for gold, copper, silver, and molybdenum deposits. The company was formerly known as Seabridge Resources Inc. and changed its name to Seabridge Gold Inc. in June 2002. Seabridge Gold Inc. was incorporated in 1979 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

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Shares of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Hold from the fifteen ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $21.4545.

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on AEO. Telsey Advisory Group raised their target price on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $18.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Morgan Stanley set a $23.00 price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $14.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on American Eagle Outfitters from $11.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, September 4th.

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Insider Transactions at American Eagle Outfitters

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Eagle Outfitters

In related news, insider Jennifer M. Foyle sold 243,047 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.30, for a total value of $5,906,042.10. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 191,751 shares in the company, valued at $4,659,549.30. This trade represents a 55.90% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Also, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 2,945 shares of American Eagle Outfitters stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.95, for a total transaction of $49,917.75. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure . 8.70% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AEO. Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 920.6% in the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 5,497,720 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $94,066,000 after buying an additional 4,959,039 shares during the period. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC bought a new position in American Eagle Outfitters during the third quarter worth about $23,395,000. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in American Eagle Outfitters by 37.7% during the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 3,455,961 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $40,158,000 after acquiring an additional 946,904 shares in the last quarter. Kinetic Partners Management LP acquired a new position in American Eagle Outfitters in the third quarter valued at about $14,618,000. Finally, Kettle Hill Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters in the first quarter worth about $8,657,000. 97.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Eagle Outfitters Stock Down 1.2%

NYSE AEO opened at $26.36 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.72 and a beta of 1.44. American Eagle Outfitters has a 52 week low of $9.27 and a 52 week high of $28.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 1.63. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $21.23 and a 200-day moving average of $16.21.

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 2nd. The apparel retailer reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $1.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.32 billion. American Eagle Outfitters had a return on equity of 13.82% and a net margin of 3.90%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.48 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that American Eagle Outfitters will post 1.7 EPS for the current year.

American Eagle Outfitters Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be paid a $0.125 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. American Eagle Outfitterss dividend payout ratio is presently 43.10%.

About American Eagle Outfitters

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American Eagle Outfitters, Inc (NYSE: AEO) is a leading American specialty retailer offering apparel, accessories and personal care products for men and women. The companys flagship brand, American Eagle, focuses on casualwear including denim, tops, outerwear and accessories targeted primarily at teens and young adults. In addition to its core apparel lines, the company operates the Aerie brand of intimates, loungewear and swimwear, which has gained recognition for its body-positive marketing and inclusive sizing.

American Eagle Outfitters conducts business through a combination of over 900 brick-and-mortar stores in North America and Greater China, complemented by a growing e-commerce platform that serves customers around the globe.

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Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Ogelsvie carries significant weight in Christian and Scottish cultural traditions, emerging as a name that embodies both spiritual devotion and martial prowess. Historically associated with families of Norman descent who settled in Scotland and England, the name became synonymous with protectors of the faith and defenders of Christian communities. Throughout medieval Europe, bearers of this name were often recorded as knights, clergy members, and local leaders who balanced religious devotion with the practical necessity of physical protection in turbulent times.



In Christian contexts, Ogelsvie represents the ideal of the 'soldier of Christ' - a figure who combines deep faith with the strength to defend it. The name appears in various historical records of crusaders and religious reformers, suggesting its association with individuals who took active roles in shaping Christian history. Its persistence through centuries reflects the enduring Christian values of courage, protection, and steadfast faith, making it a name that conveys both spiritual and physical fortitude.
Hillhouse Frontier Holdings (HIFI) plans to raise $6.50 million in an IPO on the week of January 5th, IPO Scoop reports. The company plans to issue 1,300,000 shares at a price of $4.00-$6.00 per share.

In the last twelve months, Hillhouse Frontier Holdings generated $8.07 million in revenue and $880 thousand in net income. The company has a market cap of $106 million.

Cathay Securities acted as the underwriter for the IPO.

Hillhouse Frontier Holdings provided the following description of their company for its IPO: (Incorporated in Nevada) We are a luxury vehicle exporter. Through our subsidiary, Hillhouse Capital Group, we run a vehicle export business that specializes inA finding premium vehicles in the U.S. and facilitating their shipment to Hong Kong to our client, who distributes the vehicles to its clients in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). In 2024, Hillhouse Capital Group did 67 vehicle transactions, including 34 with authorized dealerships and 33 with independent dealers. We worked with 15 purchasing agents. We specialize in exporting U.S. luxury vehicles having MSRPs of at least $80,000, targeting affluent consumers and dealers seeking premium luxury brands, such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Cadillac. Unlike smaller industry participantsatypically family-run businesses that rely on informal sourcing networksawe operate through a structured purchasing model with authorized dealerships (i.e., purchasing from them through their designated purchasing agents) and independent dealers, ensuring a stable and scalable supply chain.A Fenglong MaA has served as our CEO and our chairman of the board since October 2022. He is a seasoned entrepreneur in international trade and automotive sales. He founded our company in October 2022, leading its strategy, operations, and entry into automotive exports. Previously, he co-founded Qingdao High-End Vehicle Trading Co., and served as general sales manager from January 2020 to September 2022. He was responsible for sales, market expansion, and supply chain management of high-end imported vehicles, establishing strong global partnerships and optimizing procurement processes. He received an associate degree in business managementA from Mudanjiang Forestry Vocational and Technical College.A Mr. Ma is a citizen of the PRC and currently resides in the PRC. Zheng Wen TongA has served as our chief operating officer since November 2024, overseeing vehicle procurement, logistics, and financial transactions. She has extensive experience in automotive trade and supply chain management. Before this, she was an office manager at TW&EW Service from April 2024 to October 2024 and was employed by Wave Capital Management from January 2022 to March 2024, where sheA oversaw administrative and supply chain operations. From January 2020 to March 2020, she served as an office manager at Luxury Unlimited Group. She received a diploma in accounting from Shanghai Business Trade College in July 1994. Ms. Tong is a citizen of the United States and currently resides in the United States.A Chihyuan LinA has served as our CFO since February 2025, overseeing financial strategy and operations. He is an experienced financial executive with expertise in strategic financial management, accounting, and SEC reporting. Before joining us, he founded Linck Consulting Inc. in September 2024 and has been serving as its CEO, providing accounting and tax consulting services. From September 2023 to September 2024, he worked as a consultant at 8020 Consulting LLC, focusing on SEC reporting and financial advisory services. Prior to that, from October 2022 to September 2023, he was the senior manager of financial reporting and technical accounting at Tattooed Chef, where he managed SEC filings, financial reporting, and statement consolidation. From October 2021 to October 2022, he held the role of senior manager of financial reporting and analysis at HF Foods Group Inc., overseeing financial reporting and compliance matters. Earlier, from February 2018 to October 2021, he served as the assistant director of finance and assistant controller at Ta Chen International Inc., specializing in operational accounting and financial statement consolidation. Mr. Lin earned a Master of Science degree in accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas on August 12, 2011, and a Master of Science degree in Finance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on May 16, 2010. Mr. Lin is a citizen of the United States and currently resides in the United States. Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars for the year that ended Dec. 31, 2024. (Note: Hillhouse Frontier Holdings filed its S-1 for its IPO on July 21, 2025, and disclosed the terms: 1.25 million shares at a price range of $4.00 to $6.00 to raise $6.25 million, if priced at the $5.00 mid-point of its range.) .

Hillhouse Frontier Holdings was founded in 2022 and has 3 employees. The company is located at 20955 Lycoming St, Suite 201, Diamond Bar, California 91789 and can be reached via phone at (661)-508-8888 or on the web at http://www.hillhouse-group.com/.

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) CFO Douglas Howell sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $258.05, for a total value of $1,290,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 95,777 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $24,715,254.85. This trade represents a 4.96% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Price Performance

Shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stock opened at $259.09 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 1.06. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a one year low of $236.34 and a one year high of $351.23. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $253.97 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $285.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $66.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.73 and a beta of 0.69.

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.51 by ($0.19). Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a return on equity of 11.98% and a net margin of 13.58%.The firm had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.34 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.26 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 20.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 11.54 EPS for the current year.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Announces Dividend

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th were given a $0.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s payout ratio is presently 38.86%.

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. AlphaQuest LLC purchased a new stake in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the first quarter worth about $33,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 870.0% in the 3rd quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 97 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares in the last quarter. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. J.Safra Asset Management Corp increased its position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 209.1% during the 2nd quarter. J.Safra Asset Management Corp now owns 102 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. raised its stake in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 650.0% during the second quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 105 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. 85.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on AJG shares. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $353.00 to $334.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. UBS Group reduced their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $329.00 to $285.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Citigroup dropped their price target on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $330.00 to $277.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Barclays downgraded shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $328.00 to $250.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped their target price on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $295.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $302.22.

Read Our Latest Research Report on AJG

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Company Profile

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co is a global insurance brokerage and risk management firm headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Founded in 1927 by Arthur J. Gallagher, the company has grown from a regional broker into an international professional services organization that arranges insurance, provides consulting and designs risk-transfer solutions for commercial, industrial, public sector and individual clients.

The companys core activities include property and casualty insurance brokerage, employee benefits consulting and administration, and a range of risk management services.

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Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the six ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $141.75.

MATX has been the topic of several analyst reports. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Matson from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $142.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Zacks Research raised Matson from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Stephens raised their target price on Matson from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Matson in a research note on Monday.

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Matson Stock Performance

Shares of MATX opened at $123.62 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $111.73 and a 200-day moving average of $107.58. The company has a market cap of $3.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.41 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.83. Matson has a 1 year low of $86.97 and a 1 year high of $154.23.

Matson (NYSE:MATX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The shipping company reported $4.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.25 by $0.99. The business had revenue of $880.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $837.72 million. Matson had a net margin of 12.70% and a return on equity of 16.23%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $5.89 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Matson will post 13.27 earnings per share for the current year.

Matson Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 6th were paid a dividend of $0.36 per share. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 6th. Matsons payout ratio is currently 10.96%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Matson

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its position in shares of Matson by 91.6% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 61,500 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $7,883,000 after buying an additional 29,400 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming increased its stake in shares of Matson by 495.3% during the first quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 381 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 317 shares during the period. Vident Advisory LLC increased its stake in shares of Matson by 34.8% during the first quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 14,094 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $1,807,000 after acquiring an additional 3,641 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Matson during the first quarter worth approximately $3,532,000. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in Matson by 2.3% in the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 101,515 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $13,011,000 after purchasing an additional 2,314 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 84.76% of the companys stock.

Matson Company Profile

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Matson, Inc (NYSE: MATX) is a U.S.-based provider of ocean transportation and supply chain logistics services with a focus on Pacific trade lanes. The company operates a fleet of container ships that regularly service Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Micronesia and other Pacific islands, as well as mainland U.S. ports. Matsons ocean transportation segment offers scheduled liner services, expedited shipping options and specialized project cargo handling for industries ranging from retail to heavy machinery.

In addition to its core liner operations, Matson offers ocean transportation services between Asia and the U.S.

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Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK  Free Report)  Equities research analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q2 2026 earnings estimates for Nokia in a note issued to investors on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the technology company will post earnings of $0.08 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.09. The consensus estimate for Nokias current full-year earnings is $0.34 per share.

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Nokia (NYSE:NOK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The technology company reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.06 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.61 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.67 billion. Nokia had a net margin of 4.65% and a return on equity of 8.24%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.06 EPS.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Wall Street Zen lowered Nokia from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, November 30th. UBS Group reissued a neutral rating on shares of Nokia in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Nokia from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Nokia from $7.10 to $8.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Nokia from a hold rating to an outperform rating and set a $5.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Nokia has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $6.10.

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Nokia Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSE NOK opened at $6.47 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $6.49 and a two-hundred day moving average of $5.35. The company has a market capitalization of $37.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.95 and a beta of 0.77. Nokia has a 1 year low of $4.00 and a 1 year high of $8.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 1.23.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nokia

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NOK. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in Nokia by 7.1% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 24,344 shares of the technology companys stock worth $117,000 after buying an additional 1,609 shares during the last quarter. Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Nokia during the third quarter worth about $11,910,000. First Affirmative Financial Network raised its holdings in Nokia by 30.0% during the third quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 73,943 shares of the technology companys stock worth $356,000 after purchasing an additional 17,044 shares in the last quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Nokia by 74.3% in the third quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 96,070 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $462,000 after purchasing an additional 40,956 shares during the period. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in Nokia in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 5.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Nokia Company Profile

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Nokia Corporation, headquartered in Espoo, Finland, is a global telecommunications and technology company with roots dating back to 1865. Over its long history the company moved from forestry and cable operations into electronics and telecommunications, becoming widely known in the 1990s and 2000s for its mobile phones. In recent years Nokia refocused its business toward network infrastructure, software and technology licensing, and research and development, following the divestiture of its handset manufacturing business and the acquisition of Alcatel?Lucent in 2016, which brought Bell Labs into its portfolio.

Today Nokias core activities center on designing, building and supporting communications networks and related software.

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Perigon Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF (NYSEARCA:GCAL  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 21,710 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,101,000. Perigon Wealth Management LLC owned about 0.90% of Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in GCAL. Richards Merrill & Peterson Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF during the third quarter worth $76,000. Planned Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $394,000. Weaver Consulting Group acquired a new stake in Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $435,000. Jane Street Group LLC increased its holdings in Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF by 234.4% in the second quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 21,986 shares of the companys stock worth $1,093,000 after purchasing an additional 15,412 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Curated Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,072,000.

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Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of GCAL stock opened at $50.91 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $50.94 and a 200-day moving average of $50.34. Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF has a 52 week low of $47.72 and a 52 week high of $51.16.

Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF Company Profile

The Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF (GCAL) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund seeks a high level of current income by investing in municipal securities exempt from federal and California state income tax. The actively managed fund mainly holds investment grade bonds with a two- to eight-year duration GCAL was launched on Jul 23, 2024 and is issued by Goldman Sachs.

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Oak Harvest Investment Services increased its stake in Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 51.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 41,463 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 14,097 shares during the quarter. Oak Harvest Investment Services holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $4,675,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Eagle Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 15.3% in the 1st quarter. Eagle Capital Management LLC now owns 2,836 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $337,000 after purchasing an additional 376 shares during the period. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec raised its stake in Exxon Mobil by 18.3% during the 1st quarter. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec now owns 206,784 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $24,595,000 after purchasing an additional 32,011 shares during the period. Aprio Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 23.0% in the first quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 16,856 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,005,000 after purchasing an additional 3,148 shares in the last quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 1.6% in the first quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 79,020 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $9,398,000 after buying an additional 1,242 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi grew its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 9.7% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 26,386,120 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,966,598,000 after buying an additional 2,329,964 shares in the last quarter. 61.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Exxon Mobil Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of NYSE XOM opened at $120.36 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $117.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $113.44. Exxon Mobil Corporation has a 52 week low of $97.80 and a 52 week high of $121.80. The stock has a market cap of $507.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.49, a PEG ratio of 7.61 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.14.

Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, June 17th. The oil and gas company reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $57.55 billion for the quarter. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 11.22%. On average, research analysts predict that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were paid a $1.03 dividend. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. This is a boost from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.99. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 59.88%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Bank of America reduced their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $119.00 to $118.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Citigroup upped their target price on Exxon Mobil from $115.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $128.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and thirteen have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Exxon Mobil presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $129.45.

View Our Latest Analysis on XOM

Insider Transactions at Exxon Mobil

In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.19, for a total transaction of $351,570.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 28,584 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,349,758.96. This represents a 9.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.03% of the companys stock.

Exxon Mobil Company Profile

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Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) is an integrated oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, production, refining, distribution and marketing of petroleum products and the manufacture and sale of petrochemicals. Its operations span the full energy value chain, including upstream exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas; midstream transportation and storage; and downstream refining, product distribution and retail. The company also produces a broad range of chemical products for industrial and consumer applications.

ExxonMobil markets fuels and lubricants under well-known brands such as Exxon, Mobil and Esso, and its Mobil 1 motor oil is a prominent consumer product.

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VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al lessened its stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO  Free Report) by 62.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 33,671 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 55,000 shares during the quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Als holdings in Valero Energy were worth $5,733,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Hoey Investments Inc. purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. GFG Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 70.2% during the 3rd quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 160 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 1,277.8% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 248 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Wealth Strategies & Associates acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter worth $34,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of VLO opened at $162.89 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The firm has a market cap of $49.68 billion, a PE ratio of 34.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.76. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $171.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $157.57. Valero Energy Corporation has a 12-month low of $99.00 and a 12-month high of $185.62.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

Valero Energy ( NYSE:VLO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The oil and gas company reported $3.66 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.15 by $0.51. The firm had revenue of $32.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $28.80 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 1.21% and a return on equity of 8.69%. Valero Energys revenue for the quarter was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.14 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 20th were issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 20th. Valero Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 94.36%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on VLO shares. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Valero Energy from $216.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on Valero Energy from $201.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $183.00 price target on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Mizuho reissued a neutral rating and set a $192.00 price objective (up previously from $190.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated a strong-buy rating and issued a $195.00 target price (up previously from $181.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Friday, October 24th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $183.20.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on VLO

Insider Buying and Selling at Valero Energy

In other news, CFO Jason W. Fraser sold 9,933 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.02, for a total transaction of $1,728,540.66. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 134,196 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,352,787.92. This represents a 6.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.04% of the companys stock.

Valero Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texasbased integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The companys operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.

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VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al decreased its stake in Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (NYSE:MAA  Free Report) by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 137,167 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 6,300 shares during the period. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al owned 0.12% of Mid-America Apartment Communities worth $19,166,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MAA. Norges Bank bought a new position in Mid-America Apartment Communities in the second quarter valued at approximately $795,893,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities by 461.9% in the 2nd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 721,418 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $106,777,000 after buying an additional 593,020 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities by 30.6% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,835,408 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $271,659,000 after buying an additional 430,398 shares in the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. acquired a new position in Mid-America Apartment Communities during the second quarter worth $54,314,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP raised its position in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 416.5% during the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 317,163 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $46,943,000 after acquiring an additional 255,758 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.60% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. They issued a neutral rating and a $150.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities from $157.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Scotiabank downgraded Mid-America Apartment Communities from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $146.00 to $142.00 in a research report on Friday, December 5th. UBS Group raised Mid-America Apartment Communities from a sell rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $142.00 to $132.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their target price on Mid-America Apartment Communities from $150.00 to $146.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 24th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $154.89.

Mid-America Apartment Communities Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of NYSE:MAA opened at $138.97 on Thursday. Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. has a 12-month low of $125.75 and a 12-month high of $173.38. The business has a 50 day moving average of $132.94 and a 200-day moving average of $139.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 0.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The stock has a market cap of $16.27 billion, a PE ratio of 29.44, a P/E/G ratio of 3.99 and a beta of 0.77.

Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE:MAA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.17 by ($0.01). Mid-America Apartment Communities had a return on equity of 9.14% and a net margin of 25.23%.The firm had revenue of $554.37 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $557.22 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.21 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. Mid-America Apartment Communities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.680-8.800 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.170-2.290 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. will post 8.84 earnings per share for the current year.

Mid-America Apartment Communities Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 15th will be paid a $1.53 dividend. This represents a $6.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.4%. This is a boost from Mid-America Apartment Communitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.52. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th. Mid-America Apartment Communitiess dividend payout ratio is currently 128.39%.

Insider Transactions at Mid-America Apartment Communities

In other Mid-America Apartment Communities news, CEO H Eric Bolton, Jr. bought 578 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $129.36 per share, with a total value of $74,770.08. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 320,391 shares of the companys stock, valued at $41,445,779.76. This trade represents a 0.18% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Adrian Hill purchased 758 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $131.83 per share, with a total value of $99,927.14. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 48,766 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,428,821.78. This represents a 1.58% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Mid-America Apartment Communities

(Free Report)

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc (NYSE: MAA) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the acquisition, development, redevelopment and operation of multifamily residential properties. The company focuses on high-barrier-to-entry apartment communities, offering a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes designed to meet the needs of diverse renter demographics. Its integrated business model encompasses property management, leasing, maintenance and customer service, providing residents with a comprehensive living experience under one ownership platform.

MAAs portfolio comprises more than 100 communities and over 40,000 apartment homes across key Sun Belt markets.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MAA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (NYSE:MAA  Free Report).

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Merit Financial Group LLC reduced its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT  Free Report) by 34.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 14,741 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 7,777 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLCs holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $7,359,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 1.0% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,697,527 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $10,048,993,000 after buying an additional 214,565 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,884,954 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,256,147,000 after acquiring an additional 19,459 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 959,510 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $444,387,000 after acquiring an additional 6,073 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin by 6.9% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 863,839 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $400,079,000 after acquiring an additional 55,607 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in Lockheed Martin by 16.6% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 761,382 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $347,381,000 after purchasing an additional 108,553 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.19% of the companys stock.

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Lockheed Martin Price Performance

Lockheed Martin stock opened at $483.70 on Thursday. The firms 50-day moving average is $470.65 and its two-hundred day moving average is $466.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.32, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $111.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.01, a P/E/G ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 0.24. Lockheed Martin Corporation has a 12-month low of $410.11 and a 12-month high of $516.00.

Lockheed Martin Increases Dividend

Lockheed Martin ( NYSE:LMT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The aerospace company reported $6.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.33 by $0.62. The business had revenue of $18.61 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.45 billion. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 5.73% and a return on equity of 111.84%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $6.84 earnings per share. Lockheed Martin has set its FY 2025 guidance at 22.150-22.350 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Lockheed Martin Corporation will post 27.15 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st were given a $3.45 dividend. This is an increase from Lockheed Martins previous quarterly dividend of $3.30. This represents a $13.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. Lockheed Martins dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 77.05%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, COO John Frank A. St sold 7,792 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $491.04, for a total value of $3,826,183.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 1 shares in the company, valued at approximately $491.04. This represents a 99.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LMT has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Truist Financial boosted their target price on Lockheed Martin from $440.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Citigroup started coverage on shares of Lockheed Martin in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. They issued a neutral rating and a $505.00 price objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $398.00 to $425.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $440.00 to $525.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $517.00 to $492.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, eighteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $506.67.

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Lockheed Martin Company Profile

(Free Report)

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) is a global aerospace and defense company that designs, develops and manufactures advanced technology systems for government and commercial customers. Formed through the 1995 merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta, the company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, and focuses on providing integrated solutions across air, space, land and sea domains. Its primary customers include the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA and allied governments around the world.

Lockheed Martins product and service portfolio spans military aircraft, missile and fire-control systems, missile defense, space systems and satellite technologies, sensors and precision weapons.

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Merit Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER  Free Report) by 9.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 70,110 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,234 shares during the quarter. Merit Financial Group LLCs holdings in Uber Technologies were worth $6,869,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UBER. Brant Point Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Uber Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $933,000. Munro Partners bought a new position in shares of Uber Technologies in the second quarter worth approximately $96,294,000. Prudential PLC increased its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 15.7% in the second quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 216,855 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $20,233,000 after purchasing an additional 29,359 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Uber Technologies by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,082,067 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $194,257,000 after purchasing an additional 35,418 shares during the period. Finally, M&T Bank Corp lifted its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 13.9% during the 2nd quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 426,163 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $39,761,000 after buying an additional 52,002 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.24% of the companys stock.

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Uber Technologies News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Uber Technologies this week:

Uber Technologies Price Performance

Shares of Uber Technologies stock opened at $81.66 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $169.68 billion, a PE ratio of 10.50 and a beta of 1.19. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $88.15 and a 200 day moving average of $91.40. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Uber Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $60.17 and a 12 month high of $101.99.

Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The ride-sharing company reported $3.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by $2.44. The business had revenue of $13.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.25 billion. Uber Technologies had a return on equity of 68.17% and a net margin of 33.54%.The companys revenue was up 20.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.20 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Uber Technologies, Inc. will post 2.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Uber Technologies news, insider Tony West sold 3,125 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.36, for a total transaction of $251,125.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 175,423 shares in the company, valued at $14,096,992.28. This trade represents a 1.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah sold 5,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.41, for a total transaction of $519,255.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 20,330 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,919,355.30. This trade represents a 21.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders sold 14,875 shares of company stock valued at $1,348,818. 3.84% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have issued reports on UBER. Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of Uber Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $109.00 price objective on shares of Uber Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their target price on Uber Technologies from $107.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. DA Davidson lifted their target price on Uber Technologies from $102.00 to $108.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Uber Technologies from $125.00 to $120.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty have issued a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Uber Technologies currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $108.43.

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Uber Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Uber Technologies, Inc is a technology company that operates a global platform connecting riders, drivers, couriers, restaurants and shippers. Founded in 2009 by Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick and headquartered in San Francisco, Uber developed one of the first large-scale ride-hailing marketplaces and has since expanded into a broader set of mobility and logistics services. The company completed its initial public offering in 2019 and continues to position its app-based network as a multi-modal transportation and delivery platform.

Ubers principal businesses include mobility services (ride-hailing and shared rides), delivery through Uber Eats, and freight logistics via Uber Freight.

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Cultural & Historical Significance

Parounag is a traditional Armenian male name that embodies one of the core values in Armenian culture - gratitude and appreciation. The name reflects the Armenian philosophical approach to life where thankfulness is considered both a virtue and a strength. Throughout Armenian history, particularly during periods of hardship and displacement, the concept of gratitude remained central to maintaining cultural identity and community bonds. The name Parounag carries with it the weight of Armenian resilience, as it represents the ability to find reasons for thankfulness even in challenging circumstances. This name has been particularly cherished in Armenian communities as it symbolizes the enduring spirit of the Armenian people and their capacity to appreciate life's blessings despite historical adversities.



In Armenian family traditions, naming a child Parounag often reflects the parents' gratitude for the child's birth or represents a hope that the child will grow to be someone who appreciates life's gifts. The name serves as a constant reminder of the importance of acknowledging blessings and maintaining a positive outlook. In religious contexts, particularly within the Armenian Apostolic Church tradition, the concept of gratitude is deeply intertwined with faith, making Parounag a name that carries spiritual significance as well as cultural meaning.
Hennessy Advisors Inc. reduced its holdings in shares of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE  Free Report) by 8.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 297,780 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 27,100 shares during the period. Hennessy Advisors Inc.s holdings in Sempra Energy were worth $26,794,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Sempra Energy during the second quarter valued at about $701,649,000. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in Sempra Energy by 786.1% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,957,399 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $224,082,000 after purchasing an additional 2,623,637 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp grew its position in Sempra Energy by 809.5% during the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 2,750,891 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $208,435,000 after purchasing an additional 2,448,415 shares during the last quarter. PointState Capital LP acquired a new position in Sempra Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $154,369,000. Finally, Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC acquired a new position in Sempra Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $160,357,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.65% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on SRE. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Sempra Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. BTIG Research upgraded Sempra Energy to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. UBS Group set a $96.00 price objective on Sempra Energy and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Evercore ISI set a $105.00 price objective on Sempra Energy and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on Sempra Energy from $101.00 to $98.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $96.17.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Dyan Z. Wold sold 1,510 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.38, for a total transaction of $137,983.80. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 3,481 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $318,093.78. This represents a 30.25% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Caroline Ann Winn sold 5,500 shares of Sempra Energy stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.58, for a total transaction of $503,690.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 34,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,128,739.12. The trade was a 13.87% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 19,396 shares of company stock valued at $1,785,606. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Sempra Energy Stock Performance

NYSE SRE opened at $88.31 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $57.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.09, a PEG ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.73. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $90.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $85.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 1.59. Sempra Energy has a fifty-two week low of $61.90 and a fifty-two week high of $95.72.

Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.11 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $3.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.99 billion. Sempra Energy had a return on equity of 8.67% and a net margin of 15.63%.Sempra Energys revenue for the quarter was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.89 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Sempra Energy will post 4.76 earnings per share for the current year.

Sempra Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.645 per share. This represents a $2.58 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 11th. Sempra Energys payout ratio is 79.14%.

Sempra Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Sempra Energy is a San Diegobased energy infrastructure company that develops, owns and operates businesses delivering electricity and natural gas. Its operations include regulated utility services that provide electric and gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers, as well as non?regulated infrastructure businesses that develop and manage large-scale energy assets.

The companys product and service portfolio spans electricity and natural gas delivery, transmission and storage, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, power generation and electric transmission projects.

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Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 10.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 139,452 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 13,486 shares during the quarter. Merit Financial Group LLCs holdings in Chevron were worth $21,655,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Quaker Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Chevron by 197.7% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 217 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 439 shares during the period. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its holdings in Chevron by 86.1% in the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 255 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 118 shares during the last quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in Chevron by 52.3% during the second quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 265 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares during the period. GFG Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Chevron during the second quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA raised its holdings in shares of Chevron by 106.7% in the 2nd quarter. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA now owns 310 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.42% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Chevron news, Director John B. Hess sold 275,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.75, for a total transaction of $41,456,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 1,128,045 shares in the company, valued at $170,052,783.75. This trade represents a 19.60% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock.

Chevron Trading Up 0.1%

NYSE CVX opened at $152.44 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $306.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.44, a PEG ratio of 9.14 and a beta of 0.68. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $151.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $152.97. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Chevron Corporation has a 52 week low of $132.04 and a 52 week high of $168.96.

Chevron (NYSE:CVX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The oil and gas company reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.71 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $48.17 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $46.99 billion. Chevron had a net margin of 6.57% and a return on equity of 8.74%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.48 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Chevron Corporation will post 10.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Chevron Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 18th were paid a $1.71 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 18th. This represents a $6.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.5%. Chevrons payout ratio is 96.20%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on CVX shares. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and set a $160.00 target price (down previously from $170.00) on shares of Chevron in a report on Friday, October 17th. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Chevron in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Chevron from $160.00 to $158.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Chevron from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Chevron from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $166.00.

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About Chevron

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is an American multinational energy company engaged in virtually all aspects of the oil and gas industry. As an integrated energy firm, Chevrons core activities include upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production, midstream transportation and storage, downstream refining and marketing of fuels and lubricants, and petrochemical manufacturing through joint ventures and subsidiaries. The company markets fuels under brands such as Chevron, Texaco and Caltex and supplies a range of products and services to retail customers, industrial users and commercial fleets worldwide.

Chevron traces its corporate lineage to the early petroleum companies that eventually became Standard Oil of California and has evolved through significant mergers and restructurings, including the acquisitions of Gulf Oil and Texaco.

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Merit Financial Group LLC increased its stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Free Report) by 4.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 157,356 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 6,398 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $13,190,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Access Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter worth $27,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 585.5% in the first quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 377 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 322 shares during the period. Kilter Group LLC bought a new position in Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Nova Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 112.9% during the second quarter. Nova Wealth Management Inc. now owns 428 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 227 shares during the period. 75.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wells Fargo & Company Trading Down 1.2%

NYSE:WFC opened at $93.16 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $292.44 billion, a PE ratio of 15.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $88.47 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $83.46. Wells Fargo & Company has a 12 month low of $58.42 and a 12 month high of $95.85.

Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.11 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.51% and a net margin of 17.18%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.42 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th were paid a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is 29.61%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on WFC shares. Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Dbs Bank raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a hold (c) rating to a buy (b) rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $92.04.

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Wells Fargo & Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, U.S.-based financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, the firm has evolved from its origins in express delivery and pioneer-era banking into one of the largest full-service banks in the United States. The company provides a broad range of financial products and services to individual, small business, commercial, and institutional clients. Charles W. Scharf serves as chief executive officer.

Wells Fargo operates across several core business segments, including consumer banking and lending, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management.

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Hennessy Advisors Inc. reduced its stake in Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH  Free Report) by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 87,500 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,900 shares during the quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc.s holdings in Cardinal Health were worth $13,734,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Cardinal Health by 75.0% during the second quarter. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 175 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC grew its holdings in Cardinal Health by 55.0% in the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 200 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC increased its position in Cardinal Health by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 214 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the period. AlphaCore Capital LLC bought a new position in Cardinal Health during the 2nd quarter worth $41,000. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Cardinal Health during the second quarter worth $47,000. 87.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Cardinal Health Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CAH opened at $205.62 on Thursday. Cardinal Health, Inc. has a 1 year low of $117.53 and a 1 year high of $214.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.63. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $199.18 and its 200 day simple moving average is $171.16.

Cardinal Health Dividend Announcement

Cardinal Health ( NYSE:CAH Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $2.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.22 by $0.33. Cardinal Health had a negative return on equity of 84.37% and a net margin of 0.68%.The firm had revenue of $64.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $59.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.88 EPS. The companys revenue was up 22.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Cardinal Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.650-9.850 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Cardinal Health, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.5107 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. Cardinal Healths dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.77%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Cardinal Health from $185.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Barclays began coverage on shares of Cardinal Health in a research report on Monday, December 8th. They set an overweight rating and a $243.00 target price on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Cardinal Health from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $220.00 price target on Cardinal Health and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Cardinal Health from $185.00 to $221.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $209.00.

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Cardinal Health Company Profile

(Free Report)

Cardinal Health is a multinational healthcare services and products company headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. Tracing its roots to the early 1970s, the company has grown into a major provider of supply chain and distribution services for the healthcare sector. Cardinal Health operates across a range of service lines that support hospitals, health systems, pharmacies, physician offices and clinical laboratories.

The companys core activities include the wholesale distribution of branded and generic pharmaceuticals, the supply and distribution of medical-surgical products, and the provision of logistics and inventory management solutions.

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Hennessy Advisors Inc. reduced its holdings in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) by 13.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 99,487 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 14,900 shares during the quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc.s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $12,312,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 35.4% during the 3rd quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 2,797 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $346,000 after acquiring an additional 731 shares during the last quarter. Mallini Complete Financial Planning LLC purchased a new stake in Duke Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $207,000. Merit Financial Group LLC increased its position in Duke Energy by 1.7% during the third quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 51,661 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $6,393,000 after purchasing an additional 860 shares during the last quarter. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Duke Energy by 2.8% during the third quarter. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 17,795 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,202,000 after purchasing an additional 477 shares during the period. Finally, Meridian Financial Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Duke Energy by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Meridian Financial Partners LLC now owns 13,829 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,732,000 after buying an additional 164 shares during the period. 65.31% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Duke Energy from $136.00 to $126.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of Duke Energy in a research report on Monday, October 6th. They set an outperform rating and a $143.00 target price for the company. Cowen assumed coverage on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of Duke Energy to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, BTIG Research raised shares of Duke Energy to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $136.50.

Duke Energy Stock Down 0.3%

NYSE DUK opened at $117.27 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. Duke Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $105.20 and a fifty-two week high of $130.03. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $120.75 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $121.26. The stock has a market cap of $91.20 billion, a PE ratio of 18.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.49.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.81 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $8.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.51 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.76% and a return on equity of 9.98%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.62 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a dividend of $1.065 per share. This represents a $4.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. Duke Energys payout ratio is presently 66.98%.

Insider Activity at Duke Energy

In related news, EVP Robert Alexander Glenn sold 8,200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.80, for a total value of $1,015,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 11,367 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,407,234.60. This represents a 41.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock.

About Duke Energy

(Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation is a U.S.-based electric power holding company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The companys core business is the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Duke Energy operates a mix of regulated electric utilities and non-regulated energy businesses, providing essential energy infrastructure and services across multiple states.

Its operating activities include owning and operating generation assets across a portfolio that encompasses nuclear, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric and an expanding array of renewable resources, as well as battery storage and grid modernization projects.

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Hennessy Advisors Inc. decreased its position in Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI  Free Report) by 7.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 207,598 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 16,400 shares during the quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. owned approximately 0.08% of Old Republic International worth $8,817,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. 1 North Wealth Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Old Republic International in the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Quarry LP boosted its stake in Old Republic International by 6,645.5% during the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 742 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 731 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Old Republic International in the second quarter worth about $34,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Old Republic International during the second quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Old Republic International by 29.0% during the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 1,219 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 274 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.92% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently weighed in on ORI shares. Raymond James Financial upgraded Old Republic International from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $43.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on Old Republic International from $46.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (a) rating on shares of Old Republic International in a research note on Wednesday, December 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has given a Buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Strong Buy and an average target price of $49.00.

Old Republic International Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ORI opened at $45.62 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $11.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.26 and a beta of 0.77. Old Republic International Corporation has a twelve month low of $33.00 and a twelve month high of $46.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The company has a 50 day moving average of $43.77 and a 200 day moving average of $40.79.

Old Republic International (NYSE:ORI  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The insurance provider reported $0.78 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $2.42 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.28 billion. Old Republic International had a return on equity of 17.11% and a net margin of 9.53%. As a group, research analysts expect that Old Republic International Corporation will post 3.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Old Republic International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a special dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a $2.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. Old Republic Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.80%.

Insider Transactions at Old Republic International

In other Old Republic International news, SVP Carolyn Monroe sold 6,680 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.54, for a total transaction of $297,527.20. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 29,075 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,295,000.50. This represents a 18.68% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Therace Risch purchased 1,000 shares of Old Republic International stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The stock was bought at an average price of $39.14 per share, with a total value of $39,140.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 10,625 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $415,862.50. This trade represents a 10.39% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Old Republic International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Old Republic International Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the insurance underwriting and related services business primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through three segments: General Insurance, Title Insurance, and Republic Financial Indemnity Group Run-off Business. The General Insurance segment offers aviation, commercial auto, commercial multi-peril, commercial property, general liability, home and auto warranty, inland marine, travel accident, and workers' compensation insurance products; and financial indemnity products for specialty coverages, including errors and omissions, fidelity, directors and officers, and surety.

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Ocean Park Asset Management LLC lowered its stake in shares of SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:JNK  Free Report) by 53.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,090,524 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 2,429,091 shares during the period. SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF accounts for 8.4% of Ocean Park Asset Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest position. Ocean Park Asset Management LLC owned 2.48% of SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF worth $204,850,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in JNK. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 19.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,085,683 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,078,304,000 after acquiring an additional 1,842,852 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. increased its position in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 6.5% during the second quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 5,066,020 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $492,772,000 after purchasing an additional 309,551 shares during the last quarter. Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC raised its stake in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 9,700.8% during the second quarter. Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC now owns 2,657,493 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $258,494,000 after purchasing an additional 2,630,378 shares during the period. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp acquired a new position in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $118,767,000. Finally, Man Group plc grew its stake in shares of SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 24.6% in the 2nd quarter. Man Group plc now owns 1,111,502 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $108,116,000 after buying an additional 219,125 shares during the period. 87.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA JNK opened at $97.21 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $8.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.96 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $97.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of $97.09. SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF has a 1 year low of $90.40 and a 1 year high of $98.24.

SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF Profile

SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly SPDR Barclays Capital High Yield Bond ETF, seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of the Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index (the Index). The Index includes publicly issued United States dollar denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bonds that have a remaining maturity of at least one year, regardless of optionality, are rated high-yield using the middle rating of Moodys, S&P, and Fitch, respectively, and have $600 million or more of outstanding face value.

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Hahn Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Free Report) by 72.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 47,147 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after purchasing an additional 19,811 shares during the period. Becton, Dickinson and Company makes up 4.2% of Hahn Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th largest position. Hahn Capital Management LLCs holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $8,825,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of BDX. Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 474.1% in the second quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 155 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust increased its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 85.6% during the second quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 206 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC raised its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 79.5% in the 2nd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 219 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the period. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. boosted its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 68.1% during the 2nd quarter. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. now owns 227 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the period. 86.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Down 0.8%

BDX opened at $194.11 on Thursday. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 12 month low of $162.29 and a 12 month high of $251.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.30, a PEG ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $190.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $186.74.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

Becton, Dickinson and Company ( NYSE:BDX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $5.32 billion for the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 16.42% and a net margin of 7.68%. Sell-side analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 8th were paid a $1.05 dividend. This is an increase from Becton, Dickinson and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 8th. Becton, Dickinson and Companys payout ratio is presently 72.04%.

Insider Activity at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In other Becton, Dickinson and Company news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.58, for a total value of $38,317.86. Following the sale, the director directly owned 35,816 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,324,389.28. This represents a 0.60% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 629 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $196.03, for a total transaction of $123,302.87. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 13,105 shares in the company, valued at $2,568,973.15. The trade was a 4.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 1,052 shares of company stock valued at $201,235 in the last quarter. 0.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have issued reports on BDX. Argus boosted their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $220.00 to $230.00 in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $202.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $224.00 to $210.00 in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $215.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $205.64.

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Becton, Dickinson and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) is a global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells a broad range of medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. BDs products are used by healthcare institutions, clinical laboratories, life science researchers and the pharmaceutical industry to enable safe, effective delivery of care, specimen collection and diagnostic testing. The companys operations span multiple business areas focused on medical devices, life sciences research tools and interventional technologies.

BDs product portfolio includes single-use medical devices such as syringes, needles, needlesafety and injection systems, infusion therapy and medication management solutions, as well as vascular access, urology and oncology devices acquired through its interventional business.

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Monarch Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSEARCA:RSP  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 4,627 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $878,000.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of RSP. Nova Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF during the second quarter valued at about $25,000. Uniplan Investment Counsel Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Investment Counsel Co. of Nevada bought a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Tompkins Financial Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Howe & Rusling Inc. grew its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 190.8% during the first quarter. Howe & Rusling Inc. now owns 189 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. 61.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NYSEARCA RSP opened at $191.56 on Thursday. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF has a twelve month low of $150.35 and a twelve month high of $195.46. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $190.09 and its 200-day moving average price is $187.43. The company has a market capitalization of $74.10 billion, a PE ratio of 20.10 and a beta of 0.99.

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF Profile

Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, formerly Rydex S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, seeks to replicate as closely as possible, the daily performance of the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index (the Index). The Index is a capitalization-weighted index covering 500 industrial, utility, transportation and financial companies of the United States markets (mostly NYSE Euronext issues). The Index utilizes quarterly rebalancing to maintain its equal-weight stance. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 90% of its net assets, plus any borrowing for investment purposes, in the equity securities (and derivatives thereof) included in the Index.

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VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al lessened its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 66.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 42,000 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 84,600 shares during the period. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Als holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $14,503,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bayforest Capital Ltd increased its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 685.7% in the 1st quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 55 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Sagard Holdings Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Islay Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Nova Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 339.1% during the first quarter. Nova Wealth Management Inc. now owns 101 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNH has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group raised their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $378.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $350.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $267.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded UnitedHealth Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Seventeen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, UnitedHealth Group presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $385.54.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNH opened at $330.32 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $331.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $319.44. The company has a market cap of $299.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.24, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.43. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a twelve month low of $234.60 and a twelve month high of $606.36.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 analysts expectations of $113.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $7.15 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Groups revenue for the quarter was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 8th were given a dividend of $2.21 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 8th. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 46.14%.

About UnitedHealth Group

(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.

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Symbolically, Rafferty represents much more than simple prosperityit embodies the concept of flowing abundance and natural cycles of growth. The original meaning of 'flood tide' connects to the idea of natural rhythms and the certainty that abundance follows scarcity, making it a name that symbolizes hope and renewal. It represents someone who brings fullness and completion to any situation, much like the high tide fills the shoreline. The name carries connotations of sustainable successprosperity that benefits the community and creates lasting value rather than temporary gain.



Metaphorically, Rafferty suggests a person who navigates life's currents with skill and grace, understanding that both high and low tides are natural and necessary. It symbolizes resilience in the face of challenges and the wisdom to recognize that difficult periods often precede times of great abundance. The name also carries the symbolic weight of Irish cultural endurance, representing how traditions and identities can adapt and flourish even through periods of change and challenge. In essence, Rafferty symbolizes holistic prosperitysuccess that encompasses material wealth, rich relationships, personal fulfillment, and positive community impact.
Japan Tob (OTCMKTS:JAPAY  Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $18.57, but opened at $18.12. Japan Tob shares last traded at $18.47, with a volume of 4,471 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

JAPAY has been the subject of several recent research reports. Zacks Research raised shares of Japan Tob from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Barclays reissued an underweight rating and issued a $17.00 target price on shares of Japan Tob in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Japan Tob has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $17.00.

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Japan Tob Price Performance

Japan Tob Company Profile

The stock has a market cap of $63.74 billion, a PE ratio of 19.73 and a beta of 0.34. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $18.12 and its 200-day simple moving average is $16.46. The company has a quick ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

(Get Free Report)

Japan Tobacco Inc (OTC: JAPAY) is a Tokyo-based multinational company primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of tobacco products. The companys core activities include the development, production and distribution of cigarettes and other nicotine-delivery products for domestic and international markets. Japan Tobacco also pursues business activities beyond tobacco, including pharmaceutical and processed?food operations through subsidiary units and strategic investments.

In its tobacco operations the company serves both the Japanese market and a broad international footprint through its global operating arm, Japan Tobacco International (JTI).

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Zealand Pharma A/S (OTCMKTS:ZLDPF  Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $77.00, but opened at $73.10. Zealand Pharma A/S shares last traded at $74.00, with a volume of 2,240 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of Zealand Pharma A/S in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. BTIG Research upgraded Zealand Pharma A/S to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Zealand Pharma A/S from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Zealand Pharma A/S presently has an average rating of Strong Buy.

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View Our Latest Report on ZLDPF

Zealand Pharma A/S Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $5.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.24 and a beta of 0.72. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $76.71 and its 200-day moving average price is $68.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 14.10 and a current ratio of 14.10.

Zealand Pharma A/S (OTCMKTS:ZLDPF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported ($0.90) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($1.11) by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $7.76 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.54 million. Zealand Pharma A/S had a return on equity of 55.76% and a net margin of 71.79%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Zealand Pharma A/S will post -2.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Zealand Pharma A/S

(Get Free Report)

Zealand Pharma A/S is a Denmark?based biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery, design and development of peptide?based therapeutics. Utilizing proprietary peptide engineering platforms, the company focuses on metabolic and endocrine disorders, including diabetes and rare gastrointestinal diseases. Zealand employs a rational design approach to optimize stability, selectivity and dosing profiles of its candidates, aiming to improve patient outcomes where current treatment options are limited.

Among the most advanced assets in Zealands pipeline is dasiglucagon, a stable glucagon analog designed for the emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia.

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Mather Group LLC. grew its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA  Free Report) by 176.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 44,852 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 28,628 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $4,188,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Pineridge Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Addison Advisors LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 56.6% during the second quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 379 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 137 shares during the period. Angeles Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF in the second quarter valued at $39,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF in the second quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF in the second quarter worth about $49,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.80% of the companys stock.

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iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Down 0.4%

EFA stock opened at $96.03 on Thursday. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a 52-week low of $72.14 and a 52-week high of $97.42. The firm has a market cap of $69.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.84. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $95.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $92.49.

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance. The Index includes stocks from Europe, Australasia and the Far East. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index.

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Mather Group LLC. increased its stake in Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL  Free Report) by 8.4% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 498,526 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 38,817 shares during the quarter. Mather Group LLC.s holdings in Hormel Foods were worth $12,334,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new stake in shares of Hormel Foods during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Cromwell Holdings LLC lifted its stake in Hormel Foods by 162.7% in the 2nd quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 1,001 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 620 shares in the last quarter. Caldwell Trust Co acquired a new stake in Hormel Foods in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in Hormel Foods in the 1st quarter worth about $41,000. Finally, Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Hormel Foods by 1,490.7% during the second quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,543 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 1,446 shares during the last quarter. 40.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Hormel Foods Stock Performance

NYSE:HRL opened at $23.69 on Thursday. The companys 50-day moving average is $23.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $25.90. Hormel Foods Corporation has a 1-year low of $21.03 and a 1-year high of $32.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 2.47 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.23, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.33.

Hormel Foods Increases Dividend

Hormel Foods ( NYSE:HRL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.30 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $3.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.24 billion. Hormel Foods had a net margin of 3.95% and a return on equity of 9.41%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.42 EPS. Hormel Foods has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.430-1.51 EPS. Analysts forecast that Hormel Foods Corporation will post 1.65 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.2925 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 12th. This represents a $1.17 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.9%. This is a boost from Hormel Foodss previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Hormel Foodss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 133.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on HRL. Zacks Research raised Hormel Foods from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Hormel Foods in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Hormel Foods from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Barclays set a $30.00 price objective on shares of Hormel Foods and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating and issued a $26.00 target price (up from $25.00) on shares of Hormel Foods in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $28.29.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods Company Profile

(Free Report)

Hormel Foods Corporation is a global branded foods company primarily engaged in the production, marketing and distribution of value-added, high-quality meat and food products. The companys portfolio spans a range of categories including refrigerated and frozen meats, pantry staples, specialty foods and shelf-stable items. Through manufacturing facilities located across North America and international markets, Hormel Foods supplies retail grocers, foodservice operators, convenience stores and e-commerce platforms.

Among its best-known brands, Hormel Foods produces SPAM canned meats, Jennie-O turkey products, Skippy peanut butter and Applegate natural and organic meats.

Further Reading

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Moody Aldrich Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG  Free Report) by 84.5% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 120,862 shares of the shipping companys stock after purchasing an additional 55,360 shares during the quarter. Scorpio Tankers accounts for about 1.3% of Moody Aldrich Partners LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. Moody Aldrich Partners LLCs holdings in Scorpio Tankers were worth $6,774,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of STNG. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Scorpio Tankers during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,890,000. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Scorpio Tankers by 91.9% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 642,673 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $25,148,000 after purchasing an additional 307,815 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in Scorpio Tankers by 598.3% during the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 357,120 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $13,974,000 after buying an additional 305,978 shares in the last quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. acquired a new position in Scorpio Tankers in the second quarter worth approximately $10,845,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in Scorpio Tankers by 9.4% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,778,606 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $69,597,000 after buying an additional 153,475 shares during the last quarter. 54.64% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on STNG shares. Zacks Research lowered Scorpio Tankers from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Evercore ISI set a $80.00 target price on Scorpio Tankers and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a research note on Monday. B. Riley restated a buy rating and set a $80.00 price objective (up previously from $75.00) on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $70.00 target price on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a report on Thursday, October 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $69.20.

Scorpio Tankers Stock Performance

Shares of STNG stock opened at $50.78 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $2.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.59 and a beta of -0.30. Scorpio Tankers Inc. has a 1-year low of $30.63 and a 1-year high of $65.52. The company has a current ratio of 4.81, a quick ratio of 4.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $57.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is $52.24.

Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The shipping company reported $1.49 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $232.92 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $228.09 million. Scorpio Tankers had a return on equity of 7.42% and a net margin of 32.01%.The businesss quarterly revenue was down 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.75 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Scorpio Tankers Inc. will post 5.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Scorpio Tankers Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were paid a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. This is a boost from Scorpio Tankerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Scorpio Tankerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.43%.

Scorpio Tankers Profile

(Free Report)

Scorpio Tankers Inc (NYSE: STNG) is an independent provider of marine transportation services, specializing in the carriage of refined petroleum products. The companys core operations focus on moving clean petroleum cargoessuch as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and naphthaon a global scale. By catering to both spot and time charter markets, Scorpio Tankers enables energy companies, refiners and traders to manage their supply chains with flexibility and reliability.

The companys fleet is composed of modern, eco-designed product tankers, including medium range (MR) and long range (LR) vessels.

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Massachusetts Wealth Management raised its stake in Kontoor Brands, Inc. (NYSE:KTB  Free Report) by 592.2% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 27,410 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 23,450 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Wealth Managements holdings in Kontoor Brands were worth $2,186,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of KTB. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Kontoor Brands by 73.0% during the 3rd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 308 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new stake in Kontoor Brands during the second quarter worth $26,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Kontoor Brands during the second quarter worth $35,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Kontoor Brands by 118.6% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,469 shares of the companys stock valued at $97,000 after purchasing an additional 797 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Kontoor Brands by 240.8% in the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,745 shares of the companys stock valued at $112,000 after buying an additional 1,233 shares in the last quarter. 93.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Kontoor Brands from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Kontoor Brands in a research report on Monday. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Kontoor Brands from $91.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. BNP Paribas set a $50.00 price objective on shares of Kontoor Brands in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Kontoor Brands from $73.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $90.25.

Kontoor Brands Price Performance

Kontoor Brands stock opened at $61.01 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.72 and a beta of 1.18. Kontoor Brands, Inc. has a 12-month low of $50.00 and a 12-month high of $96.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The firms 50-day moving average is $71.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $72.25.

Kontoor Brands (NYSE:KTB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $853.22 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $879.10 million. Kontoor Brands had a net margin of 7.68% and a return on equity of 63.21%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 27.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.37 earnings per share. Kontoor Brands has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.500-5.500 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.640-1.640 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Kontoor Brands, Inc. will post 4.82 earnings per share for the current year.

Kontoor Brands Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Investors of record on Monday, December 8th were issued a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 8th. This is a positive change from Kontoor Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.5%. Kontoor Brandss payout ratio is presently 54.64%.

About Kontoor Brands

(Free Report)

Kontoor Brands, Inc is a global apparel company best known for its Wrangler and Lee denim and lifestyle brands. Established as an independent, publicly traded company in May 2019 following a spin-off from VF Corporation, Kontoor leverages a legacy that dates back to 1889 with the founding of Lee and to 1947 with the introduction of the Wrangler brand. The company focuses on designing, manufacturing and distributing premium, casual and workwear apparel, including jeans, pants, shorts, shirts, jackets and complementary accessories.

Kontoor Brands operates a diversified sales model that combines wholesale partnerships with leading retailers, distribution through e-commerce channels and select direct-to-consumer formats.

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Kansas City Life Insurance Co. (OTCMKTS:KCLI  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 166 shares, an increase of 35.0% from the November 30th total of 123 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,857 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,857 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short.

Kansas City Life Insurance Stock Performance

Shares of Kansas City Life Insurance stock opened at $32.10 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $31.68 and a 200 day moving average of $32.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $310.73 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.72 and a beta of 0.45. Kansas City Life Insurance has a fifty-two week low of $27.45 and a fifty-two week high of $36.67.

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Kansas City Life Insurance (OTCMKTS:KCLI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $123.78 million for the quarter. Kansas City Life Insurance had a negative return on equity of 0.01% and a negative net margin of 7.41%.

Kansas City Life Insurance Company Profile

Kansas City Life Insurance Company, trading under the symbol KCLI, is a publicly held life insurer founded in 1895 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. With more than a century of operations, the company has established itself as a provider of life insurance and retirement products across the United States.

The companys core offerings include individual life insurance policiesterm life, universal life and whole lifeas well as fixed annuities designed to help clients build and preserve wealth.

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Ninety One UK Ltd boosted its position in shares of Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA  Free Report) by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 564,768 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 49,571 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltd owned about 0.08% of Corteva worth $38,195,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Corteva by 307.2% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 15,588 shares of the companys stock worth $888,000 after acquiring an additional 11,760 shares in the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its position in Corteva by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 200,389 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,610,000 after purchasing an additional 659 shares during the last quarter. MAI Capital Management boosted its stake in Corteva by 5.7% in the first quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 14,660 shares of the companys stock worth $923,000 after purchasing an additional 794 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC grew its holdings in shares of Corteva by 42.2% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 5,009 shares of the companys stock worth $315,000 after purchasing an additional 1,486 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Corteva by 3.2% in the first quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 18,691 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,176,000 after buying an additional 578 shares in the last quarter. 81.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CTVA has been the topic of several research reports. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Corteva from $85.00 to $81.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley set a $84.00 target price on shares of Corteva in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Corteva from $85.00 to $78.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research cut shares of Corteva from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn decreased their price objective on Corteva from $71.00 to $65.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $78.21.

Corteva Stock Performance

CTVA stock opened at $67.08 on Thursday. Corteva, Inc. has a twelve month low of $53.40 and a twelve month high of $77.41. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The company has a market cap of $45.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.74. The businesss fifty day moving average is $65.37 and its 200-day moving average is $69.06.

Corteva (NYSE:CTVA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported ($0.23) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.49) by $0.26. Corteva had a return on equity of 9.37% and a net margin of 9.19%.The business had revenue of $2.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.47 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.49) earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Corteva, Inc. will post 2.96 EPS for the current year.

Corteva Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were issued a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Cortevas payout ratio is currently 30.77%.

Corteva Company Profile

(Free Report)

Corteva, Inc (NYSE: CTVA) is an independent global agriculture company that was established as a publicly traded firm in mid?2019 following the separation of the agriculture businesses from DowDuPont. The company focuses on delivering technologies and products that help farmers increase productivity and manage crop health. Cortevas operations combine seed genetics, crop protection chemistries, digital tools and biological solutions to address the full cycle of crop production.

Core business activities include research and development of seed genetics and trait technologies, formulation and sale of crop protection products (such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides), and the development of seed treatments and biologicals.

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National Australia Bank Limited (ASX:NABPJ  Get Free Report) declared a interim dividend on Thursday, January 1st, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 16th will be given a dividend of 1.127 per share on Monday, March 16th. This represents a dividend yield of 108.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 3rd. This is a 1.5% increase from National Australia Banks previous interim dividend of $1.11.

National Australia Bank Price Performance

About National Australia Bank

(Get Free Report)

National Australia Bank Limited provides financial services to individuals and businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. The company operates through Business and Private Banking; Personal Banking; Corporate and Institutional Banking; New Zealand Banking; and Corporate Functions and Other segments. It accepts transaction accounts, savings accounts, debit cards, and term deposits; and specialized accounts, such as foreign currency, business interest, cash maximiser, farm management, community free saver, statutory trust, and project bank accounts, as well as farm management deposits.

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Voya Investment Management LLC decreased its stake in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp (NYSE:MGY  Free Report) by 95.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 33,155 shares of the companys stock after selling 764,349 shares during the period. Voya Investment Management LLCs holdings in Magnolia Oil & Gas were worth $791,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. State of Wyoming lifted its position in Magnolia Oil & Gas by 8.2% during the 1st quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 5,777 shares of the companys stock worth $146,000 after acquiring an additional 440 shares during the last quarter. Vident Advisory LLC grew its position in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas by 11.1% in the first quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 27,844 shares of the companys stock valued at $703,000 after purchasing an additional 2,776 shares during the last quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas in the first quarter worth about $4,312,000. Perbak Capital Partners LLP bought a new position in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas in the first quarter worth about $283,000. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas by 24.9% during the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 13,897 shares of the companys stock worth $351,000 after purchasing an additional 2,771 shares during the last quarter. 94.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Magnolia Oil & Gas Trading Down 1.0%

Magnolia Oil & Gas stock opened at $21.86 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $22.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $23.31. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp has a 12 month low of $19.09 and a 12 month high of $26.84. The stock has a market cap of $4.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.93.

Magnolia Oil & Gas Dividend Announcement

Magnolia Oil & Gas ( NYSE:MGY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.41. The business had revenue of $324.94 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $322.52 million. Magnolia Oil & Gas had a return on equity of 18.10% and a net margin of 25.90%.Magnolia Oil & Gass quarterly revenue was down 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.52 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp will post 2.1 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th were issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. Magnolia Oil & Gass payout ratio is 33.52%.

Key Magnolia Oil & Gas News

Here are the key news stories impacting Magnolia Oil & Gas this week:

Positive Sentiment: Zacks nudged Q1 2027 EPS up to $0.51 from $0.50  a small upgrade that suggests a slightly better start to 2027 than previously modeled.

Zacks nudged Q1 2027 EPS up to $0.51 from $0.50  a small upgrade that suggests a slightly better start to 2027 than previously modeled. Neutral Sentiment: Zacks left the consensus full?year estimate unchanged at $2.10, so market consensus remains higher than Zacks revised internal outlook.

Zacks left the consensus full?year estimate unchanged at $2.10, so market consensus remains higher than Zacks revised internal outlook. Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut its FY2026 EPS forecast to $1.61 from $1.69, the largest downward revision in the note  this reduces medium?term earnings expectations and is the primary negative driver for sentiment.

Zacks cut its FY2026 EPS forecast to $1.61 from $1.69, the largest downward revision in the note  this reduces medium?term earnings expectations and is the primary negative driver for sentiment. Negative Sentiment: Multiple quarterly trims: Q2 2026 to $0.37 (from $0.39), Q3 2026 to $0.40 (from $0.43), Q4 2026 to $0.46 (from $0.47), Q3 2027 to $0.48 (from $0.49), and Q4 2025 to $0.36 (from $0.37)  these cumulative cuts point to slightly weaker near?term cash flow expectations.

Multiple quarterly trims: Q2 2026 to $0.37 (from $0.39), Q3 2026 to $0.40 (from $0.43), Q4 2026 to $0.46 (from $0.47), Q3 2027 to $0.48 (from $0.49), and Q4 2025 to $0.36 (from $0.37)  these cumulative cuts point to slightly weaker near?term cash flow expectations. Negative Sentiment: Zacks trimmed FY2025 and FY2027 estimates marginally (FY2025 to $1.75 from $1.76; FY2027 to $1.98 from $1.99), signaling a broadly cautious stance across multiple years rather than a single outlier quarter.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have issued reports on MGY. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on Magnolia Oil & Gas from $25.00 to $23.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Mizuho set a $29.00 price objective on Magnolia Oil & Gas in a research report on Friday, December 12th. KeyCorp set a $29.00 price objective on shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $26.50.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Magnolia Oil & Gas

Magnolia Oil & Gas Profile

(Free Report)

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp (NYSE: MGY) is an independent exploration and production company focused on the acquisition, development and optimization of onshore oil and gas assets in South Texas. Headquartered in Houston, the company concentrates its efforts on the Eagle Ford Shale, where it holds significant working interests in key producing counties.

The companys core operations center on horizontal drilling and multi-stage completions designed to extract light crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs).

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Individuals named Warenhari are typically characterized by strong protective instincts and a deep sense of responsibility toward others. They often display natural leadership qualities combined with strategic thinking, making them effective in crisis situations where quick decision-making is required. Their warrior spirit manifests not necessarily in aggression, but in steadfast determination and the ability to defend principles and people they care about. This makes them reliable friends and partners who others naturally turn to in times of need.



Psychologically, Warenhari personalities tend to be highly principled with a strong moral compass, often taking on roles as mediators or defenders of justice. They possess a unique blend of courage and compassion, understanding that true strength involves protecting the vulnerable. While they can be reserved in expressing emotions, their loyalty is unwavering once given. Modern bearers of this name often excel in professions requiring both strategic thinking and protective instincts, such as law enforcement, military service, or advocacy work, where their innate sense of duty aligns perfectly with professional requirements.
Voya Investment Management LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:FND  Free Report) by 57.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,685 shares of the companys stock after selling 13,133 shares during the period. Voya Investment Management LLCs holdings in Floor & Decor were worth $714,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in FND. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its stake in shares of Floor & Decor by 42.0% in the 1st quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 514 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming purchased a new position in Floor & Decor during the second quarter valued at $46,000. Steph & Co. bought a new stake in Floor & Decor during the third quarter valued at about $48,000. eCIO Inc. purchased a new stake in Floor & Decor in the first quarter worth about $62,000. Finally, WD Rutherford LLC purchased a new stake in Floor & Decor in the second quarter worth about $73,000.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Floor & Decor from a sell rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $80.00 to $71.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Floor & Decor in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Floor & Decor from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Sunday, November 9th. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on shares of Floor & Decor from $75.00 to $65.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Floor & Decor from $81.00 to $75.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $83.25.

Floor & Decor Stock Down 0.8%

NYSE FND opened at $60.88 on Thursday. Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. has a 12 month low of $55.11 and a 12 month high of $108.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The stock has a market cap of $6.56 billion, a PE ratio of 30.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 1.75. The stocks 50 day moving average is $62.78 and its 200 day moving average is $73.53.

Floor & Decor (NYSE:FND  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.47 by $0.06. Floor & Decor had a net margin of 4.65% and a return on equity of 9.34%. The business had revenue of $1.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.18 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.48 EPS. The companys revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. Floor & Decor has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.870-1.970 EPS. Research analysts predict that Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. will post 2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Floor & Decor

In other news, President Bradley Paulsen acquired 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $60.27 per share, for a total transaction of $301,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president directly owned 30,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,808,100. This trade represents a 20.00% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 2.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Floor & Decor Company Profile

(Free Report)

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Atlanta, Floor & Decor Holdings Inc is a specialty retailer focused on hard surface flooring and related accessories in the United States. The company serves both professional installers and do-it-yourself customers through a growing network of warehouse-format stores and a comprehensive e-commerce platform.

Floor & Decors product offering spans ceramic and porcelain tile, engineered and solid hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl plank and tile, natural stone and a full suite of installation materials such as grout, mortars and underlayment.

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Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBAPK  Get Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Thursday, January 1st, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Stockholders of record on Sunday, March 15th will be given a dividend of 1.115 per share on Sunday, March 15th. This represents a dividend yield of 107.0%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 4th. This is a 0.9% increase from Commonwealth Bank of Australias previous interim dividend of $1.11.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Stock Performance

About Commonwealth Bank of Australia

(Get Free Report)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia provides financial services in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking Services, Business Banking, Institutional Banking and Markets, and New Zealand segments. The company offers transaction, savings, and foreign currency accounts; term deposits; personal and business loans; overdrafts; equipment finance; credit cards; international payment and trade; and private banking services, as well as home and car loans. It also provides retail, premium, business, offshore, and institutional banking services; and funds management, superannuation, and share broking products and services, as well as car, health, life, income protection, and travel insurance.

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Voya Investment Management LLC reduced its position in shares of Cabot Corporation (NYSE:CBT  Free Report) by 61.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,786 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 15,932 shares during the period. Voya Investment Management LLCs holdings in Cabot were worth $744,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in Cabot by 1.7% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 10,551 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $791,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in Cabot by 95.5% during the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 387 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 189 shares in the last quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Cabot by 4.2% in the second quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,000 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $375,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Cabot by 12.3% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,909 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $143,000 after acquiring an additional 209 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake in Cabot by 52.4% in the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 730 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 251 shares in the last quarter. 93.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on CBT shares. UBS Group decreased their target price on Cabot from $82.00 to $65.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Cabot from $72.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Cabot from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Cabot in a report on Monday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Cabot from $75.00 to $54.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $66.33.

Cabot Price Performance

Cabot stock opened at $66.31 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.61. The company has a market cap of $3.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.03, a PEG ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.90. Cabot Corporation has a 1 year low of $58.33 and a 1 year high of $92.89. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $64.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $72.47.

Cabot (NYSE:CBT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $899.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $967.02 million. Cabot had a net margin of 8.91% and a return on equity of 24.55%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.80 EPS. Cabot has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.000-7.00 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Cabot Corporation will post 7.57 earnings per share for the current year.

Cabot Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th were issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. Cabots dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.95%.

Cabot Profile

(Free Report)

Cabot Corporation is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1882 by Godfrey Lowell Cabot, the company has grown into a diversified manufacturer with operations across North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Cabot serves a wide range of end markets, including automotive, industrial, energy, and consumer products, supplying essential ingredients that enhance performance, durability and functionality.

The company operates two primary segments: Reinforcement Materials and Performance Materials.

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Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 10.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 62,158 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after buying an additional 5,957 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLCs holdings in TJX Companies were worth $8,984,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of TJX. High Note Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 12.1% during the third quarter. High Note Wealth LLC now owns 667 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $96,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. grew its holdings in shares of TJX Companies by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 3,271 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $472,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Webster Bank N. A. grew its holdings in shares of TJX Companies by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Webster Bank N. A. now owns 4,574 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $661,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in TJX Companies by 12.1% in the third quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 676 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $98,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ignite Planners LLC lifted its stake in TJX Companies by 3.8% in the second quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 2,130 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $260,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock.

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TJX Companies Price Performance

TJX stock opened at $153.63 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $149.86 and a 200 day moving average of $139.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The company has a market cap of $170.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.91, a PEG ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.76. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $112.10 and a 1 year high of $157.82.

TJX Companies Announces Dividend

TJX Companies ( NYSE:TJX Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 firm had revenue of $15.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.80 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.14 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. 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. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be given a dividend of $0.425 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 12th. This represents a $1.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 37.53%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 24,363 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owned 510,780 shares of the companys stock, valued at $77,286,121.80. This trade represents a 4.55% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 22,212 shares in the company, valued at $3,362,896.80. The trade was a 2.20% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 54,863 shares of company stock worth $8,226,366. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

TJX has been the topic of several analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on TJX Companies from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Barclays set a $172.00 price target on TJX Companies and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on TJX Companies from $163.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Guggenheim raised TJX Companies to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $162.00 target price (up from $159.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-three have given a Buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $161.50.

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TJX Companies Company Profile

(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.

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Ninety One UK Ltd increased its position in Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Free Report) (TSE:AEM) by 386.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 188,189 shares of the mining companys stock after purchasing an additional 149,506 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltds holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines were worth $31,703,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $133,000. Delta Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $277,000. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 3,709 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $625,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 8.3% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 533,000 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $90,057,000 after acquiring an additional 40,936 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 25.5% during the third quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 2,576 shares of the mining companys stock worth $434,000 after purchasing an additional 524 shares during the last quarter. 68.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Agnico Eagle Mines Trading Down 1.3%

Shares of NYSE:AEM opened at $169.55 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $85.07 billion, a PE ratio of 24.75, a P/E/G ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.64. The companys 50-day moving average price is $167.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $150.39. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a fifty-two week low of $77.14 and a fifty-two week high of $187.50. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Agnico Eagle Mines ( NYSE:AEM Get Free Report ) (TSE:AEM) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The mining company reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.40. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 32.62% and a return on equity of 15.64%. The firm had revenue of $3.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.93 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.14 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 4.63 earnings per share for the current year.

AEM has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, November 30th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $189.00 price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Sunday, December 7th. CIBC boosted their price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $165.00 to $231.00 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Scotiabank reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $209.00 to $226.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Agnico Eagle Mines presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $201.60.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Agnico Eagle Mines

Agnico Eagle Mines Profile

(Free Report)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) is a Canadian-based senior gold producer headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. The company is principally engaged in the exploration, development, production and reclamation of gold-bearing properties. Agnico Eagle pursues both greenfield and brownfield exploration to expand its resource base and operates a portfolio of producing mines and development projects to generate long-life gold production.

Its core business activities span the full mining lifecycle: grassroots and advanced-stage exploration, prefeasibility and feasibility studies, mine construction, underground and open-pit mining, ore processing and metal recovery, and post-mining reclamation and closure.

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Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CX  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 8,054,129 shares, a decrease of 25.0% from the November 30th total of 10,744,515 shares. Approximately 0.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 7,151,048 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 7,151,048 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days. Approximately 0.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on CX. Citigroup downgraded Cemex from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price target for the company from $9.00 to $10.00 in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Cemex from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Cemex in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Cemex from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Scotiabank downgraded shares of Cemex from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $11.10 price objective for the company. in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Cemex has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $10.14.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on CX

Cemex Price Performance

Shares of Cemex stock opened at $11.49 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.91. Cemex has a 52-week low of $4.89 and a 52-week high of $12.03. The company has a fifty day moving average of $10.72 and a 200-day moving average of $9.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.61.

Cemex (NYSE:CX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The construction company reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.15. Cemex had a net margin of 8.62% and a return on equity of 6.85%. The business had revenue of $4.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $226.73 million. Equities research analysts expect that Cemex will post 0.69 EPS for the current year.

Cemex Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were given a dividend of $0.0224 per share. This represents a $0.09 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. Cemexs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.68%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. WealthCollab LLC raised its holdings in Cemex by 73.7% during the 2nd quarter. WealthCollab LLC now owns 3,724 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 1,580 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its stake in shares of Cemex by 256.7% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 4,298 shares of the construction companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 3,093 shares during the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. increased its holdings in Cemex by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 3,488 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,744 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in Cemex by 63.7% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 5,210 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 2,027 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Reyes Financial Architecture Inc. purchased a new stake in Cemex in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. 82.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Cemex Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Cemex (NYSE: CX) is a global building materials company headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico. The company produces, distributes and sells cement, ready-mix concrete and aggregates, as well as related building materials, to construction markets in more than 50 countries. Cemexs product portfolio also includes asphalt and mortar mixes, waste-derived fuels and other complementary construction solutions, supported by a network of production facilities, distribution centers and logistics operations.

Founded in 1906 as Cementos Hidalgo, the company adopted the Cemex name in 1976 following a series of domestic mergers and expansions.

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Ninety One UK Ltd grew its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 2.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,211,514 shares of the credit services providers stock after purchasing an additional 34,053 shares during the quarter. Mastercard comprises approximately 1.5% of Ninety One UK Ltds portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Ninety One UK Ltd owned approximately 0.13% of Mastercard worth $689,121,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. LGT Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Flaharty Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the second quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Robbins Farley increased its position in Mastercard by 50.0% during the third quarter. Robbins Farley now owns 54 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Mastercard Stock Performance

NYSE:MA opened at $570.96 on Thursday. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $465.59 and a fifty-two week high of $601.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $555.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $565.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $512.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.51, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.87.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. Mastercard had a return on equity of 202.03% and a net margin of 45.28%.The company had revenue of $8.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.53 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.89 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Investors of record on Friday, January 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. This is a positive change from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 9th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Mastercards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 19.44%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI set a $610.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, December 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $713.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Friday, October 31st. UBS Group raised their target price on Mastercard from $690.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Mastercard currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $657.48.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on MA

About Mastercard

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments.

Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners.

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XML Financial LLC decreased its stake in shares of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC  Free Report) by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 235,138 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 9,137 shares during the quarter. Bank of America accounts for about 1.0% of XML Financial LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest position. XML Financial LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $12,131,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in BAC. Permanent Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Bank of America during the third quarter valued at approximately $649,000. Boston Common Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Bank of America by 10.5% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Common Asset Management LLC now owns 259,680 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $12,288,000 after buying an additional 24,740 shares during the period. Disciplined Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Bank of America during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $217,000. Sunbeam Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Bank of America by 7.3% in the 2nd quarter. Sunbeam Capital Management LLC now owns 6,476 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $306,000 after buying an additional 439 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CCG Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Bank of America in the second quarter valued at $287,000. Institutional investors own 70.71% of the companys stock.

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Bank of America Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of BAC opened at $54.98 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $53.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $50.48. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $401.49 billion, a PE ratio of 14.98 and a beta of 1.30. Bank of America Corporation has a 12-month low of $33.06 and a 12-month high of $56.54.

Bank of America Dividend Announcement

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $5.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $27.05 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 15.70% and a return on equity of 10.76%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.81 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th were given a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Bank of Americas payout ratio is presently 30.52%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Barclays lifted their price objective on Bank of America from $54.00 to $59.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Bank of America from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Wolfe Research raised their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Argus boosted their target price on Bank of America from $53.00 to $58.00 in a report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Bank of America from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday. Twenty-three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Bank of America presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $58.59.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BAC

Bank of America Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.

Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.

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Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 2,012,433 shares, a drop of 24.7% from the November 30th total of 2,672,976 shares. Approximately 0.4% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,819,937 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 1,819,937 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days. Approximately 0.4% of the companys stock are sold short.

Diageo Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of DEO opened at $86.29 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. Diageo has a one year low of $85.11 and a one year high of $127.33. The companys fifty day moving average price is $90.59 and its 200 day moving average price is $98.72.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Barclays reissued an overweight rating on shares of Diageo in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Diageo from $117.00 to $109.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 26th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Diageo from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. UBS Group restated a neutral rating on shares of Diageo in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of Diageo in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $120.67.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Diageo

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in DEO. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new position in Diageo in the 4th quarter worth approximately $202,000. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Diageo in the first quarter worth $1,060,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its position in Diageo by 11.0% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 3,378 shares of the companys stock worth $354,000 after acquiring an additional 336 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in Diageo by 1,544.5% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 396,676 shares of the companys stock worth $41,568,000 after acquiring an additional 372,555 shares during the period. Finally, Vident Advisory LLC raised its stake in Diageo by 39.9% during the 1st quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 4,210 shares of the companys stock valued at $441,000 after purchasing an additional 1,200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.97% of the companys stock.

Diageo Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Diageo plc is a global producer, marketer and distributor of alcoholic beverages, headquartered in London, England. The company was created through the 1997 merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan plc and is publicly traded on multiple exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange. Diageo operates a worldwide business, selling products in a broad range of markets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Diageos core activities cover the production, marketing and sale of a diverse portfolio of spirits, beer and liqueurs.

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American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO  Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 16,663,626 shares, a decline of 24.3% from the November 30th total of 21,999,157 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 13,513,105 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.2 days. Approximately 10.8% of the companys shares are short sold. Approximately 10.8% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 13,513,105 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.2 days.

American Eagle Outfitters Trading Down 1.2%

AEO opened at $26.36 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $4.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.72 and a beta of 1.44. American Eagle Outfitters has a 52 week low of $9.27 and a 52 week high of $28.15. The businesss 50 day moving average is $21.23 and its two-hundred day moving average is $16.21. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13.

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American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 2nd. The apparel retailer reported $0.53 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $1.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.32 billion. American Eagle Outfitters had a return on equity of 13.82% and a net margin of 3.90%.The companys revenue was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.48 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that American Eagle Outfitters will post 1.7 EPS for the current year.

American Eagle Outfitters Dividend Announcement

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, January 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.125 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 9th. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. American Eagle Outfitterss dividend payout ratio is currently 43.10%.

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on AEO. Wall Street Zen raised shares of American Eagle Outfitters from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, September 13th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $22.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Cowen reissued a hold rating on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on American Eagle Outfitters in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. They set a neutral rating and a $25.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, BTIG Research began coverage on American Eagle Outfitters in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $21.45.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on American Eagle Outfitters

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other American Eagle Outfitters news, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 2,945 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.95, for a total transaction of $49,917.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Jennifer M. Foyle sold 243,047 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.30, for a total transaction of $5,906,042.10. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 191,751 shares in the company, valued at $4,659,549.30. This trade represents a 55.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 8.70% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AEO. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. raised its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 41.7% during the 2nd quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 2,307,326 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $22,196,000 after acquiring an additional 678,536 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd grew its stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 59.6% in the 2nd quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 108,644 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $1,045,000 after purchasing an additional 40,563 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 170.8% in the second quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 41,165 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $396,000 after purchasing an additional 25,962 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP raised its stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 212.2% during the second quarter. Caxton Associates LLP now owns 230,312 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $2,216,000 after purchasing an additional 156,544 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moody National Bank Trust Division purchased a new stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters during the third quarter worth approximately $895,000. 97.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Eagle Outfitters Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc (NYSE: AEO) is a leading American specialty retailer offering apparel, accessories and personal care products for men and women. The companys flagship brand, American Eagle, focuses on casualwear including denim, tops, outerwear and accessories targeted primarily at teens and young adults. In addition to its core apparel lines, the company operates the Aerie brand of intimates, loungewear and swimwear, which has gained recognition for its body-positive marketing and inclusive sizing.

American Eagle Outfitters conducts business through a combination of over 900 brick-and-mortar stores in North America and Greater China, complemented by a growing e-commerce platform that serves customers around the globe.

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Ygraine is traditionally characterized by her exceptional beauty, noble bearing, and inner strengthqualities that made her the object of desire for both Duke Gorlois and King Uther Pendragon. Medieval texts portray her as a woman of virtue and loyalty, initially devoted to her husband Gorlois but later accepting her role as Arthur's mother with grace and dignity. She demonstrates remarkable resilience in navigating the magical deception that led to Arthur's conception and the political upheaval that followed her husband's death. Her character suggests a woman capable of profound emotional depth and maternal devotion, qualities that would influence her famous son's character.



Modern interpretations often expand upon these foundations, depicting Ygraine as possessing intelligence, political awareness, and a nuanced understanding of her circumstances. She is shown as a woman who, while caught in forces beyond her control, maintains her integrity and makes conscious choices within her limited agency. This evolution reflects contemporary interest in giving historical and legendary women more complex psychological profiles. Ygraine embodies the archetype of the noble mother whose personal life becomes inseparable from national destiny, requiring wisdom, compassion, and the strength to bear the weight of prophecy and power. Her personality represents the ideal of medieval queenshipbeauty coupled with wisdom, vulnerability balanced by fortitude.
Live Oak Bancshares (NYSE:LOB  Get Free Report) is one of 20 public companies in the State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Live Oak Bancshares to similar companies based on the strength of its earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability and risk.

Profitability

This table compares Live Oak Bancshares and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Live Oak Bancshares 6.94% 6.61% 0.51% Live Oak Bancshares Competitors 7.23% 6.94% 0.79%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Live Oak Bancshares and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Live Oak Bancshares $936.15 million $77.47 million 23.09 Live Oak Bancshares Competitors $826.72 million $104.06 million 37.36

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Live Oak Bancshares has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its rivals. Live Oak Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

64.0% of Live Oak Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.2% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are held by institutional investors. 23.4% of Live Oak Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Volatility and Risk

Live Oak Bancshares has a beta of 2.05, suggesting that its stock price is 105% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Live Oak Bancshares rivals have a beta of 1.03, suggesting that their average stock price is 3% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Live Oak Bancshares and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Live Oak Bancshares 0 2 0 1 2.67 Live Oak Bancshares Competitors 29 163 196 18 2.50

As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 7.95%. Given Live Oak Bancshares rivals higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Live Oak Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Dividends

Live Oak Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.12 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Live Oak Bancshares pays out 8.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, State Commercial Banks  Fed Reserve System companies pay a dividend yield of 2.3% and pay out 67.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Summary

Live Oak Bancshares rivals beat Live Oak Bancshares on 9 of the 15 factors compared.

About Live Oak Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Live Oak Banking Company that provides various commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, and professionals in North Carolina, the United States. The company accepts various deposit products, including noninterest-bearing demand, as well as interest-bearing checking, money market, savings, and time deposits. It also offers commercial and industrial loans; construction and development loans; owner occupied and non-owner occupied collateral commercial real estate loans; and commercial land loans. In addition, the company provides settlement, accounting, and securitization services for government guaranteed loans; wealth and investment management services to high-net-worth individuals and families; investment advisory services to a series of funds focused on providing venture capital to new and emerging financial technology companies; and an on-site restaurant location to company employees and business visitors. Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina.

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Yarbrough Capital LLC grew its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 31.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 17,970 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after buying an additional 4,313 shares during the quarter. Yarbrough Capital LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $5,019,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Powers Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the second quarter worth $240,000. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. increased its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 10.1% in the second quarter. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. now owns 236,503 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $53,566,000 after buying an additional 21,648 shares in the last quarter. RFG Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 66.1% during the 2nd quarter. RFG Holdings Inc. now owns 3,898 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $883,000 after buying an additional 1,551 shares during the last quarter. Duquesne Family Office LLC raised its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 456.9% during the 1st quarter. Duquesne Family Office LLC now owns 598,780 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $99,397,000 after buying an additional 491,265 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cherokee Insurance Co purchased a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,248,000. 16.51% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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More Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing News

Here are the key news stories impacting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing this week:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on TSM. Itau BBA Securities started coverage on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. They set an outperform rating for the company. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $360.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, December 14th. UBS Group set a $330.00 target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Sunday, December 7th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Friday, October 17th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $355.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Trading Up 1.4%

Shares of TSM opened at $303.77 on Thursday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a fifty-two week low of $134.25 and a fifty-two week high of $313.98. The company has a market capitalization of $1.57 trillion, a PE ratio of 31.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 1.31. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $292.79 and a two-hundred day moving average of $264.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 2.47 and a current ratio of 2.69.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 14th. The semiconductor company reported $14.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 34.34% and a net margin of 43.72%. As a group, analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a $0.9678 dividend. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $3.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.85%.

About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

(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.

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Brenntag AG (OTCMKTS:BNTGY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 70,635 shares, a decline of 23.6% from the November 30th total of 92,453 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 129,339 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.5 days. Based on an average trading volume of 129,339 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.5 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Brenntag Stock Performance

BNTGY stock opened at $11.58 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.09 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $11.31 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $12.08. Brenntag has a one year low of $10.52 and a one year high of $14.82.

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Brenntag (OTCMKTS:BNTGY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by ($0.01). Brenntag had a net margin of 2.66% and a return on equity of 9.14%. The company had revenue of $4.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. Research analysts forecast that Brenntag will post 0.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have issued reports on BNTGY. UBS Group cut Brenntag from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Zacks Research upgraded Brenntag from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of Brenntag in a report on Monday, October 20th. They issued a neutral rating and a $12.80 price objective on the stock. Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of Brenntag in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Brenntag in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Brenntag presently has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $12.80.

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Brenntag Company Profile

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Brenntag SE, trading on OTCMKTS as BNTGY, is a global market leader in the distribution of chemicals and ingredients. With headquarters in Essen, Germany, the company serves a wide range of industries including coatings and construction, cleaning and water treatment, food and nutrition, pharmaceuticals and personal care, as well as oil and gas. Brenntag operates through two core segmentsEssentials and Specialtiesoffering both standard commodity chemicals and tailored specialty solutions to customers around the world.

Its product portfolio encompasses inorganic and organic chemicals, polymers, petrochemicals and specialty ingredients.

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East Africa Metals Inc. (CVE:EAM  Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 10% on Tuesday . The company traded as low as C$0.09 and last traded at C$0.09. 147,250 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 94% from the average session volume of 75,733 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.10.

East Africa Metals Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.03, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a current ratio of 1.05. The businesss 50-day moving average is C$0.11 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.12. The company has a market capitalization of C$25.55 million, a PE ratio of -9.50 and a beta of 0.79.

About East Africa Metals

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East Africa Metals Inc, a mineral exploration company, focuses on the identification, acquisition, exploration, development, and sale of base and precious mineral resource properties in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the United Republic of Tanzania. The company primarily explores for gold, copper, silver, and zinc deposits. Its principal assets and interests include a 70% interest in the Harvest property, as well as 100% interest in the Adyabo project that comprises two exploration licenses covering 195 square kilometers situated in the Arabian Nubian Shield in northern Ethiopia; and an interest in the Handeni property comprising two mining licenses covering 9.9 square kilometers, and contiguous mineral tenures totaling approximately 83.5 square kilometers located in northeastern Tanzania.

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Greenfire Resources Ltd. (NYSE:GFR  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 696,463 shares, an increase of 36.3% from the November 30th total of 511,101 shares. Approximately 1.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 220,385 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.2 days. Based on an average trading volume of 220,385 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.2 days. Approximately 1.3% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Greenfire Resources Price Performance

Shares of NYSE GFR traded up $0.04 on Thursday, hitting $4.79. The companys stock had a trading volume of 214,666 shares, compared to its average volume of 198,014. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 2.27 and a quick ratio of 2.05. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $4.78 and a 200-day moving average of $4.72. Greenfire Resources has a 12-month low of $3.81 and a 12-month high of $7.38. The company has a market capitalization of $332.76 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.55 and a beta of 0.29.

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Institutional Trading of Greenfire Resources

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Greenfire Resources during the 1st quarter worth $297,000. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in Greenfire Resources in the second quarter valued at $1,702,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Greenfire Resources in the first quarter valued at $2,370,000. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in Greenfire Resources by 18.6% during the first quarter. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,803,504 shares of the companys stock worth $28,197,000 after buying an additional 754,571 shares during the period. Finally, Louisbourg Investments Inc. boosted its stake in Greenfire Resources by 29.9% in the 2nd quarter. Louisbourg Investments Inc. now owns 483,379 shares of the companys stock worth $2,147,000 after buying an additional 111,400 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.89% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Greenfire Resources to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Greenfire Resources in a research note on Monday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut Greenfire Resources from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, September 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Reduce.

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Greenfire Resources Company Profile

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Greenfire Resources Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, exploration, and operation of oil and gas properties in the Athabasca oil sands region of Alberta. The company operates the Tier-1 oil sands assets located in Western Canada. It utilizes steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) extraction technology, a situ thermal oil recovery process to recover diluted and non- diluted bitumen. The company is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Shares of First National Bank Alaska (OTCMKTS:FBAK  Get Free Report) rose 5.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $306.99 and last traded at $306.99. Approximately 779 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 118% from the average daily volume of 358 shares. The stock had previously closed at $292.00.

First National Bank Alaska Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of $286.43 and a 200 day moving average of $273.52. The firm has a market cap of $951 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.27 and a beta of 0.17.

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First National Bank Alaska (OTCMKTS:FBAK  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The financial services provider reported $6.75 EPS for the quarter. First National Bank Alaska had a net margin of 29.11% and a return on equity of 14.98%. The company had revenue of $56.17 million for the quarter.

First National Bank Alaska Announces Dividend

About First National Bank Alaska

The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were issued a dividend of $4.00 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This represents a yield of 561.0%. First National Bank Alaskas dividend payout ratio is currently 65.47%.

(Get Free Report)

First National Bank Alaska is a community?oriented financial institution headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska. Established in 1922, the bank has grown to serve individuals, businesses and institutions across Alaska through a network of branch offices and digital channels. As an OTC?traded company, it offers broad commercial and consumer banking services tailored to the unique economic and geographic needs of the state.

The banks consumer banking operations include checking and savings accounts, personal loans, mortgages and online banking solutions.

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A number of research firms have changed their ratings and price targets for Taylor Morrison Home (NYSE: TMHC):

12/29/2025  Taylor Morrison Home had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/23/2025  Taylor Morrison Home was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a strong sell rating to a hold rating.

12/22/2025  Taylor Morrison Home had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/15/2025  Taylor Morrison Home had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/8/2025  Taylor Morrison Home had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/8/2025  Taylor Morrison Home had its overweight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Barclays PLC. They now have a $71.00 price target on the stock.

12/1/2025  Taylor Morrison Home was upgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating.

11/25/2025  Taylor Morrison Home had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/19/2025  Taylor Morrison Home had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/13/2025  Taylor Morrison Home was downgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating.

Taylor Morrison Home Corporation (NYSE:TMHC) is a leading national homebuilder and developer specializing in the design, construction and sale of single-family detached and attached homes. The companys portfolio spans entry-level, first-time, move-up and active-adult segments, offering buyers a diverse array of architectural styles, floor plans and personalized design options. Through its vertically integrated model, Taylor Morrison manages land acquisition, community development, construction and sales to deliver quality homes and customer-focused experiences across its markets.

The companys heritage traces back to Morrison Homes, founded in 1977, and Taylor Woodrow, established in 1921 in the United Kingdom.

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Sibanye Gold Limited (NYSE:SBSW  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 14,768,712 shares, a growth of 25.5% from the November 30th total of 11,763,256 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 5,030,997 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.9 days. Based on an average daily volume of 5,030,997 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.9 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Sibanye Gold from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Sibanye Gold in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Sibanye Gold to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Sibanye Gold has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $6.90.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Sibanye Gold

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Sibanye Gold Price Performance

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MAI Capital Management increased its position in Sibanye Gold by 87.8% during the third quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 2,500 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 1,169 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of Sibanye Gold by 112.2% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 4,213 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 2,228 shares during the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp purchased a new position in shares of Sibanye Gold during the third quarter worth approximately $34,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in shares of Sibanye Gold during the second quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Sibanye Gold by 116.8% in the 3rd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,298 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 1,777 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 34.93% of the companys stock.

NYSE SBSW traded down $0.36 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $14.24. The company had a trading volume of 5,622,761 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,402,702. The business has a 50 day moving average of $12.36 and a 200-day moving average of $10.16. Sibanye Gold has a 1-year low of $3.05 and a 1-year high of $15.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 2.89.

Sibanye Gold Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sibanye Gold (NYSE:SBSW) is a precious metals mining company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The companys core operations focus on the extraction, processing and exploration of gold. Through its South African gold mining operations, Sibanye Gold produces dore bars, gold in concentrate and carbon-in-leach product, leveraging both underground and surface mining techniques. The company also generates by-products such as uranium, copper and nickel, reflecting its commitment to maximizing resource recovery.

In addition to its South African footprint, Sibanye Gold has expanded into the platinum?group metals (PGM) sector through its acquisition of Stillwater Mining Company in 2017.

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Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 9,263,893 shares, an increase of 24.0% from the November 30th total of 7,470,008 shares. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 2,435,535 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.8 days. Based on an average daily volume of 2,435,535 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.8 days. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Price Performance

Shares of NYSE DB traded down $0.24 during trading on Thursday, hitting $38.57. 811,091 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,094,745. The company has a market cap of $76.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.23, a PEG ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 0.95. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft has a 1 year low of $16.97 and a 1 year high of $39.78. The firms fifty day moving average price is $36.58 and its 200 day moving average price is $34.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.78.

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Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The bank reported $0.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $9.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.75 billion. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft had a net margin of 7.99% and a return on equity of 5.97%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft will post 2.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Amundi boosted its position in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 22.0% during the third quarter. Amundi now owns 49,597,003 shares of the banks stock worth $1,732,919,000 after purchasing an additional 8,932,484 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 26,432,006 shares of the banks stock worth $935,957,000 after buying an additional 960,605 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in the 2nd quarter worth about $719,395,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale grew its stake in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 14.0% in the 2nd quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 18,047,605 shares of the banks stock valued at $530,500,000 after acquiring an additional 2,219,444 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Entrust Global Partners L L C purchased a new position in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft during the 1st quarter valued at about $365,750,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 27.90% of the companys stock.

DB has been the subject of several recent research reports. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays raised Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, December 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a research report on Monday, November 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft has an average rating of Hold.

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Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Company Profile

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Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany. Founded in 1870 to support German foreign trade, the firm has grown into a full-service bank offering a wide range of banking, advisory and transaction services to corporate, institutional, and private clients. Over its history the bank has expanded internationally and developed capabilities across capital markets, investment banking, retail and commercial banking, and wealth management.

The banks core business activities include corporate and investment bankingcovering financing, advisory, sales and trading, and capital markets servicesalong with private & commercial banking for individual and small-to-medium enterprise clients.

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Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF (NYSEARCA:SOFR  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 52,305 shares, a growth of 24.4% from the November 30th total of 42,048 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 4,683 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 11.2 days. Approximately 1.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Approximately 1.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 4,683 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 11.2 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $468,000. Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF by 205.3% during the third quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 8,404 shares of the companys stock valued at $842,000 after purchasing an additional 5,651 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Wealth Planning LLC increased its holdings in Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF by 9.1% during the third quarter. Capital Wealth Planning LLC now owns 1,924,542 shares of the companys stock valued at $192,772,000 after buying an additional 160,185 shares during the period.

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Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF Trading Up 0.0%

Shares of SOFR stock traded up $0.01 on Thursday, reaching $100.19. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,212 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,619. Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF has a 1 year low of $100.03 and a 1 year high of $100.89. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $100.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is $100.33.

About Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF

The Amplify Samsung SOFR ETF (SOFR) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is actively managed, focusing mainly on repurchase agreements (repo) with the intent to mirror the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. The fund seeks to generate higher monthly income over cash portfolios while limiting yield curve exposure. SOFR was launched on Nov 15, 2023 and is issued by Amplify Investments.

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Jtc Plc (OTCMKTS:JTCPF  Get Free Report) rose 0.6% on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$17.15 and last traded at C$17.15. Approximately 437 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 94% from the average daily volume of 7,135 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$17.05.

JTC Price Performance

The company has a fifty day moving average of C$17.12 and a 200 day moving average of C$15.00.

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About JTC

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JTC (OTCMKTS:JTCPF) is an international provider of fund, corporate and private client services, offering a full suite of administration, fiduciary and trust solutions. The company specializes in fund administration, corporate and governance services, private client and family office support, capital markets structuring and exchange administration. Its service offerings are designed to meet the regulatory, operational and reporting needs of asset managers, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals.

Founded in Jersey in 1987, JTC has expanded its footprint to include offices across the Channel Islands, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

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Banco Bradesco SA (NYSE:BBDO  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 142,158 shares, a growth of 31.6% from the November 30th total of 108,043 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 57,681 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days. Based on an average daily volume of 57,681 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days. Currently, 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short.

Banco Bradesco Stock Down 1.4%

BBDO traded down $0.04 on Thursday, hitting $2.87. The company had a trading volume of 11,117 shares, compared to its average volume of 46,265. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.20 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $3.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $2.80. Banco Bradesco has a 12-month low of $1.74 and a 12-month high of $3.31.

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Banco Bradesco Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 6th will be paid a $0.0031 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 6th. Banco Bradescos dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 5.71%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Banco Bradesco in a research report on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Banco Bradesco

Institutional Trading of Banco Bradesco

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ritholtz Wealth Management purchased a new position in Banco Bradesco during the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Banco Bradesco by 5,542.4% in the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 11,172 shares of the banks stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 10,974 shares during the last quarter. Compound Planning Inc. acquired a new stake in Banco Bradesco in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Aprio Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Banco Bradesco during the 1st quarter worth approximately $43,000. Finally, Savant Capital LLC acquired a new position in Banco Bradesco during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $51,000.

About Banco Bradesco

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Banco Bradesco SA is a major Brazilian commercial bank and financial services company headquartered in Osasco, Sao Paulo. Founded in 1943 by Amador Aguiar, Bradesco has grown into one of Brazils largest private-sector banks, serving individual, small-business and corporate clients through an extensive network of branches, correspondents and digital channels.

The banks operations span retail and commercial banking products including deposit accounts, payment services, lending (personal, mortgage and corporate), credit cards and cash management.

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Probe Gold Inc. (TSE:PRB  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 0.3% on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$3.67 and last traded at C$3.66. 555,099 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 71% from the average session volume of 324,020 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$3.65.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on PRB. BMO Capital Markets lowered Probe Gold from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Canaccord Genuity Group cut shares of Probe Gold from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Probe Gold Stock Performance

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of C$3.53 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$2.89. The firm has a market cap of C$748.68 million, a P/E ratio of -30.58 and a beta of 1.15.

Probe Gold (TSE:PRB  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The company reported C($0.03) earnings per share for the quarter.

About Probe Gold

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Probe Gold Inc is a leading Canadian gold exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of highly prospective gold properties. The Company is well-funded and dedicated to exploring and developing high-quality gold projects. Notably, it owns 100% of its flagship asset, the multimillion-ounce Novador Gold Project in Quebec, as well as an early-stage Detour Gold Quebec project. Probe controls a large land package of approximately 1,798-square-kilometres of exploration ground within some of the most prolific gold belts in Quebec.

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Shares of America Movil, S.A.B. de C.V. Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:AMX  Get Free Report) passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $20.28 and traded as high as $20.97. America Movil shares last traded at $20.8670, with a volume of 1,182,048 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on AMX. Citigroup downgraded shares of America Movil from a buy rating to a neutral rating and boosted their target price for the company from $20.00 to $22.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 10th. Bank of America began coverage on shares of America Movil in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. They issued a neutral rating and a $26.00 price objective for the company. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of America Movil from $17.10 to $19.50 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $24.30 price target on America Movil and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on America Movil from $21.10 to $23.60 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $22.34.

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America Movil Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $62.32 billion, a PE ratio of 16.81 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $22.16 and a 200-day simple moving average of $20.28.

America Movil (NYSE:AMX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $12.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $235.15 billion. America Movil had a return on equity of 16.59% and a net margin of 7.87%. Equities analysts predict that America Movil, S.A.B. de C.V. Unsponsored ADR will post 1.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

America Movil Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a special dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th were issued a $0.2811 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. America Movils dividend payout ratio is currently 45.53%.

Institutional Trading of America Movil

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of America Movil by 8.8% during the third quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 17,703,513 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $371,774,000 after purchasing an additional 1,430,626 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners lifted its holdings in America Movil by 9.2% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 4,508,739 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $94,684,000 after buying an additional 381,472 shares in the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. boosted its position in America Movil by 359.4% in the 3rd quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 4,323,080 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $90,785,000 after buying an additional 3,382,107 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in America Movil by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,143,980 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $87,023,000 after buying an additional 118,668 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brandes Investment Partners LP grew its stake in shares of America Movil by 2.5% during the second quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 3,047,720 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $54,676,000 after acquiring an additional 74,068 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 6.30% of the companys stock.

America Movil Company Profile

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America Movil is a Mexican telecommunications company headquartered in Mexico City that provides a broad range of communications services. Established in the early 2000s out of the expansion of the Slim familys telecommunications holdings, the company is a major provider of mobile and fixed-line telephony, broadband internet and pay-television services in the region. Its operations span retail consumer services as well as wholesale and enterprise solutions, positioning it as an integrated communications provider across multiple customer segments.

The company markets services under several regional brandsmost notably Telcel in Mexico and Claro across many Latin American marketsand offers both prepaid and postpaid mobile plans, fixed and mobile broadband, fiber-to-the-home where available, and video/broadcast distribution services.

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Shares of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (NYSE:BLX  Get Free Report) crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $44.17 and traded as high as $44.61. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior shares last traded at $44.35, with a volume of 118,643 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently commented on BLX. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (a-) rating on shares of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior in a research note on Monday. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Strong Buy.

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Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior Stock Up 0.7%

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.44 and a beta of 0.84. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $44.43 and a 200-day moving average price of $44.18.

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior (NYSE:BLX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The bank reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $82.78 million during the quarter. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior had a return on equity of 15.42% and a net margin of 26.58%. On average, equities analysts expect that Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. will post 4.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 25th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th were given a dividend of $0.625 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $2.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.6%. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exteriors dividend payout ratio is 41.60%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BLX. LSV Asset Management lifted its holdings in shares of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 1,213,835 shares of the banks stock valued at $48,918,000 after buying an additional 28,375 shares during the period. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. increased its position in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior by 4.8% during the third quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 122,864 shares of the banks stock valued at $5,648,000 after acquiring an additional 5,600 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its holdings in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior by 11.5% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 46,968 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,893,000 after acquiring an additional 4,843 shares during the period. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior by 12.0% in the third quarter. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. now owns 39,988 shares of the banks stock worth $1,838,000 after purchasing an additional 4,270 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EMC Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior during the 2nd quarter valued at about $273,000. Institutional investors own 19.47% of the companys stock.

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior Company Profile

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Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior SA, commonly known as BLADEx and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BLX, is a multilateral financial institution dedicated to promoting foreign trade and regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Panama City, the bank provides specialized trade finance solutions to corporate clients and financial institutions, helping to facilitate cross-border transactions across key markets in the region. Its services encompass import and export financing, supply chain solutions, project and structured finance, as well as treasury and risk management products.

Established in 1977 by a consortium of 20 Latin American and Caribbean governments in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), BLADEx has a mandate to support economic development through trade facilitation.

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iShares Government Money Market ETF (NYSEARCA:GMMF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 22,239 shares, a decrease of 21.8% from the November 30th total of 28,448 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 13,530 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.6 days. Approximately 2.8% of the companys stock are short sold. Approximately 2.8% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 13,530 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.6 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in iShares Government Money Market ETF stock. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares Government Money Market ETF (NYSEARCA:GMMF  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund purchased 7,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $714,000. iShares Government Money Market ETF comprises about 1.4% of Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest position. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. owned about 0.92% of iShares Government Money Market ETF at the end of the most recent quarter.

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iShares Government Money Market ETF Stock Up 0.0%

GMMF stock traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $100.22. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,085 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,229. The companys fifty day moving average price is $100.34 and its 200 day moving average price is $100.34. iShares Government Money Market ETF has a twelve month low of $99.59 and a twelve month high of $100.58.

iShares Government Money Market ETF Company Profile

The iShares Government Money Market ETF (GMMF) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is an actively managed fund which invests in US government money market instruments with short-term maturities. The fund seeks current income. GMMF was launched on Feb 4, 2025 and is issued by BlackRock.

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iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:ISCB  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 5,426 shares, a drop of 18.5% from the November 30th total of 6,657 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,027 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,027 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days. Currently, 0.1% of the companys stock are sold short.

iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of ISCB stock traded down $0.60 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $65.01. 3,285 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,416. iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF has a 52 week low of $46.59 and a 52 week high of $67.44. The business has a 50 day moving average of $64.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $62.43. The company has a market capitalization of $256.79 million, a PE ratio of 37.36 and a beta of 1.12.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ISCB. Comerica Bank lifted its stake in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF by 30.3% in the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 929 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF by 49.1% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 9,375 shares of the companys stock valued at $508,000 after buying an additional 3,088 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its stake in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF by 169.3% in the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 4,801 shares of the companys stock valued at $260,000 after buying an additional 3,018 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $613,000. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF by 280.3% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,677 shares of the companys stock worth $98,000 after acquiring an additional 1,236 shares during the period. 0.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF Company Profile

The iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar US Small Cap Extended index, a market-cap-weighted index of US small-cap stocks ISCB was launched on Jun 28, 2004 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Shares of Hill & Smith PLC (LON:HILS  Get Free Report) passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 2,065.22 and traded as high as GBX 2,190. Hill & Smith shares last traded at GBX 2,160, with a volume of 47,721 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

HILS has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 2,530 target price on shares of Hill & Smith in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 2,650 price objective on shares of Hill & Smith in a report on Monday, September 8th. Finally, Shore Capital reissued a hold rating on shares of Hill & Smith in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 2,601.67.

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Hill & Smith Stock Down 0.9%

About Hill & Smith

The firm has a market cap of 1.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.53 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 2.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 34.30. The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 2,177.47 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 2,065.74.

(Get Free Report)

Our purpose is to create sustainable infrastructure and safe transport through innovation.

Hill & Smith PLC is an international group with leading positions in the supply of infrastructure products and galvanizing services to global markets. Through a focus on leading positions in niche markets we aim to consistently deliver strong returns and shareholder value.

Supplying to, and located in, global markets the Group serves customers from facilities in Australia, India, Sweden, the UK and the USA, building a presence in international markets, where countries are upgrading or improving their infrastructure as their economies grow.

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Shares of WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (NYSEARCA:DXJ  Get Free Report) crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $139.09 and traded as high as $145.00. WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund shares last traded at $144.26, with a volume of 241,696 shares trading hands.

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund Price Performance

The firms fifty day moving average is $139.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $128.67. The firm has a market cap of $4.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.88 and a beta of 0.41.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Allworth Financial LP increased its position in WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund by 16.2% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 725 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $93,000 after buying an additional 101 shares during the period. Western Wealth Management LLC raised its position in WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund by 2.0% in the third quarter. Western Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,395 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $691,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. RFG Advisory LLC lifted its stake in WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund by 2.1% during the third quarter. RFG Advisory LLC now owns 5,234 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $670,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the period. Formidable Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund by 4.3% during the third quarter. Formidable Asset Management LLC now owns 2,749 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $352,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arkadios Wealth Advisors boosted its stake in shares of WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 2,203 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $252,000 after purchasing an additional 123 shares in the last quarter.

About WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that closely correspond to the price and yield performance of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index (the Index). The Index is designed to provide exposure to Japanese equity markets while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the Japanese Yen movements relative to the United States dollar. In this sense, the Index hedges against fluctuations in the relative value of the yen against the United States dollar.

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The Central Rural Work Conference took place in Beijing from December 29 to 30. It reviewed the current situation and challenges in agriculture, rural areas and farmers' work, while setting priorities for China's agricultural development in 2026. Wang Mengjie reports.

Modernizing agriculture and rural areas, boosting grain production and raising farmers' incomes were top priorities at this year's meeting, aimed at advancing China's comprehensive rural revitalization.

The conference emphasized that modernizing agriculture and rural areas is key to China's overall progress and the quality of its modernization.

Grain production remains a major focus, with efforts next year aimed at stabilizing output of grain and oil products to strengthen China's agricultural capacity.

China marked another bumper harvest in 2025, with grain output topping 714 million tons, according to National Bureau of Statistics data, driven by increases in planting area and yield per unit.

The conference also called for stronger agricultural policies to benefit farmers, improve rural living standards, consolidate gains in poverty alleviation and improve governance and social civility in rural areas.

DONG QIANG Professor, College of Humanities and Development Studies, China Agricultural University "In order to promote modernization of agriculture and rural areas, emphasis should be put on enhancing production output and capacity, improving production and ecology and increasing both production and income."

The conference emphasized the need for technological breakthroughs and the application of scientific advances to safeguard China's food security.

With over 128 million hectares of farmland, advancing rural revitalization is no small task  but technology can make a difference.

Emerging tools such as gene editing and artificial intelligence are developing rapidly, with science and technology now contributing more than 63 percent to the agricultural sector, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

DONG QIANG Professor, College of Humanities and Development Studies, China Agricultural University "Scientific and technological achievements should not be confined to journals or research departments  they should be truly applied in the field to benefit farmers. I believe China's transformation of agricultural science and technology achievements has been significantly upgraded."

WANG MENGJIE Beijing "The year 2026 marks the starting point for China's next five-year plan. Strengthening agriculture will be a key priority. Experts say the meeting has set a clear tone for steadily implementing tasks in agricultural sector, laying the groundwork for continued advance of Chinese modernization. Wang Mengjie, CGTN, Beijing."

CGTN Dec. 30th, 2025




An Irish lotto winner could miss out on their 500,000 winnings as the deadline to claim the prize approaches.

The prize was won in the Daily Million 2pm draw on Sunday, October 12, but is still yet to be claimed.

The winning numbers were 9, 16, 24, 29, 32, 38, and the bonus number was 5.

The winning ticket was purchased at Ardara Filling Station, Portnoo Road, Ardara, Co. Donegal on Friday, October 10.

All lotto ticket holders have 90 days from the date of the draw to claim their prize, which means the winner has until close of business on Saturday, January 10.

READ NEXT: Ryanair warns Irish passengers of 'significant delays' out of popular Spanish airports

National Lottery spokesperson Darragh ODwyer has urged all Daily Million Plus players in Donegal to check their tickets from early October.

He stated: We are hoping to hear from a Daily Million Plus player in Ardara who won 500,000 in the 2pm draw on Sunday, 12th October.

Were encouraging everyone in the area to check their tickets from early October carefully as you could be holding an amazing prize!

If youre holding the winning ticket, sign the back of it and keep it somewhere safe.

Contact the National Lottery prize claims team as soon as possible on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie.

Arrangements will be made for you to collect your prize at Lottery HQ.
Roderic OGorman is aiming to rebuild the Green Party from a near wipeout within a single Dail term, with the next big test of that goal coming in this years by-elections.

In an interview with the Press Association, Mr OGorman assessed the performance of the Government without the Greens, warned the Justice Minister not to fool himself, and set benchmarks for rebuilding his party.

He is now more than one year on from the disastrous November 2024 general election which saw the party crash from record high Dail representation to a single seat  his own.

Mr OGorman is not alone in the Oireachtas, with former minister of state Malcolm Noonan elected to the Seanad in early 2025.

The near wipeout was reminiscent of 2011, when the Greens lost all their Dail seats in the election after being in government during the financial crash  before climbing to a high of 12 seats in 2020.

Mr OGorman has experience in the rebuilding process, having been party chairman for almost all of the time between those elections.

He has set out a challenging objective for the party, saying: It took us two terms of the Dail to rebuild between 2011 and 2020  I want to do that in one.

Mr OGorman says the partys recent election performance is completely different to 2011, stating that palpable fury voters had against the post-crash government was not what was being experienced on the doorsteps last year.

He said: There was recognition for some of the big set pieces that wed achieved during our time in government  but were all worried about number ones.

And I think that very much showed on the day.

We were behind the Soc Dems, behind Labour in most constituencies. We were never going to pass them out and our transfers helped elect TDs from those two parties.

Mr OGorman added: Were in an absolute rebuild phase  and weve done this before so we know what its about.

But were in such a stronger position than we were in 2011  weve got a voice in the Dail and the Seanad, weve got some state funding.

But I think whats actually the biggest difference is weve got 23 really strong councillors.

In a tongue-in-cheek comment after the general election, Mr OGorman said he told his former government colleagues that he would be a bollocks in opposition.

Asked to assess how the new coalition  which features his old partners of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail  is doing, he said the Government has fulfilled all his predictions around being scared of tackling issues, retreating from social policy and watering down climate action.

Mr OGorman accused his old colleagues of celebrating the deprioritisation of public transport and highlighted the postponement of shovel-ready projects such as the Finglas Luas and Dart+ South West.

He said he is also trying to spotlight a rolling back of the ban on fracked gas and concerns over emission reductions, adding: I am worried that the Government will have moved us from moving towards success to moving back on to the direction of failure again.

And its very deliberate. Its very targeted. They know what theyre doing and and it seems that they are unbothered by the consequence.

Amid a shake-up of portfolios, Mr OGormans old responsibility for international protection accommodation as Minister of Integration has been moved under Jim OCallaghans remit at the Department of Justice.

Mr OCallaghan has introduced a range of stricter measures around international protection since taking office which he said will reduce the number of applications.

However, the Green Party leader has warned him to be careful not to believe his own spin as he said the current Government actually caught a break on international protection numbers.

Numbers decreased by about a third every month from October of 2024 to just before the general election  and I am worried that Jim OCallaghan is starting to believe his own spin that his measures caused that reduction. They didnt.

Mr OGorman said the Government should be focusing on reforms on the processing side of things because a future surge will happen due to some unforeseen international crisis.

He said: Well experience it less than other countries but we will experience it, and now is the time to reform the accommodation side  to do what I wasnt able to do because the numbers were so significant.

Move us away from the reliance on the private sector thats so expensive and where we dont have control over where theyre located and the actual quality  and move us to that state model.

Mr OGorman added: This opportunity, this slight lull that hes experiencing now could disappear very quickly.

Mr OCallaghan has said the number of international protection applicants coming into Ireland is too high.

Mr OGorman said he recognises there is a challenge, but said that language incorrectly suggests how much control a politician has  adding that Ireland is at the mercy of international events.

He said: Minister OCallaghan feels he needs to talk a big game  and theres internal Fianna Fail politics going on there  but just dont fool yourself.

Mr OGorman is now focused on leading the Greens through the partys new strategic plan for internal reorganisation, addressing fundraising, improving communications and refocusing electoral efforts.

He said: All the elements of the strategic plan are going well  and I suppose what we have to do now is demonstrate that in an electoral context.

The party is running former councillor Niall Murphy in Galway West and Mr OGorman expects either councillors Janet Horner or Feljin Jose to be selected in Dublin Central.

Asked what success looks like in the elections, he said: The first test is raising the vote on where it was in the general election in both constituencies.

Niall has been very clear he wants to run for re-election to the council in 2029 so I think its demonstrating real strength within his local area.

Mr OGorman added: In Dublin Central, who knows what could happen on a good day for the party?
Concern has been voiced about the number of road deaths recorded in Ireland in 2025.

Gardai recorded 179 fatal collisions across the year, resulting in 190 fatalities on Irish public roads and in public places, which include car parks and non-public roads.

A report by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) Ireland found that 185 people lost their lives in 174 fatal collisions on public roads during 2025, an 8% increase from 171 deaths in 157 fatal collisions in 2024.

Most of those killed (76) were drivers, 41 were pedestrians, 30 were motorcyclists, 21 were passengers, 14 were pedal cyclists and three were e-scooter users.

The RSA report highlighted a rise in deaths among drivers, as well as among vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, pedal cyclists and motorcyclists.

The number of cyclists killed in 2025 was the highest since 2017, while the number of motorcyclist fatalities was the highest recorded since 2007.

In contrast, fatalities among passengers decreased compared to 2024.

Overall, around three-quarters of those killed were male, with one-quarter female.

February and June saw the fewest number of fatalities (11 in each month), while November and December saw the highest number of fatalities, with 21 fatalities and 24 fatalities respectively.

The average number of deaths per month in 2025 was 15, compared with 14 per month in 2024.

Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Sean Canney described an incredibly difficult year on Irish roads.

Too many families have faced heartbreak, he said.

Too many communities have been left grieving. It is a stark reminder that road safety is not just a policy area or a set of statistics  this is about peoples lives, about loved ones, about futures changed in an instant.

My absolute priority as Minister for Road Safety is to make Irish roads safer for everyone, and I will continue to work closely with all road safety stakeholders in the New Year to achieve this.

Sam Waide, chief executive of the RSA, voiced deep concern at the figures.

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the tragic loss of life on Irelands roads in 2025, he said.

We are deeply concerned by the increase in fatalities, particularly among our most vulnerable road users  cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists.

With sustained political commitment, a whole-of-government response and adequate resourcing and funding, I firmly believe we can reverse this tragic increase in road deaths.

Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne, An Garda Siochana, roads policing and community engagement, added: 2025 has been a devastating year for the families of the 190 persons who died on our roads.

Each of these deaths has had a profound impact on their loved ones, families, friends, colleagues and communities.

An Garda Siochana remains committed to improving road safety and minimising the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and will continue to do so in 2026, targeting those drivers with the most risky and dangerous driving behaviours.

We once again need to adjust attitudes to driver behaviour and make driving while under the influence of any intoxicant, inappropriate speed and driving while distracted unacceptable behaviours.
This year we've noticed more tragedy in the suburbs and the sticks . . . And so we ask . . .

IS ENDEMIC AMERICAN VIOLENCE TRENDING IN THE SUBURBS?!?

Sadly, there's always a demographic blame game when we talk about crime . . . However . . .

We'd like readers to consider the psychological and emotional state of our neighbors as everything about life in the U.S. has become more oppressive, divisive, contentious and complex . . . Even for those trying to hide from reality away from population centers.

Either way . . . Here are the deets of a recent report . . .

According to the Gardner Police Department, around 1:46 a.m. on Jan. 1, officers were called to the 16900 block of Walter Street on a reported disturbance. When they arrived, they found a victim who had been stabbed and later died of his injuries.



The victims identity has not been released.



GPD said that a suspect was taken into custody, and there is no threat to other Gardner residents.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. At the initiative Azerbaijans State Committee for Family, Women and Childrens Affairs, a festive celebration was organized at the Hold My Hand Social Rehabilitation Center for Children on the occasion of December 31  the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and New Year, Trend reports.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Arzu Aliyeva, Head of the Baku Media Center, attended the event.

The event fostered a vibrant holiday atmosphere, with Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden, entertaining the children, and creating joyful moments and a festive atmosphere.

Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva toured the facility to familiarize themselves with the social and psychological environment created for the children. They were briefed on the center's rehabilitation and development-oriented service models and received a comprehensive overview of its operations.

Bahar Muradova, Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Childrens Affairs, outlined the centers core activities. She emphasized that the Hold My Hand Social Rehabilitation Center provides a safe and nurturing environment for children in vulnerable circumstances, including those deprived of parental care. The centers primary focus is to facilitate their social adaptation and integration into society, with a strong focus on strengthening psychosocial well-being and equipping them for independent futures.

The event culminated in the distribution of holiday gifts and heartfelt wishes on the occasion of World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year.

Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva also viewed the car donated by AzerEnergy OJSC, a contribution tailored to the center's requirements. This new vehicle is expected to improve the efficiency of the centers outreach, facilitating smoother access to various social and developmental programs for the children.

The visit concluded with a discussion on strengthening the capabilities of such centers.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, President of the Republic of Cuba, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I cordially congratulate you and through you, your entire people on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Cuba - Liberation Day.

I believe that Azerbaijan-Cuba relations, built on good traditions, will continue to advance in a spirit of friendship and cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, in line with the interests of our peoples.

Availing myself of the opportunity, I extend my congratulations and best wishes to you on the occasion of the New Year of 2026, wishing you robust health, success in your endeavors, and everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Cuba," the letter reads.
Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan Abdelrahman Al-Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of the Sudan, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincerest congratulations and best wishes to you and your people on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of independence of the Republic of the Sudan.

I believe that we will continue to make joint efforts to develop relations and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Sudan in a spirit of friendship and in line with the interests of our peoples.

On such a remarkable day, I wish robust health, success in your endeavors, and your friendly people peace and prosperity," the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry expressed its condolences to Switzerland following the explosion at the Crans-Montana ski resort, Trend reports.

"We are deeply saddened by the news of the tragic fire in Crans-Montana, which claimed many lives and caused injuries.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Switzerland.

Our thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on its page on X.

The explosion occurred on the night of January 1, 2026, at the two-story Le Constellation bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort, located in the Alps. According to preliminary reports, approximately 40 people were killed and approximately 100 others were injured in the incident.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. Dividends paid by non-resident organizations to Azerbaijani residents will now be taxed at a rate of 5%, Trend reports.

The change is reflected in amendments to the Tax Code, approved by President Ilham Aliyev.

Previously, individuals who are residents of Azerbaijan were required to declare and pay tax on non-commercial income received abroad at a rate of 14%. Experts noted that the higher rate often encouraged the use of offshore or favorable tax jurisdictions, contributed to unreported income, and slowed the repatriation of funds to Azerbaijan, limiting capital inflows and investment potential.

Reducing the rate from 14 to 5% is expected to encourage voluntary declaration of foreign income, expand the tax base, and incentivize the return of financial assets and investments to the country. Despite the lower rate, authorities anticipate an increase in overall state budget revenues.

The previous 14% tax applied to annual non-commercial income, financial assistance, bonuses, pensions for non-employed individuals, fees paid to mediators, and income received by lawyers working for law firms under civil law contracts.

These amendments came into effect on January 1, 2026.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. The social services facility for Elderly People of the Social Services Agency operating under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population arranged a festive celebration on the occasion of December 31  the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year, Trend reports.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Arzu Aliyeva, Head of the Baku Media Center, attended the event.

Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva joined the residents around a festive table for heartfelt conversations. The elderly citizens expressed their deep appreciation for the consistent care provided to the elderly in Azerbaijan. They expressed particular gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, for the modern facilities and supportive environment established for their well-being.

The festive program also featured a vibrant artistic showcase, where the elderly citizens took center stage, sharing their talents by performing musical pieces, reciting poetry, and performing a short play for the guests.

Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva congratulated the elderly citizens on the New Year, wishing them the best of health.

During the visit, they also familiarized themselves with the conditions created for the elderly at the social service institution.

The event concluded with the distribution of holiday gifts to the residents of the facility.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 1. Turkmenistans law on the Unified State Register of Voters has officially entered into force starting January 1, 2026, Trend reports.

The law establishes the legal and organizational framework for creating and maintaining a nationwide digital register of citizens eligible to vote in elections and referendums.

The register will contain key voter information, including full name, date of birth, and electoral address, as well as other data strictly defined by law. The collection of information unrelated to voter registration purposes is explicitly prohibited.

Responsibility for maintaining the register rests with the Central Election Commission, while authorized bodies under local authorities will handle operations at the regional level. Citizens are entitled to apply for inclusion in the register or request updates to their personal data. Data from the unified register will be used to compile voter lists during elections.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 1. New U.S. visa regulations easing entry requirements for citizens of Turkmenistan have officially entered into force starting January 1, 2026, Trend reports.

Under the new rules, restrictions on the entry of Turkmen citizens to the United States under non-immigrant visas have been fully lifted. This applies to short-term travel visas for business and tourism (B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2), as well as visas for education (F, M) and exchange programs (J).

As a result, Turkmen citizens are now able to travel to the United States for business, tourism, study, and academic exchange without the previous limitations. At the same time, entry under immigrant visas, which grant permanent residence, remains temporarily restricted.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 1. Starting January 1, 2026, Uzbek citizens are allowed to invest in the United States without restrictions, Trend reports via the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.

The decision is stipulated in a decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which also provides for the establishment of the U.S.Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council as a platform to strengthen the strategic economic partnership between Uzbekistan and the United States.

The decree allows Uzbek citizens to finance foreign companies or U.S.-based branches within the limits of funds available in their accounts. The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has been instructed to amend the relevant legislation within one month to ensure the implementation of these provisions.

To enhance coordination of foreign policy and government initiatives, the decree also introduces, starting January 1, 2026, an additional position within the structure of Uzbekistans Embassy in the United States. The post of counselor-minister will serve as a representative of the presidential administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the United States.

The Counselor-Minister will be responsible for initiating and facilitating discussions on major and strategic investment and trade projects between Uzbekistan and the United States, as well as for coordinating the Councils activities on the Uzbek side.

The agreement to establish the Council was reached during President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs official visit to the United States on November 46, 2025, held on the sidelines of the C5+1 Summit. The Council will be co-chaired by the Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan and a U.S. presidential representative, appointed in coordination with the American side.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. Azerbaijan imported gold worth $5.04 billion from January through November 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to diversify the economy and exports, a source told Trend.

According to the source, non-oil and gas commodity exports experienced a year-on-year increase of 7.3%, reaching a total of $3.31 billion in the first eleven months of the year. This figure is projected to achieve a record high by the close of the year, marking the highest level of non-oil and gas exports in Azerbaijans history since its independence, as reported to Trend.

The source further clarified that gold imports are not indicative of actual consumption or economic activity and, as such, are excluded from analyses concerning import dynamics or demand-driven import trends within the domestic economy.

Excluding gold imports, Azerbaijan registered a positive foreign trade balance of $7.25 billion during the reporting period. Total imports, excluding gold, amounted to $16.1 billion, reflecting a modest increase of just 0.5% compared to the same period last year.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 1. In Kazakhstan, the new VAT rate of 16% has come into effect, increasing from 12%, Trend reports.

This change is reflected in the new Tax Code signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on July 18, 2025.

According to the presidential press service, a reduced VAT rate of 5% will apply to medicines and medical services from 2026, which will increase to 10% by 2027.

In addition, VAT exemptions will be granted for services related to guaranteed free medical care (GFMPC), mandatory social health insurance (OSMS), treatment of orphans and socially significant diseases as specified by the government, book publishing, and archaeological activities.

A 10% reduced VAT rate will apply to periodic print publications. The mandatory VAT registration threshold has also been lowered to 10,000 Monthly Calculation Indicators (MP) (approximately 40 million tenge, or around $79,737).

Further changes in the new tax code include the exemption of pension payments from the Unified National Pension Fund (ENPF) from individual income tax (IIT), a reduction in transport tax for vehicles over 10 years old, and an increase in the social tax deduction for individuals with disabilities, from 882 MPP to 5,000 MPP.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 1. Pension payments from Kazakhstan's Unified Accumulative Pension Fund are exempt from individual income tax (IIT) starting January 1, 2026, Trend reports.

This measure is part of the new Tax Code, which was approved by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on July 18, 2025.

According to the presidential press service, the transport tax for vehicles over 10 years old has been decreased, and the social tax deduction for individuals with disabilities has been increased from 882 Monthly Calculation Indicators (MP) to 5,000 MP.

The new tax code also consolidates the tax system by reducing the number of taxes. The unified land tax has been abolished, and several other taxes and charges have had their rates simplified.

Furthermore, special tax regimes have been streamlined into three categories: one for the self-employed, one for those using simplified declarations, and one for agricultural enterprises. Self-employed individuals will now be able to calculate and pay taxes via a mobile application.

Corporate income tax remains at 20%, but differentiated rates have been introduced for specific sectors: 25% for banks (excluding business lending) and gambling businesses, 5% for social organizations (increasing to 10% in 2027), and 3% for agricultural producers.

On April 24, 1995, Kazakhstan passed its first modern tax law, which included the introduction of individual income tax (IIT). The foundation of the post-Soviet tax system in the country was laid by this original law, which also comprised a value-added tax, excises, and corporate income taxes. For the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), this was the first uniform tax code, and it went into effect on July 1, 1995.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 1. The Registry of Goods Producers comes into effect in Kazakhstan starting January 1, 2026, Trend reports.

According to the Kazakh government, it provides domestic businesses with access to regulated procurements and targeted government support measures. Only companies included in the Registry are eligible for priority procurement participation and state support.

The main requirement for inclusion is verified production within Kazakhstan. Companies can register online via the platform e-ondiris.gov.kz by submitting a digitally signed application and undergoing verification and production assessment.

Some information is automatically retrieved from state databases, while missing documents are uploaded by applicants. The system performs digital verification based on production sites, equipment, permits, supply chains, e-invoices, and customs data.

For each of the 3,371 product groups in the foreign economic activity commodity nomenclature, the Registry sets requirements for technological operations and minimum localization levels. Companies included in the Registry are also subject to ongoing monitoring to maintain their status.
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Know about Holy Quran Zohran Mamdani used for swearing-in as NYC Mayor

In a historic first, Zohran Mamdani took oath as the New Mayor of The New York City using Quran  The Holy Book of Muslims

[Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as New York Attorney General Letitia James (L) and his wife Rama Duwaji look on in New York, on January 1, 2026. (Photo by AFP)]

New York: In a historic first, Zohran Mamdani took oath as the New Mayor of The New York City using Quran  The Holy Book of Muslims.

Zohran Mamdani, who goes by his full name Zohran Kwame Mamdani, is the son of Mahmood Mamdani, an Indian-Ugandan of Gujarat origin and postcolonial studies professor at Columbia University. Zohran's mother is National Award and Padma Bhushan-winning Indian filmmaker Mira Nair of Punjab descent.

Zohran Mamdani is the first Muslim and first Indian American to become the Mayor of United States largest city. Mamdani defeated Andrew Cuomo, a former Governor and billionaire in the high profile New York Mayor election.

Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo both are from the Democratic Party. Mamdani had defeated Cuomo in the New York Mayor Primary Elections. But, instead of supporting the party nominee, Cuomo contested against Mamdani as a rebel and independent candidate.

Mamdani won the election bagging more than 50% of the popular votes, and despite Cuomo pumping in a huge money and roping in U.S. President Donald Trump to campaign against the Democratic Party's official candidate.

Zohran Mamdani Swearing-in Ceremonies

Zohran Mamdani's term as New York Mayor begins from mid-night Thursday January 01, 2026. Mamdani took oath as the new Mayor of America's largest city in private as well as official ceremonies.

The private ceremony was held on Wednesday shortly before the start of New Years Day 2026 in the abandoned City Hall Subway Station under the Times Square, Lower Manhattan.

Zohran Mamdani's official swearing-in ceremony as NYC Mayor is scheduled to be held at New York City Hall Friday January 02, 2026.

Two Copies of Holy Quran

Zohran Mamdani used two copies of The Holy Quran for the private ceremony held at the decommissioned City Hall subway station beneath Lower Manhattan.

Mamdani, 34, placed his hand on two copies of Holy Quran, including a family heirloom that belonged to his grandfather and a centuries-old manuscript borrowed from the New York Public Librarys Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, marking a first for the nations largest city.

One copy of the Holy Quran used during the ceremony dates back to the late 18th or early 19th century and is part of the Schomburg Centers collection. It was acquired by Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, a Black Puerto Rican historian whose work documented the global contributions of people of African descent.

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Watch: Zohran Mamdani first to sworn-in as New York Mayor using Holy Quran#ZohranMamdani #Quran pic.twitter.com/YP4TfRjkbD  ummid.com (@ummid) January 1, 2026

Schomburg was born in Puerto Rico in the 1870s to parents of German and Afro-Caribbean descent. He later immigrated to New York and was a key player in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s  a period of intense cultural and intellectual flourishing within New Yorks Black community, according to Al Jazeera.

The second Quran copy belonged to Mamdanis grandfather and reflects his familys personal history. For a subsequent public swearing-in ceremony at City Hall later on New Years Day, Mamdani is expected to also use a Quran that belonged to his grandmother.

"A Greater Story of Inclusion"

The New York Public Library praised Mamdanis decision to use Schomburgs Quran because of its connection to one of New Yorks most groundbreaking scholars and for its simple, functional qualities.

The small size of the Quran copy, and its black and red ink suggest it was designed for everyday use, the library said. The edition is neither signed nor dated, but its minute naskh script and its binding, featuring a gilt-stamped medallion filled with a floral composition, suggest it was produced in Ottoman Syria in the 19th century, the library added.

The significance of this Quran extends far beyond the beauty of its pages, said Hiba Abid, curator of Middle Eastern and Islamic studies.

It is a Quran close to the people, not only because of its simple craftsmanship, but also because it is part of the collections of the nations largest public library system, she added.

Anthony W Marx, the librarys President and CEO, said the choice of Quran and its association with Schomburg symbolises a greater story of inclusion, representation, and civic-mindedness.

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By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Roderic OGorman is aiming to rebuild the Green Party from a near wipeout within a single Dail term, with the next big test of that goal coming in this years by-elections.

In an interview with the Press Association, Mr OGorman assessed the performance of the Government without the Greens, warned the Justice Minister not to fool himself, and set benchmarks for rebuilding his party.

He is now more than one year on from the disastrous November 2024 general election, which saw the party crash from record high Dail representation to a single seat  his own.

Mr OGorman is not alone in the Oireachtas, with former minister of state Malcolm Noonan elected to the Seanad in early 2025.

We're in an absolute rebuild phase Roderic O'Gorman, Green Party

The near wipeout was reminiscent of 2011, when the Greens lost all their Dail seats in the election after being in government during the financial crash  before climbing to a high of 12 seats in 2020.

Mr OGorman has experience in the rebuilding process, having been party chairman for almost all of the time between those elections.

He has set out a challenging objective for the party, saying: It took us two terms of the Dail to rebuild between 2011 and 2020  I want to do that in one.

Mr OGorman says the partys recent election performance is completely different to 2011, stating that palpable fury voters had against the post-crash government was not what was being experienced on the doorsteps last year.

He said: There was recognition for some of the big set pieces that wed achieved during our time in government  but were all worried about number ones.

And I think that very much showed on the day.

We were behind the Soc Dems, behind Labour in most constituencies. We were never going to pass them out, and our transfers helped elect TDs from those two parties.

Mr OGorman added: Were in an absolute rebuild phase  and weve done this before so we know what its about.

But were in such a stronger position than we were in 2011  weve got a voice in the Dail and the Seanad, weve got some state funding.

But I think whats actually the biggest difference is weve got 23 really strong councillors.

In a tongue-in-cheek comment after the general election, Mr OGorman said he told his former government colleagues that he would be a bollocks in opposition.

Green Party leader Roderic OGorman with Transport Minister Darragh OBrien (Niall Carson/PA)

Asked to assess how the new coalition  which features his old partners of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail  is doing, he said the Government has fulfilled all his predictions around being scared of tackling issues, retreating from social policy and watering down climate action.

Mr OGorman accused his old colleagues of celebrating the deprioritisation of public transport and highlighted the postponement of shovel-ready projects such as the Finglas Luas and Dart+ South West.

He said he is also trying to spotlight a rolling back of the ban on fracked gas and concerns over emission reductions, adding: I am worried that the Government will have moved us from moving towards success to moving back on to the direction of failure again.

And its very deliberate. Its very targeted. They know what theyre doing, and it seems that they are unbothered by the consequence.

Amid a shake-up of portfolios, Mr OGormans old responsibility for international protection accommodation as Minister of Integration has been moved under Jim OCallaghans remit at the Department of Justice.

Mr OCallaghan has introduced a range of stricter measures around international protection since taking office, which he said will reduce the number of applications.

However, the Green Party leader has warned him to be careful not to believe his own spin as he said the current Government actually caught a break on international protection numbers.

Numbers decreased by about a third every month from October of 2024 to just before the general election  and I am worried that Jim OCallaghan is starting to believe his own spin that his measures caused that reduction. They didnt.

Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mr OGorman said the Government should be focusing on reforms on the processing side of things because a future surge will happen due to some unforeseen international crisis.

He said: Well experience it less than other countries but we will experience it, and now is the time to reform the accommodation side  to do what I wasnt able to do because the numbers were so significant.

Move us away from the reliance on the private sector thats so expensive and where we dont have control over where theyre located and the actual quality  and move us to that state model.

Mr OGorman added: This opportunity, this slight lull that hes experiencing now could disappear very quickly.

Mr OCallaghan has said the number of international protection applicants coming into Ireland is too high.

Mr OGorman said he recognises there is a challenge, but said that language incorrectly suggests how much control a politician has  adding that Ireland is at the mercy of international events.

He said: Minister OCallaghan feels he needs to talk a big game  and theres internal Fianna Fail politics going on there  but just dont fool yourself.

Who knows what could happen on a good day for the party? Roderic O'Gorman, Green Party

Mr OGorman is now focused on leading the Greens through the partys new strategic plan for internal reorganisation, addressing fundraising, improving communications and refocusing electoral efforts.

He said: All the elements of the strategic plan are going well  and I suppose what we have to do now is demonstrate that in an electoral context.

The party is running former councillor Niall Murphy in Galway West and Mr OGorman expects either councillors Janet Horner or Feljin Jose to be selected in Dublin Central.

Asked what success looks like in the elections, he said: The first test is raising the vote on where it was in the general election in both constituencies.

Niall has been very clear he wants to run for re-election to the council in 2029 so I think its demonstrating real strength within his local area.

Mr OGorman added: In Dublin Central, who knows what could happen on a good day for the party?
On January 28, 1946, then-Taoiseach Eamon de Valera stepped foot into Waterford and was awarded the freedom of the city.

An 80-year old archive article from the Waterford News & Star recalls the historical day, with the newspapers anonymous Special Representative lauding one of Irish historys most influential, but polarising figures.

The report coined de Valeras visit Waterfords Independence Day, describing the Taoiseach as the man of destiny.

Upon arrival, de Valera is quoted as describing Waterford as a great city.

Various invaders chose it as a point of attack, and each successive wave that came was not too long here until they became so Irish that they were termed more Irish than the Irish themselves,' de Valera said.

The report chronicled the day that began with de Valera outside the grounds of Good Shepard Convent before being escorted towards City Hall by thousands of adoring citizens.

At City Hall, he was joined by Waterford Mayor William Kenneally, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs Patrick Little and Waterford City Manager Liam Raftis.

Following the signing of the freemens roll, de Valera retreated to a banquet at the Adelphi Hotel where he delivered an address draped in nationalist rhetoric.

This is an independent sovereign State, the report quotes de Valera.

We have our Constitution and our Citizenship Law, and no citizen of ours owns any allegiance to Britain, or to the British Crown.

We are not British subjects, and, as was said at the time of the passing of our Citizenship Act, it is an impertinence to call us so.

De Valeras comments came against the backdrop of an Associated Press report detailing how Irish actress Maureen OHara had been asked to renounce her allegiance to Britain upon receiving American citizenship.

Miss OHara was a natural-born citizen of the State and owed no allegiance to Britain, de Valera said.

The reporter described de Valeras speech as one of his most dramatic and all-compelling, with the quality to electrify a captive audience on full display.

De Valera (far left) signing the freemen's roll in City Hall

Irish Language

De Valeras visit to Waterford came in his first term as Taoiseach, a role he relinquished in 1959 to become president- an office he held for a further 14 years.

In 1946, Ireland was still not a republic. De Valeras musings during his visit to the Deise still mirror the topical issues Ireland faces in the present day.

He marked his status as a freeman of Waterford by first taking the plinth for the Irish language.

I would like as one of my first acts as a Freeman of this city, to ask you to do even more than your part to restore the language; to help and encourage the children to speak it, the report quotes de Valera.

I appeal, particularly, to those of the older generation who can do so, to use it to the extent to which they can speak it.

It is a sad thing to think that we have need not lost our language to the extent which we have lost it. There was no need whatever for such a loss.

No power of compulsion or coercion could have taken it from us. They could not have come, with their bayonets, into the firesides and say to the fathers and mothers: Dont speak Irish to your children.

Let Waterford play the part it can play.

While the Irish language has been classified as an endangered language by UNESCO since 2021, a cultural revival spurred by film and music has been widely reported.

The Irish language served as a key cornerstone of President Catherine Connolys successful run to the Aras, sweeping 66.91% of the presidential vote in Waterford.

Decies dialect

De Valera also reflected on the idiosyncrasies of the Decies dialect. DeValera was raised by his grandmother in Bruree, Co. Limerick- an area that was touched by the dialect.

It was something of a revelation to me to discover that the dialect of the Decies had extended over that whole area.

The Irish which I learned had been the dialect of Connacht.

I think if I had known that it was the Decies dialect which had been the dialect my grandmother spoke, I would have tried to learn that dialect and would have used it rather than any other.

The full report from the Waterford News & Star published on February 1 1946, can be viewed on the Irish Newspaper Archive.
Over 50 people showed up to express their solidarity with Palestinians in Waterford today.

The New Years Eve vigil for Palestine has been an annual tradition in Waterford since 2005.

Many people who cannot find the time during the year to attend solidarity events, make it their business to gather at the New Year's Eve vigil.

Majdi, a Palestinian man who has been living in Waterford for the past year, told the Waterford News & Star: "It feels amazing to see all of this solidarity here in Waterford. It's been a very positive experience for me being in Waterford and learning from the Irish people about unity."

Majidi was at the vigil with his friend Aga Cummins.

They met at an anti-Eurovision party in Downes's pub last year when the group boycotted the television show due to Israel's participation.

Aga is originally from Poland but has been living in Ireland for 21. She told the Waterford News & Star: Im here to shout for Palestine. Theres no ceasefire, it's just an illusion.

Speaking to Palestinians in Ireland and in Palestine, Aga said: We got your back, lads.

She advised that people who want to start boycotting companies that operate illegally in the West Bank or that aid the Israeli military but dont know where to start can download the app Boycat or NoThanks.

With these apps, you can scan the barcodes of products to check if they are on the boycott list.

David Rhys, director of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, attended the vigil. He told the Waterford News & Star: It's become a regular occurrence across towns and cities in Ireland to meet on New Years Eve.

He explained that the group was expecting more people than usual at the vigil because people are realising that the ceasefire doesnt actually exist.

SETU students and twins, Blaithnid and Siofra Tobin, held a banner encouraging motorists to support the BDS movement. The sign read: "Boycott, Divest, Sanction."

Blathnid told the Waterford News & Star that she showed up to the New Years Eve vigil because I hate seeing people get hurt.

Siofra added: Its the human thing to do.

The two were inspired to become activists when they met some of the Irish people who were taken hostage by Israel in the flotilla earlier this year at the airport.

Since then weve been trying our best to come out even more.

Mary Lyng, chairperson of the South-East branch of the IPSC, said: The Irish people are stalwarts in supporting the cause of Palestine.

She told the Waterford News & Star that her group is calling on governments, local, national, and European, to cease trade agreements with Israel.

She also said, We are calling on the Irish government to stop using Shannon and other airports to transport weapons of mass destruction to Gaza and the West Bank.

In 2026, the South-East branch of the IPSC will continue to hold weekly vigils in SETU and monthly marches through Waterford City.
A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman as she was leaving a theatre in Waterford City after a show.

The 23-year-old man assaulted the 61-year-old woman at Meeting House Lane behind Garter Lane Arts Centre, in May of 2024.

The man, who is originally from Jordan, and now living in Ireland of no fixed abode, is currently serving a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for a very similar sexual assault which he committed on a woman in her 40s in Dublin within days of the Waterford attack.

He appeared in Waterford Courthouse recently alongside an interpreter to receive a further sentence.

Assault

On May 18, 2024, at approximately 10.30pm, the victim walked out of Garter Lane towards Meeting House Lane behind the theatre.

Whilst here, she was approached by a male who grabbed her and assaulted her. He made an attempt to bite or kiss her and to grab her genital area.

In her victim impact statement, the woman said that she was able to fight the man away, but that she finds herself ruminating and worrying about what would have happened if she wasnt able to do so.

She immediately rang her husband to inform him of the assault and a Garda investigation commenced.

CCTV of the incident was extracted, and a nationwide bulletin was circulated to Garda members.

The man was identified by a Garda officer who was familiar with him from the separate assault he committed in Dublin.

The man initially denied that it was him in the CCTV footage.

Assailant

During earlier court proceedings, which took place at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in relation to the Dublin assault, the man's origin came under questioning.

It's understood he initially pretended to gardai that he had fled Syria.

However, it transpired that he was actually from Jordan and had only been in Ireland a very short time.

During the recent sentencing hearing in Waterford, the court heard that the man came from Jordan as an asylum seeker.

His application for asylum has now been withdrawn and he has intentions to return to Jordan.

Victim impact

A victim impact statement was delivered during the recent Waterford sentencing.

The statement outlined that the victim is now constantly hypervigilant and anxious.

She outlined that she would be extremely worried for her own safety and for the safety of other women and young girls if the man was released from prison.

Judge Eugene O'Kelly said that the victim's response to the attack and her victim impact statement demonstrated her "strong character".

Defence

A letter of apology from the man was presented to the court by his defence counsel.

The statement said: I want to beg for mercy and I did something so disgusting.

His defence counsel outlined that he was assaulted since being in prison and now has to wear a catheter.

Sentencing

In sentencing the man, Judge Eugene OKelly said the incident was an opportunistic attack by a sexual predator.

It was random and violent, he added.

The man was sentenced to three years and nine months, with the final three years suspended on the condition that he leaves the jurisdiction upon release and not return for a period of 10 years.

The custodial sentence will run consecutive to the three-and-a-half-years he is currently serving in Midlands Prison.

(Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme)
Planning permission for an apartment complex in Kilbarry has been resought after an initial application made by Magna Capital Investments Ltd was deemed incomplete by Waterford City & County Council.

The proposed development would consist of a three-storey commercial block, a four-storey apartment block with 28, two-bed, four-person units and six, one-bed, two-person units, and a single-storey cafe unit.

The proposed site is located on the Ballybeg Link Road beside the Tesco Superstore.

The initial proposal was deemed incomplete by the council because the application referred to residential units as houses rather than apartments, and signage details were not provided for the proposed cafe unit.

An updated proposal was received by the council on December 22, with a decision due by February 24. The deadline for submissions is January 28.

Kilkenny-based architecture firm K-Design Studio filed a Design and Access statement for the development.

The firm said: 'The layout, scale, and mix of uses and dwelling types support a vibrant, inclusive neighbourhood that will serve the needs of a diverse range of residents and users.

'The proposed development represents a sustainable, well-considered, and policy-compliant response to the site and its context.

'It will deliver a neighbourhood of lasting quality that enhances the character of the Ballybeg area, supports compact urban growth, and contributes positively to the social, economic, and physical fabric of Waterford City.'
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BusinessMarketsBillionaires Billionaires boom: Worlds richest got $3.3 trillion richer in 2025 Dylan Sloan and Jack Witzig January 1, 2026  1:45pm 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 worlds 500 richest people added a record $US2.2 trillion ($3.3 trillion) to their collective fortunes this year, as booming markets in everything from equities to cryptocurrencies to precious metals sent the value of their holdings soaring. The gains, which brought their combined net worth to $US11.9 trillion, were turbocharged by Donald Trumps election victory in late 2024, and were only briefly derailed by tariff fears in April, when plunging markets caused the biggest one-day wealth wipeout since the pandemic. Elon Musk, Gina Rinehart and Larry Ellison with their ballooning fortunes are among the winners of 2025. AP/Getty Big Tech led the charge as artificial-intelligence euphoria continued to bolster US mega-cap stocks. About a quarter of all the gains recorded by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index came from just eight individuals, including Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison, Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, Google parent Alphabets co-founder Larry Page and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Notably, though, that represented a smaller contribution than last year, when the same eight billionaires made up 43 per cent of the total gains.

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When the year began, Musk was indisputably the boldface name on the list of the worlds richest. He became a major political player for the first time after donating nearly $US300 million to Trumps reelection campaign, and spent much of early 2025 in Washington, DC, spearheading the administrations cost-cutting efforts. Related Article Billionaires Rich like Bill Gates: Meet the Saudi sisters wielding $75 billion in a mans world However, it was Ellison, not Musk, who ended up stealing the show. Fuelled by a massive run-up in Oracle shares as the longtime cloud infrastructure company ramped up spending on AI, he briefly overtook Musk as the worlds richest man in September. Although Oracle shares have since slumped about 40 per cent from their peak, Ellison ended the year making headlines for his involvement in the bid by Paramount Skydance  run by his son David Ellison  to acquire Warner Bros Discovery.

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Gains werent confined to the United States. While the S&P 500 Index posted an annual increase of close to 17 per cent, it was outperformed by a 20 per cent in the UKs FTSE 100 and a 30.6 per cent rise in Hong Kongs Hang Seng. Other asset classes did even better: Precious metals recorded one of their best years in decades amid a rush to safe havens, while copper and rare earths also emerged as commodities of key geopolitical importance, with major holders including Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart and Chiles Luksic family adding billions to their fortunes. Before a recent selloff, crypto was also on track to beat equity returns for the year: Bitcoin surged to all-time highs following Trumps election win and extended those gains as his administration approved a series of crypto-friendly policies. However, a massive slide starting in October saw it wipe out all of those gains and then some, battering the wealth of billionaires including the Winklevoss twins, Changpeng Zhao and Michael Saylor. Heres a list of some of the years biggest winners and losers, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

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The winners Larry Ellison Net worth: $US249.8 billion Yearly gain: $US57.7 billion Larry Ellison briefly overtook Elon Musk as the worlds richest man in September. AP

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At 81, Oracles co-founder is taking on more day-to-day responsibility at the company and leading the charge on its huge, debt-fuelled push into AI infrastructure. Ellisons net worth surged $US89 billion on September 10 following a blowout quarterly earnings report tied to Oracles AI expansion plans, the largest one-day net worth increase ever recorded by Bloombergs wealth index to that point. Ellison has also been deploying his fortune in the media sector, personally guaranteeing the equity portion of his son Davids $US108 billion hostile bid to purchase Warner Bros Oracles ongoing plans to spearhead the $US500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure project and take an equity stake in TikToks US operations could continue to reshape Ellisons wealth into 2026 and beyond. Elon Musk Net worth: $US622.7 billion Yearly gain: $US190.3 billion

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After becoming the biggest donor of the 2024 election cycle, Musk spent much of the early part of the year in Washington as his Department of Government Efficiency slashed funding and initiated mass staffing cuts at federal agencies. That came at the expense of his wealth, as Teslas stock was hammered over that period, in part due to backlash from consumers over his political activity. Elon Musks net worth rebounded after he left the White House following a public falling-out with Trump. AP But Musks net worth rebounded after he left the White House following a public falling-out with Trump. A recent insider share sale at SpaceX made it the worlds most valuable private company and pushed his fortune above $US600 billion for the first time. Meanwhile, Tesla shareholders voted to approve a new compensation package that provides him a clear path to becoming the worlds first trillionaire if he guides the carmaker to an ambitious series of performance targets over the coming years.

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Gina Rinehart Net worth: $US37.7 billion Yearly gain: $US12.6 billion Gina Rinehart is riding the rare earths boom. Bloomberg Few billionaires benefited more this year from a global focus on securing supplies of vital rare-earth minerals than Australias richest person.

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Rare earths Rinehart hates renewables, but her green metals bets are booming Colin Kruger Senior business reporter Largely through her privately held business Hancock Prospecting, Rinehart has amassed the largest rare-earths portfolio outside China and positioned herself as a key player in an increasingly tense geopolitical battle over control of the materials, which are essential for technologies ranging from semiconductors to electric vehicles. Shes also attended events at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and is an investor in Trump Media & Technology Group, the publicly listed firm that operates the presidents social media platform, Truth Social. Rinehart increased the size of her stake by about two-thirds in the three months to June 30. Donald Trump & family Net worth: $US6.8 billion

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Yearly gain: $US282 million Since beginning his re-election campaign, Trump and his family have involved themselves in a dizzying array of deals which have enriched the clan at a scale unprecedented in modern presidential history. Its a lucrative presidency: Donald Trump with sons Eric and Don Jr. AP Over the past 15 months, the familys fortune has increased by about 70 per cent even after a recent slide. In the days leading up to his second inauguration, Trump and his wife Melania promoted a pair of memecoins bearing their names, which briefly soared in value before plunging. Still, the Trump token has added more than $US200 million to the familys wealth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Trump also co-founded the crypto platform World Liberty Financial with his sons weeks before the 2024 election. Since then, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump have jumped into crypto projects including digital currency miner American Bitcoin Corp.

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One of Trumps biggest assets, a stake in Trump Media, leapt in value in December after it announced a merger with nuclear fusion company TAE Technologies, although its still down more than 70 per cent from its January highs. The US president was also handed a victory in August when a $US464 million civil fraud penalty was struck down on appeal, even as the court upheld the finding that he broke the law by inflating the value of assets like his Mar-a-Lago resort. The losers Manuel Villar Net worth: $US10 billion Yearly loss: $US12.6 billion

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Villar, once the richest man in the Philippines, saw more than $US18 billion of his fortune vanish in a matter of days after shares of his property development firm, Golden MV Holdings, plunged more than 80 per cent following the end of a six-month trading suspension in November. Manuel Villar, once the richest man in the Philippines, has seen large chunks of his fortune vanish. Trading had been halted after Golden MV didnt file financial results following the revelation that it had acquired a tract of land from Villar for $US93 million, but later revalued it at more than $US23 billion. Earlier this month, Villar also sold his full stake in water utility PrimeWater to grocery tycoon Lucio Co. PrimeWater had been investigated for possible irregularities by the government in July. Bob Pender and Mike Sabel Net worth: $US7 billion each

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Yearly loss: $US17.7 billion each After three sluggish years for initial public offerings, US liquefied natural gas provider Venture Globals January listing was expected to be the start of a big year for new issues, boosted by a business-friendly US administration and a massive backlog of deals. Disappointing IPO: Mike Sabel (left) and Bob Pender (right). Bloomberg As Venture Global prepared to go public, its co-founders were poised to hold stakes worth nearly $US30 billion apiece in what was slated to be the largest energy IPO in over a decade. However, the listing ultimately missed the mark: Tepid demand for its shares forced the firm to downsize the offering, and the stock has since fallen more than 70 per cent after disappointing quarterly results and the loss of a key arbitration suit to oil giant BP, one of its biggest customers.

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Michael Saylor Net worth: $US3.8 billion Yearly loss: $US2.6 billion Through the first half of the year, Saylors Strategy Inc was one of the darlings of the booming crypto market, which rose to all-time highs following Trumps election win in November 2024 and continued to climb as the administration rolled out a series of pro-crypto policies. Shares of Michael Saylors Strategy suffered as the Bitcoin price dropped. AP

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Strategy pioneered the crypto treasury company model, holding billions of dollars worth of Bitcoin on its balance sheet and regularly selling additional stock to raise cash with which to add to the hoard. That model generated huge returns through early October, when Bitcoin hit fresh highs. However, things began to turn south soon after as a slump in Bitcoins value sent Strategys stock price plunging by more than half, dragging Saylors net worth down nearly $US6 billion from its high-water mark in the process. Wang Xing Net worth: $US7.9 billion

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Yearly loss: $US3.5 billion Wang, the co-founder and chairman of Meituan, Chinas largest food delivery platform, saw his wealth plunge almost 31 per cent in 2025 after the company reported its first quarterly net loss in almost three years in November. Meituan founder Wang Xing has seen almost a third of his wealth evaporate. Getty Although Chinese equity markets notched a banner year  the benchmark Shanghai Composite gained 18 per cent  Meituan has suffered from weakening domestic consumer demand and three-way competition with Alibaba and JD.com. In response to domestic headwinds, Meituan has been pursuing overseas markets, recently expanding into Brazil and the Middle East. Bloomberg

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PoliticsFederalTrade wars Australia demands China respect trade deal after shock beef tariffs Mike Foley and Elias Visontay Updated January 1, 2026  1:59pm ,first published January 1, 2026  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

Australias trade and agriculture ministers have condemned Chinas shock decision to impose new tariffs that could cost the beef industry $1 billion a year. China, the worlds biggest importer of beef, overnight set the new import duties of 55 per cent above a certain quota to protect its local farmers from international competition of major export nations including Argentina, Brazil and Australia. Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said Australian exporters would have to seek new markets for beef when Chinas tariffs kick in. Erin Jonasson. Trade Minister Don Farrell said the government had told China the move to curb Australian exports was unnecessary. We have made it clear to China that Australian beef is not a risk to their beef sector, and that we expect our status as a valued Free Trade Agreement partner to be respected, Farrell said.

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Trade wars Australian beef exempted from US tariffs as Trump cops cost-of-living backlash Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said she had serious concerns with this decision by China. The Albanese government is working closely with the Australian beef industry to determine the full implications of this measure. The new tariffs will apply to all imports into China, from any country, once China receives its annual quota of 2.7 million tonnes of beef imports, just short of the 2.9 tonnes it imported in 2024. Australian farmers fear that red meat powerhouse Brazil could move fast to flood the lucrative market and grab most of the market share under the quota, leaving nations such as Australia to cop higher tariffs.

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The Australian Meat Industry Council warned the measures could slash local beef exports to China by about a third from recent levels, hitting trade worth more than $1 billion. This decision will have a severe impact on trade flows to China over the duration of the measures enforcement, said chief executive officer Tim Ryan. Imports of Australian beef are not a cause of damage to the domestic beef industry in China. Australia shipped 266,000 tonnes of beef to the Chinese market in the 12 months to the end of November, according to the industry councils figures, which comprises roughly eight per cent of Chinas beef imports. The new quota was introduced after a 12-month investigation by China, which found that rising imports had undermined local producers. This means the action is permitted under World Trade Organisation rules, which sanction so-called safeguard measures to protect domestic industries.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday was more circumspect than his ministers, saying Australia had not been singled out by China, and added he was optimistic about the beef industrys prospects in new markets. This is an announcement that is across the board, Albanese said. Australian beef is in my view, proudly as the prime minister, the best in the world. Our products are in great demand right around the world, and we expect to continue. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Chinas trade restrictions were a test of the Albanese governments diplomacy. What the prime minister needs to do is leverage the very good relationship that he tells us he has with President Xi, and make sure he makes contact, and makes it very clear that Australia should not be included in any of these arrangements, Ley said.

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Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said Australian exporters would have to seek new markets for beef when Chinas tariffs kick in. This would squeeze profit margins, he said, but deliver good news for Australian shoppers. For the average Australian, when they walk into the supermarket, they may get to enjoy some of that premium beef that would have once gone to China, he said. Related Article Taiwan Australia deeply concerned about Chinas live fire drills as Xi calls reunification unstoppable That could be seen as a good thing, but we want farmers to be rewarded for what they produce too.

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Robert Mackenzie, a beef producer that runs Mackas Pastoral north of Newcastle, said the quota announcement was devastating for his business, which counts Chinese buyers among his top customers. This has hit us like a tonne of bricks, Mackenzie said. I can understand why the Chinese government might want to make their local beef more accessible for local consumers, but Im not sure this is the right way to go about it. Robert Mackenzie, centre-right, with father Bruce and sons James (left) and Jack (right), at Mackas Pastoral Cattle Australia, the peak body for graziers, agreed with the forecasted $1 billion loss of exports to China and said the quota system would restrict access to reliable meat products. Editor's pick Updated

New Year See how the worlds biggest cities rang in the new year

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Chairman Garry Edwards said Chinas restrictions breached the spirit of the free trade deal with Australia, and demanded an explanation for the decision. We are deeply disappointed by this decision  a decision we believe to be entirely unwarranted and at odds with the sentiment of the free trade agreement we share, said Edwards. In 2020, China imposed $20 billion of trade sanctions as an act of political retribution against the Morrison government with bans on barley, wine, lobster, timber, major beef exporters, timber and cotton. It cited labelling and health certificate requirements as reasons for the beef bans, and claimed biosecurity issues were the reason for the lobster, cotton, barley and timber restrictions. The restrictions came in response to then-prime minister Scott Morrisons push for an independent coronavirus inquiry. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.


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TechnologyCybersecurity Cyber expert gets rare Australian visa by hacking the government David Swan January 1, 2026  1:16pm 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 British cybersecurity expert has been given coveted Australian permanent residency status after hacking the governments systems while his visa application was under review. Jacob Riggs gained the 858 National Innovation visa in December after a seven-month application process that culminated in him probing the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trades networks to demonstrate his credentials in real time, and identifying a critical vulnerability. Jacob Riggs, 36, received the 858 National Innovation visa in December after a seven-month application process that culminated in him probing the Australian governments attack surface to demonstrate his capabilities in real time. Riggs, global director of information security for a large software-as-a-service provider, said he identified the exploitable flaw in under two hours while working from his home in Bexley, south-east London, in July. Riggs visa, formerly known as the Global Talent visa, has an approval rate of less than 1 per cent. According to migration consultancy VisaEnvoy, more than 9000 expressions of interest have been submitted since the program commenced, with just 304 applicants invited and about 85 granted residency.

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I approached it as a routine security assessment and simply applied the same methodology I use professionally, Riggs, 36, told this masthead. He said the vulnerability he identified met the threshold for critical severity under CVSS standards, the industry rating framework. DFAT operates a formal Vulnerability Disclosure Policy, permitting security researchers to test its systems within a defined scope. Riggs reported the issue to DFAT and was subsequently acknowledged on the departments disclosure program honour roll. Jacob Riggs, director of Information security for a large software-as-a-service provider. DFAT were very quick to respond and remediate, Riggs said, declining to share additional evidence beyond his public blog post. I feel this would go against the spirit of the confidentiality between myself and DFAT. The 858 visa requires applicants to demonstrate internationally recognised achievement in priority sectors, including cybersecurity. The program typically attracts Nobel laureates and Olympic medallists  professionals with singular, verifiable credentials.

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Cybersecurity presents a distinct challenge. Theres no trophy equivalent of an Olympic Gold Medal, Riggs wrote on his blog. Theres no singular hallmark of excellence you can lean on, so everything comes down to what youve actually done. Related Article Bondi shooting Fake hero, wrong suspect: Misinformation floods social media after Bondi shooting His application supplied about 60 pages of evidence spanning bug bounty payouts, formal recognition letters from universities and governments worldwide, and documentation of vulnerability disclosures to major technology companies. Riggs, who barely completed secondary school, said he lacked traditional academic credentials. Instead, he submitted professional accreditations and letters acknowledging his responsible disclosure work, materials he described as unexpectedly perfect for the assessment criteria. I ended up hitting the attachment limit, he wrote.

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With his application still under review, Riggs decided to provide contemporary evidence of his skills. Given the bar the 858 sets, it became clear during the application process that I should also make efforts to show the current value in my capabilities, he wrote, noting his role spans leadership responsibilities beyond hands-on technical work. He acknowledged Australian government infrastructure was generally well-hardened, which only piqued my interest more. Jamieson OReilly, founder and chief executive of cybersecurity firm Dvuln. Dominic Lorrimer The gamble appears to have paid off. Riggs completed the entire process without engaging migration agents or immigration lawyers, a decision he described as very on-brand.

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The case highlights both the challenges of assessing elite cyber talent and the potential for Australias innovation visa program to attract professionals whose contributions are difficult to measure through conventional metrics. Related Article Opinion

Technology & democracy Silicon Valleys billionaire elite cant engineer our consent Chris Zappone Senior reporter, aviation By May 2025, nearly 6000 people had expressed interest in the revamped 858 program, with only seven successful grants at that point. Two Iraqi-born scientists, Dr Bilal Bahaa Zaidan Al-Jubouri and Dr Aos Alaa Zaidan, secured visas for AI expertise in healthcare and agriculture applications. Cybersecurity researcher Jamieson OReilly said Australias cyber skills shortage was worsened by structural barriers preventing existing talent from contributing. There are highly capable security practitioners in this country who cant get near government work because theyre not attached to a large consultancy or dont fit the procurement mould. So we talk about skills shortages while simultaneously locking out skilled people, he told this masthead.

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He said pathways such as the 858 visa were valuable for addressing genuine gaps, but the priority should be removing barriers for local talent. He added this case pointed to deeper structural issues in Australian government security procurement. This vulnerability survived annual IRAP assessments, two outsourced penetration tests, and internal testing before someone outside the system found it. Thats the detail worth paying attention to. Riggs said he plans to relocate to Sydney within 12 months to continue cybersecurity work. Theres a lot to consider when you move your entire life to another country, he said. I also have a cat and he still needs convincing. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Home Affairs did not respond to requests for comment before deadline. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.

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Immigration David Swan is the technology editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He was previously technology editor for The Australian newspaper. or email. Connect via X
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 Reviews & adviceTrain journeys Rude awakening aside, this old-school European sleeper is a pleasant ride Tim Richards January 1, 2026  2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The numbers The route Krakow, Poland, to Budapest, Hungary

Krakow, Poland, to Budapest, Hungary Distance 399 kilometres

399 kilometres Operator PKP Intercity

PKP Intercity Class Second class sleeper

Second class sleeper Frequency Nightly, departing 10.44pm A PKP Intercity train at the station. Alamy The journey Krakow to Budapest aboard PKP Intercitys sleeper train Chopin (EN 407), taking just under 10 hours. The train terminates at Budapest Nyugati station at 8.29am.

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Boarding Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. A sleeper cabin, set up for a single passenger. Waiting for a train at Krakows main station is hardly a glamorous experience, though it does have a certain surreal vibe. The platforms are long anonymous concrete slabs, and from the speakers comes an endless stream of announcements in the sibilant tones of the Polish language. Its all quite hypnotic. Suddenly, at 10.40pm, my reverie is broken by the arrival of the Chopin sleeper train. Named after the great Polish composer, it started its journey in Warsaw and in the middle of the night will split into three sections, each heading to different destinations: Budapest, Prague and Munich (via Vienna). Checking my ticket, I step aboard car 350 and Im on my way. The seat Ive booked a Single, a sleeper compartment for my sole use, and Im in for a pleasant surprise. After the genial Polish train attendant checks my ticket (or rather my sleeper reservation on top of a first-class Eurail pass), I discover a private bathroom containing toilet, washbasin and shower. Ive had the luck to draw a deluxe compartment for which the rail operator once charged a premium. Bonus! (Though sadly the shower later proves a dud, with feeble water pressure.)

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In the main space I note a wardrobe, table, and a bed made up for the night. There are also complimentary consumables: water, orange juice and a chocolate bar. Given the late hour, I turn in, only to be woken in my underwear at 1.30am by Czech conductors inspecting tickets. I search fruitlessly for the printed reservation, before realising they can scan it from my phone. Later, I discover the paper version had been retained by the train attendant so I wouldnt be woken in the middle of the night. So that didnt work, obviously. Baggage PKP has no size or weight restrictions on luggage, as long as it can be stored safely in your compartment. The Chopin presents a comfortable way to travel from Poland to Hungary with glimpses of the Danube on the way. Alamy Food + drink

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Theres no dining car or cafe-bar on this service, but passengers can buy night-time snacks from a supermarket within Krakows main station. Breakfast is included with the sleeper fare, so in the morning the attendant delivers a light breakfast while were trundling alongside the Danube River in Slovakia before crossing into Hungary. The scenery is beautiful, but the meal is basic  a takeaway cup of coffee, a sachet of peach jam, a triangle of soft cheese and a plastic-sealed package of wholemeal rye bread that resembles Cold War emergency rations. Related Article Train journeys I travelled across the breadth of Europe on trains over six weeks One more thing Its easy to move on from Budapest Nyugati by tram, bus or Metro. Locate a ticket vending machine and use the English instructions to buy a ticket  the 72-hour travel card is good value at HUF5750 ($26). The price

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Sole use of a sleeper compartment starts from 109.90 ($195) without a Eurail pass, or you can share with one or two other people from 64.90 ($115) or 54.90 ($97) respectively. Alternatively, a sit-up fare starts at 19.90 ($35). Reservations on top of a Eurail pass are considerably cheaper. Buy tickets or pass reservations at intercity.pl; though if you have difficulties with that website, a reliable (but more expensive) alternative is ticket agency Polrail at polrail.com. The verdict Very much an old-school sleeper service, the Chopin presents a comfortable way to travel from Poland to Hungary with glimpses of the Danube on the way. Just have your tickets ready for that possible nigh-time interruption by cheeky Czech checkers. Our rating out of five  The writer travelled courtesy of Eurail (eurail.com) and Visit Malopolska (visitmalopolska.pl).

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Poland

Europe Tim Richards fell into travel writing after living and teaching in Egypt and Poland. Hes a light packing obsessive, and is especially drawn to the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Follow him on Instagram @aerohaveno
Input Sought For Contractor Registration Ordinance

As discussion continues surrounding Kimballs proposed contractor registration ordinance, City Council member Austin Garner is encouraging are residents  including those who live outside city limits  to attend the next Kimball City Council meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, and take part in the conversation.

Garner said concerns shared secondhand can sometimes lack full context or accuracy, which makes in-person participation especially important.

I think it is difficult when getting the information second hand that has the potential to be unintentionally inaccurate or incomplete, Garner said. I suggest that everyone concerned should attend the next city council meeting even if they live in the county.

Garner emphasized that broader attendance leads to better outcomes.

The more people we can have at meetings the better feedback we can receive and formulate things to the needs of the community as expressed by a diverse sample size with different knowledge and life experience than those on council, he said.

He noted that active participation through attendance and idea sharing is more productive than some of the ways frustration is currently being expressed.

Active participation with idea sharing is productive versus some of the ways constituents currently express frustrations, Garner said. The former requires more work and active participation on the part of the constituent.

Garner also shared that he is drafting proposed amendments to the contractor registration ordinance that he plans to bring forward at the Jan. 6 meeting. He said the goal is to encourage a deeper public discussion and allow additional time for feedback.

I am also drafting some amendments to that ordinance that I am going to suggest next meeting, as well as try to spur an in-depth discussion on it to better inform the public, he said. And most likely move to table to allow for more public input and crafting something that still protects renters without being overly burdensome to landlords and property owners.

Garner acknowledged that striking the right balance is not simple.

It certainly is a balance, he said.

The next City Council meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 5 p.m. in the council chambers. Public attendance and comment are encouraged.
As we step into a new year, the library remains a steady place for learning, connection, and curiosity. While calendars may be turning, our mission stays the same: to provide welcoming spaces, trusted information, and opportunities for everyone in the community to grow.

Many people think of the library only as a place for books, but its much more than that. From audiobooks and eBooks to movies, magazines, and online learning tools, the library supports a wide range of interests and learning styles. Our public computers and Wi-Fi remain available for job searching, schoolwork, and everyday tasks, and staff are always happy to help you get started or answer questions.

Your library has so many resources for you to take advantage of.

One of those that is worth exploring is the Library of Things collection. This growing collection allows patrons to borrow useful items you may not need to own, such as tools, technology, games, and other hands-on resources. This collection includes a rototiller, a canning kit, a sewing machine, mobile Wi-Fi devices, and so much more.

The Library of Things is designed to save money, reduce clutter, and encourage learning through doing, making it a practical option for trying something new or tackling a short-term project.

One special program to look forward to this week is our Family Board Game Night on Friday, January 3, from 4:007:00 p.m. This free, all-ages event is a great opportunity for families and friends to unplug, have fun, and spend quality time together. A variety of board games will be available for all skill levels, and snacks will be provided. Feel free to drop in at any time during the event and stay as long as youd like.

Looking ahead, the Friends of the Kimball Library invite the community to join their annual Puzzle Contest on Saturday, February 1, at 1:00 p.m. Teams of two will race to complete a puzzle, making it a fun, friendly competition for puzzle lovers of all experience levels. The cost is $25 per team, and proceeds support library programs and services.

Please note: the library will be closed on Thursday, January 1, and again on Monday, January 19. We appreciate your understanding and encourage patrons to plan visits around these dates.
From a Kimball perspective, the Ports-to-Plains conversation isnt abstract policy talk or something happening somewhere else. It runs right through this communitys front yard.

For generations, Highway 71 has been one of Kimballs lifelinea  carrying ranchers, truckers, tourists, emergency responders, and families north and south through town. Under the long-term vision being discussed by the Ports-to-Plains Transportation Alliance, that same corridor could one day be elevated into a future interstate route, tying Kimball more directly into a continental trade and travel network stretching from Mexico to Canada.

For a small rural town, that kind of connectivity matters.

History is clear: When communities gain reliable, high-capacity highway access, economic opportunity often follows. Since the original Interstate Highway System was built, rural counties connected to interstates have seen stronger job growth, higher incomes, and better access to markets.

For Kimball, Port-to-Plains supporters say that a future interstate along Highway 71 would mean:

 Stronger freight access for agriculture, livestock, and local businesses.

 Improved safety with modern design standards and reduced conflict points.

 More reliable travel for weather events, emergency response, and detours.

 Tourism potential, as travelers move between national parks, monuments, and regional attractions.

 Long-term business confidence, encouraging investment and expansion.

These arent just truck routes. They are economic lifelines for rural America.

One theme echoed throughout recent Ports-to-Plains updates is realism. With fuel taxes politically difficult to raise, advocates are pushing for smarter use of existing transportation dollars  prioritizing corridors that serve multiple purposes at once: safety, freight, defense, economic development, and resilience.

Rather than a fragmented approach with dozens of disconnected programs, project backers say that the proposed multi-state future interstate funding model would allow state departments of transportation to deliver the right projects at the right time. For Nebraska and the Panhandle, that could mean progress that actually reaches rural corridors instead of stopping at metro edges.

Whats Happening Now  And Why

Kimballs Voice Counts

Across the region, feasibility studies and environmental reviews are already underway, including work tied to the proposed Interstate 27 and related corridors. While some of that work is happening in neighboring states, the long-term picture includes Highway 71  and by extension, Kimball.

Local resolutions of support, letters, and community engagement matter to the effort. Rural towns often dont have lobbyists or large planning staffs, but they do have something just as powerful: lived experience.

Kimball knows firsthand how critical dependable roads are for agriculture, emergency services, and daily life.

Some people in communities such as Belle Fourche, South Dakota, describe these corridors as lifelines, not luxuries. Some believe that the same is true here.

They say that when people invest in connectivity, theyre not just moving goods  theyre moving opportunity.

For Kimball, the vision of Ports-to-Plains proponents is about strengthening how the area feeds the nation, supports commerce, welcomes travelers, and keeps rural communities connected.

As discussions continue into 2026 and beyond, Kimballs stretch of Highway 71 remains more than pavement. It is a link to the future  and this areas voice deserves to be part of the conversation.
Members of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District are to extend an invitation to recently-elected President of Ireland Catherine Connolly to attend a civic reception in her honour.

Fianna Fail Cllr Brendan Mulroy raised the matter at the December meeting of the municipal district, telling his colleagues that there was a strong tradition of inviting the President of Ireland to the area.

We have always invited previous presidents, so I ask the Cathaoirleach Cllr Peter Flynn to be the first to invite our new president for a civic reception, and to open up the county in doing so. We always had a great relationship with previous presidents, so I propose we invite President Connolly to a civic reception here and for the itinerary to include visits around the municipal district, including to Belmullet, Achill and Louisburgh on the day.

Cllr Chris Maxwell seconded the proposal, which was unanimously passed.
A new photographic exhibition which celebrates the flora and fauna of Erris and local conservation efforts has been launched.

Biodiversity officer of Mayo County Council, Sheila Murphy, was delighted to launch I Measc na mBlath in Aras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet, on Friday, December 12.

I Measc na mBlath means Among the Flowers and is an apt title for a beautiful exhibition featuring the work of local photographers, who captured a diverse range of colourful wildlife, flora and fauna in their natural environment in various locations around Belmullet town and Erris.

The photographic exhibition celebrates the commitment of Baile Slachtmhar Bheal an Mhuirthead (Belmullet Tidy Towns) to conserving and preserving pollinator-friendly habitats in the local community and to mark their extraordinary win as the 2025 National Winner of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Award.

Upon launching the exhibition, Sheila Murphy, commended the hard work of the committee. She praised the volunteers deep understanding of their unique local habitats and said that Belmullets sustained whole-community effort is a model example of what is possible in other places across the county and, indeed, the country.

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Award is sponsored by heritage offices and biodiversity offices of local authorities across Ireland, in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre. For years, Baile Slachtmhar Bheal an Mhuirthead has worked tirelessly with other local groups, businesses, landowners and Mayo County Council to protect the Great Yellow Bumblebee, a rare pollinator now only found on the west coast. Their work includes developing meadows to encourage native wildflower growth and managing over 92,000 square metres of land for biodiversity.

In May 2025, an astonishing 690 Marsh orchids appeared as a result of this hard work.

The group have also eliminated pesticides for over 10 years, using several alternative methods to remove unwanted plants where necessary.

There are 67 photographs on display in the exhibition space, showcasing scenes of wildlife, flowers and landscapes  an abundant variety of biological diversity which can be appreciated all over the barony of Erris.

At the recent launch of I Measc na mBlath in Aras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet were, from left: John Reilly, Michael Sayers, Mary Keenaghan, Peter Langan, and John McIntyre.

The vivid and vibrant prints are the work of Mary Keenaghan, Sadie Reilly, Karina Dingerkus, John Reilly, Dave Suddaby, Morris Hughes, Michael ODonnell, Katherine Mangan and Margaret Tallott.

Margaret Tallott, of Baile Slachtmhar Bheal an Mhuirthead, said: We are very grateful to our wonderful photographers who so generously donated their beautiful images, and to Sheila Murphy for launching the collection. Thanks must also go to local councillors Sean Carey and Gerry Coyle for their support, and to Nuala Irwin for her help.

"Every photo is a reminder of what we do, and why we do it  for the bees, the flowers, the landscapes and for the generations who will, we hope, inherit them. Winning the national award is an endeavour that has taken several years and is a collaborative effort including our own volunteers, scheme workers, schools, farmers, youth groups, local businesses, our ecologist Karina Dingerkus, our horticulturist Sean Keane, Dave Suddaby of Birdwatch Ireland, Mayo County Council, Aras Inis Gluaire, LIFE on Machair, Corncrake LIFE, NPWS, Wild Nephin Ballycroy, Wild Atlantic Nature  we are all partners.

Katherine Mangan, of Baile Slachtmhar Bheal an Mhuirthead, said: We have so many different biodiversity projects and we are very proud of our childrens storybook - An Bhumbog Mhor Bhui ar Strae - The Great Yellow Bumblebee Goes Astray - and colouring book. We are immensely grateful to illustrator Jean Beard for all her hard work. The two books are available at the exhibition in Aras Inis Gluaire.

I Measc na mBlath will exhibit in Aras Inis Gluaire until February 2, 2026. The photographs range in price from 25 to 45  many of which have already been sold. Admission to the exhibition is free and all sale proceeds will go towards biodiversity projects by Baile Slachtmhar Bheal an Mhuirthead.
President Donald Trump played auctioneer-in-chief at his New Years Eve bash at Mar-a-Lago and marveled when an attendee bid $1 million on a painting of Jesus Christ he was auctioning off for charity.

Trump had started the bidding off at $100,000, before several onlookers in the crowd jumped in with higher offers.

$1 million, woah! Trump exclaimed.

The tuxedo-wearing POTUS then said it should not come as a huge surprise, considering the bidder was the biggest guy on Wall Street.

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Its peanuts! Trump said the $1 million bid was for the unnamed man.

Trump then said the man wears a red MAGA hat, which allows him to take people by surprise before he pumps the money out of their wallets.

A $2 million bid then came in right after.

$2 million? Woah, Trump said.

He then reiterated that was peanuts for his attendees. Trump added he would sign the painting if people were willing to bid more.

A bid for $2.5 million was shouted out a moment later. Trump joked $5 million? or $2.5 million? and then took a second to say the big shindig they were having was going to be a lot of fun.

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Its gonna be amazing, Trump said about the NYE party.

The president told the attendees the money was going to St. Judes Hospital and the local sheriffs office.

Finally, the winning bid was made at $2.75 million. Trump then joked the man shouldnt make the bid if it meant he would have to file for bankruptcy in the morning; he then winked at the man in the crowd before inviting him up to the stage.

The painting was by Vanessa Horabuena. She has 806,000 followers on Instagram, where she describes herself as a Christian worship artist.

Before the bidding, Horabuena painted Jesus face on a black canvas in front of the attendees in about 10 minutes.

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Trump started the party off by ripping the alleged Minnesota fraudsters.

They stole 18 billion dollars! Trump told the crowd.

Watch him play auctioneer above via Newsmax.

The post $1 Million! Woah! Trump Beams While Playing Auctioneer at Mar-a-Lago Bash  Drums Up Bidding on Painting of Jesus to $2.75 Million first appeared on Mediaite.
NEED TO KNOW

Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Kelcey Wetterberg married Nate Crnkovich in two weddings on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31, 2024, in Omaha, Nebraska

Wetterberg marked the first anniversary of her New Year's Eve wedding on Instagram, gushing that she's "so lucky to live life" with Crnkovich

"Happy anniversary baby," Crnkovich commented

America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders star Kelcey Wetterberg is celebrating her first year of marriage!

The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and current pediatric registered nurse posted a sweet tribute to her husband, Nate Crnkovich, on Instagram in honor of their first wedding anniversary. The couple said "I do" in two weddings in 2024, the first ceremony taking place that year on Dec. 30 at a Catholic church, and the second celebration the following day at the Leo Ballroom in Omaha, Nebraska.

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"Happy 1st anniversary to the love of my life  @natecrnk I am so lucky to live life with you!" Wetterberg wrote this New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, alongside photos of the couple from their winter wedding.

Rick Kern/Getty Nate Crnkovich and Kelcey Wetterberg Nate Crnkovich and Kelcey Wetterberg

She continued, "This year has been full of lovetraveling, buying our first home, and new experiences & challenges that have brought us so much closer. You truly make me the happiest. Love you forever ."

The star added on her Instagram Story, "1 year of the Crnks  I love him."

Crnkovich shared his wife's carousel to his Instagram Story, and commented on the post, "Happy anniversary baby ."

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Several current and former Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders wished the couple a happy anniversary in the comments section, including Reece Weaver, Tori Skillings, McKenzie Sherman Hughston, and Jessica Lanham (nee Bowman).

In June 2025, Wetterberg wrote on Instagram, "6 months of marriage, and I couldnt be happier  grateful to have you through all the ups, downs, & in-betweens  I love you!!!"

Crnkovich commented, "Love you forever gorgeous  happy 6 months!"

Kelcey Wetterberg/Instagram Kelcey Wetterberg and Nate Crnkovich Kelcey Wetterberg and Nate Crnkovich

Exclusively speaking to PEOPLE in 2024, ahead of their New Year's Eve wedding, Wetterberg gushed that "My wedding day is always something I wondered about as a young girl...but I don't think I ever could have imagined one as beautiful as this. God couldn't have given me a better husband!"

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.

As for the couple's future plans, Wetterberg said at the time, "I love just getting to do life with Nate by my side. I look forward to all of the new memories, experiences, and the family we will hopefully get to create."

She added, "Kids are definitely something we want down the line, but we aren't in any rush!"



Read the original article on People
Donald Trump derided million-dollar bids for a painting at an auction at his Mar-a-Lago mansion on New Years Eve.

The billionaire president was auctioning off a painting of Jesus when he tried to push up the price by insulting the bidders.

Christian worship artist Vanessa Horabuena took just 10 minutes to speed-paint the portrait on stage in the ballroom at Trumps Florida home.

Christian speed artist Vanessa Horabuena paints a Jesus art piece during the New Year's Eve Party hosted by Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida on December 31, 2025. / JIM WATSON / Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images

Trump started the auction with a bid for $100,000 and began haranguing his MAGA-friendly audience to open their wallets.

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When the bids reached $1 million, Trump snarled: Hes the biggest guy on Wall Street, so thats peanuts.

Dont let that red hat fool you, he added, referring to the bidders Make America Great Again cap.

Guests at the glitzy cocktail party included Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara.

Trump threw the New Years Eve party after hosting a series of holiday parties at a time when his presidency is under fire over the affordability of goods and services for Americans.

The next bidder doubled down for $2 million, but the president was unimpressed. Thats peanuts, he said, adding that he would sign the painting if that would help hike the price.

President Donald Trump speaks to guests during a New Years Eve event at his Mar-a-Lago home on December 31, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. / Joe Raedle / Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Trump then misheard a woman guest, thinking wrongly that she had offered $5 million for the picture. She quickly clarified that she said $2.5 million.

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Your husband looked at her and said, What the hell is that all about? Trump added.

The bidding finally topped out at $2.75 million, which will be split between St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital and a local Sheriffs Department.

Horabuena is a favorite of the MAGA president. She painted Trump at the Liberty Inauguration Ball in January.
Every so often, a person on the internet discovers that Chris Kraus is a landlord. They post through their shock: How could the iconic anti-establishment author of I Love Dick, the underdog doyenne of American autofiction, collect a check from the very same scrappy have-nots she portrays in her novels?



You might find from social media that Chris Kraus is a landlord, but you could also learn it from any of her books, or from many interviews with her. Her fictional avatar (Chris, Sylvie, Catt) is often a property manager as well as a writer, filmmaker, and/or art critic. Her five novelsI Love Dick, Aliens & Anorexia, Torpor, Summer of Hate, and now The Four Spent the Day Togetherplay fast and loose with autobiography, critical theory, art criticism, high and low culture, and, frankly, geopolitical circumstances. You could describe them as road novels, and not just because Krauss avatar is frequently driving cross-country or cross-continentshe wants to map how we connect, usually across class and gender.

It was 1997s I Love Dick that eventually brought her mainstream success; one could trace the recent vogue for the unhinged female protagonist to the novels raw, thirsty, anxious, angry antiheroine. In I Love Dick, which is about stalking and writing letters to and making feminist art about cultural critic Dick Hebdige (the titular Dick), Chris asks, If women have failed to make universal art because were trapped within the personal, why not universalize the personal and make it the subject of our art?

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Exposing oneself by making art of ones life, exposing others by barely concealing their identitiesKrauss novels are also about privacy and ownership. Yes, these are feminist issues, and they are also class issues. She makes art of her life, and she funds her life by owning property. Forget about separating the art from the artistthe question here is separating art from capital. Property management is her day job: Until the last couple of years, there was no way I could support myself with part-time teaching and writing, she said in a 2017 interview. And indeed, her latest novel, The Four Spent the Day Together, revolves around real estate and all its effects and affects: apartments, summer homes, commuting, school districts, cities, suburbs, escape, hope, potential, disappointment, despair, and endless repair without redemption.





The importance of having the ability to move is not lost on Catt, the central character in The Four Spent the Day Together. The novel opens in Milford, Connecticut. Catt is five years old, and she and her family are recent transplants from the East Bronx. A long metal fence separates the private beach for residents of the affluent side of town from the rest of Milford, namely Wildemere Avenue, where Catts family lives. The third-person narration zooms out to survey the neighborhoods fortunes over time: summer shacks and bungalows that get storm windows when sold to the year-round families who find work on the assembly line in munitions factories in nearby Bridgeport.

The family has moved here for the promise of a better life. The beginning of the novel focuses on Catts mother, Emma, who thinks that the Bronx was an enormous dormitory for immigrant labor built in the late nineteenth century where each new wave of workers was a little more desperate. Alienated from, but not exactly resentful of, her new Puerto Rican neighbors, Emma is relieved to start afresh in a new place. Her focus is Catts younger sister, Carla, or rather her sense that something may be different about Carla, who never smiles and constantly wails. While her husband, Jasper, finds challenging books for Catt, Emma takes Carla for doctors visits and tests. When Carla is diagnosed with an intellectual disability, Jasper and Emma refuse to believe the limitations the doctor sets for her, just as they refused to accept the limitations of the Bronx.

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Mobility is the defining trait of the characters in the novel, the fortune that separates the stuck from the spiraling. But now, in Milford, Emma is lonelier than ever. She collects stamps she can redeem for products at the IGA and is shunned by the other moms when she doesnt realize she must bring a gift when dropping off Catt at a childs birthday party. They take out a second mortgage to send Carla to a special-needs program; 18 months later, she starts speaking in whole sentences.

But this is where the narration shifts its focus to Catt, who couldnt stand to look at Carla. She is slighted by the kids in town who call Carla names, and she takes refuge in her father, who lavishes his attention on her (not so much on his wife or other daughter). From here, the narrative mostly sticks to Catts lows at school, where she is bullied and shunned. Her teen years are filled with the requisite peeks into sex, drugs, social justice, and hitchhiking. And then Jasper, who has all along been suffering professional disappointment, decides to move the family to Wellington, New Zealand.





Krauss third person provides enough distance between author and protagonist to allow a reader to forget, if they happened to already know, that she, too, was born in the Bronx, moved to Connecticut as a child, and went to high school in Wellington. But once the novels second section picks up, we are squarely back in the Chris Kraus autofictional universe. Its 2012, and Catt dreams of owning a summer house in Balsam, Minnesota, an old-fashioned cottage, one and a half stories tall, perfectly located, where she can work on her unfinished novel. Shes already renting a lake house in the area with her partner, Paul Garcia, who completed his masters in addiction studies nearby.

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This section travels back and forth from Minnesota to Los Angeles, Catt and Pauls primary residence, to Albuquerque, where they own properties. Catt is struggling to make sense of her own place in society. Her old work is getting rediscovered by the Tumblr generation, an online enthusiasm she benefits from but fundamentally mistrusts. Her success seems tenuous to her, since the world she lives in is simultaneously getting fixed up and hollowed out: the dive bars and hole-in-the-wall galleries where they used to present work to a handful of friends were being replaced by sumptuous, quietly capitalized spaces. There were conferences, seminars, launches, and openings, all of them well-received and then quickly forgotten by larger, more affluent audiences.

Los Angeles is becoming too expensive, but she doesnt want to leave behind the house she loves, which the narrator describes as hidden behind a wrought-iron gate  one of the jewels of the ungentrified, crime-and-gang-ridden neighborhood that Catt loved and Paul hated. Catt finds romance in living in a predominantly Central American neighborhood; it reminds her of her Bronx childhood. Paul, however, sees the cracks into which he could slip. He had two years of sobriety when he met Catt, and before that, his life was a mash-up of alcoholic catastrophes. The way forward, it seems, is real estate: Recently it had occurred to them both that buying a house two thousand miles from LA in the Northwoods might be the answer. The implied question: How is it possible for anyone but the wealthy to afford to live in this world?

Kraus doesnt attempt an answer. Her project, here and in her other novels, is to catalog a range of personal indignities and social injustices and to juxtapose them in the same novel without evaluating who has it worse. Whats curious about her work is how real estate acts as a place of encounter between people having very difficult struggles. The Four Spent the Day Together reevaluates a remark she made in an interview with Sheila Heti in 2013: buying and fixing, and then renting and managing, was a way of engaging with a population completely outside the culture industry. Indeed, Paul and Catt met when he applied for a job as a resident manager of some of her apartments in Albuquerque, a town that, the narrator remarks, as everyone knew, was split sharply between Good and Bad.

As Catt achieves more recognition for her work as a writer, she objects to the online haters who view her primarily as a property owner. In The Four Spent the Day Together, Catt is, like Kraus, the author of Summer of Hate, I Love Dick (which is similarly turned into a television show), and a biography of Kathy Acker. Catt is also, like Kraus, repeatedly targeted for online and eventual IRL cancellation for various reasons: property ownership; refusing to cancel an event with another writer at a new Boyle Heights arts venue being boycotted by anti-gentrification activists; defending a #MeTood professor.

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Catts novels had always evolved from her life, but now her life seemed redundant to the grotesque image of her as a landlord, Kraus rues. Even if Krauss novels are invested in dissonance and juxtaposition, Catt, as a character, has a harder time owning her own contradictions than she does owning rental apartments. Catt admits that she struggled to understand where her critics were coming from. Were they opposed to all rental housing? Should it be run by the state? Did they believe that the buildings maintained themselves? Catt is sharply attuned to the hypocrisies of others. She describes the Boyle Heights Guardians, a group that calls for a boycott of businesses they deem complicit in the gentrification of the working-class Latine neighborhood, as comprised largely of CalArts students and recent grads who dont all even live in Boyle Heightsthough how does she know their membership details? She is genuinely surprised that anyone she takes seriously would join up with the group and is hurt when she is met with protesters at a CUNY event.

Catt (and Kraus, as shes argued elsewhere) is absolutely right, however, that if were really going to talk about how artists support themselves, then theres a long list of trust-fundees and nepo-gallerinos who deserve a stronger side-eye. As for literature, theres no shortage of beige furniture fiction about who gets the summer home in the divorce. Even edgier books that are buoyed by homeownership arent really talked about this way. All Fours, 2024s feminist bestseller, was also about real estate: It begins with a speculator taking covert pictures of the narrators property. Would Miranda Julys perimenopausal revelations have been possible if she and Mike Mills couldnt afford two homes?





In Krauss novels, any one human life matters immensely, but the trick is seeing how much it matters lined up against a rather more dramatic case. The novels third and final section is such a hard pivot away from academic and art world gripes as to make them seem meaningless: a retelling of a brutal murder on the fringe of the meth community of the Iron Range, northern Minnesota, not far from Catt and Pauls summer home. Three teenagers shoot and kill a slightly older new acquaintance after spending the day with him (hence the title of the book). The narrator tells the unlucky backstory of each of the four and recounts the circumstances of the day that leads to the murder, the quick apprehension of the suspects, and their trial.

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Catt researches the case and tries to get information out of the locals, and the narrative disintegrates into a log of the texts between the murderers during the crime. Though she hopes to write an In Cold Bloodstyle true-crime novel, full of dark interiority and desperate motivation, she realizes that the crime, committed by people on meth looking for more meth, was ultimately irrational and empty. This is a familiar realization for anyone close to someone in a downward spiral of addiction: The why simply does not satisfy. Nevertheless, the novel is driven by an urge to understand: She thought about the distances between LA and the gray house in Balsam and the lives of these four young people on the Iron Range and decided she would try to bridge them.

The most compelling parts of the novel pull off acts of bridging. Paul dreads and then quits his job doing mobile mental health triage on Skid Row in L.A., even though Catt and her friends thought this was an important, even glamorous job. Of course: they did not have to do it. When Paul starts to drink again to deal with his social phobia, Catt sympathizes with his discomfort around her milieu, because she had once shared it. In previous novels that center around marriage, it was the Kraus character who felt like the alienated spouse, the one no one talked to.

The Four Spent the Day Together also acknowledges the limits of connection. Her dream of rehabbing the buildings in Albuquerque, Catt acknowledges, began not just as a means of supporting herself but as a small social project. Rehab is a loaded word: For Catt, its an innocuous synonym for renovation; for Paul, its about recovery. It is agonizing to read Pauls struggle to find and keep work in addiction services, because he needs help himself, and as those pages add up, they evince a sense of caresomeone is noticing, someone is remembering his every misstep, even if, as Paul complains, Catt was his lifeline, but she was almost always away.

When there is trouble with the apartments in Albuquerque, the same disconnect emerges. Catt laments at length getting ripped off by the people she pays to manage the properties and the people renting from her. Catt and Paul have been gouged by management companies, so they hire a couple to work for them:

Patrizia was really Patricia, a white working-class wannabe chola, and Sammy, part of a large Gallup Navajo family, had spent numerous years in prison for petty drug-and-alcohol related offenses before getting clean. In a sense, they were Paul and Catts lower-class doppelgangers and for this reason, Catt felt compelled to help them: loaning them money, paying for work on Sammys old Chevy Blazer, buying them plane tickets so they could connect with long-lost relations.

But Sammy and Patrizias friends and family move into the buildings, stop paying rent, and damage the propertyso that Patrizia has to ask for money for repairs. Ineptitude or scam? Making a living in real estate isnt easy: Small-time landlords are constantly hustling, flipping, scheming, and dodging the capital gains tax. The choice is between profit, or human connection. Theres no moment of breakthrough between Catt and her lower-class doppelgangers.

Catt doesnt quite fit, in the neighborhood or in the professional sphere. She felt estranged from the people she knew in the art world as well, people whod always been rich or felt underprivileged if their parents were merely professors or lawyers. The thing about outsider status is that the vast majority of people feel that theyre kept out of some inner circle, even those in the center rings. At its best, a Chris Kraus novel understands the futility of knowing that someone has it better or worse than you do. The ghastly details of the true-crime section may seem a far cry from the rest of the novel, though they strike an appropriately jarring note. Though there are no conclusions by the end of the novel, there are confluences. The Iron Ridge story boils down to meth, and in the end, Catt finds Paul smoking meth and crack and divorces him. Whats compelling about The Four Spent the Day Together is not a false comparison between haves and have-nots, but the dissonance, the stark juxtapositions, and the inconclusive conclusions that result when you try to make sense of cruelty.
NEED TO KNOW

Christian Slater's little ones are not fazed by his fame

The Blink Twice star chatted with PEOPLE at the 2025 Gotham Awards about how his children are "the greatest" and his fame means "nothing" to them

The Unfrosted actor has two kids with his ex-wife, Ryan Haddon, and two kids with his current wife, Brittany Lopez

Christian Slater's little ones aren't fazed by his fame.

While chatting with PEOPLE at the 2025 Gotham Awards, the Blink Twice star, 56, opened up about how his children, especially his son and daughter Lena whom he shares with wife Brittany Lopez, are impacted by his fame. He shares that his star power means "nothing" to them, adding, "they're the greatest."

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"My older daughter, I suppose, has some sense of it. But it means nothing to her, and it means nothing to my younger daughter, too," he says. "It's meaningless, but they're the greatest. It was really nice to have them there."

Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Brittany Lopez, Christian Slater at "Dexter: Original Sin" Premiere - Arrivals at SVA Theatre on December 11, 2024 Brittany Lopez, Christian Slater at "Dexter: Original Sin" Premiere - Arrivals at SVA Theatre on December 11, 2024

Slater, a father of four, is also a dad to two older kids  son Jaden, 25, and daughter Eliana, 23  with ex-wife Ryan Haddon. Back in June, he celebrated a significant career moment with his family by his side.

The Heathers actor received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday, June 9, with his wife and his daughters Eliana and Lena by his side. The actor posed with his family for the major milestone in his long career.

"I have amazing and wonderful children [and] I can't imagine my life without them. They are the greatest," he shared while accepting the honor. After he gave a sweet shout-out to his wife, Slater concluded his speech by saying, "Having a star on Hollywood Blvd is great, but none of this would have been possible without my family and the love I have today."

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Before the birth of his youngest child, the actor opened up to PEOPLE in August 2024 about experiencing fatherhood at this stage in his life.

The whole thing is different. I'm certainly a lot more present and I just love it," Slater said. I think I was more scared of it the first go around and a little bit more confused, and I was very distracted."

He added, "And now, it's all I really think about, and all I really care about, and all I want to be around. I'm happy to be in that situation.

James Devaney/GC Images Christian Slater and daughter Eliana Sophia (L) attend the Toronto Raptors vs New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on April 16, 2014 Christian Slater and daughter Eliana Sophia (L) attend the Toronto Raptors vs New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on April 16, 2014

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Months later, ahead of the premiere of Dexter: Original Sin, Slater told Fox News Digital that he prefers being at home with his family.

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"Back in the 90s, it was like all I could wish for was just to be somewhere else all the time," he said. "Now I really like to be home."

Back in December 2024, the actor, who stars in the new TV series Dexter: Original Sin, appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and opened up about welcoming his baby boy. When asked about his daughter Lena, Slater revealed she had a funny reaction to learning that she'd be an older sibling.

"When we told her that my wife was pregnant, she asked when he was going to come. And we said, Well, about six more months hes going to be here,' " he remembered.

"And she goes, Okay good. I have time to build a wall. She was ready to protect all of her toys," Slater joked.

Read the original article on People
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday extended New Year greetings to people across the country, wishing them happiness, good health and success in the year ahead. Taking to X, Rahul Gandhi said, "Heartfelt New Year greetings to all of you. May the new year bring abundant happiness, good health, and success into your life." He further added, "Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year 2026." His post was accompanied by a photograph showing Gandhi posing with Gen Z, whom he had previously interacted with before the Bihar polls. https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/2006434117223919667 His message came as celebrations marked the arrival of 2026 nationwide. Fireworks illuminated the night sky in several cities, including coastal, metropolitan and hill regions, as people gathered with family and friends to welcome the New Year. From the beaches and public squares to religious landmarks, the transition into 2026 was observed with enthusiasm. Major urban centres witnessed large crowds at popular celebration spots, while hill destinations saw tourists welcoming the New Year amid cold weather and scenic landscapes. In many places, authorities deployed additional security and traffic arrangements to ensure safe and orderly celebrations. While many in Mumbai welcomed the New Year at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, tourists and locals gathered at key locations in Delhi, such as India Gate and Connaught Place. Religious sites also witnessed significant footfall as devotees chose to begin the New Year with prayers. Devotees in Amritsar gathered at Shri Harmandir Sahib to offer prayer while parish members attended special New Year services across Churches in Tamil Nadu. Despite snow-clad landscapes in Jammu and Kashmir, tourists and locals burst firecrackers as they ushered inthe New Year. Political leaders across parties used social media platforms to convey greetings to citizens of the country. (ANI)
UPDATED with Clooney comment: With just a few hours left in 2025, Donald Trump went after George Clooney and his new French citizenship, apparently in response to a recent interview in which the actor recalled that the president was a big goofball before he entered politics.

Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday, Good News! George and Amal Clooney, two of the worst political prognosticators of all time, have officially become citizens of France which is, sadly, in the midst of a major crime problem because of their absolutely horrendous handling of immigration, much like we had under Sleepy Joe Biden. Remember when Clooney, after the now infamous debate, dumped Joe during a fundraiser, only to go onto the side of another stellar candidate, Jamala(K!), who is now fighting it out with the worst governor in the Country, including Tim Waltz, Gavin Newscum, for who is going to lead the Democrats to their future defeat. Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre, movies. He wasnt a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who complained, constantly, about common sense in politics. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

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The New York Times and other outlets reported this week that France had granted citizenship to the Clooneys and their children. The actor, born in Kentucky, also has citizenship in the United States.

In a statement, Clooney responded to Trumps post, saying, I totally agree with the current president. We have to make America great again. Well start in November.

In an interview with Variety, Clooney recalled being friendly with Trump before he entered elective politics.

I knew him very well, Clooney told the publication. He used to call me a lot, and he tried to help me get into a hospital once to see a back surgeon. Id see him out at clubs and at restaurants. Hes a big goofball. Well, he was. That all changed.

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In the interview, Clooney also was critical of the decision by ABC News and CBS News to settle separate lawsuits filed by Trump. If CBS and ABC had challenged those lawsuits and said, Go fuck yourself, we wouldnt be where we are in the country, Clooney said. Thats simply the truth.

He also was critical of Bari Weiss, the founder of the center-right opinion site The Free Press, who Paramount CEO David Ellison appointed to run the CBS News division after acquiring the company. Weiss then invited Clooney to visit the newsroom.

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PARIS  Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney were granted French citizenship because they contribute, through their distinguished actions, to Frances international influence and cultural outreach, the French government said Wednesday, defending their naturalization that was questioned by a junior French minister.

The naturalizations of the Kentucky-born star of the Oceans series of heist movies, his wife and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, and their twins Ella and Alexander were announced last weekend in the Journal Officiel, where French government decrees are published.

Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister at the Interior Ministry, expressed misgivings Wednesday that some of the Clooneys new French compatriots may think that the star couple was granted special treatment. The actor speaks only what he himself says is horrible, horrible French.

The French government defended granting George and Amal Clooney citizenship following claims that the famous couple was receiving special treatment. REUTERS

The couple purchased an estate in France in 2021, with Clooney saying that its the familys primary residence. Alberto Pezzali/Invision/AP

The message being sent is not good, Vedrenne said in an interview with broadcaster France Info. There is an issue of fairness that, in my eyes, is absolutely essential.

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The couple purchased an estate in France in 2021 and Clooney has said that its their primary residence. Non-French residents of France have multiple possible routes to becoming naturalized.

It wasnt clear whether the 64-year-old actor retained his American citizenship.

His 47-year-old wife was born in Lebanon and raised in the U.K and naturalized by France under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin.

The 8-year-old twins were born in London.

The Foreign Ministry said the Clooneys were eligible for citizenship under a French law that allows for the naturalization of foreign nationals who contribute to Frances international influence and economic well-being.

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It argued that Frances cinema industry will benefit from the actors clout as a global movie star and said that as a lawyer, Amal Clooney regularly works with academic institutions and international organizations in France.

They maintain strong personal, professional and family ties with our country, the Foreign Ministry said. We are delighted to welcome Georges and Amal Clooney, giving the actors first name a French twist with the s at the end. Alessandra Tarantino/Invision/AP

They maintain strong personal, professional and family ties with our country, the ministry said.

Like many French citizens, we are delighted to welcome Georges and Amal Clooney into the national community, it concluded, giving the actors first name a French twist by adding the s at the end.

The decision was also defended by Vedrennes superior at the Interior Ministry, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, who said he signed the naturalization decree.

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Its a big chance for our country, he said.

In recent media interviews when he was promoting Jay Kelly, Clooney said that he is trying to teach himself French using a language-learning app.

He said that his wife and children speak the language perfectly.

They speak French in front of me so that they can say terrible things about me to my face and I dont know, he joked, speaking to French broadcaster Canal+.

While promoting Jay Kelly, Clooney said that he is trying to teach himself French. Getty Images for Netflix

George Clooney and Adam Sandler speak onstage during Netflixs Jay Kelly LA Tastemaker Event at San Vicente Bungalows on November 10, 2025, in New York City. Getty Images for Netflix

French media have reported that the Clooneys live part-time in their luxury 18th-century villa outside the town of Brignoles in southern France, where they can keep a lower profile and their children are protected from unauthorized photographs by French privacy laws.

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In an interview with Esquire in October, Clooney said: I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood.

I dont want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I dont want them being compared to somebody elses famous kids, he said. Growing up away from the spotlight in France, they have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.
Earlier this week, 20-year-old Alabama Barker went viral when she shared her jaw-dropping Christmas haul with her TikTok followers in a video that was almost nine minutes long.

If you didnt know, Alabama is the daughter of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and his ex-wife, Shanna Moakler . In 2022, Travis married Kourtney Kardashian-Barker , making Alabama an extended member of the Kardashian-Jenner family.

Phillip Faraone / Getty Images

In her haul, Alabama showed off more than $200,000 worth of gifts that shed received this year, including a pair of 1,250 Hermes sandals from Kris Jenner , a $3,680 vintage Chanel denim handbag/ vanity case from Kylie Jenner , and a $2,990 Balenciaga purse from Kendall Jenner

Related: 17 Child Stars Who Completely Disappeared From Hollywood And What Their Lives Look Like Today

Among the gifts from Kourtney was a $24,000 Hermes Birkin:

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Traviss gifts included a $32,000 Cartier bracelet, with Alabama casually stating that he gets her one every year, a $15,200 Chrome Hearts purse, and a $1,899 Apple desktop computer, as well as multiple pairs of heels, clothes, and jewelry that all retailed for thousands of dollars each.

But as viewers took in the obscene amount of money that had been spent, there was one gift that Alabama received from her dad that left many viewers stunned: a whole heap of sexy lingerie from Agent Provocateur.

Related: People Whove Worked With Celebrities Are Sharing The Things We Probably Dont Know About Them, And This Is So Fascinating I Couldnt Stop Reading

In the haul video, Alabama candidly said: So my dad went a little crazy in Agent Provocateur. She then showed off a pile of lace bras and panties as she added: Kourtney picked out most of it and then the girl knows me there so she gave recommendations of what I like.

Alabama went on to show off four Agent Provocateur corsets, which retail for around $620 each, with one featuring a sheer bust and PVC leather trim. She also received a leopard-print slip negligee, and a sheer red robe with black trim.

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Needless to say, people were left stunned that a father would buy his daughter sexy underwear as a Christmas gift, with a popular comment on Alabamas TikTok video reading: so my dad went a little crazy at Agent Provocateur is a WILD thing to say.

And this sentiment was echoed over on Reddit, where one of the top comments about her video read: my dad went a little crazy at agent provocateur is something no girl should say.

Somebody else wrote: I could never imagine my parents, especially my dad, buying me lingerie.  while another admitted: I would die at my dad seeing my underwear and Im 46. I justcannot imagine.him buying me underwear, let alone LINGERIE!?!

And one more pointed out: He couldve just gotten her a gift card and let her go crazy if this was on her wish list. Ewwww.

Related: 18 Celebrity Interview Moments From This Year That Are SoOoOoOo Awkward, I'm Feeling Major Secondhand Embarrassment

Now, Alabama has furiously hit back at the discourse as she defended Traviss gift in another video. She began: Hold on, I have to go on a fucking rant. Why the fuck, why the fuck, are you guys trying to make this lingerie thing a thing?! Its never going to be a thing, Gretchen!

Kourtney picked out the lingerie. Kourtney! she went on. You think my dads like: Oh, Im going to go pick out my daughters lingerie,? No! It was on my Christmas list, and he wanted to make it happen for me, so he let Kourtney go pick out the lingerie.

Neilson Barnard / Getty Images

God forbid a girl wanted cute panties and bras, Alabama concluded. Like, literally leave me alone. Im literally never going to do another Christmas haul. I hate you guys, I hate you guys!

John Nacion / Getty Images

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And Alabamas sister Atiana De La Hoya also joined the conversation in the comments. Despite Alabama repeatedly stating that Kourtney chose the lingerie, Atiana wrote: As if we dont send assistants links NASTY, to which Alabama replied: 

Related: People Are Comparing Kendall Jenners New "Grandma-Chic" House Tour To Her Sisters "Bland" Mansions, And This Needs To Be Seen

Either way, people still werent on board with the lingerie sitch, with one Redditor writing of Alabamas latest post: I don't want my step mom picking out my lingerie either.

Still weird dude. Youll never convince me otherwise, somebody else agreed , while another asked : Isn't her parents rich? Girl get your own lingerie, it's so weird putting it on your xmas list for your dad to pick up.

Gilbert Flores / Getty Images

You can watch Alabama's latest TikTok below  be sure to let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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TikTok @alabamabarker / Via tiktok.com

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Also in Celebrity: After Her So-Called New Face Went Viral Again, Jennifer Lawrence Discussed What Cosmetic Work Shes Had Done And Said Shes Rushing To Get A Boob Job Ahead Of Filming A Nude Scene

Also in Celebrity: Here's What Quinta Brunson Had To Say About Her Divorce From Kevin Anik

Also in Celebrity: Macaulay Culkin Shared How John Candy Noticed His Father Was "A Monster," And It's Upsetting

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One half of the Island Boys didn't ring in the New Year on a high note ... 'cause TMZ has learned Franky Venegas was arrested again in Florida for alleged drug-related offenses and is currently behind bars.

Law enforcement tells us Franky was booked into the Collier County Jail in Naples Wednesday night on one count of drug paraphernalia, posing for a fresh mug shot ... face tattoos and all.

TMZ

We're told Franky has no bond, as he's being held on a 24-hour hold because he's already out on bond from a February arrest for delivering/possessing/selling a firearm with an altered serial number.

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We broke the story ... Franky was arrested in February on drug and firearm charges. The drug count was dropped, but the firearm charge stuck, and that's the case he's currently out on bond for.

According to the February sheriff's report, officers stopped a yellow Corvette after it allegedly ran a stop sign. Cops say a baggie of suspected Oxycodone was found on the passenger side floorboard. Venegas denied ownership, claiming he had a prescription he didn't have with him.

TMZ

At the time, police also found a brown "MGM" handbag containing a blue spray painted handgun with no serial numbers, a cut straw, and credit cards in Venegas' name. Another straw with a white powdery substance was allegedly found in the center console.

Franky rose to fame in 2021 with brother Alex after their viral hit, "I'm an Island Boy."

He's previously been arrested for domestic battery, reckless driving, and driving without a license.
Royal experts are weighing in on King Charles IIIs treatment of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and how it vastly differs from his estranged son, Prince Harry.

Despite Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal, his daughters have been allowed to maintain a half-in, half-out position in the royal family. That particular request was made by Harry and Meghan Markle to Queen Elizabeth II in 2020, but it was denied. So, why does it appear that Beatrice and Eugenie are receiving special treatment?

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Royal expert Simon Vigar explained the situation on the December 31 episode of The Suns Royal Exclusive podcast. Theyre in an interesting position because they do public engagements, but they also have their private work and their private lives, he said. Theyre sort of half-in, half-out, actually, the thing that Harry wanted. Beatrice and Eugenie arent full-time working royals, so they dont quite have the public exposure that the others do.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: (L-R) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attend the Project Healthy Minds 3rd Annual Gala at Spring Studios on October 09, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by John Nacion/WireImage) (John Nacion/WireImage/Getty Images.)

Its the exposure that might have worried the palace since Harry and Meghan, despite all of the media criticism, remain popular among global royal fans. The Sussexes well-received Nigeria trip in May 2024 even forced one of their critics to praise them.

After all of the trashing of Harry this week trying to blame him [for the rift], Royal author Tina Brown explained to the BBC. When I saw him and Meghan in Nigeria, I had a nostalgia. I felt this is what it could have been. These two, who are enormously appealing to the public and who are very good at it, were out there in Nigeria, sort of looking really attractive and being appealing people.

Brown described the charisma vacancy Harry and Meghan left in the royal family when they moved to California. What a pity it is theyve gone. There is that Harry-shaped hole in the monarchy at this time when they are at such beleaguered circumstances, she added.

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In the Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, the couple shared what happened when they presented the half-in, half-out idea to Charles and Prince William as a way to have our own jobs but also work in support of the Queen.

It became very clear very quickly that that goal was not up for discussion or debate, Harry said in the series. It was terrifying to have my brother scream and shout at me, and my father say things that simply werent true, and my grandmother quietly sit there and sort of take it all in.

Fast forward to 2026, where Eugenie and Beatrice are allowed to proceed with that coveted option while Harry and Meghan were denied. The palace rules dont seem to make sense, but even the royal experts are pointing out King Charles and Prince Williams hypocrisy.

More on the royal family:

Before you go, click here to find out which tell-all books expose major royal family secrets.

Finding Freedom, Lady in Waiting

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New York City first lady Rama Duwaji chose to introduce herself to Americans in The Cut, opting for the fashion outlet over Conde Nast counterpart Vogue or The New York Times.

The artist, married to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, wore a structured black jacket from French label Jacquemus for the publication's special cover in which her own illustrations have appeared.

The 28-year-old has expressed a willingness to be seen first as herself, outside of the trappings of traditional political wedlock, amid a bipartisan shift for spouses in American political marriages.
The architects of President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown were seen dancing to Ice Ice Baby at the presidents New Years Eve party at Mar-a-Lago  triggering a wave of criticism online.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem were captured on video singing along as Vanilla Ice performed the hit 1990 tune to a crowd of party goers.

In the video, Miller can be seen impassively mouthing the lyrics before the camera pans to Noem, who loudly chants Ice Ice Baby while pointing her arm in the air.

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Millers wife, podcast host Katie Miller, posted the 11-second clip on X, prompting a flurry of reactions. Many saw the not-so-subtle nod to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as tone-deaf, cruel and cringeworthy.

This is what I imagine hell is like, wrote one user, while another branded it, cringe.

'Peak cringe,' one user wrote (Katie Miller)

Ive been on the internet since the very beginning and Ive never seen anything more embarrassing than this, a third user chimed in.

Pretty embarrassing, added another. In a different age, no one would see this. Powerful government officials (and their tipsy wives) were largely hidden from the public. Watching this video and you realize the people in charge, like Kristi Noem, are fundamentally unserious.

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Keep partying while Americans struggle, wrote another user.

Not all responses were negative, though.

For all you liberals out there with a confused look on your face, this is called having fun, a user wrote on X. Try it sometime.

'Not a serious administration,' another user wrote (Katie Miller)

The end-of-year party, hosted at the presidents extravagant Palm Beach club, featured a number of other prominent figures in MAGA world, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

Trumps three sons, First Lady Melania Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were also pictured at the glitzy black-tie event.

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The celebration included a charity auction, during which Christian artist Vanessa Horabuena speedily painted a portrait of Jesus, which then sold at auction for $2.75 million.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the party alongside Barron Trump, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others (Getty Images)

Trump, speaking from the cavernous ballroom, said the proceeds would go to St. Judes Hospital and the local sheriffs office.

The president also welcomed party-goers in a wide-ranging speech, during which he skewered Minnesota Democrats over newly surfaced allegations of fraud and bragged about his sweeping tariffs. He added that his resolution for 2026 was to achieve world peace.

The party has been a long-time tradition for Trump, who has rang in the new year at Mar-a-Lago for more than two decades. During his first term in office, ticket prices spiked to more than $1,000 and they now go for about $1,500, according to CNN.

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In the past, high-profile guests have included Martha Stewart, Tiger Woods, Rod Stewart, Serena Williams and Sylvester Stallone, according to The Palm Beach Post.

The Independent has reached out to DHS and the White House for comment.
Donald Trump has confirmed that he wore compression socks to treat his cankles amid growing scrutiny over his health as Americas oldest president.

In an explosive interview about his medical treatments, Trump also admitted that he applies makeup to his hands, saying that the large daily dose of aspirin he takes to thin his blood causes them to bruise easily.

The Daily Beast has led the way in reporting on Trumps efforts to hide his swollen ankles and the globs of makeup on his hands.

U.S. President Donald Trump sports a bandage on his right hand at an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on December 9, 2025 in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. / Alex Wong / Getty Images

Other media outlets largely ignored these issues, and the president and his inner circle have adamantly denied that he had any problems.

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But in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, Trump said he wore medical compression socks to help with swelling in his ankles.

He visited Walter Reed Hospital in mid-July after suffering mild swelling in his lower legs, and an ultrasound showed he has chronic venous insufficiency, a common ailment in older people that makes it more difficult for the blood to travel to the heart from the legs through smaller veins.

A photo illustration of President Trump's cankles on Oct. 7, 2025. / Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Trumps doctor, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella told the Journal that Trump was suffering from superficial chronic venous insufficiency, and he said the condition was treatable.

Trump said he tried compression socks but stopped because, I didnt like them.

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The Daily Beast previously reported that the president appeared to be trying to hide his cankles by sitting with his legs hidden under his Resolute desk in the Oval Office.

But he said that now he is trying to get up from his desk more and walk around, another method recommended by doctors to reduce swelling.

That appears to be all the exercise he is prepared to take. To walk on a treadmill or run on a treadmill for hours and hours like some people do, thats not for me, he told the Journal.

Barbabella said Trump takes 325 milligrams of aspirin a daya much larger dose than the usual 81 milligramsfor cardiac prevention.

Trumps cankles and bruised hand have fueled speculation around the 79 year olds health. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Theyd rather have me take the smaller one, said the president. I take the larger one, but Ive done it for years, and what it does do is it causes bruising.

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Im a little superstitious, he explained as his reason for taking the high aspirin dose for 25 years.

They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I dont want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense? said Trump.

His skin is so thin that Pam Bondi made his hand bleed when she nicked him with her ring while giving him a high five at the GOP National Convention in Milwaukee.

The ring hit the back of my hand, and, yes, there was a slight little cut, said Trump. Aides told the Journal that similar bleeding incidents have happened on other occasions.

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The president said in the interview that he daubs makeup on his hands after he gets whacked again by someone.

President Donald Trump's hand was covered in makeup on Monday during his Cabinet meeting as he complained about the reports raising questions about his advanced age and health. / Chip Somodevilla / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

I have makeup thats, you know, easy to put on, takes about 10 seconds, he added.

Trump, at 79, the oldest man to be U.S. president, scoffed at suggestions that his mental and physical health is deteriorating.

He insisted in the interview that he is in excellent shape and puts it down to good genetics.
President Donald Trump rang in the New Year at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, by presiding over a charity auction at which he sold off a portrait of Jesus Christ for $2.75 million.

Clearly enjoying himself hosting the black tie gala, Trump said the money raised from the work, which was painted live at the event in around 10 minutes by Christian worship artist and Instagram celebrity Vanessa Horabuena, would be donated to St. Judes Hospital and the local sheriffs office.

Theres a young lady named Vanessa whos one of the greatest artists anywhere in the world, the president said of Horabuena when he introduced her to his guests in the Donald J Trump Grand Ballroom, many of whom had paid $1,450 per ticket to be there, according to CNN.

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To me, shes one of the greatest Shes a speed painter, and shes a great painter, but I think shes one of the great living artists.

President Donald Trump speaks on stage next to the winning bidder and artist Vanessa Horabuena after auctioning off her speed painting of Jesus Christ for $2.75 million during a New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida (Reuters)

After Horabuena had completed her opus, she wielded her brushes against a black canvas in dramatic fashion. At the same time, the band on stage played a slow version of Hallelujah, Trump marvelled: I dont know how you do that These people are loaded with cash, just so you know.

Opening the bidding at $100,000, he soon accepted a $1 million offer. He ribbed the unidentified would-be buyer by saying he was the biggest guy on Wall Street, that the amount represented peanuts to him and that, because he wears a red MAGA cap, he habitually takes people by surprise before he pumps the money out of their wallets.

As rival bids gradually took the total to $2.5 million, Trump pretended to mishear and jokingly inquired: $5 million or $2.5 million?

Rudy Giuliani arrives for the New Year's Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago (AP)

The portrait finally went for $2.75 million, with the president inviting the winner up on stage while teasing them about the possibility of going bankrupt.

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Trump was joined at the end-of-year bash by First Lady Melania Trump, wearing a silver, floor-length gown.

Their guests included Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, former New York City mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro, Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, and movie director Brett Ratner, the man behind the forthcoming documentary Melania.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for their New Year's Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago (AP)

Prior to the auction, the president had welcomed revellers by attacking the Democratic leadership of Minnesota over allegations of widespread fraud, bragging about the success of his reciprocal tariffs program, and saying his New Years resolution was to secure world peace.

However, he undermined that pledge by subsequently ignoring questions about ongoing U.S. aggressions in Venezuela and his latest negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about ending Russias invasion of his country, according to The Palm Beach Post.

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Earlier in the day, Trump had been busy on Truth Social addressing a range of contentious subjects, from a supposed mass exodus of citizens from California and Colorado, Fat Cat Insurance Companies, border security, George Clooney receiving French citizenship, and his plan to withdraw National Guard troops from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland.

We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again  Only a question of time! he told the residents of those cities in ominous fashion.
Zach Bryan has confirmed his marriage to Samantha Leonard.

Bryan, 29, took to Instagram on Wednesday, December 31, and shared a black-and-white photo of him carrying Leonard, 28, as she sported a strapless white bridal gown with a feathery hem. The happy couple smiled as Leonard held a wine glass.

Tougher than the rest, he captioned his post, which also included a video of him performing the Bruce Springsteen song with the same name at their wedding reception.

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Earlier Wednesday, the country star was spotted holding Leonard in his arms after exchanging vows in Spain, multiple outlets reported. A video posted via Instagram showed the newlyweds laughing as they hopped into a convertible and drove off into the proverbial sunset.

Singer Zach Bryans Dating History: From Barstool Sports Brianna LaPaglia to Samantha Leonard

The day before the wedding, Bryan shared a photo of him with his guy friends, adding a caption that cited lyrics from the Black Eyes Peas I Gotta Feeling. On December 29, Bryan posted a clip of him crooning a heartfelt song on the guitar that seemingly referenced his upcoming nuptials.

I made a woman fall in love and made our young hearts cry, he sang. Im on an aeroplane bound to Spain tonight.

On Wednesday, Leonard posted a clip via her Instagram Stories in which she and Bryan touched down on an airplane.

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The couple were first linked in August. That October, Bryan paid tribute to his new love via Instagram, writing, From bull runs to all the bulls***, today is your birthday and I love you Samantha Marie. To the only woman who can hike six miles in Chanel flats, skydive over the alps and catch a bigger fish than me all in the same day. Hope your day was as graceful as you are.

Brianna Chickenfry Says Zach Bryan Picked Out an Engagement Ring for Her

Sparks flew between Bryan and Leonard one year after his not-so-amicable split with Brianna Chickenfry LaPaglia, whom he dated from the summer of 2023 up to fall 2024.

Brianna and me [sic] have broken up with each other and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that, Ill always thank her, Bryan said in a statement in October 2024. Ive had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways. I am not perfect and never will be.

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LaPaglia, 26, has said that the breakup blindsided her and accused Bryan of being emotionally abusive. (Us Weekly reached out for comment at the time. Bryan hasn't responded to the allegations.)

LaPaglias fans, meanwhile, have noted the physical resemblance between her and Leonard.

Next question is [one] that I got a million times. What do you think about Zachs girlfriend looking exactly like you? LaPaglia said during an October episode of her Plan Bri Uncut podcast. I think that is narcissism textbook 101, like, thats what narcissists do. They just go and find another version of you to date.

She continued, People are like, Are you creeped out? Are you mad? Are you flattered? I am flattered to be honest. I dyed my hair so that people [would] stop sending me every single picture that he posts of her, and I blocked him. I dont wanna see this [and] I dont want to indulge in anything that he does.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday extended New Year greetings to citizens across the country, calling upon people to make 2026 a year of collective action to protect the Constitution, democratic values, and strengthen social harmony. Kharge shared his message on X as the nation welcomed the New Year amid widespread celebrations. In his post, the Congress chief urged citizens to "turn this year (into) a mass movement" to safeguard the rights of the vulnerable. "On this joyful New Year, I extend my warmest greetings to all of you. Let us make this year a mass movement to protect the rights of the vulnerable - the right to work, the right to vote, and the right to live with dignity. Together, let us safeguard our Constitution and democratic values, empower citizens, and strengthen harmony in society," Kharge said. Highlighting key socio-economic priorities, Kharge said, "Employment for our youth, safety for women, prosperity for farmers, dignity for those on the margins, and a better quality of life for all, these must be our shared resolve. May the year ahead bring happiness, prosperity, and progress to every one of you." He concluded his message with "Happy New Year" and signed off with "Jai Hind". Earlier, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also took to X to wish people a happy New Year 2026, expressing hope that the year would bring good health, happiness and success to everyone. Across India, the New Year 2026 was welcomed with fireworks, prayers and public gatherings. Cities, hill towns and religious centres witnessed celebrations as people marked the occasion with family and friends. (ANI)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT)  Just before the start of 2026, Netflix will release the final episode of the hit series Stranger Things.

While the show itself has a couple of connections to Alabama from a hat one character wears in a recent episode to being filmed in Georgia there have never been explicit connections to the state. That is, unless you count one film actress Natalia Dyer made that took its name from the home of the University of Alabama.

Dyer, who plays Nancy Wheeler on the show, is best known for Stranger Things, but she has played in a handful of movies the last few years, including Tuscaloosa, a movie released in 2019 and based on the 1994 novel by W. Glasgow Phillips.

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In Tuscaloosa, Dyer plays Virginia, a resident at the fictional Branson Asylum in Tuscaloosa. The film, set in the 1970s, shows Virginia and how she falls in love with Billy Mitchell, the son of the man who runs the asylum. Branson is loosely based on Bryce Hospital, which housed thousands of people with mental health issues from 1861, when it was called the Alabama Insane Hospital, to when it closed in 2014.

Virginia and Billys love story happens in the forefront of the civil rights movement and anti-war movement of the time.

Despite being set in Alabama, Tuscaloosa was actually shot exclusively in Minnesota.

In a review in The Hollywood Report, critic Frank Scheck praised the film, especially Dyers performance.

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Tuscaloosa proves most successful when dealing with the star-crossed lovers at the storys center, with Dyer particularly magnetic as the bohemian Virginia who shakes Billy out of his existential stupor, Scheck wrote.

Tuscaloosa can be watched in its entirety on YouTube.

The Stranger Things finale will premiere at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Netflix and in AMC theaters across the country, including The Summit and Patton Creek in Birmingham.

Copyright 2026 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.
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Credit: AMC / Apple TV

It's been a very strong year for sci-fi shows  here are the 7 best all-new series to watch  with Apple TV's Pluribus becoming the streamer's most-watched show of the year.

The show is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and there's an unrelated yet apparent  mysterious, even?  thread that connects its landscape and the show creator's (Vince Gilligan) stories.

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Pluribus' protagonist, Carol Sturka, is played by actress Rhea Seahorn. She also stars in Better Call Saul  the spin-off show of Breaking Bad  as the titular character's partner, Kim Wexler.

All three of those shows are created by Gilligan and all three are set in Albuquerque. Yet each weaves a very different narrative across that now almost familiar landscape  even to those who, like myself, have never visited (nor intend to).

So much so, that I felt invested enough to purchase the full Breaking Bad series on Blu-ray  to revisit and reflect on its story in a new light, more than 12 years after its finale aired.

I know, I could just watch Breaking Bad on Netflix. But when I recently reviewed the latest Philips OLED 910 TV, I had dabbled in some older physical boxsets, with Boardwalk Empire becoming the backbone to that particular review.

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It got me thinking about how much I'd enjoyed going through each of the discs in order, not distracted by any other shows  as I would be if opening the myriad best streaming services  just as I'd done for The Sopranos and The Wire in years prior.

It's been as tense as it has disconcerting to re-watch Breaking Bad. It's easy to forget just how harrowing the opening trio of episodes are in particular, yet how essential they become in key character building.

It's easy to glean the show's action and tension as being its greatest moments  especially with some of the best characters to ever appear on TV  but, actually, those subtleties, those vulnerabilities, are a cornerstone to the show's direction.

It's the same in Pluribus. Gilligan might lean on sci-fi or action as the backbone of a show  but the beating heart, in every case, is the human essence to which we can all relate. His shows are as gentle as they are harsh, a real juxtaposition.

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Albuquerque in each instance becomes its own character, in a way. It's like the nervous system to that backbone and heart; the landscape that threads everything together  physically, emotionally, and cinematically.

Albuquerque has been described as delivering a "post-modern Western" setting. Whether that's for face-offs, for alien takeovers, or in familiar cityscapes, it offers a distinctive canvas for cinematography.

It's easy to see why Breaking Bad remains one of the highest-rated shows ever, with 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. Better Call Saul isn't far behind, with 96%. And I think Albuquerque is a significant part of the equation.
The sketch mocked the contentious relationship between the two, where the prime minister is often subservient to the president but pretends not to be.

It may have been New Years Eve last night, but on Eretz Nehederet, Israels popular sketch comedy series on Keshets Channel 12, it was Christmas: the episode portrayed US President Donald Trump (Omer Etzion) as Santa Claus, and lampooned Prime Minister Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu (Mariano Edelman), who approached Santa like a kid and asked for presents.

The setting for their encounter was Trumps Florida luxury resort, Mar-a-Lago, where Bibi had a meeting with him earlier this week to discuss Iran and ending the war in Gaza. Trump asked Bibi if he had been a good boy, and Israels prime minister sat down in his lap.

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The sketch mocked the contentious relationship between the two, where the prime minister is often subservient to the president but pretends not to be.

Bibi tried to prove to Santa-Trump by telling him that even though he torpedoed hostage agreements, did business with Qatar, and sold the country to the ultra-Orthodox, he brushed his teeth twice a day.

That was good enough for Trump, and Bibi asked for the present he most wanted for Christmas  that the US would let him blow up Iran. Trump, annoyed, said he already gave him that last year, and then sang a version of the opening of Last Christmas by Wham!: Last Christmas, I gave you Iran/And the very next day, we blew it away.

Last Christmas, I gave you Iran: Trump and Bibi in Mar-a-Lago love fest on Eretz Nehederet (credit: Screenshot Eretz Nehederet/Courtesy of Keshet 12)

Trump admonished Bibi further: I destroyed Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah, we left nothing there  except for Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah Youre a war hero, Bibi. Im a war hero. But sleepy Joe Biden, hes not a war hero.

Eretz Nehederet: Trump plays Santa with pardons and prizes

The love fest continued as Trump kept complimenting Bibi, saying, If it wasnt for you, Bibi, there was no Israel today  no earth, no sun, what would we do with no sun? We would have to build a big machonat shizuf [Hebrew for tanning machine] in the sky.

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Eventually, this became too much for host Eyal Kitzis, who reminded Trump that Bibi may have won the war, but if he hadnt allowed Hamas to be funded for years, there might not have been a war.

Trump ignored him and said he and Bibi should dance to celebrate in the new ballroom he is building in the White House. Finally, agreed that Israel could bomb Iran again.

But Bibi wanted one more present: a pardon. Trump famously told President Isaac Bougie Herzog to pardon the prime minister when he addressed the Knesset on October 13, the day that all the living hostages were released, following Trumps intervention. Just a few days ago, Trump told reporters that he had spoken to Herzog and that Netanyahus pardon was on the way.

On Eretz Nehederet, it turned out that Herzog (Roy Bar-Natan) was hiding inside one of Santas sacks.

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Trump insisted that it really was on the way, but Herzog, joining the prime minister on Trumps lap, tried to wiggle out of making a decision on the deal, while the US president beamed, saying, Bougie and Bibi, so cute!

The famously fickle Trump turned the tables on the prime minister, asking Bibi to give him a present and saying he wanted a Nobel Peace Prize. But Bibi could only offer an award from Education Minister Yoav Kish, not what the US president was hoping for.

Next, Bibi got a call from a Qatari leader, who said it was a mistake, and Trump told him it was time to move on to stage two of the Gaza peace deal. Its time to make Gaza great again and time to make Jared Kushner a billionaire again.

Trump then invited Turkish President Recep Erdogan (Eli Finish) to help make peace in Gaza. Hes a war hero, enthused Trump. Without him, there would be no Turkey, not the country or the chicken.

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It didnt seem that Bibi and Erdogan would do too well as joint peacemakers, and Erdogan kept calling the US president Hitler as a term of endearment. But Trump insisted, Theyll get along, Im telling you, theyll get along Bibi, be nice, put the past behind you.

It turned out that Erdogan also wanted presents, and Trump gave him quite a few goodies, including a fighter plane, Syria, and Gaza. In the spirit of New Years Eve, Trump said he was sure all would be well between the two leaders. At midnight, I want you two to kiss, he said, which was the cue for Sara Netanyahu (Alma Zack) to barge in, swilling champagne and decked out in a black sequined outfit, saying, At midnight, Bibi kisses only me, before she swiped the sack with the rest of Trumps presents.

Other skits included an angry falafel stand owner (Orel Tsabari) from Kiryat Shmona, who said that now that Bibi has recognized Somaliland, it was time to recognize Kiryat Shmona, where only half the residents evacuated during the war have returned and are still waiting for government compensation.

Host Eyal Kitzis also interviewed an Iranian hacker who claimed to be behind the recent cyber attacks.

But it was Trumps Santa Claus doling out presents to the world leaders he controls like puppets on a string that stole the show, greatly enhanced by Etzions Trump impersonation, which only seems to get sharper as time goes on.
Since its premiere in 2016, Stranger Things has become a cultural phenomenon. The series reinvigorated interest in Dungeons & Dragons, skyrocketed Kate Bushs Running Up That Hill to No. 1 on the Billboard charts 37 years after its initial release and spawned everything from a spinoff novel series to a board game, apparel, toys and more.

Its safe to say the show has a devoted fanbase thats always looking to dive deeper into the franchise  and visit the places where the shows filmed, many of which are open and available to the public.

A vast majority of the series is filmed in and around Atlanta, utilizing its small suburban towns to double as Hawkins, Ind. The fourth season ventured further, spanning the globe and taking the gang to California (which was actually filmed in New Mexico) and Russia (which was actually filmed in Lithuania).

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Now, the fifth season sees the gang back in Hawkins, revisiting some of the show's most iconic spots.

So where was Stranger Things shot? Here's everything to know about the Stranger Things filming locations.

Downtown Hawkins

Netflix Downtown Hawkins in 'Stranger Things'. Downtown Hawkins in 'Stranger Things'.

Location: Jackson, Ga.

The initial setting for Stranger Things was the small town of Hawkins, Ind. Thats where Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) escapes from a mysterious lab and initially meets her friends and police chief, Jim Hopper (David Harbour).

The quaint small town of Hawkins is actually the quaint small town of Jackson, Ga. Located about 50 miles away from Atlanta, where many other scenes in Hawkins were shot, the community has fully embraced its fame and offers Stranger Things tours.

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The small downtown area has been used prominently throughout the series, so fans should take a stroll down 2nd Street, 3rd Street and Mulberry Street to see sights including the Hawkins library, Melvald's General Store and the Hawk theater.

The Byers House

Netflix The Byers House in 'Stranger Things'. The Byers House in 'Stranger Things'.

Location: Fayetteville, Ga.

Especially prominent in the shows first season, the Byers house is where Joyce (Winona Ryder) lived with her two sons. After Will (Noah Schnapp) gets trapped in the Upside Down, Joyce writes letters on the living room wall and hangs up Christmas lights to communicate with him between dimensions.

Located in the town of Fayetteville just south of Atlanta, fans are able to visit the house, which has been set up to look identical to the show complete with Christmas lights, by renting it as an Airbnb.

The Wheeler House

Netflix The Wheeler's house in 'Stranger Things'. The Wheeler's house in 'Stranger Things'.

Location: East Point, Ga.

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Like the Byers' house, the Wheelers' house (especially the basement) holds some of the show's fondest memories: it's where Mike (Finn Wolfhard) hides Eleven in season 1, where the gang meets frequently for D&D and where their best monster-busting brainstorming takes place.

The exterior shots of the house were shot in East Point, Ga.  just down the street from where Lucas' (Caleb McLaughlin) house is.

Hawkins National Laboratory

Netflix Hawkins National Laboratory in 'Stranger Things'. Hawkins National Laboratory in 'Stranger Things'.

Location: Emory University Briarcliff Campus, Atlanta, Ga.

The Hawkins National Labratory has been at the root of practically all the issues throughout all five seasons of Stranger Things. From being the place where Eleven first opened a gate into the Upside Down to being overrun by Soviet spies trying to undo all of her hard work closing said gate, the lab has been nothing but trouble.

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The real-life lab was shot on part of Emory University's 42-acre Briarcliff property, specifically at the former Georgia Mental Health Institute, which operated until Emory's purchase of the property in 1998. Now, the five-story building is set to be demolished and converted into a senior living center, per CBS News.

Henry Creel's Mansion

Courtesy of Netflix Jamie Campbell Bower as Henry Creel and Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler in Stranger Things: Season 5. Jamie Campbell Bower as Henry Creel and Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler in Stranger Things: Season 5.

Location: Rome, Ga.

Viewers were introduced to Henry Creel (a.k.a Vecna) and his creepy home in season 4. While Vecna spends most of his time in it in the Upside Down, in season 5 he lures Holly into the home under the pretense of being her friend, Mr. Whatsit.

The 140-year-old mansion is located in Rome, Ga., and was listed for sale in November 2022 for a whopping $1.5 million, per CNN. The seven-bedroom home was constructed in 1882 by a colonel and boasts many of its original details including handcrafted bookshelves, an antique wall safe and even a cast-iron urinal.

Bradleys Big Buy Supermarket

Netflix Bradley's Big Buy Supermarket in 'Stranger Things'. Bradley's Big Buy Supermarket in 'Stranger Things'.

Location: Palmetto, Ga.

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Bradleys Big Buy was featured in season 1 and season 3, but is most iconic for being where Eleven steals the Eggo waffles at the start of the series. As the store manager chases after her, she uses her powers to close the sliding doors on him. The scene became one of the most memorable moments of the first season.

The real Bradleys was indeed a Bradley's Big Buy located in the town of Palmetto, about 25 miles southwest of Atlanta, before it became a Piggly Wiggly, per Fox News. The store now sees visitors coming to get their own box of Eggo waffles, dressed as characters from the show.

Roane Hill Cemetery

Netflix Sadie Sink as Max at the Roane Hill Cemetery in 'Stranger Things'. Sadie Sink as Max at the Roane Hill Cemetery in 'Stranger Things'.

Location: Stone Mountain Cemetery, Stone Mountain, Ga.

In season 4, Max (Sadie Sink) visits Roane Hill Cemetery to sit by her stepbrothers grave. While there, Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) brings her into an alternate world and Max fears shell die. But her friends save her with a little help from Bush and Running Up That Hill. The scene became an instant classic and Bushs song found a new era of fame.

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In real life, filming took place at Stone Mountain Cemetery just east of Atlanta. The cemetery was founded in 1850 and contains numerous graves from the Civil War. It gets its name because it sits just down the road from Stone Mountain, a popular recreation spot for locals with great skyline views.

Kamchatka Prison

Netflix Kamchatka Prison in 'Stranger Things'. Kamchatka Prison in 'Stranger Things'.

Location: Lukiskes Prison, Vilnius, Lithuania

In season 4, Hopper gets sent to a prison in the Soviet Union because they think hes an American spy with information about the Upside Down. While there, Hopper discovers that its not just a prison, but an entire research facility  where the Soviets have a live Demogorgon held captive.

The actual filming location is a real former prison that functioned for over 100 years, but its actually in Lithuania, not Russia. The Lukiskes Prison has a notorious past and held numerous political prisoners in cold, rancid conditions.

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During World War II, Lukiskes was also used to imprison Jewish people during the Holocaust. Nowadays, the prison has been turned into a museum and visitors can take tours and learn about its dark past.

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As global travel continues to rebound and evolve, some destinations have made the unconventional decision to restrict or ban tourist access in 2025 in order to protect fragile ecosystems, cultural heritage, or local communities. These measures reflect growing concerns about overtourism, environmental degradation, and the pressures that high visitor numbers can place on limited infrastructure.

Rather than simply closing their doors indefinitely, many of these places are reimagining what sustainable visitation means, seeking to balance conservation goals with opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange. For travelers who have long dreamed of visiting these unique destinations, this shift represents both a challenge and a chance to explore new corners of the world in deeper and more responsible ways.

While the bans may initially seem disappointing, they open the door to a set of equally compelling alternatives that offer rich experiences without the ethical trade-offs or logistical headaches associated with overtouristed areas. These alternative destinations provide similar natural beauty, cultural depth, or historical significance, often with fewer crowds, lower costs, and more authentic engagement with local life.

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Whether its rediscovering ancient ruins in a lesser-known valley, trekking through pristine wilderness, or walking through centuries-old town centers with far fewer tourists, the travel landscape in 2025 offers exciting options for curious explorers. By embracing these alternatives, travelers can broaden their perspectives and support sustainable tourism practices that prioritize people and places over profit.

Venice, Italy

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Venice, Italy, has significantly tightened tourist access in 2025 as part of a broader effort to address overtourism and protect its fragile historic environment. Day visitors are now required to pay higher entry fees, reserve access windows in advance, and comply with stricter movement controls in central districts. Cruise ship arrivals have been further limited, reducing the number of short-term visitors entering the city each day.

Local officials argue these measures are essential to preserving historic buildings, canals, and everyday life for residents. While Venice remains open under regulated conditions, spontaneous travel has become increasingly difficult. For many travelers, the city now feels more managed and less accessible than in previous years.

Instead: Trieste, Italy

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Trieste offers a refined Adriatic atmosphere that echoes Venices elegance without restrictive entry rules or overwhelming crowds. The city features historic cafes, grand architecture, and waterfront promenades shaped by both Venetian and Austro-Hungarian influences.

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Visitors can explore canals, piazzas, and seaside neighborhoods freely and at a relaxed pace. Tourism remains relatively light, allowing authentic daily life to unfold naturally. Dining, walking, and sightseeing feel unhurried and affordable compared to Venice. For travelers seeking similar beauty with greater freedom, Trieste provides a compelling and sustainable alternative.

Santorini, Greece

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Santorini, Greece, has introduced strict visitor caps in 2025 to manage extreme overcrowding and protect its fragile island infrastructure. Daily limits on cruise ship passengers have been tightened, and authorities now control peak-hour access to the most popular viewpoints and villages. The islands narrow streets and limited resources have struggled to accommodate record-breaking visitor numbers.

Officials emphasize that these measures are necessary to preserve local life, reduce strain on water and waste systems, and maintain safety. While Santorini remains open, spontaneous visits and high-volume tourism are increasingly restricted. For many travelers, the experience now involves more planning, regulation, and limited freedom of movement.

Instead: Naxos, Greece

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Naxos offers a more relaxed Cycladic experience with similar whitewashed villages, beaches, and traditional Greek culture. The island is larger, less crowded, and better equipped to handle visitors without heavy restrictions.

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Travelers can explore mountain villages, ancient ruins, and long sandy beaches at their own pace. Tourism supports local life rather than overwhelming it, keeping prices and crowds manageable. Dining and lodging feel more authentic and less commercialized. For those seeking Santorinis beauty without strict limits, Naxos is a natural alternative.

Maya Bay, Thailand

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Maya Bay in Thailand remains heavily restricted in 2025 as authorities continue efforts to restore damaged coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Access is limited to short, controlled visits, and swimming is prohibited to prevent further environmental harm.

The bays popularity following global exposure led to severe ecological degradation. Officials now prioritize conservation over mass tourism, enforcing strict entry rules and seasonal closures. While the site is still visible, the experience is carefully regulated and brief. Visitors hoping for the iconic beach experience often leave disappointed by the restrictions.

Instead: Koh Yao Noi, Thailand

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Koh Yao Noi offers a tranquil island environment with pristine beaches, clear waters, and strong environmental protections. The island focuses on low-impact tourism and community-led development. Visitors can swim, kayak, and relax without heavy restrictions or crowds.

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Local villages, mangroves, and quiet beaches create a peaceful atmosphere rarely found in mass-market destinations. Prices remain reasonable, and tourism blends naturally with daily life. For travelers seeking a Thai island escape without limitations, Koh Yao Noi provides a far more satisfying alternative.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Machu Picchu has imposed stricter visitor quotas in 2025, limiting daily entry to preserve the fragile Incan ruins and surrounding ecosystem. Tourists must now book time slots well in advance, and the number of permits per day is strictly controlled. Hikes along the Inca Trail require reservations months ahead, reducing spontaneity and flexibility.

Authorities emphasize the need to protect heritage while maintaining a safe and sustainable experience. While access remains possible, casual visitors may find it increasingly difficult to secure permits. For many, this controlled system changes the classic Machu Picchu experience into a highly scheduled and regulated visit.

Instead: Choquequirao, Peru

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Choquequirao offers a remote Incan site with similar archaeological significance, less crowding, and a more immersive trek. Hiking here involves rugged trails and dramatic mountain vistas, creating a sense of adventure and solitude.

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The ruins are extensive yet largely untouched by mass tourism. Local guides provide authentic insight into history and culture, and visitors can explore at their own pace. Permits are easier to obtain, and the experience feels more personal. For those seeking Machu Picchus cultural richness without strict limits, Choquequirao is a compelling alternative.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Amsterdam has implemented stricter measures to reduce overcrowding in central tourist areas in 2025. Short-term rentals are limited, and some canal-side streets enforce visitor caps during peak hours. Popular attractions now require pre-booked tickets, and spontaneous exploration of crowded neighborhoods is discouraged.

The city aims to protect residential life, historic buildings, and local infrastructure. While Amsterdam remains accessible, its charm is now filtered through controlled access. For casual visitors, the experience may feel less spontaneous and more regulated than in previous years.

Instead: Utrecht, Netherlands

Image Credit: Depositphotos

Utrecht offers picturesque canals, historic architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene without overwhelming crowds. The city center is easily navigable on foot or by bike, and museums, cafes, and markets remain accessible without heavy restrictions.

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Visitors can enjoy quiet canalside walks, explore centuries-old churches, and experience authentic Dutch life. Tourism is steady but balanced with local needs, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Prices are often lower, and spaces feel more open than in Amsterdam. For travelers seeking Dutch charm minus congestion, Utrecht is an ideal alternative.

Bhutan

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Bhutan continues its policy of high-value, low-impact tourism in 2025, requiring tourists to pay a minimum daily fee that covers accommodations, meals, and guided activities. The measure limits visitor numbers intentionally, protecting fragile mountain ecosystems and cultural heritage. Spontaneous travel is not possible, and planning requires adherence to government-approved itineraries.

While this approach preserves Bhutans unique character, it also restricts independent exploration. Travelers must navigate strict rules, limiting freedom and flexibility. For those seeking a more accessible Himalayan experience, alternative destinations may be preferable.

Instead: Kathmandu Valley towns, Nepal

Image Credit: Shutterstock

The Kathmandu Valley offers rich Himalayan culture, historic temples, and scenic mountain views with fewer restrictions and lower costs. Visitors can explore medieval towns, local markets, and spiritual sites at their own pace.

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Treks, cultural performances, and traditional architecture provide immersive experiences similar to Bhutan. Local guides are available but not mandatory, allowing flexibility for independent travel. Crowds are manageable, and daily expenses remain significantly lower. For travelers seeking Himalayan culture without rigid regulations, Kathmandu Valley towns offer a compelling alternative.

Barcelona, Spain

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Barcelona has introduced strict limits on short-term rentals and certain tourist-heavy areas in 2025 to protect residents and reduce overtourism. Popular neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarter and El Born now enforce visitor caps during peak times. Authorities aim to preserve the citys historic architecture and daily life while maintaining a sustainable balance for locals.

Walking through some iconic streets now requires careful planning and pre-booked visits. While Barcelona remains open to travelers, the free-roaming spontaneity that once defined the city has diminished. For casual visitors, this means more restrictions, fees, and guided movement.

Instead: Tarragona, Spain

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Tarragona offers Roman ruins, medieval streets, and Mediterranean charm without the intense crowding of Barcelona. Visitors can explore historic squares, ancient amphitheaters, and seaside promenades at a relaxed pace. Local restaurants, cafes, and markets feel authentic and accessible.

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The city maintains a rich cultural heritage while welcoming travelers with fewer regulations. Photography, sightseeing, and leisurely walks remain stress-free. For those seeking Catalonian history and coastal beauty minus the crowds, Tarragona is a perfect alternative.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Dubrovnik has imposed strict limits on visitor numbers and cruise ship arrivals in 2025 to prevent overtourism in its historic old town. Certain streets and city gates require timed access, and large cruise groups are heavily restricted. Authorities aim to protect stone walls, narrow streets, and local quality of life.

While the city remains open, spontaneous exploration is increasingly difficult. Tourists must plan carefully to enjoy the iconic architecture and Adriatic views. For many travelers, the old charm comes with more rules and restrictions than ever before.

Instead: Kotor, Montenegro

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Kotor provides similar medieval architecture, scenic Adriatic views, and coastal charm without heavy visitor caps. Narrow streets, ancient fortifications, and waterfront promenades can be explored freely. The city balances tourism with local life, keeping crowds manageable.

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Dining, walking, and cultural immersion feel more authentic and accessible. Photographers and history enthusiasts enjoy a slower, more personal experience. For travelers seeking Dubrovniks atmosphere without tight restrictions, Kotor is an excellent alternative.

Cinque Terre, Italy

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Cinque Terre now enforces strict entrance controls and one-way walking paths in 2025 to protect fragile trails and villages. Daily visitor quotas and timed access are designed to prevent erosion and overcrowding. Hiking along the scenic coastal paths requires permits or advanced booking.

While the villages remain open, the casual experience of wandering freely through colorful towns is restricted. Tourists encounter checkpoints and regulated walkways that limit spontaneity. For hikers and explorers, this means less flexibility and more planning.

Instead: Camogli, Italy

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Camogli offers Ligurian coastal charm with colorful houses, harbor views, and traditional Italian culture without heavy visitor restrictions. Walking trails along the waterfront and nearby hills are open and accessible. Visitors can explore small piazzas, local bakeries, and artisan shops freely.

The town retains authenticity and tranquility while still offering picturesque scenery. Fewer tourists ensure a relaxed pace and greater connection with local life. For travelers seeking Cinque Terres beauty minus restrictions, Camogli is an ideal alternative.

Bali, Indonesia

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Bali has introduced new access rules in 2025 for sacred temples, cultural sites, and environmentally sensitive zones. Some beaches and forested areas now require permits, limiting spontaneous visits. Authorities aim to protect cultural heritage, prevent ecological damage, and manage overcrowding.

Tourists face restricted swimming, photography rules, and limited open hours. While Bali remains open overall, visitors must carefully plan their itineraries. For casual travelers, these measures reduce flexibility and increase costs.

Instead: Lombok, Indonesia

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Lombok offers pristine beaches, waterfalls, and traditional villages with far fewer access restrictions. Visitors can explore temples, trekking routes, and coastal scenery freely. Tourism is present but balanced, preserving natural beauty and cultural authenticity.

Activities like snorkeling, hiking, and village tours are accessible without heavy regulations. Daily expenses are generally lower than in Bali. For travelers seeking an Indonesian paradise without permits and limits, Lombok is a compelling alternative.
NEED TO KNOW

Eloise and Calvin Rogers, both 96, recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary

The pair marked the milestone at the Cogir Senior Living Community with a special celebration attended by their son, Jay Rogers, and other friends and family.

The couple revealed the secret to their 7 decades together



One couple in California ended the year by celebrating a special milestone  their 75th wedding anniversary.

On Tuesday, Dec. 30, Eloise and Calvin Rogers, both 96, marked their wedding anniversary at the Cogir Senior Living Community with a special celebration attended by their son, Jay Rogers, and other friends and family, according to The Press Democrat.

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"75 is special. Were very happy to be here, Calvin told the outlet of the celebration which included a bottle of champagne and a pink and white cake decorated with candle numbers seven and five.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

getty Stock image Stock image

But for Eloise and Calvin, who married at 21 after meeting at a library at the University of New Mexico, where Eloise was studying art, and Calvin was studying mathematics, the secret to a long marriage is simple.

The couple told The Press Democrat that it's all about taking everything one day at a time.

We met each other and the library and we kept meeting each other [after that], Eloise said. Their love for one another is simple.

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Every night they kiss good night to each other and every morning they kiss good morning, added Norma Alvarez, the Health and Wellness Director at Cogir, told The Press Democrat.

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Alvarez added that the couple was voted Valentines King and Queen at the senior living community.

They were nominated by almost all the staff and almost all the residents because we all see the love."

Read the original article on People
If you want to begin the new year with some extra cash in your pocket, there;s a chance the state of Kansas is holding some for you.

Thats because the office of the state treasurer has more than $681 million in unclaimed property it is charged with returning, and 1 in every 7 Kansans has some to claim.

Unclaimed property includes financial assets that have either not been claimed or have not had any activity from its owner recently. Its usually in the form of unpaid wages, dormant bank accounts, life insurance policies and more.

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Its real dollars, and some of it will never be claimed, but we can find homes for a lot of that money, Kansas Treasurer Steven Johnson told The Wichita Eagle.

Looking at Sedgwick County specifically, county residents, businesses and organizations have $98,067,326.14 in unclaimed property. The state has only returned a bit more than $229,000 to county residents this year, according to the treasurers office.

While Johnson said the office reaches out to property owners, it heavily relies on individuals checking for themselves.

The first effort is, right now, when we get property in, there is an outreach that goes to those folks and a letter is sent, Johnson said. One of the problems is a lot of our address data is old, which is why it is unclaimed property. So Id love to say that everybody gets [the letter], but the reality is they dont.

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Thats why the unclaimed property website allows Kansas to search for themselves. Heres how you can see if you have money to claim.

How do I request my unclaimed property in Kansas?

Anyone can see if they have unclaimed property by searching their name or business name on the unclaimed property website. From there, if you see any that belongs to you, you can click claim.

After you submit your claim, you will then get an email confirmation, which may include a request for additional information for the office to process your claim.

They should check their email inbox by the next day and look for something that says your claim [has been] processed, or look for another email which will give you next steps. So they could get those two options, Johnson said.

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You can also check the status of a claim.

Its a good practice to capture the claim ID number that will show up as soon as you finish your claim, Johnson said.

Additionally, you can claim property for relatives, but the process is a bit more complicated, Johnson said.

It can take up to 90 days, but Id say most of the time, people would expect their money within about a month or about four weeks, Johnson said.

In July 2023, Sedgwick County opened a kiosk in its tag office on Douglas. There, you can search in-person for unclaimed property on the states website while another monitor scrolls through unclaimed property cases in Sedgwick County.

Unclaimed property is returned to its owner via mail. The average claim amount is $630, and there are no fees to submit claims online.

In 2025, the treasurers office has returned nearly $21 million.
Most of the time, thrifters are bringing home everyday items from their thrift store trips. But every now and then, someone finds something that doesn't quite fit in with the other items in the store.

One shopper paid $4.49 for an early-20th-century pottery "Jazz Bowl" that they later found out can be worth over $27,000. Suffice to say, it was a once-in-a-lifetime find.

The OP posted photos of the bowl, which they found five years ago at a Goodwill.

Photo Credit: Reddit



Photo Credit: Reddit



The bowl was originally designed by Viktor Schreckengost in 1931. According to Thrifting Treasure on Facebook, it was designed for Eleanor Roosevelt, and there are only a few in existence.

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The photos were posted in r/ThriftStoreHauls. One user pointed out that the Art Institute of Chicago's records showed that it has a blue Jazz bowl in its collection. Another sent a link to an auction from 2021 where it was sold for $27,500.

"Umm.," the Redditor commented along with the link, clearly blown away at the value. Just this year.

Thrifting Treasure also said one of the bowls sold for $21,280 at a different auction. Another commenter claimed there was another bowl in blue that was sold recently for $20,480.

According to the Art Institute of Chicago, Schreckengost designed the original Jazz Bowl while working at Cowan Pottery in Ohio. The piece is considered a landmark of the Jazz Age and Art Deco period. The design was meant to capture the architecture, music, and nightlife of New York City.

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These extraordinary finds are part of why thrifting continues to attract devoted shoppers. Buying secondhand saves money on everyday needs while also keeping perfectly usable items in circulation instead of going into landfills. Thrift stores also offer a way to "break up" with fast fashion and the constant cycle of new production.

"All our thrift store karma was used up in this one find," the OP responded to a comment.

One commenter responded, "I'm afraid so. This is a spectacular find. But hey, you never know, sometimes lightning strikes twice."

"The Art Institute of Chicago has one in blue," another person wrote, adding the link to access the records.

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"I am soooo jealous!!! I would LOVE to own that! We live in Viktor's hometown and my daughter did a report on Eleanor Roosevelt and the Jazz Bowl connection! Very very cool!" a third excited commenter added to the thread.

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As someone who lives in Portugal, I already know that the entire nation is muito fixe, aka, it's very, very cool. And it turns out, I'm not the only one who thinks so.

In November, Time Out revealed its annual list of the coolest streets in the world. As the publication explained, it created the list by gathering suggestions from its local editors and its crowd of experts, who each nominate "a street that represents the best of their city." They then narrow down and rank each street against key criteria, including food, drink, culture, fun, and "community spirit." And this year, it named Rua do Bonjardim in Porto as one of its top spotsand No. 1 in Europe.

As Time Out Portugal explained, the street took home the No. 3 spot on the worldwide list thanks to its fantastic location near the city center, but "sufficiently far from the chaos." It noted that it's also got the ideal mix of new and old, with classic grocery stores like Casa Januario and Pretinho do Japao mingling with iconic restaurants like Conga, which serves the famed bifana sandwich, next to new-school spots like Luffa, a restaurant inside the Torel Saboaria hotel, "where they create fun, experimental and fearless cuisine, with techniques that reflect the world and distinctly Portuguese flavors."

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Of course, this isn't the first time a street in Portugal has made this coveted list. In its 2024 list, Time Out named Rua da Boavista in the Cais do Sodre neighborhood of Lisbon the No. 7 coolest street, thanks to being packed with must-visit spots like +351 for shopping and restaurants like Planto and Tricky's, all of which add to the cool factor.

As for which street took home the No. 1 spot for its 2026 rankings, that honor went to Rua do Senado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. According to Time Out, the street won out thanks to its "excellent food and drink scene, fascinating art and culture, and for generally being a whole lot of fun."

Other top streets to visit this year include Orange Street in Osaka, Japan at No. 2; Fanghua Street in Chengdu, China, at No. 4; followed by Sherbrooke Street West in Montreal, Canada; Montague Road in Brisbane, Australia; Maybachufer in Berlin, Germany; Olympou Street in Thessaloniki, Greece; Orchard Street in New York City, New York; and Vinh Khanh Street in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, rounding out the top 10.

You can see the full list of the 31 coolest streets in the world at Time Out's website.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday accused the BJP-led Centre of undermining the country's federal structure over the issue of pending MNREGA dues. Speaking to ANI, Cheema said a Central Committee report has clearly stated that 23,000 crore is pending against the central government towards MNREGA wages and material costs. "The BJP is trying to break the country's federal structure. The Central Committee report clearly says that Rs 23,000 crore is pending against the central government for wages and materials," he said. The Punjab Finance Minister claimed that the Centre's approach was weakening federal principles and causing financial stress to states, which are struggling to clear payments to workers and contractors under MNREGA. Earlier, the Congress on Saturday (December 27) announced a nationwide "Save Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)" campaign beginning January 5 after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, escalating its political battle with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Centre's decision to replace the MGNREGA with the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. On December 21, President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025, which replaced MGNREGA. The Act enhances the statutory wage employment guarantee to 125 days per financial year for rural households. It 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. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the campaign would be launched in response to what he termed the Centre's attempt to weaken a landmark welfare law that guarantees employment to rural households. Speaking to media representatives at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the central government's decision and emphasised the importance of preserving the original scheme named after Mahatma Gandhi. In a post on X, Siddaramaiah wrote, "At today's Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting at Indira Bhawan, New Delhi, we unanimously condemned the Union Government's anti-federal and anti-national move to weaken the very spirit of the Employment Guarantee Programme by changing the name and structure of MGNREGA." He also noted that the meeting focused on preparations for upcoming polls, developing strategies to prevent vote theft, and addressing the country's significant challenges. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge echoed similar sentiments, announcing that the party would launch a nationwide movement from January 5 to protect the scheme. Speaking to the media, Kharge said that party leaders took an oath during the meeting to protect MNREGA and oppose any attempt to weaken or alter the scheme. "In the meeting, we took an oath. We decided to launch a massive movement across the country, making the MNREGA scheme the central point. Indian National Congress party, taking a leading role, will launch the MNREGA Save Campaign from January 5th," Kharge said. Emphasising the importance of the scheme, the Congress chief said MNREGA is not merely a welfare programme but a constitutional right. "We will protect the MNREGA at all costs. MNREGA is not just a scheme but a right to work guaranteed by the Constitution of India. We also pledge to democratically oppose every conspiracy to remove Gandhiji's name from MNREGA," he added. Kharge, backing Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's campaigns against alleged "vote theft", said that SIR is a "conspiracy to restrict" democratic rights. "Today, SIR is a matter of serious concern. It is a well-thought-out conspiracy to restrict democratic rights. Rahulji has repeatedly presented evidence of 'vote theft' before the country with facts and examples. The Congress chief also urged party workers to prepare for upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, and accused the BJP of misusing central agencies like the ED, IT and CBI to target opposition leaders. "Over the past 11 years, the country has seen how agencies like ED, IT, and CBI are being misused. The BJP and Sangh Parivar are engaged in tarnishing the image of our leaders on the NATIONAL HERALD issue. We are fighting a legal battle. 'Satyameva Jayate'--this is what Rahulji always says, and we will emerge victorious," he said. Meanwhile, the BJP hit back sharply. Party spokesperson CR Kesavan termed the Congress an "insecure Nehru Congress" and questioned whether the party would take responsibility for its recent electoral setbacks, including the Bihar elections. "The insecure Nehru Congress has called its first meeting after losing the Bihar election. Will the CWC dare to own its mistakes and blame Rahul Gandhi for the defeat, or for their failed vote-stealing campaign? Or will they attempt to whitewash Rahul Gandhi's failures?" asked Kesavan. (ANI)
Many know Tony Campbell as the behind-the-scenes creative services director at Indiana State University, where he oversees photography and video of ISU events and people.

But in his personal time, hes traveled the world doing wildlife photography that includes a shark chomping toward a seal in South Africa (the seal got away); bald eagles along an icy Mississippi River; or a Cheetah in Kenya displaying its sharp teeth.

MET 062722 CAMPBELL WIDE MCNEIL

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An Alaskan brown bear along Mikfik Creek in McNeil River Game Sanctuary and Refuge in Alaska on June 27, 2022.

One of his favorite subjects through the years has become photographing bears, primarily brown bears in Alaska and polar bears in Canada.

Those photos include Alaskan brown bears feasting on sockeye salmon at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, or polar bears walking on a frozen Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba.

Campbell, who graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in journalism, began his career as a reporter. He eventually focused on photojournalism, which is how he got interested in wildlife photography.

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He worked at papers in Vandalia and Effingham, Ill.

After he began working at ISU, where hes been employed for 25 years, he also started a side business called Eagle Eye Imaging and sells his photos primarily through online stock image companies.

Campbells photos have appeared in publications and productions by National Geographic Kids, Animal Planet, The Discovery Channel and the Weather Channel, among others.

For Campbell, its more about the adventure than the income. What income I do make helps fund my trips and equipment, he said.

Ive always been a wildlife enthusiast, Campbell said. One source of inspiration was Marlin Perkins Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom television show.

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MET 110124 CAMPBELL MANITOBA BEARS

A female polar bear and two cubs climbing on the rocks along the Hudson Bay just outside of Churchill, Manitoba on November 1, 2024.

Wildlife he especially wanted to photograph in their natural setting included great white sharks, gorillas, lions and tigers. I had that checklist I wanted to get accomplished, he said.

But bear photography emerged at the top of that list.

I find them fascinating. They have such personalities and they are all different, Campbell said. Its fun to watch how they interact with each other and interact with the environment.

Hes been to Katmai National Park in Alaska three times; McNeil River in Alaska once; and Churchill, Manitoba in Canada three times.

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 Churchill, Manitoba, is known as the polar bear capital of the world. The end of October and November is when polar bears gather along Hudson Bay.

On one trip, Campbell took a Tundra Buggy tour and the last two times he used a guide; the guides are licensed and armed.

MET 103124 CAMPBELL MANITOBA FOX

A red fox searches for food in a field covered in snow near Churchill, Manitoba, on Oct. 31, 2024 in Canada.

 At McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and Refuge in Alaska, he photographed brown bears clamming and feeding on salmon.

It has a lottery system for viewing permits, and those permits are tough to get, Campbell said. Only 10 permits are awarded at a time for a specific four-day time period. To get there he flies to Anchorage, then drives to Homer and takes a float plane to McNeil.

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There is camping only and no access to roads. Groups stay together and are led by the guide through the refuge.

 At Katmai National Park, the destination is Brooks Falls and River. For visits in July, he photographs bears catching salmon that jump at the falls, and in September, the bears feed on salmon that are spawned out.

Boardwalks are available, but Campbell generally walks the river to photograph bears at eye level.

Campbell enjoys planning the trips and working out the logistics, which typically takes several months.

He always has to be prepared for weather conditions, especially in places like Churchill when visitors might battle high winds and sometimes extreme cold.

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catching a meal

An Alaskan brown bear tries to catch sockeye salmon at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, Alaska.

Issues he might face include keeping your camera dry while wading in a river, or keeping batteries warm and not freezing while you are out on the tundra, he said.

He especially enjoys watching bear behavior. You get to see such a variety of interactions  cute cubs playing and exploring, bears using different techniques to catch salmon, hierarchy battles for the best fishing spots and sub adults play-fighting.

Campbell said hes never really had any dangerous encounters. Thats the beauty of telephoto lenses. You can still keep a good, safe distance and get good photographs, he said.

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At Katmai National Park, for example, he might be in the river taking photos, and sometimes a bear might pop up on the side of the river, closer than you feel comfortable with.

The key in the parks is to stay calm and make sure you have a way to get away, he said.

The park service and Alaska Fish and Game have both done a really good job of making sure that people stay safe. These bears are accustomed to seeing people so its not like they are alarmed by your presence. Its how you react when they see you, he said.

He does admit to getting a little nervous on one trip where he and another photographer were walking a trail in Katmai and an adult bear  followed by two sub-adults  came running down the trail and the photographers had to get off the trail.

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After waiting awhile, the photographers got back on the trail, and then the bears came flying from the other direction. The scenario then repeated itself for a third time.

Alaskan brown bear cannonball

An Alaskan brown bear leaps off a large rock in an attempt to catch a salmon at McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and Refuge.

Its almost like they had the zoomies, Campbell said. They werent interested in us. But you still dont want to be in the way.

Campbells portfolio extends well beyond bears. Some of his other favorites have included mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda; lions in Kenya; and great white sharks off the coast of South Africa.

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Hes also taken plenty of cat and kitten photos as well as bird and deer photos, something he can do much closer to home.

Bears are the thing I keep going back to, he said. Its still my favorite. And, their photos sell pretty well.

Hes already planning his next adventure, a trip to Botswana, Africa, in February, where he will take a boat on the Chobe River and hopes to photograph hippos, elephants and Nile crocodiles.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Multiple national travel and lifestyle media publications have turned the spotlight on New Mexico by deeming it one of the best places to visit in 2026.

See which Albuquerque restaurants, bars closed in 2025

These recognitions are a testament to the incredible experiences that await visitors across New Mexico, Lancing Adams, acting tourism secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, said in part in a news release. From our vibrant cities and historic towns to iconic Route 66 and our rich cultural heritage, New Mexico offers something truly unique.

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The recognition comes from Frommers, Conde Nast Traveler, AFAR, U.S. News & World Report, Travel + Leisure, and Brit + Co, which have featured Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, and historic Route 66. Below you will find what the publications had to say about the Land of Enchantment:

In 2025, New Mexico received national and global attention as a top travel destination by Travel + Leisures Worlds Best Awards, which named Santa Fe the #1 city in the U.S. and ranked Taos #11. In addition, CNNs Americas Best Small Towns To Visit list highlighted Las Cruces at #7 due to its unique blend of cultural experiences, jaw-dropping scenery and outdoor activities.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
"Should auld acquaintance be forgotten, And never brought to mind?" You may not know all the words to "Auld Lane Syne," but you know the song as soon as you hear when the clock hits midnight.

If you're still awake and watching "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" show on ABC11, you get to witness the Times Square ball drop.

However, there are some very unique celebrations in North Carolina to ring in the new year. It also depends on where you live; the countdown to midnight starts with the lowering of something unique that symbolizes that town or region.

Here are some unique ways to ring in the new year that you'll only find in North Carolina

The Pickle Drop

There's nothing to sour about this unique event. For more than 20 years, the town of Mount Olive, yes the pickle-making capital, drops a--wait for it--a giant pickle for New Year's Eve but not at midnight. The pickle drops at 7 p.m. sharp, the website states.

The town of Mount Olive continued its New Year's Eve tradition of dropping a giant, glowing pickle to mark the New Year.

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The town starts its year-end festivities at 5:00 p.m. and the pickle makes its way down to the pickle jar at 6:30 p.m. The drop is then followed by fireworks and door prizes.

The location is at the University of Mount Olive on Henderson Street in front of the George and Annie Dail Kornegay Arena. Mount Olive is located in Duplin and Wayne Counties and has a population of a little over 4,000 people.

The Acorn Drop

For more than 30 years, the 'City of Oaks' has been dropping a gigantic acorn as the clock hits midnight on New Year's Eve.

Raleigh Acorn Drop

The acorn was the brainchild of public relations agent John A. Watkins, in 1992, who decided Raleigh needed a bicentennial symbol like New York City's big apple, Atlanta's peach and Orlando, Fla.'s orange, according to the News and Observer. Watkins settled on an acorn for Raleigh, which is also known as the City of Oaks, because of all the oak trees. Watkins asked sculptor David Benson to create the large copper and steel acorn for the city's bicentennial and annual drop.

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There will be an early countdown at City Plaza at 7 p.m. and the second drop will be at 11:59 p.m.

Egg Drop

Braswell Family Farms is hosting its first-ever New Year's Eve egg drop at the Nashville Junction at 723 S. Barnes Street in Nashville.

Braswell Family Farm

The family-friendly event will be held on December 31 from 4 p.m. to -8 p.m. with a fireworks finish to ring in the new year.

Keg Drop

Several breweries across the state are hosting keg drops, including one in Durham at the Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

Festivities start at 10 p.m. with the Keg Drop and toast at midnight. There will be a food truck as well. The brewery is located at 219 Hood St.

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In Knightdale, Oak City Brewing is also hosting a Keg Drop to ring in 2026. The brewery is located at 616 N. 1st Ave.

Flea Drop

If you want to see a flea drop on New Year's Eve, head to Eastover in Cumberland County. The town is hosting its annual family-friendly NYE celebration that ends with the flea drop.

Flea Drop, Eastover, NC (Photo: ABC11)



The festivities start at 10:00 p.m. with music, a flea jump and a moon pie eating contest. It's located on Ballpark Road.

Blueberry Drop

Want to see the largest blueberry in North Carolina? You'll need to drive to Burgaw, NC for New Year's Eve. Festivities for the drop are from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. followed by fireworks.

Burgaw, NC drops giant blueberry on New Year's Eve (Photo: Visit NC)

The town known as the blueberry capital also hosts a 'Blueberry Festival' in the summer. Burgaw is located in Pender County and has a population of a little over 3,000 people. And, it's not far (33 minutes) from Wrightsville Beach.

Pig Drop

Pigs might not fly, however, they do drop to ring in the new year in the town of Newport. Yes, you read that right. But, no, it's not a real pig. The town drops a lighted cardboard cutout of a pig.

The town hosts New Year's Eve festivities from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Newport's population is just under 5,000 people. It's located in Carteret County.





Badge Raising

For the past decade, Mount Airy, which is also known as Mayberry, the fictitious town from the "Andy Griffith Show," rings in the new year by raising a giant sheriff's badge.

Mt Airy, aka Mayberry raising a giant Sheriff's badge at midnight. (Photo credit: Town of Mount Airy)

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The event is held in the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History's courtyard; the gate opens at 11:30 pm. Mount Airy is located in Surry County. Its' population as of the latest census is 10,611 people.

Bear Drop

Eastern North Carolina is known for many things, especially black bears. So it's only fitting that at least one town drops a bear on New Year's Eve, right? New Bern is your spot if you want to ring in the new year with a bear drop. The town rings in the New Year each year by dropping a crafted bear. The NYE's block party starts at 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of Craven and Pollock in the downtown area. The Bear Cub Drop begins at 9 p.m. with the Bear Drop at midnight.

New Bern, NC bear drop on New Year's Eve 2024. (Photo Credit: WCTI)

Gold Nugget Drop

If you're hoping to add some bling to your New Year's Eve celebration, head to Marion, NC. They drop a giant gold nugget at midnight to ring in the New Year. The town of nearly 8,000 is located in McDowell County. List of events.

Marion, NC drops gold nugget at midnight. (Photo Credit: Marion Rotary Club)

If your city or town drops something unique to ring in the new year, please drop us a photo with details on the event to WTVDWeb@disney.com.

From the ABC11 Eyewitness News Family, Happy New Year, y'all!
President Trumps first year back in office brought a whirlwind of political news in 2025.

There was a major legislative victory for the White House, wins for Democrats in elections and the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The ugly specter of political violence also surfaced.

Here are the biggest political news stories of the year.

President Trump takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts during his inauguration ceremonies in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images pool)

Trumps first year back

Trump vowed to change the nation and disrupt the status quo upon his return to office, and he didnt wait long to do so after being sworn into office Jan. 20.

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The presidents first year included a crackdown on immigration, the introduction of sweeping tariffs and efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce.

Hours after taking office, Trump signed executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in business and higher education; reduced prescription drug costs; and repealed green energy alternatives in favor of coal and gas, among several others.

Trump won office in part because of former President Bidens problems with the economy. The new president repeatedly said he had inherited a total mess from his predecessor.

But as the year closed, it appeared Trump would face challenges similar to his predecessor in convincing voters his policies were doing enough to keep prices affordable.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Administrator of the Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler arrive for a press conference on Oct. 27, the 27th day of the government shutdown. (Greg Nash)

Longest government shutdown in US history

The government shut down for 42 days starting Oct. 1 after Democrats in the Senate blocked a House GOP funding bill that did not extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expiring at the end of the year.

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It was the longest shutdown in U.S. history, and it only ended after eight Senate Democrats broke from their party to pass a GOP spending bill.

The split angered other Democrats, though the party was successful through the shutdown in highlighting health care and the expiring subsidies.

Health care is set to be a major issue in the midterm elections in 2026, when Democrats are hopeful they can take back the House majority.

In the meantime, much of the government will shut down on Jan. 31 unless the parties agree to a new deal to keep it funded.

Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk takes part in a town hall March 17 in Oconomowoc, Wis. (Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press)

Assassination of Charlie Kirk

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, a shocking moment that raised new concerns about political violence in the country.

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Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested and faces death penalty charges over Kirks killing.

The killing was just the latest instance of violence against political figures, a string that includes the attempted assassination of Trump in 2024 and the killings of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband over the summer.

The killing of Kirk hit hard at the White House, where many knew and admired the conservative activist. Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirks widow, has since appeared frequently at the White House and has seen her own position in political circles rise to the point where she has been discussed as a future vice presidential candidate.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), center, speaks during a press conference at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 18 to discuss the Epstein Files Transparency Act. (Greg Nash)

Release of the Epstein files

A handful of Republicans joined Democrats in backing a discharge petition in November to force the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all of its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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The White House opposed the release until Trump abruptly shifted his position as it became clear momentum was wildly behind the release. He ended up signing the legislation after it was passed in sweeping fashion by both chambers.

Thirty days later, the DOJ released a partial cache of files. Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), co-sponsors of the bill, accused the DOJ of breaking the law by not releasing all of the files by the deadline outlined in the legislation.

The DOJ said more documents will be released, but it has not stopped lawmakers from accusing the Trump administration of hiding incriminating information connected to Trump, who once had a relationship with Epstein. The president has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epsteins crimes.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is seen after signing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act during an enrollment ceremony July 3. (Greg Nash)

Trumps big, beautiful bill

Trump championed a massive reconciliation package titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he signed into law on the Fourth of the July. Part of the bill extended tax cuts passed in his first term that were set to expire later in 2025.

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The bills passage was a major legislative victory for Trump. The legislation also eliminates some taxes on tipped wages, includes a $150 billion increase in funding for a border wall, makes cuts to low-income health and nutrition programs, and expands domestic oil, coal and natural gas production in the U.S.

Democrats slammed the legislation as a big, ugly bill, but it passed 218-214 in the House and Vice President Vance broke the 50-50 tie in the Senate.

Polls, however, suggest the bill is not terribly popular with voters, which has left Republicans saying the White House must do a better job of selling it.

U.S. Navy Adm. Frank Bradley, center, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, and Gen. Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, right, are escorted to a classified briefing for top congressional lawmakers overseeing national security as they investigate how Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth handled a military strike on a suspected drug smuggling boat and its crew in the Caribbean near Venezuela Sept. 2, at the Capitol in Washington on Dec. 4. (Scott Applewhite, Associated Press)



Boat strikes and escalation with Venezuela

The Trump administration dialed up tensions with Venezuelas government led by President Nicolas Maduro. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have led a campaign to militarily pressure Venezuela, deploying a blockade off the countrys coast and launching strikes at alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean heading to the United States.

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One series of strikes in September led some Democratic lawmakers to question whether the Defense officials, including Hegseth, allegedly committed a war crime. Hegseth faced Democratic pressure for the strikes, including calls to resign, despite support from GOP lawmakers.

Maduro has pleaded for peace, with Trump warning that the U.S. will take action by land very soon. The seizures of two oil tankers off Venezuela and a CIA-conducted drone strike have further affected worsening relations between the two countries.

Elon Musk holds up a chainsaw gifted by Argentinian President Javier Milei during the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 20. (Greg Nash)

Cuts by Elon Musk and DOGE

Trump entered office with tech billionaire Elon Musk directing the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with the aim to slash $1 trillion in spending and reduce the federal workforce.

Though he didnt hold an official Cabinet position, Musk frequently attended meetings and spoke with reporters about DOGEs efforts. He also memorably appeared at a conservative conference while displaying a chainsaw, underscoring his desire to cut into the government.

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Congress approved DOGEs cuts, which included slashing federal funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting. But DOGE was also met with criticism, and Musk reportedly had battles internally with other Trump officials.

It all culminated in a public falling-out with Trump that saw Musk and the president battle over social media as Musk left his position.

Since then, the two have appeared to reconcile, which The Washington Post this week credited in part to Vance.

The Supreme Court is seen in Washington on March 28, 2017. (J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press file)

Supreme Court becomes backstop for Trump

The Supreme Court approved several of the presidents initiatives during his first year back, from narrow issues like gender identity on passports to broader issues such as the ability of lower courts to issue rulings that affect the nation.

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The court maintains a conservative majority, with three of Trumps first appointments still serving as justices.

What remains in question going into 2026 is whether the court will grant Trump more victories. The justices blocked Trump from deploying the National Guard before Christmas and are expected to rule on the presidents tariff agenda. Trump has argued that if the court does not rule favorably on his tariffs, it would put the countrys national security at risk.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger, left, points out at the crowd after she was declared the winner of the Virginia governors race during an election night watch party on Nov. 4 in Richmond, Va. Zohran Mamdani, right, speaks during a victory speech at a mayoral election night watch party, Nov. 4, in New York. (Stephanie Scarbrough and Yuki Iwamura, Associated Press)

Democrats win 2025 elections

Democrats had a good end of the year with big wins as New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) and Miami Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins (D) took their cities and former Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) won gubernatorial races in their states.

In California, voters backed a state measure to redraw the Golden States map to favor Democrats in response to Trumps redistricting efforts in red states in order for the GOP to maintain control of the House.

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Various commentators said Democrats won on affordability. Trump suggested the government shutdown made Republicans unpopular and gave weight to the Democratic victories.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), left, and President Trump. (Alex Brandon and Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press)

Feud between Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene

The split between Trump and longtime ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) exploded following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Greene was critical of Trumps opposition to the bill and argued in favor of Epsteins alleged victims and accountability.

Trump accused Greene of being a traitor and threatened to primary her, withdrawing his support of the Georgia Republican. Greene announced she would resign from Congress in January.

Both have continued their criticisms of each other. The president has called her Marjorie Traitor Brown when talking to supporters while Greene has accused Trump of being the leader of the toxic political culture in the U.S.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A first-grade teacher in Tennessee was recently arrested on two counts of child abuse after an alleged incident that involved two of her own children.

Heather Pechts estranged husband reported the alleged abuse to Chattanooga Police on Friday, December 12, after he picked up two of his children from her home, according to The Chattanoogan. He told an officer that he noticed scratches and scabs all over the children's hands, while the kids told him that their mother was responsible for the injuries.

The estranged husband also told officers that he reported past abuse by Pecht several times to police departments in Dunlap and Marion County. However, he said that nothing ever came of those reports. Additionally, he said that their oldest child currently lives with him because [the child] does not want to be around his mother.

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The former couples two younger children told officials that they were with Pecht in the parking lot of Ruby Falls on scenic Lookout Mountain when her cell phone fell behind her, in the back seat of the car, according to court documents viewed by The Chattanoogan. Pecht began screaming at the kids to get her the phone, so they started to try retrieving it for her. As the children attempted to help, Pecht allegedly began to pinch and scratch them.

One of the children tried to escape the situation by getting out of the car. Additionally, one of the children told officers that his mother bit him three times when he tried to push her hands away from him during the alleged altercation.

YouTube Star Ruby Franke Sentenced to Up to 60 Years in Prison for Child Abuse

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Both of the children claimed that the alleged abuse had been happening for years and that it occurs about once a week.

Police also noted in the court documents that the kids had visible scratches, red marks and other marks that resembled fingernail imprints on their hands when they spoke to authorities about the incident.

In addition to the two younger kids, Pechts eldest child also reported experiencing frequent abuse at the hands of his mother, according to WTVC.

Pechts estranged husband has since filed a request for emergency custody of the children and the request was granted, according to The Chattanoogan.

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She was arrested on Friday, December 26, and was charged with two counts of child abuse. Pecht is scheduled to appear in court on January 27, 2026.

It was not clear if Pecht had entered a plea to the charges or obtained legal representation.

Mom Arrested After She Forcibly Dunked Someone Elses 6-Year-Old Kid in Pool During Family Vacation

The Chattanooga Police Department did not immediately respond to Us Weeklys request for comment.

Pecht is a first-grade teacher at Lookout Mountain Elementary School. However, the status of her employment is not currently clear following her arrest.

Child abuse sentences vary widely in Tennessee based on the severity of the offense and the child's age. Pecht could be facing anything from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class A felony. A misdemeanor charge has a sentence of up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, while a Class A felony can include a sentence of 15 to 60 years in prison.

If you suspect child abuse, please call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit ChildHelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential, and the hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Police are investigating a childs death from last week.

On Dec. 26 at 12:43 a.m., officers responded to a report of a child unresponsive at 119 Georgetown Circle in Athens.

Officers said the 2-year-old boy, identified as Westyn Wilkie, was found cold and stiff on his back on the couch.

His mother, Ashley Miller, said she had put Westyn to bed around 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Day, and upon waking early the next morning, she found him not moving and not breathing.

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Emergency services took Westyn to a local hospital.

Law enforcement saw a green straw-like object and a suspected a THC vape in the bedroom near where Westyn was found. A suspected marijuana shake was discovered on the kitchen counter, indicating possible drug use in the home.

She stated that she wanted to grab her phone charger before leaving for the hospital and following her departure, officers noted that the straw-like object was missing from the bedroom.

Police say it remains unclear whether these items were connected to Westyns condition or the circumstances surrounding how he became unresponsive.

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Police said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the childs death is ongoing.

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An investigation is underway after two people were found dead in a Massachusetts home on New Years Eve, authorities announced Thursday.

Officers and firefighters conducting a health and welfare check on Jameson Street in Fairhaven just after 7 p.m. made entry into the locked home, discovering two people unresponsive in a bedroom, according to Fairhaven Police Chief Daniel Dorgan.

The victims, a woman in her 50s and a man in his 60s, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names havent been released.

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Police didnt reveal any details on the manner of their deaths, only calling it an isolated incident.

Based on the preliminary investigation, police believe this was an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the public at this time, the department said in a statement.

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol District Attorneys Office are assisting Fairhaven police with the investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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In 2025, Chicago had the fewest murders recorded since 1965, according to preliminary Chicago police data released Thursday.

Chicago saw 416 murders last year. In 1965, there were 395 murders.

Gun violence saw a steep drop from 2024.

There were 2,274 shooting incidents in 2024, compared to 1,471 in 2025.

There were 2,797 shooting victims in 2024 and 1,847 victims in 2025.

There were 587 murders in 2024.

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Chicago police said the preliminary data could change slightly, but violent crime overall is significantly down in Chicago.

Police Superintendent Larry Snelling says there are many factors involved.

"Our partnerships, everyone working together, across the board, internally within the Chicago Police Department, top-down leadership, intelligence-driven policing," Snelling said.

A University of Chicago Crime Lab analysis of this year's crime statistics found violent crime was down, not just in Chicago, but in many other big cities, too.

"The honest answer is we don't know exactly why crime is down. There has been a lot happening in the last few years, as we're all aware, a lot of economic, social, institutional factors. They're all changing at the same time," said Kim Smith, with the University of Chicago Crime Lab.

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The study suggested that Chicago's decline in violent crime may not be due to specific things happening locally. But violence prevention groups believe their efforts are helping make a difference.

"One shooting, or one, you know, murder is one too many. But when you think about over a 10 years, a concerted effort to reduce violence, it's moving in the direction that we expect," said Domonique McCord, with Metropolitan Peace Academy.

The mayor believes critical investments are paying off.

"So, whether it's the partnerships or the investments, that's necessary. That's investments in youth employment, mental and behavioral health care services and support. But it also means that we have to invest in the divisions of policing that are strategic," Mayor Brandon Johnson said.

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There are some concerns that with the reduction in federal dollars for community violence intervention programs, the downward trends may not continue in 2026.

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2026 is finally here! And the new year brings a new set of federal holiday dates.

The Office of Personnel Management lists 11 federal holidays throughout the year, with two in January: New Year's Day (Thursday, Jan. 1) and Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, Jan. 19). March, April, and August are the only months this year without any federal holidays.

On these days, federal offices, banks, and financial markets will all be closed.

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Here's the schedule of federal holidays for 2026.

Ready for 2026? Big holidays, celebrations fall on Fridays, Saturdays.

Wearing glasses in the shape of the coming year, 1997, a New Yorker is surrounded by fellow confetti-waving celebrants after coming to Times Square to celebrate New Year's Eve, on Dec. 31, 1996. A reveler wears a pair of 2000 glasses in preparation for the new year, on December 31, 1999. People celebrate the new year in New York, on January 1, 2002. Revelers celebrate the coming of the new year at the New Years Eve party in Times Square, on December 31, 2004. Revelers gather in Times Square, on Dec. 31, 2006. Revelers celebrate in Times Square as the ball drops on Jan. 1, 2009, in New York. A girl wears "2010" glasses in Times Square on Dec. 31, 2009, in New York. People celebrate the new year in Times Square on December 31, 2010, in New York. Thousands of revelers gather in New York's Times Square to celebrate the ball drop at the annual New Year's Eve celebration, on Dec. 31, 2013. People wait for the ball to drop during as they celebrate New Year's Eve in Times Square on Dec. 31, 2014. Debbie Landry, from Texas, waits for the ball to drop to greet 2017, during New Year's Eve in Times Square, on Dec. 31, 2016. Revelers wait for the ball drop at New Year's Eve in Times Square, on Dec. 31, 2015. NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 31: A reveler wears 2018 glasses in Times Square ahead of the New Year's Eve celebration on December 31, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) New Years Eve revelers are seen during the Times Square New Year's Eve 2019 Celebration, on Dec. 31, 2018. A police officer celebrates in Times Square during the New Year's Eve celebration, on Dec. 31, 2019. A woman in 2021 glasses takes a photo of the New Year's Eve numerals on display in Times Square on December 21, 2020 in New York. Revelers in masks and 2022 glasses attend the Times Square New Year's Eve 2022 Celebration, on Dec. 31, 2021. A person wears 2023 glasses as people gather to celebrate the new year and await the ball drop, in Times Square, New York City, on December 31, 2022. People wearing 2024 glasses wait for the New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square on December 31, 2023 in New York. People participate in a New Year celebration at Times Square in New York, on Dec. 31, 2024. Celebrating 2026 in New York City's Times Square on Dec. 18, 2025. See the evolution of New Year's Eve glasses 1 of 21 Wearing glasses in the shape of the coming year, 1997, a New Yorker is surrounded by fellow confetti-waving celebrants after coming to Times Square to celebrate New Year's Eve, on Dec. 31, 1996.

When are the 2026 federal holidays?

Federal holidays will fall on the following day, according to the OPM:

New Years Day - Thursday, Jan. 1

Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. - Monday, Jan. 19

Washingtons Birthday/President's Day - Monday, Feb. 16

Memorial Day - Monday, May 25

Juneteenth National Independence Day - Friday, June 19

Independence Day/Fourth of July - Friday, July 3 (Because the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday, the day before (July 3) is considered a federal holiday.)

Labor Day - Monday, Sept. 7

Columbus Day - Monday, Oct. 12

Veterans Day - Wednesday, Nov. 11

Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 26

Christmas Day- Friday, Dec. 25

Will Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 be considered federal holidays in 2026?

In 2026, the U.S. will have 11 federal holidays spread throughout the year.

That is not known at this time. In December 2025, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) and Dec. 26 (the day after Christmas) were considered federal holidays after President Trump signed an executive order.

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But this was enacted only for 2025 and is not considered a permanent addition to OPM's holiday schedule, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting.

Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY

Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 holiday schedule: Full list of dates for federal holidays, more
Police are investigating after three people were injured in an apparent drive-by shooting in Providence, Rhode Island, early New Years morning.

Officers responding to the area of 37 Berkshire Street just before 1:15 a.m. found three people suffering from gunshot wounds, according to the Providence Police Department.

All three victims were rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where they were reported to be stable and alert.

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One victim suffered a graze wound to the head, the second victim was shot in the shoulder area, and the third victim was shot near the temple, police said.

Preliminary investigation and video evidence indicate the incident was a drive-by shooting, the department noted in a statement.

No additional details were immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday extended her best wishes to citizens across the country and Indians living abroad on the occasion of the New Year, calling it a time for renewed energy, positive change and collective responsibility towards nation-building. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/2006552626465574972 In a post shared on X, the President said that the New Year symbolises fresh beginnings and offers an opportunity for reflection and setting new resolutions. She urged citizens to strengthen their commitment to national development, social harmony and environmental protection. "On the joyous occasion of the New Year, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all Indians, both at home and abroad. The New Year symbolises new energy and positive change. It is also an opportunity for introspection and new resolutions. In this New Year, let us further refine our commitment to national development, social harmony, and environmental protection. May the year 2026 bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to all of you and reinvigorate our resolve to build a strong and bright India," she posted a message on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended New Year greetings to the nation, wishing everyone an excellent 2026. In a message shared on X, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the year ahead would bring good health and prosperity to all. He said he prays for success in people's efforts and fulfilment in all that they do. The Prime Minister also prayed for peace and happiness in society, extending his best wishes for harmony and well-being as the country enters the new year. Earlier, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi also took to X to wish people a happy New Year 2026, expressing hope that the year would bring good health, happiness, and success to everyone. Across India, the New Year 2026 was welcomed with fireworks, prayers and public gatherings. Cities, hill towns and religious centres witnessed celebrations as people marked the occasion with family and friends. (ANI)
Jan. 1 (UPI) -- About 40 people are believed to be dead and about 100 injured -- many of them severely -- after a fire broke out at a New Year's Eve celebration at a bar in Switzerland.

The bar, Le Constellation in Crans-Montana in the Swiss Alps, was a popular place for tourists and young people. Many of the injured were between 16 and 26 years old. The victims are believed to be from several different countries.

Smoke began pouring out of the bar at around 1:30 a.m., witnesses said, and emergency services were called soon after. They sent 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances to take the injured to hospitals, officials said at a press conference Thursday morning.

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The nearest hospital had run out of space in the emergency department and surgical suites. Three specialized planes took burn victims to Zurich, which is about 90 miles away.

Le Constellation had a dance floor in its basement with a narrow stairway, which may have made it difficult for people to escape.

Police officers inspect the area where a fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar and lounge in the early hours of New Year's Eve, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Thursday. Photo by Jean-Christophe Bott/EPA

Officials have ruled out the possibility of a terrorist attack, though they haven't yet determined the cause of the fire.

There was an explosion during the fire, but officials have said it was from a flashover. A flashover is when all combustible materials in a room ignite at once from the heat.

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Officials at the U.S. Embassy in Bern can provide help to U.S. citizens who may have been affected by the fire, the embassy said in a statement Thursday.

Witnesses said many people struggled after coming out of the heat of the bar and into the outside cold. Victims were treated at makeshift triage centers in a nearby bar and a branch of UBS bank.

"And then it was just ambulances coming back and forth as much as possible," Dominic Dubois, who witnessed the frantic scenes as the bodies were brought out, told The Guardian.

Doctors and counselors were sent to the area to offer psychological help for the survivors.

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Switzerland only has two burn centers that treat patients with more than 20% of burned body surface. They are in Zurich and Lausanne, according to Swiss newspaper 24 Heures. Neither hospital is near Crans-Montana.

Zurich University Hospital has 15 people from the fire, said Marcel Schlatter, the hospital's media director. "The vast majority of them are young people around 20 years old," he said via email. "All have severe burn injuries."

Lausanne University Hospital has 22 patients from the fire, said Claire Charmet, the hospital's director, 24 Heures reported.

"Injured patients are spread throughout the region; all hospitals have been involved. It is likely that more patients will be admitted later, depending on the complications," Charmet said.

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Officials are working to identify victims.

"Significant resources have been deployed from a forensic medicine perspective, primarily to identify the victims," said Beatrice Pilloud, prosecutor general of the canton, at the news conference. Pilloud said that authorities were doing everything they could to get the victims' bodies to their families.

Le Constellation has a capacity of 300 people with a terrace that holds 40, according to the local tourism agency. It is not clear how many people were inside when the fire broke out, the Washington Post reported that Pilloud said.

Crans-Montana is a resort town of about 10,000 people that's popular among wealthy Europeans. It's in the canton of Valais in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

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"What was a moment of joy turned into a tragedy in Crans-Montana last night, felt across the country and beyond," Swiss President Guy Parmelin said on X. "The Federal Council has taken note of this with deep dismay. Its thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their families and it extends its deepest condolences."

Parmelin postponed a scheduled New Year address because of the fire.

"While this evening should have been a time for celebration and gathering, it turned into a nightmare," Mathias Reynard, a member of the Swiss National Council from Valais, said at the press conference.

The Crans-Montana resort was bought by the U.S.-based Vail Resorts in 2023, but it does not own the bar.

"We are deeply saddened by last night's tragedy in Crans-Montana. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families," Pete Petrovski, managing director of Crans-Montana Mountain Resort, said in an email to the Post.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  In 2025, Kern County lost a number of pioneers.

We lost veterans of World War II and Vietnam, giants of education, pillars of the business community, and many examples of devotion to family and community.

Here, in roughly chronological order, are but a few of them.

Doug DeRoo: January 6

If you grew up in Bakersfield in the 1970s and 80s, you no doubt heard his voice. Doug DeRoo was a wild and kooky radio celebrity with a wickedly quick wit and a virtuoso touch on the turntable. Alone or paired with a succession of co-hosts, he dominated the rock and roll airwaves.

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Doug DeRoo died January 6 at the age of 73.

Chuck Dennis: January 29

DeRoo was not the only radio deejay we lost this year. Chuck Dennis also spun those platters. But in his long colorful career Dennis was also a stuntman, emergency medical technician, rural fire chief  and in his last decade in the working world  a photojournalist here at the local NBC affiliate, KGET. Chuck Dennis  who lived in Missouri, Illinois, Arizona and Northern California before settling in Bakersfield  died on January 29, just 70.

Reporters he worked with here from 2010 to 2019 remember a man who could come off as pretty gruff at times  but who cared about them, and their shared mission.

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Joseph Taylor: March 7

Former Bakersfield police officer Joseph Taylor died March 7 at the age of 83. Taylor was born in Columbus, Ohio, then moved to California and attended South High School while he worked on his brother-in-laws dairy farm. Taylor began his career with the Bakersfield Police Department in 1965, serving until he retired as a Detective in 1995.

Kenneth Schultz: March 31

Kenneth Schultz, a Wasco native, served in the Army Reserves from 1965 to 1971 as a Sergeant and liked to say he fought the battle of North Chester Avenue. In 1968, he began his insurance career and went on to serve on the Board of Directors of the Bakersfield Association of Independent Insurance Agents, eventually as President. He died March 31 at age 84.

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Don Galey: April 15

Don Galey, longtime owner of Galeys Marine Supply, died April 15 at the age of 93. Galeys Marine Supply opened in 1938 with Galeys father, Otto Galey, at the helm. The original location was on Bernard Street. It moved to the Bakersfield Auto Mall in 1999 and to northwest Bakersfield this year.

Galeys, one of about 5,000 boat suppliers in the United States, is the oldest dealership under one continuous ownership in California, a distinction the company has held for two decades or more. Don Galeys favorite customer? Possibly Merle Haggard.

Jim Young: May 5

Jim Young, the former longtime chancellor of the Kern Community College District, died May 5 at the age of 86  four days after the district dedicated the new library of Bakersfield Colleges Arvin campus in his honor.

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The youngest child of Texas farm laborers who followed the Dust Bowl migration to Arvin, James C. Young was a tireless worker for the underprivileged, for the immigrant, for the underdog.

He served as KCCD chancellor for 21 years starting in 1978, but never stopped working to better the community.

Jesse Lubiniecki: May 30

Former Taft College pitcher Jesse Lubiniecki died from a traffic accident in Montana on May 30. Lubiniecki had just finished his sophomore season and had signed a letter of intent to play for Florida National University in Miami.

Lubiniecki was from Regina, Saskatchewan, and was a relief pitcher for the Cougars for two seasons.

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Bob Lechtrek: June 25

Former Kern County Fire chief Bob Lechtrek, perhaps the last link to the Kern County Fire Departments golden age, died June 25, just two months after celebrating his gala 100th birthday party.

He worked alongside Kern Countys very first fire chief  Harold Boway  and was the last firefighter to be able to make that claim. He also drove the departments 1929 Moreland, a museum piece of a fire truck, and then rose to the rank of chief himself. Lechtrek, a World War II veteran, joined the Navy at age 17 and served in the Pacific Theater.

Louise Ruth Carpenter Lewis: June 23

Lynn Eckert: July 5

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Two local veterans of note passed away within a few days of each other last summer. Veterans of different eras and very different experiences, with at least one thing in common  they were women who took unique paths to their service.

American Legion Post 221 Commander Lynn Eckert, a Marine Corps veteran and energetic, persuasive ambassador for the Kern County Honor Flight program, died July 5 at age 71. A Vietnam War-era Marine, she served the Tehachapi area American Legion for seven years.

And Louise Ruth Carpenter Lewis, who kept the home hearth warm and the Flying Fortresses aloft during World War II, died June 23 at 100.

Lewis was barely 18 and a senior at Kern County Union High School when she took a job riveting the wings of B-17 Flying Fortress bombers. Yes, she was an original Rosie the Riveter.

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Lewis Louie Lafever: July 22

Lewis Louie Lafever, a World War II veteran, landed at Normandy with the 29th Infantry Division in 1944 and was awarded two Bronze Stars for valor in combat and two Purple Hearts. He completed his military service in Berlin, where his cleverness and charm were as memorable as his courage. He died July 22 at the age of 100.

Wanda Lollar: July 15

Richard Lollar: July 16

Richard and Wanda Lollar were both in their mid-80s when they died a day apart. They were married for 64 years and still in love at the end.

Wanda died July 15 at the age of 84. She had a one-day head start on her husband. Richard, age 87, died 26 hours later.

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Richard was an advertising executive in Chicago and Los Angeles, and after staying home with the boys a few years, Wanda went into the advertising business as well. She became the owner of the company, and eventually became the president of the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Rosa Garcia Diaz: August 2

If youve lived in Bakersfield more than a week, you have almost certainly seen them. La Rosa Fruit bars, the pride of East Bakersfield. The company is celebrating its 45th year, but on August 2 it also mourned its namesake, co-founder Rosa Garcia Diaz.

The company continues under Norma Diaz, daughter of Jesus Ramos Diaz and Rosa Maria Garcia del Diaz, his wife of 68 years. Rosa, born in Mexico City in 1937, lived her American dream to the fullest. She was 87.

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Fidel Cazares: September 13

Vietnam veteran Fidel Cazares passed away September 13 at the age of 74. Like many of these veterans, he was an emotional participant in a Kern County Honor Flight in October 2019, which brought 101 Vietnam veterans to Washington D.C. to visit war memorials. During the return flight, he was visibly moved during mail call, a tradition where veterans receive letters of appreciation from family, friends, and strangers. He expressed how much the gesture meant to him, stating, I want to frame every one of these until the day I die.

Don Hall: October 17

Jeweler Don Hall passed away October 17 at the age of 94.

He was an active service club member who married into the Wickersham jewelry family and was among the first tenants to move into Valley Plaza.

Hall was born in Long Beach and went on to attend East High. He met his future wife, Nancy Wickersham, at her familys jewelry store along Truxtun Avenue. After selling the business to son Jon he helped his wife at her boutique on H Street, Fond Memories.

Patricia Puskarich: September 6

Patty Puskarich lived in Oildale most of her life  30 years in her house on Esther Drive  and before that in the house next door, where she grew up. She attended seventh and eighth grade at Standard School with writer Gerald Haslam, businessman Jim Wattenbarger and musician Merle Haggard  who for a time was her next-door neighbor. Like her good friend Haslam, she knew the history of the small oil town  both the good and the bad  as well as anyone you might ever talk with.

We will miss many other others, too. And if were being honest, well also miss more than a few four legged friends. In closing, well share one with you now.

Tonks the Pig: February 22

Tonks the Pig was a beloved resident of the California Living Museum. He was a rescue who brought joy to visitors but sadly passed away Feb. 22 after a routine procedure. He had gained local fame, often featured in local news and social media.

Copyright 2026 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 KGET 17 News.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  San Diego Fire-Rescue crews conducted swift water rescue operation Thursday morning after one adult and a child became trapped in their vehicle due to flooding in Mission Valley.

The FOX 5/KUSI video above provides driving safety tips.

According to SDFD, teams rescued the two individuals along Fashion Valley Road and Riverwalk Drive, where rapidly rising water has made roads impassable. Officials say their vehicle was halfway submerged in water.

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Both the adult and child were rescued without injuries.

Thousands of SDG&E customers lose power on New Years Day

Fire officials are urging the public to stay away from the area and take flooding seriously.

Never walk or drive through floodwaters, the department noted in a social media post regarding the incident. Just 12 inches of fast moving water can carry away a vehicle.

The rescues come as heavy rain continues to impact parts of San Diego County, leading to flooded roadways and dangerous driving conditions.

The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for San Diego County early Thursday morning. That warning has since been downgraded to a Flood Advisory.

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Drivers are strongly encouraged to avoid Mission Valley, seek alternate routes and remain alert as storms move through the region.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
NAPPANEE  Restoring Amish Acres to its former glory has been stressful but will be worth the trouble, the new owner of the attraction says.

Brad Juneau, who once oversaw the lodging portion of the campus prior to purchasing Amish Acres in October, said some work remains before the site can be reopened to the public.

Originally from Louisiana, Juneau is in the process of moving back permanently to Elkhart County, he said. Much of his time is spent working with the original staff, suppliers and the city through phone calls and Zoom calls.

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What have I liked about it? Juneau said. Just seeing that people are happy that its coming back. Has it been enjoyable? Not yet. Theres just been too many struggles to overcome. Is it worth it? Yes. So, in the end, will it be enjoyable? Yeah, if we didnt enjoy this business, we wouldnt be doing it. This is going to be me and my son and his family. We will conquer and get this where it was.

Juneau said the goal is to have Amish Acres open as soon as possible. The goal was to have Amish Acres open for Thanksgiving and then Christmas Eve, but both plans fell through.

The main holdup has been getting each entity at Amish Acres up to code. Juneau and his team have been working with the state, fire and health departments to make sure permit requirements are met.

Each building here at Amish Acres, only the homes are original to the site, every other historical property that is on Amish Acres was brought here from the community, Juneau said. So each and every one of these entities, even though theyre owned by Amish Acres, theyre all treated separately by the health department as well as the state and so, each one of those require a license in their individuality and so, we may be able to open some shops faster and quicker than others because they dont require some of the requirements a full restaurant may require.

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Juneau said Amish Acres will open in sections rather than all at once because the licensing process is different for each entity. The public will continue to be updated on the Amish Acres Facebook page, he said.

Juneau once worked with the original owners of Amish Acres, the Pletcher family. Richard Pletcher hired him to oversee the lodging portion around 2015.

Pletcher and his family owned and operated the 28-acre property for 50 years before retiring. Pletcher founded Amish Acres in 1968 with his father, LaVern. It was sold in an auction in February 2020 to Marlin Stutzman, a U.S. House member from Middlebury, and his business partners, John Kruse and Jason Bontrager, who bought key parts of the property.

The property was rebranded as The Barns at Nappanee in 2020. In February, The Barns at Nappanee announced it would scale back its operations to focus on weddings and other large gatherings. Another sale, in August for $2.4 million, fell through.

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Juneau purchased the property in October with big plans to restore the attraction to what it once was. That sale price was not announced.

The process of getting the property where it once was is going to take some time, he said, and he appreciates the publics patience.

We didnt have a lot of time to make the decision, Juneau said. Do we conquer this? Do we try? And so, I really didnt know the state of the property at all. I mean I knew what it was and I knew what it had done in the past and the value to the community that it was under Amish Acres. So, we had very little time to do research on the condition, but we just wanted to bring it back.

Juneau and his team did research to see if people in the community would still be interested in Amish Acres. They concluded that the community is still interested in supporting Amish Acres, he said. The Amish Acres Facebook page gets about 1.4 million likes and interactions, he said.

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Juneau got the blessing of the Pletcher family to continue the tradition of Amish Acres. He said he has received Richard Pletchers input about everything from menus to food items to theater prices.

They ran it for over 50 years, so they had to have done something right, Juneau said of the Pletcher family. And so, like I said, we didnt necessarily need their permission, we just wanted their blessing and for them to work with us on bringing it back and getting the correct logos, but the most important thing was the property had said the previous owner did not continue the recipes or any of the traditions, so we had nobody here on property that had those menus so it was very important to speak with the Pletcher family and get those menus.

Juneau expressed his appreciation for the Pletcher family for working with him and his team to get everything right. The Elkhart County community is eagerly awaiting the reopening of Amish Acres, he said.

Jon Hunsberger, executive director of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau, expressed his excitement for the return of Amish Acres.

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Amish Acres is a historic property that honored Elkhart Countys origins, contributed greatly to our tourism and hospitality industry, and is beloved by thousands of residents and visitors, Hunsberger said. The Elkhart County CVB is excited by the possibilities of Amish Acres new owners and look forward to them bringing back the quality and craftsmanship this property became known for.

The Amish Acres Facebook page announced the Round Barn Theatres slate of shows for 2026 on Dec. 28. People interested in learning more can contact Amish Acres at 574-773-4188.
Saar recently underwent special treatment in the US, but his condition deteriorated, prompting senior members of the intelligence community to visit him over the past week.

Amit Saar, head of the IDF Research Department on October 7, died on Thursday morning at the age of 47.

In mid 2024, Saar was diagnosed with a malignant tumor and stepped down from his position.

Saar had recently undergone special treatment in the US, but his condition deteriorated, prompting senior members of the intelligence community to visit him over the past week. In the 24 hours before his death, his medical condition worsened significantly.

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In a letter to the Research Department upon concluding his role, Saar took responsibility for the October 7 failure.

In recent months, we have all experienced, and I foremost among you, a profound shock. We did not meet what was expected of us, what we expect of ourselves, he wrote at the time.

Head of the Israel Defense Forces' Military Intelligence Research Department, Brig. Gen. Amit Saar speaks at a conference of the Gazit Institute in Tel Aviv, November 5, 2022 (credit: TOMER NEUBERG/FLASH90)

From my first conversation with the department after October 7, even before we examined the first detail, I made it clear that in the moral world in which I live, I intend to take responsibility. We will clarify and investigate every detail, every assessment we published, every flag we raised, but first and foremost, we will stand tall in a value statement from our command.

Sa'ar describes chronic Gaza problem

In an interview Sa'ar gave to Walla in 2022, he described the Gaza problem, saying at the time that Gaza was a chronic problem.

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There is no solution in its current configuration, with Hamas controlling Gaza. There is certainly no political solution. To all those who want to go in and conquer Gaza, no one wants to stay in Gaza. You can conquer Gaza, but then there is one small problem: you are left with Gaza. No one wants that. Everyone has learned that it is better not to, the former head of the Research Department said.

His funeral will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Kiryat Shaul.
Some 20,000 nurses representing 12 hospitals at 13 locations spread across all five boroughs are preparing to ring in the new year with a general strike that could last for 10 days.

Members of the New York State Nurses Association voted overwhelmingly earlier this month in favor of striking if their contract demands are not met by the end of 2025.

We became nurses because we care about our patients deeply and do not take striking lightly, NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said. It is always a last resort. But its shameful that instead of trying to protect care and settle a fair contract, hospitals are dragging their feet and making proposals that would seriously erode care in this city.

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Bronx hospitals affected by the impending strike include Montefiore Medical Center and BronxCare Health System.

In Manhattan, nurses at Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center and Mount Sinai West voted to join the strike.

And nurses at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in Queens voted to strike.

Affected Brooklyn hospitals include Brooklyn Hospital Center, Interfaith Medical Center, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center and Maimonides Medical Center.

Nurses at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island are also expected to strike.

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The union is demanding increased security at hospitals, and fighting back against health care executives, as they seek to roll back provisions nurses say would allow hospitals to overload them with patients.

Instead of cutting from executive pay, risky new technologies, and money-making investments, they are proposing to compromise safe patient care by rolling back the staffing standards nurses worked hard to achieve, NewYork-Presbyterian pediatric emergency room nurse Aretha Morgan said. Nurses wont stand by and watch them try to unravel staffing standards that have made such massive strides in helping hospitals cut back on wait times, reduce nurse burnout, improve patient care, and more.

Since contract negotiations began this summer, nurses have hosted speak-outs and rallies outside hospitals and at City Hall, where healthcare providers were joined by city council members including Mercedes Narcisse, Carmen De La Rosa and Lynn Schulman in calling for their contract demands to be met.

As a proud nurse and as Chair of the Hospitals Committee of the New York City Council, I know the difference that safe staffing and real investment in patient care make, Narcisse said. Hospitals must do their part, invest in their workforce, protect services, and ensure that every patient receives the care they deserve.

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The union also organized vigils outside Mount Sinai Hospital after management retaliated against nurses who raised safety concerns in the wake of an active shooter threat at the Manhattan medical center.

The impending labor action follows a 2023 strike that saw 7,000 nurses at Montefiore and Mount Sinai Hospital walk off the job after contraction negotiations broke down.

The strike, which lasted for three days, ended after the two hospitals agreed to demands that included a pay increase and hiring additional nurses.
A 25-year-old North Texas woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to human trafficking charges.

Emily Hutchins recruited girls into prostitution and kept most of their earnings for herself, according to Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells.

If the victims didnt want to comply, Hutchins told them they wouldnt have a place to live or threatened to expose them to their family and friends.

Thank you to the Arlington Police Department for your work on this case and for keeping our community safe. pic.twitter.com/tUlP4GabV6  Tarrant County DA (@TarrantCountyDA) December 29, 2025

The Arlington Police Department filed multiple charges against Hutchins in August 2023, including continuous trafficking of persons and tampering with a witness, according to court records.

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She pleaded guilty to aggravated promotion of prostitution on Dec. 22 as part of a plea deal with the District Attorneys Office.

[MORE: 3 arrested in human trafficking case at North Texas massage parlors]

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LENS, Switzerland - Around 40 people were killed and more than 100 injured, most of them seriously, after a fire and explosion tore through a crowded bar during a New Year's Eve party in the popular ski resort town of Crans-Montana, Swiss officials said on Thursday, Jan. 1.

The fire broke out at 1:30 a.m. in a bar called "Le Constellation" in the Valais region in southwestern Switzerland. The cause remains unclear but authorities said it appeared to be an accident.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin called it "one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known" and said most of the dead were young people.

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"What was a moment of joy turned into a tragedy in Crans-Montana last night, felt across the country and beyond," Parmelin said in a post on X.

Crans-Montana, a historic area with sweeping vistas that is popular with international tourists, is scheduled to be a stop on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup tour at the end of January.

Rescuers are seen at the site of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on Jan.1, 2026. Several people were killed and others injured when an explosion ripped through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans Montana, Swiss police said early on January 1. Police officers are seen at the site of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on Jan. 1, 2026. Several people were killed and others injured when an explosion ripped through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana, Swiss police said early on January 1. Rescuers and fire-fighters work at the site of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on Jan. 1, 2026. Several people were killed and others injured when an explosion ripped through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana, Swiss police said early on January 1. Police officers and rescuers stand next to a firefighters vehicle on the site of an explosion that ripped through the bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana on Jan. 1, 2026. Several dozen people are presumed dead and around 100 injured after a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana, police said early January 1, 2026. Members of the forensic arrive on the site of an explosion that ripped through the bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana on Jan. 1, 2026. Police officers walk near ambulances at the site of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on Jan. 1, 2026. A photograph taken on Jan. 1, 2026 shows a general view of the street and of the bar Le Constellation marked out by a forensic tent following an explosion that ripped the venue in Crans-Montana during New Year's Eve celebrations. Several dozen people are presumed dead and around 100 injured after a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana, police said early January 1, 2026. A photograph taken on Jan. 1, 2026 shows flowers and candles laid on the ground near the bar Le Constellation following an explosion that ripped through the venue in Crans-Montana, during New Year's Eve celebrations. Several dozen people are presumed dead and around 100 injured after a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana, police said early January 1, 2026. Flowers are laid on the street after a fire broke out overnight at Le Constellation bar on Jan. 1, 2026 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. According to authorities, the fire began around 1:30 AM local time. A police officers stands at the entrance of the building Constellation, housing the bar Le Constellation following an explosion that ripped the venue in Crans-Montana, in Jan. 1, 2026 during New Year's Eve celebrations. Several dozen people are presumed dead and around 100 injured after a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana, police said early January 1, 2026. Emergency workers respond to a scene where a fire broke out overnight at Le Constellation bar on Jan. 1, 2026 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. According to authorities, the fire began around 1:30 AM local time. As of later that morning, authorities were reporting that several dozen people had died. Sseats are overturned outside Le Constellation bar where a fire broke out inside in the early hours of Jan. 1, 2026 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. According to authorities, the fire began around 1:30 AM local time. As of later that morning, authorities were reporting that several dozen people had died. Emergency workers respond to a scene where a fire broke out overnight at Le Constellation bar on Jan. 1, 2026 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. According to authorities, the fire began around 1:30 AM local time. As of later that morning, authorities were reporting that several dozen people had died. Fire, explosion kills dozens in Swiss ski resort bar 1 of 13 Rescuers are seen at the site of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on Jan.1, 2026. Several people were killed and others injured when an explosion ripped through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans Montana, Swiss police said early on January 1.

"Our count is about 100 injured, most seriously, and unfortunately tens of people are presumed dead," said Frederic Gisler, head of police in the Valais canton. Patients had been dispatched to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich, he said. The Italian foreign ministry said information from Swiss police indicated about 40 deaths, but Gisler declined to give a specific figure.

Witnesses said many of those celebrating in the bar appeared to be from different countries but officials said the grim task of identifying badly burned bodies would take time. Stephane Ganzer, head of security for the Valais canton, confirmed that some of the victims of the fire are from other countries.

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Several foreign governments offered condolences and support in the hours following the fire, including the U.S.

The U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland released a statement saying it is in "close contact" with Swiss authorities who established a helpline for relatives at +41-848-112-117. The embassy encouraged U.S. citizens in Switzerland to notify family and friends of their safety, and noted that consular officials stood ready to provide assistance to any affected U.S. citizens.

A statement by King Charles of the United Kingdom, posted on his X account, stated it's "utterly heartbreaking that a night of celebration for young people and families instead turned to such nightmarish tragedy."

"Our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of all those who have so tragically lost their lives and with those who remain in a critical condition in hospital," he continued.

Screaming and flames as revelers fled the bar

"There were people screaming, and then people lying on the ground, probably dead," said 21-year-old local Samuel Rapp, who saw the aftermath of the fire. "They had jackets over their faces - well, that's what I saw, nothing more."

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Witnesses described improvised triage centres set up in a nearby bar and in a branch of UBS bank to treat the injured and said many suffered after coming out of the heat of the bar into the freezing night air.

"And then it was just ambulances coming back and forth as much as possible," said Dominic Dubois, who witnessed the frantic scenes as the bodies were brought out.

Emergency personnel work at the site of an explosion and fire at the "Le Constellation" bar, where several people died and others were injured after an explosion tore through a crowded New Years Eve party, according to Swiss police, in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland, Jan. 1, 2026.

Police said many people were being treated for burns and that the area had been completely closed off, with a no-fly zone imposed over Crans-Montana. Authorities said 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances had been deployed.

Video footage showed lines of ambulances queuing and helicopters landing to take victims to nearby hospitals and specialist burns units in other Swiss cities, including Lausanne and Zurich. Switzerland's neighbours, France, Germany and Italy also offered to treat victims in their own centres.

Authorities searching for a cause

Local authorities said they are investigating the cause of the blaze, as well as working to identify victims and notify families.

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"At the moment we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack," prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud told a press conference, adding authorities had opened a full investigation.

Pilloud said authorities were trying to get the bodies of the victims to their families.

"A lot of resources have been put into forensics to identify the victims. These resources are intended to allow us to get the bodies to the families as soon as possible," she said.

Flowers, candles and notes at a memorial where a fire broke out overnight at Le Constellation bar on January 01, 2026 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. According to authorities, the fire began around 1:30 AM local time, with reports that 47 people are believed to have died and over a hundred more seriously injured.

Reuters reported that two young French women told France's BFM TV that they were in the bar and saw the fire start in the club's basement after a bottle containing "birthday candles" was held too close to the wooden ceiling.

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"The fire spread across the ceiling super quickly," one of the two women, who identified themselves as Emma and Albane, told BFM TV. The pair said they were able to climb a narrow staircase to the ground floor and escape the building. Minutes later, the fire had reached the ground floor too, they said.

BFM showed video of a waitress carrying a champagne bottle with a lit "fountain candle" through the bar, one of many in Crans-Montana, a fashionable ski centre with an array of boutiques, luxury hotels and restaurants. But the footage did not show the fire breaking out.

Video footage verified by Reuters showed fire spreading from the building, and witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as people rushed to get out.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Italy's Sky TG24 TV that the fire may have been caused by fireworks.

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"It seems to have been an accident caused by a fire, by some explosion, by some firecracker thrown during New Year's celebrations," he said.

(Additional Reuters reporting by Dave Graham in Zurich and Shivani Tanna in Bengaluru; Editing by Neil Fullick, Gareth Jones, Philippa Fletcher)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 40 killed,100 injured in Swiss ski resort bar explosion, police say
Germany's celebration of the turn of the year was largely peaceful compared to previous years, although there were isolated deaths, injuries and revellers in some places threw fireworks at police officers and first responders.

Additional police were on duty in many places, with concerns about rowdiness in several cities, including Berlin, following attacks on emergency services on New Year's Eve in previous years.

In Berlin alone, there were more than 400 arrests by 1 am on Thursday (0000 GMT). In the eastern city of Leipzig, where riots broke out in previous years, police and first responders were attacked with fireworks.

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In the western city of Bielefeld, two 18-year-old men died after suffering fatal facial injuries in separate accidents involving homemade fireworks.

Berlin welcomed 2026 with a seven-and-a-half-minute fireworks display at the Brandenburg Gate and countless private fireworks. The capital's traditional New Year's Eve party featuring live performances was cancelled after the city government said it would no longer fund it, and was replaced with a DJ party at the Berlin landmark.

Meanwhile in Hamburg, thousands of people welcomed in 2026 at public broadcaster ZDF's New Year's Eve show in rainy weather. For the first time, the "Silvester in Concert" show did not take place in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin but on a floating stage on the Elbe in front of the Westfield shopping centre.

At midnight, there was a spectacular fireworks display, which was set off by tugs behind the stage.

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In Munich, organizers said that around 10,000 people celebrated the arrival of 2026 at a large New Year's Eve party on Ludwigstrae. Everything was very peaceful, said Katrin Strauch from event agency Gral. "There were no incidents, nothing at all."

Those who welcomed the New Year outside were best advised to dress warmly. In parts of Germany, the German Weather Service advised caution due to snow and slippery conditions. In the north, it was expected to become increasingly stormy on Thursday morning.

Berlin New Year's celebrations calmer than in past

Berlin Police spokesman Florian Nath told dpa in a preliminary assessment that, as of 3 am, police had "no reports of serious injuries among our colleagues or among revellers. Nor did we have any serious incidents or property damage like last year."

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Police officers were however attacked with fireworks, 21 of them suffering minor injuries.

The police were partially successful in countering the dynamics of criminal perpetrators who moved among the crowd of peaceful revellers. The concept of a large firework-free zone worked particularly well at Alexanderplatz.

The demonstration and party at the Victory Column were peaceful. Instead of the 16,000 participants who had registered, only a few hundred showed up, according to the spokesperson. The celebration at the Brandenburg Gate, which attracted many thousands of visitors, also passed without incident.

Police in Leipzig attacked with fireworks

In Leipzig, police and emergency services were attacked with fireworks, according to a police spokesperson. Among other measures, the police erected barriers in the Connewitz district, which is known for riots.

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However, the incidents and fires in Leipzig were not limited to the known areas; there were also several fires in Leipzig city centre, where rubbish bins were set alight.

In recent years, there have been regular riots in Leipzig on New Year's Eve. Even before the turn of the year, police warned that it was not only the Connewitz district that could be affected.

Fire brigades constantly at work

There were also incidents in Hamburg during the night: according to police, passers-by and emergency services were pelted with fireworks in the Steilshoop district. No injuries were initially reported. Suspected perpetrators were identified, but it was initially unclear whether they had been arrested.

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Fire brigades are also in constant action: fires were reported in several federal states during the night. Roof trusses were on fire, as were rubbish bins, hedges and cars. An initial assessment was not expected until New Year's Day.

Discussion of firework ban

This year, as in the past, many groups, from health professionals to environmentalists, called for a ban on fireworks in the run-up to New Year's Eve.

Doctors' representatives, police officers and animal rights activists all suggested a general ban on the use of private firecrackers and rockets due to the number of injuries caused.

Emergency vehicles and police officers stand in the city center on New Year's Eve in rainy weather. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa

Police vehicles park in a parking lot at the exit of the main train station near Cologne Cathedral. Christoph Reichwein/dpa

Security forces control an entrance to the protection zone around the Domplatte in Cologne, where carrying and setting off firecrackers and rockets is prohibited. Christoph Reichwein/dpa

Police officers walk through the WeAreBerlin party on 17 June Street. Britta Pedersen/dpa

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Lasers light up the sky above 17 June Street towards the Brandenburg Gate during the WeAreBerlin party. Britta Pedersen/dpa
Germany's New Year celebration was largely peaceful compared to previous years, although at least two people died and many were injured, and revellers in some places threw fireworks at police officers and the emergency services.

Additional police were on duty in many places, with concerns about potential violence in several cities, including Berlin, following attacks on emergency services on New Year's Eve in previous years.

In Berlin alone, where 4,300 police officers were on duty, there were more than 400 arrests by 1 am on Thursday (0000 GMT). A total of 21 police officers were slightly injured by blast trauma after being shot at with firecrackers or by resistance from suspects, the police said in a later update on New Year's Day.

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In the eastern city of Leipzig, where riots broke out in previous years, police and emergency workers were attacked with fireworks.

In the western city of Bielefeld, two 18-year-old men died after suffering fatal facial injuries in separate accidents involving home-made fireworks.

Many people suffered injuries, some of them serious, like a 23-year-old who lost his left hand due to an exploding firecracker near the north-eastern city of Rostock.

Berlin welcomed 2026 with a seven-and-a-half-minute fireworks display at the Brandenburg Gate and countless private firework celebrations. Up to 25,000 tickets had been available for the main event.

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The capital's traditional New Year's Eve party featuring live performances was cancelled after the city government said it would no longer fund it, and was replaced with a DJ party at the Berlin landmark.

Meanwhile in Hamburg, thousands of people welcomed in 2026 at public broadcaster ZDF's New Year's Eve show in rainy weather. For the first time, the show did not take place in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin but on a floating stage on the Elbe in front of the Westfield shopping centre in the northern port city.

At midnight, there was a spectacular fireworks display, which was set off by tugs behind the stage.

Ten police officers were injured in Hamburg and were unable to continue working, the police reported on Thursday.

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In Munich, organizers said that around 10,000 people celebrated the arrival of 2026 at a large New Year's Eve party on the main Ludwigstrasse thoroughfare. Everything was very peaceful, said Katrin Strauch from event agency Gral. "There were no incidents, nothing at all."

Those who welcomed the New Year outside were best advised to dress warmly. In parts of Germany, the German Weather Service advised caution due to snow and slippery conditions. In the north, it was expected to become increasingly stormy on Thursday morning.

Berlin New Year's celebrations calmer than in past

Berlin Police spokesman Florian Nath told dpa in a preliminary assessment that police had "no reports of serious injuries" among officers or revellers.

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"Nor did we have any serious incidents or property damage like last year."

Police officers were however attacked with fireworks, 21 of them suffering minor injuries.

The police were partially successful in countering the dynamics of criminal perpetrators who moved among the crowd of peaceful revellers, they said. The concept of a large firework-free zone worked particularly well at the large central plaza of Alexanderplatz, they added.

A demonstration and party at the Victory Column in the middle of the Tiergarten park were peaceful. Instead of the 16,000 participants who had registered, only a few hundred showed up, according to the spokesman.

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The celebration at the Brandenburg Gate also passed without incident.

Police in Leipzig attacked with fireworks

In Leipzig, police and emergency services were attacked with fireworks, according to a police spokesman. Among other measures, the police erected barriers in the Connewitz district, which is known for riots.

However, the incidents and fires in Leipzig were not limited to the known areas; There were also several fires in Leipzig city centre, where rubbish bins were set alight, the spokesman said.

In recent years, there have been regular riots in Leipzig on New Year's Eve.

Fire brigades stretched

Fire brigades were also in constant operation, with fires reported in several federal states during the night. Roof trusses were set on fire, as were rubbish bins, hedges and cars.

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Several roofs caught fire in the city of Hagen in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The fire initially spread from a burning tree to a house, said a police spokesman. From there, the flames ignited the roofs of two other objects in a building complex. The buildings burned down completely. It is now being investigated whether the fire was caused by a firework.

A fire in the roof of a historic building on the square in front of the cathedral in the central city of Erfurt spread to two adjacent houses. According to the fire brigade, a New Year's Eve firework likely triggered the fire.

Discussion of firework ban

This year, as in the past, many groups, from health professionals to environmentalists, called for a ban on fireworks in the run-up to New Year's Eve.

Doctors' representatives, police officers and animal rights activists all suggested a general ban on the use of private firecrackers and rockets due to the number of injuries caused.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has visited hospitals in Indore and met people admitted after falling ill from consuming contaminated water. The CM Yadav enquired about the health status of the patients and directed officials to ensure proper, timely treatment for all affected. He also asked the district administration to take all necessary steps to prevent further cases. The Municipal Corporation has been supplying water to households in the affected areas. Ambulances have also been deployed to transport people showing any symptoms to hospitals promptly. The administration is closely monitoring the situation to ensure adequate medical care and a safe drinking water supply. Meanwhile, at least four people have died, and more than 149 have been hospitalised in Indore after consuming contaminated water, prompting the state administration to step up emergency measures. Indore District Magistrate Shivam Verma said that treatment is being provided to all affected individuals in accordance with the Chief Minister's directions. He said approximately 149 people are currently hospitalised, with their conditions being closely monitored. The District Magistrate said survey teams are conducting door-to-door checks to identify more affected persons and prevent further spread of illness. He added that nearly 2,700 houses had been surveyed as of Tuesday, and the exercise is being extended to nearby areas. ANM and ASHA workers are also visiting households and distributing ORS packets to residents as a preventive measure. The death toll in the contaminated water incident has increased to seven so far. The Chief Minister announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to each deceased person's family and free treatment for all affected people. Earlier, Yadav expressed grief over the incident, paid tributes to the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for those undergoing treatment. He also directed strict action against the concerned officials responsible for the lapse. Two officials have been suspended, while one has been dismissed from the service. (ANI)
Ben-Gvir responded during a police ceremony in Beit Shemesh, where he sharply criticized the attorney-general while awarding ranks and making senior appointments.

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara submitted her response on Thursday to the High Court of Justice regarding petitions challenging National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvirs tenure, asserting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must explain why he has not dismissed him.

Baharav-Miara called on the court to issue an order nisi, compelling Netanyahu to justify his decision to retain Ben-Gvir.

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MK [Itamar] Ben-Gvir is abusing his authority in order to improperly influence the activities of Israel Police in the most sensitive areas of law enforcement and investigations, and is harming basic democratic principles, the attorney-general wrote, adding that Ben-Gvir is mismanaging his role.

About a month ago, Baharav-Miara approached the prime minister regarding the petitions. She argued that Ben-Gvir had systematically interfered in police operations and that the basis for the courts prior approval of his appointment had since deteriorated, warranting Netanyahus direct attention.

Despite the ministers commitment before the honorable court to act in accordance with the principles formulated with its approval as a safeguard for upholding the law, those principles are being violated, and the law is being breached, she wrote. This is done in a manner that continues to harm the proper, professional, and state-oriented functioning of the police.

In these circumstances, the honorable court is requested to set the petition for an urgent hearing, Baharav-Miara concluded, calling for expedited proceedings to determine whether Ben-Gvir may continue to serve.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir speaks at the National Security Committee, November 3, 2025 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

Ben-Gvir, Sa'ar slam A-G over comments

Ben-Gvir responded during a police ceremony in Beit Shemesh, where he sharply criticized the attorney-general while awarding ranks and making senior appointments.

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There are certain elements, I know this, more precisely, there is one specific figure, who really doesnt like that I am acting and getting things done, he said. "She doesnt like that I am leading the policy for which I was chosen. I was elected. She doesnt like that I am doing for this organization what hasnt been done for it in 30 years.

Ben-Gvir also claimed there were others who didnt like his initiatives.

Not everyone liked that we raised salaries, that we are recruiting more police officers, that we are investing our soul and giving backing to fighters facing our enemies, he said.

He ended with a pointed message: To the regret of that same figure, I received my mandate from the people of Israel. I received my power from the public that chose me to be the national security minister of the State of Israel.

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Ben-Gvir also criticized Baharav-Miara in a post on X/Twitter on Thursday evening, calling her a "criminal."

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar echoed Ben-Gvir, slamming Baharav-Miara's comments in his own X post, in which he called the move "another [one] of her efforts to undermine the government's stability in an attempt to topple it."

"An attempt to restrict the authority and discretion of the Prime Minister in appointing and dismissing ministers is an intrusion into the distinctly political realm and must be rejected out of hand," Sa'ar's post concluded.
Authorities in a Massachusetts town are turning to the public for help after several birds were beheaded and dumped off a bridge onto the ice-covered water below.

Dedham Animal Control says a variety of domestic birds were beheaded and thrown onto the ice of the Mother Brook Reservation along Sawmill Lane on either Dec. 27 or 28.

We believe this activity took place over this past weekend, officials wrote in a Facebook post. We would like to speak with those involved to understand the circumstances surrounding this activity.

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No additional information was immediately available.

Anyone who may have witnessed the act is urged to contact 781-751-9106.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Dec. 31Waynesville has received a timely Christmas present of sorts  funds to reimburse $350,000 in repair costs on the Depot Street bridge after FEMA reneged on a promise to do the same.

Waynesville officials earlier this month announced that the state has agreed to repay the town the $355,000 it cost to repair the vital link to downtown. The bridge was closed shortly after receiving heavy damage from Helene and finally reopened on April 4.

The state money comes from funds allocated to provide relief for municipalities denied federal reimbursement for storm repairs.

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"The funds will reimburse the town's saving account and be available for additional FEMA related damages," Town Manager Rob Hites said. "While the town has many other projects that need funding support, reimbursement for the Depot Street bridge is a huge win for the town and residents of Waynesville."

Mayor Gary Caldwell inspected repair work on the bridge on an almost daily basis and praised town staff for working through the months-long bureaucratic mess.

"To be clear, the state funded the reimbursement not the federal government," Caldwell said. "My town board and I are extremely grateful for these monies as it has saved 2 cents on our tax rate which has greatly benefited our citizens and town as a whole."

The state awarded 80 grants across Western North Carolina, but nearly as many requests were not funded, said State Budget Director Kristin Walker.

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"We received applications for more than twice the amount of available funding, indicating there continues to be great need in western North Carolina," Walker said in a press release. "We are pleased to be part of the state's effort to lift up these hard-hit communities."

Councilor Anthony Sutton is glad to have the bridge project in the rear-view mirror as the town moves forward on other storm recovery projects  and in pursuing the federal money needed to complete that work. At the top of that list are repairs to several parks and recreation facilities, including a new dog park.

"I'll be honest, the delays and uncertainty we experienced shouldn't be considered the new norm, and they certainly shouldn't be acceptable," Sutton said. "Communities like ours deserve a federal disaster response system that is predictable, timely and equitable. Across the state, we saw roughly $100 million in requests and only $50 million available. That means half of the communities seeking reimbursement were left without the support they were counting on. We were fortunate this time, but relying on luck is not a sustainable strategy for disaster recovery."

Round and round

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Receiving the $355,000 was the final twist in the town's long effort to get reimbursed for repairs it had paid for months ago.

Waynesville leaders had long been under the impression that FEMA would reimburse the town for money that it took to reopen the bridge.

The town first submitted repayment for the bridge repairs to FEMA because it is a local bridge. But the town was told that money had to come from the U.S. Department of Transportation, because the bridge is supposedly under the 1968 Federal-Aid Highway Act.

That was news to town leaders.

However, FEMA knew all along that the federal transportation agency would likely reject it, which it did. The town was told to reapply for FEMA reimbursement when that happened.

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But in September, the town was shocked to learn that FEMA officials in Washington had again rejected the town's claim, saying the application process had taken too long. The rejection came despite the fact that FEMA representatives on the ground in the region signed off on the reimbursement.

Waynesville appealed that decision, but officials have not received a response. That has Mayor Gary Caldwell scratching his head.

"FEMA also stated in their denial, if the U.S. Highway Department denies reimbursement, FEMA would reimburse as a secondary pay," Caldwell said. "The denial report from the U.S. Highway Department was sent to FEMA with no response received to date."

So, the town turned to the state for help through the Helene Local Government Capital Grants Program, established earlier this year by the General Assembly. The program allocated $50 million in state funds to local governments in FEMA-designated disaster areas. Only FEMA "rejected" projects were eligible for the program and priority was given to communities with populations under 300,000.

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"Local governments are on the frontlines of Hurricane Helene response and recovery, strengthening their communities and keeping people safe," Governor Josh Stein said in a press release announcing the money. "These grants will help local governments repair or replace critical infrastructure that they lost, restoring Helene-impacted towns and rebuilding them stronger."

Sutton leads the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization and his talks with other local officials revealed an apprehension about FEMA paying for storm damages. The MPO is a regional transportation planning group that is comprised of elected officials from 21 Western North Carolina municipalities.

"In my conversations with other elected officials, both locally and across the region, it's clear that the lack of consistent FEMA reimbursement is a widespread and growing concern," Sutton said. "Towns are being asked to front enormous recovery costs with no guarantee of when, or even if, they'll be repaid. That puts tremendous strain on municipal budgets, slows down rebuilding and creates real inequities between communities with different levels of financial resilience."

Reform package

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What's the solution? In a word, reform, according to Sutton.

Sutton is also a member of the American Flood Coalition, and the group is backing federal legislation that aims to modernize and stabilize the FEMA reimbursement process.

Sutton believes some of the benefits of the reform package include:

Faster and more predictable reimbursement timelines that will allow local governments to better plan recovery efforts without financial uncertainty.

Clearer and more consistent eligibility standards, which will reduce the guesswork and administrative burden on local governments.

Improve transparency in how funds are allocated, ensuring that communities understand how decisions are made.

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Stronger support for small and rural municipalities, which often lack the staff capacity to navigate complex federal processes.

A more resilient national disaster-response framework that is better aligned with the increasing frequency and severity of storm events.

"Communities shouldn't have to fight for the support they were promised," Sutton said. "Reforming FEMA's reimbursement system is not just good policy. It's essential for protecting towns like ours and ensuring we can recover quickly and fairly when disaster strikes. If anything, this experience has reinforced how important it is that we push for these reforms now, before the next storm hits."
Dec. 31After all these years, Renea Yamada still will make a Sunday chicken.

The chicken, she says, is what her father, Robert "Bob" Egger, used to cook on weekends for his family  a simple recipe of salt, pepper and flour, the Sunday meal will remain a tradition.

Egger died last week following a fall at age 86 after 60 years in the meat business.

Egger, a Spokane native, owned Egger's Better Meats and Seafood on Perry Street near 57th Avenue on Spokane's South Hill. The business was part of the Egger meat market legacy in Spokane, spanning generations that reached as far back as the early 1950s. The Eggers were and are still known for their personalized service, meat cut to order and specialized smoked meats. Currently, there are four meat markets in Spokane County that are individually owned and operated by members of the Egger family. Their family homestead still is located in Chewelah where the business began with a mission: quality.

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"We've been at it longer and more successfully than just about anybody in town," Egger told The Spokesman-Review in 1983, calling the family operation "the old country-type business."

"He was hardworking, strict, honest and proud," Yamada, his eldest daughter, said in an interview Wednesday.

Egger's uncle, John Egger, was the man who founded the original Egger meat business on Spokane's north side in 1953. He took his young nephew under his wing and helped him learn the trade in the meat business as a high school student at North Central until encouraging him to take up a position at a grocery store, Yamada said.

He met his wife, Cathryn, on a train from Duluth, Minnesota, and the two wed in 1962.

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After learning the grocery ropes, Egger opened his first meat market at 15th Avenue and Bernard Street in 1964. He ran the market out the back of a separate store he had leased from the owner. In 1977, he moved Egger's Better Meats South farther up the hill to the business park at 29th and Regal, formerly known as Owen's Foodland. When Bill Owens gave up his lease on the building that housed Egger's market, Egger came across an old 7-Eleven building on 57th and Perry Street in 1984. He split the building use with a liquor salesman.

"He was out of the house by 6 a.m. He would come home, lots of times only to eat and go back to work that night until 10 or 11," Yamada said.

Yamada began taking the bus to the south side to run the cash register as soon as she turned 12. She was tired of babysitting, she jokingly recalled.

"As counter help, you didn't say, 'Is that all?' you say, 'What else can I get for you?' " Yamada said. "We were expected to put a bright smile on our face at all times. You weren't late, and you weren't lazy."

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And the Egger family was not lazy. His hardworking tendencies rubbed off on his four children as some of them would take up shifts to help their father at the South Hill market.

"It was up to us to make sure the cleaning got done. If he cut steaks, he didn't wipe down the saw, we did," Yamada said. "He didn't tell us to do it, he expected you to know it needed to be done."

Yamada's favorite memory of her father lies outside of the meat business, however. His siblings owned a property on Twin Lakes where Egger would teach his children how to fish and water ski.

"He was the most relaxed at the lake because he wasn't at work," Yamada said. "But even sometimes from the lake he would go into work and come back to the lake for dinner."

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Once Egger retired in the early '90s, he and his wife began to fulfill their dreams of traveling the country. They bought an RV, joined a Washington state Winnebago club and would rack up 400 to 500 miles a day driving across the U.S. They loved historic towns the most, Yamada said, but would always find their way back to where she lived in Arizona.

"They were called 'parkers' and would park the motor homes coming across the country to go to this national convention. They would park people by their state," Yamada said. "He just loved traveling."

Egger is survived by his wife, four children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His two sons, Jeff and Steve, the current owners of Egger's Better Meats and Seafood, 5609 S. Perry St., will continue the market's operations. A memorial service date has not been announced.

"He taught all his children the responsibility of working hard for the family business, and to keep your family close," the Egger family wrote of Bob on Facebook.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) voiced frustration with President Trump over his recent veto of legislation that intended to finish a project for sending water to southeastern Colorado.

This isnt over, Boebert posted on the social platform X late Tuesday in response to Trumps veto, one of the first of his second term.

In a statement to local outlet 9News that she reposted, Boebert said the president decided to veto a completely non-controversial, bipartisan bill that passed both the House and Senate unanimously.

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Why? Because nothing says America First like denying clean drinking water to 50,000 people in Southeast Colorado, many of whom enthusiastically voted for him in all three elections, the lawmaker continued.

Boebert, who had pressed for a vote on files linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, added later in the statement that she hopes this veto has nothing to do with political retaliation for calling out corruption and demanding accountability. In recent months, Trump had pushed against the release of the Epstein files, an issue he has repeatedly tried to dismiss as a Democratic-fueled scam.

The Colorado Republicans anger comes amid growing discontent among Republicans against Trump, with Boeberts House colleague Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) currently locked in a feud with the president and the Indiana state Senate shooting down a redistricting plan he had for, defying his pledge to primary those who opposed him.

In a veto message, the White House pointed to the cost of the water project.

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H.R. 131 would continue the failed policies of the past by forcing Federal taxpayers to bear even more of the massive costs of a local water project  a local water project that, as initially conceived, was supposed to be paid for by the localities using it, the veto message reads.

Trump has also recently targeted Colorado over former election clerk Tina Peters, who was convicted of felonies in the wake of breaching voting equipment during the 2020 election.

Hard to wish her a Happy New Year, but to the Scumbag Governor, and the disgusting Republican (RINO!) DA, who did this to her (nothing happens to the Dems and their phony Mail In Ballot System that makes it impossible for a Republican to win an otherwise very winnable State!), I wish them only the worst, Trump said of Peters on Truth Social, taking aim at Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D).

When reached for comment, the White House pointed The Hill to the veto message .

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Updated at 1:13 p.m. EST.

Copyright 2026 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.
Paul Cheung was recently named president of the Committee of 100, a non-profit organisation of influential Chinese-Americans that promotes bilateral exchanges between China and the United States on all fronts.

What's your strategy as president of the Committee of 100 (C100) to keep a neutral US-China connection during this period of heightened tension?

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.

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China and the US need, require, an intermediary. At the Committee of 100's founding, that made a lot of sense, but fast-forward to today, both China and the US don't need an intermediary, per se, in terms of government.

Where we fit in is providing context and nuance. The US-China relationship has an enormous impact on Chinese-Americans, as well as on Chinese who have dealings with Americans and families in America. Putting aside business, human-to-human relations are something no one talks about in terms of impact.

This is an interesting time for us, and our role is to really highlight these narratives and help both countries understand that. The problem is, the relationship between the US and China is no longer just government to government. Its impact on citizens and the world is great. People in Europe, in Africa and Latin America, a lot of them don't know what to do.

It's almost like we can't afford to make America mad but we can't afford to make China mad. Given C100's historic knowledge and expertise on China relations, this is an opportunity to elevate that discourse.

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The way the two countries evolve, politically and economically, has a lot of cultural nuance. And as Chinese-Americans, we bring unique insights into why each side is behaving a particular way.

So, our insight and our membership are invaluable.

Do you have aspirations to expand C100 globally?

We're still very rooted in Chinese-American participation and in protecting civil liberties for Chinese-Americans. But in terms of the US-China relationship part, it's not that we want to go global. But the topic is global, so to ignore that would be foolish.

So does that mean liaising with any European-Chinese committee? Are there similar groups you're aware of?

Not yet. But when I think about the global discourse, it's not just within European Chinese, Canadian Chinese or Latin American Chinese. Looking at who needs to pay attention to the US-China issue and their perspective, we can convene thought leaders and elevate this global discourse.

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Given US-China co-dependency, it's not that easy to just disengage from each other. And however they engage or disengage has enormous global impact. Because of the current administration's handling of US-China relations, you see Korea, Japan and China forming a pact in ways unimaginable a decade ago. The Europeans, Africa, Latin America are thinking about their own independent strategies.

But you're not, I assume, able to change the trajectory of US-China relations?

We're not going to intervene in what the government is doing. But we can provide research, conversations and insights, very much like a think tank, given our members' expertise - science, technology, business, culture and the arts. That's where we could uplift the conversation and bring something new. Whether government, private or public sector, that's a better way.

The C100 has been around for 35 years. How do you distinguish yourself from other players seemingly trying to do the same thing?

Our uniqueness is our dual mission. Whatever happens with US-China has a direct correlation to Chinese-Americans here and vice versa. A lot of Chinese-American, even Asian-American, non-profit organisations either focus on domestic issues or strictly on US-China relations.

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They pick one particular lane, whether it's policy, economics or media. But we are actually working across sectors. So, our conversation is much more fluid. We believe that business and culture influence each other. That is the uniqueness of C100.

The C100 appears to be trying to do the impossible. How do you address Asian hate without being perceived as too critical of American policy in these difficult times?

The work that we do on anti-Asian hate may involve a bit more nuance. There are a lot of people doing different parts of discrimination against Asian-Americans. But we recently did alien land law research, looked at policies that are discriminatory in nature and the impact on both Chinese nationals and Chinese-Americans.

You are absolutely right. Because of our dual mission and history, depending on where you enter, it's been C100: where are you? Are you more US-China, or are you more domestic? But C100 is an action network of influential Chinese-American leaders who turn ideas into results by focusing on three priorities.

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First is to develop the next generation of Chinese-American leaders and prepare them for senior roles across sectors. We want to convene global thought leaders to elevate the discourse on issues that shape Chinese-Americans here in the US and on US-China relations.

Second, something we've been doing all along is to produce credible research, expose bias and inform public understanding on Chinese-American issues.

We mobilise our members, who are themselves influential community leaders, to act through targeted advocacy that drives community change, protects civil liberties and ensures full inclusion of Chinese-Americans.

And finally, we want to channel our members' expertise, networks and resources, whether financial or non-financial, into projects that strengthen community organisations, build cultural partnerships and advance mutual understanding between the US and China.

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We want to make sure that Chinese-Americans not only excel in their industry but also learn from across different sectors and hopefully get folks to be civically engaged. On the US-China side, we used to have a scholars programme and we'll be redesigning that, reflecting a viable path for US-China exchanges.

And how do we advocate? We have state-of-the-art Chinese-American research that no one else is doing, looking at things like alien land laws, really applying a fine lens to policies that are discriminatory against Chinese-Americans and maybe other ethnic groups. Chinese-Americans are just one major group affected by the Alien Land Act.

The same with student visas. This is where we can play a bigger role, generate data for our industry or community leader members. One member formed the Asian Pacific American Justice Task Force. We're making sure there's an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) curriculum here in New York. We want to focus and cultivate member energy to do public good.

How do you fight the community's corner while convincing other Americans you are American, even as you keep channels open with China and the Chinese government?

When we think about the next generation leaders programme, we're probably going to look for leaders to deal with US-China issues. And in redesigning the programme for Asia, we want to think about folks in China dealing with US-China issues.

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What is lost right now is the people-to-people connection. So much coverage is actually about government-to-government. Chinese coffee chain Luckin's launched here in New York and business is going on in Tennessee.

There are still billions of dollars of agricultural products being exported from America's heartland to Chinese companies. So part of what we want to do is really educate both sides on how each side is working.

But people-to-people depends on visas, which are tightening on both sides, and on educating the next generation in both countries. But overseas student numbers are down on both sides. This all ultimately depends on the political context.

There's a political and logistical challenge. With technology, we are connected virtually; that's something we need to think thoughtfully about. There's already a lot of exchange on social platforms. And in the new year, we'll probably do more virtual people-to-people exchanges.

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We have to think about who we should be talking to in various sectors on both sides. A long time ago, C100 facilitated a media tour of American journalists to China and that really facilitated great relationships. There are visa restrictions, but it's not a lockdown. We want to figure out what the requirements are and what is still viable.

There will be some in-person exchanges, but embracing technology that can facilitate them is also very important. And people-to-people exchanges don't have to be in the US or [mainland] China. This is becoming a global conversation. We could have the same conversation in London, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

But there's a real perception issue, particularly for Americans. China used to be the hot thing, and everybody wanted to go. But professors tell me when students realise, wait, I can't even use Gmail or Instagram, they're put off. How do you advance if people aren't interested in people-to-people conversations, outside maybe the Chinese-American community?

I'm hoping our research from the State of Chinese-Americans Survey helps us. For the first time in this latest survey, we polled non-Chinese about their perception of Chinese-Americans, data that can inform our strategy going forward.

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If you go to TikTok, there are quite a few Westerners talking about China because they're living in China. When I look at those TikTok posts, I even learn something new about China. People's knowledge of China, especially Chinese-Americans, depends on when they came to this country.

Beijing said it hoped the US would provide "open and fair" treatment for TikTok and other Chinese companies investing in the country, after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on a proposed deal for a US version of the popular app last month. Photo: AFP alt=Beijing said it hoped the US would provide "open and fair" treatment for TikTok and other Chinese companies investing in the country, after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on a proposed deal for a US version of the popular app last month. Photo: AFP>

In some way, your memory of your homeland is frozen - perception is shaped by the government narrative. But I'm also seeing the other side on TikTok, people saying you actually don't know anything about China.

I don't want to ignore real concerns about China; a lot of people do talk about that. Let me be clear, we are American first. This is our country, but what we add to it is our cultural heritage.

You mentioned that many Americans' views are shaped by government narratives. Does that go both ways?

Yes, we know how the media on both sides portray each other. There are always narrative gaps. That's why we emphasise people-to-people exchange.

As you try to inhabit the middle ground, how do you define success?

It comes back to how we measure it. In terms of leadership, folks who went through our scholars programme or leadership programme, do they get promoted? Are they in positions of power? What does their career advancement look like?

If you don't have a seat at the table, you don't have a way of shaping things. So that's one.

In terms of our research, it's ultimately similar to journalism. Do we see legislative or regulatory change, litigation outcomes, citings from media, academia and policy? I picture our research more as catalytic, because we are not a 501(c) (4) [non-profit for social welfare], and are able to act as an advocacy organisation.

But we equip our partners with the data to advocate. Going back to the alien land law issue, we can equip partners in residential or commercial real estate with the right information so that they can be more active locally, letting their local representative know the economic impact on the community of such a policy.

I don't expect your local real property agent to do alien land law research, whereas we can work with different non-profit organisations to disseminate the information and measure the total value - whether it's contributions, expertise, networking and other resources feeding into community partners, helping them unlock Chinese-American philanthropy, connecting them with members with deep subject expertise and seeing what they did with that exchange afterwards.

Finally, by really looking at the timeliness and effectiveness of how we respond to discrimination cases. Recently, we worked behind the scenes with the Asian-American Foundation, gathering prominent Asian-American leaders from culture, Democrats and Republicans, to send every member of Congress a letter reminding them that AAPI is still very present, and whatever conversation they're having between the US and China directly affects their constituents.

We heard that some local representatives responded by suggesting meetings with our members. That's an outcome because if we elect public officials, they should respond to our needs in theory.

What three goals would you like to achieve in your first year?

The goal is to clearly define what C100 is and what we do. Because, as we just mentioned, it can seem schizophrenic. We have 140 experts and, for a while, depending on who you engaged with, they could tell you something different.

Second, is to really streamline the work we do into buckets where people say, "Oh, I understand your take on this particular issue."

A third is who we are, what we do, and understanding who it is we are serving. We're not here to only serve our members because if the organisation exists to serve 140 members, then we're just a club.

How do you communicate this to average Americans who don't know much about China and whose knowledge gap may be growing, given all they're hearing from the administration?

The focus here is really on how we can be thought leaders using survey research on non-Chinese Americans from this year's State of Chinese-Americans report. We need to diversify, pick topics and work sector by sector.

C100 in the past, given the intermediary role, wasn't focusing on topical issues. But now, we could convene farmers in the Midwest and talk about the agricultural impact, help leaders understand what the current US-China relationship looks like, and how that affects the heartland.

In California, what does it look like when China and the US disagree on basic AI governance? If these two countries that lead in this technology cannot agree on what public safety and governance look like, would this potentially be the end of humanity?

It's on these topical issues that we need to do the work. And that's how we go beyond preaching to the choir with issues that impact everyday Americans.

I could also imagine convening higher education academics and saying: "What is the impact of student visas on your institution?" Not from a revenue standpoint, we all know that Chinese students make up a big part of the revenue.

But what does that mean for American innovation? Throughout history, many science and technology advances have been made because of international students, and a lot are Chinese.

Without international students, how does that hurt American innovation? We were leaders in the Covid-19 vaccine because of our academic institutions, advances in science and technology.

If we don't have diverse talent, are we producing second-rate vaccines? People come to America because whatever China and Russia produce is not at the same level.

People don't understand that so much of this innovation that affects our lives most discreetly and benignly is because of the diversity of talent that America attracts, and a big part of that talent is Chinese.

The frequent counter you hear to broader student exchanges is "there are 300,000 spies in the country". How do you counter that, no matter how ridiculous it is?

We're not an organisation to start vetting every single student. No way there are 300,000 spies. If there are spies, of course, we want the government to find out who those are, because those are bad actors hurting our country. But we also believe in the promise of America.

Going back to data, how many international students came to this country, ended up being residents, became citizens and contributed to the American economy and innovation? Countless.

So, to basically group a whole class of people, whether you're Chinese, Russian or Iranian, to me, that is a flawed assumption that we need to combat. But it's not just us combating alone.

Korean Americans have a stake given what's going on with the ICE raids, with a lot of Latin Americans, even Canadians now. This is something that we all need to do together. Because of what's going on in the country, Chinese are facing a tough time, but we're not the only ones.

Beyond your research, given all this xenophobia, do you have a specific initiative to address this?

Obviously, we have to assess what the problem is that we want to solve. We're a small non-profit, so we want to make sure we target our resources and definitely focus on very narrow band research. No one is doing it, and so we need to work in collaboration and coordination with other AAPI organisations dealing with this issue.

This is not an issue where one organisation could take it on alone. I am encouraged that we have existing partnerships with the Asian-American Foundation, AAPI Law and members in other NGOs who are figuring out partnership opportunities.

Another structural problem is the combining of Asian-Americans into one basket, resulting in a ton of little alphabet soup organisations. Logic suggests that a more centralised organisation, focus and message allow you to fight your corner better.

Whether it is Chinese-Americans or Asian-Americans, we're seeing that evolution already. The same with Latin Americans. They all speak Spanish, so they can caucus better but they still have very regional differences.

Chinese-Americans and Asian-Americans are still relatively early in how we centralise our power and our voice. But I am seeing that happening. So for the past two election cycles, you see Asian-Americans really banding together and concentrating their efforts on some key swing states.

Asian-Americans are the fastest-growing minority group in the US. And Chinese-Americans are pretty much a dominant player. It doesn't matter that you've been here five generations, are from Canton, Hunan or Fujian province; your common American experience is probably very similar.

If you don't speak English, your experience is probably very similar too, no matter what Chinese group you come from. Or if you are mixed Chinese, it's the same.

Every single Asian person has dealt with being mistaken for being from a different ethnic Asian background at some point. That is the nature of the beast. But I am seeing the emergence of a mobilisation.

Perception in politics is often everything. We're living in crazy times.

Right now, we happen to be the "it" factor but at some point, are we going to say the same thing about all German Americans? That has so much to do with government, and not the actual zeitgeist. We're loyal to our country.

You raised the challenges of the German, Italian, Irish immigrant experience. But for Asians, there's the racial component as well, the "eternal foreigner".

That's unique to Chinese-Americans. One of our members, Professor Gordon Chen, actually wrote a whole book about it. Look, this is the home we chose and it comes with both opportunities and challenges, and it's just one of these challenges. The only thing we could do is continue working to change that perception.

As an immigrant yourself, how does that inform the job and your perspective?

I was born in Hong Kong so I speak Cantonese. My dad is from Fujian and my mom is half Fujian, half Canton. But they all went to Hong Kong during World War II. So in some way, I feel like I embody that.

The US-China relationship is not great and what better time to get involved? When the conversation is great, they don't need me. This is something I could do, help figure out what the new path forward is. So much of my life is about this duality you write about.

How do I harmonise the two parts of me? For a good part of my life, I was very cognisant about my accent until I realised that my accent is what makes me unique in journalism because it signified that I bring a different perspective to how I tell my stories. And what could be more American than that?

Part of this is our own journey. The Chinese culture is what makes us an asset and unique to America, and we have done that for the past 100 plus years, which is why we have the railroad and rice farms. Chinese-Americans contributed to medicine and the arts.

Yes, the individuals were great at what they did. But that unique heritage also teaches us how to think through a different lens.

Where did you arrive as a kid?

New York, Chinatown, the Lower East Side. Back then, it was predominantly Latinos, Puerto Ricans. That was great because that was not the America that I was watching in Hong Kong.

My perception of America was Dynasty and Dallas because that's what they were playing. When I came to New York, I was like, what is a walk-up? My first home was tenant housing where the bathtub was in the kitchen, and it had one of those toilets with a chain.

That was really confusing because in Hong Kong we were in a high-rise. And I'm like, this is not the America I saw on TV. New York shaped a lot of how I see the world.

What would you say your leadership role models are?

Because I've been a journalist for so long, one of my role models was, of course, Connie Chung. I saw a few faces that looked like mine then. And my hero is probably people like I.M. Pei, who's one of our founders, and what he does to transcend culture and borders.

Visitors take a look around the I.M. Pei: Life Is Architecture retrospective exhibition at M+ in Hong Kong in June 2024. Photo: Eugene Lee alt=Visitors take a look around the I.M. Pei: Life Is Architecture retrospective exhibition at M+ in Hong Kong in June 2024. Photo: Eugene Lee>

Also, individual members like Dr David Ho because without him, the LGBT community would probably not be able to advance in HIV medication research.

In terms of non-Asian American heroes, as cheesy as it sounds, it's RBG [late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg], Harvey Milk - they thrived in the harshest conditions and through their convictions made systemic change.

The common theme for the Chinese-American is that we are not alone. Whether you're LGBTQ, women of colour, each person brings a different struggle to overcome, thrive and change. That's incredible.

So given your investigative journalism and technology background, how will you enhance the committee's public image?

One of the things I hope to do is never give a "no comment" answer, and be as direct as possible. So when you asked the loyalty question, I'm going to tell you unequivocally, my loyalty is here, I'm an American citizen, full stop.

So I bring that journalism lens, and as a 501(c) (3), we are non-partisan and Team America. No matter who is in charge, do we agree on tactics? No. But that's why we live in a democracy. Because we always have a voice, and this is exactly what we do - exercise our views.

In terms of my technology background, it is about understanding how technology impacts lives and consumer behaviour. How do we build connections virtually?

Technology is going to impact everybody globally and given what's going on with AI, crypto and blockchain, understanding that helps me lead the organisation, the conversations people are having.

Think about China's crypto policy versus Hong Kong and the US. Think about AI issues; they're really competing and there will be winners and losers. I just want to make sure that the losers are not the public everyday citizens.

The committee has a long history of policy engagement. What do you want to focus on?

Not necessarily one particular policy. What I don't want to see is a modern-day Chinese Exclusion Act. How many little wonky policies are going to get passed that actually marry up into a modern-day Chinese Exclusion Act?

I feel like I see the emergence of it, landlords, visa restrictions, those are clear signals. We have to be vigilant in looking at legislation and how it impacts our community. Because I feel like it's just going to sneak up.

Paul Cheung with C100's board chairman Gary Locke. Photo: Handout alt=Paul Cheung with C100's board chairman Gary Locke. Photo: Handout>

A political science concept holds that immigrant groups draw a lot politically from their home country experience. In East Asia, especially China, for centuries, you control your clan, your money, but "don't mess with the emperor" or get involved in politics. There's been progress in the last two elections for Chinese-Americans, but it hasn't always been a particularly loud political voice.

It has not. That's where collaboration with other partners comes in and why Gary Locke is our board chair. He's very vocal about some of these issues.

We have quite a few members in government and public service. And a lot of members are doing things that traditionally are not what you think Chinese or Asian immigrants are doing.

Beyond finance and accounting, many members are in medicine, entrepreneurship, journalism and the arts. Our members are all actually heroes to somebody.

Really want to be a producer in Hollywood? Look up to Janet Yang. Want to be an actor or actress? Look up to Joe Chang, who's our member. By celebrating individual members, we are writing the narrative of Chinese-Americans.

I was looking at a C100 posting of some board or other meeting, and a lot of people seemed to be quite senior. How do you tap a younger generation?

That's why we have programmes like the Next Generation Leaders. I want to use data to actively recruit younger members.

Actually, our board is a nice range of demographics and genders. And our membership includes mixed Asians or mixed Chinese like Paula Madison, who's African-American and Chinese, or David Sze from Greylock, who's white and Chinese.

We've started looking at the Chinese diaspora in the US, too, as a way to think about how to diversify and rethink what it means to be an American with a Chinese cultural sensibility.

It's a small organisation, which has challenges. Any thoughts on shifting C100's internal culture?

One is the narrative. Second is to actually talk about impact with 140 very accomplished members with different projects in mind, articulating that value, measuring success and what we want to address.

I want to be realistic with our organisation. We alone are not going to change whatever issue it is. We have to understand what the needle is that we can move.

Are we playing a catalytic role or an implementing role? Our membership has a great catalytic influence and power. So I do think we could accelerate and stop some things.

Paul Cheung speaking with Paula Madison. Photo: Handout alt=Paul Cheung speaking with Paula Madison. Photo: Handout>

In the past, it seemed difficult for C100 to take a position. Can you do that with 140 influential, strong members with different views?

The members represent their own views. That's why they appointed me as president. Tactically, we can disagree, but I don't think there's any membership dispute over our mission and vision.

We just have to be really clear what the position is we're going to take. Sometimes we might not have one, by the nature of what we do. Some will want to see us comment on everything about the US and China, but that is not our focus.

Yes, we're focusing on constructive dialogue, and when talks don't work out, we can tell you that. But we're not going to comment on, say, individual positioning.

An issue like press freedom, individual members have their own opinions, but as an organisation, this is not the work we do, and I would refer that to the Asian-American Journalists Association (AAJA).

To the extent that we can support AAJA, we will, but we're not the experts in that area.

What are the particular challenges in these times with this administration?

There is a lot of misinformation about Chinese and Chinese-Americans, and the lack of distinction between the two. It's almost like there's a transitive property: Chinese-American equals Chinese.

Chinese-Americans don't look at themselves as Chinese nationals. And certainly, a lot of Chinese nationals here don't see themselves as spies.

I saw this ad on TV about agriculture, saying: "If we don't do this, then China wins." I don't think most Chinese-Americans, or even Chinese nationals, see this as a competition.

It needs to be win-win, because global security and global prosperity depend on the two countries getting along. And we have plenty of history pointing to what happens, not just with China, when two dominant players don't get along.

Think about the US and Russia, the Cold War, the Iron Curtain, is that what we want? No. Most Chinese-Americans want to go back to China, visit their ancestral land and see relatives.

Most Chinese want to come to America, whether it's for education or tourism. But when the two countries are having high tension, nobody wins. They don't have to like each other, but they have to work with each other. The two countries are going through a thing right now.

Late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (centre) is a leadership role model for the new C100 president, Paul Cheung. Photo: AP alt=Late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (centre) is a leadership role model for the new C100 president, Paul Cheung. Photo: AP>

How long do you think this will last?

It depends on the midterms. And also it depends on President Xi Jinping and who his successors are. Every time a chairman changes in China, the direction is widely different. So we can only hope for the best.

What is your vision for C100?

The vision is a world where Chinese-Americans lead with confidence and without bias, and US-China relationships are grounded in mutual understanding.

What about more direct community issues, such as the bamboo ceiling?

We have a lot of members who actually broke that. We select members given what they exemplify for America and for future generations of Chinese-Americans. Do we want to see more Gary Lockes? Absolutely.

Who's going to be our next Chinese-American governor? So that's one ceiling we want to crack. In the private sector, arts and public sector, we have many role models that hopefully will inspire more people to get into fields that traditionally Chinese-Americans didn't think about, like journalism.

I'd love to see more Chinese-American journalists. That's the only way to change how we cover issues.

When I speak with Asian-Americans about increasing their voice, some point to the way the Jewish-American community has espoused its views. Can the anti-Asian hate message be conveyed in a more forceful way, or is that difficult given the diverse nature of the community?

What I see with AAPI hate right now is less visibility because there's just less coverage. It's still a very important story and it's still worth coverage.

African Americans and Latino Americans, German and Thai Americans, also dealt with this issue. Many might not remember, but it doesn't mean it didn't happen.

So how do we actually deal with history, education, to inform this? We are the latest target, but it can be you. McCarthyism is a few doorsteps away, right? Is that what we want for this country?

As a community, we need to do a better job building a broader alliance. That's why we need more Asian-Americans in politics, in the public sector, civically engaged.

Are we exercising our vote? Are we communicating with our local congressmen and legislators? Because if we don't exercise our voice, then we are invisible.

This is where various communities are doing well. Not only are they out there, not just physically protesting, but behind the scenes, thinking about how they move capital, how they bring awareness, and how they actually get their voices heard. That is something we need to emulate.

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  2026 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2026. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
The calendar is flipping from 2025 to 2026 today, and whether Californians are looking to start off the new year with a cup of coffee, a sit-down breakfast, or looking for some retail therapy, consumers and shoppers have some options on New Year's Day.

Most restaurant, grocery and retail chains will be open on Jan. 1, albeit some under adjusted hours. Banks, post offices, shipping services and the stock market, however, will be closed on the federal holiday.

Here's everything you need to know about what's open and closed on Thursday, Jan. 1. It's best to check with your local store or restaurant online before leaving home, as hours and closures can vary by location.

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Want a lucky 2026?: See these New Year's Eve traditions, superstitions

When is New Year's Day 2026?

New Year's Day is on Thursday, Jan. 1, this year.

Is Walmart open on New Year's Day?

Yes, Walmart stores will be open regular hours on Jan. 1, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Is Target open on New Year's Day?

Yes, Target stores will be open regular hours on New Year's Day, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Are Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale open on New Year's Day?

Costco warehouses will be closed on Jan. 1, according to the company's website.

Sam's Club warehouses will be closed on New Year's Day, according to the company's website.

BJ's warehouses and gas stations will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 1, according to the company's website.

Are Home Depot, Lowe's, or Ace Hardware open on New Year's Day?

Home Depot stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 1, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Lowe's stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to the company's website.

Ace Hardware stores are independently owned and operated, so hours vary by location. Customers are encouraged to contact their local store for specific holiday hours.

Are CVS and Walgreens open on New Year's Day?

CVS pharmacies will be open on New Year's Day, although some stores and pharmacies may have reduced hours, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY. The company encourages customers to call their local store before visiting or checking hours on CVS.com.

Walgreens locations will be open on Jan. 1, according to the company's website. Pharmacy hours may vary by location, so check with your nearest location for specific hours.

Is the post office open on New Year's Day? Will mail be delivered?

U.S. Postal Service post office locations will be closed on Jan. 1, and mail will not be delivered on that day, according to the USPS website. Mail will also not be picked up from blue collection boxes on Jan. 1.

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The postal service will resume regular operations on Friday, Jan. 2.

Are banks open on New Year's Day?

Most bank branches will be closed on New Year's Day since it is a federal holiday. It is best to double-check with your local bank branch for their specific holiday hours.

Are UPS and FedEx open on New Year's Day?

UPS pickup and delivery services will not be available on New Year's Day, and UPS Store locations may be closed, according to the company's website. Customers are encouraged to check with their local stores for specific hours of operation.

UPS Express Critical is available 365 days a year and is provided by Marken, according to the company. For more information, call 1-800-714-8779 or visit marken.com.

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FedEx pickup and delivery services will also not be available on Jan. 1, and FedEx Office locations will also be closed on the day, according to the company's website.

FedEx Custom Critical is also available 365 days a year. For more information, call 1-800-762-3787.

What retail stores are open on New Year's Day?

The following retail stores will be open on Jan. 1.

Target: Regular operating hours

Kohl's: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

TJ Maxx: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

HomeGoods: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Marshall's: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Best Buy: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Macy's: Regular operating hours

JCPenney: Open at 11 a.m., closing times vary by location

Nordstrom: Regular operating hours

American Eagle: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sephora: Hours vary by location

Victoria's Secret: Hours vary by location

Home Depot: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lowe's: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ace Hardware: Hours vary by location

REI: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bass Pro Shop: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Cabela's: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Belk: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sephora: Hours vary by location

IKEA: Regular operating hours

Staples: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Office Depot: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

OfficeMax: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

PetSmart: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Petco: Stores will close at 8 p.m.

Tractor Supply Co.: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

What grocery stores are open on New Year's Day?

The following grocery stores will be open on Jan. 1.

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Walmart: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Target: Regular operating hours

Kroger family of stores; The Kroger family of stores includes: Bakers, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Frys, Gerbes, Jay C Food Store, King Soopers, Kroger, Marianos, Metro Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, Pickn Save, QFC, Ralphs, Ruler, Smiths Food and Drug.

Whole Foods: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The following grocery stores will be closed on New Year's Day:

Costco

Sam's Club

Trader Joe's

Aldi

What restaurants are open on New Year's Day?

The following restaurants will be open on Jan. 1.

Starbucks: Hours vary by location

Dunkin': Hours vary by location

McDonald's: Regular operating hours

Chick-fil-A: Most locations have regular operating hours, but some may have limited operating hours

Chipotle: Regular operating hours

Popeyes: Regular operating hours

Burger King: Regular operating hours

Whataburger: Regular operating hours

Shake Shack: Most locations have regular operating hours, but some may have reduced operating hours

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Regular operating hours

Wendy's: Hours vary by location

Subway: Hours vary by location

Firehouse Subs: Hours vary by location

Hardee's: Hours vary by location

Carl's Jr.: Hours vary by location

Panera Bread: Hours vary by location

Cracker Barrel: Regular operating hours

IHOP: Hours vary by location

Waffle House: Regular operating hours

Krispy Kreme: Regular operating hours

Outback Steakhouse: Hours vary by location

Texas Roadhouse: Hours vary by location

Applebee's: Some locations may have reduced hours

Hooters: Regular operating hours

Red Lobster: Hours vary by location

Chili's: Regular operating hours

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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, stores open on New Year's Day 2026 in California
Lynx bus passengers will experience significant service changes beginning Jan. 11, impacting several routes in Central Florida as Seminole County shifts to on-demand van services.

These changes come as Seminole County eliminates most bus routes in a move aimed at reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

The adjustments also affect riders in other counties. Several routes will see adjustments, including the Link 436N route, the Link 60, and the Link 62 route.

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Patricia Schroeder, a commuter who relies on the bus system, said as someone who regularly catches buses in Apopka, its already difficult to rely on public transit. Even if youve got an hour appointment, its an all-day event.

Schroeder said she wasnt aware of scheduled changes despite the fact that she regularly uses Lynx buses to head toward Seminole County.

I do go to North Lake Boulevard usually twice a week and if Im there an hour, I have to be on my way back at a certain time to catch another bus because it ends early, said Schroeder, emphasizing the inconvenience of reduced service.

Tamiko Kirt, another regular rider, stated that the changes are particularly unfair to customers in Northwest Orange County.

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She described the challenges some may have getting home at night after working in Seminole County, saying, What is changing is the ability for people who work in Seminole County to get home in the evenings back from there to Apopka. And that I think is a problem, said Kirt.

A spokesperson for LYNX explained that the reduction in service on the Link 436N are because of Seminole Countys decision not to fund buses instead opting to invest in an on-demand ride-share service known as Scout.

In total, all but four Seminole County bus routes will be eliminated in the New Year, including all bus routes in Sanford.

Jay Zembower, a Seminole County Commissioner, previously told Channel 9 the change was beneficial, noting that this will ultimately save the county over $4 million. This is a win-win. This is going to allow people much better efficiency at a reduced impact and cost to our taxpayers, said Zembower.

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A spokesperson for Lynx Provided Channel 9 with the following statement about the changes.

This all ties back into the direction Seminole County gave us to eliminate service because they no longer wanted to fund bus service. We analyzed all routes in Seminole County for efficiencies as part of the service changes scheduled for January. Certain trips on the Link 436N were identified with very low ridership and will be eliminated effective January 11. If a funding partner does not want to fund a route that service will be eliminated. Counties and the city of Orlando fund the service they want.

You can find more information on service changes and discontinued routes here.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Chief Justice John Roberts touted the independence of the federal judiciary as a counter-majoritarian check and urged Americans rattled by partisan politics to keep faith with the Constitution in an annual report Wednesday that steered clear of direct discussion of modern controversies.

Focusing on the Declaration of Independence as the nation turns to its 250th anniversary, Roberts said the founders chafed at the crowns control of colonial courts and corrected this flaw by setting up a judiciary that would operate without interference from the other branches.

This arrangement, now in place for 236 years, has served the country well, Roberts wrote in the report, which was released by the Supreme Court hours before the start of the new year.

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Roberts history-heavy statement made no mention of President Donald Trump, nor the intense conflict that has cropped up between federal courts and the White House since his second inauguration nearly a year ago.

Trump has questioned the legitimacy of courts that paused his policies and called for the impeachment of judges who ruled against him.

Many of those cases have wound up on the Supreme Courts emergency, or shadow, docket, where the president has often found a more receptive audience among the courts six-justice conservative majority. Many of those decisions have overturned lower courts with little-to-no explanation, prompting sharp and unusual criticism from a few lower court judges and an open debate over the summer among a few of the justices themselves.

The court has allowed the Trump administration in recent months to cancel foreign aid and public health funding; temporarily fire the leadership of many independent agencies; stop and interrogate people about their immigration status based on their apparent ethnicity, language or presence at a particular location; and require the sex designation on US passports to align with the holders biological sex. Last week, the court blocked Trump from deploying the National Guard in Chicago.

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In all, the Supreme Court has sided with Trump this year in more than 80% of the emergency appeals filed by the Justice Department.

The court, on its regular docket, handed the president an important win in June by limiting the power of federal courts to temporarily block his policies.

In 2026, the justices are expected to decide whether Trump may end birthright citizenship through executive order, unilaterally impose sweeping global tariffs and dismiss a governor from the Federal Reserve based on disputed allegations of mortgage fraud.

On the impeachment of judges

Roberts has long tended to avoid sensitive topics in his report, making no mention of ethics controversies that swirled around the Supreme Court for years, for instance. Last year, on the eve of Trumps inauguration, he lambasted threats to ignore federal court rulings as dangerous.

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Even by those standards, Wednesdays report seemed especially cautious.

Roberts has long made his advocacy for an independent judiciary clear. And while his message may be subtle and apolitical, there was little question that the chief justice  at least on that issue  was reflecting on current events.

At one point, Roberts writes about the 1804 impeachment of Samuel Chase  the only Supreme Court justice to ever be impeached.

Though Roberts describes Chase as controversial and irascible, it is also the case that his impeachment was wrapped up in a partisan power grab by President Thomas Jeffersons Democratic-Republicans, who wanted to weaken the Federalist grip on the judiciary.

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Chase was ultimately acquitted, Roberts noted in the report, despite a supermajority of Democratic-Republicans in the Senate, because many senators concluded that disapproval of a judges decisions provided an invalid basis for removal from office.

Quoting from a book written by his predecessor, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Roberts said that the outcome of Chases impeachment assured the independence of federal judges from congressional oversight of the decisions they made in the cases that came before them.

Roberts in March  at a moment when Trumps rhetoric on impeaching federal judges had reached a zenith  issued a rare public statement stressing that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.

In his closing words Wednesday, Roberts quoted President Calvin Coolidge as he spoke on the nations sesquicentennial a century ago. Amid the clash of conflicting interests and the welter of partisan politics, Coolidge said, Americans could find solace and consolation in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and confidence that their calls to freedom and justice would remain steady.

True then, Roberts said. True now.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
In a major follow-up to three of our recent stories on Chinas weapons developments, we can now report that what appeared to be a modular, road-mobile, electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) catapult capable of flinging advanced fixed-wing combat drones into the air is now set up on a ship. And not just any ship, but the same medium cargo vessel that was recently configured as an improvised surface combatant, with roughly 60 containerized missile launch cells, radars, and close-in defenses. The ship was rapidly reconfigured over a few days to go from an arsenal ship of sorts to a multi-role advanced combat drone carrier.

This is the latest news to come out of the Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard, where the converted cargo ship first appeared a week ago. Just down the dock from this vessel, the Peoples Liberation Army Navys (PLAN) giant amphibious assault ship, the Type 076 Sichuan, sits in dry dock. That vessel features a built-in EMALS catapult for launching all types of drones.

A satellite image of Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard taken on December 28. Despite its low resolution, the drone mockups, as well as the trucks along the pier, are clearly visible. Sichuan is seen in dry dock nearby. PHOTO  2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION

Chinas medium cargo ship turned into an improvised surface combatant. (Chinese internet)

Not long after the converted cargo ship was spotted, the stealthy collaborative combat aircraft (CCA)-like drones (which may very well be mockups) were spotted on the dock next to the ship. Then the modular, vehicle-based EMALS system appeared, with each truck locking into the next, creating what seemed like a scalable catapult track. You can read our full report and analysis on it here.

The modular catapult train seen configured dockside next to where the cargo ship-turned improvised surface combatant was docked. (Chinese Internet)

The vehicles are highly unique and are clearly meant to be locked together. They feature elaborate electrical systems and huge cylinder-like modules below their top decks. (Chinese internet)

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Such a capability would be a boon for land-based launch operations, but at the time of writing, we also stated:

It is also worth noting that a modular electromagnetic catapult system might be usable on ships that do not have this capability built into their design. As mentioned, the drones and trucks seen at Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard were spotted near a cargo ship loaded with various containerized weapons and other systems. A drone launch capability of some kind would be a logical addition to a vessel with that configuration. At the same time, whether or not any catapult system made up of multiple segmented components would be stable enough for use on a ship rocking back and forth at sea is unclear.

Now that the catapult system is indeed on the ship, there have been major configuration changes to the vessel to accommodate it. Just 24 of the 60 vertical launch cells remain, with six missile containers still on the ship, providing room for the catapult system and possibly other drones. The Type 1130 30mm close-in weapon system (CIWS), large phased array radar and other sensor and communications systems mounted on containers are also retained. The container on the starboard side of the 30mm CIWS that had decoy launchers and life rafts mounted on it is gone. It isnt clear if the one on the port side remains. Regardless, when taken at face value, in this drone launching configuration, the ship would still be able to defend itself well (at least conceptually).

Close ups show the original configuration of the weaponized cargo ship, including its large radar and its 30mm CIWS, both of which remain, and its countermeasure launchers, which are now gone from the starboard side. (Chinese internet)

As for the catapult setup, we see four vehicles connected in a train to create the catapult track, with a ready to launch drone mounted atop the rear one and another sitting on the deck behind it. This is exactly the same configuration we saw on the dock in previous pictures, aside from the addition of the fourth catapult vehicle, although satellite images showed the fourth sitting nearby but not connected to the catapult train while pier-side. As we discussed in our previous piece, the length of the catapult could be presumably tailored to the aircraft types being launched and dimensional constraints of the launch area, creating a highly adaptable and mobile catapult launch system.

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What isnt perfectly clear is how much room remains on the deck with so many containers removed and the catapult train installed. If the remaining missile launcher containers are situated on the edge of the opposite side of the ship, there should be some room in between. As you can see in satellite imagery, the swept-wing, stealthy, advanced combat drone designs seen at the dock are quite large with a considerable wingspan.

A close-up of the drones dockside at Hudong-Zhonghua. PHOTO  2025 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION

Now we get into clearances needed for launch. Its hard to tell the margin that exists vertically between the bow of the ship and an aircraft that would be careening off the catapult. It certainly doesnt look like much, depending on the speed of the aircraft and where it would liftoff from the catapult track. The clearance between the CIWS canister and the wing of the aircraft is also in question, although the container could be scooted over, presumably. With the catapult train on the opposite edge of the deck, clearing the wingtip should not be a problem.

Chinas drone launching cargo ship concept. (Chinese internet)

A closer look at the catapult train created on the edge of the deck. (Chinese internet)

The question of how this system would work on a rolling, heaving ship and how it would hold up to the harsh maritime environment while exposed on the ships deck is a major question that is totally unanswered at this time. In addition, such a system would require a lot of power to launch a relatively heavy swept wing drone over such a short distance. The drone would have to be engineered to deal with such a violent catapult stroke as well. So how feasible that is also isnt clear.

There are no provisions for recovering the drones once they have finished their missions. This is a launch-only concept. Unless they can land with parachutes and air bags and be fished out of the water, refurbished and reused, and this would be tough to do all on this one ship, they would be going on one-way missions from this vessel. This kind of split operational concept is relevant in many scenarios though.

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And that brings us to the biggest question of all: what are we really seeing here? What is real and what is aspirational? From the drones to the catapult train to the improvised surface combatant configuration for the cargo ship, this all could be a proof of concept or something more mature. There are indications toward the latter, as we have discussed in our previous posts, but this could still be exploratory and even somewhat performative  meant just as much for foreign consumption as it is for testing real systems.

From the start, this arsenal ship of sorts appeared configured for our viewing pleasure, and China knows full well what will leak out in terms of most of its major military technological developments, if the government doesnt have a direct hand in it itself. Now we are seeing another configuration change for this vessel in a very short period of time with some very impressive technology (mobile modular EMALS and advanced drones) needed to underpin it. All this screams we can rapidly turn our vast commercial fleet into surface combatants and advanced drone carriers. That is a powerful message and a troubling one for the U.S. and its allies that are already struggling to confront Chinas massive naval expansion. The timing is also worth highlighting. A year ago to the week, a crescendo of major Chinese military technological developments also leaked, ushering in a new year of highly impressive developments for the PLA. So this would fit that pattern.

While it does appear there is real technology and developmental thought put into all this, just how mature the mobile EMALS catapult system is for use on such a ship isnt clear. But considering how fast China has been moving on pushing forward its defense technology repertoire, especially over the last year, it would be unwise to disregard the possible existence of such a capability.

UPDATE:

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More images have emerged of the ship and the mobile catapult system on its deck, and they are of unusually high quality and close perspective. How exactly these were taken is unclear, but the fact that they are now floating around the internet points to the possibility that China wants these images out. They offer a clearer view of the layout of the ship in this configuration and the space available on the deck, as well as our first detailed look at the top of the catapult, which has a seamless-like track.

So far closest  and indeed VERY CLOSE  image of the Type-X CCA/UCAVs on deck of the "Zhong Da 79" freighter.



(Via @) pic.twitter.com/CvhEZHZwAZ  @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) January 2, 2026

To more very close images showing these new UCAV/CCAs and as it seems, there is even a CH-4 visible for the first time. https://t.co/OuvFvy191S pic.twitter.com/PB1hogiWgJ  @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) January 2, 2026

Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat offered prayers at the Shree Ram Mandir in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Thursday. On Wednesday, on RSS' centenary celebrations, Bhagwat said that Hindu Sammelans are being organised across the country as the Sangh completes 100 years of its journey, stressing that the occasion should not be viewed as an act of "bravery", but as a "moment of responsibility". "The work of Sangh has completed 100 years, therefore, Hindu Sammelan are being organised across the country," Bhagwat said while addressing a Hindu Sammelan here, adding that the centenary celebrations are not meant for display of power. "This is not bravery," he added. Recalling the origin of the organisation, the RSS chief said, "Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar formed this Sangh with his blood." He noted that crises are visible in every field today, but emphasised that merely discussing problems is not the solution. "The stress should be on finding solutions, and not just on discussions," Bhagwat said. Narrating a story during his address, Bhagwat highlighted what he described as the "present condition of Hindu society" and urged people to introspect. He called upon the gathering to remove discrimination from their minds and work towards greater social harmony. "We must remove discrimination from minds, inculcate social harmony," he said. Emphasising linguistic diversity, Bhagwat asserted that all languages spoken in India are national languages and deserve equal respect. He further advocated the use of indigenous products, urging people to support local manufacturing. Concluding his address, Bhagwat appealed to citizens to follow the Constitution. On Sunday, Bhagwat, while addressing a gathering in Hyderabad, said that India must once again work towards becoming a 'Vishwaguru', not out of ambition, but because it is the need of the world, emphasising that the time has now come to carry forward the resurgence of Sanatana Dharma. He cited events from a century ago, noting that around 100 years ago, Yogi Arvind declared that the resurgence of Sanatana Dharma was God's will and that the rise of the Hindu nation was essential to that resurgence. (ANI)
A group that advocates for judicial clerks has accused a Connecticut appeals court judge of bullying and mistreating her staff  two years after the judge acknowledged and agreed to counseling following an earlier hostile workplace complaint.

The nonprofit Legal Accountability Project brought the complaint against U.S. Circuit Judge Sarah A.L. Merriam, a former political aide to U.S. Sen. Christopher Murphy and who was appointed to the New York-based U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals by former President Joe Biden in 2022.

Judicial law clerks who worked for Judge Merriam  describe a chambers culture and workplace climate characterized by fear, oppressive control, intimidation, humiliation, and bullying: in other words, the hallmarks of a toxic and hostile work environment, Legal Accountability Project founder and president Aliza Shatzman wrote wrote to the chief judge of the circuit court.

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According to these clerks, Judge Merriam yells at them and sends unhinged emails in all capital letters. Judge Merriams conduct, including sudden and unpredictable outbursts, is part of what the clerks described as an emotional rollercoaster of unpredictable mood swings.

Shatzman said her groups complaint is the first time a federal judge has been accused of mistreating staff after being reprimanded following an earlier accusation. Merriam could not be reached.

The first complaint, in which a clerk made similar accusations of abusive and harassing conduct, was filed with the circuit court in 2022, not long after Merriams appointment. Chief

Circuit Judge Debra Ann Livingston, ordered an inquiry, according to a filing in court.

These interviews revealed that the workplace conduct concerns raised in the complaint were shared by other law clerks who, while recounting that they had learned a lot from the Judge, agreed that the Judges management style could be overly harsh, Livingston wrote at the conclusion of the first inquiry. The limited inquiry also involved several meetings between the Judge and me to discuss the allegations and possible corrective action.

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As a result Merriam agreed to, among other things, counseling and training.

The Legal Accountability Project claims circuit court executives failed to intervene when Merriam continued to mistreat staff after the first complaint. The new complaint is expected to lead to a second inquiry by either Livingston or a committee of judges she appoints, according to an official with knowledge of the process.

Former associates in Connecticut said Merriam is known for her quick temper and combative nature. There have also been reports of mistreatment of clerks, they said. But some contrasted the complaints against her to more serious allegations against other judges, such as sexual harassment complaints against two West Coast judges.

The most recent complaint against Merriam asserts that clerks have begun leaving Merriams staff or declining employment because of concern about mistreatment.

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One of the goals of the legal accountability project is to extend civil rights protections to clerks, who are often top law school graduates seeking to fill out resumes with prestigious appointments. The extension would allow them to sue over workplace harassment.

Merriam clerked herself for former governor and later 2nd Circuit Judge Thomas Meskill and for U.S. District Judge Alvin Thompson.

She also worked as political director to a state employee union local and managed or helped manage campaigns for two Democratic U.S. senators  Murphy and former U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd.

Prior to her appointment to the prestigious New York appeals court, Merriam worked in Connecticut as a U.S. District Court judge, a U.S. Magistrate judge and a federal public defender.

Merriam, who grew up in New Haven, attended Georgetown University as an undergraduate and law school at the University of Connecticut and Yale University. Prior to becoming an assistant federal defender, she served as an associate at the law firm of Cowdery, Ecker & Murphy in Hartford.
Clifton Twp. will consider a settlement agreement Friday with the developer behind Lackawanna Countys largest proposed data center campus, potentially ending a legal challenge over whether the townships zoning was exclusionary to data centers.

Township supervisors will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. at the Gouldsboro Fire Company, 490 Main St., to discuss and potentially enter into a settlement agreement with 1778 Rich Pike LLC and JCO LLC regarding a substantive validity challenge filed by the data center developer in the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas, according to a public notice published Wednesday in The Times-Tribune.

The settlement would end multiple legal challenges filed by the developer pertaining to Clifton Twp.s zoning for data centers, and the township would permit the developer to use the property for data centers and battery storage without the need for conditional use approval, though the settlement includes numerous stipulations and conditions required for the township to approve its land development plan.

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Notably, the developer would agree to abandon plans for a small modular nuclear reactor and/or a gas-fired power plant on the site.

The project

The developer, 1778 Rich Pike LLC, 2003 S. Easton Road, Suite 304, Doylestown, initially proposed to build nearly three dozen centers, each up to three stories high and around 125,000 square feet per floor, along Interstate 380 just north of Clifton Beach Road in Clifton and Covington townships as part of a campus known as Project Gold. However, plans attached to the settlement indicate Project Gold will have only five data centers in Clifton Twp., but each 65-foot-tall building would have a significantly larger footprint.

The plans do not include Covington Twp.s portion of the project.

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The footprints for each two-story data center in Clifton Twp. are: 160,000 square feet, 279,450 square feet, 459,650 square feet, 460,250 square feet and 684,610 square feet. Other buildings and infrastructure include a fire water storage and pumphouse, an 87,250-square-foot administration building, a 400-megawatt customer substation and a 230-kilovolt utility switchyard.

The site is broken into three campuses called the Northwest Campus, Southwest Campus and Southeast Campus.

Project Gold is currently the largest proposed data center campus in Lackawanna County, which has nearly a dozen proposed campuses spanning Archbald, Clifton Twp., Covington Twp., Dickson City, Jessup and, most recently, Ransom Twp. Developers also applied for and withdrew a proposal to build up to four data centers in Blakely.

1778 Rich Pike LLC filed a land-use appeal on Dec. 1 in county court to contest a Nov. 19 decision from the Clifton Twp. Zoning Hearing Board denying the developers substantive validity challenge that argued the townships zoning was exclusionary to data center uses, according to the filing from attorney Matthew J. McHugh of Philadelphia-based Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP. The settlement and public notice reference the docket number for the December appeal.

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The appeal is 1778 Rich Pikes third legal challenge in the township and a direct result of the first challenge in April.

The company initially filed a substantive validity challenge on April 17 alleging Clifton Twp.s zoning ordinance unlawfully excluded data centers, private power generation facilities and related uses. Municipalities in Pennsylvania are required to allow for every type of lawful land use somewhere within their borders.

Township supervisors amended their zoning the following month by adopting an ordinance on May 22 that defined data centers and designated them as conditional uses in the townships industrial zoning district. The developer especially took issue with a 35-foot height restriction on data centers, which an attorney for 1778 Rich Pike, Tony Maras, previously told The Times-Tribune was too low to allow for enough cooling and airflow.

Then, on June 20, 1778 Rich Pike and property owner JCO LLC, 207 Drinker Turnpike, Covington Twp., filed a procedural validity challenge against Clifton Twp. in the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. The challenge asked the court to declare the data center ordinance void due to alleged procedural issues, including the township failing to properly post an agenda 24 hours ahead of the May 22 special meeting and failing to have the township planning commission review the ordinance at a public meeting, among other contentions.

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The latest land use appeal lists 1778 Rich Pike LLC as the sole plaintiff, describing it as the equitable owner of two parcels owned by JCO LLC on Clifton Road and a parcel owned by Judge Family Estates LLC around the rear of Route 611 and Interstate 380.

The board voted unanimously on Nov. 19 to deny the April validity challenge, determining the townships zoning ordinance was not exclusionary to data center uses, but 1778 Rich Pikes attorneys argue it was an abuse of discretion because the decision was not supported by substantial evidence and, in fact, was contrary to the significant evidence presented by the developer and asked a judge to reverse it.

The settlement

As part of the settlement, the township would acknowledge that its zoning ordinance that was in effect in April when the developer filed its validity challenge may have been found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be exclusionary as it relates to the data center uses but that the subsequent data center ordinance adopted in May addressed that exclusion.

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The township and the developer, in the interest of avoiding protracted litigation and promoting sound land use planning, agree to settle the validity challenge and the procedural challenge, according to the settlement.

The developer would agree that the settlement constitutes a full and complete resolution of its validity challenge, and it agrees to withdraw any and all other challenges to the townships zoning.

The settlement does not relieve the developer from obtaining all necessary local, state and federal permits and approvals, including having two years to file for a preliminary subdivision and land development approval from the township.

An exhibit attached to the settlement lists conditions for approval, akin to what a municipality would seek in a conditional use approval, tying some conditions to the mandatory land development approval, though it notes the developer shall be permitted, without the need for conditional use approval to use the property for data centers, backup generators, power storage systems and related uses.

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In addition to halting plans for a nuclear reactor or gas power plant on the site, conditions in the settlement include:

 Data centers cannot have a footprint over 1 million square feet, or a total size of 2 million square feet across two floors, with a maximum height of 65 feet, though buildings could be up to 80 feet with rooftop equipment and screening to hide the equipment. Non-data center buildings are capped at 35 feet high.

 No centralized water system served by wells may be used for data centers cooling systems, and the developer must submit an analysis of projected raw water needs from public or private sources conducted by a certified hydrologist who is licensed in the state and approved by the township.

 All water needed to initially fill each buildings cooling system must be provided from an outside source and not from any well in the township, and all nonpublic well water supply sources serving the data centers in the township will have a gauge to monitor use, which the developer would provide to the township in monthly reports. Well water withdrawals in the township cannot exceed 50,000 gallons per day over a 30-day average from any source or combination of sources.

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 No data center development will receive final land development approval without sufficient water supply, which may include trucking in water, and no development will receive final land development approval that demonstrates the likelihood of adverse impacts on existing wells  without mitigation  in the vicinity.

 The developer must identify how, and at what temperature, water used inside the data centers would be recycled and released into surrounding water bodies.

 Disposal and treatment of all sewage and wastewater shall occur outside the township.

 The developer must provide an interconnection agreement or feasibility study from an applicable electric service provider indicating that the necessary capacity is available, and that it will serve the data center development.

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 Various requirements for woodland buffers, screening and setbacks, including setbacks of at least 100 feet from any property line for data center buildings and at least 400 feet from any existing occupied residential structures.

 The developer must submit an environmental impact study, traffic study and an emergency response plan to document potential impacts and necessary mitigation measures. The developer must also submit a community fiscal benefit/impact study. The impact study must include the estimates of costs incurred by the township related to infrastructure, emergency preparedness, administrative costs and fire protection, as well as estimates of revenues generated by the data centers, including from real estate sales, real estate taxes and income taxes.

 The developer must also incorporate absorptive sound barriers and materials in and around all generators, and the developer must demonstrate through a sound study conducted by a professional that the materials or systems will effectively reduce sounds from the data center. There will be a preliminary sound study to establish a baseline, interim sound samplings during construction for every three buildings completed in the township, and an as-built sound study when construction is complete, which will be conducted six months after the issuance of an occupancy permit. The township can require subsequent sound studies after a documented exceedance. Failing to remediate a sound violation would allow the township to revoke any zoning permits, with an exception during power outages.

 The data centers must provide local fire departments with any required equipment  like foam, equipment or vehicles  at the expense of the data center, and it must furnish on-site water for firefighting.

Attempts to reach Clifton Twp. Solicitor Geoffrey S. Worthington were unsuccessful Wednesday.




A Texas state appeals court has temporarily blocked Attorney General Ken Paxton from enforcing new rules that would have required local prosecutors in large counties to hand over detailed reports about criminal prosecutions.

The unanimous ruling from three conservative justices on the Fifteenth Court of Appeals deals a setback to Paxton's plan to rein in "rogue DAs," whom he has framed as lax against crime, and hands a win to district attorneys in major counties who argued Paxton's rules were unconstitutional and would have created significant administrative and staff burdens.

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BACKGROUND: 'Troubling': Judge blocks Texas AG's bid to access DA's criminal files

In a majority opinion released Monday, Justice Scott Field wrote that Paxton overstepped his legal authority when he finalized the reporting rules in March. While state law allows the attorney general to request information from individual prosecutors, it does not authorize him to mandate permanent, across-the-board disclosures, he wrote.

The challenged rules, adopted earlier this year, would have required prosecutors in counties with more than 400,000 residents to submit initial, quarterly and annual reports covering a wide range of information, including case files, internal policies and correspondence. The rules also created an oversight committee and treated noncompliance as "official misconduct," exposing prosecutors to potential removal from office.

Elected prosecutors in Travis and El Paso counties sued over the rules in May of this year, and Harris, Dallas, Bexar, Williamson and Fort Bend counties also joined the lawsuit. A Democratic state district court judge temporarily blocked the rules in July.

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In Monday's majority opinion, the 15th Court of Appeals found there was sufficient evidence that the rules would cause immediate and irreparable harm. Prosecutors testified that complying would require thousands of hours of staff time, divert resources from active prosecutions and risk disclosure of sensitive and private information, including grand jury materials and victim records.

However, the appeals court narrowed the scope of the lower court's injunction, ruling it may apply only to the seven prosecutors who sued, not all 13 who are subject to the rules. The court reversed the trial court's order barring enforcement of the rules statewide and sent the case back for further proceedings.

In a concurring opinion, Chief Justice Scott Brister wrote that the Legislature's decision not to grant Paxton the authority to remove recalcitrant prosecutors weighs against Paxton's position. In 2023, lawmakers passed a statute saying counties must provide information to the attorney general only upon written request tied to specific criminal matters, and separately created a process for local residents - not the attorney general - to seek removal of prosecutors accused of refusing to enforce certain laws.

Brister also noted that no Texas attorney general had attempted to adopt similar rules in nearly 150 years under the statute at issue. Under the Texas Constitution, the attorney general's office deals mostly with civil matters but may assist local prosecutors upon their request.

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Paxton has argued that the reporting requirements were necessary to monitor what he characterizes as some prosecutors' refusal to enforce state law, particularly in urban counties led by Democrats.

Brister, in his concurring opinion, suggested he also wished to see more vigor on the part of prosecuting attorneys.

"There has long been room in our customs and laws for prosecutorial discretion and for allocating resources among criminal cases," Brister wrote. "But a prosecutor's legal duties extend to the letter of the law as well as its spirit. Prosecutors cannot expect their discretionary decisions to be respected unless they extend the same respect to the discretionary decisions by those whose duty it is to write the laws."

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee gives response to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit challenging the Uplift Harris program, the guaranteed income program, during a press conference Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Harris County Administration Building in Houston. Harris County officials called the lawsuit by Paxton a targeted act. (Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer)





Paxton first proposed the rule in March 2024. The 13 counties required to follow the new rule are Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Travis, Collin, Denton, Fort Bend, Hidalgo, El Paso, Montgomery, Williamson, and Cameron counties, according to the lawsuit.

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Paxton's office did not respond to Hearst's request for comment by our deadline Wednesday.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee called the ruling "another clear victory" for local governments.

"Once again, a court has confirmed that Ken Paxton does not have the authority to carry out this plan to look over the shoulder of locally elected officials," Menefee, who is running to represent the 18th Congressional District, said in a statement on Monday. "State officials like Ken Paxton and Greg Abbott regularly overstep their bounds, and Harris County will continue to fight back every time it does."

Travis County Attorney Delia Garza also celebrated the ruling, casting Paxton's reporting requirements as a political ploy.

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"Texas already has laws in effect that call for complete transparency of its public officials," Garza told Hearst in a statement on Wednesday. "Ken Paxton should stop trying to politicize the work done by honest, hardworking prosecutors elected by their local communities."

This article originally published at Conservative Texas appeals court says Ken Paxton overstepped in plan to rein in 'rogue DAs'.
Genesia has publicly alleged she was humiliated during her employment, including claims that Netanyahu insulted her intelligence and shouted at her over laundry, allegations Netanyahu denied.

Tel Aviv Magistrates Court Judge Ilan Ronen on Wednesday ordered Sylvie Genesia, a former worker at the Prime Ministers Residence, to pay Sara Netanyahu NIS 100,000 in damages for defamation - a ruling delivered on procedural grounds after Genesia failed to submit her closing summations despite extensions granted by the court.

Ilan also ordered Genesia to pay an additional NIS 20,000 in legal costs, while stressing that the award did not reflect a substantive acceptance of Netanyahus claims, but rather the consequence of the defendants ongoing failure to meet court deadlines.

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The lawsuit was filed in 2020 and sought NIS 200,000, after Netanyahu accused Genesia - who, according to the claim, worked at the residence for about two months in 2019 - of publishing defamatory statements, breaching confidentiality, and infringing privacy.

Genesia has publicly alleged she was humiliated during her employment, including claims that Netanyahu insulted her intelligence and shouted at her over laundry, allegations Netanyahu denied.

Genesia argued in her defense that the lawsuit was intended to deter her and others from publicly criticizing Netanyahu, following statements she had made about her employment.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara at Ben-Gurion Airport, September 25, 2025. (credit: Avi Ohayon/GPO)

Genesias attorney has since asked the court to overturn the ruling, saying he was unable to file summations due to extended reserve duty and medical leave. He wrote that he was absent from his office for 191 days in 2025 and for roughly 340 days since October 7, 2023, while serving in a combat unit, and attached supporting documents.

Genesia appeals Netanyahu defamation ruling to reopen case

The request argues that Genesia should not be penalized without a full hearing, saying the failure to file summations was beyond her control and that her defense has strong prospects based on the evidence already presented.

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The request further warns that enforcing the judgment now could cause irreversible harm, including because recovering funds later may be difficult if the ruling is ultimately overturned.

The defamation case has unfolded alongside separate litigation between Genesia and Netanyahu in other forums, including proceedings in which Netanyahu has testified and disputed Genesias allegations. A decision is pending on whether to overturn the judgment and reopen the case.
It may be a new calendar year, but Cracker Barrels issues continue to mount.

After a 2025 filled with backlash over a logo change, restaurant redesign and menu overhaul, the chain has also reportedly ditched one of its famous Southern comfort foods traditionally eaten on New Years Day: black-eyed peas.

In the South, black-eyed peas have typically been served on the first day of the year to bring good luck in the months ahead. They can usually be found on a plate beside greens, cornbread, and pork.

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But now, Cracker Barrel has quietly axed the offering, according to a Fox News report. Its unclear exactly when the offering was discontinued, but the outlet reported that the restaurant chain has stopped publicizing a previous New Years Day promotion of free black-eyed peas for customers.

The Independent has contacted Cracker Barrel for comment.

Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Felss Masino has explained why the southern-themed restaurant chain tried and failed to successfully redesign its signature logo (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Now I find out Cracker Barrel no longer serves Black Eyed Peas on New Years Day. The woman at the head of this thing needs to be fired. Shes done nothing but causes problems since she took over by the way lady if youre reading this your insights dont work.  John Stoll (@babybosn) January 1, 2026

Customers have not taken kindly to the news, with many chalking the change up to Cracker Barrels recent onslaught of missteps.

One of many reasons Cracker Barrel is failing, someone wrote on X, while another said, Never going to CB again. You are literally at war with your own customer base. Stop your woke BS.

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Oh, come on Cracker Barrel-stop killing ur company. Everyone wants good luck and u cant serve the peas for a tradition? a third chimed in.

Now I find out Cracker Barrel no longer serves Black Eyed Peas on New Years Day. The woman at the head of this thing needs to be fired. Shes done nothing but causes problems since she took over by the way lady if youre reading this your insights dont work, someone else wrote.

The anger at the brand continues after Cracker Barrels disastrous rebrand attempt in August.

The companys new logo has been seen on menus (Getty Images)

Influencers and MAGA Republicans branded the firms decision to ditch Uncle Herschel on the Cracker Barrel logo as woke, with thousands of online memes tearing into the companys new look being posted after the news of the change broke.

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The changes would also have included a simpler font in the logo, as well as stripped-back, minimalist decor in Cracker Barrel restaurants. Typically, the companys locations are decorated in a rustic Southern style that alludes to its Tennessean heritage.

The backlash to the change was so extreme that the companys CEO Julie Felss Masino admitted that she felt as though she had been fired by America.

Cracker Barrels redesign caused it to lose $94 million in a single day, with the companys stock price plunging to $54.50. That meant the companys stock price had plummeted by 7.15 percent, although it had rebounded from a 15 percent drop earlier in the day.
Taylor Frazier McCollum remembers when Landover Mall in her Prince Georges County neighborhood was a staple in family moments.

It was the place where she felt safe trick-or-treating in a costume for the malls annual Halloween party. She can still taste the salt and heat from fresh Boardwalk Fries. Somewhere in her home, she said, are old buttons from a mall kiosk that offered the fun of printing a loved ones picture on clothing.

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For more than two decades, the site of the demolished mall has sat idle, leaving residents in the now-predominantly Black Maryland county with the desire to have something in its place as shrubbery and other greenery push through the rubble of what was once a major weekend draw.

After some false starts for the site, residents who live near the former mall are now facing something unfamiliar that, though local officials say it would generate millions of dollars in much-needed tax revenue, has stirred controversy: a proposal for a massive data center.

I feel its going to affect all of us as residents and as a whole, said Frazier McCollum, who lives within one mile of the Landover Mall site and is behind a movement to stop the nearly 90-acre plot from being converted to a hyperscale data center that would feature five buildings and use 820 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 656,000 homes at any given time.

Frazier McCollums June petition against the project has raked in more than 21,000 signatures and kicked off an online fury that spilled over into a data center task force meeting in September that was disrupted by angry residents. In October, residents again yelled at local elected officials over the proposal and what they said was a lack of transparency about it.

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We know hyperscale data centers arent good for communities, Frazier McCollum said.

As the data center industry grows across the country, concerns about noise and light pollution, water consumption and energy use are also spreading to largely Black and Brown communities like Prince Georges, whose residents have wrestled with a legacy of environmental racism.

Local officials are weighing those concerns against the potential financial gain amid a deficit that could reach $157 million over the next seven years.

Prince Georges council member Edward P. Burroughs III (D-District 8), said that amid that deficit, he and his board colleagues have to figure out how to increase the countys commercial tax base in the face of federal spending cuts that have further hurt the county.

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These are our realities, Burroughs said. The county has to be more strategic for sure in attracting the type of industries and development that we want.

- - -

A struggle to attract businesses

Prince Georges has struggled to develop a vibrant commercial base as a D.C. bedroom community whose residents have largely depended on federal government jobs.

In some pockets of the county of nearly 1 million residents that became predominantly Black during the early 1990s, less attractive businesses - such as liquor stores, smoke shops and gas stations - have flourished. Among the countys biggest economic contributors is the MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino.

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Against that backdrop, residents have seen the introduction of data centers as another unwanted addition that can potentially bring harm to their community. Maryland is home to 45 data centers, according to the Data Center Map industry group. There are five existing data centers in Prince Georges, according to the countys planning department.

Despite the fact that the countys leadership is also majority Black, activists seeking to defeat the proposal at the Landover Mall site accuse them of ignoring the potential harms to the community in favor of bringing in more tax dollars. What would be the Brightseat Tech Park is expected to generate $13.7 million in annual local tax revenue, according to a project presentation booklet.

Black faces in high places will not save us, said Brandon Forester, 40, an activist who lives in Upper Marlboro. We need people who are representing our interests and not people who are just representing the interests of the moneyed consultant class.

Area residents werent initially aware of the industrys migration into Maryland when the groundwork was being laid for it.

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- - -

Unaware during pandemic

Efforts to attract more data centers to the state took off around the same time as the pandemic.

In May 2020, the Maryland General Assembly passed a law that created a sales tax exemption for equipment used in data centers that meet certain qualifications, a move geared toward further attracting the industry to the state. The bill also allowed for local governments in Maryland to reduce or eliminate property taxes on that same data center equipment. The law was projected to lead to lower state and local tax revenue, according to a fiscal summary of the bill.

For local governments, that loss could be offset by the tax revenue generated through the collection of real property taxes and business personal taxes.

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Prince Georges County passed its own bill that year aimed at attracting data centers. The legislation allowed for a partial or complete reduction in the countys property tax assessment on Eligible Qualified Data Center Personal Property.

In 2021, the county council unanimously passed a bill that would fast-track the process for data centers to enter the county. Doing so would create an opportunity for Prince Georges to become more competitive with other jurisdictions that lack long permitting processes, David S. Iannucci, the former Economic Development Corporation (EDC) chief executive and president, said during a February 2021 virtual committee meeting on the bill.

Iannucci told council members that a $500 million data center over a 10-year period could generate about $66 million in real property taxes and personal taxes.

I would be happy if we could get a data center a year for the next five years, he said. That would represent a very significant increase in the commercial taxes.

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When the bill went before the council for enactment in March 2021, area residents, still hunkered down in their homes, barely took notice.

One person signed up to speak against it while some residents submitted letters of opposition, according to county records. The following month, in a state of the economy address, then County Executive Angela Alsobrooks mentioned how her office was paving the way for high-value data centers to locate their facilities in the county.

The speech generated little reaction, either in person or online.

I dont think data centers in general were on peoples radar back then, said Greg Smith, a Hyattsville resident and longtime environmental activist.

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Smith spoke against a 2024 bill introduced by Alsobrooks, now a U.S. senator, that wouldve hastened the countys approval process for the industry.

Along with other residents, Smith cast doubt on the projected benefits of data centers during a public hearing on the bill held that November. Those against it also shared their concerns about the industrys environmental impacts.

The council held off on voting on the bill. There was no movement on the bill during the past legislative session.

- - -

A shift under new leadership

The groundswell from Frazier McCollums efforts fueled a data center task force study that examined the industrys potential benefits and impacts.

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County council members Wala Blegay (D-District 6) and Shayla Adams-Stafford (D-District 5) co-sponsored a September resolution that temporarily paused the review and approval of future data center projects until the task forces recommendation were out. Days later, County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy (D) issued an order that paused new data center construction permits.

Council member Jolene Ivey (D-At Large), who supported making it easier for data centers to come into the county when she represented the 5th District that includes the Landover site, has since reversed her position after learning more about the potential impacts.

It is clear there should be strict guidelines surrounding where data centers are allowed in the region and how residents are protected from them, Ivey said in a statement. The old Landover Mall site should not have a data center.

In November, the task force published a report with 14 recommendations for new legislation. The report focused on zoning and land use, site and building design, environmental regulations and potential benefits to the community.

One of the reports most significant proposals would require data centers to go through a special use exemption process that would include public meetings on pending projects while allowing the county council to set detailed site qualifications. This could slow the approval of controversial projects such as the one proposed at the former Landover Mall, which has not gone through such a review.

Blegay, a data center task force member, has said she intends to undo previous legislation that cut out the council and residents.

Adams-Stafford, a newer member of the council who now represents the district where the Landover site sits, said she welcomes ideas to grow the countys commercial tax base in a way that doesnt put a strain on current infrastructure.

She said her constituents have seen the site become blighted over the years and that she understands their frustration in wanting more.

It was an important gathering place, Adams-Stafford said. Residents want to see meaningful development that includes the community and gives them a say in the process and what comes into the area.

Lerner Enterprises, the sites owner, has not applied for additional permits, Adams-Stafford said. The company did not respond to requests for comment.

The task forces recommendations and the public declarations of lawmakers to enact smart legislation aimed at controlling the industrys growth in the county gives some residents a measured sense of optimism for the coming years.

Hope is faith with action. We have to hope that we can impact the process, said Forester, the activist. I hope our elected officials will listen. If not, they dont have to be our elected officials.

- - -

Other Black communities

Residents against data center development, especially the hyperscale kind, say they dont want Prince Georges County to be seen as a place where theres little resistance just because its economy is hurting.

They cite Memphis, which has similar demographics of representation and residents, as a cautionary tale. That Tennessee city is grappling with pollution from 35 methane gas turbines used to cool the supercomputers inside a data center owned by billionaire Elon Musks artificial intelligence company. Musk has not publicly addressed the pollution concerns but has said the turbines are necessary to get the third version of the companys AI chatbot up and running, Politico has reported.

Prince Georges residents also point to a predominantly Black industrial area in Louisville where, despite local residents concerns about impacts, construction of a hyperscale data center is moving forward.

Prince Georges has an opportunity to do something more imaginative with its Landover site and more innovative with how it chooses to grow its commercial tax base, said Staci Hartwell, a strategic adviser for the South County Environmental Justice Coalition who also sat on the data center task force.

The county could replicate something like Ridge Square in Northwest Washington, a space for living, shopping and dining, she said. Focusing on data centers is now thinking for something that could become obsolete over time, Hartwell said.

Were in the fight for the soul of Prince Georges County, Hartwell said. This fight really represents, you know, whether or not billionaires are going to run and decide the fate of this county or [if] the people are.

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This article was first published in the ChurchBeat newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each Wednesday night.

As the Deseret News reporter covering The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have met and known many apostles and written about their lives and deaths and funerals. But the death of President Jeffrey R. Holland on Saturday was personal because of his ministry to my own father at his death 31 years ago.

After my Latter-day Saint mission to Germany, my family moved to Utah  four doors down (and a different ward) from President and Sister Holland.

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In June 1994, President Holland was ordained an apostle. I was a 27-year-old father of two then, and my own father, Willard Bean Walch, was dying of colon cancer.

It was a shock none of us had accepted.

He and we believed God could and would heal him. But in December of 1994, new tests showed that despite treatment, Dads cancer was spreading again. He began to suffer badly, but fought to do his part in Gods healing process.

We later learned that neighbors took the news to Elder Holland. On that Christmas Sunday, while my wife and I were at home and church in east Provo with our two small children, Elder and Sister Holland knocked on the door to my parents home with a fruit basket. The youngest of my six sisters were opening presents around my fathers hospital bed with him and my mother.

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The Hollands spent an hour of their Christmas with a Walch family in crisis.

Elder Holland gave my father a blessing. He referenced Doctrine & Covenants 42:48:

And again, it shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed.

He said that if our father could have been healed by faith, his faith and the faith in our family would have healed him.

Let me stop for a moment to describe my father. He was a fun, vigorous, loving man like President Holland who loved the gospel so much he shared it wherever he could. Living in the days before cellphones, he always kept copies of the Book of Mormon in his glove compartment and stopped on highways all over America to help stranded motorists. He once loaned a car to a stranded family so they could meet their needs, trusting the family would return it. All he ever asked in return was that they read the Book of Mormon or let the Mormon missionaries in if they ever knocked on their door.

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President Hollands blessing turned the focus of my fathers deep, abiding love and faith in the gospel and Atonement of Jesus Christ from Gods healing power on earth to his eternal Plan of Happiness. My father told my mother he only wanted to stay here if he could serve here. If not, he would serve on the other side of the veil. It soon became clear he had accepted he would not recover.

Elder Holland returned to bless Dad again when my wife and I were present. Thats when we first met him. He blessed Dad that he could choose when he would depart. Five dear and special days later, Dad went Home.

What I didnt know then  what I couldnt have known then, because President Holland had not yet publicly shared it  was that 18 years earlier on a Christmas Eve, President Holland had the same experience we were having. His own father had a heart attack and lay in the hospital on the holiday.

I didnt hear the story until December 2018, when I went to Oxford, England, to cover President Hollands visit to the British Parliament. He also spoke at a Christmas service in a beautiful little Anglican chapel and shared the story of rushing to his fathers bedside.

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By the time we finally got to see him, wired and tubed and gray and unconscious, it was mid-afternoon on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, Elder Holland said. Magnificent timing, I muttered to no one in particular.

Christmas Eve turned into Christmas morning as he paced and prayed, alone in an unfamiliar hospital, feeling sorry for himself and mumbling questions about why he had to lose his dad at Christmas. Then he received what he termed a theological wake-up call.

At 3 a.m., late-early morning in a very quiet hospital, he said, immersed as I was in some sorrow and self-pity, heaven sent me a small personal prepackaged revelation, a tiny Christmas declaration. In the midst of my mumbling about the very poor calendaring in all of this, I heard the clear, unbroken cry of a baby.

The divine grace of the timing of that birth changed his outlook. He recognized the joy the new child must be in its parents lives. He remembered that his own mother always reminded him of the joy he brought her as a Christmas baby himself.

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With new eyes then, that morning, I went back to look at my dad, the great gift-giver who was starting to make his way out of the world on Christmas Day. He was doing so on the wings of the greatest gift ever given  the Atonement and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. I thought of another Father who gave that gift.

This past week, I couldnt shake the feeling of three Christmases.

That Christmas in 1976 when the Spirit taught a younger Elder Holland at his fathers hospital bedside.

The Christmas in 1994 when he ministered with this background and his apostleship at my fathers deathbed.

And this very Christmas in 2025 when the Holland family gathered around his own deathbed and loved him on behalf of the entire church.

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The bookend to this story is that a couple of weeks after my father died, President and Sister Holland visited my mother again so he could give a blessing to an overwhelmed widow.

Brothers and sisters, he later taught about ministering, we have a heaven-sent opportunity as an entire church to demonstrate pure religion  undefiled before God  to bear one anothers burdens, that they may be light and to comfort those that stand in need of comfort, to minister to the widows and the fatherless, the married and the single, the strong and the distraught, the downtrodden and the robust, the happy and the sad  in short, all of us, every one of us, because we all need to feel the warm hand of friendship and hear the firm declaration of faith.

President Holland loved my family the way both the Father and Son love us. In his personal and personable ministry, he embodied for my family the natures of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.

I called my mother Saturday morning to tell her President Holland had died. We talked for half an hour about the way President Holland ministered to her, my father and my family.

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When we were done, she made a short statement that was a better tribute than the long obit I had personally written and rewritten for the Deseret News about President Holland. Her summary showed how his ministering to us had reflected the true love of God the Father and Jesus Christ.

She said simply, He was so sweet and tender with us.

My Recent Stories

President Hollands painful final months hailed as the master class of an apostle of contagious conviction (Dec. 31)

Weeping: Anglican priest shares his emotional reaction to the loss of President Jeffrey R. Holland (Dec. 29)

President Oaks, civic leaders pay tribute to President Jeffrey R. Holland (Dec. 27)

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President Jeffrey R. Holland  Latter-day Saint apostle, defender of the faith and pastoral genius  dies at age 85 (Dec. 27)

President Jeffrey R. Holland hospitalized on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24)

Behind the Scenes

Pallbearers load the casket of President Jeffrey R. Holland into a hearse outside the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. | Tad Walch/Deseret News

Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stand as the casket of President Jeffrey R. Holland, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is brought in at his funeral at the Salt Lake Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. | Jeffrey Allred

President Dallin H. Oaks attends the funeral for President Jeffrey R. Holland, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the Salt Lake Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. | Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News

Attendees look on during the funeral for President Jeffrey R. Holland, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the Salt Lake Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. | Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News

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You made these some of our most-read faith stories of 2025
Deputies in a central Georgia county stopped a delivery of contraband items to a prison while performing a traffic stop.

The Crisp County Sheriffs Office said deputies were responding to a stopped vehicle just before 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve when they found a man asleep at the wheel and in an intersection on Georgia Highway 300.

When deputies made contact with the driver, identified as Hunter Watson, they found him with a handgun under his leg.

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According to the sheriffs office, deputies saw numerous indicators consistent with an attempted prison drop, an illegal operation involving the delivery of contraband using drones.

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When deputies searched the vehicle, the sheriffs office said they found large amounts of tobacco, vape devices, alcoholic drinks, drone batteries and other items frequently associated with prison drop activity.

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The deputies also found what is suspected to be marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a firearm.

Watson told deputies that hed recently used methamphetamine and said he was paid to transport the items to another location.

Deputies arrested Watson for trading with inmates without consent of warden or superintendent, receipt, possession or transfer of firearm by a convicted felon, possessing a firearm or knife during commission of a crime, possession of methamphetamine, possession of Schedule I controlled substance and possession and use of drug related objects.

Watson was taken to the Crisp County Jail after his arrest.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee greeted party workers and supporters on the Foundation Day of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), reiterating the party's commitment to Ma-Mati-Manush and vowing to continue its struggle for the common people. In a post on X, Banerjee wrote, "On the occasion of the Foundation Day of the All India Trinamool Congress, I extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all. With the aim of serving Ma-Mati-Manush (Mother, Motherland and People), the journey of the Trinamool Congress began on this day in 1998. The core guiding principle of this historic journey is the honour of the motherland, the development of Bengal, and the protection of the democratic rights of the people. Even today, every worker and supporter of our party remains steadfast and committed to this goal. I humbly pay my respects and homage to their tireless efforts and sacrifices. "The Trinamool Congress family is today blessed with the grace, love, and prayers of countless people. With your unwavering support as our sustenance, we remain resolute in the fight for every individual in this great democratic nation. We will not bow to any malevolent forces, and disregarding all enmity, our struggle for the common people will continue lifelong. I offer my salutations and respects to all the dedicated workers and supporters of the Ma-Mati-Manush family," she added. TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee said that on the occasion the party renews its pledge to stand beside the people. "On Trinamool Congress Foundation Day, I bow my head in gratitude to every member of our ever-expanding family. What began as a movement for change has evolved into a powerful democratic force. My deepest respect is reserved for our grassroots workers. You are the authors of this story. It is your discipline, your sacrifice and your unshaken faith that fuels our politics. As long as we remain anchored to our Maa, Mati, Manush, no force, however arrogant or oppressive, can defeat the collective resolve of Bengal. Today, we renew our pledge to stand beside the people, to shield their democratic voice, and to ensure that no one in Bengal is harassed, humiliated, or intimidated by the Bangla-Birodhi zamindari powers," he said. The TMC was formed on January 1, 1998, after Banerjee broke away from the Congress following ideological and political differences. From a fledgling regional party, the TMC rose to national party status in 2016. In 2011, it brought an end to the 34-year-long Left Front rule in West Bengal and has since remained in power, winning three consecutive Assembly elections. This year's Foundation Day comes amid heightened political activity as the state prepares for the next West Bengal Assembly elections, expected in March-April 2026. The TMC is locked in a confrontation with the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Draft rolls released by the ECI in December show that 58,20,899 names, about 7.59 per cent of the electorate, have been provisionally deleted due to reasons such as death, permanent migration or untraceability. The party has raised concerns over the scale of deletions, alleging possible disenfranchisement. The ECI has since revised the SIR timeline, deferring the final publication of electoral rolls to February 14, 2026. (ANI)
Editors note: This story was originally published on Jan. 1, 2025.

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

On Jan. 1, 2000, an anxious world held its breath as computers silently switched to the year 2000, but the dreaded Y2K bug caused few serious issues.

Here is how the Deseret News editorial board recapped the issue:

Someday, an historian will write the definitive study of the by-then long forgotten Y2K scare, drawing smiles from some about those quaint turn-of-the-century folks who worried needlessly about major worldwide disruptions. When that story is written, we hope it is presented as a triumph of global cooperation. That is the only accurate spin.

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When Utah Sen. Robert Bennett began his dire warnings more than two years ago, he was talking about a very real danger  one that could have disrupted economies and communities. Today, after a peaceful New Years weekend that featured only a few minor glitches, he may in retrospect seem like Chicken Little. In reality, he was more like Paul Revere.

It is estimated $100 billion was spent in the United States to prepare for the change of computer systems and other issues from Dec. 31, 1999 to Jan. 1, 2000.

Newspaper coverage of the preparations and the aftermath was extensive.

Here are some articles from Deseret News archives about the Y2K phenomenon, the worries over the end of normalcy and then the reflections on so much wasted worry:

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Y2K bug squashed

$100 billion to fix Y2K was wasted

The front page of the Deseret News on Dec. 31, 1999, as worries spread over the Y2K computer systems glitches.

Who was responsible for Y2K hype and panic?

Taking a close look at Y2K

The man who got Utah through Y2K is retiring today

Y2K offers opportunity to be a good global neighbor

Y2K and the lessons it taught

Y2K bug didnt sneak up on us  we werent looking

Centenarian discovers the Y2K bug is for real

Some Y2K glitches reported around U.S.

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Dec. 31A 65-year-old Dixon man is charged with home invasion and attempted murder, accused of entering a Dixon home and stabbing a man, according to Dixon police.

Joseph A. Willwerth was charged Wednesday with one count each of attempted murder and home invasion, which are Class X felonies; unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, a Class 3 felony; aggravated battery, also a Class 3 felony; criminal trespass to property and reckless conduct, both Class 4 felonies and one count of unlawful use of weapons, a misdemeanor.

According to a news release, Dixon police were dispatched at 9:07 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, to the 400 block of Crawford Avenue for a report of a man being stabbed with a knife. Upon arrival, officers entered the residence and located two men, one being the homeowner and the other man identified as Willwerth, police said.

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Officers were able to take control of the scene and requested assistance from Dixon City Fire paramedics to treat both men's injuries, police said.

The homeowner suffered injuries to his hands, according to the release. Willwerth was transported to OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine for treatment of his injuries and later released, according to the news release.

Officers and detectives have determined this was an isolated incident and there was no threat to the public, according to the release.
She doctored her schedule.

A general practitioner in the UK has been suspended for five months after booking in two fictitious appointments at the end of her workday to avoid being late to pick up her children.

Dr Helen Eisenhauer, 43, was working at the Stenhouse Medical Centre in Arnold, England, when she scheduled the bogus appointments on an afternoon in 2024.

Dr Helen Eisenhauer, 43, was working at the Stenhouse Medical Centre in Arnold, England, when she scheduled the bogus appointments on an afternoon in 2024. Cavendish Press

At a recent tribunal hearing, the mom said she was thoroughly ashamed of her behavior and admitted she struggled to balance her personal and professional duties, per The Times of London.

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The incident occurred at a time of particular stress for me when I was having to balance the demands of my young family with busy professional commitments, Eisenhauer declared. I fully accept, however, that this does not excuse my dishonesty.

The harsh penalty has sparked heated debate in the UK, where there is a significant shortage of doctors.

More than one-fifth of Brits who booked an appointment to see a general practitioner in November had to wait at least two weeks, per The Times. 7.5% of patients waited a month or more.

Its estimated Eisenhauer earns around 60,000 (USD $80,000) per year, although she works part-time, The Times reports.

The incident occurred at a time of particular stress for me when I was having to balance the demands of my young family with busy professional commitments, Eisenhauer declared. I fully accept, however, that this does not excuse my dishonesty. Cavendish Press

Pictured: The medical center where Eisenhauer was working at the time she scheduled the bogus appointments. Facebook/Stenhouse Medical Centre

Eisenhauer said she was suffering from sleep deprivation at the time she added the two fake appointments to her diary.

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The busy mom admitted she failed to make proper childcare arrangements for the day and needed to pick up her children by 6 p.m. She feared seeing two more patients would mean she wouldnt leave the practice until after that time.

A partner at the medical practice, where Eisenhauer has worked since 2018, noticed anomalies in her schedule and confronted her at a meeting.

Eisenhauer subsequently reported herself to the UKs General Medical Council.

I am thoroughly ashamed and determined never to compromise the medical profession or myself again, the doctor stated at the recent tribunal hearing.

Despite her contrition, she was slapped with the five-month ban.

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Dr Eisenhauer displayed a reckless disregard for patient safety and professional standards, tribunal chairman Neil Dalton declared.

A partner at the medical practice, where Eisenhauer has worked since 2018, noticed anomalies in her schedule and confronted her at a meeting. Cavendish Press

However, many moms are rallying around Eisenhauer and saying her situation proves reforms are needed for working parents.

Its sad that our system pushes vital workers to these extremes, one supporter stated on

Anyone who has raced from work with their heart racing to avoid being late for nursery or after school pick up will have enormous sympathy for this lady, another parent posited.

I think the real problem here is not that she did it, but she had to do it, a third declared.
Dot Foods' Maryland distribution center in Williamsport recently donated $36,000 worth of food and other necessities to six local food pantries through the company's Neighbor to Neighbor program.

The donation included items from the center's current inventory, with each pantry selecting products that best met their specific needs, according to a community announcement.

Dot Foods' Maryland distribution center in Williamsport recently donated $36,000 worth of food and other necessities to six local food pantries through the company's Neighbor to Neighbor program. Dot employees assisted pantry staff and volunteers with receiving and unloading the donations at each location.

The recipient pantries in the Williamsport area are:

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Rose Way Food Pantry (Hagerstown)

St. Marks Lutheran Church Food Pantry (Hagerstown)

Praying Time Ministries (Greencastle, Pennsylvania)

Greencastle-Antrim Food Pantry (Greencastle, Pennsylvania)

Shepherdstown Shares (Shepherdstown, West Virginia)

Hope Packs (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania)

Dot employees assisted pantry staff and volunteers with receiving and unloading the donations at each location.

Fighting food insecurity is central to Dot Foods' mission, according to the announcement. In addition to the annual Neighbor to Neighbor program, which launched in 2014, the company provides donations to local food pantries throughout the year.

About Dot Foods and Dot Transportation

Dot Foods Inc. is a food industry redistributor in North America, carrying 120,000 products from 1,500 food industry manufacturers. The company distributes foodservice, convenience, retail and vending products to distributors in all 50 states and more than 55 countries through Dot Transportation Inc., an affiliate of Dot Foods.

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This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@usatodayco.com with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Dot Foods gives $36K in food to fight hunger locally
Dozens of people are believed dead after a fire tore through a tourist hotspot in the Swiss Alps during a New Years Eve celebration.

The blaze broke out at Le Constellation bar in the resort town of Cran-Montana at about 1:30 a.m. local time, as New Years Eve revelers welcomed 2026.

We are shaken by what happened last night, Valais Canton police commander Frederic Gisler told reporters. On behalf of the command of the police, I extend my deepest sympathy to the victims and the families affected by this tragedy.

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The cause of the fire is not yet known, but authorities have ruled out terrorism.

At no moment is there a question of any kind of attack, Beatrice Pilloud, Valais Canton attorney general, told the Associated Press.

It is also not yet known whether any Americans are among the casualties.

The post Dozens Dead, 100 Injured as Fire Engulfs Swiss Alps Bar During New Years Eve Celebration first appeared on Mediaite.
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Elon Musk seemingly confirmed he has resumed funding Republican politicians heading into the 2026 midterm elections, with the Tesla boss saying the USA is a lost cause if Democrats win.

America is toast if the radical left wins, Musk posted on X  the social platform he owns  on Thursday. They will open the floodgates to illegal immigration and fraud. Wont be America anymore.

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Musk made the comment while sharing a clip of him nodding his head after President Donald Trump patted him on the arm at a recent event at the White House. The post said Musk is reportedly going all-in funding Republicans to help President Trump take back full control in the 26 midterms.

America is toast if the radical left wins. They will open the floodgates to illegal immigration and fraud. Wont be America anymore. https://t.co/9lppGuSyAV  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2026

His response comes after Musk and President Trump have had an up-and-down relationship over the last year.

Musk spearheaded the Department of Government Efficiency for Trump when his second term started last January, and the two appeared to be the best of friends when they sat down with Fox News star Sean Hannity soon after for an interview.

Things remained swell when Musk departed DOGE last May, with Trump giving Musk a gold key to the White House.

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Elon gave an incredible service, Trump said at the time. Theres nobody like him, and he had to go through the slings and the arrows, which is a shame, because hes an incredible patriot.

But things went sour after Musk accused Trump of covering up files related to dead sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein. That nuked their relationship for a few months, and Musk briefly flirted with starting his own political party.

Musk recently told Katie Miller  wife of Trump advisor Stephen Miller  that if he had the chance to do it again, he would have opted to just focus on his companies rather than doing DOGE.

Instead of doing DOGE, I would have basically built, worked on my companies, essentially, Musk said.

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And they wouldnt have been burning the cars, Musk added, referring to the viral clips of Teslas being damaged and a dealership being attacked in Las Vegas.

But the Musk-Trump relationship has been rekindled in recent months. The two reunited at Charlie Kirks memorial service, and Musk attended a dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House in November.

The Washington Post reported Vice President JD Vance played a key role in bringing Musk and Trump back together. And Axios reported in mid-December that Musk had recently cut big checks to help Republicans win congressional races next year  a report Musk seemed to confirm on New Years Day.

Musk shelled out $290 million to help Trump and Republicans win in 2024; itll be worth watching how much he spends this year.

The post Elon Musk Is Back on the Trump Train for 2026 Midterms: America Is Toast if the Radical Left Wins first appeared on Mediaite.
Errol Musk, the father of Elon Musk, has made controversial remarks about the projected demographic shift in the United States.

What Happened: Errol Musk, in a recent interview, expressed serious concerns about the anticipated demographic transformation in the U.S., where the white population is projected to become a minority within the next 20 years.

Errol Musk, a resident of South Africa, termed this shift as a very, very bad thing to happen. He questioned, You want to see the U.S. go down? Why? You don't like electric cars, and you don't like technology? What is it, you want to go back to the jungle?

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During the interview, he further discussed his home country, South Africa, stating that the small white population that projects the European culture has significantly contributed to the growth and development of the Black African population.

He rejected the notion of oppression in South Africa as nonsense.

Also Read: Elon Musk Says He Warned Donald Trump To Drop Tariffs Over Fears of Job Losses: President Loves Tariffs, Ive Tried To Dissuade Him

Errol Musks comments have ignited a fiery debate in an already tense political environment, with the U.S. deciding to boycott the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa.

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This comes in the wake of President Donald Trumps claims of a so-called white genocide, which South African officials have vehemently denied.

The remarks made by Errol Musk have brought the ongoing political and racial tensions in both the U.S. and South Africa into the spotlight.

Read Next

Elon Musk's Father Open To More Children Despite Age: "If She's Under 35, I Wouldn't Think Twice About Having Another Child"

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.

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Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga:

This article Elon Musk's Father Errol Musk Says 'America Will Collapse if White Population Becomes Minority. You Want To See the US Go Down?' originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Corruption is often discussed as a problem concentrated beyond Western Europe, particularly in Eastern Europe, fragile democracies or developing countries.

While research has long challenged this view, it continues to influence public debate and, at times, policy decisions  including discussions around support for Ukraine.

In the academic and scholarly debate, the assumption that corruption is exclusive to Eastern European or developing countries is long gone, Mihaly Fazekas, the director of the Government Transparency Institute and a professor at the Central European University, told Euronews.

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As Ukraine continues to seek sustained financial and military backing from its European partners, concerns about corruption are frequently raised in political discussions in several EU member states.

In Hungary, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has cited corruption concerns when arguing against continued EU funding for Ukraine, calling for support to be halted following reports of misuse.

He has previously accused Kyiv of operating a war mafia that diverts Western funds.

Such arguments sit within a broader debate about how corruption is understood and compared across Europe.

Narratives around corruption

While academic research increasingly views corruption as a systemic risk present across advanced and emerging economies alike, political narratives in parts of Western Europe have often framed it as limited or exceptional.

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High-profile corruption cases continue to emerge in countries such as France, Germany and the UK, but they are frequently treated as isolated incidents rather than symptoms of deeper structural vulnerabilities.

Public opinion, however, appears more sceptical of a sharp EastWest divide.

If you look at surveys, for example, on whether people think corruption is a problem, there's a widespread perception that people believe it is [just as common] in places like France or the UK," Fazekas explained.

"Much less so in Denmark and Sweden, but in many of the core, developed EU member states, corruption is a significant concern across the population, he continued.

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In Western Europe, corruption is increasingly associated with issues such as political financing, lobbying, procurement practices and regulatory capture, rather than the more visible forms of bribery often associated with Eastern Europe.

A 2024 Eurobarometer survey conducted by the European Commission found that while 61% of Europeans consider corruption unacceptable, 68% believe it is widespread in their own country. Around 27% said they felt personally affected by corruption in their daily lives.

The visibility gap

Part of the perceptions gap is that these day-to-day, very visible forms of corruption are very much absent in Western European countries and still present in many Eastern European countries. However, when it comes to corruption in public procurement or corruption in regulations and lawmaking, [it] is not absent at all from Western Europe," Fazekas said.

"Maybe the magnitude is smaller, but these informal networks are also present in Western Europe," he continued.

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These differences in visibility matter. Petty corruption  such as small bribes for everyday services  is immediately recognisable and widely condemned.

More complex forms of influence, including opaque lobbying or revolving-door appointments, are harder to detect and scrutinise, even when the financial stakes may be higher.

There are a couple of common threads in the corruption in Eastern Europe, and one is the weaknesses in the checks and balances between different state institutions, like the bureaucracy checking politicians and the judiciary checking bureaucrats," Fazekas explained.

In several post-communist countries, the transition from highly centralised governance to dispersed institutional authority weakened oversight mechanisms. Informal networks that span formal institutional boundaries have remained influential.

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"They can override the formal independence of institutions or the formal independence of a bidding firm from the buyer," he continued.

Informal networks are the major reason for corruption in Eastern Europe."

Related

Different forms, shared challenges

Similar networks exist in Western Europe, although they tend to operate through more formalised channels, such as law firms, consultancies and political finance structures.

Research group Corporate Europe Observatory has estimated that at least 62 corporations and trade associations spend a combined 343 millionn annually on EU lobbying, a figure that has increased by roughly a third since 2020.

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The group notes that the true total is likely higher, as the figure only includes organisations declaring annual spending above 1 million.

Fazekas said one of the key distinctions remains the prevalence of low-level bribery.

The one major difference is that low-level corruption, petty corruption or bribery, as some call it, is far less common in Western European countries. While in many Eastern European countries you still have bribery involved in accessing healthcare services or when dealing with the police or some other day-to-day state citizen interactions, that's far less widespread in Western Europe, he said.

"This distinction helps explain the persistent perception gap. Everyday bribery is visible, humiliating and easy to condemn. Its relative absence in Western Europe has allowed governments to present themselves as largely 'clean', even as high-level corruption attracts less sustained scrutiny," Fazekas continued.

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These differing perceptions have become particularly sensitive in the context of Ukraine, where demands for stringent anti-corruption safeguards accompany financial and military assistance.

Critics note that such expectations are sometimes voiced by governments still grappling with their own governance challenges.

High-profile cases

Recent investigations and court cases across Europe have also highlighted how corruption allegations are interpreted differently depending on context.

Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini was recently arrested as part of a corruption and procurement fraud probe linked to alleged irregularities in an EU-funded diplomatic training programme.

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In France, National Rally politician Marine Le Pen was convicted on 31 March 2025 of embezzling EU parliamentary funds.

The sentence included four years in prison and a five-year ban from public office. Her supporters have described the case as politically motivated lawfare, while Le Pen has appealed the verdict.

An appeal hearing is scheduled for early 2026, though the ban on her standing in the 2027 presidential election remains in place for now.

Treating corruption primarily as a problem of elsewhere may simplify political debate, but it risks obscuring a more complex reality.

Across Europe, the scale and forms of corruption vary, but so too does the willingness of governments to confront it through enforcement rather than rhetoric.

"Wherever you go around in the world, you will see top politicians, top bureaucrats talking about fighting corruption... [yet] considering that corruption is an implicitly hidden phenomenon and hidden behaviour, it's not always obvious who is just talking about fighting corruption, who is serious about it. The one, major challenge here is really seeing concrete actions as opposed to just rhetoric," Fazekas concluded.
Nearly two years after a news helicopter crashed in a New Jersey forest, killing its pilot and a photojournalist, their widows allege in a lawsuit that a defective hydraulic system caused the deadly accident.

The widows of pilot Monroe Smith, 67, and photojournalist Christopher Dougherty, 45, have sued Airbus Helicopters and others, alleging the aircraft in which they were flying for 6ABC Philadelphia was defective when it crashed in Wharton State Forest.

Smith had flown for 6ABC through U.S. Helicopters for more than two decades, while Dougherty spent 18 years with the station. The two-man crew was returning from filming a Christmas lights display in Galloway Township, New Jersey, for 6ABCs news program when their helicopter crashed.

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The lawsuit was filed as the National Transportation Safety Board works to complete its report on what caused the helicopter to crash into remote woods on Dec. 19, 2023. A spokesperson for the NTSB confirmed to NJ Advance Media that the investigation remains ongoing.

The lawsuit marks the first public allegation about what caused the crash. It also names Sterling Corporation, which serviced the helicopter, along with several manufacturers of interior components.

Requests for comment to Airbus and Sterling, as well as other companies named in the lawsuit, were not immediately returned.

The 16-count wrongful death lawsuit was filed in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas by attorneys for Elaine Dougherty and Rosalyn Collins, the widows of Christopher Dougherty and Monroe Smith.

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It seeks compensatory and punitive damages. Attorneys for both widows did not immediately return requests for comment.

The helicopter, built in 2013 by Airbus and sold to U.S. Helicopters, known as Chopper 6 for WPVI-TV and regularly flown across the Philadelphia region for the stations news coverage.

The lawsuit claims the helicopters hydraulic system failed during the flight, pointing to earlier transportation investigations from 1997 and 2005 that flagged similar issues with the same model.

The lawsuit alleges the helicopter model has a history of in-flight seizures of bearings in its hydraulic pump drive assembly. It says Sterling repaired the aircraft in 2019 after a bearing failure and later logged hydraulic fluid leaks in February 2021 and January 2022.

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The suit further claims that Airbus, Sterling, and other component makers were negligent for continuing to present the aircraft as safe despite repeated hydraulic issues.

According to preliminary findings from the NTSB, the helicopter began leaving Northeast Philadelphia Airport for Historic Smithville in Galloway Township around 7:23 p.m. It reached the village 20 minutes later, hovering above for about 10 minutes to capture footage.

Afterward, it turned west and began flying toward Philadelphia. The assignment was the helicopters third of the day.

Data shows the aircraft veered left from its course before crashing to the ground, supporting the lawyers claim about a faulty hydraulic system, the lawsuit alleges, stating the aircrafts natural tendency in that case would be to roll left.

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The wreckage was discovered in the forest hours after the helicopter failed to return to the airport. U.S. Helicopters had tried contacting the crew around 10 p.m. about another assignment.

Flight data gathered by investigators showed the helicopter hovered over Smithville around 1,000 feet. It later dipped gradually below 250 feet, flying closer to the ground before crashing. Investigators did not find immediate issues with its engine that would have prevented it from flying.

The case was filed by a legal team that includes the Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky law firm in Philadelphia. A request for comment from the firm was not immediately returned.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dec. 31A federal agency sold a vacant U.S. Army Reserve center to the town of Silver City for $340,000 and is trying to sell two more New Mexico properties in Albuquerque and Santa Fe."The sale of this property is another example of (the General Services Administration)'s commitment to optimizing the federal real estate portfolio by divesting costly, underperforming assets," GSA Acting Administrator Mike Rigas said in a statement.The agency has listed more than 40 properties throughout the country it is trying to sell in an accelerated process, including a General Services Administration motor pool site in Santa Fe at 2500 Cerrillos Road and a warehouse in Albuquerque on 12th Street.The town of Silver City has not made firm plans for how to use the former Phillips Memorial U.S. Army Reserve Center, but the property has a good location and was available for sale when the town had funds to purchase it, according to Randy Hernandez, Silver City's business operations manager."I think that property had been of interest for the town to acquire just because of its location and the size of the property," Hernandez said.The property includes 5 acres of land and two buildings on Pine Street. One of the buildings is 64 years old and appears to be in decent condition, Hernandez said. It will likely need minor upgrades, but is already in usable condition.Initially, the General Services Administration contacted local governments, school districts and nonprofits about using the property to address homelessness in December 2024, Hernandez said. Silver City officials applied to purchase the property and use it for transitional housing earlier this year. In the summer, however, the federal agency offered to sell the property outright regardless of use, and the town took that opportunity."We're exploring all of our options to see what would be the best use," Hernandez said. "So we don't have any definitive plans yet, and now we have a new mayor and some council members joining us in January, so they may want to have some input on that as well."The city had money available for the purchase after construction of a new recreation center came in $500,000 under budget, Hernandez said. The recreation center was paid for with a bond.Cathy Cook covers the federal government for the Albuquerque Journal. Reach her via email at ccook@abqjournal.com.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while chairing the final organisational meeting of 2025 on Wednesday evening, addressed the recent death of Tripura student Anjel Chakma in Dehradun, describing it as a "deeply unfortunate" incident. During the meeting, he said that all necessary strict actions had been taken in the matter, but the opposition and Leftist organisations based in Delhi were spreading unnecessary falsehoods and confusion on this issue as well. He stressed the need to present facts firmly to counter such misinformation so that attempts to create social discord by raising issues like racial discrimination fail. He added that the public has full confidence that the government and the party led by PM Modi will never engage in wrongdoing. Therefore, everyone must move forward with greater speed in the new year to fulfil the unwavering resolve of making Devbhoomi Uttarakhand a leading state. Dhami reviewed the achievements of the past year and called upon party workers to move forward with renewed focus on upcoming goals. The Chief Minister said that the year proved to be historic for both the BJP government and the organisation. Major achievements included becoming the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), freeing 10,000 acres of land from encroachments, providing government jobs to over 27,000 youth, successfully hosting the National Games, celebrating the Silver Jubilee year with public participation, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, securing a sweeping victory in municipal and panchayat elections, guidance from the Prime Minister during the winter pilgrimage, and effective branding of the state through programmes such as Mann Ki Baat. Referring to the challenges faced in 2025, CM Dhami said the state confronted several natural disasters with the cooperation and courage of its people. Floods in Dharali and Rudraprayag's Chhenagadh area, along with natural calamities in Bageshwar, Pauri, Dehradun, and other regions, were successfully addressed with support from the Centre and the Prime Minister's guidance, while maintaining the state's development pace. He added that this is the final year before the Assembly elections, and the party must clearly present before the public the contrast between development and obstruction. The BJP stands for development and public welfare, whereas the opposition focuses on spreading confusion, slowing down development, and demoralising the public. He said the opposition has consistently opposed initiatives such as SI reforms, EVMs, CAA, Operation Sindoor, agricultural reform laws, UCC, strict action against religious conversion, cheating in examinations, and action against illegal encroachments. (ANI)
Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A three-judge panel on Tuesday overturned an injunction that stopped the Trump administration from halting Medicaid funding for abortion provider Planned Parenthood.

The First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston placed a hold on U.S. District Court of Massachusetts Judge Indira Talwani's order blocking a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that eliminated Medicaid funding for providers of tax-exempt abortion services.

Talwani agreed with arguments made by respective attorneys general for 22 states and the District of Columbia that challenged the funding block on Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers that also provide reproductive health and family planning services if they received more than $800,000 in Medicaid funding in 2023.

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California, New York and Connecticut are the lead plaintiffs in the case, and a spokesperson for California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the appellate court's ruling was disappointing but would not stop the state from "ensuring vulnerable Californians can access the healthcare they need," The Guardian reported.

Officials for Planned Parenthood said the measure targeted it and forced the closure of 20 Planned Parenthood centers since the act took effect in July.

Without legal intervention, Planned Parenthood officials said they might close up to 200 centers that are located in states controlled by Democrats and that allow abortion services to be provided.

Talwani on Dec. 2 ruled the plaintiff states were likely to succeed in their case that claims the Republican-led Congress and President Donald Trump targeted Planned Parenthood in the OBBBA with an ambiguous law.

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She said the law does not clearly identify which healthcare organizations are affected and created a retroactive restriction on Planned Parenthood's ability to participate in Medicaid programs intended to help low-income individuals and families.

Talwani ruled that the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services had approved the respective Medicaid plans for the 22 plaintiff states and the District of Columbia and that the law created a restriction that they did not anticipate.

The appellate court's panel disagreed and said Congress has the authority to make such changes and that the law is not ambiguous, which makes it likely the Trump administration would win the case on appeal.

Talwani and the three judges on the appellate court panel that ruled against her order were appointed by presidents who were Democrats.

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The same appellate court earlier overturned a prior ruling by Talwani that favored Planned Parenthood and the same 22 states and the District of Columbia.

That lawsuit was filed in the summer and argued that the new law violated the Constitution by intentionally punishing Planned Parenthood over its political views.

Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest provider of abortion services, which are provided through some 600 facilities that serve more than a million people.
The firefighters noticed an elderly man trapped in his vehicle after heavy rains flooded the road and used a flotation vest to aid in the extraction.

Firefighters rescued two Israelis trapped inside their vehicles due to flooding in the West Bank, Israel's Fire and Rescue Authority said on Thursday afternoon.

The firefighters noticed an elderly man trapped in his vehicle after heavy rains flooded the road and used a flotation vest to aid in the extraction.

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Additionally, a woman was rescued from her vehicle and escorted to safety.

"Upon arriving at the scene, I conducted a situation assessment to assess the strength of the flow and the best way to reach the person being rescued while maintaining his safety and that of the rescue team," incident commander Reshef Amos Cohen said.

"The fire engine managed to reach the elderly man's vehicle. A firefighter climbed down and transferred the elderly man to the fire engine, and from there to a safe place."

Israel fire and Rescue Personnel at Nahal Beersheba, where the lifeless body of a man swept away by flooding was found, December 30, 2025. (credit: FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE)

Rescue services locate lifeless body of man swept away by flooding near Meitar River

A missing man who was swept away in flooding near the Meitar Stream was found dead in the Beersheba Stream on Tuesday, the Fire and Rescue Authority confirmed.

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According to the police, the man was last seen attempting to extricate a vehicle stuck in water when he slipped in and was swept away by the current. Volunteers and rescue units worked alongside relevant agencies to reach him.

After extensive searches and a field assessment, responders said the man likely did not cross the Meitar crossing area. Teams from the Special Rescue Unit conducted wide-area ground sweeps and used additional tools before locating his body.

Yanir Yagna contributed to this report.
Dec. 31MITCHELL  When a child enters the foster care system, it can be an overwhelming experience. There are courtrooms to navigate, lawyers to consult and even changes in foster care families and schools. The emotional ups and downs can be intense.

Jackie Horton, executive director of First Circuit CASA in Mitchell, knows this well. She has heard the story hundreds of times from children who have felt as though they were passed from one guiding adult to another.

"The one thing kids will tell you as they get older is that the volunteers were the one constant. I had an attorney, but I didn't get to see him. I moved time and time and time again, so my foster family? They weren't constant. I had to change schools, so when I made friends, I lost friends. My caseworkers through the state? They changed," Horton told the Mitchell Republic. "The one person who didn't change was my CASA. They were always there."

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Those Court Appointed Special Advocates are a beacon of stability in an often-shifting landscape for children in the foster care system, and the organization is in constant need of them.

Horton said the goal is to have 75 such advocates on hand at any time, but in reality they have generally been short of that number. She estimates that the local nonprofit had 68 volunteers at the ready just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, but it's been a struggle to maintain that figure.

"Even if I could get to 70 next year, that would be ideal," Horton said.

Volunteers provide support for youth in the system by attending court hearings, but the help goes further than that. They help children succeed in school, offering support with homework and attending educational meetings. They provide comfort and reassurance to foster parents, who know they have a compassionate advocate to turn to in difficult moments.

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When biological parents are working toward reunification, CASA volunteers stand beside them, connecting them with essential services and guiding them through the process. Because of CASA, children don't have to traverse the foster care system alone, as they have someone in their corner who listens, fights for them and believes in their future.

It's an important and noble undertaking, and Horton hopes to see more members of the community step up to help lead the way for those children.

Officials with CASA have made the process of applying to be a volunteer as straightforward as possible.

It starts with an online application at the nonprofit's website. That is followed by an interview, after which leadership and the volunteer decide whether the applicant is a good fit for the program. When the green light is given, applicants undergo a background check.

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That is followed by 30 hours of online training, a part of the process that intimidates some applicants. But Horton said it is not as complicated as it first seems. The training is based around national CASA requirements, which includes meeting with the child at least once a month as well as lessons on confidentiality and conflicts of interest.

There are also sections on cultural diversity, an important factor in CASA work.

"(We also teach about) the relationship dealing with diversity, because so many of the kids are Native Americans," Horton said. "We want to make sure that our volunteers understand the Native American culture so they can be sensitive to the children as well as the family."

There is also continuing education, which is held quarterly and features a volunteer roundtable where advocates can consult with each other and share advice. That education also includes tours of facilities at places like St. Joseph's Indian School, Abbott House and McCrossan Boys Ranch, where volunteers can see other support systems in action.

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There are also court hearings to attend and reports to file, which can be another intimidating aspect of the work, but Horton stressed that it comes quickly to motivated applicants. There is also the support system of the entire CASA network back at the office, ready to assist.

"You're never on your own. You pick up the phone, and if your case manager at the CASA program is not available, the rest of the staff all knows how to walk you through that," Horton said.

The training, continuing education and background check are all free of charge to the applicant, and volunteers are paid mileage for travel.

It all goes toward producing a trained volunteer appointed by a judge to be a voice for abused or neglected children in court, focusing on their best interests by gathering information from professionals and family, recommending educational, medical and emotional services and ensuring court orders are followed to help find a safe, permanent home. They act as a consistent, trusted adult, connecting children with needed services and explaining the complex court system to them.

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It can be challenging work, but fulfilling.

"The biggest requirement is you have to see the child one time a month, and a lot of volunteers do more than that. And then we ask that you meet with other individuals involved in their lives. That can be by telephone or email and can include school teachers, counselors, doctors, their parents, their foster parents," Horton said. "I would say it is probably one of the hardest volunteer roles that you'll encounter, but at the end of the day, it's one of the most meaningful."

Horton said advocates must be at least 21 years of age, but volunteers range in age up into their 50s and beyond. She said many of the volunteers are retired school teachers as well as clergy  people who are experienced in working with young people and have a gentle approach. Skills such as writing can be helpful in filing those reports.

But the most important factor is a love of children and wanting to see them do well.

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"Anybody that loves kids, we can train," Horton said. "The majority of our volunteers are older and retired, but there are a few that are young."

Volunteers can hail from anywhere inside CASA's nine-county service area  Aurora, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Davison, Douglas, Hanson, Hutchinson and McCook counties. Some volunteers even work with the program from outside that territory, with Horton again stressing that the organization "never says no" to people willing to help.

Those that take part can become such an important part of a child's life that the relationship continues even after those kids leave the foster care system.

"When I started, when your case closed, your relationship with that child was over. There was no more communication. I didn't think that was fair to the volunteers or the children," Horton said. "Now when their cases close  it's up to the child and the volunteer, but it doesn't end."

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One gentleman with the program had not had any contact with his assigned child for over eight years after the child had moved to Virginia. He recently reunited with the youth for their graduation.

Another volunteer took a flight for a surprise meet up with her formerly assigned youth at a restaurant.

"They didn't know she was coming, but the adoptive mom and dad did. And they walked in and saw her, and the hugs? It was just...," Horton said, briefly trailing off. "That's what being a volunteer is all about."

Horton said First Circuit CASA is ready to welcome any new volunteers who want to help her reach that goal of having 75 volunteers on hand. They are ready to help anyone interested in climbing aboard to help children in the midst of difficult life circumstances.

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They'll pay for the training. They'll pay for the background check. They'll support you as you learn the ropes. And the reward of seeing the children you support successfully navigate the rough waters of their life is something that will stay with you forever.

Horton noted that there was new training beginning Jan. 22, with a registration deadline of Jan. 15. She encouraged anyone interested to contact them and see what it's all about.

"At the end of the day, when those kids get to go home or they're adopted, it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life," Horton said.

More information on volunteering with CASA can be found at the organization's website at www.mitchellcasa.org or by calling 605-996-1212.
The Flagler County Sheriffs Office made two arrests and recovered a missing juvenile during a traffic stop in western Flagler County on Dec. 31.

Deputies conducted a stop on a white Ford F150 on U.S. Highway 1 after receiving a report about suspicious activity. During the stop, they identified the driver as Darnell Hairston, 60, of Hastings and two juvenile passengers, one of whom was found to be a missing juvenile reported in St. Johns County.

While interviewing the occupants of the vehicle, deputies placed the missing juvenile in a patrol vehicle for safety. As the investigation progressed, Hairston fled on foot and attempted to grab a deputys firearm during a struggle. He was subsequently arrested for resisting an officer with violence and attempting to deprive a law enforcement officer of their firearm.

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Hairston is also a registered sexual offender who had previously been incarcerated for a 12-year sentence for false imprisonment, among other charges.

During the incident, another juvenile passenger, Junior Bishop, 15, of Hastings, entered the truck and fled, nearly colliding with a deputy. Deputies pursued Bishop as he drove southbound along U.S. one and then westbound on State Road 100, leading into a dangerous oncoming traffic scenario before the vehicle crashed into the sheriffs patrol vehicle, causing both vehicles to crash into the wood line and roll over.

Bishop was arrested for multiple charges, including aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, driving without a license, and resisting arrest without violence. The pursuit resulted in minor injuries for two deputies, who were treated and released at AdventHealth Palm Coast. Bishop sustained no injuries despite the incident.

Both Hairston and Bishop were transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. Hairston is being held without bond pending his first appearance, while Bishop will be processed and turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice after booking.

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The legal battles facing Tim Mynett have reignited questions regarding the alignment of his business ventures with the strict Islamic values Congresswoman Omar champions.

A fresh wave of legal challenges facing Tim Mynett, the husband of US RepresentativeIlhan Omar (D-MN), has brought renewed scrutiny to the couple. This attention focuses not only on business ethics but also on the apparent contradictions between Mynetts commercial interests and the religious identity central to Omars public persona.

Mynett, a political consultant turned venture capitalist, is currently the subject of a lawsuit alleging fraud and breach of contract in connection with "eStCru," a California-based wine business in which he is a partner.

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The lawsuit, filed in Washington, DC, claims that Mynett and his business partner, Will Hailer, defrauded investor Naeem Mohd. According to court documents, Mohd alleges he was persuaded to invest $300,000 based on a guarantee of a 200% return within 18 months, but the plaintiff's promises were never fulfilled.

Although the principal investment was reportedly repaid after a delay, the lawsuit alleges that the promised profits were never paid. It accuses the partners of misrepresenting the companys financial health. Mynett has denied the allegations, characterizing the matter as a contract dispute.

US REPRESENTATIVE Ilhan Omar (R) and her spouse Tim Mynett attend the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024. (credit: Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)

The wine business and Islamic law

Beyond the financial dispute, the wine business's existence has raised eyebrows among observers of Omars career.

A spokesperson for the congresswoman stated that Omar and Mynett married "Islamically and legally" in 2020. Traditional Sunni Islam, to which Omar belongs, religiously forbids a Muslim woman from marrying a non-Muslim man. The statement implied that Mynett had either converted to Islam or that the couple had undertaken a religious ceremony satisfying Sharia requirements.

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However, the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol are strictly prohibited by Islamic law (haram). Mynetts active role at a winery and the specific pursuit of profit from alcohol sales present a theological conflict with the faith Omar frequently cites as a guiding moral compass in her legislative work.

The congresswoman has not publicly addressed this discrepancy. Her office has maintained a strict separation between her legislative duties and her husbands private ventures, stating she has no involvement in his business dealings.

This is not the first time Mynetts finances have intersected with Omars political life. During her 2020 re-election campaign, Mynetts consulting firm, the E Street Group, received nearly $3 million from Omars campaign funds. While the Federal Election Commission (FEC) found no legal wrongdoing, the arrangement drew sharp bipartisan criticism and accusations of ethical impropriety.

Mynett is also facing legal pressure on other fronts. His venture capital firm, eSt Ventures, was recently sued by South Dakota cannabis companies for failing to fulfill fundraising commitments. Reports indicate the firm admitted to owing investors over $1 million.

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For Omar, a leading figure in the progressive "Squad" known for moral absolutism on issues of justice, the silence regarding her husbands involvement in the alcohol industry and the allegations of defrauding investors stands out as a notable divergence from her usual vocal stance on accountability.

Reuters contributed to this report.
People in Germany are increasingly worried about their jobs, according to a survey.

In 2025, 16% of German citizens considered their job to be "very insecure" or "rather insecure," according to a study by the consultancy firm EY, cited by Die Welt newspaper.

This is the highest level since 2009, when, under the impact of the global financial crisis, 22% viewed their job as generally insecure.

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Compared to the previous year, the proportion of those who are worried has increased by three percentage points. Compared to 2023, it is five percentage points.

Over 1,000 people were surveyed in November for the study, which was made available to dpa on Thursday.

Nevertheless, 84% of respondents considered their own job to be secure despite the ongoing economic downturn, with 45% even considering it very secure.

"We do see a gradual decline in job security, but we are far from a general sense of doom," said Henrik Ahlers, chairman of the management board of EY. "The chances are not bad that confidence will return once the economy picks up again."

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He added that the majority of people are not letting themselves be driven to panic.

Greatest concerns among the young and low earners]

There are also significant differences when it comes to job anxiety. The Baby Boomer generation has the greatest confidence: Only 10% of those over 55 fear for their job; while in the 36-45 age group, however, an above-average 17% are worried, and among those under 35, it is 21%, meaning more than one in five.

Income also plays a significant role. Among low earners with an annual income of less than 25,000 ($29,360), 36% worry about their job. For those with a salary of over 70,000, the figure is only 8%.

"Great scepticism among the population"

Job concerns are accompanied by subdued expectations regarding personal financial situations. Only 17% expect to have more money available in the new year. Conversely, 26% fear that their financial situation will worsen.

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"We still see great scepticism among the population, both regarding their own financial situation and concerning the economy," said EY chief Ahlers. Many people remain very cautious and are holding back on major purchases, he said.

According to the Social Association of Germany, people's greatest concerns are affordable housing, a stocked fridge at the end of the month, a warm home and a job that allows one to live free from poverty.

Despite all the justified need for reform in areas such as pensions, health and care, it is also the task of politicians to send clear signals of security and confidence, said Chairwoman Michaela Engelmeier.

"We therefore appeal to the federal government to involve citizens more in the new year and not to frighten them every day with new ideas and half-baked demands," Engelmeier said.
Enhanced tax credits to help lower-income Americans afford health insurance have expired as the new year begins.

On Thursday, the subsidies expired, making the cost of health care an immediate concern for those currently enrolled in federal health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

The subsidies, originally created through the ACA, landmark healthcare legislation prioritized by former President Barack Obama, became a flashpoint in the most recent term of U.S. Congress.

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Despite efforts to save the subsidies, or extend them until a more long-term solution was found, the ACA credits that helped reduce health insurance costs for enrollees expired.

In the lead up to the credits expiration, Democrats in both chambers of U.S. Congress forced the longest government shutdown in United States history.

More moderate members of the Republican Party, as well Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate had pushed for a solution but those efforts failed.

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The Associated Press reported that some enrollees in the ACA plans were able to get benefits with no premiums due to their lower-income status, while some higher earners paid up to 8.5% of their income.

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An analysis on premium costs from healthcare nonprofit KFF showed that enrollees with the subsidies would see costs rise by 114% this year.

A separate analysis from the Urban Institute and commonwealth Fund from September predicted nearly five million people would lose or drop their health insurance due to the premium credits expiring.

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Channel 2s Richard Elliot previously reported that in Georgia, almost 200,000 people chose not to reenroll in the states version of the ACA healthcare exchange and the number of new enrollees dropped by more than 100,000.

A large drop like that, right now, is, I think, really concerning. Its a bellwether for whats coming, Whitney Griggs, Health Policy Director for Georgians for a Healthy Future, told Channel 2 Action News in December. Georgias premiums have increased almost 200%. The numbers that we hear from folks are staggering.

Both of the states U.S. senators, Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock, as well as soon-to-leave Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene had pushed for the subsidies to either be extended or made permanent.

A vote in the U.S. House is expected this month but the chance for the effort to successfully preserve the tax credits is uncertain.

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Without a legislative action to resume the credits or extend the ones that expired, premium costs for American health insurance plans are set to increase.

That means Americans who do not have Medicaid, Medicare or insurance through their workplace may become unable to afford maintaining health coverage.

In a Dec. 11 speech in the U.S. Senate, Ossoff urged his colleagues in both chambers of Congress to extend the tax credits while members of both parties worked to find a compromise for the healthcare subsidies.

The whole conversation about these Affordable Care Act tax credits in this town and this building has been focused on the politics of this issue. This is life or death. People will die, Ossoff warned.

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Similarly, Warnock went after his Republican colleagues in the Senate for blocking what he called efforts to stop premiums from doubling for millions of Americans.

First, you kick 15 million Americans off of their health care in order to give billionaires a tax cut. And then, after doing that, you double the premiums on some 22 million additional Americans. For some people, you triple the premiums, quadruple the premiums. Who are you working for? Warnock said in December.

Greene also urged her colleagues in Congress to save the subsidies, warning about cost increases in October and expressing concern that the premium hikes would hit close to home.

While mentioning her problems with the ACA and its impacts to affordability for her families, Greene said previously that when the tax credits expire this year my own adult childrens insurance premiums for 2026 are going to double, along with all the wonderful families and hard-working people in my district.

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With Greene set to leave Congress on Jan. 5, having chosen to resign and not seek reelection, the Rome Republican said she was she would not toe the party line on the topic, but said she also wouldnt vote to let migrants get taxpayer funded health benefits.

A nonprofit owner told Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes that her monthly premium for her family was set to more than double as well.

I have a family budget that I work from - I dont have an endless amount of money, Kelli Stewart said previously. This is not about politics. This is about peoples everyday life. This is about life and death.

Stewart told Fernandes her premiums, for health coverage for her family of four, would rise from $1,500 per month to $3,100.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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In his final hours on the job, outgoing New Jersey State Police Col. Patrick Callahan reflected on a 31-year law enforcement career that spanned two gubernatorial administrations.

This career has been defined by difficult moments, unforgettable experiencesbut above all, by a commitment to protect, serve, and stand for what is right, Callahan said in a statement Wednesday.

Wearing the badge was never just a job; it was a responsibility I carried with honor, alongside dedicated men and women who answered the call every day in service to this state, he said.

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Callahan steps down as New Jerseys state police leader while Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill prepares to nominate his successor. Earlier this month, Callahan announced his retirement following Sherrills decision not to reappoint him when she becomes New Jerseys 57th governor in January.

Sherrill has not yet named Callahans successor.

In a farewell statement, Callahan said he expects new leadership to meet the jobs demands.

To the residents of New Jersey: thank you for the trust you placed in me and in all who serve, Callahan said. It has been the honor of a lifetime to work on your behalf, to support our communities, and to help keep our roads, neighborhoods, and families safe.

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After Callahan announced his retirement, outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy said he considered the colonel an indispensable member of his cabinet, praising his efforts to promptly address Superstorm Sandy recovery and demands brought by the pandemic.

Callahans journey with the state police began in 1995. He was promoted to superintendent in 2017 during former Gov. Chris Christies administration. He served as acting superintendent and was given the title permanently in 2021.

Callahan replaced Rick Fuentes, who was appointed by former Gov. Jim McGreevy and served 14 years.

Callahans father, Major Mick Callahan, also worked for the state police.

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Col. Callahan dedicated his life to public service with over 30 years in law enforcement, Sherrill said in a statement posted on X earlier this month.The son of a State Police Major, his dedication to public service is commendable and I wish him and his family well as they embark upon their next chapter.

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Hospitals across the Philadelphia region welcomed new bundles of joy as the new year began.

For Kim and Jason Sarnoff of Media, Delaware County, the start of 2026 brought more than fireworks and resolutions - it brought a baby.

Their son, Elliott Jude Sarnoff, was born at 12:22 a.m. on New Year's Day at Lankenau Medical Center, weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces.

"We saw the fireworks right after he was delivered," Kim Sarnoff said, recalling the moment her son arrived as celebrations lit up the sky.

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Family members traveled from overseas to welcome the newest Sarnoff.

"My brothers come from the UK, we've come from Ireland," said Kim's sister, Jaimee Lee Hunter. "We've all been flying up and down. We're very excited."

Though only hours old, Elliott already has big plans. His mother says international travel is in his future once the paperwork is complete.

"He's definitely going to be a world traveler," Kim Sarnoff said. "We're going to get his passport as soon as we get his birth certificate."

The Sarnoffs were not alone in starting the year with bottles and blankets.

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Across the Delaware Valley, hospitals welcomed several New Year's babies.

At Temple Women and Families Hospital, Ezekiel Hall was born at 12:10 a.m. to mother Natalie Rivera.

At Penn Medicine Doylestown Hospital, Henry Schamp arrived exactly at midnight, marking the first baby of 2026 for parents Sarah and Ryan Schamp.

Healthcare workers say moments like these make holiday shifts worthwhile.

"It's neat to see babies born first of the year," said Ally Torregrossa, a registered nurse at Lankenau Medical Center. "And even though I have to work on the holiday, it is nice to say 'Happy New Year.'"

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As for the Sarnoffs, Elliott's arrival has already made 2026 unforgettable.

"We had such a smooth delivery," Kim Sarnoff said. "They said we're welcome back anytime."

For this family, the new year didn't just begin - it was born.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents reportedly swarmed the Central Coast over the weekend, with a local advocacy group saying agents plucked people from their neighborhoods, workplaces and shopping centers without warning.

Immigration agents took at least 92 people into custody from Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, according to data collected by 805 UndocuFund, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting undocumented immigrants and their families. The elevated ICE activity appeared to continue later into the week as well.

This one is a direct attack on our communities, 805 UndocuFund communications and media organizer Claudia Gonzalez said, noting that ICE picked most people up in areas where immigrants live and work.

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805 UndocuFund collected this data from rapid responders who witness the arrests and community members who call and report the arrests of their friends and family members, she said. The group then checks the numbers to ensure there arent duplicates of the same incident in the dataset.

On Saturday, ICE agents took 34 people into custody from Santa Maria and two people into custody from San Luis Obispo, according to the data provided to The Tribune.

Then, on Sunday, ICE took 13 people from Lompoc, two people from Santa Barbara and eight people from Santa Maria  including four people who were working at a gas station, according to the data.

On Monday, ICE agents took 24 people from Santa Maria, five people from San Luis Obispo, one person from Nipomo and three people from Paso Robles, according to the data.

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Since President Donald Trump was inaugurated on Jan. 20, Gonzalez said ICE agents have taken at least 94 community members into custody from San Luis Obispo County and 537 community members from Santa Barbara County  with a large number of those incidents happening during the past few days, Gonzalez said.

805 UndocuFund community organizer Cesar Vasquez said hes never seen ICE take so many people during a two-day period.

Its been hell, he said.

ICE did not respond to The Tribunes request for comment about the apparent uptick in Central Coast activity as of Tuesday.

Elevated ICE activity continues into week

On Monday, 805 UndocuFund rapid responders were running around Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties monitoring ICE agents and offering help to families who had been separated, Vasquez said.

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In addition to Santa Maria ICE agents, agents from Camarillo and Los Angeles appeared to join the swarm, too  which Vasquez hasnt seen before, he said.

805 UndocuFund identifies ICE agents based on their vehicles and license plates.

The activity began early in Santa Maria on Monday, with ICE picking up a man on the way to his car at 4 a.m. on Bunny Avenue, Vasquez said. Then, at 4:45 a.m., ICE detained a man and a woman when he stopped on Bunny Avenue to drive her to work, he said.

At 5:24 a.m., ICE took a man from the parking lot of his apartment building on Western Avenue.

Then, ICE detained a man on Morrison Avenue as he dropped his children off with a babysitter at 5:26 a.m., Vasquez said.

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ICE continued to circle the area, taking people into custody on Alvin and Bunny avenues and other nearby streets.

The agents then descended on San Luis Obispo County, taking a father from outside his apartment on Bullock Lane and Orcutt Road, Vasquez said. Then, 30 minutes later, ICE agents picked up two men from the same area, and another man on the way to his car 20 minutes after that, he said.

At 11:13 a.m., ICE agents took a man into custody from the lobby of the San Luis Obispo County Jail when he was released. The Tribune was at the scene at the time he was detained.

ICE agents arrested a man in the San Luis Obispo County Jail lobby on Dec. 29, 2025, apparently as part of a massive, days-long immigration enforcement operation. (Stephanie Zappelli/szappelli@thetribunenews.com)

The agents immediately placed him in handcuffs and escorted him to a vehicle in the parking lot. ICE agents did not appear to present a warrant to the man, and the agents refused to answer questions on the scene.

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Meanwhile, in Paso Robles, ICE took a man at 11:43 a.m. while he was getting groceries, Vasquez said. Agents continued to pick up other people in Santa Maria and across San Luis Obispo County on Monday afternoon, he said.

Tuesday morning was a similar story  with ICE agents driving around Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties to pick people up off the street, Vasquez and Gonzalez both told The Tribune.

The elevated activity has had a large impact on community members through the holiday weekend and into this week.

People avoided leaving their homes, even to go to work, to the doctor or to take their children to school, Gonzalez said.

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Theyre definitely scared, she said. Even documented community members are scared to go outside, because what weve seen is obvious racial profiling. Theyre hitting Santa Maria, and this is where our working community lives.

These deportations have also impacted children from mixed-status families.

When a family is separated, sometimes they lose their main breadwinner, Gonzalez said. Children are left without parents.

Gonzalez said people can call 805 UndocuFund at 805-870-8855 if they see ICE or if they need assistance because a friend or family member was taken. People can donate to 805 UndocuFunds mutual aid fund for impacted families at www.pledge.to/mutual-aid-fund.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said that any decision on the state's Chief Ministership rests solely with the Congress high command, even as speculation and internal party dynamics continue to fuel debate over a possible leadership change. Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Parameshwara clarified that he has neither formed any group nor issued instructions to supporters demanding that he be made the next Chief Minister. "There is no 'my team'. Some people, friends or well-wishers, may express their views on their own. Even when I visit districts, some people say such things. It is their interest, but ultimately, the high command will make a decision," he said. The Home Minister's remarks come amid an alleged ongoing power tussle within the Karnataka Congress, with the Chief Ministership emerging as a contentious issue after the government reached its halfway mark. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and Home Minister G Parameshwara are seen as key figures in the unfolding political churn. Earlier, Parameshwara extended New Year 2026 greetings to the people of Karnataka on behalf of himself and the state police department. "I pray to the Almighty to grant everyone a successful life, particularly the younger generation. As Home Minister, I will strive to ensure that Karnataka remains peaceful, maintains law and order, and serves as an example for other states," he said. Reviewing security arrangements for New Year celebrations, particularly in Bengaluru, the Home Minister said the task was challenging but well-planned. "We deployed nearly 20,000 police personnel. I personally sat in the command centre, monitored the situation and issued instructions wherever large gatherings were reported. I am very happy that the celebrations were peaceful and people welcomed the New Year safely," he said. On administrative matters, Parameshwara said the state government had cleared long-pending promotions in the police department. "We have completed more than 30 promotions, including officers moving from SP to DIG and from DIG to IG ranks," he noted. The Home Minister also welcomed the Centre's decision to allocate Rs 352 crores for police modernisation, calling it a significant development. "We have been requesting the Government of India for modernisation funds for a long time, and for the first time, we have received around Rs 350 crore," he said. Senior police officials met Parameshwara at his residence in Bengaluru earlier in the day to review law and order and security preparedness. (ANI)
The number of unauthorized entries into Germany has halved over the past two years, according to figures released by the border police on Thursday.

The police recorded 62,526 illegal entries across Germanys land, air and sea borders in 2025.

That compares with 83,572 in 2024 and 127,549 in 2023, when monthly figures at times exceeded 20,000. This December, the number fell to just under 4,600.

Since mid-September 2024, police controls have been reinstated at all German land borders in a bid to curb illegal crossings by migrants.

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Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt intensified the controls in May, after Chancellor Friedrich Merz came to power at the head of a conservative-led coalition.

Since then, border police have also been instructed to turn back asylum seekers, with exceptions for vulnerable groups such as the sick or pregnant women.

Border controls are generally not permitted within the Schengen free-travel area, which includes most EU states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, but exceptions can be made for security threats or other public crises.
Israeli forces have begun demolishing dozens of buildings housing Palestinian families in the northern occupied West Bank, forcing mass displacement as winter sets in, and leaving communities scrambling for shelter.

Israeli military bulldozers and cranes tore through residential blocks in the Nur Shams refugee camp on Wednesday, flattening homes that housed about 100 families. Thick clouds of dust rose over the camp as residents watched from a distance, according to an AFP news agency journalist at the scene.

Being torn away from our homes, our neighbourhoods and our memories is deeply painful, said Mutaz Mahr, whose building was among those destroyed.

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The occupation tries by every means to wear us down and pressure us, he told AFP, referring to Israel.

Our home is dear to us, the memories are dear to us, the family, the neighbours, and the good people are dear to us, he said as bulldozers advanced. The first time, our grandparents were displaced, and this is the second time.

Mahr said he and about 25 relatives were sheltering in a 100-square-metre (120-square-yard) apartment after being driven out of the camp.

The Israeli military claimed the demolitions formed part of an operation against Palestinian resistance groups, a claim that could not be independently verified. Palestinian residents and rights groups say the destruction amounts to collective punishment and forced displacement under occupation.

Residents of the Nur Shams Palestinian refugee camp watch their homes being demolished on New Years Eve by an Israeli military excavator in the Nur Shams camp, on December 31, 2025 [Zain Jaafar/AFP]

Nihaya al-Jendi, a member of Nur Shamss popular committee, said the scale of displacement had already reached crisis levels before the latest raid.

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Today, more than 1,500 families from the camp are still unable to return, Jendi told AFP. This is a major catastrophe  a real humanitarian disaster for Palestinian refugees  unfolding before the eyes of the world.

Israel launched what it calls a security operation earlier this year targeting refugee camps in the northern West Bank, including Nur Shams, Tulkarem and Jenin.

At least 850 homes have been demolished or severely damaged across the three camps, according to Human Rights Watch, which analysed satellite imagery. The group said the destruction appears designed to carve out clear buffer zones and permanently reshape the camps urban fabric, tightening Israeli control.

More settlements approved

As refugee homes are reduced to rubble, Israel is pushing ahead with illegal settlement expansion. On Wednesday, Israeli authorities approved plans for 126 settler housing units in the Sa-Nur outpost in the northern West Bank, according to Israeli media.

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Channel 7 reported that the High Planning Council, operating under Israels Civil Administration, greenlit a detailed plan that would allow illegal settlers to return to Sa-Nur, which was evacuated in 2005.

The outpost was dismantled under then Prime Minister Ariel Sharons unilateral disengagement plan, which removed settlements from Gaza and four northern West Bank sites. That policy was reversed in March 2024 when Israels parliament repealed the disengagement law through legislation known as the Cancellation of the Disengagement Law.

Channel 7 said the new plan could take effect within two months.





Israeli moves against the UN

The demolitions and settlement approvals come as Israel escalates pressure on the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned an Israeli move to cut electricity or water to facilities owned by UNRWA, his spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The measure would further impede the agencys ability to function, the spokesperson added. The Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations remains applicable to UNRWA, its property and assets, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, stressing that UNRWA is an integral part of the UN system.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini denounced the decision as part of a systematic campaign to discredit UNRWA and thereby obstruct its work supporting Palestinian refugees.

In 2024, Israels parliament passed a law banning the agency from operating in the country and barring officials from contact with it. UNRWA continues to operate in occupied East Jerusalem, which the UN recognises as occupied territory despite Israels annexation claims.

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The agency provides education, healthcare and humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinians across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. As Israels genocidal war on Gaza grinds on, critics say the parallel assault on UNRWA and West Bank communities signals a broader effort to dismantle the refugee question altogether.




Israel faces mounting global condemnation as a ban on dozens of international aid organisations working to provide life-saving assistance to Palestinians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip has come into effect.

On Thursday, a group of 17 human rights and advocacy organisations in Israel condemned the prohibition, saying it undermines principled humanitarian action, endangers staff and communities, and compromises effective aid delivery.

Israel, as the occupying power, has an obligation to ensure adequate supplies to Palestinian civilians. Not only is it failing to fulfil that obligation, but it is also preventing others from filling the gap, the groups said.

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Israel has revoked the operating licences of 37 aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, for failing to comply with new government regulations.

The new rules require international NGOs working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to provide detailed information on staff members, as well as their funding and operations.

Israel has defended the move by accusing international organisations that work in Gaza of having links to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad  without providing any evidence.





But experts say the requirements contravene humanitarian principles and follow a longstanding Israeli government campaign to vilify and ultimately impede the work of aid groups providing assistance to Palestinians.

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The new registration framework violates core humanitarian principles of independence and neutrality, the Israel-based rights groups, including BTselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, said in Thursdays statement.

Conditioning aid on political alignment, penalizing support for legal accountability, and requiring the disclosure of sensitive personal data of Palestinian staff and their families all constitute a breach of duty of care and expose workers to surveillance and harm.

Pattern of unlawful restrictions

The ban comes as Israel has waged a genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, imposing restrictions on food, medicine and other humanitarian aid deliveries to the coastal territory.

Israeli violence has also soared in the occupied West Bank, with the military forcing tens of thousands of Palestinians out of their homes in what Human Rights Watch has described as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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Against that backdrop, United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk said earlier this week that Israels NGO ban is the latest in a pattern of unlawful restrictions on humanitarian access in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Doctors Without Borders said in a social media post that, as of Wednesday, it was still waiting on the renewal of its registration to operate in Gaza and the West Bank under the new Israeli rules.

The Palestinian health system is decimated, essential infrastructure is destroyed, and people struggle to meet basic needs. People need more services, not less, MSF said.

If MSF and other INGOs lose access, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians would be cut off from essential care.

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Former UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths, who sits on the board of the Norwegian Refugee Council, told Al Jazeera he was not optimistic about what will happen next.

The reality is these agencies are essential to aid delivery  [and] aid delivery in particular in the Gaza Strip, Griffiths said. They are the last mile, the phrase used in humanitarian operations to those who actually deliver the aid to the people involved.




Despite protests, Israel has revoked the licences of dozens of international aid organizations.

The Israeli authorities have demanded registration for work from Thursday, January 1, which many organizations reject as unlawful.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they must cease their activities by March. This also affects operations in the Gaza Strip, largely destroyed by the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist militia Hamas.

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A total of 37 organizations are affected, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and Oxfam.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk described Israel's actions as "outrageous."

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the registration is intended "to prevent the involvement of terrorist elements and to protect the integrity of humanitarian work."

Israel's ambassador to Belgium, Idit Rosenzweig-Abu, justified the actions in a post on the platform X.

She wrote that 104 organizations had duly applied for registration, of which only nine were rejected. The 37 affected organizations had not completed the process because they refused to provide a list of their local staff, she said.

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Israel accuses MSF of having at least one employee involved in terrorist activities.

"The 37 organizations are more than welcome to complete the process as other organizations did," wrote Rosenzweig-Abu.

The affected organizations had not brought aid supplies into the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire, and even before that, their contribution amounted to only 1% of the total aid volume, she posted.
Initial investigation into the incident indicated that the 22-year-old woman mistakenly ended up in Jericho while intending to travel to a different destination.

A 22-year-old Israeli woman was rescued from Jericho in Area A of the West Bank by Israeli forces, Maariv reported late Wednesday night.

The Israeli Civil Administration received reports of the woman wandering around the city of Jericho, which is under the control of the Palestinian Authority, and sent officers from the Jericho Coordination and Liaison Directorate to retrieve her.

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The woman was then handed over to the IDF to be transported out of Area A, and the case was handed over to the Israel Police for investigation.

Maariv reported that an initial investigation into the incident indicated that the woman mistakenly ended up in Jericho while intending to travel to a different destination.

Security forces additionally issued a reminder that entering Area A is prohibited by law and potentially life-threateningly dangerous.

IDF soldiers operate in Jericho, West Bank, February 27, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Multiple Israelis recently rescued from Area A

Over the past weeks, multiple Israelis have been rescued from Area A after unintentionally and in some incidents, intentionally, entering the PA-controlled area.

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On Sunday, three Jewish Israelis similarly entered Jericho after making a navigational mistake before being rescued.

Two additional Israelis entered Area A on Sunday while under the influence of alcohol.

The two were spotted entering a garage in Tulkarm, which was reported to the Civil Administration. They were subsequently turned over to the IDF for transport out of the West Bank, before the incident was handed over to the Israel Police for further investigation.

At least six additional incidents of Israelis entering Area A also occurred in December 2025.

James Genn and Amir Bohbot contributed to this report.
(This Dec 31 story has been repeated without any changes to the text.)

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Jack Smith, the former Justice Department special counsel who brought two now-dropped criminal cases against U.S. President Donald Trump, said that the Republican had acknowledged to others that he lost the 2020 election against former President Joe Biden, according to a transcript of a testimony by Smith.

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The U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee on Wednesday released 255 pages of transcript from Smith's testimony in mid-December, when he defended his investigation before the Republican-controlled panel.

His private testimony came following months of disclosures from Trump appointees at the Justice Department and Republican lawmakers intended to discredit Smith's probe and bolster Trump's claims that the cases were an abuse of the legal system.

Publicly, Trump falsely claimed that he won the 2020 election. His supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the Congress from certifying the results of the election. After taking office for a second time in January 2025, Trump pardoned the rioters.

In the testimony, Smith was asked if Trump ever acknowledged "that he knew that he had actually lost the election" to Biden, according to the transcript.

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"Yes," Smith replied. "So this paragraph references different statements that he made in the presence of other people. One is that, 'It doesn't matter if you won or lost the election. You still fight like hell.' And then the other was, 'Can you believe I lost to this f'ing guy?' referring to Joe Biden."

The transcript showed Smith to be saying that he saw "these admissions as corroborative of the larger case."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside of work hours on Smith's testimony.

Smith and his team secured indictments in 2023, accusing Trump of illegally retaining classified documents following his first term in office and plotting to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election. Smith dropped both cases after Trump won the 2024 election, citing a Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president.

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Smith has said his prosecutors followed Justice Department policy and were not influenced by politics. Trump and his allies have alleged political motivation.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Don Durfee and Neil Fullick)
It's the start of a new month and a new year! January 2026 marks new beginnings.

But what does the first month of the year have in store for us? There will not only be two federal holidays but also religious holidays and some celestial stargazing events.

While it won't be as busy as December, there is still plenty to look forward to in January.

So break out the 2026 calendars, because here's what you should make note of for the month of January.

Ready for 2026? Big holidays, celebrations fall on Fridays, Saturdays.

Are there any federal holidays in January?

Yes, there are two federal holidays, and they will occur on the following day, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management:

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New Years Day - Thursday, Jan. 1

Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.- Monday, Jan. 19

After January, the next federal holiday, President's Day/Washington's Birthday, will take place on Monday, Feb. 16

Several federal and religious holidays will take place throughout January.

Religious holidays taking place in January

The following religious holidays and holy days will take place throughout the month, according to Diversity Resources:

Mahayana New Year - Saturday, Jan. 3

Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab - Monday, Jan. 5

Epiphany (also called Three Kings Day or Dia de los Reyes)- Tuesday, Jan. 6

Christmas (celebrated by Coptic Orthodox Christians)- Wednesday, Jan. 7

Pongal- Wednesday, Jan. 14

Celestial events occurring throughout January

Multiple celestial events will also happen throughout January, including a super moon, according to NASA.

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Here's what to look up for:

Full moon/super moon : Saturday, Jan. 3

Quadrantid meteor shower peaks : Saturday, Jan. 3

Moon Occults Mars : On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the moon will look like it passes in front og Mars

Venus and Saturn will be in conjunction: From Saturday, Jan 17 to Sunday, Jan. 18, the two planets will look like they are right next to each other, though they will be visible throughout the month.

Throughout January, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars will be visible with the naked eye within the first few hours after it gets dark, according to NASA.

Venus and Saturn can be spotted in the southwest part of the sky, while Jupiter will be overhead, and Mars will be in the east. Apps like SkyView or SkySafari Pro can help backyard astronomers spot the planets.

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Uranus and Neptune will also be visible in the night sky, but folks will need a telescope to see the planets.

January 2026 National Days

There are also several notable National Days in January. They include:

National Hangover Day: Thursday, Jan. 1

National Trivia Day: Sunday, Jan. 4

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day: Friday, Jan. 9

National Popcorn Day: Monday, Jan. 19

National Pie Day: Friday, Jan. 23

Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: January 2026 calendar includes federal holidays and more. See list.
A Midwest supply chain and logistics company is expanding to Charlotte after signing a lease for an Uptown office.

ALSO READ: Neighborhood bar and restaurant to debut in prime Dilworth space

Shamrock Trading Corp., based in Overland Park, Kansas, recently signed a five-year lease for 22,139 square feet on the 21st floor of 200 South College, Matt Huderski, vice president of real estate and procurement at Shamrock, told the Charlotte Business Journal.

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The company is working now with Charlotte-based Redline Design Group on minor refreshes to the space and plans to take occupancy on Feb.1, Huderski said.

Read more at Charlotte Business Journals website here.

VIDEO: Company chooses Charlotte for its HQ, creating 540 jobs
At the start of the new year, Kentucky's Catholic leaders are calling for more support and less stigmatization of immigrants across the Commonwealth amid what they called unjust government action alongside harmful rhetoric.

The Archdiocese of Louisville issued a statement Jan. 1, signed by Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre and other Kentucky bishops, expressing their increasing concern over the treatment of immigrants.

While countries have a responsibility to control their border, the statement reads, laws "must be enforced in a just and predictable manner that respects the God-given dignity of each human person."

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Their concerns, the statement continues, are rooted in "reports of immigrants with legal status having that status arbitrarily revoked; increasing incidents of political leaders vilifying immigrants; the elimination of sanctuary protections for churches, hospitals, and schools; and proposals at the state level targeting the ability of immigrants to live and pursue their dreams in Kentucky..."

These combined realities, according to the leaders, have created a "climate of hostility, anxiety and fear," and they oppose efforts to "stigmatize immigrants as a group or to spread fear based on national or ethnic origin."

More immigration news: 'Seeing Forward:' How one man has helped thousands of African immigrants in Louisville

"We stand with all of our immigrant brothers and sisters who have been victimized by unjust government action or by harmful rhetoric and vilification," the statement continues. "We call on all of our political leaders to work to reform our broken immigration system in a way that allows for the peaceful and orderly migration of people who are searching for peace, stability, religious freedom, and economic opportunity, as well as one that respects family unification and a realistic possibility of potentially obtaining citizenship."

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The statement comes as President Donald Trump's administration prepares for more aggressive immigration enforcement in 2026, thanks to a massive surge in new funding. ICE and Border Patrol will get $170 billion in additional funds through September 2029. The agencies' existing annual budgets are about $19 billion.

With the increase in funding, officials have said they plan to hire thousands more agents and open new detention centers while picking up more immigrants in local jails for deportation and partnering with outside groups to track down more people without legal status.

Changes to immigration enforcement are also negatively impacting Kentucky Catholic churches with foreign-born priests.

More: Kentucky priest 'in limbo' as visa expires amid immigration crackdown

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Bishop William Medley of Owensboro, who signed the Jan. 1 statement, told The Courier Journal in November 2025 that nearly four of 10 priests within his diocese  which covers the majority of western Kentucky  are foreign-born, including some who rely on protected immigration statuses or religious worker visas in order to stay in the country. The church was actively working to help one of those priests stay in the country as his immigration status was set to expire, though the options were limited.

To view the entire statement from the Archdiocese of Louisville, click here.

Krista Johnson covers education and children. Have story ideas or questions? Contact her at kjohnson3@gannett.com and subscribe to her newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Catholic leaders call for just, dignified treatment of immigrants
A failure to properly follow procedures and a lack of supervision led to the death of an airman last year in Alaska. Thats according to a newly released Air Force investigation, which found that Staff Sgt. Charles Crumletts death while working on a F-22 Raptor was in part because of a lax attitude from his maintenance crew.

Crumlett died on March 15, 2024, while working as a weapons load crew chief at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska. He was working on an F-22A Raptor fighter jet when a weapons bay closed on him, resulting in a fatal head injury. The Air Forces Aircraft Accident Investigation Board released its findings on his death on Monday, breaking down the events leading up to the accident and what contributed to it.

Crumlett was working as part of a six-person team of maintainers. The group was servicing a F-22 at the base, specifically dealing with its retractable configurable rail launchers, which come out of bays in the fighter and are used to carry and fire different types of munitions.

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Although Crumlett had worked as a weapons load crew chief for six years at the time of his death, handling planes such as F-15s and A-10 Warthogs, he had limited experience with F-22s. He had been assigned to the 90th Fighter Generation Squadron for only a month at the time of his death, and the investigation said that he had only conducted academic training for maintaining a F-22. Three members of the maintenance team were still in training.

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Additionally investigators found that the situation was made worse by the maintenance team trying to do several tasks simultaneously as well as a misunderstanding of the systems which resulted in the crew having a false sense of security. Rather than using a portable computer to control the bay, maintainers used a system inside the F-22s cockpit, which did not have a view of the bay, against practices.

There is no line-of-sight between the cockpit ladder and the right-side weapons bay, and the maintenance team chief retracted the [launcher] when all personnel were not clear, investigators wrote.

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Making matters worse, there was no clear understanding of who was in charge of certain tasks, leading to confusion as the team tried to complete them at the same time.

This all came together as maintainers closed the weapons bay for the rail launchers, while Crumlett was inside, resulting in a head injury. Emergency responders arrived and provided CPR and other aid while in transport to a hospital. Once there, Crumlett was declared dead.

Investigators also found additional issues with communication during the work. Noise from a nearby power station led to the team relying heavily on hand signals to talk, which led to additional confusion. The report notes that just before the bay closed, an airman gave a thumbs up signal, which was misinterpreted as an all clear message.
In a breakthrough, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab, in a joint operation with Tarn Taran Police, arrested four accused and foiled a targeted firing conspiracy in the border area of Tarn Taran district. During the operation, police recovered two country-made .32 bore pistols and four live cartridges from the possession of the accused. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were acting at the behest of foreign-based criminals Prabh Dasuwal and Doni Bal, and were planning to target specific individuals in the border area. Police said the arrested individuals have criminal backgrounds. An FIR has been registered at Police Station City, Tarn Taran, and further investigation is underway to uncover forward and backward linkages. The Punjab DGP said the Punjab Police remains firmly committed to crushing gangster networks and ensuring peace and security across the state. Last week, BSF and Punjab police, in a series of coordinated and intelligence-based operations, successfully foiled criminal activities in Punjab's border districts of Gurdaspur and Firozpur, leading to the arrest of one smuggler and the recovery of arms and ammunition. The BSF troops, in collaboration with the Punjab Police, apprehended an Indian smuggler from near Dana Mandi in Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur. The accused is a resident of Kahlanwali village. A pistol with six live rounds has been recovered from his possession. In another operation, the BSF received credible intel about miscreants planning to carry out criminal activities at the border area of village Maboke in Firozpur. However, the swift action by BSF personnel thwarted their plans. The officials recovered 16 live rounds and a kirpan (sword) from the site. On October 22, the BSF troops foiled yet another cross-border smuggling attempt and recovered a drone carrying a weapon near the cross-border in Amritsar. According to a release from the Punjab Frontier of BSF, the troops recovered one DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone carrying one Glock pistol with two magazines near the village Nesta in the Amritsar sector. (ANI)
Dec. 31BEMIDJI  Lake Bemidji State Park is set to host two final programs with its Artists in Residence on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the park.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the public is invited to participate in a winter recreation exploration with the artists.

"Come on out to Lake Bemidji State Park to try out snowshoes and kicksleds for free and meet and ask questions of our Artists in Residence as they wrap up their final projects," a release said.

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Light snacks will be provided. All ages are welcome, and adult and kids' snowshoes will be provided. This is a drop-in event and attendees can stop by any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

From 5 to 7 p.m., join the Artists in Residence for a viewing and discussion of the documentary, "Stuffed  Taxidermy: The Wonders of Art and the Secrets of Science."

Light snacks will be provided. This documentary does contain graphic images of taxidermy. Recommended age for viewing is 13 and older. Meet in the Visitor Center.

All vehicles entering the park need a valid Minnesota State Park vehicle permit, which costs $7 for a day and $35 for a year.

Those who need an accommodation should contact

christa.drake@state.mn.us

or

(218) 308-2328

two weeks prior to the event.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The man accused of driving impaired, losing control of a car and colliding with a homeless encampment, killing a person, was coming home from a casino at double the legal limit for alcohol, documents said.

Elijah Brown, 24, of Henderson, faces charges of DUI resulting in death and reckless driving resulting in death, records said.

The collision happened on Friday, Dec. 19, around 7:20 p.m. near East Warm Springs Road, east of South Topaz Street. Investigators said Brown was traveling eastbound when he entered the center turn lane and struck the median.

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Browns car then crossed several lanes, hit a sidewalk and continued onto an unsecured dirt access road near railroad tracks for about 1,000 feet, police said. The car eventually crashed into a homeless encampment, where it struck Nicholas Sunday, 61, killing him.

When speaking with police, Brown said he was returning home from a Dottys casino, lost control of the car and that the brakes may have malfunctioned, documents said. He also told police the car was low on oil, which caused him to lose control.

Police located an electronic marijuana cigarette and a pill bottle in Browns pocket.

Documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained on Wednesday indicate a blood test found Browns blood-alcohol level was 0.144 about four hours after the crash. The legal limit in Nevada is 0.08, and ones blood-alcohol level generally drops over time as the body processes ethanol.

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During Browns probable cause hearing on Dec. 20, Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Daniel Westmeyer set bail at $100,000. Brown remained in custody on Wednesday ahead of a Jan. 6 preliminary hearing.

Further toxicology testing on Browns blood was pending.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The warnings followed remarks made by Religious Zionist Party chairman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who referred to Amit as a 'violent, predatory megalomaniac who steals Israeli democracy.'

Two non-political professional groups weighed in this week against what they described as escalating violent rhetoric directed at Supreme Court President Justice Isaac Amit: a coalition of law faculty deans from universities and colleges across Israel, and more than 100 retired judges and former court presidents.

The interventions followed remarks made on Monday by Religious Zionist Party chairman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who during a faction meeting referred to Amit as a violent, predatory megalomaniac who steals Israeli democracy, and warned that the result will be that we will crush him.

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The comments triggered a political and institutional backlash. Opposition lawmakers and senior figures in the judiciary condemned the remarks as crossing a red line, while Justice Minister Yariv Levin (Likud) and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi (Likud) publicly expressed support for the sentiments.

A day later, Amit issued a rare public letter to members of the judiciary, denouncing what he described as violent and inciting rhetoric directed at him and at the judicial system, and stressing that the courts would not be deterred from fulfilling their role in a democratic state.

On Wednesday as well, deans of law faculties and schools across Israel released a joint statement expressing full support for Amit and sharply condemning Smotrichs remarks, warning that they crossed a dangerous moral line.

FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich addresses a parliamentary faction meeting of his Religious Zionist Party in the Knesset on Monday. His recent behavior displayed a face that makes me ashamed to be a religious Zionist, the writer charges. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

The academics said political disagreement can never justify personal delegitimization, verbal violence, or insinuations of physical harm toward judges, particularly the head of the judicial system. While criticism of court rulings is legitimate and essential in a democracy, they said, it becomes unacceptable when it turns into incitement.

Incitement against Supreme Court undermining democracy

Describing the Supreme Court as a cornerstone of the rule of law and Israeli democracy, the deans cautioned that such rhetoric - especially amid deep social polarization - undermines the democratic fabric, casts the judiciary as an enemy of a particular political camp, and endangers the safety of judges. They called on public officials to maintain respectful discourse and oppose all forms of incitement and violence.

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On Thursday, dozens of retired judges and former court presidents from across Israels judicial system issued a separate public call expressing deep concern over what they described as an ongoing campaign of incitement, verbal violence, and humiliation directed at Amit and the judiciary as a whole. The signatories warned that recent remarks by a government minister crossed a red line by implying incitement to physical violence.

The retired judges - more than 100 in total, including former Supreme Court presidents and justices - said the attacks by elected officials and cabinet ministers have become routine and pose an immediate threat to the democratic foundations of the state, undermining public trust in the courts and the independence of judicial review.

Warning that without a properly functioning judicial system Israel risks sliding into arbitrary and unrestrained rule of power, they called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to act immediately to halt the attacks, and urged law enforcement authorities to ensure the personal safety of Amit and all members of the judiciary.
Jan. 1Irked at the sight of a camper full of people near the fence to their backyard, a homeowner lodged an anonymous complaint online with the Kalispell Police Department. They described the camper as covered with a blue tarp on top and adorned with cardboard in the windows. Officers dispatched to the scene learned that the camper was parked legally in another individual's yard.

Authorities warned a driver for ignoring a stop sign.

Spotting what they described as a "taller kid" going through mailboxes and then later seeing the same young person pushing a bicycle, a passerby alerted the police to what they suspected was a thief. The passerby told officers that the suspect, who wore a dark gray jacket with the hood up, likely was helping himself to other people's mail. Officers unsuccessfully searched the area for the suspicious youth.

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Officers stickered a brown wooden camper after a neighbor complained its owners had left it in the same spot for five days. The camper blocked her view as she pulled out of her driveway.

The manager of a business asked the authorities to move along a woman who was screaming and cussing next to the ice machine. Officers let her know she needed to take her foul mouth elsewhere.

Pressed on why he had left his vehicle parked in such a manner that it blocked traffic on a nearby road, the owner told officers he was trying to help someone cross the road. It was unclear if there was a punch line.

Officers warned a motorist after spotting a malfunctioning brake light.

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Authorities descended upon the scene of a wreck after a witness reported seeing a woman drive into a telephone pole. The woman turned out to be OK. She reported that a dog jumped onto her lap as she was driving, and she slid on a patch of ice before striking the pole. The collision caused front bumper damage to the truck. The pole was fine.

Thieves made off with about $2,500 worth of tools left in a truck.
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York City early on Thursday, becoming the first Muslim and the youngest in generations to take the oath of office in the largest city in the United States.

The 34-year-old leftist politician, placing his hand on a Koran, was sworn in shortly after midnight by New York State Attorney General Letitia James in a small ceremony at the historic Old City Hall subway station, underscoring his focus on improving public transportation.

Mamdani, who was accompanied by his wife Rama Duwaji, said the post was "the honour and the privilege of a lifetime."

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In his first words as mayor, Mamdani also announced the appointment of a new transport commissioner.

Tens of thousands of New Yorkers defied the freezing winter weather to attend a second, public swearing-in ceremony later on Thursday on the steps of New York City Hall, with left-wing Senator Bernie Sanders administering the oath of office.

New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hailed Mamdani for his commitment to the working class, saying his tenure "marks new era for New York City."

The people of New York "have chosen historic, ambitions leadership in response to untenable and unprecedented times," she said, eliciting smiles from Mamdani sitting on the podium.

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"We have chosen prosperity for the many over spoils for the few."

When Mamdani came to the microphone, he said: "My fellow New Yorkers, today begins a new era. I stand before you moved by the privilege of taking this sacred oath, humbled by the faith that you have placed in me."

He said he would "govern expansively and audaciously," focussing on "safety, affordability and abundance."

"I will not abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical," he said of his progressive agenda.

Mamdani won the election in early November, securing a four-year term as mayor. He brands himself as a democratic socialist and campaigned on an affordability platform, promising free childcare, free buses and rent control for millions of households, funded by higher corporate taxes and taxes on the wealthy.

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His office said the choice of the decommissioned Old City Hall station for the ceremony was intended to underscore Mamdani's connection to the working class.

Born in Uganda in 1991, Mamdani moved to New York at the age of 7, and was granted US citizenship in 2018.

Beginning his political life as a grassroots activist, before winning an Assembly seat for Queens in 2020.

Mamdani is the youngest person to hold the position of New York mayor since the 19th century.

US President Donald Trump repeatedly attacked Mamdani in the run-up to the vote and threatened to withhold federal funds from New York if the Democrat won.

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Mamdani himself has been a vocal critic of the president, whose administration has taken drastic action against people who entered the country illegally.

However, in their first meeting at the White House following Mamdani's triumph, the two struck a surprisingly positive note.

Taking office at the turn of the year is a long-standing tradition in New York. Mamdani's predecessor, Eric Adams, took his first oath of office in Times Square, and the mayor before him, Bill de Blasio, took his at his home in Brooklyn.
As the clock winds down on 2025, local organizations say the demand for donations is up.

"A lot of people have said something along the lines of like, hey, unfortunately, this month, bills are increasing. Our utilities have increased. The cost of living just increased," said Fresno Mission City Center Chief Development Officer Desmond Camacho.

Camacho invited us into the City Center's kitchen, where the shortages were on full display.

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Volunteers were making vegetarian lasagna, due to the rising costs of meat.

"Right now, the hardest hit area is within our protein or even just our food ministry. That has taken a turn to where we're not able to go and provide the, say, the beef or the chicken as many meals as we hope," Camacho explained.

Camacho tells us the City Center makes 30 percent of its annual budget in the month of December alone.

One of its vital partners, the Central California Food Bank, is also feeling the squeeze.

"We have some of the best supporters and donors and funders, you know, in the world. They truly care about feeding our neighbors in need. It's really a different trend that we've seen this year," said Director of Development Chanel Ruiz-Mendez.

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Serving people from Madera County down to Kern County, Ruiz-Mendez tells us donations are what make it more manageable.

"For every dollar you donate, we can provide up to four meals. When there's less donations, that means that we need to take from our general operating funds, so the money doesn't go as far," she said.

At the Marjaree Mason Center, Director of Communication Ashlee Wolf says donations are steady, but the need has risen rapidly.

"We have seen a big increase since the Christmas holiday of those coming and needing our services here in this facility, as well as well as their 24/7 helpline, and the level of severity has increased as well," Wolf said.

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The Marjaree Mason Center asks that those interested donate funds or new items, which signify a fresh start for survivors.

Both the City Center and Central California Food Bank welcome monetary donations, and also offer several volunteer opportunities.

Information on how you can get involved can be found on each organization's website.
A group of Frederick and Washington county residents pooled their resources and won a $50,000 Powerball prize.

The 14 participants in the group, all co-workers from Frederick County Public Schools, claimed their prize Dec. 30 at Lottery headquarters. They had been buying tickets together in hopes of increasing their odds of winning, according to a community announcement.

Their winning ticket was for the Dec. 24 drawing, which also saw a $1.817 billion jackpot won on a ticket sold in Arkansas. The group missed becoming multimillionaires by just one number.

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The co-workers contributed $2 each to the ticket fund, with as many as 25 people participating at any given time. For the Dec. 24 drawing, the pool was down to 14 participants.

A group of Frederick and Washington county residents pooled their resources and won a $50,000 Powerball prize. The 14 participants in the group, all co-workers from Frederick County Public Schools, claimed their prize Dec. 30, 2025 at Lottery headquarters, using the alias "Holiday Bonus."

The official ticket buyer for the group said in the announcement that a minor twist of fate led to their win. She was using a Lottery vending machine at the Safeway grocery store at 815 E. Main St. in Middletown and initially tapped incorrect information onto the screen. She ended up starting over, and since the group uses quick pick numbers chosen at random, it's possible different digits would have been selected had she not started over.

The group decided to use the alias "Holiday Bonus" to tell their story of winning, though "One Ball Short" was a close runner-up.

When asked how they planned to use their prize, a large majority said in the announcement that they would pay bills.

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As for playing the Lottery again, the group was vocal and unanimous in their plans to buy more tickets, even making a stop to get tickets on the way home, according to the announcement.

Since its inception in 1973, the Maryland Lottery has awarded more than $35.5 billion in prizes to Lottery players and contributed more than $20.7 billion to the State of Maryland. The Lottery supports important state programs and services including education, public safety and health, human resources and the environment.

This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@usatodayco.com with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Local school coworkers claim $50K Powerball prize
A local school district is mourning after the unexpected passing of its beloved band director and teacher.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Northridge Local Schools Superintendent Dave Jackson confirmed to News Center 7 that Jacob Lorkovic passed away.

This is a heartbreaking loss for our entire Northridge Family, and my thoughts and prayers are with each one of you, along with Mr. Lorkovics family, friends, colleagues, and all of the many students whose lives he touched, Jackson wrote in an announcement shared with News Center 7.

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The district will be offering counseling and support services to students and staff on Friday, Jan. 2, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the school building.

Students and staff members who would like support processing this news are invited to attend.

Counseling and support services will also be offered on Monday, Jan. 5, when students return to school.

Mr. Lorkovic was deeply loved by all for his optimism, leadership, service, and genuine heart. His passion for students and music, along with the energy and care he brought to our school each day, made a lasting impact that cannot be measured. While his loss is deeply felt, his legacy and light will live on through the lives of the students and staff he so beautifully and energetically served, Jackson wrote.

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Lorkovic began his position with Northridge Local Schools at the beginning of this school year, according to a newsletter from the district.

In a social media post, the district said there will be a vigil for Lorkovic on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 5 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.

The community is asked to keep the Lorkovic family in their thoughts and prayers.

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW)  A newly-created service award was bestowed this December to one longtime educator revered for her commitment to St. Joseph and inspiring others.

Loes Hedge, retired educator and long-time St. Joseph Chapter NAACP Secretary, was announced as the first recipient of the honored Triplett-Veale Service Award at a recent NAACP annual reception held at the St. Francis Baptist Temple on Dec. 23.

The Triplett-Veale Service Award was created in remembrance of the late St. Joseph Chapter NAACP President Charles Triplett and also the late Mike Veale, NAACP Assistant Treasurer. The award will be given annually to an outstanding St. Joseph Chapter NAACP leader through an application process.

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Loes Hedge was recognized for her inspiration of others. Her efforts have strengthened the NAACPs mission and the broader community. Loes manages meeting minutes and organizational communications with exceptional efficiency and promptness. Loes actively recruits new members and several times a year assists in voter registration.

Loes is an active volunteer in Juneteenth celebrations and Black Archives Museum exhibits. During Black History Month, she visits schools to educate students about Black history, further demonstrating her commitment to community enrichment.

The honor comes after the NAACP announced the new service award in early December in honor of Triplett and Veale, two men who were dedicated to the work of the NAACP, the Bartlett Center and other agencies aimed at helping the community.

Veale was a well-known local labor leader, most recently the President of the Northwest Missouri Central Labor Council, as well as a huge supporter of public education, and a prior United Way volunteer. Mike passed in August of 2025.

Triplett was best known for his over ten years of dedicated service as President of NAACP St. Joseph Unit 4085. He was well known to travel across the state of Missouri to help those who needed guidance or support.
Jan. 1 (UPI) -- New York City has a new mayor Thursday after the private swearing-in ceremony in an abandoned subway tunnel just after midnight, then a public one for all of New York to enjoy.

Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York early Thursday morning. He was sworn in by New York Attorney General Letitia James, with his wife Rama Duwaji holding two Korans for the first Muslim mayor to swear on.

In the afternoon, he had a mock swearing-in by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., with speaker Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. The event was in front of City Hall, with 4,000 invited guests and all others who wanted to come.

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"I stand alongside you," Mamdani said. "The tens of thousands of you gathered here in Lower Manhattan, armed against the January chill by the resurgent flame of hope.

"I stand alongside countless more New Yorkers watching from cramped kitchens in Flushing and barber shops in East New York, from cellphones propped against the dashboards of parked taxicabs at La Guardia, hospitals in Mott Haven and libraries in El Barrio that have too long known only neglect."

Zohran Mamdani smiles after being inaugurated as mayor of New York City on Thursday. Photo by Derek French/UPI

Imam Khalid Latif, executive director of the Islamic Center of New York City, offered an invocation at the inauguration. Standing beside five faith leaders representing New York's various religious sects, Latif offered a prayer for City Hall and the city itself. He said Mamdani was a rare figure who could only rise in a place like New York, The New York Times reported.

"Let what was once thought impossible be the standard by which we measure our future," Latif said in closing. "And let New York City continue to show the world what is possible when people believe in one another and continue to show that respect, dignity and compassion are no longer for the few but for the all."

Mayor Zohran Mamdani is sworn into office by New York Attorney General Letitia James (L) as his wife Rama Duwaji (R) holds a Koran during a private ceremony in the Old City Hall subway stop in New York on Thursday. The Uganda-born Mamdani, a 34-year-old former state lawmaker, is now New York City's first Muslim mayor. Pool Photo by Amir Hamja/UPI

Grace Rector, 26, told The Times how Mamdani's speech made her feel.

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"I just feel so positive and excited -- I felt like a kid again in the sense that I believe in the government and its ability to actually contribute to making things happen."

Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as mayor of New York City Thursday morning. Pool Photo by Amir Hamja/UPI

Mamdani ended his speech with a message: "We will set an example for the world. If what Sinatra said is true -- let us prove that anyone can make it in New York and anywhere else, too."

Blue and gold confetti rained down as onlookers cheered in the cold afternoon.

Zohran Mamdani shares a moment with his wife Rama Duwaji after being sworn in as mayor of New York Thursday morning. Pool Photo by Amir Hamja/UPI

One of the Korans Mamdani used in his early morning swearing-in belonged to his grandfather, and another belonged to Arturo Schomburg, a Black historian and writer who was an important intellectual figure in the Harlem Renaissance.

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The small morning ceremony took place in the old City Hall station, which is one of 28 original subway stations that opened in 1904. It was closed in 1945.

Zohran Mamdani introduces Mike Flynn, who will lead the Department of Transportation of New York City. Pool Photo by Amir Hamja/UPI

"This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime," Mamdani said.

Mamdani called the station "a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city."

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani rests his hand on two Korans held by his wife Rama Duwaji as he is sworn into office Thursday. Pool Photo by Amir Hamja/UPI

Last week, Mamdani told reporters he wanted the inauguration to be open to all.

"We wanted to ensure that as we celebrated the beginning of our administration, it was a celebration that was not simply for the typical people who would be invited to an inauguration, but in fact, for everyone," Mamdani said.

People attending the Inauguration for a New Era Block Party look on as Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji wave after Mamdani's inauguration as mayor of New York City Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

"This is not my success. It's our success. It's not my administration. It's our administration. Similarly, it's not my inauguration. It's for all of us," the new mayor added.

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Mamdani has an ambitious agenda, including free buses, rent freezes and more. He has said funding will come from raising taxes on those who earn more than $1 million. But he needs the state to approve any taxes, and Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, is opposed to raising taxes in the state. She has implied that she supports finding other revenue to fund his plan.

People attending the Inauguration for a New Era Block Party watch as Zohran Mamdani speaks after being inaugurated as mayor of New York City Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

"It is my job as governor to make sure that whomever the mayor is, they're successful," Hochul told WNYW-TV in December.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that the state government will push back a person within one week of being declared a foreigner by the tribunal. Addressing a press conference, the Assam CM said that the government has identified and pushed back 2000 foreign nationals. He said, "We have intensified pushback efforts. From now on, within one week of someone being declared a foreigner by the Foreigners' Tribunal, we will push them back. We have identified 2000 illegal foreigners and pushed them back." The Foreigners' Tribunal in Assam handles cases involving immigrants and foreign nationals. In line with this policy, CM Sarma, on December 25, had said that the state government has adopted a policy of "direct action with no compromise" against illegal immigrants, instructing district administrations to issue immediate expulsion orders wherever warranted. Further, speaking to reporters, Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the state's law and order situation, claiming that the number of cases has declined and the conviction rate has risen. He said, "As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, Assam has ranked 1st among all States in the implementation of the New Criminal Laws. 1.33 lakh cases were registered in 2021, and it has now reduced to 43,748 cases in 2025. Chargesheet filing before the court has increased by 81 per cent. In 2021, the conviction rate was 6 per cent; now it has increased to 26.38 per cent." He also announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the 32-km Kaziranga elevated corridor in January and the foundation stone of the proposed Gelephu railway line project in February. The Chief Minister said, "In the last five years in the infrastructure sector, lots of work has been done. Four new bridges over the Brahmaputra River are under construction. We will open the Guwahati- North Guwahati connecting bridge in February. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of a 32-km (total nearly 34 km) Kaziranga elevated corridor with an estimated cost of Rs 6957 crore on January 17 or 18." "Twin tube under water tunnel connecting Gohpur to Numaligarh will be road cum rail Rs 22,000 crore, and the Finance Ministry has approved it. In February, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of the proposed Gelephu railway line project," he added. Further, he said that the Aerocity will be constructed on 68 acres of land and the 120 MW Kopili hydro project will be inaugurated soon." The Chief Minister said, "The proposed elevated corridor will be near the Guwahati airport. Aerocity will be constructed on 68 acres of land. An MoU has been signed with the Asian Development Bank, and a new modern hospital will be constructed at Guwahati Medical College (the current hospital will be completely demolished) with a cost of Rs 2200 crore. We will inaugurate the 120 MW Kopili hydro project soon." He also hailed the state's economy, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recognised Assam as the fastest-growing state from 2020 to 2025. He said, "RBI has recognised Assam as the fastest growing state across the country in 2020-2025. The national average was 29 per cent, and Assam's growth was 45 per cent. Assam's economy is undergoing a strong transformation with GSDP at current prices projected to surge from Rs 4.10 lakh crore in 2021-22 to Rs 7.41 lakh crore by 2025-26." "Per capita income of the state has increased at a rate of 54 per cent, and is Rs 1.59 lakh. State's revenue has increased at a rate of 53 per cent," Sarma said. Earlier on December 28, Assam BJP congratulated Himanta Biswa Sarma for his leadership after Assam emerged as India's fastest-growing state economy over the past five years, as per the latest Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data on Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at constant prices, a party release said. (ANI)
NEW YORK  Zohran Mamdani officially became the mayor of New York City just after midnight on New Years Eve, kicking off a new era of leadership that will be watched across the globe and have major implications for Democrats hoping to win back the House in 2026.

Shortly after 12:01 a.m., Mamdani placed his hand upon a Quran held by his wife as New York State Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath of office for a job that is often called the second hardest in American politics.

Watching the 34-year-old were his parents and a small group of supporters and aides who arrived via train at an ornate, decommissioned subway station beneath City Hall for the swearing-in ceremony, which will be followed Thursday by an inauguration expected to draw tens of thousands of supporters to lower Manhattan.

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This is truly an honor and a privilege of a lifetime, Mamdani said. And after just having taken my oath to become the mayor of the city of New York, I do so also here in the old City Hall subway station, a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality and the health and the legacy of our city.

The moment caps an extraordinary year in New York City politics, and one few expected would end with Mamdani walking into City Hall following the midnight ceremony to take control of the nations largest city. The democratic socialist campaigned on an ambitious, costly agenda that included universal free child care and free buses, paid for in part by hiking taxes on the wealthy and corporations.

Now-former Mayor Eric Adams incinerated his prospects to win a second term on a pyre of corruption from his inner circle and salvation from President Donald Trump. That allowed Mamdani to mount a historic campaign focused on affordability that energized young voters and triumphed over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who had sought a comeback as a moderate Democrat after resigning from office in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations he has long denied.

Mamdani now takes the helm of a workforce topping 300,000 and faces pressing challenges in the form of budget negotiations, politicking in the state Capitol for his major proposals and the ever-present threat of federal immigration enforcement from Washington.

The new mayor has been filling out his cabinet, and took the opportunity during his swearing in to name the new head of the citys Department of Transportation, Michael Flynn, who spent the prior two decades in various roles at New York state's transportation agency.
Newly sworn in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Muslim faith was front and center during his Jan. 1 inauguration, as he swore his oath of office on a pair of Qurans  Islams holiest book  before an imam led the crowd in prayer.

The Qurans chosen by Mamdani belonged respectively to his grandfather and Arturo Schomburg, the Black writer and historian, according to The New York Times. Mamdani, 34, is the city's first Muslim mayor, and and his election sparked concern among many conservatives, especially supporters of Israel who were disturbed by his strong advocacy for Palestinian rights and his opposition to Israel's existence as a Jewish state.

Some social media memes have sought to link Mamdani to the 9/11 attackers through their shared faith. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican from upstate New York, has repeatedly and inaccurately called Mamdani a "jihadist." Trump ally Laura Loomer, a self-described "proud Islamophobe" with a wide following, has said New York would soon have sharia law.

Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor by New York Attorney General Letitia James, left, alongside his wife Rama Duwaji, right, in the former City Hall subway station on Jan. 1, 2026 in New York City. Mamdani's term as mayor begins immediately in the new year, and a public inauguration will also take place in the afternoon at City Hall. Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor in the former City Hall subway station on January 1, 2026 in New York City. Mamdani's term as mayor begins immediately in the new year, and a public inauguration will also take place in the afternoon at City Hall. Mahmood Mamdani and Mira Nair, center, parents of Zohran Mamdani, watch as he is sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor in the former City Hall subway station on Jan. 1, 2026 in New York City. Mamdani's term as mayor begins immediately in the new year, and a public inauguration will also take place in the afternoon at City Hall. Zohran Mamdani signs a registry as city clerk Michael McSweeney holds the book after being sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor in the former City Hall subway station on Jan.1, 2026 in New York City. Mamdani's term as mayor begins immediately in the new year, and a public inauguration will also take place in the afternoon at City Hall. Zohran Mamdani hugs New York Attorney General Letitia James after being sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor in the former City Hall subway station on Jan. 1, 2026 in New York City. Mamdani's term as mayor begins immediately in the new year, and a public inauguration will also take place in the afternoon at City Hall. Mahmood Mamdani and Mira Nair, center, parents of Zohran Mamdani, watch as he is sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor in the former City Hall subway station on Jan. 1, 2026 in New York City. Mamdani's term as mayor begins immediately in the new year, and a public inauguration will also take place in the afternoon at City Hall. Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as New York City's 112th in the former City Hall subway station on Jan. 1, 2026 in New York City. Mamdani's term as mayor begins immediately in the new year, and a public inauguration will also take place in the afternoon at City Hall. Zohran Mamdani leaves after being sworn in as New York City's 112th in the former City Hall subway station on Jan.1, 2026 in New York City. Mamdani's term as mayor begins immediately in the new year, and a public inauguration will also take place in the afternoon at City Hall. Zohran Mamdani sworn in as mayor of New York City 1 of 8 Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor by New York Attorney General Letitia James, left, alongside his wife Rama Duwaji, right, in the former City Hall subway station on Jan. 1, 2026 in New York City. Mamdani's term as mayor begins immediately in the new year, and a public inauguration will also take place in the afternoon at City Hall.

Mamdani has previously said he had been told to downplay his faith when seeking elected office, but rejected that advice. While many American politicians take the oath of office on a Christian Bible, there's typically no requirement for a religious component to the oath.

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More: Amid attacks on his faith, Zohran Mamdani excites Muslim, South Asian voters

In leading the crowd in prayer, Imam Khalid Latif offered an invocation focused on how Mamdani's coalition speaks for ordinary New Yorkers, not only the wealthy or powerful. Latif is the executive director and co-founder of the Islamic Center of New York City, and was appointed a New York City Police Department chaplain in 2007. "Never let him forget that this office exists to serve the people, not to rise above them," Latif said in his prayer. "We lift up all those who came together to make what many said could never happen, happen."

Zohran Mamdani shares a moment with his wife Rama Duwaji as he is sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor in the former City Hall subway station on Jan. 1, 2026 in New York City.

He continued: "Let no one have to choose between rent and dignity, between medicine and meals, between staying and surviving," Latif said. "Let policy be shaped by compassion and budgets reflective of our values."

Mamdani's faith did bring out Islamophobic attacks, however. "The enemy is inside the gates," Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville from Alabama posted on social media upon learning that Zohran Mamdani became the first mayor of New York City to be sworn in using a Quran.

Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zohran Mamdani uses Qurans during oath for NYC mayoral office
NEW YORK  A year ago, Zohran Mamdani was a backbench state assemblyman who had just launched a bid for New York City mayor that many saw as a long shot because of his unabashed left-wing politics.

But on Thursday afternoon, Mamdani was inaugurated as the citys 112th mayor with a vow to govern as a democratic socialist, a sign that he sees his upset election victory as a mandate for his leftist affordability agenda, which has resonated with New Yorkers reeling from skyrocketing costs of living.

We will govern without shame and insecurity, making no apology for what we believe. I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist, Mamdani, who at 34 is the citys youngest mayor in over a century, said in an inaugural address on the steps of City Hall to thunderous applause from thousands of supporters. I will not abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical.

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Mamdani, whos also the citys first Muslim mayor, delivered his speech after taking the oath office on a Koran held by his wife, graphic artist Rama Duwaji. The oath was administered by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who, like Mamdani, is a democratic socialist and is seen as a grandfather for the modern American left.

All of us have heard that Zohrans opponents have called the agenda that he campaigned on radical, communistic, oh, and absolutely unachievable  really? Sanders said before administering the oath. Thats not what we believe.

Thursdays public ceremony came after Mamdani officially was sworn in as mayor at midnight Wednesday during a private ceremony with his family.

Having promised to make the city more affordable for working-class communities, Mamdani is entering office with high expectations on his shoulders.

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His mayoral campaign centered on three key promises: freeze rents for the citys 2 million rent-stabilized tenants, make public buses free, and drastically expand fully subsidized childcare so it covers every child in the city between 6 weeks and 5 years old.

Each of those pledges comes with its own set of serious challenges.

The bus and childcare proposals are contingent on billions of dollars in new funding Mamdani wants to allocate from tax increases  which would need to be enacted by the state  on millionaires and corporations. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a more moderate Democrat, who was seated on the dais behind Mamdani as he delivered his speech, has openly voiced skepticism about raising taxes this year, throwing a potential wrench into Mamdanis core agenda.

Mamdani also faces myriad other challenges, including overseeing the NYPD after spending a large chunk of his political career being a prominent critic of the department.

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But in his inaugural speech, Mamdani reaffirmed he remains committed to all of his agenda items, including taxing millionaires at a higher rate, and vowed not to water down his messaging or promises.

I have been told that this is the occasion to reset expectations, that I should use this opportunity to encourage the people of New York to ask for little and expect even less. I will do no such thing, he said. The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations.

During Sanders speech, the inaugural ceremony crowd, which featured dozens of Mamdani supporters donning red Democratic Socialists of America beanies, erupted in a Tax the rich! chant.

Thousands more Mamdani supporters who crammed the streets around City Hall for an event his team billed a block party joined in on the same chant.

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Weve got your back, well move those establishment politicians, well tax the corporations, well get it done, said Paul Nagle, a 67-year-old Chelsea resident who braced Thursdays freezing temperatures to attend the block party.

Hochul declined to take questions after the event.

Asked how Hochul can be convinced to back Mamdanis taxation agenda, Sanders told the Daily News after the ceremony that continued public pressure is key: I hope shes heard from the people here and the people all over this country, he said. It is the right thing to do, and it is what the people want.

Besides Hochul, Mamdanis inaugural ceremony dais was a veritable whos who of New York politics, featuring U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, ex-Mayor Bill de Blasio and several members of Congress, as well as key advisers to Mamdani, including his chief of staff Elle Bisgaard Church and first deputy mayor Dean Fuleihan.

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New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose upset 2018 election to Congress was a harbinger of sorts for Mamdanis defeat of ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in Junes Democratic mayoral primary, delivered the introductory speech at the inauguration. She suggested Mamdanis election should serve as an inspiration for more left-wing electoral campaigns across the country.

If we can make it here, we can make it anywhere, she said.

Eric Adams, whose first and only mayoral term came to a close at midnight Wednesday, was also on the dais.

Having dumped his bid for reelection this fall under a cloud of controversy related to his federal corruption indictment, Adams was a thorn in Mamdanis side on his way out of public service, taking a number of actions in the past few weeks directly aimed at stymieing the new mayors agenda.

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Among other actions, Adams made last-minute appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board in an effort to at least temporarily block Mamdanis promised rent freeze for stabilized tenants.

Despite the tensions, Mamdani offered Adams thanks during his inaugural speech, drawing boos from the crowd.

He and I have had our share of disagreements, but I will always be touched that he chose me as the mayoral candidate that he would most want to be trapped with on an elevator, Mamdani said, prompting Adams to chuckle.

Adams otherwise sat stone-faced throughout the ceremony and did not applaud once during it. He left the event without taking questions from reporters.

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Actor and comedian Richard Kind was among the revelers who attended Mamdanis inauguration. He said he was excited for Mamdani to take over from Adams, when asked if he thought the new mayor would be better than Adams.

Anybody would be, he said, but especially Mamdani.

_____
(Corrects paragraph 2 to add dropped word "influence")

By Maria Tsvetkova

NEW YORK, Jan 1 (Reuters) - Democrat Zohran Mamdani became New York City's mayor on Thursday, vowing during a public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall to enact an aggressive agenda aimed at making the nation's largest city more affordable for working people.

Mamdani, a member of his party's left-wing democratic socialist faction, was elected last November in a prominent victory that could influence this year's midterm elections that will determine control of the U.S. Congress. Some Democrats have embraced his style while Republicans portray him as a foil on the national political stage.

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The 34-year-old campaigned heavily on cost-of-living issues and was sharply critical of Republican President Donald Trump, whose approval rating has fallen over the past year amid economic concerns.

Many of New York's 8 million residents - some with hope, some with trepidation - expect him to be a disruptive political force. In a speech following his public swearing-in, Mamdani promoted core campaign promises of universal childcare, affordable rents and free bus service.

"We will answer to all New Yorkers, not to any billionaire or oligarch who thinks they can buy our democracy," he said. "I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist."

CROWD CHANTS 'TAX THE RICH'

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The program for Mamdani's inauguration included remarks by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, fellow democratic socialists at the vanguard of the Democratic Party's liberal wing.

Sanders, whom Mamdani calls his inspiration, defended Mamdani's agenda.

"Making sure that people can live in affordable housing is not radical," Sanders said. "It is the right and decent thing to do."

The crowd of several thousand cheered loudly when Sanders called on America's millionaires and billionaires to pay more in taxes, breaking into a chant of "tax the rich."

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Even with temperatures well below freezing, the city set up a viewing area along Broadway to allow thousands more to watch a livestream of the ceremony, which included musical performances.

Mae Hardman-Hill, 27, volunteered for Mamdani's campaign and said it felt like his political momentum was growing.

"I'm a native New Yorker. I've watched the city like you just become less and less affordable, less and less livable," Hardman-Hill said. "I'm really excited for ... regular people to get some power back again."

Prior to the public ceremony, Mamdani was privately sworn in as New York City's mayor in the first minutes of the New Year on Thursday at the historic City Hall subway station, which was decommissioned decades ago and is accessible only a few times a year through guided tours.

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Reflecting his Muslim faith, he used a Quran, Islam's holiest book, for his swearing-in, a first for a New York City mayor.

REPUBLICANS BLAST MAMDANI

Hours after Mamdani took office, the lead group tasked with electing Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives sought to portray him as a "radical socialist."

"Every time Mamdani opens his mouth or swipes his pen, he tattoos the Democrat Partys failures onto every House Democrat facing voters in 2026," spokesperson Mike Marinella said in a statement that signaled the sizable role Mamdani is likely to play on the national campaign stage.

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Mamdani, a former state lawmaker, promised a freeze on rents and free buses and childcare, building a campaign around affordability issues that some have seen as a path forward for the Democratic Party around the country ahead of November midterm elections.

Dean Fuleihan, the incoming deputy mayor, told the Financial Times that Mamdani will move ahead with plans to increase taxes on millionaires to pay for his campaign promises and balance New York's budget. He added that he doesn't expect rich people to leave the city as a result of potentially higher taxes.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has said she opposes raising personal income taxes but is considering raising corporate taxes to pay for a potential budget shortfall amid federal cuts.

In one early reversal, Mamdani said on Wednesday that he would no longer seek to end mayoral control of New York City's public school system, the largest in the U.S., naming veteran educator Kamar Samuels as chancellor.

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Mamdani inspired a record-breaking turnout of more than 2 million voters and took 50% of the vote in November, nearly 10 points ahead of Andrew Cuomo running as an independent and well ahead of Republican Curtis Sliwa.

INAUGURATION OF A NEW ERA

The Uganda-born Mamdani has been a sharp critic of Trump on issues such as immigration and said his differences with the president were numerous after a warm White House meeting.

Mamdani raised $2.6 million for the transition and celebrations from nearly 30,000 contributors, more than other mayors on record this century, both by the total and single donations, according to official campaign data that presents disclosures of inaugural expenses beginning with Michael Bloomberg's first term in 2001.

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As mayor, Mamdani will move from his one-bedroom Astoria apartment, protected from sharp price hikes by the city rent-stabilization program, to Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City mayors on Manhattan's upscale Upper East Side.

Bankers and others in New York, the nation's financial capital, had expressed concern about Mamdani, but since his election many have explored how to work with him.

(Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova, additional reporting by Christine Kiernan; Writing by Ted Hesson; Editing by Scott Malone, Donna Bryson, Nick Zieminski and Frances Kerry)
An argument over money between two brothers ended in deadly gunfire in Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

Officers were taking a report inside a liquor store on the 2900 block of Island Avenue in the Eastwick neighborhood when they heard gunshots outside.

They found a 31-year-old man who had been shot twice in the chest.

He was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Police have arrested his 38-year-old brother in connection with the shooting.

The names of those involved have not been released.
Madera County Sheriff's deputies are calling on the public to learn more about a man arrested on domestic violence allegations, including torture.

Deputies say Noah Challberg was taken into custody in Turlock on December 18.

Challberg was booked on domestic violence-related charges from a week earlier in Madera County. He pleaded not guilty last week.

Detectives are now trying to learn about Challberg's past relationships and behavior.

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If you have any information, you're urged to reach out to the Madera County Sheriff's Office.

Challberg is set to be back in court in February.

If you are the victim of domestic abuse, or you know someone who is, there is help available 24/7. In Fresno County, call the Marjaree Mason Center at (559) 233-4357. In all other locations, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.
SWAT units were called to a house in Pittsburghs Knoxville neighborhood on New Years Day.

Allegheny County dispatchers said police were called to the area of Redlyn Street and Bren Way at 3:47 p.m.

Pittsburgh Police said the incident began as reports of a physical domestic situation.

Officers said a man barricaded himself inside a house on Redlyn Street, which led to SWAT units being called.

The victim was able to get out of the house and was evaluated by medics. She refused to be taken to a local hospital.

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The man surrendered at 5 p.m., about 30 minutes after SWAT units arrived.

Police say charges are pending.

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Knoxville police arrested a 44-year-old man in the shooting death of Barry Evans, 60, of Knoxville.

Dytangie Jerosski Woodfin of Knoxville was arrested later Jan. 1 in connection with the shooting, Knoxville police said in a news release.

Evans died from a gunshot wound and was found near Neyland Drive and Joan Cronan Way shortly after midnight on Jan. 1, according to Knoxville Police Department news release.

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He was pronounced dead after arriving at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Police said the two men knew each other and were in a fight when the shooting happened.

Officers arrested Woodfin mid-day near Spruce Street and E. Fifth Avenue after an investigation. He was charged with first-degree murder and gun violations.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com.

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville man arrested after fatal shooting near Neyland Drive
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and attorneys general from North Carolina and the District of Columbia sued the U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday, alleging the agency unlawfully cut congressionally approved funding for community school programs.

Filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, the suit seeks to block what the attorneys general describe as abrupt and politically motivated terminations of grants that support public schools serving high-poverty communities.

The Department of Education acknowledged The Baltimore Suns request for comment but did not provide one before publication.

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The Department of Educations unlawful decision to abruptly cut funding for FSCS programs will strip hundreds of Maryland students and families of essential support for food, housing and educational resources, Brown said in a statement. Were taking legal action because these programs are lifelines for Maryland families, and our students futures cannot be jeopardized.

Full-service community schools (FSCS) operate as neighborhood hubs, pairing classroom instruction with health care, food assistance, housing support and other social services aimed at removing barriers to learning. In Maryland, the number of community schools has grown rapidly under the states landmark, multibillion-dollar education plan, the Blueprint for Marylands Future, increasing from about 454 in fiscal 2023 to 621 in fiscal 2025, with plans to reach nearly 700.

Baltimore has an estimated 154 community schools based on the districts latest data, including elementary, middle and high schools.

Getting into the legal argument

Federal law authorizes the Department of Education to award community school grants for five-year periods, with annual funding decisions based solely on program performance. Federal funding for the program has risen through the years, from $5 million in Fiscal Year 2008 to $150 million for Fiscal Year 2025.

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The way it works is that the DOE first funds the initial one-year budget period for all FSCS grants and then funds subsequent years of the project through annual one-year continuation awards.

But Browns lawsuit alleges that in mid-December, the department sent form notices to grantees nationwide stating their programs conflicted with Trump administration priorities and would be immediately discontinued.

One of the larger programs affected is run by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, which in 2022 received a five-year grant worth about $1.9 million to support students at Renaissance Academy and Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts in Baltimore.

The lawsuit said the program boosted attendance at both schools and provided hundreds of students with food distribution, housing assistance and help with their families utility bills.

Pulling back funds

Just two weeks before Christmas, the Education Department informed UMB that its grant would be canceled at the end of the month, citing two references to anti-racism in the original, previously approved application. The decision cuts roughly $800,000 in remaining funding over the next two years, the lawsuit says.

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The attorneys general argue the funding cuts violate the Administrative Procedure Act by ignoring required performance-based standards and failing to provide a lawful explanation. They are asking a federal judge to declare the terminations unlawful and issue an injunction restoring the grants.

If allowed to stand, Brown said, the cuts would dismantle critical academic and social supports for students in Maryland and across the country.

________
Maryland has secured more than $2.6 million in philanthropic grant funding to launch artificial intelligence tools aimed at streamlining access to public benefits such as food assistance, Medicaid and unemployment services, Gov. Wes Moore said.

The state received two of seven national awards from the Public Benefit Innovation Fund, a program of the Center for Civic Futures, a nonprofit that supports governments experimenting with emerging technologies to improve public services. The fund drew more than 400 applications from 45 states, according to the center.

The grants will be distributed over two years and support projects led by the Maryland Department of Human Services and the Maryland Department of Labor, in collaboration with other state agencies and research partners, according to a Tuesday evening news release from Moores office.

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Moore framed the funding as part of a broader effort to modernize government services while maintaining safeguards around the use of artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for change, Moore said, adding that the administration aims to use AI responsibly to reduce barriers to essential services such as nutrition, housing and health care. These awards recognize our states work to leverage the potential of technology and our commitment to leaving no one behind.

Multi-million dollar grants

One grant, totaling $1.2 million, will fund a multistate effort led by the Maryland Department of Human Services, the Maryland Department of Health, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange and Maryland Benefits. The project is intended to develop AI tools to help verify work requirements, reduce administrative barriers and improve access to programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid, the center said earlier this month.

Maryland will anchor the effort through the American Public Human Services Association, a national network of leaders from local human services agencies. The tools will be built as open-source modules, allowing other states to adapt the software for their own public benefits programs. The Center for Civic Futures said the project will be developed in partnership with Nava PBC, a company that helps governments design and improve digital services.

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The Moore administration said the project comes as new federal work requirements included in President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill, signed earlier this year, take effect. State officials estimate the requirements could affect up to 80,000 Marylanders receiving SNAP benefits and about 300,000 Medicaid enrollees.

Patrick Mulford, chief of staff in the Office of the Secretary at the Maryland Department of Information Technology, told The Baltimore Sun on Wednesday that all final decisions regarding benefits will be made exclusively by agency staff, never by AI tools. He added that, for programs like SNAP, AI will assist customers in submitting higher-quality documentation upfront, which he said will speed up processing and help staff make more accurate benefit determinations.

A second grant, totaling $1.45 million, will go to the Maryland Department of Labor. The agency plans to collaborate with the Government Performance Lab and the Computational Policy Lab, applied research groups based at Harvard University, to test AI tools aimed at improving service delivery, according to the administration.

The Center for Civic Futures said the project will include staff training simulators and AI systems designed to help caseworkers navigate complex regulations and process paperwork. In the release, Labor Secretary Portia Wu said the effort is intended to reduce administrative barriers and improve customer service.

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Mulford said the state will track how long it takes customers to submit work verification information to evaluate the pilots, gather feedback from community organizations that assist applicants and assess the efficiency and accuracy of administrative processes.

Though the timeline remains unclear, Mulford said the state will use agile development practices throughout the grant periods to support rapid deployment, testing, evaluation and refinement.

Any continuation or expansion beyond the grant period, he added, will depend on analysis of the projects outcomes.

Ensuring privacy

The grants come as Moore has increasingly positioned Maryland as a leader in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing. In previous interviews with The Baltimore Sun and at public events, Moore has said AI could improve government efficiency in areas such as hunger relief and child poverty, while stressing the need for safeguards.

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State officials said any AI systems developed through the grants will be subject to Marylands Responsible AI Policy, which includes reviews related to data security, privacy and ethics.

The AI tools are being created on the states secure, private technology platform, not through a commercial company. This ensures that no private customer information will be used, seen, or utilized to train the AI for commercial reasons, Mulford said. The systems main focus is protecting data security and privacy. We will not use any customers personal content for training the AI without their clear permission.

Baltimore City Del. Caylin Young, who previously pushed for legislation to better understand and integrate the technology in Maryland schools  a bill that ultimately did not pass  praised the governor and his team for setting the state up for long-term success by leveraging new technology.

Im glad to see that Maryland is positioned to lead real implementation of AI on real use cases thatll improve outcomes for our residents, Young told The Sun in an email. The legislature has a role in ensuring there are proper legal supports, oversight and guardrails where needed, as we do with anything. Ultimately, thats a good challenge to face.

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Still, some lawmakers remain skeptical, particularly regarding workforce applications. State Sen. Katie Fry Hester, a Howard and Montgomery County Democrat, raised concerns during the 2025 legislative session about potential discrimination if employers used AI to screen job applicants.

Fry Hesters bill to prohibit such screening, except under strict conditions, did not pass and it is unclear if she will reintroduce the measure when the legislature convenes in two weeks.

_________
Former AIADMK leader and once close aide of former Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalitha Sasikala Natarajan on Thursday extended New Year greetings to the people of Tamil Nadu and launched a sharp attack on the ruling DMK, claiming that dynastic governance in the state would soon come to an end and be replaced by what she described as a "people's government." During the press conference, Sasikala alleged that since the DMK assumed power in Tamil Nadu, the state has witnessed a steady rise in crime incidents. Referring to the recent assault case reported from Tiruttani, she said such incidents reflect the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. "Wishing you all a Happy New Year. This year, the Dynasty governance happening in Tamil Nadu will end, and the People's government will start. From the day the DMK Government rule started, many Crime incidents like the recent Tiruttani assault have been happening. TN CM is in in-charge of the Police department, has not yet opened his mouth on the incident. It shows the lack of Governing capacity," she said. Earlier, AIADMK leader RB Udhaya Kumar had launched a sharp attack on the DMK government, alleging that the state has witnessed a steep decline in governance standards under their regime. Criticising the DMK government, Kumar said, "Under the DMK regime, property tax, electricity charges, and water and garbage taxes have been increased to unprecedented levels." He further alleged, "The prices of essential commodities have also risen." Raising concerns over women's safety, Kumar said, "Crimes of sexual violence against women in Tamil Nadu have increased in a manner that brings shame to the State." He also claimed that the law-and-order situation has deteriorated. Kumar further alleged financial mismanagement by the state government, saying, "Tamil Nadu ranks first in India in terms of borrowing." On Wednesday, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) held a consultative meeting with district secretaries to discuss election preparations for the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections. AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, chaired the meeting at the party headquarters in Royapettah, Chennai. Tamil Nadu is scheduled to undergo the Legislative Assembly elections in 2026. (ANI)
Two federal immigration hearings next week will determine whether a Salisbury mother held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for weeks can return home or faces deportation, as family and supporters press for her release and question why she was detained.

Vanessa Parrazal, 24, is scheduled for a bond hearing Jan. 9 and a separate hearing Jan. 12 to decide whether she can be deported, her family and friends told The Baltimore Sun. Parrazal has been in federal immigration custody since Dec. 17, when witnesses say seven ICE agents swarmed her car, smashed the windows, and arrested the woman right after she dropped off her 5-year-old daughter at Pinehurst Elementary School.

A statement from ICE officials called Parrazal a criminal illegal alien from Mexico with a prior conviction for second-degree assault, adding she has ZERO legal status to remain in the United States.

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Court records show her assault charges, stemming from an argument with her mother, were reduced to a misdemeanor and then dropped for lack of evidence.

Those same records list Parrazal as 410 and 100 pounds  something critics point to as evidence that excessive force was used during the detention. Videos, photos, and witnesses show at least three car windows smashed.

Even a misdemeanor like the one mentioned above is enough to get a non-citizen flagged for deportation, according to U.S. immigration law. Thats especially true if its whats labeled as a crime of moral turpitude, something like theft, fraud, drug offenses or domestic violence. In the original police report in this case, the assault charge was labeled as domestic violence.

The case moves toward a hearing

Parrazal was originally taken to an ICE facility in Baltimore and is now listed as being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center. Shes expected to remain there until the Jan. 9 bond hearing.

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Were really hoping to be able to bring her home at that point, Parrazals friend and neighbor Elizabeth Watkins told The Sun.

An immigration bond hearing works just like any other. An immigration judge decides if the person in custody is eligible for release by setting a bond amount. They will take into account factors like flight risk, community ties, criminal history, and any potential hardship.

Then on Jan. 12, that second hearing will begin the deportation discussion. At that time, the immigration judge will explain the process and charges. To date, Parrazals attorney, friends and family have not been told what charges shes facing, they told The Sun in individual interviews. After hearing the charges, shell give a plea through her attorney and the judge will set another hearing date. That will be when her legal team will make the case as to why Parrazal should be allowed to stay in the country.

According to her family and attorney, Marlena Konopka of Portner & Shure, Parrazal was in the process of securing U.S. citizenship when she was arrested. Parrazal is married to a U.S. citizen, Aaron Downes. While marriage does not automatically grant legal status, it can provide a pathway to apply for permanent residency. Her husband filed a petition and the family has been waiting on the next round of paperwork to move forward.

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In earlier interviews, immigration officials told The Sun this process can take up to 18 months.

Both ICE officials and Parrazals attorney did not return requests for comment on Thursday.

A GoFundMe started by Watkins to help pay for legal costs had raised more than $9,000 as of Thursday afternoon.

Have a news tip? Contact Eastern Shore bureau chief Josh Davis at jdavis@baltsun.com or on X as @JoshDavis4Shore.
A Massachusetts woman was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver moments after attending a New Years Eve church service with her family, authorities announced Thursday.

Officers responding to a report of a crash involving a pedestrian in the area of 1805 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford just after midnight found a woman who had been struck by an SUV while attempting to cross the street, according to the Bristol District Attorneys Office.

The victim, identified as 33-year-old Nicolassa Ventura Colaj, of New Bedford, was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

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Colaj was thrown a distance in the crash, and the SUV involved fled the scene, the DAs office noted.

The pastor of Iglesia Pentecostal Unida Latinoamericana spoke to Boston 25 in Spanish Thursday night.

He claimed that Colaj was a wife and mother of three. They were celebrating New Years Eve with a midnight mass. Her family was allegedly there when the incident occurred.

The pastor said the driver behind the SUV, he said, kept driving and ran her over.

Neighbors like Ricky Medeiros watched the scene unfold from their homes near Acushent Avenue.

I heard some big, loud screeching, he said. Theres always people driving down the streets, going nuts.

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He claimed she was sent flying 10-20 yards.

Medeiros continued, They werent out partying or anything like that. They were leaving church. Somebody was negligent, wasnt paying attention. The worst part is they didnt stop. Accidents happen. They were negligent. They didnt stop so now a family is left without any answers.

Both the pastor and Medeiros are calling on the driver to come forward.

Medeiros finished, Its a horrible way to start the year -- leaving church, praising the Lord, and this is what happens.

State police detectives assigned to the DAs office are assisting the New Bedford Police Department with an investigation.

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No additional details were immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Mayor Adams vetoed 19 City Council bills late Wednesday in a last-ditch effort to block the measures, which carry significant implications for city policy on immigration, housing, street vending, police accountability and more.

The vetoes, issued just hours before Adams term as mayor was set to end at midnight, can be overridden by the City Council when the body reconvenes for a new term in early January. After the Daily News first reported on the forthcoming vetoes last week, incoming Council Speaker Julie Menin said the chamber will take a close look at each of them, and Council insiders have said overrides are likely on a number of the executive actions.

Still, in a statement shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday, Adams said he was issuing the vetoes because the bills in question would worsen our affordable housing crisis with new, unfunded mandates and red tape and undermine our small businesses with an untested new licensing regime for street vendors, among other issues he cited.

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My team has worked diligently and in good faith to find common ground with the City Council on our shared priorities, but the Council, once again, proved unwilling to temper its reckless legislation, the mayors statement said.

Firing back at the outgoing mayor, Menin countered the Adams administration has not worked collaboratively with the Council during the past four years.

The Adams administration has too often sidelined the legislative process. For years, agencies failed to provide basic data, commissioners skipped hearings, and meaningful negotiations were pushed to the last minute, the incoming speaker said. The Council will consider next steps on these vetoes to uphold our legislative priorities that focus on a wide range of topics, from justice for survivors of gender-motivated violence to tax lien reform to affordable housing.

Among the measures the mayor vetoed is a bill that would strengthen the citys sanctuary laws by prohibiting federal immigration authorities from maintaining offices for any purposes on city Department of Correction property. That issue has become especially fraught since Adams  in the wake of the Trump administrations April dismissal of his corruption indictment  sought to let ICE agents operate on Rikers Island. Advocates worried that effort would result in the city assisting the feds in civil immigration proceedings in violation of local sanctuary law.

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Other bills that the mayor used his veto pen to try to undo include ones that would:

 Grant thousands of new merchandise and food vending licenses every year in an effort to shift away from a system under which unlicensed vendors face criminal repercussions

 Prohibit for-hire vehicle companies like Uber from deactivating drivers without cause

 Secure minimum pay standards for security guards in the city

 Create new ethics rules aimed at rooting out corruption in the citys municipal contracting processes

 Mandate that landlords provide tenants with cooling systems upon request in the summer months

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 Require the NYPD to provide the Civilian Complaint Review Board with access to all of the departments body-cam footage

 Reform the city governments tax lien sales process in a way that supporters say would prevent displacement of homeowners and tenants and prioritize delinquent buildings for affordable housing development

Additionally, the mayor vetoed a package of bills that would put local nonprofit groups at the front of the line for certain building sales, deepen affordability requirements in city-financed housing developments and require that more two- and three-bedroom units be included in building projects subsidized by the city.

The prospect of overrides may be more unclear on the housing-related bills, which Adams successor, Zohran Mamdani, has voiced skepticism about, too. The concern from Mamdani  as well as from Adams  has been that the deepened affordability and bedroom requirements could slow down housing production, according to sources familiar with their thinking.

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Menin already said last week the Council will override Adams Christmas Eve veto of yet another bill that would open a lookback window for gender-based violence victims to sue their alleged perpetrators even if the statute of limitations has expired.

The Council will have 30 days to pull off override votes from the day the vetoes are formally received at the bodys next meeting in January.

Adams final veto spree marks the coda to a rocky relationship between him and the City Council.

Adams, a moderate Democrat, ever since taking office in January 2022, has had tense relations with the more progressive-leaning Council, with budget negotiations turning outright hostile in several years.

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Over his term, Adams also issued various vetoes to try to block Council legislation related to everything from housing subsidies to banning solitary confinement on Riker Island.

In nearly every instance, the Council has overridden Adams, forcing the measures into law over his objection.
The new year has arrived, and whether you need a quick cup of coffee to help with your hangover or are craving a burger and some fries, diners will have plenty of options on New Year's Day this year.

Consumers looking to grab a quick bite to eat or start the new year with some retail therapy are in luck, as most national grocery and retail chains will remain open on New Year's Day this year, as well as many restaurant chains. Banks, post offices, and the stock market will be closed on the holiday.

McDonald's is one of the many chains that will be open on Jan. 1, a company spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY. The fast-food chain's hours vary by location, however, and the company recommends diners check with their local restaurant to confirm their holiday hours.

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You can find the McDonald's closest to you using the company's store locator.

Ring in the new year by seeing photos of celebrations around the world, beginning here with fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia, January 1, 2026. A serviceman hugs a girl as they dance under the snowfall near New Year displays at a shopping mall, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 31, 2025. A man selling diapers and foot warmers walks down sixth avenue, as people wait in line to enter Times Square on the morning of New Year's Eve celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 31, 2025. People watch New Years Day celebration fireworks ahead of the new year from the Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore December 31, 2025. Fireworks explode during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, January 1, 2026. People react during countdown for the New Year at Central in Hong Kong, China December 31, 2025. People celebrate the new year early at noon, on New Year's Eve, by Lake Bajer, in Fuzine, Croatia, December 31, 2025. A projection mapping is displayed on the surface of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, to celebrate the New Year, in Tokyo, Japan January 1, 2026. A reveler poses for a photograph on 6th Avenue while waiting in line to enter Times Square on the morning of New Year's Eve celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., December 31, 2025. People on 6th Avenue wait in line to enter Times Square on the morning of New Year's Eve celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., December 31, 2025. People gather at a New Year countdown ceremony at Juyongguan Great Wall section, also known as Juyong Pass, in Beijing, China, December 31, 2025. Fireworks explode during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, January 1, 2026. Children light up sparklers during New Year celebrations in Makati, Metro Manila on January 1, 2026. People sing as they gather for a New Year countdown ceremony at the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall, also known as Juyong Pass, in Beijing, China, December 31, 2025. See NYE celebrations around the world as 2025 comes to an end 1 of 14 Ring in the new year by seeing photos of celebrations around the world, beginning here with fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia, January 1, 2026.

Want a lucky 2026?: See these New Year's Eve traditions, superstitions

What restaurants are open on New Year's Day?

Here is a list of restaurants that will be open on Jan. 1. Hours are listed for the companies that provided them. If a chain does not have hours listed, they are open their regular operating hours.

Many restaurant chains have hours that vary by location, so it is always best to check online or call your nearest location to confirm their hours.

Starbucks

Dunkin'

Chick-fil-A: Some locations may have reduced hours

Chipotle

Popeyes

Bojangles

Cava

Burger King

Whataburger

Shake Shack: Some locations may have reduced hours

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Zaxbys

Wendy's

Subway

Firehouse Subs

Hardee's

Carl's Jr.

Panera Bread

Cracker Barrel

IHOP

Waffle House

Krispy Kreme

Outback Steakhouse

Carrabba's Italian Grill

Bonefish Grill

Texas Roadhouse

Applebee's

Hooters

Red Lobster

Maggiano's: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Fogo de Chao: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chili's

First Watch

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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: Is McDonald's open on New Year's Day 2026? What to know about hours
SACRAMENTO, California  As 2024 came to a close, Mar Velez and her team of outreach workers were fanned out across California, signing undocumented immigrants up for Medi-Cal, the states health insurance program. They made a compelling, straight-forward offer: Its free, no questions asked.

A year later, that pitch was much more complicated  and the stakes far higher.

They were, for one, racing against the clock to enroll people before Jan. 1, when a cost-saving freeze on new enrollments imposed by the state took hold. But, at the same time, there was a new risk that cames with enrolling as the Trump administration seeks to use personal information collected by states to find and deport immigrants who are in the country illegally.

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We live in a new reality, said Velez, the director of policy at the Latino Coalition For A Healthy California, a group that advocates for health policy in Sacramento and funds community health workers on the ground. The things we could rely on before arent there anymore.

California first offered Medi-Cal to some undocumented children in 2016 and expanded the program gradually until 2024, when immigrants of all ages who met income requirements were able to enroll regardless of immigration status.

That final expansion blew up the states budget, costing almost $3 billion more than anticipated. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers scaled back the ambitious program this year with the enrollment freeze and $30 monthly premiums for undocumented immigrants already in the program that start in 2027, which together are expected to reduce costs by about $78 million in the first year and up to $3.3 billion by 2029.

The fallout from those moves will be significant as the freeze and premiums are projected to cause the number of people enrolled in Medi-Cal to fall by 1.5 million by 2030.

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The Trump Administration has injected uncertainty and risk into the equation with its crackdown on illegal immigration. To help identify and deport undocumented immigrants, the administration wants ICE agents to have access to information California and other Democratic-led states collect on people enrolled in their health insurance programs. After it was revealed in June that some data had been shared, the states sued and a judge temporarily barred the government from continuing with the practice.

Trump officials made clear in November that they intend to resume the data sharing as soon as possible and earlier this month a federal judge indicated he may allow them to do so.

The fight over the legality of the data sharing wont be resolved until after the start of the new year, leaving undocumented immigrants in California with a stark choice to forgo free health care or roll the dice that signing up for Medi-Cal wont bring ICE agents to their door.

Some people have moved so theyre no longer at the address they used to register for Medi-Cal, Velez said.

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Instead of cheerleading for enrollment, the Spanish-speaking workers Velez has dispatched around the state, who are called promotoras de salud, say theyre being more neutral. They provide information about registration deadlines, what personal information is needed to enroll, and how that data could be shared.

These are your rights, and these are the risks, Lisbet Ruiz, a promotora in San Diego said she tells her clients. But at the end of the day, we dont tell them to make a decision.

The stakes are high, and promotoras are keeping their opinions to themselves on whether or not its too risky to enroll. The best they can do is empower people with information, Ruiz said.

Theres also fear among Ruizs clients over the public charge rule," a proposal from the Trump Administration to consider the amount of public services a person has used when evaluating their application for residency or citizenship. Though the rule isnt yet in effect, the fear of it one day coming to pass is keeping people from enrolling in Medi-Cal, Ruiz said.

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Ruiz recalled a woman who was in the U.S. on a visa issued to people fleeing domestic violence who was afraid to get services for herself or her autistic son. Despite Ruizs assurances that taking food benefits or Medi-Cal for her and her autistic son was unlikely to hurt her chances of being able to remain in the country, the woman refused.

She still made the decision not to get into it because of the risk, Ruiz said.

Despite the turmoil, some counties and nonprofits are aggressively pushing enrollment before the freeze sets in. In Santa Clara, the county earmarked $2.5 million for an outreach and enrollment campaign, especially for the undocumented population.

We dont want [undocumented] peopleto forever lose their access to health care, said Nikki Fortunado Bas, a county supervisor.

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Community health workers in San Jose are working with the county on outreach. Darcie Green, executive director of Latinas Contra Cancer, a health advocacy group in the county, said theres an immediate need to get people re-enrolled or enrolled for the first time before they lose eligibility.

Green said shes trying to quell fears while still being realistic with people and encouraging them to get care.

These are conversations were going to continue having, but the directive we have right now from our county and our clinic system is that were still encouraging people to enroll, she said.

And many are balancing the threat of immigration enforcement against their need for prenatal care, prescription medications or other medical services this year. Karem Martinez is the enrollment lead at East Valley Community Health Center, a clinic that serves Pomona, Covina, West Covina and El Monte.

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At her clinic, people are less afraid of immigration enforcement now than earlier this year when ICE had a major presence in Los Angeles. She said people took the looming enrollment freeze seriously. Some of her clients have come in with pay stubs every month trying to see if their income is low enough to qualify.

Patricia Lopez, the manager of the health insurance program at the Venice Family Clinic is seeing similar decisions play out in real time.

A woman recently came to Lopez after allowing her Medi-Cal coverage to lapse.

Worried about immigration enforcement, the woman had decided to go without health insurance but then sought Lopezs help when she realized she couldnt afford her medication.

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Lopez said she reminded the woman that in the new year she would be shut out from re-enrolling forever if she let her coverage lapse again.

Lopez said that in previous years she typically had 30 or 40 people coming in for help with insurance during each three-hour walk in window, and that these days the number is in the teens. Clinics dont collect information on a clients immigration status, so theres no way of knowing how much of the decline is among citizens or the undocumented population.

Minisinformation and misunderstanding is common, making it even harder to get people enrolled, advocates said. People think the freeze and premiums have already started, or that come January everyone will get kicked off the program.

For now, Velez said shes trying to get the message out that theres still time to sign up, but shes being realistic about the risks associated with Medi-Cal.

Its hard to deliver that kind of information to communities, Velez said. But if were not doing that, we arent doing our jobs.
Heres a basic truth of human life: No one plans a visit to the emergency room, and no one really wants to be there. The unexpected, oh-****-now-Im-in-trouble nature of the place means that everyone whos rolled in there to be seen probably had a very different plan for the rest of their day.

But just because youre sick and scared, you really dont need to take your frustrations out on the people around you, especially the people who are there to help you get better.

Health: This Is The Absolute Worst Thing You Can Do At Urgent Care, According To Doctors

Patients and their families come to the Emergency Department on their worst and most stressful days, and were here to support them through it, said Dr. J. David Gatz, associate medical director of the Adult Emergency Department for the University of Maryland Medical Center. Were extremely understanding overall, but were often seeing many cases at one time, and its critical that the behavior of one person not negatively impact another.

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Whats happening in ERs these days often is an emergency, and not just because of the sick people who are waiting there to be treated. Patients and visitors are acting out in increasingly troublesome ways, many staffers say.

HuffPost spoke to some medical professionals who offered very simple suggestions for making their lives  and yours, potentially  a little bit easier in the ER.

And if you think, Why do we even need to remind people of this? we agree with you, and we hope this article helps. Heres what to do  and not do.

Health: What Happens To Your Body When You Don't Drink Alcohol For A Month

Dont punch your doctor (apparently, this needs to be said).

If youve had to visit an emergency room lately, you might have noticed a big sign at check-in declaring the venue to be a healing environment and letting you know that the staff would super-duper appreciate it if you could possibly see fit to avoid physically or verbally assaulting them, thanks a jillion (or something along those lines).

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Why would anyone punch someone whos there to help them get better? Thats what doctors and nurses would like to know, too, since many of them increasingly experience patient behavior thats scary and dangerous.

An alarming 66% of emergency room physicians reported being assaulted in the past year, according to one study, with over onethird reported being assaulted multiple times. In another study, 71% of physicians have witnessed an assault at work; 97% say perpetrators were patients.

If this seems unbelievable, its important to note that every health care professional interviewed for this story mentioned physical and verbal violence as a top concern. To drive the point home, here are some recent incidents that Gatz has seen in his ER:



Health: This Simple Scandinavian Bed Hack Could Be The Key To Better Sleep

Breaking equipment and computers

Breaking windows

Throwing and smearing bodily waste on surfaces and walls

Throwing food Health: Medical Professionals Say This Is The Absolute Worst Thing You Can Do In The ER

Self-removing IVs and then walking out while dripping blood on the floor

Calling 911 from within the ER to complain they havent been seen (this one wins the prize for most meta)

Doctors know the wait times in ERs are long right now. SDI Productions via Getty Images

Even with atrocious wait times, try to stay calm.

Lets say you just stubbed your toe and decided to go to the ER. While youre there, a massive traffic accident has flooded local health care facilities, and all the staff are struggling to save lives. You might have been waiting a very long time, but can you understand how your owie, while painful, may not be the top priority right now?

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Apparently, many people dont understand that, which leads to ugly scenes between angry patients and beleaguered staff.

Health: The Rudest Things People Say To Nurses

We prioritize based on acuity, explained Dr. Jared L. Ross, a board-certified emergency physician who was an EMT, paramedic and firefighter before becoming a doctor. His point is that unless you have access to the board of all incoming patients, you have no idea how serious your issue really is compared to others. Ross acknowledges that this is a hard truth: I know that wait times can be atrocious in busy ERs, he said.

Sometimes, though, wait times are exacerbated by patients who force things to take much longer than they need to. Emma W., a second-year emergency medicine resident who asked that her full name not be used, recently entered a treatment room in which the patient flashed her the not now finger signal, because they were on the phone with a friend and didnt want to be interrupted.

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That patient later complained about how long it took to be seen, insisting they be sped up because they had a concert that night that they couldnt miss, she said.

Ive also had patients tell me theyll only see a male doctor (Im female), but when no male doctors were on duty, the patient was irate because they had to wait for a man to clock in on the next shift or to give in and see a female doctor, she added.

While Ross encourages patients and family members to be good health care advocates, there are effective ways to do that. If something about the patients condition is changing, and, for example, their mild chest pain is getting worse, then do let the care team know. But reminding everyone about how long youve been waiting and asking repeatedly about when youll be seen is not the best tactic.

Demanding to be seen right now will disrupt staff focus, scare other patients and create unnecessary tension in an already high-stress environment, said Kisha Pickford, an acute care nurse practitioner with more than two decades of clinical experience in emergency room settings. People forget that ER teams are juggling trauma, sepsis, stroke and COVID, not just mild fevers or stubbed toes. Courtesy and patience go a long way.

Be mindful of who you call or bring with you.

Ive seen firsthand how patient and family behavior in the ER can either support or severely disrupt the care process, Pickford said. The ER is not the place to yell, take phone calls on speaker or bring five people into the room to check on mom.

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Who you bring with you to the ER matters, said registered nurse Karen Selby. A calm, supportive companion can make the experience smoother. But bringing large groups into a small treatment space creates noise and chaos, making it harder for staff to work quickly and safely.

Unfortunately, family members and visitors sometimes display verbally or physically aggressive behaviors, like yelling about wait times, insisting upon immediate attention or even threatening staff, Selby said. This pulls attention away from patients in critical condition and can delay care if security has to become involved.

Thomas Barwick via Getty Images

Do some self-triage

If the emergency room seems more crowded than ever, there are many reasons for that. One of them, ER staffers said, is that while urgent care and clinic visits might be the right course of treatment for many situations, many people rush to the ER instead. Then they wait for a long time in a crowded waiting room because non-emergencies arent treated as quickly as medical emergencies.

ERs are designed to prioritize life-threatening conditions first, such as heart attacks, strokes and trauma, Selby said. If you come in with a minor issue, you may wait hours while more critical patients are treated.

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Theres another reason to reconsider an ER visit if your condition isnt truly an emergency, she added: ER visits are among the most expensive options for care. Even with insurance, copays and deductibles are usually far higher than urgent care or primary care visits.

Ross said, There are a lot of patients who come to the ER and dont need to be seen there, and then are unwilling to understand that they cant be the top priority at all times. Of course, you should never hesitate to seek care, and we are really here to help out with any emergency, but it might be a good idea to self-triage and ask yourself if what youre experiencing could be seen more quickly in another medical facility. It doesnt always have to be the ER.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
MENASHA, Wis. (WFRV)  A 20-year-old Menasha man is facing a pair of child sex crime charges for allegedly sending explicit images to a 13-year-old in New York while convincing the child to send some in return.

Green Bay man crashes into state trooper, arrested for 5th OWI

According to Brad Schimel, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the charges were filed in a criminal complaint on December 23, 2025, against Zakaria Adam.

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The criminal complaint alleges that Adam used a popular social media app in 2025 between April 15 and April 24 to communicate with a 13-year-old in New York. He allegedly sent explicit images of his genitalia to the child while convincing them to send photos of their own.

Search for missing Wisconsin teen continues, deputies ask residents to search properties & trail cams

Adam is charged with the following:

Production of Child Pornography If convicted: Up to 30 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Minimum of five years, up to life on supervised release.

Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor If convicted: Up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Up to three years on supervised release.



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If convicted of either charge, Adam would have to register as a sex offender.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
New Mexico communities are gearing up for their celebrations next year for the 100-year anniversary of Route 66. (amygdala_imagery/Getty Images)

New Mexico communities big and small have worked for a year or longer to unveil their celebrations next year for the 100-year anniversary of Route 66.

Along the 487-mile historic corridor crossing New Mexico from east to west, theyre restoring gas stations, painting murals, installing public art and fixing up neon signs. Theyre planning community-wide parties featuring vintage cars, air shows and historical presentations about how the Mother Road shaped life in their communities.

A Route 66 Sign on Central Avenue in Albuquerque at night. (Rainer Grosskopf/Getty Images)

Thats according to a list of roughly $4 million in grants the state Tourism Department has offered over the last two years to promote the centennial. Grants for infrastructure, marketing and special events range from $4,000, like for the Pinto Bean Route 66 Centennial Fiesta in Moriarty, to $250,000 for art installations in Albuquerque.

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New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez told Source New Mexico the celebrations are fitting to celebrate a road that connected the country and had profound impacts on tiny towns alongside it. Like the Camino Real and Santa Fe Trail, Route 66 created a crossroads of people and culture, he said.

These trails and roads are very important in not just promoting New Mexico, but establishing our culture and changing it, bringing new peoples and new technologies and new ideas on the asphalt, he said.

The El Rancho Hotel in Gallup along Route 66. Gallup and other communities across the state have been preparing for the 2026 Route 66 centennial for more than a year. (Patrick Lohmann/SourceNM)

Beginning in 1926, with the help of congressional legislation creating a public highway system, the United States began building Route 66, seeking to connect growing cities and rural communities across the country with the help of the automobile.

Doing so in the state of New Mexico proved challenging due to its topography, according to the state Tourism Department. The first iteration of Route 66 entered New Mexico via Texas and shot northward to Santa Fe through Santa Rosa and Tucumcari, before dropping to Albuquerque through Los Lunas, heading back toward Laguna Pueblo and entering into Arizona just past Gallup.

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Depression-era public works spending allowed the route to be straightened  eliminating the Los Lunas section  and paved. It was the first paved road in history. From there, it became the most famous American road in history, Martinez said.

Route 66 Neon Drive-Thru sign along the historic Route 66 in Grants, New Mexico, during dusk. (Jacob H/Getty Images)

New Mexicos slice of Route 66 has appeared in multiple works of art since then, according to Martinez. He remembers an episode of I Love Lucy featuring a road trip on Route 66 through Albuquerque. Nat King Cole sings about Gallup, New Mexico in the classic 1946 Get Your Kicks, and the 1940 film adaptation of John Steinbecks Grapes of Wrath starring Henry Fonda features the state prominently.

Tulsa, Oklahoma is considered the capital of Route 66, although I would say it should be Gallup or Albuquerque, Martinez said. Though, Im biased.

Other projects the Tourism Department funded are beautification of highway overpasses in Guadalupe County, an improved gateway in Albuquerques Old Town and upgrades to the State Fair Tower and RV village at the New Mexico State Fair grounds.

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Santa Rosa received $60,000 for a musical road along a half-mile stretch of Route 66 east of the village, paying local company San Bar Construction to install custom rumble strips on the shoulder of the road. At the right speed, drivers who steer their tires onto the rumble strips will hear Get Your Kicks playing.

Iconic TePee Curios souvenir shop on Route 66 with a vintage neon sign and mural. Located in Tucumcari, New Mexico. (Teresa Otto/Getty Images)

Lisa Brassell, part of the towns Route 66 committee, told Source that not all of the funding has come together yet. First, the village will need to secure the rights for the song, and the New Mexico Transportation Department will have to re-pave the road to remove any potholes that might cause a false note, she said.

Otherwise, nobody can tell what the song is, she said, laughing.

But even without the musical rumble strips, she said Santa Rosa has festivities planned throughout the year, including the regular use of one local man and his 1926 vintage car. Hes become kind of a mascot, she said.

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She said Santa Rosa is just one of dozens of New Mexico communities putting their own local flavor on the celebration.

It depends on each individual community, on how they capture that essence, that contribution that the Mother Road has made for our communities, especially in rural New Mexico, she said. Were working hard in our communities to celebrate the birthday.
Homicides rose in Milwaukee in 2025, with unofficial figures showing a jump to 142 homicides from 132 the previous year.

Milwaukee officials have yet to pin down any specific reason for the increase, especially as violent crime  and overall shootings  declined significantly throughout 2025.

"It's kind of vexing as to what's going on," Mayor Cavalier Johnson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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The year's homicide total is from official police data updated through Dec. 29 and no homicides have been reported in the days since. The official number will be reported on Jan. 2 and could change from the 142 now being reported as police continue to investigate shootings.

The difference between what's happened with fatal shootings and other categories of crime in Milwaukee this year is stark.

Non-fatal shootings dropped to 515 in 2025, down from 637, a 19% decrease, from the previous year, according to Milwaukee police data updated through Dec. 29. The number of aggravated assault also dropped by about 22%.

Looking at homicides alongside other statistics is a more accurate way to get an idea of the city's safety, Milwaukee Assistant Chief Nicole Waldner previously told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The department is looking at reasons for the rise in homicides, but none alone can explain why there were 10 more this year.

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The department is looking into things like the parole or probation status of suspects, increases in victims self-transporting to receive medical care (instead of calling 911), and looking further in the relationship between victim and suspect, Waldner said.

Firearms remain an overwhelmingly consistent part of the city's homicides as well. Nearly 89% of the city's homicides were committed by a person using a gun.

Johnson said that political inaction over gun policy changes at the state and federal level is "mind boggling."

"Local governments in Wisconsin dont control gun law," he said.

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Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman previously told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's editorial board that differences in state firearms laws could also help explain another troubling part of the city's homicide statistics.

The uptick in Milwaukee homicides runs counter to a national trend of homicides dropped 18% through much of 2025, according to the FBI.

Norman said more work is needed in violence prevention programs, a practice that includes things like community violence interruption that has been credited for stopping violence before it occurs.

Part of that work is focused on improving conflict resolution as well. This year, over 48% of homicides' cause was either primarily or in part from an argument/fight or were done in retaliation, police data shows.

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"Those are problems all of us collectively as a community should be able to address," Johnson said.

David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee homicides increase in 2025
Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn denounces the Trump administration's freeze of child care funding to Minnesota at a press conference Wednesday Dec. 31, 2025. (Photo by Alyssa Chen/Minnesota Reformer)

Child care center owners and Minnesota Democratic leaders decried on Wednesday the Trump administrations freeze on federal funding to the state, which they said would cripple an already fragile industry.

Fraud is never acceptable. But cutting off child care funding to everyone in the state is not the answer, and its not acceptable, said Amanda Schillinger, a child care center director, who said that her center will shut down if it loses the 75% of children it cares for whose families receive government help for child care.

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday in an X post that it has frozen all child care payments to Minnesota in response to new fraud allegations from a viral YouTube video that has gotten over 2 million views. The video by right-wing social media influencer Nick Shirley showed Somali-run child care centers that receive state and federal funding but had no children visibly present, fueling the Trump administrations latest attack on Minnesota, which is home to the largest Somali population in the U.S.

One provider, Naima Awes, said in an interview Wednesday that over 90% of the 52 kids at her Minneapolis day care receive Child Care Assistance Program funding, without which her business will shut down. Awes said that state inspectors visit her site every 6 months.

Awes, who is Somali, said that a group of teenagers came to her day care center on Monday in search of fraud, scaring employees and kids.

The Trump administration is also taking aim at other states. In the same X post announcing the funding freeze, Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim ONeill said that the department will also start requiring states to provide justification and a receipt or photo evidence before we send money to a state.

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The department could not offer many specifics on the new review process when asked about it Wednesday.

Decade-long history of fraud investigations

Minnesota receives about $185 million annually from the federal Child Care Assistance Program, which helps low-income families with child care so parents can work.

Over 20,000 Minnesota children will lose access to child care without that federal funding, Schillinger said Wednesday at a press conference at the state Capitol. Kids Count On Us, a child care advocacy group affiliated with the multifaith religious organization ISAIAH, hosted the press conference.

Fraud in Minnesotas state- and federal-supported child care program is not new, with media reports and federal charges going back a decade. But new allegations come amidst a newly intense focus on Minnesota public programs arising out of federal prosecutions of public program fraud under both Democratic and Republican administrations, as well recent right-wing media accounts that have grabbed the attention of President Donald Trump and his administration.

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The states child care system is already confronting a crisis of both affordability  Minnesota child care is among the most expensive in the nation  and a shortage of labor.

A statement from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison called into question the legality of the funding freeze: This hasty, scorched earth-attack is not just wrong, it may well be illegal.

A spokesperson for the attorney generals office declined to elaborate on the possibility of a lawsuit from the state.

State investigates centers from video

State inspectors went out Monday to check that children were present at the day cares in the viral video, the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families said in a Monday news conference. The commissioner also said that all the day cares in the video had been visited by a state inspector in the last six months. The same day, federal Homeland Security agents came to Minnesota to do their own inspections.

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A representative from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families did not respond when asked to comment on the result of the Monday inspections.

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, DFL-Eden Prairie, said at the Wednesday conference that the investigation is ongoing.

Kotyza-Witthuhn said that the state has not been requiring photo evidence as part of its review process, adding that new federal requirements are something that we can take under guidance when we return to the legislative session.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican who is challenging Gov. Tim Walz in next years election, said this week that her caucus steered Shirley to child care sites in Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio reported.

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The slashing of child care funding is just the latest crisis to engulf Walzs administration  and his reelection campaign.

The widespread defrauding of safety net programs on Walzs watch was already emerging as a key issue as he seeks an unprecedented third, four-year term in 2026. But that was before a report in the right-wing City Journal claimed money pilfered from Minnesota safety net programs was winding up in the hands of Somali terror group al-Shabbab, even though federal prosecutors have never brought terror financing charges in their vast investigation, and both chief prosecutor Joseph Thompson and former U.S. Attorney Andy Luger have downplayed the possibility.

Regardless, Trump then amped up racist language against Somali Americans  most of whom are American citizens  calling them garbage.

Trumps supporters have joined in, putting Minnesota the center of a right-wing maelstrom, with new federal investigations announced regularly since then.

A spokeswoman for Walz said he has worked for years to crack down on fraud and asked the state Legislature for more authority to take aggressive action.

J. Patrick Coolican contributed reporting.
Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari superannuated as Vice Chief of the Air Staff on 31 Dec 25, after four decades of distinguished service in the Indian Air Force. Commissioned on 07 Jun 1986, he is a highly accomplished fighter and test pilot who held several crucial appointments during his illustrious career, including that of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command. An alumnus of RIMC, NDA and the US Air Command & Staff College, Air Marshal Tiwari was conferred the SYSM, PVSM, AVSM and VM. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of professionalism, leadership and operational excellence. Air Marshal Tiwari was commissioned on June 7, 1986, as a Flying Pilot in the fighter stream of the IAF. With over 3600 hours of flying experience on various types of aircraft, the Air Marshal held diverse staff and command appointments. In addition to being a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot, the Air Marshal is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, USA. During his eminent career in uniform, he served as the Directing Staff at the IAF Test Pilots' School and the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington. His extensive field experience encompassed operational testing of various weapons and systems, including the operationalisation of the 'Litening' Laser Designation Pod during the 1999 Kargil Operations. He was closely involved in different stages of flight testing of the Light Combat Aircraft. The Air Marshal served as Air Attache at Paris from 2013 to 2016. During his career in the IAF, he held the positions of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects), Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air HQ (VB), and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command. In recognition of his distinguished service, Air Marshal Tiwari was awarded the Param Vishishth Sewa Medal (2025), Ati Vishishth Sewa Medal (2022) and Vayusena Medal (2008). In 2025, for distinguished service in operations, he was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal. Meanwhile, Ace fighter pilot Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor will take over as the new Vice Chief of Air Staff on January 1. He is presently the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Gandhinagar-based South Western Air Command. He was awarded the Sarvottam Yudha Sewa Medal for his role in Operation Sindoor earlier this year. He commanded the SWAC at the time when the Indian Air Force launched multiple attacks on Pakistani air bases in the operations between May 6 and 10, causing heavy damage to them. Air Marshal Kapoor was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 06 December 1986. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. A Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader, he has more than 3400 hours of flying experience. During his illustrious career, the Air Marshal has held numerous field and staff appointments. His operational tenures include serving as the Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron in the Central Sector, the Station Commander of a flying base in the Western Sector, and the Air Officer Commanding of a premier air base. He has held instructional tenures as Chief Instructor (Flying) at the Air Force Academy and as a Directing Staff member at the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. During his tenure at the Air Force Academy, the Air Officer was instrumental in the induction and operationalisation of PC-7 MK II aircraft in the IAF. He has also undertaken a diplomatic assignment as the Defence Attache in Pakistan. His staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Strategy) at Air HQ, Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Central Air Command. Before taking over as AIC-in-C Training Command, he also served as the Air Officer-in-Charge, Personnel, at Air Headquarters in New Delhi. (ANI)
A missing 24-year-old man from Vermont was found dead in a vehicle parked at Wilson's Landing in Hanover on Tuesday afternoon, but no foul play is suspected, police said.

Hanover police received a call from Vermont State Police in regards to the missing man.

The vehicle was found to have chemicals inside and needed to be cleared by the fire department and Midwestern Hazardous Materials Response team.

A New Hampshire medical examiner will perform an autopsy to determine cause of death.

Additional information will be released pending further investigation.
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)  Montanas Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a misconduct case against the states attorney general after he defied court orders in a dispute over a law that gave the governor more power over the judiciary.

A court-appointed panel last year found that Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen repeatedly attacked the integrity of the justices in his defense of a 2021 law permitting the states Republican governor to directly fill judicial vacancies.

The panel had recommended that Knudsen's license to practice law be suspended for 90 days.

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Justices agreed in Wednesday's ruling that Knudsen had violated rules of professional conduct for attorneys. But the court said the panel that handled the case violated Knudsen's due process rights by excluding his expert witness and failing to adequately explain its decision against him.

Knudsen had urged the high court to dismiss the case. He said in a statement Wednesday that the complaint against him had been a distraction.

I appreciate the Supreme Court bringing this frivolous complaint to a long-overdue conclusion, Knudsen said. Weve said it from the very beginning, this was nothing more than a political stunt.

Chief Justice Cory Swanson wrote that Wednesdays order amounted to a public admonition over Knudsens misconduct.

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We plainly warn all Montana attorneys, including Knudsen and his subordinates, to obey lawful orders of all courts, Swanson wrote.

The dispute between Montanas chief law enforcement officer and its high court centered on a law that was part of a nationwide GOP effort to forge a more conservative judiciary and was eventually upheld by Montanas Supreme Court.

In his defense of the Legislature and the 2021 law, Knudsen's office in court filings accused Supreme Court justices of judicial misconduct, corruption, self-dealing, actual impropriety and having a conflict of interest.

Following a complaint against Knudsen, the 13-member panel  a group of lawyers and others known as the Commission on Practice of the Montana Supreme Court  determined that the attorney generals office repeatedly, consistently and undeniably, violated professional conduct rules.

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Knudsen had argued that any punishment should have been handled privately.

Swanson wrote Wednesday that the extensive litigation in the case was far worse than a private admonition that had been previously considered.

All but two of the courts seven justices recused themselves from Knudsens case because of their involvement in the dispute with his office. They were replaced by five district court judges and joined by newly elected Chief Justice Swanson and Justice Katherine Bidegaray.

Six of the seven sitting justices rejected the recommendation to suspend Knudsen, with only Bidegaray dissenting. She said Knudsens actions merited a public censure and 30-day suspension.

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Erasing a complete disciplinary record is inconsistent with our constitutional responsibility and our precedent, Bidegaray wrote. Discipline is not punitive; it is protectiveof the public, the courts, and the professionand serves to preserve confidence in the fair and orderly administration of justice.

The court unanimously rejected Knudsen's claims that as Montana's attorney general he was exempt from the disciplinary proceedings against him. Swanson wrote that it would be unwise to allow the attorney general to supervise hundreds of attorneys while exempting him from basic ethical standards of the profession.

Knudsen acknowledged during a hearing last fall that a lot of things should have been done differently in representing the Legislature over the extent of its subpoena powers.

If I had this to do over, I probably would not have allowed language like this  so sharp  to be used, Knudsen testified.
Crowds are expected to fill Broad Street in Philadelphia on Thursday morning for the 125th Mummers Parade, continuing a New Year's Day tradition that organizers and performers say is rooted in family, creativity and community spirit.

Mummers spent New Year's Eve making final preparations across the city, including a Mummers-style ball drop on Two Street in South Philadelphia.

Jon Brady, president of Froggy Carr, described the atmosphere as a "good atmosphere, a lot of camaraderie, good family."

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Froggy Carr is among the groups joining an estimated 10,000 adults and children who will strut from City Hall south along Broad Street to Washington Avenue.

Inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Fancy Brigades worked late to complete floats and performances.

William Burke Jr., captain of the Golden Crown New Year Brigade, reflected on the longevity of his involvement.

"This is my 68th parade. I did it with my father. I do it with my son. I have five grandchildren in it right now, and it's a family thing. It's a family parade," he said.

Golden Crown's theme centers on the four seasons with a Japanese backdrop. Captain Bob Runowski said the effort behind the production is extensive.

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"It's a year-long process. The beginning of the year, it's two to three nights a week," he said. "The last couple of weeks, we've been in here 8-9 hours a day."

The Downtowners are preparing a jungle-themed performance. Their captain, Austin Sanborn, said the group is "pumped."

"We're excited," he said. "Adrenaline's high."

Bill McIntyre's Shooting Stars are unveiling a performance featuring monsters unchained. Co-captain Mason P. Smith said, "I'm a 4th-generation Mummer, so it goes a long way, and it's just an honor to keep doing this."

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Performers hope the crowds appreciate the work behind the spectacle.

"Just enjoy what we do because we love doing it and we love seeing people happy," Sanborn said.

Burke added, "I think it's America's best-kept secret."

The parade begins at 9 a.m. and is expected to end around 7 p.m.
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Space shuttle Discovery on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. | Credit: Smithsonian/Dane Penland

Houston, we may have a problem ... for your senators' plans to bring a NASA space shuttle to Texas.

NASA's new chief Jared Isaacman said a controversial proposal to move the space shuttle Discovery to Texas from its current home on display at a Smithsonian Air and Space Museum hangar in Virginia, may end with a different spacecraft entirely landing in Houston.

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"My predecessor has already selected a vehicle," Isaacman said of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who led NASA as acting chief until this month, in a CNBC interview on Dec. 27 . "My job now is to make sure that we can undertake such a transportation within the budget dollars that we have available and, of course most importantly, ensuring the safety of the vehicle." Isaacman officially took charge at NASA on Dec. 18, a day after being confirmed by the Senate.

The plan to move space shuttle Discovery , NASA's most-flown orbiter, to Houston was originally laid out by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). The Texas senators included a provision for the move in the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law over the summer.

Cruz and Cornyn have said that Houston, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center where astronauts train and Mission Control is located, should have its own iconic human spaceflight vehicle on display. Discovery flew 39 space missions between 1984 and 2011, when NASA shuttered the shuttle program.

NASA's other retired shuttles - Atlantis , Endeavour and Enterprise test vehicle, which never reached space - are on display at museums in Florida, California and New York City, respectively. Two other shuttles, Challenger and Columbia, were lost in tragic space accidents in 1986 and 2003, respectively.

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But there's a catch to moving Discovery. (Several of them, actually.) NASA gave the shuttle to the Smithsonian outright in 2012, so moving it to Houston would require the government to claw back the orbiter.

And there's the cost. The One Big Beautiful Bill set aside $85 million to cover the cost of Discovery's move, but critics have said that budget pales in comparison to the actual funds needed to move the 100-ton spacecraft safely, as well as construct a building for its final display. Officials with the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, where Discovery is currently on display , estimate it would cost up to $150 million alone just for the move.

Space Shuttle Discovery mounted atop a 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) approaches the runway for landing at Washington Dulles International Airport, Tuesday April 17, 2012, in Sterling, Va. NASA's shuttle carrier planes are now retired. | Credit: NASA/Paul E. Alers

Finally, there's the question of how to physically move the space shuttle .

Discovery is 122 feet (37.2 meters) long and has a wingspan of 78 feet (23.8 m). NASA originally flew the shuttle to the Udvar-Hazy center atop a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (a modified Boeing 747 jumbo jet), then used a series of cranes to hoist the orbiter to the ground. The agency's two Shuttle Carrier Aircraft have since been retired, one of which is on display at Space Center Houston with a mock shuttle atop it.

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Smithsonian officials have said Discovery may have to be partially dissassembled to move it to Houston, risking substantial damage to the spacecraft.

Space shuttle Discovery on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. | Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

With all that as background, Isaacman told CNBC that assuring the safety of Discovery and weighing the costs of a move to Houston will factor into deciding whether NASA will actually push for the shuttle's relocation.

"And if we can't do that, you know what? We've got spacecraft that are going around the moon with Artemis 2, 3, 4 and 5," Isaacman told CNBC .

NASA is currently preparing to launch four Artemis 2 astronauts around the moon as early as February 2026. The space agency hopes to launch its Artemis 3 moon landing mission by 2028. Both missions and their follow ups on Artemis 4 and Artemis 5 would send astronauts to the moon using an Orion spacecraft , which will launch on a giant Space Launch System rocket.

"One way or another, we're going to make sure the Johnson Space Center gets their historic spacecraft right where it belongs," Isaacman said.
Voters wait outside First Presbyterian Church on Nov. 5, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (Mac Johnson/Nebraska News Service)

LINCOLN  A group of state lawmakers sent a letter Wednesday asking Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen to explain his negotiations with the federal government over the release of sensitive voter information.

Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Five state senators, all Democrats, referred in their letter to correspondence they had with Evnen in October when they reminded him of an obligation to protect Nebraska voter privacy from unwarranted federal overreach.

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They said Evnen had indicated in a response at the time that he would not comply with the federal governments request to turn over detailed voter information due to pending litigation.

Voting advocacy group Common Cause Nebraska has sued to block the sharing of that voter data with the U.S. Department of Justice.

But Wednesdays letter was penned in light of a more recent news story published in the Nebraska Examiner Dec. 18, which led lawmakers to believe Evnen, a Republican, had been communicating with the DOJ regarding release of the data.

State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha was joined in the request by Sens. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, Danielle Conrad and Jane Raybould of Lincoln and Victor Rountree of Bellevue.

The group sought to know more about the timing and results of negotiations between Evnens office and the feds.

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It said in part: If you are not forthcoming to this request, we will explore other remedies to fully understand what you are doing in Nebraskans names and with public resources which may risk their sensitive personal and voting information or contradict your prior position.

A spokesperson for Evnen told the Examiner that he had not signed an agreement, or Memorandum of Understanding, with the Justice Department concerning its request for voter records, nor are we in negotiations with them concerning an MOU.

We continue to work in the context of the pending lawsuit, and we are hopeful that the lawsuit will be decided soon, said spokesperson Rani Taborek-Potter.

The Dec. 18 news story that lawmakers referred to in their letter quoted Taborek-Potter saying that Evnen plans to comply with the DOJ request, pending the outcome of the ongoing lawsuit.

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Evnen previously has noted that he sought guidance from Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, and was fine with handing over the information because Nebraskas voter rolls are complete and proper.

The Stateline story, published in the Examiner, revealed details of a confidential draft agreement the DOJ sent to more than a dozen states, including Nebraska, that would require election officials to remove any alleged ineligible voters identified during a federal review of their voter rolls.

State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

The agreement would hand the federal government a major role in election administration, a responsibility that belongs to the states under the U.S. Constitution. While the DOJ has demanded states voter rolls since summer, Stateline said the draft agreement offered the most detailed picture yet of how the Trump administration plans to use the information.

Federal officials have said they need voters detailed information to ensure that only U.S. citizens vote. Critics have pushed back over concerns such as privacy, identity theft, national security and political targeting.

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Juarez said Wednesday the lawmakers letter to Evnen was prompted by concern over private discussions the secretary of state may be having regarding release of Nebraskans personal voting data. She said that as of late Wednesday, she had not received a response to the letter from Evnen.

Really what is going on in those conversations? she said. Its concerning.

Voter Privacy

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This article was originally published in EducationNC.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will partner with 16 higher education institutions to launch free, intensive, short-term training and certification programs to prepare participants for child care careers, according to a Dec. 3 press release from the department.

Traditional programs for lead teacher roles in early childhood education can last several weeks or months. These new training programs, called child care academies, will be shorter, while still offering curriculum that meets or exceeds minimum training standards, the announcement says. The length of programs will vary depending on the college or university in which the participant enrolls.

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The NCDHHS press release says these academies aim to address the severe staffing shortage that is a key contributor to the states child care crisis, expand access to high-quality early learning, bolster workforce development, and reinforce the states economy by helping parents stay employed.

Funding for the initiative will come from NCDHHSs Division of Child Development and Early Education, the announcement said, using dollars from a federal Preschool Development Grant.

North Carolinas early learning system depends on a strong, well-prepared workforce, and the Child Care Academies are designed to meet that need head on, said NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being Michael Leighs. By providing free high-quality training, were opening doors for new educators while supporting families and ensuring children across our state have access to safe and nurturing care.

These academies have gained popularity in recent months as a way to address early childhood educator shortages. EdNC reported in September that at least 11 counties across the state had institutions running child care academies. According to that report, a 2024 survey found staffing shortages were affecting three out of every five licensed child care providers across the state.

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Earlier this year, a $1.476 million pilot to expand child care academies with state funding was included in the budget passed by the North Carolina House. However, the pilot funding did not make it into the General Assemblys mini-budget, which was signed by Gov. Josh Stein in August.

A February report from the NC Chamber Foundation lifted up child care academies as scalable local solutions, and the governors North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education highlighted child care academies in its June interim report.

The NCDHHS press release lists 16 new child care academies  including 13 at community colleges, and three at four-year institutions. Of the 13 at community colleges, only two were included in EdNCs September report, meaning that 11 of the community colleges may be running programs for the first time.

Per NCDHHS, the list of institutions offering child care academies include:

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Appalachian State University

Bladen Community College

Central Carolina Community College

Central Piedmont Community College

Davidson-Davie Community College

Durham Technical Community College

Elizabeth City State University

Forsyth Technical Community College

Guilford Technical Community College

Montgomery Community College

Nash Community College

Pitt Community College

Roanoke-Chowan Community College

Sandhills Community College

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Wilson Community College

According to the press release, participants in the academies undergo training in different formats  with virtual and in-person opportunities  covering CPR/first aid, health and safety, infant/toddler safe sleep and sudden infant death syndrome, playground safety, and identifying and responding to signs of child maltreatment.

Participants are also introduced to the North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development, trained on the Environment Rating Scales, and briefed on program standards for Pathways to the Stars, the states updated Quality Rating and Improvement System. They also receive certification and guidance to complete the required NCDHHS criminal background checks.

Children in early childhood care and education environments need well-prepared teachers to help keep them safe, healthy and learning, said Candace Witherspoon, director of the NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education, which licenses and monitors child care programs. Child Care Academies quickly and fully prepare teachers to provide quality care and education to children and families in their communities.

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Each of these schools will have to offer at least three trainings through July 2026, the release says, though participating schools can set their own start date. Some already began in October, while others will launch in January.

NCDHHSs press release said those interested in the academies should contact the admissions office of the program at their school of choice.

You can learn more about the academies here.

EdNCs Katie Dukes contributed to this report.

This article first appeared on EdNC and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
For the first time in a decade, students from North Carolina are likely to pay more to attend UNC System schools in the coming year.

ALSO READ: Tuition costs rising for some students at UNC schools next year

The boards governing UNC Chapel Hill, N.C. State University and East Carolina University in November all approved 3% tuition increases for in-state undergraduate students. UNC Charlotte reportedly approved a similar hike.

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The systems board of governors will review these, and other proposed increases, in early 2026.

Read more at Charlotte Business Journals website here.

VIDEO: UNC Charlottes AI innovation aims to prevent vision impairment
With just hours left in office, Mayor Eric Adams launched a Charter Revision Commission stacked with political allies on Wednesday afternoon, tasking the panel with considering changing city law to allow for open primaries in local elections.

The commission, made up of 13 members all appointed by Adams, will mainly be focused on exploring the option of allowing independent voters to cast their votes in the first round of elections, sources familiar told the Daily News.

Marty Connor, former State Senate minority leader and an election lawyer, will chair the commission. Adams appointed stalwart allies to the panel, including his former press secretary Kayla Mamelak, former Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker, deputy chief of staff Menashe Shapiro, homeless advocate Shams DaBaron and United Bodega of America founder Fernando Mateo.

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Some members tapped for the 11th-hour commission werent asked until Wednesday morning if they would be willing to serve on it, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.

This historic commission will bring together trailblazing leaders from across the five boroughs to examine our citys charter and explore ways to create a more inclusive, democratic city government, Adams said in a statement issued just hours before his time as mayor was set to come to an end at midnight. I want to personally thank the men and women who are stepping up to serve on this commission.

The panel could also examine repealing aspects of the citys sanctuary laws, though that element is not seen as a priority, according to sources.

The commission would technically have authority to advance ballot referendum questions for a future election to adopt changes to the City Charter.

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But several city government officials familiar with the Charter Revision Commission process, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said incoming Mayor Mamdani may not be entirely powerless when it comes to undoing Adams last-minute panel.

While he may not be able to formally disband it, Mamdani could starve the commission of funding, staff and Law Department assistance, making it effectively toothless, a source said.

Connor, the chairperson of the new commission, still said in a statement that making sure every voter has an equal say in our citys governance is a goal that is always worth pursuing.

I am looking forward to hearing from every corner of New York about the best way to achieve this, Connors statement added.

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A spokesperson for Mamdani didnt immediately return a request for comment.

Around 1 million New Yorkers are unaffiliated with a party and therefore cant participate in primary elections, according to good government group Citizens Union, which has advocated for the change but against the formation of this commission.

A previous panel convened by Adams also considered the open primary concept earlier this year but ultimately decided in July not to move forward with it.

Adams previously brought together two other commissions, including one that advanced a series of housing production-related questions on the Nov. 4 ballot that passed despite fierce opposition from the City Council.

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The outgoing mayor frequently sparred with the City Council during his four years in office and was accused by Speaker Adrienne Adams of using the Charter Revision Commissions to undermine the legislative body.

This mayor abused the charter revision process repeatedly and there are many guilty enablers of this anti-democratic conduct, so it is no major surprise that his abuses of power continued into the last day and final hours, Mandela Jones, a spokesperson for the outgoing speaker, said in a statement.

Gov. Kathy Hochul earlier in December vetoed a bill that would have prevented a mayor from bumping Council proposals off the ballot.

Asked by The News at City Hall on Wednesday afternoon about the charter revision push, Adams only repeatedly replied, Cigar and a single malt Scotch  referring to what hell do once his term ends.

_____
Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari said slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government over the water contamination incident in Indore, accusing the government of misgovernance and hiding the actual number of deaths. The Congress leader alleged that the Chief Minister acknowledged only four deaths but there were reports of more deaths than this. He also demanded strict action, including the registration of culpable homicide cases against responsible officials and the Indore mayor. Speaking to ANI, MP Congress Chief Jitu Patwari said, "Indore has consistently given MPs, MLAs and Mayor to BJP but they (BJP) have given poisoned water (referring to contamination issue). Now, the question arises that there are reports of a total of 13 deaths but the Chief Minister is saying only 4 deaths occurred. Is hiding the figures of death the responsibility of a Chief Minister? This is a murderer government, which led to the 25 children recently dying in the cough syrup case." "This government is responsible for children being bitten by rats at MY Hospital in Indore. Now, 13 people are dying after contaminated drinking water issues. Instead of trying to hide this, why don't you take proper decisions," he added. Patwari further highlighted that a case of culpable homicide should be registered against those responsible in this water contamination issue. "Your minister misbehaves with journalists when they ask questions. Should that minister be removed or not? Should he resign or not. Chief Minister, where has your spine gone? Why don't you want to punish responsible officials? A case of culpable homicide should be registered against the responsible officers and the Indore mayor in this incident," the Congress leader said. Patwari also stressed that the Chief Minister is the in-charge minister of Indore, and he should appoint an independent in-charge minister who can focus on even small issues. "Why do you want to keep everything under your control? These deaths are happening due to the BJP's continuous misgovernance and arrogance," the Congress leader alleged. He further emphasised that they constituted a committee and an investigation into the matter was going on. Action should be taken against whoever is found guilty, and the Congress party would discharge its responsibility. "We demand that the families of all those who have died in this incident should be given compensation of Rs 1 crore each. The Chief Minister should punish the guilty and ensure that FIRs are registered against those responsible for this incident. He should also resign from the Minister who misbehaved with journalists," the Congress leader concluded. (ANI)
The Maryland state government, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture, will provide $1.9 million for the purchase of wild-caught blue catfish.

The funds are expected to supply 283,000 pounds of fish fillets to local food banks, according to a state press release. Together with improving food security and supporting fishermen and seafood processors, the initiative will help manage an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay.

Native to the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Rio Grande river basins, blue catfish were introduced to the Chesapeake decades ago, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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Though they were initially introduced as a target for recreational fishing, blue catfish populations have overtaken the area. They've since become a challenging predator in Chesapeake tributaries and may feed on native species while disrupting ecosystem balance. The fish has also reportedly disrupted recovery efforts for native species such as river herring.

Luckily, programs like these can help make a difference. A key part of the Chesapeake Bay Program's strategy is to encourage the consumption of blue catfish and other invasive species.

When it comes to eating invasive species, Maryland may be ahead of the curve. The St. Mary's Chamber of Commerce, for example, served up blue catfish at a catered dinner in October. And plenty of other regions are getting in on the action. Mississippi River Basin officials, for instance, are urging residents to eat invasive carp.

Maryland Food Bank chief executive officer Meg Kimmel praised Maryland's new program. "Blue catfish is a win-win for the Maryland Food Bank," Kimmel said in the release. "We are supporting local businesses and helping to combat an invasive species in the bay, while also providing a nutritious source of protein to neighbors facing food insecurity."

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.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  News 4 has obtained dash cam footage from an ongoing investigation into a former Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper.

Jarquez Evans was arrested back in March for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman after a traffic stop.

On January 26, Evans pulled a woman over near SE 29th Street and S High Avenue in Oklahoma City for an expired tag.

The victim alleged that Evans told her to either go down the street with him or go to jail.

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Three injured after truck drives through business in Norman

Evans reportedly got into the victims front passenger seat after she followed him down the road. After the victim drove further south and parked, Evans allegedly unzipped his pants and told the woman to perform a sex act on him, then proceeded to sexually assault her a few minutes later.

After about 12 minutes, you can see in the video that Evans goes back into his patrol car.

The woman eventually reported the incident to the Oklahoma City Police, and Evans was arrested and booked on charges of rape and forcible oral sodomy.

OHP also released a new statement on Wednesday:

Our focus has beenand will continue to beon pursuing justice for the victim in this case.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol values the trust placed in us by the citizens we serve. When that trust is called into question, we take appropriate action in accordance with our policies and the law, regardless of position or rank.

The agency also said the case has been filed by the Oklahoma County District Attorneys Office and is set for preliminary hearing in early 2026. Oklahoma Highway Patrol

Copyright 2026 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
(WFRV)  A woman from Oklahoma who allegedly traveled to northeast Wisconsin to sexually abuse a minor on multiple occasions has been charged.

A press release provided by the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin states that 24-year-old Randi L. Cook of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was officially charged on December 23 for her alleged involvement in the sexual abuse of a minor from northeast Wisconsin.

Wisconsin woman arrested for 4th OWI following hit-and-run crash

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The criminal complaint reports that Cook was charged with interstate travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, production of child pornography, and coercing or enticing a minor for unlawful sexual activity.

Authorities say that between November 7 and December 16, 2025, Cook began communication with a minor from Wisconsin and convinced the child to send explicit photos over the internet. Cook also allegedly travelled to northeast Wisconsin on more than one occasion and sexually abused the minor at a hotel and at a short-term rental property.

Stabbing incident in Neenah leads to arrest

Charges against Cook include:

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Interstate travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor

Up to 30 years of imprisonment

Production of child pornography

Mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years of imprisonment

Coercion and enticement

Mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life of imprisonment

Each charge also carries up to a $250,000 fine and a minimum of 5 years and up to life of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Winnebago County Sheriffs Office and was part of Project Safe Childhood.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Police are investigating a two-car crash that killed one person on New Year's Day.

The accident happened around 6 a.m. in the 2800 block of West 79th Street, just east of Michigan Road, on the northwest side.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department did not release further information, although a police report noted the victim was a female.

The crash shut down West 79th Street for several hours.

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Contact IndyStar reporter Kristine Phillips at (317) 444-3026 or at kphillips@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: One person killed in New Year's Day crash on Indy's northwest side
Four members of the Palestine Action group, which has been proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the United Kingdom, are continuing with their hunger strikes in different prisons around the country.

Four other Palestine Action members have ended their hunger strikes  some after being hospitalised.

Here is what we know about the four remaining hunger strikers.

Why are the Palestine Action protesters on hunger strike?

Imprisoned Palestine Action members have been on hunger strikes in prisons around the UK for more than 50 days.

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The Palestine Action members are being held on remand in prisons over their alleged involvement in break-ins at the UK subsidiary of Elbit Systems in Filton near Bristol, where equipment was reportedly damaged, and at a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire, where two military aircraft were sprayed with red paint.

The prisoners deny the charges against them, which include burglary and violent disorder.

Of the four still on hunger strikes, three were imprisoned in November 2024 for their alleged involvement in break-ins at the UK subsidiary of Israeli weapons group Elbit Systems in Filton near Bristol, where equipment was reportedly damaged. One has been in prison since July 2025 for alleged involvement in damage at a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire, where two military aircraft were sprayed with red paint.

Palestine Action, a protest group launched in July 2020, describes itself as a movement committed to ending global participation in Israels genocidal and apartheid regime.

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The UK parliament voted in favour of proscribing the group on July 2, 2025, classifying it as a terrorist organisation and bringing it into the same category as armed groups like al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS). Critics decried the move, arguing that while members of the group have caused damage to property, they have not committed acts of violence that amount to terrorism.

More than 1,600 arrests linked to support for Palestine Action were made in the three months following the bans introduction. The ban has been challenged in court.

The hunger strikers have five key demands: immediate bail, the right to a fair trial  which they say includes the release of documents related to the ongoing witch-hunt of activists and campaigners  ending censorship of their communications, de-proscribing Palestine Action and shutting down Elbit Systems, which operates several UK factories.

The UK government has forced their bodies to a breaking point, pro-Palestine activist Audrey Corno told Al Jazeera Mubasher.

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A promise to the government is that the prisoners resistance and the peoples resistance against the genocide [in Gaza], Israels occupation and apartheid of genocide will not stop until it ends.





Who are the remaining hunger strikers?

Heba Muraisi, Kamran Ahmed, Teuta Hoxha and Lewie Chiaramello are the four people, aged between 20 and 31, who are continuing their hunger strikes.

Heba Muraisi

Muraisi, 31, was on day 60 of her hunger strike on Thursday. She is being held in HMP [His Majestys Prison] New Hall in Wakefield, a prison in West Yorkshire about 180 miles (290km) north of London.

Muraisi was arrested in November 2024 for her alleged role in an August 2024 raid on the Israel-based Elbit Systems in Bristol, which is believed to have cost the Israeli weapons manufacturer more than $1.34m.

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According to social media posts, Muraisi is of Yemeni origin. However, Al Jazeera could not independently verify this.

She was transferred to the West Yorkshire prison in October 2025 from HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, about 18 miles from the UK capital.

Heba is demanding to be transferred back to HMP Bronzefield. She was transferred very suddenly, very far away from her entire support network and family, which is based in London. Shes been experiencing consistent medical negligence. Her body is, as youd imagine, increasingly weak, Corno said.

In a statement shared with Al Jazeera on December 29, Muraisi said: Ive been force-fed repression and Im stuffed with rage and thats why Im doing what Im doing now. I am bringing acute awareness to the unjust application of UK laws by our Government and Im glad that people can now see this after a year of imprisonment and human rights violations. Keep going, keep fighting.

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Muraisis trial is set for June 2026, according to the protest group Prisoners For Palestine.

Heba Muraisi [Courtesy of Prisoners for Palestine]

Kamran Ahmed

Ahmed, 28, was also arrested in November 2024 and is being held in HMP Pentonville in north London. He was also arrested for his alleged involvement in the raid on Elbit Systems in Bristol. Ahmed has been on a hunger strike for more than 50 days.

According to a report by Middle East Eye, Ahmed is a mechanic.

Ahmed was hospitalised for a third time on December 20 after he refused food, his sister, Shahmina Alam, told Al Jazeera.





We know that hes rapidly been losing weight in the last few days, losing up to half a kilogramme [1.1lbs] a day, Alam told Al Jazeera in late December.

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Ahmed, who is 180cm (511), entered prison at a healthy 74kg (163lbs), but his last recorded weight was 60kg (132lbs).

Kamran has been hospitalised for the fourth time recently, Corno said.

Kamran Ahmed [Courtesy of Prisoners for Palestine]

Teuta Hoxha

Hoxha, 29, was on day 54 of her hunger strike on Thursday. She is being held at HMP Peterborough. She was also arrested in November 2024 on allegations of involvement in the Elbit Systems raid.

According to Prisoners for Palestine, Hoxha was moved from HMP Bronzefield on the day UK parliamentarians voted to proscribe Palestine Action  July 2, 2025.

Corno told Al Jazeera that she is in regular contact with Hoxha and that she has been having heart palpitations. Shes not been able to sleep through the night for weeks on end. I can see her memory start to deteriorate.

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In a statement published on the Prisoners for Palestine website, Hoxha said: This is a witch hunt, not a fair fight, and that behind the arrests of dissenting voices under counterterrorism powers, holding us on remand without trial for nearly two years and targeting protesters who condemn Palestinian suffering, is the palpably desperate attempt to force us all under the imperial boot of submission.

Teuta Hoxha [Courtesy of Prisoners for Palestine]

Lewie Chiaramello

Chiaramello, 22, has type 1 diabetes and hence, he has been fasting every other day. He is on day 28 of his hunger strike.

He has been held in HMP Bristol since July 2025 in connection with an incident at RAF Brize Norton, according to Prisoners for Palestine, and faces charges of conspiring to enter a restricted area for purposes harmful to the UKs safety and interests, as well as conspiracy to commit criminal damage. His trial is set for January 18, 2027.

On June 20, a group of Palestine Action activists broke into RAF Brize Norton, the largest Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire, and sprayed two military planes with red paint, causing an estimated $9.4m worth of damage.

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Hes been having to manage his insulin intake on his own with no medical supervision, Corno said.

Lewie Chiaramello [Courtesy of Prisoners for Palestine]

Who else has been on a hunger strike?

Four other imprisoned Palestine Action activists have ended their hunger strikes, mostly after being hospitalised.

This includes Qesser Zuhrah, 20 and Amu Gib, 30, who are being held at Bronzefield prison in Surrey. The pair began their hunger strikes on November 2 to coincide with the Balfour declaration of 1917, when Britain pledged to establish a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.

Umar Khalid, 22, who has muscular dystrophy, ended his hunger strike after 13 days. Jon Cink ended his hunger strike after 41 days when he was hospitalised. Qesser Zuhrah ended her hunger strike after 48 days and was hospitalised. Amy Gib was also hospitalised.




Hamas offered to give Mustafa's son 1,500 shekels if he agreed to work for them, either in the police force or by engaging in Hamas's activities.

While Israel and the US continue to insist on the need for Hamas to disarm, the terror group is reasserting control in parts of the Gaza Strip by recruiting new members to its military wing and civilian institutions.

A Palestinian father, referred to as Mustafa for security reasons, said that Hamas has been offering cash to teenagers to tempt them to join the group. Speaking to The Jerusalem Post, he described how Hamas tried to recruit his 16-year-old son in central Gaza.

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"One day, three men came up to my son. They were not in Hamas uniforms, just regular clothes, and gave him 200 shekels," Mustafa said. "They told him, 'Take this, buy yourself something.'"

The Palestinian teenager was confused and asked them why they gave him the money. "We help people," they replied.

They also offered to give him another 1,500 shekels if he agreed to work for them, either in the police force or by engaging in Hamas's activities.

Hamas member stands guard as people gather to watch Red Cross vehicles transporting hostages, following their handover as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in the central Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Stringer TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

"He didn't know what to do, and was scared," Mustafa told the Post. "He went home and told his older brother what happened. His brother got upset and immediately knew something was wrong. So he told him, 'If they come again, dont take anything and dont talk to them. Just tell them that we get by, and that our father supports us.'"

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Mustafa, a Fatah supporter, is currently living near Ramallah. He was part of the PA security forces in Gaza until 2007, when Hamas toppled the PA and seized control of the strip. After the Hamas coup, he and hundreds of security personnel fled to the West Bank, leaving their families behind.

"Hamas is taking advantage of poverty and families who lack food and other basic necessities," the father explained.

"Hamas told my son they would train him and his 18-year-old brother on weapons, and would give them anything they wanted."

It didn't end there. Later, Hamas members came to the family's house in Gaza and offered Mustafa's wife flour and food supplies. "My wife told them, 'We don't need anything, my husband sends us money.'"

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When the boy's uncle heard the story, he went to the home of one of the Hamas operatives and warned him not to approach the family again. They had an argument, but since then, no one from Hamas has tried to reach out to the brothers again.

"Hamas is brainwashing people, especially teenagers in Gaza," said Mustafa, adding that the terror group attracts them with economic incentives at first, but later blackmails the teenagers, making it almost impossible for them to walk away once involved.

Hamas promises security, threatens those who try to leave

"Hamas finds ways to lure them," he noted. "They promise them things like a tent to live in, and if someone tries to leave or no longer wants to be involved, they start threatening him, 'give back everything we gave you- the money, the food supplies.'"

Mustafa explained that most young men cannot pay it back, so they have no choice but to stay with Hamas, even if they dont want to. "Hamas keeps telling them, 'Jews took our land, you will be heroes if you fight them.'"

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"Hamas doesnt really care about the lives of these teenagers. I explained to my children that there is a political struggle between us and the Jews, but the resistance should be peaceful. Why would I send my son to his death? I raised my children to live, to get married, and to build their future - not to die," he said.

He described another method Hamas uses to recruit Palestinian residents. The group arrests teenagers on charges of drug possession or theft, then blackmails them and forces them to work for the organization.

"Another relative in our family, a 17-year-old, was arrested by Hamas," Mustafa said. "They told him, 'either you work for us, or we shoot your legs.'"

The young man agreed to join the group after his release. "In his case, it was true he stole something. He is more of a street boy. So Hamas also targets vulnerable boys who can be easily influenced, not only the poor ones," Mustafa added.

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According to a 27-year-old Gazan from the Shuja'iya neighborhood in eastern Gaza city, now displaced with his family in Deir-al Balah, Hamas usually recruits individuals referred to as 'Mosque children' - youth whose background is known to the group, not outsiders. He also said that many join Hamas willingly, not by force.

"They do it because they love Hamas and hate Israel, and because they want to take part in Jihad," he told the Post. "They see what Israel has done in Gaza - the killings, the destruction, and also what is happening in the West Bank. Thats why they join the resistance, especially if a family member was killed or their home was destroyed." He added that, like many other Palestinians, he too wants to leave Gaza and is waiting for the Rafah crossing to open so he can look for work elsewhere.

However, Mustafa noted that Hamas's attempts were not limited to mosques. "Many mosques have been destroyed during the war, so Hamas is looking for new recruits on the streets."

Palestinian sources pointed out that Hamas remains particularly strong in central Gaza, where it maintains a tight grip on the population. They said that the group operates there more freely than in other areas of the coastal enclave and continues to use civilian infrastructure to reorganize and rebuild.

"If Israel doesnt want to see another October 7, it has to destroy Hamas in central Gaza. If it remains powerful in this area, it will be difficult for any other group to replace it and take control," Mustafa said.
Update: Swiss investigators said Friday that the cause of the fire was sparklers that ignited the the ceiling. Read the latest here. Our earlier story is below.

A fire at a crowded bar in the Swiss Alps during New Year's Eve celebrations killed about 40 people and left 115 injured, many of them seriously, police said Thursday. Switzerland's president said many of the dead were teenagers.

The blaze tore through a bar called Le Constellation in the Alpine ski resort municipality of Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

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Beatrice Pilloud, Valais Canton attorney general, said it was too early to determine the cause of the fire, but indicated it was not related to terrorism.

"At no moment is there a question of any kind of attack," Pilloud said.

Experts have not yet been able to go inside the wreckage. Pilloud said the number of people who were in the bar is "currently totally unknown," adding that its maximum capacity will be part of the investigation.

"An investigation has been opened, not against anyone, but to illuminate the circumstances of this dramatic fire," she said.

The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. local time, and helicopters and ambulances rushed to the scene to assist victims, officials said.

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"More than a hundred people were in the building, and we are seeing many injured and many dead," police spokesperson Gaetan Lathion said.

"We are devastated," Frederic Gisler, commander of the Valais Cantonal police, said during a news conference.

The injured were so numerous that the intensive care unit and operating theater at the regional hospital quickly hit full capacity, according to regional councilor Mathias Reynard. He said it's likely that some burn patients will soon be transferred to neighboring countries for treatment.

The European Union said it has been in contact with Swiss authorities about providing medical assistance. France's foreign ministry said several survivors have been transferred to to French hospitals.

Police stand guard at the site of a a deadly fire that ripped through the bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Jan. 1, 2026. / Credit: MAXIME SCHMID/AFP/Getty

"We're just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is an internationally renowned ski resort with lots of tourists," Lathion said.

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Officials said they expected a number of foreign nationals to be among the dead. France said eight of its citizens were missing.

"There were people screaming"

Cellphone video captured harrowing images of of the tragedy's first moments as flames swept across the wooden ceiling of the bar's basement level, panicking partygoers who rushed to escape. The fire then rose up and engulfed the upper level.

Two women told French broadcaster BFMTV that they were inside when they saw a bartender carrying a waitress on his shoulders. They said she was holding a lit candle in a bottle that set fire to the wooden ceiling. The flames quickly spread and collapsed the ceiling, they told the broadcaster.

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"In a matter of seconds, the entire ceiling was ablaze. Everything was made of wood," one of the women said, according to a BBC News translation.

They described a crowd surge as people frantically tried to escape from the basement level up a narrow flight of stairs and through a narrow door.

There were "about 200 people trying to get out within 30 seconds through some very narrow steps," BBC quoted the woman as saying. "We were very lucky."

Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old from Paris who survived the blaze, described "total chaos" inside the bar. One of his friends died and "two or three were missing," he told The Associated Press.

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He said he hadn't seen the fire start, but did see waitresses arrive with Champagne bottles with sparklers, he said.

Clavier said he felt like he was suffocating and initially hid behind a table, then ran upstairs and tried to use a table to break a Plexiglas window. It fell out of its casing, allowing him to escape.

"I'm still in shock," he said.

Another witness speaking to BFMTV described people smashing windows to escape the blaze, some gravely injured, and panicked parents rushing to the scene in cars to see whether their children were trapped inside. The young man said he saw about 20 people scrambling to get out of the smoke and flames and likened what he saw to a horror movie as he watched from across the street.

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Local resident Samuel Rapp, 21, was at a restaurant nearby and went to the scene after the blaze broke out.

"Police and paramedics ... had already set up a protective perimeter," he told the Reuters news agency. "There were people screaming, and then people lying on the ground, probably dead. They had jackets over their faces."

Rescue workers and firefighters in the area where a deadly fire broke during New Year's celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, on Jan. 1, 2026. / Credit: Police Cantonale Valaisanne/AP (Police Valais/Handout)

Officials called the blaze an "embrasement generalise," a firefighting term describing how a blaze can trigger the release of combustible gases that can then ignite violently and cause what English-speaking firefighters would call a flashover or a backdraft.

Flashover can happen fast  within just a few minutes  when a rapid increase in heat reaches the combustion point and engulfs the entire space in fire.

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Officials said they are prioritizing forensic work so that the bodies of the victims can be returned to their families, but said the process may take several days, Reuters reported.

"This evening should have been a moment of celebration and coming together, but it turned into a nightmare," said Reynard, the regional government leader.

"What was a moment of joy turned into a tragedy in Crans-Montana last night, felt across the country and beyond," Swiss President Guy Parmelin said in a social media post. "The Federal Council has taken note of this with deep dismay. Its thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their families and it extends its deepest condolences."

Hundreds of people stood in silence near the scene as they came to pay their respects to the victims on Thursday night. Many left flowers or lit candles at a growing memorial site along the road leading to the bar, which police had cordoned off. Some cried, others quietly hugged one another.

Mourners gather to leave flowers and candles near the scene after a fire broke out overnight at Le Constellation bar on Jan. 1, 2026 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. / Credit: Harold Cunningham / Getty Images

In a region busy with tourists skiing on the slopes, the authorities have called on the local population to show caution in the coming days to avoid any accidents that could require medical resources that are already overwhelmed.

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The Crans-Montana community is in the heart of the Swiss Alps, just 25 miles north of the Matterhorn.

A map graphic shows the location of the Crans-Montana ski resort area in the Swiss Alps, where a fire tore through a bar killing dozens of people celebrating the near year, early on Jan. 1, 2026. / Credit: Ufuk Celal Guzel/Anadolu/Getty

With high-altitude ski runs in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Crans-Montana is one of the winter sports centers of Switzerland's ski-crazy Valais region, also home to Zermatt, Verbier and other resorts nestled in the snowy peaks and pine forests that draw winter sports enthusiasts from across the planet. The resort is one of the top race venues on the World Cup circuit in Alpine skiing and will host the next world championships over two weeks in February 2027.

In four weeks' time, the resort will host the best men's and women's downhill racers for their last events before going to the Milan Cortina Olympics, which open on Feb. 6.

Crans-Montana also is a premium venue in international golf. The Crans-sur-Sierre club stages the European Masters each August on a picturesque course with stunning mountains views. Le Constellation bar is about 273 yards down the street from the golf club.

High school softball coach recruited ex-player in murder plot, prosecutors say

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The Pierce County Force Investigative Team (PCFIT) is now looking into a deadly deputy-involved shooting that happened early Monday morning in the South Hill neighborhood.

According to the Pierce County Sheriffs Office, deputies responded to the area after a caller reported a suspicious vehicle, saying someone inside fired a shot outside their home.

When deputies arrived, they spotted a man sleeping in a vehicle and made contact with him.

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Moments later, shots were fired.

The man who was shot was later identified by the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability as 32-year old L.J. Causey, a father of three.

Causeys girlfriend posted a message on social media thanking people for their love and prayers, saying the family is taking this one step at a time.

Neither the medical examiners office, nor PCFIT, has officially identified the victim.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The question I want to have answered right now is did any police officer try to make an interaction with the person who was sleeping? Did you say to him: Hey, show your hands, we need to talk to you? said Elaine Simons, a coalition member.

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Simons is the foster mother of Jesse Sarey  a 26-year old man shot in 2019 by an Auburn police officer who was later convicted of murder.

Sonia Joseph is also in the coalition. Shes the mother of Giovonn Joseph-McDade  a 20-year old unarmed man shot by a Kent police officer in 2017.

There is a protocol of how to de-escalate, how to get information on whats happeningWake the man up and get the information you need before you take the action, said Joseph.

The coalition members say they will keep an eye on what comes from the investigation, hoping for transparency.
President Donald Trump said hes dropping  for now  his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, a move that comes after legal roadblocks hung up the effort.

Trump said in a social media post Wednesday that hes removing the Guard troops for now. We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again  Only a question of time! he wrote.

Troops had already left Los Angeles after the president deployed them earlier this year as part of a broader crackdown on crime and immigration. They had been sent to Chicago and Portland but were never on the streets as legal challenges played out.

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In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson reiterated that Trumps effort to deploy National Guard troops to the citys streets was both unnecessary and unconstitutional, adding that Chicagos number of homicides has dropped significantly.

In the new year, we will continue to resist federal overreach while focusing on the strategies that work to drive down crime and violence, Johnson said.

Indeed, Trumps push to deploy the troops in Democrat-led cities has been met with legal challenges at nearly every turn.

The Supreme Court in December refused to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area as part of its crackdown on immigration. The order was not a final ruling but was a significant and rare setback by the high court for the presidents efforts.

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In the nations capital, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued to halt the deployments of more than 2,000 guardsmen.

In Oregon, a federal judge permanently blocked the deployment of National Guard troops there.

California National Guard troops had already been removed from the streets of Los Angeles by Dec. 15 after a court ruling. But an appeals court had paused a separate part of the order that required control of the Guard to return to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

In a Tuesday court filing, the Trump administration said it was no longer seeking a pause in that part of the order. That paves the way for the California National Guard troops to fully return to state control after Trump federalized the Guard in June.

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The solemn ceremony marked his tribute to the fallen heroes of the Indian Armed Forces.

Senior officers of the Indian Air Force were present on the occasion as Air Marshal Kapoor paid homage, reaffirming the force's commitment to service, sacrifice and the defence of the nation.

Air Marshal Kapoor was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 06 December 1986. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. A Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader, he has more than 3400 hours of flying experience.

During his illustrious career, the Air Marshal has held numerous field and staff appointments. His operational tenures include being the Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron in the Central Sector, Station Commander of a flying base in the Western Sector and Air Officer Commanding of a premier air base.

He has done instructional tenures as Chief Instructor (Flying) at Air Force Academy and as Directing Staff at the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. During his tenure at the Air Force Academy, the Air Officer was instrumental in the induction and operationalisation of PC-7 MK II aircraft in the IAF.

He has also undertaken a diplomatic assignment as the Defence Attache in Pakistan. His staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Strategy) at Air HQ, Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Central Air Command.

Before taking over as AIC-in-C Training Command, he also served as the Air Officer-in-Charge, Personnel, at Air Headquarters in New Delhi. (ANI)
The right-wing think tank behind the 900-page blueprint for Donald Trumps administration is looking ahead to 2026 with a theme inspired by the presidents own message: a golden age is coming.

The Heritage Foundations Project 2025 and its core policy book Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise were drawn up by a constellation of Trump aides and allies who would go on to find jobs in the administration.

Project 2025s plans for the Republican administration included a radical expansion of executive authority, drastic cuts in spending and social services, gutting the federal workforce, stripping LGBT+ rights and implementing a sweeping anti-immigrant agenda.

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By the end of the year, with the plans co-authors installed in key roles across the federal government, more than half of the items inside the Heritage Foundations mammoth wishlist have been implemented.

The groups 2026 agenda, published earlier this year as a plan for Restoring Americas Promise, pledges to engage in Washington to dismantle the deep state and in the states to restore the family, rebuild American institutions, and restore opportunity for all as the country heads into its 250th anniversary.

The Heritage Foundations Project 2025 blueprint for a Republican administration was at the center of protests leading up to and after Trumps election (AFP via Getty Images)

A new ad running on cable networks declares, the golden age is a choice.

Its a choice to prioritize families and empower local communities, narrators say alongside a cinematic score and a montage of iconic American scenes  sunset from a mountain, blue-collar workers, an aircraft carrier, a baby, fireworks, and Charlie Kirk.

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A choice to find dignity in prosperous and honorable work, they say. A choice to prioritize our nations safety, protecting our homeland and standing strong against foreign threats. A choice to cherish the greatest gift weve been given  waking up every day an American citizen.

A spokesperson for Heritage told The Independent that the organizations mission to build a better America has not changed.

We will always research, develop, and advocate for conservative policy solutions, the spokesperson said. But our strategy is shifting.

The group is now building on Four Cornerstones, including The American Family, The Dignity of Work and the Future of Free Enterprise, National Security, and American Heritage and Citizenship.

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The national ad campaign intends to reset and reframe the conversation, the spokesperson added.

Heritage did not respond to The Independents questions as to whether it intends to work with the Trump administration to implement those ideas.

Heritage will continue to work with lawmakers and officials at every level of government, just as we have done for more than 50 years, the spokesman added.

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts is forging ahead with an agenda for Trumps remaining years in office with a plan for a golden age of America (AP)

That vision includes nine priorities that echo right-wing campaigns that have dominated the Trump era, from boosting immigration enforcement to investing in Big Oil.

Chief among them is countering the Chinese Communist Party, which Heritage defines as the most persistent and consequential foreign threat facing the American people today.

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Heritage is also taking aim at eliminating federal regulations that it believes are strangling business and the economy; ending immigration chaos by surging federal resources into the administrations mass deportation campaign; ensuring election integrity by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship at the polls and expanding education freedom by getting rid of the Department of Education.

The group also wants to restore digital sovereignty by targeting Big Tech, put family first with an anti-abortion agenda, and unleash American energy by ditching regulatory frameworks intended to combat the climate crisis.

Plans to root out the deep state call for centralizing presidential control of the federal government, including opposing any expansion of authority for independent agencies that seek to hold it accountable.

Democratic officials seized on Project 2025s links to the Trump administration and the Heritage Foundations blueprint to consolidate power within the executive branch (Getty Images)

Heritage has separately published an 800-page, clause-by-clause analysis of the Constitution, co-written by a fleet of conservative federal judges on the shortlist for the Supreme Court.

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The Heritage Guide to the Constitution  with a foreword by conservative Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and contributions from more than 30 similarly ideologically aligned judges  appears to be a judicial counterpart to the Project 2025 manifesto.

The guide also includes an 18-member judicial advisory board, none of whom were appointed by Democratic presidents.

All but three of them were appointed by Trump, and most of their names have been floated as possible Supreme Court nominees at one point.

White House budge director Russell Vought, among the architects of Project 2025, is one of several Heritage-aligned officials appointed to the Trump administration (Getty Images)

Trump initially said he had no idea who was behind Project 2025 while Democratic campaigns were raising alarms during the 2024 election.

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His presidential transition chair and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said he wouldnt touch it, and Trump repeatedly tried to distance himself from the group during the campaign, claiming that he both knows nothing about Project 2025 and has no idea who is behind it while also saying he disagrees with some of its absolutely ridiculous and abysmal proposals.

Meanwhile, the chief political action committee supporting Trump was running online ads promoting Project 2025, explicitly calling it Trumps Project 2025.

The authors of Project 2025 were quickly all over the administration.

Trump picked Russell Vought as the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, a key role that oversees spending across the administration. Vought is also among the architects of the 2025 plan and wrote the chapter on transforming the executive branch.

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Months later, after decimating the federal government and waging legal battles to keep the cuts permanent, Trump bragged that he was meeting with Vought and explicitly mentioned his Project 2025 connection.

I have a meeting today with Russ Vought, he of PROJECT 2025 Fame, to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent, Trump posted on Truth Social in October. I cant believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity. They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Brendan Carr, Trumps pick to lead the Federal Communications Commission, authored Project 2025s chapter on the agency, which regulates television, radio, the internet, and communications.

Trumps border czar, Tom Homan  a former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement  also is listed among the contributors to Project 2025, and was a visiting fellow with the Heritage Foundations Border Security and Immigration Center, where he drafted a series of articles about immigration policy for the group.

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John Ratcliffe, Trumps nominee for CIA director, was among the authors of Project 2025s chapter on U.S. intelligence.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller railed against a "leftist" jury that acquitted a man who towed an ICE vehicle during an arrest. (Getty)

Stephen Miller returned to the Trump White House as a deputy chief of staff for policy, overseeing a bulk of Trumps anti-immigration agenda. His organization, America First Lega,l was initially listed among the contributors to Project 2025, but the groups name was removed from its website after Trump and his allies began to criticize the proposal.

In August, Trump nominated Heritage Foundation economist EJ Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics after firing commissioner Erika McEntarfer following a soft jobs report and the presidents bogus claims that employment statistics were cooked up to politically hurt Republicans. After widespread criticism and what one group called like hiring a flat-earther to run NASA, Antoni withdrew from consideration.

But by the end of the year, reports surfaced that the Heritage Foundation was facing open rebellion as president Kevin Roberts struggled to contain the growing uproar he incited by defending right-wing media personality Tucker Carlson in the wake of his interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes.

That fallout appeared to reflect a broader schism within the American conservative movement, one thats bracing for life after Trumps presidency and drafting a plan to stay alive without him.
One week after a Washington Post story indicated that the federal government was proposing to open a detention facility to house immigrant detainees in Roxbury, local officials continue to say they are still in the dark.

But that didn't stop dozens of people from showing up at a routine year-end meeting of the Township Council on Dec. 30 to protest the possibility that Roxbury would be included in a network of new detention facilities nationwide designed to speed up deportations of aliens detained by the Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Commenters could be seen but not heard in a video of the meeting posted by Roxbury Democrats. More than 21 people spoke during the public comment section of the meeting, far more than usual, according to a report by the Roxbury TAP.

Reading in the Post that Roxbury was a "potential site to warehouse human beings raised every hair on the back of my neck," said Sherri Morningstar of neighboring Mount Olive.

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Diane May said she was not a "not in my backyard" resident of Roxbury, but "I've seen the vile and, quite frankly, illegal treatment of these migrants over the last several months."

"I do not want ICE officials chasing people from neighborhoods," she said. "I do not want migrants detained in warehouses. I do not want news crews creating more traffic as they report on protests outside of an ICE detention center. These should not be occurring anywhere in our country, and I certainly don't want it in my town."

National Guard members walk at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Broadview facility in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., October 9, 2025.

Prior to the public comment, Mayor Shawn Potillo said no one from the federal government had contacted them about the Washington Post report or its validity

"No plans have been presented to the township, and no discussions were held between Roxbury officials and DHS or ICE," Potillo said. "Upon learning of this information through the media, we immediately reached out to our county, state and federal representatives. They, likewise, became aware of this matter through the media reports."

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State Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco, who is also the Roxbury municipal attorney, did not speak during the meeting. But he did tell the Daily Record that, like the council, he only knows what he read in the Washington Post report.

"No one has contacted the town directly," Bucco said. "I spoke to [Morris County Sheriff James Gannon] directly, and no one has contacted him or the county. So at this point, we're kind of operating off a newspaper article, because no one from the federal government has contacted either Roxbury or the county to say that this is either something they are looking at, or that it's just information."

Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who represents Roxbury in New Jersey's Seventh district, did not respond to an email request for comment.

May's public comment concluded with a call for the council to "act proactively" to block any plans for such a facility in their town.

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"When this period in time is looked back on, I would hope Roxbury Township acted to stand firmly on the right side of history," she said.

"We are committed to keeping our residents fully informed and will provide clear and transparent updates as information becomes available," Potillo said. "We also remain fully committed to the safety of our residents. Your protection will continue to be, as it always has been, a top priority in this council."

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Protesters show up at Roxbury council meeting after ICE center report
A wish for "world peace," an endorsement of tariffs and $2.75 million for a painting of Jesus capped the public's peek into President Donald Trump's opulent New Year's Eve gala at Mar-a-Lago.

The president arrived at the aptly named Donald J. Trump ballroom at the Palm Beach club he has owned for 40 years just before 9 p.m. along with first lady Melania Trump, who was dressed in a shimmering, silver full-length dress. The first couple walked along a black carpet with "Happy New Year Mar-a-Lago" written in gold lettering and stopped before a platoon of reporters.

Asked what if he had a New Year's resolution, the president said "world peace," but then ignored questions about a reported CIA strike at a coastal facility in Venezuela earlier this week or possible U.S. military involvement in Ukraine.

On stage, the president praised the management of the country in the first 11 months of this non-consecutive second term.

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"We're taking in hundreds of millions of dollars in tariffs," the president said, and again promised $1,776 checks to military service members. "We're doing great as a country. We're back. We're strong. I didn't think it could happen this fast. It's happening faster than anybody thought possible."

Former Trump legal adviser Rudy Giuliani was in attendance along with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The president then presided over the auction of a painting of Jesus Christ's face by artist Vanessa Horabuena. Trump said proceeds would go to St. Jude Children's Hospital and a sheriff's department, but did not specify if it would be the Palm Beach Sheriffs Office.

The president began the bidding at $100,000 but did not offer a bid thereafter.

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When one bidder offered $1 million, Trump responded "he's the biggest guy on Wall Street."

The painting sold for $2.75 million.

President Donald Trump mingles with guests during a New Year's Eve event at his Mar-a-Lago club on Dec. 31, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. The President addressed guests and celebrated the arrival of 2026.

The evening followed an active day for Trump on social media in what was a seemingly stream of consciousness on an eclectic if not random mix of topics.

The president fired off more than 10 posts, including ones that called Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz "crooked" and alleged that 90% of the purported fraud in the state has been perpetrated by "people that came into our Country, illegally, from Somalia." Still, Trump also predicted there is "more FRAUD in California" than in Minnesota.

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Speaking of the Golden State, the president also claimed "California and Colorado are two of the TOP OUTBOUND STATES IN 2025" for people seeking to move to other states.

Trump denigrated Democrats as a "bunch of cheaters and thieves" in a post calling for voter identification. And he demanded fellow Republicans give "No more money to Fat Cat Insurance Companies."

The president also stated that his administration's tariff policies "singularly" fueled "a World Record on investments," totaling "Trillions of Dollars more than" what China reaped.

Trump praised the Border Patrol for doing a "fantastic job" and stated he is "so proud that more than half are of Hispanic heritage."

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"There is no group I am more proud of than Border Patrol and ICE, and nobody understands the Border better than our fantastic Hispanic population, which continues to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump wrote.

The president also posted that he is "removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland."

"We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time!" he wrote.

Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump touts economy, auctions painting at Mar-a-Lago New Year's gala
A survey has found that Tennessee teens vape twice as much as adults and more than their peers in other states.

What's happening?

WVLT 8 reported that the state's median youth vaping rate is almost 30% higher than the rest of the country.

"A lot of it  is because of the flavors," Taylor Brower, the Tobacco Health Educator and Coordinator at the Knoxville Health Department, told the station.

"They're very curious about what they taste like, and oftentimes, too, big tobacco companies will purposely make the packaging very brightly colored and in their face."

Why is vaping concerning?

E-cigarettes are often marketed as a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes, but they still come with many risks, especially for young people.

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For one, vape products contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance. According to TeensHealth, nicotine from e-cigarettes can contribute to anxiety and depression, sleep problems, and lung problems.

The nicotine in vapes can also affect brain development in youth, per the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

But nicotine isn't the only thing that teens breathe in when they vape. Aerosol from these devices can also contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including cancer-causing chemicals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states.

Plus, many of these devices are designed to be thrown away, contributing to plastic pollution, toxic e-waste, and discarded lithium batteries, the latter being a major fire hazard at landfills and in disposal trucks.

What's being done about e-cigarettes?

There are a number of campaigns aimed at teaching parents and teens about the consequences of e-cigarettes and how to quit. One such program mentioned by WVLT 8 is the Knox County Health Department's tobacco resource page.

Meanwhile, new research suggests that using plain packaging on vape products may deter children and teens from buying them.

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At the same time, several countries have either banned certain vaping products or are considering doing so. Costa Rica, for one, recently introduced a bill that would outlaw the import, sale, distribution, and use of vapes there.

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 fast-moving fire tore through a home in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.

The blaze broke out around 9 p.m. Wednesday night on Hollybrook Drive.

6abc obtained video showing flames engulfing the house.

Firefighters rushed to the scene and were able to rescue two pet cats from the burning home.

Officials say all residents were able to escape and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
An overnight tragedy in Manchester, New Hampshire, left one person dead and several others injured after a three-alarm fire ripped through an apartment building early New Years morning.

The blaze broke out at the Executive Manor Apartments on Union Street just 30 minutes into the New Year, causing heavy flames on the third and fourth floors of the building.

Firefighters say multiple residents were trapped and forced onto balconies and windows, with at least one person jumping from a second-floor balcony to escape. Crews rescued others using ladders and bucket trucks, including a child from a fourth-floor bedroom.

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Both of us grabbed jackets, and we just ran outside. We didnt take anything. Just slippers, resident Jean Noel said.

Officials confirm that about 40 people lived in the building, and at least eight were taken to the hospital, one in critical condition. Sadly, one person did not survive.

Residents described chaotic moments as alarms sounded and smoke filled the building. One man said his pregnant neighbor, unable to get all her children out, dropped one child to medics below for safety.

She took one of the kids and threw down, so the medics came and grabbed them, took them to the hospital, resident Bernard Niyomugabo recalled.

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Manchester fire officials praised crews for their heroic efforts during the intense and dangerous rescue operation.

The members of the department acted very courageously, very heroically, to put hose lines in place and make rescues, Manchester Fire Marshal Mitch Cady said.

The building sustained significant damage and will be uninhabitable for some time. Power and gas have been shut off. A nearby church opened its doors to shelter survivors, and the Red Cross is assisting 10 displaced families.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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(Photo by Prapass Pulsub/Getty Images)

A Des Moines area respiratory therapist is facing multiple disciplinary charges from state regulators, including negligence in the practice of the profession.

Records of the Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography show that respiratory therapist Philip A. Kester, 41, has been charged with habitual intoxication or addiction including the excessive use of alcohol or drugs in a manner that might impair a licensees ability to practice skill and safety.

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He is also charged with negligence in the practice of the profession, failure to cooperate with an investigation of the board, and failure to respond within 30 days to a communication from the board.

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The board has not publicly disclosed any of the alleged actions that led to the filing of the charges other than to say they occurred at some unspecified time in the past when Kester was practicing in Des Moines.

A board hearing on the matter is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2026.

State records indicate Kester was first issued an Iowa respiratory care practitioners license in May 2012.

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Court records indicate that in November 2019, Kester was arrested and charged with drunken driving. According to a police report, he was stopped for driving the wrong way on E.P. True Parkway in West Des Moines, showed signs of being intoxicated, and then refused to submit to a preliminary breath test. After pleading guilty to a charge of first-offense drunken driving, Kester was sentenced to one year of probation.

In February 2021, Kester was arrested again on a charge of drunken driving. In that case, Ames police alleged they found Kesters vehicle in a ditch with Kester still inside the car. According to the police report, Kester showed signs of inebriation and testing showed he had a blood alcohol level of 0.275  more than three times the legal limit for driving. After pleading guilty to second-offense drunken driving, Kester was sentenced to one week in jail and one year of probation.

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Family, friends, former colleagues and students are mourning the death of retired Wingate University professor Leon Smith, who was killed in a hit-and-run while riding his bike Sunday in Monroe.

ALSO READ: Suspect arrested in deadly Monroe hit-and-run crash

His family and friends gathered Thursday at the Derby Restaurant & Bar in Monroe. They chose not to define him by the tragedy but by a life marked by faith, kindness, and service.

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I still cant believe it. It hurts so deeply, said former professor Gladys Kerr, Wingate University.

Smiths daughter, Tara Smith Rummage, told Channel 9s Miana Massey that on Sunday evening, her world changed forever.

I was horrified. I was absolutely horrified, Rummage said.

She learned that her 83-year-old father was killed in the hit-and-run along Morgan Mill Road.

I thought, here I am, my brother lives in Midland. Im here in Wingate, and Im fatherless, she said. I have no parents. I thought in my right mind, Who could do this?

The search for answers soon began along with an outpouring of support from the community.

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I didnt realize how much of an influential person that he really was, Rummage said.

Smith spent decades teaching communications at Wingate University where colleagues remember him as a professor who truly cared.

He was commendable and outstanding in every way, Kerr said. He cared about his students. He did a fine job with his assignments, and he was a Christian.

Smith was a man of many talents whose creativity and curiosity extended far beyond the classroom.

He was a multitalented man, a musician, sculpture, teacher, said former professor John Coleman, Wingate University.

Rummage said her father was determined to stay active despite health challenges.

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I think riding a bike was the best thing he could do for himself, she said. He was trying to stay healthy, trying to ride and actually got neighbors to ride with him.

The community is holding tightly onto the legacy he leaves behind.

His legacy is in his family, his daughter, son and grandson, Coleman said. I think thats going to be his legacy.

Smiths memorial services will be on Saturday at First Baptist Church in Pageland, South Carolina.

Troopers arrested the suspected driver, Francisco Roman Escobar on Wednesday.

Hes in jail on a $250,000 bond.

VIDEO: Wingate woman supports families in need through home food pantry
Sereen Banna said the partners of Downtown LA Law Group called her Erin Brockovich for her work helping hundreds sue over noxious fumes spewing out of a landfill in northern Los Angeles County.

An ambitious paralegal, Banna said she embraced the role she had in empowering residents to take on companies suspected of polluting their neighborhoods.

Her bosses were proud too, she said. Banna, 28, recalled them saying she would make them all billionaires someday.

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But in early 2024, Banna said, she discovered a troubling trend in some of the firms most lucrative cases: Clients who claimed they were paid before joining lawsuits.

On Dec. 16, Banna sued Downtown LA Law Group, also known as DTLA, stating the firm failed to address her complaints about "illegal solicitation, as well as deceptive and unethical practices aimed at persuading individuals to become clients through misrepresentations."

She accused the firm, which she left in the fall of 2024, of amassing plaintiffs through practices that appeared designed to exploit vulnerable individuals."

DTLA called the allegations "baseless," saying they came from a disgruntled former employee.

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Any allegations of fraud, paid referrals, or unethical practices by DTLA Law Group are not only unsubstantiated, but false," the firm said in a statement. "We intend to fight this in the court of law, where the facts will show that we operate with unwavering integrity, prioritizing client welfare."

Banna's lawsuit caps a tumultuous year for DTLA. A partnership between three childhood friends, DTLA has grown from a small firm focused on car crash victims into a civil litigation powerhouse, filing thousands of cases related to the January wildfires and sexual abuse in government facilities. The firm filed nearly a quarter of the cases in the $4-billion sex abuse settlement approved last spring by Los Angeles County  the largest of its kind in U.S. history.

Read more: How private investors stand to profit from billions in L.A. County sex abuse settlements

But the meteoric rise has drawn scrutiny.

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The Times reported in the fall that nine of the firms clients who sued over sex abuse in L.A. County facilities said recruiters paid them to file a lawsuit, including four who said they were told to fabricate claims. The L.A. County district attorneys office is now conducting a probe into the allegations.

With the investigation pending, questions have lingered about how DTLA managed to amass so many plaintiffs so quickly. The Times spoke to more than 40 of the firm's clients and 10 former employees, many of whom described aggressive tactics to bring in new clients and reap profits stretching back years.

More than a dozen people represented by DTLA in personal injury cases said they were recruited at a crisis point in their lives with promises of massive payouts and pressured into expensive surgeries that attorneys said would make their case more valuable. The more medical procedures, they were told, the more damages attorneys could claim.

At the end, some clients say, they were left with a fraction of what they were promised.

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DTLA said in a statement it exists to support clients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

That includes helping them avoid unnecessary financial stress while their cases are pending, the firm said. Medical care decisions are made solely by clients and their physicians.

Sereen Banna, a former DTLA paralegal, sued the firm on Dec. 16, alleging it did not listen to her complaints of unethical solicitation. The firm has denied wrongdoing. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Banna said in her lawsuit she repeatedly complained about how clients were being solicited.

She said in an interview she reported the first paid landfill client she was aware of  a woman who received a $20 gift card  to her bosses in early 2024. In her lawsuit, she alleged "such conduct constitutes unlawful and unethical behavior for attorneys."

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She said her boss told her the alleged payments would be investigated.

"At that point, I was reminded it was above my pay grade, she said.

'A really big part of the recruitment process'

Banna said she resigned from DTLA in October 2024, around the time the firm began pursuing a new cohort of clients: human trafficking victims who'd been abused in hotels.

Banna said one of her colleagues, an intake coordinator, told her a man named Kevin Johnson had paid one sex worker $20 to come into the office.

Over the last two years, five ex-workers told The Times, Johnson became an increasingly common sight at the firm as he started shepherding in clients hed found to sue over sex abuse in the juvenile halls and the Eaton fire. Like most former employees, the ex-workers requested anonymity, fearing professional retaliation.

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Johnson, a 54-year-old entertainer who hosts gospel brunches and soul nights in Inglewood, according to his social media, did not respond to messages or a letter left at his home. The firm is currently representing him in a lawsuit over a Mid-City car crash.

California law bans a practice known as capping, in which non-attorneys solicit clients to join litigation with a firm. DTLA has denied working with cappers and Johnson did not respond to questions about his recruitment for the firm.

Read more: D.A. to investigate claims of fraud in L.A. County's $4-billion sex abuse settlement

Former employees said Johnson was responsible for bringing in a large number of clients.

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He is a really big part of the recruitment process for Downtown LA, said Banna, who described how she was called to do intake with sex abuse clients after Johnson brought them into the offices of one of the partners.

Johnson wasnt a DTLA employee, yet workers say he was a familiar face around the office.

He was close with the partners and chummy with employees, handing out lucky $2 bills to workers last holiday season, three former employees said. Two said that at one point he had his own swipe card, so he could come and go freely.

A digital trail connects Johnson to DTLA's client list.

The Times found more than a dozen friends of Johnson's on Facebook who appeared to have a sex abuse lawsuit filed with the county. To do this, The Times cross-referenced a list of county sex abuse plaintiffs represented by DTLA with Johnson's Facebook friends to see how many shared identifying details.

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Larisa Ellis, whom Johnson describes on Facebook as his wife, paid someone who later had a DTLA sex abuse lawsuit $50 at a social services office in November 2024 with the payment caption Thanks for using our referral service, according to a Cash app transaction. Ellis did not respond to a message and a letter left at their home.

"DTLA does not pay clients to retain our services or for referrals," the firm said in a statement.

Austin Beagle and Nevada Barker, former clients of DTLA, said they were paid to sue over alleged sexual abuse in L.A. County by a man named Kevin, whose last name they didn't know. Beagle and Barker later had their lawsuit dismissed. (Joe Garcia / For The Times)

Nevada Barker and Austin Beagle, two former DTLA clients, previously told The Times that a man named Kevin, whose last name they didnt know, paid them $100 each in DTLAs office after they made false claims of sex abuse. Barker identified Johnson through pictures as the man who paid her.

The couple said they were under the impression they were being compensated to be actors in a movie. The firm later asked the court to dismiss their lawsuits.

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He said he worked for a referral service and the lawsuit needed enough participants to go through, Beagle said. He didnt work for the law office.

'Tell her I got $ for her'

Several clients told The Times they were offered money by DTLA partner Farid Yaghoubtil if they could find people to sign up for lawsuits with the firm.

He called it an advancement,  said LaShelle Allison, 53, a former client who said she referred several car accident victims for Yaghoubtil. 'Heres $250, Heres $650, Heres $500 for rent.'"

California is one of the few states where lawyers are allowed to lend clients money.

The State Bar has a general rule that lawyers are not supposed to pay "personal or business expenses." The bar makes exceptions that include if the client promises in writing to repay the loan, for providing funds to promote "the interests of an indigent person," and for "advancing costs" to protect a client, with repayment contingent on the outcome of the matter.

DTLA said in a statement that it offers small loans to clients in limited situations.

The firm has offered small, interest-free micro-advances to help with short-term needs like temporary housing or basic expenses, specifically so clients do not feel compelled to turn to third-party lenders, the firm said. These advances are entirely voluntary, never tied to medical or legal decisions, and are only recovered if a case is successfully resolved.

Read more: L.A. County moves to ban 'predatory solicitation' amid questions about sex abuse lawsuits

Akeem Smith, 40, had DTLA sue on his behalf at least four times: twice for car crashes, once after he was punched at a nightclub and again over a shopping cart mishap at Rite Aid.

Smith referred 10 potential clients to Yaghoubtil, nearly all car crash victims, according to text messages between the two men. In return, Smith said, he was told hed be compensated, though he said he was disappointed to find he was never paid for the clients he referred.

Instead, Smith said he received monthly advances of about $2,000 based on potential settlements the firm was expecting in his cases.

Smith said he would encourage clients to sign up for cases with DTLA but did not pay them. He told some about money Yaghoubtil was offering.

Tell her I got $ for her, Yaghoubtil texted Aug. 9, 2022, regarding a woman who Smith said had been in an accident and was considering not moving forward with the firm. Get her back for me.

Akeem Smith stands in front of the old DTLA office in East Hollywood. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

After The Times reached out to DTLA seeking comment on the allegations made by Smith, Yaghoubtil texted Smith asking him to notify the reporter that "everything you told her was a lie" and to remind The Times that he was still a client of the firm, according to a message Smith shared.

The next day, after telling The Times he planned to go into DTLAs office, Smith falsely accused the reporter via text of harassment and failing to disclose they were a journalist.

In August, Smith made an ill-fated attempt to sue the firm, representing himself in a lawsuit accusing them of keeping too much of his settlement money. He asked for the case to be dismissed a month later.

Smith said he became dependent on the firm for income and, sometimes, shelter. In the summer of 2022, Smith moved into a downtown building where he paid rent to Yaghoubtils uncle, according to text messages between the two men. The handwritten lease, rife with misspellings, said he could stay there until he seatel his case whit Dawntow Law Group.

Smith said he made monthly trips to pick up checks from DTLA, which was providing him money for his rent, bills, food and car repairs, according to loan statements and text messages between the two men.

Smith said he flitted in and out of homelessness during that time  his first time ever without stable housing.

When I met you I had my own everything, Smith texted Yaghoubtil on July 18, 2022. Now I dont even have clothes.

Listed in Smith's phone as "Farid Ferrari," Yaghoubtil replied, "What happened to the money you got?"

Landlords, landfills and 'incentives in exchange for signatures'

Downtown LA Law Group, founded in 2016, is run by three longtime friends.

Yaghoubtil, 42, is cousins with founding partner Daniel Azizi, 43. They met Salar Hendizadeh, 44, in elementary school, according to an interview they did with a commercial real estate company.

All attended Beverly Hills High School together, yearbooks show.

Hendizadeh left the firm in October, according to a letter sent to staff this month. The note did not explain why but said Hendizadeh cannot be conducting any firm related business. He did not respond to an inquiry from The Times.

Many clients who spoke to The Times said that among the partners, Yaghoubtil in particular vied hard to get their business.

In January 2019, William Brighton, who was in the VA hospital recovering from a car accident, asked a judge for a restraining order against Yaghoubtil, accusing him of making numerous visits at the hospital to coerce [and bribe] me to retain them as counsel.

He said Yaghoubtil offered him $1,000 to switch from his current law firm, according to the request for a restraining order. Brighton later asked a judge to dismiss the case.

DTLA did not address questions about the restraining order request.

The firm expanded quickly, outgrowing four different offices before landing this year in a 52,000-square-foot headquarters in the Arts District. They moved beyond their bread-and-butter fare of personal injury, adding departments for mass torts  cases that involves thousands of people suing over the same thing  and housing law.

An empty plot of land where the DTLA partners used to own an apartment building across the street from their East Hollywood office. Multiple tenants sued the partners for living conditions and the building is now demolished. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

The trio moonlighted as landlords themselves, owning an apartment building across the street from their East Hollywood office. They were sued by several units in 2023 and 2024 over living conditions, including allegations of infestations of rats, vermin and cockroaches that tenants said made their lives a living hell. One of the cases settled for $2 million, according to court records.

The partners were charged in October 2024 with a misdemeanor for failing to maintain the building. The case was dismissed and the building is now demolished.

Read more: Judge tapped to vet $4-billion sex abuse settlement; L.A. County urges bar investigation

Around 2024, their mass torts business began booming, starting with the landfill lawsuits, in which the firm accused the operators of recklessly allowing nauseating odors.

Heather Stone said she saw representatives of DTLA looking for people for landfill cases outside a Santa Clarita Walmart in 2024, one of two residents who told The Times they saw representatives at the store who appeared to be recruiting clients.

Castaic's Chiquita Canyon Landfill, which residents say emits noxious odors, is the subject of a flood of lawsuits brought by DTLA. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Banna said in an interview that she later learned some clients for the landfill cases had been receiving gift cards to sign petitions at box stores in the area and that those names later appeared on signed retainers, even though clients were adamant they never signed up for a lawsuit. She accused the firm in her lawsuit of providing gift cards, money gifts, and similar incentives in exchange for signatures."

The firm said in a statement it would be impossible for someone to believe they were signing a petition when they were signing up for a lawsuit due to the large number of documents required to come on board.

"If someone made that claim, we would certainly discontinue our services at their request," the firm said.

A former DTLA case manager who asked to remain anonymous, fearing professional repercussions, said the alleged recruitment effort became clear to him after he was assigned to call people from a list hed been provided of new Chiquita Canyon clients and found several who believed they had signed up for a petition, not a case.

A lot of these people were completely unaware of what they were signing up for, the former case manager said.

Surgeries and promises of 'lottery money'

Three former case managers, who worked as liaisons between clients and attorneys, described the same modus operandi at DTLA: Sign up personal injury clients, then get them to agree to surgeries.

The more surgeries, they were told, the more profit, as it would make the case more valuable by allowing lawyers to claim higher medical damages.

The case managers said partners pushed surgeries and would give bonuses when clients went under the knife. Doctors  who stood to benefit by being able to bill for the procedures  would have gifts dropped off at the office, the ex-employees said.

The firm said any allegations of unethical practices were the result of "disgruntled former employees ... who have ulterior self-serving motives."

The case managers reported getting $500 checks from the firm when they got a client to agree to a surgery  often with the word "bonus" in the memo. The Times viewed one of these "bonus" checks, which the former employee said was for a client's skin graft.

If they didnt persuade their clients to get surgeries, the former case managers said, they feared losing their jobs. Yaghoubtil would ask case managers to send him a list of their surgeries at the end of the month, according to messages viewed by The Times.

Our sx numbers for the month of May were very low, said Yaghoubtil in a June 3 Teams message to 64 staff members, using an abbreviation for surgery. Many were unable to produce even a single procedure  this is not acceptable.

How can you go an entire month and not have at least one of your cases worked up? he continued. It does not go un-noticed and will be letting go of those who are not trying hard enough.

The firm said in a statement that it doesn't interfere with a client's medical care decisions.

DTLAs role is to advocate, inform, and support with transparency, compassion, and respect at every stage of the process, the firm said.

DTLA recently moved into a new office at the former Lucky Brand headquarters in the Arts District of Los Angeles. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Jacqueline McClelland, 60, said she was assured lottery money by a DTLA attorney in July 2018 after she slipped in a puddle of oil in a Willowbrook shopping plaza.

The insurer for the plaza called her up and offered her $1 million if she didnt lawyer up, she said. But she said her DTLA attorney promised they could get her far more  as long as she went to all the doctors they recommended. She turned the insurer down.

Her case settled for $350,000.

It was not even close to enough to pay for the half-million in fees she said shed racked up, primarily from going to doctors. She said she is still in excruciating back pain from her surgery.

DTLA took 46% of the settlement and sent the rest of the money to a judge to decide how to divvy between her and the 31 doctors, clinics and loan companies she owes, according to a court record filed on behalf of DTLA to determine the distribution. A volunteer at a Watts high school, McClelland has spent a year lawyerless in court fighting for any bit of it she can get.

Is someone helping you? asked Judge Gary Tanaka at a Dec. 17 hearing in his Torrance courtroom, where she had been appearing with such regularity that the clerk knows her by first name.

No one. Sorry, your honor, no one has helped me at all, said McClelland, standing in a court proceeding she said repeatedly she did not understand. Downtown LA Law just gave me to the wolves.

I would agree with that, said Scott Meehan, an attorney representing one of the doctors fighting her for her settlement money.

DTLA said it could not comment on privileged conversations with McClelland. The firm said in a statement that all medical providers had legitimate liens that entitled them to money from the client's settlement, including McClelland's.

Jacqueline McClelland, a former client of DTLA, stands outside Los Angeles County Superior Court in Torrance ahead of her hearing on Dec. 17. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

The Times found court records for more than 60 DTLA clients who had costs, typically medical bills, that ended up being more than their settlement. In those cases, DTLA couldnt persuade the doctors to reduce fees, and the attorney would hand over the remaining money to let the court decide how to divvy it up among everyone who needed to be paid.

But the lawyers get their cut  in some cases, more than three-quarters of the settlement, according to lawsuits filed on the firm's behalf to determine who gets the remaining money.

"Our clients only pay for legal fees and costs if they win a lawsuit or get a settlement," DTLA said in a statement.

After he was beaten by a Santa Monica security guard, David Villatoro, a 33-year-old construction worker, said a DTLA attorney told him he could get half a million easy, probably double that. But only if he went to a series of doctors' appointments, including a neck surgery.

It would mean losing his construction job and going on disability. But he claims his attorney said the surgery would make the case more valuable.

Thats where the big bucks come in, he recalled the attorney saying.

The big bucks never came.

Instead, months after the case settled, Villatoro got an email telling him not to contact the firm anymore about his case. Attorneys had taken 58% of his settlement money  about $72,000  and he would have to go to court to fight along with the doctors for a cut of what was left.

He said he still cant turn his head fully to the right.

Im just so confused," he said. "I was so naive. It was my first time ever, ever, ever getting a lawyer."

Laura Stephenson, a 57-year-old baker, was told by her DTLA attorney that her slip-and-fall in her Menifee cul-de-sac could net millions. But she would need to have a shoulder surgery.

She hesitated. It would mean too much time away from her bakery and she wasnt sure she wanted to do it. The attorney convinced her by offering her a loan for $10,000, she said.

More than four years after the fall, she has received no money and cant fully move her arm. The firm took 77% of her $175,000 settlement, according to a court filing to decide how to distribute the money. The rest went to the court to distribute, and she is still fighting to get a portion.

I am living this nightmare, said Stephenson, one of eight people The Times spoke with who said they had filed a complaint with the State Bar.

The firm said all medical treatment was voluntary and ethics rules prevent sharing more information about discussions with clients.

"DTLA does not force anyone to receive medical treatment they do not want," the firm said.

Uber, a common target of DTLA, last summer sued the firm and one of the main surgeons used by clients, Greg Khounganian, for racketeering, alleging the firm had side agreements with him to inflate medical bills for unnecessary procedures. Uber's lawsuit alleged that in order to get a larger settlement, many patients underwent an unnecessary spinal fusion that takes months to recover from.

In some cases, Uber alleged, Khounganian inflated the bills by as much as 640%. If the case didnt settle for much, the lawsuit stated, Khounganian would agree to dramatically reduce their liens.

In an Instagram post , DTLA called the lawsuit a calculated attempt by a billion-dollar corporation to suppress legitimate claims. An attorney representing Khounganian said the doctor had a spotless professional record and had never faced any disciplinary action.

"He is assuredly a first-rate and widely respected orthopedic surgeon," Stephen Larson, an attorney for Khounganian, said in a statement. "Ubers meritless lawsuit, we believe, is part of its nationwide political and lawfare campaign to suppress liability for accidents caused by Ubers drivers."

Khounganian sought to have Uber's case against him dismissed, with his attorneys calling it in one court filing "a lawsuit designed purely for tabloid effect with no meaningful effort at substance."

Read more: New fraud claims in L.A. County's $4-billion sex settlement leave victims outraged

One person, who saw another doctor for a heart valve condition that heightened the risk of complications, could no longer walk for more than 10 minutes after their surgery, Uber alleged in the lawsuit.

DTLA clients said the firm would often insist on sending them to specific L.A. doctors even if they lived in a different county  or, in some cases, a different state.

Christy Strickland, who had a case over a fall that occurred while working for the delivery app Instacart, said the firm insisted L.A. doctors were cheaper than those in Texas. So she said they flew her in from Houston and once gave her gas money to drive, putting her up in a hotel for two weeks to recuperate along with two of her children.

Those travel expenses would total more than $10,000  including two $482 Uber rides, according to a breakdown. She said she was never told those travel costs would be coming out of her pocket.

"YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR advised me to get these surgeries and I have told you that I am still in pain even more since the surgery," she emailed Yaghoubtil in July 2023. Do you know how it feels to wake up in the morning and your back hurts so bad all you can do is just lay there until it subsides?

In November, Yaghoubtil, speaking on a podcast episode called "Lawyering With Empathy," emphasized his focus was never high-dollar verdicts. The well-being of clients, he said, always came before profit.

We love a client, he said. If we have to, well go down fighting with them.

Times staff writer Christopher Buchanan contributed to this report.

Read more: In the biggest sex abuse settlement in U.S. history, some claim they were paid to sue

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Luis Rodriguez, owner of GrizzAlley Bike Shop in Fresnos Tower District, was tending to his repair shop four years ago when a police detective stopped by and started asking about a stolen bike.

It was the beginning of a nightmare for the father of seven, he says.

The Fresno native says his shop was searched and money and equipment confiscated. Rodriguez asked to see a search warrant, but says he was ignored. After about two hours, he says he was arrested on multiple, made-up charges, including child endangerment and an accusation that he was making illegal guns.

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Rodriguez was initially held in lieu of a $400,000 bond until it was reduced following several court appearances. He spent 10 days in jail.

The case against him was eventually dismissed by the Fresno County District Attorneys Office for lack of evidence. But Rodriguez says his reputation has been ruined because the arrest and charges were reported by news media and shared on social media.

Rodriguez, who grew up near Roosevelt High, says the accusations have hampered his bicycle business. About 15 years ago, he gave up alcohol and made bicycles his full-time job, he said.

They dont post it in the news that I did beat the case, and it got dismissed with prejudice. They cant come after me no more, the 41-year-old told The Fresno Bee. I want (my reputation) back. Because I like building bikes.

Luis Rodriguez looks over his bikes outside his Fresno bike shop, Grizzalley Bike Shope, on the southern edge of the Tower District. (CRAIG KOHLRUSS/ckohlruss@fresnobee.com)

At least two other Fresno business owners have made similar accusations in lawsuits against the ex-detective, Rey Medeles, and police officer, Gustavo Gutierrez, and other members of the Fresno Police Department.

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The two are named in three pending civil lawsuits brought by Rodriguez and two other business owners that accuse them of stealing money and expensive property from their businesses through bogus searches, arrests and charges.

The Fresno Police Department declined requests for comment on this story. The city also declined request for comment, citing the pending litigation.

In his suit, Rodriguez claims Medeles and police unnecessarily raided his business, took about $5,000 in cash and several thousands worth in tools and equipment that he still hasnt gotten back four years later. Rodriguez says police accused him of gun and drug charges for what they found in a room he rented out to someone else in the back of his shop.

Its difficult for Rodriguez to talk about the arrest without getting emotional. He said he may end up with a cash settlement from the city, but it wont make it all right.

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Money will get some inventory in here, but it aint gonna fix this, or my mind, or my kids pointing at the police saying, Who is that? A bad guy?  he said, holding back tears. Thats not gonna come back.

Medeles named in more lawsuits

All three of the civil cases were brought under Kevin Little, a Fresno civil rights attorney. They all detail accusations of thefts and bogus charges that were later dropped. Each case has a tentative jury trial set for later in 2026.

Chi Thanh Ngo says Medeles and the other officers took $10,000 from his business, Valley Hydroponics, on April 25, 2023. He criticized the officers, telling them he would file a lawsuit, before they carried out a retaliatory arrest, his lawsuit claims.

The business sells lights and other goods for hydroponics, or growing plants without soil. Hydroponics can be used to grow cannabis indoors.

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Daniel Guzman Vela, owner of Valley Battery, made similar claims in his filing. His lawsuit claims Medeles and Gutierrez took $1,000 from his shop on June 1, 2023, as they accused him of illegally selling marijuana in his business that sells car batteries and accessories, his lawsuit claims.

The criminal cases against Ngo and Guzman Vela were dropped for lack of evidence, their lawsuits note.

Little said the three cases include accusations that the police used excessive charges in an attempt to get his clients to take plea deals rather than fight the charges. For example, police found ammunition at Ngos business and ended up charging him separately for each bullet they found, Little said, noting Ngo owned the ammo legally. As a result, his bail was initially set at $22 million, according to Little.

Medeles fired, accused of thefts from evidence locker

Medeles worked in the police departments narcotics division until he was fired last June, according to police. He was on paid administrative leave at the time of his firing after the police department discovered he had taken about $60,000 in cash by signing it out of the evidence room, according to the Department of Justice.

Rey Medeles, 37, a Fresno police detective terminated in June, was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, and accused of stealing money from a police evidence room. (FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE)

He pleaded not guilty in an October arraignment on four charges, two counts each for grand theft and preparing false evidence, according to court records. His defense attorney declined to comment in November.

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Medeles is accused of taking two separate sums of $30,000 and recording them as having been returned to suspects that originally had the money confiscated from them by police, according to the Department of Justice. Those alleged thefts from the evidence locker dated back to May 2024 and November 2023.

Interim Police Chief Mindy Casto speaks at a news conference on Oct. 28. (Thaddeus Miller/Fresno Bee file)

Fresno police requested that the FBI investigate to determine if theft was a greater issue among the ranks, Chief Mindy Casto said Oct. 9, after Medeles arrest. She said FBI investigators did not find further misconduct.

Little said he will be watching Medeless criminal case, adding it may be the tip of the iceberg. He noted the three civil cases were all filed in 2023 and 2024, long before the arrest of Medeles.

How it happened: Search and intimidation, lawsuits say

Rodriguez said Medeles and Gutierrez arrived at his Tower District business around 1 p.m., Oct. 15, 2021, and began asking him about a stolen bicycle. Rodriguez said he was arrested within about two hours.

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There was no stolen bicycle found, Rodriguez says.

While police, including Medeles, searched his repair business they took about $5,000 in cash he had on hand to run the shop, according to Rodriguez. He claims police recorded it as half as much when entering it into evidence. They also took machinery he used for engraving and carving specialty pieces for bikes, accusing him of using the water jet machine to do something it isnt capable of  printing guns.

He said what stings most were accusations of child endangerment. The father said no children were in his shop when the officers pushed their way in, adding he believed officers were retaliating because he demanded to see a warrant before telling them to leave.

Last June, Rodriguez saw Medeles arrest on news reports, but he says it provided him little solace.

That sucks that I cant be vindicated in the publics eye, but they want to sweep me under the rug, he told The Bee. I dont care about no money, you know. I want my name back. That means more than anything.
BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Thursday strongly criticised Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee's remarks following a party delegation's meeting with the Election Commission, calling it an open insult to democracy and the Constitution. Chugh's sharp response came after Abhishek Banerjee, who alleged "vote theft" through manipulation of voter lists and software rather than EVMs, claimed 50 lakh to 1 crore voters were being disenfranchised via algorithms, and demanded the release of a list of 1.36 crore voters flagged with logical discrepancies. "This mentality is an open insult to democracy and the Constitution. Providing protection to infiltrators and deliberately neglecting border security proves that the TMC government is protecting infiltrators... Their 'save the infiltrators' campaign is a threat to the unity and integrity of the country. The people of Bengal are ready; this tyrannical rule will end, and development, security, good governance, and the BJP's arrival are inevitable," he said. On Wednesday, a Trinamool Congress delegation met with the Election Commission and discussed approximately 10 issues, including the SIR being held in West Bengal. Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee threw a challenge to the BJP for next year's assembly polls in West Bengal. Banerjee said "the theft" is happening in the voter list, in the software, not in the EVM and made an appeal to all like-minded parties. He claimed that opposition parties are failing to understand what "algorithms and software are being run to disenfranchise and remove 50 lakh to 1 crore voters" and said if this is not happening, the poll panel should release a list of 1.36 crore logical discrepancies." "We have come to bid goodbye to your government, Mr Gyanesh Kumar, Mr Shah. This is a challenge to you. Use the ECI, ED, CBI, paramilitary forces, judiciary, media, but the people are with us. If the Congress had been able to catch this, the BJP would have lost...," Banerjee said. "I appeal to all like-minded parties, especially those in the opposition: the theft is happening in the voter list, in the software, not in the EVM. Otherwise, we will get to check the EVMs. You are failing to understand what algorithms and software are being run to disenfranchise and remove 50 lakh to 1 crore voters. And if this is not happening, then release the list of 1.36 crore logical discrepancies," he added. Over 58.2 lakh names were deleted during the enumeration period of the SIR exercise in the state. The ECI had published the draft voter list for West Bengal on December 16. (ANI)
Ukraine launched drone attacks on Russian oil facilities overnight, hitting a fuel depot in the Kaluga region, Russian Telegram channels reported on Thursday.

The Ilsky refinery in southern Russia was also attacked again, they said. There was initially no official confirmation of the strikes.

Russia's Defence Ministry said 168 Ukrainian combat drones were shot down overnight.

While the figures cannot be verified, they do indicate an intense attack, consistent with information provided by Ukrainian military observers.

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Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported repeated interceptions of drones approaching the Russian capital throughout the night. No information was provided about any damage.

The head of the Russian administration occupying the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, Vladimir Saldo, said Ukrainian drones struck a New Year's Eve celebration in the village of Khorly on the Black Sea, killing at least 24 people. He said more than 25 people were also injured.

There was no photographic or video evidence to support the report, but the pro-Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova said there had been similar attacks in the past when occupation forces gathered for holidays.

The Ukrainian Air Force said that Russia had launched 205 combat drones during the night and that 176 flying objects had been intercepted. Strikes were nonetheless recorded in 24 locations, with the Volyn region in north-western Ukraine among those hardest hit, according to information from the region.
A Russian soldier surrendered after his rescue message was seen by a drone, Ukrainian units said.

He wrote, "Please take me prisoner, I want to live," and was detained, the units said.

Russian soldiers have previously surrendered to drones, and Ukraine actively encourages it.

A Russian soldier surrendered to Ukraine via a message that he wrote on cardboard that was spotted by a drone, Ukrainian military units said.

The 16th Army Corps said on Wednesday that drone pilots discovered a Russian soldier in Lyman, a town in the eastern region of Kharkiv, who wrote the surrender messages.

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One read "Please take me prisoner, I want to live," per the translation by Ukrainian state outlet United24.

The corps said the Russian was given instructions on how to surrender and was detained.

Drone footage shared by the corps shows a small building with cardboard signs in the window and on the ground. A figure then puts another sign in the window.

It then shows a Ukrainian soldier writing on some cardboard, apparently writing instructions for the soldier to be delivered by drone. Two Ukrainians then appear to approach and walk with the Russian. Business Insider could not independently verify the event.

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The 16th Army Corps said the operation was aided by the Shkval special forces unit of Ukraine's 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, which also reported the event.



It's not the first time that drones have played a role in the surrender of Russian soldiers. Ukrainian units have reported cases that include persuading Russian troops to surrender by playing them a voice message with a drone, and a Russian soldier who surrendered by following instructions dropped from a drone.

Ukraine's army issued an instructional video in 2022 with step-by-step instructions for Russian soldiers on how they can surrender to one of its drones.

Drones are being used more in Russia's invasion of Ukraine than in any previous conflict. Both sides use vast numbers to gather intelligence on troops and targets, as well as to launch attacks. Their ubiquity has changed the course of the war, and with the West paying close attention, is likely to change the face of future warfare.

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They can fly far and go to places that would be too risky for Ukraine's own soldiers to go, making them particularly useful in trying to get Russians to surrender.

Ukraine actively encourages opposition soldiers to voluntarily surrender, including with its "I Want to Live" hotline, which it says thousands of Russian troops have used.

A spokesperson for the project in 2023 said some Russian soldiers who call offer to hand over equipment and heavy armored vehicles.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A recent analysis named Salem as the 10th safest city in the U.S.

The analysis, published by WalletHub in October, took into account crime data, natural disasters and financial safety. More than 180 cities in the country were assessed across 41 indicators of safety, which were weighted to determine an overall grade.

Terrorist attacks, murders and mass shootings were among the most heavily weighted categories.

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Here's why Salem made the list and how it stacks up to the rest of the country.

WalletHub ranked Salem as the 10th safest city in the U.S.

Why did Salem make the list of safest cities in the U.S.?

WalletHub compared the 150 most populated U.S. cities plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state for a total of 182. Each received an overall grade on a 100-point scale using a weighted grading system.

Salem received an overall score from WalletHub of 66.93 out of 100. The top safest city, Warwick, Rhode Island, scored 71.21.

Salem was ranked well for natural disaster risk, placing 13th. Earthquake risk, hurricane storm-surge risk, tornado risk and wildfire risk were among the factors considered.

It did worse, however in the "home & community safety" ranking, placing 52nd out of the 182 cities. That category includes metrics like crime data, perception of safety, traffic fatalities, drug deaths and homelessness.

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In a 2025 Salem Community Satisfaction Survey, 58% of respondents said they were satisfied with law enforcement. Homelessness and poverty was the number one concern of 43% of respondents, followed by crime and drugs at 15%.

Salem was ranked 31st for financial safety, which considered the unemployment rate, poverty rate and share of uninsured population.

Lists of safest cities can vary widely, however. In a recent U.S. News & World Report analysis of the country's safest cities, Salem didn't make the top 25.

How does Salem rank among the top 10 safest cities?

The top 10 safest cities in the U.S., according to WalletHub, are:

Warwick, Rhode Island Overland Park, Kansas Burlington, Vermont Juneau, Alaska Yonkers, New York Casper, Wyoming South Burlington, Vermont Columbia, Maryland Lewiston, Maine Salem, Oregon

What are the top 10 most dangerous cities?

The nation's top 10 most dangerous cities (or the least safe of the 182 ranked), according to WalletHub, are:

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New Orleans Memphis, Tennessee Baton Rouge, Louisiana Detroit, Michigan Baltimore Fort Lauderdale, Florida Houston San Bernardino, California Philadelphia Cleveland

Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at ifunk@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @isabeldfunk

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem, Oregon ranked 10th safest city in the United States
The U.S. Capitol on June 30, 2025. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

A Myrtle Beach Democrat wants voters to know hes still challenging U.S. Rep. Russell Fry: Never mind his social media post months ago about suspending his campaign.

It was a rookie mistake, John Vincent recently told the SC Daily Gazette.

John Vincent is running to represent South Carolinas 7th District. (Photo courtesy of John Vincents campaign)

The retired Navy officer explained that his Facebook announcement in mid-May  saying weve decided to suspend our campaign and focus on activism  was just a nine-day pause, not an exit from his bid to flip the 7th District.

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I didnt realize thats a word in politics that basically means I quit, the first-time candidate told the Gazette, referring to the word suspend.

He added: I only wish that my fundraising emails would get as much attention.

Its exceedingly rare for a candidate to announce the suspension of a campaign, then jump back into the same race.

After doing a little research, Vincents communications director, Scott Billings, pointed to one other candidate for state or federal office whod done so: In 2006, Republican Michele Bachmann, then a Minnesota state senator, suspended her bid for Congress for her own medical treatment, then came back and won. (However, when she suspended her presidential run in January 2012 ahead of the South Carolina primary, that meant  as it normally does  that she dropped out.)

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Vincents post, one month after his campaigns public launch in Florence, came amid his mother-in-laws rapidly declining health. He needed to go to Iowa to help coordinate her care and didnt want to ask for donations or volunteers when he expected to be gone for several months, he said.

But by June, Vincent had renewed his effort to become the first Democrat in modern history to represent the 7th District, which spans the Grand Strand and much of the Pee Dee. And he has an expanded campaign staff to help.

After his mother-in-laws death in August, Vincent hosted the Fighting for Democracy Festival in North Myrtle Beach, which he said roughly 400 people attended.

Vincent, who retired in 2003 as command master chief petty officer after 20 years in the Navy, has called Myrtle Beach home for over two years. His campaign website sums up his campaign platform with three broad messages: fight government chaos, support families, and honor veterans and those who serve.

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Asked about his opponent, Fry said he wasnt aware he still had one.

John Vincent hasnt dropped out again? Thats news to me, the Horry County Republican said in a statement to the Gazette. Hes a socialist wannabe pretending to be an everyday guy, pushing higher taxes, more regulations, and open-border policies that hurt our economy and make our communities less safe.

Then-state Rep. Russell Fry waves to a crowd during a rally with President Donald Trump at the regional airport in Florence on March 12, 2022. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Voters first sent Fry, a former state House legislator, to Washington in 2022, after he ousted five-term incumbent Tom Rice in that years GOP primary.

Rice had angered many Republicans by voting to impeach President Donald Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, prompting a crowded field of Republican challengers. Trump endorsed Fry, who won a seven-way race with 51% of the vote, avoiding a runoff with Rice, who trailed by 26.5 percentage points, according to results from the state Election Commission.

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In his November 2024 re-election contest, Fry received 65% of the vote, the most decisive win for the 7th District this century.

A Democrat last represented the 7th District in the early 1930s, when it dissolved with the states population loss. South Carolina re-gained a seventh congressional district with the 2010 census. Since voting maps were redrawn to add a district anchored by Horry County, Rice and Fry have been its only representatives.

The Grand Strand hasnt been represented by a Democrat since the early 1990s, when it still was part of the 6th District.

South Carolina  and the people of the 7th District  will reject the reckless agenda of Zohran Mamdani and his fanboy John Vincent, or whoever Democrats decide to install next, Fry said in his statement to this outlet.

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Vincent called the comparison to Mamdani a reach. He is a very, very progressive guy; Im a very moderate guy, Vincent said of the Democrat recently elected mayor of New York City.

In his May 13 social media post to suspend his campaign, Vincent sounded dejected about his chances: The door is not shut, but we cant win without people who believe, and this district is not close today, the post read.

At the time, Vincent told the Gazette, he was disheartened by the lack of infrastructure for Democratic candidates in the district, and the roughly dozen volunteers working on his campaign all had very little political experience.

Days later, Vincent resumed posting about the race and criticizing Fry.

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He hired JGS Strategies (JGS is short for Just Getting Started), a consulting firm that touts helping candidates win office in South Carolina and beyond since 2021. And hes learned how to adapt his off-the-cuff public speaking style to politics, he said.

For example, he said, Ive learned jokes arent good.

As of Sept. 30, Vincent had raised about $69,000 total for the campaign. After expenses, his campaign had just over $15,000 available when the third quarter ended, according to his latest filing with the Federal Election Commission.

By comparison, Fry had almost $762,000 cash on hand Sept. 30, according to his third-quarter filing.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has voiced concerns over an impending health care crisis, blaming Republican inaction and obstruction for the situation.

What Happened: In a post on X on Wednesday, Schumer warned that starting from the next day, Americans would face a health care crisis.

He stated that millions would lose their health care, and costs would increase by thousands for many. Families, small business owners, older Americans, and farmers and ranchers would face tough decisions.

Starting tomorrow, Americans will face a health care crisis caused by Republican obstruction and total inaction.



Millions will lose their health care. Millions will see costs spike by thousands. Millions of families, small business owners, older Americans, and farmers and  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 31, 2025

According to Schumer, Senate Republicans had multiple opportunities to collaborate to prevent premiums from skyrocketing but chose to block action each time.

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Also Read: Chuck Schumer Calls Trumps New VA Abortion Policy a Betrayal of Our Brave American Veterans

While Republicans chose to do nothing, Democrats are fighting to lower costs, protect coverage, and make life more affordable, Schumer said in his tweet.

Why It Matters: The Senators tweet underscores the deep divide between Democrats and Republicans over health care policy. Schumers comments highlight the Democrats efforts to lower costs and protect coverage, contrasting it with what he describes as Republican inaction and obstruction.

With no immediate solution in sight, the health care situation in the U.S. remains a pressing concern.

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The impact of this crisis could be far-reaching, affecting millions of Americans across various demographics.

Read Next

Elon Musk Says He Warned Donald Trump To Drop Tariffs Over Fears of Job Losses: President Loves Tariffs, I've Tried To Dissuade Him'

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.

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This article Schumer: 'Millions Will Lose Health Care, Millions Will See Costs Spike, Millions Will Face Impossible Choices' originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Scioto County Engineer Darren C. LeBrun announced the work schedule for the week of Jan. 5 through Jan. 8, 2026, for the engineers department. All dates shown are weather permitting.

LANE RESTRICTIONS

* Junior Furnace-Powellsville Road (CR7) in Green Township  the bridge over US 52 is open. One lane maintained by traffic signals.

* Cook Road (CR12) in Jefferson Township has a lane restriction at the 1.86-mile marker due to a roadway slip.

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* Henley Comstock Road (CR44) in Union Township has a lane restriction at the 1.65-mile marker due to roadway slip.

ROAD CLOSURES

* Clinton Furnace Road CR9 will be closed until further notice due to a slip. Road closure is between Monroe Road TR310 and Knapp Road TR341.

* Feurt Hill Road CR160 will be closed until further notice due to a roadway slip. Road closure is between Eagle Creek Drive TR1618 and Maple Benner Road CR64. This is the hill section of Feurt Hill Road.

CONTRACTOR WORK

* Ohio River Road (CR503) in Porter Township will have traffic maintained with the use of flaggers periodically as work continues between Whitcomb St. and SR 140.

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CLEAR RIGHT OF WAY

Traffic will be maintained with the use of flaggers.

* Big Pete Road (CR268) in Green Township Monday, Jan. 5 and Tuesday, Jan. 6.

* Lick Run Lyra Road (CR2) in Vernon Township Wednesday, Jan. 7 and Thursday, Jan. 8.

MOWING

* Bloom Furnace in Bloom Township

* Lick Run Lyra Road. in Bloom, Porter and Vernon Townships

* Flatwood-Fallen Timber Road. in Jefferson Township

* Millers Run-Back Run Road in Madison, Jefferson and Valley Townships

Please call the Engineers office with any questions or concerns at (740) 259-5541 or you can visit them on the web at SciotoCountyEngineer.org.
In 2022, Chen Yimin, a marine sergeant in Taiwans navy, was in debt and desperate for money.

He came across an online advertisement for a loan shark working on behalf of the Chinese government who made him an offer: hand over classified military secrets and youll receive cash handouts.

Chen agreed.

Over the course of a year, he downloaded and printed top secret documents from the databases at two of Taiwans military bases, taking photos and sending them to his business manager over online messaging platforms.

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He was paid 170,000 New Taiwan dollars (4,100) before his arrest in early 2023 and was later sentenced to two years and two months in prison under Taiwans National Security Law.

He is one of more than a hundred Taiwanese veterans, on-duty officers and civil servants recruited to spy for Beijing in recent years as China prepares for an invasion of Taiwan.

The Taiwanese authorities have admitted that some of these spies may have gained access to secret defence plans, now in Beijings hands, which could weaken Taiwan and increase Chinas offensive capabilities.

Many of these individuals, including Chen, are now in prison, facing charges under Taiwans National Security Law, but there are believed to be others still working in secret.

Police escort defendants in an espionage case through a courthouse in the Taiwan High Court in Taipei - CNA photo

Baiting the fish

As China stages record military drills in the waters around Taiwan, its military threat is obvious. But it is difficult to assess how vulnerable Taiwan might be internally, explained David Hsu, the deputy director of Taiwans ministry of justice investigative bureau (MJIB).

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In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph, Mr Hsu discussed at length how China recruits spies in Taiwan, the type of intelligence it seeks and the risks posed by these espionage campaigns.

In 2024, Taiwan charged 64 people with espionage-related offences, an increase from 48 the year before. About 80 per cent of those are connected to the defence forces, including active-duty personnel, while around 20 per cent are civil servants, according to MJIB, one of nine agencies in Taiwan that work on mitigating the threat of Chinese espionage.

Ground forces takes part in long-range live-fire drills targeting waters north of Taiwan on Tuesday - Eastern Theatre Command/via Reuters

If they see that these retired military officers have some connections with the Taiwanese political, military or diplomatic systems, they will try to approach them and recruit them, said Mr Hsu.

The process normally begins with grooming, where the target will be wined and dined, and then they will proceed with what they really want, he said.

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When in-person recruitment isnt possible, another common strategy is to reach targets through online banking schemes or underground banking, such as with Chen.

They are looking for soldiers who are in financial shortages and provide them loans, but they will tell them you work for me and if you get this information you dont have to pay me back, said Mr Hsu, adding that they will offer rewards for especially sensitive intelligence.

President Lai Ching-te announced a new national security package in March 2025 - I-Hwa Cheng/AFP via Getty Images

Nathan Attrill, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, explains that China is overwhelmingly focused on gaining intelligence surrounding Taiwans ability to fight.

Every leak makes Taiwans deterrence look thinner from Beijings perspective. If China knows Taiwans mobilisation timelines, radar coverage or command-and-control layouts, it can design an attack that exploits those weaknesses from the very first minute, he said.

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With stolen intelligence, the PLA [Peoples Liberation Army] can be rehearsing against the real thing: Taiwans actual air-defence posture and operating patterns, thus shortening its planning cycle, and building an invasion plan precisely around Taiwans blind spots.

According to MJIB, China recruits spies across its three main systems: the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the PLA and government agencies, including the intelligence apparatus, and the ministry of state security.

China recruits spies inside Taiwan in a variety of ways, but a common practice is to establish contact face to face in order to build trust.

A Taiwanese Coast Guard ship sails close to a Chinese one as military drills continue around the island - Taiwan coast guard/AFP via Getty Images

Chinese nationals face heavy restrictions, from both Taipei and Beijing, when travelling to Taiwan, so handlers will often wait for Taiwanese nationals to travel to China, whether on business or to visit friends or family.

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MJIB has also noticed a number of current and former military officials recruited over dating apps as well as social media, such as Facebook and LinkedIn, but this is less common.

Along with stealing classified intelligence, targets are also often instructed to recruit their peers to build a larger network.

J Michael Cole, a Taipei-based senior fellow with the Global Taiwan Institute and a former Canadian intelligence officer, said that in these scenarios the recruiters come from circles which the targeted asset is part of, which include the same political party, the same business, the same branch of the military, or even a family member.

In one notable example from 2023, a retired Taiwanese serviceman was first recruited by a Chinese intelligence officer and went on to recruit another nine current and former army personnel who handed over intelligence on key military bases and training modules.

Civilian targets

While the majority of Chinas targets are connected to Taiwans military, Beijing also seeks out civil servants and politicians.

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In a high-profile case from September 2025, four men with ties to Taiwans president and former foreign minister were all sentenced to prison for spying on behalf of China.

One of the men, Wu Shang-yu, who received a four-year sentence, worked as a close aide to Taiwans president, Lai Ching-te, and had passed details of his travel itineraries to the Chinese government.

Another man, Ho Jen-chieh, who received eight years and two months, had previously worked as an assistant for national security council secretary-general Joseph Wu while he was Taiwans foreign minister.

A Taiwan fighter jet patrols. China has been staging record military drills in the waters around Taiwan - Tsai Hsin-Han/Reuters

These are people who are part of the government who help make the rules and our political policies, and also are inspecting or auditing our budgets, so they are involved with a lot of the government affairs, said Mr Hsu.

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When it comes to recruiting these civil servants and their staff, Beijing often relies on one distinct strategy, according to Mr Hsu.

Agents will seek out individuals who studied in China and connect with them through their university networks.

In China, most universities have CCP members on their boards who are often responsible for recruiting the targets and serving as a liaison between them and other branches of government.

When these people finish their studies in China and go back to Taiwan to work for the government or become a member of parliament or in any kind of public position, they will receive instructions from China to collect information about our policies, our budgets, or any kind of topics they would like to understand, said Mr Hsu.

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China will often look to recruit people who are more sympathetic to Beijings claims over Taiwan and those who express similar beliefs around reunification.

Some of Beijings political targets have access to high-profile politicians, as was the case September. Other times, China will seek out elected officials or individuals running for office.

Beijing will then help to fund their political campaign to maximise the chance that they are elected and from there the government can use the individual to help steer policy decisions.

Huang Chu-jung, a former presidential aide, was convicted of spying for China in September 2025

There have been several cases involving politicians and members of Taiwans main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), which is often seen as far more pro-China than the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party.

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Earlier in 2025, a former aide to three KMT politicians was arrested for spying for China along with the assistant to a local KMT city councillor.

The UK got a taste of this when an espionage case involving two British former English teachers, one of whom worked as a parliamentary researcher in Westminster, resurfaced in September after it was controversially quashed.

Both men were accused of passing sensitive information, including insight into the Tory leadership race, to a senior official within the CCP.

Tackling the crisis

With hundreds of spy cases to date, Beijing has successfully reached individuals with access to the highest levels of Taiwans government and military, which could mean that critical intelligence has fallen into enemy hands.

MJIB says it cannot discount the possibility that China has obtained key defence plans or is puppeteering its agenda through politicians in government.

Its possible that some of this sensitive, confidential information has been leaked to mainland China via these espionage activities, but the relevant authorities are trying their best to make damage control, said Mr Hsu.

Some of the militarys manoeuvre operation plans have been adjusted in response to certain leaks, but China keeps its cards close, so its difficult to know exactly what information has been compromised, said Mr Hsu.

New national security package

Taiwan has made combatting espionage an increasing priority over the last year.

In March, Mr Lai announced a new national security package which framed China as a foreign hostile force and introduced 17 strategies to combat Chinese threats to Taiwan.

In response to Chinese spying within Taiwans military, Mr Lai said that Taiwan would restore its military trial system to try active duty personnel and revise retirement benefits for personnel and their families.

He also proposed amending laws to increase the punishment against those who express loyalty to China.

By September, Taiwan had charged only 15 people with espionage-related offences in 2025. The number was expected to rise to 20 by the end of the year, but this is still a stark drop from the 64 cases reported in 2024.

Mr Hsu says the reason the number peaked in 2024 is because it was an election year so China increased its espionage activity, but the drop-off is also because of the effective strategies enacted by the government.

We believe its quite serious because they are trying to infiltrate Taiwan, whether its through the military, the administrative system, parliament, public sector, private sector, said Mr Hsu.

However, we believe this can be effectively dealt with because we have strong inter-agency co-operation and strong capacities.

Experts are less optimistic, especially given the magnitude of Chinas efforts and the risk that it poses.

Taiwan might be getting better at detecting infiltration, but the scale of Chinas efforts remains enormous, said Mr Attrill.

This article is the first of four pieces that The Telegraph is publishing on Taiwans plans to repel a Chinese invasion and Beijings efforts to undermine the islands defences.

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.
Last week, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland, angering international powers who bemoaned the move at the United Nations Security Council.

Somalias claim that Somaliland traded recognition from Israel in exchange for accepting Palestinians displaced from Gaza is false, Somalilands Foreign Ministry asserted on Thursday, denying rumors that the newly recognized state would accept Palestinians or become a hub for a military base.

Somalilands engagement with the State of Israel is purely diplomatic, conducted in full respect of international law and the mutual sovereign interests of both countries, the Foreign Ministry published on X/Twitter. These baseless allegations are intended to mislead the international community and undermine Somalilands diplomatic progress.

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Somaliland remains committed to regional stability and peaceful international cooperation.

Last week, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland, angering international powers who bemoaned the move at the UN Security Council.

Somalias President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Al Jazeera last week he thought Israels true intentions were to see Gazans expelled to Somalia, saying Israel wanted to export its problem in Gaza to the African nation.

A LARGE Free Palestine sign is seen at a soccer game in Istanbul, Turkey, in late 2025. It is hypocritical that countries supporting calls for Palestinian statehood often oppose recognition for Somaliland and Kurdistan, the writer says. (credit: MURAD SEZER/REUTERS)

Somalia warns of 'serious threat' as Israel eyes Somaliland

Israel does not have any peaceful intentions in coming to Somalia. This is a step of utmost danger, and the whole world, especially Arabs and Muslims, must view it as a serious threat, said Mohamud.

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Somalias Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Mohamed Omar warned that Israelis move could disrupt Somalias democratic and state-building efforts, and contribute to instability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. He also warned that political fragmentation could create opportunities for extremist groups, including Al-Shabaab and ISIS.

Mohamud told Al Jazeera that Israels recognition came at the price of accepting the resettlement of Palestinians in the country, the establishment of an Israeli military base, and Somaliland joining the Abraham Accords.

Located in the Gulf of Aden, Somaliland is located close to Yemen, where the Iran-backed Houthis have launched numerous attacks against the Jewish state since the war against the Axis of Resistance began in 2023.

Sayyed Abdulmalik al-Houthi, leader of the Houthis terror group, warned on Sunday that the organization will consider any Israeli presence in Somaliland as a military target, the Houthi-run Saba News Agency reported.

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Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adan told Israels public broadcast KAN in March that the country wouldnt rule out accepting displaced Palestinians.

We are open to discussion on any matter, but we do not want to speculate on matters that have not yet been discussed. All countries that are interested in discussing certain issues with us must first establish working relations with us and open diplomatic missions in Somaliland, Adan said. The most important thing for us is to receive recognition after showing the world that we are a peace-loving and democratic country, which has been independent for 33 years.

Somalias Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said his own country would categorically reject any proposal or initiative, from any party, that would undermine the Palestinian peoples right to live peacefully on their ancestral land.

Tobias Holcman contributed to this report.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she didnt watch President Donald Trumps wild prime-time speech last month for one simple reason.

Ive had enough of him, she told ABCs Jonathan Karl in a new interview. But I did see some of it in the news afterward, and I think it was a demonstration of his mental incapacity.

She also pointed to another recent example: Trumps attack on Rob Reiner after the filmmaker and his wife, Michele, were found stabbed to death in their home last month.

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Somethings wrong there, she said. And somethings wrong with the people around him that they dont stop him from his ridiculousness.

Pelosi went toe-to-toe with Trump during his previous term in office, showing him up at the White House with a finger-wagging moment that went viral  she said she is frequently asked to sign photos of that even today  and again at the State of the Union, when she tore up his speech behind him.

Politics: In Venezuela Takeover, Trump Makes It All About The Oil

At the time, an enraged Trump falsely claimed that tearing up his speech was very illegal.

Pelosi said in the new interview that she tore up the speech because it was a manifesto of lies.

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Pelosi, 85, will retire at the end of her term after a four-decade career in Congress.

See the full interview below:

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
KENTUCKY (FOX 56)  When you travel a lot, you get hungry. When you see a long line outside a bakery, you know its something special. Big Nitas Cheesecakes is one of the dozens of places featured in Spirit of the Bluegrass. People line up for hours on the days its open in Louisville, and the tasty treats are often sold out in an hour.

Other highlights featured this year include:

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Read more Spirit of the Bluegrass stories

We recounted some history: the 100th anniversary of the cave entrapment of explorer Floyd Collins near Cave City, the reason Kentuckys border lies north of the Ohio River in Henderson, and the bizarre story of the day it rained meat in Bath County in 1876.

We met interesting artists, such as Marjorie Guyon, who led the I Was Here project in Lexington; Anat Ronen, who created striking murals on buildings in Nicholasville and Wilmore; and Aaron Kizer, who wowed us with his quick paintings of celebrities, done upside down.

A special visit to Camp Breckinridge in Union County allowed us to tell the story of a German prisoner of war who left behind beautiful murals on the walls of the officers club.

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Another favorite story was about two veterans living in a Jessamine County retirement facility who discovered, through a photograph, that they had been stationed together at the same Army camp in southern England in 1953.

Musical highlights included meeting David Prince of Louisa. He was a teacher by day who turned into a classic rocker by night and was known as Laid Back Country Picker. His wife, Teresa, accompanied him on the drums, dressed in a housecoat with her hair in curlers. On stage, shes known as Honey.

We also enjoyed hearing from the only high school mariachi band in the state at Bryan Station High School.

MORE SPIRIT OF THE BLUEGRASS:

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The youngest person featured in 2025 was 11-year-old William Huffman of Lexington, a young man with a keen interest in politics. He had already started campaigning for a seat in Congress in 2038!

We closed out the year with two visits with Santa Claus, one in Wilmore, where Jerry Allender portrayed St. Nick while riding in a horse-drawn wagon.

The other Santa was on board the CSX Santa Train, which departed from Pike County on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This Santa Train had been traveling a 110-mile route from Kentucky to Kingsport, Tennessee, each year for the past 83 years, delivering gifts to children in some of the poorest regions of Appalachia.

All of these stories can be seen online at https://fox56news.com/news/spirit-of-bluegrass/

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Reporter Marvin Bartlett will be back on the hunt for more examples of the Spirit of the Bluegrass in the year to come. Email ideas to: mbartlett@fox56news.com

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Thursday met the families affected after allegedly consuming contaminated water in Indore's Bhagirathpura area and assured them that no one would suffer in any manner. He also stressed that the state government would provide all necessary support and treatment to the affected people free of cost. Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said, "Around 198 people have been hospitalised after consuming contaminated water. No one is in the danger zone. One patient is on ventilator support though out of danger and fine. We are committed to ensuring that lives are saved and proper treatment is provided to people. We are going and meeting affected people. We will also help people who are economically weak. Apart from the government, we will extend support from society." "No people and families affected with this outbreak will have to suffer in any way. A list has been prepared of those who were admitted in the hospital and paid the treatment cost. Their expenses will be returned to them via cheques by this evening or tomorrow morning," the minister said. Speaking about the death toll, Vijayvargiya said, "As per officials, four people have died, but the people here have said that nine people have lost their lives. We will look into it and then compensation will be given to all nine people accordingly as per the announcement of the Chief Minister." When asked about reports of the death toll standing at 13, the minister refused the claim saying, "No, the death figure is not 13 but nine." He further added that he also visited a house and sent a couple to the hospital affected by the incident. He also talked to the doctor for their treatment arrangements. The Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced Rs 2 lakh financial assistance to the families of the deceased and free treatment to all the affected people. He also directed strict action against the concerned officials responsible for the lapse. Acting on the directions, two officials have been suspended, while one has been dismissed from the service. Indore Collector Shivam Verma informed that Zonal Officer Shaligram Sitole and Assistant Engineer Yogesh Joshi have been suspended with immediate effect, while In-charge Sub-Engineer (PHE) Shubham Shrivastava has been dismissed from service with immediate effect. Additionally, a three-member committee has also been constituted to investigate the entire matter. The committee will conduct the investigation under the direction of IAS Navjeevan Panwar. Superintendent Engineer Pradeep Nigam, and Associate Professor from the Medical College Dr Shailesh Rai, have been included in the committee. (ANI)
A new year is upon us, and a cup of coffee might be just what you need to kickstart 2026.

Starbucks could be an option. On New Year's Day, Starbucks store hours vary by location. The company recommends that customers check with their closest location to confirm their specific holiday hours.

You can find hours for a specific store using the Starbucks app or here.

Ring in the new year by seeing photos of celebrations around the world, beginning here with fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia, January 1, 2026. A serviceman hugs a girl as they dance under the snowfall near New Year displays at a shopping mall, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 31, 2025. A man selling diapers and foot warmers walks down sixth avenue, as people wait in line to enter Times Square on the morning of New Year's Eve celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 31, 2025. People watch New Years Day celebration fireworks ahead of the new year from the Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore December 31, 2025. Fireworks explode during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, January 1, 2026. People react during countdown for the New Year at Central in Hong Kong, China December 31, 2025. People celebrate the new year early at noon, on New Year's Eve, by Lake Bajer, in Fuzine, Croatia, December 31, 2025. A projection mapping is displayed on the surface of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, to celebrate the New Year, in Tokyo, Japan January 1, 2026. A reveler poses for a photograph on 6th Avenue while waiting in line to enter Times Square on the morning of New Year's Eve celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., December 31, 2025. People on 6th Avenue wait in line to enter Times Square on the morning of New Year's Eve celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., December 31, 2025. People gather at a New Year countdown ceremony at Juyongguan Great Wall section, also known as Juyong Pass, in Beijing, China, December 31, 2025. Fireworks explode during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, January 1, 2026. Children light up sparklers during New Year celebrations in Makati, Metro Manila on January 1, 2026. People sing as they gather for a New Year countdown ceremony at the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall, also known as Juyong Pass, in Beijing, China, December 31, 2025. See NYE celebrations around the world as 2025 comes to an end 1 of 14 Ring in the new year by seeing photos of celebrations around the world, beginning here with fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia, January 1, 2026.

More news: What's open and closed on New Year's Day 2026? Here's what to know

What restaurants are open on New Year's Day?

Here is a list of restaurants that will be open on Jan. 1. Hours are listed for the companies that provided them. If a chain does not have hours listed, they are open their regular operating hours.

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Many restaurant chains have hours that vary by location, so it is always best to check online or call your nearest location to confirm their hours.

McDonald's

Dunkin'

Chick-fil-A: Some locations may have reduced hours

Chipotle

Popeyes

Bojangles

Cava

Burger King

Whataburger

Shake Shack: Some locations may have reduced hours

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Zaxbys

Wendy's

Subway

Firehouse Subs

Hardee's

Carl's Jr.

Panera Bread

Cracker Barrel

IHOP

Waffle House

Krispy Kreme

Outback Steakhouse

Carrabba's Italian Grill

Bonefish Grill

Texas Roadhouse

Applebee's

Hooters

Red Lobster

Maggiano's: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Fogo de Chao: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chili's

First Watch

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: Is Starbucks open on New Year's Day 2026? What to know about hours
Lawmakers listen as Gov. Tina Kotek delivers her State of the State address on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Photo by Laura Tesler/Oregon Capital Chronicle/Pool)

Thursday marks the first day of the 2026 new year, and with that, a new set of laws passed by the Oregon Legislature will take effect.

They span from stronger accountability provisions for utility companies to criminal penalties for spreading AI-generated revenge porn. Oregons Democratic leaders said in a Dec. 17 statement that they made issues such as improving consumer rights and increasing public safety a top priority even as they continued to resist the policies of the Trump administration.

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Oregon families are being squeezed by rising costs, and these new laws will help people afford everything from rent to concert tickets to medical care, said House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, in a statement announcing the new statutes. Oregonians shouldnt get stuck paying hidden costs just to live their lives.

Its a balance that state leaders will have to continue to strike as they await future economic forecasts and stare down potentially significant cuts to state agency services because the state automatically replicates changes to federal tax code. Some lawmakers have also told the Capital Chronicle the upcoming February 2026 short legislative session will see legislation responding to the federal governments increasingly aggressive immigration policy.

Last years legislative session saw a historic number of bills  more than 3,400  introduced in at least two decades. Far fewer bills will appear in the next legislative session, which begins Feb. 2 and must conclude by March 8.

In the meantime, here are some major new laws that will affect Oregonians statewide. Nearly all of them passed with little to no Republican support in the Democrat-controlled House and Senate.

Consumer rights from utilities to health care

Senate Bill 430 prohibits online retailers from adding convenience charges and service fees to purchases without warning. Instead, business owners online must include such fees in the price they advertise or display on their website, though shipping costs do not have to be included in the up-front figure. Breaking the law would constitute an unlawful business and trade practice under state law and could subject the business to fines.

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Senate Bill 688 could more directly benefit consumers pocketbooks. The law allows the Oregon Public Utility Commission to provide incentives and penalties to utility companies based on key performance outcomes. That could include targets to reduce emissions or ensure cost reductions and access to utilities for low-income Oregonians.

When it comes to renting, Oregonians seeking to get back a deposit for an apartment or dwelling they later discover has serious problems may have more luck.

House Bill 3521 gives protections to prospective tenants should they find undisclosed issues such as a leaky roof or window, a lack of heat, unsafe drinking water or nonfunctional locks on a door. Landlords will have to return the deposit under the law should a tenant make such a discovery. Another new law also prevents landlords from relying upon mobile phone apps for safely locking and unlocking doors, mandating renters be offered alternatives such as an access code or key card.

And in the health care sector, Oregon lawmakers took a key step to help residents protect their credit scores. Senate Bill 605 prevents medical debt from going on an individuals credit report by prohibiting hospitals and clinics from notifying consumer reporting agencies about how much money an individual owes for receiving care. The ban also prevents these agencies from including what they know to be medical debt in a credit report.

Stronger worker protections

Perhaps the most controversial labor rights bill passed this past session was Senate Bill 916, which made Oregon the first state in the nation to guarantee unemployment benefits to striking public and private sector workers. Its legislative process pitted some school board and business leaders against labor rights advocates and unions who disagreed over whether it would incentivize longer strikes. The Oregon Employment Department told the Capital Chronicle it is planning to track claims from striking workers and will report the figures to the Legislature.

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And Senate Bill 906 will require annual updates starting at the beginning of every year from employers to newly-hired employees detailing their earnings and deductions on pay stubs. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, under the law, is directed to create model guidance in English and Spanish and other languages upon request. Employers who fail to comply could face civil penalties.

Domestic violence, consent laws for criminal penalties

Until this year, 17-year-olds in Oregon could marry with parental or guardian permission and authorization from a court, even if they did not consent. Now, under Senate Bill 548, Oregonians must be 18 years of age and those exemptions no longer apply. Supporters of the nearly unanimously passed law pointed out that nearly 3,000 adult men received Oregon marriage licenses with teenage girls from 2000 to 2021, according to state data.

Oregon lawmakers also addressed exploitation as it relates to the distribution of intimate images without the subjects consent. House Bill 2299, which passed with no opposition, will now include AI-generated images in state law creating a first and second degree offense for intimate image abuse, with the goal of stemming repeated violations and protecting victims of abuse.

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Additionally, workplace violence drew the attention of state legislators, who voted to make assault in the fourth degree in certain circumstances an even more serious crime. Under Senate Bill 170, that heightened designation is for when the assault takes place during the performance of an employees duties, and when it implicates an individual who has assaulted others because of their occupation or while they are at work. The penalty could be up to five years in prison and a $125,000 fine. The law passed the Senate unanimously, while four progressive Portland-area lawmakers opposed it in the House.

The laws taking effect in 2026 show Oregon leaders stepping up for working families by protecting consumers, widening access to health care, and keeping people safe, Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, D-Portland, said in a statement, even as the federal government prioritizes tax breaks for huge corporations and grows more hostile to everyday people.
President Donald Trump has waved the white flag regarding his efforts to station National Guard troops across Democratic American cities.

Posting to his social media platform Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump, 79, acquiesced to backlash over his decision to station armed National Guard members in left-leaning cities.

Donald Trump takes questions from the media at Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 22, 2025. / Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images

We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact, Trump wrote on the platform.

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Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it werent for the Federal Government stepping in, he continued. We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar againOnly a question of time!

It is hard to believe that these Democrat Mayors and Governors, all of whom are greatly incompetent, would want us to leave, especially considering the great progress that has been made???

Trump threatened that the federal government might return to those cities in

The president made a big show of his decision to deploy National Guard troops on U.S. soila choice that the Supreme Court, packed with Trump appointees including Brett Kavanaugh, shot down last week.

The court declared in an unsigned order that the Trump administration did not have sufficient justification to federalize troops in Chicago, a Democratic-led city in the state of Trumps new nemesis, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

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At this preliminary stage, the government has failed to identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois, the court decided.

Trump said he deployed the National Guard to Democratic cities to curb rising crime rates. / Anna Moneymaker / Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Another Trump-appointed federal judge, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, blocked the presidents federal deployment of troops to Portland in October, saying that the presidents claims that the city was a site of civil unrest were untethered to facts.

This is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law, Immergut wrote in the courts decision.

Its not the first time Trump has chickened out, either. In May, the term TACO, which was coined by Wall Street traders for Trump Always Chickens Out, began gaining mainstream popularityand the presidents ire.

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The president neglected to follow up on his promise of deploying National Guard troops to New York City after a particularly friendly meeting with the citys Democratic Socialist mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani.

Speaking to reporters after the November meeting, he said he would send troops only if they need it.

Trump complimented Mamdani at their November White House meeting, and even shielded the Mayor-elect from certain questions. / JIM WATSON / AFP via Getty Images

Right now, other places need it more. We had a very good meeting yesterday. We talked about that. But if they need it, I would do it, Trump said.

The president had previously threatened to revoke federal aid and deploy troops if the city elected the communist Mamdani. But following the two opposing political leaders White House meeting, the only thing the president could deploy was a beaming grin and niceties.
Police claim a Wisconsin teenager allegedly let his road rage get the better of him and it landed him behind bars, where he made a phone call and allegedly bragged that he could have "beat [the victim] to an inch of his life."

It is alleged in court documents provided to Us Weekly that when 19-year-old Oliver McSorley decided the 81-year-old motorist in the truck in front of him needed to pick up the pace back on October 28, he started tailgating the elderly man's car.

McSorley's approach, however, had very much the opposite effect: the older driver eased off the gas, allegedly infuriating the teen, who closed in even tighter with his own truck.

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The two vehicles continued traveling slowly east across Pewaukee. At some point, close to the campus of Waukesha County Technical College, cops said McSorley sped up, passing the octogenarian's vehicle on the left before aggressively cutting sharply right in front of the older gentleman, the court documents detail.

McSorley, though, was stopped at a red light, and the older driver caught up to him. The man inched his truck forward until it actually connected with McSorley's truck's bumper and further escalated the angry encounter.

Florida Man Arrested After Shooting Teens During Violent Road Rage Incident

The teen pulled to the side of the road, as did the alleged victim, according to court documents. Both men were already yelling at each other as they exited their vehicles. The confrontation got more and more intense, and at some point, the man pushed McSorley  which police said he had readily admitted.

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Police said McSorley allegedly began punching the elderly man over and over in the head and body. According to court filings, the beating was stopped by a group of bystanders who also called 911. One of the witnesses told dispatchers McSorley continued beating on the man, even after he fell to the ground and assumed the fetal position.

The same caller allegedly said it appeared McSorley "was trying to punch the older man into the ground," the court documents claimed. The witness told the 911 operator she thought the 81-year-old might die because of the brutal assault.

Cops arrived to find the elderly man bruised up and scraped, bleeding from his ears and one of his eyes. The older driver said he had trouble seeing clearly after the beating and was experiencing some pain in one of his shoulders. First responders, believing his head injuries meant he'd been concussed in the attack, rushed the victim to an area hospital.

Authorities said McSorley drove off after a second motorist pulled up and challenged him physically. "Come beat me up," the driver said, according to the court documents. With his lawyer at his side, McSorley later turned himself in to the police in Pewaukee. His defense to the police? Allegedly, he said the older man started the fight with the push. He further claimed the victim threatened to shoot him dead. While McSorley admitted to cops he saw no gun during the roadside altercation, he started fearing for his life after the threat and responded accordingly.

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Wisconsin Man Charged After Fatally Beating Hospital Security Guard on Christmas Day

Prosecutors alleged in court filings McSorley spoke about the attack from a jail phone, perhaps not realizing such calls are almost always recorded. "I should have beaten the s*** out of him," the filings allege that McSorley said, before adding, "He is lucky he only has a concussion. I could've literally beat him to an inch of his life."

Plea and attorney information could not be obtained Wednesday in light of the holiday.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Thursday stressed that investing in national defence is investing in peace amid rising tensions with China, urging the opposition-led legislature to approve a proposed special military budget.

In his New Year address, Lai said that as China steps up its expansionist ambitions, the world is closely watching whether Taiwan has the resolve to defend itself.

"I hope the ruling and opposition parties can work together to ensure that critical defence budgets are passed as soon as possible," he added.

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In November, Lai announced a supplementary military budget of NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) for the next eight years, describing it as a move to reinforce Taiwan's commitment to defend itself and to contribute to regional stability.

Responding to media questions, Lai said that recent Chinese drills incorporated scenarios targeting Taiwan's newly enhanced capabilities.

"This clearly shows that Taiwans defence procurement budget is essential to safeguarding national security," he said.

On Monday, China launched surprise drills around Taiwan, dubbed "Justice Mission 2025," which intensified on Tuesday, with some rockets landing within Taiwan's 24-nautical-mile (44-kilometre) contiguous zone.

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"Only unity, not division, will prevent giving China the wrong message: that it could invade Taiwan," Lai stressed.

Observers said the drills were partly a response to remarks by Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, suggesting Tokyo could intervene if China attacked Taiwan, as well as to a US arms package approved for Taipei in December.

On Thursday, Lai reiterated that Taiwan is willing to engage in exchanges with China, provided they are conducted based on equal dignity. China cut official communications with Taiwan in June 2016.

Democratic Taiwan, home to 23.4 million people, has governed itself since 1949, while China continues to claim the island and has repeatedly threatened annexation.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Thursday vowed to defend the self-ruled islands sovereignty in the face of Chinas expansionist ambitions, days after Beijing wrapped up live-fire military drills near its shores.

In the face of Chinas rising expansionist ambitions, the international community is watching to see whether the Taiwanese people have the resolve to defend themselves, Lai said in his New Years address.

As president, my stance has always been clear: to firmly safeguard national sovereignty, strengthen national defense and the resilience of the whole society, and comprehensively construct an effective deterrence and democratic defense mechanism, he added.

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Lais comments came days after China wrapped up live-fire drills around Taiwan featuring rocket launches, aircraft and warships. Beijing had expressed anger at a planned U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, as well as at Japans new leaders comments that Tokyo could intervene in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

China sees Taiwan as its own territory and threatens to annex it by force if necessary. A former Japanese colony, Taiwan has been governed independently from the mainland since 1949, when the Nationalist Party lost a civil war against the Chinese Communist Party and retreated to the island.

Lai's speech was met angrily in Beijing, where a spokesperson for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office called the president a saboteur of peace, a troublemaker and a warmonger, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

No matter what Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities say or do, they cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China," said spokesperson Chen Binhua.

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The planned arms sale, valued at more than $11 billion, is the U.S.s largest so far to Taiwan. It includes missiles, drones, artillery systems and military software.

The United States is obligated by its own laws to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.

Chinas leader Xi Jinping called Taiwans eventual annexation  unstoppable " during his own televised New Years address on Wednesday.

Taiwan last year announced a special $40 billion budget for arms purchases, including to build an air defense system with high-level detection and interception capabilities called the Taiwan Dome.

The budget will be allocated over eight years, from 2026 to 2033, and comes after Lai already pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of the islands GDP, as part of his strategy amid Chinas threats of invasion.

Facing Chinas serious military ambitions, Taiwan has no time to wait, Lai said.

___

Mistreanu reported from Beijing.
A new year is here, and many are looking to jump on their to-do lists and resolutions for 2026.

If that entails shopping for you, you're in luck. Most grocery, retail, and restaurant chains will remain open on New Year's Day, albeit some with adjusted hours. Banks, post offices, and the stock market will be closed on the holiday.

But Target will definitely be an option. Stores will be open regular hours on New Year's Day, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Ring in the new year by seeing photos of celebrations around the world, beginning here with fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia, January 1, 2026. A serviceman hugs a girl as they dance under the snowfall near New Year displays at a shopping mall, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 31, 2025. A man selling diapers and foot warmers walks down sixth avenue, as people wait in line to enter Times Square on the morning of New Year's Eve celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 31, 2025. People watch New Years Day celebration fireworks ahead of the new year from the Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore December 31, 2025. Fireworks explode during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, January 1, 2026. People react during countdown for the New Year at Central in Hong Kong, China December 31, 2025. People celebrate the new year early at noon, on New Year's Eve, by Lake Bajer, in Fuzine, Croatia, December 31, 2025. A projection mapping is displayed on the surface of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, to celebrate the New Year, in Tokyo, Japan January 1, 2026. A reveler poses for a photograph on 6th Avenue while waiting in line to enter Times Square on the morning of New Year's Eve celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., December 31, 2025. People on 6th Avenue wait in line to enter Times Square on the morning of New Year's Eve celebrations in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., December 31, 2025. People gather at a New Year countdown ceremony at Juyongguan Great Wall section, also known as Juyong Pass, in Beijing, China, December 31, 2025. Fireworks explode during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, January 1, 2026. Children light up sparklers during New Year celebrations in Makati, Metro Manila on January 1, 2026. People sing as they gather for a New Year countdown ceremony at the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall, also known as Juyong Pass, in Beijing, China, December 31, 2025. See NYE celebrations around the world as 2025 comes to an end 1 of 14 Ring in the new year by seeing photos of celebrations around the world, beginning here with fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia, January 1, 2026.

Want a lucky 2026?: See these New Year's Eve traditions, superstitions

What grocery stores are open on New Year's Day?

Here is a list of grocery stores that will be open on Jan. 1.

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Walmart: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

BJ's Wholesale: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Kroger family of stores; The Kroger family of stores includes: Bakers, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Frys, Gerbes, Jay C Food Store, King Soopers, Kroger, Marianos, Metro Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, Pickn Save, QFC, Ralphs, Ruler, Smiths Food and Drug.

Food Lion: Regular operating hours

Publix: Most stores close at 7 p.m.; Stores in Atlanta and Charlotte close at 8 p.m.

Meijer: 6 a.m. to midnight

Whole Foods: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Harris Teeter: Regular operating hours

Wegmans: Regular operating hours

Winn-Dixie: Regular operating hours

Harveys: Regular operating hours

Giant Eagle: Stores close at 5 p.m.

Lidl locations in New York will open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Costco, Sam's Club, Trader Joe's, Aldi, and Lidl stores outside of New York will all be closed on New Year's Day.

What retail stores are open on New Year's Day?

The following retail stores will be open on Jan. 1.

Kohl's: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

TJ Maxx: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

HomeGoods: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Marshall's: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Best Buy: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Macy's: Regular operating hours

JCPenney: Open at 11 a.m., closing times vary by location

Nordstrom: Regular operating hours

American Eagle: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sephora: Hours vary by location

Victoria's Secret: Hours vary by location

Home Depot: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lowe's: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ace Hardware: Hours vary by location

REI: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bass Pro Shop: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Cabela's: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Belk: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sephora: Hours vary by location

IKEA: Regular operating hours

Staples: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Office Depot: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

OfficeMax: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

PetSmart: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Petco: Stores will close at 8 p.m.

Tractor Supply Co.: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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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: Is Target open on New Year's Day 2026? What to know about hours
Zeidi Rodriguez and Missie Morgan recently graduated with education degrees and are getting ready to embark on their teaching journeys.

Rodriguez earned a degree in education with a minor in special populations from University of Texas Permian Basin. She will be going into special education.

Morgan isnt quite done with her degrees yet having earned an associate degree in teaching from Odessa College. She plans to stay on at OC and earn a bachelors degree in history.

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Rodriguez will be staying at Bowie Middle School.

Principal Amy Russell said she used $33,000 of campus Title 1 money to keep Rodriguez on campus one year as a Teacher Resident where she paired her with a multi classroom leader teacher.

UTPB allows for some students to apply as Teacher Residents where they go to school, in Rodriguez case, UTPB, their last year while being a full-time teacher aide. In the past, teacher interns would have to student teach for a semester with no pay. With the teacher residency, they receive a paycheck while learning from an expert teacher, Russell said.

Starting in January, Rodriguez will be a teacher of record in Bowies third self-contained special education classroom for grades six through eight.

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Rodriguez didnt always know what she wanted to do with her life until she started working at Bowie.

One of my coworkers told me, your first year is always the hardest year. Youd be a great teacher, and thats actually what gave me the motivation to start in education, she said.

Rodriguez had attended college before for accounting, but she quickly figured out it wasnt for her and dropped out. A year later, she returned to school.

A lot of people would run screaming from middle school, but Rodriguez says they are a fun group.

I feel like at this age, they really need a lot of guidance in life and I love to watch them grow. You see them come in as elementary students, and you watch them leave as high schoolers, you watch them develop their own personalities, she added.

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Rodriguez said she really enjoyed the teacher residency program and had a great multi classroom leader, Monica Olivas.

Im very thankful that I did, because now I have the experience that I need in order to be successful in my own classroom, Zeidi Rodriguez added.

Rodriguez sister, Zaida Rodriguez, also graduated from UTPB the same weekend, Dec. 13.

Zaida will be working in a math lab at Ector Middle School.

We both went through the process together, and well both be in middle schools and give each other advice.

She added that her colleagues have been amazing and supportive through the whole process.

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Zeidi said she was born and raised in Odessa and went through ECISD schools. Teaching in the same district she attended feels great.

It feels great to be on this side. I used to look at teachers, and now Im one of them. Now Im on their side, Zeidi said.

Morgan, who works at Bowie as a paraprofessional in special education, said she has wanted to be a teacher since she was a young teenager. Now 56, she said she always knew God put a calling in her life.

I kind of went haywire for a little while after I turned 18, but I got back on track. Im 56 right now, and cant believe Im doing it, she said.

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Morgan would have graduated high school in 1989, but earned her GED in 1991 or 1992, she said. She went back for criminal justice but lost interest. When she started working at Bowie, she decided to pursue teaching.

No matter how old we are, we can make something of ourselves and not have to depend on anybody  I dont like depending on anybody. Im very independent, she added.

Taking on this new direction is exciting for her even though its hard.

Homework is not easy. I didnt do that great in junior high and high school, but I passed. But this is way harder, and Im excited because I want to be that teacher that kids can come to if they need somebody to talk to, if they need a shoulder to cry on, or if they just need help, Morgan said.

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She would like to teach elementary school.

Morgan went through school in Odessa.

I probably went to every single junior high in this town, except for Bowie, she said.

Her teachers supported her growing up and she got attached to some of them, especially in elementary school.

Then junior high, I had some good teachers. When I started here at Bowie, if it wasnt for Miss (Sharon) Clary (a teacher) and Miss Russell, the principal, I probably wouldnt be doing this, Morgan said.

They encouraged her to go for her teaching degree, no matter how old she was.

Here I am doing this thing, Morgan said.

Before teaching, she was a dog groomer for more than 25 years.

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Some days teaching is mentally straining, but it doesnt hurt her back the way grooming did.

But its okay. I love my babies, Morgan said.

The post New teachers try their wings appeared first on Odessa American.
Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) emphasized the state's aggressive efforts to combat fraud while calling out federal failures under President Donald Trump that have allowed pandemic-era scamsters to escape accountability.

Minnesota Fraud Crackdown Intensifies With New Leadership

On Monday, Walz posted on X while sharing a Minnesota Star Tribune op-ed, writing: "We've spent years cracking down on fraud  referring cases to law enforcement, shutting down and auditing high-risk programs."

He added, "Trump keeps letting fraudsters out of prison."

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The op-ed detailed the appointment of Tim O'Malley as Director of Program Integrity.

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O'Malley, a former FBI agent, judge, and criminal justice official, will lead efforts to detect fraud across state programs.

Walz highlighted the creation of specialized law enforcement units, audits of high-risk programs, and new checks and balances to protect taxpayer dollars.

"The buck stops with me, and my focus now is on ensuring that not a single dollar falls into the wrong hands," Walz wrote.

Federal Pandemic Relief Fraud And Trump Pardons Draw Criticism

The governor also stressed that pandemic-era federal programs, including Medicaid and COVID relief funds, were designed for rapid distribution, which inadvertently created opportunities for fraud.

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He noted that other states faced similar challenges and criticized the Trump administration for pardoning individuals responsible for multi-million-dollar fraud.

"What is not helpful is the president of the United States demonizing an entire community or pardoning someone single-handedly responsible for $1.6 billion in fraud," he said.

We've spent years cracking down on fraud  referring cases to law enforcement, shutting down and auditing high-risk programs.



Trump keeps letting fraudsters out of prison.



To the national news just now paying attention, here's what we've done to stop it. pic.twitter.com/bgvKPxVxxm  Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) December 30, 2025

Trending: Deloitte's #1 Fastest-Growing Software Company Lets Users Earn Money Just by Scrolling  Accredited Investors Can Still Get In at $0.50/Share.

Walz accused President Trump of politicizing fraud investigations to undermine programs that assist Minnesotans.

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He stated that Minnesota has spent years cracking down on fraud, but Trump's "long game" aims to defund these essential programs.

This is Trump's long game.



We've spent years cracking down on fraudsters. It's a serious issue  but this has been his plan all along.



He's politicizing the issue to defund programs that help Minnesotans. https://t.co/7ByWjeXxu0  Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) December 31, 2025

Minnesota PPP Fraud Investigation Sparks National Criticism

On Monday, the Small Business Administration paused all grant funding to Minnesota amid an investigation into $430 million in suspected Paycheck Protection Program fraud, calling it one of the largest state-level cases in U.S. history.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler cited oversight failures under Walz and pledged to stop "blank checks to fraudsters."

The probe followed reporting by YouTuber Nick Shirley, who documented millions in misused federal aid, and conservative activist Benny Johnson said the SBA uncovered half a billion dollars in fraud within days.

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On Tuesday, Bill Ackman questioned why federal childcare funds went to Somali immigrant families, many on welfare.

Even assuming there was no fraud, none of this makes sense.



How is it that we have been funding billions of dollars of daycare for Somali immigrants in Minnesota 81% of which (according to Gemini) are on welfare?



In other words, if mom and dad don't work, why the need for  Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) December 31, 2025

See Also: GM-Backed EnergyX Is Solving the Lithium Supply Crisis  Invest Before They Scale Global Production

Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) criticized Walz, accusing him of embarrassing Minnesota and mismanaging $9 billion of taxpayer funds.

He called the situation a betrayal of public trust and demanded accountability, including Walz's resignation, arguing that Minnesotans deserve leaders who safeguard their money.

Tim Walz embarrassed our state and drained taxpayers of 9 BILLION dollars.



This isn't just incompetenceit's a betrayal of trust that demands immediate accountability, starting with his resignation.



Minnesotans deserve leaders who protect their hard-earned dollars, not ones pic.twitter.com/wJxgm6tzjB  Tom Emmer (@tomemmer) December 30, 2025

Vice President JD Vance praised the pause and verification measures as a crucial step to prevent fraud and commended federal officials for their work.

Turning off payments and forcing verification before taxpayer money flows out the door is one of the most important steps we can take to end the fraud in Minnesota. But there will be many more to come.



Great job to @HHS_Jim and @SecKennedy. https://t.co/OwDf3JeloS  JD Vance (@JDVance) December 31, 2025

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This article Tim Walz Says While Trump Pardons, Minnesota Cracks Down On Pandemic-Era Fraud: 'The Buck Stops With Me' originally appeared on Benzinga.com
Time Magazine has courted controversy for the second year in a row with the naming of its "Person of the Year," according to Reuters.

Time named the Architects of AI as their Person of the Year in 2025, as the large language model (LLM) industry has continued to boom with investment pouring in.

"Person of the Year is a powerful way to focus the world's attention on the people that shape our lives," said Time editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs in a letter to readers. "And this year, no one had a greater impact than the individuals who imagined, designed, and built AI."

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However, even Jacobs is quick to point out that for all of AI's potential, it continues "wowing and worrying humanity."

While there are some tangible, beneficial uses for the large language models incorrectly claimed to be AI, their generative versions pose major ethical and legal problems. They allow for the creation of videos featuring any person saying or doing anything, and scrape copyrighted works and the intellectual property of others to generate everything they produce.

There are also studies detailing an increase in "AI psychosis," in which the chatbots amplify people's delusions, and have even been alleged to encourage people to commit suicide.

On top of that, AI has a massive environmental impact: The data centers required to run large language models consume significant amounts of power and water and can pollute the landscape with forever chemicals. The industry is seeking clean energy solutions to meet its massive power needs, but research indicates that its power demands could outpace clean energy efforts within the next five years.

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However, the programs aren't entirely without merit; they've been implemented to help fight wildfires, and their ability to optimize things like energy usage can be a boon to reducing carbon pollution.

This isn't the first time that the magazine's Person of the Year choice has raised eyebrows; they awarded the 2024 honor to then-president-elect Donald Trump, and in other years, their choices have drawn criticism as well.

According to Reuters, Jacobs described the architects as "transforming the present and transcending the possible."

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On Dec. 31, 1952, readers of The Appeal-Democrat were reminded that the new year would bring new political boundaries in the region.

1953 to ring some changes in local politics, was the front page headline, over a story that opened, The new year will bring some political changes to Yuba-Sutter, effective tomorrow or within a few days of the arrival of 1953.

The twin counties will move out of the First Congressional district at midnight and become part of the Third Congressional district along with Sacramento, Yolo, Colusa and Glenn counties.

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The new congressman of the district will be John E. Moss, Jr, a former state assemblyman and a freshman member of the House of Representatives who will take his seat when Congress convenes Saturday in Washington. Moss is a Democrat.

The change in congressional districts was the result of the reapportionment following the decennial U.S. census in which California gained seven congressional seats for a total of 30.

The reapportionment did not affect the areass Assembly district, although statewide there were some changes. Yuba and Sutter remain part of the Fourth Assemblymen district along with Butte county. But the district will have a new assemblyman in Don Hobbie of Oroville, a Republican, who will replace Arthur W. Coats Jr.
The Japanese capital of Tokyo has for decades reigned as the world's most populated city. But in 2025, it lost its crown to not one but two other Asian megacities. Taking the top spot is Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, with a whopping 42 million people. In second place is Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital, with a population around 37 million. Meanwhile, Tokyo has slipped to third with roughly 33 million residents.

In fact, Tokyo may not have held the top position for a decade or two. That's according to new methods of population counting introduced by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, outlined in their World Urbanisation Prospects 2025 report. Using updated definitions of urban extent, the report predicts Tokyo will fall further down the rankings in coming decades, as population decline accelerates. Dhaka is likely to top the charts by around 2050.

Are travelers poised to abandon Tokyo for Jakarta or Dhaka for the boast that they've visited the world's most populous city? Perhaps the most adventurous ones. Of the urban giants that comprise the top ten, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Seoul stand out as some of the easiest and most pleasant to visit. In contrast, Jakarta and Dhaka pose challenges for travelers, like a lack of reliable public transit and piecemeal urban development, resulting in hard-to-navigate, less-than-beautiful cityscapes. Still, both offer rewards for visitors willing to look beyond the surface.

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Read more: 10 Dangerous Cities You Should Never Visit Alone

Exploring Jakarta and Dhaka, the world's most populous cities

Jakarta Cathedral Church building at night - Ainun Dita Kartika/Shutterstock

Jakarta and Dhaka appeal to travelers who want to dive headfirst into urban intensity. Most travelers to Indonesia have the stunning and serene island of Bali at the top of their bucket lists, with little thought for Jakarta. The capital is more chaos than calm. Traffic jams are notorious, there's just one subway line, and Jakarta's not particularly walkable.

That said, there are places worth exploring. The Old Town is one place that can be explored on-foot, and you'll find colonial buildings lining canals reminiscent of those in Amsterdam (parts of Indonesia were a Dutch colony). The Jakarta History Museum is also there, as is Cafe Batavia, housed in an elegant early-19th-century building, perfect places to escape the crowds. Outside of this area, Glodok, Jakarta's Chinatown, is a winding maze of alleyways and traditional stores. But the most famous shopping to be had is in one of the capital's many malls, which range from glossy to gritty.

Dhaka offers a similarly intense urban experience. Traffic is challenging, to put it mildly, and driving in Dhaka is not a good choice for travelers. Instead, take an autorickshaw and throw yourself into the action at Sadarghat, a teeming, wonderfully photographic river port where you can watch teetering ferries wash against tiny wooden boats, and see daily life going on along the banks. For more striking photo opportunities, head to colorful Shankharia Bazar, where traditional buildings hide artisan workshops, perfect for picking up a souvenir. While the megacities of Jakarta and Dhaka may not be as easy to explore as Tokyo, they offer different, rewarding experiences and the bragging rights of having visited the world's most populous cities.

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Read the original article on Explore.
Despite being the worlds largest air force, the Soviet Air Force (Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily or VVS) was caught on the back foot by the German invasion on 22 June 1941.

On the first day alone, an astonishing 2000 Soviet aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Emerging from this calamity over the brutal years of the Great Patriotic War, the VVS returned with ever more potent aircraft in increasing numbers. Soviet combat aircraft tended to be tough, able to endure the roughest airfields and climatic extremes, and easy to manufacture in enormous numbers. Here are ten of them.

(A transport aircraft of critical importance to the Soviets was the American Douglas C-47, and the inferior Soviet copy, the Lisunov Li-2, and these certainly merit a passing mention.)

10: Bell P-39 Airacobra

Bell P-39 Airacobra

The radical Bell P-39 Airacobra was an American aircraft that proved unpopular in US and British hands but proved ideally suited to the Eastern Front, and was the most successful of the Land-Lease fighters serving with the USSR. It proved formidable and earned the affectionate nickname of Kobrushka (Little Cobra).

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The P-39 was unlike any other World War Two fighter in having the engine behind the pilot combined with another at time unconventional feature, a tricycle undercarriage. Today, all fighters have a tricycle undercarriage with the smaller central landing gear at the front, but in the war, the norm was to have it at the rear in the tail-dragger configuration.

10: Bell P-39 Airacobra

Bell P-39 Airacobra

The sturdy P-39 had a combination of a heavy-hitting 37-mm cannon in the nose, forgiving take-off and landing characteristics from rough airfields and excellent manoeuvrability. Its lack of high-altitude performance was little issue on the Eastern Front, where most combat occurred at low altitudes.

As Soviet aircraft production facilities fled eastward, there was a temporary shortage of fighters, and the delivery of the P-39s was extremely timely. Ultimately, the P-39 story became largely a Soviet affair, with around half of all the P-39s produced serving in the USSR. Soviet fighter pilot Grigory Rechkalov (1920-1990) shot down 48 enemy aircraft while flying the P-39.

9: Ilyushin Il-4 (DB-3F)

Ilyushin Il-4 (DB-3F)

The DB-3 was the first all-metal long-range bomber used by the Soviet Air Force. Though impressive, it took an enormous effort to build: 30,301 man-hours per aircraft. To rectify this, and enhance performance and reliability, the DB-3F was created.

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Embracing new construction techniques, learned from American designs, and a raft of other improvements, the F soon became a radically new design in its own right. The DB-3F took far less time to build, with man hours per aircraft more than halved to a figure of 14,331 (and later reduced even more dramatically).

9: Ilyushin Il-4

Ilyushin Il-4

Pushed into an unsuitable emergency tactical role following the invasion, the DB-3F endured high losses. As a long-range bomber it was used to attack Berlin. The DB-3F was redesignated Il-4 in early 1942. The Il-4s impressive range enabled it to be used for strategic missions.

The DB-3 and IL-4 both had torpedo bomber variants known as the DB-3T and Il-4T respectively. The Il-4T proved capable in both Western operations and fleeting (but frenetic) action in the Pacific in the closing days of the war. A total of 5256 IL-4s were manufactured.

8: Lavochkin La-5FN/ La-7

Lavochkin La-5FN/ La-7

Lavochkin reinvigorated the lack-lustre LaGG-3 fighter, by replacing its inline 1260 horsepower (940kW) Klimov-M 105PF engine with the Shvetsov M-82 radial engine. The new aircraft, the La-5, was massively improved with this new 1649 horsepower (1230kW) engine. The first La-5 was completed in December 1941, just two months after design work began.

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It was further improved with the addition of the M-82FN (FN short for fosirovanny meaning boosted). The new fuel-injected engine was a beast, with 1850 horsepower (1380kW) at take-off. Faster than 400mph, the La-5FN proved formidable in combat. It was the mount of the greatest Allied ace, Ivan Kozhedub (1920-1991), for the most of his victories.

8: Lavochkin La-5FN/ La-7

Lavochkin La-5FN/ La-7

With delays in the development of the all-metal La-9, the La-7 was only intended as an interim fighter. However, the relatively low-key refinements and timing of world events meant this interim fighter became the ultimate Lavochkin fighter of World War 2, as well as the last new fighter of largely wooden construction.

Though formidable in many ways, Lavochkin took the La-5FN and further improved it. They started by removing the supercharger air intake from the top of the engine cowling and repositioning it on the port wing root. This improved the pilots view as well as reducing drag. The oil cooler was also moved. This new cleaned-up aeroplane was impressive with a top speed greater than 410mph.

7: Tupolev Tu-2

Tupolev Tu-2

Andrei Tupolev (1888-1972) designed the Tu-2 medium bomber while he was serving a prison sentence for espionage and sabotage. The twin-engined aircraft was initially known as Aircraft 103, such was the stigma attached to Tupolevs name. Despite the challenging conditions of its conception, the Tu-2 was excellent.

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With a top speed of 395mph (635km/h) the initial version, which first flew on 29 January 1941, was faster than virtually any operational fighter of the time. It was powered by two Mikulin AM-37 inline engines rated at 1500 horsepower each (1119kW).

7: Tupolev Tu-2

Tupolev Tu-2

The AM-37s were unreliable, and replacement by the more dependable Shvetsov M-82 radial engines drastically reduced the top speed to 328mph (adding to the performance loss of an earlier change to increase the crew from three to four). But at 328mph (528km/h), it was still an extremely fast medium bomber and a challenging target for enemy fighters.

It was later up-engined to the 1850 horsepower (1380kW) Shvetsov Ash-82FN to create the formidable Tu-2S. Well-armed with up to 6600Ib (3,000kg) bombs, three defensive heavy machine-guns and two cannons the Tu-2 proved extremely effective.

6: Petlyakov Pe-8

Petlyakov Pe-8

The P-8 was a heavy four-engined bomber that first flew at the end of 1936. It was an extremely ambitious project offering double the performance of the aircraft it was built to replace, the Tupolev TB3 (ANT-6).

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It was powered by four Mikulin AM-35 V-12 inline engines, each rated at 1340 horsepower (just under 1000 kW) for a total of 5360 horsepower (around 4000kW). Defensive armament consisted of two light machine guns in the nose turret, two heavy machine guns (one in each of the inner engine nacelles) and two 20-mm cannon (one in the tail and one in the dorsal turret).

6: Petlyakov Pe-8

Petlyakov Pe-8

It could carry up to 11,000 Ib (5000kg) of bombs and had a range of up to 2300 miles (3,700 km). It bombed Berlin from 1941 onwards and initially enjoyed a very good survival rate, though this declined as German air defences improved.

Four-engined long-range bombers were at odds with the Soviet doctrine of tactical air power above all else, and despite its impressive reach and decent top speed, only 93 P-8s were made. Though a relatively rare type, it was made famous internationally by Foreign Minister Molotovs use of the type to travel to Washington (via the UK) in 1942.

5: Polikarpov Po-2

Polikarpov Po-2

The Night Witches were an all-female bomber regiment much hated by the Axis forces that endured their sleep-depriving harassment raids. The Night Witches flew the Polikarpov Po-2, a simple biplane that proved frustratingly difficult to intercept.

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To frozen bewildered Axis ground forces, the Night Witches seemingly appeared from nowhere, dropped their bombs, strafed, and disappeared. The aircraft was small, and deployed at night at low altitude, with little engine sound (the engines were throttled back or even switched off for the attack run) and flying below the stalling speeds of German fighters. It was virtually undetectable to contemporary radar due to its flight profiles, size, and wood and canvas construction.

5: Polikarpov Po-2

Polikarpov Po-2

Just before sunset, Po-2s (initially known as U-2s) were deployed to forward operating bases, under cover of darkness the aircraft performed their short-range harassment raids. They then returned to re-arm and then re-deploy; on one occasion U-2 crew Yekaterina Ryabova (1921-1974) and Nadezhda Popova (1921-2013) flew 18 missions in one night!

The Po-2 had excellent short take-off and landing (STOL) performance and was easy to manufacture, both extremely useful in a huge, desperate war. No biplane has been produced in greater numbers than the Po-2, with estimates of the total number built ranging up to 32,000. The Po-2/U-2 was used in many roles, including training, medevac, reconnaissance, army liaison and ground attack.

4: Petlyakov Pe-2

Petlyakov Pe-2

The Pe-2 was conceived as a high-speed high-altitude fighter with the notable technology of a pressurised cockpit, designated Vi-100. The Vi-100 first flew in December 1939. With high-altitude bombers not considered a credible threat, authorities requested the Vi-100 being converted to a dive bomber. The conversion was achieved in a bewilderingly short 45 days, and included the removal of the pressurised section and superchargers.

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The twin-engined Pe-2 was astonishingly fast, with a top speed of 360mph, matching the best-performing fighters in service in 1940. Its fighter was also blessed it with superb manoeuvrability (the wing having been radically redesigned from that of the Vi-100). Stalin considered the aircraft so vital that mass production was started before the prototype had flown.

4: Petlyakov Pe-2

Petlyakov Pe-2

Initially thrown into combat with almost reckless alacrity, the Petlyakov Pe-2 suffered high losses. But as crews grew in experience, the Pe-2 proved itself to be one of the most effective tactical aircraft of the war. A total of 11,074 Pe-2s were manufactured.

The most famous achievement of the Petlyakov Pe-2 was an attack on the Romanian Ploiesti oilfield. The raid occurred in July 1941 and destroyed a quarter of a million tons of oil. Romanian authorities claimed the raid was by 100 aircraft, in reality, it was carried out by six Pe-2s, led by one Captain. A. Tsurtsulin.

3: Polikarpov I-16

Polikarpov I-16

In the early to mid-1930s, the stubby Polikarpov I-16 was likely the best fighter in the world, with a phenomenal climb rate and top speed. It ushered in the era of cantilever monoplane fighters with retractable undercarriages and enclosed cockpit, a form which would dominate by the 1940s.

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Huge numbers of I-16s were constructed in the lead-up to the Second World War, and fought over China and Mongolia against the Japanese. They also saw much action against the Finns in Karelia. Though the I-16 was hot stuff in the 1930s, by the time of the German invasion of the USSR in 1941, it was beginning to show its age.

3: Polikarpov I-16

Polikarpov I-16

It was slower than Ju 88 bombers it was expected to intercept. In terms of speed and firepower, it was considerably outmatched by the Messerschmitt, Bf 109. But though the I-16 was at a disadvantage, thanks to its agility, it could hold its own when in the hands of an experienced pilot.

It is worth noting that the Polikarpov bureau also created the finest Soviet fighter that failed to reach frontline units, the spectacular I-185. Extremely fast (with a 390mph top speed), well-armed (with three 20-mm cannons), and a joy to fly, the I-185 lost out to the inferior, but more mature La-5.

2: Yakovlev fighter series

Yakovlev fighter series

The designer Alexander Yakovlev (1906-1989) so impressed authorities with his I-26 light fighter that he was awarded the Order of Lenin, 100,000 Roubles and a car. The fighter was very small and extremely manoeuvrable, and, importantly, easy to manufacture. Within a few weeks of the prototype first flying in 1940 it was ordered into mass production as the Yak-1.

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When Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, the Yak-1 was there to fight. But the haste in which it had been ordered meant the Yak-1 was an immature design requiring 1000s of individual improvements. Though inferior to the Messerschmitt 109 in most respects, an experienced Yak-1 pilot could hold his or her own (the great female fighter pilot Lydia Litvyak (1921-1943) flew the Yak).

2: Yakovlev fighter series

Yakovlev fighter series

The Yak-7 fighter was created from a two-seat trainer and courier variant of the Yak-1, with a larger wing and tail surfaces. A fighter variant of the Yak-7 was proposed when it was realised the changes made to the two-seat Yak-7 meant a single-seat Yak-7 would be superior to the Yak-1. The ultimate expression of the Yak-7 series was the phenomenal Yak-9.

The Yak-1 was further refined to become the superb Yak-3 (pictured), which flew in 1943 and was the match of any contemporary Luftwaffe fighter. With a 20-mm cannon in the nose and two 12.7mm machine guns in the cowling, the Yak had bite and could outrun almost anything else.

1: Ilyushin Il-2

Ilyushin Il-2

For the British, the Spitfire is of immense symbolic value; for Russia, and before it, the Soviet Union, the Ilyushin enjoys the same iconic status, standing as a totem for the sacrifice and achievements of the Soviet Air Force in the Second World War. The tough Il-2 is remembered for changing the tide of war in the East.

The aircraft was a ground attack aircraft dedicated to supporting the Red Army. In the roles of Close Air Support aircraft and Anti-Armour (tank-busting), the Il-2 proved instrumental, thrown into the fray in colossal numbers and meting out a vast destructive effect on Axis forces.

1: Ilyushin Il-2

Ilyushin Il-2

The Il-2 depended on structural strength, armour and heavy armament for survival. Having learned from the vulnerability of aircraft in the Spanish Civil War, the Il-2 structure was built around an armoured shell, affording a degree of protection to the two crew, engines, fuel tank and radiators.

It is the most numerous military aircraft ever produced and the second largest number of all types, including civil, popularly known as the Shturmovik (meaning attacker or stormer). A total of 36,163 Il-2s were produced. Joseph Stalin described the Il-2 as essential to the Red Army as bread and air.

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For every Spitfire, Mustang or Fw 190, there was a plane as terrible as these aeroplanes were fabulous.

Considering the pace of technology and the dire global situation, it is hardly surprising that more than a few downright diabolic machines found their way to the dangerous skies of the war. Here are 10 of them.

10: Blackburn Botha

Blackburn Botha

The British Blackburn company is always represented in any list of terrible aircraft, and the Botha is the first of two Blackburn entries on our list. The Botha was damned from a chronic lack of power. Its poor performance meant it was never to enter service in its primary role as a torpedo bomber.

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The type first flew in 1938, entering service after the war had started, two weeks before Christmas in 1939. It suffered from poor lateral stability, and though a slew of crashes followed, this was not unusual for a new type entering service in the late 1930s.

10: Blackburn Botha

Blackburn Botha

Had that been all, it would have been nothing worse than an obscure mediocrity, but Blackburn had also made it extremely difficult to see out of the aircraft in any direction except dead ahead due to the position of the engines. This was an untenable failing for an aircraft now intended for reconnaissance, and the Botha was supplanted by the Avro Anson, which it had been supposed to replace.

Passed to training units, the Bothas vicious handling traits conspired with its underpowered nature to produce a fantastic amount of accidents, yet somehow a terrifying 580 were built, and the type soldiered on until 1944.

9: Breda Ba. 88 Lince (Lynx)

Breda Ba. 88 Lince (Lynx)

Do you like aircraft that can go round corners? Seemingly, Italian company Breda thought that was overrated. Proof that the adage If it looks right, itll fly right is a load of old cobblers, the Lince looked fast and purposeful yet it was so overweight, draggy and underpowered that it sometimes refused to fly at all.

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The early life of the Ba.88 appeared extremely promising. Appearing in 1937, the aircraft featured many advanced features, notably a sleek low-drag design and a retractable undercarriage. It even smashed several world speed records. But once fully adapted for its ground attack role its weight grew, and flaws became apparent.

9: Breda Ba. 88 Lince (Lynx)

Breda Ba. 88 Lince (Lynx)

On the first day of the Italian offensive against British forces in Egypt, for example, three Bredas were committed from Sicily: one tried unsuccessfully to take off and another was found to be unable to turn and was therefore compelled to fly straight and level until it arrived at Sidi Rezegh airfield in Libya (which, fairly evidently, isnt Egypt).

Later, once sand filters were fitted to the engines, the Lince could not exceed 155 mph (249 km/h) and there were occasions when entire units failed to take off. In an attempt to make the benighted craft viable, various items of equipment were left behind, including the rear machine gun, one of the crew (leaving the pilot all on his own), and half the fuel and bomb-load, but this never worked and the Lince was adapted to a role it fulfilled admirably  being parked on airfields to draw enemy fire. A noble task. 149 were built, until 1941.

8: Napalm bats

Napalm bats

Not an aircraft type, just a truly horrible idea, bat bombs were the bizarre answer to the question of how small incendiary munitions could be accurately steered into the roofs of wooden Japanese buildings. The bomb consisted of a canister containing over 1000 hibernating Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis), each fitted with a small napalm-filled incendiary device with a timer.

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The canister was dropped from a standard bomber aircraft, parachuting to a soft landing, after which the bats awakened and flew to roost under the eaves or attics of buildings within a range of about 40 miles (64 km), where the timed bombs they were carrying would, it was hoped, ignite and cause widespread fires.

8: Napalm bats

Napalm bats

The bat bomb was the invention of a dentist called Lytle S. Adams, who rather uncharitably described the bat as the lowest form of animal life and asserted that, until that point, reasons for its creation have remained unexplained.

In fact, the sole damage inflicted by the bat bomb occurred during tests of the device in May 1943, when Carlsbad Army Airfield was accidentally set on fire after the armed bats roosted under a fuel tank and ignited it (pictured). Nonetheless, the bat bomb was judged to be very effective and it was only the advent of the atom bomb that prevented the bat bombs use in action.

7: Douglas TBD Devastator

Douglas TBD Devastator

The Devastators chronic vulnerability has become infamous. It was required to fly straight and level at a stately 115 mph (185 km/h) to deliver its torpedo, a speed that meant it could be easily intercepted by an SE5a of 1917 vintage, which is somewhat unfortunate for an aircraft touted on its debut as the most advanced naval aircraft in the world.

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Furthermore, the poor old TBD had a woeful defensive armament and lacked manoeuvrability. Its problems didnt stop there, as its main armament, the Mark 13 torpedo, was a dreadful weapon plagued with reliability issues and frequently observed to score a hit but then fail to explode.

7: Douglas TBD Devastator

Douglas TBD Devastator

As a weapons system, the TBDMk 13 torpedo combination was probably the least satisfactory of the entire air war. Instead of the torpedo, the TBD could also carry 1200 lb (540 kg) of bombs, thus extending the scope of its inadequacy into two roles. Dick Best, who flew a Douglas SBD dive-bomber at the Battle of Midway, remembered the Devastator as a nice-flying airplane, but, like the Fairey Battle, it was committed to combat in a world that had overtaken it. Only 130 were ever built, and, coincidentally, only six fewer than the equally dismal Blackburn Roc. A match made in mediocre-naval-aviation heaven.

6: Boeing YB-40 Gunslinger

Boeing YB-40 Gunslinger

This fighter is, as you have no doubt spotted, a B-17. Imagine mixing it with single-engined Messerschmitt Bf 109s in this. In 1942 the Eighth Air Force thought they might create an effective escort by slinging a massive amount of guns into a bomb-free Flying Fortress.

The YB-40 could be equipped with up to thirty defensive guns, though it normally carried between fourteen and sixteen. Armament was mostly .50-calibre M2 Browning machine guns in various configurations, though 40-mm cannon were also tested.

6: Boeing YB-40 Gunslinger

Boeing YB-40 Gunslinger

No aircraft has ever flown with such a formidable defensive armament. Unfortunately, this made the aircraft so draggy and heavy that it couldnt keep up with the bombers it was supposed to be protecting.

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In a totally irrelevant but oddly satisfying aside, the YB-40 is the only aircraft on this list to feature in an Oscar-winning film, two of them appear in the scrapyard scene at RFC Ontario towards the end of William Wylers The Best Years of Our Lives which won nine Academy awards in 1947. Its film career was notably more successful than its operational one but did not save it from the scrapmans torch.

5: Fairey Battle

Fairey Battle

Every fighting power of the Second World War seemingly pulled out all the stops to produce dreadful light and medium bombers, apparently designed solely for killing aircrew, but the Battle lowered the bar of uselessness to an unassailable depth. Despite being the first RAF aircraft to shoot down an enemy aircraft in the Second World War, and the first aircraft to be fitted with the superlative Merlin engine, the Battle was woeful.

It was a kind of anti-Mosquito, being too slow to evade enemy fighters yet too poorly armed to defend itself, too small to carry a decent bomb-load yet too large for a single-engined aircraft and lumbered with an extra crewman to no real purpose.

5: Fairey Battle

Fairey Battle

The Battle was unable to survive against any modern fighter aircraft and loss rates during 1940 regularly exceeded 50% and reached 100% on at least two occasions. It does not require a degree in mathematics to realise that losses at these levels are unsustainable.

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Its shortcomings had been recognised before the war, but the Battle had one overriding trump card: it was cheap. In late thirties Britain, it was decided that having lots of second-rate bombers was better than having none at all, especially when announcing production totals to a hostile parliament and press.

4: Blackburn Roc

Blackburn Roc

The wrong concept applied to the wrong airframe at the wrong time, the Roc was the answer to a question that should never been asked, namely: Wheres the Navys Boulton Paul Defiant? Boulton Paul had gone to great lengths to make their turret-armed fighter as fast and handy as possible.

Despite carrying around a turret and a gunner, which added about a ton to the loaded weight of the aircraft, the performance of the Boulton Paul Defiant wasnt much worse than a contemporary Hurricane and, although the concept was flawed, the aircraft was excellent.

4: Blackburn Roc

Blackburn Roc

Imagine what they must have thought when the Navy asked them to mount the same turret in the less-than-stellar Skua to produce the Roc, which was 85 mph (140 km/h) slower and infinitely less able to survive. Exactly how an aircraft derived from a dive-bomber, barely able to reach 200 mph (320 km/h) and with no forward-firing armament, was supposed to combat a Messerschmitt Bf 109 was apparently not a major concern.

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Luckily for all concerned (except the Luftwaffe), the Roc was little used, but amazingly it did score one victory, against a Ju 88 over Belgium, an aircraft nearly 100 mph (160 km/h) faster than the unlovely Roc. Despite this unlikely success, the Roc remains the worst operational carrier fighter ever to grace a flight deck.

3: Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick

Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick

The whole unhappy Lerwick saga can be traced back to the British Air Ministrys specification R.1/36, issued in March 1936, calling for an all-metal flying monoplane boat to replace the Saro London and Supermarine Stranraer biplanes, followed by the Ministrys unusually dynamic decision to order the aircraft off the drawing board rather than wait for it to actually exist and be tested.

The Saro Lerwick closely resembled a scaled-down, twin-engine Sunderland but the dismal nature of its service career was in inverse proportion to the success of its larger colleague. Perhaps the most unfortunate of British aircraft, the Lerwicks persistence in active service, for three years, serves to show just how desperate RAF Coastal Command was for any kind of aircraft, even dangerously ineffectual ones, during the early war years.

3: Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick

Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick

Its main problems were a simple lack of power coupled with an inexplicable lack of stability. The Lerwick could not be flown hands-off, which is not good for a long range patrol aircraft, nor could it maintain height on one engine. It was prone to porpoising on landing and take off and possessed a vicious stall. Added to this are structural headaches (the floats regularly broke off) and a woefully unreliable hydraulic system.

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During its squadron service, from June 1939 to November 1942, thirty airmen and one civilian technician lost their lives in Lerwick accidents in return for 2000 lb (907 kg) of bombs dropped on one submarine with no measurable result. The obscure story of the dreadful Lerwick demonstrates how hard-won the successes were that were yet to come.

2: Heinkel He 177 Greif

Heinkel He 177 Greif

Thankfully for the free world, Germany never managed to get a truly effective large heavy bomber force together in World War II. However, they did manage to make a staggeringly huge total of 1169 of the abysmal He 177. It had many issues, but number one was the two engines coupled into a complex, cramped pod on each wing, which tended to catch fire.

In an effort to fulfil their obsessive desire to reduce drag, Heinkel decided to use cutting edge technology to provide the aircrafts defensive weaponry in three remotely controlled turrets. These offered other advantages such as reducing the vulnerability of the gunners and providing them with the best possible view.

2: Heinkel He 177 Greif

Heinkel He 177 Greif

Unfortunately for the He 177 effort, the development of the remote turrets lagged behind the airframe, and the aircraft had to be redesigned to allow the manned gun position to be fitted; this required strengthening the aircraft in the affected areas and increased weight gain. The first production aircraft had an improperly designed wing and would begin to fail after only 20 flights (provided the engines hadnt caught fire by then); extensive redesign and strengthening was undertaken, further increasing weight. Unreliable and prone to catastrophic fires, the infamous Heinkel He 177 also consumed massive amounts of valuable resources when most needed for better aircraft. (PICTURE: Captured He 177 wearing British markings)

1: Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

To defend Germany, the Luftwaffe needed extremely high-speed interceptors to smash Allied bombers out of the sky with the minimum of notice. The ideal interceptor would have an high rate of climb to meet the waves of bombers, and heavy armament to knock them out swiftly.

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The best solution to this extreme performance appeared to be the rocket engine, and so Messerschmitt created the fastest aircraft of the war, the rather insane Messerschmitt Me 163. With a top speed of more than 900 km/h (560mph) the Me 163 was far faster than the bombers and escort fighters it faced.

1: Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

With dangerously volatile fuel that could dissolve its pilot, or blow up the airfield, the Me 163 might seem a dangerous proposition, and it certainly was. But add to that the facts that it would enter an unrecoverable dive if the aircraft exceeded Mach .84, had no pressurisation and no ejection seat, and you create one of the most dangerous flying machines of all time.

Also, the closing speed between it and any potential target was so high that it would be more or less impossible to aim and fire the guns at anything with any realistic chance of success - and then add a cannon with a really low muzzle velocity. And thats not all, flight time was minutes, and once fuel was expended, it became a glider that had to land on a ski. It somehow chalked up 16 air victories, but this meant that all the time, effort and expense put into the Me 163 just wasnt worth it. Around 370 were built.

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Dec. 31Picking top stories of the year in the world of crime isn't easy. There were chases and arsons and heists  including a police Humvee heist, auto dealer heist, and moving-day tool heist. Among the more tragic: an unsolved shooting death, a horrific kidnapping, and a missing person search with a bad ending. Others thankfully are far less gruesome, like the confession of a man trying to pass off play money in stores or the couple heading to jail with plans to marry when they get out in 7-10 years.

Join us as we take a look back at the crime stories that captured headlines in 2025.

Uber driver murderer takes plea deal

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In the resolution of a saga that began on New Year's Eve three years ago, Noah Bolden pled guilty to murder in a bid to lighten his mother Pamela Bolden's sentencing.

The crime was the gruesome killing of Uber driver Julia Holland. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole in a plea deal to help his mother.

Holland had picked up Bolden after he texted her looking for an off-app ride home from a strip club in Asheville. His mother later tried to help cover up the murder. They were both caught when she called a friend who turned into an informant.

Pamela Bolden was initially facing between 27 and 34 years in prison for four charges related to her assistance in trying to cover up the murder after the fact. Instead, she pled guilty to one count of accessory after the fact, for which she was sentenced to a minimum of just under four years in prison.

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Woman held captive in nightmarish conditions

In late May, an Asheville woman showed up at the Waynesville Police Department with a horrific story. She had been kidnapped nearly five months previously and held captive inside of a camper at two separate locations in Haywood County.

Winston Eccleston, 26, allegedly kept the victim in a trailer with an expansive surveillance system running off of a generator. When that generator ran out of gas one day, the victim was able to escape.

Detectives from the Haywood County Sheriff's Office and Maggie Valley Police Department uncovered a nightmarish scene during their investigation.

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Eccleston allegedly physical, sexually and physiologically abused the victim for the duration of the kidnapping. Investigators found evidence of restraints, including an eye bolt in the ceiling with two locks hanging in it, a pair of chains hanging from the wall and a large metal toolbox the victim was believed to have been kept in. The victim also endured vile conditions including animal feces and trash during her captivity.

Search warrants also alleged that Eccleston's father knew about the kidnapping and was complicit in the crimes, though no charges have been filed against the man.

Eccleston faces more than 20 felonies including kidnapping and rape charges. More than half of his charges relate to rapes and sexual abuse that occurred during the time the victim was held captive.

Man steals police Humvee

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Canton police were thrilled when they received two Humvees in 2024, which would come in handy in high water when patrol cars don't cut it.

So they took it personally when a man stole one of the Humvees from the police station parking lot and embarked on a joyride after he allegedly swallowed 28 Xanax pills.

Jacob Tyler Forrest headed down Asheville Highway before crashing into a wrecker parked on the side of the road, causing significant damage to both vehicles.

Forrest attempted to turn around before crashing again at the site of the former ABC Store in the early morning hours. A passerby saw him walking away from the wrecked humvee, thought something seemed amiss and called the police.

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Several charges ensued: Felony larceny, breaking and entering a law enforcement vehicle and driving while impaired.

Fake identity, stolen truck and high speed chase

A truck taken from an auto dealership, plus a stolen gun and laptop, were recovered after a high-speed chase topped 80 mph through Haywood County in October.

Connor Lyons moseyed into Waynesville Automotive as a potential buyer. The dealership let him leave with the truck on a test drive, with the understanding that he'd return to finish paperwork and buy the truck.

But Lyons  and the truck  never came back. Later that day, the stolen truck was spotted. A pursuit began, eventually coming to an end when a deputy struck the fleeing truck with a PIT maneuver near the Jones Cove exit on the bypass.

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It later turned out that Connor Lyons was a false identity. His real name was Duston Clayton Price.

Among the many charges: using a stolen credit card to buy a road snack from the dealership's vending machine before taking off the truck.

$1.5 million embezzlement

A case from 2024 came to a close as 48-year-old Amy Elizabeth Curry, the former bookkeeper for Silver Bluff Village in Bethel, was sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for embezzling more than $1.5 million from the retirement home.

Curry's embezzlement began in December 2022. Over the next five months, she fraudulently made 154 transfers from a Silver Bluff account to at least five different bank accounts managed by herself and her then-boyfriend.

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She also took measures to cover her tracks, including deleting the transfer history from the facility's bank account.

Curry's defense attorney claimed the embezzlement was the result of a crippling gambling addiction and stated that more than $700,000 of the embezzled money was spent gambling at the casino in Cherokee.

Curry was ordered to pay $1,469,407.24 in restitution to Silver Bluff Village. But it was too little, too late, as the family who had owned the assisted living home for three generations had to sell due to the financial loss.

Pedestrians killed on I-40

On two separate occasions this year, a pedestrian was struck and killed on Interstate 40 outside Canton.

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The first incident occurred in April when James Ledford, 52, was struck by a vehicle between exits 31 and 33 at 6:30 a.m. Ledford was wearing dark colored clothing.

In August, troopers were called to exit 31 in Canton after drivers saw a body laying near the median wall. David Christian Brown, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene. His cause of death was recorded as multiple blunt force injuries due to being struck by an unknown vehicle.

Shooting after night at casino claims one life

In mid-March, one man was killed after a shooting following a night at Harrah's Casino in Cherokee.

Chris Monteith, 37, of Waynesville, died of a gunshot wound after an argument between himself and another man that night.

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Witnesses claimed that the two were intoxicated after the late-night gambling trip. The group of five had entered the casino at 11:30 p.m. the night before and returned to Monteith and his roommate's trailer at 4 a.m.

Monteith and the roommate were arguing all the way home, witnesses also claimed. At least two witnesses stated that Monteith was the one who had introduced the gun to the argument once they had arrived back home.

No one was ever charged in Monteith's death.

Ankle monitor lands alleged arsonist in jail

In June, three individuals living in two sides of a South Main duplex had to flee as flames engulfed the building. One of the three broke his hip jumping out the window.

The suspected arsonist was caught quickly thanks to video of the suspect provided by the duplex's landlord. Detectives showed the images to local businesses and other officers and quickly came up with a name  45-year-old Roger Ray Potter.

Potter was on probation at the time, complete with an ankle monitor. The ankle monitor's location at the time of the fire was checked, confirming Potter was at the location.

In October, the building caught fire again for unknown reasons. It has since been demolished.

Bojangles manager indicted on numerous sex crimes

The former manager of the Bojangles near Lake Junaluska was indicted on a slew of charges related to the sexual exploitation and assault of employees while he ran the restaurant.

Dylan Sain, 28, faces more than 20 felonies just in Haywood County, as well as a handful in Jackson County for similar behavior at a location there.

He's accused of sending numerous nude photos to underage employees, possessing child pornography and engaging in sexual acts with the underage employees.

The underage victims are also suing the restaurant's franchise holder, alleging that Sain used threats and intimidation to coerce the acts out of the victims, while also giving them preferential treatment, such as raises and extended breaks, for the sexual acts.

In Haywood County, Sain faces nine counts of disseminating obscenity, seven counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor, four counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of a statutory sex offense.

Missing Georgia man found dead in Canton

In September, a car belonging to a man missing from Georgia was found at a church parking lot outside of Canton.

The man had left his Georgia home with no phone and hadn't told anyone where he was going, but he was familiar with Western North Carolina.

A week-and-a-half after his car was found, the body of 26-year-old Conner Budd was found in a sleeping bag in the same area.

Investigators at the time said they didn't believe foul play was a factor in Budd's death.

Motorists dodge stray bullets

Drivers in Waynesville were in for a scary scene back in June.

A 911 caller eported a harrowing scene  an angry man walking down Allens Creek, waving a gun around. The caller identified the man by name.

A second caller reported the man was shooting at a vehicle.

Police arrived and located 24-year-old Nathan Lee Rowe shortly after the call. He still had the handgun in his pocket and was arrested. No injuries were reported from the incident.

Rowe pled guilty to going armed to the terror of people and assault by pointing a firearm, both misdemeanors.

Bomb threat shuts down justice center

In March, a midday bomb threat halted proceedings at the Haywood County Justice Center and shut down part of Main Street.

A threatening call was made to the courthouse just as the courts were heading into their lunchtime recess. The building had to be evacuated and a bomb dog was brought in from Buncombe County to attempt to sniff out any potential explosives. During the chaotic evacuation, victims and defendants alike were being funneled towards the elevators to get out of the building.

Within just a couple of hours, the all-clear was given. Hours later, Haywood County Sheriff's deputies arrested 32-year-old Cody Blake Strickler for felony false bomb report to a public building.

Honorable mentions

While these are some of the heavy hitters, there were also a ton of crimes that stole the headlines, even if just for a day or so.

Lifetime Walmart ban

In January, a Sylva man was arrested and charged with felony larceny for stealing a $198 ice maker. He removed an anti-shoplifting device, which caused the felony charge. Part of the man's sentence was that he was no longer allowed on the property of any Walmart store.

Laundromat love triangle

In September, a fight that began inside a Waynesville laundromat ended in a stabbing in the parking lot. The fight was allegedly in regards to a love triangle situation.

Tool heist on moving day

In October, four people were arrested while helping clear out the closed Napa Auto Parts Store in Waynesville. Crews were supposed to load inventory into a moving truck. Instead, a foursome carried tools from the store, out the door, and loaded them into their own vehicles instead of the moving truck.

Play money confession

Also in October, a Waynesville man was busted using prop money at a local business. A photo of the man was posted on the Waynesville Police Department's Facebook page asking the public to help identify him. The man later approached a patrol officer in Hazelwood, started chatting and ended up confessing.

Delayed wedding

Love was in the air at the justice center in September. During one hearing, a couple pled guilty to drug trafficking charges and told the judge they planned on getting married once serving their sentences of at least 7.5 years. During the same session of superior court, another man pled guilty to drug trafficking charges. Part of his plea agreement was that his wife's drug trafficking charges were dropped.
A sea turtle was treated as a photo prop by a couple in Hawaii.

ABC 7 Eyewitness News reported on the incident, posting a video of the man grabbing a sea turtle on a Hawaiian beach and posing for a picture. He held the turtle by its shell and turned it upward so its belly was facing his woman companion. He knelt down and smiled for the camera, completely disregarding the turtle's safety and comfort.

Hawaiian green sea turtles, also known as honu turtles, are protected under state and federal laws, including the Inter American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles. Under the federal Endangered Species Act as well as Hawaii's state laws, these sea turtles are classified as a threatened species, per National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries.

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On the IUCN Red List, these turtles are now marked as a species of least concern, and the populations are trending upward. However, this is due to strong efforts to help the species bounce back. Successful species recovery does not give people permission to treat the animals as beach decor.

The turtles can be especially sensitive during mating and hatching season. Harassing the protected turtles is punishable by up to one year in jail and additional fines. People can even be charged with an offense for getting too close to a turtle, so picking one up for a photo op is unacceptable.

Close contact with wildlife also endangers humans. Sea turtles are generally harmless, but they could bite or snap if they feel threatened. You should never approach, let alone touch, a wild animal. It puts you and the animal in danger, which is not conducive to a healthy ecosystem.

To create a cooler, cleaner future, everyone needs to respect wildlife. If you see a green sea turtle, keep your distance and admire the majestic animal from afar. Grabbing and posing with a turtle, as this man did, is extremely distressing for the animal.

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Melina Clark, a marine wildlife advocate who watched the video, told ABC, "My heart stopped. It was disturbing, disgusting. It just showed once again that here we are in 2025, nothing has improved."

If people want to admire these beautiful sea creatures while enjoying a Hawaiian beach, it's important to treat them with respect and give them their space.

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.
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Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said on Wednesday that President Donald Trumps administration would freeze federal child care funding nationwide until states prove they are being spent legitimately.

Nixon spoke to ABC News following Deputy HHS Secretary Jim ONeills announcement on Tuesday that the administration had frozen all child care payments to Minnesota in light of allegations of massive fraud in the states daycare centers.

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Nixon expanded on ONeills announcement, announcing that the freeze would apply to all states. He said that states who receive funding that are not suspected of fraudulent activity will now be required to send HHS their administrative data for review.

States that are suspected of fraudulent activity  like Minnesota will now have to provide HHS with additional records, including attendance records, licensing, inspection and monitoring reports, complaints and investigations.

Its the onus of the state to make sure that these funds, these federal dollars, taxpayer dollars, are being used for legitimate purposes, Nixon said.

ONeill noted the shift in policy in an addition to his Tuesday statement announcing Minnesotas funding freeze.

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Funds will be released only when states prove they are being spent legitimately, he wrote.

The administrations move comes after recent scrutiny on Minnesota brought on by influencer Nick Shirley, who accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) of child-care fraud in a video investigation of Minnesota daycares.

The 42-minute video posted to X went viral and showed Shirley and his crew visiting multiple Minnesota child-care centers on a weekday only to find them nonoperational, per allegations made in the segment. Shirleys video was lauded by many on the right, including Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk.

ONeill cited Shirleys video directly in the HHS statement, writing that the agency was taking steps to address blatant fraud that appears to be rampant in Minnesota and across the country.

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[HHS Assistant Secretary] Alex Adams and I have identified the individuals in @nickshirleyys excellent work. I have demanded from @GovTimWalz a comprehensive audit of these centers, he wrote.

Walz responded in a post to X, accusing Trump of politicizing the issue.

This is Trumps long game, Walz wrote. Weve spent years cracking down on fraudsters. Its a serious issue  but this has been his plan all along. Hes politicizing the issue to defund programs that help Minnesotans.

The post Trump Admin Freezes Child Care Funding To ALL States first appeared on Mediaite.
Border Security Force (BSF), on Thursday, apprehended a 19-year-old Bangladeshi national near the International Border (IB) in the Gajansoo area of Jammu and Kashmir. According to the J-K police, the individual has been identified as Shariful Islam Bhuiyan, s/o Mozibul Haque Bhuiyan. The 19-year-old is a resident of Adra in the District of Comilla, Bangladesh. The BSF has handed over the Bangladeshi national to Border Police Post (BPP), Gajansoo ( PS Kanachak) and further interrogation is underway. Meanwhile, the Border Security Force (BSF) will soon launch 'operation 'Sard Hawa' (cold wind) at its formidable terrains of the Kashmir frontier and the vital security posts of Jammu as well as vast desert stretches of Rajasthan along the challenging India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control (LC) aimed at foiling potenyial infiltration efforts by taking advantage of the reduced visibility caused by the dense winter fog. Officials in the BSF told ANI that the operation would be launched at an appropriate time scheduled next month and would continued till the end of January with a focus on strengthening security along the border during this critical period ahead of Republic Day celebrations. Speaking to ANI on condition of anonymity, an official posted in Jammu said the primary objective of Operation 'Sard Hawa' is to prevent infiltration attempts, as dense fog and mist during the winter season create favourable conditions for such activities. "Heightened security measures are adopted with increased vigilance and patrolling along the India-Pakistan border during 'Operation Sard Hawa'," the official said. Operation 'Sard Hawa' is an annual winter security exercise undertaken by the BSF along the India-Pakistan frontier in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan, covering challenging stretches of the Kashmir sector, key security posts in Jammu, and the Thar Desert-- including critical portions of the International Boundary (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC). The operation aims to detect infiltration, smuggling, and illegal cross-border movement during dense fog by intensifying surveillance, deploying additional personnel, and leveraging advanced technologies such as thermal imaging systems. It is typically conducted in January, around Republic Day, and runs in parallel with the summer counter-infiltration drive known as Operation Garam Hawa (Hot Wind). (ANI)
By Raphael Satter

WASHINGTON, Dec 30 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration has lifted sanctions on three executives tied to the spy software consortium Intellexa, according to a notice published to the U.S. Treasury's website.

The move partially reverses the imposition of sanctions last year by then-President Joe Biden's administration on seven people tied to Intellexa. The Treasury Department at the time described the consortium, launched by former Israeli intelligence official Tal Dilian, as "a complex international web of decentralized companies that built and commercialized a comprehensive suite of highly invasive spyware products."

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A Treasury spokesman declined to comment.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the removal "was done as part of the normal administrative process in response to a petition request for reconsideration." The official added that each of the individuals had "demonstrated measures to separate themselves from the Intellexa Consortium."

Intellexa representatives did not immediately respond to email messages requesting comment.

The notice said sanctions were lifted on Sara Hamou, whom the U.S. government accused of providing managerial services to Intellexa, Andrea Gambazzi, whose company was alleged by the U.S. government to have held the distribution rights to the Predator spyware, and Merom Harpaz, described by U.S. officials as a top executive in the consortium.

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Gambazzi, Hamou and Harpaz did not immediately reply to messages sent to them directly or to their representatives. Dilian, who remains on the sanctions list, did not respond to messages seeking comment.

The Intellexa consortium's flagship "Predator" spyware is at the center of a scandal over the alleged surveillance of a journalist, a prominent opposition figure and dozens of others in Greece, while in 2023 a group of investigative news outlets reported that the Vietnamese government had tried to hack members of the U.S. Congress using Intellexa's tools.

Dilian has previously denied any involvement or wrongdoing in the Greek case, and has not commented publicly on the attempted hacking of U.S. lawmakers.

In its initial wave of sanctions issued in March of last year, the U.S. government accused Intellexa of enabling "the proliferation of commercial spyware and surveillance technologies" to authoritarian regimes and alleged that its software had been used "in an effort to covertly surveil U.S. government officials, journalists, and policy experts."

(Reporting by Raphael Satter; Editing by Edmund Klamann and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The National Guard will be leaving Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Ore., but they likely will return, President Donald Trump said on Wednesday.

Trump announced the withdrawals after the Supreme Court ruled against a National Guard deployment in Chicago and amid legal challenges in California and Oregon.

The Supreme Court last week ruled the federal government cannot take control of respective state National Guard units to protect federal agents as they enforce immigration law, CNN reported.

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We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, despite the fact that crime has been greatly reduced by having these great patriots in those cities, and only by that fact," Trump said in a Truth Social post on Wednesday.

Portland, Los Angeles and Chicago were gone if it weren't for the federal government stepping in," the president said.

He predicted the National Guard will return to those cities, though.

"We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again," Trump said, adding: "Only a question of time!"

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Similar National Guard deployments in New Orleans and Memphis would not be affected because the respective governors in those states have okayed the deployments.

The National Guard has been deployed in Memphis to help reduce violent crime there, and National Guard units began arriving in New Orleans ahead of New Year's Eve, the annual Sugar Bowl and Mardi Gras.

Local, state and federal law enforcement and the Louisiana National Guard seek to prevent a repeat of last year's lone-wolf attack by an ISIS supporter, WWLTV reported.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, was a U.S. citizen from Texas who drove to New Orleans and shot and killed 14 during the early morning hours on Jan. 1.

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An ISIS flag was found in his truck, along with weapons and a potential improvised explosive device, but local police shot and killed him before he could cause more harm.

He had placed two IEDs on Bourbon Street, where he also opened fire with a rifle and killed 14 before being shot and killed to end the attack.

Federal investigators found bomb-making materials in a rental home that Jabbar briefly occupied and tried to set on fire to conceal his crimes.
Former Special Counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers that President Donald Trump was responsible for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and staunchly defended his efforts to prosecute the president, according to a newly released transcript of his testimony to the House Judiciary Committee.

"Our view of the evidence was that he caused it and that he exploited it and that it was foreseeable to him," Smith said of Trump's alleged culpability for the Capitol riot.

Smith testified to the committee behind closed doors earlier this month. The committee released video of the deposition and a 255-page transcript on Wednesday, Dec. 31.

During the deposition, Smith adamantly denied that there was any political motivation to the prosecutions, pushing back on the suggestion that he was trying to influence the 2024 election. Trump has repeatedly criticized Smith, calling him "deranged" and a "wacko" who was "used for Crooked Joe Bidens attack on his Political Opponent."

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"I would never take orders from a political leader to hamper another person in an election. That's not who I am," Smith said in the deposition.

Smith brought two cases against Trump in 2023 that alleged he illegally retained classified documents and sought to overturn his 2020 election loss. He dropped the cases after Trump won in 2024, pointing to the Justice Department's policy against prosecuting a sitting president.

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith arrives to testify during a closed-door deposition before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on December 17, 2025 in Washington, DC.

In his opening statement, Smith said his investigation gathered "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" that Trump "engaged in a criminal scheme" to overturn the 2020 election, which culminated in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. He added that his investigators "developed powerful evidence that showed that President Trump willfully retained highly classified documents after he left office in January of 2021."

The Judiciary Committee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, subpoenaed Smith, who asked to testify in public. The committee took the testimony behind closed doors instead.

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Republicans have criticized the investigation, seizing recently on disclosures that GOP senators' phone records were obtained by Smith, who told the committee the records "were relevant to complete a comprehensive investigation."

USA TODAY reached out to the White House for comment.

Contributing: Aysha Bagchi

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jack Smith faults Trump on Jan. 6 riot in transcript released by Congress
The Trump administration has pushed through a flurry of actions on the final day of 2025, including drastic reversals on two high key issues.

Donald Trump has abruptly retreated from efforts to deploy federal troops in Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland. The move marks a significant U-turn after months of tension between the federal government and local authorities.

Separately, the Department of Health and Human Services has frozen all childcare payments to states, and funding will only be released once states prove the money is being used legitimately.

Trump ends national guard effort in Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland

Donald Trump has staged a sudden climbdown from his attempts to impose federal troops in law enforcement roles on Democratic-run cities, announcing on Wednesday that he was ending attempted deployments from Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland.

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Trump administration freezes all childcare payments to all states - report

The Department of Health and Human Services is freezing all childcare payments to all states, an official for Donald Trumps administration told ABC News in a report published Wednesday, just hours after department officials announced that they had frozen childcare funding to Minnesota. States funds, the unnamed official said, will be released only when states prove they are being spent legitimately.

Read the full story

Court allows White House to end Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood in 22 states

A US appeals court agreed on Tuesday to allow the Trump administration to strip Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood health centers in 22 states and Washington DC. The order from the three-judge panel of the Boston-based first US circuit court of appeals puts on hold an injunction issued by US district judge Indira Talwani.

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Read the full story

Record number of Americans pessimistic about healthcare system

A record 23 % of Americans believe the United States healthcare system is in a state of crisis and 47% think it has major problems, according to a recent poll from the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America.

Read the full story

Kennedy Center changed rules before vote to add Trumps name - report

The Kennedy Center reportedly adopted bylaws earlier this year that would limit voting to Donald Trump-appointed trustees  a controversial move that appears to reveal the long-held plan to install Trumps name to the center.

Read the full story

What else happened today:

Catching up? Heres what happened on 30 December 2025.
President Donald Trump used his veto power late last year to reject two bipartisan bills  moves that have drawn criticism from lawmakers and tribal leaders who say the decisions were shaped by political tensions and past legal fights as much as policy concerns.

On Dec. 30, Trump vetoed H.R. 131, the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, aimed at extending repayment terms for a decades-old water infrastructure project serving about 39 southeastern Colorado communities. The bill had passed both chambers of Congress unanimously. In his veto message, Trump said the project had become too costly and that federal taxpayers should not underwrite local water infrastructure.

But the veto drew immediate pushback from lawmakers including the bills sponsor Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, who suggested the move may reflect political disagreements rather than fiscal considerations. Boebert recently broke ranks with the administration by pushing to release federal files on the Jeffrey Epstein case and clashed with Trump over his public pressure to release a local election official from prison. She called the veto non-controversial and said it unfairly harms communities that supported Trump.

Trump also vetoed H.R. 504, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act, which would have expanded flood protection infrastructure on tribal lands in the Florida Everglades. In explaining his veto, the White House said the Miccosukee Tribe had actively sought to obstruct reasonable immigration policies  a reference to the tribes participation in lawsuits against the administrations controversial Everglades detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz.

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Both bills had drawn bipartisan support, and critics on Capitol Hill questioned the decision to block them. Colorado Democrats called the veto of the water bill unacceptable, and tribal advocates said the veto appeared tied to unrelated disputes over immigration enforcement, rather than the merits of the legislation itself.

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With narrow majorities in Congress, overrides of either veto are unlikely, leaving the presidents decisions in place as he enters the new year. As Trump continues to test the boundaries between political messaging and executive power, his use of the veto is emerging as a key signal of how he intends to govern and whom he intends to target in the months ahead.

The post Trump rejects bipartisan bills tied to water and tribal lands appeared first on Salon.com.
President Trump said Wednesday that Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) and Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein should rot in hell for the incarceration of former election clerk Tina Peters.

God Bless Tina Peters, who is now, for two years out of nine, sitting in a Colorado Maximum Security Prison, at the age of 73, and sick, for the crime of trying to stop the massive voter fraud that goes on in her State (where people are leaving in record numbers!), Trump posted on Truth Social.

Referring to Polis as the Scumbag Governor, the president added that he wishes only the worst. May they rot in Hell. FREE TINA PETTERS!

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Trump also attacked the Democratic governor in a separate post, claiming Colorado and California were the TOP OUTBOUND STATES IN 2025 (United Van Lines!)  In other words, PEOPLE LEAVING!!!

Thats what bad governors do to even places blessed with beautiful surrounds and climate, the second post reads.

In a statement obtained by The Hill, Rubinstein said, Theres a saying in the law: if the facts are on your side, pound the facts; if the law is on your side, pound the law; if neither is on your side, pound the table.

President Trump has no facts and no law here, Rubinstein continued. After trying and failing to invent both, hes left with nothing but pounding the table.

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The Hill has reached out to Polis for comment.

Last week, Peters asked for a Colorado appeals court to accept Trumps presidential pardon freeing her, arguing the appeals court no longer has jurisdiction over her case because of the pardon. Presidents do not have the power to overturn state convictions.

At the time Trump announced her clemency, he mocked Polis and suggested the governor allowed his State to go to hell.

The administration also attempted to transfer Peters from state to federal custody, but the Colorado Department of Corrections denied the request.

Peters was convicted on state charges tied to illegally tampering with voting machines in the 2020 election. She was later sentenced to nine years in prison.

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Trump has sought to help people convicted of crimes related to his claims he did not lose the 2020 election, including those convicted or charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

His criticism of Polis comes after the president vetoed a bill to complete a project that would have delivered water to southeastern Colorado, one of the first vetoes of his second term. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) blasted the administration for vetoing a completely non-controversial, bipartisan bill that passed both the House and Senate unanimously.

Boebert said in a post on social platform X that despite the veto, This isnt over.

The White Houses defense for the veto cited the projects cost.

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H.R. 131 would continue the failed policies of the past by forcing Federal taxpayers to bear even more of the massive costs of a local water project  a local water project that, as initially conceived, was supposed to be paid for by the localities using it, the memo reads.

Updated at 12:35 p.m. EST

Copyright 2026 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.
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, Dec 31 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday his administration was removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland but he added in his social media post that federal forces will "come back" if crime rates go up.

Local leaders in those cities and Democrats have said the deployments, which have faced legal setbacks and challenges, were unnecessary. They have accused the Trump administration of federal overreach and of exaggerating isolated episodes of violence to justify sending in troops.

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Trump, a Republican, has said troop deployments in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Memphis and Portland were necessary to fight crime and protect federal property and personnel from protesters.

"We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact," Trump wrote.

"We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time!"

Judges overseeing lawsuits filed by cities challenging the deployments have consistently ruled that the Trump administration overstepped its authority and found that there is no evidence to support claims that troops are necessary to protect federal property from protesters.

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Trump's announcement came shortly before a federal appellate court ruled on Wednesday that his administration had to return hundreds of California National Guard troops to Governor Gavin Newsom's control.

The U.S. Supreme Court on December 23 blocked Trump's attempt to deploy National Guard troops in Illinois, a ruling that undercut his legal rationale for sending soldiers to other states.

The court said the president's authority to take federal control of National Guard troops likely only applies in "exceptional" circumstances.

"At this preliminary stage, the Government has failed to identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois," the court's majority held in an unsigned order.

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The local leaders who opposed Trump's deployment of the National Guard said on Wednesday the legal challenges compelled him to end the deployments in those cities.

"Trump's rambling here is the political version of 'you can't fire me, I quit,'" Newsom's office said.

After Trump's announcement, the office of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson shared data for 2025 on social media, saying the city saw the least amount of violent crime in more than a decade during the year, with incidents down 21.3% from 2024.

Trump started deploying troops in June amid protests against his hardline immigration policies including efforts to ramp up deportations. He also deployed troops to Washington and took control of local police in response to what he said was rampant crime - though local crime statistics indicated otherwise - using his unique authority as president over the U.S. capital.

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Military officials have been winding down and scaling back the deployments in recent months as litigation left them in limbo.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Ryan Patrick Jones; editing by Diane Craft and Don Durfee)
It was a New York City-sized feud  two Queens guys who figured they knew what was best for the Big Apple, verbally duking it out, one from the White House and the other from the mayoral campaign trail.

Long before he became mayor-elect of Americas largest city, Zohran Mamdani, who lived in Astoria for years, emerged as a favorite target and leftist boogeyman for President Donald Trump, a Jamaica Estates native who made it big in Manhattan.

During public appearances and social media tirades, Trump seized on Mamdanis rise as one of the lefts leading figures to warn that he would spell disaster for New York.

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Trump took issue with Mamdanis voice, disparaged his intelligence, regularly railed against his agenda and even offered on social media that he looks TERRIBLE. He also called Mamdani a JEW HATER, questioned his citizenship and threatened to arrest him and cut off funding for New York if he became mayor.

Mamdani, meanwhile, called Trump a "despot" and pledged to make New York City a bulwark against his presidency.

Then Mamdani won, and both men changed their tune. The 79-year-old two-term president welcomed the 34-year-old mayor-elect into the White House for a chummy face-to-face and declared afterward on social media that it was a Great Honor to meet him.

Now the relationship between the two high-profile leaders, one a young political prodigy and the other the oldest man ever elected president, enters a new phase as Mamdani wields power over a city Trump called home for decades, and where he built his real estate empire.

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Heres a timeline of their relationship.

President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speak to members of the media as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 21, 2025.

June: Big moment: Trump slams Mamdani after primary win

Mamdanis primary victory shocked the political establishment and excited progressives. Trump also took notice, warning in a June 25 social media post that Democrats have crossed the line.

Weve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous, Trump said.

The president then laced into Mamdani  a democratic socialist who campaigned heavily on bringing down the cost of living  in deeply personal terms, saying, He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, hes not very smart. He also called Mamdani a communist, a term hed frequently misapply to the new mayor.

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This is a big moment in the History of our Country! the president concluded.

President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (not pictured) after meeting at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2025.

July: Trump threatens Mamdani with arrest, questions his citizenship

Mamdani pledged during his campaign that New York under his leadership wouldnt assist Trumps crackdown on immigrants without legal status.

Trump's response: Well then, well have to arrest him."

The president added during a July 1 visit to Florida that "a lot of people are saying he's here illegally." Mamdani was born in Uganda and is a naturalized U.S. citizen.

President Donald Trump visits a temporary migrant detention center informally known as "Alligator Alcatraz" in Ochopee, Florida, U.S., July 1, 2025.

Mid-September: Trump threatens New Yorks federal funding

Trump continued to target Mamdani as the general election approached, calling him a Liddle' Communist in a Sept. 15 social media post. And he hinted at the idea of withholding federal funds from the city.

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Washington will be watching this situation very closely, Trump said. No reason to be sending good money after bad!

Late September: Mamdani good for Republicans, Trump says

As Mamdanis campaign gained momentum, Republicans increasingly invoked him to argue that Democrats are too liberal and outside the mainstream.

Mamdani will prove to be one of the best things to ever happen to our great Republican Party, Trump said in a Sept 29 social media post.

The president also expanded on his threat to withhold federal funds from New York City.

He is going to have problems with Washington like no Mayor in the history of our once great City, Trump said. Remember, he needs the money from me, as President, in order to fulfill all of his FAKE Communist promises. He wont be getting any of it, so whats the point of voting for him?

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Trump again threatened New Yorks federal funding in a Nov. 3 social media post in which he endorsed Mamdanis opponent, Andrew Cuomo. And he warned that under Mamdani, this once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival!

October: Mamdani promises to 'take on Trump'

Trump loomed over the mayors race, serving as a frequent foil for Mamdani, who promised to stand up to him.

Asked during the first general election debate on Oct. 16 to say what the headline would be after his first year as mayor, he said, Mamdani continues to take on Trump, delivers on affordability agenda for New Yorkers.

A few minutes later, Mamdani said that if Trump ever wants to come for New Yorkers in the way that he has been, hes going to have to get through me as the next mayor of this city.

Election eve, November: Trump calls Mamdani a JEW HATER

Mamdanis views on Israel and the Palestinian territories were closely scrutinized during the campaign. He has advocated boycotting Israel, criticized the war in Gaza and long supported Palestinian rights.

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Trump said in a Nov. 4 social media post on the eve of the general election that Jewish individuals shouldnt back Mamdani, the citys first Muslim mayor, accusing him of hating Jewish people.

Any Jewish person that votes for Zohran Mamdani, a proven and self professed JEW HATER, is a stupid person!!! Trump said.

Mamdani, conversely, repeatedly decried antisemitism during his campaign.

Election night, November: 'Turn up the volume,' Mamdani taunts Trump on election night

Celebrating his Nov. 5 victory on election night, Mamdani took aim at Trump in his speech.

If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him, Mamdani said. And if there is any way to defeat a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power.

Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani waves on stage after winning the 2025 New York City Mayoral race, at an election night rally in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, U.S., November 4, 2025.

Mamdani continued: This is not only how we stop Trump  its how we stop the next one. So, Donald Trump, since I know youre watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up.

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Trump took to social media during Mamdanis speech.

"AND SO IT BEGINS!" the president wrote.

Two weeks later, still November: White House love fest

After months of recrimination, the stage was set for a potentially explosive meeting when Mamdani went to visit Trump in the White House following his victory.

What followed was a surprising display of comity.

President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speak to members of the media as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 21, 2025.

I expect to be helping him, not hurting him  a big help, Trump said. because I want New York City to be great.

Trump patted Mamdani on the arm at one point and repeatedly patted his hand. Mamdani talked about working with Trump to address New York Citys affordability issues, and referenced how well he did in the city during the 2024 election as a Republican.

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It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers, Mamdani said.

Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, Joey Garrison, Bart Jansen

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump's evolving relationship NY Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani
A Marine Corps veteran and soon-to-be police officer died in a crash involving a pickup and motorcycle Tuesday in Kingsville.

At 11:57 a.m., the Kingsville Police Department received phone calls about a collision at Caesar Avenue and 8th Street. A news release from the department said that investigators determined a 2025 Yamaha motorcycle was traveling east on Caesar Avenue when a 2000 Ford pickup, traveling west, turned left in front of the motorcycle.

The driver of the motorcycle, 35-year-old Moises Castillo, was taken to the Christus Spohn Hospital-Kingsville, where he died from his injuries.

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The 67-year-old driver of the pickup, who was not named, suffered minor injuries.

Castillo, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, worked for the Kingsville Fire Department from 2018 to 2025. He transitioned from the fire department to pursue his education at the police academy at Del Mar College, where he joined the Kingsville Police Department, according to the news release.

He was due to be sworn in as an officer in January.

The Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol is assisting the police department in the active investigation.

RELATED COVERAGE

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More: Robstown woman arrested after March vehicle crash left two dead

John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Have a story idea? Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com.

Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: U.S. Marine Corps veteran dead in Kingsville motorcycle, pickup crash
The U.S. has rolled back proposed steep tariffs on Italian-made pasta, the U.S. Department of Commerce and Italy's foreign ministry both said Thursday.

The Commerce Department has sharply reduced a proposed duty on 13 Italian pasta makers, cutting the rate from as high as 92% to as little as 2.26%, Italy's foreign ministry said Jan. 1. The duties would have been imposed on top of existing 15% tariffs on most imports from the European Union.

The Trump administration had proposed the antidumping levies after a review found that Italian pasta producers, including Barilla, La Molisana and Pastificio Lucio Garofalo, sold products at artificially low prices that undercut U.S. manufacturers. Together, the 13 pasta producers account for 16% of imported pasta from Italy to the United States, according to the Commerce Department.

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Had the higher duties taken effect, U.S. shoppers could have faced steeply higher prices for Italian-made pasta, and some Italian producers might have stopped shipping to U.S. retailers, experts told CBS News.

"The recalculation of the duties is a sign that U.S. authorities recognize our companies' genuine willingness to cooperate," the foreign ministry said.

La Molisana pasta imports will be tariffed at a rate of 2.26%, the foreign ministry said, while Garofalo will face nearly 14% tariffs, and 11 additional pasta brands will be subject to a 9% import duty.

A spokesperson for the Commerce Department told CBS News that the new antidumping rates were based on an "evaluation of additional comments received" after the proposed duty rates were determined.

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"This post-preliminary analysis indicates that Italian pasta makers have addressed many of Commerce's concerns raised in the preliminary determination, and reflects Commerce's commitment to a fair, transparent process. Commerce will continue to engage with interested parties to take into account all information before issuing the final determination," the spokesperson said.

The final results of Commerce's review will be announced in March, after which the duties will go into effect.

Trump now says he had CT scan, not MRI in October

Several killed in Iran amid protests over economic crisis

Tony Dokoupil: Don't just trust me. Make me earn it.
Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor SYSM PVSM AVSM VM took charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force, on Thursday, according to an official release by the Ministry of Defence. The Air Marshal graduated from the National Defence Academy in December 1985 and was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in the fighter stream of the Flying Branch on December 6, 1986. He is an experienced fighter pilot, a Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader. During his distinguished flying career, he has flown all variants of the MiG-21 and the MiG-29 and has accumulated over 3400 hours of flying experience on a variety of combat and trainer aircraft, the release stated. An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College and the National Defence College, the Air Marshal has rendered more than 39 years of illustrious service and has held a wide spectrum of command, operational, instructional and staff appointments. His operational tenures include Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron in the Central Sector, Station Commander of a flying base in the Western Sector and Air Officer Commanding of a premier air base. According to the release, Air Marshal Kapoor's instructional appointments include Chief Instructor (Flying) at the Air Force Academy and Directing Staff at the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. During his tenure at the Air Force Academy, the Air Officer was instrumental in the induction and operationalisation of the PC-7 Mk lI aircraft in the Indian Air Force. The Air Marshal has also undertaken diplomatic assignment as Defence Attache to Pakistan. His key staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Strategy) at Air Headquarters, Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command, Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Central Air Command and Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air Headquarters. Prior to assuming charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Marshal served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, and thereafter as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command. In recognition of his exemplary and distinguished service to the nation, the Air Marshal has been awarded the Vavu Sena Medal in 2008, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022, and the Presidential Awards of Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Sarvottam Yudh Seva Meda in 2025, the release stated. Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor takes over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff from Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari SYSM PVSM AVSM VM who superannuated after 40 years of glorious and distinguished service to the nation. (ANI)
NEED TO KNOW

An undercover police operation in North Carolina dubbed Operation Naughty List resulted in the arrest of 78 individuals at local retail stores

The operation entailed police dressing in plainclothes in order to stop retail theft in real time

The initiative, which ran from Nov. 28 to Dec. 19, also resulted in 154 charges

An undercover police operation in North Carolina called Operation Naughty List has led to 78 arrests.

Authorities conducted targeted operations at high-theft retail locations, including Target and Walmart stores across the city of Gastonia between Nov. 28 and Dec. 19, 2025, per a press release from the Gastonia Police Department (GPD) shared on Facebook on Monday, Dec. 29.

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The effort, dubbed Operation Naughty List, resulted in the arrest of 78 individuals and a total of 154 charges. The charges ranged from misdemeanor and felony larceny, possession of controlled substances like cocaine, trespassing and outstanding warrants, per the release.

Additionally, officers recovered or prevented the theft of a total of $4,342.85 in retail merchandise, including one incident involving the attempted theft of $735 that involved the deactivation of anti-theft devices.

The undercover initiative entailed officers from the departments Street Crimes Unit dressing in plain clothes and blending in with shoppers while working closely with store loss-prevention professionals.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

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A video shared by GPD of the operation features footage of a plainclothes officer in jeans and a grey sweater, a shopping item in his hand. Another clip features an officer in black jeans, a sweatshirt and beanie appearing to puruse the clothing section of a local store.

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The initiative enabled the officers to prevent theft in real time and target repeat offenders, per GPD.

GPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLES request for comment.



Read the original article on People
Jan 1 (Reuters) - A group of federal government employees on Thursday filed a class action complaint against President Donald Trump's administration over a new policy that will eliminate coverage for gender-affirming care in federal health insurance programs.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation made the complaint against the U.S. Office of Personnel Management on behalf of the federal employees as the new policy took effect with the start of the new year.

OPM in an August letter stated that in 2026 chemical and surgical modification of an individual's sex traits through medical interventions will no longer be covered under health insurance programs for federal employees and U.S. postal workers.

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OPM officials could not be reached for immediate comment.

The complaint argues that the policy is discriminatory on the basis of sex. It asks that the policy be rescinded and seeks payment for economic damages and other relief.

If the issue is not resolved with the OPM, the foundation said that plaintiffs will pursue class claims before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and potentially pursue a class action lawsuit in federal court.

A group of Democratic state attorneys general last month sued the Trump administration to block proposed rules that would cut childrens access to gender-affirming care, the latest court battle over Trumps efforts to eliminate legal protections for transgender people.

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U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has proposed rules that would bar hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to children from Medicaid and Medicare and prohibit the Children's Health Insurance Program from paying for it.

(Reporting by Karen Brettell in New York; editing by Scott Malone and Nick Zieminski)
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has concluded that Ukraine did not target Russian President Vladimir Putin or one of his residences in a recent drone attack, US media have reported.

Various media, including the Wall Street Journal as well as the broadcasters PBS and CNN cited unnamed US government officials in their reports published on Wednesday evening contradicting serious accusations made by Moscow at the start of the week.

Initially, US President Donald Trump also criticized Ukraine for the alleged attack after a conversation with Putin.

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Kiev has vehemently denied attacking one of Putin's residences, saying instead it was a Russian pretext to continue the war against Ukraine despite ongoing peace negotiations and to once again target government buildings in Kiev with missiles.

On Wednesday, Russia presented possible evidence of the attack for the first time, including remnants of a purportedly Ukrainian drone. Many experts doubt that the attack described by Russia took place as claimed.

Trump briefed by CIA chief on findings

Citing US officials, the Wall Street Journal reported that the controversial Ukrainian drone attack was aimed at a military target in the same region as one of Putin's residences - but not near the estate. This is also supported by a CIA analysis, the report said.

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PBS and CNN reported that Trump was briefed on Wednesday by CIA Director John Ratcliffe about the intelligence findings.

Later the same day, Trump unexpectedly shared an article by the tabloid New York Post that was very critical of Russia on his social media platform, Truth Social.

The New York Post portrayed Putin as the real obstacle on the path to peace and criticized him harshly in the report.

"Any attack on Putin is more than justified," the New York Post article published on Tuesday said. "Spare us his crocodile tears and turn up the heat."

"The answer should not be more concessions, but a bigger stick. Kyiv has done its part. The onus should be on Putin to step up or face more stringent sanctions and more deadly weapons in Ukraine," the article said.

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Trump regularly disseminates articles from media outlets that are close to him. In some cases, the US president comments on the texts, but this was not the case with the present piece.

In the past, Trump has repeatedly been accused of a certain closeness to Russia, among other things, because he had temporarily adopted Kremlin-friendly positions.

According to Russian media, the alleged target of the attack was Putin's Valdai residence, located in the Novgorod region between Moscow and St Petersburg.

Putin is said to often spend his weekends there with his family. However, the Kremlin guards his private life like a state secret.

Moscow spoke of "terroristattack" on Putin's residence

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had spoken of an attempted "terrorist attack" on Monday. He mentioned 91 Ukrainian drones with longer range that Russia's air defence had shot down.

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Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, later said that Putin had informed Trump about the alleged attempted attack on his presidential residence in the Novgorod region.

The Kremlin hopes for Washington's understanding that Russia is now reconsidering its position in the negotiations, Ushakov said.

Ushakov neither named the residence nor provided information on whether Putin had been there when the attack took place.

Residences are available to the Russian president in many parts of Russia, the world's largest country by area. Outside Moscow, Putin also frequently stays in St Petersburg and Sochi on the Black Sea.

New Year push for peace

In the new year, further negotiations are already planned to end the Russian war against Ukraine that has been ongoing for almost four years: According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a meeting of national security advisers from the so-called Coalition of the Willing is planned for Saturday in Ukraine.

On Tuesday, a meeting at the level of heads of state is scheduled to follow.

The Coalition of the Willing refers to Western countries that also support Ukraine militarily.
The United States Postal Service's rule on delayed postmarking went into effect on Christmas Eve, and it has caused confusion and speculation from many about its impact on mail-in ballots with multiple elections happening in 2026. The change reversed a longstanding practice of same-day postmarking.

The change, as stated in the Federal Register, could mean if a person drops a letter - or an election ballot - off at a post office location on a Monday, USPS no longer promises that it will process the mail that same day. Several groups speculated the change put vote-by-mail systems at threat of ending.

"This is how they legally take votes away from people," podcaster Rob Guerrera wrote on X.

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The notice was issued as the post office sought to reduce operational costs to address its financial outlook, which the Government Accountability Office said on Dec. 16 is dim due to losing billions of dollars since 2007. USGAO issued several recommendations Congress and the post office could implement, but so far, they've yet to be implemented.

In came the postmarking change that aligned with the agency consolidating its local processing facilities from 200 to 60 regional ones and reducing dispatches between the facilities and local post offices, according to The Brookings Institution.

Kevin Rayburn, an attorney with the Postal Service's Ethics Office, wrote the final rule on postmarking. He noted that the rule wasn't put forth to change operations at the post office but to educate people about how postmarking is done.

"As noted, the Proposed Rule does not itself propose any changes to current postmarking procedures; and insofar as members of the public rely on the postmark, they are better served by a rule that clarifies the postmark's meaning and lists the options available to those who may require a postmark date aligning with the date of first postal possession," he wrote.

Voters encouraged to utilize other options

Rayburn noted that mailing a ballot back to an election office could be delayed by the rule. But the onus is not on the post office to ensure ballots are returned, he said. Rather, the post office offers a service for mail.

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"The Postal Service collects, processes, transports, and delivers mail and packages, and remains fully committed to transporting the nation's Election Mail when public policy makers choose to use the mail as a part of their election system or when voters choose to utilize our services to participate in an election," he wrote.

Rayburn said that boards of elections throughout the country have instead taken advantage of the change by informing voters they can hand-deliver ballots or use locality-operated drop boxes. He said people are still encouraged to use common sense when sending mail of any kind that delays could occur, and to drop off mail as soon as possible.

Voters were encouraged to not rely on their states to always accept late ballots. So far, 18 states allow that practice, but a Supreme Court case could invalidate those laws. The Republican National Committee and the Libertarian Party of Mississippi filed a challenge against Mississippi's law that allowed for late ballots. The state's attorney general opined that since states control their elections, the law is valid.

Taxes, administrative claims affected

Election ballots aren't the only items affected by the change. The Brookings Institution said that changing postmarking could mean a delay for people who opt to file taxes by mail, court-imposed filing deadlines and other administrative uses such as claims with federal or state agencies.

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The change could mean people unknowingly fail to meet deadlines.

"Structural delays in applying postmarks therefore carry direct legal consequences," according to the group. "If network changes produce later postmarks for documents that were mailed on time, a taxpayer may appear to have filed past a statutory deadline, with consequences ranging from denied extension requests to the loss of refund claims or the jurisdictional dismissal of a Tax Court petition."

Several states allow for ballots to be accepted past Election Day if they are postmarked with a date of the election or before. But taxes, court filings and other services could be outright rejected. Rayburn wrote in response to comments about third parties that use postmarking for their business operations that the new rule would make customers better equipped to handle their mail.

"And if policymakers or other entities that create rules utilizing the postmark date are aware of what the postmark date signifies, they are better equipped to determine whether their rules adequately serve their purposes," Rayburn wrote.

Same-day postmarking can be purchased

Alternatively, options are available and were mentioned in the new rule to help people ensure their mail is accepted. The options involved postal customers purchasing or selecting a la carte services.

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The National Society of Tax Professionals encouraged people to take advantage of the options for peace of mind.

One option included requesting at the counter for the person to apply a manual postmark. Another available option is the postage validation imprint that a postal employee applies whenever a person purchases postage stamps at the retail counter.

The final option is purchasing certificates of mailing, registered or certified mail. That option requires a customer to receive evidence an item was presented for mailing.

According to the Postal Service, a certificate can cost between $0.70 and $13.50, depending on the size of the mail. Certified mail starts at $5.30 and increases to $13.70 if a person requests restricted delivery or adult signature. Registered mail costs between $19.70 to $168.50, depending on the declared value.

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The post Using the mail for ballots or taxes? New USPS rule could affect those services appeared first on Straight Arrow News.

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Two more Republican state lawmakers wont be returning to their seats after next year, with one seeking to unseat a GOP senator and another stepping away from lawmaking altogether.

Reps. Doug Fiefia, R-Herriman, and Karen Peterson, R-Clinton, are the latest legislators to announce they will not seek reelection as the filing period opens on Friday.

Fiefia, who was just elected to the House of Representatives in 2024 to represent House District 48, announced Wednesday that he plans to run for Utah Senate in District 18, which has been held by Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, since 2019.

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Theres so much more work to be done and we are just getting started, Fiefia said in a video posted to X. Utah is growing fast. Technology is changing faster and the choices we make now will shape the next generation. In my first legislative session, I took on one of the biggest fights Big Tech has ever seen, and we won. ... That fight proved that Utah can lead the nation when we have the courage to act."

McCay has spent more than a decade in the Legislature after being appointed to the House in 2012. He announced on Wednesday that he will seek reelection to his seat, setting up a fight to represent the GOP between an influential, longtime lawmaker and one of the rising stars in the House caucus.

McCay previously suggested that he would not seek reelection next year, but only if his wife, Tawnee, was elected mayor of Riverton in November. The couple said they had heard concerns from voters about having too much power concentrated under one roof, so McCay said he made the pledge to make sure his legislative service wouldnt be the reason someone might not vote for his wife.

Tawnee McCay lost, and Dan McCay said he ultimately made the tough decision to run again after a lot of prayer, personal reflection and conversations with my family and community leaders.

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Im deeply grateful for the strong encouragement and support from the mayors across the cities I represent  their confidence in our shared vision for Utah means the world to me, he posted. Im also overwhelmed by the continued support from my legislative colleagues. We all work hard as a team and have been very effective for our districts.

Rep. Karen Peterson, R-Clinton, talks with students as Gov. Spencer Cox holds a press conference to support Utahs rural schools at Manti Elementary School in Manti on March 24, 2025. Peterson won't seek reelection next year. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News

Peterson announced Tuesday that she would join the ranks of other lawmakers stepping back from the Legislature and not seek another term representing District 13, which covers parts of Clinton, Sunset, West Point and Clearfield in Davis County.

It didnt come lightly, Peterson said of the decision in a post on Facebook. I have loved serving our community. But I have always believed that public service is something we do for a time, that we take our turn and then step aside. I have been blessed by all those that served before me and trust that great people will serve after me.

Peterson has served in the Legislature since 2022 and currently sits on the House Rules Committee as the vice chairwoman.

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Candidates for state legislative seats can file between Friday and Jan. 8, so several sitting lawmakers have signaled their intent not to seek reelection as the deadline approaches.

They include Majority Assistant Whip Bridger Bolinder, R-Grantsville; Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Syracuse; Rep. Sandra Hollins, D-Salt Lake City; Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay; Rep. Christine Watkins, R-Price; and Rep. Matthew Gwynn, R-Farr West.

Contributing: Daniel Woodruff
Washington States Attorney General Nick Brown says that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has agreed to resume grant evaluations for medical and public health research.

The Trump administration paused evaluations of research grants funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in February 2025.

The University of Washington was one of the institutions affected by the funding pause.

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NIH allocates billions in medical and public health research funding for several institutions in the U.S.

Over $578 million was distributed to the university by NIH in 2024.

Brown, along with the attorneys general of 16 other states, sued the administration.

The attorneys general won their lawsuit in June of 2025 after a judge ruled that the halt to evaluations and funding was unlawful.

Brown said the new agreement would prevent the administration from using unlawful practices while reviewing applications for new grants.

This agreement reaffirms that the federal government cant stop legitimate research simply because it may have included words or phrases that scare the President and his political allies, Brown said. Thanks to our suit, funds will once again begin to flow to Washingtons centers of research.

NIH is scheduled to appeal the decision on Jan. 6.
The 27th annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge took place in frigid weather Thursday morning: It's a New Year's Day tradition.

The annual event is a benefit to fund recreational services for those with disabilities in northern Lake County.

Highs on New Year's Day are in the 20s, with lows in the teens.

Those brave enough to face the ice cold water of Lake Michigan gathered at Waukegan Municipal Beach.

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"It is always inspiring to see so many brave individuals plunging into cold waters to raise funds that will benefit individuals with disabilities. Even in the cold, Waukegan shows up with warm hearts," Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said in a statement.

Dozens took the plunge.

"It was exhilarating, freezing. This is just a great way to bring in the new year," Mauricio Valencia said.

"Cold, it stings a little bit, but after you get in there for a while you get used to it," Michael Schmidt said.

For many, it was a special personal achievement to kick off 2026.

"It's been physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually transformative," one participant said.

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Cunningham was among the crowd cheering on people Thursday, but he says it was a bit too cold for him to get in the water.

"They texted me, 'mayor, we'll put you in a wet suit.' And I thought the wet suit was warm. No, it just keeps you dry, yeah no thank you," he said.

Others embraced the experience all together as a family.

"It was great. They were very brave; I didn't think they'd actually do it, but they showed up and went for it," Valencia said.

There were certainly a lot more people watching than plunging Thursday.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal, alleging a complete breakdown of law and order in the state following reports of the brutal beating of women in Bhangnamari village of South 24 Parganas district. Addressing the media in the national capital, Trivedi said the incident had "deeply disturbed" people across the state and reflected the deteriorating safety of women under the current regime. "The people of West Bengal are deeply disturbed and outraged by the brutal beating of women in Bhangnamari village of South 24 Parganas district under Mamata Banerjee's government. This shows that the safety of women is becoming a serious concern under the Trinamool Congress government," he said. The BJP leader further linked the incident to a series of recent controversies in the state, alleging a pattern of violence and political patronage. "Whether it's Shahjahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali, the incident at the Durgapur Medical College, or today's incident in South 24 Parganas district involving people like Arif Lashkar, Munna Lashkar, and Jalil Lashkar, or people like Shahjahan Sheikh; it seems that these have become the 'Lashkars' of the Trinamool Congress, who have become instruments of oppression against the public to fulfill their political interests," Trivedi said. He further alleged that such individuals were acting with political backing. "It appears that these people have become the political 'Lashkars' of the Trinamool Congress," he added. Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the BJP MP claimed that governance and public safety had collapsed in the state. "Law and order have completely collapsed during the tenure of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," he said. Trivedi also referred to the Chief Minister's recent remarks directed at the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah and expressed "sympathy for Mamata for the threatening words". "Despite this, we sympathise with her for the threatening words she used against the Home Minister, because it shows that the Chief Minister of West Bengal is doing this out of compulsion," he said. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav today backed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for victory in the 2026 Assembly elections, stating that the BJP's "conspiracy" would not work. Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the BJP will lose the West Bengal polls in 2026 and the Uttar Pradesh polls in 2027. He said, "In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee is going to win by a large margin of votes. These BJP people conspire everywhere. This time, their conspiracy will not work. First, they will lose in Bengal, and then they will lose in UP as well." Politics in West Bengal has heated up ahead of the Legislative Assembly elections this year. Union Minister Amit Shah gave the clarion call for the polls to BJP workers in the state during his three-day visit to Kolkata. (ANI)
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the Wall Street Journal for their shameful report claiming that President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago spa sent teen workers to Jeffrey Epsteins mansion.

Leavitt defended Trump against the publications claims in an interview with TMZ.

Its shameful the Wall Street Journal is wasting their once great paper writing up fallacies and innuendo in order to smear President Trump and distract from his historic first year back in office, she told TMZ. No matter how many times this story is told and retold, the truth remains: President Trump did nothing wrong and he kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago for being a creep.

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Leavitt went on to add that Trumps own Department of Justice has been releasing the Epstein files , though critics have noted their slow rollout .Now, its President Trumps own Justice Department that is releasing hundreds of thousands of pages of documents related to Epstein and his crimes, she emphasized.

According to the report by the Journal, former Mar-a-Lago and Epstein employees said the spa sent employees to Epsteins Palm Beach mansion for massages, manicures, and other spa services.

The house calls went on for years, even as spa employees warned each other about Epstein, who was known among staff for being sexually suggestive and exposing himself during the appointments, according to the former Mar-a-Lago employees, the Journal reported.

Per the publication, Trump kicked Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago after receiving a fax from an employee in 2003 which contained allegations that Epstein had pressured an 18-year-old beautician from the spa for sex during a house call.

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There have been conflicting reports as to why Trump kicked Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago, with White House communications director Steven Cheung telling CNN on July 23 that Trump took action because Epstein was being a creep.

On July 28, Trump told reporters in Scotland that Epstein stole young, female Mar-a-Lago spa workers from him, including Epstein abuse survivor Virginia Giuffre.

He stole people that worked for me, Trump said. I said, Dont ever do that again. He did it again, and I threw him out of the place, persona non grata.

The post White House Slams Report Mar-a-Lago Spa Sent Teens to Epstein first appeared on Mediaite.
A shutdown of Aden airport was ordered by the transportation minister in the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) that runs southern Yemen, a Saudi source told Reuters on Thursday.

A shutdown of Aden airport was ordered by the transportation minister in the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) that runs southern Yemen, a Saudi source told Reuters on Thursday.

The minister shut down air traffic in defiance of an order by the Saudi-backed government to impose targeted restrictions on flights to and from the UAE's Abu Dhabi and Dubai to curb escalating tensions in the country, the source said.

Passengers wait for their flights at Aden Airport in Aden, Yemen January 1, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/Fawaz Salman)

Saudi Arabia laying down gauntlet

This comes after Saudi Arabia laid down a gauntlet over Yemen when it carried out airstrikes on vehicles that it said had been smuggled to Mukalla Port from the United Arab Emirates on December 31.

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Riyadh said that recent gains by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen in the past weeks were approaching a red line. Saudi Arabia called out the UAE by name in an unusual type of dispute in the Gulf.

The Gulf is usually conservative in its policies, and its countries dont like to argue. There are exceptions, such as when Riyadh led a number of countries to cut ties with Qatar in 2017.
Reach Donald W. Meyers at dmeyers@yakimaherald.com or 509-577-7748. He can also be reached securely at donaldwmeyers.93 on Signal or at donaldwmeyers@protonmail.com.
After Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of facilitating "vote theft," BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal alleged that Bangladeshi infiltrators had been given voter ID card, Aadhaar card and were made voters of the TMC. She asked if TMC was so confident of winning the Assembly polls, then why are they making hue and cry over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) activity. Speaking to ANI, Priyanka Tibrewal said, "They could not stop the SIR, so now they are trying to stop the hearing process. Camps are being burnt. EC is being attacked. They are forcing the EC to take a tough stand. I wish to ask if anyone is a patriot, then how can he challenge the removal of anti-national forces who have entered the country illegally. The Bangladeshi infiltrators had been given voter ID card, Aadhaar card and were made voters." She further said that there have been no deaths due to SIR. "There have been no suicides over SIR. In our country, there are so many deaths every day. They are saying that everyone is dying due to SIR. The suicides can also be murders. CM said there would be more "Khela Hobe". After 2021 election, there were 300 murders of BJP workers. Now you want to kill 600 workers," she said. Priyanka Tibrewal further said that if TMC is so confident that they would win the polls, then why are they making a hue and cry? "When they are so confident that they will win in polls, then why are they crying over the SIR activity. They should go to the courts if they have so many objections. Just 5 days ago, Abhishek Banerjee has returned from the US. Most of the infiltrators have left the borders during SIR, Why didn't CM ask then who is running away? Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Election Commission over SIR in Bengal and said that the BJP was defeated in the assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the state and the same result will be repeated in 2026 assembly polls. Talking to the media after meeting the Election Commission, Banerjee accused the BJP of misusing institutions."People of Bengal are made to build differently. We are not built like that; we will not bow down before you. Let the BJP put their entire mind and use all the agencies and whatever they have at their disposal. Still, the people of Bengal will win the state, lock, stock, and barrel, and defeat the BJP. They have fallen flat on their faces in 2012, 2021, 2024, and it will happen again in 2026. We will bow before the power of the people, not the people in power," he said. Banerjee alleged that the poll panel failed to answer most of party's questions. "They think that by raising their voice and speaking aggressively, everyone will be silenced. When we started speaking, he began losing his temper. He tried to stop some of us and pointed fingers at me. I then stated that you are a nominated official, but I am an elected representative. You are answerable to your masters, but I am answerable to the masses who elected me, for whom we have come here to ensure that no legitimate voter is deleted from the list... If he has the courage, let him release the footage. I am standing very close to the ECI office. Gyanesh Kumar must be hearing what I am saying to the media right now," he said. "If he has the courage, he should come down, face the media, and rebut every point I am making, rather than making selective leaks after 8 pm. What is stopping him? Does he think the people of Bengal are his subservient? Apart from 2-3 questions, he has failed. Does he think the people of Bengal, and we MPs, ministers, and MLAs elected by the people, are bonded labourers or slaves?" he asked. Bengal will face assembly polls in the first half of next year. A Trinamool Congress delegation met the Election Commission on Wednesday and discussed about 10 issues, including the SIR being held in West Bengal. Banerjee told the media that the meeting lasted two and a half hours. He said the poll panel had not provided answers when the Trinamool Congress delegation met it last month. He alleged that the poll panel had indulged in "selective leak" last time after meeting the party delegation and had not given a "single precise answer" to any of the issues raised. "We discussed eight to ten issues. The meeting started at 12 noon and lasted two and a half hours. Last time, a month ago, on November 28, a delegation of 10 people from our party came here. We asked the Election Commission five questions, but we didn't receive a single precise answer to any of them," the MP said. "That same night, the Election Commission selectively leaked information to some journalists, claiming that they had answered every question. Immediately afterwards, I tweeted that the Trinamool Congress has digital evidence and that the Election Commission did not provide a single answer to any of our questions last time... This time, except for two or three points, we didn't get any clarity on anything. When I ask them about the SIR, they shift the topic to citizenship. There was no concrete answer to anything," he added. Over 58.2 lakh names were deleted during the enumeration period of the SIR exercise in the state. The ECI had published the draft voter list for West Bengal on December 16. (ANI)
Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir were put on high alert on New Years Day following intelligence inputs about possible terror activity, including the movement of Over-Ground Workers (OGWs) and their associates in and around Srinagar.
A 50-year-old Hindu man, Khokon Das, was attacked and set on fire by a mob in Shariatpur, Bangladesh, on December 31, marking the fourth assault on Hindus in two weeks, amid rising violence against minorities and growing diplomatic concern from India.
From Sydney and Auckland to Tokyo, Singapore and New York, cities across the globe welcomed 2026 with fireworks, cultural traditions and heartfelt tributes, as millions celebrated the New Year with joy and hope for what lies ahead.
Initially, he was expected to be dropped for the third Test in Adelaide, but he rejoined the team. Furthermore, former Aussie skipper Michael Clarke has encouraged the veteran batter to retire after the forthcoming fifth Ashes Test.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh on Thursday said he has resumed active organisational work after being asked by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asserting that he will take up any responsibility assigned to him as the party prepares for the West Bengal Assembly elections, scheduled to be held later this year. Ghosh's remarks come a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a crucial meeting with BJP MPs, MLAs and former MPs in the state, signalling renewed organisational activity ahead of the elections. Speaking to ANI in Kolkata, Ghosh said that although he was not holding any organisational responsibility earlier, he remained connected with grassroots workers. "My job is not to run the organisation, so I used to stay in touch with ordinary workers. Today, the party called me and asked me to work, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, under whose guidance the BJP in Bengal was established, has himself come here, and he too has ordered me to work, so I have started working. Whatever role the party gives me, I will work in it," he said. Dilip Ghosh also held a meeting with West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya. This was the first meeting between the two since Bhattacharya assumed charge, and it is being seen as part of the party's efforts to strengthen coordination and prepare its organisational strategy ahead of the state polls. Accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee over his 'SIR' remarks, Ghosh said the "BJP does not function out of fear of central agencies". "BJP does not think of the ED or the CBI. He is scared. The people of Bengal have made up their minds for a change here," he said. Meanwhile, West Bengal is all set to undergo Legislative Assembly elections in 2026. (ANI)
In a significant move ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, a new office for Tamil Nadu actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) was inaugurated on Thursday in Kangayam, Tiruppur district. The event, held on New Year's Day, drew a large gathering of supporters who expressed confidence in Vijay's leadership. Addressing a press conference, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief Coordinator and veteran politician K A Sengottaiyan said that the inauguration took place at the foothills of the sacred Sivanmalai Murugan Temple. Speaking at the event, local party representatives emphasised that the year 2026 would mark a historic change in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. Sengottaiyan highlighted the growing popularity of Vijay, referred to by fans as 'Thalapathy', noting that people from all walks of life--youth, women, and the elderly--are rallying behind him. They cited the massive success of the party's recent international events, such as the audio launch in Malaysia, as evidence of his global appeal and leadership potential. "Today, on this auspicious first day of the year, we have opened this office under the blessings of Lord Murugan at Sivanmalai. 2026 will be the year of change for Tamil Nadu. From youth to industrial workers, everyone wants our leader, Thalapathy Vijay, to lead the state. History is being made, just as we saw with the massive response in Malaysia. We believe he is the permanent future Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu," Sengottaiyan said The speakers also touched upon the current political climate, suggesting shifts in existing alliances and claiming that the public is looking for a "clean and protective" administration. They emphasised that the TVK aims to provide a government where everyone's needs are met, and safety is prioritised. The event concluded with high spirits as supporters celebrated the new beginning, eyeing the upcoming elections as a turning point for the state. Earlier, Vijay strongly criticised the Tamil Nadu government over the recent assault on a youth aboard a train travelling from Chennai to Tiruttani, saying the incident reflected the administration's failure to safeguard young people and curb rising drug abuse. The TVK chief's post came after police said that on December 27, four juveniles attacked a youth from Odisha with sickles near the Old Railway Quarters in Tiruttani and filmed the assault. The accused have been proceeded against under the Juvenile Justice Act, while authorities said that law and order remain under control and that adequate safety measures are in place for migrant workers. In a post on X, Vijay described the incident as a "dangerous future" that exposed the administration's failure to guide youth away from destructive paths and curb narcotics circulation. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Thursday, visited the Tara Devi Temple in Shimla on the first day of the New Year, where he offered prayers and sought blessings from the Goddess Tara Mata for his resolutions and commitments. Speaking to ANI after the temple visit, Chief Minister Sukhu said that over the past three years, the state government had faced three major challenges: economic crisis, political instability, and natural disasters, but had successfully overcome all of them. "In the last three years, the state government has had to go through three big challenges. The first was the economic situation of Himachal Pradesh, as the state was under a heavy debt burden, which we managed. The second major challenge was political, where the opposition tried to topple the government by attempting to buy MLAs, but we overcame that as well and returned stronger with 40 MLAs. The third challenge was natural disasters, which we also faced and moved ahead," Sukhu said. The Chief Minister said that the state government would move forward in the New Year with fresh resolutions to build a self-reliant Himachal Pradesh. "Today, the state government will move ahead with new resolutions to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant. That is why I came to the Tara Devi Temple to seek blessings. Himachal Pradesh is a land of gods and goddesses, and with their blessings, we will move forward," he said. Recalling his commitment made three years ago, Sukhu said his government had come not for "satta sukh" (enjoying power) but for "vyavastha parivartan" (systemic transformation). "Three years ago, I had said that we came to power not for the pleasures of authority but for systemic change. Due to certain rules, small works of common people used to get stuck, causing difficulties. We removed and simplified those rules," he said. On the fight against drug abuse, the Chief Minister said that while heroin use was not yet widespread, the menace of 'chitta' posed a serious concern, especially due to its impact from the Punjab border. "We have started working on three levels. First is awareness, because youth who are the future are being targeted and drawn into drugs. We must save them, and for this, we have involved the younger generation in awareness campaigns. Second is strict action against suppliers of chitta. Third, if someone has fallen into drug addiction, we must not label them as criminals but rehabilitate and reintegrate them into the mainstream. This is our responsibility," Sukhu said. He added that strict action would be taken against any government employee found involved in the illegal drug trade. Speaking about the state's financial condition, Sukhu said the New Year comes with renewed resolve to work faster and ensure government schemes reach the common and poor people. "When we came to power, the state was under a debt of Rs 76,000 crore, and there was a liability of Rs 10,000 crore due to the Sixth Pay Commission. We faced all these challenges. During the BJP government's tenure, the revenue deficit grant was around Rs 11,000 crore, but we received only Rs 3,200 crore. Despite this, we managed to gradually carry out all works," he said. He expressed satisfaction that the state economy had begun moving towards self-reliance. "Certainly, to repay old debt, we are taking fresh loans, and we are trapped in a debt cycle. To come out of this, we are moving ahead with fiscal discipline and financial prudence," the Chief Minister said. On losses due to natural disasters over the last two to three years, Sukhu said 2025 had been particularly challenging and stressed the need for scientific studies. "Climate change has definitely begun affecting Himachal Pradesh. We never used to see so many cloudbursts earlier. The temperature has increased by around one to one-and-a-half degrees. The impact seen in 2023-24 continued into 2025-26, and we are trying to recover from the losses caused by these disasters," he said. He pointed out that the state's resources are limited and highlighted the impact of GST on Himachal's revenue. "Earlier, we used to get Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 crore as weightage, but now it has reduced to around Rs 600 crore because GST is consumer-based and not production-state-based," he said. The Chief Minister said he expects the central government to fulfil its commitments. "I expect Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release the Rs 1,500 crore that was announced for Himachal Pradesh," Sukhu said. Raising concerns over apple growers, Sukhu said the recent trade agreement allowing concessions on apple imports could adversely affect Himachal's apple economy. "I will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue. I want Himachal's apple farmers not to suffer. Some policy should be brought so that when our apple crop enters the market, it is not adversely impacted," he said. Calling Himachal Pradesh, the lungs and "water bowl of North India," Sukhu said the state has recognised its natural wealth and is fighting for its rights, confident of success. "With the blessings of gods and goddesses and a new vision, we have come to the temple to strengthen the process of systemic change. The blessings of gods and goddesses have always been with Congress governments. The biggest example is when our government fell, it was their blessings that helped us rise from 34 to 40 MLAs," he said. On the blast reported near a police station in Nalagarh, the Chief Minister clarified that it was not a terror-related incident. "There is no question of a big bomb or terrorist incident. The blast occurred at a place where scrap was stored. It could be due to gas or some other reason. The Forensic Science Laboratory team is investigating, and details will be shared after the report. As of now, there is no cause for concern," Sukhu said. (ANI)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday met with a delegation from the Janasena Party to discuss their suggestions on electoral matters. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, received the delegation led by the party's representatives E Pratap Kumar and RMV Sumanth at Nirvachan Sadan in Delhi. In a post on X, the official handle of ECI wrote, "#CEC Gyanesh Kumar and ECs Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi interacted with a delegation from Janasena Party led by its Authorised Representatives Shri. E Pratap Kumar and RMV Sumanth and received their suggestions at Nirvachan Sadan, Delhi." https://x.com/ECISVEEP/status/2006692721424216252 Earlier on Wednesday, a delegation of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi. The delegation was led by TMC National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee, who also briefed the media outside Nirvachan Sadan following the meeting. The meeting came amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, which has created a tussle between the TMC-led state government and the Centre. The delegation discussed about 10 issues, including the SIR being held in West Bengal, with party leader Abhishek Banerjee stating later that "there was no concrete answer to anything". Banerjee told the media that the meeting lasted two and a half hours. He said the poll panel had not provided answers when the Trinamool Congress delegation met it last month. He alleged that the poll panel had indulged in "selective leak" last time after meeting the party delegation and had not given a "single precise answer" to any of the issues raised. "We discussed eight to ten issues. The meeting started at 12 noon and lasted two and a half hours. Last time, a month ago, on November 28, a delegation of 10 people from our party came here. We asked the Election Commission five questions, but we didn't receive a single precise answer to any of them," the TMC MP said. "That same night, the Election Commission selectively leaked information to some journalists, claiming that they had answered every question. Immediately afterwards, I tweeted that the Trinamool Congress has digital evidence and that the Election Commission did not provide a single answer to any of our questions last time... This time, except for two or three points, we didn't get any clarity on anything. When I ask them about the SIR, they shift the topic to citizenship. There was no concrete answer to anything," he added. On December 29, a five-member TMC delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, demanding that the list of voters under the "logical discrepancy" category be published and that the methodology and legal authority used to create this category be disclosed. (ANI)
"Reportedly, the residents had been complaining about the supply of contaminated water supply for several days, but no action was taken by the authorities," NHRC said in a statement.

The human rights body has issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

Earlier, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav held a high-level meeting over Indore's contaminated water issue on Thursday to review the situation and coordinate relief measures.

Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Sanjay Dubey, Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, Divisional Commissioner Sudam Khade, District Collector Shivam Verma and Indore Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilip Kumar were present in the meeting.

Madhya Pradesh CM has announced Rs 2 lakh financial assistance to the families of the deceased and free treatment to all the affected people.

Earlier, Yadav expressed grief over the incident, paid tributes to the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for those undergoing treatment. He also directed strict action against the concerned officials responsible for the lapse. (ANI)
Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) SC Cell President and former MLA TJR Sudhakar Babu on Thursday accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of maintaining secrecy over his foreign tour, despite repeatedly claiming that his life is an open book. Speaking to the media at the party's central office in Tadepalli, he asked why the government was not clearly informing the public about where the Chief Minister had gone, for what purpose, and whether the visit was official or personal. According to a release, he stated that earlier Chief Ministers always disclosed their travel details through the media, but Chandrababu Naidu was behaving suspiciously by keeping even the General Administration Department in the dark. He said conflicting reports in sections of the media about London, Singapore, Bali, or personal travel had only increased public suspicion. He added that even leaders of the ruling party were giving contradictory versions, which raised serious questions about transparency. Sudhakar Babu further said that rumours were spreading that the Chief Minister may have gone abroad to hide or manage money accumulated over the past eighteen months. He demanded that the government clarify the facts immediately and put an end to speculation. He also alleged Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Minister Nara Lokesh for frequently travelling in special aircraft and helicopters. He asked whether such travel was possible on their official salaries and demanded disclosure of who was bearing the expenses. He said that if public money was being used, bills and expenditure details must be made public as per aviation rules. Sudhakar Babu criticised the coalition government for starting the new year by preparing to impose an additional burden of Rs 4,500 crore through increased power charges. He alleged that Chandrababu Naidu had promised not to raise electricity tariffs for five years but had already imposed a heavy burden since coming to power. He said people were disappointed and demanded that the government honour its promises instead of deceiving the public. Earlier, former YSRCP MP Margani Bharat strongly criticised Pawan Kalyan, stating that instead of honouring election promises, he is functioning as a political contractor to serve CM Chandrababu Naidu and Minister for Human Resources Development of the state, Nara Lokesh. Addressing the media on Saturday in Rajahmundry, Bharat said Pawan Kalyan has shown no "seriousness or accountability" as a minister and has "failed" to stand with the people. He accused Minister Nara Lokesh of holding roadshows with land grabbers, sand smugglers, and anti-social elements, thereby signalling open support for illegal activities, while merely inaugurating projects developed during the YSRCP (Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party) regime without initiating a single new development programme in the last one and a half years. Bharat said, "Unable to answer questions about governance failures, Lokesh has resorted to personal abuse against YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, which reflects political bankruptcy and a lack of respect for democratic values." He highlighted "unfulfilled promises", including women's financial assistance, mounting fee-reimbursement arrears, and the privatisation of government medical colleges, calling them a betrayal of public trust. (ANI)
Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh has urged all eligible property taxpayers within the jurisdiction of MCD to avail the benefit under the property tax amnesty scheme 2025-26 'SUNIYO'. According to a release, under SUMPATTIKAR NIPTAAN YOJANA (SUNIYO), taxpayers can avail a complete waiver of property tax along with interest and penalties, prior to the financial year 2020-21, provided they pay the principal amount of property tax, without any interest and penalty, for the current year (2025-26) and the previous five financial years (i.e., FYs 2020-21 to 2024-25). The Scheme has been further extended up to 31st January, 2026, with a 5% late fee. The Mayor said, "We appeal to all property owners/occupiers to make full use of this golden opportunity under the SUNIYO scheme and settle their outstanding property tax dues without incurring any further penalties or interest." The Mayor highlighted that citizens are actively participating in the Tax Amnesty scheme, availing the benefit of the SUNIYO scheme. To date, 1,66,587 taxpayers have already benefited from this initiative and paid the property tax to the tune of Rs 803.61 crore up to 31st December 2025. Out of which, Rs 188.28 crore of property tax is collected from a total of 1,20,157 residential properties, while Rs 615.32 crore of property tax is collected from 46,430 non-residential properties. It is also to be highlighted that 90,139 new taxpayers have availed the benefits of the SUNIYO Scheme and paid property tax for the first time, and tax collection from these first-time taxpayers under the SUNIYO is Rs. 312.45 Cr. The Mayor has further highlighted that total tax collection as on 31st December, 2025, for the current year (including SUNIYO Scheme) is Rs. 2642.80 Cr. from 12,42,875 taxpayers, vis-a-vis tax collection of Rs. 1859.77 Cr. from 10,31,177 taxpayers over the corresponding period. It indicates that there is an increase of 42.1% in tax collection and a 20.52% increase in the number of taxpayers over the corresponding period. It is worthwhile to mention here that total tax collection for the FY 2024-25 was Rs. 2132.29 Cr. from 11,33,161 taxpayers, which is significantly less than the tax collection for the current financial year as on date, he added. (ANI)
Congress leader Harish Rawat on Thursday raised concern about the water quality across cities in Madhya Pradesh after the death of at least four people, while several fell ill due to the water contamination in Indore's Bhagirathpura area. He said that such incidents put a dent in the city's reputation and that the state's Urban Development and Housing Minister, Kailash Vijayvargiya, should be worried about the entire Madhya Pradesh, not just Indore. "If the water quality is so poor that people are dying from drinking it and their lives are at risk, then questions are raised not only on the awards that Indore receives but also on the reputation it holds. When the situation in Indore is like this, it raises the question of what the condition must be like in the rest of Madhya Pradesh. Kailash Vijayvargiya should be concerned not just about Indore but about the entire Madhya Pradesh. If this can happen in Indore, then the situation in cities like Bhopal, Ujjain, etc, could also be worrisome," he said. Earlier, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had taken suo motu cognisance of Indore's contaminated water issue, which led to several deaths. "Reportedly, the residents had been complaining about the supply of contaminated water supply for several days, but no action was taken by the authorities," NHRC said in a statement. The human rights body has issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. Moreover, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav held a high-level meeting over Indore's contaminated water issue here on Thursday to review the situation and coordinate relief measures. Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Sanjay Dubey, Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, Divisional Commissioner Sudam Khade, District Collector Shivam Verma and Indore Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilip Kumar were present in the meeting. Addressing the media after the meeting, Minister Vijayvargiya said that he visited the Bhagirathpura locality, met the affected families and assured them that provide all necessary support and assistance. "I am just coming from Bhagirthpura, and patients are continuously arriving from there. From yesterday to the day before, 200 people were admitted. A total of 1400 people were infected, out of which 200 were required to be hospitalised, and the rest of the people were given primary treatment. No patient is serious. Even people undergoing treatment in ICU wards are also out of danger. We are focusing on ensuring that people get good treatment in a timely manner," Vijayvargiya said. He also emphasised that a revenue officer and a health officer should be present in each hospital where patients affected with this outbreak were undergoing treatment. Additionally, a help desk would be set up to assist people. The Chief Minister also announced Rs 2 lakh financial assistance to the families of the deceased and free treatment to all the affected people. (ANI)
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched a scathing attack on Congress over its leader Nana Patole's remarks allegedly comparing Rahul Gandhi to Lord Ram, saying that these are the people who filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court claiming that "Lord Ram was an imaginary personality". Speaking to reporters here, he took a dig at the opposition party, saying that it "almost has no identity now". "Anyone is free to compare anyone with anyone in this democratic India. The country's people see and understand these issues. The Congress party almost has no identity now. These are the people who filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court that Lord Ram was an imaginary personality," Shekhawat said. Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday also disregarded Patole's remarks, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not have time to respond to such statements and remains focused on governance and public service. "We don't have time to think about such statements or comment on them. We are engaged in serving all people and working for them. We are engaged in establishing Ram Rajya under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi in the country and under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra," Goyal said. He further said the opposition was in political decline and accused it of being disconnected from the public mandate. "The opposition leaders are in a very unfortunate situation. Look at the condition of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP-SCP in the assembly and municipal corporation elections. Our job is to form a triple-engine government and work for the people," he added. The Union Minister said, "We don't get involved in these controversies. The Prime Minister has encouraged us to serve the people, and we work by putting the country first, the party second, and ourselves last." Earlier, Congress leader Nana Patole responded to criticism of his remarks comparing Rahul Gandhi to Lord Ram, saying those reacting without understanding his statement had "lost their mental balance". "What I said in my statement needs to be understood first. Those who respond without understanding my statement have lost their mental balance. I do not wish to talk about such people," Patole told ANI. A political row erupted after Patole compared Rahul Gandhi to Lord Ram, drawing sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies. On Wednesday, while responding to questions over Rahul Gandhi not visiting the Ram Temple, Patole said that the Congress was carrying forward the work of Lord Ram. "Our leader, Rahul Gandhi, is doing the work of Lord Shri Ram. You know that Lord Shri Ram worked for the oppressed, the suffering, the deprived. Our leader, Rahul Gandhi, is doing the same work throughout the country; his fight to give justice to the people of the country has begun," he said. Referring to the Ram Janmabhoomi issue, Patole added, "When Ram Lalla was locked, our late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had ordered the gates to be opened. When Rahul Gandhi visits Ayodhya, he will offer prayers." Patole has earlier also drawn criticism for similar remarks. During Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra in October 2022, he had said that it was a "coincidence" that both Lord Ram and Rahul Gandhi's names begin with the letter 'R'. "Even Lord Sri Ram also walked (PadaYatra) from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, and even Shankaracharya walked the same way, and so is Rahul Gandhi doing in the form of a padayatra. People are joining him, so it's not a comparison with Lord Ram but a coincidence that both Lord Ram and Rahul Gandhi's names begin with 'R'. But we don't compare Rahul with Lord Ram, while BJP leaders compare their leaders with God. God is God, and Rahul Gandhi is a human being, and he is working for humanity, and everyone can see it," Patole had said. His remarks had then drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders, including CR Kesavan, who termed the statement a "grievous insult" to Hindu sentiments. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) announced that the National Guard will be withdrawn from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, claiming that their presence had helped reduce crime in these cities. He also suggested that federal forces could return in the future if crime rises again. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact. Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it weren't for the Federal Government stepping in. We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time." "It is hard to believe that these Democrat Mayors and Governors, all of whom are greatly incompetent, would want us to leave, especially considering the great progress that has been made?" the post read. Just a week earlier, the United States Supreme Court refused to authorise the deployment of the National Guard in Chicago, over the objection of Illinois officials, amid doubts about the viability of such deployments in other cities, the New York Times reported. The preliminary order barred the Trump administration from directing a state-based military force to the Chicago area, where an immigration enforcement drive had triggered arrests and confrontations between residents and federal authorities. The court declined to grant the president wide-ranging discretion to deploy the military in American cities. The New York Times reported that at this stage in the case, the court said the Trump administration had not shown that the statute at issue "permits the president to federalise the Guard in the exercise of inherent authority to protect federal personnel and property in Illinois." Three conservative justices, Clarence Thomas, Samuel A Alito Jr and Neil M Gorsuch, dissented. Donald Trump had earlier ordered the National Guard to Portland, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. Federal law allows the president to federalise the National Guard without the permission of state officials in certain circumstances, including in cases of "rebellion or danger of a rebellion" against the government or when law enforcement cannot execute US law. (ANI)
The United States Department of the Treasury on Wednesday (local time) imposed sanctions on four companies operating in Venezuela's oil sector and identified four oil tankers as blocked property, according to an official release. The move is part of President Donald Trump's renewed efforts to increase pressure on the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The sanctions announced on Wednesday are aimed at four companies and their linked oil tankers, which are accused of being involved in the transport of Venezuelan oil. "President Trump has been clear: We will not allow the illegitimate Maduro regime to profit from exporting oil while it floods the United States with deadly drugs," Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a release. "The Treasury Department will continue to implement President Trump's campaign of pressure on Maduro's regime," the release read. Trump has alleged that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro heads what he describes as a "narco-terrorist" regime aimed at destabilising the United States, a claim that was reiterated in the latest sanctions announcement. As per the official notice, these vessels, some of which are part of the shadow fleet serving Venezuela, continue to provide financial resources that fuel Maduro's illegitimate narco-terrorist regime. "Maduro's regime increasingly depends on a shadow fleet of worldwide vessels to facilitate sanctionable activity, including sanctions evasion, and to generate revenue for its destabilising operations. Today's action further signals that those involved in the Venezuelan oil trade continue to face significant sanctions risks," the release read. Recently, President Donald Trump said that it would be a "smart" move for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to relinquish power, as the United States continues to ramp up military and economic pressure on the South American nation. Responding to questions about whether his administration's current strategy is designed to force Maduro from office, Trump remained noncommittal about the specific endgame but was clear about his advice to the Venezuelan leader. "Well, I think it probably would," Trump said when asked if the goal was to force Maduro out."Can't tell. That's up to him what he wants to do. I think it would be smart for him to do that. Again, we're going to find out." "Look, Venezuela did terrible things to the United States," Trump said. "Hundreds of thousands of people, millions of people, into our open border. They sent their criminals, they sent their prisoners, they sent their drug dealers, they sent their mentally insane and incompetent people into our country, more than any other country," he added. (ANI)
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan accused ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina of bearing responsibility for the death of BNP chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Speaking at Manik Mia Avenue on Wednesday ahead of Khaleda Zia's namaz-e-janaza, Nazrul Islam Khan said, "On February 8, 2018, Khaleda Zia walked into jail after being subjected to the personal vengeance of fascist Hasina. But she came out of prison seriously ill," The Daily Star reported. He further said Khaleda Zia's prolonged imprisonment, denial of adequate medical care and restrictions on seeking treatment abroad caused irreversible damage to her health and eventually led to her death. Referring to medical opinions, Nazrul said, "According to doctors at home and abroad, her illness worsened because she was denied the opportunity to receive treatment overseas during four years of house arrest. As a result, the uncompromising leader eventually succumbed to death. Fascist Hasina will never be free of responsibility for this death," according to The Daily Star. Khaleda Zia's body was later taken to a temporary stage at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad at around 2:45 pm, where her janaza was held. Nazrul Islam Khan subsequently read out a brief life sketch of Khaleda Zia on behalf of the BNP, outlining the circumstances that led her to enter politics and highlighting her long struggle for democracy, commitment to democratic values, and patriotism. He recalled her political contributions and urged people to pray for her departed soul, stating that Khaleda Zia never surrendered to domestic or foreign pressure and never compromised on democracy, freedom of expression or voting rights despite repeated repression. Referring to her repeated imprisonment, he said, "She was jailed during the rule of autocrat Hussein Muhammad Ershad, during the so-called 1/11 regime and again under Sheikh Hasina," The Daily Star reported. The BNP leader said Khaleda Zia was evicted from her residence associated with the memory of her martyred husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, and sentenced to 17 years in prison on what he described as fabricated charges. Despite these actions, he said, "Yet she never compromised with authoritarian politics. This is why she became an enduring inspiration in the struggle against fascism." He further said, "Those who sent her to jail and made her homeless could not live in peace and were forced to flee," referring to Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in a mass uprising on August 5, 2024, and later sought refuge in India. Nazrul Islam Khan said Khaleda Zia joined the BNP on January 3, 1982, to boost the morale of party leaders and activists following the assassination of Ziaur Rahman in 1981. He said that despite being the wife of the party's founder, Khaleda Zia rose through the ranks in a constitutional manner, serving as a primary member, vice-chairperson, acting chairperson, and later being elected chairperson through the party council. Of her 43-year political career, he said Khaleda Zia led the BNP for 41 years as its principal leader, strengthening and organising the party. He said she led a sustained nine-year movement against the military rule of Hussein Muhammad Ershad and played a key role in restoring democracy through a free, fair and neutral election in 1991. Highlighting her historic role, Nazrul Islam Khan said, "She was the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh and the second in the Muslim world." Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first woman prime minister, died on 30 December 2025 at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. A towering figure in national politics, she served three terms as prime minister and played a key role in restoring democracy after years of military rule. (ANI)
Acting Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman on Thursday shared a heartfelt note thanking the supporters who gathered for the funeral of his mother, Khaleda Zia. Rahman thanked officials of the government and dignitaries that visited Bangladesh from abroad representing their heads of state for the funeral. "In yesterday's moments of deep personal loss, I want to speak from the heart and thank the many individuals whose care and professionalism helped the country conduct itself through my mother's final farewell," Rahman said in a post on X. https://x.com/trahmanbnp/status/2006530818186031329?s=20 Rahman added, "I am grateful to the officers and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose thoughtful efforts helped ensure that senior dignitaries from abroad were able to personally convey the condolences of their respective countries. Their presence reflected the deep respect my mother was held in beyond our borders." He also thanked Interim Government head Muhammad Yunus and his cabinet for helping in a day of mourning. "I also wish to thank Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, and the members of his cabinet, for attending in person and for helping to guide the day with steadiness and care during a moment of national mourning," he said. Bangladesh on Wednesday held the Namaz-e-Janaza of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, as thousands gathered to pay their final respects to the veteran leader. The funeral prayer was led by the khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan oversaw the proceedings. Following the Namaz-e-Janaza, it was announced that Khaleda Zia was buried beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. The funeral drew wide regional attention, with multiple South Asian nations dispatching senior representatives to Dhaka to attend the state funeral, The Daily Star reported. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also attended Khaleda Zia's funeral in Dhaka. Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah on Wednesday said that the visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would see New Delhi and Dhaka script a new chapter in ties, driven by shared interests. https://x.com/hamidullah_riaz/status/2006323127773741165?s=20 In a post on X, he said, "As HE Dr @DrSJaishankar left Dhaka after a whirlwind 4-hr visit, #Bangladesh & #India would look forward to script a new chapter in ties, in shared interests driven by pragmatism and mutual interdependence, as indeed briefly discussed with @bdbnp78 Acting Chair, @trahmanbnp this afternoon." (ANI)
Bangladesh Awami League Chairperson and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a New Year message shared by her party on social media, urged people to unite to "save the country from this journey into darkness" while extending greetings for 2026. The message was posted on the official X handle of the Bangladesh Awami League, carrying New Year's greetings from Sheikh Hasina to the people of the country. "Happy New Year, my beloved Bangladesh. May the New Year bring boundless harmony, happiness, and prosperity for all the people of Bangladesh," she said. https://x.com/albd1971/status/2006484730993324039?s=20 Expressing hope for renewal, she added, "May it wipe away the sorrows and afflictions of the past, correct mistakes and shortcomings, and become a memorable year for everyone." Highlighting her long-held vision for the country, Sheikh Hasina said, "It is my deepest dream and lifelong aspiration of struggle that this country truly belong to all its people--regardless of religion, color, class, profession, or ethnic identity." In the message, the Awami League chairperson referred to what she described as conspiracies against the country, stating, "Dear countrymen, the masks and vile faces of the conspirators engaged in plots to destroy the country have already been exposed before you." She accused unnamed forces of driving Bangladesh into crisis, saying, "You have seen how illegal usurpers, holding you hostage, have pushed the country toward darkness through limitless corruption, falsehood, and the intoxication of serving personal interests." Referring to Bangladesh's global standing, she said, "Our beloved Bangladesh has become a name associated with fear across the world. As a result, no country today looks upon Bangladesh and its people with respect." She also spoke about economic challenges, saying, "Due to insecurity faced by foreign investors and donor groups, and because of chaotic conditions, the country's economy has collapsed." Against this backdrop, Sheikh Hasina called for unity, saying, "We must all come together to save the country from this journey into darkness." She urged people to make a collective commitment at the start of the year, adding, "Let us, as we welcome the New Year, pledge ourselves to that commitment of protecting the nation." Referring to Bangladesh's history and identity, she said, "Dear countrymen, the distinct identity of Bangladesh and its historic struggle for liberation--of the Bangladesh for which my government worked tirelessly with the determination to place it on a position of dignity in the world--are today being called into question." Recalling moments of national unity during past crises, she added, "In the past, whenever such critical times have arisen, this nation has united, forgetting differences of class, religion, color, language, and ethnicity, and has leapt forward to realize a collective dream." Expressing confidence in the people, Sheikh Hasina said, "I firmly believe that the people of Bangladesh will not allow this ongoing hardship to be prolonged any further. In the New Year itself, we will see its decisive outcome." She extended New Year wishes to citizens, saying, "My dear countrymen, wishing that peace returns to our national life in 2026; that the life of every citizen shines in safety and harmony--I extend to you all my heartfelt greetings and congratulations." The message ended with, "Happy New Year 2026! Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu. May darkness give way to dawn. May Bangladesh live forever." The message comes amid a changed political landscape following the July Uprising in 2024, during which the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) emerged and events unfolded that led to the ousting of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as the country prepares for elections scheduled in February 2026. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday mocked Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney for adopting French citizenship. In his Post on Truth Social the President called the couple the "worst political prognosticators of all time." Trump said, "Good News! George and Amal Clooney, two of the worst political prognosticators of all time, have officially become citizens of France which is, sadly, in the midst of a major crime problem because of their absolutely horrendous handling of immigration, much like we had under Sleepy Joe Biden." "Remember when Clooney, after the now infamous debate, dumped Joe during a fundraiser, only to go onto the side of another stellar candidate, Jamala(K!), who is now fighting it out with the worst governor in the Country, including Tim Waltz, Gavin Newscum, for who is going to lead the Democrats to their future defeat. Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre, movies. He wasn't a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who complained, constantly, about common sense in politics," he added. The French government said on Wednesday, as quoted by ABC News, that the couple was granted French citizenship because "they contribute, through their distinguished actions, to France's international influence and cultural outreach." Their naturalization was questioned by a junior French minister earlier. The naturalizations of the couple and their twins Ella and Alexander were announced last weekend in the Journal Officiel, where French government decrees are published, as per ABC News. Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister at the Interior Ministry, questioned that some of the French people may think that the couple was granted special treatment. The actor speaks only what he himself says is "horrible, horrible" French. The couple purchased an estate in France in 2021 and Clooney has said that it's their primary residence. Non-French residents of France have multiple possible routes to becoming naturalized. It isn't known yet if George Clooney retained his American citizenship. Amal Clooney was born in Lebanon and raised in the UK and naturalized by France under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. The 8-year-old twins were born in London. (ANI)
Despite police claims of an overall decline in crime, street criminals continued to pose a serious threat to residents of Karachi in 2025, with more than 64,000 street crime cases recorded and over 70 people killed in such incidents, Dawn reported. Official data based on registered FIRs show that a total of 64,323 incidents of street crime, including robbery, mobile phone snatching, and vehicle snatching or theft, were reported during 2025. However, the actual number is believed to be significantly higher, as many victims either do not approach police stations or are discouraged from registering cases, according to Dawn. A comparison of police-maintained crime statistics shows a reduction from 71,105 street crime incidents in 2024 to 64,323 in 2025, marking a drop of 6,782 cases. Fatalities linked to street crimes also declined, with 70 people killed and 290 injured till the first week of December 2025, compared to 99 deaths and 400 injuries reported in 2024, Dawn reported. Police figures further indicate that 17,706 mobile phones were snatched at gunpoint in 2025, down from 19,353 cases in the previous year. During the same period, 6,683 vehicles, including 302 cars and 6,381 motorcycles, were hijacked, compared to 8,370 vehicles in 2024. In addition, 39,934 vehicles were reported stolen in 2025, compared to 43,382 thefts last year. Criminologist Zoha Waseem of the University of Warwick said that comparing data from just two years does not provide a reliable measure of crime control, arguing that at least five to 10 years of data are required to determine whether crimes are genuinely being prevented or if only a perception of safety has been created. She said many incidents go unreported as people remain reluctant to approach the police. "There has been no research that public perception has been improved and people feel safer and the city is safe," she said. "There is no study or survey that people's perception has improved and the people are happy about performance of the police or the government. I have not seen such thing and I am not sure about the extent of achievement of the law enforcers," she added, noting that a sustained downward trend over time would be a better indicator of success. (ANI)
A year of sharp contrasts defined India-US ties in 2025, as public warmth between leaders coexisted with escalating trade disputes, uneven strategic coordination and frequent uncertainty. While both governments continued to describe the partnership as "special", developments over the year exposed pressures that tested the stability of bilateral ties. The relationship, once projected as being rooted in shared democratic values and long-term strategic interests, increasingly reflected changing political priorities and the variable approach of US President Donald Trump. Despite repeated affirmations of closeness, underlying disagreements became harder to overlook. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington on February 12, weeks after President Trump assumed office on January 20, was seen as an attempt to stabilise relations and set a constructive agenda. Talks during the visit focused on reviving negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement and expanding overall commerce, briefly raising expectations of progress. That optimism did not last. The US administration's inability to deliver a swift resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict within its first 100 days altered the wider geopolitical environment. Against this backdrop, strains in India-US relations became more pronounced. From public bonhomie to trade confrontation The shift was particularly visible when compared with earlier years. In September 2019, President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly addressed a crowd of more than 50,000 at the 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston, projecting personal warmth and political camaraderie. Trump referred to India as a close friend, while PM Modi described him as a "true friend in the White House". By 2025, that phase appeared firmly in the past. In August, trade tensions intensified, with the US imposing tariffs of up to 50 per cent on Indian exports. The move marked a decisive turn from symbolic public goodwill to confrontational trade measures, driven by concerns over trade imbalances, domestic political considerations and differing negotiating approaches. Signs of friction had surfaced earlier. In 2018, President Trump criticised India's import duties on Harley-Davidson motorcycles as "unfair". This was followed by the introduction of "America First" tariffs, including 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium, and India's subsequent removal from the US Generalised System of Preferences, affecting exports worth billions of dollars. India-Pakistan issue adds strain Tensions were further complicated by developments related to India-Pakistan relations. President Trump repeatedly stated that the US had played a mediating role in securing a ceasefire between the two neighbours after the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, most of them tourists. On May 10, Trump said he, along with Vice President JD Vance, had stepped in to secure an "immediate ceasefire". While Pakistan's position evolved over time, India consistently rejected the assertion. "PM Modi told President Trump clearly that during this period, there was no talk at any stage on subjects like India-US trade deal or US mediation between India and Pakistan," Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. "Talks for cease of military action took place directly between India and Pakistan through established military channels and on the insistence of Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi underscored that India has never accepted mediation in the past and will never do." Trade talks falter despite early hopes At the start of 2025, there were renewed expectations that the two sides could conclude a comprehensive trade agreement, with ambitions to raise bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030. Discussions during PM Modi's US visit briefly reinforced those hopes. However, on July 30, President Trump announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods. This was followed by the announcement of a trade agreement with Pakistan. On August 6, Trump signed an executive order increasing tariffs on Indian exports to 50 per cent, placing India among the most heavily taxed US trading partners. A cryptic signal on geopolitical alignments Uncertainty deepened on September 5 when President Trump posted a photograph of PM Modi alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by a pointed message. "Looks like we've lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!" The post came amid heightened trade tensions and growing concern in Washington over India's continued energy imports from Russia and unresolved tariff disputes. 'Special relationship' reaffirmed Within a day, President Trump attempted to downplay speculation about a rupture, emphasising the personal rapport and broader strategic ties between the two countries. "I'll always be friends with (Narendra) Modi... He's a great prime minister. He's great. But I just don't like what he's doing at this particular moment. But India and the United States have a special relationship. There's nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion." The remarks were made even as disagreements persisted over trade policies and India's purchase of Russian oil. Rice, tariffs and domestic politics Trade rhetoric escalated further when President Trump warned of possible additional tariffs on Indian rice imports, alleging that India was 'dumping' rice in the US market. He suggested that tariffs could "easily resolve the problem". The comments were made during a White House roundtable with representatives from the farming sector and senior officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. At the same meeting, Trump announced a USD 12-billion federal assistance package for American farmers. During the discussion, Trump questioned India's trade practices. "India, tell me about India. Why is India allowed to do that? They gotta pay tariffs. Do they have an exemption on rice?" When informed, "No sir, we're still working on their trade deal", Trump replied, "But they shouldn't be dumping. I mean, I heard that. I heard that from others. They can't do that." Strategic reassurances continue Despite trade frictions, the US continued to underline India's strategic importance. The US Embassy in India quoted President Trump on X as saying: "India is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations. It is an amazing country, and a very important strategic partner for America in the Indo-Pacific region. We have a great friend in PM Modi." Diplomatic engagement maintained According to official statements, diplomatic engagement remained active. A recent phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump covered bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues. The conversation followed PM Modi's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and coincided with renewed international efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict through an expanded peace plan proposed by Trump. Trade negotiations were also discussed, including US demands for greater access to Indian markets for agricultural products such as corn and soybean. PM Modi later described the interaction as "warm and engaging". A year of mixed signals As the year draws to a close, India-US relations reflect a complex balance of cooperation and contention. Strategic dialogue has continued, but sharp trade disputes and political unpredictability have remained persistent challenges. Even as some US lawmakers caution that aggressive trade measures could strain ties with a key Indo-Pacific partner, both governments maintain that the relationship remains too significant to be derailed. For New Delhi and Washington, 2025 underscored that the partnership is still evolving, shaped as much by global geopolitical shifts as by leadership styles and domestic priorities. (ANI)
A deadly explosion triggered a fire at a bar in Switzerland overnight, leaving "several injured and dead" and overwhelming nearby hospitals with burn victims, according to Swiss broadcaster Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF). The incident comes weeks ahead of the World Economic Forum's 2026 Annual Meeting, which will take place from January 19 to 23 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The blast occurred around 1:30 am, Valais police spokesman Gaetan Lathion told the Keystone-SDA news agency, adding that the cause of the explosion remains unknown. He said more than 100 people were inside the restaurant at the time of the incident, underlining the scale of the emergency response that followed. Emergency services rushed to the scene soon after the explosion, as authorities worked to evacuate those trapped inside the building. A helpline has since been set up for families and relatives of victims at the telephone number "084 811 21 17". The impact of the incident was quickly felt beyond the immediate area. A doctor from the Rega air rescue service told French-language broadcaster RTS that hospitals across French-speaking Switzerland were struggling to cope with a surge of patients suffering from severe burns. The doctor urged the public to show solidarity and avoid risky activities on January 1. As rescue operations continued, visuals circulating on social media, reportedly filmed from outside the Constellation Bar, showed flames burning inside the building while emergency responders converged on the site. The footage also captured numerous emergency vehicles arriving. A witness told the broadcaster that "countless" ambulances, along with several helicopters, were deployed to evacuate and transport the injured, highlighting the seriousness of the injuries sustained. While Swiss news outlet Blick reported that the blaze may have been triggered by fireworks during a New Year's Eve concert, Swiss police said the cause remains "unknown". According to SRF, the Valais cantonal police have scheduled a press conference for 10 am to provide further details on the incident and the ongoing investigation. The incident took place in Crans-Montana, an upscale ski resort town located around two hours from Switzerland's capital, Bern. (ANI)
The gains of the 2024 Lok Sabha election now appear to be a distant dream for Congress after they failed to capitalise on Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections in the latter part of that year, and witnessed a complete collapse in Delhi and Bihar Assembly elections in 2025. The indomitable Bharatiya Janata Party outmanoeuvred Congress in all aspects, serving them humiliating defeats in Delhi and Bihar, prompting experts to call out the party's leadership to take up the responsibility and bring "serious people" and raise "serious issues." Repeated electoral disappointments also exposed the strategic and ideological crisis and gave rise to voices of dissent within the party. Yogesh Kamdar, Member of the Advisory Board of Management and former Course Head (Journalism and Mass Communication) at Xavier Institute of Communication, expressed concern, "It's a sad situation. It's the oldest party with the tremendous goodwill of the people. It has done fabulously in more than 100 years of its existence. And suddenly it is a non-entity as far as people's opinion is concerned, which is their own fault." Devendra Pai, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Delhi University, reasoned that the party's failures stem from its inability to adapt, a lack of "charismatic" leadership, and organisational weakness. Delhi Assembly Election Congress entered the Delhi Assembly elections on the back of defeat in the Haryana and Maharashtra elections. However, there was still some glimmer of hope from the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, in which the party won 99 seats, nearly doubling its seats compared with 52 in 2019, officially becoming the opposition party after a decade of failure. The Party had also achieved coalition victories in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand. No one had expected Congress to win the Delhi elections, as the contest was between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the opposition BJP. Still, people expected an improved performance with the party fielding former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit's son, Sandeep Dikshit. However, it was another disaster: the party completed a perfect hattrick of failing to open its account, but made marginal gains of 2 per cent in the vote share compared with 2020.BJP secured a comfortable majority, winning 48 seats to AAP's 22 in the 70-member assembly, again proving that the 2024 Lok Sabha election was just a blip, a result of "complacency in mid-level leadership" as described by Devendra Pai. "It (2024 Lok Sabha Election) was not a victory of Congress but a defeat of the BJP. There was some complacency in mid-level leadership. People felt that their voices were not being heard at the top level. They suffered in the election. However, they immediately did a course correction, starting from Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi, and then Bihar," Devendra Pai, Assistant Professor at Delhi University, said. Additionally, Yogesh Kamdar highlighted a recurring pattern of anti-incumbency voters turning to any party "but Congress," emphasising the severe lack of leadership and strategic approach to the elections. "This is precisely what is happening all over. People may be unhappy with the ruling party, but the alternative that they choose is not Congress. They may choose the BJP or somebody else, like in Punjab, it goes to somebody else but Congress. Now the 'but Congress' part is a real serious threat to their existence," he said. "There lies the trouble. The perception in the mind of the ordinary voter about the party is that it's a bunch of useless people. And I do not want to waste my vote on that. So, that is what has resulted in their terrible performance," he added. Devendra Pai added that Congress did not come across as a "viable alternative" in Delhi, unable to show its capability or willingness to offer an alternative governance. Bihar Assembly Election Bihar was the ultimate testing ground for Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's politics of 'Jitni abadi utna haq'. The state known for its caste-based politics, where every analyst comes up with their own caste equation and alignments, had every element to push the party's bid to increase reservations and swing in the voters, but the BJP, like always, was two steps ahead of them. "Congress went for it (demand of caste census) months ahead (of the Bihar election), which gave the BJP time to respond. They responded to it on the policy level and on the ground. They agreed to do the caste census, and the issue was over." Devendra Pai said. Following the announcement of the caste census, for which Rahul Gandhi patted his back, Congress tried to utilise the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar with "vote theft" allegations. The Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition launched a nationwide campaign against the Election Commission of India, holding multiple press conferences, claiming to "expose the rigging" of the Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi also alleged that the SIR in Bihar was the BJP's another tactic to delete the votes of the marginalised community, in an attempt to consolidate his voter base. However, Yogesh Kamdar termed it as a "flippant issue" with Congress having nothing to support their claims. "They are taking up flippant issues, blowing them up, making them into what you call as if it's a national calamity, without any evidence. Nothing to support their claim, nothing to support their allegations. Only press conferences and statements," he said. "It is like crying wolf. Every day you will say that a wolf has come, and when the wolf really comes, no one will stand up. This is what has happened," he added. Meanwhile, Devendra Pai believed that Rahul Gandhi lacked the "gravitas" to make the "vote theft" allegations stick. "The leadership of Rahul Gandhi and the lack of it is making this look like an artificial construct. If Modi ji had been in opposition and he spoke on the same issue, then people might have believed him more. Here, people don't trust him. He is not a serious politician," he said. Devendra Pai also added that the whole concept of "vote theft" with regard to SIR does not appeal to the people, as they do want "illegal immigrants" to be removed who are "trying to change the demography." The Delhi University Professor further cited that the same concerns are also being raised in the US.The outcome of the Congress' "vote theft" driven campaign in Bihar was clearly visible as the party registered a strike rate of less than 10 per cent, winning six seats out of the more than 60 seats it contested for Mahagathbandhan, just one more seat than Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM. On the other hand, the NDA alliance, largely comprising BJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD (U), on the back of the Mukhaymantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, a robust organisational structure, and grassroot connections, secured a two-thirds majority. The NDA won 202 of the 243 assembly seats. The Mahagathbandhan secured 35 seats, with the RJD leading with 25. Shashi Tharoor and Karnataka CM tussle In 2025, Congress' ideological and organisational shortcomings were also put on display, as its senior leaders raised differing voices, revealing internal conflicts within the party. The cracks appeared when the Central Government selected Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to lead an all-party delegation to the US and South American countries to present India's stance on Operation Sindoor, a military exercise conducted post Pahalgam terror attack in April of this year to neutralise Pakistan's terror infrastructure. Congress had not suggested Tharoor's name to be included in the delegations and felt that the BJP "played game" with them. Later, Tharoor heaved praise for PM Modi over his handling of the Operation Sindoor, which drew an indirect rebuke from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge that while the party believes in "nation first," some leaders consider it "Modi first, country later." Weighing in on the issue, Yogesh Kamdar said Tharoor's disagreement with the party doesn't make him a "BJP agent or RSS wala" and emphasised that the Congress needs to give its leaders more freedom. Both Congress and Tharoor later downplayed the rift, with the party showing no signs of taking action against a prominent face in Kerala, and Tharoor unwilling to make an ideological swing to the BJP. In Karnataka, tensions also surfaced with the completion of 2.5 years of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's five-year term, with Deputy CM DK Shivakumar reminding him of the reported pact of power exchange. However, Siddaramaiah remained adamant about serving the full term, which brought Karnataka governance to a standstill, with leaders running to Delhi to resolve the conflict. Devendra Pai credited the top leadership for the tussle, highlighting the organisational weakness for a repetition of Rajasthan. "The power tussle in Karnataka is continuing because of the absence of proper leadership at the top. The same thing also happened in Rajasthan, It was Sachin Pilot vs Ashok Gehlot, and the Congress could not take a proper call. And eventually they lost Rajasthan," he said."A good thing is that the BJP has not given a chance to their leadership to have a power tussle in the state. If in Maharashtra, the BJP thinks that our leader is Devendra Fadnavis, then the Centre comes behind his leader rather than promoting someone to balance the power," he added. Even though Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar have tried to resolve the conflict over dinner talks but no definite agreement has been reached yet. As neither leader is willing to abandon their pursuit of power, we can expect this struggle to extend well into 2026. What's ahead in 2026 2026 is an important years in terms of elections with Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry going to polls in April-May, but for a turnaround in performance, it is evidently clear that Congress needs serious introspection of its strategy. According to Devendra Pai, Congress first needs to resolve its 'ideological crisis' and find a way to counter the BJP's dominance over narrative building. "BJP is clear about its ideology. They stand for Hindutva or patriotism, and the leaders who come in the BJP also follow this. This is non-compromised. So Congress has to define itself rather than living in past glory," he said. "BJP is not allowing Congress to set the agenda. Congress has lost in terms of leadership, organisational strength, narrative setting, and to maintain their image in the media," he added. Devendra Pai also hinted that Congress can capitalise on the BJP's anti-incumbency if it can overhaul the leadership. "I think it is high time that you have a natural leader. When there is an organic leader who comes from the grassroot, then things will change. Leadership change will bring an organisational change. It will become robust. For the BJP, there will be anti-incumbency of 10 years in some states and in the centre, there will be a 15-year anti-incumbency in the Lok Sabha," Devendra Pai added that to bring such change and contest against the BJP, Congress leadership "will have to become full-time politicians. Part-time politicians cannot do that." Yogesh Kamdar also echoed these sentiments, advising the party to pursue the "optimum" strategy for its survival. "Congress has many intelligent people who can steer it out of the problem, who can give it a direction. For survival, a party has to do the optimum that will increase the chance of survival and its acceptability, which they have failed to do," he said. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at the recent Congress Working Committee (CWC) vowed to continue the party's fight against the ruling party's attempts to curb the freedom of Constitutional institutions. The party also decided to oppose the recently enacted VB-G RAM-G Act, which seeks to replace MGNREGA. Kharge discussed the appointments of district presidents as part of the party's attempt to strengthen the organisation, but he made no acknowledgement of leadership failures and offered no strategy for the upcoming elections. However, there were some important words there, such as "organisation, unity, and democracy." (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday signed the Condolence Book in the High Commission of Bangladesh in Delhi. Singh expressed sorrow at the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. In a post on X, he said, "Went to the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi. Signed the Condolence Book expressing our profound sorrow at the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of Bangladesh." https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/2006629159414739435?s=20 Earlier in the day, Acting Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman on Thursday shared a heartfelt note thanking the supporters who gathered for the funeral of his mother, Khaleda Zia. Rahman thanked officials of the government and dignitaries that visited Bangladesh from abroad representing their heads of state for the funeral. "In yesterday's moments of deep personal loss, I want to speak from the heart and thank the many individuals whose care and professionalism helped the country conduct itself through my mother's final farewell," Rahman said in a post on X. https://x.com/trahmanbnp/status/2006530818186031329?s=20 Bangladesh on Wednesday held the Namaz-e-Janaza of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, as thousands gathered to pay their final respects to the veteran leader. The funeral prayer was led by the khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan oversaw the proceedings. Following the Namaz-e-Janaza, it was announced that Khaleda Zia was buried beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. The funeral drew wide regional attention, with multiple South Asian nations dispatching senior representatives to Dhaka to attend the state funeral, The Daily Star reported. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also attended Khaleda Zia's funeral in Dhaka. Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah on Wednesday said that the visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would see New Delhi and Dhaka script a new chapter in ties, driven by shared interests. https://x.com/hamidullah_riaz/status/2006323127773741165?s=20 In a post on X, he said, "As HE Dr @DrSJaishankar left Dhaka after a whirlwind 4-hr visit, #Bangladesh & #India would look forward to script a new chapter in ties, in shared interests driven by pragmatism and mutual interdependence, as indeed briefly discussed with @bdbnp78 Acting Chair, @trahmanbnp this afternoon." (ANI)
US President Donald Trump held a New Year bash at his Florida resort on Thursday and when he was quizzed about his wish for the New Year he said he wanted peace on Earth, reported Fox News. The gala was attended by among other guests Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara. In his address to the gala the US President praised his government and claimed that the US was back and strong. "We're taking in hundreds of millions of dollars in tariffs," the President said. "We're doing great as a country. We're back. We're strong. I didn't think it could happen this fast. It's happening faster than anybody thought possible." Trump then acted as the auctioneer for a painting of Jesus Christ's face by artist Vanessa Horabuena. Trump said proceeds would go to St. Jude Children's Hospital and a sheriff's department. The painting sold for USD 2.75 million. Earlier, in what will come as good news in the New Year, Trump announced that the National Guard will be withdrawn from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, claiming that their presence had helped reduce crime in these cities. He also suggested that federal forces could return in the future if crime rises again. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact. Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it weren't for the Federal Government stepping in. We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time." "It is hard to believe that these Democrat Mayors and Governors, all of whom are greatly incompetent, would want us to leave, especially considering the great progress that has been made?" the post read. Just a week earlier, the United States Supreme Court refused to authorise the deployment of the National Guard in Chicago, over the objection of Illinois officials. Trump also claimed that tariffs have helped drive record investment into the country. He added that companies are establishing factories and businesses across the country "at a level never seen before" because domestically manufactured products face no tariffs. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "The United States has set a World Record on investments being made into a Country, and it is Trillions of Dollars more than number two, China. This is singularly because of TARIFFS, and the fact that if you make your product in the U.S., there ARE NO TARIFFS. Hence, factories and businesses are being built all over our Country - At a level never seen before. Congrats to the USA on this incredible achievement." (ANI)
China's latest round of large-scale military drills surrounding Taiwan has drawn sharp international criticism, with governments and lawmakers warning that China's actions risk destabilising the Indo-Pacific and escalating regional tensions. The two-day exercise, which concluded on December 31, involved extensive naval and air deployments and was widely seen as a show of force aimed at pressuring the self-governed island, as reported by The Epoch Times. According to The Epoch Times, the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines all voiced serious concern over the drills. In a statement, the European External Action Service stressed that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are vital to global security and prosperity, warning against any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo through coercion or military means. The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a coalition of lawmakers from democratic countries, strongly condemned the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), describing the exercises as a calculated escalation designed to normalise military intimidation. The group urged democratic governments to move beyond symbolic responses and instead adopt concrete deterrence measures, warning that Beijing's actions signal growing readiness for conflict. China's Eastern Theater Command confirmed that the drills involved warships, fighter jets, bombers, drones, and amphibious assault units, including simulated port-seizure operations. While Beijing later announced the conclusion of the exercises, it emphasised that its forces would continue strengthening their ability to counter what it labelled "separatist activities" related to Taiwan. Taiwan's military remained on heightened alert throughout the drills. Officials reported detecting more than 200 Chinese military aircraft and numerous naval vessels operating around the island over 48 hours. Taiwan's Coast Guard also dismissed Chinese state media claims that several of its ports had been blockaded, calling such assertions false and misleading, as highlighted by The Epoch Times. China's foreign ministry responded angrily to international criticism, accusing other governments of hypocrisy and reaffirming China's claim over Taiwan. In contrast, Taiwan's foreign ministry welcomed expressions of support from democratic partners, stating that they reflect a shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region. U.S. lawmakers, including members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, condemned the drills as coercive and destabilising, as reported by The Epoch Times. (ANI)
Under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civil prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. "India has shared lists with details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists with details of 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or believed-to-be-Indian," the statement read. "The Government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody. Pakistan has also been urged to expedite the release and repatriation of 167 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners, who have completed their sentence," as per the statement. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to 35 civil prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian and have not been provided consular access so far. "Government of India has asked the Government of Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civil prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India," the statement said. "As a result of the sustained efforts by the Government of India, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 500 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date," as per the statement. Earlier on July 1, India and Pakistan exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody. Under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, such lists are exchanged every year on 1st of January and July. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday extended greetings to Sudan and Haiti as they celebrate their Independence Day. In a post on X, EAM said, "Compliments to Foreign Minister Ambassador Muhi El-Din Salem Ahmed Ibrahim and the people of Sudan on their Independence Day. Ready to support Sudan's progress." He shared visuals of India's 2 tonnes of essential and lifesaving medicines to Sudan. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2006639469982843005?s=20 India and Sudan have longstanding ties. The two countries held the first round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in the African nation's capital of Juba in December last year, marking a significant step in further strengthening bilateral relations, where both sides discussed an entire spectrum of bilateral relations. The consultations saw discussions covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including capacity building, human resource development, cooperation in health, technical and vocational training, trade, and people-to-people relations, as per a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the ongoing partnership, noting the progress made across various sectors since the establishment of diplomatic relations and agreed that the next round of Foreign Office Consultations would be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date. In another post on X, EAM congratulated Haiti on its Independence Day and said, "Congratulations to FM @JVHJeanBaptiste, the Government and people of Haiti on their Independence Day." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2006635315277271048?s=20 India's relations with Haiti have been friendly. The Embassy of India in Santo Domingo noted in a statement that India established Diplomatic relations with Haiti on 27 September 1996. There is an increased interest in a new interim government to engage with India, especially after the donation of Blood Transfusion essentials in August 2024. Leslie Voltaire, Member and former President of the Transitional Presidential Council, reached out to the Embassy for support in defence and disaster relief, the embassy said. (ANI)
With every country in the world already ushering in the new calendar year, American Samoa and Niue Island became the last inhabited regions in the world to welcome the new year as they officially entered 2026. As of 4:30 PM (IST), both regions in the South Pacific entered the new year, becoming the last inhabited locations worldwide to transition into 2026. American Samoa observes Samoa Standard Time (UTC-11), while Niue Island operates on the same time zone. Meanwhile, it is already January 2nd in some regions of the Pacific Nation of Kiribati, which is also the first country to enter 2026 and operates in three time zones. The New Year dawned first in Kiribati, where midnight marked the start of 2026 on Kiritimati Island at 3:30 PM (IST). Countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas celebrated the New Year hours earlier; the arrival of 2026 in American Samoa and Niue Island concluded worldwide New Year celebrations. According to the Australian Government's country profile, the island of Niue is located in Polynesia, east of Tonga and northeast of New Zealand. Niue is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, an arrangement dating from October 1974. Meanwhile, American Samoa is a self-governing territory of the US and comprises five islands and two atolls. American Samoa is located approximately halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. Earlier, New Zealand rang in 2026 with dazzling fireworks and cultural performances, with fireworks lighting up the Auckland sky. Thousands of revellers gathered around New Zealand's tallest structure, the Sky Tower, to watch a spectacular downtown light show as New Year celebrations began. The London sky was also lit up with a dazzling fireworks display, drawing thousands of revellers to major tourist landmarks, including the London Eye, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey, as it entered the new year. Across India, the New Year 2026 was welcomed with fireworks, prayers and public gatherings. Cities, hill towns and religious centres witnessed celebrations as people marked the occasion with family and friends. (ANI)
Former diplomat Suresh K Goel on Thursday said that the reports from Pakistan on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's handshake with Pakistani Speaker are laughable and that whenever Pakistani ministers see an Indian leader, they "jump" in hopes of changing things. In an interview to ANI, when asked his interpretation of the interaction between EAM Jaishankar and Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq in Dhaka, Goel said, "I simply feel like laughing at it. I don't think in the current climate where we have terrorism attacks from Pakistan into our territory, the Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir flaunting the prowess and how they are actually developing terrorist bases and re-establishing them, when the Pakistani army and the ISI continue to flaunt their evil towards India and mock at Indian victory and continue to falsify all things, I think it's a laughable thing." He added, "The Pakistani ministers practically stalk the Indian leaders, and whenever they see the Indian leader, they immediately jump in like it's going to really change things. So I think it was it must have been something of that kind really and nothing beyond that." The desperation in the Pakistan's top leadership once again came out on Wednesday after Pakistan attempted to amplify what was a courtesy handshake between EAM S Jaishankar and the Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq in Dhaka. The exchange took place on the sidelines of the funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, which Sadiq and Jaishankar attended. It was among the few visible contacts at the senior level since relations deteriorated earlier this year following the Pahalgam attack, where 26 tourists were killed which India has said was the work of Pakistan-backed terror networks. According to a press release issued by Pakistan's National Assembly Secretariat, Pakistan has claimed that the handshake occurred when External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar approached Ayaz Sadiq during the event, reported Dawn. India-Pakistan relations came under severe strain earlier this year following the terror attack in Pahalgam, after which India undertook calibrated diplomatic and strategic measures to safeguard national security. In response to the attack, India scaled down diplomatic engagement and initiated policy steps reflecting its long-standing position that dialogue cannot coexist with terrorism. Among these measures was the suspension of participation in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a landmark 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank, highlighting the seriousness with which India viewed the security situation. India also restricted cross-border transit and other bilateral engagements, reiterating that any engagement requires demonstrable action against terrorism and accountability for attacks targeting civilians. Against this backdrop, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to the attack. Indian Armed Forces carried out precision strikes against terror camps operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). India subsequently repelled Pakistani escalation and targeted its airbases. India has consistently emphasised that any engagement with Pakistan must be based on mutual respect, verifiable security assurances and a terrorism-free environment, while firmly safeguarding its national interests. (ANI)
Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdev on Thursday stated that the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia, reflects India's balanced and mature approach towards its neighbour, noting that it was the "right thing" that New Delhi did amid such a sensitive political environment in the country. Sachdev said that the External Affairs Minister's presence in Dhaka at a moment of national mourning was both appropriate and necessary. He further emphasised that EAM Jaishankar's visit followed diplomatic protocol and conveyed India's intent to maintain stability and goodwill in bilateral relations. "The visit of the External Affairs Minister, Jaishankar, to Dhaka on the occasion of Khaleda Zia's funeral, I think, is the most correct thing to do, and India is doing that. Bangladesh is our neighbour, our cultural sibling, and at a moment of loss of a significant leader, I think it is very appropriate for India, by Prime Minister Modi, to send a letter of condolence," Sachdev said. "I think the visit was the right thing that India could do. It was required, it was protocol, and it shows that India continues to be balanced and equanimous towards Bangladesh, and that we look forward to the situation improving in the coming months," he added. The Foreign Affairs expert noted that Bangladesh is currently experiencing internal political turmoil, making the diplomatic gesture even more significant. He added that India remains concerned about the safety and security of minorities in the neighbouring country while wishing Bangladesh well in its democratic journey. "Currently, the political environment in Bangladesh is very much charged up due to its internal turmoil and India is cornered. We are also concerned about the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh. We wish Bangladesh the best of its democracy," he stated. His remark comes a day after the EAM represented India at the funeral of former Bangladesh prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson, Khaleda Zia. During his visit, the EAM met her son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in Dhaka and handed over a condolence letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaishankar's visit to the Bangladeshi capital lasted around four hours and took place amid strained relations between New Delhi and Dhaka since the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus assumed office. India has repeatedly raised concerns over the security situation in Bangladesh, particularly incidents targeting minority communities, particularly Hindus. Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was admitted there on November 23 with a lung infection. The former Prime Minister has been suffering from various physical ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney complications, for a long time, and earlier this month, she was sent to London for advanced medical treatment for her ailments. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday extended greetings to Cuba on its National Day and to Slovakia on the Day of the Establishment of the Slovak Republic, reaffirming India's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with both nations. In a post on the social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar conveyed his greetings to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and to the government and people of Cuba. "Greetings to FM Bruno Rodriguez P, the Government and people of Cuba on their National Day. Appreciate our long-standing partnership," he said. In a separate post, the External Affairs Minister extended warm wishes to Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar and the people of Slovakia on the occasion of the Day of the Establishment of the Slovak Republic. "Warm wishes to FM Juraj Blanar, the Government and people of Slovakia on the Day of the Establishment of the Slovak Republic. Committed to strengthening India-Slovakia ties," Jaishankar added. India and Cuba enjoy excellent bilateral relations, which have traditionally been warm and friendly. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India was among the first countries to recognise the new Cuban government following the Cuban Revolution in January 1959. Major Ernesto Guevara (Che) 's visit to India from June 30 to July 4, 1959, consolidated diplomatic ties, which later bore fruit in the opening of embassies in the respective capitals. The first head of mission presented credentials on January 12, 1960, in Havana. India and Cuba maintain close contact with each other at the UN, NAM, and other international fora. Meanwhile, India maintains friendly relations with Slovakia and has no bilateral issues. The two countries have generally been supportive of each other's candidatures in international organisations. Both countries cooperate well in international fora and have, by and large, been supportive of each other's candidatures, the MEA stated. (ANI)
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Thursday stated that around 40 people have died and 100 others have been injured in a non-arson fire at the "Le Constellation" bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, citing information provided by the Valais Cantonal Police. In a statement, the Italian MFA said the victims are currently unidentifiable due to severe burns, noting that a collection point for family members has been established at the Regent Conference Centre in Crans-Montana. "According to information provided by the Valais Cantonal Police, there are approximately 40 deaths and 100 injuries due to the non-arson fire that occurred at the Constellation bar last night in Crans-Montana. The victims cannot be identified due to the severe burns they suffered. A collection point for family members has been set up at the Regent conference center in Crans-Montana," the statement read. However, as per Cantonal Police Commander Frederic Gisler, the bar fire had killed several dozen and left 100 others injured, CNN reported. However, no exact number was provided. The Italian MFA further added that the Italian Ambassador to Switzerland and the Italian Consul General in Geneva are travelling to the site of the incident for assessment. According to the Valais Cantonal Police, the fire broke out on New Year's Eve at approximately 1:30 am (local time) at the "Le Constellation" bar. Significant police, fire, and rescue forces responded immediately to the scene, and a large-scale emergency operation is ongoing. The area has been completely cordoned off, and a no-fly zone has been established over Crans-Montana, the police said in their statement. "Significant police, fire, and rescue forces immediately responded to the scene to assist the numerous victims. The operation is still ongoing. The area is completely closed off. A no-fly zone has been established over Crans-Montana," the statement read. Following the incident, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, expressed grief over the tragedy, noting that a "moment of joy turned into a tragedy." "What was a moment of joy turned into a tragedy in Crans-Montana last night, felt across the country and beyond. The Federal Council has taken note of this with deep dismay. Its thoughts are with the victims, the injured, and their families, and it extends its deepest condolences," stated in a post on X. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with the victims' families and the Swiss government over the incident. "Deep emotion following the fire in Crans-Montana. My thoughts go to the bereaved families and the injured. To Switzerland, to its people and to its authorities, I convey the full solidarity of France and our fraternal support," he stated in a post on X. According to CNN, citing two witnesses, the deadly fire might have been triggered by sparklers attached to champagne bottles. "There were waitresses carrying champagne bottles with sparklers on them, and they carried them close to the ceiling, which caused it to catch fire," one witness said, as quoted by CNN. "One waitress was standing on another waiter's shoulders, and the bottle and the flames were just a few centimetres away from the ceiling," the other added, as quoted by CNN. Both witnesses estimated that at least 200 people were inside the bar at the time. The US Embassy in Bern also expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended thoughts and prayers to the victims, the injured, and their families. The Embassy also urged US citizens in Switzerland to notify their families of their safety. "The U.S. Embassy in Bern is deeply saddened by the tragic fire that occurred overnight in Crans-Montana. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and their loved ones. We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders and emergency personnel for their swift and courageous efforts," the US Embassy in Bern said in its statement. "We encourage U.S. citizens in Switzerland to notify family and friends of their safety," it added. The British Embassy noted in its statement that nationals from multiple countries may be affected by the fire, with Swiss emergency services responding. The Embassy further said it is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7. "Swiss emergency services are responding to a fire in Crans-Montana, with nationals from multiple countries likely affected. We continue to monitor the situation. Whilst we have not been approached for assistance, our staff stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7," the statement read. (ANI)
The Tibetans in-exile extended good wishes for the New Year 2026. While noting that the previous year was critical for Tibetans inside Tibet due to China's repression, they expressed hopes for the reunification of all the Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet. Tempa Gyaltsen, deputy director of Tibet Policy Institute extended warm greetings, "On the new year of 2026 Tibet Policy Institute would like to send very warm greetings to everyone around the world who has supported Tibet or who has not supported Tibet. we want to send our warm greetings to everyone and wish a prosperous and happy New Year to all." Talking about the situation inside Tibet during the last one year, Tempa Gyaltsen told ANI, "The last one year 2025 has been very difficult for Tibetans inside Tibet. There has been increasing number of construction of dams in two places. One in which it had serious ecological consequences and another one which had displaced various villages and monastries and then also there has been cases mining in Tibet where Chinese government has imprisoned more than 80 people. So the situation in the last one year in 2025 has been very difficult for people living inside the Tibet, and we really hope that that the next one year that is 2026 would be better so that our brothers and sisters in Tibet will have happy, healthy and prosperous moments and also very soon will see the reunification of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet." Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar, member of Tibetan parliament in-exile told ANI, "Well it's a message for the Tibetans inside Tibet all I want to say is that please never give up. We know that China is making your life difficult on daily-basis. We haven't given up the courage and resilience that you have displayed over the past many years over many generations and you exactly know why we are here. We are trying to be and amplify your suppressed and silenced voice, so please never give up and we shall fight against the dictatorial regime of the Chinese government." She said that it is important to remain positive and "continue the good fight of truth". (ANI)
At least 24 people were killed, including a child and more than 50 were injured after Ukrainian drones struck a cafe and a hotel during New Year celebrations in the Kherson region, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the attack took place in the early hours of 2026 and targeted a location where civilians had gathered to celebrate the New Year. The ministry alleged that the strike was carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), calling it "another terrorist act against civilians" by the Kyiv regime. "For more than 70 residents the New Year became a tragedy: the Neo-Nazis attacked a cafe and a hotel in the Kherson region of Russia using UAVs. 24 people were killed, over 50 were wounded and have been hospitalized. Among those affected -- six kids from the age of 6 to 17, one child was killed," the statement read. The MFA further accused that the attack was "preplanned", noting that the drones were directed to a place where civilians celebrated the New Year. Following the strike, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukrainian forces of carrying out what she described as an act carried out by "terrorist bastards in Ukraine". She also alleged that the attack deliberately targeted a civilian gathering and blamed Western countries for supporting Ukraine. "Today we see this beastly pattern copycatted by the Kiev regime: the same neo-Nazi hatred, the same dehumanisation at an exponential rate, the same desecration of the sacrosanct," the spokesperson said. "We blame this on everyone who sponsors terrorist bastards in Ukraine! We blame them for killing children and destroying civilians! We blame them for corrupting the Ukrainian statehood, which turned into a killing machine," she added. Kherson region Governor Vladimir Saldo said three drones struck a cafe and a hotel in the coastal village of Khorly, stating that one of the drones reportedly carried an incendiary payload, leading to a major fire at the site. According to Al Jazeera, Kherson is among the four Ukrainian regions that Russia claimed to have annexed in 2022. Ukraine's military has not commented on Russia's allegations regarding the incident in Kherson. However, in a separate statement, the Ukrainian armed forces said they carried out overnight strikes on Russia's Ilsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, noting that the attack's impact was still being assessed, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
At least 40 people were killed, and around 115 others injured in a non-arson fire at the "Le Constellation" bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, CNN reported the Valais Cantonal Police as saying. At a press conference in Crans-Montana, Valais Cantonal Police Commander Frederic Gisler on Thursday said that authorities responded swiftly after a fire was reported at a bar in the area. According to Gisler, smoke was first seen coming from the bar in the centre of the Swiss ski resort at around 1:30 am. Moments later, a witness contacted the emergency call centre to report the incident. A red alert was immediately issued to mobilise firefighting services, he added. The first teams from the Crans-Montana intercommunal police and the gendarmerie reached the scene at 1:32 am, and were soon joined by additional emergency responders, CNN reported. "Their initial assignment was obviously to take care of the victims, to provide them emergency help," Gisler said. He noted that firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze quickly. "Following that, the initial investigations were able to start," he said. Reception centres were later set up to assist those affected by the incident, and a helpline was launched at 4:14 am to provide information and support to families. "All of the injured people had received care by shortly after 5 am, thanks to this widescale mobilisation," CNN quoted Gisler as saying. Families of those who lost their lives in the fire at Crans-Montana are facing a painful wait, as local authorities said it could take several days to identify all of the approximately 40 victims, CNN reported. "Currently and in the days to come, the priority will be identifying the people who have died so that their bodies can be returned quickly to their families," Gisler said in a press conference. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with the victims' families and the Swiss government over the incident. "Deep emotion following the fire in Crans-Montana. My thoughts go to the bereaved families and the injured. To Switzerland, to its people and to its authorities, I convey the full solidarity of France and our fraternal support," he stated in a post on X. (ANI)
The quake occurred at a depth of five kilometres, with its epicentre located at latitude 27.14 North and longitude 89.05 East.

https://x.com/NCS_Earthquake/status/2006768408013189309?s=20

"EQ of M: 3.5, On: 01/01/2026 21:52:30 IST, Lat: 27.14 N, Long: 89.05 E, Depth: 5 Km, Location: Bhutan," NCS said in a post on X.

Further information on the situation is awaited. (ANI)
TOKYO, Jan 01 (News On Japan) - Three men broke into a card shop in Tokyos Toshima Ward on the night of December 31, stealing Pokemon cards and other items worth about 30 million yen before fleeing the scene, according to police.

Security camera footage shows a man wearing a black hood wandering inside the store and looking around shortly before the incident unfolded.

At around 8:40 p.m., a store employee in Higashi-Ikebukuro called police to report that a display case had been smashed and cards had been stolen. The Metropolitan Police Department said three men entered the shop posing as customers, and one of them used a hammer-like object to break the glass of a showcase. The suspects then grabbed more than a dozen Pokemon cards and fled.

The entire incident is believed to have taken place within a matter of minutes.

At the time, the store was open for business, with three staff members and one customer inside. No injuries were reported.

All three suspects were wearing masks and dark-colored clothing with hoods. They escaped via an emergency staircase in the building that houses the card shop.

Police are continuing to search for the suspects.
TOKYO, Jan 01 (News On Japan) - Nearly three decades after the end of World War II, one man finally returned to Japan. He was Hiroo Onoda, known as the last Japanese soldier, who had remained hidden in the jungles of the Philippines for 29 years after the war ended.

Onoda had been dispatched as a member of a special intelligence unit known as the Beppan, tasked with unconventional warfare. Even after Japans surrender, he continued to carry out his mission, convinced that the war had not yet ended. His long isolation, the training that shaped his beliefs, and the hidden circumstances surrounding his eventual return were later revealed through testimony from those involved.

In October 1972, a former Japanese soldier was discovered in a firefight with Philippine police on Lubang Island, resulting in one death. Another man escaped, later identified as Onoda. The Japanese government quickly organized a search mission involving officials from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, members of Onodas family, and the Philippine military. A large-scale task force was formed to locate him.

One of the interpreters involved in the search later recalled that the team believed Onoda might already be wounded or dead and expected the search to end quickly. Teams entered dense jungle terrain, called out from ships offshore, and scattered leaflets from the air urging him to surrender. Despite these efforts, Onoda did not emerge.

The reason lay in the nature of his mission. Onoda had been trained at the Nakano School, a secret military institution established in Tokyo during the war to train intelligence operatives. Graduates were taught guerrilla tactics, sabotage, and survival skills, and were instructed above all to stay alive and never surrender. Unlike conventional soldiers trained to fight to the death, they were ordered to continue their missions indefinitely unless directly commanded otherwise.

Former classmates recalled that Onoda took his training seriously, spending long hours studying and preparing for clandestine operations. He was taught that survival itself was a form of duty and that orders could only be revoked by a superior officer. When he was sent to Lubang Island in 1944, he was explicitly told never to surrender and never to take his own life.

After Japans defeat, leaflets and announcements declaring the wars end reached the island, but Onoda believed they were enemy propaganda. According to later testimony, he suspected that any attempt to lure him out was a trap designed to kill him. Even when his elderly father and relatives called out to him during search operations, he remained hidden, convinced that surrender would mean execution.

Search efforts were conducted three times over the years, involving more than 100 people and costing roughly 90 million yen, but all failed. The breakthrough came not from government action but from a young Japanese traveler named Norio Suzuki, who decided to find Onoda on his own. In 1974, Suzuki ventured alone into the jungle and eventually encountered him.

At first, Onoda aimed his rifle at Suzuki, prepared to shoot. Suzuki calmly told him he was Japanese and said the war had long been over. Onoda replied that he would only surrender if he received formal orders from his former commanding officer. Suzuki returned to Japan, located Onodas former superior, and brought him to Lubang Island.

When the commander read out the official order relieving Onoda of his mission, Onoda finally accepted it. He emerged from the jungle wearing a self-repaired uniform, his rifle still in working condition, nearly 30 years after the war had ended. He was 51 years old.

After his return, another truth came to light. During his decades in hiding, Onoda and other holdouts had been involved in incidents that resulted in the deaths of about 30 local residents and injuries to more than 100 others. The Japanese government feared public backlash in the Philippines and considered compensation.

However, by that time Japan had already paid 550 million dollars in postwar reparations to the Philippines. Restarting compensation talks risked diplomatic complications. Instead, the Japanese government proposed a 300 million yen payment in the form of private assistance. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos declined to accept the money as compensation, stating that he respected Onodas sense of duty as a soldier and did not wish the issue to be reduced to money.

The funds were instead used for educational and cultural projects, including Japanese language education and student exchanges, aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries.

After returning to Japan, Onoda struggled to adapt to postwar society. The country he returned to had changed beyond recognition. The following year, he moved to Brazil, where his brother lived, and began raising cattle. Later in life, he returned to Japan periodically and devoted himself to youth education, teaching survival skills and the value of perseverance in nature.

Hiroo Onoda died in 2014 at the age of 91. His life remains one of the most extraordinary and controversial stories of Japans postwar era, symbolizing both unwavering loyalty and the tragic consequences of a war that lingered long after it had officially ended.

Source: TBS
Various activities held across China to celebrate upcoming new year

Xinhua) 21:14, December 31, 2025

Children participate in a New Year event at a kindergarten in Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Meng Delong/Xinhua)

Children participate in a New Year event at a kindergarten in Huai'an City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Yin Chao/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 31, 2025 shows students performing a dragon dance at a school in Taizhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Tang Dehong/Xinhua)

Children participate in a New Year event in Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 30, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Meng Delong/Xinhua)

Children perform during a New Year celebration at a kindergarten in Dingxi City, northwest China's Gansu Province, on Dec. 30, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Wang Kexian/Xinhua)

Children participate in a New Year celebration at a kindergarten in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Fang Dongxu/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 30, 2025 shows children performing traditional drumming under the guidance of their teacher at a kindergarten in Hai'an City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Zhou Qiang/Xinhua)

Children make paper-cut decorations with their teacher's help at a kindergarten in Xinghua City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 30, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Zhou Shegen/Xinhua)

A filigree artisan teaches delivery workers to make intangible cultural heritage handicrafts in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 30, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Wang Chun/Xinhua)

Tourists watch a lion dance performance at a scenic spot in Mudanjiang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Sun Tingyi/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Wu Chaolan)
TOKYO, Jan 01 (News On Japan) - On the morning of January 1, people across Japan gathered to witness the first sunrise of the new year, offering prayers and reflections as the country welcomed 2026. From the iconic Diamond Fuji, where the rising sun aligns perfectly with the peak of Mount Fuji, to panoramic views from Tokyo Skytree, scenes of quiet celebration unfolded nationwide.

At observation points and scenic spots, visitors expressed hopes for a positive year ahead as the sun slowly appeared over the horizon. Some watched in silence, while others exchanged greetings and applause as the light spread across the landscape.

The sight of the rising sun, long regarded in Japan as a symbol of renewal and good fortune, drew crowds early in the morning despite the cold. Many spoke of their wish for good health and a bright year, with the moment serving as a calm and reflective start to 2026.

Across the country, the traditional custom of greeting the first sunrise once again brought together families, friends, and travelers, marking the beginning of the new year with optimism and quiet celebration.

Source: TBS
TOKYO, Jan 01 (News On Japan) - The draw for Japans year-end Jumbo Lottery, offering a combined top prize of 1 billion yen including front and back prizes, was held on December 31 at Tokyo Opera City in Shinjuku, with around 1,000 spectators watching anxiously as the numbers were revealed.

The event opened with greetings from host Tetsuya Yamamoto and lottery goodwill ambassadors, who explained that the first prize alone was worth 700 million yen, rising to 1 billion yen when combined with the adjacent numbers. The atmosphere inside the hall was tense as attendees followed the proceedings, each hoping their ticket might be the lucky one.

Officials from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and lottery authorities attended to oversee the fairness of the draw, while staff from Mizuho Bank served as record keepers. As the numbers were drawn one by one, the audience reacted with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who also serves as head of the National Association of Local Authorities for Lottery Administration, addressed the audience before the final draw. She thanked the public for their continued support, noting that lottery proceeds are used nationwide for childcare services, park development, and other community projects. She added that the year-end lottery marks a symbolic close to the year and expressed hope that good fortune would reach many households.

Internal Affairs Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi also offered remarks, emphasizing that lottery revenue supports local medical care, welfare programs, and disaster prevention efforts. He expressed gratitude to the many people who purchased tickets and wished everyone a happy and prosperous new year.

The moment of truth arrived when the first-prize draw began. A brief delay occurred after one of the arrows failed to land properly, prompting officials to redo the process. After a second attempt, the winning number was confirmed as Group 22, Number 14654, securing the 700 million yen top prize.

The draw was conducted with the assistance of soprano Moriya, who was also scheduled to perform at a special concert following the event. She admitted feeling nervous as she pressed the button to start the draw, saying the weight of deciding someones future fortune made her hands tremble. Reflecting on 2025, she said the year had been filled with international performances, including appearances in Germany and at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and expressed hopes of continuing to challenge herself musically in 2026.

The event concluded with comments from lottery ambassadors, who described the tense moment when the arrow initially failed to register and the relief when the final result was confirmed. They encouraged viewers to continue enjoying the excitement of the lottery and wished everyone good fortune in the year ahead.

The redemption period for the Year-End Jumbo Lottery begins on January 8, 2026. Organizers reminded winners to check their tickets carefully and expressed hopes that the coming year would bring happiness and opportunity to many across the country.

Source: Kyodo
TOKYO, Jan 02 (News On Japan) - A new chapter is emerging in the race for AI semiconductors, as a Japanese startup founded by former PlayStation chip engineers sets its sights on challenging industry giant Nvidia with a radically different approach to processor design.

The company, LENZO, is developing a next-generation AI chip known as CGLA, short for Coarse-Grained Logic Architecture. The key selling point is power efficiency. Compared with Nvidias GPUs, the chip is designed to run AI workloads using up to 90 percent less electricity, a claim that could have far-reaching implications for data centers and AI infrastructure worldwide.

LENZOs core team includes engineers who previously worked on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 processors, as well as specialists who helped develop supercomputer chips during their time at Fujitsu. The company aims to bring its first commercial chip to market in the spring, with manufacturing handled by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. The finished chip is expected to measure roughly five millimeters square.

At a time when Nvidia dominates roughly 90 percent of the global AI chip market and boasts a market capitalization exceeding 600 trillion yen, LENZOs challenge may seem audacious. Yet its founders argue that Nvidias dominance is built on an architecture that is approaching its physical limits.

At the heart of the issue is power consumption. Conventional CPUs and GPUs are based on what is known as the von Neumann architecture, in which memory and computation units are separated. This structure requires constant data movement between memory and processors, consuming vast amounts of energy in the process. In fact, studies show that moving data just one millimeter inside a chip can consume more power than performing an arithmetic operation itself.

While GPUs improved on this by processing data in large batches, they still suffer from heavy energy loss caused by frequent memory access. Today, more than half of the electricity used by AI servers is consumed not by computation, but by data transfer between memory and processing units.

Googles Tensor Processing Unit, or TPU, addressed this issue by adopting a dataflow architecture optimized for matrix calculations used in AI. By streaming data in a fixed sequence, TPUs reduce memory access and improve efficiency. However, they are designed almost exclusively for matrix-based AI workloads, limiting their flexibility.

LENZOs CGLA takes a different approach. Rather than fixing the data flow in advance, it allows the flow of data between processing elements to be reconfigured freely. This enables the chip to handle not only current AI models such as transformers, but also future algorithms that may rely on entirely different computational structures.

According to the company, this flexibility allows CGLA to combine high power efficiency with broad applicability, something neither GPUs nor TPUs can fully achieve. While GPUs offer versatility at the cost of power efficiency, and TPUs offer efficiency at the cost of flexibility, CGLA is designed to deliver both.

Another advantage lies in cost. Modern AI chips rely heavily on high-bandwidth memory, which has become increasingly expensive. By reducing the need for constant data movement, CGLA can operate with less memory, lowering both energy use and production costs.

Yet perhaps the biggest obstacle facing any new AI chip is not hardware, but software. Nvidias CUDA platform has become the de facto standard for AI development, deeply embedded in research and commercial applications alike. Many developers write their code specifically for CUDA, making it difficult for alternative hardware to gain traction.

LENZO acknowledges this challenge but sees opportunity in shifting industry trends. As cloud providers and AI developers seek alternatives to Nvidias ecosystem, interest in non-GPU solutions is growing. The company believes that demand for energy-efficient and flexible chips will increase as AI workloads expand and power costs rise.

The company also sees long-term value in adaptability. Todays AI systems rely heavily on transformer models, but new approaches are already emerging. If the dominant algorithms change, hardware designed for a single method could quickly become obsolete. CGLA, by contrast, is designed to adapt through software rather than hardware redesign.

In this sense, LENZO is not simply trying to build a faster chip, but to redefine how AI processors are structured. Whether the company can overcome Nvidias entrenched ecosystem remains to be seen, but its technology highlights a growing recognition that the future of AI will depend not only on performance, but on efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability.

Source: BIZ
TOKYO, Jan 02 (News On Japan) - Japan, known as one of the worlds longest-living nations, is seeing its elderly population continue to grow, with people aged 65 and older now accounting for a record 29.3 percent of the population, an increase of around 20,000 from the previous year.

As the number of seniors rises, paid elder-care facilities are also evolving, with increasingly luxurious options entering the market. Among the most talked-about is Park Wellstate Nishiazabu, an ultra-high-end senior residence that opened in Tokyo last month.

The 36-story complex houses 400 units, with the largest rooms measuring about 130 square meters. For a couple aged 75, the upfront entry fee for one of these rooms reaches approximately 550 million yen. On top of that, residents pay monthly fees exceeding 500,000 yen.

Despite the steep cost, more than half of the units have already been contracted, attracting wealthy individuals such as business owners and executives. The facility has drawn attention for its scale and luxury, rivaling high-end condominium towers.

When passersby were shown the floor plan of a unit priced at 550 million yen, reactions ranged from disbelief to disbelief tinged with resignation. Thats impossible for ordinary people, one said. If I had that kind of money, Id buy a house instead. Another commented that such spacious living might even be unnecessary for elderly residents.

Luxury senior living is not limited to Tokyo. In Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, another high-end facility known as Activa Biwa has also gained attention. Standing prominently near Lake Biwa, the complex features a grand lobby with sweeping views of the water, high ceilings, and an atmosphere more reminiscent of a luxury hotel than a care facility.

According to Takada, the general manager, the concept is to operate the residence like a lifelong resort hotel. We focus on high quality, refined design, and excellent hospitality, he said. The facility consists of eight independent living buildings and one nursing-care wing, totaling around 300 rooms.

Residents have access to a wide range of amenities, including a scenic restaurant for entertaining guests, a large communal bath using hot spring water, a gym, and a library. Around 90 percent of the units are already occupied, with approximately 380 residents currently living there.

Many of them are former company executives or business owners. One resident said he had run his own company from scratch, while another explained that both his parents had lived there until the ages of 92 and 100. I always thought living here would be a dream, and now that dream has come true, he said.

A couple who moved in five years ago said they chose the facility for its lakefront views and sense of security. The scenery was the deciding factor, the husband said. And having medical care available right away gives us peace of mind. The complex has nurses on duty around the clock and is directly connected to a clinic capable of handling emergencies.

Inside one of the rooms, the space feels more like a private residence than a care facility, complete with a separate bedroom and spacious living area. It feels more like home than a facility, one resident said, adding that they now spend most of their time there and rarely return to their original house.

Meals are another highlight, with varied menus served three times a day. The food is good, and its convenient, one resident said. At this age, comfort matters most.

As for the cost, staff explained that fees vary depending on age, room size, and floor level. For residents aged 90 or older, a one-room unit can start at around 10 million yen. For those in their 60s choosing larger rooms, entry fees can reach 140 million yen. Monthly fees are charged separately, typically ranging from 200,000 to 230,000 yen per person, with couples paying roughly 340,000 yen per month.

All told, a couple could expect annual costs of around 4 million yen on top of their initial payment.

With Japans aging population continuing to grow, demand for such high-end facilities appears strong, raising questions about how elder care will evolve in a society where both longevity and wealth gaps are increasing.

Source: KTV NEWS
In 2025, Moroccan diplomacy stood out as one of the most committed to the governance of the multilateral system. In line with the royal vision based on ambition, action, efficiency, and solidarity, the kingdom has been able to combine strategic continuity with the ability to adapt to new challenges in international governance.

During 2025, Moroccan diplomacy continued its action with determination and consistency, working for multilateralism and taking into account the challenges and profound changes on the international scene.

Thus, Moroccos continuous, ambitious, and responsible presence within international and regional organizations was marked in 2025 by a sustained momentum of candidacies, elections, and appointments to leading positions of responsibility. These results reflect the international communitys renewed trust in Moroccos credibility and the relevance of its contributions to major global issues.

This momentum has translated into unprecedented results. The year 2025 saw numerous electoral successes, appointments and reappointments, covering over fifty international and regional organizations and mechanisms in fields as diverse as peace and security, disarmament, human rights, sustainable development, economic governance, digital technology, public integrity, transport, culture and education, science, and sport.

These unmatched breakthroughs strengthened Moroccos international influence and illustrated the growing impact of Moroccan leadership within international bodies.

Morocco was elected for the first time to the Presidency of the 68th Session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) for the year 2025. Another first for the Kingdom is its accession to the Presidency of the International Nuclear Society Council (INSC) for the 2025-2026 term.

In the same vein, Morocco has been appointed President of the United Nations Conference on the Establishment of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East.

Morocco was also elected for the first time to the Presidency of the International Network of Corruption Prevention Authorities (NCPA). In addition, the Kingdom has made major breakthroughs in international maritime governance, reaching for the first time the position of First Vice-President of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for 2026-2027, while keeping its seat on the Council and holding an additional Vice-Presidency within the Council of the same Organization.

This is also the first time that Morocco has been elected to the Presidency of the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), to the Presidency of the International Olive Council for the year 2026, and to the Administrative Council of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

On the international parliamentary and judicial front, 2025 featured two major successes: the election for the first time to the Bureau of the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), as well as the election of a Moroccan magistrate to the position of Vice-President of the International Association of Judges (IAJ) for the first time since its creation in 1953.

Similarly, Moroccos integration into the Executive Committee of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) and its election to the Steering Committee of the MENA-ARIN Network, responsible for the recovery of illicit assets, round up the Kingdoms newly assumed responsibilities in international governance and public integrity mechanisms.

These unprecedented achievements fall in line with the breakthroughs made in 2024, including the Kingdoms accession to the Presidency of the Human Rights Council, helping to bolster Moroccos position, now recognized as a key player within the multilateral system.

Another highlight of Moroccos candidacies in 2025 is the renewal of the Kingdoms strategic responsibilities within major multilateral organizations. These renewals confirm the Kingdoms ability to sustainably assume responsibilities that require expertise, mobilization, and efficiency.

This momentum of reinforced international trust has resulted in the consecutive renewal of Moroccos mandate in the governing bodies of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU). These renewals were crowned by the Kingdoms accession to vice-presidential positions, as is the case at the OPCW for the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention and for the Executive Council of that Organization, further consolidating Moroccos place in the governance of these international institutions.

In the same vein, Morocco, as an active player in the field of international peace and security, has continued to hold the Chairmanship of the Central African Republic Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) at the UN, a position to which it has been regularly re-elected.

This momentum is also reflected in Moroccos election as a member of the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2025-2029 term, with a high score within its group, and of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

In terms of food security, Moroccos re-election to the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for the period 2026-2029, as well as its election to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP), confirm the Kingdoms stature among actors committed to responding to global challenges related to hunger, agricultural resilience, and food security.

On environmental issues, climate change, and sustainable development, Moroccos accession to the Vice-Presidency of the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) for North Africa, and its participation in UNESCOs Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the International Seabed Authority reflect a steadfast commitment to the sustainable management of natural resources and the protection of global public goods.

Morocco has also confirmed its role as a pole of stability at the regional level, notably through its rotating presidency of the African Union Peace and Security Council, as well as through its active participation in the specialized continental bodies and sectoral councils of the League of Arab States in the fields of justice, energy, water, and tourism.

Another distinctive feature of Moroccos 2025 candidacy is the emphasis placed on Moroccan expertise in emerging issues on the international agenda. In this regard, the Kingdom has shown its ability to anticipate and support major global transformations, whether in terms of societal change, environmental sustainability imperatives, or accelerated technological development, such as the new era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In this regard, Moroccos accession to the Executive Committee of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), the Vice-Presidency of INTERPOLs Global Expert Group on Cybercrime, and the Vice-Presidency of the OPCWs Temporary Working Group on AI, positions Morocco among the states actively contributing to international reflection on the benefits of digital transformation and the importance of responsible and ethical use of emerging technologies.

The year 2025 also enshrined Moroccos role as a force for unity and compromise by assuming responsibilities for chairing, facilitating, and coordinating major global issues on the international agenda. This international recognition illustrates the ability of Moroccan diplomacy to unite and build consensus, to foster a common dynamic within its Arab, African, and Atlantic groups, and to propose balanced solutions.

Morocco has established itself as a credible mediator in several crises thanks to the long-term vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Within the United Nations, it has acted as co-facilitator on major global processes. For example, Morocco has assumed the responsibilities of co-facilitating the 2025 Social Development Summit, co-facilitated the United Nations Resolution on Enforced Disappearances, served as a Core State at the 1st World Congress on Enforced Disappearances, and acted as Vice-President of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3).

All these achievements consolidate the Kingdom of Moroccos active role as a credible and responsible player in the governance of the multilateral system and reflect the international communitys renewed confidence in Moroccan diplomacy, a diplomacy based on values, driven by a clear strategic vision, and taking on responsible and constructive leadership on the international stage.
Geothermal is one of the few renewable energy sectors that President Donald Trump has not tried to quash in favour of fossil fuels in the United States. There is significant promise for the future of geothermal power in the United States, even though most projects are still in the nascent stage of development. Both public and private funding are expected to bolster the sector in the coming years.

According to the European Commission, geothermal energy is a renewable energy source harnessed from the thermal energy stored in rocks and fluids deep within the Earths crust. Drilled wells connect the fluid to the earths surface, allowing it to be used for a range of purposes such as to generate electricity or provide direct heat for district heating, water heating or industrial processes.

Countries with easily accessible geothermal reserves have been harvesting power from these sources for centuries. Meanwhile, countries with harder-to-reach reserves can now use enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) to access vast, clean power sources. EGS is based on technology used in fracking operations, which emerged over the last century. Unlike solar and wind that depend on the weather, geothermal power can run at all hours of the day, making it a highly attractive renewable energy source.

In May, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced plans to implement emergency permitting procedures to accelerate assessments of geothermal energy projects across the country, in line with President Trumps energy agenda. Projects selected for fast-tracking included three in Nevada, operated by Ormat, which received funding during President Trumps first term in office in 2020. The move is expected to reduce approval times from months or even years to a maximum of just 28 days for energy or mining projects on federal lands that are deemed urgent.

Geothermal energy is a reliable energy source that can power critical infrastructure for national security and help advance energy independence, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said at the time. Were fast-tracking reliable energy projects while strengthening national security and supporting American workers.

In December, U.S. geothermal energy leader Fervo Energy announced it had raised $462 million in its Series E funding round to accelerate growth and support the ongoing construction of Cape Station and early development of several other projects. Cape Station in Utah is expected to deliver 100 MW of geothermal power to the grid starting in 2026, before expanding to 500 MW by 2028.

Fervo is setting the pace for the next era of clean, affordable, and reliable power in the U.S., said Jeff Johnson, General Partner at B Capital. With surging demand from AI and electrification, the grid urgently needs scalable, always-on solutions, and we believe enhanced geothermal energy is uniquely positioned to deliver.

In New Haven, Connecticut, works have commenced on a geothermal energy network that will offer clean heating and cooling to the citys Union Station and a new public housing development. It is the start of a project aimed at decarbonising all municipal buildings and transportation by the end of 2030.

At the end of the day, youre going to have the most efficient heating and cooling system available for our historic train station as well as roughly 1,000 units of housing, said New Havens executive director of climate and sustainability, Steven Winter. ?Anything we can help do to improve health outcomes and reduce climate changecausing emissions is really valuable.

Nearby, at Yale University, development has started on a geothermal loop serving several science buildings. An energy bill that passed earlier this year and established a grant and loan programme is expected to spur the development of more thermal energy networks in the state.

However, it was in Framingham, Massachusetts, where the first utility-owned geothermal network in the United States came online in June 2024. In December, the Boston-based non-profit, the Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET), announced that it had been awarded an $8.6 million grant by the U.S. Department of Energys Geothermal Technologies Office. The funding will contribute to the expansion of an existing networked geothermal system. HEETs existing project provides clean heating and cooling to around 140 residential and commercial customers.

This award is an opportunity and a responsibility to clearly demonstrate and quantify the growth potential of geothermal network technology, said HEETs Executive Director Zeyneb Magavi, Which we will do, together with our partners and colleagues on the project team and at GTO. This project also represents the continuation of a collaboration that began when HEET first pitched our idea of geothermal networks to gas utilities in 2017.

There are high hopes for the United States geothermal energy industry, particularly as it is continuing to garner federal support under the Trump administration. The expansion of geothermal power projects across the country are expected to support decarbonisation aims and help reduce reliance on fossil fuels in the coming years.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation,

The few days before New Years Eve, the State of Washington allowed dealers to sell fireworks. This has become an opportune time for Oregonians to travel north to purchase what they need ahead of July 4th  especially for some who seek items that are not available in Oregon. One Oregonian traveling to Washington this week shared what was experienced at the Firework store. The visitor requested Roman candles (not sold in Oregon) and was told that the day before, another Oregonian came and bought the entire supply.

This may be a sign to come.

With Americas 250th anniversary next year, demand will be higher and supplies may be more limited than normal. Also, with tariffs, there have been many goods from China that have been blocked or priced out. For instance, this Christmas there were slightly less toys and fewer Christmas decorations on the shelves than in prior times. Customers may not have noticed this phenomenon because stores raised prices which limited sales. If you take those two factors together of the potential tariff risk and increased demand due to the 250th, there could be added risk of diminished supply of Oregon fireworks come July 4th.


By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

Reporter Andy Ngo reports on on this far-Left Portland bail fund that helped set free a man who went on to murder.

Andy Ngo reports, A judge on Dec. 30 handed down a life sentence to a Somali-American man who brutally murdered a woman who had a protective order against him after an Antifa-linked bail fund paid for his release.Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Jenna Plank sentenced Mohamed Osman Adan, 36, to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for the 2022 strangulation and stabbing murder of Racheal Angel Abraham. She was the mother of three children, including two who Adan fathered. The murder occurred when the children were in her home. The Portland Freedom Fund, infamous for bailing out violent BLM-Antifa rioters in 2020, posted bail for Adan shortly before the fatal attack. The group advocates for the abolishment of law enforcement and prisons

If you enjoy his reporting, consider following him on X and making a donation.

New Ngo Comment report: The Antifa-linked Portland bail fund freed this Somali. Five days later, he stabbed & strangled to death a mother of three. The Portland Freedom Fund paid to get Mohamed Osman Adan out despite his history of breaking a stalking order & cutting off his GPS  Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) December 31, 2025
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Dr. Herdis Steinsdottir deploying an instrument near the reef in Eilat to record water currents, allowing her to keep track of the direction of sea currents. Credit: Jake Stout

Coral reefs are often described as biodiversity hotspots, but new research shows they also act as powerful regulators of the microscopic life in the surrounding ocean.

A new study led by Dr. Herdis G. R. Steinsdottir, a postdoctoral researcher under the guidance of Dr. Miguel J. Frada of the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat, and Dr. Derya Akkaynak from the University of Haifa and the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat reveals that coral reefs impose pronounced daily rhythms on nearby microbial communities, reshaping their composition and abundance over the course of a single day.

The study, published in Science Advances, tracked microbial populations in waters above a coral reef in the northern Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea, comparing them with nearby open waters across winter and summer seasons. Using high-frequency sampling every six hours, the researchers uncovered previously undocumented daily and seasonal cycles affecting bacteria, microalgae, and microscopic predators.

"We found that the reef is not just passively surrounded by microbes," said Dr. Frada. "It actively structures microbial life in time, creating daily patterns that repeat across seasons and influence how energy and nutrients move through the ecosystem."

The research team discovered that reef waters consistently contained significantly fewer bacteria and microalgae than adjacent open waters, suggesting active removal by reef organisms. At the same time, populations of heterotrophic protists, microscopic predators that feed on bacteria, increased sharply at night, sometimes by as much as 80%, suggesting predation as a major force shaping microbial dynamics.

Dr. Herdis Steinsdottir deploying an instrument near the reef in Eilat to record water currents, allowing her to keep track of the direction of sea currents. Credit: Jake Stout.

One of the most striking findings involved Symbiodiniaceae, the family of dinoflagellates best known as coral symbionts. Genetic signatures of these organisms consistently peaked around midday in reef waters, pointing to daily cycles of release, growth, or turnover that may be linked to light conditions and coral metabolism.

"These daily microbial rhythms were as strong as, and sometimes stronger than, seasonal differences," said Dr. Steinsdottir. "This shows that time of day is a critical factor when studying reef-associated microbial communities."

By combining genetic sequencing, flow cytometry, imaging technologies, and biogeochemical measurements, the interdisciplinary team provides one of the most detailed temporal views to date of microbial life around coral reefs. The findings suggest that microbial daily cycles could serve as sensitive indicators of reef functioning and ecosystem health in a changing ocean.

Publication details Herdis Steinsdottir et al, Microbial dynamics in coral-reef waters: diel cycles in contrasting seasons, Science Advances (2026). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ady9534. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ady9534 Journal information: Science Advances
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Scott Lord from Pexels

Dark matter is an elusive type of matter that does not emit, absorb or reflect light, interacting very weakly with ordinary matter. These characteristics make it impossible to detect using conventional technologies used by physicists to study matter particles.

As it has never been observed before, the exact composition of dark matter remains unknown. One proposed theory is that this elusive type of matter is comprised of light particles with very small masses, below 1 eV (electronvolt), which behave more like waves than particles.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo and Chuo University recently explored the possibility of searching for sub-GeV dark matter using quantum sensors, advanced systems that rely on quantum mechanical effects to detect extremely weak signals.

Their paper, published in Physical Review Letters, highlights the potential of these highly sensitive sensing systems for tracking the velocity and direction of light dark matter.

"I was checking recent papers in the quantum physics category on arXiv and found that distributed quantum sensing has become a fairly hot topic," Hajime Fukuda, first author of the paper, told Phys.org.

"We were then wondering if we can use this technology in our field (i.e., high-energy physics) and came up with the idea to use it for dark matter detection."

Measuring the velocity and direction of dark matter

The recent study by Fukuda and his colleagues was aimed at combining recent quantum engineering advances with particle physics, specifically to improve ongoing searches for dark matter. To search for hypothetical heavy dark matter particles, physicists have so far primarily tried to pick up small vibrations or signals that would emerge if these particles collided with specific materials, atoms or nuclei inside dark matter detectors.

"When employing these approaches, it is straightforward to measure the velocity of dark matter, although experimentally this is of course difficult," said Fukuda.

"For light dark matter, however, we typically use excitation of some discrete mode, so that it is not possible to see the velocity. We found that we can measure the velocity of light dark matter not by measuring spatially extended signals (recoil tracks) but by measuring by spatially extended detectors."

In their paper, the researchers thus introduced an entirely new strategy that could be used to measure the velocity of dark matter and the direction it is coming from. This strategy entails the use of several dark matter detectors and a quantum measurement protocol.

The data collected by these detectors would be treated as quantum sensor data, from which researchers could extract information about the velocity and direction of dark matter. Fukuda and their colleagues performed a series of analyses to assess the potential of their approach and found that it would significantly improve the sensitivity of detectors.

"Earlier works introduced other methods to search for light dark matter, which for instance relied on an elongated detector or a classical array of detectors," explained Fukuda. "However, these methods depend on the detailed type of the interaction, while our method relies on a quantum sensor array and is far more general. Also, the sensitivity attained by our method is better."

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A new route for future dark matter searches

The new approach to search for light dark matter introduced by this research team could soon be refined further and applied in real experiments. This recent study could also inspire other particle and high-energy physicists to explore the potential of quantum sensing systems for both dark matter searches and the precise study of other particles.

"We showed that quantum methods could play an important role in high-energy physics," added Fukuda.

"I think that there could be other applications for quantum sensors in our field and am excited to continue exploring this possibility. In our next studies, we could also improve our method and try to measure not only the velocity but also the dark matter distribution by the sensor array."

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 Hajime Fukuda et al, Directional Searching for Light Dark Matter with Quantum Sensors, Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/cwx5-2n1y. Journal information: Physical Review Letters , arXiv

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Islamic Leaders Demand the Arrest of Assyrian Patriarch Sako

Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako. The Chaldean patriarch, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, has received threats from Islamic groups based in Iraq and Iran following a misinterpretation of a message delivered during the Christmas Mass, according to Chaldean Press.

During the liturgical celebration, the patriarch used the term "normalization" in a spiritual sense, exhorting the faithful to reconcile and live in peace with one another. However, Islamic clerics and leaders interpreted the term as a political reference to an alleged normalization with Israel, which triggered a swift public reaction.

As a result of this interpretation, some Islamic leaders have gone so far as to demand the arrest of Cardinal Sako, and the patriarch has begun receiving numerous threats, some of them extremely serious.

The Chaldean Archieparchy issued a public clarification stating that Cardinal Sako was referring to the normalization of cultural and civil relations with Iraq in general--boosting tourism, interreligious coexistence--and not to establishing ties with Israel. According to the same source, despite the patriarch expressly clarifying that his message had no political content, but was exclusively spiritual, the escalation of hostility has not stopped.

Chaldean Press notes that, after consulting Chaldean faithful, the majority of parishioners did not perceive any political message in the patriarch's words during the Christmas Mass. Even so, certain Islamic groups have intensified their demands, with calls not only for his detention, but even for his execution.

In this context, Cardinal Sako himself is said to have stated: "If they want to bring me to trial and execute me for the good of Iraq, so be it," as reported by the Chaldean media outlet.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

About 9,500 years ago, a community of hunter-gatherers in central Africa cremated a small woman on an open pyre at the base of Mount Hora, a prominent natural landmark in northern Malawi, according to a new study coauthored by an international team based in the United States, Africa, and Europe. It is the first time this behavior has been documented in the African hunter-gatherer record.

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, provides the earliest evidence of intentional cremation in Africa and describes the world's oldest known in situ cremation pyre containing the remains of an adult.

While burned human remains appear as early as ~40,000 years at Lake Mungo, Australia, pyresintentionally built structures of combustible fueldo not appear in the archaeological record until nearly 30,000 years later.

Using archaeological, geospatial, forensic, and bioarchaeological methods, including microscopic examination of the pyre sediments and detailed analysis of the human bone fragments, the researchers reconstructed the extraordinary sequence of events surrounding the cremation in unprecedented detail. Their findings demonstrate that the mortuary and other social behaviors of ancient African foragers were far more complex than previously thought.

"Cremation is very rare among ancient and modern hunter-gatherers, at least partially because pyres require a huge amount of labor, time, and fuel to transform a body into fragmented and calcined bone and ash," said lead author Jessica Cerezo-Roman, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Oklahoma.

"Not only is this the earliest cremation in Africa, it was such a spectacle that we have to re-think how we view group labor and ritual in these ancient hunter-gatherer communities," adds senior author Jessica Thompson, an assistant professor of anthropology at Yale University, who leads a long-term research project at the site of the discovery in collaboration with the Malawi Department of Museums and Monuments.

The oldest evidence for an in situ pyre dates to about 11,500 years ago from the Xaasaa Na' (Upward Sun River) archaeological site in Alaska and contains the remains of a child about three years old. Prior to the discovery of the pyre at Mount Hora, the first definitive cremations in Africa appeared around 3,500 years ago in eastern Africa and were associated with Pastoral Neolithic herders.

Cremation is more common among ancient food-producing societies, which generally possess more complex technology and engage in more elaborate mortuary rituals than earlier hunter-gatherers.

The cremation site, Hora 1, is under an overhang at the base of a granite inselberg (a large rocky hill or mountain) that rises several hundred feet from the surrounding plain. Archaeological research in the 1950s revealed that the site was used as a hunter-gatherer burial ground, but how long ago remained unknown. Thompson's work starting in 2016 showed that people first inhabited the site about 21,000 years ago and used it for burials between about 16,000 and 8,000 years ago, with all the people interred in a complete state.

By contrast, the cremation pyre from approximately 9,500 years ago was part of an ash feature the size of a queen bed and containing a single highly fragmented individual. There is no evidence of anyone else being cremated at the site before or after.

An analysis of the 170 human bone fragments excavated from the pyremostly from arms and legssuggest that the person cremated was an adult woman between 18 and 60 years old and just under five feet tall. By looking at her bones and the patterns of thermal alteration, the team determined her body was cremated prior to decomposition, probably within a few days of her death. Cutmarks on several limb bones suggest parts of her body were defleshed or removed.

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"Surprisingly, there were no fragments of teeth or skull bones in the pyre," said Elizabeth Sawchuk, Curator of Human Evolution at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and a bioarchaeologist involved in the study. "Because those parts are usually preserved in cremations, we believe the head may have been removed prior to burning."

Building the pyre required gathering at least 30 kg of deadwood and grass, pointing toward a significant communal effort, the researchers said. Participants actively disturbed the fire during burning and continually added fuel to sustain high temperatures, according to the analysis of ash sediments and bone fragments. Evidence suggests the blaze reached temperatures greater than 500 C. Discovery of stone tools within the pyre suggest they were either added to or embedded within the burning remains, perhaps as funerary objects.

"These hands-on manipulations, cutting flesh from the bones and removing the skull, sound very gruesome, but there are many reasons people may have done this associated with remembrance, social memory, and ancestral veneration," said Cerezo-Roman. "There is growing evidence among ancient hunter-gatherers in Malawi for mortuary rituals that include posthumous removal, curation, and secondary reburial of body parts, perhaps as tokens."

The team also found evidence that about 700 years before the pyre event, the location had been the site of large fires. Then, within 500 years after the cremation event, multiple additional large fires were lit atop the pyre itself. Although no one else was cremated, this suggests that people remembered the pyre's location and recognized its ongoing significance. The history of large fires in this location, the effort associated with the cremation, and the subsequent burning events reflect a deep-rooted tradition at the site linked to ritual behavior and memory-making tied to a place that was clearly a local landmark.

While the cremation process is now clear, the motivation behind the event remains mysterious.

"Why was this one woman cremated when the other burials at the site were not treated that way?" Thompson said. "There must have been something specific about her that warranted special treatment."

Publication details Jessica Cerezo-Roman et al, Earliest Evidence for Intentional Cremation of Human Remains in Africa, Science Advances (2026). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adz9554. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adz9554 Journal information: Science Advances
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Ancestry of pigs inferred using ADMIXTURE. Results of a supervised ADMIXTURE analysis with K=3. Each pie chart represents a location, size is correlated with the number of samples. Credit: bioRxiv (2025). DOI: 10.1101/2025.07.07.663491

A new study, published in the journal Science, reveals how millennia of human migration across Pacific islands led to the introduction of invasive pig species all over the Asia-Pacific region.

The study was led by Laurent Frantz, Professor of Paleogenomics at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), and the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (LMU), David Stanton, from Cardiff University, and Greger Larson, from the University of Oxford.

Plants and animals have not always spread naturally across the islands of Indonesia. The evolutionary biologist Alfred Russell Wallace identified a major biogeographic boundary, the "Wallace Line," noting that wildlife on either side rarely crossed. Leopards and monkeys, for example, are found on the Asian side, while marsupials and cassowaries are largely limited to the Australasian side.

One notable exception is pigs. Pig populations occur on both sides of the Wallace Line and extend across Southeast Asia to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and remote Polynesia. Pigs are highly effective ecological invaders, and they are also culturally important across the region, raising a key question: what role did people play in their spread?

The new paper looked at the genome of over 700 pigs, including from living and archaeological specimens. This allowed the reconstruction of their movement across Southeast Asia and identify when they arrived on certain islands and how they might have interbred with various native pig species.

The researchers found that people of different cultures have moved pig species in the region for millennia. The earliest evidence points to people living in Sulawesi perhaps as early as 50,000 years ago, known to be the earliest cave painters, who both depicted and transported warty pig species as far away as Timor, possibly to establish future hunting stock.

The introduction of pigs in Island Southeast Asia dramatically accelerated, around 4,000 years ago, when early agricultural communities transported domestic pigs into the region.

Their journey began from Taiwan, extending across the Philippines, northern Indonesia (Maluku), into Papua New Guinea, and on to the outlying islands as far as Vanuatu, and remote Polynesia. The authors also found evidence for the introduction of pigs from Europe during the colonial period.

Many of these domestic pigs escaped, and became feral, in some cases, like on the Komodo islands, hybridizing with the warty pigs brought by people from Sulawesi thousands of years earlier. These hybrid pigs are now a major source of food for the endangered Komodo dragons.

The findings of this study highlight the dramatic and enduring impact of human activity on local ecosystems in the Pacific, raising conservation conundrums. Pigs in the region today have dramatically different statuses and impacts across islands: some are considered spiritual beings, others pests, while some are now so ingrained in local ecosystems that they could almost be considered native.

Efficient conservation policy will need to navigate these complexities, going beyond the traditional paradigm of conserving only native fauna.

The study included collaborators from around the world, with more than 50 authors being involved, including scientists from Cardiff University, the University of Oxford, the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, the National Museum of the Philippines, and the Vanuatu Cultural Center.

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Prof. Laurent Frantz, senior author of the study, said, "It is very exciting that we can use ancient DNA from pigs to peel back layers of human activity across this megabiodiverse region. The big question now is, at what point do we consider something native? What if people introduced species tens of thousands of years ago? Are these worth conservation efforts?"

Dr. David Stanton of the University of Cardiff and Queen Mary University of London, the lead author of the study, said, "This research reveals what happens when people transport animals enormous distances, across one of the world's most fundamental natural boundaries. These movements led to pigs with a melting pot of ancestries.

"These patterns were technically very difficult to disentangle, but have ultimately helped us understand how and why animals came to be distributed across the Pacific islands."

Prof. Greger Larson, of the University of Oxford said, "Wild boar dispersed across all of Eurasia and North Africa and certainly don't need people to help them disperse into new areas. When people have landed a hand, pigs were all too willing to spread out on newly colonized islands in South East Asia and into the Pacific.

"By sequencing the genomes of ancient and more recent populations, we've been able to link those human-assisted dispersals to specific human populations in both space and time."
BEIJING (AP)  China's decision to bring serious firepower to bear for military drills in the waters off Taiwan this week has deep roots  both in the past several weeks and the past several decades.

The island is the most sensitive political subject for China. It has been ever since Taiwan split from the mainland in 1949 after a civil war. Today, though the island governs itself, China claims it as sovereign territory.

China has often held military drills around Taiwan, both around what it considers specific provocations and in general. Here's a look at the context around the latest drills.

How Taiwan came to be governed separately

China was ruled by the Kuomintang, or Nationalists, from 1927 to 1949. When civil war broke out, and Mao Zedongs communists overthrew the Nationalists, they fled to Taiwan, off the coast of southern China.

There, they set up a government, and it evolved into a multiparty democracy that has ruled the island ever since. But the government in Beijing considers it sovereign territory and says it reserves the right to take over if it wishes. Talk of eventual reunification is frequent and fervent.

In the meantime, Taiwan grows more diplomatically isolated with each passing year. The United States stopped recognizing it when Washington and Beijing established relations in 1979, though the U.S. remains obligated to help Taiwan defend itself.

And other nations, under pressure from the Chinese government, have switched allegiances as well. Today, just 11 of the 193 member states of the United Nations  and the Holy See at the Vatican  have full diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Why Taiwan is so important to China

It's a matter of pride and a matter of strategy.

First, strategy: China has struggled for centuries to maintain control and sovereignty at its edges; that's why the Great Wall was built in the first place centuries ago  to fortify territory against incursions from nomads. It's no coincidence, then, that the modern government's biggest security concerns are typically Taiwan and Hong Kong off its southeastern edge and Xinjiang and Tibet in its distant west.

In Taiwan's case, China's longtime tension with Japan helps fuel this cautiousness, as does uncertainty about exactly how the United States would respond if the island came under direct threat.

Second, pride: Sovereignty and dignity are fundamental pillars of China's self-built political image. The government brooks no international interference in what it considers internal affairs  and that includes Taiwan.

That means any notion, even in passing, that Taiwan is its own nation is expressly forbidden  even when it comes to maps and graphics (China often bristles when they refer to Taiwan as a country) and Taiwan's Olympic team (which is allowed to compete only using the name Chinese Taipei").

Why China would want to hold drills right now

Two main reasons: Japan and the United States.

Last month, Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, said she wouldn't rule out military intervention if neighboring Taiwan came under direct threat from China. If it involves the use of warships and military actions, it could by all means become a survival-threatening situation, Takaichi said.

Her comments were stronger than those of her predecessors and drew a sharp rebuke from Beijing.

Such remarks are particularly sensitive in light of China and Japan's history. There remains widespread anger and suspicion in China about Japan and its motives, sown generations ago when imperial Japan  which had already colonized Taiwan in 1895  brutally took over parts of China in the years before World War II. Deep scars of that time remain in the collective Chinese psyche, with outrage often whipped up by state-controlled traditional and social media.

Then, last week, U.S. President Donald Trump's State Department announced it would sell a massive package of arms valued at more than $10 billion to Taiwan  including medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones. If it's approved by Congress, which seems likely, it would be the largest-ever U.S. weapons package to Taiwan, exceeding the $8.4 billion in U.S. arms sales to the island under President Joe Biden.

China said the move would harm its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

This cannot save the doomed fate of Taiwan independence but will only accelerate the push of the Taiwan Strait toward a dangerous situation of military confrontation and war," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. Using Taiwan to contain China will not succeed.
Cancun firemen called to free trapped passenger in New Years Eve crash

Cancun, Q.R.  A group of Cancun firemen spent the eve of New Years extracting a trapped person from inside a wrecked car. They were requested at the scene of the crash where a private car had hit a public bus.

The accident happened late Wednesday night along Kukulcan Boulevard in the Cancun Hotel Zone. According to available information, the driver of the car slammed into the back rear drivers side of a city bus, lodging the front of his vehicle underneath.

All those from inside were able to get on their own and were found without major injuries, however, the angle of the collision left a front seat passenger trapped. Firemen were called in to cut her out of the car.

Cancun firemen used equipment to free the trapped front seat driver from the car. December 31, 2025.

She was freed and trasnported to Cancun hospital for medical treatment.

In a statement, the Cancun Fire Department reported on the night of December 31st, the Cancun Fire Department responded to a traffic accident in the Hotel Zone, where injuries and one person trapped were reported.

Upon arrival, our personnel found a collision between a bus and a private vehicle. Emergency response and rescue protocols were immediately activated, providing assistance to the injured individuals who were already outside the vehicle.

One of the occupants remained trapped inside, so rescue maneuvers were carried out using hydraulic equipment to safely free her. After her extraction, she was handed over to medical services, who transported her to the hospital for evaluation.

Most of the car was left wedged under the back of the bus. December 31, 2025.

The coordinated work between the Fire Department, medical services, traffic police, and security authorities allowed for a rapid and effective response, always prioritizing the life and safety of individuals. During this time of year, we urge the public to drive with caution, respect speed limits and avoid distractions.

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Witnesses say man shot in broad daylight known loan shark

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  A man believed to be a loan shark was shot in Playa del Carmen Wednesday afternoon. The broad daylight shooting happened outside a grocery store of Villas del Sol around 1:00 p.m. where he was targeted.

Witnesses reported seeing a lone gunman approach the man on foot, shoot him in the stomach and run off. Playa del Carmen police cordoned off the area while paramedics transferred the man to hospital.

He had been shot in the abdomen. He is reported to be of Colombian nationality and known as a local loan shark. His name has not been released.

Police conducted a search of the area for the shooter and found only a few pieces of clothing that had been disgarded to likely change is exterior appearance during his getaway.

Police have not announced the arrest of any suspects.

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Syria Says Islamic State Plotted New Year's Eve Attacks on Churches

Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II leads Christmas celebrations at the St. George's Syriac Orthodox Church in the old city of Damascus on December 25, 2025. ( Bakr ALkasem/AFP) Damascus -- Syria said Thursday a suicide bomber who killed a security forces member in Aleppo on New Year's Eve was in the Islamic State group, which planned attacks on churches and gatherings.

ISIS recently increased its attacks in areas of Syria controlled by the Damascus authorities, and was blamed for an attack last month in Palmyra that killed three Americans.

The interior ministry said in a statement it had information that ISIS planned "suicide operations and attacks targeting New Year's celebrations in a number of governorates, particularly the city of Aleppo, by targeting churches and civilian gathering spots," prompting security to be tightened.

In Aleppo's Bab al-Faraj neighborhood, one officer "became suspicious of a person who was later found to be affiliated with Daesh," the statement said, using the Arabic acronym for ISIS.

While being interrogated, the man "opened fire, resulting in the martyrdom of one of the police officers, and then he blew himself up, wounding two officers while they were trying to intervene to arrest him."

In retaliation, American forces struck scores of ISIS targets in Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the US strikes killed five members of the jihadist group.

Syrian authorities have also carried out several operations against ISIS since then, saying on December 25 they had killed a senior leader of the group.

In November, during a visit by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Washington, Syria officially joined the US-led coalition against ISIS.

Sharaa is an Islamist ruler and a former jihadist whose group fought ISIS at the height of his country's civil war.

Sharaa's rule since the December 2024 fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad has raised concerns among minorities, who have fallen victim to deadly sectarian violence over the past year.

Christian Syrians hold a march in the northeastern city of Qamishli on June 25, 2025, to express support for families of victims of a suicide attack on a church in Damascus, which killed 25 people and wounded dozens. ( Delil Souleiman/AFP)

Civilians among the Alawite community to which Assad belonged were massacred on the coast in March, and there were clashes in Druze-majority Sweida province in July.

In June, a suicide bombing in a Damascus church killed 25 people.

Syria's authorities blamed ISIS, but a shadowy Sunni extremist group called Saraya Ansar al-Sunna claimed responsibility.

Analysts have said Saraya Ansar al-Sunna serves as a front for the ISIS group.
Good Job is Slates advice column on work. Have a workplace problem big or small? Send it to Laura Helmuth and Doree Shafrir here. (Its anonymous!)

Dear Good Job,

When I first started at my current job five years ago, I was fresh out of school with no experience. I was thrown into the deep end with no training in a highly complex, technical, and fast-paced field. I screwed up constantly and was so bad at my job. My co-workers were all far more experienced, and I quickly gained a reputation as a total screwup.

It took me two years or so to get the hang of things with minimal help. It was honestly a miracle that I didnt get fired. But with a lot of hard work, my performance dramatically improved, and for the past few years, Ive received nothing but positive feedback and performance reviews from my team and my managers. But I have a problem.

The co-workers that were around when I first started still think of me as an idiot and a screw-up. I havent been able to shake my reputation from those early days, despite doing consistently good work for years now. I get passed over for special projects, committees and other opportunities that would be beneficial for career development and look good on my resume.

What can I do to convince my co-workers that Im a smart and capable person? I hoped that my improved work would speak for itself, but since I lost their trust in my early days in this position, it feels like theres nothing I can do to earn it back. Should I just move on and start fresh?

Not an Idiot I Swear

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Dear Not an Idiot I Swear,

One of the biggest myths of the workplace is that good work speaks for itself. Youve unfortunately seen that first impressions, biases, expectations, and disdain all speak more loudly. Competence is often much too quiet, especially in a workplace managed so badly that it fails to train new hires.

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Your long-time co-workers arent interested in challenging their own unexamined cognitive short-cuts (like assuming that you are a screw-up), so force them to examine them. Ask to meet with one or more of these co-workers, ideally someone in a position to make job assignments. Thank them for helping you out waaaay back in ancient history when you were just starting the job. Five years probably feels like a long time to you, but time warps when youve been in a job for a long time, and they probably still think of you as a newcomer. Even if these colleagues didnt seem particularly helpful at the time, they may have covered for you or cleaned up your mistakes, and thanking them is a good way to get their attention and start a collegial conversation. Tell them youve learned a lot and are ready to take on new responsibilities. If you hear about a new committee or project, volunteer for it. The people making these assignments may just be assigning the same people who participated in past projects, who frankly could use a break. Keep sticking your hand up for every opportunity, and you might develop a reputation as someone who should be on every committee, which is its own kind of burden. Finally, consider proposing special projects you could participate in that will help the company in ways that you can see but that might be invisible to people with more experience. Perhaps you could suggest a review of onboarding policies and a training and mentorship program for new hires.

Laura

Classic Prudie

My mother-in-law hates me and makes no bones about it when she and I are alone. My husband doesnt believe me, and she even gloats about that. We have to attend family functions at her home about once a month. (It used to be more frequent, but after I put my foot down, my husband agreed that monthly would be sufficient.) The problem is that after each visit, I wind up with a bad case of diarrhea; my husband does not.
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On Thursday, Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as the first Muslim mayor of New York City. Administering the oath in a public ceremony will be Bernie Sanders, among the most prominently Jewish senators in the country. For weeks, Mamdani has been meeting with constituents and leaders from every sector of New York Jewry to alleviate their concerns about his support for their safety and well-being. By nearly all accounts, these conversations have been a great success. From the Reform Rabbi Ammiel Hirschwho had co-authored a widely circulated letter against Mamdanito the Satmar Hasidim in Brooklyn, New York Jews expressed at least cautious optimism about their mayor-elect, if not outright excitement.

During these same weeks, the most powerful Republican politicians and media personalities in the country have leaned deeply into open antisemitism. Two weeks ago, for example, the White House held its annual Hanukkah party. In attendance was Rep. Paul Gosar, an open white nationalist who is deeply embedded in neo-Nazi, Holocaust-denying spaces, including with Nick Fuentes. At the celebration, the president of the United States talked about the power of the Jewish lobby behind Israel and bragged about being funded by Jewish money.

A week later was Turning Point USAs AmericaFest, at which a parade of speakers defended the right of open Nazis to exist within the Republican Party. Tucker Carlson spewed a series of claims about a cabal fighting American national interests as he defended himself against Ben Shapiros criticism for platforming Fuentes. Steve Bannon said, to cheers, that Shapirowhose prominent Jewishness stood out at the affairis like a cancer, and that cancer spreads. And J.D. Vancethe vice president of the United Statesalso defended the neo-Nazis in his party. He contrasted the GOPs free thinkers to the threat of a bunch of drones who take their orders from George Soros. He concluded to the excited crowd: By the grace of God, we always will be a Christian nation.

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Finally, on Christmas Day, the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, the secretary of homeland security, and much of the rest of our national government posted greetings that described America as a Christian nation, with explicit reference to our savior, Jesus Christ.

So what does the countrys self-described defender against antisemitism, the Anti-Defamation League, have to say about the nations dominant political movement welcoming unapologetically antisemitic members into its ranks? Shockingly little. It has chosen not to focus much on these powerful people spouting or platforming explicit, even pro-Nazi, antisemitism. Indeed, it has ignored and even defended many of them.

Instead, the ADL seems laser focused on Mamdani. The group even set up a Mamdani watch site, suggesting that he is the greatest threat to American Jews today, although no such watch site exists for these other, far more powerful personalities. The groups latest post, for example, uncovered members of his team with possible antisemitic connections, whom Mamdani then cut. The ADLs own monitor concluded, When clear antisemitic statements are identified, Mayor-elect Mamdanis team can and will respond appropriately.

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The exact opposite has been the case with Republican leadership regarding explicit antisemitism, Christian nationalism, and even Nazism. So why the focus on Mamdani?

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The answer is that this is not about antisemitism but rather about preserving Israeli power over Palestinians. Though many Jews are unhappy that Mamdani wont condemn the phrase Globalize the Intifadahe has said he dislikes it but will not denounce itthe mayor-elect is accused of antisemitism mainly because he supports Israels existence only as a democratic state and opposes one that gives preferential treatment to Jews over Palestinians.

What does it mean to label a call for equality as antisemitic? Let us interrogate this accusation.

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Palestinians within Israels internationally recognized borders are citizens but suffer structural discrimination. The controversial 2018 nation-state law is perhaps the most egregious expression of this unequal status, but it appears in other areas as well.

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Lets set that aside, however, especially considering our own structural discrimination here at home. Israel currently rules the entire area from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. Indeed, in many ways Israeli leaders already consider the West Bank a part of Israel, including on the countrys official maps. As a result, about half of the people currently controlled by Israel and subject to its military are Palestinian, and only a fraction of them are eligible for citizenship. In other words, the only way Israel exists as a Jewish-majority state is through the expulsion of Palestinians, especially during the 1948 Nakba, and (above all) through the denial of citizenship to Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and, obviously, Gaza. Pro-Israel critics are correct that if those Palestinians were awarded equality, Israel would become a different state. It would be a binational democracy.

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What does it mean to label a call for equality antisemitic because it would destroy Israel as a Jewish state? It means that an argument that opposes Israels maintenance of a Jewish majority in this way and demands Palestinian equality is antisemitic because it necessitates the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state. It is saying that it is antisemitic to insist on equality more imminently than Someday, when Israel feels it is ready, it will give Palestinians a state in part of the land with limited sovereignty such that Israel will maintain superior military power over them.

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That is the crux of the issue. Is this position calling for equalitywhich, because of the demographic reality, will mean the end of Jewish hegemonyantisemitic?

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Consider how we would view it if Palestinians were to somehow expel millions of Jews, establish a Palestinian-majority state, grant citizenship to only a fraction of the Jews left behind, and keep the remainder subject to military rule without citizenship or civil rights. Imagine if that takeover had included the catastrophic destruction of civilian infrastructure and the deaths of tens of thousands. Imagine also if those Jews who were left disenfranchised were to experience violence by the state and sometimes vigilantes whom the state supports or ignores. And imagine that Palestinians defended all this as necessary for their security because it was the only way to ensure Palestinian self-determination, and accused people of racism if they opposed it?

Related From Slate The Very First Things the Next Democratic President Needs to Do After Taking Office Read More

In other words, imagine a reversal of todays situation. Under such conditions, would we consider support for Jewish equality as anti-Palestinian bigotry? Would it be racist against Palestinians and a violation of their right to self-determination in that scenario for Jews and others to reject this arrangement as unacceptable and demand both immediate equality and a right of return for the Jewish refugees? If not, why does challenging the current arrangement with a call for equality constitute antisemitism?

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American Jews do face a growing threat of antisemitism. It can certainly come from people claiming to oppose Israeli actions but blaming American Jews for them. As we saw tragically in Australia on Hanukkah, the threat of ISIS-inspired terror is also still quite real.

But if we are looking at political threats to Jewish equality and safety in the U.S., with real material consequences, why would we focus on a city mayor committed to equality instead of a national party currently in control of every branch of government? A party whose top leaders from the president on down are openly spewing antisemitism and Christian nationalismnot to mention racismwhile publicly defending the inclusion of Holocaust-denying Nazis?

We would do this only if our goal was corrupted.

It is one thing to keep an eye on the entire political spectrum. It is another to misrepresent the principal source of a threat.
China has taken a major step in the global AI race with the launch of a powerful artificial intelligence system that can directly access the country's national supercomputing infrastructure and carry out advanced scientific research on its own.

The system was officially launched on December 23, marking a significant milestone just weeks after the United States announced its own ambitious AI-led science initiative.

Designed to operate at a national scale, the new platform is already available to more than a thousand institutional users across China. Unlike traditional research tools, the system can independently plan and execute complex scientific tasks, raising fresh questions about how AI could reshape science, security, and global technological competition.

An AI system built to run science autonomously

According to China Science Daily, the new AI agent can accept simple natural-language instructions and carry out entire research workflows with minimal human involvement. Once given a task, it can break the problem into steps, allocate computing resources, run simulations, analyze large datasets, and generate comprehensive scientific reports.

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The system is designed to function as a self-directed research assistant rather than a passive tool. Officials say this approach dramatically reduces the time required for complex scientific work. Tasks that previously took researchers a full day can now be completed in about an hour.

Nearly 100 scientific workflows are currently supported. These span key areas such as materials science, biotechnology, and industrial artificial intelligence. The focus is on accelerating discovery by automating routine but computationally intensive research processes.

Powered by a nationwide supercomputing backbone

At the core of the project is China's National Supercomputing Network, known as SCNet. This high-speed digital backbone links more than 30 supercomputing centers across the country, allowing computing power to be pooled and allocated on demand.

SCNet was first launched in 2023 as part of a broader effort to integrate supercomputing and intelligent computing resources at a national level. The platform was officially unveiled in the Binhai Hi-Tech Zone in Tianjin in April 2024. Since then, it has expanded rapidly, connecting computing centers that serve government agencies, enterprises, universities, and research institutions.

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By giving AI direct access to this infrastructure, China has moved beyond experimental systems and into large-scale deployment. This approach could significantly reshape how scientific research is conducted nationwide.

A shift in how research is organized

Chinese scientists involved in the project say the platform represents a deeper transformation in scientific work.

"Science is shifting from number crunching to AI-powered discovery. Such new AI agents will connect the tools, data, and computing power scattered across different systems, giving scientists better tools to innovate faster," Qian Depei, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and head of an SCNet expert panel, told the press conference launching the project.

Others emphasized that the change is both organizational and technical. "AI for Science is not only a technical pathway but also a transformation in how research is organised," Cao Zhennan, deputy director of the High Performance Computer Research Centre, explained, as reported by South China Morning Post.

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The launch follows Beijing's national "AI+" initiative, announced in August, which explicitly calls for using AI to accelerate scientific discovery and industrial innovation.

Global rivalry and growing security concerns

China's move comes amid intensifying competition with the United States over AI and advanced computing. For decades, both countries have invested heavily in supercomputers used for sensitive work, including weapons simulations, advanced manufacturing, and drug discovery.

The US response came in November, when President Donald Trump unveiled the Genesis Mission, described as an "AI Manhattan Project." Led by the Department of Energy, the program aims to train powerful AI agents using federal supercomputers and vast government research data sets.

Trump said the mission would "invest in AI-enabled science to accelerate scientific advancement" and strengthen "America's technological dominance and global strategic leadership."

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However, the US plan is constrained by strict deadlines, including early demonstrations of capability within 270 days.

China's early deployment also raises serious risks. Giving AI systems direct control over national supercomputing networks could expose sensitive data, increase the risk of cyber intrusion, or grant AI access to classified information related to weapons systems.
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We may already have some of the tools we need for the next generation of space exploration. | Credit: NASA

As the moon and Mars take center stage in human spaceflight, scientists are leveraging existing space missions to lay the groundwork for a sustained human presence off-planet.

From pinpointing water resources on the moon to shielding crews from harmful radiation and managing abrasive dust, researchers described how new results from in-service missions are addressing practical challenges of exploration at a press briefing Dec. 17 at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting in Louisiana.

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The scientific work highlighted at the briefing comes as NASA prepares for a renewed push in human exploration. On Dec. 18, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the agency to return astronauts to the moon by 2028 and begin building the "initial elements" of a permanent lunar base by 2030, with newly sworn-in NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman leading the effort.

At the AGU briefing, scientists said they are helping support those ambitions by adapting tools and datasets originally developed for Earth to support future moon and Mars missions.

For instance, Gina DiBraccio, a heliophysicist and acting director of the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, discussed a decision-support tool initially designed to track space weather near Earth that has been extended to incorporate data from Mars missions, helping astronauts assess radiation risks in near real time from the Martian surface.

The dashboard integrates data from multiple Mars missions, including NASA's MAVEN orbiter, Curiosity and Perseverance rovers, with additional data sources planned, DiBraccio said. The project is envisioned as an all-in-one display astronauts could access on a tablet, allowing crews to monitor space weather events such as solar flares and determine whether protective measures are needed.

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"It's really one of the first steps of tools that astronauts will be able to use to understand and assess space weather from the surface of Mars," DiBraccio said.

Other long-running missions at Mars are also producing critical datasets for understanding radiation hazards, scientists said.

Shannon Curry, MAVEN's principal investigator at UC Boulder, highlighted a newly completed catalog of Martian space weather events compiled from the now-silent orbiter data spanning a full solar cycle from 2014 through 2025. The catalog allows scientists to quantify radiation levels in orbit  some of which can penetrate Mars' thin atmosphere and reach the surface  during periods of both low and high solar activity.

"This really informs, over a full solar cycle, what we can expect to see, and when we can expect to see it," Curry said.

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Scientists also stressed the importance of pinpointing water resources on the moon, particularly near the lunar south pole, where NASA plans to land astronauts under its Artemis program.

The four astronauts chosen for the Artemis 2 mission to the moon. | Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani

"The challenge right now is that the datasets don't actually agree exactly where the water is," Bethany Ehlmann, the director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder, told reporters during the briefing.

"We know broadly it's in the south pole, we know broadly there are few craters of interest," she said. "But it's like saying, 'There is water in the city of New Orleans  somewhere.'"

A new imaging spectrometer NASA selected in July could help address that uncertainty, she said. The instrument, which could be used in moon orbit, is designed to act as " enhanced eyes " for astronauts and scientists by mapping water and minerals, and identifying science-packed sites for collecting samples.

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Another focus of the briefing was lunar dust , a persistent challenge during the Apollo era. Fine, abrasive particles damaged spacesuits and equipment, and Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison "Jack" Schmitt famously suffered the first recorded case of extraterrestrial hay fever after exposure to moon dust.

"I think dust is probably one of our greatest inhibitors to a nominal operation on the moon," Apollo 17 commander Gene Cernan said during a post-mission debrief . "I think we can overcome other physiological or physical or mechanical problems except dust."

Scientists are now tackling that challenge through new instruments and missions.

One of them, DUSTER  short for Dust and Plasma Environment Surveyor  has been selected for NASA's Artemis IV mission . Led by Xu Wang of the University of Colorado Boulder, the $24.8 million project will deploy a suite of instruments on a rover to record dust and plasma conditions near the lunar surface and assess how they respond to human activity.

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Another instrument the team is developing is a Compact Electrostatic Dust Analyzer (CEDA), designed to measure key properties of lunar dust, Wang said. The instrument is designed to operate either on the surface or aboard orbiting spacecraft and to survive hard landings regardless of orientation.

"Dust is everywhere on the moon," Wang told reporters on Wednesday. "You can't go around it. You have to deal with and live with it."

Work is also underway to understand whether Mars' localized magnetic fields could provide astronomers limited natural protection from radiation. Initial modeling based on orbital observations suggests crustal magnetic fields locked into Martian rocks could offer shielding over distances of a few miles.

To map those regions in greater detail, teams are working to further miniaturize magnetometers that could be mounted on aerial vehicles, such as small drones similar to NASA's now-retired Ingenuity helicopter , enabling surface surveys at much finer resolution than is possible from orbit, according to Jared Espley, a space scientist at NASA Goddard who is involved with the research.

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Together, the work underscores how robotic missions are critically shaping the future of human exploration, scientists said.

"It's really not a question of robotic exploration or human exploration," Ehlmann said. "It is an 'and'  it's robotic and human exploration and how we do these best together."
In the captivating realm of Korean dramas, where romantic tension and sizzling connections often steal the show, not every pairing hits the mark. Despite stellar individual performances, some stars have faced backlash from fans and critics for failing to ignite that essential spark with their co-stars.

This listicle rounds up 13 such actors and actresses, highlighting specific dramas and pairings where chemistry fell flat, based on online discussions, reviews, and articles. These opinions are subjective, often stemming from mismatched acting styles, age gaps, or script issues, but they've fueled plenty of debates in the Kdrama community.

1. Lee Min-ho

In "The Heirs (2013)," Lee Min-ho's pairing with Park Shin-hye as Kim Tan and Cha Eun-sang drew criticism for possessive dynamics and a lack of genuine romantic connection, with fans noting the romance felt forced despite the hype. Critics pointed out his character's controlling behavior overshadowed any chemistry.

2. Park Shin-hye

Park Shin-hye faced similar flak in "The Heirs" for stale acting and flat expressions, contributing to the duo's unconvincing spark. In "Memories of the Alhambra" (2018) with Hyun Bin, their interactions were described as distant and lacking heat, more like a formal encounter than a romance.

3. Cha Eun-woo

Cha Eun-woo's roles often highlight his visuals, but in "My ID is Gangnam Beauty" (2018) with Im Soo-hyang, the pair's chemistry was called awkward and lacking emotional depth. Similarly, in "Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung" (2019) with Shin Se-kyung, their interactions felt superficial and more friendly than passionate.

4. Park Seo-joon

Despite his charm, Park Seo-joon was criticized in "Hwarang" (2016) with Go Ara for an unconvincing romance that felt forced and awkward. In "Itaewon Class" (2020) with Kim Da-mi, fans felt their dynamic was more platonic, with the age gap hindering romantic believability.

5. Bae Suzy

Bae Suzy's pairing in "Start-Up" (2020) with Nam Joo-hyuk received mixed reactions, with many fans arguing there was no chemistry and preferring her with the second lead. In "Doona!" (2023) with Yang Se-jong, the lack of convincing spark was highlighted, with her character's abrupt shifts making the romance unengaging.

6. Song Hye-kyo

In "The Glory" (2023), Song Hye-kyo's chemistry with Lee Do-hyun was deemed lacking, leading to criticism over an unnecessary kissing scene. Her role in "Now, We Are Breaking Up" (2021) with Jang Ki-yong was called out for minimal emotional display, making the couple unbelievable.

7. Song Kang

Song Kang faced backlash in "Forecasting Love and Weather" (2022) with Park Min-young for little to no chemistry, with the romance feeling silly. In "Nevertheless" (2021) with Han So-hee, the toxic dynamics and mixed signals amplified the perceived lack of genuine connection.

8. Nam Joo-hyuk

Nam Joo-hyuk's chemistry in "Start-Up" with Bae Suzy was criticized as flat, with fans rooting for alternative pairings. In "The Bride of Habaek" (2017) with Shin Se-kyung, the romance lacked magic, feeling underwhelming despite individual performances.

9. Im Soo-hyang

In "My ID is Gangnam Beauty" with Cha Eun-woo, Im Soo-hyang's pairing was faulted for lacking spark and emotional depth. Her role in "Kokdu: Season of Deity" (2023) with Kim Young-dae drew complaints for seriously lacking chemistry amid script inconsistencies.

10. Lee Jung-jae

Lee Jung-jae's upcoming drama "Nice to Not Meet You" (2025) with Lim Ji-yeon has already faced harsh criticism for awkward chemistry in promo shots, with netizens noting a father-daughter vibe due to the age gap.

11. Lim Ji-yeon

Similarly, in "Nice to Not Meet You," Lim Ji-yeon's visuals with Lee Jung-jae were panned for zero chemistry, exacerbated by production choices like costumes and lighting that failed to bridge the perceived disconnect.

12. Hyun Bin

In "Memories of the Alhambra," Hyun Bin's chemistry with Park Shin-hye was described as a dud, with interactions feeling distant and unable to convey a believable romance despite the star power.

13. Han So-hee

Han So-hee's role in "Nevertheless" with Song Kang was criticized for toxic elements that overshadowed any chemistry, with fans noting the relationship's red flags made it hard to root for the pair.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites is seen over Sebastian Inlet after launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., February 26, 2025. REUTERS/Sam Wolfe

Jan 1 (Reuters) - Starlink will begin a reconfiguration of its satellite constellation by lowering all of its satellites orbiting at around 550 km (342 miles) to 480 km over the course of 2026, Michael Nicolls, SpaceX's vice president of Starlink engineering, said on Thursday.

The company is looking to increase space safety by lowering the satellites' orbit.

This comes after Starlink said in December that one of its satellites experienced an anomaly in space, creating a "small" amount of debris and cutting off communications with the spacecraft at 418 km in altitude, a rare kinetic accident in orbit for the satellite internet giant.

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The company had said the satellite, one of nearly 10,000 in space for its broadband internet network, quickly fell four kilometers in altitude, suggesting some kind of explosion occurred on board.

"Lowering the satellites results in condensing Starlink orbits, and will increase space safety in several ways," Nicolls said in a post on social media platform X, adding "the number of debris objects and planned satellite constellations is significantly lower below 500 km, reducing the aggregate likelihood of collision."

The number of spacecraft in Earth's orbit has jumped sharply in recent years as companies and countries race to deploy tens of thousands of satellites for internet constellations and other space-based services such as communications and Earth imagery.

SpaceX, long known for its rocket launch business, has become the world's largest satellite operator through Starlink, a network of nearly 10,000 satellites beaming broadband internet to consumers, governments and enterprise customers.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Chris Reese)
An insight into Vietnam's new Law on Investment

By Vilaf lawyers Thu, January 1, 2026 | 8:00 am GMT+7

The Law on Investment 2025 continues Vietnams broader efforts to simplify administrative procedures and further refine the legal framework governing investment activities, write senior partner Anh Dang and associate Linh Dao at Vilaf law firm.

Anh Dang, a senior partner at Vilaf law firm. Photo courtesy of the law firm.

On December 11, 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed the new Law on Investment (Law on Investment 2025) in the context of Vietnams intensified institutional reforms aimed at improving the investment climate, addressing administrative bottlenecks, and enhancing competitiveness in attracting both domestic and foreign investment.

The Law on Investment 2025 includes seven chapters and 52 articles and will take effect from March 1, 2026, except for Article 7 (Conditional business lines) and Appendix IV (List of conditional business lines), which will take effect from July 1, 2026.

Compared with the Law on Investment 2020, which consisted of 77 articles, the Law on Investment 2025 has been substantially streamlined, signaling a clear policy direction towards reducing pre-licensing procedures and facilitating smoother market entry for investors. This article will discuss about key amendments under the Law on Investment 2025.

Reduction of regulatory barriers for foreign investors in establishing economic organizations in Vietnam

Under the Law on Investment 2020, foreign investors are generally required to have an approved investment project prior to establishing an economic organization, except for certain special projects as decided by the Prime Minister in which foreign investors are permitted to establish an economic organization to implement the investment project before applying for the issuance of the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC).

From March 1, 2026, Article 19.2 of the Law on Investment 2025 will allow foreign investors investing in any investment project to establish an economic organization before applying for the issuance of the IRC.

Importantly, it should also be noted that foreign investors are still required to satisfy the market access conditions, such as the foreign ownership limits, investment forms, etc., at the stage of establishing the economic organization to implement the investment project. Accordingly, foreign investors are still expected to carefully identify and assess their proposed business lines before applying for establishment of an economic organization in Vietnam.

From a practical standpoint, this change reduces administrative burdens, increases regulatory flexibility, and expedites the preparatory stages of market entry for foreign investors in Vietnam. This adjustment to the licensing sequence is presumably a positive regulatory development, as it permits foreign investors to establish a commercial presence in Vietnam prior to obtaining approval of an investment project.

In addition, foreign investors may now open a direct investment capital account (DICA) for the purpose of contributing capital to cover initial project expenditures prior to commencement of the project, without awaiting the issuance of the IRC, a process that has so far been time-consuming, especially for land-using projects.

Nevertheless, these new provisions also give rise to certain legal uncertainties and practical risks, indicating the need for further implementing guidance. For instance, if the application for the IRC is later rejected, it remains unclear how the legal consequences of the already-established project company could be addressed.

Investment projects subject to In-principle Approval (IPA) (Chap thuan chu truong au tu in Vietnamese) and competent approval authorities

Article 24 of the Law on Investment 2025 enumerates 20 specific categories of investment projects that are subject to IPA, primarily in important and sensitive sectors including (i) seaport, airport, telecommunications, publishing, and press projects; (ii) projects involving proposed use of land or maritime areas; and (iii) projects that impact the environment or are implemented in areas affecting national security and defense.

In respect of projects for which investors propose state land allocation or lease without an auction of land use rights, Article 24.8 introduces three circumstances under which such projects are exempt from IPA. This amendment represents a meaningful reduction in administrative procedures for ordinary investment projects.

Moreover, Article 25 of the Law on Investment 2025 adjusts the competence to decide on IPA in a more streamlined and centralized manner. Specifically, the authority to issue an IPA is vested only in the Prime Minister and the Chairmen of the Provincial Peoples Committees, while the competence of the National Assembly in this area is now limited to investment projects that require the application of special mechanisms or policies deviating from the provisions of laws or resolutions of the National Assembly.

Associate Linh Dao at Vilaf law firm. Photo courtesy of the company.

Reduction in the number of conditional business lines

The number of conditional business activities has been reduced under the Law on Investment 2025. Under the list of conditional business activities (under Appendix IV thereto), the Government has removed 38 conditional business lines, including tax procedure services, customs procedure services, data center services and has revised the scope of 20 other business lines. The remaining conditional sectors are primarily concentrated in finance, accounting, forestry, fisheries, agriculture, construction, and transportation.

As a result, projects operating in the removed sectors will no longer be subject to conditional business requirements or additional licensing as previously imposed. This reform is expected to lower compliance costs, facilitate market entry, and foster a more competitive and business-friendly investment environment.

Narrowing the cases requiring adjustment of investment projects

Article 33 of the Law on Investment 2025 removes two circumstances that previously required procedures for adjustment of investment projects, namely: (i) an increase or decrease of 20% or more of the total investment capital of the investment project; and (ii) a change in appraised technology.

Accordingly, from March 1, 2026, only will five circumstances require investors to carry out investment project adjustment procedures. This revision reflects the States intention to reduce involvement in business autonomy of investors and to place greater responsibility on investors to make and take responsibility for their own decisions.

Expansion of the scope of application of special investment procedures

Pursuant to Article 28.1 of the Law on Investment 2025, investors are entitled to opt for registration of their investment projects under the special investment procedures for projects implemented in industrial parks, export processing zones, hi-tech parks, concentrated digital technology parks, free trade zones, international financial centers, and functional zones within economic zones, except for projects that are subject to investment policy approval as prescribed by the Government.

Compared with Law on Investment 2020, the Law on Investment 2025 has significant changes in special investment procedures. Accordingly, pursuant to Article 28.1 of the Law on Investment 2025, the special investment procedure would no longer be confined to certain sectors as previously prescribed under Article 36(a).1 of the old law, but extended to all investment projects in the areas subject to the special investment procedures, except for those subject to IPA as prescribed by the Government.

In addition, investors applying for special investment procedures are not required to carry out procedures for IPA, technology appraisal, preparation of an environmental impact assessment report, preparation of detailed planning, issuance of a construction permit, or other procedures for approval, acceptance, or permission in the fields of construction and fire prevention and fighting.

Instead, pursuant to Article 28.2 of the Law on Investment 2025, investors are only required to submit a written undertaking to comply with applicable legal requirements, including those relating to construction, environmental protection, and fire prevention and fighting as noted above.

At Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen in Thai Nguyen province, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Hanoi Moi (New Hanoi) newspaper.

Investment incentive and investment support

Instead of adopting a detailed listing approach to investment-incentivized business lines as provided under Article 16.1 of the Law on Investment 2020, the Law on Investment 2025 introduces a fundamentally different regulatory approach to investment incentives.

Specifically, pursuant to Article 15.1 of the Law on Investment 2025, investment-incentivized sectors and trades are defined based on policy objectives, rather than by an exhaustive enumeration of specific industries. Under this approach, investment incentives are granted to sectors prioritized for investment attraction in order to (hopefully) achieve the following objectives:

(i) Development of science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, the digital technology industry, and the semiconductor industry;

(ii) Development of the green economy, circular economy, sharing economy, digital economy, and other emerging economic models;

(iii) Development of industrial clusters and value chains; attraction of investment featuring modern governance, high added value, spillover effects, and integration into global production and supply chains;

(iv) Development of renewable energy, new energy, and clean energy, and ensuring national energy security;

(v) Development of agriculture and forestry; protection of the environment and natural resources; and development of the marine economy;

(vi) Construction and development of infrastructure;

(vii) Development of education and training, healthcare, high-performance sports, and national culture;

(viii) Development of key chemical industries, key mechanical engineering industries, supporting industries, and the pharmaceutical industry; and

(ix) Other objectives as prescribed by the Government.

One notable development is that the list of locations eligible for investment incentives has been updated to align with the newly enacted regulations. Accordingly, in addition to industrial zones, export processing zones, hi-tech zones, concentrated digital technology zones, and economic zones which were already entitled to investment incentives under the Law on Investment 2020, the Law on Investment 2025 expands the scope of incentivized locations to include industrial clusters, hi-tech agriculture zones, free trade zones, and international financial centers.

With respect to projects entitled to special investment incentives and support, the Law on Investment 2025 further expands the scope of application. In addition to the projects specified under Articles 17.2(a) and 17.2(b) of the Law on Investment 2025, the Government is now authorized to decide on the application of special investment incentives and support to other investment projects (including both new investment projects and expansion projects) that fall within specially incentivized sectors, provided that such projects meet the minimum investment capital threshold and capital disbursement schedule as prescribed by the Government.

In addition, the Prime Minister is empowered to decide on the application of other investment incentives where it is necessary to encourage the development of a particularly important investment project or a special administrative-economic unit. This adjustment is expected to enhance flexibility and accelerate decision-making in the application of investment incentives, compared to the previous regime under which such authority was vested in the National Assembly and was contingent upon submission by the Government.

Changes to regulations on outbound investment

The Law on Investment 2025 abolishes the procedure for approval of outbound investment policy, along with related provisions governing capital flows in outbound investment activities. Matters such as opening outward investment capital accounts, transferring capital abroad, using profits overseas, and repatriating profits to Vietnam will be addressed separately under forthcoming regulations on foreign exchange management.

In parallel, Article 42 of Law on Investment 2025 narrows the scope of outbound investment projects subject to procedures for issuance, adjustment or termination of the Outbound Investment Registration Certificate (Outbound IRC). Such procedures will now apply only to projects meeting investment capital levels as prescribed by the Government or projects in conditional outward investment business lines under Article 41, such as banking, securities, and real estate.

For large scale outward investment projects, the new amended law requires the Ministry of Finance to report to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval prior to the issuance or adjustment to the Outbound IRC in accordance with Article 42.2 of the Law on Investment 2025.

Termination of the operation of investment projects

Article 36.2 of the Law on Investment 2025 introduces two significant changes concerning the circumstances under which the competent authorities may mandatorily terminate, or partially terminate, the operation of an investment project. Accordingly, the investment registration authority may decide to terminate or partially terminate an investment project, among other cases, in the following circumstances:

(i) where the investment project falls within a case of land revocation in accordance with the land law; and

(ii) where a project company has been dissolved but has not terminated the investment project or transferred or otherwise assigned ownership of the investment project in accordance with applicable law.

With respect to circumstance (ii), this provision helps to harmonize the Law on Investment 2025 with other relevant legislations and, at the same time, clearly delineates the legal consequences arising from the termination of the investors legal status. By contrast, certain concerns remain in relation to circumstance (i) above.

Under this provision, an investment project may be subject to mandatory termination even where the investor has not committed any violation and has not caused delays or land non-use. For instance, where land is recovered by the State for purposes of national defense, security, or national and public interests, the project may still be required to terminate its operations.

This is a significant point for investors to note, as it directly affects their legitimate rights and interests, particularly in cases where land recovery arises from objective factors beyond the investors control. Previously, pursuant to Article 48.2(dd) of the Law on Investment 2020, termination of an investment project on the grounds of violations of land regulations applied solely to cases where the land was not put into use or was put into use behind schedule in accordance with land legislation.

Although the implementing regulations (i.e. the procedures for project termination) have not yet been officially promulgated by the Government, the Law on Investment 2025 broadens the scope of such circumstances, thereby giving rise to concerns among investors.

To conclude, the Law on Investment 2025 continues Vietnams broader efforts to simplify administrative procedures and further refine the legal framework governing investment activities. Although the amendments are largely perceived as investor-friendly and progressive, their effectiveness in practice will ultimately depend on the clarity and timeliness of the implementing regulations, as well as the consistency and uniformity of application by authorities at both central and local levels.

It is expected that the implementing regulations guiding the Law on Investment 2025 will be promulgated in the near future, providing a clear legal basis for the consistent and effective implementation of the investment-related provisions in practice.
New Year Message of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

As Sri Lanka enters the New Year 2026, the Ministry reaffirms its commitment to rebuilding the nation through principled global engagement, dignified foreign employment, and a modern, sustainable tourism economy. This is a moment for disciplined reform and renewed confidence.

Sri Lankas foreign policy is being advanced with clarity and balance strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnerships, restoring international trust, and positioning the country as a reliable and constructive global partner. Diplomacy today must directly support economic recovery, investment, trade access, and national security.

Foreign employment remains a vital pillar of our economy. In 2026, the Ministrys priority is to protect Sri Lankan workers abroad, expand safe and legal migration pathways, improve skills recognition, and ensure dignity, welfare, and fair treatment for every Sri Lankan serving overseas. A skilled and protected workforce strengthens both remittances and national credibility.

Tourism is being repositioned toward quality, sustainability, and resilience. Our focus is on environmentally responsible tourism, higher value offerings, regional balance, and global standards that protect communities while enhancing Sri Lankas international brand.

Rebuilding Sri Lanka requires institutional strength, clean governance, and active engagement with the world. Guided by the Governments vision, the Ministry will continue to work with international partners, the private sector, and the Sri Lankan diaspora to secure growth, opportunity, and long-term national stability in 2026 and beyond.

Vijitha Herath

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism

Sri Lanka
Flashback: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar fields questions from the media during a post-Cabinet news conference at the Red House in May. Standing behind her, from left, are Attorney General John Jeremie, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste, Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal and Sport Minister Phillip Watts. Photo: ISHMAEL SALANDY
If I asked you (the reader): do you think most people can be trusted? Would you answer yes o
PHOENIX  Arizona appears finally ready to adopt some specific requirements for employers to protect their workers from excess heat.

Companies would be required to develop plans designed to ensure that their employees have access to water, shade and rest, according to recommendations released this week by a special state task force. They also would mandate that employers train their supervisors and workers about the risks of heat exposure.

What came out of what Gov. Katie Hobbs called the Workplace Heat Safety Task Force, however, does not include hard-and-fast standards, such as what employers must do when the temperature reaches a specific point. Instead, the recommendations  and, for the moment, that's all they are  say are designed to be flexible, particularly in requirements for rest breaks.

The next step is for an advisory committee of the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health to review the recommendations, have a public hearing on Feb. 4, and come up with its own proposal. That, in turn, gets forwarded to the Industrial Commission of Arizona, the agency charged with protecting worker safety.

If guidelines close to these are adopted by the commission, they are far more comprehensive than what the state has now.

Commission Chairman Dennis Kavanaugh said the problem to date is that Arizona has had no real standards to determine whether workers were being subjected to excessive heat.

Instead, he told Capitol Media Services, all his agency has had to work with is a general duty of employers to provide a "safe workplace.'' There is nothing in the current rules that tell employers exactly what they have to do to provide shade, water, rest periods and even training and acclimatization of new workers.

"Sometimes, that can be amorphous,'' Kavanaugh said

And that, said Kavanaugh, can make it difficult to cite employers who may be placing their workers at risk.

"I think it's a positive step forward,'' he said of the recommendations. "I think the approach is generally good.''

Still, Kavanaugh has concerns about the fact that, even if the recommendations are adopted, whether as guidelines or more formal rules, they may lack specificity.

"The logical question is, how can we enforce this?'' he asked. "You want employers and workers to know what the rules are, what you need to do to stay in compliance to increase the chances you've got a safe workplace.''

But what that also means, said Kavanaugh, is that employers need to know exactly what they must do to stay out of legal trouble. And that, he said, can meal spelling out what is required.

"If you do A, B and D and didn't do C, and somebody got hurt, you are aware of it,'' Kavanaugh said. "It makes it easier to prove a violation.''

That's something Kavanaugh understands.

Prior to becoming a member of the commission, he was its chief counsel. And that meant he and his staff were the ones who had to pursue charges against companies that were accused of not maintaining safe workplaces.

What's in the recommendations do have some general standards.

For example, it says employees must have "ready access to potable drinking water at no cost.''

It also must be located "as close as practicable and reasonable'' to where employees are working and be free from dirt or contamination and cool  something the guidelines say ideally would be 59 degree.

Another part of the recommendations calls for "adequate shade'' in any natural or constructed structure that blocks direct sunlight. It also says employees "should be encouraged'' to take cool-down rests in shaded areas where water should be available.

And they say workers should be allowed, without penalty, to take rest brakes in the shade "when they feel the need to do so to prevent overheating.''

All that is supposed to be in a "heat illness prevention plan'' that each company must develop.

Kavanaugh said that's good but wonders if it goes far enough.

It starts, he said, with the currently unanswered question of whether those plans will have to be filed with the commission. What makes that important, Kavanaugh said, goes to the ability to cite a company that isn't even complying with its own plan.

Members of the 24-person task force could not be immediately reached for comment. Hobbs released the recommendations late Wednesday -- New Year's Eve -- even though then document shows it actually was prepared on Dec. 16.

Instead, the governor's office did supply prepared statements from several task force members.

Jason Sangster, business manager of Ironworkers Local 75, called the recommendation "a win for Arizona workers.''

"By implementing these changes, we are making sure all workers can return home safely to their family after a hard day's work in the Arizona heat,'' he said.

David Martin, president of the Arizona Chapter of General Contractors Association, said his organization "has historically been cautious about one-size-fits-all regulations.'' Martin said he appreciated being given "the chance to bring practical, on-the-ground construction perspective into the conversation.''

And Phil Smithers, director of safety and environment at Arizona Public Service, said the recommendations "provide a flexible set of best practices ... while supporting the need to restore power quickly to our customers.''

Those comments address the exceptions that are built into the recommendations, including emergency operations to protect life or property, or restoring essential services like utilities and communications.
Oops: Best of 2025

Mistaken for David Hasselhoff, a wayward throat lozenge, AI stuff-ups and barefoot behind the news desk -here are 2025's TV mishaps.

And another year goes by with more bloopers, blunders and stuff-ups by TV networks that made us laugh, cringe and connect our hand to our face.

Once again TV Tonight has collated some of the more memorable moments, this year including one by the audience as well!

News

Poor Dickie Wilkins was attempting a cross to the Today show from a Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning premiere in London when he was interrupted by a couple of likely lads .thinking he was actually David Hasselhoff. Noah Knight posted on Instagram: Best feeling in the world meeting your idol. Wilkins replied to the post Dont hassle The Hoff. Others suggested it may have been Barry Manilow, William Shatner or Aussie Temu Rod Stewart.

Tom Steinfort made the cut twice this year, first appearing in off-camera chit chat with a Nine News floor manager, which accidentally went to air.

and then spotted shoeless after suffering a compound fracture of his big toe. He later revealed, As a result I cant wear shoes for a little while but figured Id still be fine to work and hide my left foot behind the deskclearly I was wrong! Damn wide shot coming back from the break got me. Next time Ill just opt for foot amputation so we dont have this issue again!

Speaking of footsies, Sunrise was forced to dump vision of Podiatrist Dr Hassan Al Hamid from its website and socials after it learned he had actually been suspended from practising some 18 months earlier. He had remained on air until as late as July 2025, dishing out footwear advice to Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington.

How can we forget Peter Overtons throat lozenge spat out during a live cross with Charles Croucher? As you know I had vocal cord surgery this year. I always have a lozenge by my side but last night it was in my mouth. I misread the rundown. I thought Chris Kohler was throwing into his package but that wasnt to be and suddenly Charles (Croucher) was in my face and I didnt know where to pass the lozenge, he explained.

Language.

Then there was a mental blank by Nine News Perth reporter, Owen Leonard. Weve all had those days.

Meanwhile Seven National News At Noon weather presenter Gertie Spurling gave the right outlook for Fri-Sun weekend weather, but the graphics threw up Fri  Mon with Sunday cancelled entirely in Brissy.

A man (still) wanted in relation to the alleged murder of two police officers in Victoria drew a reward increase by Seven News, from $1m to $100m.

ABC rolled out the apologies this year, including by News Breakfast after an F-bomb in the song Hey You by The Belair Lip Bombs, was broadcast as part of a collaboration with triple j Unearthed.

Insiders was also forced to apologise after News Corps Samantha Maiden suggested Nine journalist Josh Bavas was warned not to ask Bob Katter about his Lebanese heritage prior to a presser. The ABC wishes to clarify that no conversation took place. Insiders apologises for the error, ABC said later.

Nines ongoing AI problems

Cutbacks and so-called job efficiencies are never ideal and must be really hitting Nines promo department this year, given AI errors all over the joint.

Just this week a Nine Brisbane promo was pulled from air after it featured the Story Bridge twice, positioned at either end of the CBD, plus high-rise buildings that dont exist.

There was also a Block promo with Scott Cam not wearing a seat belt.. until he did in a reissued version.

Then there was this Current Affair image suggesting a very different Ally Langdon (it turned out to be the woman at the centre of its latest expose).

And the good folk over at Mumbrella noticed animated AI errors in Christmas with Delta, given three arms and a Nine logo minus 6 dots.

Also

AI in captioning appeared to be behind a litany of name errors for Planet Americas Chas Licciardello, variously captioned as Chisora Schrier DeLauro then Chaz DesJarlais, Chadwick Dai Le, or Charles Brice Suella. At one point he was even referred to as Chairs.

In January SEO agency StudioHawk attempted a little company publicity sending out a press release suggesting Sarah Ferguson was Australias most popular TV host -only problem was they used social followings as their methodology and mistook the 700,000+ following Fergie, then Duchess of York, as following the 7:30 host (currently less than 3,000). After TV Tonight pointed out the errors they reissued the list elevating Edwina Bartholomew to top spot claiming her as Australias most popular TV host of all time.

Sevens Jason Richardson when introducing the 2025 AFL Grand Final declared, Its the Cats & the Dogs meeting for the very first time. Nope. It was Cats & the Lions.

If you chose to reminisce with an old episode of All Saints, Prime Video would have you believe the hospital was set in Toronto, Canada.

Before The Project got the chop from 10, Steve Price passed comment on the cost of living and rising subscription prices try getting out of a Streaming service and how hard that is. Try dumping that dreadful Binge or whatever it is. You cant get out of it. Waleed Aly then reminded Price he is also a SKY News presenter.

And lastly, this year even the audience made an oops. Sort of.

After Jimmy Kimmel was suspended by US-based ABC network, Australias own ABC copped a backlash receiving hundreds of complaints citing concerns about free speech and the First Amendment to the US Constitution. I will NEVER watch ABC again  Free speech is gone. Go Jimmy Kimmel! was typical of the sentiment.

Ok well blame Americans for that one.
Vale: Tim Robertson

Prolific actor / director / writer, best known for Chances, Power without Glory, Prisoner, and Stingers, has died.

Prolific actor / director / writer Tim Robertson, best known for Chances, Power without Glory, Prisoner, and Stingers, has died, aged 81.

British born Robertson enjoyed a long career in Australian stage and screen, joining the Australian Performing Group at the Pram Factory in Melbourne in 1972. This included the second ever production of Dimboola, directed by David Williamson.

His TV work was prolific in the 1970s including roles in Matlock Police, Homicide, Rush, Division 4, Cash & Company, Tandarra, Bluey, Against the Wind, The Sullivans, Skyways, Cop Shop.

In Frank Hardys Power Without Glory he played Arthur West for 14 episodes.

Work continued in the 1980s in Young Ramsay, Scales of Justice, Special Squad, Carsons Law, Vietnam, Raffertys Rules, The Heroes, Round the Twist, Neighbours and A Thousand Skies. He had various roles in Prisoner and 16 episodes of Australia Youre Standing In It.

Other credits included All the Rivers Run II, Skirts, The Flying Doctors, Time Trax, Ocean Girl, Halifax fp, Snowy River: The McGregor Saga, Kangaroo Palace, Thuderstone, Beastmaster, Shock Jock, Stingers, CrashBurn and Last Man Standing. In Chances he played Jack Taylor for a whopping 90 episodes.

His film credits were equally impressive including The Cars that Ate Paris, Petersen The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Dimboola, The Last of the Knucklemen, Phar Lap, Bliss, Jenny Kissed Me, Kangaroo, The Year My Voice Broke, Evil Angels, The Big Steal, Bodysurfer, Amy, He Died with a Felafel in His Hand, Holy Smoke and The Eye of the Storm.

He also wrote and directed in theatre, including lyrics for the ill-fated musical Manning Clarks History of Australia  The Musical in 1988.

On Facebook, legendary Abigail, who worked with him on Bodysurfer and Chances, wrote Tim was an amazing talent with a multitude of credits over his career in the Australian film and television industry. Tim was a pleasure to work with and we send our love and condolences to his family and all who knew him.
Dai, born in 1969, a Vietnamese national, had his last permanent residence in Bach Mai ward of Hanoi and is currently residing in Germany. Before this case, he had two criminal convictions. In November 2007, he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and four years probation for conducting propaganda against the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under Article 88 the 1999 Penal Code, a conviction for which his criminal record has not been expunged. In April 2018, the Hanoi Peoples Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison and five years probation for activities aimed at overthrowing the peoples administration in lien with Article 79 of the 1999 Penal Code. He was later granted a temporary suspension of his prison sentence under a court decision issued in June 2018. The court ruled to combine the remaining sentence of 12 years, six months and eight days from the 2018 judgment with the new sentence, forcing Dai to serve a total of 29 years, six months and eight days in prison. The prison term will be calculated from the date of enforcement.



As an additional penalty, the court imposed five years of probation, consolidated with the probation penalty under the 2018 judgment, to be served after completion of the prison term. In this case, Dai is wanted by the Ministry of Public Securitys Investigation Security Agency under a wanted notice issued on December 5, 2025. The Hanoi Peoples Court called on Dai to surrender and appear in court to exercise his right to self-defence. As he failed to do so, the court conducted the trial in absentia in accordance with the law.



All legal procedures in the case were announced through the mass media. The court also appointed lawyers to defend Dai.



According to the indictment by the Supreme Peoples Procuracy, from July 21 to November 7, 2025, Dai used nine accounts and channels to create, post and disseminate numerous articles and video clips on social media containing distorted and defamatory content against the peoples administration, fabrications and misinformation aimed at causing public anxiety and opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Among these materials, 11 videos and one article were concluded to contain such violations.



The court found that Dais actions seriously infringed upon national security, caused public concern, and affected Vietnams reputation in the international arena. The first-instance judgment affirmed that the indictment was well-founded and lawful, describing the case as particularly serious. The ruling held that a strict sentence was necessary to punish the offender and serve as a deterrent and general prevention measure.

Le Trung Khoa (Photo: Published by VNA)

Also on December 31, the Hanoi Peoples Court also opened a first-instance trial of defendant Le Trung Khoa (born in 1971, of Vietnamese nationality. His last permanent residence before departure was in Dong Da ward, Hanoi, and he is currently residing in Germany.



There are also three co-defendants, all prosecuted by the Supreme Peoples Procuracy for making, storing, distributing, and spreading information and documents, aimed at sabotaging the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under Article 117 of the Penal Code. The court sentenced Le Trung Khoa to 17 years in prison. The other defendants - Do Van Nga (born in 1977, residing in Gia Lai province), Huynh Bao Duc (born in 1984, residing in Ho Chi Minh City), and Pham Quang Thien (born in 1978, residing in Hanoi) to seven years imprisonment, six years and six months in jail, and five years and six months, respectively, for the same offence.



Among the four defendants, Khoa is subject to a wanted notice issued by the Ministry of Public Securitys Investigation Security Agency on December 5, 2025. The Hanoi Peoples Court called on him to surrender and appear in court to exercise his right to self-defence. As he failed to do so, the court conducted the trial in absentia in accordance with the law. A lawyer was also appointed to defend Khoa.



According to the indictment, since 2016, Khoa had used 12 pages and channels to post numerous articles and video clips on social media containing distorted and defamatory contents against the peoples administration, fabrications causing public anxiety, and material smearing the reputation of Party and State leaders, to oppose the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.



Of the materials examined, authorities concluded that 21 video clips and 10 articles contained such violations. Although aware of the unlawful nature of the contents and its anti-State purpose, the co-defendants Nga, Duc and Thien nevertheless assisted Khoa by writing articles, editing videos or performing other supporting tasks. Specifically, Nga wrote nine articles, Duc edited and inserted images into four video clips, and Thien wrote one article.



The trial panel held that the indictment was well-founded and lawful. It found that the defendants acts seriously infringed upon national security and negatively affected social order and safety, particularly in cyberspace. Khoa was identified as the mastermind and ringleader, directly posting and disseminating the majority of the illegal contents, while the other defendants acted as accomplices.



The court concluded that the offences were particularly serious, causing social concern and harming Vietnams reputation in the international arena, and that strict penalties are necessary to uphold the rule of law, educate the offenders and serve as a general deterrent./. VNA
According the Department of Customs, seafood export turnover in the first 11 months reached more than $10.3 billion, up nearly 15 percent year on year.

Shrimp and pangasius (catfish) remain the two largest export items, driving overall growth of the seafood sector. Specifically, shrimp exports reached $4.31 billion in 11 months, up 21.2 percent, while pangasius exceeded $2 billion, up 9 percent.

Exports of squid and octopus brought $0.7 billion in revenue, up 18 percent. Crabs and other crustaceans also surged 23 percent, bringing in nearly $0.36 billion. Other seafood products generated $2.25 billion, up 15 percent compared with the same period 2024. Tuna exports were the only segment to decline, down 5 percent to nearly $0.86 billion.

Vietnamese seafood is currently exported to 167 markets worldwide. Among them, China (including Hong Kong), the US and Japan remain the top three buyers, accounting for 54 percent of total seafood export value in the first 11 months of 2025.

Exports to China reached $2.26 billion, up 30.6 percent year on year. Shipments to the US totaled nearly $1.78 billion, up 6 percent, while exports to Japan exceeded $1.56 billion, up 10.3 percent.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), seafood exports in December are expected to decline slightly compared with November due to seasonal factors and businesses cautiousness when trading with the US.

Many enterprises are temporarily restricting new seafood export contracts to the US until official guidance on new regulations is issued. However, shrimp exports may remain at levels similar to November or only decline slightly thanks to stable demand in Japan, the EU and CPTPP markets.

Analyzing the 11-month exports and year-end prospects, VASEP forecasts that Vietnams seafood exports could set a new record in 2025, reaching $11.2$11.3 billion, the highest level ever.

Shrimp exports are expected to exceed $4.6 billion, establishing a new record for the segment. Pangasius exports are estimated to surpass $2.1 billion thanks to recovering demand from Asia and China. Tuna exports are also forecast to exceed $900 million, approaching the $1 billion mark.

At the 2025 year-end conference reviewing the 20212025 term and outlining key tasks for 2026, held on December 19, VASEP Secretary General Nguyen Hoai Nam emphasized that this is an important milestone contributing to the implementation of Vietnams Fisheries Development Strategy to 2030, approved by the Prime Minister. The achievement also makes a meaningful contribution to total agricultural exports, national exports and double-digit economic growth.

He highlighted the Prime Ministers meeting with VASEP on April 13, 2023 at the Government Office as a particularly important milestone for the association. Together with two Government resolutions issued in April 2023 (Resolutions No50 and 58), the Prime Ministers decisions and directives not only created positive sentiment and renewed momentum for the seafood business community, but were also translated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and other ministries into concrete support measures to address difficulties.

VASEP also recalled the special date of August 8, 2021. At a time when the country focused on combating the Covid-19 pandemic, seafood production and exports were severely disrupted, inventories of raw materials and finished products were high, yet enterprises still had to continue purchasing shrimp and fish from farmers and fishermen for processing and frozen storage.

At a meeting during that period, VASEP representatives proposed that the Government and relevant ministries consider reducing electricity costs for seafood enterprises due to increased freezing and cold storage requirements. The Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien immediately agreed on the proposal.

The Government issued Decree No97/2021/ND-CP shortly thereafter, granting a 10 percent electricity price reduction for three months to seafood enterprises in provinces implementing Directive 16. This support was timely and highly meaningful.

Over the last many years, especially during the challenging year of 2025, the seafood business community has received close support from ministries and agencies, particularly the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in many areas such as rules of origin, logistics, trade promotion, trade remedies and market expansion.

The Trade Promotion Agency has consistently coordinated with and supported the association in implementing highly effective national key trade fairs and promotion activities in major seafood import markets worldwide, including the US, the EU, China and Japan. This support has been especially important for the association and small enterprises in maintaining brand image and supplier positioning in global markets.

Tam An
Illustrative photo

A draft decree guiding the implementation of several articles of the Law on Higher Education states that universities would not be allowed to arbitrarily adopt names that imply special status such as international, national, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, or equivalent English terms.

Pham Thai Son, Director of Admissions at HCMC University of Industry and Trade, said the draft regulation on naming higher education institutions has a reasonable basis, as it aims to promote transparency and avoid misleading or deceiving students. Applicants and parents can be strongly influenced by school names and brands.

However, he expressed concern about applying this regulation uniformly to long-established universities with stable brands.

Citing Saigon International University as an example, Son said that forcing the removal of the word international could result in a new name that is both confusing and unreasonable. In his view, a universitys name is not only a legal issue but also closely tied to its history and brand identity.

Ghost universities

On the positive side, he noted that the draft could help limit the phenomenon of ghost universities, institutions that use grand-sounding names without sufficient training capacity or degree-awarding authority, thereby reducing the risk of misleading learners.

Nevertheless, if the regulation is too rigid, it could reduce creativity in building education brands and cause many universities to lose their unique identity. He emphasized that protecting learners does not lie in the name itself, but in the substance of training quality.

So, he suggested that management agencies should focus on tightening quality accreditation, with clear and transparent criteria that are implemented seriously, rather than placing excessive emphasis on university names.

Associate Prof Do Van Dung, former President of HCMC University of Technology and Education, said that based on international experience, regulations restricting the use of terms such as national, international, or state in university names are rigid and carry many limitations in terms of flexibility, global competitiveness, and education brand development.

Dung said that in many countries, universities are encouraged to freely choose their names to reflect their mission, status, and international appeal. Worldwide, hundreds of universities use terms like National, International, or State to emphasize scale, national role, or global orientation, without needing special approval from the government.

For example, the National University of Singapore (NUS) is one of Asias leading universities and is currently ranked in the global top 10 according to QS Rankings 2025. The use of the word National reflects its status as Singapores leading national university. Although strongly supported by the government, NUS is not constrained by prohibitive regulations related to its name.

In the US, universities such as Florida International University or Alliant International University freely use the term International in their names to build brand identity, helping increase the proportion of international students to around 2030 percent. Meanwhile, public universities such as Ohio State University or California State University use the word State to reflect public funding sources and state-level roles, without needing special approval or facing restrictions.

According to Dung, if Vietnam applies a ban on these terms, it could reduce the competitiveness of domestic universities compared to those in the region. While Singapore and Malaysia encourage the use of nationally or internationally oriented terms to build education brands, improve global rankings, and attract investment capital, restrictions in Vietnam could create clear disadvantages.

He noted that if the regulation is applied rigidly, some universities such as International University  Vietnam National University, HCMC could be forced to change their names, weakening their image, brand, and ability to attract international students.

He said in most developed countries, university naming is managed in a relatively loose manner, mainly to avoid duplication or false advertising, rather than banning specific terms like National or International.

In the US and Canada, university names are freely chosen as long as trademarks are registered and geographic duplication is avoided. Even two universities may have similar names if they are located in different states or provinces. In Canada, universities named after provinces or major cities, such as the University of Toronto, are often considered prestigious, but are not restricted from using nationally oriented terms.

He believes that risks of name misuse can be fully controlled through reputation assessment and quality accreditation mechanisms, rather than absolute bans.

Thanh Hung
Speaking at the ministry's press briefing on December 31, Le Thi Viet Lam, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation, said ADGMIN is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)s highest-level cooperation mechanism in the digital sector.



Held annually on a rotating basis among ASEAN member states, the meeting plays a key role in shaping strategic orientations, formulating policies and promoting digital cooperation within ASEAN, while strengthening collaboration with partners and international organisations amid rapid digital and digital-economy transformation globally.



As an ASEAN member, Vietnam will host the meeting in 2026, reaffirming its proactive, active and responsible role in regional digital cooperation, the official said. The event is expected to attract around 300 domestic and international delegates, including leaders of the Vietnamese Government, ministers, deputy ministers and senior officials in charge of digital affairs from ASEANs 11 member states, the ASEAN Secretary-General and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat.



Leaders of digital authorities from ASEAN dialogue partners such as China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Russia and the US are also expected to attend, along with senior representatives from international and regional organisations, including the United Nations, the European Union and the International Telecommunication Union.



The 6th ADGMIN will be held under the theme ASEAN Adaptive: From Infrastructure Connectivity to Intelligent Connectivity, reflecting the blocs digital cooperation orientation in a new development phase, moving beyond expanding connectivity infrastructure towards leveraging data, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and smart systems.



At the meeting, ministers will discuss the transition from traditional connectivity models to intelligent connectivity, with a focus on data, AI, innovation, digital governance, digital workforce development and ASEANs sustainable socio-economic development goals.



From January 1214, meetings of ASEAN digital senior officials, sessions with dialogue partners, thematic discussions and side events will take place. The official opening ceremony, ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting, ASEANdialogue partner ministerial meetings, and a formal reception combined with the presentation of the 2026 ASEAN Digital Awards will be held on January 15. Ministerial meetings with partners and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council will continue on January 16, alongside the announcement of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2026-2030.



According to Lam, the meeting will feature several highlights. It will mark the first time Timor-Leste participates as a full ASEAN member. The ministerial dialogue is expected to include a UN Deputy Secretary-General in charge of digital and emerging technologies, offering a global perspective on digital technology, AI and digital governance trends.



The finals and awards ceremony of the ASEAN Digital Awards, an annual initiative honouring outstanding digital solutions and initiatives, will be held in Hanoi. The launch of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 20262030 will set key orientations for regional digital development in the coming period. In addition, a digital technology showcase will be organised, featuring products and applications that reflect emerging digital trends across the region./. VNA
The objectives were revealed by the municipal Department of Tourism at a meeting held on December 30 to review the 2025 performance and set forth orientations for next year.



To achieve these targets, the city will amend its Tourism Development Plan through 2030, focusing on redefining its vision, development direction, core values, growth indicators, priority markets, products, and branding strategy. The city also aims to strengthen comprehensive socio-economic and tourism linkages with regions and localities nationwide to capitalise on regional strengths and enhance competitiveness.



The departments Director Pham Huy Binh said that in 2026, the sector will prioritise high-quality and in-depth tourism products; improve service quality and competitiveness; promote digital transformation in management, promotion and services; and enhance human resources development to meet integration and sustainable development needs. Connectivity with other localities will also be boosted to create seamless tourism chains, thus enriching visitor experiences and contributing to socio-economic growth.



Vice Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Dung highlighted that the citys tourism sector has maintained positive momentum in 2025, recording about 8.56 million international visitors, 45.6 million domestic tourists, and revenue of 278 trillion VND.



These results, he said, reflect both the sectors strong efforts and its shift towards a more professional and sustainable development approach.



Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh emphasised that HCM City should continue to play a leading role in driving Vietnams tourism sector. He urged closer coordination with businesses, improved investment conditions, facilitation of innovation, and effective implementation of the two-tier local administration model in tourism management./. VNA
This decision removes one of the biggest obstacles facing Vietnams tea exports in recent times. The outcome was achieved thanks to the close direction of the Prime Minister as well as the persistent and proactive efforts of the Ministry of Industry and Trade through multiple bilateral working channels with Pakistani authorities.



Accordingly, the ministry instructed the Vietnam Trade Office in Pakistan to work regularly and directly with relevant agencies in the host country to seek solutions.



At the same time, it has closely coordinated with the Vietnamese Embassy in Pakistan to hold numerous direct meetings and discussions at various levels, urging Pakistani authorities to apply flexible measures to handle Vietnams tea consignments. Diplomatic notes and official letters were also sent to Pakistans Ministry of Commerce, requesting consideration of special mechanisms to facilitate the re-export of the tea containers to third-country markets.



As a result of these joint efforts, on December 31, Pakistans Ministry of Commerce issued an official document granting exemptions from existing regulations on the suspension of goods transit to Afghanistan, and approving the re-export of the stranded cargo containers at Karachi Port to other seaports, based on requests from enterprises or relevant logistics units.



This decision provides a crucial legal basis for releasing nearly 500 containers of Vietnamese tea, helping enterprises minimise losses related to warehousing and storage costs, protect product quality, and stabilise cash flow.



The successful resolution of the issue highlights the proactive, responsible, and supportive role of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in safeguarding the legitimate interests of Vietnamese businesses and tea growers, especially amid the complex and unpredictable changes in international trade and regional logistics.



The ministry will continue closely monitoring the re-export process, coordinate with relevant agencies of both countries to support enterprises in completing necessary procedures, and strengthen market risk warnings to help businesses better manage risks and operate more proactively in their export activities in the coming time./. VNA
More than three years ago, during the entrance exam to grade 10 in HCMC, Duong Kien Khai, became a sensation when he ranked first in the specialized track with perfect scores of 10 in Math, Foreign Language, and Informatics. Khai also held the record of the highest entrance scorer in the history of the High School for the Gifted, under Vietnam National University HCMC.

Khai said he loved the feeling that by typing lines of code, you could build another world. This curiosity pushed him to explore programming, and in grade 10, he won a consolation prize in the national Informatics excellent-student competition.

However, while on track to conquer achievements, a slip out of the top 3 at the April 30th traditional Olympic competition at school served as a "wake-up call" for Khai.

Undeterred, the student believed that "failure is not a fall from which you cannot get up." That stumble made him realize where he stood, and helped him clearly define his goals.

From then on, Khai changed his study habits and daily routine towards balancing everything. "I think getting enough sleep is sometimes more important than studying all night," Khai said.

There was also a time when the student was conflicted between learning things just to score high in competitions and learning out of curiosity, just wanting to know.

Gradually, he realized that digging deep into knowledge not only helps one understand the essence but also creates a solid foundation to solve difficult problems and be more creative.

Thanks to his persistent effort, one year later, Khai won the Second Prize in the National Excellent Student competition, making a spectacular "comeback" by bringing home a Gold Medal at the April 30th Traditional Olympic competition. In grade 12, Khai continued to win the First Prize in the National Excellent Student competition.

Not only academically outstanding, Khai also impressed with his proficiency in English, Chinese, and German. With these achievements, in 2024, hei was honored as an outstanding ethnic minority student.

A push toward top Asian university

In February 2025, Khai had the opportunity to join a one-week student exchange program in Japan. The trip fueled his desire to step into the world, learn, and expand his cultural and linguistic perspectives.

The feeling of wanting to go further motivated Khai to consider studying abroad. After the trip, he began preparing applications for universities in the US, Canada, and Singapore.

Khai has also demonstrated leadership qualities by co-organizing a programming competition that attracted more than 150 students in HCMC.

I know many non-specialized students want to try this field but lack an environment to practice. So I wanted to create a playground where everyone could get familiar with programming, Khai shared.

He also led nearly 50 volunteers to conduct Math and Science classes for children at shelters in HCMC. These activities helped his project management skills and teamwork, and spread positive values. They also became highlights in his application essays to international universities.

With an outstanding profile, in 2025 Khai was accepted by prestigious universities such as Georgia Institute of Technology, one of the top institutions in the world for Computer Science  University of Florida, University of Massachusetts Amherst (US), University of British Columbia, and University of Alberta (Canada).

However, Khai chose Singapore and enrolled in Nanyang Technological University with the full ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship, awarded to students with exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements.

After three months in Singapore, Khai has adapted to the new environment and the academic pace.

Students here are very proactive, energetic, and radiate strong motivation. Everyone is ready to learn and challenge themselves, Khai said.

Khai is currently studying foundational Computer Science courses and exploring his interests to find the most suitable path. Thanks to his fluency in three languages, he has quickly integrated and opened new opportunities.

From a curious student writing his first lines of code to a freshman at a leading Asian university, Khai believes that we should keep dreaming, persist in pursuing goals, and dare to rise after every setback, because only effort can open wide new doors.

Thuy Nga
Tran Duc Thanh appointed acting CEO of Vietnam Mobile Telecom Services Corporation.

According to MobiFone, the event marked the official handover of responsibilities as part of the companys leadership transition. During the ceremony, Tran Duc Thanh was entrusted with the role of acting CEO.

In his acceptance speech, Tran Duc Thanh expressed his deep gratitude to the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security, the Party Committee, and the Board of Directors of MobiFone for their trust in assigning him this significant responsibility. He emphasized that the appointment was both a tremendous honor and a serious duty before the Ministry of Public Security, the executive leadership, and all staff members of MobiFone.

Assuming his new position, Tran Duc Thanh committed to focusing on three key priorities.

First, he aims to uphold strict discipline and order, while improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the companys management and operations.

Second, he pledged to lead a genuine restructuring and reorganization of MobiFones business activities, centering on operational efficiency.

Third, he promised to foster a united, disciplined, and dedicated MobiFone team, capable of meeting the company's evolving mission.

Also during the event, the Board of Directors presented official retirement decisions and paid tribute to Colonel To Manh Cuong, outgoing CEO, and Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Tuan, outgoing Deputy CEO. Both officers retired and began receiving pension benefits as of January 1, 2026.

In June 2025, the Ministry of Public Security appointed Major General Truong Son Lam, then Director of the Ben Tre Provincial Police Department, as Chairman of MobiFone.

Born in 1972 in Hoang Hoa District, Thanh Hoa Province, Major General Truong Son Lam holds a degree in Information Technology from Hanoi University of Science and Technology, a PhD in Law from the Peoples Security Academy, and has completed advanced-level political theory training.

Thai Khang
During the crisis years from 2018 to 2021, the pepper sector suffered sharp price declines, exacerbated by global supply chain breakdowns during COVID-19. Export revenue bottomed out at just $660.6 million in 2020.

However, in the post-pandemic recovery phase, Vietnamese businesses seized the opportunity as global markets rebounded. Export volumes surged, pushing total pepper export value back over the $1 billion mark in 2024.

As of mid-December 2025 - two weeks before the year officially closes - Vietnamese companies had exported 234,174 tons of pepper, generating $1.58 billion in revenue.

The industry now appears to be entering a new period of prosperity.

Vietnamese pepper is currently present in more than 110 countries and territories. Not only is Vietnam the largest global producer, but it also plays a pivotal role in the international pepper supply chain, accounting for about 60% of global exports.

Remarkably, the recent export boom is not just a result of higher prices. Vietnamese enterprises have shifted focus to deep processing - transforming raw pepper into high-value products - allowing them to reduce risks from price volatility and maintain competitive advantage in premium markets.

Phan Minh Thong, Chairman of Phuc Sinh Corporation, likens pepper to a highly lucrative mineral resource for Vietnam.

After the pandemic, agriculture is back in the spotlight globally. The real question is whether we can develop it sustainably, he said.

If done strategically, agricultural businesses wont just enrich the countrys ecosystem - theyll also be highly profitable.

Phuc Sinh has invested heavily in deep processing, obtaining international certifications that have enabled its finished pepper products to enter distribution networks in the United States and Europe.

According to Thong, complying with stringent international standards does more than just unlock access to high-priced markets - it creates lasting competitive differentiation. As a result, his companys pepper export revenue has continued to grow steadily, even amid global economic and political volatility.

Similarly, a representative of Olam Vietnam said the company is expanding its range of processed and sustainable pepper products, tied to certified raw material regions, to meet the rising demands of global importers.

According to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association, the country currently has about 200 enterprises involved in pepper processing and trading. The top 15 exporters account for 70% of total national exports.

There are 14 deep-processing factories operating under international standards, producing a wide variety of products, including whole black and white pepper, ground pepper, and consumer-ready packages.

Experts believe that to boost long-term export value, the pepper industry must undergo a mindset shift - from quantity to quality and value.

This involves reorganizing growing areas, adopting sustainable farming practices, enforcing residue control, and increasing deep processing investments.

At the same time, companies are urged to prioritize product innovation alongside market expansion, embracing green production and emission reduction practices.

With the global market becoming more segmented and demanding, diversification will be key to the industry's sustainable development.

Ha Giang
New education policies take effect January 1, 2026. Photo: Thanh Hung

Teachers salaries now ranked highest in the public sector

Under the newly enacted Law on Educators, teachers' salaries are now classified at the highest level within the administrative and public service salary scale.

The law also assigns the Government the responsibility of detailing the wage framework to ensure this highest-ranking principle is honored.

In addition, teachers are entitled to various allowances - including those for responsibility, hardship regions, special education needs, seniority, and mobility - helping to significantly enhance their overall income.

Connecting knowledge to life selected as the national textbook series

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) recently selected the Connecting Knowledge to Life series by Vietnam Education Publishing House as the official national textbook to be used uniformly across the country from the 20262027 academic year.

This decision, effective from January 1, 2026, follows a comprehensive evaluation. The chosen series:

Covers all subjects across all three educational levels

Has demonstrated scientific and pedagogical quality during its broad rollout in 34 provinces and cities

Offers high consistency and supply reliability nationwide

MOET noted that a unified textbook system ensures equal access to knowledge across regions, and a coherent curriculum from Grade 1 to 12 minimizes disruptions - especially for children of migrant families and those in under-resourced areas.

The ministry also reiterated its plan to make textbooks free by 2030, easing the financial burden on families.

Provincial education directors granted authority to hire teachers

One of the most impactful reforms involves decentralizing teacher recruitment.

A resolution passed by the National Assembly on December 10, which also takes effect on January 1, 2026, gives directors of provincial Departments of Education and Training (DOET) the authority to:

Recruit and appoint teachers, educational staff, and school administrators

Transfer, reassign, or promote personnel across public preschools, general education institutions, continuing education centers, specialized schools, and vocational secondary schools

This applies to inter-district movements or any activity spanning more than one commune-level administrative unit.

At the commune level, local Peoples Committee chairs are now authorized to manage personnel changes within their jurisdiction - including assignment, reassignment, secondment, or dismissal of teachers and education staff.

Middle school diploma officially abolished

The amended Education Law, effective from January 1, 2026, also changes the structure of Vietnams national qualifications framework.

From now on, degrees and certificates may be issued in paper or digital form.

However, the system now only includes:

Upper-secondary diploma

Vocational secondary diploma

College degree

Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degrees

Diplomas from specialized or intensive programs

This means the lower-secondary diploma is abolished.

Instead, students completing the lower-secondary education program (grades 69) and meeting all requirements will receive a completion confirmation noted in their school records, certified by the principal.

Only upper-secondary graduates will receive an official diploma upon meeting graduation criteria.

Thanh Hung
Banjul, Gambia (PANA)  Gambian President Adama Barrow has called for peace, unity, and restraint ahead of the 2026 presidential election, as he highlighted his governments development achievements and acknowledged key national and global challenges in his New Year message
The current situation of collecting, trading, and illegally using personal data is becoming increasingly common, often associated with impersonating banks, telecommunications companies, e-commerce platforms, and government agencies to commit fraud and appropriate assets.

On December 31, 2025, the National Cybersecurity Association hosted a high-level forum titled Personal Data Protection  Rights and Responsibilities. The event was held ahead of the official implementation of the Personal Data Protection Law, which comes into effect on January 1, 2026.

Organized under the direction of the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention (A05), the forum brought together government regulators, legal and tech experts, research institutes, business leaders, and representatives from 35 media outlets.

In recent years, personal data has emerged as a vital asset in both the digital economy and digital governance. Yet, incidents of data being illegally gathered, traded, or used have soared. The first half of 2025 alone saw 56 such cases uncovered, involving over 110 million illegally obtained records, according to A05.

The root of the problem lies in the growing demand for personal data in business operations, which some individuals and organizations have exploited for personal gain.

Approved by the National Assembly on June 26, 2025, and set to take effect from January 1, 2026, the Personal Data Protection Law establishes clear rights for citizens. These include the right to be informed, to give consent, to access, correct, and request deletion of their data. It also outlines the legal responsibilities of public agencies, organizations, and businesses throughout the full data lifecycle - from collection to storage and sharing.

Colonel Nguyen Hong Quan, Deputy Director of the A05 Department under the Ministry of Public Security, affirmed that the right to personal data protection - once seen as a subset of the right to privacy - is now recognized as an independent right, enshrined and protected by law.

Colonel Quan emphasized that Vietnam is now part of a global movement: nearly 80% of the worlds population lives under jurisdictions with some form of personal data protection law. The issuance of Decree 13 and the enactment of the Personal Data Protection Law represent Vietnams strong commitment to a secure digital environment that respects human rights.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Do Thi, Deputy Head of A05s Planning Division, further warned of the serious threats posed by cyberattacks aimed at stealing information. In 2024 alone, Vietnam faced over 659,000 such attacks, including more than 10,000 targeting state agencies and businesses.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Thi, the new law serves as a foundational, principle-based statute, aligning with constitutional provisions on personal and digital rights and helping unify Vietnams legal framework.

Violations will be penalized harshly. Entities found trading personal data illegally could be fined up to 10 times the illicit earnings from the offense. Administrative penalties could reach USD 124,000 (approximately 3 billion VND).

Colonel Nguyen Hong Quan, Deputy Director of A05 (Ministry of Public Security), speaks at the forum.





This law introduces new tools to hold parties accountable for ensuring the protection of personal data, Thi explained.

He added that the drafting body hopes to send a strong message to both individuals and enterprises: everyone shares responsibility in protecting data.

For citizens, Thi emphasized four key responsibilities. First, raise awareness and take responsibility for safeguarding ones own data. Second, apply protective measures like strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Third, carefully review service providers' terms of use before accepting them. And finally, understand the functionalities of online platforms to avoid hidden data exploitation.

For businesses, especially those handling large volumes of data, Lieutenant Colonel Thi urged thorough study of the law and full compliance. Enterprises must implement technical safeguards and ensure their data processors are trustworthy. When breaches occur, they must promptly report incidents and collaborate with authorities in investigations.

Ngo Tuan Anh, Deputy Head of Data Security and Personal Data Protection at the National Cybersecurity Association, highlighted three key priorities for implementation.

First, raise awareness and build human capacity. Data protection systems cannot function without personnel who understand the law, the risks, and their responsibilities. Training should extend beyond IT staff to include executives, legal teams, and HR departments.

Second, standardize internal data practices. Organizations must review the entire data lifecycle - from collection and storage to sharing and destruction - and establish a long-term, continuously updated data protection program suited to their size and sector.

Third, foster a local data protection technology ecosystem. Anh stressed that no single solution is sufficient. Vietnam needs a layered technological approach that includes monitoring, prevention, access control, risk management, and lifecycle oversight. Building such an ecosystem is key to reducing compliance costs for businesses.

Thai Khang
On December 31, the Ministry of National Defense held a formal ceremony to announce the Presidents and Minister of Defenses decisions appointing four military officers to United Nations peacekeeping missions.

All four officers were carefully selected and fully met the rigorous criteria set by the United Nations. They are now ready to replace outgoing personnel currently serving in various missions.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang presents appointment decisions to the UN-bound officers. Photo: PV

Among them, Lieutenant Colonel Vu Thi Lien, an officer in the Training Department of Vietnams Department of Peacekeeping Operations, has been selected for the position of Policy Specialist on Security and Defense at the UN Liaison Office for Peace and Security in Brussels, Belgium.

She is the first Vietnamese female officer ever to be appointed to a position within a UN liaison office, marking a significant breakthrough and an important milestone in Vietnams deepening, professional integration into global peacekeeping efforts.

Lieutenant Colonel Dang Thu Ha, formerly an editor at the Peoples Army Newspaper, was appointed to replace First Lieutenant Nguyen Huyen Anh as a Military Public Information Officer (MPIO) at the MINUSCA mission in the Central African Republic.

With a solid journalism background, professional peacekeeping communication training, and full completion of pre-deployment courses, Lieutenant Colonel Ha is well-prepared to carry out media and public outreach tasks, helping to enhance Vietnams peacekeeping image in the mission area.

Captain Nguyen Huy Khai, an external relations officer from Military Hospital 175, was appointed to replace Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huy Tuan as a Contingent-Owned Equipment (COE) Staff Officer at the MINUSCA mission.

Captain Khai has prior UN peacekeeping experience as a member of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 3 at the UNMISS mission in South Sudan, giving him hands-on knowledge of multinational, multicultural working environments.

First Lieutenant Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram, from the Vietnam Coast Guard, was appointed to replace Lieutenant Colonel Bui Thi Minh Nguyet as a Training Staff Officer at MINUSCA.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang delivers remarks to the deployed officers. Photo: PV

She is the first female Coast Guard officer deployed as an individual to a peacekeeping mission. With extensive training in military observation, gender, and media, both domestically and abroad, she fully meets the demanding requirements of the mission.

At the ceremony, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, Deputy Minister of National Defense, personally handed over the appointment decisions to the four officers.

He affirmed that these individuals were outstanding officers, trusted by their agencies and units.

General Thang instructed them to quickly adapt to local conditions upon deployment and perform their assigned duties diligently and effectively.

He also emphasized the need to strictly follow the foreign policy guidelines of the Party, State, and Army; maintain discipline and security; and uphold the professional conduct of Vietnamese military personnel, both in their missions and daily life.

The Deputy Minister urged them to proudly carry forward the traditions of the Vietnam Peoples Army and its blue-helmet peacekeepers, upholding the spirit of: Loyalty and dedication  Confidence and creativity  Resilience and flexibility  Persuasive negotiation  Top performance  Homeland above all.

Tran Thuong
In its latest report, Amazon Global Selling reveals a transformative moment for Vietnamese e-commerce exports, in which the number of Vietnamese selling partners achieving annual sales over 1 million USD on Amazon grew by 60% in 2025  reflecting not just incremental growth, but a fundamental evolution in how Vietnamese businesses compete internationally.

The 2025 Vietnam SME Empowerment Report is a comprehensive annual study that highlights the rapid rise and success of Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) leveraging global e-commerce.

This year's report showcases impressive growth across multiple dimensions  from brand registrations and product exports to breakout million-dollar sellers underscoring Vietnam's emergence as a dynamic hub for export-oriented entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia.

Larry Hu, head of Amazon Global Selling Southeast Asia, said: We're witnessing Vietnam's transformation from a manufacturing powerhouse to a brand-building nation. Vietnamese entrepreneurs are no longer just making products for others  they're innovating products, creating their own brands, telling their own stories, and capturing significantly more value in global markets. This shift positions Vietnam as a rising force in Southeast Asia's digital economy.

The report highlights how thousands of Vietnamese businesses are now selling and exporting globally through Amazon, with products sold increasing by 35% year-over-year. More significantly, the number of branded products sold by Vietnamese selling partners achieved more than 40% growth in sales  demonstrating that brand investment translates directly to business success.

A key driver of this success is the strategic focus on empowering Vietnamese manufacturers and brands to advance up the global value chain through product and brand innovation.

While categories like home, kitchen, health & personal care, apparel, and beauty continued to perform exceptionally well, the 2025 report points to the diversification of Vietnam's export portfolio.

This report is a celebration of Vietnamese entrepreneurs  their ambition, creativity, and innovation, said Larry Hu. We hope this becomes a recurring annual milestone to track progress, share success stories, and inform future support and investment as we work together to elevate 'Made-in-Vietnam' to global prominence./.VNA
As of December 31, 2025, the cold air mass was moving southward. Northern provinces were already experiencing light rain, with average temperatures ranging from 18 to 21C.

On January 1, 2026, this cold front is expected to affect the northeastern region first before spreading to the north-central, northwestern, central, and some parts of south-central Vietnam. Inland, winds will shift to the northeast at levels 34, with coastal areas seeing gusts of up to level 6.

From the night of December 31 to January 1, northeastern areas will experience scattered rain and possible thunderstorms. On January 1, the northwestern region along with Thanh Hoa and Nghe An will also see rain and storms, which may be accompanied by lightning, hail, and strong gusts.

From January 1, the eastern mountainous areas of northern Vietnam will begin to feel the cold. By the night of January 1, the cold will expand to include the midlands, northern plains, and north-central provinces. From January 2 to 3, deep cold and potentially frost will cover the northern mountains and midland areas.

Lowest temperatures during this cold spell are expected to range from 1114C in the northern region, 811C in mountainous and midland areas, and below 7C in some high-altitude regions. In north-central provinces, temperatures will drop to around 1316C.

In Hanoi, rain is forecast on the night of December 31 and during January 1, 2026. From the night of January 1, the capital will turn colder, with temperatures dipping to between 1214C.

Affected by this cold front, areas from Ha Tinh to Da Nang, as well as eastern provinces from Quang Ngai to Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa, will experience rain or heavy showers with possible thunderstorms between January 23. Risks include lightning, hail, and strong winds.

On December 31, the National Committee for Civil Defense also issued an official notice to provincial governments in northern Vietnam urging proactive measures in response to the coming cold and potential frost.

Forecast for the four-day New Year holiday (January 14, 2026)

Northern Vietnam

January 1: Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. Cold conditions set in from evening, with potential for severe cold in northeastern mountains.

Highs: 1922C (mountains: 1719C)

Lows: 1316C (mountains: 1013C)

January 24: Light rain in some areas. General cold conditions, with severe cold and frost possible in mountainous and midland areas.

Highs: 1620C

Lows: 1115C (some areas below 811C)

From Thanh Hoa to Hue

January 1: Scattered rain in the north, light rain in the south. Showers and thunderstorms expected in the early hours of January 2. Northern part to turn cold at night.

Highs: 2326C

Lows: 1619C

January 24: Light rain and cold in the north. The south will see more rain, including localized heavy downpours and storms.

Highs: 1822C (north), 2325C (south)

Lows: 1316C (north), 1719C (south)

South-Central Coast

January 1: Sunny during the day, light showers and possible storms at night.

Highs: 2629C

Lows: 1922C

January 24: Rain, heavy in some northern parts. Southern areas may see isolated thunderstorms.

Highs: 2427C (north), 2729C (south)

Lows: 2024C

Central Highlands

January 14: Sunny days, light evening and nighttime showers or thunderstorms.

Highs: 2427C

Lows: 1418C, with some areas below 14C

Southern Vietnam

January 14: Sunny days with isolated evening and nighttime showers.

Highs: 2932C, with some areas exceeding 32C

Lows: 1922C (eastern region), 2224C (western region)

Bao Anh
On December 31, the Economic Police Division of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department announced that they had issued a decision to prosecute and temporarily detain Phan Thi Xuan Mai, 59, a resident of Tang Nhon Phu Ward, for "causing environmental pollution".

Although the incident was initially uncovered nearly a year ago, authorities have now officially filed charges to proceed in accordance with the law.

Police issue arrest warrant and prosecution decision for Phan Thi Xuan Mai. Photo: HCMC Police

According to the investigation, on January 15, 2025, police in the former Thu Duc City, in coordination with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the People's Committee of the former Tang Nhon Phu A Ward, inspected a plot of land at Lot No. 09, Map Sheet No. 64.

The 728-square-meter plot was directly managed and used by Phan Thi Xuan Mai.

At the time of the inspection, authorities caught Nguyen Thanh Trung (born 1997, resident of Long Truong Ward, HCMC) red-handed while operating a motorized tricycle to dump waste at the site.

On-site inspections revealed that the land was filled with solid construction waste, including rubble, plywood, scrap metal, packaging materials, and broken glass. The waste was dumped openly, without any form of covering or containment, in violation of environmental protection regulations.

The land plot where over 257 tons of waste were illegally dumped. Photo: HCMC Police

Samples were collected and sent for expert analysis. The results confirmed that the waste consisted of ordinary solid waste from construction activities, not containing persistent organic pollutants as defined under the Stockholm Convention.

However, the total volume of waste dumped illegally amounted to 257,318 kilograms (over 257 tons).

Based on the quantity of illegally dumped waste, the Criminal Investigation Agency determined that Mais actions constituted a criminal offense. She has been charged under Article 235 of the Penal Code, which pertains to the illegal burial, disposal, or discharge of ordinary solid waste into the environment in quantities ranging from 200,000 kg to under 500,000 kg.

The case remains under further investigation by the Ho Chi Minh City police, who are working to identify and prosecute other individuals involved in the environmental violation.

Dam De
In the final days of 2025, millions of Vietnamese Zalo users received an unexpected notice: accept new terms of service within 45 days or lose access forever.

Zalos demand - to approve expanded data collection and sharing policies - has been called an ultimatum. For a platform with over 78 million active users, embedded in everything from school-parent communication to government messaging, this is no small matter. The options are stark: Agree or disappear.

Zalos 45-day ultimatum shocks Vietnamese users. Illustration: AI-generated.

A false sense of choice?

Under Vietnams Personal Data Protection Law, consent must be informed and voluntary. But Zalos all-or-nothing approach leaves no room for selective agreement - a practice critics call "bundled consent."

Essential services like messaging are tied to optional services like targeted advertising, third-party data sharing, and AI training - all wrapped in one click.

Why would Zalo risk backlash? The answer lies in the value of user data. In todays digital economy, data is gold, and Zalo is transforming from a chat app into a platform for AI and financial services.

Global pushback against forced data deals

Zalos move mirrors controversial practices elsewhere. In the European Union, Metas Pay or Consent model - requiring users to either pay to avoid tracking or accept it - was struck down in April 2024 by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB).

The EDPB ruled that platforms with significant power must offer a genuine alternative: users should not be forced into consenting just to access essential services.

Compared to Meta, Zalos policy is even more rigid - theres no pay-to-protect option, only acceptance or exclusion. This, critics argue, is a blatant violation of digital self-determination.

In India, a similar 2021 move by WhatsApp to compel data sharing with Facebook triggered an official investigation. The result? Meta was fined $25.3 million, WhatsApp was barred from data sharing for ads for five years, and had to implement an opt-out for non-core services.

Even China, home to digital giants like WeChat, enforces strict rules. The Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) requires separate consent for different data uses - such as accessing contacts or transferring data - ensuring transparency and user control.

Vietnams legal arsenal is ready - but must be enforced

Vietnams existing legal framework already provides tools to address this situation.

Under the Personal Data Protection Law, users can withdraw consent at any time (Article 10). However, Zalos threat to delete accounts if consent is withdrawn creates a technical and psychological barrier, effectively nullifying this right. This may violate the laws ban on obstructing user rights.

More importantly, under the 2018 Law on Competition, with 85% market share, Zalo clearly holds a dominant position. Article 27 prohibits such firms from imposing unfair terms or restricting market participation.

Forcing users to accept extensive data sharing to access basic services could be viewed as an abuse of dominance - similar to how Germanys antitrust authority ruled against Facebooks data practices as anti-competitive, even though they were framed as privacy issues.

When the cost of leaving is too high

Why do users still click "agree"? Because switching costs are enormous.

Small businesses rely on Zalo to run daily operations. Government agencies use it to send official notices. Opting out means severing ties with vital parts of the social and economic infrastructure.

In this context, consent is coercive, not voluntary. The principle that personal data is inviolable is now under threat from the power of digital platforms. Zalos 45-day ultimatum is not just a business decision - it is a crucial test of the strength and credibility of Vietnams data laws.

What must be done?

Regulators should urgently demand that Zalo justify the 45-day deadline and explain how its policy aligns with user rights under the law.

They must investigate whether Zalo is abusing its market dominance by treating personal data as a commodity forced upon users under duress.

Long term, Vietnam should consider adopting a model similar to the EU and China, requiring separate consent for each data purpose. Users must have the right to say yes to messaging, but no to AI training or data-sharing. Basic services should not be denied for refusing enhanced tracking.

Zalo may also need to be classified as a "critical digital platform" or "essential digital service" - which would impose higher responsibilities in neutrality, transparency, and community service.

As platforms grow more powerful, it is essential they remain accountable to the core values of human dignity and digital fairness.

Nguyen Phuoc Thang (Hoa Binh University)
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Sudanese civil society organisations (CSOs) have expressed their unhappiness with the African Union Commission (AUC) for welcoming a peace initiative proposed by the government, calling it a dangerous shift from regional consensus and a sign of institutional bias
Maelor School Penley praised for welcoming and inclusive community by Estyn

A local secondary school has been praised for its welcoming and inclusive community during a recent Estyn inspection.

The Maelor School Penley, which has 787 pupils on its roll, was visited by His Majestys Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales in October 2025.

The inspectorate found that pupils at the school are well supported and display positive attitudes to learning. Maelor Sixth students were also recognised for their active engagement and enthusiasm for learning.

The inspection focused on several key areas, including teaching and learning, skills, curriculum, well-being support and guidance, and leading and improving.

During its visit Estyn also praised teachers for their secure subject knowledge, effective use of language, and ability to adapt lessons to meet individual needs.

Inspectors also highlighted the strong relationships between staff and pupils, saying teachers foster strong working relationships with pupils and manage behaviour consistently well.

A post-inspection report, notes: In many lessons, teachers foster strong working relationships with pupils and manage behaviour consistently well.

They demonstrate secure subject knowledge, are effective language models and use subject specific terminology to enhance pupils learning.

These teachers plan lessons which are well-sequenced, enabling pupils to recall prior knowledge and apply their knowledge in different contexts.

They provide effective explanations and model processes well to support pupils understanding. As a result, many pupils, including those with additional learning needs (ALN), make at least expected progress.

Estyn also acknowledged the schools commitment to digital competency and numeracy, describing digital skills as a notable strength with clear progression mapped across the curriculum. Estyn has invited the school to produce a case study on this work, which will be published on Estyns website.

Leaders were commended for their thoughtful approach to curriculum planning, effective collaboration with primary schools, and provision of enriching activities that broaden pupils experiences.

There was also praise for the schools Resource Provisions, which provide a calm and supportive environment where pupils feel safe and happy. The schools Additional Learning Needs (ALN) team was praised for its dedication to improving outcomes for all learners.

Leadership was praised throughout the report, with new headteacher Leanne Eyre described as providing a strategic, dynamic and thoughtful leadership. Inspectors found that she has managed change effectively and ensures pupils remain at the centre of the schools work.

Senior leaders were described as having developed a culture of collaboration, reflection and accountability across the school as well as prioritising national education goals effectively.

The inspectors also praised the governors for effective support and challenge and managing the schools budget with diligence, even in demanding times.

The school has been given four recommendations to focus on:

Continue to work towards reducing the budget deficit.

Ensure that all leaders, particularly middle leaders, evaluate provision by its impact on pupils learning.

Improve rates of whole school attendance.

Strengthen the provision for the progressive development of pupils literacy skills, in particular their advanced reading skills.

Headteacher, Leanne Eyre said: I am incredibly proud of our school community. This report reflects the dedication and teamwork of our staff, the enthusiasm of our pupils, and the unwavering support of families, primary partners, and governors.

It is wonderful to see Estyn recognise the positive impact of recent developments and our commitment to continuous improvement.

We are excited to build on this strong foundation and ensure The Maelor School continues to thrive and grow as an inclusive, ambitious, and supportive environment for every pupil.

Chair of Governors, Cora Suckley, added: We are delighted with the findings of this Estyn report, which reflects the hard work and commitment of everyone involved with The Maelor School.

Our governors are proud to support a school that places pupils at the heart of everything it does and continues to strive for excellence.

This recognition is a testament to the collaborative effort of staff, students, families, and the wider community.

We look forward to building on these successes and supporting the schools ambitious plans for the future.
Virtual Schools supporting care experienced learners across Wales

An innovative pilot programme has helped to address the needs of care experienced learners and support their educational progress. an independent evaluation has found.

Virtual Schools are not physical buildings or classrooms that learners attend. Instead, they are specialist teams that work alongside a learners actual school to support their education.

These teams work closely with social workers, carers, and schools to address the unique barriers that care experienced young people often face, such as placement moves, trauma or gaps in their education.

Virtual Schools help to ensure that care experienced learners have consistent educational advocacy regardless of where they live or which school they attend, helping to improve their educational outcomes.

The Virtual School Head, or equivalent head role, plays a key role in the Virtual School, ensuring that arrangements are in place to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of children in their local authority, including those placed out of county.

The Welsh Government provided a total of 1.24 million to local authorities between 2021 and 2024 to run the pilot as part of our commitment to improving educational outcomes for care experienced learners.

An independent evaluation of the Virtual School Model pilot (published 17th December) identified a range of positive impacts across Local Authorities that accessed the funding including enhanced integration between teams supporting care experienced learners and more preventative provision.

The reviews findings and learning from the pilot will be used to shape work to ensure care experienced learners in Wales have the support they need in their education to thrive.

Cardiffs Virtual Headteacher, Deborah Williams said: Since the launch of the Virtual Headteacher model in Cardiff, we have seen proven success in keeping children looked after in their registered schools, closely tracking attendance and achievement and championing pupils rights so every young person gets the education and support theyre entitled to.

The approach has strengthened partnerships across education, childrens services and health, embedding trauma informed practice and celebrating our learners successes with tailored interventions from play therapy to bespoke activities.

We warmly welcome the independent evaluation and particularly its recommendation to create a consistent national network by introducing a statutory Virtual Head role in every local authority.

We believe this would provide the strategic leadership and cross border alignment needed to sustain impact, ensure equity, and accelerate the progress were already seeing in the capital, for children and young people looked after.

With the final report now published, we hope Welsh Government will consider all six recommendations and I urge them to embed the model across Wales so that collaboration, engagement and rigorous monitoring continue to give every child in our care the best possible opportunities in life.

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle said: I am grateful to everyone who has worked to support care experienced learners through Cardiffs virtual school which was initiated as part of our Virtual School pilot.

I have seen first-hand how this support is making a real difference to learners lives and how they have supported schools and school staff to support each young person, considering their individual backgrounds, experiences, and needs.

Care experienced learners can face difficult times that affect their learning. This review shows we are making good progress in helping them, and I look forward to building on this work to make sure all care experienced learners in Wales get the support they need to reach their full potential.
A bicyclist has died after being hit by a black Pontiac Bonneville car on State Route 294 near Humboldt County mile marker 4.

The crash happened on Tuesday, December 16, at approximately 6:53 p.m.

According to the Nevada State Police, after a preliminary investigation, the car was heading southbound on State Route 294, while a bicyclist, identified as Aregelio Hernandez-Torres, was also heading southbound in front of the car.

Troopers say the bicycle didn't have red reflectors as required, and the right front of the car struck the rear of the bicycle.

Torres then fell off the bike, and the driver of the car came to a controlled stop on the shoulder.

Troppers say Torres later died on December 25 after being transferred to a Utah Hospital.

NSP also says they have investigated 28 fatal crashes with 34 fatalities in 2025.

This crash is an open investigation, and is being investigated by the Nevada Highway Patrol, Major Incident Reconstruction Team. Anyone with information is urged to contact the NHP Elko Office at (775) 753-1111 or e-mail ncemirt@dps.state.nv.us.
As wildfire concerns continue to shape life around Lake Tahoe, new fire safety rules are now on the calendar for Incline Village and Crystal Bay.

The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District says the newly adopted 2024 Lake Tahoe Nevada Fire Code and 2024 Lake Tahoe Nevada Wildland Urban Interface Code will take effect January 1, 2026.

The updates are based on the 2024 International Fire Code and the 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface Code, with local changes meant to reflect Tahoe Basin wildfire risks and environmental conditions.

District officials say the goal is to strengthen safety while making expectations clearer for people planning projects or caring for property.

The updated codes are designed to enhance wildfire mitigation and defensible space standards, improve building and vegetation requirements in high risk areas, clarify fire safety expectations for new construction, remodeling, and existing properties, and better align local rules with regional and state practices.

These updates reflect our commitment to reducing wildfire risk while ensuring clear, modern, and locally appropriate safety standards for our community, Fire Chief Ryan Sommers said. With wildfire threats continuing to evolve, these codes provide essential tools to protect lives, property, and our natural environment.

The rules apply to new construction, permitted projects, and certain maintenance requirements starting in 2026.

The district is encouraging homes, builders, architects, and property managers to review the changes well before they take effect to allow time for planning and compliance.

Educational materials, summaries of key updates, and full code documents are available through the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District website.

For the NLTFPD, prevention has never been optional, Fire Marshal John James said. With the adoption of the updated Lake Tahoe Nevada Fire Code and WildlandUrban Interface (WUI) Code, in alignment with Tahoe Douglas Fire, we are enhancing safety and resilience across our community, for both people and the environment. NLTFPD has led this work for decadesdefensible space since 1985, fuels management and prescribed fire since 1995, and WUI enforcement since 2013. These updates simplify compliance and provide clear, consistent standards for anyone designing or working on the Nevada side of the Tahoe Basin.

More information, including the full codes and guidance, can be found on the districts website.
As Nevadans ring in the new year and set financial goals for 2026, Treasurer Zach Conine is once again reminding people across the state to check for unclaimed property that may belong to them.

Each year, the Treasurer's Office encourages Nevadans to search the states unclaimed property database, where more than $1 billion is currently being held for rightful owners. The funds range from forgotten bank accounts and uncashed checks to insurance proceeds and utility deposits.

Each new year is a fresh start, and 2026 is the perfect time for Nevadans to reclaim money they may lost along the way, Conine said. Searching for unclaimed property is free, easy, and could put extra cash in your pocket.

Unclaimed property typically consists of financial assets that businesses are unable to return to their owners. That can happen when someone moves, changes their name or has outdated contact information.

The State Treasury holds these funds in perpetuity. The Offices Unclaimed Property Division works year-round to reconnect owners, or their heirs, with their property.

State law requires businesses to report unclaimed property each year. When companies cannot return funds after a set period of inactivity, those assets must be turned over to the state.

People can search for unclaimed property owed to them by visiting NVUP.gov.
Federal and state authorities have launched coordinated investigations and inspections across Minneapolis following a viral video that alleges millions of taxpayer dollars are being funneled to inactive daycare centers in Minnesota.

Official Responses and Investigations

On Monday, several agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were seen conducting operations in Minneapolis. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the federal presence in the area, stating on social media that the agency is working to "deliver results" and ensure taxpayer money is not abused.

On the other hand, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the bureau has provided additional resources to Minnesota to dismantle large-scale fraud schemes, according to Fox News.

At the state level, Minnesota officials acted quickly to verify the claims. Tikki Brown, Commissioner of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), stated that inspectors were sent immediately to the daycares identified in the video.

However, Brown noted that each of the centers had been inspected within the last six months, with children found present, and no fraud was detected at that time. Consequently, the state has not currently paused payments to these providers.

Regarding the footage showing empty buildings, a manager at the "Quality Learning Center," which was highlighted in the video for having a misspelled sign and allegedly receiving approximately $4 million in funds, told reporters that the facility was not closed but simply opens later in the day, MPR News reported.

The Allegations

The government response was triggered by a 42-minute YouTube video released Friday by independent journalist Nick Shirley. The video, which has garnered millions of views, documents Shirley visiting several Somali-owned daycare centers in Minneapolis that appear largely inactive despite receiving significant government funding. In one instance, Shirley filmed a facility that is supposed to serve roughly 99 children, but seemed empty.

The video has drawn national attention and criticism from high-profile figures, intensifying scrutiny on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's administration. Critics point to this as another example of oversight failure following the massive $250 million "Feeding Our Future" fraud scandal.

While the video has sparked outrage, some experts urge caution. Jane Kirtley, a media law professor at the University of Minnesota, described the video as "flashy" but noted it lacked concrete facts to back up its broad claims. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Department of Human Services announced it is separately reviewing 80,000 Medicaid claims to flag suspicious billing in high-risk programs, as per KARE11.


A convoy of Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) sicarios dressed in tactical uniforms and driving cloned military pickups, burned two bars in Villaflores, Chiapas this weekend.



The attackers burned La Kabala Sport Bar-Karaoke and Anubiss Disco Club, while kidnapping eight individuals, including the owners and employees. Three women suffered burn injuries during the chaos and were hospitalized.







This assault marks the latest violent action in the ongoing turf war between the CJNG and the Cartel de Sinaloa (CDS) over control of drug trafficking and migrant smuggling routes in the agricultural Frailesca region of central Chiapas.



The kidnapped victims were identified as:



Sergio Enrique Pereda Tamayo (owner of La Kabala)

Jose Armando Coutino Ruiz (owner of Anubiss, also a Cruz Roja volunteer)

Luis Rubiel Constantino Rodriguez

Jose Angel Martinez Marina

Fernando Daniel Garcia Perez

Juan Ovani Camilo Giron

Mauricio Camilo Giron

Luis Fernando Fernandez Ramirez



The search for the eight victims prompted a massive response from Chiapas authorities, deploying over 500 officers, supported by the Mexican Army, National Guard, and aerial surveillance, across the regions of Berriozabal, Cintalapa, and Ocozocoautla.



On Sunday, December 28, authorities rescued one victim alive and arrested seven suspected CJNG members at a safe house, seizing weapons and tactical equipment.
Among several new and fashionable claims which have taken hold in 2025, a most curious one is that expertise itself is pernicious. Credentials, the argument goes, are little more than camouflaged arrogance. Specialization is cover for bad judgment, and long periods of training or experience evidence of detachment from real life. The view tends to be framed as a populist corrective: an overdue rebellion against insulated elites who, we are told, tend to fail spectacularly when not watched closely. But where this is seen, its not a thoughtful reassessment of authoritative mastery: it tends to be a histrionic overreaction to specific policy failures, now metastasizing into a childlike hostility toward knowledge itself.

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There is no question, none whatsoever, that government policies during Covid were poorly designed, inconsistently applied, and communicated with excessive confidence. Certain figures came armed with impressive resumes, long lists of degrees, and institutional authority, and they spoke far beyond the limits of what evidence could support at the time. (I myself saw an attempt to infer from two numbers out of Korea in early 2020 that Covid was a nothingburger; that conclusion may ultimately have been vindicated, but not at that time, and certainly not from two datapoints.) The pandemic experience understandably, and justifiably, shook public trust. But extrapolating from those failures to the idea that expertise itself is necessarily fraudulent or unnecessary confuses bad governance with the irrelevance of specialized knowledge and long experience.

The impulse to discard expertise is not new, though. It appears cyclically, often after moments when institutions overreach or experts are seen as politically entangled  which they frequently are. What is new is the speed with which this skepticism now spreads, and the ease with which it hardens into a performative disdain for competence itself. Social media already rewards confidence over calibration, certainty over caveat. And here as elsewhere, the result is not a more informed public, but a louder and more ignorant one, where opinion is mistaken for insight and contrarianism for courage.

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Indeed, even the loudest critics of whats sloppily been called credentialism quietly rely on it every day. Few people are interested in performing their own surgery or putting it in the hands of the Domino's Pizza deliveryman (who may fancy himself a polymath  another word which has strayed from its original meaning). And even if I know, roughly, how to fix a glitching electrical panel, Im likely to leave that to people who do it daily. Amid the churlish cry of generalism-for-all, we continue to trust surgeons to operate, airline pilots to fly, structural engineers to calculate loads, anesthesiologists to manage unconsciousness, and specialized mechanics to keep complex machines from failing at speed. We do so not because these professionals are infallible, but because long training, apprenticeship, and error correction still matter in a world of growing, unforgiving complexity.

Modern systems  technological, economic, social/cultural  are far from intuitive. They are tightly coupled, layered, and increasingly nonlinear. Small mistakes can cascade. (Ask any actuary.) Partial understanding is nearly always more dangerous than ignorance when it encourages confident intervention without awareness of second- and third-order effects. Thats precisely why expertise developed in the first placenot to exclude the public, but to reduce error in domains where error is costly.

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Ironically, errors within expert communities tend to fail slowly and visibly: theyre constrained by peer review, professional norms, and reputational risk. Popular error, by contrast, fails quickly and at scale. When decisions are driven by self-important narrative, identity politics, or viral consensus rather than disciplined analysis or hard-won experience, corrections come late  often only after damage has already been done. History suggests that major disasters are more often born of mass enthusiasm and political shortcuts than of excessive technical caution.

None of this, of course, implies blind deference. Expertise should inform decisions, not dictate values. Specialists are good at explaining constraints, tradeoffs, probabilities, and risks: not at deciding collective goals. Much of the public backlash of recent years stems from role confusion, when technical advice was presented as moral certainty or political necessity. The remedy for that failure is not an infantile screed to abandon expertise, but to restore its proper boundaries.

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Throwing away accumulated knowledge does not empower citizens; it forces complex choices to be made by guesses, intuition, tribal loyalty, or rhetorical force. Societies that do this do not become freer or wiser. They become more fragile.

The lesson of the past few years is not that expertise is obsolete or, in and of itself, dangerous. It is that expertise, severed from humility and institutional restraint, can be misused and even weaponized. The correct response is accountability, not a ridiculous fantasy that we can replace hard-won competence with a disingenuous generalism, confidence, and crowd wisdom. Civilization does not advance by pretending everyone is equally qualified to do everything. It advances by recognizing that specialization, while imperfect, remains indispensable  and that abandoning it is not liberation, and hardly progress, but self-inflicted blindness.

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Image generated by ChatGPT.
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From Wikimedia Commons: Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Viktor Vasnetsov, 1887)

Predictably, human nature remains constant across the centuries, driven by the same primal impulsesambition, fear, greed, and tribal loyaltythat fuel conflict and upheaval. These enduring drives and emotions ensure that humanity cannot permanently exorcise evil; it persists, resurfacing in ever-shifting forms.

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In the twentieth century, Western civilization teetered on the brink of annihilation, barely surviving the twin horrors of Nazism and Bolshevism. These ideologies, shrouded in propaganda myths about race and class, respectively, unleashed unprecedented destruction, claiming tens of millions of lives and threatening the very foundations of liberal democracy. Yet, survival came at a staggering cost, leaving scars that should have instilled constant vigilance.

In his seminal work The Decline of the West (19181922), definitively rejecting the naive concept of linear progress, Oswald Spengler proposed a cyclical theory of history. Supposedly, civilizations are never eternal but should be likened to organisms, subject to inexorable cycles of growth, maturity, and decline. The West, in Spenglers view, entered its winter phasea period of rigidification, cultural exhaustion, and impending collapsetowards the end of the nineteenth century. Swayed by cultural determinism, he interpreted both WWI and the rise of totalitarian movements (in preparation for ultimate Caesarism) as confirmations of his theory.

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The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 seemed to herald a triumphant endpoint. Naive optimists, echoing Francis Fukuyamas pronouncement, believed that history had concluded: liberal democratic values, underpinned by free markets and individual rights, had prevailed irrevocably. Bolshevisms collapse appeared to validate this optimism, suggesting a global convergence towards Western norms. However, this illusion of finality proved profoundly misguided. Far from stagnating in perpetual peace, history resumed its relentless march, birthing a third existential threat to Western civilization. Surpassing its atheistic predecessors in expected long-term success, this menace stems, not from the military ascendency but the demographic superiority of an ideological enemy.

Muslim birth rates significantly outpace those in the secularizing West, creating an inexorable shift that no policy of assimilation or integration has yet reversed. Samuel Huntingtons thesis in The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order (1996) anticipates this peril, positing that post-Cold War conflicts would arise along civilizational fault lines, with the Islamic worlddefined by shared religious and cultural bondsclashing against a weakening West. Demographics, in this framework, serve as the silent vanguard of such clashes, eroding borders by reproduction and migration rather than military invasion.

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Current demographic data underscore this disparity with grim clarity. Across Western Europe, total fertility rates (TFR) hover well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. France leads with 1.64, followed by countries like Germany and Italy at 1.35 and 1.18, respectively, while Eastern European nations and Russia fare similarly poorly, with Russias TFR at 1.4. In contrast, while fertility in many Muslim-majority countries has declined from historical highs, immigrant Muslim communities in Europe maintain higher ratesestimated at 1.92.6 children per woman versus 1.41.6 for non-Muslimsdue to younger age structures and cultural norms favoring larger families. Although second- and third-generation Muslims show converging trends towards host-country averages, the gap persists sufficiently to drive disproportionate growth.

Europes Muslim population, estimated at around 46 million in 2025 (roughly 6% of the continent), has grown primarily through immigration and this fertility differential, with projections suggesting shares rising to 7-14% by mid-century depending on migration scenarios. Spenglers organic metaphor illuminates this: just as aging organisms lose vitality, the Wests demographic senescence reflects a deeper cultural sterility, where individualism and hedonism supplant the reproductive imperatives that once sustained empires.

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This demographic imbalance portends not only quantitative change but also a profound cultural and political transformation. Western Europe and Russia, both grappling with aging populations and shrinking workforces, find themselves unable to match this reproductive vigor. Cities such as Paris, London, and Brussels already host substantial Muslim minorities, with birth rates among these communities contributing disproportionately to future generations.

Huntingtons clash paradigm reframes this as a civilizational contest: Islams demographic expansion exploits the Wests open societies, potentially leading to bloody borders within, as cultural incompatibilitiesover issues like secularism, gender roles, and governanceintensify. The question looms: will indigenous Europeans retain the will to shape their destiny, or will they acquiesce to external demographic pressures, surrendering sovereignty by default? Spenglers pessimism offers little hope; in the decline phase, civilizations ossify, their elites succumbing to cosmopolitan illusions while vitality ebbs away.

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Compounding this vulnerability is a post-WWII complacency that has eviscerated Western Europes defensive posture. Since 1945, European nations have systematically underinvested in military capabilities, preferring expansive welfare states over the burdens of credible deterrence. NATO, founded to counter Soviet aggression, became a vehicle for European free-riding on American power. For decades, the United States bore the lions share of alliance expenditures, funding both nuclear umbrellas and conventional forces deployed on European soil. European contributions remained anemic; even as threats evolved, many allies failed to meet modest targets like the 2% of GDP spending guideline agreed in 2014.

By 2025, while progress has been mademany NATO members now approach or exceed 2%, spurred by Russias invasion of Ukrainethe historical pattern of dependency endures. The U.S. continues to account for the majority of alliance spending, with European contributions criticized as insufficient for independent deterrence. This reluctance stems from a deeper cultural shift: Western Europeans have prioritized social entitlementsgenerous pensions, healthcare, and unemployment benefitsover the sacrifices required to safeguard their democratic institutions and lifestyles. The post-war social democratic consensus, incorrigible in its pursuit of equity, has fostered a pacifist ethos ill-suited to an era of resurgent authoritarianism and demographic flux.

Spenglers analysis deepens this critique, portraying the Wests Faustian culturedefined by infinite striving and spatial conquestas devolving into a mechanistic, money-driven pseudocivilization. The preference for welfare over defense exemplifies this decadence: once-dynamic societies now prioritize material comfort, mirroring the late Roman Empires slide into lethargy. Huntington complements this by warning that civilizational clashes exploit such weaknesses; the Wests reluctance to defend its bordersphysical or culturalinvites encroachment from more cohesive rivals. In an age, where demographics reshape power, this abdication accelerates decline, as Huntingtons fault lines manifest internally through ghettoization and parallel legal systems.

In this context, demographic developments have advanced to a perilous threshold. Britain and France, traditional strongholds of Western civilization, but with significant and growing Muslim populations, face mounting challenges in preserving cultural cohesion. Integration efforts have yielded mixed results; parallel societies persist in urban enclaves, where higher birth rates amplify influence over time. Pessimistically, one must question whether these nations will awaken to the imperative of assertive self-preservation before irreversible tipping points are reached.

The welfare states allure, coupled with aging electorates resistant to reform, suggests that inertia may prevail. Raising native birth rates demands profound societal changespro-family policies, cultural revitalizationthat clash with prevailing individualism and secularism. Spengler would diagnose this as the inevitable petrification of a dying culture, where creative minorities give way to domineering majorities from without. Huntingtons lens reveals the stakes: without redrawing civilizational boundaries, the West risks absorption into a hybrid order dominated by Islamic demographics, eroding its core values.

History teaches that civilizations do not endure through passivity. The twentieth centurys brushes with totalitarian evil should have forged unyielding resolve, yet the Wests response to this third threat appears tepid. Demographic superiority, unlike military warfare, advances quietly, through cribs rather than cannons. Without a renaissance of willmanifest in bolstered defenses, incentivized natality, and unapologetic cultural assertionWestern civilization is heading for gradual submersion. Spenglers cyclical fatalism and Huntingtons clash inevitability converge in a bleak prognosis: the West, having exhausted its vital energies, faces eclipse by a resurgent Islamic civilization, not through conquest but demographic inevitability.

This trajectory evokes profound pessimism. Human natures constancy ensures evils recurrence. Unlike Nazism and Bolshevism, whose terror rested on military power, the present threat to civilization is proportional to demographics. Western Europe, having squandered post-war dividends on comfort rather than strength, stands ill-prepared. The hour grows late; the will to assert historical agency wanes. Absent radical reversal, the course of history may indeed be determined, not by Western peoples but otherscompletely at their mercy.
American Thinker readers are familiar with the criminal conspiracy or coup to unseat a duly elected president. John Solomon of Just the News just let the cat out of the bag with his breaking interview about

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...a slam dunk conspiracy case to prosecute former federal agents and prosecutors for election meddling for relentlessly pursuing Donald Trump for political purposes...

Solomon has validated my investigative reporting since 2019. I contend that the acts of the Democratic Party, Deep State, New World Order/WEF (i.e., George Soros)collectively, the Cabalare an ongoing RICO criminal conspiracy. It was Thomas Lifson, American Thinkers co-founder, who encouraged me to write that the Clinton Family was a RICO conspiracy. (My all-inclusive draft is here.)

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Image created using AI.

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The Cabal dismissed my reporting as conspiracy theories. Others were treated the same. Nevertheless, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, ODNI Director Tulsi Gabbard, AG Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Chairman Rep. James Comer, and others all eventually provided proof that I was correct.

Why is it so important to indict those involved as conspirators, so that their cases can be tried in a court of law? After all, as Hillary Clinton so arrogantly testified in a Senate hearing covering up her potentially treasonous acts in the Senate Benghazi hearing, What difference, at this point, does it make? It makes a big difference. In a country governed by the rule of law, people must be held accountable for illegal actsand the Trump administration gets that.

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Former CIA Director John Brennan is now a target of a grand jury investigation in the Southern District of Florida. His defense counsel sent an extraordinary letter to the presiding judge, revealing that Brennan was a target (which was leaked to the NYT). The defense contended that the Florida venue is judge shopping and said D.C. is the appropriate place for the matter.

The problem is that some judges in the DC district, by their controversial rulings (here), could be aiders or abettors in the conspiracy, e.g., Presiding Judge James Boasberg (here). Brennan does not want Judge Eileen Cannon assigned to this case. Totally absurd. The Deep State did just that in the lawfare cases against Trump.

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Typical of the legacy media, Nicolle Wallace of MSNBC ran with this disingenuous hit piece (here). She discussed the five-year federal statute of limitations. She called this action by the US Attorney in the Southern District unsubstantiated...fringe conspiracy theories to pursue Trumps political enemies. Wallace is lying by omission, failing to provide context on the law and venue.

The reprehensible raid on Mar-a-Lago gives jurisdiction to bring a RICO conspiracy case in the Southern District for criminal civil rights violations (18 USC 241 & 242, 4th Amendment) (See DOJ RICO Manual, pages 428431). Judge Aileen Cannon is an unsung hero in the Mar-a-Lago case. Judge Cannon forced Special Counsel Jack Smith out over his skis, exposing the sham nature of his case and the DOJ and FBIs illegal acts.

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A RICO ongoing criminal conspiracy can render the statute of limitations moot (DOJ RICO Manual, pages 452459). The clock tolls from the last overt act committed or an act to conceal the conspiracy. For example, perjury committed during testimony in congressional hearings and related crimes could ensnare conspirators. The dragnet can be cast broadly without regard to venue.

I contend that the undisputed facts show that the Cabal is an ongoing conspiracy (RICO 18 USC 1961-1968). The conspiracy operated with a common purpose extending back to the Raid on Benghazi, through the 2016 election, the 2020 election, the 2022 midterm election, and through the present. Many of the conspiracys later actions were intended to conceal its potentially treasonous and other activities.

I further contend that the evidence will show that the common purpose behind the activities of the Cabals members was retaining or gaining political power, stealing or diverting public funds for the members own benefit, and then concealing their illegal abuse of power. In so doing, they violated the foundational principles of our constitutional republic as declared in the US Constitution and rights secured in the Bill of Rights. These are inalienable and absolute rights of We the People, who are the sovereign.

The alleged conspiracy included acts of treason, malfeasance or nonfeasance in office, bribery, embezzlement, theft of public funds, money laundering, perjury, election fraud, libel/defamation, obstruction of justice, lawfare, disregard for the rule of law, equal protection of the law by the judiciary, and much more. The most egregious act alleged was a coup to unseat a duly elected President, sabotage his first term in office, and prevent his reelection in 2020. Underlying is a war between a Judeo-Christian free society and a totalitarian statea story for later. See suicidal empathy as a cause of TDS.

The following is a list of allegations that, if proven (and many of the facts are already matters of public record), constituted the necessary RICO-required predicate acts and pattern of criminal activity can be found below. This list is not exclusive. These actions are a target-rich environment.

ATF Fast and Furious was an ill-advised operation to allow gun purchases from licensed firearms dealers to slide to Mexican Cartels that resulted in the murder of a Border Patrol Agent.

IRS illegally targets conservative nonprofit organizations.

Secretary of State Hillary Clintons pay-to-play scheme in exchange for favorable actions or policies, with money laundered into the Clinton Foundation for their personal use. Entwined is the use of Hillarys private server to avoid FIOA disclosure.

The Raid on Benghazi. Were Obama and Hillary Clinton gun-running weapons to ISIS in Syria? Was this treason?

The Russian Collusion narrative was a disinformation operation conducted by the highest levels of our government, including the DOJ, FBI, and CIA, to interfere with the 2016 election in support of Hillary Clinton, to sabotage President Trump during his first term, and was successful by unseating him in the 2020 election.

After the 2020 election (breaking now and here), the Cabal dismissed anyone who claimed there was election fraud. There is plenty of common-sense evidence of election fraud and interferencethe COVID response leading to mass mailing of ballots, unlawful changes in state election law, voting machines (here), states voter rolls were not purged, the shielding from the voters from truthful information on Hunters laptop and more (here)(here)(here)(here)(here)(here)(here).

The Biden family criminal enterprise is another pay-to-play scheme, for favorable policy decisions or inaction (malfeasance or nonfeasance) during his terms as vice president and President. i.e., the de facto Biden policy of open borders that spawned chaos throughout the country.

Illegal entrapment and lawfare against LTG Flynn and many others by the DOJ and the FBI during President Trumps first term. LTG Gen Flynn knew too much. He could expose the Russiagate Collusion narrative as false before and after the 2016 election.

The January 6th Insurrection that Wasnt. J6 was an illegal entrapment operation by our government to get Trump at the direction of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, aided by the DOJ, FBI, and others. The J6 special committee was a star chamber. The purpose was to label the President as an insurrectionist to exclude him from running in 2024 through a misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment.

The search warrant for the raid on Mar-a-Lago was illegal on its face (here). It was a dual-purpose general warrant, the purpose of which was not disclosed in the affidavit (here). The FBI rolled the issuing magistrate into signing this search warrant (here). The affidavit includes interview statements by Kash Patel. Patel provided exculpatory evidence for President Trump that the affiant papered over by being dismissive of Patel.

USAID and NOGs committed massive amounts of theft by fraud of public funds in the billions of dollars (here). Minnesota is just the tip of the iceberg. USAID and NGOs diverted some funds to adversaries of the US, and probably to senators and representatives as well.

Buckle up, buttercup!

The Marxist Left, Deep State, and Cabal have defrauded the American People of billions of dollars, and in so doing, corrupted the federal government; murders may have occurred on behalf of this conspiracy. The day of reckoning is coming. Justice will be served.

Ron Wright is a retired detective, having served thirty-five years with Riverside P.D., Calif. Ron earned a B.A. in political science from Cal State University, Fullerton, and a Master of Administration from the University of California, Riverside. X @RonTcop
Its too bad Chuck Norris is retired. I have a great idea for a movie. Chuck would infiltrate a covert team of Navy SEALs into a five-star beach resort island that was really the hideout for a massive international drug operation. Chuck could make friends with all kinds of bikini-clad hotties, in between kicking the crap out of spooky villains, as he tried to order room service. The big finale would have Chuck paragliding off the beach with an Uzi, gunning down rows of bad guys.

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Sadly, Hollywood only makes snoozefest pictures these days, usually starring Matt Damon.

A resort island with all the drug kingpins is very real though, and may be coming to your news screen soon, courtesy of President Trumps Real War on Drugs.

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The place is Margarita Island just a few miles off the coast of Venezuela. It has long been the hub for the big Latin American drug dealers and money launderers, with its own international airport. It is also not easily accessible to ordinary Venezuelans, most of whom are now just looking for something to eat. In fact, a staggering one in four people may have already left the country, so bad are the conditions.

President Trump has promised that after shutting down the Maduro regimes drug boats and oil tanker fleet, he will up the pressure by conducting land strikes.

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Sending a Marine landing force onto Margarita Island would be an excellent next step in all this. Maduro cannot defend the place, sitting out there off the coast as it does, and the drug dealers could be arrested or run off with little trouble. Best of all, the island, with its airport and large hotel infrastructure, could quickly be turned into a camp for the armed opposition.

With Maduros oil money drying up under the blockade and the country already starving, this regime cant last long. The legitimate, internationally recognized government operating openly from Margarita Island would only hasten this process.

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Of course, there is still opposition to doing anything about Venezuela from our defeatist class of pundits. Tucker Carlson recently appeared with a New Jersey traffic judge to complain that there has not been a regime change effort thats benefitted the United States or the world in 80 years

Gee, how about Ronald Reagan liquidating the whole Soviet Empire? That seems to have worked out well for everybody. In our own hemisphere, LBJs intervention in the Dominican Republic, Reagans in Grenada, and George HW Bushs in Panama all established thriving, peaceful democracies. The Monroe Doctrine works, whenever we really try it.

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The reverse is also true. For example, JFK and the best and brightest pared back the robust Eisenhower plan to topple Castro all just to maintain the fairytale they were not directly involved. We got a catastrophe and the Cubans were stuck with seven decades of misery. Just because in liberal media circles, the Cold War somehow wasnt hip.

But its so much better to confront killers and tyrants out in the open, like President Trump is doing. With any luck, the Maduro regime wont last through 2026. Destroy the drug boats, seize the ships, freeze the assets, wreck the economy and military, and by all means, close down the drug dealers luxury resort island!

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Frank Friday is an attorney in Louisville, KY.

Image: AT via Magic Studio
The mother of a teenage girl in Maine is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case of a public school allegedly affirming the child's gender as male without telling her.

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Attorneys from the Goldwater Institute representing Amber Lavigne argue in their court petition that the school violated her right to involvement in the decision:

In December 2022, Petitioner discovered a chest binder in her 13-year-old childs room. After speaking with her child, she learned that a social worker at her childs public school had given her child the binder and that others had socially transitioned the child by using a different name and pronouns. No one from the school informed Petitioner of these decisions, and despite a written policy requiring parental involvement in such decisions, school officials have repeatedly said that school staff violated no policy by withholding this information. Petitioner sued the School Board, alleging the existence of an unwritten policy allowing employees to make these decisions without informing parents, which violated Petitioners fundamental right to control and direct the education and upbringing of her child. The First Circuit dismissed Petitioners claims, however, determining that there was a more probable alternative explanation than the existence of an unwritten policy. Advertisement

Last July, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court's decision, Fox News reports.

This situation is really about my parental rights being violated, Lavigne said. Its about a social worker who had never even had a conversation with me encouraging my child to keep secrets from me.

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Regardless of whether the school had a written or unwritten policy, parents are the ultimate authority on how their children should be raised. The only time any outside entity should be allowed to legally step in is in cases of abuse. Many on the Left may believe a parent's right to raise children as their actual physical gender is somehow abuse, but the opposite is true: Pre- or pubescent children are not mature enough to make life-altering decisions without the input of those who care about them most  their parents.
According to the AP, when being sworn in as mayor of New York City today, Zohran Mamdani will put his hand on the Quran, Islams holiest book, making him the first mayor in New York City to do so.

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Because Mamdani has chosen to take his oath of office on the Quran, he needs to be asked if he rejects various verses in the Quran that advocate forcing Islam upon people. Verse 8:38 states, Tell the disbelievers that if they desist, their past will be forgiven. But if they persist, then they have an example in those destroyed before them. Verse 9:29 states, Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, nor comply with what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, nor embrace the religion of truth from among those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the tax, willingly submitting, fully humbled. Verse 9:33 states, He is the One Who has sent His Messenger with true guidance and the religion of truth, making it prevail over all others, even to the dismay of the polytheists.

Questions also arise about the dominant media and public office-holders other than Mamdani. Given the mainstream medias silence about these verses in its article, will anybody in the dominant media quote the verses in their stories about Mamdanis oath ceremony? Will the entire dominant media emulate the AP and fail to ask Mamdani if he rejects these verses? Will anybody who holds public office challenge Mamdani to reject these verses or explain his reasons for not doing so?

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Given that Mamdani is a Democrat, with support from the Democrat party, are there any Democrats in public office who will ask Mamdani if he rejects these verses? Are there any Republicans in public office who will challenge Democrats to do so?

Given that it is 24 years since Islamists acting in the name of Islam attacked New York City on September 11, 2001, are there any public office holders who will try to do something meaningful to derail the current trend?

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Allan J. Favish is an attorney in Los Angeles. His website is allanfavish.com. In 2010, James Fernald and Mr. Favish co-authored a book about what might happen if the government ran Disneyland, entitled Fireworks! If the Government Ran the Fairest Kingdom of Them All (A Very Unauthorized Fantasy).

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Image: Zohran Mamdani. Credit: Bingjiefu He via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Tony Dokoupil, who takes over as anchor of the CBS Evening News on January 5, addressed the issue of media bias and public trust in a New Years Day message, vowing to earn viewers trust in the role most famously occupied by Walter Cronkite.

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A lot has changed since the first person sat in the Evening News chair. For me, the biggest difference is this: people dont trust us like they used to.



And its not just us. Its all legacy media.



I get it. Ive been hearing about it from just about everybody, for more than 20 years, as Ive traveled America on assignment. My moms neighbors in West Virginia. My own neighbors in New York City. Thousands of conversations in between.



Sometimes they want to talk to me about our coverage of NAFTA or the Iraq War. Other times, its about Hillary Clintons emails or Russiagate. Or more recently, COVID lockdowns, Hunter Bidens laptop or the presidents fitness for office.



The point is that on too many [times] the press missed the story. Because weve taken into account the perspective of advocates and not the average American. Or we put too much weight in the analysis of academics or elites, and not enough on you.



I know this because, at certain points, I have been you. I have felt that way too. I have felt like what I was seeing and hearing on the news didnt reflect what I was seeing and hearing in my own life. And that the most urgent questions simply werent being asked.



So heres my promise to you as long as I sit in this chair: you come first. Not advertisers. Not politicians. Not corporate interests. And, yes, that does include the corporate owners of CBS.



I report for you.



Which means I tell you what I know, when I know it and how I know it. And when I get it wrong, Ill tell you that too. It also means Im going to talk to everybody, and hold everyone in public life to the same standard. And because I became a journalist to talk to people. I love talking to people about what works in this country, what doesnt, and not only what should change, but the good ideas that never should.



I think telling the truth is one of them.



Hold me to it.

Dokoupil was appointed to the role by Bari Weiss, the editor-in-chief of CBS News, who has herself been criticized by left-wing commentators since her appointment in October. But considering the decades-long liberal bias of CBS News, any move toward neutrality would look like bias on the right.

The most prominent examples of historical bias at CBS News:

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The Westmoreland Suit (1982): CBS was sued for libel after a documentary accused Gen. William Westmoreland of manipulating Vietnam War troop data; the network later admitted the report violated its own editorial standards of fairness.

CBS was sued for libel after a documentary accused Gen. William Westmoreland of manipulating Vietnam War troop data; the network later admitted the report violated its own editorial standards of fairness. The Bernie Goldberg Accusations (1996): Longtime correspondent Bernie Goldberg went public, arguing that CBS suffered from a systemic liberal groupthink that skewed its coverage of conservative policies and social issues.

Longtime correspondent Bernie Goldberg went public, arguing that CBS suffered from a systemic liberal groupthink that skewed its coverage of conservative policies and social issues. Rathergate (2004): Dan Rather reported on forged documents to question George W. Bushs National Guard service, resulting in a major retraction, the firing of several producers, and Rathers eventual departure from the network.

Dan Rather reported on forged documents to question George W. Bushs National Guard service, resulting in a major retraction, the firing of several producers, and Rathers eventual departure from the network. The Sharyl Attkisson Resignation (2014): Investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson resigned after alleging that CBS leadership stifled her reporting on the Obama administration, specifically regarding the Benghazi attack and the Fast and Furious scandal.

Weiss faced her own allegations in December after pulling a 60 Minutes report on alleged cruel treatment at a Salvadoran prison where the Trump administration shipped illegal immigrant detainees. Weiss said more efforts should have been made to get White House comment, even though administration officials had declined to speak with 60 Minutes about the piece.

Old-school journalists from the left and right had issues with that decision, but Weiss is not shy about criticizing the current president. Her website, The Free Press, often posts such stories, as well as favorable pieces.

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As for Dokoupil, he has been accused of pro-Israel bias following a September 2024 interview on CBS Mornings with author Ta-Nehisi Coates about his book The Message, which is critical of Israels treatment of Palestinians. Dokoupil accused Coates of writing extremist passages and questioned his views on Israels existence.

CBS executives criticized the interview for failing editorial standards, but former CBS Vice Chair Shari Redstone defended Dokoupil, calling the criticism a bad mistake.
With all the fraud being exposed in Minnesota around the Somalis and their different entrepreneurial exploits, from daycares like the Learing Center that apparently only operates between two in the afternoon and ten at night to the autism clinics submitting false claims, the national spotlight is on the individuals running these various ventures.

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"My kids go here, from 2 to 10pm"



CBS speaks to a Somali woman outside the "Learing Center" to "debunk" Nick Shirleyy pic.twitter.com/uxWO31JrEz  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 31, 2025

Yet, fortunately for one of the Somali-run daycares, someone allegedly broke in and stole a bunch of important documents from the facility (thought no loss was reported to the initial responding officers), and now, at no fault of their own, they cant prove how legitimate the business really was! Another case of the dog that ate the homework.

This is so hilarious I needed this laugh. 



Manager of the Nokomis Daycare Center in Minneapolis, says a burglar broke into their daycare center, conveniently stealing all of their student records..



Drop a  if you call bullshithttps://t.co/1g1MeyF38X pic.twitter.com/blwIQpuLcd  MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) December 31, 2025

However, the images from the break-in look completely staged.

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One of these Somali daycares says they got broke into and documents stolen.



Has no one noticed the other side of the break in point is intact?



Its also plywood and brick/stucco, which isn't the easiest to get through. pic.twitter.com/gGkANilij4  John's Memes (@Johnmc42069) December 31, 2025

I have almost zero understanding in the world of building and construction, but I am aware enough to see that drywall was evidently cut from the inside of the building. Theres no hole on the other side! How big was this thief? The size of a leprechaun? The depth of the wall is only a cinder block, so are they expecting us to believe some diminutive thief shimmied through the wall, cut a hole from the inside, and climbed out that little hole? Its laughable.

As a friend also joked, the way the drywall was cut is also incriminating, as it looks ridiculous. Whoever did it is entirely unskilled ergo, it had to be a Somali. And, how convenient that the thief knew exactly where the documents werein some random room next to a water heater.

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When I burglarize random daycare centers, I always activate my X-ray vision to know which drywall to pillage for inaccessible documents pic.twitter.com/R7UBo4J5jd  Vermillion (@Vermillion_Rx) December 31, 2025

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A 67-average IQ at work folks.

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Image generated by ChatGPT.
We must savour these moments. When we dont know for certain how unhinged Emerald Fennells Wuthering Heights will be, or if the talking-sheep-solve-Hugh-Jackmans-murder movie (released 8 May!) is a once-in-a-generation classic or an absolute dumpster fire. Thats the joy of looking over a calendar of new films at this time of year  its all so mysterious, so exciting, so encouraging of absolutely wild declarations. Remember this time last year when I predicted Keanu Reeves would win an Oscar for a movie that still hasnt actually come out? Hilarious!

What we do know for certain is that 2026 looks pretty great, with a slate full of provocative dramas, ambitious blockbusters, intriguing comedies and an inexplicable amount of Anne Hathaway. Seriously, shes in four of the movies weve selected below, plus an elaborate pop-star psychodrama with Michaela Coel and potentially a Ron Howard film if it gets completed in time. One way to prove that were collectively better than we used to be? Letting her get through the year without a backlash a la the period around 2012 or 2013 when we all for some reason decided she was annoying.

Anyway, here are the 20 films were most excited for in 2026  with apologies to Greta Gerwigs Narnia movie, Maggie Gyllenhaals intriguing-looking take on The Bride of Frankenstein, Jesse Eisenbergs film about Julianne Moore joining a local theatre production, and new movies by Gregg Araki, Joel Coen, Nicolas Winding Refn and Pedro Almodovar, all of which just missed the cut here.

Send Help

Rachel McAdams leaves her house maybe once every two years, so Send Help is cause for celebration. Sam Raimis latest thriller seems like a juicy star vehicle for the Mean Girls actor, who plays a put-upon secretary to an abusive tech CEO (Dylan OBrien). The pair are stranded on a desert island following a plane crash, with McAdamss character seemingly taking advantage of the flip in power. Im the captain now, is more or less the gist here. We are seated. (6 February)

Dylan OBrien and Rachel McAdams in Send Help (Brook Rushton)

Wuthering Heights

It felt as if everyone had an opinion about this even before we saw its first trailer, such is the power of the Saltburn filmmaker and master discourse-spinner Emerald Fennell. Margot Robbie is Catherine. Jacob Elordi is Heathcliff. Charli xcx is doing the soundtrack. You can practically hear the outrage already. But whats with those mysterious quote marks around the title? Could it be that Fennell has taken quite extreme liberties with her adaptation of Emily Brontes sumptuous novel? And that we shouldnt get too angry about a movie that, according to an early test screening report, features um stylised depravity and clinical masturbation? This will inevitably break our collective brains this Valentines Day, but hopefully in a good way. (13 February)

Good Luck, Have Fun, Dont Die

Theres a new Gore Verbinski film coming out in 2026, and you should be more excited about that than you probably are. The filmmaker has nimbly dabbled in various genres over the last 30 years  horror (The Ring), adventure (Pirates of the Caribbean), animation (Rango)  and is returning in 2026 with his first film since the admirable if overcooked A Cure for Wellness 10 years ago. Hes adding gonzo time-loop sci-fi to his repertoire with Good Luck, Have Fun, Dont Die, which follows a man from the future (Sam Rockwell) who travels back in time to recruit an army to prevent the development of a rogue AI. (20 February)

Sergi Lopez (far right) in Oliver Laxes Sirat (Neon)

Sirat

From the moment an elaborate set of speakers is shown being set up in the Moroccan desert, ahead of an illegal rave attracting hundreds of euphoria-hunting revellers, youll be hooked on the tone of Sirat  one of perceived safety that can be superseded by horror at the flick of an amp switch. The story follows Luis (Sergi Lopez), who goes deeper into the desert while searching for his daughter, last seen at one of these raves. As the search intensifies, so too does the terrain around him, resulting in a slow-burn descent into hell that caused some of the biggest gasps at 2025s Cannes Film Festival. Oliver Laxes Sirat is a visual manifestation of dread. (27 February)

The Drama

Its still a little unclear how A24 will promote their black comedy The Drama, which revolves around Robert Pattinson discovering a maddeningly TMI secret about his new bride Zendaya on the eve of their wedding. If the rumours swirling around online are to be believed, said secret is legitimately very, very dark and very, very funny  so itd make sense for them to keep it under lock and key until the last minute. (3 April)

The Devil Wears Prada 2

Anne Hathaway klaxon! The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a terrifying prospect, frankly, with the original film a bona fide modern classic thats never quite fallen out of memory despite being released 20 years ago. So the stakes are incredibly high for the sequel, which sees Meryl Streep once again strap on her ice-white swoop of a wig to boss people about and tell them they look like crap. Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci are all back, too, along with newcomers including Lucy Liu and Kenneth Branagh. We are excited. Tentatively. (1 May)

Disclosure Day

Steven Spielberg is directing aliens again! Disclosure Day feels like the filmmakers most conventionally Spielbergian blockbuster in maybe 20 years, its first trailer grand in scale and filled with striking images of end-of-the-world dread. We still know little about the plot, but it seems to be an ensemble piece about an alien invasion, with Emily Blunt playing a TV reporter and man of the moment Josh OConnor playing a conspiracy-brained UFO hunter. (12 June)

Toy Story 5

Youre reading that correctly; theres another Toy Story film arriving next year, and this one will see Woody, Buzz and co fall from favour with new owner Bonnie thanks to the presence of her new favourite plaything  a frog-like tablet named Lilypad. The thought of another sequel might make your eyes roll, but this particular plot  the extinction of physical toys in favour of digital distraction  sounds like a bold new creative direction for the franchise. And if anyone can mine that for existential laughs, its Pixar. (19 June)

The Odyssey

Anne Hathaway klaxon! Youd think that Christopher Nolan might have wanted a rest after finally winning an Oscar on the heels of making absolute bangers for more than two decades. Instead, he only went bigger. Nolans Oppenheimer follow-up is his take on Homers Greek epic, and is led by Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and a plethora of other stars  all of whom were clearly champing at the bit to work with the maestro. Intrigued to see how Nolan  a fan of practical effects over CGI  pulls off his version of a Trojan horse and the one-eyed Cyclops? We are too. (17 July)

Flowervale Street

Anne Hathaway klaxon! Were gonna call it now: Flowervale Street will be a disaster or a future cult classic. The evidence suggests the latter. First up, the plot is tantalisingly mysterious  strange events pit a suburban couple (Hathaway and Ewan McGregor) on a perilous journey that potentially involves dinosaurs  and secondly, its directed by David Robert Mitchell, whose last offering, Under the Silver Lake (2018), was a down-the-rabbit-hole masterclass that didnt get enough love. This cryptic new one sounds like more of the same  and it also lists JJ Abrams as producer, which means youre either striking this one from your memory or scribbling down the release date in permanent marker. (14 August)

Clayface

One of the great pleasures of 2025 was the decidedly not-appalling Superman, which had pop and fizz and colour in all the right places. So hopes are high for the rest of the DC stable with James Gunn now in charge of it all. Theres Supergirl on 26 June, of course, but were a little more hyped by Clayface a few months later. The Batman villain  a struggling actor able to transform his appearance at will  has never been depicted in live action before, while director James Watkins (of Eden Lake and Speak No Evil fame) has form with gnarly horror-thrillers. Throw in the left-of-centre casting of Tom Rhys Harries in the lead role and the presence of Naomi Ackie, coming off a sensational year via Sorry, Baby and Mickey 17, and this seems genuinely very intriguing. (11 September)

Whalefall

Whats a cinema year without mindless action? Next years schedule is bursting with it  look out for a reboot of Sylvester Stallones Cliffhanger (1993) and a sequel to Gerard Butlers actually pretty great apocalyptic thriller Greenland. The one were most excited for, though, is Whalefall, and you will be too after reading the plot: a scuba diver searching for the remains of his father gets swallowed alive by a whale and attempts to escape. Need we say more? (16 October)

Focker-In-Law

Like that long-lost cousin you forgot about, the Focker family is back. The franchise was rightly put to bed after the dreadful Little Fockers in 2010, but this new Meet the Parents sequel could well restore some of the originals magic. All the cast are back, including Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller. Ariana Grande, fresh from her escapades in Wicked, is on hand to lure in a younger generation. Colour us cautiously optimistic that the film will be more fock yes than fock off. (25 November)

Avengers: Doomsday

Next Christmas, another blockbuster sequel beginning with Av will be released, and it looks like itll be the most crowded film in history. Not only are the typical Avengers characters back (Captain America, Thor), but so too are the new ones (the Fantastic Four) and the X-Men stars of old (Ian McKellen, James Marsden, et al). At the centre of it all is Robert Downey Jr, who wont be playing the heroic Iron Man but the films primary antagonist, Doctor Doom, in a casting stunt thatll either excite or make you groan. (18 December)

Dune: Part Three

Sandworming its way into cinemas on the same day as the above is Denis Villeneuves third Dune film. Itll be a cinematic face-off to rival the 2019 clash of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and *checks notes* Cats. This new film will close out the trilogy with a gloomy chapter set years after Dune: Part Two. If you want to find out what happens in the film, you can do so by reading Frank Herberts Dune: Messiah  but for everyone else, all you need to know is that Timothee Chalamets Paul Atreides will be back, his flowing locks wont, and Robert Pattinson has joined the cast as a shapeshifting villain with the catchy moniker Face Dancer Scytale. (18 December)

The Adventures of Cliff Booth

Does the world need a new film centred on Brad Pitts character from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood? Absolutely not. Will we be waiting with bated breath to watch it? We certainly will. Heightening excitement levels for the Netflix release is the small detail that Quentin Tarantino, whos written the prequel, has handed the project off to none other than David Fincher. The film is expected to show the stuntmans time in a POW camp during the Second World War, and if it all sounds like a pulpy quick hit, its anything but: The Adventures of Cliff Booth will be the most expensive film of either Tarantino or Finchers vast catalogues, with a budget of $200m. (TBC)

Bucking Fastard

Weve been due a Rooney Mara comeback for a few years now, and we may get it with this presumably-gonna-be-retitled movie from Werner Herzog, in which she plays opposite her sister Kate, of House of Cards fame. The film is reportedly loosely inspired by real-life twin sisters Freda and Greta Chaplin, who became tabloid catnip in the Eighties when a man they were both romantically involved with took out a restraining order against them. Juicy, right? (TBC)

I Love Boosters

Boots Rileys Sorry to Bother You was one of 2018s strongest films  a bold, off-kilter sci-fi story that marked the arrival of a real visionary. So theres a lot riding on I Love Boosters, Rileys star-studded follow-up, which revolves around a ragtag team of shoplifters who assemble to rob a fashion designer. Demi Moore is the designer, while Naomi Ackie, Keke Palmer and Zolas Taylour Paige are among the shoplifters. The first stills released from the film tease bold colours and outrageous costumes, though we shouldnt have expected anything less. (TBC)

Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige and Keke Palmer in I Love Boosters (Neon)

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

This will inevitably hit the festival circuit in 2026 and may not arrive in British cinemas until 2027, but wed be insane not to mention it all the same: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is director Jane Schoenbruns follow-up to their sensational 2024 mystery I Saw the TV Glow, and revolves around the psychosexual mania that occurs when a young filmmaker recruits an actor to reprise her star-making final girl role in a reboot of her celebrated slasher franchise. That the women are played by Hacks breakout Hannah Einbinder and none other than Gillian Anderson is just the icing on the cake. (TBC)

Verity

Anne Hathaway klaxon! OK, a question: does this Colleen Hoover adaptation sound like bonkers fun or just very bad? In it, Dakota Johnson plays a struggling novelist recruited to ghost-write the latest book by a literary titan played by Hathaway, whos been confined to a wheelchair following a mysterious accident. Her husband, snaking around their property with squinty, handsome eyes, is played by Josh Hartnett. This trio will inevitably become embroiled in some sort of sexy but strictly PG, slightly Christian-tinged power struggle, as is the Colleen Hoover way. (TBC)
People protest in support of abortion rights outside the supreme court in Washington DC on 2 April 2025. Photograph: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images (Photograph: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)

Up to seven states will vote on abortion rights this year. But recent polling indicates that Democrats may not be able to count on the issue in their efforts to drive votes in the 2026 midterms, after making abortion rights the centerpiece of their pitch to voters in the elections that followed the fall of Roe v Wade.

In 2024, 55% of Democrats said abortion was important to their vote, according to polling from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). But in October of this year, just 36% of Democrats said the same. By contrast, abortion remained about as important to Republicans in both 2024 and 2025, PRRI found. PRRIs findings mirror a September poll from the 19th and SurveyMonkey, which found that the voters who cared most about abortion are people who want to see it banned.

During the 2024 election, abortion was seen as the Democrats strongest issue, after the 2022 overturning of Roe sparked a wave of deeply unpopular state-level abortion bans. Kamala Harris put abortion rights at the heart of her presidential campaign, while Democratic Senate candidates and Super Pacs poured an astounding $175m into abortion-related TV ads  far more than any other issue. Donald Trump, who enabled Roes collapse by appointing three conservative justices to the US supreme court, repeatedly tried to downplay the fight over abortion rights, viewing it as a political liability and a sure-fire boost for Democrats.

Related: Five key moments in the assault on the rights of women and girls in 2025

But the power of the issue turned out to be overstated in 2024. Trump handily won the popular vote and Republicans ended up with control of both houses of Congress. Still, the president has largely avoided further action on the issue at the federal level, focusing instead on initiatives like cracking down on immigration, instituting steep tariffs and bulldozing the federal workforce.

The tumult has further yanked Americans attention away from abortion, said Melissa Deckman, PRRIs CEO.

Its just hard to catch your breath, because every day theres a new, outrageous thing happening with the administration, Deckman said. Abortion, she added, has been replaced as a top issue by affordability and the economy. That seems to be first and foremost for everyone. But its also, for Democrats, the state of democracy writ large. We consistently find that Democrats are more concerned about the health of democracy.

August polling from the group Emilys List, which champions Democratic women who support abortion rights, found that voters are now prioritizing the economy over abortion. But it also found that 49% of female voters consider threats to abortion rights to be a dealbreaker. Abortion remains a galvanizing issue in state supreme court elections, which now often have the final word on the legality of state-level abortion restrictions.

Advocates are currently working to secure enough signatures to get abortion rights measures on the state ballots in Idaho, Nebraska, Oregon and Virginia, while legislators in Montana may revive a proposed constitutional amendment and send it to voters. Idaho, Oregon and Virginias proposed measures would protect abortion access, while Nebraska and Montanas measures would eliminate it. Two states, Nevada and Missouri, have already confirmed that they will have abortion-related measures on the ballot. (Nevada passed an abortion rights measure in 2024, but it must past a second time before the constitution can be amended.)

In the past, Democrats have hoped that these kinds of measures, which voters tend to support, will elevate their candidates. But in 2024, voters backed abortion rights while rejecting Democratic candidates. Trump won four states that voted in support of ballot measures that added abortion rights to their state constitutions.

Some of those measures have also proven to be less gamechanging than advocates originally hoped. In 2024, Missouri voters decided to amend the state constitution to protect abortion rights, making the state  which at the time banned virtually all abortions  the first state in the country to repeal a post-Roe ban. However, a protracted legal battle over the exact implications of the measure have repeatedly blocked Missouri abortion clinics from offering the procedure. Now, in 2026, voters will be asked whether they want to repeal the measure they passed just two years ago.

It just feels like such a messaging failure, to not understand and not be able to communicate that these people are going to continue to decimate abortion access, said Alisha Dingus, executive director of the DC Abortion Fund, which helps people get the procedure. I would like to see more politicians who are more comfortable talking about abortion more regularly.

The flagging attention to abortion is having a trickle-down effect on fundraising efforts by abortion rights advocates. Donations to the DC Abortion Fund dropped precipitously in 2025, as post-Roe rage donations evaporated and economic struggles led reliable donors to stop giving.

Data indicates that US abortions have increased over the past few years, thanks in large part to online access to abortion pills. But Dingus fears that funding will dry up for women who need to travel to clinics for abortions. Right now, the DC Abortion Fund gives out about $3,800 to dozens of people per week to support costs associated with abortions  but Dingus isnt sure how much longer the money will last.

What I see is going off the cliff in 2026, because we can only stretch those additional dollars for so long, Dingus said.

 This article was amended on 25 January 2026 to clarify that measures in Montana to amend abortion rights would be put forward by legislators, not via public signatures as an earlier version said.
China to boost conservation of Yangtze finless porpoise over next decade

Xinhua) 21:40, December 31, 2025

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- China has released a plan of action to strengthen the systematic conservation of the Yangtze finless porpoise -- an iconic species of the Yangtze River -- over the 2026-2035 period, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Wednesday.

The plan, which was released by the ministry and several other government departments, prioritizes the conservation of the species and its habitat in situ, supported by ex-situ conservation and artificial breeding.

The Yangtze finless porpoise is China's only remaining freshwater cetacean. It primarily inhabits the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, as well as Dongting Lake, Poyang Lake, and a few connecting tributaries. Its population status serves as a direct indicator of the overall health of the Yangtze River ecosystem.

The Yangtze finless porpoise once faced severe population decline, but, through persistent conservation efforts, the country has successfully reversed the trend.

Efforts will be made to promote stable population growth and effective habitat protection, while fully leveraging the role of the finless porpoise as a flagship umbrella species to advance the holistic conservation and systematic restoration of the Yangtze River ecosystem, per the plan.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Wu Chaolan)
Fifty-fifty: There was nothing to separate Brentford and Tottenham on Thursday (John Walton/PA Wire)

Thomas Frank was frustrated on his return to Brentford as Tottenham were held to a goalless draw at the Gtech Stadium.

Frank, who managed the Bees for seven years and 317 games, guiding them to promotion in 2021, was making his first trip back to west London since joining Spurs in the summer.

He received a warm reception as he strode out on to the pitch and applauded all four sides of his old ground before kick-off.

But that was about as good as it got for the Dane with Spurs not managing a single effort on target until stoppage time and their fans chanting 'boring, boring Tottenham' towards the end of a dour encounter.

Brennan Johnson was a notable absentee from the travelling squad as the Wales winger is closing in on a move to Crystal Palace.

Brentford had the ball in the net after just four minutes when Guglielmo Vicario saved a Nathan Collins header and Kevin Schade, Saturday's hat-trick hero against Bournemouth, tucked in the rebound only to be flagged offside.

Spurs had to wait 33 minutes for a half-chance, when Richarlison cushioned a volley across goal and Archie Gray's header was blocked by the shoulder of Collins.

Richarlison got to the rebound first but the Brazilian striker skied his effort at the far post.

Tottenham were almost caught out on the counter before half-time when Schade broke forward and cut inside.

The ball was prodded away from the German but only as far as Jordan Henderson, who swung in a cross only for Igor Thiago to make a mess of his header without knowing Keane Lewis-Potter was in a better position just behind him.

It had been a stinker of a first half from both sides, but Spurs at least started the second with a bit more urgency, Mohammed Kudus fizzing a 20-yard drive inches over the crossbar.

Brentford threatened when Schade fed Yehor Yarmolyuk who crossed towards Lewis-Potter, but the midfielder's scuffed shot was blocked by a combination of Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence.

There was a brief VAR check for a penalty when Gray went down in the box under a challenge from Schade, but it was quickly dismissed.

Brentford were cranking up the pressure, though, and when Henderson's cross picked out Yarmolyuk eight yards out his header was well kept out by Vicario.

Moments later the hosts created an even better chance, with Michael Kayode outmuscling Spence and cutting the ball back for Thiago, who blazed his shot over.

Richarlison could have stolen the points at the death but his finish was as lame as Tottenham's performance as it flew into the arms of Bees keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
What will happen to Reform if immigration drops down the list of public priorities? - Oli Scarff/AFP

What will happen to Reform if immigration drops down the list of public priorities? Reforms popularity lies almost entirely on their commitment to border control, and its hard to see what would prop them up in the polls if other issues emerged as more important.

This is more than a theoretical question. Having managed opinion research projects for over two decades, while immigration has been the dominant concern overall amongst voters in that time, other issues have regularly popped up which have ultimately determined their votes in general elections.

In 2001, when immigration was first becoming a mainstream electoral issue amongst English voters, it was overwhelmed by concerns about public services and Tony Blair easily won re-election. In 2005, while the Tories ran a series of high-profile, outdoor ads boldly stating it wasnt racist to be worried about immigration, voters were still more worried about economic stability.

Immigration certainly helped the Conservatives win a series of elections from 2010, but in 2024 voters chose a party associated with mass immigration because their concerns about the NHS and the cost of living emerged as more important. In 2017, a vast number of voters were so irritated with the state of politics that they even voted for Jeremy Corbyn  a politician who seems barely to believe in border control at all.

Some commentators have suggested all this proves polls overstate the extent to which voters care about immigration. I have never believed this is true: immigration kept the Conservatives in power between in 2010 and 2024 and unquestionably determined the outcome of the EU referendum.

But voters obviously dont only care about immigration. The late John Hume, who led the moderate SDLP in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, used to quote his father: You cant eat a flag. His point being that performative nationalism was all very well, but ordinary people needed jobs and decent public services.

Its not hard to imagine how immigration could become relatively less important to British voters, and Reform less important consequently. Forget the prospect of Labour somehow sorting out border control; for all Shabana Mahmoods talk, its impossible to imagine shell take even the vaguest action to deal with the scale of the problem. Rather, immigration could become less important as other issues emerge.

What if a Chinese military build-up around Taiwan appeared to be happening? What would that do to financial markets around the world? What if Russia looked set to test Nato resolve on its Eastern borders and Britain looked set for a security response? Closer to home, what if unemployment rose sharply as business shut their doors amid high taxes and non-existent growth? What if it became harder to see a GP, not easier? Each of these are plausible and each would change the nature of British politics.

The certainty of uncertainty could encourage a sense of fatalism amongst the Reform leadership, but theres a huge amount Reform can do to prepare for a world in which their top issue becomes temporarily less important.

Firstly, they ought to repackage their border control policies into a broader theme that will stand the test of time  something like common sense. After all, what people say about border control  that its ludicrous politicians cant turn away those that have arrived on small boats  they also say about a range of other issues: weak and inconsistent sentencing; mismanagement in the NHS; and, increasingly, those policies designed to get us to net zero.

Reform need a critique of Conservative and Labour immigration policies which speaks to their wider, more fundamental failures  that they dont have the same values as the British public.

Secondly, they need to bulk out their policy positions on those issues that will unquestionably play at least some role at the next election because they always have: the economy and healthcare.

Part of Nigel Farages message this New Year has been to talk up the importance of technologies of the future; its important to broaden their economic policy further and they should pay particular attention to apprenticeships, which politicians have always ignored but voters are obsessed with.

On healthcare, Reforms opponents are likely to tear into them for Farages past criticisms of the NHS. Its imperative the party takes pre-emptive action to show theyre completely committed to the NHS.

Thirdly, as I have repeatedly urged on these pages, they need to unveil new, genuinely top-level talent very quickly. At some point soon, they risk a clash with public opinion as people compare their current trajectory  which has them heading into Downing Street  with at least some of their MPs and candidates.

The scale of immigration into Britain, and the Governments belief that the mass purchase of private housing to accommodate asylum seekers, surely guarantees that immigration will play a critical role in this Mays elections and in a general election too. Reform are well-positioned to secure a huge share of the vote on this basis.

But a relatively small number of seats will determine whether they take power or not. They must do everything possible to ensure theyre in every important political conversation.
Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, has sounded the alarm over the stark fall in the number of younger people picking up books for pleasure - Jeff Overs/BBC

The decline in reading is a threat to British national security because it leaves children more vulnerable to Russian disinformation, Bridget Phillipson has warned.

The Education Secretary used an article in The Telegraph to sound the alarm over the stark fall in the number of younger people picking up books for pleasure.

Just 33 per cent of children aged over eight say they enjoy reading in their free time, according to the National Literacy Trust, down from 51 per cent two decades ago.

The Department for Education has joined with the trust to declare 2026 a national year of reading, with events being organised in a concerted campaign to reverse the trend.

Ms Phillipson cited the growing threat of deliberately misleading information from hostile states such as Russia as she laid out why improving reading standards was so important.

It comes after Blaise Metreweli, the new head of MI6, last month warned that disinformation as a tool of conflict was being used by Britains adversaries.

Blaise Metreweli, the new head of MI6, said in December: We all continue to face the menace of an aggressive, expansionist and revisionist Russia seeking to subjugate Ukraine and harass Nato members - Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Wire

Ms Phillipson writes in The Telegraph: This isnt just a nice-to-have. A decline of literacy, a dwindling of reading comprehension could even have an impact on our security as a country.

As weve heard in recent months, and in December from the new head of MI6, the threat from Russia and from other foreign state actors is growing. And a dark new frontier is the disinformation spreading across social media and the wider internet. These threats are more sophisticated than ever, with higher production values designed to appear like legitimate news sources.

To respond, we need a generation of critical thinkers. We need a generation of problem solvers, equipped to dissect what lands in front of them, to value the truth and to reject the easy temptations of the online world. In short, we need a generation of readers.

There has been increased public debate, including comments from Government figures, about how the UK has to be prepared for the prospect of conflict with hostile actors.

Military figures at various points in recent years have raised concerns about the readiness of the countrys Armed Forces if they were needed to enter combat on the European mainland.

France has announced a new form of military service amid the continued threat from Russia. The Conservatives outlined a similar idea in the 2024 general election campaign.

Reading enjoyment

The focus from the Department for Education on reading this year comes after statistics showing a marked drop in the number of children turning to books in their spare time.

The Annual Literacy Survey, carried out each year by the National Literacy Trust, sought the views of 115,000 children in 2025 to get a snapshot of reading habits.

One third (33 per cent) of people aged eight to 18 said they enjoyed reading very much or quite a lot, the survey found. The figure for the same question in 2005 had been 51 per cent.

The report about the survey found enjoyment levels dropped for all children and young people regardless of their background in 2025. Girls continued to enjoy reading more than boys.

Social media

The trend over the last 20 years has overlapped with the emergence of smartphones and social media, whose impact on children is leading to calls for social media bans for the under-16s.

The impact of photograph-based sites such as Instagram and video-led platforms such as TikTok on wider child literacy is another question being raised by those alarmed by the trend.

Publishers are also attempting to counter the decline. Hachette is encouraging parents to spend 10 minutes a day reading with their child as part of an initiative dubbed Raising Readers.

The Education Secretary cited Government action already being taken in her article, such as 5m in funding for secondary schools to build their libraries by purchasing books.

Ms Phillipson wrote: Reading builds empathy, it grows our ability to follow narrative arcs, it helps us think. A love of reading in childhood is a deep well from which we can draw as adults.

We need a generation of readers

By Bridget Phillipson

Few presents at Christmas rival the gift of a good book. Its an invitation to step into exciting new worlds, a chance to share in the magic of reading.

And its just as big a treat to give a book as to receive one. There is no pleasure quite like giving a book youve loved to a friend and seeing them love it too. Or reliving a special story from your childhood decades later with your son or daughter, niece or nephew.

Passing on that joy from one generation to the next, what better way to spread some Christmas cheer? But how many of us, adults or children, will be gifting books this year? The decline of reading for pleasure is an alarming trend not just here but across Western society, driven by the inexorable rise of screen time.

Recent research has shown a significant decline in children and young peoples reading enjoyment, with only about one in three aged 8-18 enjoying reading in their free time.

And that trend takes on an even more pernicious character. The decline of reading for pleasure could harm attainment. It could drag down literacy and raise barriers to opportunity for a whole generation of children.

This Government is acting to turn this sorry trend around. Weve put improving literacy at the heart of our new curriculum review and school reform plans. Were investing an additional 5m for secondary schools to fill their shelves with books. And weve got new training for secondary school staff, new assessments to check on progress and evidence-backed strategies to support children to read well.

But I wont leave literacy to chance. Thats why Im introducing a new statutory year 8 reading test. The test will empower schools to identify children who are falling behind early in secondary school and give them the support they need to catch up.

The Government is playing its part. But as with so much of our childrens development, this goes far beyond the school gates. It needs strong, loving families in every community, and to support that, were starting early with Best Start Family Hubs.

Together with our work to end child poverty, were cutting the cost of living so families have quality time together, not having to work another shift. I want parents to be able to spend more time reading with their children and less time worrying about how theyre going to make ends meet.

2026 will be the national year of reading, a UK-wide campaign led by my department and National Literacy Trust to tackle declining reading habits and put reading back at the centre of our lives. Well be connecting reading to existing passions like music, film, or baking, with the theme Go All In to encourage deeper engagement and boost reading for all ages.

This isnt just a nice-to-have. A decline of literacy, a dwindling of reading comprehension could even have an impact on our security as a country. As weve heard in recent months, and in December from the new head of MI6, the threat from Russia and from other foreign state actors is growing. And a dark new frontier is the disinformation spreading across social media and the wider internet. These threats are more sophisticated than ever, with higher production values designed to appear like legitimate news sources.

To respond, we need a generation of critical thinkers. We need a generation of problem solvers, equipped to dissect what lands in front of them, to value the truth and to reject the easy temptations of the online world. In short, we need a generation of readers.

Reading builds empathy, it grows our ability to follow narrative arcs, it helps us think. A love of reading in childhood is a deep well from which we can draw as adults.

My grandad always understood that reading is a gift  one that he gave to me at every opportunity. He felt deeply that we must pass on the magic of reading to the young people in our lives. This Christmas is a chance for all of us to live up to that responsibility. Its a chance to do our bit for a whole new generation of readers.

Bridget Phillipson is the Secretary of Education.
Drones struck a cafe and hotel in the Black Sea resort town of Khorly on New Years Eve, Russian officials said. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images (Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images)

A Ukrainian drone strike killed 24 people and injured at least 50 more as they celebrated the new year in a Russian-occupied village in Ukraines Kherson region, Russian officials said, as tensions between the two countries continue to rise despite diplomats hailing productive peace talks.

Three drones struck a cafe and hotel in the resort town of Khorly on the Black Sea coast, the regions Moscow-installed leader, Vladimir Saldo, said in a statement on Telegram on Thursday. He said one of the drones was carrying an incendiary mixture that sparked a blaze.

On Thursday evening a Ukrainian military spokesperson told the Interfax Ukraine news agency that Kyivs forces exclusively targeted Russian military or energy sites.

The general staff spokesperson did not refer specifically to Russian accounts of a strike on a hotel, but said all strikes by the Ukrainian military were published on a general staff social media page.

The Defence Forces of Ukraine adhere to the norms of international humanitarian law and strike exclusively at enemy military targets, fuel and energy facilities of the Russian Federation, and other legitimate targets, Interfax quoted the spokesperson as saying.

A number of Russian officials condemned the attack. The chair of the upper house of parliament, Valentina Matviyenko, said it strengthened Russias resolve to quickly achieve its goals in its almost four-year invasion of Ukraine.

The strike once again demonstrates the validity of our initial demands, Matviyenko said.

The statement follows claims from Moscow that Ukraine had launched a long-range drone attack against one of Vladimir Putins official residences in north-western Russia on Tuesday. Kyiv said the claims were a lie.

Related: Did Ukraine target Putins residence or is Russian claim a ploy to sway Trump?

Russias defence ministry said on Thursday that its specialists had accessed the navigation system in one of the drones it claimed was used in the attack, and that data extracted confirmed that Putins residence was the target.

The ministry did not share evidence of its findings, but officials said it would transfer the data to US officials through established channels.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the CIA had determined that no attempted attack had taken place. Donald Trump had initially said he was very angry about the purported attack, but he later posted a link on social media to a New York Post editorial describing the Russian claims as bluster.

Russias defence ministry also released a video of a downed drone it said was involved in the attack.

The night-time clip shows a man in camouflage gear, a helmet and a Kevlar vest standing near a damaged drone lying in snow. The man, his face covered, talks about the drone. Neither the man nor the defence ministry provided any location or date, and neither the video nor its claims could be independently verified.

Kyiv has called the allegations of an attack on Putins residence a ruse to derail ongoing peace negotiations, which have gathered pace in recent weeks on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said in his new year address that a peace deal was 90% ready but that the remaining 10%, believed to include key sticking points such as territory, would determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe, how people will live.

Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Wednesday that he, the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and Trumps son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, had a productive call with the national security advisers of Britain, France, Germany and Ukraine to discuss advancing the next steps in the European peace process.

We focused on how to move the discussions forward in a practical way on behalf of [the] peace process, including strengthening security guarantees and developing effective deconfliction mechanisms to help end the war and ensure it does not restart, he wrote on X.

Ukraines lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, reaffirmed that European and Ukrainian officials planned to meet on Saturday, and Zelenskyy is expected to hold talks with European leaders next week.

With additional reporting by the Associated Press
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams has issued a scathing response to Andy Cohen, after the talk show host blasted him as chaotic and horrible during a live New Years Eve broadcast.

Another sloppy drunken rant. If anyone actually cares about him, theyll tell him to get help. New Yorkers arent laughing with him. They are concerned about him, Adams wrote in a statement on X Thursday.

Public intoxication is a disease. He should seek help. He was safe in Times Square because we did our job. Again. Seek help. AAA: Andys Alcohol Anonymous.

Cohen was appearing live on CNN from Times Square to watch 2025 draw to a close alongside co-anchor Anderson Cooper and actor BJ Novak, when he launched into his rant while holding a shot glass.

According toThe New York Post, the network has previously had to issue an on-air drinking ban due to over-exuberance by some of its New Years hosts during live broadcasts.

As midnight approached Thursday, Cohen turned to the camera and said: Id like to say, watching the final moments of Mayor Adams chaotic, horrible.

Eric Adams issued a stinging response to Andy Cohen, after the talk show host blasted him during a live New Years Eve broadcast (REUTERS)

I just want to say, I mean hes got his pardons, hes pardoned. Great, you got your pardons, go off in the sunset, he continued. Well, well fiddle with what we have, with what you left us with.

Cohen appeared to be alluding to a federal judge's April move to dismiss federal corruption charges against Adams, which is not the same as a presidential pardon.

Cooper and Novak appeared somewhat unnerved by Cohens comments and attempted to steer him away from the subject, with Novak attempting to smooth things over by joking: He cant help himself.

Cohen continued to berate Adams, though did congratulate him on the founding of a new Office of Rodent Mitigation to control the Big Apples rat population  albeit sarcastically.

Cohen was appearing live on CNN from Times Square to watch 2025 draw to a close alongside anchor Anderson Cooper and actor BJ Novak, when he launched into his rant while holding a shot glass (Getty)

I will say this, he said. I think he may have dented the rat population. I think he got rid of some of the rats, but isnt that a metaphor of sorts? Lets call it as it is, honestly. It is 2026 and there are less rats.

It is not the first time that Cohen has verbally attacked an outgoing New York City mayor. Per The New York Post, he blasted Bill de Blasio after he left office in 2022.

Cohen told the departing De Blasio to do his victory lap dance after four years as the crappiest term of the mayor of New York, adding, The only thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on is what a horrible mayor he has been. So, sayonara sucker!
Heart Wood shone at Tramore to take the ODriscolls Irish Whiskey New Years Day Chase for Henry de Bromhead giving him a third win in the race in four years.

The eight-year-old was ridden by Darragh OKeeffe for owners Robcour and lined up the 2-1 joint-favourite alongside Willie Mullins Champ Kiely for the Grade Three.

The winner led from the drop of the tape and gave connections very little to worry about throughout the race, jumping with aplomb and eventually sauntering to an easy eight-and-a-half-length triumph from Ile Atlantique.

De Bromhead said: That was great. He got a great ride from Darragh and Im delighted for the Achesons (of Robcour).

Its a race we love to try to win and its great to get it. He was tough and jumped brilliantly. Darragh said his jumping was electric, short or long.

I left the tactics up to Darragh. He said if there was pace that he would sit in, and it was just up to whatever he thought.

Hes had three runs this season and Id say hell miss the Dublin Racing Festival. Well see though, well enjoy today. This was a big plan and its great to get it.

He was second in the Ryanair last year but I wouldnt say for sure that hell go there again. Well get him home and youd imagine the Ryanair would be the race for him, but I suppose we have to try him over three miles again sometime.

Well freshen him up now and see. Hes had a great season already and were delighted.

De Bromhead and OKeeffe were in the money elsewhere during the afternoon, winning the Jimmy Shanahan Memorial Handicap Hurdle with Captain Ryan Matt at 13-8.

Gordon Elliott took the David Flynn Construction Maiden Hurdle with 100-30 shot Stede Bonnet and then won the Ryans Cleaning Services Maiden Hurdle with American Jukebox at 3-1  both of whom were ridden by Danny Gilligan.

A jockey not seen through the afternoon was Paul Townend, who was replaced on his rides after suffering a fall from Ballygunner Castle at Punchestown on New Years Eve.

Mullins said of his stable jockey: Paul is sore and said he wasnt going to ride today but hopefully hell be back by the weekend.
Karen Johannsen was brutally beaten while conducting horseback riding tours in Antigua. She died on December 26 (Facebook)

An American horseback tour operator who spent her days leading guests along Antiguas picturesque shoreline has died after a brutal assault earlier this month.

Karen Johannsen, 66, of Madison, Wisconsin, was beaten while conducting horseback riding tours on Runaway Beach, suffering catastrophic injuries that doctors said left her with no hope of recovery, according to WIC News.

Officers responded to the attack at Dickenson Bay around 11 a.m. on December 19, to find Johannsen unconscious, according to the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

According to a press release from police, Johannsen was on a trail ride when a man hit her on the head with an unknown object.

Johannsen was transported to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre for emergency treatment and later airlifted to the University of Wisconsin Hospital for additional care.

Karen Johannsen was brutally beaten while conducting horseback riding tours in Antigua. She died on December 26 (Facebook)

According to her family, Johannsen had suffered extensive injuries, including a massive head injury, a fractured jaw and several broken bones. Her brain injury was so severe that she was placed on life support and could not breathe on her own. Doctors told relatives she would never regain neurological function.

Johannsens condition declined and she died on December 26.

A homicide investigation was launched and authorities are currently have a man in custody for questioning. Johannsens sister Lyn told WMTV the man in custody is a former boyfriend. Police have not released his name.

Johannsen was the daughter of the owners of Johannsens Greenhouse, which was a staple in Madison for 50 years, according to WMTV. The business closed in 2013.

Johannsen had been living in Antigua and frequently shared updates on social media about her horseback riding tours, highlighting her deep connection to the island and its tourism community.

Police extended condolences to Johannsens family and urged anyone with information related to the case to contact the Criminal Investigations Department.

Johannsen frequently shared updates on social media about her horseback riding tours in Antigua, highlighting her deep connection to the island and its tourism community (Facebook)

In a formal statement issued to Antigua News on behalf of the Government and People of Antigua and Barbuda, Minister Fernandez extended condolences to Johannsens family.

On behalf of the Government and People of Antigua and Barbuda, I extend our deepest condolences on the untimely passing of your beloved sister, Karen. She was a wonderful person who brought joy and warmth to everyone she met, especially here in Antigua, where she loved so dearly.

Fernandez described Johannsen as a dedicated contributor to the islands tourism industry, particularly through her horseback riding experiences along Antiguas coastline.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time, the statement continued. May her memory be a source of comfort and her spirit live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Two people are in critical condition and several others suffered minor injuries after gun violence erupted at two house parties in Houston overnight (KHOU-11)

Gun violence erupted at multiple New Years celebrations across Houston early Thursday, with at least seven people shot at two separate parties at short-term rental homes, including a mass shooting that left two victims in critical condition.

Houston police were called to a rental in the area of Live Oak and Elgin just after midnight after reports of gunfire at a large party.

Investigators believe more than 100 people, mostly in their 20s, were gathered at the short-term rental when shots rang out, according to Click2Houston, who reported that fireworks were still smoldering in the driveway when officers arrived.

Two victims, a male and a female, were found at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds, according to HPD Lt. J.P. Horelica. They were rushed to the hospital where they are in critical condition.

Horelica said a female victim was later found with a graze wound. Two more gunshot victims later walked into nearby hospitals. All three were treated for their injuries.

As of Thursday morning, no arrests had been made.

Two people are in critical condition and several others suffered minor injuries after gun violence erupted at two house parties in Houston overnight (KHOU-11)

Horelica said investigators have struggled to get witnesses to cooperate.

Nobodys willing to cooperate and tell us exactly what happened or what occurred, or who the suspect was, Horelica said. If anybody has any information on what exactly happened here at this party, wed appreciate it.

The shooting was one of at least two incidents involving parties at short-term rental across Houston overnight.

Another shooting was reported at a rental home in the 800 block of Yorkshire Street in north Houston near Crosstimbers, where two people were injured.

HPD North Patrol Captain Ryan Watson said police have a description of a possible suspect. Several people were detained but later released after investigators determined they were not involved.

In the chaos of the shooting, everybody was spread out, Watson told OnScene TV. Were waiting to see if we can locate camera footage at nearby houses.

Both investigations remained ongoing Thursday morning and no additional information about the shootings or the victims was released.

The violence comes as Houston begins enforcing a new city ordinance regulating short-term rentals, KHOU-11 reported. As of January 1, hosts are required to register their properties with the city. Officials said noncompliant rentals could begin being delisted from online platforms starting April 1.

Anyone with information about either shooting is urged to contact Houston police or Crime Stoppers.
A project to save the lives of mothers during childbirth in two crisis-hit countries, which was axed in Donald Trumps drastic foreign aid cuts, is getting off the ground after former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern stepped in to rescue it.

Postpartum haemorrhage, excessive bleeding after giving birth, is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality around the world. The saved programme will see a team of leading maternal health experts test an approach including using a plastic blood-collection device known as a drape to measure how much someone is bleeding and identify more swiftly if they are losing dangerous amounts. The aim is to reach women in some of the most dangerous places to give birth  and test whether the approach works as well in conflict zones as in more stable countries.

Previously set to run in seven countries with a budget of $10m (7.5m), the Safer Births in Crisis project, spearheaded by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), is now launching in South Sudan and Burkina Faso on a budget of $4m (3m).

South Sudan, one of the newest countries globally, has suffered many years of protracted conflict and also impact of climate change, said Kadra Noor Abdullahi, the IRCs maternal and child health coordinator for the country. This has weakened the governments ability to fund its health system, she said, while swathes of clinics have been damaged by bombs and flooding. Only half of the population has access to a health facility.

For women and girls in particular, Abdullahi said, this lack of hospitals and supplies meant a high number of women who deliver at home, with 80 per cent of women giving birth without a midwife or doctor in attendance.

More than half of the countrys health funding came from the US. When Trump turned off the tap to all aid funding overnight in January 2025, South Sudan was among the hardest hit. The number of antenatal visits fell and cases of postpartum haemorrhage rose. Elaine Scudder, a maternal and newborn health advisor for the IRC, was herself furloughed while watching anxiously to see what would happen to the women they were already caring for, and those they were set to help.

South Sudans health system relies heavily on aid (Unicef)

Meanwhile, in hard-to-reach regions of Burkina Faso, almost 30,000 pregnant women lost out on prenatal care, according to the IRC.

When Ms Ardern stepped in, through the Matariki Fund for Women, and rescued at least part of the programme, it was a moment of believing that there was going to be light at the end of the tunnel, Ms Scudder said.

The IRC team then had to prioritise where the funds would be used. Not only was there less money, but with basic maternity care having been hollowed out by the USs sudden withdrawal of funding, they felt they had to do more with it in the reduced number of countries.

After the foreign aid cuts, it became quite clear that we couldnt solely focus in this vacuum of preventing excessive bleeding, Ms Scudder said. She added that we now feel responsible for delivering all of that care for mothers and newborns.

A mother with her newborn baby in Juba Teaching Hospital, South Sudan (AFP/Getty)

The World Health Organization recommends the use of blood collection drapes. Women experiencing haemorrhaging should then be given a bundle of different drugs and treatments at the same time to maximise their chances of survival. A 2023 study found that, together, this reduced severe bleeding, surgeries and deaths by 60 per cent.

Testing in countries facing conflict will allow for monitoring of potential issues. For example, clinics used to supply shortages might be tempted to reuse blood collection drapes and risk spreading infection.

The coalition undertaking the project  which also includes the International Medical Corps, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and womens health non-profit Jhpiego  will also test giving the drug misoprostol to women to take home in case they cannot make it to a hospital to give birth.

As well as being highly effective at preventing deadly bleeding when given in the final stage of labour, misoprostol is perhaps better known as an abortion pill, which can make its use controversial in nations with more conservative policies around reproductive rights.

Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern provided seed funding for the project through the Matariki Fund (AFP via Getty Images)

The Safer Births in Crisis project has already started assessing how many drapes and doses of drugs it will need and will start to reach women in the new year.

The involvement of Ms Ardern, who is so passionate about the topic, so willing to invest everything she can into it, was a breath of fresh air, Ms Scudder said.

But its virtually impossible for any one donor to reverse the impact of the cuts by the US.

To talk to you about how game-changing this $4m investment is when it would not remotely have been game-changing a year and a half ago; to talk to you about how exciting this project is to have it be in seven facilities in Burkina Faso when it was supposed to be in seven countries, Ms Scudder said.

Its been incredibly hard to realign all your expectations and your truths and everything you knew to be possible a year ago.

This article has been produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project
Kneecap said they will not be silent ahead of a further legal challenge over a courts decision to throw out the terrorism case against rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh.

O hAnnaidh was accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in November 2024, until a technical error in the way he was charged led to the chief magistrate ruling he could not try the case.

The rap trio said in a post on X on Thursday morning that the Government has issued them with a notice that it intends to appeal against the courts decision.

Last year, the Crown Prosecution Service said it would be appealing against the decision because we believe there is an important point of law which needs to be clarified.

The Brits are at it again The British government has issued us notice that they will appeal the decision of their own magistrates court to throw out the case against Mo Chara. It is the view of our legal team that there is not an iota of logic for this, it is without any pic.twitter.com/UTJfEvmlBu  KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) January 1, 2026

In the X post, Kneecap said: The Brits are at it again

The British government has issued us notice that they will appeal the decision of their own magistrates court to throw out the case against Mo Chara (O hAnnaidhs stage name).

It is the view of our legal team that there is not an iota of logic for this, it is without any sound legal basis.

It is another flailing arm to distract from, and to try and silence those who stand on the right side of history as they are complicit.

As Israel today moves to ban charitable organisations providing lifesaving aid and primitive shelter to millions, the British state once again turns to vilify those who oppose genocide.

It will be heard on Jan 14th at the High Court, Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London.

We will not be silent. Free Palestine.

The Home Office and the Ministry of Justice have been contacted for comment.
One of the lawyers representing Elon Musk in his legal battle against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also works as a clown, according to a report.

Jaymie Parkkinen, a lawyer with Toberoff & Associates, has been on the front lines of Musk and Altmans ongoing legal dispute over the origins of OpenAI.

However, in his free time, Parkkinen not only performs as a clown, but operates his own Clown Cardio business in Los Angeles, Business Insider reported.

All my comedy friends  none of them can believe Im a lawyer, Parkkinen told the outlet. And none of my lawyer friends can believe I do clown.

Musk co-founded OpenAI with Altman in 2015, but later left over divisions on how to run the business and secure funding. A year after the company launched ChatGPT, Musk accused OpenAI and Microsoft of monopolizing the generative AI market and straying from the companys initial intentions.

A lawyer working for Elon Musk in his legal battle against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also has a job as a clown, according to a report (AFP/Getty)

In a lawsuit, Musk claims that OpenAI, under Altmans leadership, is betraying their founding goals of benefitting humanity  rather than pursuing profits.

Meanwhile, Altman counters that Musk abandoned OpenAI after being involved in its early stages and that he accused Musk of harassment.

Throughout the contentious legal dispute, Parkkinen has fought diligently in discovery disputes for Musks case, according to the report.

Parkkinen, whose clown performances dont involve any of the Ronald McDonald birthday party kind of stuff, he told the outlet, uses the word clown the way people might say improv or comedy.

Clown forgoes bright red noses or colorful wigs, though all of the performances are improvised.

When you strip away all the social masks that we all wear, if you strip away gender and politics and money and status and power, and youre just your raw human self without all the trappings of society  who are you? Parkkinen said. And the clown tries to answer that question.

However, Parkkinen says clown activities have taken a back seat due to the intense litigation schedule in the Musk case.

In a lawsuit, Musk claims that OpenAI, under Altmans leadership, is betraying their founding goals of benefitting humanity  rather than pursuing profits. (Getty Images)

The lawyer founded a Clown Cardio business after realizing that the physical comedy required of clowns can make for a good workout.

The business especially took off after The New York Times wrote about the program in 2024, and Parkkinen now says there have been requests for franchises to open all the way across Europe.

Parkkinen, who some may know as the lawyer who wrote that Musk does not use a computer, declined to discuss details of the case with Business Insider. Parkkinen did not respond to The Independents inquiry by the time of publishing.

However, Parkkinen says the performance aspect of being a clown has helped him in the legal world since litigation is also a performance.

At the end of the day, its just about connecting with people, and so is being a lawyer, he said. Youre connecting with a judge, a jury, opposing counsel.

Parkkinen said he feels other corporate lawyers could benefit from partaking in clown activities.

Lawyers are often very conservative and kind of miss out on this huge gift thats right at their fingertips, he said. Just take an improv class.
But by the end of episode one, Tom Hiddleston has dispensed with his reading glasses, put on a sharp suit and packed a gun - Des Willie/BBC/Ink Factory

The first series of The Night Manager (BBC One) served both as sophisticated drama and Tom Hiddlestons audition reel to be the next James Bond. A decade on, the actor has aged out of the running for 007, but the appetite for smart and glossy thrillers remains high, so he is back in a sequel inspired by John le Carres original novel and executive produced by the authors sons. On early evidence, it is another classy thriller, albeit suffering from the lack of Hugh Laurie as cold-blooded arms dealer Richard Roper and Tom Hollander as his scene-stealing sidekick, Corky. The pair gave series one its bite.

Hiddleston is reliably good. When we meet Jonathan Pine again, he has erased his old identity and is going by the name of Alex Goodwin. He is working for the security services, running a unit called the Night Owls which conducts covert surveillance in hotels. His job is to do the unexciting bit, watching CCTV from a nondescript London office where colleagues complain about the traffic in St Albans. Its a sort of half-life, far removed from the derring-do of his earlier days. Its quiet work, its not the most dramatic, but who needs heroes? says his boss and friend, Rex Mayhew (Douglas Hodge).

The world needs heroes, Rex, and preferably ones like Jonathan Pine. Remember when people railed against the number of Old Etonian and Harrovian actors in the industry? Well, Hiddlestons background (Eton, Cambridge, Rada) is a boon here, because its the public school polish  the manners, the accent  that make Pine such a smooth operator.

For balance, Pine is paired with Sally (Hayley Squires), a smart, working-class woman on the Night Owls team. They are going about their usual surveillance business when Pine spots an old face at a hotel casino: one of Ropers mercenaries. This leads them on a dangerous mission to Spain. Were Night Owls, not operatives, Sally protests. Were watchers, Alex, eyes and ears. Were not the show, remember? But she doesnt need too much encouragement to get stuck in.

They set off on the trail of Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva), a wealthy Colombian who has modelled himself on Roper, including the use of philanthropy as a cover for his activities. A teaser at the beginning of the episode reminds us of the first series plot, when Pine went undercover, infiltrating Ropers network and ultimately consigning him to a grim fate.

Roper haunts this sequel. In a prologue, we see Pine and his former handler Angela Burr (Olivia Colman, deploying a northern accent that is so Olivia-Colman-doing-a-northern-accent it still makes my insides shrivel) identifying Ropers body. He has been executed in the desert by his captors. There is an appearance by Ropers son, Danny, once an innocent little boy and now a sullen teen. If you havent seen series one, then you have to catch up, because it provides so much context. The publicity accompanying the series teases reappearances by Ropers finance man, Sandy Langbourne, and his enforcer, Frisky.

It isnt long before Pine comes to suspect that the British security services may be involved in Dos Santoss business dealings. We are into the familiar Le Carre territory of duplicity and betrayal. Hodge is excellent as Mayhew, a decent man but now troubled; Indira Varma is Mayra, the cool River House chief. Camila Morrone plays a glamorous young businesswoman whom Pine tries to rescue.

Camila Morrone as Roxana Bolanos - Ink Factory

You may remember that the first series of The Night Manager made headlines over a sex scene with Elizabeth Debicki, which featured Hiddlestons naked behind (this was around the time he was said to be dating Taylor Swift, so Hiddlemania was at its height). This time around, he is shirtless in scenes where he really doesnt need to be, so the director is clearly trying to keep that particular fanbase happy.

Its not exactly glamorous, a psychologist tells Pine when discussing his Night Owls work. But by the end of episode one, Pine has dispensed with his reading glasses, put on a sharp suit, packed a gun and is sprinting away from an explosion in a luxury clifftop hotel. Thats pretty glamorous for a January evening in front of the TV.
Your Party to elect new leader after Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana barred from standing

Your Party will elect a new leadership by the end of February after co-founders Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana were barred from standing under new rules.

Members of the fledgling left-wing group will vote over the next two months, after they decided in November to put a collective headed by a non-MP in charge.

A second option, for a traditional sole leader, which would have seen Mr Corbyn and former Labour MP Ms Sultana battle it out to lead the new party, was rejected by a narrow margin.

The results will be announced on 26 February, Your Party said. But it will not have candidates in place for the local elections in May, and will instead support community independents. Members in Scotland and Wales will decide the partys stance on the Holyrood and Senedd elections the same month, the party said.

A second option, which would have seen Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana battle it out to head the new party, was rejected by members (PA)

The shock outcome of the leadership vote at the partys annual conference in Liverpool came after some challenged Mr Corbyn, a lifelong pro-Palestine campaigner, and accused him of being a Zionist, apparently for supporting a two-state solution in the Middle East.

Members voted for the party to be led by a committee, which will include a chair and a deputy chair. MPs are not allowed to stand for the chair or deputy chair role.

In a new year message issued on Thursday, Mr Corbyn urged Your Party supporters to embrace hope, not fear, and optimism for the year ahead. He predicted that 2026 would be the year we demonstrate a radical, socialist alternative to the right-wing demagogues and establishment mouthpieces who dominated 2025.

He said he wished for the voice of communities to come through loud and clear in the elections in May, adding: Your Party will back socialist and community independents who challenge the government and stand for council housing, community care and social services.

Your Party has been riven by infighting and rifts almost since the new group was announced.

In an extraordinary move, Ms Sultana boycotted the first day of the partys conference, accusing people within the organisation of creating a toxic culture and citing a witch hunt, just hours after Mr Corbyn insisted the party was united.

Even before the conference began, a second MP quit. Iqbal Mohamed said he was resigning because of false allegations and smears levelled against him. He had recently clashed with Ms Sultana over his gender-critical beliefs.

His departure came just one week after Adnan Hussain said he was withdrawing from the steering process for the new party, citing concerns about factionalism and veiled prejudice against Muslims.

Two months earlier, insiders told The Independent that diplomatic efforts were underway to try to heal divisions between Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana. It came after she complained she had been subjected to ... a sexist boys club during a dispute over a new membership system.

Pollsters say the new group poses a threat to Labour and could take a significant number of votes from Sir Keir Starmers party.

A Find Out Now poll over the summer suggested that Your Party would be equal third to Labour in support, on 15 per cent each, with Reform on 34 per cent and the Tories on 17 per cent.
Ramel, 22, left his home in Sutton just after midnight (Met Police)

Police are concerned for the welfare of a 22-year-old who is missing from his home in south London.

Ramel, who is autistic and non-verbal, left his home in Sutton just after midnight on January 1.

He is described as being about 5ft10, of slim build with short black afro hair. He was last seen wearing a green pyjama top.

Ramel has transport links to get around London, and may have travelled in this time.

Police are appealing to find Ramel, 22 (Met Police)

Anyone who may have seen him or believes they have information is urged to call 101 quoting CAD 259/1Jan.

Ramels mother said: We are very worried, he has not been missing this long before. We just want him home.

Police are appealing to find Ramel, 22 (Met Police)

Detective Inspector Anselm Hartley, who is leading the investigation, said: Ramal is extremely vulnerable and we are increasingly concerned for his welfare.

Last night was very cold and temperatures are expected to be low again tonight. It is really important that we find him, and we find him quickly.

If you have seen Ramal or believe you might have information please contact the police immediately.
Illo

In 2022, Chen Yimin, a marine sergeant in Taiwans navy, was in debt and desperate for money.

He came across an online advertisement for a loan shark working on behalf of the Chinese government who made him an offer: hand over classified military secrets and youll receive cash handouts.

Chen agreed.

Over the course of a year, he downloaded and printed top secret documents from the databases at two of Taiwans military bases, taking photos and sending them to his business manager over online messaging platforms.

He was paid 170,000 New Taiwan dollars (4,100) before his arrest in early 2023 and was later sentenced to two years and two months in prison under Taiwans National Security Law.

He is one of more than a hundred Taiwanese veterans, on-duty officers and civil servants recruited to spy for Beijing in recent years as China prepares for an invasion of Taiwan.

The Taiwanese authorities have admitted that some of these spies may have gained access to secret defence plans, now in Beijings hands, which could weaken Taiwan and increase Chinas offensive capabilities.

Many of these individuals, including Chen, are now in prison, facing charges under Taiwans National Security Law, but there are believed to be others still working in secret.

Police escort defendants in an espionage case through a courthouse in the Taiwan High Court in Taipei - CNA photo

Baiting the fish

As China stages record military drills in the waters around Taiwan, its military threat is obvious. But it is difficult to assess how vulnerable Taiwan might be internally, explained David Hsu, the deputy director of Taiwans ministry of justice investigative bureau (MJIB).

In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph, Mr Hsu discussed at length how China recruits spies in Taiwan, the type of intelligence it seeks and the risks posed by these espionage campaigns.

In 2024, Taiwan charged 64 people with espionage-related offences, an increase from 48 the year before. About 80 per cent of those are connected to the defence forces, including active-duty personnel, while around 20 per cent are civil servants, according to MJIB, one of nine agencies in Taiwan that work on mitigating the threat of Chinese espionage.

Ground forces takes part in long-range live-fire drills targeting waters north of Taiwan on Tuesday - Eastern Theatre Command/via Reuters

If they see that these retired military officers have some connections with the Taiwanese political, military or diplomatic systems, they will try to approach them and recruit them, said Mr Hsu.

The process normally begins with grooming, where the target will be wined and dined, and then they will proceed with what they really want, he said.

When in-person recruitment isnt possible, another common strategy is to reach targets through online banking schemes or underground banking, such as with Chen.

They are looking for soldiers who are in financial shortages and provide them loans, but they will tell them you work for me and if you get this information you dont have to pay me back, said Mr Hsu, adding that they will offer rewards for especially sensitive intelligence.

President Lai Ching-te announced a new national security package in March 2025 - I-Hwa Cheng/AFP via Getty Images

Nathan Attrill, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, explains that China is overwhelmingly focused on gaining intelligence surrounding Taiwans ability to fight.

Every leak makes Taiwans deterrence look thinner from Beijings perspective. If China knows Taiwans mobilisation timelines, radar coverage or command-and-control layouts, it can design an attack that exploits those weaknesses from the very first minute, he said.

With stolen intelligence, the PLA [Peoples Liberation Army] can be rehearsing against the real thing: Taiwans actual air-defence posture and operating patterns, thus shortening its planning cycle, and building an invasion plan precisely around Taiwans blind spots.

According to MJIB, China recruits spies across its three main systems: the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the PLA and government agencies, including the intelligence apparatus, and the ministry of state security.

China recruits spies inside Taiwan in a variety of ways, but a common practice is to establish contact face to face in order to build trust.

A Taiwanese Coast Guard ship sails close to a Chinese one as military drills continue around the island - Taiwan coast guard/AFP via Getty Images

Chinese nationals face heavy restrictions, from both Taipei and Beijing, when travelling to Taiwan, so handlers will often wait for Taiwanese nationals to travel to China, whether on business or to visit friends or family.

MJIB has also noticed a number of current and former military officials recruited over dating apps as well as social media, such as Facebook and LinkedIn, but this is less common.

Along with stealing classified intelligence, targets are also often instructed to recruit their peers to build a larger network.

J Michael Cole, a Taipei-based senior fellow with the Global Taiwan Institute and a former Canadian intelligence officer, said that in these scenarios the recruiters come from circles which the targeted asset is part of, which include the same political party, the same business, the same branch of the military, or even a family member.

In one notable example from 2023, a retired Taiwanese serviceman was first recruited by a Chinese intelligence officer and went on to recruit another nine current and former army personnel who handed over intelligence on key military bases and training modules.

Civilian targets

While the majority of Chinas targets are connected to Taiwans military, Beijing also seeks out civil servants and politicians.

In a high-profile case from September 2025, four men with ties to Taiwans president and former foreign minister were all sentenced to prison for spying on behalf of China.

One of the men, Wu Shang-yu, who received a four-year sentence, worked as a close aide to Taiwans president, Lai Ching-te, and had passed details of his travel itineraries to the Chinese government.

Another man, Ho Jen-chieh, who received eight years and two months, had previously worked as an assistant for national security council secretary-general Joseph Wu while he was Taiwans foreign minister.

A Taiwan fighter jet patrols. China has been staging record military drills in the waters around Taiwan - Tsai Hsin-Han/Reuters

These are people who are part of the government who help make the rules and our political policies, and also are inspecting or auditing our budgets, so they are involved with a lot of the government affairs, said Mr Hsu.

When it comes to recruiting these civil servants and their staff, Beijing often relies on one distinct strategy, according to Mr Hsu.

Agents will seek out individuals who studied in China and connect with them through their university networks.

In China, most universities have CCP members on their boards who are often responsible for recruiting the targets and serving as a liaison between them and other branches of government.

When these people finish their studies in China and go back to Taiwan to work for the government or become a member of parliament or in any kind of public position, they will receive instructions from China to collect information about our policies, our budgets, or any kind of topics they would like to understand, said Mr Hsu.

China will often look to recruit people who are more sympathetic to Beijings claims over Taiwan and those who express similar beliefs around reunification.

Some of Beijings political targets have access to high-profile politicians, as was the case September. Other times, China will seek out elected officials or individuals running for office.

Beijing will then help to fund their political campaign to maximise the chance that they are elected and from there the government can use the individual to help steer policy decisions.

Huang Chu-jung, a former presidential aide, was convicted of spying for China in September 2025

There have been several cases involving politicians and members of Taiwans main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), which is often seen as far more pro-China than the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party.

Earlier in 2025, a former aide to three KMT politicians was arrested for spying for China along with the assistant to a local KMT city councillor.

The UK got a taste of this when an espionage case involving two British former English teachers, one of whom worked as a parliamentary researcher in Westminster, resurfaced in September after it was controversially quashed.

Both men were accused of passing sensitive information, including insight into the Tory leadership race, to a senior official within the CCP.

Tackling the crisis

With hundreds of spy cases to date, Beijing has successfully reached individuals with access to the highest levels of Taiwans government and military, which could mean that critical intelligence has fallen into enemy hands.

MJIB says it cannot discount the possibility that China has obtained key defence plans or is puppeteering its agenda through politicians in government.

Its possible that some of this sensitive, confidential information has been leaked to mainland China via these espionage activities, but the relevant authorities are trying their best to make damage control, said Mr Hsu.

Some of the militarys manoeuvre operation plans have been adjusted in response to certain leaks, but China keeps its cards close, so its difficult to know exactly what information has been compromised, said Mr Hsu.

New national security package

Taiwan has made combatting espionage an increasing priority over the last year.

In March, Mr Lai announced a new national security package which framed China as a foreign hostile force and introduced 17 strategies to combat Chinese threats to Taiwan.

In response to Chinese spying within Taiwans military, Mr Lai said that Taiwan would restore its military trial system to try active duty personnel and revise retirement benefits for personnel and their families.

He also proposed amending laws to increase the punishment against those who express loyalty to China.

By September, Taiwan had charged only 15 people with espionage-related offences in 2025. The number was expected to rise to 20 by the end of the year, but this is still a stark drop from the 64 cases reported in 2024.

Mr Hsu says the reason the number peaked in 2024 is because it was an election year so China increased its espionage activity, but the drop-off is also because of the effective strategies enacted by the government.

We believe its quite serious because they are trying to infiltrate Taiwan, whether its through the military, the administrative system, parliament, public sector, private sector, said Mr Hsu.

However, we believe this can be effectively dealt with because we have strong inter-agency co-operation and strong capacities.

Experts are less optimistic, especially given the magnitude of Chinas efforts and the risk that it poses.

Taiwan might be getting better at detecting infiltration, but the scale of Chinas efforts remains enormous, said Mr Attrill.

This article is the first of four pieces that The Telegraph is publishing on Taiwans plans to repel a Chinese invasion and Beijings efforts to undermine the islands defences.
Emergency personnel work at the site of the fire. Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters (Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters)

About 40 people are believed to have been killed and 115 injured after a fire tore through a crowded bar during a New Years Eve party in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.

Swiss police confirmed several dozen partygoers were dead. The victims could not be immediately identified because of the severity of their burns, the ministry said. It confirmed arson was not responsible, with the blaze thought to be the result of an accident.

A police spokesperson in the canton of Valais in south-west Switzerland said the fire started at about 1.30am local time (0030 GMT) in a bar called Le Constellation, which is popular with tourists, as revellers rang in the new year. More than a hundred people were in the building and we are seeing many injured and many dead, he said.

Video from the scene shows orange flames billowing from inside the ground-floor bar and lounge. Screams can be heard as well as loud music. Several people were seen collapsed outside the building, which is located in the centre of the Valais resort.

Two women told the French broadcaster BFMTV that they were inside Le Constellation when they saw a bartender carrying a female member of staff on his shoulders. She was holding a lit candle in a champagne bottle that set fire to a wooden ceiling. The flames quickly spread and collapsed the ceiling, they said. A photo showed a woman in a black dress in the basement of the bar, holding a magnum of champagne. A large white flame can be seen coming from the top of the bottle.

One of the women described a crowd surge as people frantically tried to escape from a basement nightclub up a narrow flight of stairs and through a narrow door.

Another witness speaking to BFMTV described partygoers breaking windows to escape the fire, some gravely injured, and panicked parents rushing to the scene in cars to see whether their children were trapped inside. The young man said he saw about 20 people scrambling to get out of the smoke and flames. He likened what he saw to a horror movie as he watched from across the street.

The morning after the tragedy, two women held each other and wept in front of the police cordon outside Le Constellation, while mourners left flowers. The club itself, which is frequented by younger people and tourists, was surrounded by police tents.

Shortly before 1pm a Swiss police forensics team entered the tents. Behind the building, an apartment block  also called Le Constellation  had smashed windows where firefighters had attempted to let the smoke from the blaze escape.

Crans-Montana is a bustling resort town of about 10,000 people perched high in the Valais canton of the Swiss Alps, with a view across the valley to the famed Matterhorn mountain. Unlike nearby Verbier, which attracts a wealthy anglophone crowd, Crans-Montana is popular mainly with wealthy Europeans.

But Le Constellation itself was more of a cheap and cheerful bar for younger people and tourists.

Ulysse Brozzo, 16, an instructor at the ESS ski school, said several of his friends were in the club at the time.

He said he had spoken to some who were safe, but had yet to hear from others he knew were inside when the fire broke out. A friend of a friend was in a coma at Sion hospital. Its a total tragedy, he said. There were hundreds of people inside.

The venue was set over two floors, he said, with a bar on the main floor and narrow stairs leading to a basement nightclub below, where he speculated it would have been possible for people to have become trapped and incapacitated from smoke inhalation.

He said shisha pipes were available to smoke. What people are saying is that the charcoal on the shisha could have spilled and caused the fire, Brozzo said.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, Mathias Reynard, the president of the Valais canton, said what should have been a moment of celebration turned into a nightmare.

The police commander Frederic Gisler said: I cant hide from you that we are all shaken by what happened overnight in Crans.

Patients had been dispatched to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich, he said.

At the moment we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack, the prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said, adding that authorities had opened a full investigation.

She said authorities were trying to get the bodies of the victims to their families. A lot of resources have been put into forensics to identify the victims. These resources are intended to allow us to get the bodies to the families as soon as possible, she said.

Some of the victims are from other countries, said Stephane Ganzer, the head of security for the Valais canton.

The 22 injured patients being treated at Lausanne university hospital are reported to be aged between 16 and 26. General manager Claire Charmet said eight of them were resuscitated on arrival. They were now being treated in critical and specialised care units. This will be a long and intensive process, lasting several weeks, perhaps even months, she said.

A reception centre and helpline have been set up for affected families, Lathion said. Were just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is a internationally renowned ski resort with lots of tourists.

French media said Le Constellation was a well-known spot in Crans-Montana. It opened in 2015 and could accommodate up to 300 people inside, with another 40 on a heated terrace. The bars Facebook and Instagram pages appear to have been deleted and are unavailable. Its owners are reportedly a French couple, originally from Corsica.

The owner of the Dede clothing store, directly across the street from Le Constellation, said the venue was a popular destination for younger people  including the children of her friends, who would often drink there from as young as 14 years old.

Francois, 17, a ski instructor who said he had often partied at the bar, said new year parties were known as being more lax in terms of checking the age of bar entrants.

The town relies heavily on a largely European clientele who come to ski, eat in several Michelin-starred restaurants and shop at Moncler and Louis Vuitton stores. It has about 3,000 hotel rooms and 10,000 residents.

With Agence France-Presse and Associated Press
Crossings were running at the highest level on record for much of 2025, but the pace slowed in the last two months. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA (Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA)

More than 41,000 people crossed the Channel in small boats last year, figures branded shameful by the Home Office have revealed.

The government said 41,472 people arrived in the UK by crossing the Channel in 2025  the second highest number on record after 45,774 made the journey in 2022.

The number of crossings was running at the highest level on record for much of the year, but the pace slowed in the last two months of 2025. The total for the year ended up being 13% higher than the figure for 2024.

Keir Starmer had fought the election in 2024 promising to smash the gangs and last year negotiated a one-in, one-out returns deal with France to act as a disincentive.

A Home Office spokesperson said the number of small boat crossings was shameful and the British people deserve better.

But they added: This government is taking action. We have removed almost 50,000 people who were here illegally, and our historic deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.

The home secretary has announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in decades, removing the incentives that bring illegal migrants to the UK and scaling up the return of those with no right to be here.

However, Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, said Starmers plans had been a complete disaster and a farce. He also claimed that many of the young men that have arrived last year will do us great harm.

The Conservatives have claimed that foreign nationals arriving by small boat are more likely to go to prison, but Full Fact found in July that the University of Oxfords Migration Observatory has said there is no reliable publicly available data about crimes committed by foreign arrivals by small boat.

Chris Philp, the Conservative shadow home secretary, said on Thursday that pulling out of the European convention on human rights (ECHR) was the only way to reduce the number of small boat crossings.

He said: Labour have confined themselves to cosmetic tweaks, hence only 5% of arrivals have been removed. There is no deterrent and anyone who crosses the Channel knows they can invoke human rights law and remain indefinitely. Labour lack the backbone to confront that truth.

The government is counting on greater powers for law enforcement to tackle people-smuggling gangs under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act , which became law in December. The act introduces new criminal offences and allows law enforcement agencies to use counterterror-style powers to crack down on people-smuggling gangs.

Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, also announced plans in November for the most significant changes to our asylum system in modern times, in an effort to deter people from coming to the UK and make it easier to deport them.

Under changes inspired by the Danish system, refugee status will become temporary with regular reviews every 30 months, and refugees will be forced to wait 20 years for permanent settlement in the UK, up from five years currently.

Reacting to the Channel crossings for 2025, Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: Most men, women and children taking these journeys have fled oppressive regimes like the Taliban in Afghanistan and brutal civil wars in countries like Sudan.

No one risks their life on a flimsy boat in the Channel except out of desperation to be safe in a country where they have family or community connections.

Its right the government wants to stop Channel crossings, but plans that will punish people found to be refugees are unfair and not an effective deterrent.
Donald Trump at the Kennedy Center in August. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP (Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP)

Donald Trump may be remaking the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts into a pool of his self-reflection, but a writer for South Park, the TV series that better reflects the obsessions and tendencies of the administration than any political pundit, has purchased the rights to trumpkennedycenter.org.

Toby Morton, a TV writer and producer who has worked on the long-running and joyfully offensive sitcom, said he purchased the domain in August after predicting the president would change the name from the Kennedy Center to the Trump Kennedy Center after he installed himself as chair and stocked the board with loyalists.

Related: Kennedy Center reportedly changed rules before vote to add Trumps name

The name change has brought turbulence to the institution, with several performers abruptly pulling out of scheduled concerts in protest. The name change itself is being challenged in the courts.

In an email to the New York Times, Morton said that for the past five years hed been grabbing domains tied to politicians and authoritarian figures and turning them into blunt, often uncomfortable reflections of what they actually represent.

Ive been doing this kind of work for years now, building sites that mirror and expose political power by using its own language against it, he added.

Visitors to trumpkennedycenter.org find an announcement for a show by the Epstein dancers and not a schedule for the centers lineup of classical music, jazz, theater and ballet.

Beginning January 2026, TrumpKennedyCenter.org enters a new era of devotion, unity and inherited authority, a message on the website says. We exist to preserve what must endure, to honor what must not be questioned, and to gather those who understand that greatness is not chosen, it is recognized.

The real website, kennedy-center.org, is identified as the Trump Kennedy Center, but the web address itself is not altered.

Morton is not alone in looking to make fun. A group of British satirists has acquired trump-kennedycenter.org at about the same time, and it is advertising its own brand of deranged comedy misinformation.

Saucy Jeff  a RocknRoll Musical, the website advertises, calling it a new adaptation of the St Hubbins/Smalls-penned rock opera Saucy Jack, [which] brings this musical about friendship and sex crimes right up to date in the new location of Little Saint James, featuring Jeffrey Epstein as the protagonist.

Comedy, more than outrage, has often proved to be a better counter to political lunacy. South Park made its comedy bones parodying the excesses of woke culture.

Related: Their first instinct was to loot: how Trumps acolytes are plundering the Kennedy Center

But during the second Trump term it has switched firmly to parodying Trump, who in recent episodes has been expecting a baby with a cartoon Satan who thinks the new White House ballroom is going to be a creche.

South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker explained last year that the Trump administration was inescapable. Its not that we got all political, Parker told the New York Times. Its that politics became pop culture.

Morton told the outlet that his view of the Trump Kennedy center name change was that it was an art in itself, perhaps in the same way that Lenins tomb in Red Square is better than any piece of installation art could hope to be.

Its almost performance art in itself, Morton told the outlet. The irony of someone who has openly mocked artists, dismissed culture and shown nothing but contempt for the arts now positioning himself as their steward is kind of breathtaking.
Wes Streeting announced an investigation into the state of maternity care in July last year - Heathcliff O'Malley for The Telegraph

Wes Streeting has declared he cannot wait for a public inquiry to fix the maternity care crisis in the NHS.

The Health Secretary said the health service was already drowning in recommendations and that the Government did not have time to wait for any further findings.

Maternity services in the NHS have been plagued by a succession of scandals and the care watchdog has warned that failings are so widespread they risked becoming normalised.

Mr Streeting announced an investigation into the state of maternity care in July after meeting dozens of families who had been bereaved by failings.

Asked why he should wait for the outcome of the review, Mr Streeting told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Well, in some ways thats the problem. With 700 recommendations, my observation of the NHS and conversations Ive had both with NHS leaders and with front-line staff, I think they cant see the wood for the trees.

And the NHS is almost drowning in recommendations. Its not clear what is a priority, what isnt, weve seen some perverse unintended consequences.

Inquiry costs

It follows broader criticism of public inquiries for taking too long, costing too much and failing to result in meaningful changes. For example, the Covid Inquiry has already cost 192m and is not expected to produced its final report until 2027.

There have been 46 such inquiries launched since 2005 at a total cost of 1.4bn, according to The Times.

Mr Streeting continued: The big criticism that this investigation has received, particularly from some of the maternity families, is what about justice, what about accountability, what about the need for a public inquiry?

With enormous respect for these families and what they have been through  a public inquiry takes years. I dont think weve got time to wait to crack on with maternity improvements.

The Health Secretary added that his immediate priority was to ensure maternity services were improving both in the present and in the future.

He insisted that he was genuinely open-minded about whether to hold a public inquiry but said it would end up costing millions of pounds and could be an ordeal in itself for families.

Baroness Amos, who is leading a maternity taskforce set up by Mr Streeting, has heard from more than 170 individual family members, many of whom differ on the best approach.

Hospital investigations

Twelve hospital trusts are currently subject to an investigation which will seek to advise them on how to improve their maternity and neonatal services.

As part of this, systemic failings at University Hospital Sussex will be examined, while Mr Streeting has already ordered a separate investigation into repeated failures in Leeds.

An investigation found that more than 50 babies died in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, with a trust review group identifying care issues that could have made a difference to outcomes.

A spokesman for the Department for Health and Social Care said: Public inquiries are an important way to establish accountability and provide learnings and holding one on maternity failings has not been ruled out.

Urgent changes are required to ensure safe maternity care for both mothers and babies which is why this Government ordered a rapid national investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services, why we welcomed the update from Baroness Amos and why we are setting up the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce to begin addressing the deep-rooted issues.

Harmed and bereaved families will remain at the heart of both the investigation and the response, to ensure no one has to suffer like this again. Because every single preventable tragedy is one too many.
Terrifying footage has emerged of a fire spreading through the ceiling of a Swiss ski resort bar moments before dozens of New Year revellers were killed in the blaze.

The clip circulating on social media appears to show flames engulfing the wooden ceiling as people try to flee the rapidly-developing inferno.

Dozens of people were killed and around 100 injured, most of them seriously, as fire tore through the crowded basement bar at Le Constellation during a New Year's Eve party Crans-Montana.

The fire, which broke out at 1.30am (12.30am GMT), has been described by authorities as an apparent accident rather than an attack.

Swiss police said tens of people were presumed dead with around 100 injured. The Italian foreign ministry said information from Swiss police indicated about 40 deaths.

There has been a massive explosion & fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, around 1:30 AM on Jan 1, 2026,



Around 40 People killed & many are injured. pic.twitter.com/Bma9BxrZ7I  Truthseeker (@Xx17965797N) January 1, 2026

Video footage showed lines of ambulances queuing and helicopters landing to take victims of the blast to nearby hospitals and specialist burns units in other Swiss cities.

Two young French women who said they were in the bar told France's BFM TV that they saw the fire start in the basement section of the bar after a bottle containing birthday candles was held up too close to the wooden ceiling.

The fire spread across the ceiling super quickly, one of the two women, who identified themselves as Emma and Albane, told BFM TV.

The pair said they were able to climb a narrow staircase to the ground floor as panic broke and escape the building. Minutes later, the fire had reached the ground floor too, they said.

BFM showed video of a waitress carrying a champagne bottle with a lit fountain candle through the bar, in line with the account, but the video did not show a fire taking hold.

Video footage verified by Reuters showed fire spreading from the building, with people outside the club, some of them running and screaming.

Fire rips through the ceiling of the basement bar (X)

Italy's ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, told Sky TG24 local authorities had told him the blaze was started by someone letting off a firework inside the bar which set fire to the ceiling.

He was in Crans-Montana, where he said a number of Italians had gathered seeking information about missing relatives or friends. He declined to say if there were any Italian victims.

On Thursday morning, hours after the explosion, footage from the street outside showed the area cordoned off, with forensic tents behind white screens set up in front of the bar in Crans-Montana, a fashionable ski centre with an array of boutiques, luxury hotels and restaurants.

"I know someone who might have been among the victims and I can't reach her. I'm very worried," said local resident Karine Spreng. "I'm going to try to contact other people who know this woman to see if she is still alive."

The daytime scene, with small groups of people, some in tears or carrying flowers, was a stark contrast to the panic and confusion that officials said faced first responders who arrived when the alarm was raised.

Dozens of people have died in the fire at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana (REUTERS)

The first responders - the firefighters and police officers - arrived at a scene of chaos, at a dramatic scene, Stephane Ganzer, head of security for Valais canton, told reporters.

He said some of the victims were from other countries, hundreds of personnel were working on the case and a helpline had been opened for relatives. Officials said the grim task of identifying badly burned bodies would take a considerable time.

I can't hide from you that we are all shaken by what happened overnight in Crans, the canton's head of police, Frederic Gisler, told the press conference.

Our count is about 100 injured, most seriously, and unfortunately tens of people are presumed dead, he said, adding that patients had been dispatched to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich.

Local prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said a full investigation had been opened into the incident, at the bar, which Swiss company records indicated was owned by a French couple.

At the moment we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack, she told the press conference.
January 1, 2026: New ship building programs remain behind schedule and over budget. Thats because American shipyards lack the capacity and skilled workforce to build the ships needed. The solution is to retire obsolete ships, modernize shipyards and adopt realistic shipbuilding efforts. Spending more money on shipbuilding wont work if you dont have the shipyards and skilled workers. The United States must adopt a program of shipyard modernization workforce recruiting and training. Implementing rational shipbuilding goals will mean fewer ships for a while. That wont encourage China to attack as they realize that this new American program will put more ships in service on a sustained basis. Meanwhile a half dozen Virginia class SSNs could shut down most Chinese imports and exports.

There are also lessons to be learned from our allies. South Korea and Japan use a modular approach, with components of ships built in many different shipyards and land based facilities. These components are brought to shipyards and rapidly reassembled into new ships.

Then there are important lessons from the past. In the early 1990s, with the Cold War over, and the mighty Soviet fleet rapidly falling apart, only about 25 percent of American warships were at sea at any one time. Since September 11, 2001, there's been a lot more to do, and about half the fleet has been at sea at any one time. Most of this has to do with counter-terrorism operations, and support of operations in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, and keeping an eye on Chinas growing naval forces.

To make this possible, the navy changed the way it went to sea. Gone were the regular, clockwork, six month deployments of carrier and amphibious task forces. Now these units are deployed for shorter periods, giving the crews more time in port, and more reason to stay in the navy. Too many long deployments made sailors choose between the navy and family, and the navy usually lost out.

The U.S. Navy still spends more time at sea than any other, thus maintaining skills that are second to none. But that requires billions of dollars a year for fuel and spare parts, not to mention the months ships must spend getting major maintenance after years at sea. If the money doesn't keep coming for this, the U.S. Navy will end up like the Soviet fleet, rotting away from lack of maintenance and training.

Twenty years ago, the number of ships in the U.S. Navy hit a new low, with only 296 combat ships in the fleet. This was the lowest it has been since just before World War I, over 80 years ago. But the American fleet was still the largest and most powerful in the world. Since 1914, the average size of ships has gone up, crew size has gone down and combat power per ship has increased enormously. Towards the end of the Cold War, the navy was headed for a 600 warship fleet. But the end of the Cold War in 1991 saw the mighty Soviet Union fleet disappear as a combat force. This left America, and its allies, with uncontested control of the high seas. But the navy found itself worrying more about supporting the war on terror, and operating off coasts, not chasing down Russian nuclear subs on the high seas. To that end, the U.S. Navy sought to build a new class of smaller, coastal fighting ships, and unmanned drones to operate off carriers. The drones were particularly important, because they could fly long range bombing missions without wearing out human crews. Smart bombs allowed carriers to do a lot more damage with the same amount of bombs. This was a vital consideration for the navy, as they could only drop the bombs they had with them. New, more automated ships meant less strain on the smaller crews, and better living conditions. Even with new building programs, the navy doesnt expect to get much larger than 310-360 ships in the next twenty years.
Thomas Frank was frustrated on his return to Brentford as Tottenham were held to a goalless draw at the Gtech Stadium.

Frank, who managed the Bees for seven years and 317 games, guiding them to promotion in 2021, was making his first trip back to west London since joining Spurs in the summer.

He received a warm reception as he strode out on to the pitch and applauded all four sides of his old ground before kick-off.

But that was about as good as it got for the Dane with Spurs not managing a single effort on target until stoppage time and their fans chanting boring, boring Tottenham towards the end of a dour encounter.

Brennan Johnson was a notable absentee from the travelling squad as the Wales winger is closing in on a move to Crystal Palace.

Brentford had the ball in the net after just four minutes when Guglielmo Vicario saved a Nathan Collins header and Kevin Schade, Saturdays hat-trick hero against Bournemouth, tucked in the rebound only to be flagged offside.

Spurs had to wait 33 minutes for a half-chance, when Richarlison cushioned a volley across goal and Archie Grays header was blocked by the shoulder of Collins.

Richarlison got to the rebound first but the Brazilian striker skied his effort at the far post.

Tottenham were almost caught out on the counter before half-time when Schade broke forward and cut inside.

The ball was prodded away from the German but only as far as Jordan Henderson, who swung in a cross only for Igor Thiago to make a mess of his header without knowing Keane Lewis-Potter was in a better position just behind him.

It had been a stinker of a first half from both sides, but Spurs at least started the second with a bit more urgency, Mohammed Kudus fizzing a 20-yard drive inches over the crossbar.

Brentford threatened when Schade fed Yehor Yarmolyuk who crossed towards Lewis-Potter, but the midfielders scuffed shot was blocked by a combination of Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence.

There was a brief VAR check for a penalty when Gray went down in the box under a challenge from Schade, but it was quickly dismissed.

Brentford were cranking up the pressure, though, and when Hendersons cross picked out Yarmolyuk eight yards out his header was well kept out by Vicario.

Moments later the hosts created an even better chance, with Michael Kayode outmuscling Spence and cutting the ball back for Thiago, who blazed his shot over.

Richarlison could have stolen the points at the death but his finish was as lame as Tottenhams performance as it flew into the arms of Bees keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Officers were called to a report of suspicious behaviour (Getty/iStock)

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault against two teenage girls.

West Yorkshire Police said that officers were called to the Seacroft Green shopping centre in Leeds at around 8.45pm on Tuesday to a report of ongoing suspicious behaviour involving men nearby.

The officers found two men and two teenage girls, the force said.

The men, aged 38 and 44, were arrested on suspicion of sexual assault against the girls. They remained in custody on New Years Eve.

On Wednesday, a third man, aged 20, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and remains in custody, the force said.

Leeds district safeguarding officers are looking into the full circumstances of the alleged incident and are continuing to support the girls, the police said.

Anyone with information that may assist inquiries has been asked to contact the Leeds District Safeguarding Unit on 101 and reference police crime number 13250746106.

Information may also be provided through the West Yorkshire Police website or anonymously to Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111.
Diamond in the rough: Pedro Porro (Action Images via Reuters)

Tottenham were held to a 0-0 draw on Thomas Franks return to Brentford.

Kevin Schades disallowed goal was the main talking point of an otherwise attritional first half, and there was little improvement from either team after the break, with just four shots on target from both sides.

Sam Tabuteau was at the Gtech Community Stadium to rate the Spurs players...

Guglielmo Vicario 6

Some questionable clearances, but made a good stop to deny Janelt. Picked up a yellow for taking too long to clear from a goal kick.

Djed Spence 6

Struggled to link the play in attack, but held his concentration in defence as Spurs at least took a clean sheet back to north London with them.

Micky van de Ven 6

Aggressive without being overzealous, he made some important covering challenges.

Pedro Porro 7

Made an excellent recovery to deny Brentford towards the end of the first half. A determined performance from the Argentinian, who chased every loose ball.

Cristian Romero 5

Some shaky moments defensively, and was lucky to get away with a misjudged challenge on Igor Thiago. Made the most fouls of any player on the pitch.

Rodrigo Bentancur 6

Failed to have any real impact in possession, but got through plenty of defensive work - no player completed more defensive contributions than the Uruguayan.

Joao Palhinha 6

Dominant in his defensive work before picking up a yellow card for a poor challenge on Yehor Yarmoliuk.

Archie Gray 4

Frank criticised Grays work in possession against Palace, and he did not fare much better here. A tough evening for the teenager.

Mohammed Kudus 5

Sent a half volley whistling over the bar at the start of the second half. A wild effort that pretty much summed up his game. Erratic and lacking any serious intent.

Richarlison 5

Starved of service, he took just six touches in the opposition box. Could have done better with a late effort when found free in the area.

Wilson Odobert 4

His audition for the left-wing spot did not go to plan. Frank likes the 21-year-old, but he struggled to get anything going and was taken off midway through the second half, having completed just one dribble.

Substitutes:

Kolo Muani 5

An ineffectual performance. He failed to turn the tide for Tottenham, completing just two passes in a little over 25 minutes.

Mathys Tel 5

Tels introduction was never going to spark this contest into life. Took just three touches despite being introduced with 10 minutes to play.
Travis Barker has been defended by his daughter Alabama after fans criticised the Blink-182 drummer for gifting her lingerie for Christmas.

The 50-year-old musician, who is married to Kourtney Kardashian, came under scrutiny after Alabama shared an extensive Christmas and birthday haul on social media, revealing several lingerie items from luxury brand Agent Provocateur.

Alabama, who turned 20 on Christmas Eve, posted a near 10-minute video showing off dozens of presents, including bras, corsets, robes and lingerie sets. Introducing the segment, she told followers: So my dad went a little crazy at Agent Provocateur.

The clip quickly divided opinion, with some viewers describing the gifts as inappropriate. However, Alabama was swift to shut down the criticism, taking to TikTok to defend her father and clarify how the items were chosen.

Why are you guys trying to make this lingerie thing a thing? Its never going to be a thing, she said, referencing Mean Girls.

Alabama Barker pictured with musician dad Travis (Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger)

Kourtney picked out the lingerie. Kourtney. You think my dads like, Im going to pick out my daughters lingerie? No. It was on my Christmas list.

She added: God forbid a girl wants cute bras and panties. Literally leave me alone.

Alabama later joked that the backlash had put her off sharing future gift hauls, telling fans: Im literally never doing another Christmas haul. I hate you guys.

During the video, Alabama explained that Kardashian  her stepmother  selected the pieces in-store, with assistance from staff who know her and made recommendations. Among the items shown were sheer corsets, bedazzled lingerie, a cheetah-print slip dress and a red tulle robe retailing for 795.

While many fans praised the haul  which also included gifts from Kylie Jenner  others expressed discomfort, particularly with Alabamas comment about her father shopping at the lingerie store.

Alabama Baker pictured with some of her haul (Alabama Barker)

One TikTok user wrote: So my dad went a little crazy at Agent Provocateur is a wild thing to say.

The clip was also widely discussed on Reddit, where some users labelled the situation weird, while others argued that Barker simply paid for items chosen by his wife.

Supporters pointed out that Alabama is an adult and praised Barker for maintaining a close, open relationship with his daughter. One commenter wrote: My dad gives my mum the money and she picks out lingerie  its from both of them.

Despite having her own home, Alabama frequently stays with Barker and Kardashian, who share one-year-old son Rocky as part of their blended family. Alabamas relationship with her mother, Shanna Moakler, has been strained in the past but is believed to be on better terms now.

The full haul is estimated to be worth more than $200,000 (148,000), a relatively modest sum for Barker, whose net worth is thought to be around $50 million (39.5 million).
Animal welfare campaigner Sarah Fisher, who was the partner of Ted Lasso actor Anthony Head, has been remembered as extraordinary and compassionate following her death.

Her daughters, actresses Emily and Daisy Head, said her loss was immensely shocking in a statement posted to a social media page for Tilley Farm, a 90-acre property in Somerset that was run by Fisher.

The animal welfare advocate died last week aged 61, according to reports.

Daisy Head and Emily Head (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

Her daughters said: We are so sorry to have to share the news that our extraordinary, kind and talented mother, Sarah, passed away recently. It is immensely shocking to us all, and came with very little warning.

No words could ever express all that she encompassed, or begin to describe the crater her absence has left. We know how profoundly she has impacted the lives of so many, and we couldnt be more proud of the legacy she is leaving behind.

We only wish shed had more time to share her knowledge and brilliance with us, and the world. Our grief knows no bounds, nor did the reaches of her incredibly unique and irreplaceable spirit.

We know how much she treasured the relationships she had with all of her friends, colleagues and collaborators, many of whom she stayed in contact with here, and we thank you all for being a part of her enriched life.

Fisher was an ambassador for Battersea Dogs And Cats Home and patron of Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary.

Peter Laurie, chief executive at Battersea, said: Were truly sorry to lose our beloved friend and ambassador, Sarah Fisher, and send our deepest sympathies to Sarahs partner Anthony and her family and friends.

A devoted supporter for many years, Sarah, alongside her partner Anthony Head, gave so much to our charity, fostering dogs, using her canine behaviour expertise to train our staff and volunteers, and attending many of our events and fundraisers. She will be dearly missed by all of us at Battersea.

Founder of Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary, Pauline Leeson, paid tribute in a post to their website and said: It came as a shock to hear that the wonderful Sarah Fisher, patron of Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary and advocate for all animals had passed away, and our hearts go out to Anthony, Daisy and family.

Sarah was always a voice for those dear souls who have no voice, and was the most genuine, caring and compassionate human being.

Sarah will be a huge loss to the animal kingdom she worked so tirelessly for, helping so very many animals of all species to find their way to cope and be happy in this changing world.

We at Holly Hedge are so proud to have known Sarah. Her memory will live on in all the good work and positive change she has made to their lives.

RIP Sarah, you will never be forgotten, and will be remembered with much love for all her outstanding work.
Trump was bent on revenge and endangered the life of his VP: The top takeaways from Jack Smiths Jan 6 testimony

The House Judiciary has released a transcript and video of former special counsel Jack Smiths testimony about his unprecedented criminal investigation against Donald Trump for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.

The December 17 testimony captured Smith defending his work from allegations of partisanship, sharing insights about how Trump reacted to the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, and alleging that Trump wants retribution against him.

Here are the key moments you need to know about.

We would have secured convictions

During the testimony, Smith offered a confident assessment of the integrity of his work and his teams chances of securing a conviction, had they been allowed to go to trial.

Jack Smith used his December testimony in the House to push back on allegations he was driven by partisanship in his investigations into Donald Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 election results (Getty)

The former special counsel, who resigned shortly before Trump took office, told lawmakers that the Republican was by a large measure the person most responsible for the alleged conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results and the January 6 Capitol riot that marked its stunning conclusion.

These crimes were committed for his benefit, Smith said. The attack that happened at the Capitol, part of this case, does not happen without him. The other co-conspirators were doing this for his benefit.

Smith also pushed back against allegations his work was politically motivated, saying he never communicated with President Joe Biden or the White House about his cases and wouldve pursued the same investigations against a Democrat.

The timing and speed of our work reflects the strength of the evidence and our confidence that we would have secured convictions at trial, Smith said. If asked whether to prosecute a former President based on the same facts today, I would do so regardless of whether that president was a Republican or a Democrat.

Trump was preying on allies and put VPs life at risk

Smith testified that Trumps tweets on January 6 attacking his then-Vice President Mike Pence without question put the senior official in harms way (AFP via Getty Images)

The testimony also highlighted the complicated role Republicans played in the final moments of the 2020 campaign.

Smith said much of his offices conspiracy case rested on evidence from GOP allies, who included senior lawmakers serving in legislatures such as Michigan and Arizona, people who saw firsthand how the Republican was allegedly preying on the party allegiance of people who supported him.

Our case was built on, frankly, Republicans who put their allegiance to the country before the party, Smith said.

That same loyalty didnt extend back from Trump to his top allies, Smith continued.

The former special counsel alleged that a January 6 tweet from the president attacking Vice President Mike Pence during the Capitol riot over his decision not to stymie the election results without question exacerbated the threat on Pences life. During the riot, MAGA supporters could be heard chanting, Hang Mike Pence! and came within feet of reaching the barricaded senior official.

A president hungry for retribution

Smith said he believes he will face retaliation for his work on the cases, after the Trump administration fired DOJ officials tied to the investigations (AP)

The DOJ may have dropped its Trump cases after the president won reelection, but this may not be the end of the special counsel affair, Smith warned.

The prosecutor told lawmakers he had no doubt Trump wants revenge.

So I am eyes wide open that this president will seek retribution against me if he can, Smith said. I know that.

Some of that retribution appears to have already taken place. In January, the Trump administration quickly fired over a dozen DOJ officials who worked on investigations into Trump. The president also threatened law firms tied to Trump investigations and prominent Democrats, including Covington & Burling, which employs lawyers who previously represented Smith.

The Trump administration has also launched actions, so far unsuccessful, against other law enforcement figures involved in investigating or prosecuting Trump, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, following a direct call from President Trump for such cases.

Smith resigned and dropped his cases shortly before Trump resumed office (Getty Images)

Smith added that it will be catastrophic for democracy if more people are able to meddle in the election without facing legal consequences.

More clarity on controversial phone records

Smith also used his testimony to push back on what he said were false and misleading GOP claims that he wrongfully tapped their phone records.

The former special counsel said that his investigation lawfully obtained toll records, which captured phone numbers and durations of calls but not their content, because the White House was contacting lawmakers throughout January 6 to further its alleged election conspiracy.

Well, I think who should be accountable for this is Donald Trump. These records are people, in the case of the senators, Donald Trump directed his co-conspirators to call these people to further delay the proceedings. He chose to do that, Smith said. If Donald Trump had chosen to call a number of Democratic senators, we would have gotten toll records for Democratic senators.

A president who wont stop violence or accept election reality

Smiths testimony painted a picture of Trump as willfully blind to reality, ignoring the law around elections and refusing to stop the violence of January 6.

Trump misled allies, ignored facts, and stood idly by during January 6 violence, Smith testified (AP)

And there was a pattern in our case where any time any information came in that would mean he could no longer be president he would reject it, Smith said. And any theory, no matter how far-fetched, no matter how not based in law, that would indicate that he could, he latched on to.

This same obstinance continued through January 6, Smith said.

Now, once they were at the Capitol and once the attack on the Capitol happened, he refused to stop it, Smith testified.

And when the violence was going on, he had to be pushed repeatedly by his staff members to do anything to quell it.

The president is yet to publicly respond to Smiths testimony.
Trump says hes dropping his push for the National Guard to patrol Chicago, LA and Portland

Donald Trump has announced he is, for now, dropping his push to deploy National Guard troops in major Democrat-run cities, including Chicago, Portland and Los Angeles.

We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact, the president wrote on Truth Social Wednesday evening.

Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it werent for the Federal Government stepping in. We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time!

Despite the presidents claim that the withdrawals were due to a drop in crime, the administration has been hit with multiple legal challenges over the presence of the guardsmen.

Donald Trump has announced he is, for now, dropping his push to deploy National Guard troops in major Democrat-run cities including Chicago, Portland and Los Angeles (Getty Images)

Troops had already left Los Angeles after the president deployed them earlier this year as part of a broader crackdown on crime and immigration. They had been sent to Chicago and Portland but were never on the streets as legal challenges played out.

Guardsmen were removed from the streets of LA by December 15 after a court ruling. But an appeals court had paused a separate part of the order that required control of the Guard to return to Governor Gavin Newsom.

Crackdown on crime in cities has formed a major pillar of Trumps second term  and he has toyed with the idea of invoking the Insurrection Act to stop his opponents from using the courts to block his plans (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Reacting to the presidents announcement on Wednesday, Newsom wrote: And with that, we close year 2025. Onward. In a separate post on X, the governors office wrote: We won in court and forced him to.

Trumps rambling here is the political version of you cant fire me, I quit.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the development a major litigation victory" in a statement on Wednesday.

For six months, California National Guard troops have been used as political pawns by a President desperate to be king," Bonta said. There is a reason our founders decided military and civilian affairs must be kept separate; a reason that our military is, by design, apolitical.

Guardsmen were removed from the streets of LA by December 15 after a court ruling. But an appeals court had paused a separate part of the order that required control of the Guard to return to Governor Gavin Newsom (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Crackdown on crime in cities has formed a major pillar of Trumps second term  and he has toyed with the idea of invoking the Insurrection Act to stop his opponents from using the courts to block his plans.

He has said he sees his tough-on-crime approach as a winning political issue ahead of next years midterm elections.

Last month, in a sign that the presidents drive seemed to be waning, U.S. Northern Command had said it was shifting and/or rightsizing operations in Portland, Chicago and Los Angeles, but there would be a constant, enduring and long-term presence in each city.
Credit: New York City Hall

Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York Citys first Muslim mayor with his hand on a Koran as the clock ticked past midnight on Wednesday evening.

The ceremony was laden with symbolism.

As well as using Islams holiest book, the self-proclaimed democratic socialist chose a disused gilded age subway station at Old City Hall as the setting to symbolise the citys ability to think big and as a nod to the workers who keep modern New York running.

When Old City Hall Station first opened in 1904  one of New Yorks 28 original subway stations  it was a physical monument to a city that dared to be both beautiful and build great things that would transform working peoples lives, Mr Mamdani said ahead of the ceremony.

The station was closed in 1945, its tiled arches, chandeliers and vaulted ceilings seen only by a handful of visitors each year.

Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as the mayor of New York alongside his wife, Rama Duwaji, and New York attorney general Letitia James - Amir Hamja/REUTERS

New York law requires that a new mayor take over on Jan 1. It has become traditional to take the oath of office at midnight, before a bigger celebration later in the day.

Mr Mamdani will use three Korans throughout the day, including his grandfathers and one that dates back to the late 18th or early 19th century for the midnight ceremony, according to the New York Times.

It represents the end of an extraordinary journey for the 34-year-old politician. He upended the Democratic Party to win its nomination before overcoming a lack of name recognition to win the election in November with a populist manifesto that focused on affordability.

He campaigned to create universal child care, make public buses free and freeze rents on a million apartments.

His radical programme helped inspire a record-breaking turnout of more than two million voters. And his supporters propelled him to a near 10-point victory over Andrew Cuomo, the former Democratic state governor running as an independent, and well ahead of Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate.

The Schomburg Koran, one of three Korans that will be used across two ceremonies - Jonathan Blanc

Many in his city of eight million people now hope he will govern as a disruptive mayor, taking on the entrenched interests that have sent costs spiralling.

Bankers and other high rollers in New York had raised concerns that his radical policies would force money away from the nations financial capital but have since begun trying to find common ground.

Mr Mamdani showed his conciliatory side in November during a cordial meeting with Donald Trump at the White House. While on the campaign trail, he had described the president as a despot and a fascist, in person the two leaders agreed to work together to make New York affordable.
Ticker tape fills the air after Zohran Mamdani made his inaugural address as New York City mayor, joined by wife Rama Duwaji - Jeenah Moon/Reuters

Zohran Mamdani said he would show whether the Left can govern in his inaugural address as New York mayor.

Mr Mamdani declared he was not scared of being seen as too radical and vowed to audaciously embark on big government plans that critics have warned will bankrupt small businesses and endanger the public.

The new mayor, who had been sworn in just hours before at midnight on Thursday, addressed tens of thousands of supporters in Manhattan, accompanied by the USs most high-profile progressive figures.

There are many who will be watching. They want to know if the Left can govern, Mr Mamdani said.

Speaking behind a lectern outside City Hall, where a dais had been erected for the occasion, he continued: They want to know if the struggles that afflict them can be solved. They want to know if it is right to hope again We will set an example for the world.

Senator Bernie Sanders administers the oath of office to Zohran Mamdani as his wife Rama Duwaji holds the Koran - Andres Kudacki/AP

The 34-year-old said he had been advised to try to lower expectations and urge New Yorkers to ask for little and expect even less, but declined to do so.

I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist, he said.

I will not abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical.

Credit: Reuters/Anadolu

Among the policies Mr Mamdani campaigned on were raising the minimum wage to $30 an hour, introducing free buses and freezing rent increases for stabilised tenants by taxing businesses and the ultra wealthy.

One former City Hall official previously told The Telegraph his plans would put every bodega in New York City out of business.

Credit: New York City Hall

Shortly after his election victory in November, Mr Mamdani repeatedly taunted Donald Trump, telling the US president he knew he was watching and to turn up the volume.

However, Mr Trump was notably absent from the mayors inauguration speech, except when Mr Mamdani said some of his supporters would have voted for the Republican in the 2024 presidential election.

The two men enjoyed an unexpectedly warm meeting at the White House in November, when Mr Trump congratulated Mr Mamdani on running an incredible race and predicted he would do a great job.

People attending the inauguration In New York on Thursday, watching Mr Mamdani on the big screen - John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock

Bernie Sanders, the veteran senator who twice narrowly missed claiming the Democrats presidential nomination, administered the oath of office for the mayor.

Rama Duwaji, Mr Mamdanis wife, wearing a long brown overcoat, smiled as she stood between them.

Mr Mamdani then embraced Mr Sanders, one of the USs most prominent progressive voices, whose appearance appeared to mark a passing of the torch moment.

The 84-year-old thanked New Yorkers for electing Mr Mamdani, who decisively defeated Andrew Cuomo, the independent candidate, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, in Novembers mayoral election.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Left-wing New York congresswoman who is flirting with a potential presidential bid, hailed a new era for New York City at the New Years Day event in her speech.

Mr Mamdani has established himself as a leading light on the US Left, having had a meteoric rise since last year when he was a little-known politician in New Yorks state assembly.

The mayor went on to announce a return to big government policies and blamed the private sector for providing mediocre public services.

To those who insist that the era of big government is over, hear me when I say this: no longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power to improve New Yorkers lives, he declared.

For too long, we have turned to the private sector for greatness, while accepting mediocrity from those who serve the public.

Mr Mamdanis supporters cheered him on as he took his oath of office - Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty

Eric Adams, the outgoing mayor who was thanked by Mr Mamdani for his help during the transition, was booed by sections of the crowd.

Pledging to bring about the policies he touted during the campaign, the 34-year-old said New York would no longer be a tale of two cities: the rich versus the poor.

For too long in our city, freedom has belonged only to those who can afford to buy it. Our City Hall will change that, he said, vowing to focus on affordability and safety.

As Mr Mamdani concluded his speech, blue and yellow confetti streamed down onto the inauguration stage and crowd.

Chuck Schumer, the Democrat leader in the Senate and Democratic senator who refused to endorse the mayor, is reported to have quietly left via the back of City Hall.

An inauguration block party that stretched along seven blocks of Broadway drew tens of thousands of Mr Mamdanis supporters despite temperatures dropping below 20F. One of those in attendance was Mr Sliwa, wearing his signature red beret.

Attendees on the stage, including Ms Ocasio-Cortez and Mr Sanders, were given purple blankets to wear against the cold. The Vermont senator also donned a woollen hat and heavy gloves.
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York City soon after midnight in a private ceremony in an abandoned beaux-arts subway station  a prelude to daylong celebrations set to include a second, public swearing-in and a block party outside city hall.

Mamdani, 34, was sworn into office by the New York attorney general, Letitia James, surrounded by wife, Rama Duwaji, members of his immediate family, including Mira Nair, his mother and a film-maker, and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, a professor of African studies at Columbia University.

This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime, Mamdani said. I cannot wait to see everyone tomorrow as we begin our term.

After just having taken my oath to become the mayor of the city of New York, I do so also here in the old city hall subway station  a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health, the legacy of our city.

Mamdani then announced and welcomed a new transportation commissioner for the city, Mike Flynn, a veteran city planner, with the mayor saying he wanted to make New Yorks public transit network the envy of the world. Flynn said he was accepting the job of a lifetime.

Thank you all so much  and I will see you later, Mamdani concluded, to audience laughter, before departing up the wide subway stairs where he took the oath, followed by attendees.

The ceremony was also attended by the outgoing mayor, Eric Adams, who had held off from a commitment to attending but later said hed like to be there to show the smooth, peaceful transition of power.

Related: Working Families bet on 2026 as the right time for a third US party after a wave of wins

To honor his Muslim faith, Mamdani was sworn in using a Quran, Islams holiest book, becoming the first mayor in New York City to do so. He was sworn in at midnight with his hand on his grandfathers Quran and one that belonged to Arturo Schomburg, a Black writer and historian, which was lent to the mayor by the New York public library, according to the New York Times.

Also attending were a diverse cast of New Yorkers Mamdani selected for an inaugural committee, including actor John Turturro, playwright Cole Escola and writer Colson Whitehead, as well as advocates, small business owners and campaign workers who the incoming mayors office says have provided perspective, guidance and cultural sensibility for the ceremony.

The midnight ceremony will be followed by a 1pm public event at which the new mayor will be introduced by political ally and Bronx Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and sworn in by Vermont senator Bernie Sanders.

Mamdanis office has said the choice to be sworn in at the old city hall subway station reflected his commitment to the working people who keep our city running every day.

When Old City Hall Station first opened in 1904  one of New Yorks 28 original subway stations  it was a physical monument to a city that dared to be both beautiful and build great things that would transform working peoples lives, Mamdani said in a statement.

That ambition need not be a memory confined only to our past.

The days events are a culmination of a remarkable rise to power in the USs most populous city, both for a political unknown and for the democratic socialist party that Mamdani, elected as a Democrat, represents.

The first signs of Mamdanis electoral potential came earlier in the year, ahead of a primary vote that saw him knock out former governor Andrew Cuomo, who later ran as an independent candidate. Adams, then under the scrutiny of federal prosecutors, chose not to seek the Democratic nomination.

In April, Mamdani was trailing Cuomo 36% to 64%. Those numbers shifted after Mamdanis savvy political campaign took off on social media; his robust grassroots efforts appeared to energize first-time voters struggling with the high cost of living in the post-pandemic city.

A campaign spokesperson said Mamdanis success owed to him being everywhere all of the time, with more than 100,000 volunteers knocking on doors, and by pushing out a platform of affordability, rent freezes, free metro transport and city-run grocery stores  as well as the creation of a department of community safety to invest in citywide mental health programs.

Democrat campaign veteran Hank Sheinkopf said that Mamdani represents the city of the future  a more Asian city, a more Muslim city, and what could be a more leftwing city.

In November, the then state assemblyman won the election with 50.78% of the vote, defeating Republican activist Curtis Sliwa and Cuomo. In his victory speech, Mamdani spoke of his commitment to working New Yorkers who did not normally have access to the levers of power.

Let the words weve spoken together, the dreams weve dreamt together, become the agenda we deliver together, he said. New York, this power, its yours. This city belongs to you.

 This article was amended on 1 January 2026. An earlier version referred to 10,000 volunteers on Zohran Mamdanis campaign, rather than 100,000.
Erika Kirk has declared that Turning Point USA will resume its controversial campus debate tours across America, just three months after her husband Charlie Kirk was assassinated whilst hosting one of the organisation's signature 'Prove Me Wrong' events.

The widow of the TPUSA founder told Fox News' Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday that the conservative youth organisation intends to return to college campuses nationwide, continuing the exact format of event where her 31-year-old husband was fatally shot in September. Charlie Kirk was killed by a single bullet to the neck whilst fielding questions from students at Utah Valley University, leaving behind a 85 million political empire without its charismatic leader.

'Aside from continuing the legacy and making sure that this machine that my husband built outlives all of us, it's making sure we're going to be back on campus', Erika Kirk told Bream. 'We're going to continue prove me wrongs on the quad. We're going to be doing campus events at night'.

Organisation sees explosive growth after tragedy

The announcement marks a defiant return to the public stage for an organisation that has seen remarkable expansion since Charlie Kirk's death. At TPUSA's annual AmericaFest conference in Phoenix earlier this month, Erika revealed the group is now starting 50 new chapters per day, with more than 140,000 requests to establish campus groups flooding in since her husband's assassination.

Charlie Kirk was shot on 10 September at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, during what was meant to be the first stop on TPUSA's planned 'American Comeback Tour'. The gathering drew approximately 3,000 attendees who watched as Kirk sat beneath a white tent emblazoned with his signature 'Prove Me Wrong' slogan. About 20 minutes into the event, a gunman positioned on a nearby rooftop fired a single shot from roughly 400 feet away, striking Kirk in the neck.

Tyler James Robinson, a 22-year-old from Washington, Utah, surrendered to authorities the following day and has been charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty, alleging a politically motivated attack. Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Robinson had become radicalised after dropping out of university and appeared to have 'very different political views' from his conservative family, adhering to 'leftist ideology'.

From teenage dropout to political powerhouse

Charlie Kirk built TPUSA from nothing into one of America's most influential conservative organisations. He dropped out of community college at 18 to co-found the group, and by his mid-20s had become the youngest speaker at the Republican National Convention in 2016.

With backing from Republican donors like Foster Friess, Kirk transformed the scrappy campus operation into a political powerhouse. Tax filings show TPUSA's revenue exploded from just 2 million in 2015 to 85 million in 2024. By 31, Kirk commanded millions of online followers and maintained a direct line to President Donald Trump.

Charlie Kirk's memorial service in September drew nearly 90,000 attendees, making it one of the largest memorials for a private citizen in recent American history.

The TPUSA board chose Erika to lead the organisation following Charlie's wishes. She now oversees an empire that operates more than 850 chapters on college campuses nationwide. At AmericaFest, which drew a record 30,000 attendees - roughly 50 per cent higher than the previous year - Erika announced that TPUSA would return to campus debates in spring 2026.

ERIKA KIRK: We don't retreat. Charlie would go wherever he needed to go, and I'm the same exact way. @MrsErikaKirk live at AmFest 2025 pic.twitter.com/9jW8Iq1Kqp  Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) December 19, 2025

The decision to resume campus debates at the exact locations and format where Charlie Kirk was killed carries symbolic weight for the conservative movement. It signals that political violence will not deter right-wing youth activism, whilst also raising questions about whether adequate security measures will be implemented to prevent another tragedy.

For Erika Kirk, carrying forward her husband's legacy means more than preserving an organisation - it represents a spiritual mission she believes transcends politics. Whether TPUSA can maintain its explosive growth trajectory under new leadership remains to be seen as spring 2026 approaches.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Galina Nikolova and Stoyan Stoyanov were part of a gang that stole 50m from the UKs welfare system - Central News

A Bulgarian gang behind Britains biggest benefits fraud will have to pay back only 2m of its 53m haul despite admitting it moved cash abroad.

Galina Nikolova, Tsvetka Todorova, Gyunesh Ali, Patritsia Paneva, and Stoyan Stoyanov were jailed for a combined 25 years in 2024 at Wood Green Crown Court.

All of the gang, apart from Ali, have now been released from prison and are on immigration bail waiting to be deported.

They should have been removed months ago but were not allowed to leave until confiscation proceedings against them had concluded.

Following their arrests, prosecutors seized around 1m in cash from the defendants home addresses, but pursued the gang for further money held in property and bank accounts.

The gang made false benefits claims for Universal Credit with an array of forged documents that used the identities of real people, who were living in Bulgaria, complicit in the scheme and who received a share of the money.

The total amount they stole was said by prosecutors to be 53m. The real figure, however, is believed to be far higher.

Galina Nikolova, Gyunesh Ali, Patritsia Paneva, Stoyan Stoyanov, and Tsvetka Todorova were jailed for a combined 25 years - UNPIXS

Police in Bulgaria told The Telegraph they believed the fraudsters were making around 200m a year.

At a hearing at the court in December, prosecutor Gareth Munday outlined the efforts of the Crown Prosecution Service and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to recover the money.

He said: The criminality that backs this offending was substantial, sustained and business-like fraud committed against the DWP. It resulted in a loss to the public purse of many millions of pounds.

The Crown has taken every effort to regain as much money as we could.

Mr Munday explained that the total amount of money stolen was not the amount directly obtained by the gang.

They took a cut of the money when processing claims for people in Bulgaria and effectively acted as agents, the court heard.

Five Bulgarian nationals admitted stealing more than 50m from the taxpayer - CHP

Mr Munday said: A defendant cannot be held liable under the [Proceeds of Crime Act] for losses they themselves did not obtain.

The prosecutor said: Although the public may hear a loss figure of many millions, the benefit was much lower.

The court heard that Nikolova, one of the ringleaders, had processed fraudulent claims on behalf of at least 2,400 people.

On average, she received around 830 in commission from clients, Mr Munday said.

She charged 80 for a National Insurance document and 60 for false tenancy documents. She also offered to provide fake job references and GP letters.

Some of the claims Nikolova was processing, however, related to people who did not really exist, the court heard.

Stoyan Stoyanov is arrested by police - CPS

If money was obtained from the Department for Work and Pensions for people who never existed, where did that money go? Judge David Aaronberg KC asked the prosecution.

Mr Munday said that some of the money had been moved into bank accounts created for the purpose of those claims but they had been unable to link them to Nikolova or any of the other defendants.

When she was arrested, police found 750,000 hidden in a mattress and stuffed behind a fridge at her home.

Mr Munday said that the Crown had investigated what assets the defendants had available both in the UK and overseas.

Prosecutors had wanted to recover around 4m from Nikolova. But they could only prove Nikolova made around 2.8m from the fraud and she had available assets of just 942,183.

Judge Aaronberg asked: What has happened to the balance? Where has it all gone?

The prosecutor said that the money was accumulated over five years, the difference has been spent and there was no realistic prospect of Nikolova being able to pay it back.

A suitcase containing evidence - CPS

The court heard she had several properties in Bulgaria that would need to be sold.

Literally millions has not been recovered, the judge said.

Mr Munday said that the amount the prosecution were seeking was what they could realistically trace.

He accepted that Nikolova admitted she had moved money in cash overseas.

Nikolovas partner, Stoyanov, worked as her assistant and was ordered to pay back 7,654 despite making at least 162,950.

Paneva, who had more than 80,000 in her bank and 20,000 in cash at her home when she was arrested, made at least 225,919. She was ordered to pay back 99,235.

Stoyan Stoyanov, Galina Nikolova and cash found during the investigation

Judge Aaronberg ruled that if the prosecution was satisfied this was the total that could be recovered from each defendant, the confiscation amounts were appropriate.

Ali, the only defendant remaining in prison, and Todorova will face separate confiscation hearings later.

Ali, who part owns a cafe in Bulgarias third largest city, Plovdiv, is believed to have large amounts of money hidden in crypto currency.

After the confiscation hearing concluded, Nikolova said: I cant believe it. I get to go home. I am very excited.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: We take all fraud seriously and last year we saved an estimated 25bn through our prevention and detection activities. In this case, action is ongoing to recover further money.
The field crew at the site of the pyre in a rock shelter at the foot of Mount Hora in northern Malawi. Photograph: Jessica Thompson (Photograph: Jessica Thompson)

A cremation pyre built about 9,500 years ago has been discovered in Africa, offering a fresh glimpse into the complexity of ancient hunter-gatherer communities.

Researchers say the pyre, discovered in a rock shelter at the foot of Mount Hora in northern Malawi, is thought to be the oldest in the world to contain adult remains, the oldest confirmed intentional cremation in Africa, and the first pyre to be associated with African hunter-gatherers.

In total 170 individual human bone fragments  apparently from an adult woman just under 1.5 metres (5ft) tall  were discovered in two clusters during excavations in 2017 and 2018, with layers of ash, charcoal and sediment.

However, the womans skull was missing, while cut marks suggest some bones were separated at the joints, and flesh was removed, before the body was burned.

There is no evidence to suggest that they were doing any kind of violent act or cannibalism to the remains, said Dr Jessica Cerezo-Roman of the University of Oklahoma, who led the study. Instead, she said, body parts might have been removed as part of a funerary ritual, perhaps to be carried as tokens.

Dr Jessica Thompson, a senior author of the study from Yale University, said that, while such practices may not seem relatable, people still keep locks of hair or relatives ashes for scattering in a meaningful place.

The researchers said the rock shelter appears to have been used as a natural monument, with burials occurring from about 16,000 to 8,000 years ago. As well as complete skeletons, very small collections of bones from different individuals have been found.

[This] supports our hypothesis that some of the missing bones from the cremated woman may have been deliberately removed and taken as tokens for curation or reburial elsewhere, said Dr Ebeth Sawchuk, a co-author of the study from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

The team also found flakes and points from stone-knapping within the pyre, which might have been added as part of a funeral ritual.

Were people actively throwing these things into the fire or  were they in the body itself? said Thompson. Cerezo-Roman said one possibility is that people were knapping stones to cut the womans flesh.

The team also found the pyre was about the size of a queen-sized mattress, and would have taken considerable knowledge, skill and coordination to build and maintain, while the two clusters of bones indicate the body was moved during cremation.

While it is unclear why the woman was given such special treatment, the team found at least one fire was subsequently made directly above the location of the pyre  possibly as an act of remembrance.

However, the site also has evidence of multiple campfires, with Thompson noting it is likely the shelter would also have been used for daily life.

Writing in the journal Science Advances, the team note the oldest known pyre containing human remains was previously found in Alaska, and dates to about 11,500 years ago  however, that was for a young child.

Indeed, most burned human remains dating back 8,000 years or more have not been found in a pyre, and prior to the latest find the earliest confirmed intentional cremations in Africa only appeared about 3,500 years ago, among pastoral Neolithic people.

Thompson said the discovery that different people merited different treatment in death suggests that in life, they also would have had a lot more complexity to their social roles than I ever imagined, or that certainly is stereotypically described for tropical hunter-gatherers, especially this old.

Joel Irish, a professor of anthropology and archaeology at Liverpool John Moores University, who was not involved in the work, welcomed the discovery.

That it is such an early date, and that they would have been transient as hunter-gatherers makes it more amazing, he said.

They clearly had advanced belief systems and a high level of social complexity at this early date.
Fuad Awale claimed he had suffered severe depression after being denied contact with other inmates

A double killer who took a prison officer hostage has won a court case on human rights grounds because he was depressed after being put in solitary confinement.

David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, has agreed to pay 7,500 in compensation and foot a 234,000 legal bill for Fuad Awale, a convicted double murderer, after a judge ruled that his treatment in jail breached his human rights.

Awale was transferred to a special separation unit for the countrys most dangerous prisoners after he and another inmate ambushed the prison officer and threatened to kill him unless Britain released the hate preacher Abu Qatada.

He claimed this segregation  designed to prevent him harming officers and radicalising other inmates  had breached his right to a private life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Awale claimed that he had suffered severe depression as a result of being denied contact with other inmates.

The court was told he had asked to associate with one of the Islamist extremist killers of Fusilier Lee Rigby but was denied the request owing to counter-terrorism concerns.

Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale murdered Lee Rigby

The High Court ruled in Awales favour, with a judge saying: The degree of interference with the claimants private life which has resulted from his removal from association has been of some significance and duration.

The size of his payout can be revealed a day after the European Court of Human Rights intervened in the case of Shamima Begum, the Islamic State bride. It is investigating whether Britain had breached the ECHR by stripping her of citizenship.

Sick joke

Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, warned that the Awale judgment could open the floodgates to similar legal actions by extremists and put the safety of prison officers at risk if dangerous offenders could not be safely segregated.

Its a sick joke that taxpayers are handing this man 7,500 in compensation and footing a legal bill of over 230,000. This is a double murderer and extremist who took a prison officer hostage, he said.

This is the reality of the ECHR: it prioritises the rights of terrorists to associate with other extremists over the safety of our prison officers.

Labour are cowing to terrorists and the human rights brigade. They must introduce emergency legislation to carve these monsters out of the ECHR immediately. If they dont, we will as soon as Parliament returns. If they wont support it, they are choosing the lawyers over the safety of prison officers and the British people.

The right to a private life under article 8 of the ECHR has been interpreted as including the right to friendships and association with others to whom you are close.

Mr Lammy, who revealed the pay-out to Awale in a letter, indicated that ministers were reviewing whether changes were needed in law to prevent violent criminals using the ECHR as a barrier to us protecting national security.

Awale is serving a life sentence for shooting two men in the head in 2011 in what a judge described as a planned execution.

Aged 25, he was sentenced to a minimum of 38 years prison in January 2013 after killing Mohammed Abdi Farah, 19, and Amin Ahmed Ismail, 18, in an alleyway in Milton Keynes over a drugs dispute.

Mohammed Abdi Farah and Amin Ahmed Ismail were shot and killed by Awale

He was handed a further six-year jail sentence after he and two others took a prison officer hostage in 2013 and made threats to kill him.

Awale pointed a sharp implement at the throat of the officer who was pinned to a chair and said: Stop struggling, Ive killed two people  Ill kill you.

The attack took place four days after the murder of Rigby, at a time when relationships between prison staff and Muslim inmates were said to be strained.

Awale wanted to talk to the killers of Lee Rigby

Awale and his accomplice demanded the release of Qatada, a hate preacher who at the time was facing deportation to Jordan to face terror charges, as well as of Roshonara Choudhry, who stabbed Labour MP Stephen Timms in 2010.

He was subsequently assessed by the prison service as having extremist beliefs and held in close supervision centres specifically designed within high-security jails to hold the most dangerous prisoners.

As many as four officers with body-worn cameras unlock the inmates each time they leave their cells.

The court was told Awale had been held in HMP Woodhill, in Milton Keynes, since 2021 and had not associated with any other prisoners since March 17, 2023, spending as little as one hour a day outside his cell.

His lawyers argued the decisions to deny association were opaque, he had been denied the chance to argue his case and that prison managers had failed to regularly review his segregated conditions as required by law.

Awale also argued that the Ministry of Justice had failed to take into account the high numbers of racist and Islamophobic prisoners in the supervision centre, making it difficult to find suitable groups with which he could associate.

The High Court allowed the claim on all grounds. It is not known whether Awale received legal aid funding as part of his case.

Awale took a prison officer hostage demanding the release of hate preacher Abu Qatada, pictured - EPA/Jamala Nasrallah

In a letter to Mr Jenrick revealing the payout, Mr Lammy noted that the 7,500 compensation sum was a modest proportion of the overall settlement and had been contested by the Ministry of Justice as was the case with all litigation by prisoners convicted of terrorist offences.

He said improvements had been made to the decision-making process to address the findings from such judgments and enhance the ability of the prison service to withstand any further similar challenges.

Mr Lammy said the Government was actively considering changes to the legal framework for separating dangerous prisoners to ensure it remained robust, relevant and trusted. This includes reviewing how the ECHR is applied.

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He is currently considering a review by the terror watchdog Jonathan Hall of how security could be improved after an alleged knife attack on three prison officers by Hashem Abedi, the Manchester Arena bomb plotter, in a separation centre at HMP Frankland, County Durham.

The review is believed to have recommended the Government should appeal the Awale ruling and consider re-writing legislation to prevent the ECHR being exploited by prisoners to avoid tough security measures.

Mr Lammy told Mr Jenrick: I can assure you that significant policy and operational changes are under active consideration to ensure that the legal framework regarding the placement in separation remains robust, relevant and trusted.
We can see what was left behind, like the flags, says Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, pointing to real evidence of the moon landings - NASA/Getty

Russia would have denounced the Apollo Moon landings as a hoax if America had really failed to reach the lunar surface, a leading space scientist has argued.

Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, presenter of BBCs The Sky At Night, who is giving this years Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, said she was amazed that some people still doubt that humans have reached the Moon.

I think there are many arguments that the Moon landings happened, she told The Telegraph.

When we put satellites in orbit around the Moon, we can see what was left behind, like the flags, and things like that.

But my biggest argument, and one that isnt used often, is that, at the time, it was the space race, and the Russians were trying to get to the Moon too.

The Russians achieved milestone after milestone: the first animal in space, the first person in space, and so if the Americans faked it  and it would have been obvious  why didnt the USSR say something? They would have taken them to task.

They were monitoring launches, and would have had the evidence to say look people, its all fake.

She added: I speak sometimes with people who believe in a flat Earth, or dont believe the Moon landings happened, and its almost like a religion. Thats hard to argue with.

One of the first footprints of Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin Buzz Aldrin on the moon, 1969 - Reuters

Dame Maggie, who was raised in Camden, London, by Nigerian parents, has spent the last 21 years promoting scientific understanding, and estimates she has spoken in front of 650,000 people, mostly children.

Her first ambition was to be an astronaut, but her dyslexia made the career impossible. Instead, she studied mechanical engineering at Imperial College before joining the Ministry of Defence, first working on missile defence systems, then later helping to build a spectrograph for the Gemini telescope in Chile.

Since then, she has worked on instruments for numerous spacecraft including the James Webb space telescope and Aeolus wind-monitoring satellite, and is hopeful that life may soon be discovered on other planets, probably close to home.

It does seem more likely that well find it locally, she said.

There are a number of places in our Solar System where it makes sense to look. We found life in the Mariana Trench, in places we didnt think life could be supported.

Now were looking for life on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn  which I find very exciting  moons with an icy crust, but with water underneath. So what might lie there? It might not be carbon-based. What if you could have silicon-based life? What would that be like?

I think that there will be some life that we wont actually recognise as life, because it might be sentient. But if we cant communicate with it, we wont realise, and that brings up the whole definition of life.

She added: For thousands of years we believed we were the centre of the universe and there was nothing else. But on the flip side, as humans we dont want to be alone, and I find that interesting.

Dame Maggie argues that research proves there may be life on planets close to Earth - Lily Shepherd/BBC

But while finding alien life, and venturing into new parts of the Solar System is now within reach, Dame Maggie is concerned that space is being increasingly militarised and commercialised.

In November, the European Space Agency voted to start making its science and communications technology dual-use so that it could be co-opted for defence. It comes after Russian spacecraft started stalking foreign satellites, while the Chinese have been accused of dogfighting (the practice of on-orbit operations between satellites) in orbit.

I worry about that very, very much, she said. I do a lot of public speaking, trying to encourage the next generation and one of the things I say to them is that it feels as if weve had a bit of a wild party on Earth, weve made a bit of a mess of it, and we should learn our lesson and not transfer those problems into space.

The militarising of space just seems like a sad thing to do. Space should be a uniting force, and it should be for everyone, so to make it a military zone and to start policing it, then lets just stay here.

In the past people have seen space like Antarctica: no-one had the rights to exploit it  there is space legislation, but it was put together in the 1950s and 60s. I think we need something with a bit more muscle, otherwise people will make their own laws and do their own thing.

With Mars, I find it incredibly exciting to go there, and with commercialisation we will get there quicker. But what are the rules and regulations in place?

Dame Maggie holds several honorary doctorates and is chancellor of the University of Leicester. Mattel, the toy manufacturing company, even created a Barbie doll of her to celebrate International Womens Day.

Ultimately, Dame Maggie believes that an existential threat, perhaps from a sentient alien race, may be the push humanity needs to unite.

One of the scenarios I often use with kids is if the aliens come and they land on Earth  say theyve been observing us, and they dont like what were doing, and we should get our act together or they will obliterate us  thats the only thing that will save us. An external force, a sort of common enemy, because were good at finding differences between us.

Asked what she wants viewers of the Royal Institution lectures to take away, she said: I want them to see our universe as our playground.

This is the universe we live in, and it is a fantastic place. Theres phenomenal things out there, so to let them know that they are part of it, they can explore it.

All they need to do is go out on a clear night and look up and see that they are part of that wonderful process. So thats what Id like them to take away.

The 2025 Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution, with Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, will be broadcast on BBC Four and iPlayer on December 28, 29 and 30 at 7pm.
By Daphne Zhang, Ella Cao and Liz Lee

BEIJING/SAO PAULO, Dec 31 (Reuters) - China will impose an added 55% tariff on beef imports that exceed quota levels from key suppliers including Brazil, Australia and the U.S. in a move to protect its domestic cattle industry.

China's commerce ministry said on Wednesday the total import quota for 2026 for countries covered under its new "safeguard measures" is 2.7 million metric tons, roughly in line with the record 2.87 million tons it imported overall in 2024.

The new annual quota levels are lower than import levels for the first 11 months of 2025 for top supplier Brazil, and Australia.

"The increase in the amount of imported beef has seriously damaged China's domestic industry," the ministry said in announcing the measure following an investigation launched last December.

The measure takes effect on January 1 for three years, with the total quota set to increase annually.

Beef imports to China fell 0.3% in the first 11 months of 2025 to 2.59 million tons.

Chinese beef imports will decline in 2026 as a result of the measures, said Hongzhi Xu, senior analyst at Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultants.

"China's beef-cattle farming is not competitive compared with countries such as Brazil and Argentina. This cannot be reversed in the short term through technological advancements or institutional reforms," Xu said.

Quota Volume 2026 2027 2028 Actual imports from

(1,000 tons) Jan-Nov 2025

Brazil 1,106 1,128 1,151 1,329

Argentina 511 521 532 436

Uruguay 324 331 337 188

New Zealand 206 210 214 110

Australia 205 209 213 295

United States 164 168 171 55

Other 172 175 179

countries/region

s

Total 2,688 2,742 2,797

Additional 55% 55% 55%

Tariff Rate

In 2024, China imported 1.34 million tons of beef from Brazil, 594,567 tons from Argentina, 243,662 tons from Uruguay, 216,050 tons from Australia, 150,514 tons from New Zealand, and 138,112 tons from the U.S..

In the first 11 months of this year, Brazil shipped 1.33 million tons of beef to China, according to Chinese customs data, higher than the 1.1 million tons set under Beijing's new measures.

Also this year, Australian shipments to China have surged, gaining share at the expense of U.S. beef after Beijing in March allowed permits to expire at hundreds of American meat plants and as President Donald Trump unleashed a tit-for-tat tariff war. U.S. shipments stood at just 55,172 tons through November, less than half the 2024 levels.

Australian beef exports to China stood at 294,957 tons in the first 11 months of 2025.

We have made it clear to China that Australian beef is not a risk to their beef sector, and that we expect our status as a valued Free Trade Agreement partner to be respected," Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell told Reuters on Thursday, calling China's decision "disappointing".

The Australian government and beef industry were working closely to determine the full implications of the measure, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said in an email reply to Reuters.

BEEF SHORTAGE

China's move comes as a global beef shortage pushes up prices in many parts of the world, including to record highs in the U.S..

Responding to Beijing's announcement, Mark Thomas, chair of the Western Beef Association in Australia, said: "There's plenty of other countries that will take our product."

Luis Rua, secretary at Brazil's agriculture ministry, said there is no reason "to panic", telling Reuters that the government can negotiate "compensatory measures" with China to offset the impact of the new tariffs.

In a telephone interview, Rua also mentioned Brazil's ability to redirect beef exports to other countries.

Brazilian industry groups, on the other hand, expressed concern.

In 2025, Chinese imports of Brazilian beef totalled approximately 1.7 million tons, equivalent to some 48% of the volume exported by Brazil overall, beef lobby group Abiec said in a statement.

"Given this scenario, adjustments will become necessary throughout the entire supply chain, from production to export, to avoid broader impacts," Abiec noted.

Another major Brazilian beef lobby group Abrafrigo said the potential impact of China's safeguard measures could mean a loss of up to $3 billion in export revenue for Brazil in 2026.

This year, Brazil's total beef export revenues are estimated at $18 billion, Abrafrigo said.

DOMESTIC PROTECTION

China made its announcement following two extensions of its beef import probe, which officials say does not target any particular country.

The tariffs will help curb the decline in China's breeding cow inventory and buy time for domestic beef enterprises to make adjustments and upgrades, said Zengyong Zhu, a research fellow of the Institute of Animal Science of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Beijing has stepped up policy support for the beef sector this year and said in late November that cattle farming had been profitable for seven consecutive months.

(Reporting by Liz Lee, Shi Bu, Daphne Zhang, Ella Cao; Additional reporting by Helen Clark in Perth and Christine Chen in Sydney, Gabriel Araujo and Ana Mano in Sao Paulo and Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro. Editing by Tony Munroe, Gareth Jones and Jan Harvey)
Low-elevation rain will spread across much of the western United States early in 2026, bringing the highest flooding risk and travel disruptions to Northern California. Falling snow levels will also threaten mountain pass closures.

The first volley of heavy rain drenched coastal areas of Southern California from Wednesday night to Thursday morning. San Diego was one of the wettest spots and experienced some of the worst flooding with 2.46 inches of rain from the storm. Spectators holding their spot for the annual New Year's morning parade in Pasadena, California, were drenched by 1.84 inches of rain.

There was a break in the rain for much of California Friday night while pockets of rain and high-country snow drifted through the Northwest states, the interior deserts and the Intermountain West.

The rain into Friday night occurred as the main storm hovered well offshore over the Pacific. Then, as the storm pushes east into early this week, the intensity of the rain will increase and focus on Northern and Central California.

AccuWeather.com

An atmospheric river may form, further enhancing the rain with the potential for widespread flash flooding and mudslides.

Much of the rain will stay north of San Diego, Los Angeles and northwest of Las Vegas through Saturday night with spotty showers. On Sunday, steadier rain will begin to approach from the west.

A general 2-4 inches of rain is forecast to fall with locally higher amounts through Monday evening along much of the California coast, north of Los Angeles. Along the lower, west-facing slopes of the northern Sierra Nevada, 4-8 inches of rain is forecast with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 12 inches. Even much of California's Central Valley will receive a soaking rain with 2-4 inches in store for Sacramento.

AccuWeather.com

Heavy rain could lead to flooding in urban and low-lying drainage areas, as well as flash flooding of small streams and some short-run rivers that flow out of the mountains in Northern and Central California. Thunderstorms that develop in this area may be locally severe with powerful wind gusts, small hail and perhaps a brief tornado into Saturday night.

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

Some drenching rain is also forecast for the Pacific Northwest on occasion, but problems will be relatively minor when compared to the major flooding in early December. Like in the Sierra Nevada, as snow levels dip during the early to middle part of this week, accumulating snow will reach down to the passes in the Cascades, with difficult travel.

AccuWeather.com

Multiple feet of snow coming to Sierra Nevada

Upcoming heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada and perhaps the Siskiyou Mountains in Northern California could lead to major travel disruptions.

Snow levels will begin to lower over the mountains of Northern California from Saturday night to Monday. As this occurs, the snow will pile up in the high country but will work down to the passes and some of the intermediate elevations.

"By early this week, snow levels may dip to 4,500 feet in the northern Sierra Nevada," AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologist William Clark said. "This would correlate to a long stretch of wintry conditions along Interstate 80 in the higher elevations of the mountain range, with several feet of snow possible over Donner Pass, California."

Snow of this magnitude may be nearly impossible for crews to keep up with, and Donner Pass is likely to close for a time.

Snow levels will drop in the Washington and Oregon Cascades, but precipitation is expected to be lighter. Road crews should be able to manage slushy and slippery conditions, including over Snoqualmie Pass along Interstate 90 in Washington.

Another dose of heavy rain may shift across Southern California from Monday to Tuesday.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
A Florida woman who told investigators she had discussed assisted suicide with her ailing mother has been arrested on a murder charge in the death of the ailing 97-year-old woman.

Martha Jo Blake, 66, is facing a first-degree murder in the death of Patricia Blake after the Palm Beach County Medical Examiners Office ruled that the elder Blakes injuries were inconsistent with a natural death.

Autopsy findings indicate the elder Blake, whose body was found on Dec. 26 in the family's Greenacres-area home, was suffocated or strangled, according to her daughter's arrest report. The doctor performing the autopsy found that the 97-year-old had a fresh neck fracture, an internal hemorrhage on both sides of her neck and an indication that something had been placed over her face, the arrest report said.

The elder Blake suffered persistent illnesses, including Parkinson's disease and a thyroid disorder.

Investigators say that the younger Blake told them that her mother wanted to die because of her health issues and that she previously had discussed assisted suicide with her mothers primary care physician in Maine, where the practice is legal.

Blake also told investigators that her mother was deemed ineligible for Maine's assisted-suicide program because she did not have a terminal illness. She indicated she and her mother had discussed the option of suicide by taking pills but determined they did not have any that were lethal enough, authorities said.

An affidavit obtained by USA TODAY does not specify whether Blake denies or admits to wrongdoing but says she told investigators that she last saw her mother alive the night before she was found.

A judge assigned a public defender to represent her. The county Public Defender's Office has a policy of not commenting on active cases.

Where is assisted suicide legal?

Although what happened to Patricia Blake is unclear, the case raises questions over ongoing debate about assisted suicide.

Some states in the U.S. have moved to pass so-called "Death with Dignity" laws that allow for assisted suicide. Such laws are found worldwide but remain controversial.

Assisted suicide is legal in Washington, D.C., and 12 states: California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington, according to Death with Dignity, a group that supports assisted-suicide laws.

The practice is illegal in Florida.

Several states that have legalized assisted suicide have guardrails in place to ensure the decision meets ethical and legal requirements. Commonly, patients must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the state in which they are seeking care and have a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less.

The following states are considering legalizing the practice: Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, according to Death with Dignity.

Terminally ill people and affected family members supporting an assisted dying bill going through Parliament in the U.K. stand with posters in London, on Dec. 12, 2025.

More about the history of assisted suicide laws

Oregon was the first state to pass laws supporting assisted suicide. The Oregon Death with Dignity Act went into effect in 1997, according to Death with Dignity.

Illinois and Delaware were the latest states to legalize assisted suicide in 2025.

The law in Delaware allows terminally ill patients who have six months or less to live to request and receive medication that will "end the individuals life in a humane and dignified manner," according to reporting by The New Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Around the world the practice is legal in Canada, nine European countries and three Latin American countries, according to Dignity in Dying, a London-based group that advocates in support of legalizing the practice.

Beatriz Gelos, who suffers from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), is helped to lift her foot into a wheelchair at the nursing home where she lives, in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Oct. 10, 2025. After two decades living with ALS, Beatriz Gelos was hoping that Uruguay's Senate would pass a euthanasia bill under consideration. The nation passed the law.

Pope Leo XIV weighs in on Illinois legalizing assisted suicide

Pope Leo XIV, a native of Chicago, weighed in on his home state passing the controversial legislation.

Leo told reporters in Italy that he had directly expressed his disapproval of the legislation to Gov. JB Pritzker.

"We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life, from the very beginning to the very end," Leo told reporters at Castel Gandolfo, near Rome. "Unfortunately  he decided to sign that bill. Im very disappointed about that. I would invite all people, especially on these Christmas feast days, to reflect upon the nature of human life, the goodness of human life."

Pope Leo XIV looks on after delivering the traditional Christmas Day Urbi et Orbi speech to the city and the world from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Dec. 25, 2025.

Michael Loria is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Was it mercy? Daughter faces murder charge in 97-year-old mom's death
Images captured on March 18, 2025 show the Bella 1 vessel, which the US has been pursuing away from Venezuela. - Hakon Rimmereid/Reuters/File

Crew members aboard the aging, rusted oil tanker that the US has been pursuing at sea for nearly two weeks appear to have painted a crude image of a Russian flag on the ships hull, which American officials believe is an attempt at claiming Russian protection, a US official familiar with the matter said.

The new insignia was spotted by Coast Guard personnel, who are trailing the tanker from about a half-mile behind as it sails in the open Atlantic Ocean away from Venezuela, the official said.

It wasnt clear when the new flag appeared on the side of the Bella 1. The massive tanker has been resisting seizure since December 21, when it made a U-turn in the Caribbean Sea after the Coast Guard attempted to interdict it on its way into Venezuela to pick up oil.

Its been fleeing ever since.

The flag, which the US official said was sloppily painted on the side of the ship by its crew, was the latest development in the slow-speed pursuit of the vessel, which is under US sanctions for allegedly shipping Iranian oil. The New York Times first reported the new flag.

US officials said the Bella 1 was flying under the flag of Guyana, which they said was not valid, when the Coast Guard originally tried to board it. Its current registration is listed as not known on the shipping database Equasis. By claiming Russian status, the legalities of seizing the vessel could become more complicated.

American officials no longer expect the Bella 1 to return to Venezuela to load up with oil, and its possible the Trump administration will decide to abandon its effort to seize the ship.

But until then, assets have been readied in case the order comes from the White House to reattempt a seizure of the tanker. That would require a Maritime Special Response Team with experience in boarding vessels that do not submit to seize control of it.

Officials arent sure why the crew of the Bella 1 did not stop the ship and submit to the Coast Guards efforts to interdict it, as two previous oil tankers did this month.

The pursuit stems from Trumps order of a blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers. Administration officials believe squeezing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros main economic lifeline is the best path to potentially ousting the authoritarian leader.

On Wednesday, the US Treasury Department tried to ramp up pressure on Venezuelas oil sector by sanctioning four more oil companies and designating four oil tankers as blocked property.

Two of the four blocked tankers were flying Hong Kong flags while the other two were flying the flags of Guinea and Panama, according to the Treasury Department, which said the tankers finance the Maduro regime.

In a statement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed to continue to implement President Trumps campaign of pressure on Maduros regime.

Its the latest in a bevy of sanctions that the Trump administration has levied as part of its pressure campaign. On December 11, the US sanctioned six other vessels that allegedly helped move Venezuelan oil. The department also sanctioned three nephews of Maduros wife and another Maduro-affiliated businessman.

CNNs Sean Lyngaas contributed to this report.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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A general view of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, Dec 31 (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Wednesday that Lockheed Martin was given a contract involving foreign military sales to Taiwan to meet what Washington calls "an urgent operational need" of the Taiwan Air Force.

The contract has a ceiling value of $328.5 million, with $157.3 million in foreign military sales funds obligated at the time of award, the Pentagon said in a statement.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Washington has formal diplomatic ties with China, but maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan and is the island's most important arms supplier. The U.S. is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, though such arms sales are a persistent source of friction with China.

Taiwan remained on high alert on Wednesday after China staged massive military drills around the island the previous day, keeping its emergency maritime response centre running as it monitored Chinese naval maneuvers, the coast guard said.

KEY QUOTES

"This contract provides for the procurement and delivery of fifty-five Infrared Search and Track Legion Enhanced Sensor pods, processors, pod containers, and processor containers required to meet the urgent operational need of the Taiwan Air Force," the Pentagon said.

It added that the contract's work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by June 2031.

CONTEXT

In mid-December, the administration of President Donald Trump announced $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, the largest ever U.S. weapons package for the island which is under increasing military pressure from China.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, and it has not ruled out using force to take it under Chinese control. Taiwan, which rejects China's claims, condemned the latest drills as a threat to regional security and a blatant provocation.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Alistair Bell)
As we end 2025, it's time to think about the most amazing 'blind date' in history: meeting the interstellar interloper 3I/ATLAS. Many people might think that this visitor is a one-of-a-kind cosmic oddity, but Harvard astrophysicist Professor Avi Loeb says that if this object is a natural comet, we are only seeing a small part of a huge, invisible crowd. 3I/ATLAS isn't alone; it could be one of 100 quadrillion similar objects floating around in our own Milky Way galaxy.

The ATLAS survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, found the interstellar visitor on July 1, 2025. It made its presence known by moving so quickly that it will never be able to escape the sun's gravity. When it was first seen, it was moving at about 137,000 miles per hour. As it went around the sun, it sped up to 153,000 miles per hour.

This last sprint, though, comes after a journey of 8,000 years through the farthest parts of our solar system. On Oct. 29, 2025, the object reached its perihelion, which is about 203 million kilometres from the sun. This distance, which was about 1.36 times the distance between the Earth and the sun, was the middle of its dramatic tour.

The Trillion-Object Secret of 3I/ATLAS

The sheer scale of the population represented by 3I/ATLAS is difficult to fathom. By assuming it is a natural object on a random trajectory, Professor Loeb calculates that a five-year survey capable of finding such an object at a distance of 5 AU implies a hidden multitude. According to his estimates, there are likely a trillion similar objects currently moving through our solar system, extending out to the edge of the Oort Cloud at 100,000 AU.

When we expand this view to the rest of the galaxy, the numbers become even more surreal. If every star in the Milky Way produces a similar trillion-object 'cloud', then the total population of interstellar comets reaches 10^23  a one followed by 23 zeros. For an object like 3I/ATLAS, which is estimated by the Hubble Space Telescope to be up to 5.6 kilometres in diameter and weigh a billion tons, this means that every star system had to process roughly 10 Earth masses of heavy elements to create this galactic reservoir of ice and rock. In this 'natural' scenario, our visitor is nothing special; a billion similar visits would have occurred throughout the history of the Earth.

Decoding the Technological Intent of 3I/ATLAS

However, there is an alternative that would make our encounter deeply personal. If 3I/ATLAS was not a random wanderer but was instead 'targeting' the inner solar system by technological design, the statistics change entirely. Loeb points to several 'statistically impossible' anomalies to support this: the object's trajectory is aligned within five degrees of our planets' ecliptic plane  an occurrence with only a 0.2% probability.

Furthermore, its arrival was 'fine-tuned' to bring it within tens of millions of kilometres of Mars, Venus, and Jupiter while remaining unobservable from Earth at its closest solar approach. In this case, our region of space is an area of specific interest to an external intelligence, making the visit a high-stakes event that merits a serious emotional and scientific response. Loeb has even warned that the object could be a 'Trojan Horse' or a mothership intended to release mini-probes as it passes Jupiter's Hill Radius in March 2026.

To prepare for future encounters, Loeb proposes a three-layered screening process for our 'interstellar dating partners'. The first layer relies on wide-field survey telescopes like the Rubin Observatory in Chile to spot these objects as they arrive. The second layer would involve a 100-metre-long optical interferometer on the moon  a project currently being considered under NASA's Artemis programme  which could provide high-resolution images to distinguish between a natural rock and a technological artefact.

Finally, the third layer involves interceptor missions that could land on these objects to search for the building blocks of life or, if necessary, employ nuclear measures to mitigate a potential threat. Whether 3I/ATLAS is a natural relic of the Big Bang or a piece of 'alien' technology marked by industrially-produced nickel-iron ratios, it has fundamentally shifted our understanding of our place in the galactic crowd.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Putin, drones

Russian President Vladimir Putin lied when he claimed earlier this week that Ukraine tried to kill him in a massive drone attack targeting one of his residences, according to US intelligence.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Putins claim as a complete fabrication on Monday, and national security officials told the Wall Street Journal that there is no evidence to support the Russian tyrants wild allegation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin complained to President Trump about the alleged drone attack on Monday. MIKHAIL METZEL/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL/EPA/Shutterstock

A US official said Ukraine was attempting to strike a military target, hit on a previous occasion, in the same region as Putins country home, but not near the residence.

A Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) assessment backed the conclusion of national security officials, according to the outlet, finding Kyiv did not attempt to attack Putins home in Russias northwest Novgorod region.

The CIA did not immediately respond to The Posts request for comment.

A source familiar with the situation confirmed that CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed President Trump about the alleged attack on Wednesday.

That afternoon, Trump posted a link to The Posts editorial arguing that Putin was likely lying about the alleged assault in an effort to derail peace negotiations.

Russian forces shot down all 91 drones in the swarm, according to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who said there were no reports of damage or casualties.

A US official said the drones were attempting to strike a military target far from Putins residence. AP

The Kremlin claims it shot down 91 Ukrainian drones in Russias Novgorod Region. via REUTERS

Trump revealed to reporters on Monday that Putin had told me about the purported assault during a phone call, which followed a Mar-a-Lago meeting with Zelensky, and he rebuked Ukraine over the alleged attack.

This is not the right time, Trump said of the alleged drone incursion. Its one thing to be offensive, its another thing to attack his house. I was very angry about it.

The president noted at the time that it was  possible Putin was lying about the drones targeting his home.

The White House did not immediately respond to The Posts request for comment.
Around 40 revelers were killed and another 100 injured, most of them seriously, after an explosion ripped through a packed bar in a Swiss Alps resort town during a New Years celebration, officials said.

The deadly blaze erupted around 1:30 a.m. at the Le Constellation bar in the ritzy ski resort town of Crans-Montana in the Valais Canton.

It was like a horror movie, a witness, Adrien, told BFMTV about the blaze, which is believed to have started accidentally.

Rescuers at the site of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026. AFP via Getty Images

Terrifying footage taken by a New York tourist from outside shows flames ripping through the bar as witnesses scream in horror.

The bar can hold up to 300 people, local media reported.

Further video shows emergency services treating the wounded in the street, while survivors stand around, still in their New Years party outfits.

Witnesses believe the explosion was triggered by sparklers being held too close to the ceiling, which set the roof on fire, according to reports.

At the moment we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack, prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud stressed at a press conference, adding that authorities had opened a full investigation.

Police officers inspect the area where a fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar and lounge. AP

Police officers block off the area where a fire killed dozens. AFP via Getty Images

I cant hide from you that we are all shaken by what happened overnight in Crans, said the cantons head of police, Frederic Gislertold.

Our count is about 100 injured, most seriously, and unfortunately tens of people are presumed dead, he said, adding that patients had been dispatched to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich.

Many of the victims are from other countries. The Italian Foreign Ministry said information from Swiss police indicated about 40 deaths, though Gisler said it would be premature to give a specific figure.

The ritzy ski resort in Crans-Montana in the Alps in Switzerland. AP

Police reported that more than 100 people were in the building during the fire. AFP via Getty Images

Authorities are working to get the bodies of the victims back to their families.

A lot of resources have been put into forensics to identify the victims. These resources are intended to allow us to get the bodies to the families as soon as possible, Pilloud said.

Officials described the blaze an embrasement generalise  a firefighting term for when a fire triggers the release of combustible gases that can then spark a blast causing what English-speaking firefighters call a flashover or a backdraft.

Two young French women said waitresses were carrying bottles with sparklers inside them through the venue before one caught on the ceiling.

One woman, who gave her name as Victoria, told French outlet BFMTV that a waitress was shaking the bottle and the flames quickly spread.

In a few dozen seconds, the whole ceiling was on fire. Everything was made of wood, she said.

Some of the bottles were near the ceiling and it caught fire. The whole ceiling was in flames and the fire spread really fast. It happened in seconds. We ran outside, screaming and crying, another witness, Emma, told BFM, according to the Telegraph.

Windows are broken at the resort after a fire tore through a bar, killing numerous people celebrating New Years. AFP via Getty Images

The fire erupted during New Years celebrations in Crans-Montana. AFP via Getty Images

I saw a young man writhing in agony on the floor. His body and his hair were badly burned and half of his face had gone. I think he must have died, she said.

She estimated that most of the 200 people in the bar were between the ages of 15 and 20.

Bone-chilling video obtained by the Sun shows people screaming as a massive fire rages inside the bar.

I heard a number of massive bangs which sounded like bombs going off. It was crazy, a local resident told the Telegraph.

I live nearby. My heart felt like it jumped out of me. It was pounding.

First responders stand outside the bar where a fire killed numerous people celebrating New Years. AFP via Getty Images

A witness told French outlet BFMTV he saw people  some gravely injured  smashing the bar windows in a desperate attempt to escape the flames, which he likened to a horror movie. Later, panicked parents flocked to the scene to see if their children were trapped inside, the young man said.

Authorities deployed 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances to the scene, and imposed a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana.

There were so many injured that the regional hospitals ICU and operating rooms quickly reached full capacity, said Mathias Renard, head of the regional government.

This evening should have been a moment of celebration and coming together, but it turned into a nightmare, Renard said.

Police officers and first responders stand outside the area where a fire ripped through a bar at a ritzy ski resort in Switzerland. REUTERS

While its not clear if any US citizens were injured or killed, the Swiss Alps has become an increasingly popular tourist destination for Americans.

Crans-Montana, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is a major winter sports hub in Switzerlands Valais region, which is home to several other major ski resorts including Zermatt and Verbier.

The resort is one of the top venues on the World Cup circuit in Alpine skiing and will host the next world championships over two weeks in February 2027.

In just four weeks, the resort is scheduled to host the best mens and womens downhill racers for their final events before the Milan Cortina Olympics, which start on Feb. 6.

With Post wires
A young student wearing headphones focuses on a laptop at their desk. Photo: Allison Shelley / EDUimages / CC BY-NC 4.0 / Cropped from Original

(The Center Square)  Artificial intelligence tools for education continue to grow, according to a new study by One Click Human, a web-based platform designed to make AI-generated text sound natural and human-written.

The study analyzed Google search data to determine where Americans are most frequently searching for terms such as Free AI essay writer, Research paper generator, AI essay, AI for assignments and AI writer. Searches were measured per 100,000 residents to account for population differences.

Hawaii ranks first nationwide, recording approximately 1,482 AI-essay-related searches per 100,000 residents. The state stands out as a clear outlier, with significantly higher interest than the rest of the country.

Delaware ranks second with just over 1,030 searches per 100,000 residents, followed by Georgia in third place at 983.

Jonas Muthoni, founder of One Click Human, said the findings reflect changing student needs rather than widespread academic dishonesty.

What this study really shows is not that students are trying to cut corners, but that theyre looking for smarter ways to manage their workload, Muthoni said in an email to The Center Square. AI tools are increasingly being used as research assistants rather than replacement writers. Students are using them to understand topics faster, structure their thoughts and identify credible sources before they even begin writing.

Muthoni said students often rely on AI to better understand topics, organize their thoughts and identify credible sources before beginning to write.

Theres a big difference between asking an AI to write an entire essay for you and using it to brainstorm ideas, clarify complex concepts, or improve clarity, Muthoni said. Most students still want their work to be their own. AI simply helps them get unstuck, especially when theyre facing tight deadlines, multiple assignments, or subjects theyre unfamiliar with.

Melissa Loble, chief academic officer at Instructure, said in her experience, AI supports teachers and educators in the classroom.

AI can bring meaningful data use to teachers who arent data engineers, helping them intervene where it matters most, Loble said. AI can enable an environment where teachers spend more time with students, not less.

According to the study, Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire and Wyoming all post high search rates, despite smaller populations and fewer large universities. North Dakota, Mississippi and North Carolina round out the top 10, each showing strong engagement with AI writing tools.

The data suggests that strong interest in AI writing tools is not limited to states with large student populations or major technology hubs. Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire and Wyoming all report high search rates despite smaller populations and fewer large universities. North Dakota, Mississippi, and North Carolina round out the top 10.

The study concludes that responsible AI use can support learning rather than undermine it.

The goal shouldnt be to ban these tools, but to guide students on how to use them ethically, as support systems rather than shortcuts, Muthoni said. When AI is treated like a digital study partner instead of a ghostwriter, it can enhance education rather than undermine it.
The logo of U.S. Coast Guard is seen on the USCG Cutter Valiant in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. March 6, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo

By Idrees Ali and Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON, Dec 31 (Reuters) - The United States Coast Guard is searching for survivors of a U.S. military strike against a convoy of suspected drug vessels in the Pacific Ocean, U.S. officials said on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump's administration has carried out more than 30 strikes against suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific since September in a campaign that has killed at least 110 people.

In a statement, the U.S. military's Southern Command said the military had carried out a strike against three vessels.

"Three narco-terrorists aboard the first vessel were killed in the first engagement. The remaining narco-terrorists abandoned the other two vessels, jumping overboard and distancing themselves before follow-on engagements sank their respective vessels," Southern Command wrote on X.

Southern Command said later on Wednesday that it had carried out a strike on two vessels. It did not indicate where the strikes were carried out but said five people were killed as result.

U.S. SEARCHING FOR 8 SURVIVORS: OFFICIAL

A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said eight people had abandoned their vessels and were being searched for.

The Coast Guard told Reuters it had deployed a C-130 aircraft to look for survivors and was working with vessels in the area.

This is not the first time there have been survivors of a U.S. strike under the Trump administration. In October, two survivors were repatriated to their home countries after surviving a U.S. military strike.

Later that month, Mexican authorities launched a search and rescue effort after another U.S. strike left a survivor. That individual was not found.

The decision to strike the vessels but not the survivors comes after it was revealed that during a September attack, the U.S. military carried out a follow-on strike against a suspected drug vessel that had two survivors on it.

The lethal strikes on drug vessels are part of a broader campaign that the Trump administration says is aimed at cutting off the supply of illegal drugs. Legal experts and Democratic lawmakers have questioned the legality of the strikes.

The strikes come amid a pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government and a massive U.S. military buildup in the region.

Trump said on Monday the U.S. had "hit" an area in Venezuela where boats are loaded with drugs, marking the first known time Washington has carried out land operations in Venezuela.

Officials said the land strike was not carried out by the U.S. military and Trump has previously said he has authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali. Additional reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Rod Nickel and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
The logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is displayed at its fabrication plant in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, June 7, 2025. REUTERS/Ann Wang

SEOUL, Jan 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. government has granted an annual license to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to bring in chip manufacturing equipment to its facilities in Nanjing, China, the chipmaker said on Thursday.

"The U.S. Department of Commerce has granted TSMC Nanjing an annual export license that allows U.S. export-controlled items to be supplied to TSMC Nanjing without the need for individual vendor licenses," it said in a statement to Reuters.

"This license, issued before the December 31, 2025 expiration of existing Validated End-User (VEU) authorization, ensures uninterrupted fab operations and product deliveries," it said.

(Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin and Wen-Yee Lee; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist who campaigned on a promise to tackle the affordability crisis in one of Americas most expensive cities, vowed to govern expansively and audaciously as he was sworn in as New York Citys 112th mayor Thursday.

Mamdanis inauguration was a celebration of the progressive agenda hes bringing to City Hall, attended by some of the biggest names in the progressive movement, including independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who swore in Mamdani.

Mamdani, a 34-year-old immigrant from Uganda, makes history as the citys first Muslim mayor, first South Asian mayor and the youngest mayor to hold the high-profile office in more than a century.

My fellow New Yorkers, today begins a new era, Mamdani said after his swearing-in.

In his speech Thursday, Mamdani spoke glowingly of the city he now leads, promising to be a mayor to all New Yorkers as he recalled taking the subway and bus as a teenager to his high school in the Bronx and his first date with his wife, Rama Duwaji, in Brooklyns McCarren Park.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani vowed to be a mayor for all New Yorkers in his speech during his public inauguration ceremony on Thursday. - Kylie Cooper/Reuters

I know there are some who view this administration with distrust or disdain, or who see politics as permanently broken, and while only action can change minds, I promise you this: If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor, Mamdani said.

At the same time, Mamdani rejected any suggestions he would temper the ambitious agenda he set out in his campaign, pledging to bring down costs for everyday New Yorkers.

Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed, but never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try, Mamdani said. I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist. I will not abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical.

The former state assemblyman from Queens captured the worlds attention and stunned the political establishment with his win in the Democratic primary last summer, running a campaign focused on affordability: He promised to create a universal childcare program, freeze the rent for roughly two million rent-stabilized tenants and make city buses fast and free.

Progressive stars turn out for mayor

Among the thousands who attended Thursdays ceremony were high-profile leaders of the progressive movement buoyed by Mamdanis win, including Sanders and Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, highlighted the historic nature of Zohran Mamdani's mayoralty in her speech Thursday. - Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Mayor Zohran Mamdani addresses the crowd outside City Hall after taking the oath of office. - Heather Khalifa/AP

Before swearing in the new mayor, Sanders thanked the tens of thousands of volunteers for his campaign who took on the Democratic and Republican establishments and defeated them in the biggest political upset in modern American history.

Demanding that the wealthy and large corporations start paying their fair share of taxes is not radical, it is exactly the right thing to do, Sanders said, as the crowd loudly chanted tax the rich!

Ocasio-Cortez, who won her own upset primary for Congress in New York in 2018, touted Mamdani as a mayor relentlessly dedicated to making life not just possible, but aspirational for working people.

Zohran will be the first Muslim mayor of our great city. He will be our first immigrant mayor in over a century. And he will be the youngest mayor of New York City in generations, she continued. But most importantly, Zohran will be a mayor for all of us.

The speakers who participated in Mamdanis inauguration echoed many of the themes from his campaign and the larger progressive movement.

Cornelius Eady read a poem for Mamdani that he dedicated to my trans, queer, foreign students of color at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he said he had recently retired, so they can see this is possible.

New York Public Advocate Jumaane Williams was sworn in by people impacted by immigration enforcement, including Senegalese immigrant Amadou Ly, whose speech introducing Williams drew a strong reaction from the inauguration crowd.

Other familiar faces present included former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who Mamdani has described as the best mayor in recent history. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was seated alongside de Blasio, with the crowd outside City Hall booing when Adams was shown on screen.

On Thursday, Mamdani signed several executive orders, including one that revoked all executive orders by his predecessor on or after September 26, 2024, when Adams was federally indicted on public corruption charges.

The Justice Department under President Donald Trump directed prosecutors to drop the charges against Adams earlier this year, and Adams has maintained he did nothing wrong.

A block party celebrating the new mayor

Inside City Hall Plaza, the crowd began to gather early Thursday morning, bundled up in the freezing temperatures. A DJ attempted to keep the crowd warmed up as they waited for the ceremony to start.

A block party hosted by Mamdanis transition team  dubbed the Inauguration of a New Era  was held on Broadway, just outside the gates of city hall. The new mayors supporters lined the street behind barricades, many decked out in Zohran merchandise from his campaign and buttons that read, NYC Inauguration 2026, bearing the signature branding and color palette of Mamdanis campaign.

New York resident Jen Shoemaker told CNN the crowd Thursday was "so energetic," adding, "We're so ready for Zohran." - Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Jen Shoemaker, a New Orleans native who moved to New York 14 years ago and volunteered for Mamdanis campaign, was decked out in a colorful headpiece with flowers and a Zohran paper fan.

Everybodys so energetic. Were so ready for Zohran, said Shoemaker, who arrived more than two hours before the inauguration began. We need Democrats with backbones and Zohran has one.

Fernando Restrepo, a lifelong New Yorker, was watching from the crowd with his partner and two young sons, one of them in a stroller. He said hed never attended a mayoral inauguration in the city before but was inspired to come out because of the message of hope and unity he felt Mamdanis election represented.

I think that we are looking at the possibility of a lot of progressive policies being put into place, and I think that means a safer society for all, he said.

Simone Swartz, a veteran, was there with her friends Dev Mehra and Bilal Mohammed, holding a pink teddy bear they had given her that was outfitted in a Mamdani T-shirt. Mamdani, she said, was the first political candidate she felt excited to vote for.

Mamdani has been the first politician this has actually supported actual American values: treating everybody with respect, freedom and access to public services, she said.

The block party also drew some attendees who werent Mamdani supporters. Sharon Jones, who described herself as a conservative Republican, said she was there as part of her civic duty as a New Yorker.

Even though my political views are different, as a New Yorker, its all about community, she said. My neighbor is my neighbor regardless of what political affiliations they may have.

Public ceremony follows private swearing-in

Mamdani was officially sworn in just after midnight during a private ceremony alongside his wife. His parents, filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, a professor at Columbia University, were also in attendance.

For the ceremony, Mamdani chose a Quran from the New York Public Library that was once part of Afro-Latino historian Arturo Schomburgs personal library.

In a statement prior to the ceremony, the library said Mamdanis selection of Islams holy book marks a significant moment in our citys history.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, left, administers the oath of office to mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, center, as his wife Rama Duwaji looks on, on January 1. - Yuki Iwamura/AP

Its a choice steeped in meaning for Mamdani and the hundreds of thousands of Muslims who call New York City home. Its the first time a Quran has been used in a mayoral inauguration.

In addition to the NYPLs book, Mamdani also used a Quran that belonged to his grandfather during the midnight ceremony, according to his transition team.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who Mamdani has described as a political inspiration, administered the oath of office as Mamdani placed his left hand on the two books.

The setting was symbolic. Mamdani was sworn in on the platform of the old City Hall subway station underneath City Hall Park in Manhattan  an architectural marvel where tiled, arched ceilings, colored glass skylights and brass chandeliers have laid dormant since the station was shuttered in 1945.

The location, which is closed to the public except for the occasional guided tour, is one of New Yorks 28 original subway stations that opened in 1904, ushering in a new dawn of innovation and growth in New York City.

Following his midnight swearing-in, Mamdani spoke about the significance of the setting, calling it a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks after taking the oath of office inside the the Old City Hall subway station, New York, on January 1. - Yuki Iwamura/AP

Mamdanis ambitious agenda has drawn some skepticism. He has proposed taxing the wealthy to pay for his proposals, something he can only do with the support of the state legislature and the governor. And while Mamdani is taking office at a time of general economic strength in the city, the high cost of living is squeezing working-class New Yorkers.

The dawn of Mamdanis administration also comes as the national Democratic Party is wrestling with its identity and struggling to energize a divided base. Mamdanis win has fueled debate about whether the party should move further to the left and focus on affordability as its primary issue in the upcoming midterm elections.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Kaanita Iyer contributed to this report.

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A scene featuring Karla Coronado as Carla from 'No Me Sigas.' (Credit: Ophelia)

Horror Show is a new series uncovering the stories of artists experiences with the supernatural, paranormal, and unexplainedand how surviving it provided new appreciation for creating in the here and now.

For many generations, the family of filmmakers Ximena and Eduardo Garcia Lecuona has experienced a long-running phenomenon: When its your time to leave this world, youll get a phone call from a family member that previously died.

More from Spin:

My grandmother got a call from her mother, and the next day she died. Right before my grandfather died, he got a call from his dead wife. When my uncle died more recently of COVID, he first had a chat with his sister who had passed. Theres actual contact with the dead  it sounds like them and you are talking, Eduardo explained of the inexplicable tradition during a recent Zoom chat from his home in Mexico. While some might consider it a family curse, the young creative doesnt see it that way. For me, its not macabre. We all die. Thats a fact. But its also a reassurance that our loved ones are on the other side waiting.

These mystical concepts of life cycles, eternity, and the permanence of loved ones permeate the siblings new horror film, No Me Sigas (Dont Follow Me), coming to Hulu January 1. It was written by Ximena (also behind the screenplay for 2022s YA rom-com Anythings Possible) and co-directed by her and Eduardo. The film marks a partnership between their own production company Maligno Gorehouse and genre giants Blumhouse, marking the latters first original Spanish-language film.

Filmed in the siblings home of Mexico City, the suspenseful thriller follows main character Carla (played by Karla Coronado), a 26-year-old influencer whos trying to find a viral moment by documenting videos of ghosts and paranormal events. To further enhance her reels, Carla moves into a notoriously famous haunted building in the metropolis and pads her content with some questionable fake effects for clicks before realizing that true evil lurks inside.

We were really inspired by all these stories of haunted buildings and haunted houses that we grew up hearing about. In the movie, Carla [fixates] on the fictional Transatlantic Building, which we meshed from a lot of these stories we heard growing up in the city, said Eduardo. As he speaks, its hard to escape the night-time city scene splayed out on the large picture windows behind him, giving an eerie representation of the citys haunted lore.

Eduardo and Ximena (who was stuck in a writers room for an undisclosed project and unable to be part of the conversation) had a particular spot in mind for filming No Me Sigas that they knew was haunted: a structure built in the 1950s where a once-reigning politician was murdered. (In the film, the story is changed to a murdered actress from the golden age of cinema.)

Eduardo Lecuona, Composer Craig Davis Pinson, and Ximena Garcia Lecuona. (Credit: Paola Lopez)

We managed to film there for like five days; its where we shot all the hallway scenes, Eduardo shared, describing the environs and the strange effects the crew experienced while on-set. Its a decently tall skyscraper, maybe 20 floors. On floors 1 through 8, theres people; floors 9 through 20 are abandoned, though it does have some squatters. While we were shooting, some of the elevators stopped working, and one of the grips got stuck for a few hours. So we were like, hey, no more elevators. Lets just do the 17 flights upstairs. It had a vibe that was energetically heavy.

The interior of Carlas apartment, where the bulk of the film takes place, was a separate film set that the crew arbitrarily picked out but soon realized was haunted, too. As Eduardo described the spot, It was somebodys grandmothers apartment. She had died a few decades prior after a psychotic break. [The family] left the furniture from the 60s and 70s intact and hadnt used the apartment in all these decades. In fact, much of the art direction behind No Me Sigas was organically adapted from these found artifacts. One example he noted was a gruesome scene with some nails stuck on the wall that was rewritten in real-time to reflect one of their discoveries. There, too, unexplained phenomena took place during shooting.

There was a room where me and Karla Coronado would get completely sick every time we were shooting in there. And when we left the room, we were fine. It was hard for Karla to do some [scenes] there at the end, said Eduardo, who noted the actress tried her best to use the energy and play with it for her character. The other lead, Yankel Stevan, who plays Andres, also had something happen when he went home at night. He saw this kid ghost that appeared to him in his apartment building. He took a photo and its pretty creepy, Eduardo shared.

A scene from No Me Sigas. (Credit: Ophelia)

Naturally, the score for No Me Sigas was important for adding a chilling ambiance and to push along the storys suspense. The Garcia Lecuonas hired composer Craig Davis Pinson to do the trick. Eduardo had known Pinsons musical instincts since the two logged time in punk bands together when they were younger. In latter years, Pinson would go on to work with Chicago-based experimental noise makers Fat Pigeon and Eduardo worked with post-punk band Sacred State when he temporarily lived in Los Angeles. Ximena, too, is a part-time musician who currently plays drums in the underground band Carmen Machina.

That really helped with talking about the music because we were all on the same page, said Pinson during the Zoom chat. They decided the character Carla would play guitar and be a fan of Mexican post-punk (even adding a song by stalwarts Grito Exclamac!on to the soundtrack). Pinson did attend shooting days and tried to capture sounds from the set, but none proved fruitful. Instead, he attacked the score using adjacent avant-garde techniques.

I wanted to deconstruct the guitar into a language thats more related to contemporary classical or abstract music, giving this kind of supernatural feeling that goes beyond the present, said Pinson, inspired by the scores Colin Stetson created for Hereditary and Mica Levi composed for Under the Skin. To accomplish the effect, Pinson put vibrating sex toys on the guitar pickups and used just intonation tunings. Its like a primordial resonance thats in nature and if you hear classical instruments played in these tunings, theres something really arcane. It sounds almost religious and old and ancient.

Pinson also relied on a retro vintage Italian toy organ called the Bontempi B1, which he picked up at a historic flea market in Mexico City called La Lagunilla. That flea market also has a lot of history and roots back in pre-Hispanic times. Its a very strong cultural place where you buy used things. It gave that sense of place to reflect the found objects from the physical locations of the film, and tied back into Mexicos very spiritual and very haunted history.

Knowing how much deep spiritual history they were tinkering with, Eduardo and Ximena consulted curanderos, or healers, who did pre- and post-filming rituals to protect everyone in the crew. It was eight hours of offerings to pre-Hispanic deities, Eduardo noted. The rituals took place on Tepeyac Hill in the center of Mexico City where its said the Virgin Mary appeared to a now canonized indigenous man, Juan Diego, in 1531 during a time of colonial occupation. In Mexican Catholicism, its a very holy ground, said Eduardo. Even before the Marian apparition, it was a site of worship to the Aztec goddess Tonantzin whos connected to the goddess of fertility and creation, Xochitlicue. So its a very energetically and spiritually charged place. The healers believed portals may have been opened during the process of making No Me Sigas, but closed them through additional ceremonial rites. As Eduardo lightheartedly conceded, The shoots went well, so I think it worked.

(Credit: Paola Lopez)

Consulting modern healers is something natural to the Garcia Lecuona clan. Their grandmother practiced witchcraft and many members of their family are proponents of syncretism, a meeting of pre-Hispanic shamanism with Catholic sensibilities and icons, explained Eduardo. We grew up with that and it got us interested in the paranormal, but it also kind of made us normalize it. With No Me Sigas, the ghost relates to love and family. And I think in a way the ghost stories we grew up with werent creepy, they were just fact.

Its a tenet that is shaping the siblings next, as-yet-unannounced film project. We want to work from the angle where sometimes the ghosts and the witches and the rituals, theyre not the villain, but ways to face your monsters and your own fears, said Eduardo, whose ultimate mission is to take Latin and Hispanic traditions and horror stories to the rest of the world. In our Hispanic culture where we grew up with the paranormal in everyday life, we want to make horror where those are tools for the heroes and not necessarily the things we fight against.

No Me Sigas is available for streaming on Hulu starting January 1.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.
Mykonos island port with boats, Cyclades islands, Greece

Imagine waking up in a coastal Greek village and walking to your terrace that overlooks the bay.

Sunlight streams over whitewashed walls, the scent of sea salt and wild thyme fills your lungs, and the distant sound of waves and church bells promises another day of peace and simple pleasures.

If that sounds like a good way to spend your retirement years, youre in luck. Greece has just been named the number one place for Americans to retire by International Living. (1)

International Living scored countries on seven key metrics: housing, visas and benefits, development and governance, cost of living, affinity rating, healthcare, and climate.

In all of these categories, Greece beat out other top contenders including Spain, Portugal, Panama, and Thailand.

Must Read

Retiring abroad is getting easier, and Americans have noticed

For many Americans, their dream retirement takes place under a different sun.

Exhausted by polarized politics and priced out by healthcare and housing markets, retirees are trading the rat race for walkable streets and a relaxed pace of living in coastal villages and cities abroad.

According to a recent study, 34% of Americans are considering retiring to another country to lower their cost of living. (2) Theyll be joining the roughly 1.62 million Americans of retirement age who already live abroad. (3)

Many countries around the world have helped to cultivate this trend by making visa and permanent residency requirements easier for Americans  especially if you have the money and are independently wealthy.

Why Americans are hearkening to Greeces siren song

There are a lot of benefits to retiring in countries that welcome American expats. In EU member countries like Spain, Portugal and Greece, this means automatic access to travel freely within the Schengen Zone (29 European countries) for up to 90 days out of every 180 days.

For many American retirees, Greeces healthcare system is also a major draw. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), spending on healthcare in the U.S. is $14,885 per person in 2024, while in Greece it was $3,607. (4) American expats often report that their out-of-pocket costs are lower than what they spend in the U.S.

Everyday essentials also tend to cost less. Fresh produce, bread, cheese, and olive oil are widely available and relatively affordable, especially in local markets.

Eating a simple meal out, grabbing coffee, or buying pantry staples often costs half as much as in many American cities. (5)

Read More: This $1B private real estate fund is now accessible to non-millionaires. Heres how you can get started with as little as $10

How to qualify for Greeces golden visa program

Many golden visa programs require applicants to make a significant investment in their new home country, and Greece is no exception.

Until 2024, you could pay a flat 250,000 fee to get a golden visa, but since then, the requirements have gotten a little stricter.

Greeces new golden visa rules require an investment in Greek real estate and use a tiered system to spread the wealth around the country.

Tier 1 requires an investment of no less than 800,000 in a single property of at least 120 square meters (1292 square feet) in prime areas such as Attica (Athens), Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, or islands with more than 3,100 residents. Tier 2 requires 400,000 for similar sized property elsewhere.

Tier 3 keeps the 250,000 minimum for projects that ease the housing shortage, such as converting commercial spaces to homes or restoring protected historic buildings. Unfortunately, properties bought under the new rules cannot be used for short term rentals like Airbnb, only for long term leases.

What to know before you go

Before you tell your retirement advisor youve packed your bags for Greece (or anywhere else), there are some complications to consider.

Like many countries, Greeces golden visa does not get you EU citizenship. You have the right to stay in the country for five years, and then you have to renew the visa.

Because youre not a Greek citizen, you wont have access to Greeces public health service, and you must show that you have purchased at least 30,000 of medical coverage through a private insurance company.

You also will have to utilize private hospitals, which isnt a problem in major urban areas, but could be a big hassle if youre in the Tier 2 zone.

Other problems could arise if youre not very familiar with the region youre moving to. Unless you find a community of American expats to live with, you may discover your neighbors dont speak English and dont understand your attempts at the local dialect. And seeing loved ones back in the states will become much more expensive.

But if your heart is set on contemplating the wine-dark sea from your terrace, proper planning and a healthy endowment of cash could make that dream come true.

What To Read Next

Join 200,000+ readers and get Moneywises best stories and exclusive interviews first  clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.

Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

International Living (1); Western & Southern Financial Group (2); Expat Network (3); OECD (4); Numbeo (5).

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Joe Raedle/Getty; Joe Maher/Getty Donald Trump; George Clooney.

NEED TO KNOW

President Donald Trump is addressing recent reports that actor George Clooney, his wife Amal Clooney and their two children were naturalized as French citizens

In a post to his Truth Social account on Dec. 31, Trump described the decision as "good news"

Both George and Amal have been vocal critics of Trump throughout the years



President Donald Trump is describing George Clooney and wife Amal Clooney's recent naturalization as French citizens as "good news."

The president, 79, addressed recent reports that George, Amal and their 8-year-old twins Alexander and Ella were naturalized as French citizens in a Truth Social post on Wednesday, Dec. 31.

"Good News! George and Amal Clooney, two of the worst political prognosticators of all time, have officially become citizens of France which is, sadly, in the midst of a major crime problem because of their absolutely horrendous handling of immigration, much like we had under Sleepy Joe Biden," Trump wrote.



Also in his post, Trump addressed the July 2024 op-ed that George wrote for the New York Times, urging then-President Joe Biden to step aside and allow Vice President Kamala Harris to seek the Democratic nomination for the presidency following Biden's performance in a June 2024 presidential debate, which many viewed as disastrous.

Trump continued, "Remember when Clooney, after the now infamous debate, dumped Joe during a fundraiser, only to go onto the side of another stellar candidate, Jamala(K!), who is now fighting it out with the worst governor in the Country, including Tim Waltz, Gavin Newscum, for who is going to lead the Democrats to their future defeat."

Jenny Anderson/Getty George Clooney and Amal Clooney

He also claimed that "Clooney got more publicity for politics than he did for his very few, and totally mediocre movies."

"He wasnt a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who complained, constantly, about common sense in politics," Trump wrote in conclusion. "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Clooney's latest film, Jay Kelly, arrived in theaters and on Netflix in December and features the actor starring as the titular character, also a famous actor.

In a recent interview with Variety, Clooney addressed CBS News' recent settlement with Trump. In July, the network agreed to pay $16 million to Trump's future presidential library to end a lawsuit in which Trump accused the network of deceptively editing former Vice President Kamala Harris' 2024 campaign trail appearance on 60 Minutes.

If CBS and ABC had challenged those lawsuits and said, Go f--- yourself, we wouldnt be where we are in the country, Clooney told the outlet. Thats simply the truth."

He also spoke about knowing Trump before his political career began, describing the president as a "big goofball" whom he "knew very well."

I knew him very well, Clooney says. He used to call me a lot, and he tried to help me get into a hospital once to see a back surgeon. Id see him out at clubs and at restaurants. Hes a big goofball. Well, he was. That all changed.

Clooney has long been a vocal critic of Trump. In 2021, the actor said that the Trump name would forever be relegated to the "dustbin of history" following the January 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

"That name will now forever be associated with insurrection," Clooney said at the time.

Amal has also been critical of Trump's treatment of the press, arguing in 2019 that the president's rhetoric makes "honest journalists all over the world more vulnerable to abuse."

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.

George, Amal and their two children currently live in France, in part due to Clooney's concerns about "raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood." The couple obtained French citizenship in December 2025, according to a naturalization decree obtained by the French newspaper Journal officiel and viewed by PEOPLE.

You know, we live on a farm in France. A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid, I hated the whole idea of it," George explained in an October interview with GQ. "But now, for them, its liketheyre not on their iPads, you know? They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life."



Read the original article on People
Remko DE WAAL / ANP / AFP via Getty The Vondelkerk up in flames

NEED TO KNOW

Amsterdam's historic Vondelkerk church went up in flames in the early hours of New Year's Day

The fire gutted the 150-year-old church and destroyed its spire

Dutch police reported "unprecedented" levels of New Year's Eve violence

An historic 150-year-old Dutch church went up in flames amid "unprecedented" New Year's Eve violence in the Netherlands.

The Vondelkerk, an 1872 church overlooking Amsterdam's famous Vondelpark, caught aflame a little before 1 a.m. local time on Thursday, Jan. 1, Dutch authorities said, RTL reports. Homes in the vicinity of the church were quickly evacuated.

By the time the fire was finally under control 10 hours later, at 11 a.m., the church's 164-foot neo-Gothic spire had collapsed and "only walls" remained intact, De Telegraaf reports.

Laurens Niezen / ANP / AFP via Getty The Vondelkerk up in flames

No casualties were initially reported from the blaze, and the cause of the fire remains unknown and under investigation, The New York Times reports.

The church, designed by Rijksmuseum architect Pierre Cuypers, served as a Roman Catholic parish for nearly a century before being deconsecrated, thereafter being used to host secular events. The building previously caught fire in 1904, which saw the loss of its original tower.

The inferno came as Dutch police faced "unprecedented" levels of New Year's Eve violence this year.

Ana Fernandez/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty The Vondelkerk's tower before the fire

The chair of the Dutch Police Union, Nine Kooiman, said on X that she and her colleagues were being "pelted" with explosives.

"Unprecedented amount of violence against police and emergency workers," said Kooiman. "Lots of explosives/fireworks aimed at the colleagues. Myself already pelted three times. Really hope everyone gets home safely."

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Police arrested some 250 people across the Netherlands as the European nation's emergency number became overwhelmed, De Telegraaf reported. In Utrecht, southeast of Amsterdam, police reported being "continuously attacked by groups of young people," per the outlet.

A 17-year-old boy and a 38-year-old man were killed in separate fireworks incidents across the Netherlands overnight, the BBC reported, citing local media.

At a burn unit in Groningen, in the country's north, 19 patients were treated, including ten under age 15, per De Telegraaf. That's twice the number of patients treated at the unit after last year's New Year celebrations.

Read the original article on People
by David Kordahl

Government secrecy makes UFO claims impossible to verifyor disprove.

When I lived in Arizona, my next-door neighbor once told me that he had seen a time machine. These types of anecdotes are not uncommon in Arizona, out on the edge of the world. At the time, I was in graduate school for physics at Arizona State, and I presumed my neighbor was either lying or confused. He had seen the time machine, he told me, behind the door of a restricted area of his former employer, a defense contractor in Tucson. I nodded politely and let it slide, much as I would for the claims from our neighborhood Mormon missionaries or the 9/11 Truthers whose stand I passed daily on my walk to the cafeteria.

I was thinking about my old neighbor when I recently came across a clip of Joe Rogan speaking with Dan Farah, the director of a new documentary, The Age of Disclosure. If Farah is to be believed, my neighbor might indeed have seen something behind that door. The Age of Disclosure claims that crashed Unidentified Aerial Phenomenaand, yes, UAPs are just UFOs by another namehave been studied by defense contractors for some eight decades, and that failing to take them seriously poses a risk to national security.

Regular readers will know that UFOs and US government secrecy are both part of my beat here at 3QD, so I grabbed my tinfoil hat and pressed play.

The Age of Disclosure tells a story that, as many critics have noted, is by now pretty familiar, which doesnt stop it from being pretty crazy. The vibe of the film owes much to conspiracy thrillers like The Parallax View or JFK, with frequent solemn shots of national monuments thrumming to a continuous soundtrack. A good deal of the runtime is filled by montages of dark-suited men saying things like UAPs are real, theyre here, and theyre not human. The movies poster tagline, 34 Government Insiders Reveal the Truth, gives a good idea about what it offers: clips of military, intelligence, and congressional officials affirming, on the record and under their own names, that they think UFOs are a real concern.

This is all handsomely mounted, and the main character, the ubiquitous disclosure activist Luis Elizondo, tells us his story of discovery, which in turn expands to the broader narrative of a decades-long deception. Elizondo is a large man, a tattooed Mr. Incredible, and the tale unfolds as he walks among the monuments. He has a cryptic gravity to his delivery, always hinting he would like to say more.

Elizondos version of events is basically as follows. Since 1947, the year of the saucer crash at Roswell, the US military has continually studied downed UFOs and their inhabitants, as have our military rivals around the world. Theywhoever they, the beings controlling the UFOs, might beseem to have an interest in monitoring our nuclear stockpiles. (Notice how the UFOs mainly showed up shortly after the nuclear advent of 1945.) Yet officials do not have a clear idea about who they are or what threat they pose. Hence the decades of misinformation asserting theres nothing to see, and the need for whistle-blowers like Elizondo to emerge from the shadows to let us know whats going on.

Now, I started the last paragraph with the saucer crash at Roswell to hint at a problem with this streamlined narrative. People like me who have dipped a toe in the UFO literature know that Roswell is highly contested territory. Starting in the 1970s, the physicist-turned-UFO-researcher Stanton Friedman, relying on his own interviews with eyewitnesses, claimed that Roswell constituted nothing less than a cosmic Watergate. Over the decades, the legend of Roswell grew. By the 1990s, Roswell lore had grown sufficiently prominent that the Air Force released two reports claiming that the secrecy surrounding the crash was not because a UFO had been retrieved, but because the crashed object was part of Project Mogul, a classified balloon-based probe system designed to monitor Soviet nuclear tests.

That the Roswell crash is reported in The Age of Disclosure simply as a UFO retrieval without so much as a hint of doubt should indicate the sort of documentary this is. It is political advocacy, not neutral exploration, and it is aimed mainly at potential converts who wont know where to push back.

But even political activists need to address their opponents top Google complaints, and there are a few attempts at damage control in the film. Luis Elizondo came to prominence after a 2017 article in the New York Times introduced him as the onetime leader of AATIP, the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program. In that NYT article, AATIP was presented as a straightforward military effort to investigate UFO reports, but skeptical articles from The Intercept and the New York Post would later cast doubt on both Elizondos position and the ultimate purpose of AATIP. The Intercept alleged that Elizondo may not have had much power in AATIP, and the Post reported that AATIP itself was just a rebranding of the Advanced Aerospace Weapons System Application Program, a pet project of Senator Harry Reid whose real purpose was to investigate paranormal claims about Nevadas famous Skinwalker Ranch.

Again, none of these asterisks are in The Age of Disclosure. In the framing of the film, the only reason doubters question Elizondos credibility is that they want to discredit a man who is revealing dangerous truths. Not that this is confusing. It makes sense for this production to distance itself from the wilder parts of UFOlogy. The movie strives to convey that its assertions about UFOs are well-established and credible, that the phenomena under discussion are not mere psychological projections, that such crafts can go from water to air to outer space without disturbing their surroundings, that they can go ten times faster than any human rocket, that they are endowed with capabilities of anti-gravity and instantaneous accelerationand that all these serious men in serious suits agree.

Whats frustrating in this is the large gap between the claims being made and the evidence being presented. We are shown videos that have already been widely viewed and discussed. But several people claim to have seen much moreincluding recovered crafts and their drivers. So if such incontestable artifacts exist, why cant we look at them? Why should we have to take their word for it?

What I appreciated most about The Age of Disclosure is the way that it portrays officials who are not just lying or confused (still my default assumptions) but trapped in a command structure thats deliberately difficult to navigate. Marco Rubiopresumably interviewed before he became secretary of stategives a striking quote about why uncertainty persists on sensitive topics:

I think theres this assumption that presidents can walk into the Oval Office on day one and say, All right, take me to Roswell, show me the alien bodies. I want to see the video, the autopsy, I want to see the whole thing. Open it up. I think that really is a naive understanding of how our government works. [] Frankly, I dont know if a president would know who to ask. You could go to the director of the CIAnowadays, the director of national intelligenceand ask them, and even that person may not know, because those people rotate, but the people three layers underneath them that are there for thirty yearsto them, its like, Ive seen people come and go. I have no obligation to tell them it exists.

Since its release, Rubio has (understandably) distanced himself from the films claims, emphasizing that he has no direct knowledge of a Legacy Program, or of any recovered nonhuman craft in the governments possession. Which, I suppose, is exactly the problem.

In November 2025, the US House of Representatives held a special hearing on UAPs. Many of the same figures who appear in The Age of Disclosure appeared on Capitol Hill. The themes of persistent unexplained phenomena and the need for increased transparency pervaded that hearing, just as they pervade the film.

Though disclosure advocates often discredit themselves by asserting more than they know, I agree with their aims. I, too, would like to see what (if anything) is locked in the vaults. But at this point, any revelations that emerge will be tainted by a long history of misinformation and half-truths. UFO lore functions in the American imagination like an immense Rorschach test, with our best guessesangels or demons, psyops or hallucinations, voyagers or staticrevealing where we draw the boundary between the plausible and the absurd. As for me, I find myself increasingly interested in what people claim to have seen behind restricted doors.

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Bystander footage captured the moment members of the public fled as fire broke out at a bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana.

Police have confirmed several dozen are presumed dead after the blaze tore through the popular tourist bar Le Constellation during New Years Eve celebrations.

Video posted to social media shows the panic as people fled the scene of the fire, which began at around 1.30am on Thursday.

Authorities say around 100 have been left injured, some seriously, with foreign tourists among the dead.
The top ten craziest eastern Idaho crime stories of 2025. | Kaitlyn Hart, EastIdahoNews.com

IDAHO FALLS  Eastern Idaho is often home to some very outlandish, disturbing, and straight-up weird crime stories.

Through all of the depressing articles filled with gore and sometimes just genuine evil, its important to remember that sometimes, its essential to find the humor. Obviously, crime isnt funny  but sometimes the circumstances are.

Here are, in our opinion, the top ten craziest eastern Idaho crime stories of 2025.

READ | The most read stories on East Idaho News in 2025

#1: Uber driver turns in passenger accused of attempted Idaho Falls bank burglary

Police presence while trying to find Wendy Bess. | Idaho Falls Police Department

This one is a classic in the newsroom when we all need to lift our spirits with a good laugh.

On June 11, a 50-year-old California woman identified as Wendy Bess allegedly fled from Idaho Central Credit Union in Idaho Falls after trying to withdraw a large amount of money from an account that did not belong to her, using a stolen ID.

Employees pressed the panic alarm, and Bess fled in a white GMC Terrain, hitting an officer and dragging him 50 feet across the pavement before he let go.

Officers chased her to the intersection of West 49th South and South 45th East, where they found the car  but not Bess. Little did officers know that she had called an Uber to pick her up just south of the scene.

Soon, an Uber driver pulled his car up to an officer and said that he thought his passenger might be the suspect. Noting the suspicious circumstances and the presence of police in the area, he drove Bess to the closest officers.

She was then arrested and charged with three felony counts of burglary, felonies for grand theft and attempted grand theft, attempting to elude an officer, aggravated battery, and leaving the scene of an accident.

#2: Police arrest nude man allegedly trying to get into Rigby homes

Brian Berrios, 18, of Rigby, was arrested after being found naked on a Rigby doorstep. | Courtesy Trace Barney

(In all seriousness, we hope this man is okay and has found the help and support he needs.)

On August 22, around 11:15 p.m., a Rigby homeowner noticed a naked man, later identified as 18-year-old Brian Berrios of Rigby, walking in town and trying to get into peoples homes.

Trace Barney told EastIdahoNews.com it was his parents house where Berrios chose to make his appearance. They werent aware he was on the porch, but found out the next morning when they checked their phone and saw him on their Ring Doorbell. Barney says they do not know the man and have never seen him before.

Barney reports officers found him elsewhere later that night.

Berrios was arrested and taken to the Jefferson County Jail on misdemeanor charges of indecent exposure, resisting and obstructing officers, and disturbing the peace.

#3:Two Utah men allegedly steal $70,000 in cash from D&L Cleaners

Thomas Jeffery Ward and Jimmy Jack Olson | Bonneville County Jail

This one actually started in July 2024, when police discovered a burglary at D&L Cleaners in Idaho Falls.

In January of this year, the men were identified as Thomas Jeffrey Ward, who was charged with felony burglary and felony grand theft, and Jimmy Jack Olson, who was charged with the same two felonies as Ward and received alternative charges, which allege Olson conspired to help Ward commit the two felonies.

The crazy part here isnt necessarily that they allegedly broke in and stole $70,000, which is also insane and obviously not a good thing. The part we cant get over is why there was $70,000 in cash at a dry cleaners?

#4: Do you know this man? Police looking for suspect in food truck burglary

The suspect in the Daves Fire & Smoke BBQ burglary that occurred early Sunday morning. | Courtesy Daves Fire & Smoke BBQ

This is a classic case of someone wanting to steal something, but forgetting that technology exists.

On Aug. 3, around 5:30 a.m., a man allegedly broke into Daves Fire & Smoke BBQ, a local food truck located at 680 1st Street, and Mi Ranchito Mexicana, a food truck located at 240 East 1st Street.

Thankfully, the owner of Daves Fire & Smoke BBQ had invested in high-quality security cameras. Despite the mans attempt to turn them off, they continued to record, providing police with a clear view of the suspect. Find the video, where the suspect is seen shimmying through a teenie-tiny window, in the link above.

The suspect initially got away on a bicycle with cash, a cell phone, thousands of dollars in equipment, shoes, and other things, as well as damaging the trucks.

The man was later identified as Macario Angulo, and he was arrested and charged with felonies for burglary, two counts of grand theft, and misdemeanor malicious injury to property. In the second case, he is charged with felony burglary, and misdemeanors for malicious injury to property and petit theft.

#5: Man falls asleep in credit union restroom, attracts police interest

Pocatello Police Department

The alternative headline for this story was, Man falls asleep while making a deposit. Thats a poop joke for those of you who dont understand humor.

On Tuesday, March 4, Pocatello Police responded to a tripped alarm at the Mountain America Credit Union Yellowstone branch. At first, police believed it may be a break-in.

You get a bank alarm, any bank alarm, we  respond as though theres a problem, said Pocatello Police Lt. Josh Hancock at the time.

After opening the door, the officers announced their presence and stated that they had a K9 unit with them. The man inside the building immediately surrendered and communicated with the police.

He then told officers that he had fallen asleep in the restroom of the building and then woke up to find it closed.

The responding officers secured the scene to ensure there was no danger to the public and did not arrest or file charges against the man.

#6: Local man who illegally shot deer goes to jail, but not for shooting the deer

Nathan Lloyd Archibald | Madison County Jail

Obviously, illegally shooting a deer and leaving it to waste isnt funny; its just cruel. However, what actually happened in court was quite amusing.

Nathan Lloyd Archibald was sentenced to four years of probation after pleading guilty to killing a deer and leaving it to waste. During his sentencing hearing, District Judge Steven Boyce reiterated to him the cruelty and harm done by his actions and the fact that he wasnt licensed to hunt deer at the time.

Toward the end of the sentencing, Boyce noted that not only was Archibald not licensed to hunt, but he also had a suspended drivers license. And  he had just driven himself to court.

He stated, Hes aware of the suspension, but still drove to the District 7 probation and parole office for his pre-sentence interview. Im just thinking, who drives for the (pre-sentence investigation) without a license and then says, Yeah, I dont have a license, but I drove here? Boyce said.

Boyce informed the court that the bailiffs had told him they had seen Archibald drive to the court for this sentencing, and sentenced him to complete 60 days in the local jail before he could start his probation.

#7: Man accused of hiding bag of pills in buttocks. Heres what happened next

Luke Carl Plesner | Bonneville County Jail

Do I really have to state the obvious about why this is funny?

On April 4, 42-year-old Luke Carl Plesner was arrested after Idaho Falls Police Officers allegedly caught him trying to hide a bag of dirty 30s also known as fentanyl pills, in his buttocks.

Not only that, but after he was caught, officers say he tried to remove the bag of drugs from his anal cavity and hide them in his mouth. He then allegedly admitted to officers that the pills were fentanyl and that he had ingested five.

Plesnar was charged with felony trafficking fentanyl, felony destruction of evidence and a misdemeanor charge of possessing drug paraphernalia.

Aaaaaaand thats all we have to say about that.

#8: Mans traffic ticket found in SUV he allegedly stole and crashed

Bryan Artjom Grimes | Bonneville County Jail

Sometimes in life, you try your best, but you just dont succeed. Thats what happened to this man.

On March 27, around 9:30 a.m. Idaho Falls Police were dispatched to a home for a report that a womans car, a 2010 Chevrolet HHR, had been stolen. She told officers she saw a man in dark clothing in her driveway around 12:50 a.m.

Weirdly enough, officers had pulled over the exact same kind of car around 1 a.m., and identified the driver as 19-year-old Bryan Artjom Grimes. But they didnt put the pieces together just yet.

Later that day, the woman messaged the officers that a friend had spotted a car matching the stolen Chevrolet that had crashed in a borrow pit on the 7000 block of East Sunnyside Road. Deputies with the Bonneville County Sheriffs Office found it, and Idaho Falls Police officers searched it.

During the search, officers found something suspicious  a citation from when Grimes was pulled over earlier that morning. With his name on it. In the stolen car.

Grimes was then charged with felony burglary, felony grand theft, and misdemeanor petty theft.

#9: Aberdeen man accused of dealing drugs to veterans; bomb squad called to house after grenades found

Freamont Jess Ellis | Bingham County

This one astonishes us for many reasons; why was he selling to elderly veterans? How many elderly veterans are doing cocaine? Why were there so many live grenades? The list goes on.

On Nov. 7, a deputy with the Bingham County Sheriffs Office initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by 77-year-old Freamont Jess Ellis of Aberdeen after a silver truck ran a stop sign near 1900 South.

Once the deputy arrived next to the drivers side of the truck, the deputy allegedly smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from within, causing Ellis to allegedly tell the deputy he had some marijuana in the truck, and patted a plastic ammo case.

Here is a list of everything the deputy found on Ellis and in his truck:

A loaded pistol

4 loaded magazines

31.7 grams of psychedelic mushrooms

35.6 grams of a brown substance

338.75 grams of powder

31.7 grams of brown powder

70 grams in 5 baggies of brown powder

5 syringes of 5 ml yellow liquid

92.56 grams in 3 bags of powder

116.55 grams in 4 bags of marijuana

1 plastic tube of cocaine

Ellis was read his Miranda rights and was asked if he was dealing narcotics, which he told the deputy he was dealing to veterans in the area, but not young guys.

At the mans home, detectives found a pound of marijuana next to a safe in a detached shop next to the home, and inside the safe, there were vials of THC. During the search, a detective looked through a plastic bin and discovered multiple hand grenades.

Explosive material had been placed inside the grenades, and they had been sealed with a fuse attached. The search was put on pause, and a bomb squad from Idaho Falls was called out to assess the explosives.

A new search warrant was obtained for the explosives, and on Nov. 8, the bomb squad found nine grenades and destroyed them on the scene. An empty grenade was seized and later returned.

Ellis was booked into the Bingham County jail, where he faces five felony charges of unlawful possession of a bomb, trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession of a controlled substance.

#10: 16-year-old busted for failing to signal; cops find lots of drugs in his car

The drugs reportedly found in a 16-year-olds car during a traffic stop. | Rigby Police Department.

Last but certainly not least, a classic small mistake ruined this kids whole day, and potentially his next few years.

On Sept 22, an officer with the Rigby Police Department stopped a car after the driver reportedly failed to signal while turning off East Short Street onto South Clark Street.

The driver, an unidentified 16-year-old, pulled over, and cops say there was a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

Officers then searched the car, and allegedly found a black backpack containing 74 grams of suspected marijuana, 43 flavored THC vape cartridges, 21 grams of suspected Psilocybin mushrooms, scales, plastic baggies, and $306 in cash.

The lesson here is to pay attention in Drivers Ed, and to signal for at least five seconds before turning. And also, dont mess with drugs.

Comment below with any crazy crime stories we may have missed, and we look forward to writing about more weird things in 2026!

The post Our top 10 weirdest or craziest crime stories of 2025 appeared first on East Idaho News.
The crew of a Venezuela-bound oil tanker have put up a crude painting of a Russian flag on the side of its hull in an apparent attempt to avoid the US Coast Guard, according to multiple reports.

The crew of a Venezuela-bound oil tanker have put up a crude painting of a Russian flag on the side of its hull in an apparent attempt to deter the US Coast Guard.

The Bella 1, which has been on the run from US forces since Dec. 21, saw its crew claim that the ship is under Moscows protection while en route to pick up oil in Venezuela, the New York Times reported.

Its unclear exactly when the Russian flag was painted on its hull, but it appears to have happened sometime last week when the ship was first intercepted in the Caribbean Sea and forced to make a U-turn.

The US has intercepted oil tankers bound for Venezuela as part of President Trumps blockade against Caracas oil industry. via REUTERS

Trump confirmed that the US struck an alleged drug-trafficking vessel while it was docked in Venezuela. AP

The tanker, which has refused to let the Coast Guard board and remains on the run, has been under US sanction since 2024 for transporting Iranian petrol.

The vessel was originally flying under the flag of Guyana, whose government confirmed that the Bella 1 was not registered with it.

Despite claiming Russian protection, the Bella 1 does not appear to be heading back to Venezuela, American officials told the Times.

The ship, instead, has changed course northwest, likely heading toward Greenland or Iceland. The Bell 1s location transponder has not been on for nearly two weeks.

The US has taken possession of three oil tankers since its operations in Venezuela began this year. via REUTERS

The Coast Guard has not publicly stated why it did not board the Bella 1 after intercepting the vessel last week. Officials had acquired a seizure warrant for the ship based on its involvement with Irans oil trade.

US forces had intercepted and boarded other tankers near Venezuela earlier this month, including one that is now docked in Texas.

The Coast Guard is expected to let the Bella 1 leave the region without further incident, but tactical assets have been prepared in case the order comes to seize the tanker, CNN reported.

The American blockade is aimed at squeezing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros main economic lifeline. via REUTERS

The incident comes as Trump ordered a blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, which would serve a major blow to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros main economic lifeline.

Along with targeting the ships, the US also announced sanctions against 10 individuals and entities in Venezuela and Iran on Tuesday.

While Caracas has remained silent on the latest US strikes near its shores, Maduro has boasted that his forces can counter any foreign attacks, with the Venezuelan president recently claiming that at least nine foreign drug-trafficking aircraft have been destroyed in the last 24 hours.
A pedestrian crosses a rain-soaked road in the Jurupa Valley on New Year's Eve. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

A rare Jan. 1 rainstorm drenched Southern California, triggering slides and major road closures across the Los Angeles area, as well as swift water rescues on San Diego roadways.

Flooding of the 5 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley prompted Caltrans to shut down all lanes between Tuxford Street and Lankershim Boulevard for several hours, while a mudslide closed Big Tujunga Canyon Road in Angeles National Forest between the Angeles Forest Highway and Vogel Flat Road  just the latest in a long list of county road closures due to flooding and slides since Dec. 24.

In San Diego, emergency crews worked to rescue motorists who found themselves trapped on flooded roadways Thursday. "Our swiftwater rescue teams are actively working to rescue individuals stuck in their cars along Fashion Valley Rd & Riverwalk Dr.," read a statement from the San Diego Fire Department around 10 a.m. "Stay safe, SD. Please avoid the area & never walk or drive through floodwaters."

Read more:Despite cold and rain, thousands flock to 137th Rose Parade in Pasadena

A San Diego Police Department spokesman said a man and his young daughter were caught in their blue Jeep by deep, fast-moving water and rescued without incident by San Diego Fire-Rescue emergency crews.

The storm, which the National Weather Service described as "very juicy," began around 3:45 a.m. Thursday. By 10 a.m. it had dumped 1.21 inches of rain on east Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles had received 1.33 inches, according to the weather service.

Typically, New Year's Day is rain-free in the Los Angeles area.

According to the National Weather Service, rain has fallen on just 10% of all New Year's Days between 1878 and 2025. The record for the holiday was in 1934, when it rained 3.12 inches in Pasadena. That was also the year Los Angeles received more than one inch of rain on the first day of the year.

The Los Angeles area has already seen heavier-than-normal precipitation this rainy season, which began Oct. 1.

As of Wednesday, downtown L.A. had already received 11.64 inches of rain, which is 7.8 inches above normal, according to meteorologist Mike Wofford of the weather service.

Read more:Winter storm forces another closure for Angeles Crest Highway

The rainfall appeared to dampen enthusiasm for the 2026 Rose Parade somewhat, as the crowds that begin filling Pasadena sidewalks hours before Thursday's procession were smaller than in years prior.

Those who did attend used umbrellas, ponchos and awnings to protect themselves from the downpour.

Retired USPS letter carrier Michael Bartley, 66, was keeping warm with a patio heater as he sat under an awning at 7 a.m., saving spaces for his family at their traditional viewing place at Madison Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Bartley has attended about a dozen parades, and was present the last time it rained on the Rose Parade in 2006.

Bartley drove in from his home in Buckeye, Ariz., on Wednesday and slept in his car to secure front-row seating for his family. He wasn't too bothered by the downpour.

"It's amazing what a little rain will do.... There's nobody over there," he said, gesturing to a row of empty folding chairs.

By 10 a.m, the storm appeared to be mostly over, according to Wofford. However, the sunshine will not last. "We'll be seeing light rain tomorrow afternoon and evening and the beginning of another storm coming in over the weekend," he said.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
1 January 2026 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

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For years, Azerbaijans non-oil export story has been defined by agriculture. When policymakers, investors, or analysts discussed diversification beyond hydrocarbons, they almost instinctively pointed to fruits and vegetables. The numbers supported that narrative. Agricultural products, particularly fresh produce, came to dominate non-oil and non-gas exports, accounting for more than...

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Thank you!
1 January 2026 13:15 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

On December 31, police officers across the country solved 19 crimes registered on the same day, as well as two crimes left over from previous periods, Azernews reports via the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

During operational measures, a total of 50 wanted individuals were detained and handed over to the relevant authorities. Among them were 41 people wanted as debtors.

Law enforcement agencies also identified three drug-related cases, along with 22 cases involving the seizure and detection of illegally stored weapons and ammunition.

In addition, 20 individuals suspected of committing various crimes were detained as part of ongoing investigations.
1 January 2026 12:30 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of the Sudan, Azernews reports.

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincerest congratulations and best wishes to you and your people on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of independence of the Republic of the Sudan.

I believe that we will continue to make joint efforts to develop relations and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Sudan in a spirit of friendship and in line with the interests of our peoples.

On such a remarkable day, I wish robust health, success in your endeavors, and your friendly people peace and prosperity.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 29 December 2025, the letter reads.
1 January 2026 12:41 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, President of the Republic of Cuba.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I cordially congratulate you and through you, your entire people on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Cuba - Liberation Day.

I believe that Azerbaijan-Cuba relations, built on good traditions, will continue to advance in a spirit of friendship and cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, in line with the interests of our peoples.

Availing myself of the opportunity, I extend my congratulations and best wishes to you on the occasion of the New Year of 2026, wishing you robust health, success in your endeavors, and everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Cuba.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 29 December 2025.
1 January 2026 16:25 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

A particularly large amount of narcotics has been discovered concealed inside a shipment of watermelons transiting through Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

According to the State Customs Committee, officers of the Astara Customs Department inspected a vehicle transporting a fresh watermelon cargo from Iran to Russia via Azerbaijani territory.

During the inspection, a service dog reacted to boxes containing the watermelons, prompting a more detailed cargo-based examination.

As a result, narcotics were found hidden inside 12 watermelons placed in the boxes. The total net weight of the seized drugs amounted to 27 kilograms and 845 grams of hashish.

An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
1 January 2026 14:26 (UTC+04:00)

At the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Association, a festive celebration was organized for children living in Childrens Homes No. 1 and No. 2, as well as the Infant Home No. 1, on the occasion of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year.

IDEA told Azernews that volunteers from the public association took part in the event, presenting gifts to the children and engaging them in a variety of entertaining games and activities. The celebration brought joy and a festive atmosphere to the young residents, allowing them to fully experience the spirit of the holiday.

It should be noted that at the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, large-scale projects covering humanitarian, educational, healthcare, social, environmental, and other fields are regularly implemented both across different regions of Azerbaijan and in a number of countries worldwide. The organization of holiday events for children in orphanages, boarding schools, as well as for children in need of medical treatment and special care, is one of the key pillars of these initiatives, particularly during festive periods.

Such events are held on a regular basis with the aim of bringing happiness to children deprived of parental care and those in greater need of attention, ensuring that they can feel the warmth and joy of the holiday season.
1 January 2026 16:55 (UTC+04:00)

A festive celebration marking 31 December  World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year was held at the Tut limdn Social Rehabilitation Center for Children, organized at the initiative of the State Committee for Family, Women and Childrens Affairs.

According to Azernews, the event was attended by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Arzu Aliyeva, Head of the Baku Media Center.

The celebration unfolded in a joyful and festive atmosphere. As part of a special program featuring Father Frost and the Snow Maiden, children recited poems, performed songs, and presented various artistic compositions, sharing the spirit and joy of the holiday.

Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva familiarized themselves with the conditions created at the center, showing interest in the social and psychological environment established for the children, as well as the rehabilitation and development-oriented service models. They received detailed information about the centers activities and engaged warmly with the children, learning about their wishes and aspirations and sharing in their holiday happiness.

Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Childrens Affairs Bahar Muradova provided an overview of the centers main areas of activity. She noted that the Tut limdn Social Rehabilitation Center for Children operates with the aim of ensuring the rehabilitation, social adaptation, and integration into society of children living in difficult circumstances, those deprived of parental care, and children belonging to risk groups, within a safe, healthy, and caring environment. Strengthening childrens psychosocial well-being and preparing them for independent life were highlighted as key priorities of the center.

At the conclusion of the event, children were presented with holiday gifts and extended heartfelt congratulations on World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year.

Within the framework of the event, Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva also viewed a vehicle donated to the center by AzerEnerji OJSC, taking into account the centers needs. It was noted that the vehicle will contribute to improving the operational efficiency of the center and facilitating more effective access for children to various rehabilitation and social services.

The event concluded with an exchange of views on strengthening the activities of such centers and expanding their operational network.
1 January 2026 18:21 (UTC+04:00)

A festive celebration was held at the social service institution for elderly people under the Social Services Agency of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population on the occasion of December 31  World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year.

As reported by Azernews, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Arzu Aliyeva, Head of the Baku Media Center, attended the event.

Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva met with the residents of the social service institution and held warm and sincere conversations with them at the festive table. The elderly residents noted that older people and the resolution of their issues are always given special attention in Azerbaijan and expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva for the conditions created for them.

As part of the festive program, a cultural performance was also presented. The elderly residents performed music, recited poems, and staged short theatrical performances.

Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva congratulated the elderly residents on the New Year and wished them good health.

During the visit, they also familiarized themselves with the conditions created for elderly people at the social service institution.

At the end of the event, holiday gifts were distributed to the residents of the social service institution.
1 January 2026 17:47 (UTC+04:00)

Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, was sworn in as New York City's first Muslim mayor on Thursday during a small ceremony with his family, Azernews reports.

The 34-year-old took the oath of office administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James at the old City Hall subway station, where he placed his hand on a Quran as he was being sworn in.

"This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime," Mamdani, the youngest New York mayor in more than 100 years, said. He is due to be sworn in again later today at a larger ceremony on the steps of City Hall.
1 January 2026 16:59 (UTC+04:00)

A Ukrainian drone attack killed at least 24 people and injured 50 others during New Year's celebrations in the Kherson region, according to regional governor Vladimir Saldo, Azernews reports.

"Tonight, the enemy launched a targeted drone strike on the place where civilians celebrated the New Year. Three UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] hit a cafe and a hotel on the Black Sea coast in Khorly," Saldo said on Telegram on Thursday.

One of the drones was loaded with an "incendiary" mixture, Saldo wrote, adding that a fire broke out. "Due to a powerful fire, it was not possible to save more people. The fire was extinguished only in the morning," he said.
1 January 2026 18:22 (UTC+04:00)

The Swiss police held a press conference on Thursday following an explosion that occurred in the Crans-Montana ski resort town, Azernews reports.

The death toll has now been updated to "several dozen," while the number of injured is currently at around 100, the police specified. They reiteratedthat the incident isn't being investigated as an attack but rather a fire. A previous report from the Blick media outlet suggested that the cause of the explosion could have potentially been pyrotechnics used at a concert.

Swiss authorities revealed that nationals of other countries are also among the victims, without giving further details. The country's State Council declared a state of emergency to "mobilize all necessary resources immediately over the next few days," according to Blick. Meanwhile, Italy's Foreign Ministry said that information from the Swiss police indicates that there are approximately 40 casualties.
1 January 2026 21:19 (UTC+04:00)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova denounced on Thursday a deadly strike on the Kherson region, which killed at least 24 individuals and left many injured, Azernews reports.

Writing on her Telegram channel, Zakharova said that "billions of taxpayer money" coming from the West is being spent on Ukraine's actions aimed at killing civilians, including children.

"We accuse everyone who sponsors the terrorist bastards in Ukraine of this," she said.
City Councilman /Mayor Pro-Tem Nick Fritz

It's been an interesting few weeks! It seems that now is a good time to give any interested parties and update on what has been going on with the Washington City Council.After the election that ushered in a political change for our local government, the three conservative candidates got to work formulating a plan and agenda to execute their many ideas for the coming few years. The foundation of these plans was finding ways to trim the expenses from our government so that we can hold true to the promise of repealing the tax hike that was implemented in 2025. We also have plans to try to bring in land developers to expand housing in our area, which would lower the cost of rent while boosting local economic activity. We have plans to bring in a world-class private school that is essentially free for all who would like to attend. We have plans to bring in business and industry to the area. We were busy getting these plans together after the election.But trouble brews quickly. The city council does not have any direct access to the local government. The council must appoint a city manager, and the manager is the executive of the government who gets everything accomplished. The manager relays the information from the various departments of government to the council and gives the council advice or takes the council's advice back to the various departments. One of the most important pieces of information relayed to the council is the budget requests from the various departments. The budget is typically put together in the first half of the year and officially adopted by June 30th. The budget is an estimate of how much each department is going to spend, and the government makes sure it has enough money 'budgeted' to cover 100% of the potential costs of each department. After the full year, by June 30th of the following year, an annual audit is performed so that all parties know how much of their budget they actually spent. For example, the police department may have guessed that they might spend $10 million for the 12 month period, but when it's all said and done, they may have only spent $9 million. There is a difference between how much is budgeted and how much is actually spent.The annual audit tells us how much was actually spent. The audit process begins every July. An outside, independent auditor requests all of the account books, and spends weeks combing through the numbers. Typically, they return the completed audit by October. This year, for the first time in recent history, Washington did not turn their books over to the auditors. There were illnesses in the finance department, excuses or reasons were given, but either way, the books were not fully turned over to the auditors. The last time I personally spoke with the auditors on December 10th, the books had still not fully been submitted. So, we do NOT know how much money we actually have. We aren't sure how much we actually spent last year from the 2024-2025 budget. That was our first discovery and problem.The budget process begins in January, but requires the audit to get underway properly. Without the audit it becomes quite difficult for us to make a good and true budget. I requested some specific information from our finance department. I wondered how much debt each department had, how much of the budget we'd spent; were we significantly under or were we on point with our budgeted estimates, and most importantly, how much available cash did we have. For example, if I wanted to pay off some debt, how much money was available to do that. I could not get any straight answers. They simply did not know. I requested this same information from Greenville and received it within hours. I am not sure if they have a better system of accounting or if they are better accountants, but they could provide this information quickly and cleanly and we could not.Then we ran into the first real impediment. We invited the mayor-elect to review our plans, hoping that she'd be on board. She didn't make it past the first bullet point, which was to appoint a city manager. She did not like any of the names we put forward. She suggested that we consider eliminating the city manager position and making the mayor the city manager. She suggested three other names. What was clear was that she did not support our initial choice. While this sounds contentious, it is less than it may initially appear. With a group of people, finding concensus will always be hard. Ultimately, most decisions will devolve into a vote and the majority will decide the outcome.While we couldn't agree on who should be interim, we all agreed that finding one was the most important first step. The city government is at a standstill without one, and we have far too much to do to be standing still. We created multiple potential interim city manager contracts that we wanted to consider. We put them all forward to be voted on by the council. We figured it would be best to have the discussion in public for the world to see and hear. Our deliberations and thoughts should be known and open to criticism. So we asked for not one, but two separate interim manager contracts to be added to the inaugural agenda. In addition, we had in mind to begin a search for an assistant city manager. The city had been paying a gentleman a great deal of money with that title, but that gentleman had no known responsibilities. We figured we'd use that position, at a much reduced salary, to help with economic development. If the interim focused on the budget and running a lean and efficient government, the assistant could focus on economic development and growing the city. The city government could shrink while the city economy expanded.Since we were looking at efficiency, we also added a contract to aid the interim with the budget and one for an expert to look into providing uninterrupted electricity to the city. Why not eliminate power outages immediately?The costs of all of these contracts combined were substantially lower than the cost of the former city manager's office for the calendar year 2025. Importantly, we were not necessarily voting on any one in particular. We were voting for the option to begin looking for each position in the event that we wanted to do that. It seemed important that we discuss all of these ideas openly in front of the public.But on our inauguration night, two hours before the inauguration, we all saw the message flash onto social media: the city council meeting had been cancelled. They cancelled it due to weather. To their credit, it was cold, but that didn't seem like a justifiable reason to cancel the inauguration of a newly elected city council. Most importantly, who was the 'we' who made this decision to cancel and delay the inauguration of the newly elected councilmen and mayor? I never received a clear answer on that.The meeting was cancelled and rescheduled as a 'special meeting' two days later. This is important. At that meeting, according to NC Statute, the very first thing that should have happened was the newly elected are sworn in. No old business, no discussions. The new council should have been sworn in and taken office. That did not happen. The old council removed all of the new council's agenda items, and Councilman Tyre gave the city attorney a twenty minute public scolding. I suppose that's how they feel is best to treat city workers. The new council was sworn in and because it is a 'special meeting', the new council was not allowed to add any items to the agenda. We had to be sworn in and not begin the hunt for an interim.Naturally, we promptly called another special meeting. As a city, we did not have an acting city manager. We are behind on our audit. We are behind on our budget. Half of the departments have no department head or brand new department heads. We needed to get cracking! We called the meeting and proposed that HR be allowed to begin a search for an interim, an assistant, and that we consider using a specialist to give us advice on how best to proceed with Washington Utilities. Washington Utilities hasn't had a qualified department head in 6 years. They haven't had an advisory commission meeting in two years. And the city has robbed them of their financial resources to the maximum extent legally allowed for over a decade. It seemed like a quick outside opinion was in order. So we arranged for all of these considerations to be addressed at the special meeting.At that meeting, Mr. Tyre immediately grumbled about having to be at another meeting, which was comical as he was the one who removed those items from the initial agenda. He also didn't like the idea of hiring an assistant to help with economic development or bringing on an expert to give his advice on Washington Utilities. As a matter of fact, I have a really difficult time understanding what he wants except to oppose. I suppose his position is best characterized as opposition. Nonetheless, we garnered support to begin the search for an interim and for an assistant. There was a large turnout and concern over bringing in an outsider to give their opinion on how to improve the Utility company. That was probably due to a misunderstanding of the purpose more than any true apprehension, I suspect.For several weeks, three councilman had been meeting potential candidates for interim city manager. The morning following the special meeting, I invited all of the councilmen individually to meet with a few candidates proposed by the League of Municipalities. Mr. Tyre flatly refused to meet anyone who met with me. Mr. Horton did not respond to my messages. The other councilmen and I met with different candidates separately. (Three of us cannot legally meet outside of a scheduled meeting). After meeting with half a dozen candidates, we each had our favorites. To our astonishment, an interview day was set up without our advice, consent, or input. The city manager is 100% the choice of the city council. I was shocked to discover that none of the city councilman had set this up. Moreover, the favored choice of a few of the candidates was not on the list of those to be interviewed. When we requested that the name be put on the list we were told that it could not be!
Suppression of free speech is rampant in the European Union and at the national level as well in many European countries. The EU's Digital Services Act asserts powers to suppress online free speech even outside Europe, by fining American digital companies that do not knuckle under to EU censorship policies. They are already moving on that front, and this could even impact individual American citizens with fines or even criminal charges.

The Trump administration has counterattacked with both Vice President Vance and President Trump denouncing the EU's attempts to criminalize and suppress free speech. Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio went a step further and issued travel sanctions, barring five top European advocates of censorship from travelling to the US, one of them the former EU Commissioner who was responsible for the Digital Services Act.

Now the EU hierarchy is pitching a tantrum over Rubio's highly justified actions.

One of America's most renowned defenders of Freedom of Speech, George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley has written an excellent article on the EU's war on America's Free Speech:

https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/5663912-we-are-the-free-world-now-europe-declares-war-on-free-speech-in-the-us/

Turley and retired Harvard University Law School Constitutional Law Professor Alan Dershowitz have both written extensively on freedom of speech. There are two sets of buzz words associated with censorship. The first set is "misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation". The second set is "hate speech" and "hate symbol". The advocates of censorship prefer not to give any of these terms specific definitions allowing them to apply them in whatever political way they choose.
Now we know why Biden's corrupt FBI covered up the manifesto and related writings of the transgender Tennessee school shooter. It blew their narrative of what motivated domestic terrorism completely out of the water.

The shooter herself was killed by police so there was no legitimate reason to keep the manifesto under wraps for trial or any other purpose, yet they did. In spite of Freedom of Information Act lawsuits from the media, it stayed mostly covered up. Some portions were leaked after a couple of years by a local police official to a Tennessee based online publication, but not the most telling parts. Now, these writings were among those documents discovered by Kash Patel at the FBI and he has released them. They are eye opening.

The shooter in her own words details how she considered two schools as targets, both ones she had herself attended, the religious school she shot up and a public school she later attended. She openly and plainly said she chose the religious school because it was mostly white and the public school was majority black. She expresses racist anti-white as well as anti-religion sentiments, although she herself was white. This blows up the whole "white supremacy" narrative that the Biden regime was constantly pushing at the time.

Her writings showed that she first chose the public school as her "first choice" of a target, but then her thinking shifted. As a positive for choosing Covenant School as a target instead, she wrote, "predominantly white school. . . white people I hate". She also noted "Christian school (hate religion)". She also extensively noted that she did not want to upset black people by targeting a predominantly black school.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/trans-covenant-school-shooter-made-pros-and-cons-list-massacre
Girls at St Brigids College have been wearing trousers since my 1998 campaign  and its probably helped the school
Whitehall officials too busy looking after backyard to warn NI of approaching Chernobyl cloud

Province left to fend for itself after nuclear disaster, state files reveal

Repairs being carried out on the Chernobyl nuclear plant in October 1986 (Photo by ZUFAROV/AFP/Getty)

Sam McBride Thu 1 Jan 2026 at 08:41

Whitehall departments effectively abandoned Northern Ireland after the Chernobyl disaster, failing to issue warnings as a radioactive cloud headed across the Irish Sea, declassified files have revealed.
Sisters Patricia Cowan and Mandy Clark at the Carnlough New Years Day swim on 1st January 2026 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)

Hundreds of people celebrated the New Year with a bracing tradition, as hardy swimmers braved the icy waters in Carnlough.

It comes as scores of people have taken part in sea swims right across the island of Ireland to start off 2026.

Around the Irish coastline from Co Antrim to Co Cork dozens of events took place ranging from larger scale charity fundraisers to smaller social groups.

Carnlough New Years Day swim on 1st January 2026 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)

The Carnlough event was in support of a worthy cause at the annual Co Antrim charity swim organised by the Ballymena branch of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association.

The popular event marked its 54th year in 2026, drawing a large turnout of participants and spectators to the harbour.

Sisters Patricia Cowan and Mandy Clark were among those taking part as they dived into the water wearing matching Minions-themed outfits.

Sisters Patricia Cowan and Mandy Clark at the Carnlough New Years Day swim on 1st January 2026 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)

Following the swim, certificates and trophies were presented at a reception in The Harbourview Hotel.

Cold water swimming has become a popular event on New Year's Day across Northern Ireland, with people braving the plunge at Benone Beach as well, and Camlough Lake.

Carnlough New Years Day swim on 1st January 2026 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)

Watch: New Year's Day swim in Carnlough

Many people even dress up for the occasion, with Patricia Cowan and Mandy Clarke jumping in their 'minion' costumes.

There were also a number of dips around Northern Irelands coastline, although some were cancelled on the morning because of concern over conditions.

However, a number went ahead including a gathering at Benone Beach for a dip which raised money for the Community Rescue Service.

Meanwhile in Bray, Co Wicklow, the Grinch led hardy crowds into the chilly Irish Sea waters to raise money for local causes.
PSNI and minister urge public to stay safe in new year

Nine pensioners were among 16 pedestrians killed on Northern Irelands roads over the past year, police figures have revealed.

Provisional statistics released by the PSNI show that 57 people lost their lives as a result of road traffic collisions in 2025.

That figure marks a decrease on the previous years total of 69.

Among those who died were 16 pedestrians, nine of whom were over the age of 65.

We all share the responsibility for road safety

Following the publication of the figures, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has urged the public to place a focus on road safety in the coming year.

"I wish to offer my sincere sympathies to all those who have lost loved ones and to those who endure life-changing injuries through road collisions, she said.

"As we start a new year, I would urge everyone to resolve to have a greater focus on road safety, so we can prevent collisions and save lives.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins

"We all share the responsibility for road safety as evidence shows that more than nine in 10 deaths and serious injuries are due to human error.

"So if you are driving, slow down; pay attention and look out for other road users; leave the mobile phone alone; always wear a seatbelt and never ever drink or take drugs and drive.

What is particularly shocking this year is the high number of deaths of some of the most vulnerable road users. Sixteen pedestrians were killed on our roads in 2025, and nine of those were aged 65 or over.

As we go into 2026 and the dark winter nights continue can we all as drivers look out for people walking, especially older people who may be more vulnerable on our roads.

"If you are walking, whether using a footpath, walking along a country road or simply crossing the road, please always be aware of your surroundings.

"And if you are a cyclist or motorcyclist, please ensure you put your safety first.

"However we choose to travel, each one of us has a responsibility to ourselves and others to do so safely.

"By each and every road user taking personal responsibility, we could see a reduction in the number of people being killed or seriously injured.

Some 57 people were killed on NI's roads in 2025

News Catch Up - Wednesday 31 December

PSNI Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson from the PSNIs Operational Support Department said: We do not want to see any more families lose a loved one on our roads and suffer unimaginable heartache.

"As a Police Service, we will continue to do all we can to make our roads safer for everyone, but we also need all road users to play their part.

"Every single one of us has a responsibility to keep ourselves and other road users safe. Our roads are such busy places for drivers, pedestrians and other users.

"Our appeal is remember the fatal five and how they have no place for when you get behind the wheel of a vehicle  dont drink or take drugs and drive; slow down; dont be careless; always wear your seat belt and never use your mobile phone while driving.
Police have made seven arrests for drug-related offences in Antrim and Newtownabbey this week, with the latest incident following a late-night vehicle checkpoint in Toome.

Officers from the PSNI were on patrol near Red Row, Toome, at around 10.50pm on New Year's Eve when they stopped a vehicle driven by a woman.

Police say they noted that the driver was reportedly slurring her speech and there was a strong smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle.

The woman failed a preliminary breath test and was arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol and driving without insurance.

While in custody, she provided a breathalyser reading of 45 and has been charged to court, with the case due to be heard within 28 days.

A male passenger in the vehicle was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A controlled drug and permitting no insurance.

Following the arrests, police carried out a search of a nearby property where they recovered deal bags and other items of drug paraphernalia.

The man was subsequently further arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug.

Police say the male passenger is currently assisting officers with their enquiries.

The arrests form part of ongoing efforts by police to tackle drug-related crime in the Antrim and Newtownabbey area.
Exclusive | Adams senior member of IRA Army Council who could end violence, Foreign Secretary told US

Claim emerges in declassified files months after former Sinn Fein president said on oath in a Dublin court that hed never joined the IRA

Gerry Adams, pictured here in 2001, has always denied ever being in the IRA. Photo: Jeff Moore

Sam McBride Thu 1 Jan 2026 at 08:01

Less than a year after Gerry Adams swore on oath in an Irish courtroom that he was never a member of the IRA, a declassified Government file shows that he was described as a senior member of the IRAs Army Council in the early 1990s.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch meets members of the 35 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers during a visit to Carver Barracks in her constituency in north-west Essex (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The Press Associations chief political photographer has shared his favourite pictures of the year.

Having photographed every prime minister since John Major, Stefan Rousseau has seen his fair share of political mishaps and funny moments.

His pictures below showcase both the unexpected and accidental moments of British politics.

 Starmer picks up a trade deal

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer picks up UK-US trade deal papers dropped by US President Donald Trump before speaking to the media at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, on June 16 (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Rousseau captured one of the most striking photographs in British politics this year: the moment Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer picked up a UK-US trade deal from beneath US President Donald Trumps feet.

He said: My first picture was taken at the G7 summit in Canada in June.

A bilateral meeting between President Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was scheduled.

This one, however, was arranged outside, so a little more interesting than the usual two chairs and a couple of flags in a conference room.

After about half an hour of waiting, the two men appeared, with Trump brandishing the UK-US trade deal recently agreed by the two men. But as the president opened his folder, the papers fell to the ground.

Starmer knelt down to pick them up, at that point I knew the image of a British prime minister kneeling at the feet of a US president was THE picture.

A Downing Street official half-jokingly said, Youre not going to file that are you? But he knew there was no hope of my holding that back.

 Trigger discipline

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, holding a rifle during a visit to Carver Barracks in her constituency in north-west Essex on June 27, continued her conversation whilst unwittingly pointing it at him (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

This photo of Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch pointing a rifle at a serviceman made for quite the picture.

Mr Rousseau said: She viewed military hardware and was given demonstrations of various high-tech equipment.

During her discussion with a soldier, she held a gun and continued her conversation whilst unwittingly pointing it at him.

Most people know, you should never point a gun at anyone regardless of whether its loaded or not.

People asked if it was a trick of the camera and that she wasnt as close to him as it seemed  well, she was directly opposite him and only a few feet away from me.

Mrs Badenoch was eventually allowed to handle a weapon safely within the confines of an armoured vehicle.

 Strictly come Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer at a Diwali ceremony in Mumbai on October 8 as the Prime Minister visited India to promote a recently signed trade deal with the South Asian nation (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

This photo of Sir Keir Starmer enjoying a dance in India is much different from the Prime Minister we usually see in Westminster.

Mr Rousseau said: During the Prime Ministers two-day trip to India in October he attended a Diwali ceremony in which he was invited to light candles.

After which, local dancers coaxed him into joining them in a traditional performance. He was initially reluctant but they kept beckoning him to take part. He did so for about three seconds!

 The Prime Minister and his wife

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer rehearses his Labour Party conference keynote speech with his wife Victoria on September 28 before addressing delegates in Liverpool (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Rousseau said: At the Labour conference in Liverpool, I was told the Prime Minister would be rehearsing his speech in the hall on the eve of his keynote address.

When I turned up, his wife was also there and I watched them looking very relaxed, actually having a bit of fun on the empty stage.

It made for a lovely set of very natural pictures.
While there are still implementation details to work out, this significant investment will help us build on the good work weve started to make rural healthcare more affordable and accessible, said Vermont Governor Phil Scott in response to state funding received from new federal rural health program.
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A Berkshire County man is facing illegal gun charges after police acting on information broadcast by the FBI seized two firearms from his home. Authorities accused him of making threats toward a secretive religious compound. He denied the claims.
DALTON  Despite support from the new town manager and a Planning Board member, a resident's proposal to qualify moveable tiny homes as accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, in Dalton has been put on hold.

Town resident Amy Turnbull has advocated the measure for two years. Turnbull says these tiny homes could be an option for those, like herself, who are looking to downsize while helping combat the housing crisis by freeing up housing units. An ADU, a separate in-law suite now legal by right in Massachusetts, would be the perfect solution in Dalton, she contends.

While traditional ADUs are expensive, with some residents spending over $200,000 to add them, movable tiny homes, like the one Turnbull wants to place on her property as an ADU, are much cheaper.

Movable tiny homes are similar to modular homes. They're built off-site, then delivered to the buyer. They are typically 400 square feet or less and can cost anywhere from $10,000 to over $150,000. But since tiny homes don't have a set foundation, most Berkshire County municipalities do not allow them to be ADUs. Great Barrington is the exception.

Recently, Turnbull presented the Dalton Planning Board with four ways to allow for a movable tiny home as an ADU. They ranged from rewriting the ADU bylaw to allow the homes without any stipulations to following Great Barrington's approach. All were ready to be changed or collaborated on, she said.

Dalton's Planning Board, however, found the bylaws were not detailed enough and therefore left too many issues unresolved. In a split vote, the board voted to table a motion that would have moved the proposed bylaws toward a public comment period. Tabling the proposal, in effect, puts it on indefinite hold.

Turnbull laid out four different ways the bylaw could work, from the least restrictive  adding "movable tiny homes" as an acceptable form of an ADU in the town's bylaw  to the most, with Dalton's Planning Board having freedom to add restrictions and stipulations to the bylaw.

"You could put in whatever conditions you're comfortable with," Turnbull said. "Whatever bothers you, if you don't think it's safe enough in some respect, then you can tell me what that is."

Still, Planning Board members took issue with the lack of specificity and fool-proofing, with Robert Collins, the vice chair of the board, leading the charge.

"I'm worried about it," Collins said. "For in the big picture for our town, there has to be a plan for: how are we going to handle the water line?"

Collins also questioned how the homes would be taxed, how electricity would work and what happens if a home is moved.

Planning Board member Jarred Mongeon saw movable tiny homes as inevitable, mentioning that the state is already working on legislation for the homes.

"I'm very willing to go forward with some conditions that are more along the line that these things are 100 percent self-contained," Mongeon said. "They would be very few in abundance. They're not going to pop up like weeds."

Although most of the dialogue took place between Turnbull and the Planning Board, the new Dalton town manager, Eric Anderson, also supported the motion, in principle.

"A tiny house and an ADU are pretty synonymous terms," Anderson said. "It's definitely an up-and-coming housing type."

Don Davis Jr., a Planning Board member, said they would still be a recreation vehicle in his mind. Then he put forward a motion to table the item.

"That's what you do every single time," Turnbull told the board.

The motion to table was approved, with Mongeon emphatically casting the lone negative vote.

Turnbull walked out as the Planning Board voted, knowing once the motion to table was opened, she had lost her fight. She is planning to submit design regulations to the board next.

"They're not champions," Turnbull said after getting the result of the Planning Board's vote. "They're defenders. They're going to protect the status quo because they fear change."

She said, "They tabled it because they don't know what to do with it. It just flies in the face of the crisis that we're having for housing."
Sometimes a story sticks with you long after you read it. Here are the stories of 2025 that resonated with our staff.

(If you are having trouble loading this story in the app, visit BerkshireEagle.com.)

Terrace 592 received 200 applications for 34 apartments. What happens next? Terrace 592 is poised to add 41 affordable units to the citys rental market. With seven of those units closed referral, the 200 applicants are hoping to be selected for one of the remaining 34 apartments in a lottery later this month. Their chances? One in six.

Attaining affordable housing is highly competitive

When Terrace 592 announced an application window for affordable housing, 200 applications were submitted for a chance to live in one of the 34 apartments. That's only a one in six chance at getting housing, or an 83 percent rejection rate.

Pittsfield High students say they're proud of their school, and they worry that recent scandal is drowning out all that's good PHS students approached the microphone with a different perspective: They love and are proud of their school. And they don't want their school to be defined by what the grown-ups did or didn't do, or what others have to say about it.

Not all bad news

In the final month of 2024, there were several allegations against the Pittsfield High School staff which came to light and dominated the news headlines for weeks. But in early January, during a public comments period during a school committee meeting, several students spoke up to remind the public about all the good things the school offers, too. They're proud of their school and they don't want the negative news to cancel out the hard work they've done.

Decades-old Navy photos highlight Seabees Caribbean journey in inaugural show at CB Fine Arts Gallery After years of international exhibitions, Christopher Boswell finally has a gallery of his own and total freedom. His first show is a collection of photographs his father took in the Caribbean during the 1950s.

Photos developed 70 years later

Christopher St. Clair Boswell was a Seabee (a member of the Navys Construction Battalion) in the 1950s, during the Korean War era. On a whim, he bought a camera and photographed his daily life during this time. After he returned home, he never got the photographs developed. Fast forward 70 years, his son, Christopher David Boswell brought the images to live with a slide projector. It was a trip down memory lane.

Artist Francesca Olsen uses quilting to tell stories of cancer survival and struggle Artist Francesca Olsens quilt exhibition, 'Witness: Sharing Cancer Stories,' at Ventfort Hall in Lenox uses textile art to explore the realities of cancer, community and resilience, on view through March 31.

Finding community

Is this happening to anybody else? it asks in large text.

Francesca Olsen, a North Adams-based quilter, writer and consultant, has seen that phrase more times than she can count in Facebook groups, Reddit threads and other online communities that shes joined since she was first diagnosed, at age 35, with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2022. Currently in remission, Olsen was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2024. Those asking often need help, Olsen said  or at the very least, reassurance that someone else is going through the same thing.

Before the old Lee DPW garage is demolished, its crew paid homage to it by recreating a 1950s photograph As Lee readies to demolish the deteriorating garage to make room for a new public safety complex, an unearthed photograph provides a nostalgic window into the towns past.

Recreating history

The town of Lee was preparing to demolish that the Department of Public Works garage to make room for a new building complex that will house the towns fire and police departments. One employee found an old photograph from the 1950s, featuring the employees of the time posing in front of their trucks. In February this year, six highway personnel took their positions beside their trucks, mimicking the poses their colleagues had assumed decades before.

Amid conversations about public health and accessibility in downtown Pittsfield, homeless people still lack reliable access to public restrooms and showers Every night from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., homeless people are left without access to a single public restroom, where they can use the bathroom without needing to spend money. During the day, that access expands to about 13 public restrooms in and around downtown Pittsfield, but hours vary and not one of the restrooms provides showers.

Where are the public bathrooms?

It's something we all take for granted and don't think of it until we need it: a restroom. While many of us can use the facilities at our homes or restaurants, what about those in the community who don't have a place to call home or a car to access a public restroom easily.

'I was talking to history.' World War II veteran and Berkshire Place resident recalls what is was like to storm the beaches of Normandy At just 17 years old, Joseph Coy left Pittsfield High School to enlist in the Navy, serving on Utah Beach on D-Day and later working as a messenger across wartime Europe. Im very happy that I had the experiences that I did."

War stories

Joseph Coy, a former Pittsfield fire chief and veteran who stormed the beaches of Normandy when he was 17, recently sat down with The Berkshire Eagle at Berkshire Place to reflect on his time in the service. He is one of fewer than two dozen surviving World War II veterans who live in Berkshire County, according to Jim Clark with Pittsfield Veterans' Services.

Five of the people ICE detained in March are back in Berkshire County. The fate of the remaining eight remains unclear Five of the thirteen people picked up by ICE on March 19 are back in Berkshire county: four have been granted bond and one has been released.

Five of the 13 people picked up by ICE in March are back in Berkshire County as of May, according to community organizers. Of the remaining eight, Michael Hitchcock, the co-director of Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds said there were three we couldnt help, and weve still got a few more that may come home. In the 48 hours after the ICE raids in March, Greylock Together rapidly helped raise almost $15,000 that we've been able to use to connect 10 of those families with effective legal representation, said Fernando Leon, an ACLU staff member and a member of Berkshire Interfaith Organizing.

'We should be inspired by his courage.' Great Barrington unveils statue of Civil Rights luminary W.E.B. Du Bois in front of the Mason Library A crowd of hundreds turned out to get the first glimpses of the W.E.B. Du Bois statue at Mason Public Library on Saturday, culminating efforts to place a sculpture of the monumental sociologist there for the past three years.

A monument to wisdom and truth

A crowd of hundreds gathered in downtown Great Barrington in July to see the bronze statue of W.E.B. Du Bois three years in the making by sculptor Richard Blake for the first time. Julie Michaels and Ari Zorn, chair and vice chair of the W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project respectively, led the event off with background on how the effort came to be, while also assuring the crowd that this was a homecoming for a native son. The statue is a memorial to the intellectual father of the modern Civil Rights Movement in his birthplace.

'It only takes one person.' How Berkshire County responded when SNAP benefits lapsed When 22,000 Berkshire County residents went without their November SNAP benefits, neighbors, businesses and volunteers provided thousands of free meals and raising more than $28,000 to help families put food on the table. Here are just a few ways neighbors helped others in the last month ...

Taking care of one another

When 22,000 Berkshire County residents went without their November SNAP benefits, neighbors, businesses and volunteers stepped up, providing thousands of free meals and raising more than $28,000 to help families put food on the table. Hinsdale Pizza House owner Jason Reed served about 120 pizzas and 160 pasta with meatball dinners for free. Berkshire Mountain Bakery donated $1,500 of its profits from Halloween to Berkshire Agricultural Ventures Match Fund, which helped 50 shoppers get $30 from the match fund. Bigg Daddys Philly Steak House in North Adams gave out 457 meals to anyone under 18 who asked for the Bigg Heart Meals on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, no questions asked.

(Many of these stories were made possible by support of our Local Journalism Fund. Please donate today! Your tax-deductible gift will expand our coverage of these critical areas.)
Residents wrote down ideas and added stars to the concepts on large pieces of paper as a way of contributing to the input that will go into the towns open space plan, which is due in June.
Our opinion: In the Berkshires, the work goes on
January 22

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

January 23

"We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him." ~ 1 John 5:18

January 24

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." ~ Romans 12:2

January 25

"Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God" ~ 1 Peter 1:23

January 26

"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." ~ Colossians 3:9-10

January 27

"And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever." ~ Revelation 22:5

January 28

"But that is not the way you learned Christ! assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." ~ Ephesians 4:20-24

January 29

"He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit" ~ Titus 3:5

January 30

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" ~ John 1:12

January 31

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." ~ Galatians 2:20

Photo by Bich Tran from Pexels
Pre-Budget Expectations: GST Simplifications Key to Pharma and Life Sciences Growth

January 01, 2026 | Thursday | Features | By Sanjiv Das

All eyes are on the Union Budget 202627, to be presented on February 1, 2026, as the life sciences sector looks for decisive measures to strengthen Indias position as a global hub for quality healthcare, innovation, and affordable access.

image credit- freepik

The Budget 202526 had provided a significant boost to the sector. The Department of Health and Family Welfare received Rs 95,957.87 crore, while the Department of Health Research was allocated Rs 3,900.69 crore. Additionally, Rs 20,000 crore was earmarked for the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) initiative. The Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme also received Rs 2,300 crore to promote biomanufacturing, research, and entrepreneurship in novel drugs and medical devices.

However, 2025 also brought global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions and tariff-related pressures, particularly from the US. Against this backdrop, stakeholders are seeking policy stability, tax rationalisation, and regulatory reforms to help the sector remain competitive and resilient.

GST simplification and R&D incentives

A recurring expectation across the life sciences ecosystem is simplification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, especially for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The industry has long struggled with inverted duty structures, delayed refunds, and procedural complexities that strain working capital, particularly for MSMEs.

Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), emphasises that the Budget must provide a strategic thrust to help the industry achieve its long-term ambitions of reaching $120 billion by 2030 and $450 billion by 2047. Increasing healthcare spending toward the National Health Policy target of 2.5 per cent of GDP by 202627 is critical. Restoring weighted tax deductions for R&D, rationalising inverted GST structures, simplifying compliance for physician samples, and strengthening incentives for biopharmaceutical manufacturing will help offset current external stresses, he says.

The reinstatement of higher weighted tax deductions under Section 35(2AB) for in-house R&D remains one of the industrys strongest demands. According to BG Barve, Chairperson, Taxation Committee of Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) and Joint Managing Director, Blue Cross Laboratories, such a move would directly encourage innovation, new drug development, and technology upgrades. He also highlights the need for simplification of TDS rates and thresholds to reduce disputes and improve cash flows, along with restoring the 15 per cent concessional corporate tax rate under Section 115BAB for new manufacturing units.

Customs, compliance, and MSME relief

Beyond GST, the industry is seeking relief from long-standing customs and tax disputes. The IDMA has called for a Customs Amnesty Scheme, similar to Sabka Vishwas, to resolve legacy issues. Digitalisation of customs processes to reduce dependence on physical documentation and rationalisation of high import duties on certain medical devices (HSN 90189022) have also been proposed.

Tax and compliance complexity disproportionately impacts MSMEs. Dr Ranjeet Mehta, CEO and Secretary General, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stresses that honest taxpayers should not lose Input Tax Credit due to supplier non-compliance. Allowing flexibility in invoice matching and ensuring recovery efforts first target defaulting suppliers would help build trust and improve ease of doing business.

Patient-centric and trust-based healthcare growth

Industry bodies also expect the Budget to reinforce patient-centric healthcare delivery. Anil Matai, Director General, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), notes that India stands at a pivotal moment to build a world-class life sciences ecosystem anchored in patient safety, quality, and equitable access. A forward-looking Budget can catalyse trust-based partnerships between government, industry, and healthcare providers, ultimately improving patient outcomes through access to innovative therapies and stronger public health programmes, he says.

Strengthening neurological and preventive care

Public health priorities are also shaping budget expectations. Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in India, affecting an estimated 1.8 million people annually. The Indian Stroke Association (ISA) is urging the government to strengthen neurological care infrastructure by setting up more dedicated stroke units, improving ambulance response times, and training emergency teams.

Dr Arvind Sharma, Stroke Specialist and Secretary, ISA, highlights the importance of expanding tele-neurology services to reach rural populations. He also calls for better insurance coverage for long-term neurological care, including physiotherapy, speech therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and home-based support.

Preventive healthcare and early diagnosis are gaining increasing attention across sectors. Stakeholders believe higher budgetary allocations for screening programmes, subsidised diagnostics, and annual health check-ups could significantly reduce long-term healthcare costs.

Healthcare investment and regional expansion

Despite progress, Indias healthcare spending remains low compared to many developing nations. Several experts argue that combined central and state healthcare expenditure should rise to at least 5 per cent of GDP to build a robust and equitable system.

Dr MI Sahadulla, National President, Association of Healthcare Providers  India (AHPI), advocates targeted tax incentives to encourage healthcare investments in underserved regions, particularly Tier II and Tier III cities. He also calls for enhanced support for oncology research, elderly care, and long-term treatment coverage under health insurance schemes.

Medical devices and diagnostics reforms

The medical devices and diagnostics segments are seeking focused reforms to reduce import dependence and improve domestic competitiveness. The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) has proposed pragmatic tariff rationalisation to encourage local value addition while safeguarding investments made by Indian manufacturers.

Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD, suggests a calibrated tariff increase of 1015 per cent, partially offset through a health cess, to generate funding for Ayushman Bharat without significantly burdening consumers. Imports currently dominate nearly two-thirds of Indias medical device market, a trend the industry wants to reverse.

Similarly, the in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) sector has highlighted challenges such as inverted duty structures, limited export incentives, and high technology-transfer costs. Jatin Mahajan, President, Association of Diagnostics Manufacturers of India (ADMI), emphasises the need for sector-specific reforms, publicprivate R&D partnerships, and diagnostic hubs in Tier II and Tier III cities.

Regulatory streamlining and long-term reforms

Several experts have also called for regulatory restructuring. Joydeep Ghosh, Partner and Life Sciences & Health Care Industry Leader, Deloitte India, recommends exploring a single regulatory authority for pharmaceuticals and medical devices to streamline approvals and boost investor confidence. He also supports introducing a clear policy on refurbished medical devices, with safeguards to ensure safety and efficacy.

Looking ahead, stakeholders expect Budget 202627 to prioritise long-term reforms alongside immediate capacity building. Dr Milind Antani, Head, Pharmaceutical and Lifesciences Practice, Nishith Desai Associates, anticipates deeper support for health insurance penetration through reduced GST on premiums, higher tax-deduction limits, and expanded government-backed schemes.

Budget 2026 is expected to boost pharmaceuticals through expanded PLI schemes, export incentives, and tariff support to strengthen supply chains and global competitiveness. The sector is likely to be positioned as a key growth engine, with strong focus on R&D, innovation, and affordable care for NCDs, says Bhanu Prakash Kalmath of Grant Thornton Bharat.

As we approach the 2026 Union Budget, the expectations are to provide necessary incentives and policy support to the pharmaceutical sector that transforms Indias role from a high-volume generics hub to a global innovation-led pharmaceutical powerhouse. Some of the enablers in this direction would be R&D incentives for innovation, expanded PLI coverage for APIs and advanced therapies, infrastructure development incentives to boost manufacturing competitiveness. Streamlining policy and regulatory pathways to align them with international standards would also accelerate cross-border investment and strategic M&A activity. A budget focussed on these themes will not only reinforce Indias position as the pharmacy of the world but will help catalyse the next wave of growth and investment across the sector, says Ravi Shah, Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.

Conclusion

The life sciences sector views Budget 202627 as a defining moment. Expectations range from GST simplification and R&D incentives to regulatory streamlining, tariff rationalisation, and stronger public health investment. With pharmaceuticals and healthcare emerging as key drivers of economic growth, innovation, and employment, a well-calibrated Budget can strengthen Indias global competitiveness while making healthcare more affordable and accessible for millions.

Sanjiv Das

sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com
From Innovation to Impact: Indias Life Sciences Roadmap to 2047

January 01, 2026 | Thursday | Features

As India moves steadily towards the milestone of its centenary year of Independence in 2047, the life sciences sector is emerging as one of the most critical engines of national growth. From biotechnology and pharmaceuticals to diagnostics, medtech, and advanced therapies, the sector is expected to play a defining role in shaping Indias healthcare outcomes, economic resilience, and global competitiveness. Against this backdrop, a high-level panel discussion that took place during the BioSpectrum India Excellence Awards 2025 event, titled Transforming India into a Life Sciences Powerhouse: Journey Ahead into 2047! brought together key stakeholders to examine what it will take for India to realise this ambition.

Setting the tone for the discussion, Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) emphasised that Indias aspiration to become a global life sciences powerhouse must be rooted in deep science, long-term policy vision, and institutional capability building. While India has made significant progress over the past decade in nurturing biotech startups and innovation-led enterprises, he noted that the next phase of growth would require a shift from volume-driven expansion to science-led value creation.

Dr Kumar highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) across the life sciences value chain, particularly in drug discovery, protein structure prediction, cell and gene therapy, genome editing technologies such as CRISPR, and precision medicine. However, he cautioned that AI adoption must go beyond surface-level applications and pilot projects.

According to him, India needs sustained investment in foundational AI research, especially within public research laboratories and academic institutions, to compete meaningfully on the global stage. He pointed out that while several AI-focused calls and initiatives have been launched, the depth of research required to build globally competitive platforms is still evolving.

Dr Kumar also underscored the importance of regulatory foresight and translational support, noting that innovation ecosystems cannot thrive on funding alone. Effective risk-sharing mechanisms, regulatory clarity, and stronger publicprivate collaboration are essential to ensure that promising ideas move seamlessly from laboratories to clinical and commercial deployment.

Advanced Therapies and the Manufacturing Imperative

Offering an industry perspective, Priya G Hingorani, Managing Director, Miltenyi Biotec India spoke about the rapid evolution of advanced therapies and the growing relevance of India in this space. She highlighted that cell and gene therapies, including CAR-T, represent a paradigm shift in modern medicine, with the potential to address diseases that were previously considered untreatable.

She explained that one of Miltenyi Biotecs core strengths lies in its closed, end-to-end manufacturing platforms, which are designed to ensure consistency, quality, and scalability while minimising manual intervention. Such systems, she noted, are critical for maintaining global standards, particularly in highly complex biologics.

However, Priya acknowledged that India continues to face significant skill gaps in advanced therapy manufacturing and translational science. To address this, Miltenyi Biotec has initiated structured training programmes in partnership with institutional bodies and international collaborators, offering hands-on exposure to next-generation therapy platforms.

A central theme of her address was accessibility and affordability. Priya pointed out that globally, CAR-T therapies can cost close to half a million dollars, placing them beyond the reach of most patients. In contrast, Indias ecosystem is actively working towards making these therapies available at a fraction of global costs, without compromising on quality, safety, or regulatory compliance.

She also spoke about the concept of point-of-care manufacturing, where therapies are produced closer to patients, often within hospital settings. This approach not only reduces logistical challenges and turnaround times but is also particularly critical for patients with aggressive or life-threatening conditions, where delays can significantly impact outcomes.

AI, she added, is increasingly being integrated into manufacturing, clinical trials, and quality control processes, helping to compress development timelines and improve operational efficiency.

Nation Building Through Collaboration and Scale

Bringing a strong nation-building lens to the discussion, Dr Vishal Warke, Director  Research & Development (Microbiology), HiMedia Laboratories emphasised that Indias life sciences journey over the next two decades must be viewed as a mission rather than merely a commercial opportunity. He noted that while India has a rich talent pool and a strong tradition of scientific excellence, the ecosystem often struggles with fragmentation and scale-up challenges.

Dr Warke argued that the country does not lack ideas or innovation; rather, the bottleneck lies in translating these ideas into scalable, sustainable enterprises. He called for greater collaboration across the industry, urging established companies to play a more active role in mentoring and supporting startups.

Drawing parallels with global incubation models, he suggested that large Indian companies could provide startups with access to infrastructure, quality systems, regulatory guidance, and market insights, thereby improving survival rates and accelerating growth. Such collaboration, he noted, should be viewed as part of nation building, rather than a purely commercial exercise.

Affordability emerged as a recurring theme in his address. Dr Warke reiterated that innovation in India must ultimately benefit Indian patients. Even as companies expand into global markets and capture international value, maintaining world-class yet affordable products for domestic use is essential for building a sustainable and inclusive life sciences ecosystem.

Diagnostics, Precision Medicine, and AI in Practice

Representing the diagnostics sector, Dr Arjun Dang, CEO & Partner, Dr Dangs Lab spoke about the significant transformation underway in diagnostics, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that the crisis served as a catalyst, forcing laboratories and healthcare systems to adopt process-driven, technology-enabled models to ensure continuity under unprecedented constraints.

Dr Dang highlighted the growing shift towards precision diagnostics, where the emphasis is on delivering the right test to the right patient at the right time. He spoke about AI-driven platforms that curate personalised diagnostic packages based on individual health goals, lifestyle factors, and risk profiles, moving away from one-size-fits-all testing approaches.

He also shared insights into innovative, non-invasive tools being developed for early disease detection, including solutions for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimers disease. Such technologies, he noted, have the potential to transform preventive healthcare and improve long-term outcomes.

At the same time, Dr Dang offered a note of caution on AI adoption, stressing that while AI can significantly enhance efficiency and decision-making, it must function as a support tool rather than a replacement for clinical judgment. He highlighted the risks of misinterpretation when complex medical data is presented directly to patients without adequate context.

Importantly, he spoke about AIs role in addressing urbanrural healthcare disparities, particularly through remote reporting, digital pathology, and AI-assisted diagnostics that extend specialist expertise to tier II, tier III, and rural regions.

Skilling and Infrastructure: A Systemic Challenge

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the urgent need for workforce skilling. The panellists agreed that advanced life sciences demand training at a level that traditional academic systems alone cannot provide. High-end research, manufacturing, and diagnostics require hands-on exposure to sophisticated equipment, regulated environments, and real-world workflows.

Industry participation was identified as a key solution to bridging this gap. The speakers emphasised that companies must open up their facilities and expertise to train the next generation of talent, supported by appropriate incentives and policy frameworks.

International models, particularly from Europe, where industry-integrated technical degrees are common, were cited as examples India could adapt. Such models blur the line between academia and industry, producing professionals who are both technically proficient and application-ready.

Strengthening Indias Global Positioning

An important dimension that emerged during the discussion was Indias growing visibility on the global life sciences map. As multinational companies increasingly look to diversify supply chains and innovation hubs, panellists noted that India is well positioned to evolve beyond being a cost-efficient destination to becoming a source of high-quality science, innovation, and leadership.

Strategic international collaborations, participation in global clinical trials, and harmonisation of regulatory standards were identified as critical enablers for this transition. At the same time, speakers stressed that global competitiveness must go hand in hand with domestic capacity strengthening, including resilient supply chains, indigenous technology platforms, and reduced dependence on imports for critical inputs.

The Road Ahead to 2047

Summing up the discussion, Dr Manbeena Chawla, Executive Editor, BioSpectrum India & Asia noted that Indias ambition to become a life sciences powerhouse by 2047 is achievable. However, success will depend on the ecosystems ability to adopt a mission-driven, collaborative approach, supported by consistent policy, sustained investment in deep science, and responsible use of emerging technologies.

The panel discussion underscored that Indias life sciences future will not be defined by isolated successes or individual champions, but by the strength of its collective ecosystemwhere government, industry, academia, and healthcare providers work in concert to translate innovation into impact at scale.

As India looks towards 2047, the discussion reinforced a clear message: the foundation is in place, the talent exists, and the opportunity is immense. What is now required is alignment, execution, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that innovation serves both national priorities and global aspirations.

Image caption- L-R- Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC); Priya G Hingorani, Managing Director, Miltenyi Biotec India; Dr Vishal Warke, Director  Research & Development (Microbiology), HiMedia Laboratories; Dr Arjun Dang, CEO & Partner, Dr Dangs Lab; Manasee Kurlekar, CEO, BioSpectrum and Trustee, MMA Spectrum Foundation (felicitating the panelists and the moderator); Dr Manbeena Chawla, Executive Editor, BioSpectrum.
Dr Satya Prakash Dash steps in as new CEO of IKP Knowledge Park

December 23, 2025 | Tuesday | News

Bringing over 28 years of leadership in science, innovation and ecosystem building

Hyderabad-based bioincubator and life sciences park, IKP Knowledge Park has announced the appointment of Dr Satya Prakash Dash as the new Chief Executive Officer, bringing over 28 years of leadership in science, innovation and ecosystem building.

Also serving as an advisor to BFI-BIOME, Dr Dash was the Founding CEO, BITS BioCyTiH Foundation and was the Ex-Director Impact Lab at PATH India with the mandate to propel innovations in public health emerging from India to the next level.

Former Head Strategy Partnerships & Entrepreneurship Development at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), and the 'Co-ordinator' of Make in India Cell in BIRAC, his portfolio included overall strategy formulation and implementation for BIRAC of national programmes such as Biotech Ignition Grant-BIG , SPARSH (social innovation program), BioNEST (incubator programme), University Innovation Cluster (UIC), SoCH, SEED Equity & AcE equity funding.

He led the establishment of BIRAC Regional Innovation Centre (BRIC) at IKP Hyderabad & BIRAC Regional Entrepreneurship Centre (BREC) at C-CAMP, Bengaluru.

He holds triple masters from University of Leicester (UK), Cambridge (UK) and Sambalpur (India) and a PhD from University of East Anglia, UK. He holds great experience in science and technology (S&T) policy design, implementation and outcomes, business of science, early-stage funding, entrepreneurship, and catalysing for positive serendipity across innovation communities.

As IKP enters its next phase of growth, Dr Dashs leadership will further strengthen its mission of enabling science-led innovation and translating research into scalable, real-world impact.
Several dozen countries support China on latest countermeasures, military drills concerning Taiwan: spokesperson

Xinhua) 21:41, December 31, 2025

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Several dozen countries have expressed support in various forms for China following its latest countermeasures and military drills concerning the Taiwan region, and China highly commended those countries for their firm support, a foreign ministry spokesperson said here Wednesday.

It was reported that China has recently taken countermeasures and punitive and deterrent measures on Taiwan-related issues. Following the military drills of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) near the Taiwan Island, Russia, Cuba, Serbia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and other countries expressed their support.

In response, spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular news briefing that these countries reiterated their commitment to the one-China principle, opposition to external interference in China's internal affairs and support for China's effort to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

"They noted in particular: Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, the Taiwan question is China's internal affair, and 'Taiwan independence' in whatever form must be rejected. We highly commend those countries for their firm support," Lin said.

"We reaffirm once again that China will never waver in its resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. China will never waver in its resolve to defend the nation's reunification and vital interests. China will never waver in its resolve to deter 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces from colluding with external forces and destabilizing the Taiwan Strait," he said.

Anyone who crosses the line or makes provocations on the Taiwan question will be met with China's firm response, Lin said, adding that all attempts to hold back China's reunification will invariably fail.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Wu Chaolan)
EastEnders actor Colin Salmon has said he is genuinely grateful for the compassion he was shown by the court as he avoided a driving ban for speeding.

The TV star plays George Knight in the soap and was previously best known as MI6 deputy chief of staff Charles Robinson, a character in the James Bond films Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day.

Salmon apologised and said he appreciated the understanding shown for his extraordinary circumstances amid family health issues.

Colin Salmon and wife Fiona Hawthorne (left) (Ian West/PA)

He wrote on X: I hold my hands up, take full responsibility & apologise.

I actually feel the 20mph limit has improved quality of life in London.

9 points in 7 weeks within half a mile of my front door. Proves the maxim youre more likely to have an accident 5 mins from home!

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The court weighed up our extraordinary circumstances, fined me but showed compassion for which Im genuinely grateful.

Heres to a #LessEventfulandHealthy2026.

Salmon previously said he took the role in EastEnders as he cant be far from home because his wife is not well.

He is married to artist and illustrator Fiona Hawthorne, who previously revealed to Hello! magazine how she was diagnosed with a rare lung condition, interstitial lung disease, which requires her to use an oxygen tank.
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon has promised an "Irish Trump", adding that he is working to "help form an Irish national party".

So who is Steve Bannon?

Career

Mr Bannon was an officer in the United States Navy between 1977 and 1983. He then spent two years working at Goldman Sachs as an investment banker.

Mr Bannon then entered the film industry, working as an executive producer in Hollywood from 1991 to 2016.

In 2007, he co-founded right-wing US news website Breitbart News. Around 2010, Mr Bannon also became vice president of Cambridge Analytica.

The little-known firm collected the personal details of millions of Facebook users without their consent, and became the focus of multiple inquiries after its role in the 'vote leave' Brexit campaign was revealed.

It also spread misinformation and the firm was also used by the Trump campaign in 2016.

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In 2016, Mr Bannon became the chief executive officer of Mr Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. This is where he became a household name in the US and worldwide.

Mr Trump was trailing Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in major polls at the time, and Mr Bannon was credited with turning the campaign around.

He was a leading voice in the establishment of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, and pushed Mr Trump towards isolationist 'America First' policies.

Mr Bannon was appointed White House chief strategist after Mr Trump's 2016 victory. At the time, he was Mr Trump's most trusted adviser but cracks soon began to form in their relationship.

Mr Bannon was frustrated with Mr Trump moving away from the 'America First' principles he campaigned on, and he fell out with Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka, and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who were serving as informal White House advisers.

Steve Bannon was one of the key architects of Donald Trump's 2016 election success. Photo: Getty Images

He rejoined Breitbart, but left the news website again after his criticism of Mr Trump was reported in Michael Wolff's book Fire and Fury.

Mr Bannon subsequently pledged to become "the infrastructure, globally, for the global populist movement", as he travelled Europe promoting the causes of far-right parties.

He advised Jeffrey Epstein, the financer and convicted child sex offender, on media relations just prior to his arrest on sex trafficking charges and death in prison in 2019.

Outside of the White House bubble, Mr Bannon mended his relationship with Mr Trump and continued to be a leading voice in the MAGA movement.

In 2020, he was arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering connected to the We Build the Wall fundraising campaign.

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The lawsuit claimed Mr Bannon and associates had raised funds pledged for Mr Trump's US-Mexico border wall, which was never completed, and used the money to enrich themselves.

Mr Bannon pleaded not guilty and was eventually pardoned by Mr Trump before he left office.

Mr Bannon refused to comply with a subpoena from the January 6th US House select committee, so was indicted by a federal grand jury on criminal charges of contempt of Congress.

In July 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to four months in prison and a $6,500 fine. He was imprisoned from July to October 2024.

He now hosts the War Room podcast, which is popular among far-right groups but considered too extreme among some Republican Party figures.

Why is he interested in Ireland?

Mr Bannon has attempted to further far-right movements across Europe, with limited success.

While Ireland has had little far-right success electorally, Mr Bannon appears to be attempting to inflame anti-immigrant sentiment among far-right groups and influencers here.

In an interview with Politico, he said: "Im spending a ton of time behind the scenes on the Irish situation to help form an Irish national party."

He wouldn't be the first prominent far-right figure in the US to take an interest in Ireland. Former Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and billionaire Elon Musk have spread misinformation about immigration in Ireland on a number of occasions.

In the interview, Mr Bannon added: "Theyre going to have an Irish MAGA, and were going to have an Irish Trump. Thats all going to come together, no doubt. That country is right on the edge thanks to mass migration."

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He also expressed support for far-right German party Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Nigel Farage's Reform UK.

MAGA thinks the European governments, by and large, are deadbeats. They love AfD. They love what National Rally is doing. They love Nigel Farage."

Will it have any impact?

Mr Bannon's comments may well embolden far-right influencers here.

However, his claims of an "Irish Trump" are far-fetched given far-right parties and candidates' lack of success in multiple general elections.

This could change of course, and the Government is believed to be concerned about the rising influence of far-right groups.

Far-right groups in Ireland are small and disparate, with infighting being a key issue when they attempt to amalgamate, so Mr Bannon's promise of an 'Irish national party' also seems unlikely.

However, far-right violence here has come to the attention of international groups.

In a report from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (Gpahe), seen by BreakingNews.ie, the authors wrote: "The violence against migrants has made Ireland of particular interest to the international far right, who view the unrest and protests as an inspiration or an example of the white rage festering below the surface as they are forced to endure the indignity of living with unwanted migrants. Images from the 2025 unrest, like masked participants charging police lines on horseback, have been spread across far-right Telegram channels in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and across Europe."

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon has promised an "Irish Trump", adding that he is working to "help form an Irish national party". Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The report warns that although Ireland's far-right "may be small in both size and power compared to many of its European contemporaries" it "nonetheless occupies a significant position as a place of motivation and inspiration for far-right actors and broader anti-immigration movement".

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The report notes: "Many of Irelands far-right groups are influenced by American far-right extremists, as they have imported conspiracy theories about 'cultural Marxism' and the white supremacist 'Great Replacement' conspiracy theory that were popularized in the US. To date, none of these groups have had any real electoral success, but are active in attempts to stir up hatred and fear in communities."

Gpahe also point to an attempt by far-right parties in Ireland to amalgamate in what they called the 'National Alliance'.

"This has come to include a swath of small political parties that banded together in 2024 in what they called the National Alliance. While this was a strong showing of unity from the countrys typically fragmented far-right that managed to bring together political parties with xenophobic and discriminatory platforms like the National Party, Ireland First, The Irish People, and several independent candidates, the coalition failed to produce a significant turnout at polling stations and eventually fell apart.

Ireland International far-right groups taking inspiration from Irish violence against migrants Read more

"Outside of the ballot box, the subject of immigration has been mobilizing for the far right, as a handful of smaller groups that target immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community have emerged. Many of these groups use the long history of the Irish people and the Catholic Church to provide religious and cultural justifications for targeting immigrant communities. Others invoke the specter of Hitlers National Socialism to justify their hatred."

Gpahe co-founder and president Wendy Via said the fact Ireland has overwhelmingly rejected far-right parties in elections should not be "mistaken for immunity".

Ms Via said: "Ireland has long resisted extremist political activity, but that resilience should not be mistaken for immunity. What we are seeing now is a movement that exploits public anxiety, and moments of crisis, to normalise xenophobia and, in some cases, incite violence against vulnerable communities.
Kneecap said they will not be silent ahead of a further legal challenge over a courts decision to throw out the terrorism case against rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh.

O hAnnaidh was accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in November 2024, until a technical error in the way he was charged led to the chief magistrate ruling he could not try the case.

The rap trio said in a post on X on Thursday morning that the Government has issued them with a notice that it intends to appeal against the courts decision.

Last year, the Crown Prosecution Service said it would be appealing against the decision because we believe there is an important point of law which needs to be clarified.

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In the X post, Kneecap said: The Brits are at it again

As Israel today moves to ban charitable organisations providing lifesaving aid and primitive shelter to millions, the British state once again turns to vilify those who oppose genocide Kneecap

The British government has issued us notice that they will appeal the decision of their own magistrates court to throw out the case against Mo Chara (O hAnnaidhs stage name).

It is the view of our legal team that there is not an iota of logic for this, it is without any sound legal basis.

It is another flailing arm to distract from, and to try and silence those who stand on the right side of history as they are complicit.

As Israel today moves to ban charitable organisations providing lifesaving aid and primitive shelter to millions, the British state once again turns to vilify those who oppose genocide.

It will be heard on Jan 14th at the High Court, Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London.

We will not be silent. Free Palestine.

The Home Office and the Ministry of Justice have been contacted for comment.
As part of Operation Tara, gardai from Cork City Divisional Drugs Unit have arrested two men, and seized 700,000 of suspected illegal cocaine, 60,000 cannabis and over 40,000 cash, during the course of searches in the Douglas, Cork area.

The two men (aged in their 30s and 40s) were detained pursuant to Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996, at Garda stations in the Co Cork area.

Follow-up searches were conducted by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) in the Dublin 14 area, on Wednesday, and an additional 0.5 kg of suspected cannabis with an approximate value of 9,000, along with 4,000 cash, were seized.

The seized drugs are subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland.

Both of the arrested men have since been charged, and are expected to appear before a special sitting of Cork District Court tomorrow morning at approximately 10.30am.

Investigations are ongoing, gardai said.
Zohran Mamdani was a trailblazing candidate whom many in his city of eight million - some with hope, some with trepidation - expect to be a disruptive New York mayor.

The democratic socialist's plans for his first day in office on Thursday nod to his politics and priorities, without straying far from his predecessors with a sober official midnight oath-taking followed by a more celebratory ceremony in the afternoon.

New York law spells out that four-year mayoral terms start on the January 1st after elections. To avoid any ambiguity about who's in charge of America's most populous city, it has become a tradition to hold a small midnight swearing-in.

Mr Mamdani has chosen as the site of his midnight oath the Old City Hall subway stop, which was decommissioned in the middle of the previous century and is accessible only a few times a year through guided tours.

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The subway site, according to Mr Mamdanis transition team, reflects his "commitment to the working people who keep our city running every day."

Mr Mamdani, a 34-year-old former state lawmaker, promised a freeze on rents and free buses and childcare, building a campaign around affordability issues that some have seen as a path forward for his Democratic Party around the country ahead of midterm elections.

Mr Mamdani inspired a record-breaking turnout of more than two million voters and took 50 percent, nearly 10 points ahead of Andrew Cuomo running as an independent and well ahead of Republican Curtis Sliwa.

New York State attorney general Letitia James, who was among Mr Mamdani's earliest prominent backers, was to administer the midnight oath to Mr Mamdani. During the first administration of president Donald Trump, Ms James began investigating his business practices in New York, resulting in a judge finding in 2024 that Mr Trump fraudulently overstated his net worth to dupe lenders.

The Trump administration has targeted Ms James during his second term, accusing her of mortgage fraud.

Grant Reeher, a Syracuse University political science professor, said the role Ms James was to play in the inauguration sent a message to core supporters that Mr Mamdani is "going to be independent of the president".

Inauguration of a new era

The Uganda-born Mamdani, who will be New York City's first Muslim mayor, has been a sharp critic of Mr Trump on issues such as immigration and said his differences with the president were numerous after a warm White House meeting.

But being sworn in by the state attorney general may say more about Mr Mamdani's political alliances than rivalries. In 2014 Bill de Blasio, whom Mr Mamdani regards as the best New York City mayor of his lifetime, was sworn in privately by then-New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman at the start of the first of his two terms.

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Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive, Brooklyn-born Vermont senator whom Mr Mamdani calls his inspiration, presided over Mr de Blasio's public inauguration ceremony in 2018 and will play a similar role for Mr Mamdani. Liberal Democratic US representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is also on the inauguration ceremony agenda.

City Hall ceremony

Plans for Mr Mamdani's public inauguration include a ceremony on City Hall's steps and a programme of music and speeches in front of 4,000 guests gathered in City Hall Plaza. In addition, tens of thousands of people will be able to watch a livestream of what Mr Mamdani's team has dubbed the Inauguration of a New Era in free viewing areas set up along Broadway.

Mr Mamdani raised $2.6 million for the transition and celebrations from nearly 30,000 contributors, more than other mayors on record in this century, both by the total and single donations, according to official campaign data that presents disclosures of inaugural expenses beginning with Michael Bloomberg's first term in 2001.

Sami Zaman, the owner of Astoria's low-key Afghan restaurant Sami's Kabab House, where Astoria resident Mr Mamdani filmed a campaign video with Sanders, was on the inaugural committee alongside filmmakers, writers and activists.

After becoming mayor, Mr Mamdani will move from his one-bedroom Astoria apartment, protected from sharp price hikes by the city rent-stabilisation programme, to Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City mayors on Manhattan's upscale Upper East Side.

Bankers and others in New York, the nation's financial capital, had expressed concern about Mr Mamdani but since his election they have explored how to work with him.

The city has had another mayor associated with democratic socialism, David Dinkins.

Mr Dinkins did not make much of his association with the Democratic Socialists of America. During his 1990-1993 term he overcame budget deficits and persuaded private businesses to remain in New York, according to city archivists.
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BusinessMarketsBillionaires Billionaires boom: Worlds richest got $3.3 trillion richer in 2025 Dylan Sloan and Jack Witzig January 1, 2026  3:45pm 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 worlds 500 richest people added a record $US2.2 trillion ($3.3 trillion) to their collective fortunes this year, as booming markets in everything from equities to cryptocurrencies to precious metals sent the value of their holdings soaring. The gains, which brought their combined net worth to $US11.9 trillion, were turbocharged by Donald Trumps election victory in late 2024, and were only briefly derailed by tariff fears in April, when plunging markets caused the biggest one-day wealth wipeout since the pandemic. Elon Musk, Gina Rinehart and Larry Ellison with their ballooning fortunes are among the winners of 2025. AP/Getty Big Tech led the charge as artificial-intelligence euphoria continued to bolster US mega-cap stocks. About a quarter of all the gains recorded by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index came from just eight individuals, including Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison, Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, Google parent Alphabets co-founder Larry Page and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Notably, though, that represented a smaller contribution than last year, when the same eight billionaires made up 43 per cent of the total gains.

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When the year began, Musk was indisputably the boldface name on the list of the worlds richest. He became a major political player for the first time after donating nearly $US300 million to Trumps reelection campaign, and spent much of early 2025 in Washington, DC, spearheading the administrations cost-cutting efforts. Related Article Billionaires Rich like Bill Gates: Meet the Saudi sisters wielding $75 billion in a mans world However, it was Ellison, not Musk, who ended up stealing the show. Fuelled by a massive run-up in Oracle shares as the longtime cloud infrastructure company ramped up spending on AI, he briefly overtook Musk as the worlds richest man in September. Although Oracle shares have since slumped about 40 per cent from their peak, Ellison ended the year making headlines for his involvement in the bid by Paramount Skydance  run by his son David Ellison  to acquire Warner Bros Discovery.

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Gains werent confined to the United States. While the S&P 500 Index posted an annual increase of close to 17 per cent, it was outperformed by a 20 per cent in the UKs FTSE 100 and a 30.6 per cent rise in Hong Kongs Hang Seng. Other asset classes did even better: Precious metals recorded one of their best years in decades amid a rush to safe havens, while copper and rare earths also emerged as commodities of key geopolitical importance, with major holders including Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart and Chiles Luksic family adding billions to their fortunes. Before a recent selloff, crypto was also on track to beat equity returns for the year: Bitcoin surged to all-time highs following Trumps election win and extended those gains as his administration approved a series of crypto-friendly policies. However, a massive slide starting in October saw it wipe out all of those gains and then some, battering the wealth of billionaires including the Winklevoss twins, Changpeng Zhao and Michael Saylor. Heres a list of some of the years biggest winners and losers, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

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The winners Larry Ellison Net worth: $US249.8 billion Yearly gain: $US57.7 billion Larry Ellison briefly overtook Elon Musk as the worlds richest man in September. AP

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At 81, Oracles co-founder is taking on more day-to-day responsibility at the company and leading the charge on its huge, debt-fuelled push into AI infrastructure. Ellisons net worth surged $US89 billion on September 10 following a blowout quarterly earnings report tied to Oracles AI expansion plans, the largest one-day net worth increase ever recorded by Bloombergs wealth index to that point. Ellison has also been deploying his fortune in the media sector, personally guaranteeing the equity portion of his son Davids $US108 billion hostile bid to purchase Warner Bros Oracles ongoing plans to spearhead the $US500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure project and take an equity stake in TikToks US operations could continue to reshape Ellisons wealth into 2026 and beyond. Elon Musk Net worth: $US622.7 billion Yearly gain: $US190.3 billion

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After becoming the biggest donor of the 2024 election cycle, Musk spent much of the early part of the year in Washington as his Department of Government Efficiency slashed funding and initiated mass staffing cuts at federal agencies. That came at the expense of his wealth, as Teslas stock was hammered over that period, in part due to backlash from consumers over his political activity. Elon Musks net worth rebounded after he left the White House following a public falling-out with Trump. AP But Musks net worth rebounded after he left the White House following a public falling-out with Trump. A recent insider share sale at SpaceX made it the worlds most valuable private company and pushed his fortune above $US600 billion for the first time. Meanwhile, Tesla shareholders voted to approve a new compensation package that provides him a clear path to becoming the worlds first trillionaire if he guides the carmaker to an ambitious series of performance targets over the coming years.

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Gina Rinehart Net worth: $US37.7 billion Yearly gain: $US12.6 billion Gina Rinehart is riding the rare earths boom. Bloomberg Few billionaires benefited more this year from a global focus on securing supplies of vital rare-earth minerals than Australias richest person.

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Rare earths Rinehart hates renewables, but her green metals bets are booming Colin Kruger Senior business reporter Largely through her privately held business Hancock Prospecting, Rinehart has amassed the largest rare-earths portfolio outside China and positioned herself as a key player in an increasingly tense geopolitical battle over control of the materials, which are essential for technologies ranging from semiconductors to electric vehicles. Shes also attended events at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and is an investor in Trump Media & Technology Group, the publicly listed firm that operates the presidents social media platform, Truth Social. Rinehart increased the size of her stake by about two-thirds in the three months to June 30. Donald Trump & family Net worth: $US6.8 billion

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Yearly gain: $US282 million Since beginning his re-election campaign, Trump and his family have involved themselves in a dizzying array of deals which have enriched the clan at a scale unprecedented in modern presidential history. Its a lucrative presidency: Donald Trump with sons Eric and Don Jr. AP Over the past 15 months, the familys fortune has increased by about 70 per cent even after a recent slide. In the days leading up to his second inauguration, Trump and his wife Melania promoted a pair of memecoins bearing their names, which briefly soared in value before plunging. Still, the Trump token has added more than $US200 million to the familys wealth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Trump also co-founded the crypto platform World Liberty Financial with his sons weeks before the 2024 election. Since then, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump have jumped into crypto projects including digital currency miner American Bitcoin Corp.

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One of Trumps biggest assets, a stake in Trump Media, leapt in value in December after it announced a merger with nuclear fusion company TAE Technologies, although its still down more than 70 per cent from its January highs. The US president was also handed a victory in August when a $US464 million civil fraud penalty was struck down on appeal, even as the court upheld the finding that he broke the law by inflating the value of assets like his Mar-a-Lago resort. The losers Manuel Villar Net worth: $US10 billion Yearly loss: $US12.6 billion

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Villar, once the richest man in the Philippines, saw more than $US18 billion of his fortune vanish in a matter of days after shares of his property development firm, Golden MV Holdings, plunged more than 80 per cent following the end of a six-month trading suspension in November. Manuel Villar, once the richest man in the Philippines, has seen large chunks of his fortune vanish. Trading had been halted after Golden MV didnt file financial results following the revelation that it had acquired a tract of land from Villar for $US93 million, but later revalued it at more than $US23 billion. Earlier this month, Villar also sold his full stake in water utility PrimeWater to grocery tycoon Lucio Co. PrimeWater had been investigated for possible irregularities by the government in July. Bob Pender and Mike Sabel Net worth: $US7 billion each

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Yearly loss: $US17.7 billion each After three sluggish years for initial public offerings, US liquefied natural gas provider Venture Globals January listing was expected to be the start of a big year for new issues, boosted by a business-friendly US administration and a massive backlog of deals. Disappointing IPO: Mike Sabel (left) and Bob Pender (right). Bloomberg As Venture Global prepared to go public, its co-founders were poised to hold stakes worth nearly $US30 billion apiece in what was slated to be the largest energy IPO in over a decade. However, the listing ultimately missed the mark: Tepid demand for its shares forced the firm to downsize the offering, and the stock has since fallen more than 70 per cent after disappointing quarterly results and the loss of a key arbitration suit to oil giant BP, one of its biggest customers.

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Michael Saylor Net worth: $US3.8 billion Yearly loss: $US2.6 billion Through the first half of the year, Saylors Strategy Inc was one of the darlings of the booming crypto market, which rose to all-time highs following Trumps election win in November 2024 and continued to climb as the administration rolled out a series of pro-crypto policies. Shares of Michael Saylors Strategy suffered as the Bitcoin price dropped. AP

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Strategy pioneered the crypto treasury company model, holding billions of dollars worth of Bitcoin on its balance sheet and regularly selling additional stock to raise cash with which to add to the hoard. That model generated huge returns through early October, when Bitcoin hit fresh highs. However, things began to turn south soon after as a slump in Bitcoins value sent Strategys stock price plunging by more than half, dragging Saylors net worth down nearly $US6 billion from its high-water mark in the process. Wang Xing Net worth: $US7.9 billion

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Yearly loss: $US3.5 billion Wang, the co-founder and chairman of Meituan, Chinas largest food delivery platform, saw his wealth plunge almost 31 per cent in 2025 after the company reported its first quarterly net loss in almost three years in November. Meituan founder Wang Xing has seen almost a third of his wealth evaporate. Getty Although Chinese equity markets notched a banner year  the benchmark Shanghai Composite gained 18 per cent  Meituan has suffered from weakening domestic consumer demand and three-way competition with Alibaba and JD.com. In response to domestic headwinds, Meituan has been pursuing overseas markets, recently expanding into Brazil and the Middle East. Bloomberg

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LifestyleFashionThe Verdict Opinion If you have a problem with thong bikinis, the problem is you In this column, we deliver hot (and cold) takes on pop culture, judging whether a subject is overrated or underrated. Damien Woolnough Fashion editor January 2, 2026  4:30am

January 2, 2026  4:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The recent outbreak of thongs (G-strings, not flip-flops) at beaches and swimming pools has prompted a revival of prudish responses from casual swimsuit observers. Not since the days of bikini beach inspectors at Bondi have so many zinc-covered noses wrinkled in disgust at the bold attempts of sun worshippers to achieve maximum vitamin D exposure. Teenagers who years earlier could have been building sandcastles au naturel are deemed too young for the revealing silhouette of barely there swimsuit bottoms, and those who have been fighting gravity for decades too old. Despite the critics, the thong continues to spread faster than glandular fever at a school formal. Lets get the sexism behind these complaints out of the way. Love Island has helped to popularise the thong bikini. Sara Mally/PEACOCK via Getty Images Men have been tapping into the trend for years, with surf lifesavers submitting to self-imposed wedgies to reduce the risk of friction burns from skimpy fabric while rowing. That doesnt explain why the gathered fabric remains unplucked from clenched glutes while lifesavers stand on the beach. Patriarchal privilege has shielded them from complaints. For that, I say thank you.

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Scholars look back even further, with the thong regarded as one of the earliest forms of clothing worn by men to protect their genitals. It is not known whether they were worn when swimming, though male and female Japanese divers would don white versions of the buttock-dividing fundoshi when gathering pearls. The unsolicited opinions start when women start wearing thongs for their own satisfaction. Sound familiar? Please see similar reactions to trousers, bloomers and miniskirts. In the 70s, the modern swim thong entered popular culture  and womens wardrobes  thanks to US designer Rudi Gernreich as a response to the banning of nudity on Californian beaches. The Thong is my response to a contradiction in our society: nudity is here; lots of people want to swim and sun themselves in the nude; also lots of people are still offended by public nudity, Gernreich, who died in 1985, wrote in his manifesto. Gernreichs Thong, which was designed for men and women, has since entered the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute in New York and Londons V&A museum. The National Gallery of Victoria missed out on the Thong but has one of Gernreichs less successful but equally influential topless swimsuits in its collection. In 2019, the Gernreich thong was re-released, with a version in updated fabrics available for purchase, but this fashion throwback is not driving the trend. A cocktail of Love Island episodes, TikTok trends, body positivity and considerable profit margins seems to be propelling an increase in the bottom line of thongs.

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Swimsuits should be practical, comfortable, quick-drying and useful. Jessica Hromas So why the outrage? Are they stylish? In my opinion, no, but thats not the point. Stylish swimsuits are as rare as genuine vintage Chanel handbags at discount prices on the internet. Aside from the classic Jets black one-piece, some sleek Eres and Bondi Born straight neck, spaghetti strap numbers and Matteaus asymmetric maillots, swimsuits have as much chance of making you look runway-ready as that singlet your uncle gave you after a trip to Bali. Stylish swimsuits are also challenging for men. If Daniel Craig had emerged from the water as James Bond in Casino Royale wearing a thong, boardies or Speedos instead of La Perlas Grigioperla Lodato swim shorts, his run as 007 might have lasted as long as George Lazenbys.

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Swimsuits dont have to be stylish. They should be practical, comfortable, quick-drying and useful for swimming and enjoying the pleasures of the beach, pool or dam at the bottom of the paddock. If they make you feel good and dont cause physical injury or perform a disappearing act when diving off a pier, youre winning. Editor's pick The Verdict Is this the most underappreciated summer song of the century? (Yes) The thong ticks all of these boxes. It dries faster than board shorts the size of culottes that leave body-conscious teenage boys waterlogged for hours; they can be more comfortable than an elastic gripping your thighs, and allow you superior sensory sensation of sun and water. There are drawbacks. Sitting on concrete without the protection of a towel can leave buttocks more dimpled than a mandarin. Failing to apply enough sunscreen can leave them the same colour. If thongs make you feel uncomfortable, stop and ask yourself why. A harmless swimsuit shouldnt trigger this level of outrage. Save that for people who wear denim to weddings. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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Australian summers are synonymous with beaches: places that belong to everyone, to holiday, celebrate, rejuvenate and heal. We asked local identities to tell us about their favourite spot.

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Read the rest of our stories in our summer series. See all stories .

Humans came from the sea  somehow  and I still feel a tangible sense of union with nature unlike any other outdoor experience when I dive in. Its been a constant in my life, and hence I have lots of favourite beaches. Some, like Freshwater, Bilgola, Soldiers Beach, are associated with childhood and the sensory overload of salt in the air, kelpy water, sunscreen (of a sort), wet towels and family. Here, nesting under a multicoloured beach umbrella wobbly in the wind, like a brood of chicks just out of the nest, we could take a collective deep breath after a year that felt like it would never end, squinting out at the rolling surf and the passing parade. Next up came rites-of-passage beaches while chasing waves with brothers and mates. Peter Garrett says the beach is agnostic and equitable. All shapes and sizes, backgrounds and beliefs can gather. Kane Hibberd Bodysurfing Queenscliff a long way out with the bombora going off, the large swell a surprise gift from a distant cyclone. Cramming into an ancient station wagon, charging up the Mid North Coast to Blueys, where dusk has fallen but youre still hanging on for that last perfect wave as the Seal Rocks lighthouse starts up, its beam tracing a comforting parabola across a deep, darkening sea.

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Looking back, these elemental experiences were grounded in the rhythms of nature. Time was suspended and the sometimes uncomfortable world held at bay. The beach is agnostic and equitable. All shapes and sizes, backgrounds and beliefs can gather. And yes, wearing any kind of swimming attire, uplit by the blazing summer sun; a sanctuary from the constant din of digital sales spiels. When youre distracted only by the swirls of sand at the waters edge, or the anticipation of the thrills to come  with parents, friends, instant neighbours close by  its pure bliss. The beach is called the church of the open sky for a reason. In an age of autocrats, with climate chaos tugging at your sleeve and where-will-it-end AI incursion, beaches provide sweet relief, open all hours to anyone who shows up. Other than paying for your parking space, expenses are negligible, and the all-day care provided by volunteer lifesavers is surely one of our best social undertakings. Rob Hirst and Peter Garrett at a Midnight Oil show in the early 1980s.

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Journeying up and down and across the continent, Ive seen the greatest assemblage of beaches and bays, inlets, lagoons, lakes, and headlands  many relatively unspoiled, courtesy of First Peoples stewardship  anywhere in the world. Bali, Malibu, Honolulu, the Riviera, anyone? Grossly overdeveloped, perpetually overhyped, these bucket-list locations dont even come close. Only two hours south of Sydney, true to its name, stretches Seven Mile Beach. With the hamlet of Gerroa clustered on its northern headland, this long beach sweeps south to Shoalhaven Heads. Bookended by rivers and camping grounds, Seven Mile Beach has the added bonus of a small national park running the length of the beach. Katina Curtis Often windswept, its currents can be treacherous; driftwood piles dot the shore. Seabirds are everywhere. Its a bit wild and a lot wonderful. To the west across the dunes is Coolangatta-Cullunghutti Mountain. In winter, big swells pound the sand. Its no surprise shipwrecks lie offshore. Bookended by rivers and camping grounds, Seven Mile has the added bonus of a small national park running the length of the beach. This parcel of revegetated coastal heath and rainforest, courtesy of staunch community action to hold back sand mining in the area, is a brilliant bush buffer zone, replete with barbecue facilities and walking paths that lead to the shore.

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TechnologyCybersecurity Cyber expert gets rare Australian visa by hacking the government David Swan January 1, 2026  3:16pm 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 British cybersecurity expert has been given coveted Australian permanent residency status after hacking the governments systems while his visa application was under review. Jacob Riggs gained the 858 National Innovation visa in December after a seven-month application process that culminated in him probing the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trades networks to demonstrate his credentials in real time, and identifying a critical vulnerability. Jacob Riggs, 36, received the 858 National Innovation visa in December after a seven-month application process that culminated in him probing the Australian governments attack surface to demonstrate his capabilities in real time. Riggs, global director of information security for a large software-as-a-service provider, said he identified the exploitable flaw in under two hours while working from his home in Bexley, south-east London, in July. Riggs visa, formerly known as the Global Talent visa, has an approval rate of less than 1 per cent. According to migration consultancy VisaEnvoy, more than 9000 expressions of interest have been submitted since the program commenced, with just 304 applicants invited and about 85 granted residency.

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I approached it as a routine security assessment and simply applied the same methodology I use professionally, Riggs, 36, told this masthead. He said the vulnerability he identified met the threshold for critical severity under CVSS standards, the industry rating framework. DFAT operates a formal Vulnerability Disclosure Policy, permitting security researchers to test its systems within a defined scope. Riggs reported the issue to DFAT and was subsequently acknowledged on the departments disclosure program honour roll. Jacob Riggs, director of Information security for a large software-as-a-service provider. DFAT were very quick to respond and remediate, Riggs said, declining to share additional evidence beyond his public blog post. I feel this would go against the spirit of the confidentiality between myself and DFAT. The 858 visa requires applicants to demonstrate internationally recognised achievement in priority sectors, including cybersecurity. The program typically attracts Nobel laureates and Olympic medallists  professionals with singular, verifiable credentials.

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Cybersecurity presents a distinct challenge. Theres no trophy equivalent of an Olympic Gold Medal, Riggs wrote on his blog. Theres no singular hallmark of excellence you can lean on, so everything comes down to what youve actually done. Related Article Bondi shooting Fake hero, wrong suspect: Misinformation floods social media after Bondi shooting His application supplied about 60 pages of evidence spanning bug bounty payouts, formal recognition letters from universities and governments worldwide, and documentation of vulnerability disclosures to major technology companies. Riggs, who barely completed secondary school, said he lacked traditional academic credentials. Instead, he submitted professional accreditations and letters acknowledging his responsible disclosure work, materials he described as unexpectedly perfect for the assessment criteria. I ended up hitting the attachment limit, he wrote.

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With his application still under review, Riggs decided to provide contemporary evidence of his skills. Given the bar the 858 sets, it became clear during the application process that I should also make efforts to show the current value in my capabilities, he wrote, noting his role spans leadership responsibilities beyond hands-on technical work. He acknowledged Australian government infrastructure was generally well-hardened, which only piqued my interest more. Jamieson OReilly, founder and chief executive of cybersecurity firm Dvuln. Dominic Lorrimer The gamble appears to have paid off. Riggs completed the entire process without engaging migration agents or immigration lawyers, a decision he described as very on-brand.

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The case highlights both the challenges of assessing elite cyber talent and the potential for Australias innovation visa program to attract professionals whose contributions are difficult to measure through conventional metrics. Related Article Opinion

Technology & democracy Silicon Valleys billionaire elite cant engineer our consent Chris Zappone Senior reporter, aviation By May 2025, nearly 6000 people had expressed interest in the revamped 858 program, with only seven successful grants at that point. Two Iraqi-born scientists, Dr Bilal Bahaa Zaidan Al-Jubouri and Dr Aos Alaa Zaidan, secured visas for AI expertise in healthcare and agriculture applications. Cybersecurity researcher Jamieson OReilly said Australias cyber skills shortage was worsened by structural barriers preventing existing talent from contributing. There are highly capable security practitioners in this country who cant get near government work because theyre not attached to a large consultancy or dont fit the procurement mould. So we talk about skills shortages while simultaneously locking out skilled people, he told this masthead.

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He said pathways such as the 858 visa were valuable for addressing genuine gaps, but the priority should be removing barriers for local talent. He added this case pointed to deeper structural issues in Australian government security procurement. This vulnerability survived annual IRAP assessments, two outsourced penetration tests, and internal testing before someone outside the system found it. Thats the detail worth paying attention to. Riggs said he plans to relocate to Sydney within 12 months to continue cybersecurity work. Theres a lot to consider when you move your entire life to another country, he said. I also have a cat and he still needs convincing. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Home Affairs did not respond to requests for comment before deadline. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.

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Immigration David Swan is the technology editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He was previously technology editor for The Australian newspaper. or email. Connect via X
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TechnologyCybersecurity Salt Typhoon hackers almost certainly in Australias critical infrastructure David Swan January 2, 2026  4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

A top cybersecurity figure says Chinas Salt Typhoon hacking campaign has almost certainly burrowed into Australias critical infrastructure in one of the most effective long-term espionage campaigns ever seen. Alastair MacGibbon, chief strategy officer at CyberCX and a former cybersecurity adviser to then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, said Salt Typhoons operation has probably compromised multiple sectors across Australia and New Zealand and remains undetected. It is the most effective espionage campaign against the West that we have ever seen, MacGibbon said, and reflects an insidious shift in the global threat landscape where Beijing is pouring significant resources into burrowing into critical Western infrastructure. CyberCX co-founder Alastair MacGibbon. Oscar Colman By the admission of the US government, Salt Typhoon has seen the Chinese intelligence services comprehensively penetrate the communications of millions of Americans, including some top decision-makers, MacGibbon told this masthead.

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While theres no public evidence that Salt Typhoon is active in Australia, we consider it highly likely that Salt Typhoon has compromised sectors in Australia which remain undetected. Related Article Cybersecurity Cyber expert gets rare Australian visa by hacking the government Salt Typhoon  named by Microsoft using its convention for Chinese state-linked threat groups - is a hacking operation that has been active since at least 2019. Rather than deploying ransomware or seeking quick financial pay-offs like criminal hackers, Salt Typhoon is focused on long-term espionage: quietly infiltrating telecommunications networks, stealing data, and maintaining persistent access that could be weaponised during future conflicts. The FBI revealed last week that Salt Typhoon had hacked at least 200 American companies and struck organisations across 80 countries. The Australian Signals Directorate, working alongside 20 international partner agencies, has publicly attributed the campaign to Beijings Ministry of State Security and Peoples Liberation Army. What makes Salt Typhoon particularly alarming is its exploitation of lawful intercept capabilities  surveillance systems that telecommunications companies are legally required to maintain for law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

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By targeting US telco networks, Salt Typhoon has enabled Chinas Ministry of State Security to take over the lawful intercept capabilities that governments compel telcos to have, MacGibbon said. This means that the MSS can see and listen to highly sensitive interception and surveillance data meant for law enforcement and security agencies. MacGibbon said one of the most concerning aspects for security professionals was how difficult such state-backed campaigns were to identify. For decades, China has used for-hire hackers to break into computer networks and systems. Fairfax Media Unlike ransomware gangs, nation-state actors employ so-called living off the land techniques that exploit legitimate, built-in tools within a victims own systems rather than deploying malware that might trigger security alerts. These stealthy techniques can bypass traditional security tripwires and are much harder to detect, MacGibbon said. CyberCXs most recent threat report found that espionage incidents take on average about 400 days to detect, compared to just over three weeks for financially motivated attacks perpetrated by cybercriminals.

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For businesses, the stakes extend beyond espionage. Jake Hense, a research analyst at American Century, noted that cybersecurity had become fundamental to assessing whether a business can survive long-term, a factor the US Securities and Exchange Commission now requires companies to address in their disclosures. A sustainable business must be able to address risks, including cyberthreats that could significantly impact its ability to conduct day-to-day business, Hense said. Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, Chief of Joint Capabilities, Australian Defence Force. Oscar Colman The warning follows MacGibbons appearance at The Australian Financial Review Cyber Summit in September, where he cautioned that Chinese-made electric vehicles and connected devices posed similar risks as potential surveillance and disruption tools. Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, who leads Defences cyber and space operations, told the same summit that Australia was effectively already fighting in cyberspace.

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I would be naive to get up here and tell you that were not in conflict in the cyber domain now, Coyle said. Our ships will not sail, our planes will not fly, and our missiles will miss targets if we dont get the cyber domain right. Related Article Updated

Cybersecurity ASIO boss sounds alarm on devastating, disruptive Chinese hacking threat MacGibbon said Five Eyes agencies were very alive to the risk and regularly publishing joint advisories with practical guidance for critical infrastructure organisations, including reviewing network device logs for unexpected activity and employing robust change management processes. China has consistently denied involvement in Salt Typhoon, with a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington claiming the US intelligence community was spreading disinformation. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Cybersecurity David Swan is the technology editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He was previously technology editor for The Australian newspaper. or email. Connect via X
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WorldNorth AmericaVaccination Opinion This is the damage RFK Jnr has done in less than a year Jeneen Interlandi Contributor January 1, 2026  3:33pm

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In the days before Christmas, as measles, whooping cough and influenza continued to spread and surge across the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services came perilously close to scrapping the nations long-standing list of recommended childhood vaccines. The number of US children catching measles is rising. Sydney Morning Herald As CNN reported, the agencys plan was to go with a shorter list, along the lines of what Denmark recommends. As Politico reported soon after, that plan was jettisoned at the last minute over legal and political concerns. Sources in and around the department have since suggested that something far worse may still be in the offing. They could still move to align us with a country like Denmark, said Dr Demetre Daskalakis, a former director of the Centres for Disease Control and Preventions respiratory disease division. He resigned in August in protest of the agencys politicisation of vaccine policy. But they could also just scrap the list altogether, so that there are no official recommendations, only vague suggestions. Either of those changes would be unconscionable. Among other things, the CDC list, also known as the childhood vaccine schedule, helps determine which vaccines are covered by insurance, which are included in the Vaccines for Children Program that supplies crucial shots to the un- and underinsured, and which are protected from certain liabilities that might otherwise drive vaccine makers from the US market. Altering those recommendations, or downgrading them to shared clinical decision making, would upend those protocols, and could make it nearly impossible for millions of families to receive certain lifesaving vaccines, even if they still want them.

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However, neither move would be surprising. In the 11 months since he was confirmed as health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr has wreaked steady havoc on the nations vaccination policies and programs. He cancelled hundreds of millions of dollars in federal investment for mRNA vaccines, including ones that would have improved our ability to fight the next flu pandemic. He chased away doctors and scientists at the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC who oversaw federal vaccine policy for decades. Photo: Joe Benke Perhaps worst of all, he fired the entire 17-member Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices, known as ACIP. It is responsible for advising the CDC on which vaccines to recommend for whom. It now consists of a mix of ideologues and incompetents handpicked by Kennedy himself. Already, it has: Rescinded recommendations for any flu shots containing thimerosal, a preservative that keeps multi-dose vaccine bottles free of bacteria and other contamination. It has been in use for nearly a century and has decades worth of data validating its safety.

Revoked a long-standing recommendation of the measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox, or MMRV, combination vaccine for children younger than four. The policy change is not based on any valid medical or scientific concern.

Stopped recommending COVID-19 vaccines for healthy people younger than 65 unless they talk to a health care provider, a move that makes it harder for people who want or need those shots to get them.

Changed the recommendations for hepatitis B vaccination from saying all newborns should have this shot to one that might as well be a shrug emoji: new mothers who test negative should decide for themselves whether to have their babies vaccinated at birth, but might consider waiting.

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None of these changes are evidence-based. All run counter to what the CDCs own experts (and most of the nations leading medical groups) have advised. And all are likely to sow confusion, undermine public trust and ultimately drive the nations vaccination rates down. We are already hearing about pregnant women who test positive for Hep B deciding not to get the shot, said Dr Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Centre at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Because the message theyre getting from that recommendation is that the vaccine itself is dangerous. Proponents of the push to align US recommendations with those of so-called peer nations such as Denmark, Japan and Germany  all of which recommend fewer shots than the US  have billed it as a commonsense corrective. But, as innumerable doctors and scientists have explained, when it comes to public health, countries with fewer shots on their must-have list are not actually our peers. In Denmark, to take the administrations favourite example, prenatal care is free and universal. More than 95 per cent of pregnant women are screened for hepatitis B, and those who test positive are promptly treated and duly monitored. In Japan and in most European nations, primary care systems have the capacity to find and vaccinate children who face a higher risk for vaccine-preventable diseases  and in many of those countries, paid sick leave also helps minimise the spread of contagions through schools and offices. None of this is true in the US, where nearly a quarter of pregnant women lack adequate prenatal care, and those who face the highest risk of contracting and spreading vaccine-preventable diseases are often the least likely to have access to doctors or pharmacies. When US health officials tried to stamp out hepatitis B through vaccination programs aimed at high-risk groups, they failed miserably. It was not until they carried out a universal, at-birth vaccination policy in 1991 that hepatitis B infections finally plummeted  by about 99 per cent. In fact, if the US public health system has one thing going for it relative to other nations, its probably vaccines. As the CDCs own data indicates, routine childhood vaccination has prevented hundreds of millions of illnesses and tens of millions of hospitalisations. It has also saved half a trillion dollars in medical costs, a figure that jumps into the multitrillions once you factor in indirect, societal costs like lost productivity and lost wages.

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The US tends to have higher rates of measles vaccination than Europe, and fewer measles cases as a result. Compared with Denmark, we also tend to have lower hospitalisation rates for rotavirus (which causes diarrhoea and can be fatal in infants and children) and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV (which is a leading cause of hospitalisation among children). The reason for those disparities is not in dispute: we vaccinate routinely against both viruses. Denmark does not. Kennedy and his supporters have said repeatedly that parents should be able to decide for themselves whether to vaccinate their children. But the Trump administrations actions have put the nation on course for a future where even those who want vaccines may not be able to get them. Related Article Review Drugs, sexting and Trumps tantrums: RFKs alleged digital lover Olivia Nuzzis memoir lands Anytime you move away from a clear, universal recommendation, implementation becomes more difficult, said Dr. Fiona Havers, a vaccine expert who resigned from the CDC in protest in June. Does insurance still have to cover a shot that falls under shared clinical decision-making? Maybe. Can you still get it at the pharmacy? Not necessarily. For now, health insurers have promised to continue covering vaccines, regardless of what the CDC does or says, presumably because they understand that vaccinating people is far cheaper than letting them get sick. But consumers would have no obvious recourse if those insurers eventually changed their minds  and, in any case, that promise applies only to families that have commercial health insurance to begin with. About half of all American children rely instead on the federally funded Vaccines for Children Program  and that program falls squarely within the jurisdiction of Kennedy, our anti-vaxxer in chief.

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If the CDC does change the childhood schedule to resemble Denmarks, or scraps that schedule altogether, and if the health secretary decides to adjust the Vaccines for Children Program accordingly, about half of all American families could suddenly find themselves with no clear way to get essential vaccines  their best possible protection against a roster of devastating diseases., including rotavirus, RSV and hepatitis B. In the meantime, the FDA is angling to make an even bigger and more enduring impact on Americans access to vaccines. After claiming, without presenting a shred of proof, that COVID vaccines played a role in the death of 10 children, top officials at the agency have proposed a roster of new requirements for the shots, including several that critics say would be logistically impossible and could leave us with no FDA-approved COVID or flu vaccines. That loss of approval would be disastrous, Daskalakis, Havers and others say. Changes to the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program could also seriously undermine vaccine access. The program, which compensates people who suffer rare side effects from certain vaccines, was established in 1988 after a tidal wave of lawsuits threatened to drive vaccine makers from the American market. If Kennedy decides to exempt any shot that falls under the fuzzy rubric of shared clinical decision-making from this program  and if nobody stops him  vaccine makers may once again threaten to leave the U.S. market. Kennedy could also drive those companies away by adding autism to the list of conditions for which they are potentially liable. (Decades of research has debunked the assertion that vaccines cause autism. But Kennedy and his supporters have proved astoundingly impervious to that evidence.) They will stop selling vaccines here, Havers said. And regardless of what ACIP says, regardless of what FDA says, regardless of what your doctor says, and regardless of what you actually want, if companies dont sell them, people cant get them.

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We dont have to wonder what that future will look like. We can glimpse it already in communities across the country where measles and whooping cough are resurgent and where infants and young children have already died from both. We can also see it foretold in the current flu season: this years flu vaccine has proved an imperfect match to the currently circulating strains. New shots, based on mRNA technology, would have one day enabled us to avoid this kind of misfire. But the nations leaders have imperiled that future with the decisions they made this year. It should not surprise anyone that 2025  when the nations most prominent anti-vaxxer rose to the highest health office in the land  is ending with our vaccine policies in disarray and our access to vaccines increasingly imperiled. Kennedy has brought us to this precipice by aggressively subverting nearly every process and protocol that previously governed our public health institutions. He has granted political appointees enormous sway over agency scientists. He has excluded people with meaningful expertise from his planning and deliberations. And he has fired dissenters all the way up to the CDC director and replaced them with lackeys, sycophants and wellness grifters. The relentless norm-shattering is not just a byproduct of Kennedys larger plans; it is a central feature. Bureaucratic changes to arcane and acronym-laden programs are easy to overlook or forget after a brief flash of indignation, especially in a world saturated with bleak, worrisome headlines. But its through that overlooking that we may eventually lose vaccines altogether. Vaccines are a triumph of human ingenuity, modern medicine and public health. With them, we have beaten back smallpox, chickenpox, yellow fever, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, COVID, meningitis and more. If Kennedy continues to force the nation down the course hes now set, we will be left to explain to future generations how we came to abandon them. The New York Times
CARLOW Co Council has created a childrens book entirely in-house after being inspired by mountain goats that toured the county earlier this year.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff of Carlow is targeted at children of primary school age to spread the message of biodiversity.

Shane Casey, Carlow Co Councils biodiversity officer, who is also an author, came up with the novel idea to help educate young children about the importance of biodiversity in an age-friendly way. He teamed up with Jannette OBrien, the councils climate co-ordinator, who illustrated and designed the book. Together, they have brought out a beautifully produced book that has been distributed to youngsters through national schools all around the county.

We wanted to spread awareness and understanding of Carlows biodiversity in an innovative and compelling way for children to access, explained Shane. The story is a version of the classic fairytale, set in a small town in Co Carlow, but instead of a troll under a bridge, there is an evil lawnmower on the prowl. The lawnmower mows down all the green spaces before wildflowers can grow to feed the bumblebees and Billy goats.

The aim of the book is to encourage all Carlow community and residents groups to manage their green spaces as short and long-flowering meadows. The connection between goats and local biodiversity was underpinned earlier this year when a herd of old Irish goats went on tour around the county, happily chomping away on common green areas in housing estates, towns and villages. The goats became very popular, drawing over 3,500 visitors to towns and villages during the innovative biodiversity project.

Goat herders with the Old Irish Goat Society, Hannah Miller and Melissa Jeuken, brought the goats to Co Carlow twice during the year, such was the success of the project.

Together with Shane, Hannah and Melissa delivered educational talks on pollinators, land management and the rare breed of goats they work with. Now, the project has moved onto its next phase with the publication of The Three Billy Goats Gruff of Carlow.

Copies of the 28-page book have been circulated for free to all 44 primary schools in Carlow and it will be available in all library branches across the county.
James Cox

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon has promised an "Irish Trump", adding that he is working to "help form an Irish national party".

So who is Steve Bannon?

Career

Mr Bannon was an officer in the United States Navy between 1977 and 1983. He then spent two years working at Goldman Sachs as an investment banker.

Mr Bannon then entered the film industry, working as an executive producer in Hollywood from 1991 to 2016.

In 2007, he co-founded right-wing US news website Breitbart News. Around 2010, Mr Bannon also became vice president of Cambridge Analytica.

The little-known firm collected the personal details of millions of Facebook users without their consent, and became the focus of multiple inquiries after its role in the 'vote leave' Brexit campaign was revealed.

It also spread misinformation and the firm was also used by the Trump campaign in 2016.

In 2016, Mr Bannon became the chief executive officer of Mr Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. This is where he became a household name in the US and worldwide.

Mr Trump was trailing Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in major polls at the time, and Mr Bannon was credited with turning the campaign around.

He was a leading voice in the establishment of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, and pushed Mr Trump towards isolationist 'America First' policies.

Mr Bannon was appointed White House chief strategist after Mr Trump's 2016 victory. At the time, he was Mr Trump's most trusted adviser but cracks soon began to form in their relationship.

Mr Bannon was frustrated with Mr Trump moving away from the 'America First' principles he campaigned on, and he fell out with Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka, and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who were serving as informal White House advisers.

Steve Bannon was one of the key architects of Donald Trump's 2016 election success. Photo: Getty Images

He rejoined Breitbart, but left the news website again after his criticism of Mr Trump was reported in Michael Wolff's book Fire and Fury.

Mr Bannon subsequently pledged to become "the infrastructure, globally, for the global populist movement", as he travelled Europe promoting the causes of far-right parties.

He advised Jeffrey Epstein, the financer and convicted child sex offender, on media relations just prior to his arrest on sex trafficking charges and death in prison in 2019.

Outside of the White House bubble, Mr Bannon mended his relationship with Mr Trump and continued to be a leading voice in the MAGA movement.

In 2020, he was arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering connected to the We Build the Wall fundraising campaign.

The lawsuit claimed Mr Bannon and associates had raised funds pledged for Mr Trump's US-Mexico border wall, which was never completed, and used the money to enrich themselves.

Mr Bannon pleaded not guilty and was eventually pardoned by Mr Trump before he left office.

Mr Bannon refused to comply with a subpoena from the January 6th US House select committee, so was indicted by a federal grand jury on criminal charges of contempt of Congress.

In July 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to four months in prison and a $6,500 fine. He was imprisoned from July to October 2024.

He now hosts the War Room podcast, which is popular among far-right groups but considered too extreme among some Republican Party figures.

Why is he interested in Ireland?

Mr Bannon has attempted to further far-right movements across Europe, with limited success.

While Ireland has had little far-right success electorally, Mr Bannon appears to be attempting to inflame anti-immigrant sentiment among far-right groups and influencers here.

In an interview with Politico, he said: "Im spending a ton of time behind the scenes on the Irish situation to help form an Irish national party."

He wouldn't be the first prominent far-right figure in the US to take an interest in Ireland. Former Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and billionaire Elon Musk have spread misinformation about immigration in Ireland on a number of occasions.

In the interview, Mr Bannon added: "Theyre going to have an Irish MAGA, and were going to have an Irish Trump. Thats all going to come together, no doubt. That country is right on the edge thanks to mass migration."

He also expressed support for far-right German party Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Nigel Farage's Reform UK.

MAGA thinks the European governments, by and large, are deadbeats. They love AfD. They love what National Rally is doing. They love Nigel Farage."

Will it have any impact?

Mr Bannon's comments may well embolden far-right influencers here.

However, his claims of an "Irish Trump" are far-fetched given far-right parties and candidates' lack of success in multiple general elections.

This could change of course, and the Government is believed to be concerned about the rising influence of far-right groups.

Far-right groups in Ireland are small and disparate, with infighting being a key issue when they attempt to amalgamate, so Mr Bannon's promise of an 'Irish national party' also seems unlikely.

However, far-right violence here has come to the attention of international groups.

In a report from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (Gpahe), seen by BreakingNews.ie, the authors wrote: "The violence against migrants has made Ireland of particular interest to the international far right, who view the unrest and protests as an inspiration or an example of the white rage festering below the surface as they are forced to endure the indignity of living with unwanted migrants. Images from the 2025 unrest, like masked participants charging police lines on horseback, have been spread across far-right Telegram channels in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and across Europe."

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon has promised an "Irish Trump", adding that he is working to "help form an Irish national party". Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The report warns that although Ireland's far-right "may be small in both size and power compared to many of its European contemporaries" it "nonetheless occupies a significant position as a place of motivation and inspiration for far-right actors and broader anti-immigration movement".

The report notes: "Many of Irelands far-right groups are influenced by American far-right extremists, as they have imported conspiracy theories about 'cultural Marxism' and the white supremacist 'Great Replacement' conspiracy theory that were popularized in the US. To date, none of these groups have had any real electoral success, but are active in attempts to stir up hatred and fear in communities."

Gpahe also point to an attempt by far-right parties in Ireland to amalgamate in what they called the 'National Alliance'.

"This has come to include a swath of small political parties that banded together in 2024 in what they called the National Alliance. While this was a strong showing of unity from the countrys typically fragmented far-right that managed to bring together political parties with xenophobic and discriminatory platforms like the National Party, Ireland First, The Irish People, and several independent candidates, the coalition failed to produce a significant turnout at polling stations and eventually fell apart.

"Outside of the ballot box, the subject of immigration has been mobilizing for the far right, as a handful of smaller groups that target immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community have emerged. Many of these groups use the long history of the Irish people and the Catholic Church to provide religious and cultural justifications for targeting immigrant communities. Others invoke the specter of Hitlers National Socialism to justify their hatred."

Gpahe co-founder and president Wendy Via said the fact Ireland has overwhelmingly rejected far-right parties in elections should not be "mistaken for immunity".

Ms Via said: "Ireland has long resisted extremist political activity, but that resilience should not be mistaken for immunity. What we are seeing now is a movement that exploits public anxiety, and moments of crisis, to normalise xenophobia and, in some cases, incite violence against vulnerable communities.
I would expect the Republicans would be hideously yelling at the tops of their lungs if the Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts had become the Obama-Kennedy Center or the Biden-Kennedy Center. The same goes had a new class of Obama or Biden battleships been created. They yelled and screamed about Biden's fitness for office. But not a peep now, despite Trump's apparently declining physical and mental health and attempts to cover it up. No one has a "routine MRI."



As we are entering 2026, would someone please provide a logical and reasonable answer to these "bigger issue" questions.

I'm offering my commentary.1. Will Trump stand up to Putin to solve the Ukraine war, without Ukraine giving up land to Russia (NY Post, 12/28/2025)? I don't think so. Ukraine was invaded by Russia; Trump wants Ukraine to surrender land. Doing so validates communist aggression, so surrendering land from a democracy to communism should not be an option. Apparently, we are no longer against communist aggression.2. Will our military aggression toward Venezuela increase from a "war on drugs" to an ultimate goal of regime change? The Navy is sinking small Venezuelan boats and summarily killing crews without proof of trafficking. Oil tankers to and from Venezuela are blockaded, and now we are using drones to strike Venezuelan facilities supposedly operated by Tren de Aragua. This is what a "rogue nation" does. All three are acts of war. I think the focus on drugs should first be on Mexico and in cooperation with the Mexican Government.The Congressional Recording Service (CRS) is a non-partisan agency with shared staff of Congress. On 8/26/2025, the CRS updated its publication "Illicit Fentanyl and Mexicos Role." It reported Mexico as the largest supplier of fentanyl, as well as from where largest quantities of fentanyl enter the U.S. On 9/4/2025 the GAO Watchblog also reported much of the fentanyl is being trafficked into the United States from Mexico. The chemicals and equipment used to make fentanyl in Mexico are largely from China.Moving on, Trump has been touting "regime change." Without supporting evidence, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, and has repeated by Trump ad nauseum, that Nicolas Maduro and his criminal associates in Venezuela are flooding the United States with drugs that are poisoning the American people. . . (Treasury Press Release, 12/11/2025).In 2003, W and Cheney pushed for "regime change" and W asked Congress to vote for military action. We now know Congress was presented false evidence of the existence of "weapons of mass destruction." So, where is the evidence justifying our Venezuelan aggression?I see Trump using "regime change" as a distraction for more pressing problems.3. Can Trump actually improve the economic situation in 2026?Blaming Biden for today's economy is not an answer after nearly a year of reversing everything done by the Biden Administration.Anyone who thinks any President can singlehandedly improve the economy is completely wrong. But a President can affect the economy when his Party is the majority Party in both the House and the Senate. The Republicans so far have bowed and kissed Trump's ring, and given him anything he wants.Everyday workers and retirees have only watched as their economic situation deteriorated while billionaires get richer. When the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the economy showed poor job growth for May, June, and July, Trump fired the messenger, Dr. Erika McEntarfer, its Commissioner in August. She was fired without evidence of any misconduct. A new Commissioner will report the economy as how Trump wants, not how the economy is. Look how Bondi and Patel have served him in the DOJ and FBI, formerly independent of The White House.I welcome thoughtful challenges, supported by facts or reasonable opinion. Mere "talking points" will not suffice; neither will personal comments about nor personal attacks on me.Joe Warren

* * *

There are many questions facing our nation in this new year. In response to the aforementioned post I will give my opinion and ask a few questions as well.



In reply to the Trump Kennedy Center name change I think it should have been left alone. The Center could just as easily be named the Clinton Kennedy Center or the Trump Kennedy Center as all three men have been known as womanizers. I dont really care what its called but it gives Democrats a lot of grief.



On the Russian Ukraine War. It was Joe Bidens failed administration that allowed the invasion of Ukraine - weak diplomacy and a lack of critical response at the onset of the Russian troop buildup on the Ukraine border. During one of Bidens gaffes he said basically that as long as Russia just went a little ways into Ukraine it would be then when he would decide what strategy he and Jake Sullivan would use. The Council of Foreign Relations (12/23/21) gives Bidens approach a failure.



But here is the question Mr. Warren didnt expound on.



Are American troops going to be on the ground to protect Ukraine to show that America stands against communism. It appears Mr. Warren is open to this idea by his comments. I wish he had stated his views on American boots on the ground.



How much more military and weapons are the American taxpayers supposed to shell out to stop Putin? The corruption in Ukraine is well documented. Biden got a top prosecutor fired. Remember that little video of him bragging about the investigation of Hunter and Burisma associates where he was going to withhold U.S. funds.



Trump has tried for almost a year to resolve this issue, but it is evident that Ukraine will secede land unless the USA and probably NATO goes to war with Russia.



There are no easy ways to resolve this situation. Ukraine has already lost land and will not reclaim what Putin has occupied. Americans arent interested in another war especially in one with nuclear capability from Putin and China as an ally. How is that going to end?



The War on Drugs and Venezuela. As stated the precursors and chemicals are coming from China. I will trust the military leadership to have the intel to determine which vessels have been monitored and are carrying drugs towards our shores or another place for transport.

All the previous administrations have never tried to stop the cartels and narco terrorist states that are poisoning our citizens. Id say just about everyone knows someone who has lost a family member or a person to Fentanyl.



Is this an Act or War? Maybe or maybe not depends on your opinion. They are at War with Americans by killing our kids and empowering their regimes dictatorial empires with the profits. Maduros oil tankers per many news outlets are in violation of sanctions placed on his regime which is not lawfully recognized. Hopefully he will be deposed and the Venezuelan people can get their country back. As far as Mexico it too is a Narco state and any living politician in Mexico is doing as little as possible to disrupt the cartels or they will be killed as well as their entire family. One battle at a time on the Narco states.



As far as the economy. My economic outlook has improved greatly since Trump took office. Im a retiree and going from the inflation highs that Biden gave all of us to where it is today is a relief. Gas, groceries and goods prices are in many cases lower. Yes, some items are higher from tariffs but with the trade imbalance that has went on for decades Im glad Trump is trying to level the trade relationship with other countries. The damage that Bidens policies did cant be erased in a year. Interest rates are dropping and improving the ability to pay a home mortgage and with the changes enacted by Congress in the Big Beautiful Bill for 26 the economic recovery will continue to grow.



As a Republican I am highly disappointed in Speaker Johnson and Senate Leader Thune. They havent done nearly enough to make the necessary changes to sustain the agenda President Trump was elected to do. It looks as though they are aligned with the Uniparty in my opinion. (The status quo of the lifelong Washington bureaucracy. Democrats and Republicans alike.)



Making political appointments as given by the power of the Presidency should not be hindered by activist judges as what Trump has endured. There is hardly any decision he or his cabinet can make without some activist on the federal bench who tries to usurp the Presidency. These activist judges need to be impeached and removed from the judiciary.



The DOJ and FBI from the Biden administration has been in my opinion the most weaponized in my lifetime. Bondi and Patel are proving to be just as useless as Jeff Sessions. This is probably why Bongino left they werent getting anything done. Bondi and Patel are pathetic in their performance so far. Im awaiting multiple arrests from years of corruption from politicians and players that promoted for example the Russian Collusion hoax and the FBI and DOJ that hid the Hunter Biden Laptop story. Just today 01/01/26 the ex CBSs Katherine Herridge fired in 2024 for reporting on the laptop story) reported how CBS hid the Biden Laptop story which led to her termination.

The very fact that the political machine of the Democrat Party and the mainstream media that pushed the narrative that had Trump arrested and charged in multiple felonies and cases in New York and Georgia along with Jack Smith special prosecutor, Fani Willis and a host of other frivolous charges shows just how weaponized they were. These FBI goons raided Mar-A-Lago when they had full access already and even rummaged through Melanias garments.



I have a few questions though. What does the Democrat Party plan to do now that Mayor Zohran Mamdani, AOC and Bernie Sanders appear to be the new face of the DNC. Is the DNC going to align themselves with these Socialists. They arent Democrats. History shows Socialism doesnt work so where is the DNC on this? Where do our local Democrats stand on this newfound Socialism? This socialist ideology seems to be spreading just look at the Tennessee election where radical Aftyn Behn was running for representative in Nashville area. Whats more disturbing is she got 22k votes in Davidson County. Tennessees AOC is her nickname.



With all the hubbub about Jeffery Epstein why did the Democrats sit on the files for the entire four- year term of Joe Biden and his DOJ only to now have their hair on fire about releasing all the documents. The Democrats could have released the files themselves years ago.



Will the fraud investigation of the state of Minnesota that has revealed so far billions of taxpayer dollars stolen be found to have been occurring in other states led by sanctuary state governors and politicians. This may apply to Republican states as well particularly if they arent doing in depth audits. Fraud appears to be rampant throughout this nation. SNAP, Food Stamps, disability benefits and more. Oversight is highly needed to reduce the abuse and fraud. The DOGE needs to continue. These benefits belong to American citizens only who qualify.



Will there be voter integrity laws passed in the legislature? The voting systems in place presently easily allow for voter fraud - from mail in ballots to the electronic voting machines that have been proven to be able to be accessed by online sources. Much is to be done to ensure voter integrity and proper citizenship and identity.



There are many more questions that could be raised.



Happy New Year.



Arch Tinker

* * *

Mr. Tinker,



Thank you. You get 5 stars, 2 thumbs up and a 10/10 from me.

Phil Snider

* * *

Mr. Warrens recent letter raised clear, fact-supported questions. Mr. Tinkers response, however, relies heavily on emotional claims, unsupported accusations, and contradictions that do not withstand scrutiny.

Mr. Tinker begins by dismissing the Kennedy Center debate with the assertion that multiple presidents are womanizers. That is not evidence; it is an insult used to sidestep the actual issue.

On Ukraine, Mr. Tinker claims one administration allowed Russias invasion, even though Russias aggression began years earlier and stems from Vladimir Putins long-standing ambitions. He then warns of American boots on the ground, a scenario no major U.S. leader has proposed. This is not a factual rebuttal to Mr. Warrens question - it is an invented fear. He repeats a long-debunked claim about a Ukrainian prosecutor being fired to protect a political family, despite bipartisan testimony showing the opposite. He also insists Ukraine will not reclaim land, even though Ukraine has already retaken territory. These are predictions presented as facts.

Mr. Tinker's discussion of Venezuela and Mexico is driven by sweeping emotional language - calling entire nations narco states, claiming all previous administrations never tried to stop cartels, and suggesting foreign governments are at war with Americans. None of these statements are supported with evidence.

Economically, Mr. Tinker argues that no president can influence the economy, except when crediting one president for every improvement and blaming another for every hardship. That contradiction speaks for itself. Finally, he levels serious accusations about "activist judges, weaponized agencies, widespread voter fraud, and hidden Epstein files - without providing a single verifiable fact. These are emotional conclusions, not documented realities.

Our community deserves debate grounded in verifiable information. Mr. Warren offered that. Mr. Tinker offered speculation, contradiction, and emotion - an all too common occurrence in today's political discourse.

Rob Block

Hixson

* * *
Home News Charlie Kirk murder suspect seeks independent prosecutor; defense alleges 'conflict of interest'

Tyler Robinsons defense team is challenging the Utah County Attorneys office's involvement in the criminal case against Charlie Kirks alleged killer because a relative of one of the prosecutors was present at the event where the conservative activist was assassinated.

Robinson's defense team filed a motion last month for the court to appoint an independent prosecutor with the 4th District Court, alleging that a lead prosecuting attorney received text messages from a close relative present at the September shooting and then shared those messages with other prosecutors in the case, reports the Utah-based Gephardt Daily.

Injecting a personal family interest into a capital prosecution creates a substantial risk that prosecutorial judgment has been, or will be, materially affected, defense attorneys reportedly wrote.

The defense initially raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest during a closed-door hearing on Oct. 24, according to a transcript of the proceedings obtained by KUTV. The transcript was released to the public this week with some redactions.

Richard Novak, one of the attorneys representing Robinson, informed Judge Tony Graf during the hearing that the defense planned to file a motion to disqualify the Utah County Attorneys from handling the case.

So  and I'm not trying to pre-argue the issue, but the Utah County Attorneys have advised us that a family member of one of the attorneys was present at the incident at which Mr. Kirk was shot and killed, that this child  I don't know if they're an adult, but I'm not referring to them as a minor, Novak stated.

Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was murdered at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. The conservative activist was having conversations with event attendees about politics and other cultural issues when he was shot.

Novak told the judge that a family member of an unnamed individual in the Utah County attorneys office was within 85 feet of Mr. Kirk when he was killed; had to flee; that the Utah County Attorney's Office was all advised of this; that law enforcement were actually deployed to the area with her safety and status in mind.

The judge has yet to rule on the motion.

The primary reason for the Oct. 24 hearing is that Robinsons defense team filed a motion to permit their client to appear in civilian clothing and without restraints at all hearings.

During the Oct. 24 hearing, Novak requested that the sheriffs allow Robinson to have one hand free to take notes, arguing that theres no reason why that would jeopardize his safety or the safety of anyone else."

It's a sealed hearing. The public's not here. So we just can't imagine any specific reason why he can't have one of his hands free for writing, the defense attorney stated.

Ben Van Noy of the Utah County Attorneys Office said that he objected on behalf of the sheriffs office, arguing that the decision of whether Robinson should remain shackled is the heart of what we're trying to decide.

The judge asked if there was a way to unschackle one of Robinsons hands to allow him to write, prompting a comment from the bailiff that was redacted in the transcript released to the public. Following the remark from the bailiff, the judge stated, All right. Let's go ahead and proceed with that.

Novak presented the defense teams arguments against Robinson having to remain restrained during courtroom appearances, citing the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court case, Deck v. Missouri, which concerned the constitutionality of shackling criminal defendants.

This is not a jail. This is your Honor's courtroom. And what security measures are necessary to ensure everybody's safety, including Mr. Robinson's, are your Honor's decisions, not the sheriff's decisions, the defense attorney told the judge.

So we are not challenging the policy that exists. We're saying that the constitution requires that this Court make an individualized determination as to whether that policy is appropriate in this case, he continued.

Novak also argued that Robinson should be allowed to wear street clothes that are consistent with the Court's standards for what kinds of clothing individuals can wear when in the courtroom.

An attorney for the state, Christopher Ballard, countered that the court could conduct noncritical hearings virtually or in a hybrid format, with Robinson appearing from jail. Ballard noted that if Robinsons on-screen appearance is shown, the screen does not have to show that hes in custody.

And I think also this Court should recognize that the rule that [d]efendant's asking for is contrary to the security plan for this court that the court's security administrator has developed, Ballard stated.
Home News Doctors impregnated wife with another man's semen, lawsuit claims

A couple that turned to fertility treatments 44 years ago claims that doctors inseminated the woman with another man's semen sample instead of her husbands, according to a recent lawsuit filed against Oregon Health and Science University and its affiliate, Providence Health.

The suit, filed on Dec. 26 in Multnomah County Circuit Court, claims that inadequate procedures and oversight led to the womans insemination with genetic materials that didnt belong to her husband, KOIN reports.

The couple is suing the hospital for $17 million, including $5 million sought for non-economic damages.

The couple  identified as C.W. and K.W.  sought to undergo fertility treatments at OHSU in March 1980 for help with pregnancy difficulties. After undergoing the insemination procedure in the spring of 1981, C.W. became pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl, A.P., in December 1981.

In September 1980, an individual identified as R.W. was referred to the family planning unit at OHSU. The defendants in the case wrongfully used R.W.s semen during C.W.s insemination procedure, according to the lawsuit.

Genetic testing later confirmed that K.W. was not the father of A.P., with the lawsuit arguing that the child is the product of "nonconsensual birth, and will "endure doubt, frustration, confusion, and embarrassment for the remainder of her life.

However, the complaint states that OHSU continues to conceal or otherwise deny that C.W. was wrongfully inseminated with a foreign donors semen.

"Further, OHSU has failed to properly investigate and notify its patients of medical errors after being placed on notice of Plaintiffs claims," the lawsuit adds.

In response to an inquiry from The Christian Post, OHSU said that it could not provide a comment due to patient privacy laws and pending litigation.

The lawsuit asserts that the plaintiffs continue to suffer mental and emotional anguish, physical pain, emotional distress, physical manifestations of emotional distress including embarrassment, loss of self-esteem, disgrace, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life that have prevented and will continue to prevent Plaintiffs from performing daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment of life.

Katy Faust, the founder and president of the children's advocacy group Them Before Us, who has been a vocal critic of in-vitro fertilization, believes that the case demonstrates how the fertility industry places the desires of adults above the needs of children.

The lawsuit takes place because the adults did not take home the product that they ordered, not because a child went home with an unrelated adults. The reality is that's often planned by the commissioning adults, Faust told The Christian Post.

The separation of a child from their biological parents is not a bug, Faust argues, but a feature of what she described as #BigFertility.

And it's usually celebrated because the adults are getting what they want. In this case, the adults didn't, the Them Before Us founder told CP. That's the only reason why they are suing OHSU.

If this were about the rights of the child to be raised by their own mother and father, something which seems to matter a great deal to the child in this lawsuit, then a huge percentage of IVF cycles would be deemed unethical, Faust added. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of children, the only thing that qualifies as ethics in the world of IVF is making the adults happy.

Over the years, there have been reported cases of clients who similarly claimed to have experienced mistreatment or neglect when they turned to the fertility industry, including embryo mix-ups that led to a woman giving birth to a child that is biologically unrelated to her and cases involving fertility doctors using their own sperm to create embryos for their female patients.

In 2022, Netflix released a documentary on an Indianapolis-based fertility doctor who secretly impregnated dozens of women with his own sperm in the 1970s and 1980s.
Home News Indonesian church celebrates Christmas despite pressure to cancel service

SURABAYA, Indonesia  A pastor came under pressure from local Muslims in Indonesia on Christmas Eve to announce that Christmas services were cancelled even though his church won approval to hold the celebrations, sources said.

The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services of the 70-member Indonesian Evangelical Mission Church (Gereja Misi Injili Indonesia, GMII) Bethlehem went ahead as planned in Sukasirna village, Jonggol District, Bogor Regency, West Java Province, despite the pastors announcement, which was delivered only to cool Islamist anger.

Pastor Irianto Budy on Dec. 24 was invited to attend a meeting organized by a Muslim group consisting of local governmental and religious leaders.

During the meeting, organizers stated that the churchs Christmas services should be banned due to potential attacks from outside hardline Islamic groups, though they provided no information about the nature of the prospective attacks or the identity of the assailants.

I was asked to refrain from holding a Christmas celebration because there are potential attacks from outside or from hardline groups, Pastor Irianto told Morning Star News. Therefore, they [also] asked us to refrain from worshipping on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, 2026. But Sundays are permitted.

The ban, however, met with opposition in public statements by local religious leaders, including representatives of large Islamic organizations such as Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in the Jonggol area. Nahdlatul Ulama is the largest cultural Islamic organization in Indonesia, with approximately 150 million members, while Muhammadiyah is the second biggest with about 60 million members.

Our Muslim brothers and sisters came to support us, Pastor Irianto said. This proves that the spirit of religious solidarity and brotherhood remains strong among Indonesians. We are not afraid of the threats against us because God and the spirit of solidarity of our Muslim friends strengthen us.

Pastor Irianto said the opposing Muslim group hadnt expected the support of the larger Islamic organizations.

They certainly did not anticipate that the Christmas celebrations would take place with such extraordinary support from our fellow believers and the authorities, Irianto said. Those who opposed the intolerant groups actions condemned the intolerant groups actions, then spread the information on social media, receiving significant public criticism.

Facing the unexpected response, the opposing Muslim group on Dec. 24 forced Pastor Irianto Budy to say that the church had agreed with village officials, Public Order Agency officers and the local Indonesian Ulema Council to refrain from holding the Christmas services.

I was indeed under pressure in the video, so I restrained myself from getting emotional and conveyed my message in a slightly diplomatic manner, he stated, according to Wartapenariau.com. I dont want to say. I was forced, but I was asked to deliver it. In the video, I used gentle language intentionally.

Pastor Irianto said the spirit of religious solidarity remains strong among believers of different religions.

Our Muslim brothers and sisters came to support us, he said. This proves that the spirit of religious solidarity and brotherhood remains strong among Indonesians. We are not afraid of the threats against us because God and the spirit of solidarity of our Muslim friends strengthen us.

He added that his congregation has frequently received pressure and threats from Muslim groups.

Misdirected Letter

Pastor Irianto said conflict likely began after he sent a letter to the Sukasirna police chief on Dec. 24 requesting security for his congregation, common for Indonesian minority groups when holding large-scale religious events.

We have experienced social pressure and threats, he said.

Two church messengers, however, delivered the letter instead to the nearest Sukasirna Village Office, hoping it would be forwarded to the appropriate police later that day, he said.

Apparently, the letter was made public by an irresponsible person who spread information about the Christmas celebrations to residents of Jonggol village, Pastor Irianto said.

The person who leaked the letter and the Muslim group opposing the Christian services then held a meeting attended by Public Order Agency officials, village officials and members of the local Indonesian Ulema Council, he said. During the meeting, Pastor Irianto acknowledged that he was under pressure to cancel the service he had planned for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

News of the ban on the services was then widely disseminated. Against the Muslim opponents expectations, the local interfaith community including Muslim groups condemned the pressure.

Those who opposed the intolerant groups actions condemned the intolerant groups actions, then spread the information on social media, receiving significant public criticism, Pastor Irianto said.

The Indonesian Movement for All (PIS), an advocacy organization, stated that the meeting between Pastor Irianto, the Muslim opponents and officials lacked transparent legal mechanisms, court rulings and an alternative solution by the state for the congregation. The group asserted that the case was not merely an administrative matter but a constitutional issue.

The 1945 Constitution expressly guarantees every citizen the freedom to practice their religion and worship, the group stated. The village officials and even the Public Order Agency do not have the authority to prohibit individuals from worshipping.

The Indonesian Coalition for Religious and Worship Advocacy called on the Ministry of Religious Affairs to intervene and help resolve the conflict.

Pastor Irianto said the head of Sukasirna village had met with him on the afternoon of Dec. 24, following the communitys reaction, and assured him that the Christmas celebrations would proceed safely. Police met with him on Saturday and assured him that all religious services, particularly those for New Years and Chinese New Year, would be closely monitored.

The chief of police has promised that year-end and New Years services will be tightly secured, the pastor said.

Indonesian society in recent years has adopted a more conservative Islamic character, and churches involved in evangelistic outreach are at risk of being targeted by Islamic extremist groups, according to Open Doors.

This article was originally published at Morning Star News
Home News Virginia school board bans compelled use of trans pronouns

A major school district in Virginia has adopted new policies to prevent the forced use of trans-identified students and teachers chosen pronouns, as teachers and students in districts across the United States have faced repercussions for referring to individuals using names and pronouns that match their sex.

At a Dec. 15 school board meeting, the Chesapeake Public Schools Board of Education in Chesapeake voted 7-2 to amend the school districts policy manual to clarify that all employees are expected to refrain from providing to a student his or her preferred personal title or pronouns if such preferred personal title or pronouns do not correspond to his or her sex" and refrain from compelling any staff member to address any employee or refer to any employees in a manner that violates the staff members constitutionally protected rights."

The changes to the school districts general expectations for employees also include a provision stating that employees should not compel any student to address any employee or refer to any employee in a manner that violates the students constitutionally protected rights. After nearly an hour of public comments, most of which were in opposition to the policy changes, the board voted to approve.

Chesapeake Public Schools serves more than 39,000 students.

Angela Swygert, the chair of the Chesapeake Public Schools Board of Education, noted at the meeting that the voluntary use of alternative pronouns and titles by employees amongst their peers is not prohibited by this policy."

A person who does not fundamentally agree with the use of alternative pronouns and titles cannot be compelled to use them," Swygert said.

The school board's vote drew a strong rebuke from the editorial board of the left-leaning local newspaper The Virginian-Pilot, writing in an op-ed that the school board was "proudly proclaiming its intolerance" by prohibiting "the use of pronouns that differ from employees birth certificates." The newspaper accused the school board of "succumbing to trans panic and promoting discrimination against a marginalized group."

"They may be cheering themselves today, but this ignoble act puts them firmly on the wrong side of history," the editorial board wrote.

"The effect of that policy is clear: It will single out transgender teachers, staff and students for embarrassment and ridicule. What school officials claim was a measure to improve tolerance in schools instead rips away the right of people in the district to be referred in the way they prefer. It is a clumsy attempt to erase the reality of transgender staff and students in favor of a narrow, outdated view of gender identity."

Teachers across Virginia and the U.S. have faced professional consequences for declining to refer to trans-identified students using their self-declared names and pronouns due to their deeply held beliefs about gender and sexuality.

Last year, the West Point School Board in Virginia reached a $575,000 settlement with former French teacher Peter Vlaming, who was fired in 2018 for declining to refer to a trans-identified female student using male pronouns because of his religious beliefs.

Pamela Ricard, a math teacher in Kansas, found herself in a similar situation in 2022 when she was suspended because she did not refer to a trans-identified student by their preferred name. She reached a $95,000 settlement with the school district later that year.

Several states have passed laws prohibiting schools from forcing teachers to use trans-identified students self-declared pronouns, specifically Tennessee, Wyoming and Idaho. At the federal level, President Donald Trump signed an executive order shortly after taking office earlier this year, vowing to withhold federal funds from public schools that engage in what he referred to as the indoctrination of students with gender ideology and discriminatory equity ideology.

Students have also been punished for failing to refer to teachers by their self-declared pronouns. In 2023, two students in Glendale, California, were suspended for five days because they misgendered a teacher.
Home Opinion 10 ways to prepare the way for the Lord in 2026

When God is about to reveal Himself in a new way, He raises up voices, not celebrities. He raises up prophets, not performers. And before Jesus began His public ministry, God prepared a manJohn the Baptistto prepare a people. Jesus declared that among those born of women, no one was greater than John (Matt. 11:11). Why? Because John understood his assignment: I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord (Isa. 40:3).

Just as John prepared Israel for the first coming of Christ, the Church must prepare the way for the presence of the Lord in our day. Whether in our homes, congregations, or communities, God moves when a people posture their hearts properly. Here are 10 ways we can prepare the way of the Lord today.

1. Heal the generational divide

Malachi 4:5-6 teaches that before the Lord visits His people in power, He restores relationships between fathers and children. John the Baptist carried this very mandate through the spirit of Elijah (Luke 1:17).

Generational reconciliation breaks curses and creates spiritual alignment. The enemy knows that when generations disconnect, wisdom is lost, zeal becomes reckless, and the faith traditions that sustain revival disappear. If we want to prepare the way of the Lord, we must restore honor, communication, and interdependence between fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, and spiritual elders and younger disciples.

2. Return to the wisdom of the just

Johns ministry turned the disobedient to the wisdom of the just (Luke 1:17). Preparing for Gods presence begins with embracing wisdom  wisdom found in Scripture, in the saints of old, and in seasoned spiritual leaders.

Even Jesus, at age 12, demonstrated a heart eager to learn from Israels teachers (Luke 2:4649). Those who prepare the way of the Lord refuse to live by their own opinions. They sit under counsel, they listen, they learn, they walk humbly with those ahead of them. We cannot walk into Gods future while ignoring Gods wisdom.

3. Embrace humility instead of the spotlight

John the Baptist never chased crowds, platforms, or applause. While political and religious elites dominated Jerusalem, God bypassed them all and brought His word to a man in the wilderness (Luke 3:12).

God consistently reveals Himself to the humble:

Shepherds in the field (Luke 2:8-14).

Wise men seeking truth (Matthew 2:1-12).

Simeon longing for the Messiah (Luke 2:25-35).

Anna fasting and praying in the temple (Luke 2:36-38).

Humility is the landing strip for the presence of God. When we stop striving for visibility and begin pursuing purity, God meets us in power.

4. Accept the long preparation of God

John spent decades in obscurity preparing for a ministry that likely lasted less than a year. Today, many want instant influence without internal formation. But God takes His time preparing His messengers.

Preparation is often hidden, lonely, and uncelebrated; yet it is in those seasons that God forms character, sharpens identity, and strengthens conviction. People who prepare the way of the Lord embrace Gods timing instead of demanding their own.

5. Point everything back to Jesus

When crowds gathered around John, he refused to take glory for himself. He said, I am not the Christ (John 1:20) and later declared, He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).

If we want to prepare the way for the Lord, Jesus must become the center of everythingour lives, our homes, our ministries, our ambitions. Revival comes where Christ is exalted, not where personalities are elevated. A Jesus-first life is fertile soil for His presence.

6. Refuse the fear of man  speak truth in love

John fearlessly confronted sin in religious leaders, soldiers, tax collectors, and even King Herod. His courage cost him freedom and eventually his life. Yet he never compromised.

Preparing the way for the Lord requires boldness shaped by love. A church afraid to confront sin is a church unprepared for Christs holiness. In a culture that prizes affirmation over transformation, truth must be proclaimed with compassion, clarity, and conviction.

7. Live a focused and simple life

John lived free from materialism, distraction, and entitlement. His simplicity sharpened his spiritual perception.

In an age drowning in noise, anxiety, and commercialism  especially around Christmas  simplicity is prophetic. A simplified life creates room for devotion. When we declutter our hearts and homes, we prepare a place for the Lord to dwell richly among us.

8. Maintain unbroken focus on your calling

John never wavered from his assignment. He did not allow crowds, criticism, or competition to pull him off course.

Today, distraction is one of the enemys greatest tools. Believers often begin with passion but drift due to busyness, discouragement, or misplaced priorities. Preparing the way of the Lord means guarding our focus and pointing everything  every conversation, every opportunity, every season  back to Christ.

9. Know your assignment and stay in your lane

John understood the boundaries of his calling. When people tried to elevate him or compare him to Jesus, he answered, A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven (John 3:27).

Comparison is a thief of anointing. When we covet someone elses gifting or sphere, we lose authority in our own. To prepare the way for the Lord, we must embrace exactly what God gave us  nothing more, nothing less. Obedience in our lane invites the presence of the King.

10. Commit to finish well, even through suffering

John ended his life in prison, beheaded for righteousness sake. Yet he died faithful. Even in moments of doubt  sending word to Jesus, Are You the One?  he stayed loyal to his calling.

Preparing the way for the Lord is not merely about starting strong; it is about enduring, persevering, and remaining faithful to the end. God entrusts His presence to those who remain unshaken in trials.

Conclusion

John the Baptist was more than a historical figure  he is a prophetic blueprint for preparing our generation for the presence of Christ. When we heal generational gaps, embrace humility, learn wisdom, pursue purity, resist fear, simplify our lives, stay focused, and remain faithful, we create an atmosphere where the Lord delights to dwell.
Home Opinion Minnesota fraud scandal exposes the real crisis facing the West

The Minnesota Somali fraud scandal somehow manages to get worse and worse as the legacy media mostly ignore the issue and Democrats shrug. At the heart of this scandal lies the larger crisis facing the West.

On Friday, independent journalist Nick Shirley released a 42-minute YouTube documentary detailing his efforts to uncover what exactly is going on in Minnesota and how a ring of mostly Somali scammers squelched billions of dollars from taxpayers under the noses of Gov. Tim Walz and state authorities.



Vice President JD Vance praised the video on X and wrote that Shirley did more important journalism than all the recent Pulitzer Prize winners.

The video is certainly worth watching. Among the big findings uncovered is a series of so-called daycare centers and other facilities being funded in the state that have no children in them at all.

In one of the most remarkable scenes, Shirley arrived at a location called the Quality Learing Center. Yes, Learing, which was obviously misspelled. The center had been licensed for 99 children, but none were there. In front of the building, a woman kept shouting, Dont open up, ICE. Shirley informed her that he was merely a journalist, but she ignored him and kept shouting.

Amazing.

This is just the latest in what is without a doubt, one of the biggest scandals in American history.

According to some estimates, Somali scammers have taken more money from taxpayers in the last few years than the entire gross domestic product of Somalia.

Also, according to the New York Post, the stolen money accounts for roughly half of the $18 billion in total federal funds provided to the Minnesota-run services since 2018.

It wasnt long ago that Walz was bragging about how he was sending more money to these childcare programs in the vice-presidential debate against Vance.

Walz and most Democrats seem to be, at most, slightly bothered that they have to talk about this story at all, and have tried to make this out to be a bipartisan issue that must simply be managed.

But it wasnt Republicans who ran the state of Minnesota; it wasnt Republicans creating these massive entitlement programs. And while there are Republicans who embrace the kind of open-ended immigration that enabled the Somali fraud scandal, they are at least much less prominent in the age of President Donald Trump.

No, this is a problem created by the Left, one that Democrats are apparently unwilling to confront with any level of urgency.

Lets take a step back here and get back to the rub of this Somali scammer problem at its source. Its not just about a broken immigration system with perverse incentives, though weve certainly had that.

What the Somali fraudsters did was a matter of greed and crookedness, a replication of the kind of schemes that allow one to get ahead in their homeland. Its immoral, but easy to understand in a basic sense. Its the kind of corruption that ruins countries the world over, but it isnt remarkable.

Now, lets say you really are an old-school New Deal Democrat who believes strongly in the power of government and a robust welfare state. You should be the most enraged by whats happened, right? After all, these apparently well-meaning programs have become the means by which our modern-day Visigoths have essentially sacked the capital city and turned their programs into a complete mockery of the whole system.

But outrage hasnt materialized on the Left. If anything, theyre miffed they have to talk about the Somali fraud story at all. A few legacy media outlets have covered it, including CBS News under new management, but they hardly seem to want to make this story part of the national conversation. Why is that?

When Fox News columnist David Marcus went to Minnesota to find out what the feeling was in the state about the whole mess, I think he got to the heart of the matter. He found mostly apathy and indifference from the local liberal voters.

Its hard to care much about it when ICE is disappearing Somalis on the streets, said Anne, who David described as a white woman in her mid-30s working in tech. Other people he spoke to had similar feelings.

Just as neat, necktied Portlanders are happy to step over dead junkies en route to brunch, Minnesotans dont feel the impact of the fraud connected to the community, Marcus wrote.

I imagine this apathetic attitude is common among the Democratic Partys most engaged base voters.

New Deal liberalism is dead. In its place is a warped ideology, a new religion. Many blue state programs have been converted into quasi-religious enterprises, fueling what appears to be virtually unmitigated graft, the depth of which we are only beginning to understand.

The government is no longer there to give all Americans a leg up. Its there to enact an identitarian form of social justice, to sort out the winners and losers of its largesse based on a mystical hierarchy of oppression only fully understood in the inner sanctums of the federally funded ivory tower.

That money was siphoned away by illegal means wasnt really so terrible, according to this thinking. It was just the product of a mandated secular tithe to soothe the modern liberal conscience, made no less noble by its seedy application. What the oppressed groups do with the money justly given isnt the biggest problem, after all.

This whole scheme will eventually come crashing down at some point. But for now, it can be safely ignored.

The real problem right now, so this thinking goes, is that bigoted Americans noticed the scandal and might not be so keen about bringing in waves of more Somalis, who are the real victims here.

At worst, this is a temporary embarrassment, a story that needs to just go away so they can keep up the narrative that all people brought to America are really much better than the current, unworthy occupants of our stolen land. These unfortunate, oppressed people need to be protected from the meanies on the Right by any means necessary, even if it means the big government programs they created go bust.

Its that pervasive mentality, the one exhibited by the woman standing in front of the Learning center, shouting about how Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the real, existential problem we now face.

This toxic, civilizationally suicidal impulse of misguided, self-destructive empathy mixed with self-loathing is costing us far more than the billions of dollars already pillaged from state coffers. In the end, it may cost us everything.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
Democratic Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders and right-wing Gov. Ron DeSantis agree on virtually nothing. But they found common ground this year as leading skeptics of the artificial intelligence industry's data center boom.

The alignment of two national figures on the left and right signals that a political reckoning is brewing over the AI industry's impact on electricity prices, grid stability and the labor market. The opposition could slow the industry's development plans if it reaches a broad bipartisan consensus.

Sanders, I-VT, has called for a national moratorium on data center construction.

"Frankly, I think you've got to slow this process down," Sanders told CNN in a Dec. 28 interview. "It's not good enough for the oligarchs to tell us it's coming  you adapt. What are they talking about? They're going to guarantee healthcare to all people? What are they going to do when people have no jobs?"

Florida Gov. DeSantis unveiled an AI bill of rights on Dec. 4 that would protect local communities' right to block data center construction among other provisions. The staunch Republican's proposal could run afoul of the White House, which is pushing to scale up AI as quickly as possible. President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Dec. 11 to prevent "excessive state regulation" of AI.

"We have a limited grid. You do not have enough grid capacity in the United States to do what they're trying to do," DeSantis said of the AI industry's data center plans at an event in The Villages, Florida.

"As more and more information has gotten out, do you want a hyperscale data center in The Villages? Yes or no," the governor asked. "I think most people would say they don't want it."

DeSantis is finishing out his second term as Florida's governor and his future political ambitions are unclear. Sanders has said his fourth term as Vermont's senator will likely be his last.

Florida and Vermont are not major data center states. But rising utility bills played a key role in the landslide victory of Democrat Abigail Spanberger in the governor's race this year in Virginia, the world's largest data center market.

Residential electricity prices are forecast to rise another 4% on average nationwide in 2026 after increasing about 5% in 2025, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.

With cost of living at the center of American politics, the impact of data centers on local communities will likely play a role in the mid-term elections next November.

"We have gone from a period where data centers were sort of seen as an unmitigated good and as an engine of growth by a lot of elected officials and policymakers to people now recognizing that we're short," said Abe Silverman, who served as general counsel for the public utility board in New Jersey from 2019 until 2023 under Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy.

"We do not have enough generation to reliably serve existing customers and data centers," Silverman said.
Still life of the big three injectable prescription weight loss medicines. Ozempic, Victoza and Wegovy. (Photo by: Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Ucg | Universal Images Group | Getty Images

Novo Nordisk's shift from a market darling to a serious underperformer has set the stage for a transitional 2026 as the Danish drugmaker fights to regain investor confidence in its weight loss business. Novo's stock just experienced the worst year on record since it began trading on the Copenhagen stock exchange over three decades ago. Multiple reasons lie behind the dramatic drop: a series of guidance cuts, strides by chief rival Eli Lilly , a leadership upheaval, and cheap copycat drugs flooding the crucial U.S. market. With just about a week to go until 2026, Novo announced that its new weight loss pill under the brand name Wegovy had been approved in the U.S., making it the first oral GLP-1 treatment approved for weight loss. It sent shares up nearly 10% as investors banked on Novo being able to, at least partly, hold Eli Lilly and others at bay. That "early Christmas present," as one analyst called it, highlights many of the key themes Novo will have to face this year. From injectables to pills Novo's position as the first company to launch an oral option could help it make up some of the ground it's lost over the past year in the GLP-1 space. Analysts mostly agreed that the Wegovy pill's approval was a big deal, even though many had already expected a positive decision before the end of the year. Eli Lilly is expected to get its own weight loss pill orforglipron approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by no later than the second quarter of this year, and investors will closely watch how that competition plays out.

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"This approval adds a layer to the whole obesity space in the future," Sydbank analyst Sren Lntoft Hansen told CNBC. "It could be, potentially, a space where Novo Nordisk is maybe able to recapture market shares and maybe increase growth." Wegovy-in-a-pill, as Novo calls the oral version of the blockbuster injectable, has shown that patients lose on average 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks. Meanwhile, orforglipron, averages 12.4% over 72 weeks. "Usually, you have to basically go for either convenience or efficacy when you're discussing pills versus injections  not in this case," Novo CEO Mike Doustdar told CNBC's Charlotte Reed in November. "Wegovy in a pill basically will have the same efficacy as its injectable counterpart. That's really exciting." The broad consensus is that pills will also be favored by consumers. They have added advantages such as not having to be stored cold like the injectable version, allowing for simpler distribution and ease of entering new markets. A shifting narrative? Eli Lilly's positioning of its rival drug Zepbound as the best treatment for achieving weight loss on the market for once-weekly injections has helped it succeed in capturing significant market share to surpass Novo's Wegovy. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk's positioning has been different as they've often emphazised that treating obesity goes beyond losing weight. "They want to tell a story about how obesity should be seen as a disease and how Wegovy affects obesity-related diseases," Sydbank's Hansen said. "As we will build and buy assets, you will often see that these assets do multiple things," Doustdar said in early November. "They address other co-morbidities. We have seen that with semaglutide; it helps liver, kidney, heart  that's fantastic  we should actually go and further develop those," he said in the context of the future focus of its pipeline. However, it seems that's not important to Americans or the market, according to Hansen. "The fraction that prescribes Wegovy or obesity drugs in relation to obesity-related diseases is very small," he noted, adding that even if many patients don't necessarily want to lose more than 20% of their body weight, they at least want the opportunity to achieve that highest rate of weight loss. "It seems like that drives the market, and if Novo Nordisk is able to tap into that story with the Wegovy pill, I think they are in a good place," Hansen said.

Novo in late November said it filed for FDA approval of a higher dose of Wegovy injection of 7.2 mg, which could also play into a changing narrative. Trials have shown that the higher dose of Wegovy resulted in a 20.7% weight reduction on average  about the same as Lilly's Zepbound jab. The U.S. consumer The increased focus on the direct-to-consumer market will be another key area to watch. The market for weight loss pharmaceuticals is uniquely consumer-driven, contrasting many other blockbuster drugs that are typically covered by health plans in the U.S. or national health systems in Europe.

"The marketable development for Wegovy and Ozempic is a must-win battle for [CEO] Mike Doustdar and the new board." Sren Lntoft Hansen Sydbank analyst

President Donald Trump's second term in office has brought several headaches for pharmaceutical companies, Novo included. Throughout the year, Trump has teased triple-digit tariffs unless pharma companies make significant investments in the U.S., and has also waged a war on high drug prices for Americans. The frustration that U.S. drug prices can be more than four times those in Europe isn't new. Last year, Novo's then-CEO Lars Fruergaard Jrgensen testified at the U.S. Senate panel chaired by Sen. Bernie Sanders, who called for the company to "stop ripping us off" with high drug prices. But Trump has taken it further, advocating a so-called "Most Favored Nation" pricing for medicines, whereby the U.S. price is set to the lowest level compared to other wealthy countries. In November, the Trump administration reached a deal with Novo and Lilly to lower prices of their bestselling GLP-1 medicines on both Medicare and Medicaid, as well as agreements to offer them directly to consumers at a discount on the website TrumpRx.gov, which is set to be launched in January this year.

The new direct-to-patient market is emerging as a critical driver of future sales growth, but compounders  which make cheaper copycat versions of the drug and were able to flourish during the earlier shortage of semaglutide  remain a real competitor. "The TrumpRx deal will help Novo become more competitive with compounders on price, although a faster orforglipron launch could reduce its ability to gain momentum in the [direct-to-patient] channel ahead of Lilly," noted Morningstar's Karen Andersen. "We've already seen the direct-to-patient market beginning to develop nicely in 2025, particularly for LillyDirect oral GLP-1 drugs will be even better suited to this channel," she added. "That will further push the market toward cash pay." Headwinds Investors are also waiting to see if Novo's new leadership will deliver on its attempt to improve U.S. operations. In May, Novo ousted its CEO of eight years, citing "recent market challenges" and "the development of the company's share price." Six months later, all independent members of the board stepped down due to a disagreement with Novo's controlling shareholder over the pace of change and discontent over how it had addressed challenges in the U.S. market. "The marketable development for Wegovy and Ozempic is a must-win battle for [CEO] Mike Doustdar and the new board," Hansen said, adding that the development in the U.S. market is a "show me case" for investors. "Right now, we really don't see any significant positive progress here," he told CNBC on Dec 23. The Danish drugmaker must therefore balance progress on its pill version and higher-dose jabs of Wegovy with these multiple headwinds in 2026. Lower pricing for both the Medicare and consumer cash-pay channel as a result of MFN, as well as patent expiries in jurisdictions including Brazil, Canada and China will "probably lead to a decreasing top line," said Hansen. Furthermore, 2026 will likely bring more clarity on Novo's next-generation drug CagriSema, which combines semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, with cagrilintide, an amylin analogue.

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Police officers walk at the site of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026. Several people were killed and others injured when an explosion ripped through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans Montana, Swiss police said early on January 1.

Around 40 people were killed and 115 injured when a fire ripped through a crowded bar during a New Year's Eve party in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, officials said on Thursday.

Police said the fire broke out at 1:30 a.m. (0030 GMT) as revellers were celebrating in a bar called Le Constellation in the resort in southwestern Switzerland, which locals said was popular with teenagers.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the disaster as "one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known" and said most of the dead were young people.

The cause of the blaze, which was initially reported as an explosion, remained unclear but authorities said the fire appeared to be an accident rather than an attack.

Authorities warned that naming the victims or establishing a definitive death toll would take time because many of the bodies were badly burned. Experts were using dental and DNA records to try to identify the dead.

Video footage verified by Reuters showed fire spreading from the building, and witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as people rushed to get out.

"There were people screaming, and then people lying on the ground, probably dead," said 21-year-old Samuel Rapp, who saw the aftermath of the fire. "They had jackets over their faces."

The head of the local canton's police, Frederic Gisler, said around 40 people were presumed to be dead and 115 were injured, most of them seriously. He said it was too early to give details on the identity of the dead and injured but Italian authorities said 6 Italians were still missing and 13 in hospital.

Two young French women who said they were in the bar told France's BFM TV that they saw the fire start in the basement section of the club after a bottle containing "birthday candles" was held up too close to the wooden ceiling.

"The fire spread across the ceiling super quickly," one of the two women, who identified themselves as Emma and Albane, told BFM TV. The pair said they were able to climb a narrow staircase to the ground floor and escape the building. Minutes later, the fire had reached the ground floor too, they said.

BFM showed video of a waitress carrying a champagne bottle with a lit "fountain candle" through the bar, one of many in Crans-Montana, a fashionable ski centre with an array of boutiques, luxury hotels and restaurants. But the footage did not show the fire breaking out.

Local prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said an investigation had been opened into the blaze at the bar, which Swiss company records showed was owned by a French couple, but she said it was too early to comment on any possible safety failures.

"There are still many circumstances to be clarified... The most likely scenario at present is that a widespread fire caused an explosion," she told a press conference.

Witnesses said many of those celebrating in the bar appeared to be from different countries. Foreign governments were calling around to establish whether their nationals were among the victims but were facing a lengthy process because the severity of the burns had rendered identification challenging, one European official said.

"We met the families this afternoon and it's terrible because to be in front of them with all their fear and apprehension and terrible anxiety and we don't have all the answers. And we won't have them straight away because identifying them will take time. It's a terrible situation on the ground. Unimaginable," Mathias Reynard, president of the Valais cantonal government, told Reuters, his voice breaking.

President Emmanuel Macron said some of the victims were being transferred to French hospitals.

Italy's ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, told Sky TG24 that local authorities had told him the fire was started by someone letting off a firework inside the bar.

Witnesses described injured being treated in improvised triage centres set up in a nearby bar and in a branch of UBS bank and said many suffered after coming out of the heat of the bar into the freezing night air.

"And then it was just ambulances coming back and forth as much as possible," said Dominic Dubois, who witnessed the frantic scenes as the bodies were brought out.

Video footage showed lines of ambulances queuing and helicopters landing to take victims to nearby hospitals and specialist burn units in other Swiss cities, including Lausanne and Zurich. Switzerland's neighbours, France, Germany and Italy, also offered to treat victims in their own centres.

On Thursday morning, footage from the street outside showed the area cordoned off, with forensic tents behind white screens set up in front of the bar.

Hundreds of people paid their respects to the victims at the top of the road in front of the scene on Thursday evening. Dozens left flowers or lit candles on a makeshift altar in front of the police cordon as a large crowd stood in silence in the frosty night.

Crans-Montana is due to host next year's Alpine World Ski Championships. Swiss officials said the fire was unprecedented in Switzerland.

"What was meant to be a moment of joy turned, on the first day of the year in Crans-Montana, into mourning that touches the entire country and far beyond," Parmelin said on the social media platform X.
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Warren Buffett's last day as Berkshire's CEO

After six decades in the job he bought for himself with what he's called the "dumbest" investment of his life, Wednesday was Warren Buffett's last day as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO. His strategy of using insurance premiums, "float," to make brilliant investments in stocks and to help buy entire companies transformed the struggling textile mill into a $1 trillion conglomerate and made him one of the wealthiest people in the world with a net worth of more than $150 billion. He has already given away stock currently valued at $208 billion and has directed his children to eventually donate virtually all that's left.

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It isn't really a "retirement." At the age of 95, he will remain chairman of the board and still plans to come to the company's Omaha HQ as much as he ever did. But he has said he will be "going quiet ... sort of" and will leave all the decision making to the new CEO, Greg Abel, who has been serving as vice-chairman of non-insurance operations since 2018. Abel first joined Berkshire in 2000 when it closed its deal to take a controlling stake in MidAmerican Energy, where he was president. Still, when Buffett announced at the May annual meeting that he planned to step down at the end of the year, he expected he could be helpful, especially if "we ran into periods of great opportunity or anything." Becky Quick, CNBC's longtime Berkshire/Buffett correspondent, noted on Wednesday's "Squawk Box" that "for the most part" Abel has been running the non-insurance companies "for years now" and has done a "phenomenal job" at making sure things run smoothly and dealing with a lot of the problems that Buffett didn't want to handle himself. She expects it will be helpful for Abel to have Buffett and his 30% voting control as a "fireshield to anybody who wants to come along and say that you're not Warren Buffett, this is not your company." For several years already, Abel has been putting his own stamp on the way Berkshire manages its wholly owned subsidiaries. Back in 2023, in a section of the newsletter with the headline, "Things are already beginning to change at Berkshire," we reported on a CNBC interview in Japan with Buffett and Abel. While both men were smiling and almost playing it as a joke, it was clear Abel was much more involved in the management of the subsidiaries, in contrast to Buffett's famously decentralized hands-off approach. At the 1999 annual meeting, Buffett and Munger said their "non-interference has enormous value, at least with the kind of managers and the kind of businesses that have joined us." "Not only do people have more time to work on the productive things, but I think they probably actually appreciate the fact that they're left alone." Twenty-four years later, Buffett said, "Our managers like autonomy, but they also get lonesome... I give them the autonomy, but Greg gives them both, and he gets somewhat more discipline out of the managers ... than I would get." Earlier this month, Berkshire announced it was adding a new layer of management, appointing the CEO of its NetJets subsidiary to "support the outstanding CEOs of our 32 consumer products, service and retailing businesses, and uphold Berkshire's culture and values." But while Berkshire is beginning to change, it won't be a dramatic overnight shift. As shareholder Ann Winblad told CNBC's "The Exchange" Wednesday, while the company will "operate differently" with a new CEO it won't "fundamentally change in its strategies." Andrew Bary at Barron's writes Buffett's continued presence at the company "could mean that important matters such as a potential dividend [which Buffett has consistently opposed], stock buybacks, and the deployment of Berkshire's cash balance of more than $350 billion could remain unresolved for some time, perhaps until after Buffett's death." Over the very long run, however, it will be difficult for Berkshire to avoid becoming more like other corporations that don't have Buffett's spectacular success to shield management from impatient investors who are likely to push the company to abandon his insistence on waiting for the right opportunities and resisting the typical C-suite compulsion to justify its existence by constantly doing "something."

Berkshire trails S&P in Buffett's last year as CEO

Another big unknown is what will happen to Berkshire's stock price without Buffett as CEO. This year, it trailed the benchmark S&P 500 index as investors reacted negatively to Buffett's early-May announcement that he would be handing over the job to Abel at year-end. The A shares closed at an all-time high of $809,350 the day before Buffett dropped his surprise. It then fell 14.4% to its closing low of the year of $692,600 on August 4. The shares have partially rebounded to end the year at $754,800, up almost 10.9% for 2025.

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The more widely held B shares followed almost the same exact trajectory.

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Meanwhile, the S&P rallied to a 16.4% gain for the year after coming close to falling into a bear market in April following President Trump's tariffs announcement.

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As a result, what had been a 22.4 percentage point overperformance for Berkshire's B shares in May turned into a 5.5 percentage point deficit as the year ended.

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With dividends included, the S&P returned 17.9% this year, increasing Berkshire's underperformance to 7.0 percentage points vs a slim 0.5 percentage point win in 2024.

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BUFFETT AROUND THE INTERNET

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ARCHIVE

Buffett threatens to come back if Berkshire does this after he's gone (2017)

In this clip recently added to the Buffett Archive, Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger explain why they really, really hate it when companies hire executive compensation consultants, and threaten to "come back mad" if Berkshire Hathaway ever does it.

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CHARLIE MUNGER: I have avoided, all my life, the compensation consultants. To me it's a  I hardly can find the words to express my contempt. (Laughter) WARREN BUFFETT: I will say this. If the board hires a compensation consultant after I go, I will come back. (Laughter) CHARLIE MUNGER: Mad! Mad! So I think there's a lot of mumbo jumbo in this field, and I don't see it going away. WARREN BUFFETT: Oh, it isn't going to go away. No, it's going to get worse. It  I mean, the  if you look at  I mean, the way compensation gets handled, it  you know, everybody looks at everybody else's proxy statement and says, "We can't possibly hire a guy that hasn't been  " CHARLIE MUNGER: It's ridiculous. WARREN BUFFETT:  so on. And the human relations department, you know, who work for the CEO, come in and suggest a consultant. What consultant is ever going to get another assignment if he says, "You should pay your CEO below the  down in the fourth quartile because you're getting a fourth quartile result?" It  I mean, it just, you know  It isn't that the people are evil or anything. It's just the nature of the situation just  it produces a result that is not consistent with how representatives of the owners should behave. CHARLIE MUNGER: It's even worse than that. Capitalism is the golden goose that we all live on. And if people generally get so they have contempt for it because they don't like the pay arrangements in the system, your capitalism may not last as well. And that's like killing the golden goose. So I think the existing system has a lot wrong with it.

BERKSHIRE STOCK WATCH

Four weeks

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Twelve months

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BRK.A stock price: $754,800.00 BRK.B stock price: $502.65 BRK.B P/E (TTM): 16.07 Berkshire market capitalization: $1,084,815,990,868 Berkshire Cash as of September 30: $381.7 billion (Up 10.9% from June 30) Excluding Rail Cash and Subtracting T-Bills Payable: $354.3 billion (Up 4.3% from June 30) No Berkshire stock repurchases since May 2024. (All figures are as of the date of publication, unless otherwise indicated)

BERKSHIRE'S TOP EQUITY HOLDINGS - Dec. 31, 2025

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QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
Warren Buffett and Greg Abel walkthrough the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska on May 3, 2025. David A. Grogen | CNBC

The investing world's north star is beginning to dim. Warren Buffett has handed over the CEO reins to Greg Abel after a six-decade run that turned an unremarkable textile company into one of the most powerful compounding engines in market history, leaving investors grappling with how singular that achievement really was, even as he remains chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. When Buffett took control of Berkshire in the mid-1960s, its shares traded around $19. By the end of 2025, a single Class A share was worth over $750,000. From 1964  the year before Buffett took control of Berkshire  to 2024, the one-of-a-kind conglomerate delivered a compounded annual gain of 19.9%, nearly double the S&P 500 's 10.4%, resulting in an overall return of more than 5.5 million percent, according to the company's latest annual report. The shares added another 10% to that return in 2025.

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The record was built on an unusually spare formula: use insurance float as a source of low-cost capital, buy businesses with durable cash flows and allow time to do most of the work. That approach produced long-held stakes in companies such as Coca-Cola and American Express , while Berkshire expanded into railroads, utilities and manufacturing through wholly owned subsidiaries. "If it was that easy to do again, somebody would be doing it," Bill Stone, chief investment officer at Glenview Trust Company and a Berkshire shareholder, said. "You think about the duo that having Charlie Munger as your partner, it's just hard to imagine that coming together again anytime soon." As Buffett relinquishes the helm, investors are increasingly focused on what disappears with him. Seth Klarman, founder of the Baupost Group, called Buffett "an American role model" and said his retirement represents more than a leadership transition. "The world of investing will be different without Warren Buffett at the helm of Berkshire," Klarman said in a tribute. 'Going Quiet' Buffett has said he's "going quiet" as he steps back, signaling a reduced public presence even as he remains chairman. Abel will assume responsibility for Berkshire's annual shareholder letters, a tradition Buffett began in 1965 that became essential reading on Wall Street for its plainspoken lessons on markets, management and capital allocation. Buffett will keep penning a Thanksgiving message, however. The annual letters were one pillar of Buffett's influence. The other was Berkshire's annual shareholder meeting. Often dubbed "Woodstock for Capitalists," the gathering drew tens of thousands of investors to Omaha, Nebraska, each year for hours of unscripted Q&A. The event cemented Buffett's role not just as a steward of capital, but as a steady public voice investors trusted to put market upheaval into perspective.

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Buffett also rejected many Wall Street conventions. Berkshire never split its stock, discouraging speculation and cultivating a shareholder base oriented toward decades rather than quarters. The company declined to issue earnings guidance and gave operating managers wide autonomy, while capital allocation decisions remained centralized in Omaha. "Warren, as chairman, will be an advisor to Greg, a cultural anchor, and a real long term thinker," said Ann Winblad, managing director at Hummer Winblad Venture Partners and longtime Berkshire shareholder, on CNBC's "The Exchange." "Will the company fundamentally change in its strategies? No. ..The culture of Berkshire Hathaway, which is what I've invested in, which is patient, long term, careful and decisive investing, will probably still remain."

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A photograph shows damaged military vehicles, reportedly sent by the United Arab Emirates to support Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatist forces, following an air strike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition in the port of Mukalla, southern Yemen, on December 30, 2025.

Flights at Yemen's Aden international airport were halted on Thursday, the latest sign of a deepening crisis between Gulf powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, whose rivalry is reshaping war-torn Yemen.

At the airport  the main international gateway for parts of Yemen outside Houthi control  passengers crowded the terminal, waiting for updates on their flights.

Later on Thursday, Yemeni sources said flights between Aden and all destinations outside the UAE would resume, though Reuters was unable to confirm that immediately.

Air traffic was shut down due to a row over curbs on flights to the UAE, though there were contradictory accounts of exactly what had happened and who was responsible.

Awadh al-Subaihi said he had been waiting at the airport for a flight to Cairo for medical treatment. "We are suffering, and many other patients and elderly people here are waiting in a difficult situation," he said.

The UAE backs the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) that seized swathes of southern Yemen from the internationally recognized government last month.

Saudi Arabia, which backs the government, regarded that move as a threat, triggering the biggest crisis between it and Gulf neighbor the UAE in decades.

The UAE-backed STC controls the transport ministry in the internationally recognised coalition government, whose main leadership is supported by Saudi Arabia.

The ministry accused Saudi Arabia in a statement of imposing an air blockade, saying Riyadh had instituted measures requiring all flights to go via Saudi Arabia for extra checks.

It added that when it objected to this, Saudi Arabia had clarified that the restriction was only on flights between Aden and the UAE.

A Saudi source denied any involvement in restricting flights, adding that Yemen's own internationally recognised government had imposed the requirement on flights between Aden and the UAE in order to curb escalating tensions.

The Saudi source added that the southern-controlled ministry had then responded by ordering a full shutdown of air traffic rather than comply with the restrictions on flights to and from the UAE.

An official source at the transport minister's office denied this, saying the minister had not issued any decisions to close the airport.

Reuters could not immediately reach the leadership of the internationally recognised government, which has been in Saudi Arabia since the STC seized swathes of the south last month, for comment on the airport closure and flight restrictions.

The UAE Foreign Ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the airport closure.

The tussle is the latest in a deepening crisis in Yemen that has exposed a deep rift between the two Gulf oil powers.

Saudi Arabia this week accused the UAE of pressuring Yemen's STC to push towards the kingdom's borders and declared its national security a "red line," prompting the UAE to say it was pulling its remaining forces out of Yemen.

That followed an airstrike by Saudi-led coalition forces on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla that the coalition said was a dock used to provide foreign military support to the separatists.
Pakistan on Thursday, January 1, said that India was not allowed to misuse its restricted allowance of water of the western rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi made these remarks at the weekly press briefing, while responding to a question about India's approval of the 260-megawatt Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab River in Kashmir.India took a series of punitive measures against Pakistan a day after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, including putting the 1960 vintage Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance. The IWT, brokered by the World Bank, has governed the distribution and use of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan since 1960.We have seen these media reports regarding Indian plans to construct the Dulhasti Stage-II hydroelectric [project] on the Chenab River. Obviously, these reports raise serious concerns as no prior information or notification was shared with Pakistan with regard to this project, Andrabi said.Andrabi also said that Pakistan sought information from India regarding reported projects which it was planning to undertake.The Pakistani commissioner for Indus water has sought clarification from his counterpart in India regarding the nature, scope and technical details of the reported projects, and he also wishes to ascertain whether this constitutes a new run-of-the-river project, an alteration or additional work on an existing plant, he said.The spokesperson noted that under the IWT, India could not misuse its restricted allowance for unilaterally building any hydroelectric projects on the western rivers.He said that any project on the western river is subject to strict design an operational controls as well as information sharing with Pakistan.Andrabi reiterated that IWT remained a binding international agreement, adding that Pakistan remained committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes with India but would never compromise on our existential water rights.
Turkmenistan, one of the worlds most isolated nations, officially legalised mining and exchanging cryptocurrency on Thursday in a major shift for the countrys tightly controlled, gas-dependent economy.Signed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the legislation regulating virtual assets brings cryptocurrencies under civil law and establishes a licensing scheme for cryptocurrency exchanges overseen by the countrys central bank.However, digital currencies will still not be recognised as a means of payment, currency, or security. Turkmenistans internet also remains tightly regulated and controlled by the government.Turkmenistan, a former Soviet country in Central Asia, relies heavily on the export of its vast natural gas reserves to support its economy.China is the countrys main importer of gas, and Turkmenistan is currently working on a pipeline to supply gas to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.Turkmenistan also adopted a law introducing electronic visas in April last year, aimed at simplifying entry for foreigners. After gaining independence in 1991, the autocratic nation typically placed strict entry requirements on would-be visitors, with many visa applications turned down for unclear reasons.
" " You might be lucky enough to spot a herd of African buffaloes during a safari trip in Kenya. Marc_H / Shutterstock

From the American prairie to the wetlands of Asia and the bush of Africa, buffalo are powerful and iconic animals. But when these creatures band together, what is a group of buffalo called?

The answer is as grounded in nature as it is in language.
In legal terminology, a false prospectus is a document containing untrue or misleading information intended to gull people into investing in a dubious venture.

As well as actual falsehoods, it includes statements which deliberately create a false impression and/or dishonestly hide material facts.

To distribute one is an extremely serious offence in both civil and criminal codes and can lead to the perpetrator being heavily fined or even imprisoned.

At the end of Sir Keir Starmers first full calendar year in office, it becomes ever clearer that the Labour manifesto was just such a document.

Despite his pious pledge that he would bring integrity back to politics, his administration has been marked by dishonesty. He presented himself as a man of substance who would put the national interest first and govern for every single person in this country.

Instead, he and his gimcrack Cabinet have broken key promises that were in the manifesto and introduced a raft of divisive, unpopular policies that were not.

As prospectuses go, it could hardly have been more false. In any other walk of life, the fraud squad would now be banging down doors.

Its most egregious falsehood was that Labour wouldnt raise taxes on working people. The manifesto set out increases of 8.5billion by 2028/29, to be funded by raids on non-doms, private schools and oil and gas firms.

Despite Keir Starmers pious pledge, his administration has been marked by dishonesty. And under his Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, the tax take has soared by 66billion in just two budgets

The postponement of elections, David Lammys planned assault on jury trial, stuffing the Lords with yet more patsy peers, the introduction of digital identity cards

Under his hapless Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, a woman clearly drowning in the enormity of her role, the tax take has rocketed by a staggering 66billion in just two budgets.

She insists on blaming the Tories for leaving a secret 22billion black hole in the public finances but no one believes her. Even if it were true, what about the other 44billion? Where was that in the manifesto?

These are Labour choices which have crushed the very growth and enterprise the partys manifesto promised to turbocharge.

The burden has fallen on all sections of society  employers, workers, farmers, pensioners, property owners, electric car drivers, those who enjoy a flutter  and thats before upcoming sharp increases in council tax.

There have been spectacular U-turns, of course, notably over cutting winter fuel allowance and disability benefits and the inheritance tax threshold on family farms.

Sir Keir claims they showed he had been listening to the dissenters. Another interpretation is that he and Ms Reeves dont really know what theyre doing.

Lacking any political finesse, they lurch from one avoidable crisis to the next. Their backbenchers are in revolt, refusing to support any attempt to deflate the ballooning welfare bill and effectively holding their leader hostage.

The main consequence has been the largest transfer of wealth from the industrious to the indolent in living memory, with taxes climbing ever higher to subsidise the growing legion of long-term sick and workless.

More than nine million people of working age are economically inactive, with 2.8million of those on ill-health or disability benefits. Many of the latter are under-25s citing mental health conditions.

But what could be more damaging to mental health than the prospect of a life without the dignity of work? The total welfare bill continues to soar and is expected to rise by 60.4billion in the life of this Government to an astonishing 373.4billion.

It is simply unsustainable, yet Sir Keir lacks the courage to take on his backbench MPs and attempt to rectify the situation.

Instead, he indulges their fantasy that we can fund unlimited spending by taxing and borrowing. They may be too blinkered or simple-minded to see it, but that is the road to national bankruptcy and genuine austerity of the type seen after the collapse of the Callaghan government in the late 1970s.

Next on the charge sheet are the changes that should have been in the manifesto but werent. Who voted for the mass release of criminals, the surrender of the Chagos Islands at huge cost, the fresh hounding of Ulster veterans, assisted dying, carpeting thousands of acres of rural land with vast solar farms, the creep back into the ambit of the EU?

More sinister still is the chipping away at traditional British life, rights and the constitution. The postponement of elections (in which Labour is expected to be routed), David Lammys planned assault on jury trial, stuffing the Lords with yet more patsy peers, the introduction of digital identity cards.

Anyone who demurs or is outside the socialist tent is seen as the enemy  parents who send their children to private schools, country folk who enjoy trail hunting with hounds, those who believe sex is a matter of biology rather than lifestyle choice, anyone with a home considered more valuable than they deserve.

Sir Keirs disgraced former deputy Angela Rayner famously referred to Conservatives as scum. She is clearly far from alone in that view within her tribe. Labour truly is the nasty party, driven principally by spite and envy.

It is the party of the unions, the public sector and the benefit class, showering cash on its client base at the expense of those who graft in private industry and strive to give their families the best life they can.

Labour has surrendered millions of heartland voters to Nigel Farage

Meanwhile, there is deep concern over how British life is being changed without consent. Labour promised to stop the Channel boats and smash the gangs, yet illegal migration and its effects have become worse; so much so that many question whether Sir Keir is serious about tackling the problem.

More than 40,000 migrants, predominantly young men, have arrived in 2025 to be dumped in hotels and local communities ill-equipped to cope.

Many do not share our values of tolerance and sex equality, as the alarming number of sexual attacks on women shows.

Radical Islam is also on the rise and with it a sickening increase in anti-Semitism. The Manchester synagogue outrage was the worst of hundreds of attacks on Jewish people and property, fuelled by events in Gaza.

Every week, pro-Palestinian demonstrations call for globalisation of the intifada, a clear exhortation to violence against Jews. The police have been slow to crack down on this incitement to hatred and, by recognising a hypothetical Palestinian state, the Government has fuelled it.

Perhaps the biggest political question for 2026 is whether Sir Keir will still be PM at the end of it. His popularity is at a subterranean low, lower even than Liz Truss at her nadir. The buzzards are circling and Labours biggest financial backer, Unite, says his going is inevitable. A thumping defeat in

Mays local elections could trigger a leadership challenge.

Hollow and ineffectual as he is, however, the main pretenders to his crown may well be even worse. Favourite Wes Streeting has poured extra billions into the NHS as Health Secretary without securing any improvement in productivity or an end to crippling strikes.

Andy Burnham is a big noise in Manchester but his Cabinet performance under Gordon Brown was lacklustre at best. Angela Rayner is an inveterate class warrior and a cheerleader for the unions. The idea that she or any of them would make a competent Prime Minister is beyond fanciful.

Whoever leads Labour into the next election is likely to take a drubbing. The party is currently joint third in the polls with the Greens on a lowly 16 per cent and Reform UK at nearly twice that level.

By hitting its traditional supporters with ever higher taxes and allowing unchecked immigration to damage their communities and prospects, Labour has surrendered millions of heartland voters to Nigel Farage.

Under Kemi Badenochs leadership, the Tories, too, are beginning to emerge from the wreckage of 2024. Mrs Badenoch has hit her stride in the Commons, consistently making fools of Sir Keir and Ms Reeves. She is bringing forward thoughtful policies on migration, the economy and much else, and her party is inching forwards in the polls.

We must hope that she and Mr Farage can come to some sort of understanding by 2029 to create a right-of-centre alternative to the horrific prospect of a chimera coalition between Labour, the Greens and the Lib Dems.

As 2025 ends, we may at least console ourselves in the knowledge that we are 12 months nearer to a general election and the chance to give this mendacious, ramshackle Labour Government its marching orders.

The tunnel to that point may be dark, but a small light glimmers at the end of it. On that note, we wish all our readers a Happy New Year.
Wrinkles, especially crows feet, may be leading indicators of a persons risk of developing Alzheimers disease later in life.

Researchers in China determined that looking older than you are created a more than 60 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia, which affects 7 million Americans, over 12 years, even after accounting for factors like health and lifestyle.

They conducted a second investigation, published in the same report, that found people with the most crow's feet, wrinkles around the eyes, had over double the odds of measurable cognitive impairment than those with the fewest.

The perception that old age and wrinkles alone pose a dementia risk may be due to what scientists call Common Pathogenic Mechanisms. The core idea is that facial aging provides a visual estimate of the body's internal biological age and its susceptibility to age-related diseases, including those affecting the brain.

Looking older than your chronological age is not just about skin-deep wrinkles or sunspots. Instead, it is a visible indicator of your systemic biological age, which may be older than your chronological age.

Pronounced crow's feet may be a particularly sensitive biomarker because they reflect cumulative environmental damage. Heavy sun damage is a source of systemic oxidative stress and inflammation, which are key pathways also implicated in brain aging.

Crows feet also visually represent the skin's biological resilience, or lack thereof. If this thin, vulnerable area shows advanced aging, it may signal that the body's repair mechanisms, such as collagen production and antioxidant defenses, are struggling system-wide, including in the brain.

The authors concluded: Facial age (both subjective/perceived and objective) could serve as an indicator and applied into screening strategies for identifying and treating risk population of cognitive decline or dementia in early intervention for older adults.

A major study has found that people who appear older than their actual age face a more than 60 percent greater risk of developing dementia over a 12-year period (stock)

Your browser does not support iframes.

The researchers conducted two distinct studies to build a compelling case. This dual approach was designed to find an initial signal and then validate it, making their conclusion much stronger.

For the first study included in the report, published in the journal Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, researchers used health data of more than 195,000 Brits 60 and up as part of the UK Biobank Study over 12 years on average.

In the first of two studies, participants in the UK answered the survey question: 'Do people say that you look younger than you are, older than you are, or about your age?'

After accounting for factors like age, health and lifestyle, they found those who reported looking older had a 61 percent higher risk of dementia compared to those who reported looking younger.

The link between looking older according to what other people thought and a higher dementia risk was not the same for everyone.

The connection was strongest in three specific groups: people with obesity, people who spent more time outside during the summer and people who had a higher genetic risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

The risk was elevated across different types of dementia, most notably for vascular dementia, which saw a 55 percent higher risk, as well as unspecified dementia, which saw a 74 percent increased risk.

The risk of Alzheimers and perceived aging, or what other people say about them, was present, though not very strong.

Jana Nelson was 50 when diagnosed with early onset dementia, following severe personality changes and a sharp cognitive decline that left her unable to solve simple math problems or name colors

Your browser does not support iframes.

The connection between looking older than one's chronological age and having an increased risk for dementia and cognitive impairment held true for most people, regardless of their sex, education or many other health factors.

Those perceived as older by others were more likely to be smokers, men and physically inactive. They also showed higher rates of depressive symptoms and other health conditions than those who felt they looked younger.

The study also tested participants' current thinking skills and found that those who reported looking older tended to perform worse.

They scored lower on tests of processing speed and executive function and had slower reaction times.

In the second study published in the same report, researchers took a different approach. It was conducted in a completely separate study population of around 600 older adults in China.

They showed photographs of participants to a panel of 50 independent assessors who were asked to guess each person's age.

Analyzing this data, they found that for every year older a person was judged to look compared to their real age, their odds of having measurable cognitive impairment increased by 10 percent.

In addition to having assessors guess ages from photos, the researchers used specialized imaging to objectively count and measure wrinkles, particularly crow's feet around the eyes.

Rebecca Luna's (pictured here) early-onset Alzheimer's symptoms appeared in her late 40s. She would black out mid-conversation, lose her keys and leave the stove before returning to find her kitchen full of smoke

The scan shows a brain afflicted with Alzheimer's. The front of the brain is at top in this view from below. The progression of this degenerative disease has caused atrophy in both halves of the brain, but especially at upper right and upper left (lighter brown areas). The ventricles (center, white) have also been affected and are dilated from their normal size

First, they counted the total number of wrinkles above the cheeks and around the eyes.

Then, they performed the Line Wrinkle Contrast, which measures the visibility or prominence of the wrinkles by analyzing how much they stand out from the surrounding skin.

Of all the measurements taken, the parameters for crow's feet wrinkles, specifically the total number and contrast, showed the strongest and most significant association with cognitive impairment.

Measurements from the cheek area and other skin metrics, like hydration and elasticity, did not show as strong a link.

The aging process causes a cascade of physiological effects beyond neurological ones.

Cardiovascular disorders, including heart attack and high blood pressure, type two diabetes, osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and many types of cancers share common underlying drivers, including chronic inflammation and cellular aging.

Chronic diseases, as well as accumulated stress, DNA damage, inflammation and hormonal changes, can all be seen on a persons face, they concluded.

Chronic inflammation plays a leading role in the pathology of dementia. It drives neuronal damage, accelerates brain aging and is a common thread linking many dementia risk factors.

This study's findings suggest that facial aging may be a visible sign of this same systemic inflammatory process.
There's no getting away from it: Jeep today has a decidedly split personality. On the one hand, the brand remains a cultural icon, "a community, a club, an attitude and an outlook all rolled into one," according to USA Today. Jeep was also named the most patriotic brand in the country  for the 24th consecutive time  earlier this year. But there's a dark side to Jeep ownership for many people, including the editors at Consumer Reports. According to them, Jeep has among the lowest scores for owner satisfaction in the industry. What Consumer Reports says about Jeep reliability isn't all that positive either.

And all that's coming from the drivers themselves. After all, the CR numbers were based on the website's 2025 annual auto surveys. CR did ask respondents to take into account things like price, performance, reliability, and comfort, but the heart of the matter, per the website, came from a specific hypothetical situation: Knowing what they know now, what would folks do if they could go back in time to when they purchased their current cars?

Satisfied customers were those who would go ahead and buy the same car  for Jeep, that was only 51% of those surveyed, the lowest mark of any qualifying brand. However, it's worth mentioning that this year's 2025 CR survey did not have enough data to provide results for numerous brands, including Alfa Romeo, Dodge, Fiat, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lucid, Maserati, Mini, Mitsubishi, Polestar, and Porsche.

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Read more: These Are The Most Dangerous Cars Our Readers Have Driven

What's driving Jeep's poor CR satisfaction grades?

A pair of 2026 Jeep Gladiator Mojave X SUVs, one with doors and tops removed, parked in rocky desert - Stellantis

Diving into the data, it turns out the Jeep brand also finished at the bottom of the barrel in another key category, road tests. It makes sense, since a bad driving experience alone can be enough for a vehicle to come out on the wrong side of CR's hypothetical question. Now, you may think the chief culprit here is the Jeep Wrangler, yet the brand's icon has a split personality of its own. Despite harsh words from CR for its on-road performance  and a noticeably low score for predicted reliability  the Wrangler's predicted owner-satisfaction grade was essentially on par with that of the Honda CR-V.

In fact, overall, this is a case where the sum of the parts (satisfaction scores for individual models) seems to add up to more than the whole (the brand's overall satisfaction grade). The Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Gladiator all joined the Wrangler in bettering the overall predicted satisfaction performance of the Jeep division, with the Wagoneers having the same sort of predicted owner satisfaction scores as the Toyota Highlander, and the Gladiator trailing only the Honda Ridgeline for satisfaction in the midsize truck segment.

Bringing up the rear for Jeep satisfaction  among current vehicles fully tested by the website  was the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. The thing is, while owners didn't feel they got their money's worth for the Grand Cherokee's plug-in hybrid, and it's being recalled again for sand in its engine, it actually did pretty well in the satisfaction sub-categories of driving experience, comfort, and styling.

Other brands with poor owner satisfaction

2025 Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition (left) and Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn Edition (right) parked in a curve - Volkswagen

Rounding out the five brands with the worst CR owner-satisfaction grades were Mazda, Nissan, Audi, and Volkswagen (going from higher to lower scores). For Mazda, the main issue seemed to be the same as for Jeep: an inability to satisfy owners with plug-in hybrid technology. For instance, the Mazda CX-70 and CX-90 SUVs are available with both traditional gas engines and plug-in powertrains. With both nameplates, the pure-gas versions significantly outscored the PHEVs for value and overall satisfaction.

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The Nissan lineup shows a slightly different approach to the problem. Yes, eight of the brand's vehicles earned CR recommendations, but many of those rides, including the Nissan Rogue, had only average results for predicted owner satisfaction. Enthusiasts may be interested to know that, even though the Nissan Z Nismo is finally getting a manual transmission, the Z trails the Chevrolet Corvette and Mazda MX-5 Miata for predicted owner satisfaction in its class - it ties with the BMW Z4/Toyota Supra and comes out just ahead of the Porsche 718 Boxter.

Audi's owner satisfaction was dragged down by the brand's high costs for maintenance and repair, as well as poor value for cars like the A4  the driving experience, comfort, and styling components of its satisfaction grade were about twice as high as its value component. Audi's corporate cousin, Volkswagen, stood out in a different way, finishing 25th on CR's satisfaction list, while clocking in much higher  at number 12 overall  among mainstream brands.

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Read the original article on Jalopnik.
It was in November, when I developed my ninth urinary tract infection (UTI) in four months, that I began to wonder if I had some awful disease. Could I have kidney disease  or even bladder cancer? What was going on?

Each time the symptoms were the same  stinging and burning whenever I went to the loo, together with a need to urinate all the time  often urgently.

This, along with blood in the urine and pain in the abdomen, is typical of the symptoms of a UTI  an infection of the bladder, kidney or urethra (the tube that takes urine out of the body). They are referred to as recurrent if you have three or more a year.

The reason I had become so prone to them was not due to a dreadful disease  but, as I would discover, due to the menopause.

What upset me was the discovery that there was a wonder-drug solution. So why did no one suggest it to me sooner?

The increased risk of UTIs is a characteristic of the menopause (and post menopause) but we dont talk about and we should, says Mary Garthwaite, a former urology consultant surgeon wh is now CEO of the charity The Urology Foundation.

The drop in oestrogen that accompanies the menopause leads to thinning of the tissues around the vagina and urethra  making it easier for bacteria, such as E. coli, to find its way from the bowel.

The vagina and the bowel are in very close proximity, says Dr Garthwaite, and when the tissue around the vagina becomes thin after menopause, as oestrogen leaves the body, it makes it easier for infections to thrive.

As women get older, UTIs may be a result of menopause rather than sexual activity

Lynne Wallis feared she had cancer

Whats more, the make-up of good bacteria in the area is in constant flux, making infections more likely.

Like many women, however, I knew none of this when I went through the menopause in my mid-50s in 2016.

It was in July 2025 that I was hit by the early telltale signs of a UTI  an uncomfortable burning sensation whenever I went to the loo  something I hadnt experienced in decades.

I did what I used to do when I was struck by UTIs as a younger woman (when they are often linked to sex rather than thinning tissues)  I bought some cranberry juice and a powder remedy made from cranberries, which always used to work. It didnt this time.

A few days later I went to my GP who agreed I probably had a UTI and prescribed antibiotics.

They worked, but a week or so after finishing the pills my symptoms returned  and this time, I was on holiday in France.

It was an hours drive on a motorway to see a doctor to get a prescription. And by the time I got to the late-night chemist I was tearful and in chronic pain but gratefully collected the prescribed antibiotics, the same one I had in the UK.

Again, it worked for a few days and again a week later my symptoms came back with a vengeance. This time, as my GP earlier instructed, I took a urine sample before starting the antibiotics (the test result is void if the sample has been impacted by drugs).

It showed traces of E. coli and my GP prescribed a different, stronger (and I was told more expensive) antibiotic called Augmentin. It worked in just two days - the previous ones took four days to work.

Delighted, I thought, Ive had the best antibiotic on the market and the infection must have gone for good.

A fortnight later it was back  and just as painful as before. I wept in desperation.

This latest recurrence happened over a weekend, and having failed miserably to get anywhere from dialling 111 I took some leftover antibiotics prescribed in France. (They had given me a few more than I needed for the three-day course as the prescription packets contain larger amounts.)

I got to my GP on the Monday, and another prescription was issued, this time for the antibiotic amoxicillin  but my concern was also mounting. I was becoming convinced I had something sinister wrong. I barely slept from worrying.

I was doing everything my GP suggested  keeping hydrated, keeping the genital area clean, and showering after sex.

Dr Garthwaite says the issue is not talked about enough

But it wasnt enough and in November, I went back to my GP who suggested I get checked out at a genitourinary clinic. Isnt that where they check people over with sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs? I asked, somewhat perplexed.

My GP said that STDs such as chlamydia can lie dormant for years but still be present in our bodies and cause problems such as UTI-like symptoms.

But the doctor I saw at the clinic listened to my UTI history and said I needed hormone replacement therapy (HRT)  as the problem was my lack of oestrogen.

She described oestrogen as a kind of wonder drug for UTIs and encouraged me to ask my GP to prescribe it.

Dr Garthwaite urges any post-menopausal woman getting recurrent UTIs  two or more in six months, or three or more in a year  to talk to their GP about oestrogen cream, adding the hormone impacts only that area, not the whole body, making it safe for most women to use.

Oestrogen creams improve the health of the vagina and the part of the waterpipe that is inside the vagina, protecting against infection, she says.

It also restores and maintains good bacteria, which is needed for vaginal health and acidity.

A retrospective study involving 5,600 women (with an average age of 70), published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology in 2023, found that giving them vaginal oestrogen cut the number of UTIs from an average of more than three a year by 50 per cent  and a third had none at all.

When I went, as advised, to see my GP about this she agreed I should try an oestrogen cream, which is inserted into the vagina via a syringe. I used it as instructed every day for one week, and then twice a week  and I havent had a UTI in two months.

The relief was immense. But why did I have to go through four months of hell to get there?

Dr Sami Hamid, a urology consultant at Charing Cross Hospital, says that awareness is low among health professionals of how recurrent UTIs can be prevented with oestrogen creams.

So much of the focus around menopause is on obvious things such as hot flushes, but UTIs  and the health problems that the degraded vaginal tissue causes  are overlooked, and many women are unaware of the link to the menopause as a result, he says.

I now reject referrals of recurrent UTIs for women who arent already using topical oestrogen, to save wasting mine and their time.

If it doesnt work, then we look at something else, but it is an important first-line treatment that GPs can prescribe.

It needs to be made more widely available in primary care, not just as something to be prescribed by a specialist.

There are other ways to help prevent UTIs: for example, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends methenamine hippurate, an antiseptic taken in tablet form that breaks down into formaldehyde, which helps kill bacteria in the urinary tract that might cause a UTI.

There is also now a vaccine, Uromune or Urovac, given as a spray under the tongue daily for three months  it works by attacking the four main types of bacteria that commonly cause UTIs and can help some patients remain free of infection for several years.

However, it has yet to be approved by NICE, although some patients who havent responded to other treatments may get it through an enhanced access scheme.

Yet experts say the vaccine is not as effective as oestrogen.

Vaginal oestrogen has a 60 to 70 per cent success rate for treating recurrent UTIs, against the vaccines estimated 50/50, says Dr Garthwaite.

Vaginal oestregen creams such as Promestriene can help ease the condition

The vaccine is expensive and it doesnt work for everyone  if you dont have one of the four main bacteria causing your UTI, it wont work.

Dr Hamid adds that the vaccine is a silver bullet for those who are desperate, a salvage treatment. One of my patients took it for three months but it came back as soon as she stopped taking it.

However, he adds: Alternative treatments are important as we really now need to stop prescribing antibiotics for UTIs because superbugs are winning the battle, and we are having problems getting on top of it.

Im grateful I got the help I needed in the end  but I wonder how many other post-menopausal women are struggling on with recurrent UTIs, unaware there is a simple way to end their misery.
A terrifying video has shown the moment a faulty prop flew off the stage during a performance at Disney World, injuring an employee.

Several clips taken by audience members and posted online showed a 400-pound fake boulder becoming out of control during the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.

The massive ball bounced along the ledge near the back of the stage, picking up speed, before it headed towards the tightly packed audience.

Thinking fast, a staff member quickly ran in front of the fake boulder, which is used in the stunt shows opening sequence, to stop it from barreling into the crowd.

As the immense prop hit into the worker, he was swiftly knocked to the ground.

Other staff members were then seen helping the employee up and guiding him off stage.

In a statement issued to the Daily Mail, a spokesperson from Walt Disney World said the cast member is recuperating after the incident.

'Were focused on supporting our cast member, who is recovering,' the spokesperson said.

A terrifying video has shown the moment a faulty 400-pound prop boulder flew off the stage during a performance at Disney World, crashing into an employee, seen here

The incident took place during the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida (stock image of Hollywood Studios)

The statement continued: 'Safety is at the heart of what we do, and that element of the show will be modified as our safety team completes a review of what happened.'

The full extent of the cast member's injuries are not known, People reported that he was seen leaving the stage with a 'bloody gash on his head.'

Someone on X who claimed to know him said he ended up getting six stitches, writing, 'This heroic cast member is our dear friend Robert. He received six stitches but is recovering in the hospital.

'Hes a former stunt man and his quick thinking saved many. Please keep him in your prayers.'

Many social media users were quick to declare him a hero for his fast actions.

'Well, he stopped it from going to the crowd. Hero in my opinion,' one Reddit user wrote under a video of the incident.

'Still, he took that to stop it hitting the crowd where there could be kids and elderly taking it to the face. A selfless hero,' agreed another.

The impressive show, which runs for 30 minutes, showcases Indy and Marion from Raiders of the Lost Ark performing incredible stunts with explosive special effects.

Thinking fast, a staff member quickly ran in front of the fake boulder to stop it from barreling into the crowd. As the immense prop hit into the worker, he was swiftly knocked to the ground

The impressive show, which runs for 30 minutes, showcases Indy and Marion from Raiders of the Lost Ark performing incredible stunts with explosive special effects (stock image)

In the 1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark movie, Harrison Ford, who played Indiana Jones, outruns a boulder in a jungle chase sequence in the opening scene.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Indiana Jones stunt show has resumed operation, but without the prop builder in the opening scene.

It's not the first time one of the famous park's attractions has resulted in injuries.

In August, a horrific ferry boat crash at Disney World reportedly resulted in multiple guests having to be rushed to the hospital.

According to a witness, the boat was bringing families from the Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticket Center during a massive storm, when it suddenly 'hit something.'

One Disney guest, named Larry, spoke exclusively to the Daily Mail, describing the horrific scene in detail.

He claimed that people were 'thrown forward' as 'metal trash cans' came barreling forward onto 'little kids,' resulting in one boy getting pinned under a trash can.

He recounted terrified children screaming and 'people bleeding' as they waited for EMT services to arrive.
A host of celebrities shared their New Year's Eve celebrations with the world today.

While some, including presenter Amanda Holden opted to glam up to the nines and greet 2026 in spirit, glass of champagne in hand, others like model Liz Hurley were more lowkey with a cosy home dinner.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, etiquette expert Laura Windsor delivers her verdict on those who nailed bringing in the next 12 months in style - and whose revelry left her wincing...

Amanda Holden

Amanda Holden commanded attention in a plunging blue dress from Victoria Beckham as she celebrated New Year's Eve with husband Chris Hughes and their daughters, Lexi and Hollie in front of stunning home decor

Laura: New Years celebrations are clearly an elegant occasion for Amanda Holden and she pulled off that dress beautifully. Celebrating at home with her family is an elegant choiceand proof that this is one tight-knit, loving unit - who definitely know how to do cosy and classy. Definitely a class act.

Verdict: Classy

Alan Carr

Amanda and her family partied with the presenter's best friend Alan Carr as they ushered in the New Year by quaffing flutes of champagne

The BGT judge looked like she was having a great time as she quaffed back champagne with Alan

Laura: Alan Carrs look certainly shows off his personality. It works for him in a way it likely wouldnt for others. While its not exactly elegant, it suits him well and feels festive, thanks to the red jacket. Please hold your champagne glass as its meant to be held, Alanfollow Amandas elegant example.

Verdict: Charming

Liz Hurley

Elizabeth Hurley put on a loved-up display with boyfriend Billy as they joined her son Damian for a dinner by the fire

Laura: While the rest of the family kept it relaxed , Liz Hurley chose to add some glamour to the evenings celebrations. You dont need a special reason to dress up; even at home, it shouts 'Im ready to celebrate! Honestly, what more could you want - all loved up with the most important people in her life, dressed to impress, I wouldnt be surprised to see the red carpet in the living room! Definitely classy.

Verdict: Sophisticated

Stacey Solomon

Stacey covered the ceiling with balloons, put up disco balls and donned a sequin sparkly outfit to see in the New Year with her sister Gemma

Laura: She definitely loves to go all out! From balloon-covered ceilings to disco balls and a full-on sequin outfit, Stacey Solomon seems fully committed to having a sparkly new year. Enthusiastic? Definitely, perhaps a little OTT for my taste, but very much on brand!

Verdict: OTT

Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa enjoyed a cocktail after jetting back from Mexico to see in the New Year in the chilly UK

Laura: Dua Lipa seems to have swapped Mexico for the UKand whatever her reasons, most of us would call it brave (or slightly mad!) to trade sunshine for a bitterly cold British winter. It looks like shes spending a chilled New Years Eve - so relaxed that it could easily be any other day. Not elegant, but understatedand sometimes less really is more, even for a celebrity. It beats the performative, over-the-top, show-off style most celebrities go for.

Verdict: Understated

Lily Allen

Opting to celebrate the New Year in a more lowkey fashion, Lily Allen opted for cosy pyjamas as she rung in 2026 from her bed

However, it appears the bedtime festivities came after a night of partying in a bright pink dress for Lily

Laura: Lily Allens cosy pyjama celebration is intimate and relatable, but the festive energy is MIA. While its charming with its low-key vibes, theres very little to engage or excite the audience. It seems more like a personal snapshot than a festive moment.

Verdict: Bland

Ashley Roberts

Ashley Roberts slipped into a plunging purple dress after jetting to Mauritius to ring in 2026 this week

Laura: Ashley Roberts plunging purple dress in Mauritius makes for a glamorous holiday snapshot that perfectly shows off her style but wheres the New Years celebration? It reads more like a fashion post than a NYE momentwhere are the party vibes, festive energy, or any sense of storytelling?

Verdict: Bland

Kate Ferdinand

Kate and Rio Ferdinand are spending New Year's in Dubai after relocating to the UAE. The former TOWIE star, 34, spared no expense as she covered their pool in candles

Laura: Kate decided to keep her NYE celebrations low-key with family and friends. Most celebs could take notes: joy, peace, love and family first. The pool salute? OTT alert. And the candles? A disaster just waiting to happen.Less is always more.

Verdict: It started elegantly. Pool salute happened. Elegance: cancelled.

Molly-Mae Hague

Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury jetted to the Maldives with their daughter Bambi, two, and posed up on the beach for family photos

Laura: Casually dressed with a touch of elegance, theyre just enjoying family timeunderstated, relaxed, and effortlessly chic without showing off. A wholesome way to bringing in the New Year.

Verdict: Chic

Anais Gallagher

Anais Gallagher celebrated the New Year abroad - looking elegant at a light display on the beach

Laura: Anais Gallagher celebrates abroad with a beach photo. While most of us are freezing in the UK, another celebrity is soaking up the sun with sand between their toes. Elegantly dressed, Anais opted for a glittery setting with just the right amount of glam, making the moment festive yet refined.

Verdict: Effortlessly chic

Jenni Falconer

Jenni Falconer posed for a snap with her husband James and daughter Ella wrote: 'Happy Hogmanay to you, wherever you are, whoever you are with and whatever youre doing'

Laura: Jenni Falconer kept her Hogmanay Instagram post understated and very Scottish in tone. Rather than a flashy, OTT celebration, she posted a simple family photo with her husband and daughter. This was accompanied by a warm, sincere but low-key message in the Scottish style, and captures the spirit of a normal, relatable family celebrating the New Year in an authentic way.

Verdict: Understated and heartfelt

Binky Felstead

Binky Felstead sparked weather envy for Britons dealing with the chilly weather as she posted sunny photos from her family holiday

Laura: A photo of her husband and children on a boat could be from any holidayit doesnt say anything about New Year, tell a story, or show any effort. There is no context, no visible excitement or celebration, it comes off as pointless rather than festive. It seems to be more of a look at my life moment rather than a thoughtful New Year greeting.

Verdict: Bland - did I miss something?

Mrs Hinch

Mrs Hinch welcomed the New Year with a deep clean of her kitchen, taking viewers through her impressively spotless counters

Laura: Mrs Hinchs spotless kitchen story is quite unexpected for a New Years post. It subtly signals shes skipping a big NY celebration while still acknowledging the occasion. Its elegant and relatable, but emotionally muted.

Verdict: Unusual and elegantly bland

Natalya Wright

Natalya Wright brought 2026 in with what appears to be a night out, feeling 'lucky to have her people' around

Laura: Yes theres dancing, drinks and a glitzy nightclub, but does it have a NYE vibe? Not really. It could easily be any night out.

Verdict: Bland and uneventful

Sophie Kasaei

Sophie Kasaei seemed to enjoy a family dinner as she brought the New Year in in an all-white ensemble

She and partner Jordan Brooks - who are expecting a baby together - posed for a loved-up selfie together

Laura: I tried to follow the action but ended up more tired than entertained. Festive? Perhaps, but a bit confusing and my eyes needed a break after all those jumps!

Verdict: Chaos Overload/tacky

Billie Shepherd

Billie Shepherd and her husband Greg took their children on a sun-soaked family beach holiday for NYE

Laura: Chic and romantic with a lovely setting - but no festive vibes. Simple and tasteful, yet uninspiring.

Verdict: Bland

Gemma Collins

Gemma Collins joined the slew of celebs taking to warmer shores to bring in the New Year with a beach day

Laura: Gemma Collins post feels pointlessbikini, luxury location, but no NYE vibes or story. Its glossy but ultimately forgettable.

Verdict: Tacky

Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne huddled up with a chicken and other animals as she documented a farm visit on New Year's Eve

Laura: Kelly Osbourne at a farm? Shocked, horrified - perhaps they should have rehearsed something beforehand. Tacky tacky and tacky.

Verdict: Tacky

Fearne Cotton

Fearne Cotton admitted she was 'feeling s***e' as she laid in bed for New Year's Eve and huddled her cat

Laura: Fearne Cottons NY post in bed, looking unwell, is intimate yet relatable. Amid a social media landscape of celebrity oversharing their livesfrom post-baby reveals to personal relationship dramas, this feels the least offensive.

Verdict: Bland

Dame Kelly Holmes

Dame Kelly Holmes joked that she was 'smoking' as she sipped on a fun cocktail from The Alchemist for New Year's Eve

Laura: Dame Kelly Holmes Instagram post enjoying novelty cocktails is fun for cocktail enthusiasts, but what about the rest of us? Interesting if thats your thing, but it doesnt offer much beyond that

Verdict: Bland
An old photo of Erika Kirk and Disney star David Henrie has resurfaced online, leavings fans confused over their apparent friendship.

The Wizards of Waverly Place star, 36, was pictured alongside the widow of conservative media personality Charlie Kirk in a snap originally shared back in 2014.

Kirk, 37, posted the picture to Instagram over a decade ago, with the mother-of-two accompanying it with a passionate caption about their friendship.

'You have one life... make it your mission to use that precious gift to change the world,' she wrote under the picture.

'So blessed to have friends like @davidlhenrie who understand that calling,' she added.

The picture has resurfaced on social media recently, with many users going back to the original post on Instagram to share their thoughts.

'What a random post to see lol. 2014,' one amused follower wrote.

'I never conceptualized these two being from the same cinematic universe,' joked another.

An old photo of Erika Kirk and Disney star David Henrie has resurfaced online, leaving fans confused over their apparent friendship

'Everything I learn about her is so confusing,' said someone else.

Erika's husband Charlie was assassinated while speaking at a Turning Point event at Utah Valley University on September 10. He was 31.

Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with murder after allegedly firing from a rooftop during Charlie's speech.

Erika has recently stepped more publicly into her role as the Turning Point USA chief executive - the job she inherited after her husband's death, which has drawn widespread criticism.

She has remained highly active in conservative media since her husband was fatally shot on September 10 during a live event at Utah Valley University.

Following his death, she appeared repeatedly on Fox News, granted multiple interviews, and was seen alongside Donald Trump at high-profile political gatherings

Henrie hasn't publicly stated his political stance, but has spoken about his religious beliefs in the past.

In 2024, he spoke about his role in the film Little Boy, which premiered in 2015, explaining it helped 'reignite' his faith in God.

Henrie hasn't publicly stated his political stance, but has spoken about his religious beliefs in the past. Henrie pictured in 2024

Kirk has stepped more publicly into her role as the Turning Point USA chief executive recently - the job she inherited after her husband's death, which has drawn widespread criticism

'When we were on set, there were people of all different beliefs,' he told CBN. 'I had no clue that there were Christians behind the movie. I will forever be grateful for Little Boy because it was the film that saved my life.'

The actor has also spoken about playing a young Ronald Reagan in the movie Reagan, telling The Hollywood Reporter at the time it was a 'universal film with universal values and principles.'

'So excited for this and blessed to play such an important figure in our nations history. I'll be playing lifeguard Reagan... Oh boy short shorts here I come haha,' he shared when the film was announced in 2015 via Instagram.

Reagan, a Republican, was the president of the United States for two terms, from 1981 to 1989.

The How I Met Your Mother actor hasn't been without controversy since his Disney days.

In 2018, the former child star was sentenced to two years' probation after bringing a loaded gun to LAX.

'I take responsibility for the situation at LAX today,' Henrie shared to X, formerly Twitter, at the time.

'I unintentionally brought my legally owned gun which is registered in my name to the airport. I am so sorry for any trouble it caused, but I am appreciative of TSA's efforts in implementing the safety laws that are in place to protect our beautiful country.

'More than anything I am humiliated and embarrassed that this even happened. But am thankful to the TSA, LAPD and all involved today for their kindness and their professionalism during this process.'
Although it was nearly 14 years ago, I remember the moment as if it was yesterday. It was a Sunday evening and I was in the bath when my wife Sue confronted me about having an affair.

She had found a hotel receipt in my jacket pocket. I wouldnt have blamed her if she had drowned me.

Sadly, Id strayed before  and, quite rightly, this time Sue gave me the red card. I had sent a wrecking ball through our marriage, destroying our family including the lives of our three boys, then aged between 17 and 20, and I had to leave.

Within a week I had packed my bags, and from that moment on I have felt the shattering consequences of my actions: not just emotionally, but financially, too.

When our divorce finally came through a few months ago and our assets split, I was left scratching my head wondering how I  the expert many Daily Mail readers turn to for financial advice and help  had ended up so out of pocket.

After leaving our 530,000 family home, I slept on friends floors for three weeks before I rented a one-bedroom flat in Limehouse, east London, where I stayed until just before Covid in early 2020. With a mortgage on the family home, I couldnt afford to buy.

Looking back, I am not proud that I had an affair. I am ashamed and always will be. As for my boys  now in their 30s and all successful  I feel sickened at the pain I caused them.

Can I explain my behaviour? Not really.

After Jeff Prestridges divorce and the assets had been split, he was left wondering how he had ended up so out of pocket

It could stem from an inferiority complex going back to my childhood in Birmingham when I was the oddball of four children: a scrawny ginger kid compared to a younger brother who had the brooding looks of Elvis Presley.

Mum and Dad never failed to remind me how good-looking my brother was. It ate away at my self-esteem.

Going to an all-boys school didnt help: I never discovered girls until I was 17. I was more comfortable with an oval ball tucked under my arm than a woman on my arm. I didnt lose my virginity until I went to university.

When Sue came along in the early 1980s  beautiful, bubbly, and clever  I couldnt fathom why she chose me. Id known her while studying Economics at Loughborough University, but as a friend.

We met again by accident one morning in 1982 when walking to our respective workplaces in London  Sue to a firm of commodity brokers, me to a job as a property writer for a firm of international surveyors. We embarked on a whirlwind relationship.

When Sue agreed to take my hand in marriage, everybody was flabbergasted. Most friends thought she should have married the best man  a drop-dead gorgeous, fun-loving guy.

I suspect most men present at the wedding in Lepton, just outside Huddersfield, in September 1983, thought Sue should have chosen them.

Rather than revel in being the cat who got the cream, I never came to terms with it. While my career took off, first at a Financial Times business magazine, then The Sunday Telegraph and finally at the Daily Mail, I spent most of my 30s in self-loathing mode: drinking, ballooning in weight and railing against the world.

I often contemplated ending everything. I remember one night on a press trip in Frankfurt, fleetingly wondering whether it would be best for everybody if I jumped off the Iron Bridge spanning the citys Main River.

My dad had occasional issues with his mental health, too. Although a brilliant salesman in the rag trade, and the life and soul of many a party, he once tried to throw himself out of his bedroom window. Fortunately, I rugby tackled him to the floor just as he was about to jump.

Dad spent time in a psychiatric hospital having the same kind of electric shock treatment that Jack Nicholsons character McMurphy receives in the Oscar-winning 1970s film One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest. Thankfully, Dad went on to resume his career  and return to his old jack-the-lad ways.

As for me, only an uncanny ability to remember conversations when dining to excess with key contacts ensured I kept my job: I broke money stories rival journalists failed to get.

It was only in my late 30s and closing in on 20 years of marriage, that I went on a health kick and turned my life around.

Ever the obsessive, I stopped drinking and starting running, racing every weekend. We had fantastic family holidays, and Sue and I would occasionally enjoy long weekends away  with my mum and dad looking after the boys, who were then at primary school.

Home was a three-floor, four-bedroom townhouse just outside Watford, Hertfordshire, with a wood at the back where I would walk our rescue dog Tara, while I also ran round the local fields in winter.

Everything was hunky dory until I turned 40 and the urge to stray began to creep up on me. Was it because of a new-found confidence from no longer looking like a balloon? I dont know. Shameful.

Although my parents have now departed this world, they never forgave me for what I did.

God will strike you down, my mum said after I told her why Id moved out of the family home. She wasnt religious, but she was a one-man woman. She never wavered in her condemnation of my actions.

She refused to meet the younger woman I left Sue for and never once asked after her. When she met my current partner  no, the relationship that ended my marriage didnt last  all she would talk about was Sue.

Dad wasnt as angry, probably because his own dalliances at work gave him no right to take the moral high ground. Did I inherit a philandering gene from him? If I did, it bypassed my three siblings.

Yet Dad was disappointed in me. He liked Sue from the moment he met her at a French restaurant in West London. She was flirtatious, liked a drink and melted hearts. She ticked all of Dads boxes. And, worst of all, I was disappointed in me. Consumed by guilt, I let everything drift, especially when it came to separating our finances.

Sue loved living in the family home and had a network of local friends. So, I agreed to continue paying the mortgage (interest-only) and provided her with a monthly allowance. I also supported the boys through university.

My parents never forgave me for what I did, writes Jeff. God will strike you down, my mum said after I told her why Id moved out of the family home. She never wavered in her condemnation of my actions

Being the main earner  Sue worked as a financial administrator  it felt like the right thing to do. Yes, it was hard, but given my career and salary, I was able to cope.

Slowly, Sue and I became friends again, rejoicing at key family events: graduation ceremonies, the marriage of my middle boy and the arrival of delightful grandchildren.

Yet, with the deadline for the mortgage to be paid off, we knew we couldnt park our divorce in the long grass for ever.

In January 2023, just short of 11 years after that fateful evening she found the damning receipt, we started divorce proceedings by appointing solicitors.

The original plan was for Sue to keep the family home, while I kept my pension. But it was a mismatch. For the sake of fairness, my sizeable pension had to be split. Although Sue was working and had a couple of pensions in her own right, my pot swamped them.

Disclosing finances to each other  and providing supporting documents  was time-consuming. As was digging out our bank statements so we could scrutinise each others transactions, looking for suspicious receipts and evidence of non-disclosed assets.

Our solicitors encouraged us to be combative, which reignited some of the resentment from the original split.

At times, especially when I was also dealing with the stress of sorting out my mums estate after she died in 2024, and  coming to terms with a prostate cancer diagnosis, I again found myself considering whether my life was worth carrying on with. Love for my boys and life in general fortunately quelled such thoughts.

Eventually we agreed to sell the family home and Sue bought a home up north near her mother with the proceeds. Im currently renting a flat in Berkshire, but hope to become a homeowner again soon.

Agreeing on selling the family home was painful, but dividing the pension assets was a far more torturous and expensive process, involving a 3,300 report from an actuary on how best to cut the cake.

When the calculations had been done, I was left with a defined benefit pension (from my early years at the Daily Mail), which will pay me a monthly income in retirement for the rest of my life  albeit an income reduced by Sue being awarded a chunk of the funds value. Sue also received the proceeds from my defined contribution plans. Absolutely fair.

When the court approved everything in the summer of this year and our divorce was granted, we were both relieved, but even then, it took five more months for the pension funds to be split.

Colleagues had warned me that the only people who come out of a divorce smiling are the lawyers. They were dead right.

Looking back, it has taken a heavy toll on me both financially and emotionally, but Im not complaining. I deserved it.

If youre having a difficult time or are worried about someone else, you can call the Samaritans for free day or night 365 days of the year on 116123 or go to samaritans.org for help and advice.
Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight on Thursday, and standing by his side was his wife, Rama Duwaji - in some very pricy boots.

The 34-year-old mayor took the oath of office at a historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan; however, his wife's stylish outfit is what has people talking.

New York's First Lady, 28, wore a pair of black knee-length shorts from The Frankie Shop and a dark vintage Balenciaga woolen coat as they stood on the stairs of the subway station, with the artist completing the look with some $630 Miista boots.

The stylish mid-calf shoes laced up at the back from the heel and featured a long pointed toe with a small heel.

The Miista boots, which Duwaji was wearing in the Shelley style, come in black or dark brown.

The European brand promotes sustainable fashion, proudly touting that they're 'happy to sacrifice profit and to subvert problematic fashion trends to create a product that has personality in addition to aesthetic value' on its website.

However, many people slammed the illustrator for her pricey footwear choice, with Mamdani's campaign driving home his desire to make New York more 'affordable.'

'Mamdanis affordability agenda is a scam. His wife parades in $600 Miista boots while he pushes rent freezes thatll collapse housing stock. Theyre moving into Gracie Mansion to dodge the chaos their policies create,' one scathing comment on X, formerly Twitter, read.

Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight Thursday, and standing by his side was his wife, Rama Duwaji - in some very pricy boots

The Miista boots, which Duwaji was wearing in the Shelley style come in black or dark brown and cost $630

His platform included free child care, free buses, a rent freeze for about one million households, and a pilot of city-run grocery stores.

'It's kind of weird and off-base to be focusing on what designer items she's wearing when he's trying to promote policies of financial stability and equity for all. Let's focus on what matters. This is bad optics, honestly,' chimed in someone else.

Another declared: 'New Yorkers got fooled into putting this couple into a mansion with $600 boots thinking they care about affordability lol.'

'Very tasteless,' slammed a different user.

According to journalist Louis Pisano, all of Duwaji's clothes and accessories for the ceremony were 'rented.'

She reportedly got the Balenciaga coat from Albright Fashion Library and her glamorous gold earrings from New York Vintage.

'The Miista boots were ON LOAN from the brand,' he added in a post on X.

During his campaign, Mamdani promised to bring transformative change with policies intended to lower the cost of living in one of the worlds most expensive cities.

New York's First Lady, 28, wore a black knee-length skirt and a black woolen coat, completing the look with the $630 boots

However, many people slammed the illustrator for her pricey footwear choice, with Mamdani's campaign driving home his desire to make New York more 'affordable'

Mamdani, a Democrat, was sworn in on Thursday as the first Muslim leader of Americas biggest city, placing his hand on a Quran as he took his oath.

'This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime,' Mamdani said in a brief speech.

It's not the first time Mamdani's glamorous wife has stolen the show with her elegant outfit.

On the night her husband was elected the Mayor of New York, she wore a stylish all-black outfit, which appeared to have some hidden messages woven in, featuring both Middle Eastern and New York City designers.

Last week, Duwaji was slammed online after she shared her views on fame while gracing the cover of The Cut's special issue.

Speaking to the magazine about her new role as First Lady of New York City, Duwaji said: 'When I first heard it, it felt so formal and like - not that I didn't feel deserving of it, but it felt like, me?

'Now I embrace it a bit more and just say, "There are different ways to do it."'

Duwaji was adamant that she didn't want to be known as 'the mayors plus-one' and said she planned to continue her work as an artist despite her new role.

Mamdani, 34, was elected as New York City's mayor late last year, making history as the first Muslim mayor and the youngest since 1982. He's seen with his wife on election night

Photographed in loaned designer clothes, she continued: 'At the end of the day, I'm not a politician.

'I'm here to be a support system for Z and to use the role in the best way that I can as an artist.

Duwaji and Mamdani met on Hinge, a dating app, when she was 24 years old and he was 29.

The two announced their engagement in October of last year and they said their 'I dos' at City Hall in Lower Manhattan in February.

They had an opulent party and Nikkah ceremony, an Islamic wedding, in Dubai in December 2024.

They also had a multi-day wedding celebration in July 2025 at Mamdani's parents' home in Uganda.

The couple will move into Gracie Mansion, the official mayoral residence on the Upper East Side, moving out of their one-bedroom, rent-stabilized apartment in Astoria.
A woman has revealed how she was left 'trapped inside her own body' after being struck down by a rare disease that baffled doctors at first.

Rebecca Louise Love has been diagnosed with GuillainBarre syndrome, a serious condition that affects the nerves, senses, movement and essential functions like breathing and heartbeat.

It usually hits the arms and legs first before spreading to other parts of the body.

The mom-of-two and makeup artist, from the UK, first noticed pins and needles in her feet for about a week before realizing she was growing weaker.

The 29-year-old said she could not get off the sofa, struggled to get out of the bath, suffered excruciating back and pelvis pain and eventually found walking a challenge.

She went to the emergency room but was sent home after a few hours, with no answers.

But one day later, she said the pain became so severe she 'could not move at all.'

'I went to [the emergency room], had a few tests taken, and after several hours I was sent home,' Rebecca told NeedToKnow recently.

Rebecca Louise Love was diagnosed with GuillainBarre syndrome, a serious condition that affects the nerves, senses, movement and essential functions like breathing and heartbeat

She had to spend eight weeks in the hospital after the disease left her unable to walk and with difficulty breathing and swallowing

'The following day, I called my [doctor], and they prescribed me a couple of painkillers and said if the pain persists after four weeks, to call them again.

'The [next] day, when I woke up in the morning, I could not move at all, and every time I tried to, it was pain as I've never felt before.

'I ended up calling an ambulance, and that's when I was admitted to the hospital.'

Once she was admitted to the hospital, Love's condition worsened rapidly.

'I was unable to sit up or move my arms or legs,' she recalled. 'My children would come to visit and hug me, and I couldn't even hug them back.

'They gave me a lumbar puncture, which, in all honesty, I can't even remember because I was in so much pain.'

Soon, her face became paralyzed, leaving her 'barely' able to talk.

Her vision became blurred and she struggled to breathe and swallow food or water, so she was moved to the ICU.

Join the debate How well do you think doctors listen to patients with mysterious or rare symptoms?

'I was unable to sit up or move my arms or legs,' she recalled. 'My children would come to visit and hug me, and I couldn't even hug them back'

She had to relearn how to stand and walk again, and ultimately spent eight weeks in the hospital recovering before she finally went home

'Because I was unable to swallow, I had a feeding tube fitted and was taken off fluids,' she revealed.

'My breathing was getting worse, and I was put on oxygen, and if it was to continue, they were potentially going to have to put me [into a medically induced coma].'

Love was ultimately diagnosed with GuillainBarre syndrome and started treatment using immunoglobulin therapy.

According to MayoClinic, it's a 'condition in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves' and cause weakness, numbness or paralysis.

The exact cause is not known and while there is no known cure, several treatment options can ease symptoms and help speed recovery, per the publication.

Recovery was slow for Love, with each step becoming a huge milestone.

She said: 'I still could not close my eyes or blink or smile. I also couldn't move my mouth or my legs and arms.

'My symptoms were similar to those associated with having a stroke. Eventually, I was able to use my hands first, but felt like I had dinosaur arms.

The exact cause for GuillainBarre syndrome is not known and while there is no known cure, several treatment options can ease symptoms and help speed recovery

'Everything was a struggle ... but with the help of the physio team, once I was learning to accept what was happening to me, I started to gain confidence and a little strength, despite how much muscle had deteriorated.

'Each week felt like a huge milestone, and seeing myself do things again felt amazing.'

She had to relearn how to stand and walk again, and ultimately spent eight weeks in the hospital recovering before she finally went home.

'I've tried to push myself to get my independence back. I am not my "normal" self as I still struggle with some daily tasks, have pain often and still can't feel my feet properly as there's constant pins and needles,' she concluded.

'But at least I can walk again, I have appointments to attend still, and it may be a long process until I am my full self again, but it's taught me so much about myself and life, and I know now to 100 percent listen to my body.'
CNN's conservative 'black sheep,' Scott Jennings, made a shocking comment on a recent panel discussion about the Somali community in Minnesota, where he compared a Democratic lawmaker's decision to wear a headscarf to The Handmaid's Tale.

Jennings called out Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan for appearing on a Somali television station amid fraud allegations involving the community.

After a discussion on the recent claims that Somali-run daycare centers in Minneapolis were stealing government funds, host Abby Phillip asked the panel for their final thoughts.

Jennings used his time to accuse Minnesota Democrats of 'catering' to the Somali community.

The state has the largest Somali diaspora in the country, but Jennings argued that the community still represents only a small percentage of the state's overall population.

'You got to admit, though - the catering to the Somali community that goes on by the Democrats is a little weird, is it not?' he questioned.

'They got the lieutenant governor up there dressed like The Handmaid's Tale,' Jennings continued.

The Handmaid's Tale is a novel by Margaret Atwood that depicts a totalitarian society in which women are treated as property of the state.

CNN conservative commentator, Scott Jennings, caused a stir when he slammed Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan for wearing a headscarf during an appearance on Somali-language television

Flanagan's team said in a statement that she was given the headscarf by a friend and briefly wore it while speaking with the Somali community

Jennings told the panel: 'You got to admit, though - the catering to the Somali community that goes on by the Democrats is a little weird, is it not? They got the lieutenant governor up there dressed like The Handmaid's Tale'

The book was later adapted into an Emmy Award-winning television series starring Elizabeth Moss.

In the series, the female characters wear white bonnets, which symbolize the oppressive regime they live under.

The comment generated a tense reaction from the other panelists, with one condemning Jennings's remarks as 'out of line.'

Phillip quickly interjected, insinuating that Jennings' statement was racially insensitive.

As the panelists talked over one another, Philip pointed out that it wouldn't be acceptable for a similar statement about Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn.

'Youre describing the type of dress as The Handmaid's Tale, and youre doing that to denigrate the religion of a group of people,' Philip continued.

'It wouldnt be acceptable if you did it with another group. So dont  just dont do it when it comes to Muslim people, thats not okay.'

Jennings argued that Flanagan wasn't a Muslim woman, and he was attempting to point out that Minnesota Democrats put the Somali community at the 'center' of their party.

CNN host Abby Philip condemned Jennings' comments and accused him of 'denigrating' a religion

Jennings accused Minnesota lawmakers, including Flanagan and Governor Tim Walz (pictured) of putting the Somali community at the center of their party

'It's a small portion of the population. There's a bunch of fraud that goes on, and even Tim Walz has claimed that any investigation of fraud is akin to white supremacy,' Jennings said.

Philip fired back that Walz never made that claim, and that the governor encouraged investigations into the alleged fraud involving Somali migrants.

'While the Lt. Governor was showing her support for small businesses and communities being terrorized by ICE, she was handed a scarf by a friend and briefly wore it out of respect,' a spokesperson for Flanagan told the Daily Mail.

'The real outrage should not be a scarf, but masked men throwing American citizens into vans and violating the constitution.'

Flanagan had worn the headscarf during a tour of the Karmel Market, a hub for the Somali community in Minneapolis.

Flanagan is currently serving as Minnesota's lieutenant governor but is running for the US Senate

'I am incredibly clear that the Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota,' Flanagan said in a video aired on Somali-language television.

'Being part of Minnesota and growing up here, the Somali community has always been a part of my Minnesota,' she continued.

'So, I wanted to encourage the community to just know that we're with you, we've got your back.'

Flanagan is currently serving under Governor Tim Walz, but is running for the US Senate.

She is a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and is the highest-ranking Native woman elected to executive office.
Former CNN star Don Lemon tried to reclaim the spotlight from his old employer with a rival New Year's Eve broadcast Thursday night.

Lemon's guests included his fellow ousted ex-CNN veteran Jim Acosta for an alcohol-fueled celebration.

The 59-year-old anchor's bash bore more than a passing resemblance to the annual CNN event featuring Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, but lacked the gloss of its big-budget inspiration.

The special was filmed live from New Orleans and featured the widely anticipated return of what's been come to be known as 'Drunk Don Lemon'.

Lemon - who was pushed out of CNN in 2023 - donned a sequined suit and strings of Mardi Gras beads for the occasion.

Lasting more than six hours, the stream featured guests like Acosta beaming in remotely, as Lemon mixed - and consumed - cocktails and mingled with locals.

Acosta, sipping a beverage of his own in Hawaii, told Lemon he was vacationing to get 'as far away' from Donald Trump while still ringing in the New Year in the US. Acosta - Lemon's costar for 15 years - left CNN in January, refusing 'to bow down to a tyrant'. He left after refusing to accept a graveyard slot demotion.

Reasons for Lemon's exit, meanwhile, remain more shrouded. It followed his now notorious on-air claim that women over the age of 40 were past their prime in February 2023.

Former CNN star Don Lemon tried to reclaim the spotlight from his old employer with a New Year's Eve broadcast streamed live to YouTube

The 59-year-old anchor's bash bore more than a passing resemblance to the annual CNN event featuring Anderson Cooperand Andy Cohen

'Nikki Haley isn't in her prime. Sorry, when a woman is in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s,' he told co-anchors Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins at the time.

Harlow then challenged Lemon, asking him to clarify: 'Are you talking about prime for childbearing or are you talking about prime for being president?'

'Dont shoot the messenger, Im just saying what the facts are,' Lemon shot back.

CEO Chris Licht sent out a memo two months later announcing the anchor's exit, framing it as the two parties parting ways.

In his own statement, Lemon claimed he was fired - leading CNN to refute those claims as 'inaccurate' and issue a statement saying Lemon 'was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.'

Lemon later claimed he was sexually harassed during his time at CNN, during which he was a regular on the annual New Year's Eve broadcast.

Lemon's husband Tim Malone, 41, emailed the Daily Mail on Thursday morning to tout Lemon's return to the format as a 'total success.'

'Virtual guests from around the world.' Malone, a successful realtor with Compass, wrote.

He framed the special as 'sort of a breaking free'.

Lemon's guests included his fellow CNN veteran Jim Acosta

Lemon - and nearly all other CNN staffers - was barred from drinking on-air in 2022, after a Variety report citing unnamed CNN staffers suggested visible drunkenness from figures like Lemon was damaging the network's credibility.

'We have pictures side by side of his celebration vs cnn,' Malone mentioned in his email, noting how Lemon 'got tipsy' and 'overall had a fantastic evening.'

He was also sure to point out how Cooper and Cohen were not included in the 2022 ban, likely due to their chemistry and less erratic behavior. Cohen's influence - combined with drinks - have helped lighten the mood of the special in recent years.

Lemon, meanwhile, got his ear pierced live on the air once the ball dropped in 2016, and was so plastered the following year in 2017, that he made Cohen and Cooper look sober by comparison.

In 2019, he mistook a reporter for an ex-girlfriend on the air.

In 2022, he embarked on an angry rant against his critics where he ranted: 'I don't care, I'm a grown-a** man, and I don't care what you think about me.'

'I am to be able to share my point of view on television and it freaks people out and you know what,' he continued. 'You can kiss my behind, I do not care.'

Attention brought by the incidents - along with Lemon's noticeable slurring and freewheeling - sparked the 'Drunk Don Lemon' nickname.

Lemon acknowledged his alter-ego's return in a late-night post to Facebook Thursday touting the special, writing 'Drunk Don Lemon ACTIVATED' as it aired.

The special doubled as fundraiser for Manning Family Children's Hospital in New Orleans, which Lemon's late sister, L'Tanya 'Leisa' Lemon Grimes, used to frequent. She had scoliosis.

MS NOW's Stephanie Ruhle also stopped by, despite a ban on talk involving politics

The special doubled as fundraiser for Manning Family Children's Hospital in New Orleans. Pictured Lemon with guest Big Freedia

Lemon honored her with a dunk tank event called 'Donate to Dunk Don', after her passing last May.

Lemon, 59, was in high spirits, however, and appeared to keep his drinking under control while still enjoying himself, even introducing a 'drink counter' to the action.

The anchor previously said of his visible on-air drunkenness: 'The idea is to have fun. What can I do thats interesting and engaging for the audience?

'I do realize if Im going to get a tattoo, I am making that decision,' he told Variety at the time, in 2018

In a Thursday interview with Tennessee's CBS affiliate WWL-TV before his special aired, Lemon appeared to take shot at his old network.

'In this day and age, it's not about the three letters or the brand or whatever. It's about the person delivering it,' he said while touting his then-yet-to-air YouTube special

'And we're in the climate now for streaming and independent media and independent journalism where people are craving it.'

As of writing, Lemon's livestream has amassed more than 320,000 views. Others to appear aside from Acosta included Luann de Lesseps, Big Freedia, Joy Reid, Sunny Hostin, Joy Behar, Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Stephanie Ruhle, Tamron Hall, and Alec Baldwin.

The ratings for CNN's special - which has been hosted by Cohen and Cooper since 2017 - have yet to be released.
The pick-up is as much a part of British farming today as a tractor is.

And not only are they the countryside workhorse, but a pick-up is also the workhorse of builders and small traders.

Johnnie Furse, a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance, says: 'Pick-up trucks are of vital importance to working people, both in the countryside and beyond.'

A pick-up is made for hauling and towing, it's hugely versatile, it doesn't suffer from height restrictions unlike vans, it can off-road as well as a leading 4x4 and a double-cab can fit a family in for daily driving like the school run.

And, most importantly, for years the double cab has been able to benefit from capital tax allowance and low fixed company car tax rates.

However, that's gone to pot because since April, double cabs are no longer treated as commercial vehicles by the Government and instead are treated as cars for tax purposes.

In the face of this latest blow from Labour to UK farmers and workers, Freda Lewis-Stempel tried three of the UK's best-known pick-ups to see if there's still hope for these vehicles...

Double cab pick-ups have become 'cars' in the eye of the taxman - this 'hammer blow' to farmers and labourers could mean that the pick-up starts being a scarcity on our roads

The changes to pick-up tax - a 200%-plus tax increase

Last year, pick-ups became 'cars' in the eyes of the taxman.

From 6 April, double-cabs and extended-cab models have been hit with benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax  meaning they will be taxed on CO2 emissions and the vehicle's price list, and will no longer benefit from low, fixed BIK rates or be eligible for tax relief claims.

Most popular double cab pick-ups are now subject to 37 per cent BIK, when before they were fixed at just 3,960 regardless of emissions or price.

That means business-owners with double cabs are now having to try and cobble together thousands of pounds to go about their hard-working daily lives.

Furse commented to Daily Mail: 'Farmers, gamekeepers and other rural professionals were already struggling, and policies like this and the family farm tax, have only made matters worse.

'The decision to reclassify these rural workhorses as cars comes as yet another hammer blow to rural communities. The changes can increase the tax burden on a typical double-cab pickup by as much as 211 per cent.

'The Government pledged not to increase taxes on working people - but these taxes have made life much harder for rural working people.'

The Countryside Alliance told us: 'The changes can increase the tax burden on a typical double-cab pickup by as much as 211%'

Why pick-ups are so important to Britain

Every day pick-ups are used as multi-role vehicles, indispensable to the 24/7 operation of running a farm.

Equipment hauling, livestock management, transportation of produce and supplies, fieldwork and crop maintenance and even emergency response  there is no end to the capabilities of double cabs.

Livestock, sheep dogs, fruit, animal feed to fence posts, fertiliser, tools, harvesting machinery and emergency response kits  the flexibility of a load bay keeps farming communities in movement.

Not everyone is a pick-up fan though. One anonymous source told us in no uncertain terms: 'I hate them. They pull out into the middle of the road, and don't care because they're so big'.

The Ford Ranger is Britain's best-selling pick-up and it is easy to see why. It is able to do everything and look good while doing so. It's a brilliant blend of not too pricey but premium

Ford Ranger Wildtrak  the UK's best-selling pick-up truck

Test: Moved furniture and picked up a hitchhiker

Price: 49,940 excl VAT (test vehicle 53,399.83 excl VAT)

Load bay: Standard

The Ranger is the best-selling pick-up in the UK. It has also been the best-selling pick-up in Europe for 10 years.

And the number of Rangers being snapped up has increased, with 2024 seeing a four per cent increase on the year before.

Ford Pro manager Hans Schep says that the 'Ranger's decade as Europe's favourite pickup has been built on a deep understanding of our customers and how they use their trucks.'

He's right  and it's the reason the Ranger has the most dedicated fandom of any pick-up. The Ranger lived up entirely to being tough, reliable and yet offering an solid level of comfort and style.

In my opinion it is the pick-up that delivers the most all-round affordable mix of excellent on-road driving, off-roading prowess worthy of mountain climbs, and creature comforts such as partial leather heated seats and a heated leather steering wheel. Ambient lighting is thrown in too.

The Ranger is a hefty to beast to try and whip around, unsurprising considering it weighs almsot 3,300kg, but the 2.0-litre EcoBlue Diesel still does the 0-62mph spurt in an acceptable 10.5 seconds thanks to its 202bhp.

I drove the latest model which has a larger load bay, so it's possible to now get a standard pallet it. I didn't attempt to get that in, but I did ferry around my friend's huge desk cabinet, saving her family the need for a removal van.

The Ranger is a hefty to beast to try and whip around, unsurprising considering it weighs almsot 3,300kg

And the number of Rangers being snapped up has increased, with 2024 seeing a 4% increase on the year before

I picked up a desk and a hitchhiker in the Ford Ranger - and there was plenty of space for everyone and everything

On the way back from picking up the desk in Chichester we also decided to pick up a hitchhiker - as you do - and it turns out there's plenty of space for a triathlon runner and three adults in the double cab.

I enjoyed the interior, which is ruggedly stylish with soft touch plastics and partial leather, contrast stitching, embroidered Wildtrak logos, heated seats and steering wheel, ambient lighting, 12-inch screen with Apple Carplay and Ford's SYNC 4A system, wireless charging, and a 360 degree camera (much needed when reversing in London or anywhere to be honest).

Useful features for those on the shorter side of life include the rear bumper step and side step, while other handy helpers include the powered roller shutter to close the load bay up (the Isuzu has the same but the Quartermaster have had a load bay lid), and the tailgate doubling up as a work bench.

Overall, the Ranger was the best for driving in both the countryside and town because the steering was the most precious, it controls its weight well, the power is smooth and it blends out tough road surfaces nicely. Noise insulation in the cabin is excellent as well.

But there's a particular resaon that the Ranger commanded a huge 52.4 per cent of all pick up sales in the UK last year: because it provides the full pick-up package for a price point that's very reasonable.

The Ranger starts from 30,800  30,000 less than the Quartermaster.

The Ineos Quartermaster - it looks phenomenal, is an unparalleled off-roader but lack the kind of on-road driving most people want. It is also a pricey pick-up, with leisure buyers the main target

Ineos Quartermaster Trailmaster  the luxury Defender rival

Test: German country weekend, Autobahn

Price: 69,950 (test vehicle price 90,000/78,492.60)

Load bay: Standard (without spare wheel)

It was 2019 when Sir Jim Ratcliffe announced his idea of a spiritual successor to the Defender: the Grenadier.

Then in the summer of 2023 the Quartermaster arrived  the flatbed truck version with a load bay and a premium price tag.

I'd tested the Quartermaster on launch in Italy, taking to the Tuscan hills' all-terrain routes, but I hadn't put it into proper longer term use, to get a feel for how it transferred from off-road to everyday on-road driving.

So, taking it to Germany for outdoor-filled weekend seemed the perfect way to if this posh pick-up is as versatile as Ineos claims.

The reason it is seen as posh, and as such has got some flak from farmers, is because of the cost: The Quartermaster starts at 62,495 so it's not hard to understand why it's seen as a premium even luxury car with that price tag.

And it's by far the most attention grabbing pick-up on British roads.

Named after the senior military officer responsible for the management of barracks and the supply and distribution of provisions, the Quartermaster is the largest offering from Ineos Automotive and looks like something you'd go to war in  apt considering its name.

The Quartermaster starts at 62,495 so it's not hard to understand why it's seen as a premium even luxury car with that price tag

Driving the road of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The Quartermaster was very at home in Germany's agricultural/equestrian heartland

You select high or low range using the mechanical transfer case selector - and there's a knack to it

There are some strong opinions surrounding the Quartermaster (and Grenadier) when it comes to on-road driving but there isn't a single person I've come across who doesn't think it looks incredible.

It is by far the most classic and timelessly designed 4x4 in my opinion.

Inside it's the coolest by a country mile too; leather, grab handles, that overhead cockpit, the utilitarian screen, the chunky physical buttons and dials, the big steering wheel - it's a luxe fighter jet of a pick-up.

And to drive it is one of the most capable off-roaders money can buy.

Overhead cockpit switches look like a fighter jet and let you change between all the off-road modes

Underneath the military-esque, rugged, boxy styling (reminiscent of 4x4s of the past) is the same ladder frame chassis as the Grenadier.

Add to that the Bosch 'recirculating ball' hydraulic steering, the BMW 3-litre straight-six turbo-diesel and ZF's eight-speed automatic gearbox and you've got yourself a harmonious acapella-like concoction going on.

Without going into too much detail, the Quartermaster requires some traditional 4x4 knowledge because you have to switch to off-road mode using the overhead cockpit switches and then select high or low range using the mechanical transfer case selector - and there's a knack to it.

For the smaller proportion of leisure drivers who will be greenlaning in the Quartermaster, basically all you need to know is that wherever you need this pick-up to go it can go.

However, for many people that 'recirculating ball' steering, so useful when it doesn't snap back, is the sore point of the Quartermaster driving experience.

Because, on-road many drivers feel it is a bit like steering a rudderless boat. It is, but I rather enjoy the feeling of essentially being in a car with no power steering. Lots of people though don't.

It is one of the most capable off-roaders money can buy. Overhead cockpit switches look like a fighter jet and let you change between all the off-road modes

Inside the Quartermaster the coolest by a country mile too; leather, grab handles, that overhead cockpit, the utilitarian screen, the chunky physical buttons and dials, the big steering wheel - it's a luxe fighter jet of a pick-up

While the flatbed is 1619mm wide by 1564mm long, which is big enough to fit a standard European pallet, you can't fit the pallet if the spare wheel is also in there. However, the tailgate can support 225kg - a nice perch for a couple of people.

The other drawback was that the (diesel) Quartermaster's payload is only 760kg - short of the 1,000kg needed for UK commercial vehicle tax benefits.

However that drawback is no longer a drawback because those tax benefits have evaporated.

But even before that was a moot point across all double cabs, we have said that the price point puts this car in the sights of leisure buyers, and we doubt many leisure buyers are paying much attention to payload or to European pallet sizes.

This car is the king for the adventurous buyer with a nice fat wallet.

The D-Max sorted me out when I was moving house and had to take a flat's worth of stuff to the dump. No height restrictions with a pick-up

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

Test: Moved house in it, went to London's most famous dump

Load bay: Standard size

Price: 40,900 (manual price 38,255)

The Isuzu D-Max is the pick-up you aren't precious about  not that you're really precious about any pick-up.

The Isuzu is not as good to drive as the Ranger. I didn't like it on-road more than the Quartermaster either, but most people probably would only because of the Quartermaster's steering.

The Isuzu just isn't refined - the ride quality is stiff and the steering is loose. it only has 162bhp compared to the and the Quartermaster's 246bhp.

But visibility was great because of the slim pillars and fuel economy in the real world was better than the Quartermaster - about 10mpg better.

The D-Max comes with a oen engine option, a 1.9-litre turbodiesel, but you can choose between six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes. With just 162bhp, it's not the fastest off the mark doing 0-62mph in 11.2-seconds, but its not far behind the Ranger.

The interior is well-kitted out and has good materials: its finished in a new leather upholstery, the front seats are eight-way electronically adjustable and heated, there's a 7-inch display and a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It's not quite as polished as the Ranger but not far behind.

Price: The D-Max costs from 40,900 (manual price 38,255). It is dependable - and is the most authentically no-nonsense sort of farmer pick-up of the lot

With just 162bhp, it's not the fastest off the mark doing 0-62mph in 11.2-seconds, but its not far behind the Ranger

I'd say interior stage space and storage ingenuity was best in the Isuzu though, with under seat base storage, flat folding rear seats, and the load bay cover which opens automatically all making it really easy to pack

I'd say interior stage space and storage ingenuity was best in the Isuzu though, with under seat base storage, flat folding rear seats, and the load bay cover which opens automatically all making it really easy to pack.

Keyless entry and go was also very helpful when I was moving house ladden with bags.

Plus it's not like you're scrimping in safety features or assists either - it comes with everything from front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera to blind spot monitoring, intelligent speed limiter, and forward collision warning.

Not that I had a proper chance to test it off-road - hopefully I will soon - but if you do head for the mud and hills then you've got rear diff lock, rough terrain mode, 4WD Shift-on-the-fly and hill start and hill descent control at your disposal.

I'd sum it up as the sort of the Ikea of the pick-up world. It lacks the refinement and quality of the Ranger, but it is dependable - and is the most authentically no-nonsense sort of farmer pick-up of the lot.
A deep teardown of Hondas long-running R18 engine is drawing renewed attention to why the 1.8-liter powerplant earned a reputation for durability, even as modern engines grow more complex.

In a recent YouTube video, an automotive engineer dissects a high-mileage R18 removed from a ninth-generation Honda Civic with over 130k miles (210,000 kilometers) on the clock, offering a rare, component-by-component look at how the engine works and why it lasted as long as it did.

Economy by Design

The engine in question reportedly had a head gasket leak, prompting a full teardown. Early in the process, the presenter notes that the R18 family has been generally reliable for nearly two decades, with the main historical blemish being early block cracking issues. Once past that early production problem, the design settled into a reputation for simplicity and longevity.

Image Credit: Speedkar99/YouTube.

Under the valve cover, the video highlights Hondas economy-focused i-VTEC system, which differs significantly from the high-performance VTEC systems that built the brands enthusiast image. Instead of aggressively increasing airflow at high rpm, the R18s setup conserves air under normal operation.

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One intake valve effectively remains inactive at low load, reducing air and fuel consumption. When oil pressure activates the VTEC mechanism, rocker arms lock together and both valves follow a higher cam profile, allowing full airflow when needed.

This design choice reflects the economic realities of the late 2000s, when rising fuel prices pushed buyers back toward compact cars. It also explains why the R18 requires periodic manual valve adjustments, a maintenance task largely eliminated in more modern designs.

Old-School Simplicity

The teardown moves through the intake system, revealing a largely straightforward port injection setup. Unlike modern direct injection engines, fuel is sprayed into the intake air stream rather than directly into the combustion chamber. This design avoids the carbon buildup issues that plague many newer engines and keeps injector replacement costs relatively low.

Image Credit:

Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

On the timing side, the R18 continues its minimalist philosophy. A single timing chain connects the crankshaft and camshaft in a simple 1:2 ratio, supported by hydraulic tensioners and plastic guides that have proven durable in real-world use. The oil pump is gear-driven directly off the crankshaft and integrated into the timing cover casting, eliminating the need for additional chains or complex variable systems.

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One area of vulnerability highlighted in the video is oil contamination. The VTEC solenoid includes a small filter screen that can clog and degrade performance if oil changes are neglected. Similarly, the exhaust gas recirculation system is shown heavily caked with soot, a common issue that can trigger drivability problems if left unaddressed.

Failure at the Top, Strength Below

The root cause of the engines failure becomes clear once the cylinder head is removed. Burn marks between cylinders two and three confirm a head gasket failure that allowed coolant and combustion gases to mix. Rust and residue in the water jackets and cylinder walls support the diagnosis.

The presenter suggests that coolant loss elsewhere in the system likely led to localized overheating, especially in the center cylinders, which receive less uniform cooling than the outer ones.

Despite the head gasket failure, inspection of the bottom end tells a more optimistic story. The aluminum oil pan shows minimal sludge, the main and rod bearings appear remarkably clean, and the pistons display little skirt wear. Even after more than 130,000 miles, the rotating assembly remains largely intact, underscoring the strength of the engines ladder frame style lower block and robust fasteners.

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In its final assessment, the video argues that the R18 represents an era when simplicity was central to reliability. With no turbocharging, no direct injection, and a straightforward lubrication system, the engine avoided many of the failure points seen in newer designs.

While it may lack excitement and aftermarket support compared to Hondas K series engines, the R18 stands as a reminder that conservative engineering can deliver exceptional durability.

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Warner Bros Discovery is reportedly preparing to reject Paramount Skydance's beefed up 81bn takeover bid next week.

Paramount is trying to gatecrash a deal which will see the bulk of the business sold to streaming giant Netflix for 62bn  in a takeover tussle which has gripped Hollywood.

And last month (DEC) billionaire Larry Ellison, whose family controls Paramount, provided a 30billion guarantee to back the offer.

However, days later prominent shareholder Harris Oakmark, which owns about 4 per cent of Warner, said the move was 'necessary but not sufficient' and that Paramount must raise its bid.

Hollywood drama: Paramount is trying to gatecrash the Netflix deal for Warner Bros

Now, reports suggest that Warner is set to reject the bid when its board meets next week. Warner Bros and Paramount both declined to comment.

That decision would ease the way for Netflix to proceed with its takeover.

While lower in headline value, analysts have said it offers a clearer financing structure and fewer execution risks.

However, Paramount has argued its bid would face fewer regulatory obstacles.

Adding a further twist, Larry Ellison is seen as close to Donald Trump's White House  and the president has signalled that he will be involved in the decision on whether to allow a deal.

Winning the battle for century-old Warner Bros would grant control of its vast back catalogue of films from Casablanca to Harry Potter as well as TV titles such as The Sopranos and Game of Thrones from TV and streaming brand HBO.

A Netflix triumph would cement the dominant position in streaming for the company behind worldwide hits including Bridgerton and Squid Game  and would be likely to face close scrutiny from competition regulators as a result.

It has also raised concerns over the future of cinema  though Netflix boss Ted Sarandos has said it would honour commitments to show Warner Bros pictures on the big screen first.

A victory for Paramount, best known for films such as The Godfather and Mission: Impossible, would combine two Hollywood giants to create a studio bigger than current leader Disney.

It would also bring together two major US TV operators, something that would also attract a high degree of scrutiny. A group of Democratic senators said it would give one company control over 'almost everything Americans watch on TV'.
Three of Britain's biggest companies will welcome new bosses today in a changing of the guard at the top of UK plc.

Drugs giant GSK, drinks group Diageo and water supplier Severn Trent all start the New Year with a fresh face in the chief executive's chair.

Former Tesco boss Dave Lewis is tasked with turning around struggling Diageo as he becomes its third boss in less than three years.

His predecessor Debra Crew quit in July 2025 having only taken over following the death of long-standing chief Ivan Menezes in June 2023.

Cheers: Guinness owner Diageo is one of three big firms with a new boss starting today

Shares in Diageo, which owns brands including Guinness, Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker, fell 37 per cent last year and are down 60 per cent since their peak at the end of 2021 as reels from subdued sales and rising costs.

Analysts said Lewis faces the toughest job of the three taking the reins today - with Luke Miels succeeding Emma Walmsley at GSK and James Jesic replacing Liv Garfield at Severn Trent.

Garry White, chief investment commentator at wealth manager Charles Stanley, said: 'Diageo's Dave Lewis faces the most daunting challenge of the three.

Luke Miels at GSK and James Jesic at Severn Trent are largely continuing with business as usual.

For Diageo, the challenges verge on existential, making this arguably the toughest type of job a chief executive can inherit.'

Lewis - known as Drastic Dave for his ability to cut costs and turn businesses around - will be under pressure to come clean over his plans for Guinness given persistent rumours Diageo may spin-off the Irish stout maker.

Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, said: 'Lewis must get the business back on track quickly, and that is likely to involve asset sales, big cost cutting, and a tighter focus on the company's leading brands.'

The shake-ups at GSK and Severn Trent sees the departure of two of the Footsie's most high-profile female chief executives in Walmsley and Garfield.

White said Miels takes over at GSK 'at a pivotal moment', adding: 'He inherits a company under pressure to revive investor confidence after years of lacklustre returns and a mixed record on research breakthroughs.

'Expiring patents loom for blockbuster HIV treatments later this decade, threatening a sharp revenue hit, while pricing scrutiny from regulators in the US and Europe adds further strain.

'At the same time, GSK must prove that its strategy, focused on vaccines and specialty medicines, can deliver. There are challenges, but no need for rapid, radical change.'

Coatsworth described new Severn Trent boss Jesic as 'a safe pair of hands' who has worked there fore more than 20 years.

He said: 'James Jesic needs to ensure the business spends money wisely, avoids the mistakes of its peer group with sub-standard performance, and stays in tiptop shape to please the regulator, customers, and shareholders.

'The last thing investors want is drama with a utility company, so Jesic playing it safe could be a wise move.'
A professional who was duped by Afghan migrants on an LGBT dating app has revealed he allowed the pair into his home because he thought they were 'shy'.

Rahmat Khan Mohammadi, 22, and Bilal Hotak, 21, carried out 35 burglaries and 20 related scams, seizing phones, watches, passports and withdrawing money from bank accounts.

They messaged their victims on Grindr and arranged to meet them at their homes for the planned thefts, Isleworth Crown Court heard.

One victim, a 47-year-old man who lives in west London, spoke anonymously to the Daily Mail following Mohammadi and Hotak's conviction in November.

He explained one of the perpetrators - who 'looked like a white guy in the profile picture' - had sent him a message on Grindr in November last year.

On the way to his home, the fraudster asked if another friend could come too - once again showing a picture of somebody else.

The victim, who is a working professional, said: 'When they arrived, it didn't take more than half a second for me to realise they were not the same people.

'I was confused at why they had turned out to be different people because they weren't fat or ugly or whatever.

Hotak (pictured), of Richmond Road, Hackney, denied but was convicted of 14 counts of burglary, nine of fraud and one of theft

Mohammadi (pictured), of Weald Lane, Harrow, denied but was convicted of 17 counts of burglary, 12 of fraud and one of theft

'I immediately linked them to either Afghanistan or Pakistan - though they spoke good English at the time.

'My analysis was they were either shy, inexperienced or embarrassed as some people can be discreet, especially from certain cultures. I gave them the benefit of the doubt.

'It didn't strike me that they might be criminals. I'm not on Grindr that much anyway really so I thought maybe it was inexperience on my part.'

David Patience, prosecuting, told jurors the men would arrange to meet their victims in their homes before getting them to unlock their phones to play music and distracting them by asking for a glass of water.

They would then steal the unlocked phones and rapidly leave the addresses, Mr Patience added.

The 47-year-old victim gave a similar account of events following the arrival of the two men at 1am.

'They immediately asked me if I wanted weed or drugs, and I said "sorry I don't".

Join the debate How can we better protect ourselves from being targeted by criminals on dating apps?

Rahmat Khan Mohammadi, 22, and Bilal Hotak, 21, carried out 35 burglaries and 20 related scams, seizing phones, watches, passports and withdrawing money from bank accounts (file image)

'I started to feel a bit suspicious then that they might just be drug dealers who wanted to sell me something.

'The main guy - I'm not sure which one it was - kept insisting I go to the bathroom.

'Eventually I agreed to go just for 30 seconds and naively I left them there.

'My phone was unlocked because it was playing music and they took it and left.

'The front door was open and they had gone. Luckily they only managed to take my phone because my laptop was in the kitchen.

'I was shocked and distressed. It's very violating having someone in your place and then disappearing a minute later,' he said.

The working professional said he was pleasantly surprised police were able to track the culprits down.

However, he attributed their success to 'leads' provided by victims, such as via phone tracker apps.

'We live in a jungle to be honest, from a security and and safety point of view - this is London. I just have no faith in justice.

'A lot of people just don't have any awareness around our rules and regulations,' he said.

The victim added he was surprised to see that other people who had been tricked by the migrants at a police identity parade were also all professionals.

He said: 'You'd think people like us with good jobs wouldn't fall for something like this.

'I think people should be aware about the risks of allowing strangers into their place.'

After stealing the phones, the two men attempted to use them to make online or contactless payments in large sums, sometimes being successful, sometimes not'.

On one occasion, they tried to take out money in an east London casino called Merkur Slots in Barking, jurors previously heard.

They also applied for bank overdrafts using their victims names.

Mohammadi, of Weald Lane, Harrow, denied but was convicted of 17 counts of burglary, 12 of fraud and one of theft.

Hotak, of Richmond Road, Hackney, denied but was convicted of 14 counts of burglary, nine of fraud and one of theft.

Superintendent Owen Renowden, the Mets hate crime lead, said: Mohammadi and Hotak carried out a series of callous, calculated, pre-planned offences across London, targeting unsuspecting men and resulting in high-value items and money being stolen, and I welcome todays outcome at court.

Id like to praise the victims who have shown great strength throughout our investigation, as well the Mets LGBT+ Advisory Group and the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, GALOP, which enabled us to ensure we conducted our work with sensitivity and care.

The Met is fully committed to ensuring all communities in London feel safe, as well as continuing to enhance the trust and confidence LGBT+ people place in us.

Organised crime has a devastating impact on society and will simply not be tolerated.

Rahmat Khan Mohammadi and Mohammed Bilal Hotak were jailed at Isleworth Crown Crown on December 22 for five years and three and a half years respectively.
Launching fireworks, ransacking businesses and throwing live pigeons into shops - this is the middle-class suburb under siege by a gang of tearaway children.

Shops and eateries in Eltham, south-east London, claim the so-called 'pigeon boys' have been wreaking havoc for several months, but say they are powerless to stop them.

It marks a tragic decline for the former Kent suburb where in recent years, savvy millennials have flocked to for cheaper first properties with an easy commute into central London.

Eltham has long tried to shake its image, having lived under the shadow of the 1993 racist murder of Stephen Lawrence, which rocked the community and tarnished its reputation for many years.

But an influx of young families and professionals has seen parts of Eltham experience gentrification, where the middle-class staples of Marks & Spencer, Pizza Express and local cafes and delis have sprung up.

However, over the last few months, businesses on the High Street and an adjourning pedestrianised area, Passey Place, have fallen victim to a wave of anti-social behaviour which has left locals and shop owners at breaking point.

Shockingly, the alleged suspects are thought to be aged around 10 to 12, according to locals.

Shoppers and business owners alike say 'the High Street has never been like this' as they grow increasingly concerned about the children as well as masked teenagers racing up and down on e-scooters and e-bikes.

They also claimed street drinkers are offering young children drugs in return for shoplifting for them.

The Subway on Eltham High Street has fallen victim to anti-social behaviour from young boys

Two boys who have caused trouble in recent months are pictured at the Subway in November

Locals and business owners say Eltham High Street (pictured) has become unbearable because of young yobs

It marks a tragic decline for the former Kent suburb where in recent years, savvy millennials have flocked to

One worker in the high street said: 'They are little s**ts! They're called the pigeon boys because they've thrown live pigeons into shops.

'They come into shops and pop balloons inside. They've flicked matches at people.

'They've even thrown fireworks! They are supposed to be banned from Eltham. It's been awful.

'The police safer neighbourhood team have been good but they've got to catch them.'

Staff say shops have been provided with walkie talkies as part of a general project by the council and they use them to warn other businesses of any trouble in the area.

Another shopkeeper who did not want to be named, said: 'We were all pests as kids but these are Premier League. They're absolute terrors.

'They are just looking for trouble. They target people who are on their own or weaker.

'There's only two of them. It is beggars belief.'

A Subway franchise owner said the High Street 'has become unbearable in the evenings'.

'Groups of kids keep coming into my store - they throw cans of drink, set off firecrackers, steal items, and shout abuse, including racial comments,' he claimed in an Eltham Facebook group.

Sharing a CCTV image of two boys in his Subway, he added: 'Every evening feels more dangerous. Its getting impossible to work safely, and its affecting me mentally and emotionally.

'If this continues, Im afraid that many of us on the High Street will struggle to keep our businesses open. We pay taxes, we work hard, and yet we feel completely unprotected.

'Im reaching out to the community and local authorities - we need urgent help and real action before something worse happens.'

One newsagent, who did not want to be named, said: 'It's shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

'There's six or seven of them. We can't manage them. They always try to take the vapes.

'They divert us when our backs are turned and take stuff. It's mostly every two or three days in a week.

'They are about 10 years old. There's two boys they come in every evening. I think they're on drugs. When they come in the smell is so bad.

'The police and council have been here many times.'

One businessman said: 'In October, they were throwing pumpkins at the buses going down the high street. It's dangerous.

Iwona Golebiewska, 45, said: 'We need to draw the line as this behaviour is unacceptable.'

Police community support officers are seen patrolling the High Street to crackdown on anti-social behaviour

Shop owners claim the feral children wreak havoc, including trying to steal vapes

A police car is spotted parking outside Boots on Eltham High Street, where locals have complained of anti-social behaviour

'They have caused Subway a lot of aggro going in there and whatever.

'There are some other guys, they are much older, they also hang around with them. They are always drinking up the alley.

'The police have tried to move them and they have sort of disappeared gradually.

'The High Street has got worse. There's a lot of shoplifting. And there's teenagers speeding up the road on electric bikes and scooters with their faces covered with masks.

'This High Street has never been like this.'

Green Grocer Jason White, 25, said: 'It's got a lot worse on the high street. You don't see any police  it's very rare.'

He added: 'They don't bother us but I know a lot of other shops and places have had grief from them.

'But the shoplifting is really bad  but that's adults doing that.

'The High Street has got worse. A few years back some kids got on the roof of the shops across the road and were pelting us with eggs!

'You don't see the police up here much walking around.'

Another businessperson, who did not want to be named, said: 'They've come in and popped balloons in the store.

'One of them asked for a drink for free or he would steal something.

Green grocers Jason White, 25, said: 'It's got a lot worse on the high street.'

'It has calmed down a bit lately, though.

'We threatened them with the police.'

One store manager, who did not want to be identified, said the bad behaviour began two to three months ago.

He said they had stolen crisps and cookies from his store.

He said: 'I think they were high on drugs, that's the reason. The other day when I was opening the store he just came and threw a can of Red Bull at me.

He claimed: 'There are street drinkers who are provoking the kids to go and steal from TK Maxx and they get drugs in return.

'If the street drinkers got banned, these boys wouldn't come.'

He added: 'On the first day they took my keys as I was opening up. They steal everything.

'Another time in the doorway one threw a firecracker at my face  high basically. I closed the door in time.

'The next day he came in and said sorry  because I think social services got involved.

Pictured is the Subway on Eltham High Street which is among those being targeted by young children

Shops and eateries in Eltham, south-east London, claim the so-called 'pigeon boys' have been wreaking havoc for several months

'We are working hard and paying our taxes and these people are causing trouble. Something should be done.

'There are enforcement officers but not in this area - they should do more patrolling in this area.'

Shopper Deon Jenkins, 35, said: 'They're always hanging around. But they just don't care.'

Another shopper Iwona Golebiewska, 45, a mother of two, said: 'It is disturbing. I would expect them to be in school.

'Something needs to be done or it creates an open door and children think 'we can mess around'.

'When I was a kid I respect adults. Eltham was a nice quiet place, respectable. We want to keep it this way.

'We need to draw the line as this behaviour is unacceptable.'

Michelle, 63, said: 'There's some lovely businesses up here trying to make a living and these kids think they can do what the want.

'The police don't do anything. They can't touch them anymore. They should go to borstal for a year.

'It's not fair on anyone and it's not fair on these people trying to run businesses. My kids wouldn't dream of doing that.'

The Met Police was approached for comment.
Labour is facing demands for a major clampdown on illegal Traveller sites scarring the countryside after the number of caravans parked in unauthorised camps rose by a fifth in a year.

Ministers have been accused of a 'soft-touch approach' after official statistics showed 4,464 mobile homes parked on land without planning permission this summer, the most since 2013.

Of those, the vast majority (3,880) were parked on land legally owned by Travellers themselves, an increase of 677, or 21 per cent on the previous year, leading to claims from politicians that they are gaming the planning system.

It comes amid a slew of high-profile cases where Travellers have purchased land, often in leafy parts of the Home Counties, before swooping to lay tarmac and create pitches.

They have then sought planning permission retrospectively, forcing local authorities to kick them off an area already built over, in a frequently lengthy and costly process.

One such case near Guildford in Surrey saw a field concreted under the cover of darkness close to a community of families living in 3m homes in November.

In another a site was set up in Berkshire close to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston.

MPs are pressuring the government to make changes, including giving police the power to remove people from land that lacks planning permission, even if they own it.

However, the response from ministers has been to explore collecting fewer statistics about illegal sites, under a consultation announced in November. Ministers have said it is up to local authorities to deal with issues under existing legislation.

Tory shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly told the Mail: 'Unauthorised Traveller camps are becoming more and more common under Labour thanks to their soft-touch approach, causing serious issues for local communities.

'The Government should be taking action, but things are so bad that Labour are instead trying to cover it up by stopping the publication of statistics on illegal sites and hiding the truth from the public because they can't bear scrutiny.'

The data compiled the Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government and released in December showed that Basildon in Essex and Havering in outer east London had the most caravans on unauthorised sites.

They were followed by leafy Waverley in Surrey and Bromley on the south east edge of London.

Find out how many are near where you live below:

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In total the number of Traveller caravans in England hit 28,589, an increase of 1,152 (4 per cent) on the previous year.

It also means the number has increased by more than 240 per cent since the data was first recorded nearly 50 years ago in 1979.

The last time there were more caravans on unauthorised sites was 2013, and the rise has not gone unnoticed.

Mr Cleverly also raised the issue with Labour Communities Minister Matthew Pennycook.

But in a written response Mr Pennycook said it was up to local councils 'to determine whether to enforce against unauthorised development and to keep records of their enforcement activities'.

MHCLG has also launched a consultation on making the biannual collection of Traveller site stats take place once a year.

It said the research was 'resource intensive' as councils have to send two officials 'for safety' and they often have to travel long distances between sites.

Last month 30 MPs led by Tory shadow energy secretary and Surrey MP Claire Coutinho wrote to the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, drawing attention to what they said was a pattern of illegal developments.

They claimed as well as being lived in, some were also used to illicitly house 'undocumented migrants'.

In the letter, organised by East Surrey MP Claire Coutinho, they said: 'Across the country, communities are now being subjected to a wave of illegal developments.

'Purchasers, often from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities, buy rural or greenfield plots.

'Over a weekend or bank holiday they then carry out rapid works such as topsoil removal, laying hardcore, creating access points, pulling up hedgerows and installing fencing and sewage tanks.

'The site is quickly occupied with caravans and large mobile homes. This is all done with complete disregard for the law.

'Councils then face lengthy enforcement processes, as well as retrospective planning applications and appeals. This tactic can make immediate stop or enforcement action harder and ties up planning and legal resources for months or even years.

'This cannot continue.'

One site where this has happened is Ockham, near Guildford in Surrey, where wealthy residents have been 'living in a nightmare' since the Travellers bought a 1.5 acre field from a local landowner at auction last month.

It sits within the green belt, is in a conservation area and close to a listed building.

But diggers and 50 lorries descending on the land late on a Sunday night, pulling down the hedges and foliage, and they worked through the night to lay a hard surface and move their caravans and trailers in scenes locals described it as 'like D-Day'.

Millionaire residents have been 'living in a nightmare' since the group bought the 1.5 acre field

The travellers who illegally paved over a multi-million-pound field in Surrey's stockbroker belt and moved in overnight have put forward a formal application to stay permanently

Now they have submitted a proposal which seeks part-retrospective planning permission to turn land off Alms Heath and School Lane into a permanent site with six pitches for families.

The scheme includes 12 new car parking spaces, hard-standing for caravans and touring vehicles, and boundary planting to screen the site.

A decision is expected at the end of January.

Guildford's Lib Dem MP Zoe Franklin told the Mail she was in 'regular contact with the local council about the site, adding: 'Residents shared with me their concerns about noise nuisance, anti-social behaviour and the impact to the environment.

'I know the situation continues to trouble them.'

In their planning application the applicants say there is a severe shortage of authorised Traveller pitches in the Guilford area and that no suitable alternative sites are available.

They also claim the field is 'acceptably sustainable particularly in the context of a Traveller site, with these generally being set in open countryside with a separation distance from the settled community to avoid conflict with the settled community whilst still being able to access local services.'

It also warns that refusal could breach the human rights of the Travellers and that councils have a legal duty that 'requires due regard to the needs of Gypsies and Travellers as a protected ethnic group in decision-making', especially relating to children.

Near Aldermaston, a group of Travellers are building 13 static homes on an illegal site next to Britain's biggest nuclear weapons factory.

'Anxious' locals say they have been left 'fearing for their safety' and are calling for the council to step in to stop construction on land opposite the AWE.

Hundreds of people have signed a petition after building work began on 13 static plots next to the sprawling campus, which is the largest of three locations where Britain manufactures its nuclear warheads.

West Berkshire Council issued a temporary 'stop notice' to developers when a planning application was submitted, but this was ignored and unauthorised work continued.

'Anxious' locals say they have been left 'fearing for their safety' and are calling for the council to step in to stop construction on land opposite the Atomic Weapons Establishment's Aldermaston campus in Berkshire

West Berkshire Council issued a temporary stop notice but work has continued unauthorised since the beginning of November

Friends, Families and Travellers, a non-profit advocacy group, this year blamed a lack of official spaces for the problem.

Amid a row over an unauthorised site set up in Newchapel, Surrey, a spokesman told the BBC that 'too many families remain stuck in limbo'.

'Without somewhere safe to stop, families are denied access to vital services like sanitation, healthcare and education,' they added.

'Increasing access to safe stopping places, like sites, can give Gypsy and Traveller families the stability and dignity that every community deserves.'
A British conman who spent decades posing as a doctor, priest and charity boss before fleeing the UK has been traced to a German care home 22 years later.

Kenner Elias Jones, 75, from North Wales, became one of the world's most infamous fraudsters and moved across continents under a string of false identities.

The criminal dubbed 'Con Jones' even carried the cross and sang at the investiture ceremony for Charles as the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.

His first wife Donna Lee Mackenzie, whom he also conned for years after meeting in 1979, has been trying to learn what happened to him after he vanished in 2003.

Now, a new documentary called 'Con Jones: The World's Best Conman?, which will air on S4C from 9pm tonight and BBC iPlayer, has tracked him down to Germany.

It features audio of Ms Mackenzie being reunited with Jones after 40 years apart, as he tells her: 'If I could relive my life I don't want to go back. What's done is done.

'I'm sorry it happened. Life is full of regrets... but you can't live your life with lots of what ifs because it's done. If we don't meet again in this life, we've been blessed.'

Cameras were not allowed to film inside the care home itself, but Jones gave the producers permission to record his voice during his conversation with Ms Mackenzie.

Kenner Elias Jones married Donna Lee Mackenzie in 1982 and they moved to Buckinghamshire

Donna Lee Mackenzie talks about her ex-husband in the new documentary airing on S4C

Kenner Elias Jones is pictured in the German care home after being visited by Ms Mackenzie

The audio begins with her introducing herself as 'Donna - and for a short time I was Mrs Kenner Elias Jones.' Jones says he does not recognise her and 'feels terrible'.

She then asks about a ring on his finger, which he says she gave him. She then tells him that she has a fountain pen in her possession which she had after they split up.

Ms Mackenzie offers to return it to him, but he insists she keeps it, adding: 'Whatever you brought, it's better you keep it because I am not going anywhere after this.'

In another clip shared with the Daily Mail, Ms Mackenzie talks about an occasion when Jones made her believe a former co-prisoner of his was coming after them.

She tells producers: 'So I sat there in the dark little hallway of the house with a fire poker in my hand and an unconscious drunken husband in the bedroom.

'And an image in my mind of this irate, furious man coming to get us. And I watched the door and I cried. I know now that he never was coming through the door.'

Those who remember Jones said his moment of the glory at the investiture came after he apparently talked his way into carrying the cross for the ceremony.

Jones carried the cross and sang at the investiture ceremony for Charles as the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1969 (Charles is pictured that day with Queen Elizabeth II)

Jones, of North Wales, become one of the world's most infamous fraudsters over five decades

This was followed by a lifetime of deception which saw him con, steal and continually reinvent himself as he charmed, manipulated and transformed himself.

Jones served jail sentences for fraud, theft and forging documents, but managed to convince fellow inmates his ex-wife had been killed in a helicopter crash.

He also repeatedly created new identities as old lives collapsed, with one former US investigator describing him as 'the best conman' he has ever encountered.

Producer Marc Edwards, who has spent three decades following Jones, tells the programme: 'Once one life comes to an end, Ken can create a new one.'

He adds: 'I feel a special attachment to the story because I have followed it for 30 years. Ken is a character, a person who can captivate someone with his personality.

'He can make someone feel that they are the most interesting and important person in the room, and he can tailor any story to any situation and to any individual.'

Jones, who was from Caernarfon, spent five decades carrying out scams across continents  and repeatedly slipped through the net using false documents despite being deported, banned and pursued by several countries.

Ms Mackenzie says Kenner made her believe a former co-inmate of his was coming after them

Jones spent decades posing as a doctor, priest and charity boss before fleeing the UK

His trail of deception took him across Europe and to North America and Africa. He was married three times and served prison sentences in Britain, Canada and the US.

The documentary sees those closest to him, including Ms Mackenzie, try to piece the story together about his life and discover what happened to him.

He met the Canadian journalist in Llandudno in 1979 before they married in 1982 and lived in Buckinghamshire before moving to Vancouver.

But their relationship collapsed when Jones was found to have taken thousands of pounds from her savings and was using her empty bank account in Canada to write fake cheques.

This led to her learning about his criminal past  and while then briefly reconciled, the relationship ended for good when she discovered he had taken money from her extended family by claiming she was dying.

In recent decades former choirboy Jones had been traced to Portugal and Africa, posing as a doctor in Kenya for seven years without any qualifications and even setting up a charity called Luke's Fund.

Jones (left) posed as a doctor in Kenya for seven years without any qualifications

Jones was due to stand trial for fraud at Lewes Crown Court in 2003 but fled the night before

He also claimed to be a priest and lived among a Christian community in Kenya, according to a previous BBC Wales investigation.

The broadcaster also tracked him down in Lisbon on its 'Week In Week Out' programme in 2011, claiming he had swindled a travel agent out of tickets from Uganda to Lisbon worth 2,160 and had also been 'targeting' local businesses.

His previous convictions include being jailed at the Old Bailey in 1975 for theft and forgery.

In 1980 he also received a 15-month jail sentence for obtaining money by deception at Coventry Crown Court.

Then in 1996 he received an 18-month prison sentence for deception and fraud.

Jones was due to stand trial for fraud at Lewes Crown Court in 2003 but fled the night before and has not been caught in the UK since.

In 2017, Ms McKenzie wrote a book about Jones in an attempt to track him down  and the documentary will reveal how he was eventually traced to Germany.

'Con Jones: The World's Best Conman?' will air on S4C at 9pm tonight and 9pm tomorrow, as well as on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer from today
It's the heart-breaking story that moved hardened detectives to tears.

Three babies separately abandoned in plastic bags in freezing temperatures in near identical circumstances several years apart.

For years detectives have desperately tried to trace their mother after DNA tests revealed that incredibly all three children were siblings.

Now, as the two year anniversary approaches of the discovery of the last child Elsa, police are preparing to close the case.

It follows a unique investigation which has taken officers across Britain and abroad using familial DNA analysis to contact possible relatives.

Officers are ready to concede defeat after going to extraordinary lengths and exhausting hundreds of lines of inquiry, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal.

The investigation initially started in Plaistow, east London, after a newborn baby, named Harry by medical staff, was found wrapped in a white blanket in a bush in September 2017.

Two years later Baby Roman, later found to be his sibling, was found in the same area in freezing temperatures in January 2019, wrapped in a white towel in a shopping bag.

In January 2024, a dogwalker discovered a third baby just an hour old who had been left in a Boots shopping bag in temperatures dipping to -4C.

Baby Harry was found wrapped in a white blanket in a bush in 2017 in Plaistow, east London.

Baby Roman was found in freezing temperatures in January 2019, wrapped in a white towel in a shopping bag in Newham, east London.

Police image of the Boots bag in which Baby Elsa was found by a dogwalker in Newham, east London, in January 2024.

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She was named Elsa after the character in the Disney movie Frozen because of the sub-zero conditions she was found in, but like her siblings, Baby Elsa also survived against all the odds.

Fearing that it may not be long before a fourth child was discovered, police vowed to do 'everything possible' to find the children's mother.

Detective Inspector Jamie Humm and his team of 15 officers started by scouring 450 hours of local CCTV, but they found no trace of either parent.

Police believe the infants were abandoned near the Greenway, a footpath in Newham built over a sewage pipe, because there was no CCTV there.

'How can you have the most surveilled city in the world and someone drop three babies off without being identified?' Detective Humm said.

'It was chosen, I would argue, as a fairly optimum location of making sure the babies were found relatively promptly whilst also giving the mum the most opportunity for a covert entrance and exit.

'It is a footpath - there are no shops, there was no dash cam footage from passing traffic, no doorbell camera.

'So, from that point in your investigation, you are effectively looking for a ghost, someone who's been and gone without ever having left a trace.'

Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford said the Met felt they were close to finding the parents several times

Scotland Yard asked the National Crime Agency (NCA) for assistance and a geographic profiler narrowed the potential location of the mother to an area with 400 houses, based on ruling out other routes where there was more CCTV.

Detectives then analysed the properties, considering whether the occupant could be a parent based on a DNA profile of the mother they compiled from genetic analysis of the three children.

Met and NCA officers then started the painstaking process of knocking on doors asking people to volunteer DNA samples.

Officers also drew up a long list of people who were potential relatives based on partial matches from records on the Police National Computer.

Detectives drove around the country following potential leads as far as Scotland, Wales, East Anglia, Birmingham and the Cotswolds, even tracing the family tree of people who had died.

'We travelled the absolute length and breadth of the country', Detective Humm recalled.

'We would visit a person and explain that they had come up as a potential DNA match from police arrest records five years ago.

'Then we had to ask for their mum and dad's name and other siblings to get their DNA, it was very challenging.'

But detectives found that people were willing to help once they realised the purpose of the visits.

'We were pleasantly surprised with the support we received. It was a wholly unique case that really tested us.

'But now there is a question of drawing the line because the lines of inquiry that we're now considering present us with a much lower likelihood [of finding the parents].

'Hope is dwindling.'

Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, who leads the Metropolitan Police on public protection, said: 'At times it has felt like we were close, familial matches were strong, they had connections to the area, but each time it turned out not to be them.

'We knocked on over 100 houses. Every time we had a potential match we had to explore all of that person's family which would generate new lines of inquiry.

'We felt like we needed to do absolutely everything we could.'

Now police are nearing the end of that trawl, with a review due in January to decide whether to close the case.

Mr Basford said: 'I now think that the mother may have gone abroad. She may have been forced to leave the area; she may be being controlled.

'If someone comes forward with new intelligence we will investigate, but we have exhausted pretty much everything we can do.'
Donald Trump soft-launched his return to the campaign trail in December, but is expected to turbocharge his rally schedule in the New Year in a vigorous scramble to keep Democrats from taking back Congress.

Given the longstanding precedent for the party in power during a midterm cycle, it will take a herculean turnaround coupled with hope and a prayer for Republicans to maintain control of both chambers.

A Republican National Committee official told the Daily Mail that the GOP's success in 2026 is predicated on Trump voters coming out 'like he were on the ticket,' a task no president in modern time has been able to replicate.

The three states at the top of Trump's target list: North Carolina, Michigan and Georgia, according to one administration insider.

In Michigan and Georgia, Republicans are hoping to pick up two seats in the Senate currently held by Democrats but that Trump won in 2024. Both states also have open gubernatorial races that are considered a toss-up by The Cook Political Report's rankings.

And in North Carolina, the GOP is on defense - fighting to hold on to the Senate seat being vacated by Thom Tillis, after the president's daughter-in-law ceded the GOP nomination to a far less electrifying candidate.

A Republican win in any of those three states would essentially preclude Democrats from winning back the US Senate this year.

'We are more bullish on this midterm cycle than in previous years,' the RNC official said. 'We are moving at lighting speed, taking the lead from the White House on that.'

Donald Trump is planning to hit the campaign trail running in 2026

White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair did not follow-through with scheduled commitment to speak with the Daily Mail regarding the president's campaign strategy.

Trump has made two stops so far on his affordability tour aimed at selling his economic agenda to Americans  first in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania on December 9, and then in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on December 19 en route to his Mar-a-Lago residence for the Christmas and New Year holiday.

But the stops quickly revealed themselves as less about economic policy and more about rallying Republicans to turn out in the midterms for candidates who will advance the MAGA agenda.

The president veered off script at both events, doing little to keep his remarks focused on the economy. And the economic comments he did make were labeled 'out of touch' by critics who say residents in both states are struggling financially.

Democratic National Committee Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer lamented to the Daily Mail that Trump 'continues to dismiss working families' concerns about affordability as a 'hoax.''

Vice President JD Vance is expected to be on the trail, as well  and is thought to be a more effective messenger when it comes to financial woes.

In November, as unemployment rose to a four-year high in a major sign of weakness in the economy, Vance acknowledged Americans are feeling pains from the prior administration, and pleaded for patience.

Although not officially branded as a campaign stop, Trump's event in North Carolina was alongside former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, who is running for Senate in the state with the president's support.

When Lara passed on running for any political seat to keep her Fox News show, Trump decided Whatley was the next best contender.

The North Carolina Senate race is considered a toss-up, and Whatley is leaning into Trump's endorsement to help get him over the finish line against Democratic candidate Roy Cooper, a popular former governor who has a history of swaying Republican voters to cast their ballot his way.

One administration insider admitted that candidates do best when they ride on the 'coattails' of the president.

'Trump is the greatest force for voter turnout and that's something that Democrats can't replicate,' an RNC official agreed.

Trump appeared alongside former RNC Chairman and Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley for a affordability rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on December 19, 2025

Whatley earned favor with the Trumps when he served as RNC Chairman for the 2024 election  alongside co-chair Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law

Democrats say that Republicans' strategy of leaning into acting as if the president is on the ballot isn't a winning one.

'If Republicans' solution to 'facing almost certain defeat' in the midterms  by their own admission  is to put Donald Trump on the campaign trail, we welcome their strategy with open arms,' the DNC Rapid Response Director said.

Witmer added: 'Trump's tour will remind working Americans of how Republicans sold them out to give billionaires tax breaks. In just one year, Trump's 2024 coalition is unraveling as prices soar and good-paying jobs are harder and harder to come by.'

Trump will be campaigning from a considerably less popular position in 2026 than he was in 2024, when he could blame the country's ills on the Democrats in power.

A December Daily Mail poll conducted by JL Partners found 36 percent of registered voters believe the cost of living is much more unaffordable since Trump returned to office, with another 12 percent ranking it a little more unaffordable, totaling 48 percent overall.

And a November Daily Mail/JL Partners poll showed Trump's ratings at an all-time-low of his second term with 45 percent approval and 55 percent disapproval.

In Georgia, Trump will likely appear to rally voters to dethrone Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp passed on running for the Senate seat, dealing GOP chances a severe blow. Several other Republicans are considering their bid to take on Ossoff, but most notably is current Congressman Mike Collins.

Trump is also prepared to hit the road to Michigan where along with the House races there are chances for Republicans to flip a US Senate seat after Democratic Senator Gary Peters declined to seek reelection.

There are least three districts are viewed as battlegrounds in Michigan, and it could help determine control of the lower chamber in the next Congress.

Vice President JD Vance is expected to hit the campaign trail, and is considered a more effective and empathetic messenger when it comes to American's financial woes. Pictured: Vance appears with Charlie Kirk's widow Erika at Turning Point's AmericaFest on December 21, 2025

Both races for Ossoff and Peters' seats present Republicans with the opportunity to increase the GOP majority in Congress as they are Democratic-held Senate seats in states that Trump won in the 2024 presidential election.

During a December 8, 2025 interview with the YouTube program The Mom View, chief of staff Susie Wiles previewed Trump's midterm plans.

'I haven't quite broken it to him yet, but he's going to campaign like it's 2024 again,' Wiles said.

'We're actually going to turn that on its head and put him on the ballot... because so many of those low-propensity voters are Trump voters,' she said, adding: 'He's a difference-maker, and he certainly is a turnout machine.'

It's a huge undertaking for parties in power to try and hold onto their majorities in Congress in midterm elections. Historically at least one of the chambers will swing into the hands of the other party.

During Trump's first term in 2018, Republicans got crushed with a nationwide blue wave. Democrats flipped 43 seats in the House and two in the Senate, leaving Trump's agenda facing a roadblock in his final two years.

This year, Democrats need to gain just three seats in the House to wrest back control.
Newborns could be allocated digital IDs in a 'sinister' expansion of the controversial policy.

Ministers have privately raised the prospect of issuing the new technology to children at birth, along with the 'red book' of health records given to new parents.

It would mark a major expansion of the digital ID scheme announced by Sir Keir Starmer in September to tackle illegal immigration by making all job candidates prove they have the right to work in the UK.

The idea has been discussed in secret meetings held recently by Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons, the Daily Mail can reveal.

He has told civil society groups that other countries already issue lifelong digital identities to babies.

Estonia, whose own scheme is seen by Labour figures as a blueprint, creates a unique number for each infant when their birth is registered. Later on, it gives them access to public services.

Mr Simons also suggested that digital ID could be a way for teenagers to sign in to social media, following Australia's ban on under-16s using addictive apps such as TikTok.

Since announcing the scheme, which is due to be introduced by the end of this Parliament in 2028-29, Sir Keir has tried to highlight the ways in which the technology could make everyday tasks easier  such as childcare or applying for a bank account  in the face of a backlash from the public and many of his MPs.

Campaigners protesting outside Parliament last month ahead of a debate on Digital ID

A protest was also staged against the policy outside Labour's party conference in Liverpool

But the Government has refused to set out exactly what its plans for ID cards involve or how the scheme will be paid for. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates it will cost 1.8billion.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood said last night: 'Labour said their plan for mandatory digital ID was about tackling illegal immigration.

'But now we hear they are secretly considering forcing it on newborns.

'What do babies have to do with stopping the boats?

'This would be a deeply sinister overreach by Labour  and all without any proper national debate.

'This policy is just another distraction from the Government's total inability to deal with the crisis in the Channel.

'Only the Conservatives have a plan to stop illegal migration  without infringing on the public's rights and freedoms.'

Former Tory Cabinet minister Sir David Davis said: 'This is creeping state surveillance. The idea that we should allocate children ID at birth is frankly an affront to centuries of British history, and is being put out by stupid ministers who really don't understand the technology they are playing with.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pictured on July 14, 2025

'They think they are being clever and modern, but a large number of people will be outraged by this. 'It will end up being hated by a lot of people.'

Sir David accused the Prime Minister of selling the policy on the 'bogus premise' of tackling illegal immigration before quietly expanding it without informing Parliament, adding: 'It's a constitutional disgrace delivered in a disgraceful manner.'

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesman Lisa Smart said: 'Reports that ministers may be considering dragging newborn babies into their already over-reaching digital ID scheme would be a frightening development. Liberal Democrats have long warned about the Government's obsession with extending state control through operation creep, and now it seems they want to go even further.

'Instead of forking out 1.8billion of taxpayers' cash on this authoritarian scheme, they should be focusing on getting down GP waiting times and helping to cut people's energy bills.'

Those present in Cabinet Office meetings about digital ID in recent weeks were sworn to secrecy about what was discussed. But one person who was present said that when the idea of extending it to cover newborns was raised, 'You could see jaws dropping around the room'.

Another attendee warned: 'They're clearly intending a lifelong mandatory ID scheme.'

A source told the Daily Mail: 'The disturbing prospect of digital IDs for newborn babies shows this has nothing to do with right-to-work checks, immigration or giving people choices.

'It's a cradle-to-grave digital file being dishonestly forced on every single Briton.

'This is a shocking, underhand way to massively expand a controversial policy our country has always rejected.

'It seems that Starmer has lied to the public about a plan that affects every single one of us because he knows the truth is too unpopular.

'I don't think this Government can be trusted to create a national ID scheme of any kind.'

However, a Government spokesman insisted: 'The only mandatory area of the programme will be for digital right-to-work checks. Only people starting a new job will need to use the scheme.'

A public consultation on the scheme is due soon. A Whitehall source said: 'This is all hypothetical  the consultation will decide on the scheme.

'The only mandatory use case will be right-to-work checks.

'In a hypothetical situation where children might have it, they wouldn't be required to have it. No one will be forcing them to have it.'
An immigration lawyer who represents Americans burned by sham marriages said the Trump administration is failing to deliver on one of its loudest promises: a crackdown on immigration abuse that harms US citizens.

Cody Brown, a Texas-based attorney who exclusively represents Americans harmed by immigration fraud, argues the system has drifted from its original purpose  protecting citizens.

He said it too often shields foreign nationals who exploit romance, trust and legal loopholes to secure green cards, leaving Americans emotionally wrecked, financially exposed and legally powerless.

'We're the only law firm in the country that represents US citizens in the immigration system, and we've seen firsthand how damaging these cases can be,' Brown told the Daily Mail.

Still, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) insists it is already taking action, and immigrant advocates caution that some of Brown's proposals could create new injustices of their own.

In an exclusive interview, Brown described what he called a largely ignored 'immigration fraud crisis,' driven by phony marriages and intimate scams that rarely trigger consequences.

Love is often the hook: affection, promises of commitment, a rapid marriage  followed by immigration paperwork and collapse.

Sometimes the schemes are arranged, involving facilitators who pair US citizens with migrants desperate for legal status. Often the targets are vulnerable  divorced, lonely, elderly or financially insecure.

Texas lawyer Cody Brown says too many Americans are preyed upon by unscrupulous marriage scammers and organized fraud rings

A crackdown on immigration fraudsters in Minnesota has led to clashes between protestors and law enforcement

The payoff comes quickly. Then the relationship collapses. In many of Brown's cases, the foreign spouse vanishes almost overnight or turns on the American partner.

Often, he said, the foreign national files claims under the Violence Against Women Act, alleging abuse. The law allows immigrants alleging abuse to seek legal status independently, without requiring an arrest or conviction.

The US citizen is excluded from the process and can be left with legal bills, emotional trauma and sometimes a shocking financial burden.

'When you sponsor a foreign national, you are agreeing to financially support that person  and theoretically, that liability can last forever,' Brown said.

Brown says he too was nearly a victim of an immigration scam

Some foreign nationals exploit the rule deliberately, suing for 'hundreds of thousands of dollars' in support payments. He calls it 'immigration alimony,' and said Congress never intended it to be used this way.

Despite the deeply personal nature of these cases, Brown said there is virtually no system inside DHS to deal with them.

'There is no structure, no policy, no process to resolve these cases,' he said. 'If foreign nationals are coming here and harming the very people the system is supposed to protect, that's a problem.'

Brown said USCIS barely opens an investigation and that ICE has 'effectively abandoned marriage fraud enforcement.'

Marriage fraud, he insists, is not rare. It is the most attractive pathway for abuse and the 'single most fraud-prone category of immigration benefits.'

Marrying a US citizen offers fast-tracked residency, waivers, and a path to citizenship, he notes.

'The likelihood of someone deceiving a US citizen to get an immigration benefit is far more common than a foreign national committing a violent crime in the street,' he said.

Brown said his crusade was born out of a nightmare he lived himself.

In the 2010s, he was falsely accused of stalking an illegal alien he had never met. Police arrested him at gunpoint, and he was thrown in jail without knowing who had accused him or why.

A sham marriage is one of the easiest routes scammers can take to get US citizenship, says Brown. Pictured: A naturalization ceremony for new US citizens at Seattle

DHS assistant secretary for public affairs Tricia McLaughlin says the administration is already cracking down on scams

Celebrities and politicians supported the Violence Against Women Act, which cracks down on domestic abuse

His accuser needed a translator and could not identify him in court. Video footage and phone data disproved the claims. He later learned she was seeking a U visa. Prosecutors dropped the case.

Yet DHS said it is not standing still. The department has tightened marriage fraud reviews, expanded interviews, reopened the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office, and launched targeted investigations.

'The office exists to offer support and services to victims of crimes with a nexus to immigration  including marriage fraud,' Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told the Daily Mail.

She added that marriage fraud 'poses a national security threat, damages the integrity of the US immigration system, and endangers US citizens who enter into sham marriages.'

About 450,000 US citizens petition for foreign spouses each year. Roughly 10 percent are denied, but in targeted investigations, the rate has been higher.

In late 2025, USCIS, ICE, and the FBI launched Operation Twin Shield in the MinneapolisSt. Paul area amid a sprawling welfare fraud scandal. Officials uncovered fraud or national security concerns in 44 percent of marriage cases examined.

In Florida, ICE dismantled a marriage fraud ring involving current and former US Navy members paid roughly $40,000 each to marry foreign nationals, mostly from China.

Human stories continue to surface. In Jacksonville, Florida, a woman identified only as Shawnya said she was duped into marrying a man she believed was a Nigerian minister.

Instead, he used her money to move his original wife and child to the US. 'It's like I lost myself,' she tearfully told Action News Jax.

Brown said the Trump administration could act quickly to address these harms. He has proposed a policy framework called Direct Harm to US Citizens, or DHC.

It would require immigration officers to treat documented harm to Americans as a negative factor in discretionary decisions, from admissions to green cards to removals, he said.

Federal authorities busted open a California-based gang that arranged hundreds of fake marriages for Green Cards for non-citizens

Brown warned Congress about the immigration loopholes in June, but worries that DHS is not listening

More than 304,000 Green Cards were issued to spouses of U.S. citizens in 2019  one of the most recent years for which data are available

The proposal would not mandate automatic deportations, but it would force officers to weigh the damage done to Americans, he said.

'Harm to US citizens is still treated as legally irrelevant in discretionary immigration decisions  and that is indefensible,' Brown said. 'DHC does not require new agents, new funding, or new bureaucracy  just the will to enforce the law.'

Yet critics, including immigrant rights advocates and legal scholars, caution that proposals like Brown's could backfire.

They warn that allowing immigration consequences to flow from allegations rather than convictions could expose immigrants, particularly women, to vindictive claims from angry partners after relationships break down.

Marriage breakdowns are often messy, emotional, and contested, and Immigration officers are not judges equipped to weigh intimate disputes, they say.

Supporters of current DHS policy stress that marriage fraud is already investigated through multi-agency operations and that expanding discretionary enforcement could blur lines between civil disputes and criminal fraud.

They note the department has reopened VOICE, strengthened interview protocols, and conducted high-profile operations that have led to arrests and removals.

The debate highlights a tension at the heart of immigration enforcement: protecting citizens from abuse while ensuring the system does not penalize immigrants unfairly.

Brown argues the authority exists  whether DHS has the nerve to use it is the question.

As President Donald Trump seeks to ramp up removals and demonstrate seriousness on immigration enforcement, the conversation over marriage fraud, discretionary powers, and systemic oversight is likely to intensify.
China values, welcomes S. Korean president's visit: FM

Xinhua) 09:12, January 01, 2026

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- China attaches great importance to and welcomes South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's visit to China, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun at the latter's request.

Wang said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-South Korea relations have emerged from a low point and returned to the right track, showing a steady and positive development trend. It is believed that with the joint efforts of both sides, Lee's upcoming visit will promote new progress in the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership, he added.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Wang said that facing attempts by certain political forces in Japan to reverse the course of history and whitewash the crimes of aggression and colonialism, it is believed that the South Korean side will uphold a responsible attitude towards history and the people, adopt the correct stance, and safeguard international justice, including adhering to the one-China principle on the Taiwan question.

For his part, Cho said that Lee attaches great importance to cooperation with China, and is firmly committed to developing the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

South Korea is willing to work closely with China to ensure a smooth and successful visit of President Lee to China, he said, noting that the country's commitment to the one-China principle remains unchanged.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Wu Chaolan)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio's approval rating ticked up in a late December Daily Mail poll, making him President Donald Trump's most popular Cabinet member.

Overall, the former Florida senator had a net rating of +6, with 39 percent saying the approve of the job Rubio is doing compared to 33 percent who disapprove.

The Daily Mail poll, conducted by J.L. Partners, found that Attorney General Pam Bondi was the least popular Cabinet member, but even her numbers were barely underwater, coming in at a net negative-one rating.

Rubio's net approval number was the highest it's been all year, as he previously only got up to a plus-3 in late April.

In the run-up to the poll being conducted on December 20 and 21, Rubio was quoted as saying he'd get out of Vice President JD Vance's way if the VP decided to run for the White House in 2028, decreasing the chances of a high-profile MAGA showdown.

'If JD Vance runs for president, he's going to be our nominee,' Rubio told Vanity Fair. 'And I'll be one of the first people to support him.'

Trump hasn't officially backed Vance for the 2028 Republican nomination, though he has floated Vance and Rubio being a dynamic duo.

After polling had concluded, Rubio was portrayed as the more experienced hand in the Russia-Ukraine negotiations, with NBC News reporting on December 22 that there had been some clashes between Rubio and Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) has become President Donald Trump's (left) most popular Cabinet member, including to the Daily Mail's late December poll

The report also details some security lapses on Witkoff's end, as the special envoy has been flying around to negotiate peace deals on Trump's behalf using his personal plane.

The State Department's official line was that the two men had a 'close working relationship' and were 'personal friends,' but sources told the network that Witkoff had done things like schedule a meeting with the president of France without initially inviting Rubio.

It's an almost unheard-of scenario that a businessman with no foreign policy experience would get a one-on-one meeting with a head of state over the U.S.'s top diplomat.

In the end, Rubio was included in the meeting and the State Department's spokesperson told NBC that 'any insinuation that Special Envoy Witkoff was blocking the Secretary of attending a meeting in Paris is absurd.'

Witkoff and Rubio's views on ending the war in Ukraine also differ, with Rubio supportive of the US causing Russia economic pain to get the Kremlin to the negotiating table.

Witkoff has been criticized for having too light a hand with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

'He's a gift to the Russians,' one congressional official told NBC about Witkoff.

The New York Times also detailed Rubio's role in trying to conclude the conflict in a story published Tuesday.

After polling concluded, NBC reported on some clashes between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (pictured), who are both trying to end the war in Ukraine

In March, Rubio had asked members of a Ukrainian delegation to draw on a map the borders they could live with.

'I want to know what your absolute bottom lines are; what do you have to have to survive as a country?' the Secretary of State said.

One American called it a breakthrough moment, saying it was 'the first time that [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky, through his people, said, in order to reach peace Im willing to give up 20 percent of my country.'

If Russian President Vladimir Putin didn't agree to the boundaries or other parts of a deal etched out - including that Ukraine couldn't become a NATO nation but could join the European Union - 'then he has a Donald Trump problem,' Rubio reportedly told Ukrainian officials.

When meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Putin aide Yuri Ushakov for the first time, The Times said, Rubio channeled the classic American movie, The Godfather.

He recalled the scene in which Vito Corleone tells his son: 'I spend my life trying not to be careless. Women and children can be careless, but not men.'

Rubio told the Russians that, as nuclear powers, the U.S. and Russia needed to communicate.

Lavrov reportedly broke into a smile.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shakes hands with Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) in a handout photo during their meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in February

But a September incident showcased how difficult it has been for the U.S. to negotiate with the Russians, as Lavrov informed Rubio that he believed Trump had made a commitment to Putin during their Alaska meeting to force Zelensky to give up most of the Donetsk region.

Lavrov sent a letter to Rubio demanding that Trump publicly acknowledge that.

U.S. officials told the Times that while Trump reacted positively to Putin's pitch to end the war in Donetsk, the president made no such commitment.

On top of that, U.S. officials were told that Putin hadn't authorized such a letter, that it was a Lavrov power play.

Amid this drama, Trump finally green-lit more sanctions on Russia.

Daily Mail's December polling found that voters felt the most negatively about the idea of Ukraine having to give up territory currently not held by Russia as part of an agreement to end the war.

They were lukewarm on the idea of the U.S. lifting sanctions on Russia as part of the peace deal, with 32 percent finding it acceptable and 33 percent finding it unacceptable.

Polling consisted of 1,000 registered voters online and was conducted December 20 to 21. The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.

It comes as Zelensky said Ukraine was only 10 per cent away from a peace deal in his New Year address.

But the Ukrainian president also insisted he would not sign a weak deal at any cost in the 20-minute speech.

The final part of the agreement will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe and save millions of lives, Mr Zelensky added.

And his reservations remain around ceding territory to Russia in eastern Ukraine, which Mr Zelensky warned will embolden Vladimir Putin.

He said: We want the war to end  not the end of Ukraine. Can Russia end the war? Yes. Does it want to? No. Can the world force it to? Yes  and only that way will it work.

Signatures under weak agreements only fuel war. Either the world stops Russias war, or Russia drags the world into its war.

Ukraine is expected to resume negotiations with US and European officials tomorrow, while the UK-led Coalition of the Willing is expected to meet on Sunday.

Mr Zelensky is seeking to secure stronger security guarantees from the US as part of a negotiated peace settlement. It comes as Western intelligence sources dismissed Kremlin claims that Ukraine launched a drone attack on Putins Black Sea hideaway.
A deadly, treatment-resistant fungus that acts similarly to cancer is rapidly spreading across hospitals throughout the country as officials struggle to contain it.

Candida Auris, a type of yeast that can survive on surfaces for long periods of time, was first detected in hospitals in 2016, with 52 infections reported across four states.

In the years since, cases have increased exponentially, with at least 7,000 people infected in 2025, according to tracking data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC had already declared the fungus an 'urgent threat' in 2023, when 4,514 infections were detected across the country that year.

Dr Timothy Connelly, at Memorial Health in Savannah, Georgia, told WJCL in March that being infected with the disease is similar to having cancer.

'The fungus will just keep getting bigger and bigger, obstruct certain parts of the lungs, and can cause secondary pneumonia. Eventually, it can go on to kill people,' he said.

C. Auris poses a particularly significant threat in hospitals, where it can colonize the skin of individuals through physical contact with contaminated medical equipment.

And the fungus is resistant to many standard disinfectants and cleaning products used in hospitals, as well as antifungal drugs, making it extremely difficult to treat.

Candida Auris, a fungus that is rapidly spreading across hospitals throughout the country, acts similarly to cancer by growing and obstructing the lungs (stock image)

The above graph shows the exponential increase in C. Auris infections since 2016. By 2023, the number of cases jumped to 4,514, and at least 7,000 cases have been reported in 2025

Because it is so treatment-resistant, people who contract the fungus must rely solely on their immune system to fight off the infection. Those who are already sick and have compromised immunity are therefore at the greatest risk.

If the fungus infects a person's blood through cuts or devices such as those for a breathing tube or a catheter, it is more likely to be fatal.

The CDC has estimated that 30 percent to 60 percent of people with a C. Auris infection have died, though most of them also had other serious illnesses that increased their risk of death.

Those who have prolonged stays in the hospital or need invasive medical devices are particularly at risk of infection, doctors say.

Warning signs include a fever and chills that persist after treatment with antibiotics for a suspected bacterial infection. There may also be redness, warmth and pus at the site of infected wounds.

A study published by Cambridge University Press in July examined patients infected with C. Auris, primarily in Nevada and Florida, and determined that more than half of them required admission to an intensive care unit.

The study also found that one-third required mechanical ventilation and that more than half needed a blood transfusion.

The fungus' drug resistance has made it hard to contain. More than half the states in the US have reported cases this year.

Join the debate Are YOU worried the fungus is spreading out of control?

C Auris is resistant to many antifungals and disinfectants commonly used in the hospital

The CDC has estimated that 30 percent to 60 percent of people with a C. Auris infection have died, though most of them also had other serious illnesses (stock image)

Nevada alone has reported 1,605 cases in 2025, followed closely by neighboring California, which reported 1,524 cases.

A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control in March warned that cases at Florida's Jackson Health System, which treats about 120,000 patients every year, have surged more than 2,000 percent in half a decade.

There were just five infections diagnosed in the system in 2019, the study said, but that number quickly ballooned to 115 cases in 2023.

Overall, they found blood cultures were the most common source of infections, although there was a large increase from 2022 of infections in soft tissue.

Some scientists believe the rapidly increasing number of cases can be at least partially attributed to climate change.

Fungi normally have a difficult time infecting and taking hold in humans' bodies because of our high internal temperatures.

But as the world gets warmer, fungi are quickly adapting and becoming resistant to heat.

Microbiologist Arturo Casadevall, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, told the Associated Press: 'We have tremendous protection against environmental fungi because of our temperature.

'However, if the world is getting warmer and the fungi begin to adapt to higher temperatures as well, some  are going to reach what I call the temperature barrier.'
A New Jersey family's holiday vacation turned into a nightmare after their college gymnast son fell and severely injured his head.

Matthew Polaski was on winter break from his freshman year at the University of Alabama and was spending time with his parents, Michael and Stephanie, and younger brother, Evan, in the Dominican Republic.

On Sunday, the young man suffered a serious fall that left him with multiple skull fractures, a fractured pelvis and lower back vertebrae fractures. The family did not reveal the circumstances of the fall or how it happened.

Polaski, who competes in gymnastics and recently joined the Sigma Pi fraternity at his college, was rushed to a local hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery to reduce the swelling on his brain.

Although the surgery likely saved his life, Polaski remained in critical condition and was placed in a medical coma to keep him stabilized.

He was then transported by international medical flight to a hospital in Miami, where he arrived at 4pm on Tuesday and remains as of Wednesday.

John Clark, a friend of the Polaskis who set up a GoFundMe to help the family cover medical expenses, said on the fundraising page that the young man's mother was able to be by his side during the flight to Miami.

The fundraiser was also organized with the help of Thomas Egan, who befriended Polaski's father, Michael, when the senior Polaski served as the police chief in Robbinsville, New Jersey.

On December 28, Michael Polaski suffered a serious fall that left him with multiple skull fractures, a fractured pelvis and lower back vertebrae fractures

Polaski was on winter break from his freshman year at the University of Alabama and was spending time with his parents, Michael and Stephanie, and younger brother, Evan

The family was on vacation in the Dominican Republic (stock image). They did not reveal the circumstances of Polaski's fall

On the GoFundMe page, Clark and Egan explained that the Polaskis have already been billed nearly $75,000 by the hospital in the Dominican Republic, and they expect to be charged an additional $35,000 to $55,000 for the medical flight alone.

The friends also explained that insurance provides little coverage for international care and that additional medical costs will keep racking up while Polaski is treated in the US.

'Our goal is to help ease the financial burden so Mike and Steph can focus entirely on Matthews recovery,' Clark and Egan wrote.

As of Wednesday evening, the GoFundMe has raised more than $180,000.

Clark provided an update on Polaski's condition on Wednesday, writing that the young man has been treated by 'a large medical team' since he arrived at the Miami hospital.

'They are still early in assessing but there are good signs,' Clark said, before explaining that doctors were worried the skull fracture had affected Polaski's carotid artery, which would have meant parts of his brain were deprived of blood.

But imaging revealed no damage, which Clark described as 'such good news!'

The family friend also said that Polaski's arms and legs responded to chest stimulation, which is a good early sign.

Polaski competes in gymnastics and recently joined the Sigma Pi fraternity at his college

Polaski's arms and legs responded to chest stimulation, which is a good early sign, and he has squeezed his mother's hand in responses

The fundraiser to help the Polaskis pay for their medical bills was set up by friends of father Michael Polaski, who used to be the police chief in Robbinsville, New Jersey

The young man has also started moving on his own, opening his mouth and squeezing his mother's hand in responses.

'I cant imagine how many tears Steph had in that moment,' Clark wrote.

'They did have to then further sedate Matthew to reduce his activity,' the friend added. 'This will not be a quick journey but I think so many indications [sic] that it will be a good path to a great outcome.'

On the GoFundMe, Polaski was described as 'a hardworking, respectful young man with a deep passion for gymnastics,' and as having 'his whole future ahead of him.'

Polaski's parents were described as 'unwavering in their supporttraveling to countless meets, tournaments, and college visits to help Matthew pursue his dreams.'

They now face 'unimaginable uncertainty, not knowing what the coming days, weeks, or months will bring in terms of surgeries, recovery, and long-term care,' Clark and Egan said.
Kemi Badenoch has accused Labour of reopening old Brexit wounds in a desperate ploy to shore up its core vote.

The Tory leader said growing calls by some ministers for the UK to rejoin the European customs union showed the Government has no plan or new ideas.

And she warned that the move would mean Britain giving up the trade deals it has struck since leaving the EU, including with the US and India, while opening the door to even more demands for concessions from Brussels.

Her comments come after Health Secretary Wes Streeting claimed the best way to improve the economy would be a deeper trading relationship with the EU while Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy repeatedly refused to rule out reversing Brexit.

Britains most senior trade union boss, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak, has also urged Sir Keir Starmer not to rule out a customs union even though it is one of the Prime Ministers red lines on improving relations with the EU.

Writing in the Daily Mail, former Trade Secretary Mrs Badenoch said: The fact is that the only people advocating for such a policy - and here I include the trade union bosses who have also proposed it - do not understand what a customs union actually is.

She accused Labour of failing to understand that trade policy is power and that a country that loses control of it is no longer able to govern itself.

This is why the renewed chatter about dragging Britain back into the EUs customs union should worry us all. It is not a sign of pragmatism - it is a symptom of Labours weakness.

Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch on a visit to a drone firm in Hampshire last month

Listing the Governments U-turns on everything from restricting Winter Fuel Payments to imposing Inheritance Tax on family farms, the Conservative leader said: Now that the government is weak and has no plan or new ideas, it has re-opened old Brexit wounds in the vain hope that doing so will make it more popular.

It wont. Going back into the customs union would make us all poorer and damage British business and British farming.

In her New Years message, Mrs Badenoch urged Britons not to lose hope despite enduring higher taxes and unemployment under Labour in 2025.

Don't let the politics of grievance tell you that we're destined to stay the same, she said.

Things can change, but you also need to vote for the change you want to see in 2026.

Meanwhile in one of a series of interviews to mark the tenth anniversary of the referendum this year, former Tory minister Lord Gove admitted he regretted destroying Boris Johnsons leadership campaign in the wake of the vote.

He told the Electoral Dysfunction podcast that their falling out meant the successful Vote Leave campaign never got to implement its Brexit plan, which would have included waiting out the EU rather than triggering the Article 50 countdown process as Theresa May went on to do.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Nick Clegg admitted that the Remain campaign was lamentable and struggled to compete with the emotive appeal to take back control.
A year ago today, Zohran Mamdani was preparing to take the plunge.

A state assemblyman, he was readying to dive into the Coney Island waves for the annual New Year's Day celebration, emerging from the frigid waters, still in his suit and tie, to declare: 'I'm freezing... your rent, as the next mayor of New York City.'

This time around, he has company.

Because, while Mamdani spent New Year's Day 2025 campaigning solo, he welcomes January 1, 2026, with a wife by his side as he was sworn in as the mayor of New York he predicted he would be.

And if excitement - and trepidation - about Mamdani's mayoral prospects has been steadily growing since his election November 4, interest in his bride has exploded.

Indeed Rama Duwaji, a glamorous illustrator who tied the knot with the 34-year-old mayor in February, is truly the talk of the town.

At 28, the Texas-born Syrian American is the youngest first lady in city history. She is the first to meet her husband online - on the dating app Hinge in 2021. And, just as her husband is the first Muslim to occupy his new role, she is the first to occupy hers.

Passionately political, she uses her art to call for an end to the suffering in Gaza and draw attention to the civil war in Sudan.

While Mamdani spent New Year's Day 2025 campaigning solo, he will welcome January 1, 2026, with a wife by his side as he's sworn in as the mayor of New York

Rama Duwaji, a glamorous illustrator who tied the knot with the 34-year-old mayor in February, is truly the talk of the town

At 28, the Texas-born Syrian American is the youngest first lady in city history

So, what does her move into Gracie Mansion mean?

'I think there are different ways to be first lady, especially in New York,' she told The Cut, describing the moment her husband won the primary as 'surreal.'

'When I first heard it, it felt so formal and like - not that I didn't feel deserving of it, but it felt like, me?

'Now I embrace it a bit more and just say, "There are different ways to do it."'

That much is true. The role of first lady of New York City is ill-defined, and usually low key. It's not even known whether Mamdani's predecessor, Eric Adams, moved his girlfriend Tracey Collins into the mayor's official residence, Gracie Mansion, during his tenure or not.

Certainly, it's been many years since a woman with such a strong sense of style lived in the sprawling home. Built in 1799 it is now one of the oldest surviving wood structures in Manhattan.

The decor is decidedly dated: the parlor features garish yellow walls and an ungainly chandelier, while heavy damask drapes cover the windows. Boldly patterned carpets cover the floors, and ornate French wallpaper from the 1820s, featuring a kitsch landscape scene and installed under the Edward Koch administration, cover the dining room.

It's a far cry from the cozy one-bedroom $2,300-a-month apartment in Astoria which Duwaji and Mamdani are leaving behind, with its leaky plumbing, pot plants and carefully curated carpets.

Michael Bloomberg - who never lived in the mayoral mansion - spent $7 million on its renovation, while Bill de Blasio, finding the residence to be more of a museum than a home, accepted a $65,000 donation of furniture from West Elm.

Yet, without Bloomberg's billions to spend, Duwaji and Mamdani may find their ability to mold their new home to their tastes somewhat limited.

The property is owned by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and is operated by the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, which controls what modifications can be made.

Duwaji can, however, make the most of the art rotation, which de Blasio's family enjoyed: works by Japanese artist Toko Shinoda and New York City collage artist Baseera Khan adorned the walls throughout his tenure.

And she may be wise to learn some lessons from de Blasio's now-estranged wife, Chirlane McCray.

The role of first lady of New York City is ill-defined, and usually low key

Gracie Mansion is owned by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and is operated by the Gracie Mansion Conservancy

Duwaji may be wise to learn some lessons from de Blasio's now-estranged wife, Chirlane McCray (pictured)

McCray, by far the most influential First Lady in the history of New York City, occupied Gracie Mansion from January 1, 2014, until December 31, 2021.

She had met de Blasio in City Hall, when they were both working for David Dinkins, the first black mayor of the city.

McCray was the first to employ her own staff, with critics condemning the $2 million spent on employing her team of 14. But the feisty former speechwriter was unrepentant, launching an $850 million mental health initiative and championing the rights of women and minorities.

'I want to be clear that my job is to make systemic change,' she told the New York Times in 2017. 'There's demands, there's expectations, there's traditions and then there's what I want to do.'

McCray was constantly criticized for her activities, with opponents asking why New York needed a tag team in Gracie Mansion.

It was bruising, insiders told the paper.

'That first year was hard,' said Rebecca Katz, who worked as an advisor to the pair. 'There were so many tongues wagging about what her role would be. Was she the "co-mayor"? There was sexism, there was racism that she faced and when you actually looked at the work, it was pretty impressive.'

Duwaji, like McCray, wears her political causes with pride.

'Speaking out about Palestine, Syria, Sudan - all these things are really important to me,' she told The Cut. 'I'm always keeping up to date with what's going on, not just here but elsewhere. It feels fake to talk about anything else when that's all that's on my mind; all I want to put down on paper.

'Everything is political; it's the thing that I talk about with Z and my friends, the thing that I'm up to date with every morning, which is probably not great for my mental health. It's what I talk about when I check on my family back home.'

Duwaji's family  originally from Damascus, Syria  relocated to Dubai when she was nine. Her father, a software engineer and mother, a doctor, continue to live in the United Arab Emirates.

With an international upbringing and outlook, she has so far shown little appetite for domestic issues and may steer clear of openly lobbying.

Instead, Duwaji has let her look do much of the talking. For election night, she wore a black top by Palestinian designer Zeid Hijazi - which immediately sold out - and a skirt by New York-born Ulla Johnson.

Fashion, for Duwaji, is far from frivolous  it's a political statement and her willingness to embrace this is perhaps a sign of some not-so-soft diplomacy to come. In being seen, Duwaji is well aware, she may also be heard.

'It's nice to have a little bit of analysis on the clothes,' she said, adding that she hopes to use her platform - she now has 1.6 million followers on Instagram - to highlight other creatives.

'There are so many artists trying to make it in the city - so many talented, undiscovered artists making the work with no instant validation, using their last paycheck on material,' she told the magazine. 'I think using this position to highlight them and give them a platform is a top priority.'

It is certainly effective. Vogue recently proclaimed: 'Fall's Next Cool-Girl Haircut Is Officially the Rama.'

For election night, she wore a black top by Palestinian designer Zeid Hijazi - which immediately sold out - and a skirt by New York-born Ulla Johnson

Fashion, for Duwaji, is far from frivolous  it's a political statement and her willingness to embrace this is perhaps a sign of some not-so-soft diplomacy to come

'It's nice to have a little bit of analysis on the clothes,' she said

Duwaji is an artist and has provided illustrations for outlets like The New Yorker and the Washington Post

One of Duwaji's first acts as first lady will likely be to turn a room into her art studio.

More in demand than ever, she has previously provided illustrations for the likes of the BBC, The New Yorker and the Washington Post.

'I have so much work that I have planned out, down to the dimensions and the colors that I'm going to use and materials,' she told The Cut. 'Some of that has been slightly put on hold, but I'm absolutely going to be focused on being a working artist. I'm definitely not stopping that. Come January, it's something that I want to continue to do.'

Does this mean she will be a behind-the-scenes first lady? Perhaps she has observed McCray and seen that the risks of activism are too high. Or perhaps she calculates that the platform is hers for the taking.

'At the end of the day, I'm not a politician,' she said. 'I'm here to be a support system for Z and to use the role in the best way that I can as an artist.'

One thing is certain: come Thursday, she will be beside her husband.

For her part Duwaji considers the last few months, 'a temporary period of chaos.'

She added: 'I know it's going to die down.'

Time will tell, but with all eyes on 'Z' and the woman at his side, that's unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Pete Hegseth appeared to have a quickly lost patience for the Ukrainian plight in its fight against Russia as he took over leadership at the Pentagon last year.

The Secretary of Defense  later renamed War Secretary  seemed to have a disdain for any pro-Ukraine generals left over from President Joe Biden's term, according to a New York Times report.

Specifically, sources detail tension between General Christopher Cavoli, who is now retired but was commander of United States European Command from 2022 until his retirement from the Army in July 2025.

One official said it remains unclear whether Hegseth didn't like Ukraine or didn't like Cavoli.

Hegseth also told Cavoli to stunt his once-daily briefs to weekly and on two occasions demanded he shorten them to 'four or five sentences long.'

Previously, Cavoli delivered Biden's Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin lengthy and detailed battle reports on every day besides Sunday. The general also had him on speed dial as the two discussed the conflict on a regular basis.

The Department of War did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for why the secretary wanted less and more snappy briefings or why Hegseth was 'annoyed' with Cavoli.

Once sworn-in on January 25, 2025 following a narrow Senate confirmation, Hegseth jetted off to Europe the second week of February amid President Donald Trump's promise to end the Russia-Ukraine war in his first days back in office.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (right) immediately clashed with then-General Christopher Cavoli during their first and only meeting in Germany in February 2025, according to a NYT report

Hegseth reportedly demanded Cavoli send him less and shorter briefings on the Ukraine-Russia war sticking to 'four or five sentences'

But right away things weren't as peachy between Cavoli and Hegseth as they were with his predecessor.

The former Fox News host had a clear 'hatred' for Cavoli, but his aides couldn't figure out why, according to the Times.

At their first and only meeting in Stuttgart, Germany on February 11, 2025, Cavoli told Hegseth the US needed to maintain support for Ukraine.

'If we stop doing this, it's going to veer to the wrong side,' then-General Cavoli insisted.

An official said this meeting 'was when Hegseth began to associate General Cavoli with the Ukraine fight.'

'He started hating them both. And I don't know who he hated first,' the official said of Ukraine and General Cavoli.

Aides also suggested Hegseth's annoyance could have stemmed from protesters who gathered during his Europe trip condemning the Pentagon's crackdown on transgender soldiers.

They also attribute jet lag to his irritation, according to the NYT article.
Do you know more? Email Tita.smith@dailymail.com.au

He was trying to help bring swimmer to shore

A brave police constable who battled huge swell in a desperate bid to bring a young swimmer to shore on New Year's Day has been praised by his colleagues for charging into the surf fully clothed.

Emergency crews rushed to Coogee Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs about 6am on Thursday after reports the swimmer, believed to be aged in his 20s, was in trouble in the water.

TV cameras captured the moment NSW Police Constable Lucas Matthews charged into the surf in his full uniform, clutching a flotation device in a bid to assist two off-duty lifesavers who were also trying to reach the man.

Tragically, the swimmer disappeared just minutes after their rescue efforts began with police early on Thursday afternoon announcing the search had been temporarily suspended due to weather conditions.

'Even though he wasn't a trained lifesaver, (Constable Matthews) was still able to take a flotation device out with him to try and attempt to save these swimmers, as did the off-duty lifesavers as well,' Chief Inspector Chris Whalley told reporters.

'This is the type of thing that NSW Police do across the state on a daily basis. When people are in trouble and they're alerted, they're nearby as they put themselves at risk, put themselves at danger, for in an effort to help others.'

Paramedics earlier this morning treated some onlookers for shock, with a group of young men and women seen hugging on the shoreline.

The missing swimmer was one of four people who decided to brave the rough conditions at Coogee for a New Year's Day swim.

The cop - who the Daily Mail can reveal is NSW Police Constable Lucas Matthews - is seen running into the giant swell at Coogee Beach, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, fully clothed. He has been praised by colleagues and surf life savers for his efforts

The hero cop is seen after he charged into the surf at Coogee Beach in his full uniform

Constable Matthews was given a blanket following his heroic dash into the surf at Coogee

A helicopter is seen over the eastern suburbs coast after two tragedies unfolded overnight

Police officers are seen speaking to beach-goers at Coogee on Thursday after the swimmer went missing

Unfortunately, the search was suspended on Thursday afternoon, given the rough seas

'Due to the large surf, they were swept out in a very big rip and got swept off their feet. They tried to make their way back to shore and required assistance,' Coogee Lifesaving Club president Ben Heenan said.

'An off-duty police officer and two off-duty surf lifesavers went in and provided that assistance. Three of them were able to make it back to shore, unfortunately, one was unable to return.'

The drama unfolded only two hours after a separate deadly drowning incident at nearby Maroubra Beach, less than three kilometres away.

Around 4am, a 25-year-old woman was swept out to sea when a powerful wave knocked her from a tidal rock pool and dragged her into the ocean.

Her body was recovered about an hour later during an extensive search involving PolAir helicopters and Marine Area Command.

The body is yet to be formally identified, but police believe it is the missing woman.

Authorities are urging Aussies to stay away from Sydney's beaches on Thursday.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for the coastline, advising swimmers to keep out of the water and avoid surf-exposed areas.

Revellers are seen at Coogee Beach, where a search is underway for a missing swimmer

A crowd gathered at Coogee as a search was launched for a man believed to be aged in his 20s

Similar warnings are in place for the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Illawarra and Eden coasts, with treacherous conditions expected throughout New Year's Day.

'People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas,' the warning said.

Rock fishers are being told to seek safer platforms, while boaties are warned against crossing shallow bars due to the ongoing risk.

Northern Beaches surf lifesaving co-ordinator Steve Downman said Sydney beaches were being pounded by 'walls of white water' and powerful waves.

'Heading to the beach today is definitely not a good idea, most beaches will be closed,' he told ABC Sydney Radio.

The Maroubra rock pool is pictured where a young woman was swept into the ocean is pictured

'We're expecting waves up to two and a half to three metres, extremely large and dangerous.'

The incidents in Sydney's east comes just a day after a man was killed at Palm Beach when his small boat capsized in massive swell and smashed onto rocks.

A frantic search has resumed for a 14-year-old boy who was onboard and remains missing on Thursday.

Another man from the vessel was found clinging to a rock platform about 25 metres from the overturned boat, suffering severe injuries to his left leg.

He was winched to safety by a rescue helicopter and lowered onto a clearing near the foreshore car park for urgent treatment.
READ MORE: Urgent search is launched for young man at Coogee Beach

Two teenage girls, 12 and 14, were rushed to hospital

A group of men are on the run after a suspected machete attack outside a restaurant on one of Melbourne's famous late-night strips.

It's believed a group of about seven men armed with knives and machetes attacked two men on Lygon Street in Carlton before fleeing in cars on New Year's Eve.

The victims, a 20-year-old Heidelberg West man and an 18-year-old NSW man, sustained serious injuries and were transported to hospital.

Emergency services were called to the Universal Restaurant about 11.45pm after receiving reports of a stabbing from panicked revellers.

An area outside the restaurant remains cordoned-off as investigations continue.

It comes as dozens of Aussies spent the first few hours of 2026 in custody after a record number of police were deployed to New Year's Eve celebrations.

NSW Police arrested 38 people overnight in Greater Sydney, including more than nine in the CBD and foreshore areas for various offences including assaults, affray, assault police and offensive conduct.

More than 2,500 officers were deployed across the Harbour City to ensure the community felt safe in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

It's believed a group of about seven men armed with knives and machetes attacked two men outside a restaurant in Lygon Street in Carlton before fleeing in cars on New Year's Eve

Police were kept busy across the country, pictured here in Sydney

Long-arm weapons were also carried by specialist police in the hopes of providing a sense of security to crowds.

A 19-year-old man was arrested in Dover Heights, in the city's eastern suburbs, following reports he was carrying a weapon.

Officers found the man sitting with a shisha pipe that allegedly resembled a replica firearm.

He was charged with behaving in an offensive manner near a public place or school and granted conditional bail to appear in court on January 30.

Emergency services were called to Bright Park in Guildford, in Sydney's west, around 9.30pm following reports a large crowd were setting off fireworks.

A 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and taken to The Children's Hospital at Westmead.

Four people were arrested for allegedly throwing fireworks as investigations continue.

In Brisbane, seven people were arrested on 10 offences including drug possession, with scissors, a knife and a box cutter seized by police.

Uniformed and plain clothes officers patrolled the streets of Sydney on New Year's Eve

Tens of thousands of people descended on vantage points around the Sydney harbour

Police arrested a 36-year-old man following reports of a disturbance in Brisbane City.

The man was allegedly engaged in a dispute with an 18-year-old and 19-years-old while armed with a pair of scissors, with the teens allegedly sustaining minor cuts.

In Adelaide, police arrested a 36-year-old man following a serious assault in the CBD.

Police were called to Bank Street around 1am after reports a man was unconscious.

The man was located a short distance away and was charged with assault.

He was granted police bail to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court in February.

The alleged victim, a 29-year-old man from Seaford Rise, was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

SA Police also arrested a man allegedly armed with an axe after he was stopped on an suspected stolen moped in Edwardstown, just south of Adelaide, about 4.30am.

Australia ringed in 2026 with a sombre tribute to the victims of Bondi

NSW Police said almost 40 people were arrested across metropolitan Sydney last night

NSW Premier Chris Minns warned revellers that police would have low tolerance for anyone being a 'd***head' during NYE celebrations

The 36-year-old was charged with two counts of assaulting a prescribed emergency worker, carrying an offensive weapon, hinder and theft.

The man did not apply for bail and will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court.

In Victoria, 18 people were arrested for various incidents including assaults, driving and property offences.

Up to 313 fireworks-related incidents were also reported, several of which resulted in serious injuries.
An Australian man has died and a young mother-of-two has reportedly suffered life-changing injuries after a horror scooter crash in Bali.

Bryce Alexander Black and Samantha Baillie, both 33, from the NSW Central Coast, were riding a scooter along Petitenget street in North Kuta when they crashed head-on with a car about 4.30am on Sunday.

Mr Black died at the scene while Ms Baillie, his passenger, was rushed to hospital.

Best friend Savannah-Leigh Homer said the young mother-of-two is currently in a critical condition and has set up a GoFundMe to cover the costs.

The couple did not have travel insurance and Ms Baillie is now facing a bill of over $50,000.

'She has suffered significant injuries throughout her body, including a fractured skull with bleeding on the brain, multiple broken fingers with severe hand injuries, injuries to her pelvis, and extensive injuries to her feet,' Ms Homer claimed.

'She is badly injured and facing a long and uncertain recovery.'

Ms Homer said it was Ms Baillie's first time overseas and the couple had only arrived in Indonesia the day before the accident.

She said the holiday 'was meant to be a happy milestone' as the young mum had 'recently starting a new chapter of her life'.

Bryce Alexander Black, 33, and Samantha Baillie, 33, (pictured) were involved in a scooter crash in Bali

The couple were travelling along Petitenget street (pictured), Kerobokan Village, North Kuta, Badung Regency, during the early hours of Sunday morning when their scooter struck a car

She said Ms Baillie, who works as a hairdresser, may not be able to work for a long time due to the severity of her injuries 'particularly to her hands'.

Ms Homer said the family now need help as they face mounting costs, including the need to transfer Ms Baillie back to Australia and help support her with daily living expenses and rehabilitation while she recovers.

'Sam's mum and I flew to Bali immediately and arrived [Monday] to be by her side,' Ms Homer said.

'We have already paid $6,000 toward her initial hospital care, and we have now been issued a further medical bill of $52,000, with more costs expected.'

The fundraiser has raised more than $51,000 after it was launched on Tuesday. Donations have since been paused.

According to a Bali Police report obtained by Daily Mail, Mr Black died after suffering a severe head injury, bleeding from the ears, fracture to his left arm, and a laceration on his right leg.

Bali Police said the scooter had veered onto the opposite side of the road and was hit by a Honda Mobilio being driven by two Indonesian students.

'The Yamaha NMAX motorcycle attempted to overtake a vehicle in front of it by moving to the right and crossing the center line without paying attention to the Honda Mobilio coming from the opposite direction in its proper lane, resulting in a collision,' the report reads.

Ms Baillie was reportedly on her first ever trip overseas when the tragedy unfolded

The mother-of-two frequently shared doting posts online about her relationship with Mr Black

Ms Baillie suffered 'facial abrasions and bleeding from the ear', with her injuries characterised as minor, rather than serious, in the police report.

The 27-year-old Indonesian driver in the Honda Mobilio was not injured, while his 25-year-old passenger was treated for minor body pain.

In the lead up to the tragedy, Ms Baillie frequently shared gushing posts online about her loving relationship with Mr Black.

Over the past month, the couple have celebrated the festive season with their three children, who are from previous relationships, as they posed for family Santa photos.

On Christmas Eve, she shared a reel of photos on TikTok showing the couple kissing and spending time together.

'Love isn't perfect, it's practised,' she wrote.

Other photos show the pair taking their children on jet-ski rides, going to waterparks and hanging out with their dog.

In August, Ms Baillie said she had Mr Black 'locked in' after he had a picture of her face tattooed onto him.

'Healed a heart that he didn't break,' she wrote in September.

'It's amazing what someone good can do to your soul.'
A leftist Los Angeles lawmaker posted a social media clip claiming she refuses 'billionaire checks' despite having accepted funding from multiple super wealthy donors.

Eunisses Hernandez is fighting to retain her seat on the LA City Council after being blamed for her inaction as the park in the heart of her district continues to turn into a disaster area.

She ended her year with a request for a small dollar donations, decrying how 'corporate PACs and special interests are lining up to pour millions into this race' because of her hyper-woke policies.

'Your contribution goes straight to organizing: powering voter outreach, multilingual materials, neighborhood canvassing, digital tools, and the grassroots infrastructure it takes to beat corporate money. No backroom deals. No billionaire checks,' she wrote.

However, as The Daily Mail reported in 2022, Hernandez - who rakes in $240,000 a year - has multiple rich donors funding her campaigns.

Patty Quillin, the philanthropic wife of billionaire Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, has written multiple checks supporting Hernandez, despite living in a completely different part of the state.

Similarly, billionaire hedge fund heiress Elizabeth Simons has also helped fund Hernandez.

Simons is the daughter of the billionaire investor and Democratic donor James Simons.

Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez (pictured), a leftist Los Angeles lawmaker, posted a social media clip claiming she refuses 'billionaire checks' despite having accepted funding from multiple super wealthy donors

Patty Quillin (pictured left), the philanthropic wife of billionaire Netflix CEO Reed Hastings (pictured right), has written multiple checks supporting Hernandez, despite living in a completely different part of the state

She and her husband Mark Heising now run the Heising-Simons Foundation.

Simons has also backed PACs supporting New York City's socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to the tune of $250,000, The New York Post reported.

Quillin and Simons both live nearer San Francisco than they do LA. Quillin and Reed live in Santa Cruz, whereas Simons lives in the affluent Silicon Valley suburb Atherton.

Simons and her husband also live in Atherton, where homes cost upwards of $40million. They bought their home in 2007 for $18million.

They paid $85,000 for part of the campaign for Eunisses Hernandez to win the city council election in District One of Los Angeles City Council in 2022.

Since then, Quillin has written several checks to Hernandez, according to Open Secrets, with many going as high as six figures.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Councilmember Hernandez for comment.

Hernandez faces a difficult reelection campaign, as constituents and opponents blame her for iconic MacArthur Park becoming a safe space for drug trade in broad daylight.

Quillin and Simons both live nearer San Francisco than they do LA. Quillin and Reed live in Santa Cruz, whereas Simons lives in the affluent Silicon Valley suburb Atherton

Similarly, billionaire hedge fund heiress Elizabeth Simons has also helped fund Hernandez

Maria 'Lou' Calanche, who is running to take her seat on the council, gave Hernandez a presence by standing up a cardboard cutout of her as she ripped into the councilmember.

Calanche reminded the locals that this is nothing new for 35-year-old Hernandez as the area slides further into chaos.

'This district is too important for a no-show. She's skipped three in-person debates. Meanwhile, encampments have swallowed our streets. Parents can't even take their kids to the park - there's human waste on the swings.'

'We need action. Not a cardboard council member who refuses to show up,' she added.

Hernandez protested her predecessor, Gil Cedillo, in the council seat's efforts to clean up the park and remove the homeless encampments, even after obtaining over a million dollars to do so.

She has previously referred to the park as 'the Ellis Island of the West Coast.'

'It was chosen as this administration's latest target precisely because of who lives there and what it represents: resilience, diversity and the American dream,' she said when there were ICE raids on the park in July.

However, it has become a place of drug abuse, while there is also gun violence and, like much of LA, rampant homelessness.

Hernandez faces a difficult reelection campaign, as constituents and opponents blame her for iconic MacArthur Park becoming a safe space for drug trade in broad daylight

DailyMail.com revealed earlier this year that the iconic MacArthur Park had become a safe space for drug trade in broad daylight as Mayor Karen Bass defended it against ICE raids

According to former candidate for mayor Rick Caruso, at least one local business closes earlier in the day because of the issues with the park, while the local firehouse is the busiest in America.

Weve created a drug haven. Its a foolish idea, he said of Hernandez's policies, which include redirecting city funds for needle distribution and safe smoking kits.

Locals say that, despite Mayor Bass's promises to bring the problems under control, they are still waiting for the park to be made safe.

The uncontrolled blight was obvious when the Daily Mail visited the area in July after an ICE raid.

'They have a serious drug infestation and homeless problem here that the city needs to do something about and clear it up,' former marine Michael Harris, 62, told the Daily Mail.

The veteran chomped on a cigar while walking Dobby, his five-year-old, 100-pound Presa Carnario, a Spanish mastiff.

He called the park an 'extreme' microcosm of the problems impacting the city as a whole.

Bass, in a tailored powder blue pant suit, rolled into the the park on July 7 in a black SUV, with a personal cameraman in tow, to vocally confront agents on scene.

Maria 'Lou' Calanche, who is running to take her seat on the council, gave Hernandez a presence at a recent public meeting she didn't show up to by standing up a cardboard cutout of her as she ripped into the councilmember

MacArthur Park has become a place of drug abuse, while there is also gun violence and, like much of LA, rampant homelessness

She ordered them to disperse, insisting that agents 'have completed their mission here. They need to leave and they need to leave right now because this is unacceptable.'

Originally called Westlake Park, its name was changed in 1942 to honor of World Ward II army general Douglas MacArthur, according to the LA Conservancy website.

By the mid-twentieth century, it had become a 'well-known cruising site within the LGBTQ community.'

Without satire, the non-profit calls the park a 'vibrant place of music, art, and community.'
News / National

by Gideon Madzikatidze / Simbarashe Sithole

MOUNT HAMPDEN - A parliamentary audit has exposed alleged mismanagement of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations in Chiredzi West, with auditors flagging a ZWG204,091.69 variance that could not be supported by documentation, as well as the use of a legislators personal bank account for official transactions.

The audit, conducted between 21 and 24 October 2025, examined the utilisation of ZWG1,332,430 (US$50,000) allocated to the constituency for development projects. The report was circulated to senior authorities, including the Clerk of Parliament, the CDF Management Committee, the Accountant General, the Auditor General and the Central Internal Audit Unit.According to the findings, nine projects at various stages of completion were funded under the CDF. However, auditors noted that the Chiredzi West MP, Honourable Darlington Chiwa, transferred the entire CDF allocation into his personal bank account to facilitate swipe transactions, without seeking approval from the CDF Management Committee.A reconciliation of the bank statement and invoices showed that a total of ZWG1,149,532.14 was expended on materials, labour and transport, the report states. Audit further noted a variance of ZWG55,527.50 attributed to exchange rate differences as the committee converted US$6,650 from ZWG to meet USD expenditures.However, auditors said a further ZWG204,091.69 could not be verified due to missing supporting documents. During a physical inspection at Batanai Primary School, six angle iron bars were found on site, but no invoices were provided to confirm expenditure.The report also notes that Honourable Chiwa told auditors he had paid US$1,500 for carpentry labour and US$600 for plastering, but no proof of payment was produced.Auditors further observed that ZWG8,081.90 had been used for ancillary expenses, but there was no evidence that the full ZWG66,621.50 allowed for administration costs under the CDF constitution had been properly accounted for.At Monyoroka Primary School in Ward 27, only 10 of the 16 ZESA poles earmarked for electrification had been delivered at the time of inspection.The audit recommends that the MP and the Constituency Development Committee (CDC) provide full documentation for all expenditures, update Parliament on project adjustments and cease the use of personal bank accounts for CDF transactions.When contacted, Honourable Chiwa dismissed the allegations, claiming they were part of internal political manoeuvres.Beware of some elements within our party who are bent on causing divisions, whilst harbouring succession aspirations through coming up with nonexistent criminal allegations, he said. We have forwarded everything to Parliament, including supporting evidence to show how the variance was used.Efforts to obtain comment from ZANUPF Masvingo provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa were unsuccessful, as he repeatedly avoided giving clarity on the matter.The scandal has reignited concerns about transparency and accountability in the administration of CDF funds.
A former social media influencer who once proudly called herself a 'con artist' after scamming the federal government out of $1.5 million in COVID-related disaster loans will now be locked up for even longer.

Danielle Miller, the daughter of lawyer and former New York State Bar Association president Michael Miller, was sentenced Monday to 16 years in Florida state prison, after pleading guilty to 38 counts of fraudulently using personal identification information.

Prosecutors have said Miller came to Florida during the COVID pandemic, traveling to Sarasota with her was Ciera Blas, whom she met while locked up at New York City's infamous Rikers Island for using stolen credit card information to book appointments at a luxurious spa in the Upper West Side.

Miller then used others' identification information to defraud banks throughout the Sunshine State.

The scam finally unraveled when an alert manager notified the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, who arrested her.

But this was not the first time Miller faced jail for bank fraud in the state, even going as far as proudly characterizing herself as a 'con artist' in a 2022 New York Magazine article.

That year, she was sentenced to five years in a Florida prison, after she attempted to use a California woman's passport to obtain more than $8,000 at a Chase bank drive-through window in 2020, according to the Bradenton Herald.

By 2023, federal authorities accused Miller of stealing the identities of more than 10 people to set up bank accounts and obtain loans - which she then used for travel and for lavish purchases, including $27,000-a-month rent at a waterside villa in Miami.

Danielle Miller, the daughter of lawyer and former New York State Bar Association president Michael Miller, was sentenced Monday to 16 years in Florida state prison, after pleading guilty to 38 counts of fraudulently using personal identification information

Prosecutors have said Miller came to Florida during the COVID pandemic, traveling to Sarasota, where she used others' identification information to defraud banks throughout the Sunshine State

Investigators said at the time that Miller communicated with individuals in countries as far away as Nigeria to pay for personal information they obtained through mail theft, phishing attacks and social engineering.

She would then use that information to obtain credit reports, drivers' licenses and credit cards of individuals from all over the US.

Meanwhile, prosecutors said, Miller flaunted her wealth on Instagram, sharing tours of luxury hotels in California, where federal prosecutors said she used a bank account in the name of one of her victims.

Miller also accessed somebody else's online Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) account and used the information obtained to set up a bank account, prosecutors said.

She then applied for an Economic Injury Disaster loan, collecting more than $102,000 in August 2020.

The money reportedly helped her to pay for $2,390 private flight from Florida to California using a fake passport.

Other luxurious items Miller spent the money on included a Rolex watch, a Louis Vuitton bag, several Rimowa suitcases, a pair of Dior shoes and a Dior blouse - all of which the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts made her give up, according to Business Insider.

By the time Sarasota County sheriff's deputies arrested her, they reported finding three different driver's licenses with different names using Miller's photo, plus credit cards, six cell phones, and $25,000 in cash.

Miller was previously sentenced to five years in federal prison in the scheme

Miller, originally from New York, has previously pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges in Boston in the case.

She then and agreed to give up $1.3 million as she was sentenced to five years in federal prison.

But Florida Assistant State Attorney Andrew van Sickle said he did not feel the punishment was sufficient, as state prosecutors alleged in court that she has not changed her ways.

They presented a phone call Miller allegedly made while she was in jail that outlined another 'hustle' as she described it to sell paper coated in bug spray to individuals at the prison suffering from drug addiction.

'This was a ground-breaking case, as the entire crime was derived almost entirely from digital evidence taken from Ms. Miller's cellphone,' van Sickle said in a statement.

'Although she was prosecuted by the US Attorney's Office for fraudulently obtaining a million dollars in pandemic-related loans, she was not punished in a manner commensurate with her crime, as she was already sentenced to a term of five years for her previous case,' he argued.

'Thus the State Attorney's Office and the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office took the responsibility of obtaining justice.'

The native New Yorker will now serve her bank fraud sentence consecutively to her other five-year sentence in Florida

Van Sickle also noted that 'identity theft, itself, represents a loss in the billions.'

'Thus, social media and documentaries that romanticize these individuals who commit these crimes are reprehensible and do not account for the victims whose lives are shattered as a result.'

Miller will now serve her bank fraud sentence consecutively to her five-year sentence in Florida, van Sickle said.
The US military struck three more boats that were allegedly smuggling drugs, killing three people while others jumped overboard and may have survived.

A video posted to social media shows the boats traveling in a close formation, which is unusual, and the military said they were in a convoy along known narco-trafficking routes and 'had transferred narcotics between the three vessels prior to the strikes.'

The latest attacks bring the total number of known boat strikes to 33 and the number of people killed to at least 110 since early September, according to numbers announced by the Trump administration.

The statement by US Southern Command, which oversees South America, did not reveal where the attacks occurred.

Previous attacks have been in the Caribbean Sea and in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The military said three people were killed when the first boat was struck, while people in the other two boats jumped overboard and distanced themselves from the vessels before they were attacked.

Southern Command said it immediately notified the US Coast Guard to activate search and rescue efforts.

The attacks occurred on Tuesday. Southern Command's statement did not say whether those who jumped off the boats were rescued.

A video posted to social media shows the boats traveling in a close formation, which is unusual, and the military said they were in a convoy along known narco-trafficking routes and 'had transferred narcotics between the three vessels prior to the strikes'

The US military struck three more boats that were allegedly smuggling drugs, killing three people while others jumped overboard and may have survived, as part of Pete Hegseth (pictured) and Donald Trump's war on narco-terrorists

The Pentagon declined The Daily Mail's request for comment. The Daily Mail has reached out to US Southern Command.

President Donald Trump has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and asserted that the US is engaged in an 'armed conflict' with drug cartels.

Trump has previously said that he has authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela.

The mission has primarily focused on military strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels and has prompted intense oversight from Congress.

Along with the strikes, the Trump administration has built up military forces in the region as part of an escalating pressure campaign on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has been charged with narco-terrorism in the United States.

Meanwhile, the CIA was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels, according to two people familiar with details of the operation who requested anonymity to discuss the classified matter.

It was the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since the US began strikes in September, a significant escalation in the administrations pressure campaign on Maduros government.

Last week, Trump revealed casually in a radio call-in interview that the US began land strikes in Venezuela, signaling an escalation in a campaign that began last fall.

Join the debate Should the US use military force against drug traffickers even if it risks civilian lives and legal backlash?

The military said three people were killed when the first boat was struck, while people in the other two boats jumped overboard and distanced themselves from the vessels before they were attacked

The president then confirmed on Monday that on Christmas Eve the US hit 'the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs' along the shore of Venezuela.

The strikes against boats the Trump administration says are smuggling drugs  though has provided no evidence of such  began on September 2.

On November 6, Erika Palacio Fernandez heard a thundering boom recorded from the shore as she saw smoke rising from the horizon in what appears to be the only verified independent video of the aftermath of Trump administration airstrikes, according to the Times.

Two days later, charred wreckage and two bodies washed up on the Guajira Peninsula in Colombia  including what the Times reports were packets with marijuana residue.

Critics of Trump's hawkish attacks on the vessels have already claimed that the administration is engaged in war crimes and questioned the legality of the strikes off the coast of Venezuela and in international waters.

Those voices only got louder after it was revealed the September 2 attack included two separate strikes, the second of which took out two survivors who were hanging onto the wreckage of the destroyed ships.

Now, the revelations that the only wreckage from the drug boats that have washed up on shore contain evidence of weed is fueling critics further.

The White House claims these boats are ferrying illegal drugs to the US at the direction of Maduro and his government. No evidence has been provided to the public to substantiate allegations of Maduro's involvement.

Critics of Trump's hawkish attacks on the vessels have already claimed that the administration is engaged in war crimes and questioned the legality of the strikes off the coast of Venezuela and in international waters

The White House claims these boats are ferrying illegal drugs to the US at the direction of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro (pictured right) and his government

Earlier this month, military leaders briefed lawmakers on an incident in September in which an American strike killed 11 people but left several survivors who were then killed in a second strike ordered by Admiral Frank Bradley.

Congressional Democrats have questioned whether the second strike was conducted in accordance with international law, and much of the scrutiny has fallen on Hegseth.

International humanitarian law prohibits attacks on incapacitated combatants.

The Defense Department's Law of War Manual states that shipwrecked persons cannot be knowingly attacked and must receive medical care unless they act with hostility or attempt escape.

Trump's administration has overseen a massive US military buildup in the Caribbean, including more than 15,000 troops.
France plans to ban children under 15 from social media sites and to prohibit mobile phones in high schools from September 2026, local media reported on Wednesday.

President Emmanuel Macron has often pointed to social media as one of the factors to blame for violence among young people and has signalled he wants France to follow Australia, whose world-first ban for under-16s on social media platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube came into force in December.

His government will submit draft legislation for legal checks in early January, Le Monde and France Info reported.

Macron did not reference the push in a New Year's Eve address but he did pledge to 'protect our children and teenagers from social media and screens.'

Earlier, the Elysee Palace and the prime minister's office declined to comment on the media reports.

Mobile phones have been banned in French primary and middle schools since 2018 and the reported new changes would extend that ban to high schools. Pupils aged 11 to 15 attend middle schools in the French educational system.

France also passed a law in 2023 requiring social platforms to obtain parental consent for under-15s to create accounts, though technical challenges have impeded its enforcement.

Macron said in June he would push for regulation at the level of the European Union to ban access to social media for all under-15s after a fatal stabbing at a school in eastern France shocked the nation.

France's Emmanuel Macron is keen to follow the lead of Australia and ban teenagers from social media - albeit until they turn 15, rather than 16

Anthony Albanese's government introduced the social media ban in early December

The European Parliament in November urged the EU to set minimum ages for children to access social media to combat a rise in mental health problems among adolescents from excessive exposure, although it is member states which impose age limits. Various other countries have also taken steps to regulate children's access to social media.

Macron heads into the New Year with his domestic legacy in tatters after his gamble on parliamentary elections in 2024 led to a hung parliament, triggering France's worst political crisis in decades that has seen a succession of weak governments.

However, cracking down further on minors' access to social media could prove popular, according to opinion polls.

A Harris Interactive survey in 2024 showed 73 per cent of those canvassed supporting a ban on social media access for under-15s.
Revellers were forced to scramble for cover after a New Year's Eve fireworks display misfired into a large crowd, injuring two young girls.

Hundreds of people attended the unauthorised fireworks display at Bright Park in Guildford, in Sydney's west, on Wednesday night.

In terrifying footage shared online, people could be seen running for cover as a series of fireworks crashed into the field, sending bright sparks everywhere.

'Cruise missile fireworks is crazy,' one person commented, while another slammed the organisers, 'Yous never let fireworks off before clearlyyy [sic].'

In other clips, people can be heard screaming as fireworks are lit close by, with loud bangs deafening much of the footage, as a fire is left blazing near a set of trees.

A 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl were treated for non-life-threatening injuries before they were taken to The Children's Hospital at Westmead.

Another man was treated by paramedics at the scene.

NSW Police said four people have been arrested for allegedly throwing fireworks with the investigation to continue. The offence carries a $7,500 fine.

Crowds of people ran screaming after a 'missile-like' firework crashed into the ground

Armed police could be seen patrolling around the park in the hours prior to the display

A heavy police presence could be seen at the park after news of the fireworks display's start time was shared across social media.

Helicopters could also be seen circling overhead.

Content creator Ehtesham Ahmad, who runs the Horsevibez Tiktok account, posted a series of 'interviews' with attendees prior to the display, with many questioning if the police presence would stop the event going ahead altogether.

'I don't know, too many cops,' one person said.

Others said the police wouldn't be able to 'stop everyone from going'.

'Brotha what else are they gonna do bro,' one man said, while another added: 'There are some cops but the fireworks are still on'.

Despite the fireworks misfiring, the display was largely lauded by people online who said it beat the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge display 'any day'.

'Why go to the city for fireworks when this is what your street looks like on NYE,' a woman wrote. 'It was 10/10.'

Local resident Robynn said the fireworks display was '10/10'

Fireworks were set off near groups of people, sending bright sparks everywhere

In Sydney's CBD, police made dozens of arrests for assault, affray and offensive conduct

However others criticised organisers for their lack of safety planning.

'Well Bright Park was lit, but disappointing. It was organised by teenagers. Shocking results and very unsafe,' one person said.

'Cops were there but can't do much. We had a convo with them, very lovely officers.'

Daily Mail has contacted NSW Police for comment.

It comes as dozens of Aussies spent the first few hours of 2026 in custody after a record number of police were deployed to New Year's Eve celebrations.

NSW Police arrested 38 people overnight in Greater Sydney, including more than nine in the CBD and foreshore areas for various offences including assaults, affray, assault police and offensive conduct.

More than 2,500 officers were deployed across the Harbour City to ensure the community felt safe in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Long-arm weapons were also carried by specialist police in the hopes of providing a sense of security to crowds.
American intelligence rejected Vladimir Putin's claims that Ukraine targeted one of the Russian president's homes.

Moscow had threatened to pull out of peace talks earlier this week after accusing Kyiv of attempting to assassinate the Russian leader in a drone strike.

The Kremlin had refused to offer proof, claiming that all of the drones were shot down.

On Wednesday it was revealed that a US official told the Wall Street Journal the CIA found no such attack occurred.

Ukraine had been trying to strike a military target that was not near Putin's residence, though it was in a similar region.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the CIA for comment.

Donald Trump told reporters on Monday he was 'very angry' to hear about the alleged attack on the Valdai mansion in Novgorod province, which is favored by Putin.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky denied any attempt to kill his counterpart, dismissing the accusation as 'another lie from the Russian Federation' designed to topple peace negotiations.

'I don't think there should be any evidence if such a massive drone attack is being carried out, which, thanks to the well-coordinated work of the air defence system, was shot down,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in a call.

American intelligence rejected Vladimir Putin's claims that Ukraine targeted one of the Russian president's homes

A US official said that the CIA found no such attack occurred after the Kremlin has refused to offer proof, claiming that all of the drones were shot down

Peskov also said Russia would 'toughen' its negotiating stance in talks on ending the Ukraine war following the alleged attack, which Kyiv denies.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed Kyiv had launched the attack on the northwestern residence on Sunday night, using 91 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

'Such reckless actions will not go unanswered,' Lavrov said, branding the alleged attack as 'state terrorism' and adding that targets had already been selected for retaliatory strikes by Russia's armed forces.

Following the alleged attack, in which there were no injuries or damage, Trump told reporters: 'It's one thing to be offensive. It's another thing to attack his house.

'It's not the right time to do any of that. And I learned about it from President Putin today. I was very angry about it.'

After more questions, Trump said it was 'possible' the attack did not happen.

Lavrov did not confirm whether Putin was at the forested palace - located between Moscow and St Petersburg - at the time of the alleged attack.

He also said in an interview published late on Monday that the West must understand that Russia holds the strategic initiative in Ukraine as discussions move forward.

Donald Trump told reporters on Monday he was 'very angry' to hear about the alleged attack

Moscow threatened to pull out of peace talks last night after accusing Kyiv of attempting to attack Vladimir Putin's Valdai mansion in Novgorod province, pictured above

Zelensky admitted last night that Ukraine cannot win its war against Russia without American support and that he does not trust Russian President Vladimir Putin.

'Can we win without American support? No,' Zelensky said in an interview on Fox News show 'Special Report with Bret Baier' that aired on Monday, before laying out the difficulties that will be posed by a lack of US support.

'I don't trust Putin and he doesn't want success for Ukraine,' Zelensky said, adding his Sunday meeting with Trump was productive.

Trump on Sunday celebrated the success of his highly anticipated peace talks with Zelensky, revealing they are 'very close' to striking an agreement on all but 'one or two thorny issues'.

The President had earlier welcomed the Ukrainian leader to his Mar-a-Lago estate with open arms when he arrived in Florida to discuss a 20-point plan aimed at ending the war with Russia.

The duo admitted that they couldn't find middle ground on some of the most difficult issues, including future ownership of the Donbas region, Ukrainian territory which it has been fighting to protect throughout the war.

Ukraine's foreign minister urged world leaders on Monday to condemn Russian 'manipulations' about the alleged Ukrainian attack on Putin's residence, saying Moscow was seeking 'false justification' for further strikes on its neighbour.

'Usual Russian tactic: Accuse the other side of what you are doing or planning yourself,' Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky denied any attempt to kill his counterpart, dismissing the accusation as 'another lie from the Russian Federation'

'First, Russia has already struck the Ukrainian government building this year.

'Second, Ukraine only strikes legitimate military targets in the Russian territory - in response to Russian strikes at Ukraine.

'Third, Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is the country that has been attacked and defends itself according to article 51 of the UN Charter.

'There can be no false equivalence between the aggressor and the country defending itself. We urge the world to condemn provocative Russian statements aimed at derailing the constructive peace process. Ukraine remains committed to peace efforts led by the United States, with the participation of European partners.'

Zelensky told journalists that the allegation is an excuse, allowing the Kremlin to prepare 'the ground to carry out strikes, probably on the capital and probably on government buildings,' he said.

Posting on X, the Ukrainian leader said: 'This alleged "residence strike" story is a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russias own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war.

'Typical Russian lies. Furthermore, the Russians have already targeted Kyiv in the past, including the Cabinet of Ministers building.

'Ukraine does not take steps that can undermine diplomacy. To the contrary, Russia always takes such steps. This is one of many differences between us.'

Putin's countryside property is located on a peninsula between two lakes, making it difficult to target with and missiles. It is understood to be heavily guarded with air defence systems.

Ukraine said Tuesday there was no 'plausible evidence' it launched a drone attack on one the Valdai mansion.
An Irish tourist has died in a horror drowning in the Whitsundays.

Police received reports of a lifeless body in the water at Whitehaven Beach, off the Queensland coast, about 11am on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old man was brought to shore and declared dead a short time later.

'As the matter is before the Coroner, it would be inappropriate to comment further,' police told 7News in a statement.

The man's death is the latest in a series of New Year's incidents on the east coast.

In NSW, a man died after his boat overturned in powerful swell near Barrenjoey Headland at Palm Beach, in Sydney's northern beaches.

The search for a 14-year-old boy who was onboard the boat resumed on Thursday.

Another man from the vessel was found clinging to a rock platform about 25metres from the overturned boat, suffering severe injuries to his left leg.

Police received reports of a lifeless body in the water at Whitehaven Beach, off the Queenslandcoast, about 11am on Wednesday (the beach is pictured)

It comes after a died after his boat overturned in powerful swell near Barrenjoey Headland at Palm Beach, in Sydney's northern beaches (pictured)

A helicopter is seen searching for a missing man at Coogee Beach

Wild weather is hampering the search for a missing man at Coogee

Locals at Coogee are seen after a man went missing in the surf about 6am on Thursday

He was winched to safety by a rescue helicopter and lowered onto a clearing near the foreshore car park for urgent treatment.

In Sydney's eastern suburbs, the search continues for a missing swimmer who entered the water at Coogee Beach about 6am on Thursday.

Emergency crews received reports the man, believed to be aged in his 20s, was in trouble in the water.

A police officer was seen charging into the surf holding a flotation device to help other swimmers keep the man afloat.

However, the group was unable to bring the man to shore.

Paramedics were seen treating onlookers for shock, with men and women seen hugging on the shoreline.

The drama unfolded only two hours after tragedy struck at nearby Maroubra Beach, less than three kilometres away.

Around 4am, a 25-year-old woman was swept out to sea when a powerful wave knocked her from a tidal rock pool and dragged her into the ocean.

Her body was recovered about an hour later during an extensive search involving PolAir helicopters and Marine Area Command.

Police are seen speaking to onlookers after a young man disappeared in the surf at Coogee

People were seen embracing at the water's edge as the search for the man continued

Around 4am, a 25-year-old woman was swept out to sea when a powerful wave knocked her from a rock pool at Maroubra Beach and dragged her into the ocean

The body is yet to be formally identified, but police believe it is the missing woman.

Authorities are urging Aussies to stay away from Sydney's beaches on Thursday.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for the coastline, advising swimmers to keep out of the water and avoid surf-exposed areas.

Similar warnings are in place for the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Illawarra and Eden coasts, with treacherous conditions expected throughout New Year's Day.

'People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas,' the warning said.

Rock fishers are being told to seek safer platforms, while boaties are warned against crossing shallow bars due to the ongoing risk.

Northern Beaches surf lifesaving co-ordinator Steve Downman said Sydney beaches were being pounded by 'walls of white water' and powerful waves.

'Heading to the beach today is definitely not a good idea, most beaches will be closed,' he told ABC Sydney Radio.

'We're expecting waves up to two and a half to three metres, extremely large and dangerous.'
Ahmed Al Ahmed has shared a cryptic message about 'drama' just days after Sky News accused the Bondi hero of bailing on a highly-anticipated interview at the eleventh hour.

The father-of-two posted an Instagram Story featuring a voiceover on his new Instagram account, @ahmedalahmedsydneyhero, on Thursday.

'Happy New Year 2026. Today is a new beginning, not just a new date. This year, I choose peace over drama,' the voiceover said.

Al Ahmed also shared a photo of himself gazing out the window from his $6,000-a-night suite at Crown Casino's Barangaroo hotel, with the hero later seen posing with revellers at the Sydney Opera House on New Year's Eve.

'On the occasion of the New Year, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the people of Australia and to people around the world,' he wrote.

'May this new year bring peace, health, success, and new opportunities for everyone. Wishing you a year filled with hope, kindness, and prosperity. Happy New Year Australia.'

The social media posts comes after Sky News Australia claimed Al Ahmed failed to follow through with a planned interview with Jewish journalist Sharri Markson.

According to the broadcaster, Al-Ahmed had agreed to a sit-down with Markson after being released from hospital, with the network agreeing to book him the luxury suite.

Ahmed Al Ahmed staring out of the window of his $6,000-a-night Crown Casino suite

Al Ahmed (left) was supposed to do a sit down interview with Sharri Markson (right)

But Al Ahmed then disputed the network's claims on his Instagram account on Wednesday with the following post, before swiftly deleting it.

'The report published by Sky News does not fully reflect the facts and contains selective information that lacks accuracy,' he wrote.

'We strongly believe in the importance of professional journalism and present the full facts to the public out of respect for our audience, while reserving our legal rights. They didn't even care about my health condition!'

Sky News' head of programs, Mark Calvert, has described the experience as 'frustrating' and 'surreal'.

He claimed Markson was approached on Christmas Day by Al-Ahmed's lawyer, Sam Issa, who proposed the interview.

Al Ahmed reportedly asked to visit the Bondi memorial with Markson and release six white doves, 'one for each major religion in Australia' as part of the interview.

Sky News says it fulfilled all of the requests; sourcing doves, arranging for Jewish community members, recalling staff from Christmas leave and securing a luxury Crown suite for three nights.

On the morning of the interview, Al-Ahmed reportedly set up his social media accounts and showed Markson photos of his five bullet wounds and footage of him tackling one of the alleged Bondi gunmen.

Ahmed Al Ahmed (left) was spotted posing for selfies on New Year's Eve (pictured) near the Sydney Opera House

Markson in turn gave the hero a silver Star of David necklace as a gesture of thanks.

But after telling Sky staff he needed to freshen up and see his parents, Al Ahmed never returned for the 4pm interview, with calls and texts reportedly going answered.

His lawyer resigned during the dispute.

Later than evening, Sky staff spotted Al Ahmed at Barangaroo's dining precinct, where he told staff he withdrew because he felt 'let down' and too upset to continue.

Calvert wrote that Al Ahmed gave no answer about rescheduling or the planned dove ceremony.

Meanwhile, the hero has received a string of high-profile visitors - including Israel's Ambassador Amir Mamon and NSW Premier Chris Minns, in his suite at the Crown.

Just a day earlier, Al Ahmed did an interview with American network CBS News.

'I know I saved lots of people's lives, innocent kids and women and men. But I still feel sorry for the lost,' he said in the interview.

Sky and Al Ahmed (pictured) shared clashing accounts as to why the interview didn't happen

Al Ahmed has undergone surgery to remove a bullet from his shoulder and repair nerve damage, but permanent injury remains possible.

Last week, he received a $2.5million cheque from an international fundraiser with over 43,000 contributors.

His tobacco shop in Sydney's Sutherland Shire has been sold since the massacre.

His family, granted visas to support him, have since joined him in Australia.

According to his former lawyer, Al Ahmed is taking time to focus on his recovery and hasn't made any decisions about his future.
Donald Trump sounded off about the ongoing Minnesota migrant fraud scandal and revealed where his administration believes it has found even worse corruption.

The president was hosting his annual, star-studded New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago resort when he made the comments.

As he addressed the gathering, he spelled out the shocking amount of government waste that had come from the state, days after a viral video blew the story wide open.

'They stole $18 billion, that's just what we're learning about. California's worse, Illinois' worse and sadly, New York's worse, a lot of other places,' he said.

As the assembled crowd of celebrities, members of his cabinet and family applauded, he then declared that 'we're gonna' get to the bottom of all of it.

On Friday, right-wing influencer Nick Shirley posted a video on YouTube, claiming that day care centers operated by Somali residents in Minneapolis had committed up to $100m in fraud.

In the video he stands outside two deserted 'daycare centers' which have collected $2.6m in federal grants despite not appearing to be in operation and highlighted a number of other alleged frauds.

The explosive accusation sparked nationwide anger, and the Trump administration announced on Tuesday it is freezing $185m in child care funds to the state and demanded an audit of fraud schemes involving government programs.

Donald Trump went off on the ongoing Minnesota migrant fraud scandal and revealed where his administration believes its found even worse corruption

As he addressed the gathering, he spelled out the shocking amount of government waste that had come from the state, days after a viral video blew the story wide open

The city of Minneapolis-St Paul's Somali community began in the 1990s when it accepted refugees fleeing the country's civil war, and there are now around 94,000 city residents who speak the language.

Politicians in the Democrat-controlled state now stand accused of turning a blind eye to the fraud scandal for fear of being accused of racism.

And Donald Trump has weighed in, branding Minnesota a 'hub of fraudulent money laundering activity', while FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X that 'this is just the tip of a very large iceberg'.

Shirley's video - which amassed 2.5 million views on YouTube in a few days - is just the latest alleged scheme in a string of scandals plaguing Minnesota, which prosecutors say have cost taxpayers billions of dollars.

It followed the White House launching a crackdown on illegal immigration in the state - the home to the largest population of Somali immigrants in the US - after Trump said America would 'go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage'.

In addition to Shirley's new bombshell claims, 14 Medicaid-funded programs in Minnesota are already under federal investigation for an alleged $9b COVID-era fraud scandal.

Throughout Shirley's video, entitled 'I Investigated Minnesotas Billion Dollar Fraud Scandal', the YouTuber visits several facilities purporting to be daycare centers accommodating hundreds of children.

But when he visits the centers, many of them are closed, the windows are blacked out, and no children can be seen.

On Friday, right-wing influencer Nick Shirley posted a video on YouTube, claiming that day care centres operated by Somali residents in Minneapolis had committed up to $100m in fraud

'They're open seven days a week, 7am to 10pm it says here on their sign, yet there's absolutely nobody here,' he says, standing outside one center.

Later, the content creator visits another facility, with a misspelt sign outside that reads 'Quality Learing [sic] Center'.

He asks a man who says he has lived in the neighborhood for eight years if he's ever seen children entering the center.

'None, not at all,' the man replies. 'I've been here since 2017 and I haven't seen anybody down here.'

On several occasions, people inside the center refuse to open the door to Shirley and ask for him to leave.

As Homeland Security agents flock to Minnesota for what DHS Secretary Kristi Noem called a 'massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud', longstanding investigations dating back to 2022 continue.

Federal charges have already been filed against 98 people in Minnesota, and at least 60 have been convicted.

As Attorney General Pam Bondi stressed on Monday - 85 of the defendants accused of embezzlement of public funds are 'of Somali descent'.

Men take part in a weekly Friday Jum'ah prayer session at Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Centre, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, December 5, 2025

Joseph H. Thompson, the prosecutor conducting the investigation, said he had identified 'staggering, industrial-scale fraud' in Minnesotas safety-net programs.

The fraud schemes - conducted mainly by Minnesotas Somali community - targeted state initiatives meant to feed children during Covid-19, support minors with autism, and aid those at risk of homelessness.

But prosecutors say fraudsters billed the government for social services that were never provided.

Fifty-seven people have already been convicted in a scheme to divert $300 million in public grants intended to distribute free meals to children - but the meals never existed, prosecutors said.

The fraudulent payouts to the 'Feeding Our Future' program constituted the nation's costliest Covid-era scam.

'What's happening in Minnesota is a microcosm of the immigration fraud in our system,' Vice President JD Vance posted on X.

'Politicians like it because they get power. Welfare cheats like it because they get rich. But it's a zero-sum game, and they're stealing both money and political power from Minnesotans.'

'Somali scammers get rich off the programs Governor Walz was supposed to be managing,' Dr. Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), said in a video earlier this month.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents sit in a parked vehicle amid a reported federal immigration operation targeting the Somali community, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, December 10, 2025

Demonstrators rally outside a Target location on December 4, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Threatening to cut off federal funding for programs administered by state officials, he said: 'Minnesota politicians get elected with Somali votes and keep the money flowing.'

Announcing the expansion of the investigation into Minnesotas social services programs, prosecutor Thompson said new suspects included two men from Philadelphia who were engaged in 'fraud tourism'.

He said they travelled to the state 'because they knew and understood that Minnesota was a place where taxpayer money can be taken with little risk and few consequences'.

Somali-Americans in Minnesota described their heightened fear following derogatory comments made by the president, who said during a cabinet meeting earlier this month that Somalia 'stinks' and is 'no good for a reason'.

'They contribute nothing,' Trump said, adding: 'I dont want them in our country, Ill be honest with you.'

He hit out against Omar, calling the congresswoman an 'incompetent person'.

'Anyone who looks like me [is] scared right now,' Jamal Osman, a member of the Minneapolis City Council, told CBS News.

'My community is upset. Yes, people commit crimes, but an entire community should not be blamed based on what some individuals did.'

One of the alleged phony daycare centers exposed by Shirley

'ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is already here,' said Kowsar Mohamed, who lives in south Minneapolis.

'We're seeing boots on the ground activity where folks are just being plucked off of the streets and being asked about their residency status. That's not a data informed approach.'

The Trump administration in recent months has latched onto news of the large-scale public benefit fraud scandal to carry out immigration raids and harsher policies targeting Minnesota's large Somali migrant community.

Republican elected officials and federal prosecutors have accused the local Democratic authorities of turning a blind eye to numerous warnings because the fraud involved Minnesota's Somali community.

'When whistleblowers raised concerns, they were told that they shouldn't say anything out of fear of being called racist or Islamophobic, or because it was going to hurt political constituency of the governor and the ruling party, the Democrats here,' state representative Kristin Robbins, a Republican who is running for governor, told AFP.

Democratic Governor Walz - former vice president Kamala Harris's unsuccessful running mate in 2024 - rejects the accusation.

While the case became public in 2022, prosecutors ramped it up again this year with hotly politicised revelations.

Another Republican candidate for governor, state house speaker Lisa Demuth, told AFP the case is 'finally getting the attention that it's needed' - especially following the viral video published by content creator Shirley.

The video - which blew up on X with tens of millions of views and played repeatedly on Fox News - resonated with Trump's 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) circles, who are opposed to what they deem to be overly generous social and immigration policies.

The Trump administration responded to the outcry immediately, with DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin telling Fox News that hundreds of investigators were targeting local businesses in Minneapolis.

'We believe that there is rampant fraud, whether it be daycare centers, health care centers, or other organizations,' she said.

As part of the crackdown, federal health officials announced a broad freeze of funding to Minnesota and across the county.

'We have frozen all child care payments to the state of Minnesota,' Health and Human Services (HHS) deputy Jim O'Neill wrote in an X post Tuesday.

'We have turned off the money spigot and we are finding the fraud.'

HHS has broad spending oversight for programs for the underprivileged, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, early education of toddlers and foster care.

'While we have questions about some of the methods used in the video, we do take the concerns that the video raises about fraud very seriously,' said Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families commissioner Tikki Brown.

Responding to the video, FBI Director Patel said his agency was aware of 'recent social media reports', and that investigations into fraud in Minnesota were 'ongoing' since the pandemic.

'The FBI believes this is just the tip of a very large iceberg. We will continue to follow the money and protect children, and this investigation very much remains ongoing,' Patel wrote on X.

CBS, which conducted its own analysis of nearly a dozen daycare centers mentioned by Shirley, said it found no evidence of fraud when it reviewed public records for the facilities, although it did find citations related to safety, cleanliness, equipment, and staff training.

All but two of the centers mentioned in the video had active licenses and were all visited by state regulators in the last six months.

Minnesota congressman Tom Emmer, a leading figure in the Republican majority of Congress, called for mass 'denaturalisation and deportation of every Somali engaged in fraud in Minnesota,' in an X post Monday.

President Trump preceded Emmer's call with similar sentiments at the end of November, when a conservative outlet claimed money embezzled in Minnesota was being used to fund Somalia's Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda linked Islamist militant group.

That accusation has since been denied by the prosecutor in the case.

But the US president was quick to accuse 'Somali gangs' of 'terrorizing' Minnesotans and ended their Temporary Protected Status, a program that exempted Somalis from deportation to their war-torn country.

A surge in immigration raids followed his comments, creating 'a dangerous atmosphere of chaos and instability that is making it harder for our police officers to keep Minneapolis safe,' mayor Jacob Frey said at the time.

Democratic lawmaker Zaynab Mohamed, whose family emigrated from Somalia when she was a child, decried the Trump administration's actions.

'Trump is scapegoating a tiny piece of the population,' she said. 'This is not about crime. It's not about safety. This is about purging people like me from this country.'
An Australian man has been remembered for his 'stubborn courage' after he was killed fighting in Ukraine just one week before he was due to get married.

Russell Allan Wilson was killed in action on December 12 while on his final mission in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine.

It's understood Mr Wilson, who is from Gosford on NSW's Central Coast, had travelled to Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Investigations into the soldier's death remain ongoing, with unconfirmed reports on social media suggesting he was killed during an attempt to break through a 'Russian encirclement' near the city of Pokrovsk.

He had been fighting for Ukraine ever since.

'Russ was supposed to get married about a week after he was killed. It was his final mission before leave,' a friend of Mr Wilson's told the ABC.

Mr Wilson has been remembered in a series of tributes that described him as someone who hadn't died for 'glory, medals or headlines'.

'He died because he believed some things are worth standing for - even when the cost is everything,' one person wrote online.

It's believed Russell Allan Wilson was killed on December 12 while fighting in Ukraine

Reports suggest it was meant to be his 'final mission' before he went on leave to get married

Mr Wilson was reportedly serving in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine when he was killed

'Ukraine is freer today because of him - but the world is quieter without his laugh, his stubborn courage, his presence beside us.'

Although information about Mr Wilson's life in Australia is limited, its understood he also lived in Brisbane before he moved overseas.

It's understood Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is providing consular assistance to Mr Wilson's family.

A DFAT spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia it 'is aware of reports that an Australian has died in Ukraine and is seeking confirmation from local authorities'.

'The Australian Government's travel advice is do not travel to Ukraine,' they said.

At least eight Australians are believed to have died fighting in Ukraine since Russia's invasion began.

Oscar Jenkins - a former teacher from Melbourne - is believed to be the only Australian to have been captured by Russia as a prisoner of war.

In May, Mr Jenkins was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment on mercenary charges in a trial described as a 'sham' by Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.
China has been accused of breaching the spirit of its free trade agreement with Australia after slapping tariffs on global beef imports.

In an unwelcome way for 2026 to get underway for the nation's farmers, China announced additional 55 per cent tariffs on beef imports for countries including Australia when shipments exceed certain quotas.

China's commerce ministry has set the total annual quota at 2.7million tonnes and allocated Australia 205,000 tonnes.

The measures took effect on January 1 this year for three years and stem from a probe initiated in December 2024 to protect China's ailing beef sector.

Just a few months earlier in 2024, the last of China's restrictions on Australian imports - which had affected products like barley, lobster and wine - was lifted following a bitter four-year trade feud, sparked when the Morrison government demanded an inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday said government representatives were communicating with their Chinese counterparts and stressed Australia wasn't being 'singled out'.

'Australian beef is in my view proudly, as the Australian prime minister, the best in the world,' he told reporters on Thursday.

'We compete in the world very well and our products are in great demand right around the world. We expect that will continue ... the Australian beef industry has never been stronger than it is today, as we enter 2026.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) said Australian authorities were working with Chinese counterparts to resolve the issue

China has announced trade restrictions on multiple countries to protect its beef industry (Xi is pictured during a 2025 meeting with Anthony Albanese in Beijing)

China is a major long-term market for Australian beef producers but made up about eight per cent of the country's total beef imports.

Both Cattle Australia and the Australian Meat Industry Council estimate the restriction could reduce the nation's beef exports to China by about a third compared to 2025.

That would equate to a loss of more than $1 billion in trade.

Quotas were eliminated when then-prime minister Tony Abbott struck the landmark free trade deal with China in 2015, opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said.

China's decision was 'entirely unwarranted and at odds with the sentiment' of the free trade agreement, Cattle Australia chair Garry Edwards said.

'We strongly believe this decision will erode the access of Chinese consumers to a reliable source of high-quality, safely produced protein,' he said.

Australian representatives provided formal evidence its imports did not injure the local Chinese beef industry during the review process, Mr Edwards said.

China's restrictive arrangements were not fair, appropriate or reflective of its long-standing beneficial trade relationship with Australia, Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive officer Tim Ryan said.

The move is expected to cost Australian farmers about $1billion

'This decision appears to reward other countries who have surged the volume of beef exported to the Chinese market in recent years,' the fellow peak lobby group head said.

'This decision will have a severe impact on trade flows to China over the duration of the measures' enforcement, disrupt the longstanding relationships fostered under the China-Australia free trade agreement, and restrict the ability for Chinese consumers to access safe and reliable Australian beef.'

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who was in cabinet when the free trade agreement was signed, said China's move away from fostering beef trade with Australia was 'worrying'.

'So what the prime minister needs to do is leverage the very good relationship that he tells us he had with President Xi (Jinping),' she said.

'And make sure he makes contact and makes it very clear that Australia should not be included in any of these arrangements when it comes to restrictions on the trade with beef to China.'

US President Donald Trump's administration lifted 10 per cent tariffs on Australian beef imports in mid-November.

The trade dispute comes after Australia condemned China's military launching an expansive surprise attack simulation near Taiwan on Monday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the 'Justice Mission 2025' exercises were deeply concerning, destabilising and risked 'inflaming regional tensions', and revealed Australian officials had raised the matter with their Chinese counterparts.

'Differences should be managed through dialogue, not the use of force or coercion,' the department said.
The festive atmosphere mirrored the excitement of AFCON, with fans ready for the knockout stage to kick off.

As 2025 ended, the curtains came down on the Group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations. In Group E, Algeria, Burkina Faso and Sudan advanced to the Round of 16.

Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Mozambique made the knockout stage from Group F. The defending champions recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Gabon 3-2 on Wednesday night.

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Both Ivory Coast and Cameroon finished with seven points each, with a goal difference of plus 2, but Ivory Coast scored five goals, compared to Cameroons four.

Mozambique progressed as one of the four best third-place finishers.

Senegal vs. Sudan gets the Round of 16 underway on Saturday January, 3.

Mali vs. Tunisia and South Africa against Cameroon on Sunday stand out as some of the most exciting knockout stage fixtures.
Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight Thursday, taking the oath of office at an historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan.

Mamdani, a Democrat, was sworn in as the first Muslim leader of Americas biggest city, placing his hand on a Quran as he took his oath.

'This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime,' Mamdani said in a brief speech.

The ceremony, administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a political ally, took place at the old City Hall station, one of the citys original subway stops that is known for its stunning arched ceilings.

In Mamdani's first speech as mayor, he said the old subway station was a 'testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city' as he announced the appointment of his new Department of Transportation commissioner, Mike Flynn.

The new mayor then closed: 'Thank you all so much, now I will see you later,' he said with a smile before heading up a flight of stairs.

Mamdani will be sworn in again, in grander style, in a public ceremony at City Hall at 1pm by US Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of the mayors political heroes. That will be followed by what the new administration is billing as a public block party on a stretch of Broadway known as the 'Canyon of Heroes,' famous for its ticker-tape parades.

But the Democratic socialist has released a lengthy list of items barred from the event, some expected, others raising eyebrows.

Zohran Mamdani took the oath of office to become New York City's new mayor just after midnight on January 1

The ceremony, administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a political ally, took place at the old City Hall station, one of the citys original subway stops that is known for its stunning arched ceilings

While weapons, explosives, and illegal substances are banned, the list also prohibits strollers, Flipper Zero devices and Raspberry Pis, two pieces of consumer technology that are legal and widely used.

The former is a small handheld gadget that can interact with wireless signals such as key fobs, RFID cards and Bluetooth devices, often described as a Swiss Army knife for hacking.

A Raspberry Pi, meanwhile, is a tiny, low-cost computer commonly used for coding, electronics projects and basic software.

Both devices feature programmable input-output pins that could, in theory, be connected to external components and misused to interfere with equipment or cause harm.

However, tech experts noted that explicitly banning these niche devices is unusual, especially given that laptops, which are far more powerful and versatile, are not restricted.

The Democratic Socialist is now one of the country's most-watched politicians, after winning the election with 50.78 percent of the vote, a margin of over 9.4 percentage points over his closest opponent, Andrew Cuomo.

The city Board of Elections reported that 735,317 ballots were cast during early voting, more than five times the turnout seen in 2021, with voters aged 55 and younger accounting for 56 percent of early ballots.

That was a notable shift from the opening days of early voting, which had been dominated by Gen X and Baby Boomer voters.

As New York City's first Muslim mayor, Mamdani placed his hand on a Quran (pictured) as he took his oath

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, right, hands nine dollars to city clerk Michael McSweeney before signing a registry after being sworn in as mayor

The Democratic Socialist is now one of the country's most-watched politicians, after winning the election with 50.78 percent of the vote, a margin of over 9.4 percentage points over his closest opponent, Andrew Cuomo

In a campaign that helped make 'affordability' a buzzword across the political spectrum, Mamdani promised to bring transformative change with policies intended to lower the cost of living in one of the worlds most expensive cities.

His platform included free child care, free buses, a rent freeze for about 1 million households, and a pilot of city-run grocery stores.

But he will also have to face other responsibilities: handling trash and snow and rats, while getting blamed for subway delays and potholes.

And in addition to being the city's first Muslim mayor, Mamdani is also its first of South Asian descent and the first to be born in Africa. At 34, Mamdani is also the city's youngest mayor in generations.

He was born in Kampala, Uganda, the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, an academic and author. His family moved to New York City when he was 7, with Mamdani growing up in a post-9/11 city where Muslims didnt always feel welcome. He became an American citizen in 2018.

He worked on political campaigns for Democratic candidates in the city before he sought public office himself, winning a state Assembly seat in 2020 to represent a section of Queens.

Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, will now depart their one-bedroom, rent stabilized apartment in the outer-borough to take up residence in the stately mayoral residence in Manhattan.

Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji (pictured together following his victory) will now depart their one-bedroom, rent stabilized apartment in Queens to take up residence in the stately mayoral residence in Manhattan

He inherits a city on the upswing, after years of slow recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Violent crime has dropped to pre-pandemic lows. Tourists are back. Unemployment, which soared during the pandemic years, is also back to pre-COVID levels.

Yet deep concerns remain about high prices and rising rents in the city.

He will also have to deal with Republican President Donald Trump.

During the mayoral race, Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from the city if Mamdani won and mused about sending National Guard troops to the city.

But Trump surprised supporters and foes alike by inviting the Democrat to the White House for what ended up being a cordial meeting in November.

'I want him to do a great job and will help him do a great job,' Trump said.

Mamdani held a cordial meeting with President Donald Trump in November

Still, tensions between the two leaders are almost certain to resurface, given their deep policy disagreements, particularly over immigration.

Mamdani also faces skepticism and opposition from some members of the citys Jewish community over his criticisms of Israels government.

The new mayor and his team have spent the weeks since his election victory preparing for the transition, surrounding Mamdani with seasoned hands who have worked inside or alongside city government.

That included persuading the citys police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, to remain in her position - a move that helped calm fears in the business community that the administration might be planning radical changes in policing strategy.
The New Year festivities in the Netherlands left two people dead, saw 'unprecedented' violence against police and destroyed a 19th century Amsterdam church.

A 17-year-old boy from Nijmegen and a 38-year-old man from Aalsmeer were killed in fireworks accidents. Three others were left seriously injured.

One person has been arrested in connection to the teenager's death, but authorities have not yet revealed any information on the suspect's identity and an investigation is ongoing.

Images captured in the early hours of Thursday morning showed hooded thugs battling in the streets, launching fireworks towards buildings and clashing with police.

Cops made around 250 arrests during throughout the New Year's Eve celebrations.

According to Chief of Police Wilbert Paulissen: 'By mid-evening, the Mobile Unit had to intervene in many places. Almost all available riot police officers we have in the Netherlands were on duty. A truly maximum deployment that lasted half the night.'

Following the chaotic night, the head of the Dutch Police Union, Nine Kooiman, reported an 'unprecedented amount of violence against police and emergency services' over New Year's Eve.

She said she herself had been pelted three times by fireworks and other explosives as she worked a shift in Amsterdam.

A tram stop is blown up with a makeshift explosive device as groups of residents from neighboring streets clash using fireworks in the Transvaal district on January 1, 2026 in The Hague

Groups of residents from neighboring streets clash using fireworks

People look at the tower of the Vondelkerk church on fire during New Year's Eve, in Amsterdam on January 1, 2026

Police intervenes at Dam Square during New Year's Eve celebrations after disturbances broke out involving groups of youths setting off fireworks indiscriminately in Amsterdam

Shortly after midnight, authorities released a rare country-wide alert on mobile phones warning people not to call overwhelmed emergency services unless lives were at risk.

Reports of attacks against police and firefighters were widespread across the country. In the southern city of Breda, people threw petrol bombs at police.

Firefighters responded to nearly 4,300 calls overnight. The Brandweer Nederland (Dutch Fire Service) said it was a 'busy, intense New Year's Eve'.

The fires mainly involved burning cars and containers, and piles of rubbish in the streets.

In several areas, the fire department encountered violence, with people throwing explosives at them. 'This has to stop; our people are there to help, not to be targets of violence,' said Jolande Trijselaar, chair of the Dutch Fire Service.

In Amsterdam, a huge inferno broke out in the early hours at the Vondelkerk Church, a tourist attraction that has overlooked one of the city's top parks since 1872.

The 164ft tower collapsed and the roof was badly damaged but the structure was expected to remain intact, Amsterdam authorities said.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately clear.

Dozens of homes had to be evacuated because of the fire, which sent showers of cinders on to nearby properties.

Others were left without power to allow fire officers to tackle the fire in the listed building, which is now used as a cultural centre.

Rotterdam's specialist eye hospital reported a large number of young patients this year with one doctor saying 85 per cent of the patients were minors.

Most had been watching fireworks when they were injured, according to Dutch News, and two received surgery.

The Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven described it as 'an incredibly busy and intense night'. Haaglanden MC in The Hague, one of the largest emergency departments in the country, also treated 'more patients due to fireworks than in previous years'.

The Haga Hospital treated 65 injured people at its locations in The Hague and Zoetermeer.

The 164ft tower collapsed and the roof was badly damaged but the structure was expected to remain intact, Amsterdam authorities said

Flames and smoke rise from a fire at Vondelkerk church in Amsterdam, Netherlands, January 1, 2026

Locals and police watched on as the 19th century church erupted in flames

Police intervenes during New Year's Eve celebrations at Dam Square after disturbances broke out involving groups of youths setting off fireworks indiscriminately in Amsterdam

Special police units were deployed amid rising tensions as authorities worked to contain the unrest and prevent further escalation during the holiday celebrations

Thirty patients were admitted to the emergency room at Catharina Hospital.

Four teenagers lost parts of their fingers and several people had fallen off their bikes intoxicated and been victims of violence.

A man, aged 32, and a woman, aged 29, from Germany were also arrested at around midnight in Beverwijk after shots were fired in the air at a party on Wijkermeerweg.

Two firearms used to fire blanks were found in the couple's car. Police also found blank rounds and a Taser in the vehicle. The pair remain in custody.

It was the last year before an expected ban on unofficial fireworks, so the Dutch bought them in massive quantities.

In July, the Dutch Senate passed a nationwide ban on owning, selling, and using fireworks.

Only the lightest types of fireworks, including sparklers and party poppers, will remain permitted.

According to the Dutch Pyrotechnics Association, revellers splashed out a record 129 million euros on fireworks.

Some areas had been designated firework-free zones, but this appeared to have little effect.
Germany is stepping up preparations for war  starting with its teenage boys.

From this week, every German male will be legally required to answer questions from the army the moment he turns 18, as part of a sweeping new military service scheme approved amid mounting fears of a major conflict in Europe.

Tens of thousands of teenagers will be sent a compulsory 14-question survey by the Bundeswehr, asking not only how interested they are in joining the military, but how fit they are to fight and how quickly they could be ready for service.

Ignoring the form is not an option. Young men who refuse to complete the questionnaire  or repeatedly ignore follow-up demands from the army  face fines of up to 1,000 (800), even though ministers insist the scheme falls short of full conscription.

The survey digs deep into personal details. Teenagers are asked to rate their willingness to join the armed forces on a scale of one to ten, say when they would be available to serve and for how long, and disclose whether they have any disabilities.

Elsewhere, respondents must provide basic personal information including their weight, age, qualifications and any languages they speak, as well as carry out a blunt self-assessment of their physical fitness, choosing from options ranging from 'very good' to 'low'.

Germany is stepping up preparations for war  starting with its teenage boys. Pictured: Recruits participate in a training drill during a media day at the Reconnaissance Battalion

From this week, every German male will be legally required to answer questions from the army the moment he turns 18, as part of a sweeping new military service scheme approved amid mounting fears of a major conflict in Europe

The questionnaire also lays out potential military career paths, from the army, navy and air force to roles in cyber security and logistical support  a move critics say feels more like recruitment than a simple data-gathering exercise.

According to the defence ministry, around 54,000 surveys will be sent out every month from January onwards, underlining the scale of the operation.

While women aged 18 and over will not be forced to take part, they may complete the survey voluntarily if they are interested in joining the armed forces.

And the pressure does not stop with paperwork. From July 2027, all male 18-year-olds will also be legally required to attend a military medical examination to assess their fitness for service.

In a striking escalation, the German defence ministry has confirmed the army will have the power to call in the police on young men who repeatedly refuse to turn up for the exam.

The new service scheme was approved by the government in December 2025, explicitly in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and growing concern among Western officials that a direct confrontation between NATO and Moscow could erupt within the next three years.

Although Berlin insists conscription is not being formally reintroduced, the measures mark a dramatic shift for a country that suspended compulsory military service in 2011  and suggest Germany is quietly preparing its next generation for the possibility of war.
France is preparing to ban children under 15 from social media in a dramatic crackdown inspired by Australia's world-leading move to lock minors out of major online platforms.

President Emmanuel Macron is backing draft legislation that would make it illegal for social media companies to offer their services to under-15s, amid growing fears over cyberbullying, addiction and the impact of screens on young minds.

According to the AFP news agency, the proposed law cites multiple studies linking excessive screen use to mental health problems, violence and online abuse among children.

French media report it could be submitted for legal scrutiny as early as January, with the ban potentially coming into force by September 2026.

Mr Macron is even said to be considering announcing the plans during his New Year's Eve address, underlining the political importance of the issue.

The draft law warns that unrestricted internet access exposes children to 'inappropriate content' and leaves them vulnerable to cyberbullying and other digital harms.

Under the proposals, responsibility would shift decisively onto Big Tech, forcing platforms to block under-15s entirely rather than relying on parents to police their children's accounts.

The legislation would also extend France's existing ban on mobile phone use in schools to high schools, dramatically tightening classroom rules.

France has tried  and failed  to introduce similar measures before. In 2018, the government banned mobile phones in pre-schools and middle schools for pupils aged 11 to 15, but enforcement has been uneven.

France is preparing to ban children under 15 from social media in a dramatic crackdown inspired by Australia's world-leading move to lock minors out of major online platforms (stock image)

President Emmanuel Macron is backing draft legislation that would make it illegal for social media companies to offer their services to under-15s, amid growing fears over cyberbullying, addiction and the impact of screens on young minds (stock image)

A more ambitious attempt followed in 2023, when parliament passed a law setting a 'digital legal age' of 15, requiring social media firms to verify users' ages and deactivate accounts belonging to children unless they had parental consent.

However, the law was blocked after the European Commission warned it conflicted with EU rules, including the bloc's Digital Services Act, leaving it largely unenforced.

Momentum has since returned. Earlier this month, France's Senate endorsed new measures to limit teenagers' screen time, including a requirement for parental authorisation before children aged 13 to 16 can join social media platforms.

Public opinion is firmly behind tougher action. An Ipsos poll published in September found that four in five French adults want social networks banned for children under 14.

Mr Macron has frequently blamed social media for rising violence among young people and has openly praised Australia for taking decisive action.

Australia's world-first law, which came into force on December 10, bars anyone under 16 from holding accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Facebook, Threads, Twitch and X.

Crucially, tech firms face fines of up to A$49.5 million (26m) if they fail to block minors  making it the toughest age-based social media ban anywhere in the world.

The move has sent shockwaves through the tech industry and prompted other governments to follow suit. In Germany, ministers last month ordered a committee to examine whether similar curbs are feasible, with a report due in autumn 2026.

Meanwhile Malaysia has announced that from January 1, 2026, social media platforms will be required to block users under 16, backed by mandatory age-verification checks.

With Mr Macron now pushing a fresh legal route designed to withstand EU scrutiny, officials in Paris believe France may finally be able to enforce one of Europe's toughest child protection regimes online  as governments across the world move to rein in the power of social media over children's lives.
A woman has drowned on the NSW mid-north coast amid ongoing hazardous surf conditions that have claimed four lives.

Emergency services rushed to Dunbogan Beach, 38km south of Port Macquarie, and found an unconscious woman had been pulled from the water about 2.55pm on January 1.

NSW Ambulance paramedics and police attempted CPR, but the woman, 45, sadly could not be revived. Police will investigate the circumstances around her death and prepare a report for the coroner.

The woman's death follows that of an Irish tourist at Queensland's Whitehaven Beach and a young woman at Sydney's Maroubra Beach, both on Thursday, and that of a man whose boat capsized at Barrenjoey Headland, near Palm Beach, on Wednesday.

There is an ongoing search for a 14-year-old boy who was also on that boat, as well as a search for a swimmer who vanished in the water at Coogee in Sydney on Thursday morning and a snorkeler missing near Perth since Thursday afternoon.

The wild weather on the east coast is being caused by a low pressure system in the Tasman Sea, to the northwest of New Zealand, which is whipping up winds and causing large swells to reach Australia.

The tragedies on Thursday unfolded at 4am when emergency services received reports of a woman being swept out to sea from Maroubra Beach, in Sydney's southeast.

It's understood the 25-year-old Chinese tourist was wading in a tidal rock pool when she was knocked over by a strong wave. A body, believed to be that of the missing woman, was recovered an hour later following an extensive search.

A 45-year-old woman drowned at Dunbogan Beach (pictured) on Thursday afternoon

Warnings have been issued about the dangerous surf conditions

Emergency services received another distressing call just two hours later from nearby Coogee Beach.

A swimmer, believed to be aged in his 20s, was in a group of three when he began struggling.

He disappeared into the surf at about 6am, shortly after officers arrived at the scene.

'Due to the large surf, they were swept out in a very big rip and got swept off their feet,' Coogee Lifesaving Club president Ben Heenan said.

'They tried to make their way back to shore and required assistance.

'An off-duty police officer and two off-duty surf lifesavers went in and provided that assistance.'

However, than man did not make it back to shore and police were forced to temporarily suspend their ongoing search for him due to poor weather conditions.

An Irish tourist in north Queensland was found drowned a few hours later at 11am AEST.

The hazardous conditions are being caused by a rapidly deepening low pressure system (pictured)

Queensland Police received reports of a body in the water. The 25-year-old man was declared dead a shortly after being brought to shore.

Authorities urged eastern Aussies to stay away from beaches on Thursday.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for the eastern Australian coastline, advising swimmers to keep out of the water and avoid surf-exposed areas.

'People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas,' the bureau said.

Rock fishers are being told to seek safer platforms, while boaties are warned against crossing shallow bars due to the ongoing risk.

Northern Beaches surf life saving coordinator Steve Downman said Sydney beaches were being pounded by 'walls of white water' and powerful waves.

'Heading to the beach today is definitely not a good idea, most beaches will be closed,' he told ABC Sydney Radio.

'We're expecting waves up to two and a half to three metres, extremely large and dangerous.'

The deceased included a 45-year-old woman, a Chinese tourist, and an Irish tourist (pictured, officers at Coogee)

However, tragedies on the water weren't exclusively caused by the large swells.

A snorkeler is still missing off the coast of Ledge Point, about 120km north of Perth.

He failed to returned to shore about 3pm and the search for him continues.

In another incident off Catalina Beach near Mindarie, north Perth, a teenager was attacked by a shark.

The teenager was driven by a friend to Joondalup Hospital having suffered a non-life-threatening injury to his ankle.
Hundreds of people were duped into attending a non-existent New Year fireworks display in Birmingham city centre for the second year in a row.

Huge crowds braved freezing temperatures to gather in Centenary Square last night, excited to welcome 2026 - only to be told that the adverts were fake.

Videos shared on TikTok show would-be spectators packed on the streets with their phones out waiting for the show to begin.

However, disappointed revellers were later seen filing out of the area - with no fireworks in sight.

Police officers were on hand telling those who made their way down to the event that it was not happening.

It comes after thousands of people descended on Centenary Square for a similar non-existent firework display last year.

Analysis of those adverts found that blog posts rounding up the 'best' firework shows in the UK may have been written by AI and were based on out-of-date information.

Hundreds of people were duped into attending a non-existent New Year fireworks display in Birmingham city centre for the second year in a row

Videos shared on TikTok show would-be spectators packed on the streets with their phones out waiting for the show to begin

Huge crowds braved the freezing temperatures to gather in Centenary Square last night excited to welcome 2026 - only to be told that the adverts were fake

AI programmes can typically write an article in a matter of seconds, although they do sometimes make mistakes.

New Year's fireworks have not been held in Birmingham city centre since 2017 but they are repeatedly included in roundups of the best displays in the UK.

One advert this year said the event would run between 8pm on December 31 and 12.30am.

It read: 'If you're spending New Year's Eve in Birmingham, don't miss the celebrations on Centenary Square which is by far the biggest NYE party in the city.

'At the event, you'll find street food vendors, an ice rink and bars to help you celebrate New Year's Eve 2025.'

Earlier this week, West Midlands Police addressed rumours of a firework display in Birmingham and issued a warning to those planning on heading there.

A spokesperson said: 'There are no official firework displays or city-organised events happening in Birmingham city centre on New Year's Eve.

'Every year, rumours start to spread online about big celebrations in the city. Unfortunately, these false claims often lead to confusion and disappointment.

Join the debate Should social media platforms do more to stop fake event adverts?

Pictured: One of the social media posts advertising the event. It is believed some round-ups of firework events may have been written by AI

Earlier this week, West Midlands Police addressed rumours of a firework display in Birmingham and issued a warning to those heading there

A New Year's display has not been held in Birmingham city centre since 2017 but adverts for the fireworks are repeatedly posted online

'Last year, for example, we were made aware of posts that circulated about a spectacular show in Centenary Square.

'Many people believed it, travelled into the city centre, and were left frustrated when nothing happened.

'Families made unnecessary journeys and ended up disappointed after discovering the event wasn't taking place. We don't want that to happen again.

'If you see posts or comments on social media suggesting there will be fireworks or large-scale events in Birmingham on New Year's Eve, please treat them with caution.

'These claims are not true.

'If you're unsure, please let us know. We're here to help clarify and stop misinformation from spreading.

'Why does this matter? Because misinformation can create real safety issues in the city.

'When large crowds gather for an event that doesn't exist, it puts pressure on public transport, emergency services, and can lead to congestion in the city centre.

'We're asking you to please only share accurate information from trusted sources. Help us keep Birmingham safe and enjoyable for everyone this New Year's Eve.

'We'll have officers on high visibility patrols over Christmas and New Year's to keep everyone safe.'
Shabana Mahmood has said she will 'robustly defend' the decision to revoke Shamima Begum's citizenship as the Home Secretary gears up to take on the European Court of Human Rights.

Yesterday, the ECHR formally asked the Home Office whether it broke human rights and anti-trafficking laws  which is Begum's main legal argument.

Lawyers for the former London schoolgirl hailed the request as an 'unprecedented opportunity'.

But the move has put Ms Mahmood on collision course with Strasbourg after a Government source indicated the Home Secretary was prepared to fight any challenge to the decision to revoke the ISIS bride's citizenship.

'The Home Secretary will robustly defend the decision to revoke Shamima Begum's citizenship, which has been tested and upheld time and again in our domestic courts. The Home Secretary will always put this country's national security first,' the source said.

Meanwhile, the Tories have backed the Home Secretary and insisted Begum should not be allowed back into the UK 'under any circumstances'.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'Begum chose to go and support the violent Islamist extremists of Daesh, who murdered opponents, raped thousands of women and girls and threw people off buildings for being gay.

'She has no place in the UK and our own Supreme Court found that depriving her of citizenship was lawful.

The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will 'robustly defend the decision to revoke Shamima Begum's citizenship' putting her and the Home Office on collision course with Strasbourg

Begum, who lived in Bethnal Green, was found in a Syrian refugee camp in 2019 after her travel to ISIS-controlled territory in the country as a 15-year-old in 2015

'It is deeply concerning the European Court of Human Rights is now looking at using the ECHR to make the UK take her back.'

Begum, who lived in Bethnal Green, was found in a Syrian refugee camp in 2019 after her travel to ISIS-controlled territory in the country as a 15-year-old in 2015.

Her UK citizenship was immediately revoked by then-home secretary Sajid Javid on national security grounds, kickstarting a lengthy legal challenge by Begum.

She lost an appeal in February 2023 against the decision to revoke her citizenship after the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) ruled this was lawful.

Begum then lost a Court of Appeal bid in February 2024, before she was most recently denied the chance to challenge it at the Supreme Court in August 2024.

However, Begum's lawyers warned at the time that they could still take her case to the European Court of Human Rights - which they later did.

In a document published by the European court in December, it states Ms Begum is challenging the decision under Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights - prohibition of slavery and forced labour.

The case was lodged in December 2024 after she was denied the chance to challenge the removal of her British citizenship at the UK's Supreme Court.

Join the debate What's your take on the decision?

Begum pictured inside Al Hawl camp in Syria. When she was found in the camp her UK citizenship was immediately revoked by then-home secretary Sajid Javid on national security grounds, kickstarting a lengthy legal challenge by Begum

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and the Tories have backed the Home Secretary and insisted Begum should not be allowed back into the UK 'under any circumstances'

Shamima Begum: From fleeing to Syria to UK citizenship legal battle February 2015: Shamima Begum leaves Britain to travel to Istanbul, before heading onto Syria with Kadiza Sultana and Amira Abase February 2019: Begum is tracked down to the al-Hawl refugee camp in northern Syria and says she wants to return to Britain. The Home Office revokes her UK citizenship. October 2019: Begum begins an appeal against the revocation of her citizenship February 2020: Begum loses the first stage of a legal challenge at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) July 2020: The Court of Appeal rules Begum should be allowed to return to the UK to challenge the deprivation of her citizenship February 2021: The Supreme Court rules Begum should not be allowed to return to the UK to pursue an appeal February 2023: Begum loses her legal challenge at SIAC February 2024: Begum loses her challenge at the Court of Appeal August 2024: Begum is told she cannot challenge the removal of her citizenship at the Supreme Court December 2025: The European Court of Human Rights formally asks the Home Office to justify its stance Advertisement

Among four questions posed by judges in Strasbourg to the Home Office, it asked: 'Did the Secretary of State have a positive obligation, by virtue of Article 4 of the Convention, to consider whether the applicant had been a victim of trafficking, and whether any duties or obligations to her flowed from that fact, before deciding to deprive her of her citizenship?'

Responding to the move, Birnberg Peirce Solicitors, which is representing Begum, said the court's communication 'presents an unprecedented opportunity' for the UK and Begum to 'grapple with the significant considerations raised in her case and ignored, sidestepped or violated up to now by previous UK administrations'.

Lawyer Gareth Peirce said: 'It is impossible to dispute that a 15-year-old British child was in 2014/15 lured, encouraged and deceived for the purposes of sexual exploitation to leave home and travel to Isil-controlled territory for the known purpose of being given, as a child, to an Isil fighter to propagate children for the Islamic State.

'It is equally impossible not to acknowledge the catalogue of failures to protect a child known for weeks beforehand to be at high risk when a close friend had disappeared to Syria in an identical way and via an identical route.

'It has already been long conceded that the then home secretary, Sajid Javid, who took the precipitous decision in 2019 very publicly to deprive Ms Begum of citizenship, had failed entirely to consider the issues of grooming and trafficking of a school child in London and of the state's consequent duties.'

A Home Office spokesperson previously told the Daily Mail: 'The Government will always protect the UK and its citizens.

'That is why Shamima Begum - who posed a national security threat - had her British citizenship revoked and is unable to return to the UK.

'We will robustly defend any decision made to protect our national security.'

Shamima Begum passes through barriers at Gatwick Airport in 2015 before fleeing to Syria

In October, the Government announced that extremists stripped of their British citizenship would no longer be able to regain their status after a successful first appeal as a new law came into force.

Beforehand, a person who the Government considered a threat to national security could have been released from immigration detention or returned to the UK while further appeals to stop them were ongoing.

But the new law closed this loophole so that citizenship cannot be regranted until all appeal proceedings have been completed.

Between 2018 and 2023, an average of 12 people a year were deprived of their citizenship on the grounds it was 'conducive to the public good'.

This decision is made by the home secretary in serious cases where it is believed to be in the public interest, for reasons such as terrorism or serious organised crime.
Russia has accused Ukraine of killing 24 people in an alleged drone strike on a cafe and hotel in the Russian-occupied Kherson region.

In a statement Vladimir Saldo, the Kremlin-installed governor of Kherson, has made currently unverified claims that Kyiv carried out a military strike last night in Khorly on the Black Sea coast.

Saldo alleged that there were dozens of 'civilians' among the victims.

However, he has not specified where the strike took place and no photos of the scene have been published.

The Moscow-backed governor added that Russia has launched a criminal case 'into a terrorist attack resulting in the deaths of civilians'.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, Russia launched 205 drones at the country overnight. Regional authorities have reported damage to energy infrastructure.

The incident came after US national security officials assessed that Vladimir Putin had lied to Donald Trump in claiming Ukraine had staged an assassination bid.

Moscow claimed the attempt on Putin's life took place at his forest palace in Valdai, Novgorod region, known as Long Beards.

Pictured: A Russian strike on the Ilsky oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai - close to the Ukraine border

Pictured: Russian drone attacks on energy infrastruture in the Lutsk region of Ukraine

The intelligence assessment involving the CIA was that Ukraine did not target Putin or one of his residences, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Putin had told Trump in a phone call that Ukraine had staged the attack on his highly-guarded residence.

Trump initially said he was 'very angry' over the alleged Ukrainian strike but appeared to back away from this on the last day of 2025, posting a link to a New York Post editorial with the headline: 'Putin 'attack' bluster shows Russia is the one standing in the way of peace.'

Most Western experts now assess that the 'drone strike' on Putin's home was a Russian false flag operation to delay the peace process, and drive Trump away from Ukraine.

The status of the New Year's night incident in Khorly remained unclear, with Ukraine - unlike Russia - going to great lengths to avoid strikes on civilians.

Pro-Ukrainian channel Exilenova said: 'Previous similar attacks show that representatives of the occupation administration and the military often gather in such establishments during holidays. Similar cases have been recorded many times before.'

But there was heavy fighting on both sides elsewhere in the first hours of 2026.

Dozens of Russian drones hit Ukraine's Volyn region - the first of the new year to be hit by Putin's firepower, targeted at energy facilities.

Pictured: Russia firing missiles at Ukraine yesterday. The Kremling launched 205 drones at the country overnight. Regional authorities have reported damage to energy infrastructure

More than 100,000 families were left without electricity in subzero temperatures.

At least five people including a boy, 15, and a male pensioner, 76, were injured in the Ukrainian region Zaporizhzhia during a Russian attack.

Black Sea port Odesa also faced fearsome strikes.

Ukrainian drones caused airport closures in Moscow.

Rybinsk oil storage facility was ablaze from an earlier strike and a new hit caused an explosion and inferno Lyudinovo refinery in Kaluga region.

In Krasnodar region, the Ukrainians took out the Ilsky oil refinery, and there were reports of a New Year host on another oil facility at Almetyevsk, Tatarstan.

The relentless strikes on Putin's oil industry means Russia faces supply problems and shortages.
Finnish authorities have seized a ship and detained a largely Russian crew amid suspicions it deliberately or recklessly cut a vital undersea cable by dragging its anchor through the Gulf of Finland.

The damage was discovered Wednesday on a telecommunications cable running between the Finnish and Estonian capitals, triggering an urgent security response from Helsinki amid growing fears over sabotage of Europes critical infrastructure.

Border Guard officials said they intercepted and inspected the suspect vessel after finding it inside Finlands exclusive economic zone with its anchor lowered - a key detail investigators believe links the ship directly to the severed cable.

Police have now opened a criminal probe into aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage and serious interference with telecommunications, describing the cable - owned by Finnish provider Elisa - as critical underwater infrastructure.

All 14 crew members were detained, local media reported.

The ship, the Fitburg, was sailing from Russia to Israel and is registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The crew includes nationals of Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

Finnish National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimaki told local media that investigators are not speculating on whether a state-level actor was behind the damage.

Finnish authorities have seized a ship and detained a largely Russian crew amid suspicions it deliberately or recklessly cut a vital undersea cable by dragging its anchor through the Gulf of Finland (stock image)

The damage was discovered Wednesday on a telecommunications cable running between the Finnish and Estonian capitals, triggering an urgent security response from Helsinki amid growing fears over sabotage of Europes critical infrastructure

Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District Commander Mikko Simola attends a press conference in Helsinki, Finland, December 31, 2025

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Koskimaki also said the ship had been dragging its anchor for hours.

'Finland is prepared for security challenges of various kinds, and we respond to them as necessary,' Finnish President Alexander Stubb wrote on social platform X.

The undersea cables and pipelines that crisscross one of the busiest shipping lanes in Europe link Nordic, Baltic and central European countries.

They promote trade and energy security and, in some cases, reduce dependence on Russian energy resources.

Earlier this year, Finnish authorities charged the captain and two senior officers of a Russia-linked vessel that damaged undersea cables between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day in 2024.

The Finnish deputy prosecutor general said in a statement in August that charges of aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications were filed against the captain and first and second officers of the Eagle S oil tanker.

Their names were not made public. The statement said they denied the allegations.

The Kremlin previously denied involvement in damaging the infrastructure, which provides power and communication for thousands of Europeans.

The Eagle S was flagged in the Cook Islands but had been described by Finnish customs officials and the European Union's executive commission as part of Russia's shadow fleet of fuel tankers.

Those are aging vessels with obscure ownership, acquired to evade Western sanctions amid the war in Ukraine and operating without Western-regulated insurance.

For the West, such incidents are believed to be part of widespread sabotage attacks in Europe allegedly linked to Moscow following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Meanwhile, Estonian authorities are cooperating with the Finns to decide whether they should initiate a separate criminal case or move forward in a joint prosecution in the Elisa case. The telecom provider said its service was not affected by the damage.

Another undersea cable, owned by Swedish telecommunications service provider Arelion, was also damaged early Wednesday, according to Estonian officials. It was not immediately clear whether the Arelion cable's damage was linked to the Elisa's.

Martin Sjogren, an Arelion spokesperson, confirmed Wednesday's cable damage in the Gulf of Finland. He said another cable, this one between Sweden and Estonia in the Baltic Sea, was damaged on Tuesday.

'We are actively working with authorities in Sweden and other countries to investigate the cause of the cuts,' Sjogren said in an email. '

We cannot disclose any details about exact times or locations at this point with regard to the ongoing investigation.'

Repair work is expected to begin as soon as poor weather conditions clear. He said the vast majority of the company's customers were unaffected by the damage.
Russian horseback troops were wiped out by Ukrainian drones during a battlefield clash in a victory for modern warfare over centuries-old tactics.

Dramatic footage released by the Ukrainian military shows a remotely piloted first person view drone [FPV] swooping on one of Vladimir Putin's soldiers on horseback.

The troop tumbled off the horse, after which the explosives-packed drone struck him.

Further footage shows the soldiers motionless body lying in the snow in an undisclosed area of the battlefield and the horse racing off.

Commenting on the video, published on December 26, Ukraines 92nd Separate Assault Brigade wrote on social media: 'The finale is quite predictable: the enemys so-called cavalry is destroyed by the precise strikes of our drones.'

'Thanks to the professionalism of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigades drone operator, not a single horse was injured,' the brigade added.

After almost four years of full-scale war, it has become clear that technological advances have fundamentally altered the nature of combat, particularly the ubiquitous use of hypersonic missiles.

But Moscow's limited supply of military vehicles means some of Putin's troops have resorted to using horses as a way of avoiding getting stuck in the mud as they bombard Ukrainian lines.

Dramatic footage released by the Ukrainian military shows a remotely piloted first person view drone [FPV] swooping on one of Vladimir Putin's soldiers on horseback

The troop tumbled off the horse, after which the explosives-packed drone struck him

Further footage shows the soldiers motionless body lying in the snow and the horse racing off

Despite the Ukrainian military's assurances, another video published by the brigade seemed to show that a horse was injured or killed in a blast alongside the Russian troop it was carrying.

The fate of a third soldier on horseback was unclear.

Drone warfare now dominates the frontline between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

'There is no clear line of contact. Instead, drones from each side constantly swarm across a 10 to 15km-wide area (6-9 miles) called the "kill zone",' said Olga Tokariuk, an academy association at Chatham House.

Within this 'kill sonze', nothing can move without being targetted.

Moscow was first reported to be training soldiers on horseback in October.

Semyon Pegov, a pro-war Russian blogger, described how a commander identified only as 'Khan' had started to use horses during combat missions.

He published footage showing numerous mounted troops galloping across the countryside alongside Russian drones.

'Horses see well at night, dont need roads to accelerate on the final approach and their instincts can, reportedly, help them avoid mines,' he wrote.

Moscow was first reported to be training soldiers on horseback in October

Moscow's limited supply of military vehicles means some of Putin's troops have resorted to using horses

Russian troops riding on horseback in an undisclosed location on the battlefield

The soldier's body could be seen lying motionless in the snow after the attack

The horse bolted away after the soldier was dismounted and didn't appear injured

As well as horses, Putin's troops have been using donkeys to transport ammunition between their lines.

Viktor Sobolev, a retired general who is now a member of the Russian parliaments defence committee, defended the use of animals in war in February: 'Its better for a donkey to be killed than two people transporting supplies in a vehicle.'

Russia accused Ukraine on Thursday of killing at least 24 people, including a child, in a drone strike on a hotel and cafe where civilians were seeing in the New Year in a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine's southern Kherson region.

Ukraine's military, which has accused Russia of killing many civilians in its own attacks on Ukrainian cities, did not immediately comment on the claim.
An American movement began in 1992 with 380 brave individuals. These eager hikers laced up their boots, stepped out into the crisp morning air, and began a tradition that has become one of the fastest-growing outdoor movements in America.

First Day hikes began as a State Park activity. This is because the first-ever First Day hike was held at Blue Hills Reservation State Park in Milton, Massachusetts, on January 1, 1992, with the goal to encourage people to use the park in the winter and to start the new year off with an outdoor activity.

This activity has really caught on! In 2025 alone, there were over 1,000 first-day hikes across Americas State Parks. Over 68,000 people came out and participated in this annual event.

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Since its beginning, other agencies have joined in, including the National Park Service, local and regional parks, non-profits, and volunteers like the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.

If you want to find a first-day hike, make sure to check out Americas State Parks First Day Hikes Page. Here, you will find hike information and a map linking to each state park page with lists of available first-day hikes.

You can also go to the National Parks event calendar and search for First Day Hikes. I noticed that Redwood National and State Parks, Amistad National Recreation Area, and Great Falls Park are listed.

Fun Facts about First Day Hikes

The idea of a First Day Hike came from Patrick Flynn, a Massachusetts Park Supervisor who was inspired by winter hikes in Ohio.

Since the concept began in 1992, all 50 states now participate in this annual event.

First Day Hikes were adopted nationally in 2012.

First Day Hikes also include snowshoeing, swimming, and biking.

The first-ever First Day Hike was held at Blue Hills Reservation, with 380 people attending the event.

Several parks offered self-guided hikes during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep the tradition going.

First Day participants log over 100,000 miles hiked annually and a staggering 175,000 miles in 2020.

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The growing popularity of First Day Hikes proves this is more than just a trend; it is a meaningful way to connect with nature and community.

Now it is time for you to decide: are you ready to join the thousands of other Americans on January 1, 2026? Lace up your boots, step onto the trail, and become a part of one of the fastest-growing outdoor movements.
A retired teacher has been fined for throwing away a cigarette in Nottingham despite being 440 miles away in Normandy.

Ray Weatherburn, 76, was eating breakfast in Normandy, France, when he was accused by Nottingham city council of littering from his silver Vauxhall Corsa on August 13.

However, after receiving a second letter from the council about the cigarette butt, he provided passport stamps and petrol receipts as evidence that he was not in Nottingham at the time of the incident.

'I've never smoked in my life. They issued me with a 100 fixed penalty notice,' Mr Weatherburn told the Telegraph.

'They had the correct registration number, but my car was immobilised up in Northumberland at the time.'

Mr Weatherburn, a former 800m running champion, said his car was at his home in Berwick-upon-Tweed, when the alleged offence happened in Nottingham.

The 76-year-old, who lives in Berwick-upon-Tweed but has a second home in Wollaton, Nottingham, was issued with the fine on September 9.

He was then sent a second letter two weeks later and told that he could be taken to court over the unpaid fine.

Ray Weatherburn, 76, was eating breakfast in Normandy, France, when he was accused by Nottingham city council of littering from his silver Vauxhall Corsa on August 13

But, the fine was addressed to a man's name he did not recognise, and he then rang the council to address the issue.

A third letter was also issued inviting him to take part in the Immediate Justice scheme, a community work programme for offenders, as an alternative to going to court.

Mr Weatherburn later received an apology from the council for the 'inconvenience' caused to him and blamed the third letter on a technical error.

He said: 'It worried me about ID fraud as there was someone else linked to my address and car.'

Mr Weatherburn claims he was told by the police that he may have received the fines because car plates have been cloned.

He added: 'I still don't know if someone's driving around with my number plate cloned. It's all very, very confusing and I can't get any explanation out of them. It causes sleepless nights and anxieties.'

Nottingham city council was approached for comment.
Fraudsters are using AI to trick Deliveroo and other takeaway providers into giving them refunds by pretending their meals are undercooked.

Fake flies and mould, pink burger meat, and melted cakes are among the examples of digital-altered photos customers are using to con firms.

Lawyers says people are 'getting more sophisticated in the tools that they're using' to fabricate claims to companies such as Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo.

Caroline Green, co-head of retail and supply chain at the law firm Browne Jacobson, warned that those who make fake claims are committing a crime.

'If you get away with it once, you're probably unlikely to leave it at that,' she told The Times.

Browne Jacobson said, according to some studies, more than one in 10 returns may be fraudulent even without AI assistance.

'Generous return and refund policies, intended to boost customer loyalty, have inadvertently made it easier for fraudsters to exploit retailers,' the firm said.

'Automated refund systems often issue refunds before goods are inspected, leaving businesses exposed. Platforms generally trust buyer-submitted images, with sellers given few opportunities to contest suspicious claims.'

 Slide me  Fraudsters are using AIto trick Deliveroo and other takeaway providers into giving them refunds by pretending their meals are undercooked

Fake flies and mould, pink burger meat, and melted cakes are among the examples of digital-altered photos customers are using to con firms

AI tools retailers can use to weed out the fake images can be costly, with some now reportedly considering whether to get customers to provide live video when submitting claims.

Browne Jacobson warned that 'the convergence of AI-enabled fraud and customer-friendly policies has created a perfect storm for the retail sector'.

'Proactive, risk-based strategies are essential to protect against evolving threats, maintain regulatory compliance and preserve customer trust,' the firm said.

'The cost of inaction is high  retailers must act fast to safeguard their businesses.'

Graham Wynn, assistant director of business and regulation at the British Retail Consortium, told The Times: 'Using AI to alter images with the intention of fraudulently obtaining refunds is illegal under the Fraud Act 2006 and retailers will take necessary measures where such fraud is uncovered.'

A spokesperson for Just Eat said: 'To protect our partners from fraudulent claims we use robust tools to determine if refund requests are genuine. We are continually updating the checks we have in place.'

Deliveroo declined to comment. The Daily Mail has contacted Uber Eats for comment.

In October, the Mail reported how Chinese firms are using fake photos and backstories of so-called family-run UK businesses to dupe British shoppers into parting with their cash.

We uncovered four separate websites that present themselves as a wholesome mother-and-daughter clothing businesses but are actually using identical AI generated images with false stories to lure in customers.

'June and Wren', 'Carol and Emily', 'Mabel and Daisy' and 'Olivia and Ivy' all claim to have been started based off of 'family love' and to make 'women feel confident'.

However, customers have told of feeling 'completely ripped off' after thinking they were buying from quaint independent boutiques in England - only to receive cheap, mass-produced items shipped from warehouses in East Asia.

Lawyers says people are 'getting more sophisticated in the tools that they're using' to fabricate claims to companies such as UberEats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo.

The businesses have received hundreds of one-star reviews on Trustpilot, with furious customers complaining they paid premium prices for shoddy goods and were then hit with 'extortionate' return fees.

Sara Black said: 'Would have loved to give zero stars this 'company' is an absolute scam.

'Ordered a 'wool' jumper and when it eventually arrived was what can only be described as cheap crimplene definitely not to be worn near a naked flame.'

While Mary Maguire added: 'AVOID. Poor quality items, nothing like as described on the website. Tracking revealed apparently shipped from China.'
A 'predatory' Lance Corporal in the prestigious Household Cavalry who pinned down a 17-year-old soldier and bit her neck after inviting her over to watch a film has been jailed.

Experienced Lance Corporal Mark James, 29, had invited the junior soldier over to watch a film but pounced on her when she tried to leave, a court martial heard.

LCpl James initially grabbed her breasts and thigh, then when she tried to leave, he pinned her down, bit her neck, and told her that's how he 'did it to the girls' as he lifted her legs.

The young soldier regarded LCpl James as a friend and said that her 'trust' in other men had been broken by his 'predatory' behaviour.

LCpl James was sentenced to 22 weeks' service detention and dismissed from the military at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire.

Assistant Judge Advocate General John Atwill said: 'You invited a female colleague over to watch a movie together.

'You were friends, but having watched the movie, you grabbed her breasts and you grabbed her thigh.

'She made to leave but you pinned her back and you bit her on the neck. You lifted her legs, telling her that was how you did it to the girls.'

Experienced Lance Corporal Mark James (pictured outside Bulford Military Court), 29, had invited the junior soldier over to watch a film but pounced on her when she tried to leave, a court martial heard

LCpl James pleaded not guilty to sexual assault but was found guilty after trial.

Judge Atwill said he had taken 'no responsibility' for his actions but had acknowledged the effect an offence like this may have on someone's life.

Sentencing LCpl James, Judge Atwill said: 'This offence is so serious that the least sentence we can give is 22 weeks.

'Offences like these undermine trust, and they fracture units. You made an awful decision that day. That woman was entitled to your respect and you failed her and your unit.

'Predatory behaviour like this drives young people out of the service.'

Prosecuting, Graham Coombes, read out a statement from the victim which said: 'I regarded you as a friend. You were one of the initial people I spoke to.

'I was quite an outgoing and chatty person. There was never any flirting. I never gave you the impression I wanted anything more. There was no special connection between us.

'I met you as a 17-year-old female ready to serve in the army, but that day, you took something from me - trust. I am now not that chatty, sociable person.

'As a young female, I should be out enjoying myself, but I have no trust. With males I have not met before, I don't feel I can trust them.

'Even in my block and my room, I make sure my door is locked. Working around camp, I try not to be alone. I knew you were still on camp and this made me feel sick.

'I was so close to leaving the army, but I will not give you the satisfaction of thinking you destroyed me. I have been promoted and will be moving out of the area. I will not let what you did define me.'

LCpl James was sentenced to 22 weeks' service detention and dismissed from the military at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire (pictured)

Mr Coombes said that LCpl James had been awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal whilst serving in the military.

He added that he had a child, but was not in contact with the child's mother.

Mitigating, John Dyer said that LCpl James had been in the service for 12 years and had no prior convictions.

He said: 'He has done 12 years of service. One can say that he was set tasks and meeting them, and getting medals, and he was moving along brilliantly for someone who had seen his father murdered in front of him aged three in Jamaica.'

He said that he had attempted suicide during the court proceedings.

He added that he had nowhere to live in the UK and had understood that dismissal was 'unavoidable' for this offence.

LCpl James was sentenced to 22 weeks in service detention, dismissed from the military, and registered on the sex offenders list for five years.
A total of 41,472 migrants arrived in the UK in 2025 after crossing the English Channel, the second highest annual figure on record, putting paid to Keir Starmer's vow to smash smuggling gangs and cut small boat crossings.

The Home Office confirmed on Thursday that no migrants made the journey on New Year's Eve meaning the overall number of arrivals last year finished 9 per cent below the all-time high of 45,774 in 2022.

Embarrassingly for the Government, the total for 2025 was 13 per cent higher than the figure for 2024, when 36,816 migrants made the journey, and 41 per cent higher than 2023's total of 29,437.

More and more people seeking asylum are packing themselves into boats, with an average of 62 arrivals per boat last year, up from 53 in 2024 and 49 in 2022.

Keir Starmer is also less than 1,000 migrants away from an unwanted record - having the most people cross the Channel in his premiership after less than two years.

As of yesterday, 64,714 people have made the journey after 545 days in office, at a rate of 118 a day. Boris Johnson saw 65,676 people cross during his time in Government after 1,140 days - an average of just 57 a day.

The Conservatives and Reform have both blasted Labour's failure to tackle the growing small boats crisis and to deport those who arrive illegally, blaming Starmer's reluctance to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'Small boat crossings are the inevitable product of a system that guarantees entry and obstructs removal.

'As long as the ECHR sits at the centre of our asylum system, illegal immigration is effectively hardwired in. Until Labour confront that reality, nothing they announce will ever change the outcome.

'There is no deterrent and anyone who crosses the Channel know they can invoke human rights law and remain indefinitely. Labour lack the backbone to confront that truth.'

The number of migrants making crossings to Britain was the second highest on record in 2025 (pictured: people rushing to a smuggler's boat in August)

Keir Starmer is now just 1,000 migrants short of an unenviable record: the most people crossing by small boat of any Prime Minister since the crisis began in 2018

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Sir Keir Starmer's plan to 'smash the gangs' had been 'a complete disaster' and the 'one in, one out' deal with France is a 'farce'.

'The numbers coming over are huge,' he said. 'Many of the young men that have arrived last year will do us great harm.'

For much of 2025, the number of arrivals was running at the highest level since data on Channel crossings was first published in 2018.

But the pace slowed during the last two months of the year and there were long periods when no migrants arrived, including a 28-day run from November 15 to December 12.

The Government faced increasing pressure in 2025 to tackle the number of migrants making the hazardous journey across the Channel, having won the general election in July 2024 vowing to 'smash the gangs' of people-smugglers who organise crossings.

The UK's Border Security Commander, Martin Hewitt, tasked with curbing Channel crossings, told MPs in October that the number of arrivals in 2025 is 'frustrating' but that work to stop the smuggling route was 'always going to take time'.

Labour has introduced new laws in its bid to curtail small boat crossings: time will tell whether they yield any results.

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act became law in December, which introduces new criminal offences and allows law enforcement agencies to use counter terror-style powers to crack down on people-smuggling gangs.

In November, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also 'the most significant changes to our asylum system in modern times' with a raft of reforms that, she said, would deter people from coming to the UK and make it easier to deport them.

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Migrants are seen being taken from a Border Force patrol boat on December 20 2025 - one of the last days a crossing was made last year

People run to board a smuggler's boat in Gravelines, France, in August last year. The Government is under pressure to cut the number of crossings

Under changes inspired by the Danish system, refugee status will become temporary with regular reviews every 30 months, and refugees will be forced to wait 20 years for permanent settlement in the UK, up from five years currently.

But the plans, which are yet to be introduced under legislation, sparked a backlash from a number of Labour MPs who saw the proposals as something akin to that mooted by Nigel Farage and Reform UK.

Meanwhile, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the measures did not go far enough, adding that leaving the ECHR was necessary to address the problem. The Tories have vowed to deport 150,000 people a year if they return to power.

Both the Conservatives and Reform UK have pressed the Government on quitting the human rights treaty as a way to tackle illegal immigration, as it has been used by many asylum seekers in order to fight appeals against deportation.

Labour has insisted it will not leave the ECHR and instead seek to adjust how immigration cases are interpreted in UK law.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy also met ministers from ECHR member states last month, who agreed to consider reforming the treaty to address illegal migration.

International cooperation has also formed part of the Government's strategy, such as through the 'one in, one out' returns deal with France that came into force in August.

Under the pilot scheme people who arrive in the UK by small boat can be detained and returned to France, in exchange for an equivalent number of people who apply through a safe and legal route.

On December 16, border security minister Alex Norris told peers that 193 migrants had been sent back to France and 195 had arrived in the UK under the returns deal so far, aimed at deterring people making the dangerous journey across the Channel.

But the scheme has drawn criticism as being 'no deterrent at all' by shadow home secretary Chris Philp, amid cases of two migrants returning to the UK after being removed to France under the deal. They have since been deported again.

In recent days, French police have also refused to interfere with boats leaving France to make for England after the country's top policing union told its members they could be held liable for the deaths of any migrants as a result.

A source at the French interior ministry told The Mail on Sunday: 'The police want guarantees that there will be no prosecutions in case of death or injury, but prosecutors say that is impossible.'

At least 17 people died while attempting the journey last year, according to reports by French and UK authorities, but there is no official record of fatalities in the Channel.

A police officer enters the water trying to stop a man from boarding a boat in Gravelines, France in June 2025. Recently, officers have refused to interfere with boats over fears they will be held liable for any fatalities

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (pictured in August) has vowed to take Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights if she wins power

The International Organisation for Migration has reported several more migrant deaths of 36 people, which are believed to be linked to attempts to travel from mainland Europe to the UK.

Reacting to the total number of Channel crossings for 2025, Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: 'Most men, women and children taking these journeys have fled oppressive regimes like the Taliban in Afghanistan and brutal civil wars in countries like Sudan.

'No-one risks their life on a flimsy boat in the Channel except out of desperation to be safe in a country where they have family or community connections.

'It's right the Government wants to stop Channel crossings but plans that will punish people found to be refugees are unfair and not an effective deterrent.'

He added that there needs to be a 'multi-pronged approach', including targeting gangs and international cooperation to ensure refugees can access safe and legal routes - something Ms Mahmood has included in plans to overhaul the asylum system.

The Home Secretary's asylum reforms could also end the Government's legal duty to provide asylum seeker support, which means housing and weekly allowances for asylum seekers will not be guaranteed.

The Government has promised to end the housing of asylum seekers in hotels by 2029 amid mounting pressure over rising costs and a backlash in local communities.

A wave of protests took place over the summer centred particularly around the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, after an asylum seeker who had arrived by small boat in the UK and was temporarily housed there was charged and later jailed and deported for sexually assaulting a woman and 14-year-old girl.
A thug left his ex-girlfriend paralysed when he pushed her over a banister because she refused to give him a New Year's kiss.

Barry Shankly, 45, had subjected Janine Kazmi, 38, to months of 'controlling and violent behaviour' before breaking her spine when he shoved her over a banister.

The brute tried to cover up his sickening actions with lies by telling Ms Kazmi she fell by accident at his home in Dalmarnock, Scotland, after she woke up in hospital and had temporary memory loss.

Ms Kazmi, who has been left wheelchair-bound for the rest of her life, though would eventually remember what truly happened and reported the coward to police.

Shankly was found guilty of engaging in a course of conduct which was abusive of his partner or ex-partner at Glasgow High Court in July 2024 and sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Ms Kazmi, a peer support worker, said: 'I'll never walk again and I'm not able to have kids due to my injury.

'Not only did he take away my life, but he stopped another one happening.

'I never imaged my life this way, but you've got to put in the work - mentally and physically.'

Janine Kazmi, 38, has been left wheelchair-bound for the rest of her life after her thug ex-boyfriend Barry Shankly pushed her over a banister when she refused to give him a New Year's kiss

Shankly, 45, had subjected the peer support worker to months of violent and controlling behaviour

She met Shankly on a dating site October 2016, while she was living and working in Thailand.

The pair began a long-distance relationship, until Shankly invited Ms Kazmi to move into his flat in Glasgow, Scotland, in September 2019.

But she began experiencing increasing 'controlling' behaviour from Shankly.

She said: 'He checked my phone and locked me in the flat. I wasn't allowed friends - he isolated me from everyone.'

Things escalated during a trip to Lisbon, Portugal, in January 2020, when Shankly 'stamped on her mobile' and 'pushed' her over - causing her to fall and hit her head.

She said: 'It was meant to be a happy time, but I was pushed, pulled, threatened. He promised it wouldn't happen again, and I fell for his lies.'

In October 2020, Ms Kazmi decided to end things and claims she 'reluctantly' remained friends with Shankly.

Two months later, he invited her to spend New Year's Eve with him and attempted to kiss her on the stairs of his house as she left.

The brute tried to cover up his sickening actions with lies by telling Ms Kazmi she fell by accident at his home in Dalmarnock, Scotland, after she woke up in hospital and had temporary memory loss

She met Shankly on a dating site October 2016, while she was living and working in Thailand

Doctors told her she had fractured her spine between the 23rd and 25th vertebrae and would be left paraplegic

She said: 'I didn't really want to be friends, but was easier than dealing with him unhappy.

'That night, I told him our relationship wasn't like that anymore and he pushed me. On impact, apparently, I was coherent - it must have been the shock and adrenaline.

'But I lost consciousness and woke-up in hospital with no memory of the fall.'

Ms Kazmi was admitted to Glasgow Royal Infirmary and underwent surgery on her spine on January 6, 2021.

She was dealt another blow when doctors told her she had fractured her spine between the 23rd and 25th vertebrae and would be left paraplegic.

She said: 'I was on my own when I got the news. I was devastated. My life changed in an instant.'

Shankly visited her in hospital and 'fed' her 'lies' about the fall. But Ms Kazmi began to regain her memory of the night and gave a statement to the police.

She said: 'He said I was sat on the banister on the phone when I fell off. But my memory started coming back and I knew there was no phone call.

'He was telling people different things and it didn't add up.'

She was eventually transferred to The London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Stanmore, London, for rehabilitation.

Shankly was arrested and pleaded not guilty to engaging in a course of conduct which was abusive of his partner or ex-partner between September 2019 and May 2021.

The case went to High Court, Glasgow, in July 2024 and Janine joined via video link from Southend Court, Basildon, London, to give her evidence.

Shankly was found guilty of the charges and jailed for a 14-year extended sentence with 13 years being spent behind bars.

Ms Kazmi went on to spend two years living in temporary housing between 2021-2023 that was 'inaccessible' while waiting for a permanent property.

She eventually got her own council property, but claims it took a further two years for adjustments to be made before moving in.

Ms Kazmi is now a strong advocate for disability rights after finding herself 'stuck' in inaccessible housing while waiting to adaptions to her council property in South-End-on-Sea, Essex.

She said: 'I had to pursue them to get it sorted. I didn't have a suitable bathroom or kitchen for years.

Ms Kazmi (pictured before the injury) went on to spend two years living in temporary housing between 2021-2023 that was 'inaccessible' while waiting for a permanent property

'It was so degrading - he's in prison but at least he had access to a toilet.'

Ms Kazmi is now hoping to help other survivors of domestic abuse by encouraging people to 'speak out'.

She said: 'If anyone asks me about my disability, I tell them what happened. I'm not ashamed - it's important to spread awareness.

'Suicide rates in people with spinal injuries is high. If you don't see improvements in the first five years, it's unlikely you ever will.

'That's too hard for some people to get their head around. It's bloody hard, but there is life after a spinal injury.'

Cllr Anne Jones, cabinet member for Housing and communities, said: 'We are committed to supporting residents with disabilities and ensuring they have access to housing that meets their needs. We understand how important it is for homes to be safe, accessible, and suitable for everyday living.

'For privacy reasons, we are unable to comment on individual cases. However, all adaptations and adjustments are carried out in line with legal requirements, and we continue to review our processes to improve the experience for all residents.'
Brits are being warned that taking part in Dry January could deal a fatal blow to thousands of pubs.

An average of one pub closed every day in 2025, with almost 2,000 shutting permanently over the past five years, data from global tax firm Ryan reveals.

Industry leaders say the Chancellor's November Budget has piled pressure on the sector, with higher business rates and another rise in the minimum wage.

However, one in ten adults plans to avoid alcohol this month, according to YouGov, raising fears that some landlords simply will not survive throughout January.

'January is always the toughest month,' Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, told the Telegraph.

'The main problem going into this January is less about traditional cutting back for health reasons and more that the costs of running businesses are going up and up and up.

'There are a lot of businesses looking ahead to April and the changes that are coming to business rates and are making decisions now about whether or not they are going to be viable.'

London pub operator Clive Watson warned that Dry January risks turning pubs into ghost towns, saying it is vital 'to make sure the pub doesnt become a no-go zone'.

An average of one pub closed every day in 2025, with almost 2,000 disappearing permanently over the past five years, data from global tax firm Ryan reveals

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Emma McClarkin, of the British Beer and Pub Association, urged customers to continue to visit their local pub even if they are skipping alcoholic drinks.

According to UKHospitality, pub business rates will rise by an average of 76 per cent, while hotels face increases of more than 100 per cent.

At the same time, the minimum wage for 18 to 20-year-olds will jump 8.5 per cent to 10.85 an hour, which will be particularly challenging for the industry that relies heavily on younger staff.

Since Labour took office in July 2024, nearly 120,000 jobs have been lost from the accommodation and food sector, payroll tax data shows.

The number of pubs operating in the UK has now fallen to 38,623, down from more than 40,600 in 2020. The East Midlands has suffered the biggest losses, at 69 pubs.

Alex Probyn, who works for Ryan, said: This data should serve as a wake-up call. It reflects deep structural pressures on pubs. Many survived the pandemic through resilience and community support, only to be pushed to the brink by rising costs and a rating system that no longer reflects economic reality.

The Treasury insisted pubs are being protected, pointing to a 4.3 billion support package announced in the Budget.

A spokesman said: 'Without this support, pubs would face a 45pc increase in the total bills they pay next year. Because of the support weve put in place, weve got that down to just 4pc.

'This comes on top of our efforts to ease licencing to help more venues offer pavement drinks and put on one-off events, maintaining our cut to alcohol duty on draught pints, and capping corporation tax.'
Ministers are set to clash with backbenchers over plans to scale down the legal rights of children with less severe special needs.

Currently, families of children with any kind of need are able to fight councils to obtain a legal document guaranteeing them expensive interventions.

A rise in diagnoses of milder cases of ADHD and autism has clogged up the system, meaning those with severe issues such as blindness are facing long waiting times.

However, Government sources say that in future, only those with the most profound needs will be able to take the legal route.

All other cases will be dealt with at school level, with extra money being given to heads to lay on more special needs provision.

The plan, anticipated to be unveiled by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in an up-coming white paper, is likely to prompt a rebellion from backbench Labour MPs.

Today, Helen Hayes, Labour MP and chair of the Commons Education Select Committee, said: 'A primary challenge for the Government is the urgent need to rebuild the trust and confidence of parents and carers, which is currently broken. Our assessment is that any erosion of current rights and entitlements will simply undermine confidence further and that the Government should not therefore go down this route.

Last year, Labour backbenchers forced a U-turn on cuts to the welfare budget, and experts have previously said special needs reform could suffer a similar fate.

Ministers are set to clash with backbenchers over plans to scale down the legal rights of children with less severe special needs (pictured: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson)

The plans, leaked by sources to The Times, come amid a crisis in the special educational needs and disabilities (Send) system, with many councils on the brink of financial collapse.

Spending by councils on Send has doubled to almost 13 billion since 2016 and is forecast to almost double again by 2031 without reform.

It is down to the number of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) almost doubling to 430,000 in the same period.

EHCPs are legal documents entitling the holder to guaranteed taxpayer-funded help, but were only intended for severe cases when they were introduced in 2014.

However, now children with more moderate needs are also on waiting lists to get them, because their parents do not feel support is available at their schools.

Under the new proposals, the legal rights granted to these parents over their child's support would be taken over by schools, which would deal with councils and the Government directly.

It is understood the white paper will say the system is unsustainable and forces parents to engage in lengthy legal processes for help.

Officials believe that EHCPs often end up binding taxpayers into funding one-to-one sessions that could be replaced with a teaching assistant for several pupils with special needs in class.

Pupils already receiving special needs support are not expected to be affected by the reforms.

Those deemed to have very complex or acute needs would also be protected, as they are under the present system.

The affected parents are expected to retain a route to appeal against decisions, but this would not involve courts.

Mainstream schools have been allocated 3 billion to improve provision for pupils with Send and will be promised more support before the likely implementation of the reforms in 2028.

Ministers have been keen to stress any reforms would be aimed at improving outcomes, rather than saving money.

A Government source told The Times: Our reforms will ensure that every child has the opportunity to get on in life, whatever their educational needs.

However, it is understood the Government is keen not to strip support from the affected pupils.

The source added: We are very wary of the visuals of hitting disabled children at such a moment of political weakness.'

The Department for Education said: These claims are speculative and do not represent government policy proposals.

'We have launched the biggest national conversation on Send in a generation, with plans being directly shaped by parents, the sector and experts who know the system best. That engagement will drive reforms that protect what families value and fix what isnt working.'

Of the 1.7 million pupils with Send, more than 430,000 have EHCPs, up from 236,806 in 2016. Almost 150,000 children have EHCPs for autism spectrum disorder, triple the figure in 2015.

The number of children who have social, emotional and mental health needs, which include ADHD, has risen from 28,000 to 71,000.

It comes after the Education Select Committee produced proposals for reform of the Send system.

Ms Hayes added today: 'Leaks and speculation about Send are extremely unhelpful, especially for parents and carers who often already live with a huge level of anxiety about the support their children need.

The Education Select Committee has set out our evidence-based proposals on how the Send system can be reformed, and we will assess any proposals the Government publishes against these criteria.'

Last year, Policy Exchange's report, Out of Control, highlighted how EHCPs were being awarded to children with 'relatively mild needs'.

Today, Zachary Marsh, research fellow at the think tank, said: The Government's proposals rightly recognize that the incentives need to change to reduce procedural stress and complexity for families and empower schools to offer flexible support. The Government must make the case that this is the right thing to do - both for the health of the system and the futures of the young people it serves - rather than a simple ploy to cut costs.

However, Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat education spokesman, said today: 'These reports raise serious concerns about the future of support for children with Send. We will look closely at the consultation details - any reforms must genuinely improve support for children and families.

'The Liberal Democrats want to see fundamental reform of a Send system that is clearly broken, one that puts children and families first, invests in early intervention, boosts capacity, and stops private providers profiteering from childrens needs. Send reform must fix what isnt working, not deny support to those who need it.'
An iconic hydroplane that spent decades languishing at the bottom of Coniston Water after a fatal speed record attempt is set to make one last run after being dredged up and restored to its former glory.

The jetpropelled Bluebird K7 set several water speed records at the hands of pilot Donald Campbell in the 1950s and 1960s, reaching an eyeboggling 276 miles per hour thanks to its sleek, aerodynamic body borne out of British engineering.

But Mr Campbell was killed as he pursued a 300mph record on Coniston Water in the Lake District in January 1967.

Despite warnings from Leo Villa, his mechanic and engineer, that K7 was 11 years old and battlescarred after claiming seven records, Campbell pressed ahead with pushing Bluebird some 70mph beyond its designed limits.

As he piloted the vehicle at an estimated 320mph, the vehicle was scooped up into the air, performing a backflip and crashing back to the water below, flipping several times before sinking.

He was carrying out the second of two runs needed to secure the record, after coming up short on the first at 297mph. The impact killed him instantly. He was 45.

Bluebird sank to the bottom some 142 feet below the surface. Only a few relics, including Mr Campbell's teddy bear mascot Mr Whoppit, rose to the surface. The hydroplane  and its pilot  were lost.

It was a tragic end to a life defined by thrillseeking and derringdo: Mr Campbell set water speed world records in various iterations of the Bluebird K7 in 1955, 1956, 1967, 1958 and 1959.

Legendary British hydroplane Bluebird K7 is set to return to Coniston Water for one final run later this year after being fully restored following a fatal crash almost 60 years ago

Daredevil pilot and world record breaker Donald Campbell died in the 1967 crash as he hit an estimated 320mph trying to set a new world record

He became the first  and only  person to set a land and water speed record in the same year, hitting 276mph on Australia's Lake Dumbleyung in December 1964, five months after hitting 403mph on the dry bed of Lake Eyre in the Bluebird CN7 jet car.

The fatal Coniston run had been planned to generate publicity  and funding  for his new rocket car project, Bluebird 1.1, socalled because of the intention to reach 1.1 times the speed of sound.

It would have been his attempt at taking on the Americans, who were running away with world land speed records  but the plan was never to be after that fateful day on Coniston Water.

Makings of a legend: Donald Campbell's speed records 23 July 1955, Ullswater: 202.32mph on water in Bluebird K7

16 November 1955, Lake Mead: 216.20mph on water in Bluebird K7

19 September 1956, Coniston Water: 225.63mph on water in Bluebird K7

7 November 1957, Coniston Water: 239.07mph on water in Bluebird K7

10 November 1958, Coniston Water: 248.62mph on water in Bluebird K7

14 May 1959, Coniston Water: 260.35mph on water in Bluebird K7

17 July 1964, Lake Eyre: 403.10mph on land in Bluebird CN7

31 December 1964, Lake Dumbleyung: 276.33mph on water in Bluebird K7 Advertisement

Bluebird K7 was discovered shortly after the crash - but the recovery proved challenging, and Mr Campbell's family felt it should be left as a memorial.

However, it was eventually recovered 2001, when the majority of the hull was brought back to the surface and restored by a team led by engineer Bill Smith. Mr Campbell's body was also brought up, and finally laid to rest.

Mr Campbell's daughter Gina wished to see the boat displayed at Coniston's Ruskin Museum when it was restored and the family bestowed it to the museum via a trust.

But Bluebird was soon at the centre of a bitter legal battle after Mr Smith sought to claim partownership of the craft, intending to take it across the world as a working vessel postrestoration.

Mr Smith had also sought to trademark the Bluebird name  but a 2024 Intellectual Property Office ruling found he had acted in 'bad faith' following an appeal by Mr Campbell's nephew, Donald Wales.

On losing the right to the name, Mr Smith said: 'He won the day. Big deal.'

Bluebird is now on display at the museum at Coniston, Mr Smith having surrendered the boat.

But behind the scenes, work has been taking place to ensure the boat can have one last run on the water that killed its fearless pilot.

A refurbished BristolSiddeley Orpheus 101 jet engine  similar to that used in 1967  was fitted last year, and engineers are working behind the scenes to ensure the craft is ready to finish its final run on Coniston Water.

Engineers from Babcock International are supporting the project, carrying out technical inspections so proceedings go off without a hitch.

Donald Campbell at the helm of Bluebird. He brought the hydroplane back for a final run against his mechanic's advice as he sought sponsors for a new land record car

Campbell hit 297mph on his first run - and may have hit 320mph trying to ensure he reached a 300mph average before disaster struck (pictured on the fateful run)

Bluebird's engine flamed out and the vehicle was scooped into the air after its aerodynamics failed to keep it on the water

The hull - and Campbell's body - were left beneath the surface of Coniston Water for decades until both were recovered in 2001 (pictured: Bill Smith, who led the restoration before controversially seeking to claim part-ownership)

Lake District National Park bosses have given permission has been given for the boat to breach the lake's 10mph speed limit by for the run, which is set to take place in May.

It will be piloted by Dave Warby, son of water speed worldrecord holder Ken Warby, who hit 317mph on Blowering Dam in Australia in 1978.

However, there will be no record run: it is likely Bluebird will hit speeds of around 150mph, as it did in 2018 when first refloated on Loch Fad on Scotland's Isle of Bute.

Mr Campbell's daughter Gina said of the run: 'My father would be delighted and pleased that the exemption has been approved, and I know that the Ruskin Museum and the people of Coniston will get behind it.'

Significant numbers are expected to turn out for the final run: traffic management plans are already being drawn up to avoid disrupting life for locals.

And there's additional poignancy: the event comes just a few months before the 70th anniversary of Mr Campbell's first water speed world record on Coniston Water, which he set at 225mph in September 1956.

Tracy Hodgson, director of the Coniston museum, says it will be a fitting final tribute to Mr Campbell.

She told The Times: 'People use the word "legend" and he was. He was a pioneer, breaking records that people had never attempted before. We want to promote his legacy and let future generations know about what he did.'

Exactly how Bluebird came to take off during its run and crash into a solid wall of water at 300mph is debated to this day.

Experts have theorised that Bluebird may have been inadequately fuelled: its engine 'flamed out', causing a sudden destabilisation of the bows, but how this came to be is not a foregone conclusion.

Bluebird was meticulously restored by a team led by Smith (right) with the blessing of Campbell's daughter Gina (centre, with mascot Mr Whoppit). It was then refloated with pilot Ted Walsh (left) at the helm

Ted Walsh takes Bluebird up to 150mph on Loch Fad on the Isle of Bute in 2018. Similar speeds are expected when it returns to Coniston in May

Bluebird was returned to Coniston's Ruskin Museum in 2024 after the legal dispute came to an end (pictured: its delivery to the Lake District)

Bluebird will be piloted on Coniston Water by David Warby (left), son of current water speed world record holder Ken Warby (right)

Mr Campbell may have pushed the craft beyond its aerodynamic limits as he sought to surpass his own records. He was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct posthumously for his 'courage and determination' in seeking a new record.

A newer leading theory, as suggested in 2012 book Donald Campbell, Bluebird and The Final Record Attempt, is that the perfect aerodynamic symmetry of the hydroplane had been damaged after Mr Campbell struck a duck the day before.

Framebyframe analysis of footage suggested that the damage caused by the collision may have been enough to upset Bluebird's stability: that, combined with the flame out, could have led to the fatal uplift.

Regardless, Bluebird's legacy as an aweinspiring craft is assured, and will be capped off with a final run in four months' time.

And even after it returns to the Ruskin Museum to be displayed forever more, it will continue to speak to the Speed Ace's desire to push the limits of the possible  whatever the cost.
Irish rap trio Kneecap has vowed they will 'not be silent' and moaned 'the Brits are at it again' ahead of a further legal challenge over a court's decision to throw out the terrorism case against rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh.

The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was accused of displaying a flag in support of the proscribed terrorist group Hezbollah at a gig in November 2024.

O hAnnaidh was prosecuted over the alleged incident until a technical error in the way he was charged led to the chief magistrate ruling he could not try the case.

He had been charged with 'arousing reasonable suspicion' he had supported a proscribed organisation under terrorism legislation in relation to the concert at the O2 Forum Kentish Town.

But at court, his defence lawyers argued that the charge should be thrown out because the Attorney General, Richard Hermer, did not officially grant formal approval before police charged Mr O hAnnaidh with a terrorism-related offence on May 21.

The charge was thrown out but the CPS announced in October that it planned to appeal the ruling.

Today, the rap trio - O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh - said in a post on X that the Government has issued them with a notice that it intends to appeal against the court's decision.

In the X post, Kneecap said: 'The Brits are at it again... The British government has issued us notice that they will appeal the decision of their own magistrates court to throw out the case against Mo Chara.

Rap trio Kneecap, made up of Liam Og O hAnnaidh (centre), JJ O Dochartaigh (left) and Naoise O Caireallain (back right, in sunglasses) said today they will not remain silent over the CPS plans to appeal the dismissal of the terror charge

Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was accused of displaying a flag in support of the terrorist group Hezbollah at a gig in November last year

'It is the view of our legal team that there is not an iota of logic for this, it is without any sound legal basis.

'It is another flailing arm to distract from, and to try and silence those who stand on the right side of history as they are complicit.

'As Israel today moves to ban charitable organisations providing lifesaving aid and primitive shelter to millions, the British state once again turns to vilify those who oppose genocide.

'It will be heard on Jan 14th at the High Court, Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London.

'We will not be silent. Free Palestine.'

Previously ruling the charge should be thrown out, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said the proceedings were 'invalid' and 'unlawful' as the charging decision was made by blundering Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) officials before the correct permissions had been sought.

There were cheers at Woolwich Crown Court as the case, which focussed on a video which allegedly also saw the rapper chant 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah', was dismissed.

In his judgment, Mr Goldspring said: 'These proceedings were instituted unlawfully and are null.'

Videos emerged of a Kneecap gig at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London in November 2024 where one of the band members allegedly shouted 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah', and was draped in a flag said to be in support of Hezbollah

Kneecap have shared pictures online of them reading a book about Hezbollah, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK

The senior district judge added that the CPS, funded by the taxpayer, should have to pay for Mr O hAnnaidh's legal costs because proceedings were unlawful.

O hAnnaidh was supported by an Irish translator throughout court proceedings.

Announcing plans to appeal, the Crown Prosecution Service said it would take action because 'we believe there is an important point of law which needs to be clarified'.

It is understood the CPS was under the impression that permission only had to be sought before the charged individual's first court hearing.

The group has also caused controversy after video footage emerged in April of one of its members telling an audience to 'kill your local MP' during a gig in November 2023.

They told the crowd: 'We're still under British occupation in Ireland.

'We still have old men in London making decisions that affect my life in Ireland. And even worse, they're f***ing Tories.

'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.'
Sharon Osbourne breaks down in tears as she takes to the stage at the 2026 Grammys for Yungblud's win as he honours 'idol' Ozzy Osbourne - six months on from his tragic death


A Minnesota daycare worker who said enrollment documents were stolen from his facility was accused of wearing $2,500 glasses at a press conference announcing the burglary.

Nasrulah Mohamed, a manager at Nokomis Daycare Center in Minneapolis, seemed to be wearing a pair of Chrome Hearts Cox Ucker Black frames at a press conference Wednesday discussing the break-in.

Mohamed said Nokomis was broken into after YouTube star Nick Shirley claimed Somali-run daycare centers across the city were fronts for fraud.

He said that enrollment documents, staff paperwork and checkbooks had been taken.

Minnesota has been engulfed by a huge scandal after more than 80 Somali residents were charged with defrauding taxpayer-funded state programs.

Mohamed suggested Nokomis had been targeted as a result. Shirley did not visit Nokomis for his video and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing or impropriety on the part of the facility or Mohamed himself.

At the same press conference, a Somali mother took to the podium and urged the government to provide more support for the state's underfire childcare centers - speaking through an interpreter while making the plea.

'I request that our government supports our childcare centers and stop this heinous crime and this hate that's happening around our state,' Sacdiya Aden said in her native language.

Aden also faced backlash for speaking through an interpreter, identified as Amina Adin, with some critics mocking her for not speaking English directly.

Nasrulah Mohamed, a manager at Nokomis Daycare Center in Minneapolis, said Wednesday that the building had been broken into. He appeared to be wearing $2,500 glasses as he spoke

Other observers noted that cheaper, knock-off versions of the designer brand eyewear were also available

Some conservatives have questioned why taxpayers are funding daycare centers in the first place.

The Minneapolis Police Department confirmed that a break-in occurred at the daycare's address, although a preliminary report found that nothing was stolen.

A subsequent report then detailed the items Mohamed claimed had been taken.

While speaking at the news conference, Mohamed claimed that he and another manager were called to the center Tuesday at 6am to find that a wall had been 'destroyed.'

He alleged the daycare's office was 'broken into' and that vital records had been taken from the facility.

Mohamed said that 'one video made by a specific individual made this all happen' - referring to YouTuber Nick Shirley, who released a viral video claiming the centers weren't actually caring for children and were only a front to collect federal funds.'

'We've been receiving hateful messages through our voice notes threatening us since the past couple of days,' Mohamed said.

A Somali mother who claimed to bring her children to the center said that she 'cannot bring my kids anymore because they are too scared,' in wake of the recent controversy.

Sacdiya Aden spoke in her native tongue as her comments were translated by Amina Adin. She said that she had 'not seen any problem before this time in the childcare center.'

'As a working parent, I don't think that we can leave kids at home and I don't think that is right,' Aden's translator said.

'But having the government say that they are cutting support will be very hurtful,' she added. 'And it will be hard for us to continue working and providing for our families.'

The working mother asked for that 'our government supports our childcare centers,' as she also called for 'the person who did this heinous crime to be caught.'

'I support the government in doing accountability,' Aden said through her translator.

As she spoke, supporters stood behind her with signs that read 'Racism has NO place in childcare' and 'No childcare = No workforce.'

Sacdiya Aden received backlash for speaking in her native tongue, as her comments asking for more support to the centers were translated

The Nokomis daycare center, which holds up to 71 children, has incurred limited violations, per the state's Department of Human Services.

According to its last inspection in October, Nokomis' two violations included failing to provide documentation for a teacher and failing to comply with nutritional requirements.

On Tuesday, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced that federal child care funding for Minnesota would be frozen amid the fraud allegations.

Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O'Neill made the announcement on X, saying that all payments from the Administration for Children and Families would now require justification and a receipt or photo evidence to receive money.

He also claimed to have 'identified the individuals in Nick Shirley's excellent work', while asking Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for a 'comprehensive audit of these centers.'

'We have turned off the money spigot and we are finding the fraud,' O'Neill wrote.

In Shirley's footage, the YouTuber could be seen visiting multiple Somali-run daycares around the Minneapolis area.

Shirley alleged that the centers were empty because they weren't in operation.

The video included several contentious interactions between Shirley and the employees at the daycares.

'They're open seven days a week, 7am to 10pm it says here on their sign, yet there's absolutely nobody here,' he said, while standing outside one facility.

In other instances, workers inside the centers refuse to open the door to Shirley and ask him to leave the premises.
A Connecticut schoolboy was killed after a Tesla Cybertruck plowed into his family's car, with the driver fleeing the scene and leaving tragedy behind.

Malachi James, 14, died on Christmas Day when the car, traveling in the opposite direction, crashed into his family's Toyota Camry as they headed south on Cornwall Street in Hartford.

The collision occurred around 9.18pm, and Malachi was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The driver abandoned the scene on foot and has not been charged in connection with the teen's death so far.

Investigators have spoken to the Cybertruck's owner, though they do not believe that individual was driving.

However, the vehicle had not been reported stolen, according to the Hartford Courant.

'If [Malachi] chose to be a senator, he was going to be the senator that shook every hand,' Spenser McGhee, the teen's uncle, told the outlet. 'If he was a musician, he was going to be a musician that signed an autograph for every fan that stood in front of him.'

McGhee added: 'And we now don't have the opportunity to know what he would have become. That was taken from us.'

Malachi James, 14, died on Christmas Day after a Tesla Cybertruck crashed into his family's car

The fatal collision occurred around 9.18pm when the Tesla car traveling in the opposite direction smashed into the Toyota Camry that Malachi's family was in

Hartford police still have not confirmed who was driving the Tesla car at the time of the crash.

Law enforcement did not offer any clues as to why the driver had left the brutal collision after it occurred.

'We'll ask him when we find him and we will find him,' Lieutenant Aaron Boisvert said last week.

He added that police were 'making strides in identifying' the driver, and that authorities had 'some very good starting points.'

It was not yet known whether drunk driving contributed to the crash, although Boisvert said speed appeared to have played a role.

The Hartford Police Department told the Daily Mail the investigation was still ongoing, as of Thursday morning.

The teen boy's relatives are still searching for justice and answers in wake of the holiday tragedy.

'For the person that did this, I hope they don't think they can run and hide,' McGhee said.

No one has been charged in connection to the teen boy's death so far, as the driver of the Tesla vehicle fled the scene on foot following the fatal accident

Malachi's aunt, Joanna James, said that her family was 'irrevocably shattered on Christmas night when a horrific hitandrun collision tragically claimed the precious life' of her nephew.

She claimed the crash had been 'caused by a reckless driver fleeing from another incident.'

The teen boy had just finished celebrating Christmas with his family and had 'a bright future ahead of him,' his aunt wrote on GoFundMe.

'He was cherished by all who knew him,' she added. 'A loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, godbrother, cousin and friend with an infectious spirit and a wonderful sense of humor. He had a smile that lit up the room.'

The fundraiser in wake of the teen's death had raised about $7,000 of its $7,500 goal, as of Thursday morning.

Funds raised will be used for Malachi's funeral and burial, the family's medical bills and rehab, as well as professional counseling and trauma support.

A separate GoFundMe started by Shanika Bunch, Malachi's cousin, had raised $17,000 of its $20,000 goal. Money will also go towards the teen's funeral.

The teen boy died in the crash and three other family members in the car, including his father, sister and niece, were critically injured and hospitalized

Hartford police still have not confirmed who was driving the Cybertruck at the time of the crash (Stock photo of a Tesla Cybertruck)

'A day meant for love, joy, and celebration became a day of unimaginable heartbreak,' Bunch wrote.

She added: 'There are no words that can fully express the pain our family is experiencing.'

Malachi, a freshman at Middletown High School, was described as a 'a shining light everywhere he went.'

In addition to the teen boy, three other family members in the car were also critically injured.

That included Malachi's father Thomas James, 50, his sister Christiana and his niece Vaniya, three.

The elder James will require multiple complex surgeries for his severe injuries.

Christiana underwent successful surgery for her leg injuries, which required rods to be placed.

Vaniya is in a full body cast and is 'enduring immense pain, but showing incredible resilience,' Malachi's aunt wrote.
The son of two famous California artists was killed after he was fatally pinned by an SUV in in his high school parking lot.

Cosmo Silverman, 15, had just completed his freshman year at Los Angeles' Campbell Hall and was on his way to begin his summer vacation when the tragedy struck in June, a lawsuit filed on Tuesday said.

The teen was crossing through the pickup line's traffic when a Rivian pinned him to a Volvo SUV.

His parents, Adam Silverman and Louise Bonnet, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday claiming the school neglected California law and failed to protect their son.

Campbell Hall is a $54,100-a-year private school which boasts A-list alumni including the Olson twins and actress sisters Elle and Dakota Fanning.

'The Silvermans son was their pride, their hope, their purpose, and in an instant, Campbell Halls negligence shattered the life that embodied everything they cherished,' the complaint, viewed by the Daily Mail, said.

The filing added that the school did not have a crosswalk to allow students to safely cross the pick up line which forced them to cross moving traffic to get to the other side.

The couple allege that Campbell Hall's traffic pattern broke California law which states that, 'vehicle traffic patterns must not interfere with foot traffic patterns.'

Cosmo Silverman had just completed his last day of freshman year and was joyfully leaving Campbell Hall's school grounds to start his summer vacation when he was fatally pinned between a Rivian and another SUV in the parking lot pickup line

His parents, Adam Silverman and Louise Bonnet, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, claiming the school neglected to follow California law and protect their son

His parents alleged that the school only took precautions after their son's death, adding in a crosswalk, stop sign, and fencing afterward (pictured: before the incident (top) and after the incident (bottom)

'Cosmo was one of many students navigating his way through a line of intermittently accelerating and stopping vehicles when he was pinned and killed between a Rivian R1S and a Volvo SUV,' the complaint read.

The school allegedly added a crosswalk, a stop sign, and fencing to prevent students from being struck by cars after Silverman's death, per the complaint.

'Only after Cosmo Silvermans death did it take belated and elementary steps to remedy hazards that had long been apparent and contrary to best practices for maintaining safe school parking lots in California,' the complaint read.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the school and the Silverman family for comment.

The family also alleged that the school had received several complaints about the safety of the parking lot prior to Silverman's death, but the educational institution had failed to be up to code.

'I am so sorry, and my heart is breaking for your family. We have raised issues many times about the safety of the drop-off and pick-up, and the school is on notice and would not change things,' One unidentified parent texted Adam after the incident, the complaint showed.

'Campbell Halls community raised their concerns many times, yet the school ignored them and made no safety improvements,' the complaint alleged.

'Only after Cosmo Silvermans death did Campbell Hall finally attempt to confront the obvious dangers it had previously disregarded.'

The parents are now asking for a trial by jury after they claim their attempts to work with the school outside of the courts were unsuccessful.

A diagram of the parking lot shows the flow of traffic in the pickup lane and that there are no pedestrian walkways available to students

A text included in the complaint showed a parent telling Adam that they had complained on numerous occasions about the dangers of the parking lot

Silverman and other students had been crossing through the pickup line's traffic when the Rivian pinned the boy to the SUV in front of it, killing him

The Silverman family is still reeling from the loss of the young student, described by his dad as the 'most beautiful boy in the world'

'Unfortunately, the schools insurance company refused to meaningfully negotiate or take responsibility, leaving the family with no choice but to file this lawsuit,' the family's lawyer, Robert Glassman, told the Daily Mail.

'This case is about making the school accountable for the significant role its dangerously designed parking lot played in Cosmos death and ensuring that no other family has to endure the same preventable tragedy.'

The Silverman family is still reeling from the loss of the young student, whom his father called the 'most beautiful boy in the world.'

Last month, the father described the last six months without the 'radiant' Silverman as 'impossibly, crushingly sad'.

'No parent should ever have to bury their child,' the complaint read. 'Yet the Silverman family faced that unimaginable reality earlier this year.

'For Adam and Louise, the death of their son was not just the loss of a life, it was the loss of every heartbeat that filled their home with joy, every dream they had watched take shape, and every future moment they had counted on sharing.

'The quiet now is unbearable: an empty chair at dinner, a phone that does not ring, a smile they still expect to see walking through the door.'

Silverman grew up in Los Angeles to artist parents. Adam works with textiles, while Louise's art form is paintings.
Hundreds of swimmers have this morning braved the icy cold water to take part in traditional New Year's Day dips.

More than 200 donned Christmas jumpers and hats, with some kitted out in just swimming costumes as they raced to Whitley Bay, in North Tyneside, to welcome in 2026 as a huge crowd cheered from the promenade.

Meanwhile, in Castle Douglas, Scotland, at least 100 threw themselves into the freezing Loch Ken to take part in the annual Crossmichael Dip amid parts of Britain being gripped by a brutal cold snap.

Jim McLellan, organiser of the 40th annual Crossmichael Dip - which has raised thousands of pounds for charity, has only missed one dip in its history.

He took the plunge alongside other revellers and said: 'It's a great local event and the crowds also turned out to watch.

'The waters here are freezing and the temperature was just under 4C.'

The Met Office today warned swimmers to be aware of huge waves along the eastern coast, while the RNLI said conditions in the water will pose a risk to life from this afternoon.

The news comes after two men tragically went missing during a Christmas Day swim in Budleigh Salterton, Devon.

NORTH TYNESIDE -- More than 200 donned Christmas jumpers and hats, with some kitted out in just swimming costumes as they raced to Whitley Bay this morning to welcome in 2026

NORTH TYNESIDE -- People wore their Christmas outfits as they braved the chilly water

NORTH TYNESIDE -- Hundreds of people took part in the traditional New Year's Day dip

Antiques dealer Matthew Upham, 63, is feared to have lost his life after taking a festive dip alongside a man in his 40s. They both .

James Waters, a volunteer with Tynemouth RNLI, said: 'It will be getting dangerous out there from about midday.

'It's fine for the moment, but it will build for the next couple of days, with 10ft to 11ft swells and that would constitute a risk to life. There are going to be pretty high waves dumping onto the beach, from around midday today until at least Sunday.

'We would warn people not to go into the sea due to the risks.'

Earlier this week, Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade issued a water safety alert which will last until January 3.

It issued a statement which read: 'Over the next few days there will be big waves along our coastline.

'We're issuing a water safety alert as rip currents in our area are likely to be strong along many of the beaches in North Tyneside.

'This year we've had a number of serious incidents where people have nearly drowned due to being caught in a rip current and one very unfortunate drowning at Longsands beach where a non swimmer got pulled out to sea.

RAMSGATE -- A swimmer in a shark costume takes part in a New Year's Day dip

SOUTHEND -- One reveller here is dress as Postman Pat as they took part in the RNLI New Year's Day dip

SOUTHEND -- Others donned their banana outfits as they held hands while in the water

SOUTHEND -- A bearded man is dressed as a pirate

SOUTHEND -- Others turned themselves into human-sized Rubik's cubes

SOUTHEND -- People line up on the seafront ahead of the NYD dip to raise money for charity

'Please be aware of the conditions, and if you're not sure or you're not comfortable, don't go in the sea.

'If you do get caught in a rip, try to swim parallel to shore to escape and if you can't do that 'float to live' and shout for help.'

Warnings have been issued by health chiefs and forecasters over severe wintry conditions that might even feel colder than the icy waters of a New Year's Day dip.

This morning, the Met Office issued additional weather alerts for snow and ice for more parts of the country which will see the mercury dip into the negative early on Friday and Saturday.

Alongside existing warnings for swathes of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the forecaster issued a yellow warning for snow and ice on Saturday covering the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East.

An amber warning for heavy snow showers - meaning disruption is more likely and widespread - has been issued this morning for the Highlands north of Inverness, Moray and the entirety of Aberdeenshire, from 12pm tomorrow until 12pm Saturday.

RAMSGATE -- Swimmers wore just their trunks as they took the plunge in the cold water

RAMSGATE - A swimmer dressed as a nun holds up an inflatable frame as she took part in the New Year's Day dip

NORTHERN IRELAND -- Swimmers take part in the New Year's Day Dip at Benone Beach in Limavady

The Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings for snow and ice covering large parts of the country for Friday

Vehicles could become stranded with snow of up to 10-20cm at low levels and 40cm on high ground; drivers have been warned to prepare a winter kit with clothing, food, water, a blanket and a car charger should they be driving in affected areas.

It's the first amber alert since November, when one such warning was issued for the North East of England - and only the third in the last year.

Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded cold weather health alerts across England to 'amber'  amid concerns that the elderly and vulnerable are more at risk of succumbing to the brutal conditions.

Previous 'yellow' alerts across the Midlands and South have been upgraded to amber  amid expectations that the biting chill is expected to have a substantial impact on health services for some time  alongside alerts in the North.
A popular California-based bakery chain beloved by the likes of Drew Barrymore and Oprah has abruptly shuttered giving staff just one day's notice.

Sprinkles Cupcakes announced it had closed its 20 locations across six states on December 31.

The shock move comes after 20 years in business, during which time it gained a legion of A-list fans including model Gigi Hadid who snacked on the sweet treats to help with her pregnancy cravings.

The company said the decision to close was taken due to 'financial conditions due to unforeseen business circumstances', according to the New York Post.

'The wind-down process will be conducted in an orderly manner to address remaining operational obligations and preserve value to the extent practicable,' a closing notice said.

However, the move has angered staff who claimed they were given just a day's notice of the closure after being relied upon to help manage the busy holiday rush.

Founder, Candace Nelson, who sold the company to private equity firm KarpReilly Capital Partners in 2012, said she was shocked to hear of the closings.

'Even though I sold the company over a decade ago, I still have such a personal connection to it, and this isnt how I thought the story would go,' she said in an Instagram video.

Sprinkles Cupcakes announced it had closed its 20 locations across six states on December 31. It was beloved by many celebrities, including Drew Barrymore (pictured in 2016)

Oprah even promoted the brand on her show, which help boost its cult following

Hillary Duff was also a fan of Sprinkles cupcakes. Pictured: Duff in LA in 2015

'I thought Sprinkles would keep growing and be around forever. I thought it was gonna be my legacy.'

Sprinkles hit the map after launching its 'cupcake ATMs,' although it is unclear what will happen to the sugar-filled vending machines.

The bakery operated more than 20 stores, including in Beverly Hills, where it started, as well as across California. It also had spots in Washington DC, Arizona, Texas, and Florida.

Employees ranted under the company's latest Instagram post, which promoted getting cupcakes to ring in the New Year, about only getting a day's notice about their sudden layoffs.

'Cupcakes are sweet. One-day layoff notices are not,' one wrote.

'One day notice is crazy. Just used us for the holidays then tossed us aside,' another wrote.

Kimberly Salgado, who worked at the Irvine store for three years, told the New York Post: 'They let us be in the dark and spend our Christmas Eve there and work hard during the holidays to get them that holiday profit and then they just dumped us on New Year's Eve.

'That feels like such betrayal to me.'

Join the debate Is it ever justifiable for companies to give employees only one day's notice before shutting down?

In 2017, model Coco Rocha attended an event with her then-infant daughter, who seemed delighted in the sweet treat from the celeb-popular brand

Founder, Candace Nelson, who sold the company to private equity firm KarpReilly Capital Partners in 2012, said she was shocked to hear of the closings

'I thought Sprinkles would keep growing and be around forever. I thought it was gonna be my legacy,' Nelson (right) said

The announcement came as a shock to workers and fans as it had recently announced that it would be expanding the business to the Back Bay area of California.

Nelson first opened Sprinkles in 2005 in Beverly Hills.

Just a year in, Barbra Streisand sent a box of cupcakes to Oprah Winfrey, who talked about the treats on her show.

This launched the company into the stratosphere, and people began lining up outside the shops for the cupcakes topped with a mountain of frosting.

Model Gigi Hadid even revealed in 2020 that Sprinkles Cupcakes were a pregnancy craving of hers and that she ordered a whole box to her house to enjoy.

'Pregnancy is real when u order nationally shipped @sprinkles to be delivered to yourself,' the then-25-year-old wrote.

'@sprinkles do I have to defrost the whole box right when I get it or can I defrost the [cupcakes] one by one to make them last longer?'

In 2017, model Coco Rocha attended an event with her then-infant daughter, who seemed delighted in the sweet treat.

Actress Drew Barrymore even promoted the brand at an event in 2016.

.Sprinkles Cupcakes shuttered all its doors on December 31 after 20 years in business and paved the way for countless copycat style brands

The company was known for its cupcake ATMs which drew lines around the block

She debuted their strawberry shortcake cupcake as part of a charity benefit aimed at helping the United Friends Of The Children, which helps foster children.

Kendall Jenner and friend Hailey Bieber were also seen snacking on the delicacies in 2014 at the Beverly Hills store.

Nelson, for her part, said she was grateful for the fans of the celeb-obsessed brand.

'Im deeply grateful to the fans, customers, and community who showed up, celebrated with us, and made Sprinkles part of their traditions,' Nelson wrote on Instagram.

'And to the team who made it all happen. Ill always be proud of what we built,' she concluded.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Sprinkles and KarpReilly Capital Partners for comment.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper has attacked Donald Trump after the president mocked the Kennedy family hours after the death of JFK's granddaughter.

'In the early afternoon, ET, the Kennedy family announced that JFK's granddaughter Tatiana Schlossberg had died from cancer,' Tapper posted on X on Tuesday.

'A few hours later, President Trump re-posted some social media garbage attacking the Kennedy family.'

Tatiana Schlossberg, 35, the middle child of JFK's daughter Caroline Kennedy, died on Tuesday, a month after she publicly announced her diagnosis with acute myeloid leukemia, a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

The news was shared by the JFK Library Foundation, on behalf of the family, including Tatiana's husband, Dr. George Moran, and their young children, Edwin and Josephine.

Trump did not name Tatiana directly in his social media onslaught, which was directed at the family over its criticism of his renaming the historic Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

The Trump administration rebranded the venue as the Trump-Kennedy Center, sparking fury. The arts and culture site, which opened in 1971, was dedicated as a memorial to JFK following his assassination in Dallas, Texas, in 1963.

Trump shared screenshots on his Truth Social from MAGA supporters attacking the famous political clan, with claims that they had allowed the Kennedy Center to fall into disrepute.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for a New Year's Eve event at his Mar-a-Lago home on December 31, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida

Tatiana Schlossberg attends Intelligencer Live: Our Warmer Future presented by New York Magazine and Brookfield Place on September 05, 2019 in New York City

'The Kennedy Family have LONG neglected the Kennedy Center, btw,' asserted one. 'They don't raise money for it. They never show up. And the only Kennedy who has been there recently is a member of Trump's cabinet.'

'The Trumps have always been supporters of the arts. The Kennedys are supporters of the Kennedys,' claimed another.

Tapper was not alone in criticizing the timing of Trump's posts.

'Just when you think he can't get any lower. He is truly an evil man,' said one X user.

Another wrote: 'The person occupying the White House is a mean, nasty, evil, rotten, disrespectful, thoughtless turd.'

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on December 18 that the Kennedy Center's Board of Directors voted unanimously to rebrand the iconic venue the Trump-Kennedy Center.

It sparked a furious response from the Kennedy clan as well as artists who boycotted performances.

Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty, who serves as an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center board, rejected the White House claim.

Join the debate Was Trump out of line?

Jake Tapper attends the Jake Tapper And Alex Thompson In Conversation With David Remnick: Original Sin - President Biden's 2024 Campaign at 92NY on May 27 in New York City

'For the record. This was not unanimous. I was muted on the call and not allowed to speak or voice my opposition to this move,' Beatty, 75, posted on X. 'Also for the record, this was not on the agenda. This was not consensus. This is censorship.'

Tatiana's brother Jack Schlossberg, Caroline Kennedy's son and a progressive social media star running for Congress in New York, echoed her claim.

Schlossberg stated on X that 'microphones were muted' during the conference call where the board voted, and the outcome was 'NOT unanimous.'

Other members of the Kennedy family expressed their outrage over the renaming.

JFK's niece Maria Shriver fumed: 'Some things leave you speechless, and enraged, and in a state of disbelief. At times such as that, it's better to be quiet.'

Joe Kennedy III, JFK's grandnephew and an ex-Massachusetts Congressman, wrote on X that 'The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law.'

He also noted that 'it can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says.'
Swarms of A-List stars rang in 2026 on the ritzy Caribbean Island of St Barts - and spent much of the evening filming their luxurious surroundings for online clout.

Former supermodel Heidi Klum, 52, was one of the worst offenders. The German clotheshorse shared 17 posts over the course of the evening.

Tousel-haired Klum filmed herself posing coquettishly for a selfie video in a nightclub and showed-off a table groaning with Petrossian caviar, which costs up to $447-a-tin.

The attention-seeking mother-of-five also shared a clip of fireworks exploding over a pretty bay while dance music blared and of husband Tom Kaulitz, 36, swigging from a $2,500 jeroboam of Cristal champagne in a rowdy nightclub.

She shared videos and photos with her guitarist husband and brother-in-law, Bill Kaulitz, from the lavish evening. The Kaulitz brothers are in a German pop-rock band, Tokio Hotel.

Klum spent at least part of the festivities back at Nikki Beach where famed DJ Diplo, 47, performed an exclusive set.

Diplo, real name Thomas Wesley Pentz, also got in on the social media bragging with a photo obviously taken from the deck of a superyacht.

The unidentified boat he was on was moored off St Barts with other superyachts visible. Billionaires Jeff Bezos and David Geffen are among those aboard their vessels for the annual frenzy of celebrations.

Heidi Klum, 52, filmed herself dancing with a pouting middle-aged reveler during a New Year's Eve party in St Barts

The German supermodel was keen to show off lavish tins of Petrossian caviar littering the tables of a venue she attended

Klum's husband Tom Kaulitz, 36, was seen swigging from a jeroboam of Cristal champagne that costs $2,500 as the age-gap pair closed out 2025

Klum also shared a pretty clip of fireworks exploding over St Barts as 2026 kicked-off

Heidi Klum, 52, posted a slew of videos and pictures on social media documenting her lavish New Year's Eve celebration at Nikki Beach in St Barts. She's pictured with husband Tom Kaulitz and her brother-in-law, Bill Kaulitz

The New Year's Eve celebration seemed to round out a fun-filled getaway for Klum. She was spotted on Sunday on a beach topless with her husband.

The supermodel held up a large towel with Kaulitz's face in one cheeky pic she shared on social media.

St Barts was a who's-who all week as A-listers, including Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez, Michael Jordan, and Sam Altman, have been spotted on the island.

Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 56, were previously spotted at Nikki Beach dancing and drinking with dozens of bikini-clad women.

The couple parked their $500 million yacht off the shore of St Barts in a sea of shockingly extravagant celebrity boats.

The rich and famous have a tradition on the island of sounding their foghorns on their mega yachts in unison when the clock strikes 12.

Other celebrities who parked their massive yachts off the coast of St Barts include Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, WhatsApp founder Jan Koum, and Michael Jordan.

Join the debate Is flaunting extreme wealth on social media at luxury hotspots tasteless or just harmless fun?

A breathtaking photo shows a huge flotilla of billionaires' yachts anchored off the coast of St Barts on New Year's Eve 2025

New Zealand billionaire Graeme Hart's yacht Ulysees is pictured off the coast of St Bart's on New Year's Eve

Swiss billionaire Hans Peter Wild's yacht, named Go, is pictured off St Barts on Wednesday

A Benetti gigayacht is pictured off St Barts on Wednesday afternoon ahead of raucous New Year's Eve celebrations

The futuristic-looking No Rush yacht was designed by late fashion king Giorgio Armani and sold to an undisclosed buyer in 2023. It is painted in Armani's signature shade of gray

Walmart owner Nancy Walton Laurie's Kaos yacht is pictured off St Barts on Wednesday

Michael Jordan's M'Brace yacht looked modest in size compared to some of the monster vessels moored off St Barts

Eco-yacht Black Pearl is pictured with its distinctive black sails raised. It was owned by Russian billionaire Oleg Burlakov until his death in 2021 and was inherited by his next of kin

Klum rang in the new year with her younger guitarist husband, Tom Kaulitz, 36, as the two vacationed in St Barts

DJ Diplo, 47, also posted multiple photos on his Instagram stories and seemed to have no shortage of fun on the lavish island

The show-off musician revealed he was aboard one of the many yachts moored of St Barts, with billionaires Jeff Bezos and David Geffen among those sailing nearby

Klum shared images of St Barts' iconic firework show, where people gather on the beach and in their yachts to ring in the new year

Diplo also shared a photo of the island's beautiful coastline during the annual New Year's Eve festival of excess

Locals of the island have shared their annoyance with the gluttonous activities of the ultra-rich on New Year's, with many airing out their grievances online.

One Reddit user who has traveled to the island for 12 years said St Barts has become a magnet for the 'tacky designer crowd.'

Others were shocked at the sea of mega yachts, complaining that they block the view of the beautiful ocean.

Social media users also mercilessly mocked Bezos and Sanchez for their party behavior at Nikki Beach.

Sanchez was filmed in a denim mini skirt and a tight brown top, dancing on her seat and clinging to her phone.

Michael Jordan was rumored to have spent New Year's Eve on St Barts with his $115 million superyacht (pictured in 2023)

US tech billionaire Jeff Bezos's yacht, the Koru (pictured above) was spotted in St Barts as the Amazon founder partied with his wife, Lauren Sanchez at Nikki Beach

Klum has been pictured multiple times enjoying her holiday on the island with her husband and is seen enjoying a topless paddle on December 28

Bezos and Sanchez were mercilessly mocked online for their party behavior ahead of the new year

Bezos watched on in glee as staff served the couple a bottle of champagne with sparklers.

'One of the richest men in the world parading around partying with his 56-year-old teenager wife like a University of Miami fraternity brother,' one reacted on X. 'Exhausting and cringe.'

'These disgusting people could eradicate homelessness across the entire world with their cash and look what they do instead. So tacky and vile,' another added.

'All the money in the world and he's hanging out with teenagers carrying fireworks. Strange life,' wrote a third.
A lawyer who mentored Sir Keir Starmer in the early days of his legal career has blasted the Prime Minister's plans to take a scythe to jury trials.

Edward Fitzgerald KC said it was 'most unfortunate' that Labour was planning to get rid of juries for all but the most serious criminal offences in a bid to cut through the courts backlog.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy is pressing ahead with plans to reduce the need for juries despite widespread opposition from the legal profession, police and crime commissioners and civil liberties groups.

If enacted, the plans will see the number of jury trials cut in half, with only crimes such as murder, robbery and rape tried by a jury. 'Swift courts' would be created within Crown courts, which hear other serious offences, without juries.

Magistrates will also be handed the power to dispense prison sentences of up to 18 months, giving them the power to hear cases for offences where the sentencing guidelines go beyond the existing magistrate limit of one year.

Automatic rights of appeal will also be stripped from defendants - requiring them to seek permission to appeal first - and complex financial and fraud cases will also be stripped of juries to stop jurors from giving up months of their lives.

Ministers say the changes are necessary with the Crown Court backlog set to hit 100,000 cases by 2028 - but critics say they will overwhelm judges and deny defendants the right to be tried before a jury of their peers.

Mr Fitzgerald has gone against his former mentee despite their personal friendship to speak out against the plans.

Keir Starmer's mentor Edward Fitzgerald KC has hit out at Labour's plans to take a scythe to jury trials

He called Sir Keir's government's plans 'most unfortunate', joining a growing chorus of opposition to the proposals

He told The Telegraph today: 'It is most unfortunate the Government has taken this position. Juries should be kept.'

A highly acclaimed silk who was made a CBE in 2008 for his work on human rights, Mr Fitzgerald was among a select few personal friends allowed to welcome Sir Keir into Downing Street in 2024.

He has been widely described as a mentor for the future Prime Minister: Starmer was among the barristers who joined Doughty Street Chambers when it was founded in 1990. Mr Fitzgerald was one of its founding heads.

The pair wrote a book together on how and when to apply the death penalty in countries where it still remains an option for judges in 2008.

His remarks are a double-sting for the PM: Doughty Street Chambers has also publicly criticised the plans, calling them 'wrong in principle' and alleging that there is 'no evidence' they will clear the backlog.

It previously said: 'Trial by jury is a deeply entrenched constitutional principle and anchors our liberal democracy. Jury trials enable people to participate and have a say in their criminal justice system.'

The 'Four Bars' - the associations representing senior lawyers across England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland - slammed the plans earlier this week.

A joint statement signed by all four heads of the groups read: 'There is no evidence that this fundamental change will bring down the existing Crown Court backlog.

'The curtailment of jury trials has predictable negative consequences, including undermining the public's trust and confidence in our criminal justice systems.

'Trial by a jury is long established and respected throughout the common law world for its veneration of democratic ideals, its age, gender and ethnic inclusiveness, and its respect for citizens' and judges' roles in the administration of justice.

'The Four Bars stand as one in opposition to this proposal. Legislation is still some time away - the government has time to listen to the views we express and to change course.'

Mr Fitzgerald (circled) was among personal friends who was welcomed to Downing Street as Sir Keir became Prime Minister

The changes are being pushed through by Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy (pictured in 2025 ahead of being sworn in as Lord Chancellor)

Edward Fitzgerald mentored Keir Starmer for 18 years before he was named Director of Public Prosecutions in 2008 (pictured)

Sir Keir is also facing the threat of a backbench rebellion from his own MPs, many of whom have publicly criticised the proposals.

Thirty-nine Labour MPs signed an open letter last month indicating that they intended to vote down the proposals in the Commons despite the risk of losing the whip.

There is some small relief for the Prime Minister, however.

Mr Fitzgerald, who built a reputation for representing some of Britain's most notorious criminals such as Myra Hindley, Maxine Carr, taxi rapist John Worboys and Abu Hamza, says he still supports his friend in Government.

He added: 'I am a great supporter of Mr Starmer.'

The courts backlog had been falling prior to 2020, but the Covid pandemic saw the backlog rise as courts sought to conduct trials safely.

The Ministry of Justice says its reforms will see the two per cent of prosecutions in England and Wales that go before a jury halved to just one per cent, freeing up resources to process lesser offences quickly.

Yesterday, justice minister Jake Richards sought to defend the reforms as a 'modest change' that would see criminals brought to justice sooner, bringing relief to victims.

He told Times Radio: 'I'll tell you what is the most dangerous part of undermining trust in our justice system.

'It's the fact that rape victims are having to wait five, six years for their day in court, which means too often those trials never happen.

'Justice is not done, and perpetrators of the most heinous crimes never face justice.'
Newly released surveillance footage captured the moment a United Boeing aircraft skidded off a wet runway in Texas as the pilot panicked in the cockpit.

The United Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX veered off the tarmac after landing in Houston on March 8, 2024.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a trove of documents on Wednesday with new details about the incident.

About 160 passengers were on board the flight that departed from Memphis, and there were no reported injuries. The incident is still under investigation, and the cause has not been determined.

Surveillance footage from George Bush Intercontinental Airport showed the Boeing aircraft unable to slow down on the run and skidding into the grass.

A transcript of cockpit audio also revealed the conversation between Captain Alireza Johartchi and first officer Michael Dickson during the incident.

As the plane touched down on the runway, Johartchi told Dickson, 'I'm gonna roll it to the end' before he apparently struggled to slow the plane.

'Oh my god, I can't believe that happened. God darn it. I am so sorry,' Johartchi said.

New surveillance footage shows the moment a United Boeing 737 MAX skidded while coming into land on a wet runway in 2024

A United Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX veered off the wet runway after landing in Houston on March 8, 2024

Newly released National Transportation Safety Board revealed the pilot's cockpit conversation after the incident

The captain apologized to Dickson several times and asked the flight attendants whether any passengers were injured.

Johartchi said, 'Can't believe I did this', 'Sorry, man, to get you into this mess,' and 'Oh God, this is crazy.'

He also told Dickson, 'I thought it was gonna stop. Dude, I am so frickin' sorry to get you in this. I am so sorry.'

An NTSB performance study determined the Boeing 737-8 MAX failed to decelerate sufficiently before trying to exit the runway, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Investigators found the plane did not slow down because the crew eased off the key braking systems on the wet runway.

The speed brakes retracted after the plane touched down, which disengaged the automatic brakes, and reverse thrust was later reduced, making it harder to slow the aircraft.

The plane ended up lying flat on its wings on grass by the side of the runway and passengers were forced to deboard from an emergency gate ladder.

'The plane's left main landing gear departed the paved surface and contacted a concrete structure that was recessed into the ground, resulting in its separation,' the NTSB said in a preliminary report.

The cockpit audio also showed that Johartchi was concerned about disciplinary action and about the incident being discussed on social media.

Join the debate Should pilots face tougher consequences when cockpit mistakes risk passengers' lives?

About 160 passengers were on board the flight that departed from Memphis, and there were no reported injuries

'Ah we're gonna be all over the social media... frickin people man, taking videos,' he said as the passengers waited on the tarmac.

It also appeared that Johartchi told Dickson not to discuss anything while on the plane.

'So at this point we can't discuss anything with anybody, right?' Dickson, then 39, asked.

Johartchi, who was aged 61 at the time of the incident, replied, 'Nope.'
A Texas couple who sold themselves as Chip and Joanna Gaines-style homebuilders secretly scammed customers out of millions by taking payments to build dream homes they never planned to finish.

Christopher and Raquelle Judge, of Fort Worth, marketed themselves as a custom homebuilding and remodeling business  only to pocket their clients' cash instead.

Christopher, 35, pled guilty to a wire fraud conspiracy charge on Tuesday after Raquelle, 36, did so earlier this month, admitting they defrauded more than 40 customers of approximately $4.8million.

Instead of using the money to complete the promised construction projects, the Judges diverted the funds for personal use between August 2020 and January 2023.

That included $96,000 on building their luxurious $613,000 home, $65,000 on legal fees, $38,000 on rent and mortgage payments, and $10,000 on unspecified plastic surgery procedures, according to prosecutors.

The couple also used the fraudulent funds to pay for Amazon purchases, personal credit cards, tuition fees and 'luxury items.'

Christopher faces up to 20 years in federal prison, while Raquelle can only receive a maximum sentence of five years.

Christopher and Raquelle Judge pled guilty to wire fraud conspiracy. They marketed themselves as a custom architecture business, only to pocket their clients' money

The Judges spent $96,000 on building their home, $65,000 on civil legal fees, $38,000 on rent and mortgage payments, and $10,000 on plastic surgery

An indictment filed September 3 in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas detailed how the married couple stole millions of dollars.

The Judges offered architecture, construction, and interior design services online under a company called Judge DFW.

Christopher falsely advertised his services as an architect on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Once a potential customer got in touch to build or remodel a home, Christopher would submit a belowmarket bid for the project and promise that it would be completed within four to six months.

After securing a client, the Judges asked for money to be transferred to a business bank account  only for the husband and wife to move the funds into other accounts for their own expenses.

The Judges never intended to finish the custom home projects, per the indictment.

Instead, they would do 'partial work' to induce the victims to keep making payments, effectively funding their luxury lifestyle.

In total, prosecutors said that the married couple received $4.8million from customers for the unfinished projects

The Judges would use their customers' money for their own expenses, according to prosecutors. Their $613,000 home in Texas is pictured

The couple would hire subcontractors of a 'substandard' quality to perform minimal reforms and then not pay them, per the indictment.

If customers raised concerns about the delays in construction, the Judges would 'make excuses' to ensure that the money kept coming in.

The end result was that customers were often left without a completed residence to live in.

At least 24 construction projects, none of which were ever completed, were used to carry out the scam.

One use of the funds was for their own home, per the indictment. The judges live in a $613,000 home in Keller, Texas.

Customers were assured 'that problems and delays in construction would be corrected and that the project would be completed on time if [they] continued to make their installment payments,' according to prosecutors.

The indictment showed how the husband and wife received thousands of dollars  adding up to millions  from unsuspecting homeowners in Texas.

The Texas husband and wife scammed homeowners in their state of thousands of dollars, as the indictment showed

The Judges billed themselves as Chip and Joanna Gaines-style homebuilders to more than 40 unsuspecting homeowners

One individual in Justin made 13 payments for a total of $263,240, federal prosecutors showed.

Another person paid the Judges #436,310 over 12 installments for a project in Decatur.

As the Judges ran their custom home projects scam, questions were raised about Christopher's purported background as an architect, realtor and builder.

In May 2022, the Texas Board of Architecture got involved by issuing him a 'formal warning' for misrepresenting his profession.

However, that did little to deter the Judges  who continued falsely advertising and enriching themselves until January 2023.

The investigation into the couple's fraudulent business was conducted by the FBI's Fort Worth Resident Agency and the Euless Police Department, with assistance from the US Secret Service.

Christopher pled guilty on Tuesday, while Raquelle pled guilty on December 17.

The husband will be sentenced on May 12 and the wife will be sentenced on April 14.
Labour's 'one in, one out deal with France has been branded a joke after it emerged that Britain has so far accepted more migrants than it has sent back.

Official figures show that the UK has returned 193 people who crossed the Channel in small boats in the first two months of the much-vaunted scheme.

Yet over the same period, September to December, 195 asylum-seekers who have not previously tried to arrive illegally have been allowed to come here from France under the scheme. The Home Office originally said it would involve an equal number travelling in each direction.

It is the latest setback for the deal agreed by Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron over the summer, following legal challenges and the farce of two men who were removed coming back in small boats soon afterwards.

Ministers hoped the threat of being sent back to France would deter others from making the trip but the final tally for 2025 showed on Thursday it was the second-worst year so far for small boat crossings.

A total of 41,472 migrants arrived in Britain in dinghies, only 9 per cent below the all-time record of 45,774 set in 2022.

The total for 2025 was 13 per cent higher than for the previous year, when 36,816 crossed, as people-smugglers crammed ever more people into larger boats.

However the pace slowed over the autumn, with poor weather at sea contributing to a 28-day run without any crossings and the last arrivals of the year recorded on December 20th.

In total 64,714 people have now made it to Dover in 1,095 dinghies since Labour came to power in July 2024, with many still being put up in 200 costly hotels around the country where a spate of violent and sexual crimes have sparked angry protests.

Migrants in France clambering into a small boat bound for Britain in July last year

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told the Daily Mail: It is a joke that under Labours deal more immigrants have been let in than have been removed.

In any case, removing under 200 immigrants when over 40,000 have arrived so far this year is clearly no deterrent at all. No wonder the numbers have surged since the election.

He added: We need to leave the European Convention on Human Rights and deport all illegal immigrants within a week of arrival. Then the crossings would soon stop.

Reform UKs leader Nigel Farage said: Smash the gangs is a complete disaster, the one in one out deal is a farce and the numbers coming over are huge.

Many of the young men that have arrived last year will do us great harm.

The Home Office admitted: The number of small boat crossings are shameful and the British people deserve better.

But a spokesman insisted: This Government is taking action. We have removed almost 50,000 people who were here illegally, and our historic deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.

The Home Secretary has announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in decades, removing the incentives that bring illegal migrants to the UK and scaling up the return of those with no right to be here.

On the one in, one out deal, the spokesman said: Under this landmark agreement, those who arrive on small boats are now being returned directly to France.

We are currently scaling up this pilot. As well as removing those who have arrived illegally, we are accepting applicants  subject to stringent security checks  through a new safe and legal route.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh calls to ditch his plan for Digital ID after a survey showed the majority of the public now oppose it.

A long-running poll has found that support for the policy has plummeted since the Prime Minister announced that mandatory Digital ID would be brought in for right-to-work checks.

In June last year 57 per cent of those asked by YouGov said they supported the introduction of a system of national identity cards, similar to figures reported in the previous five years, while only 25 per cent were against it.

However when the same question was posed of 1,700 Britons in December, two months after Sir Keir proposed his policy as a way of tackling illegal immigration, support had plummeted to 38 per cent while opposition had jumped to 47 per cent.

Of those against the idea, 31 per per cent said they were strongly opposed - up from just 12 per cent six months earlier.

And among backers only 14 per cent said they now strongly support a nationwide ID system, compared with 24 per cent in the summer.

The polling took place before the Daily Mail revealed that ministers have secretly discussed issuing newborn babies with Digital ID alongside the red book of child health records given to parents.

So far the Government has refused to say how far the scheme will go or even how much it will cost, although a public consultation has been promised for the new year.

Opposition to ID cards has grown since Sir Keir Starmer announced his policy in September

Last night Shadow Science Secretary Julia Lopez told this newspaper: This is a gimmick, rushed out without answering the most basic questions about privacy, scope, or control.

Digital ID should be voluntary, limited, and built around consent. It should never force people into a single system just to live their everyday lives.

If Starmer wants to improve his dismal popularity, he should drop this idea now. Because voters dont want a government-issued digital pass for daily life, and they dont trust Labour to keep it within bounds once its built.

And Silkie Carlo, Director of civil rights group Big Brother Watch, said: The public didnt vote for, dont need and and dont want digital ID cards. If Starmer continues to force this mandatory scheme on an unwilling public it will be deeply undemocratic and an insult to the public.

She went on: We could be paying for IDs not only with an eye-watering 1.8bn of our taxes but with our freedoms too. The shocking prospect of digital IDs for babies shows that this government has used immigration control as a smokescreen to usher in an ID system that could be a far more expansive programme of data collection than what the public has been told.

We have every reason to be highly suspicious of the governments digital ID plans and well be fighting tooth and nail to stop them.

Silkie Carlo of Big Brother Watch protesting against Digital ID outside Parliament last month

As the backlash grew to the scheme being extended to children, independent MP Rupert Lowe described it as sick and un-British, vowing: I will fight it in Parliament.

A Government spokesman insisted: Digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective, while also remaining inclusive.
Scotland's councils have handed out 63million in six-figure golden goodbye payments to high earning staff since 2022, new figures have revealed.

The annual accounts of Scotlands 32 local authorities show the huge cost of high-value exit packages for officials when they leave their jobs.

It comes despite growing strain on their finances, which was blamed for large increases in council tax charges in the current financial year.

Spending on the lucrative packages has soared from 12.6million in 2022/23 to 21.9million in 2024/25.

The biggest bill since 2022 was 15.4million at North Lanarkshire Council, followed by 11.3million at Glasgow City Council.

Scottish Conservative finance and local government spokesman Craig Hoy said: Hard-working Scots whove been hammered by rising council taxes will be furious that councils have shelled out millions on golden goodbyes.

Our local services are at breaking point, but instead of fixing the issues that actually matter, council bosses are allowing the bill for public-sector payouts to balloon.

Taxpayers are sick of SNP and Labour-run councils spending their money on the wrong priorities while our frontline services are on their knees.

Glasgow City Council had the second biggest 'golden goodbye' payments since 2022, with a total of 11.3million. North Lanarkshire Council had the biggest at 15.4million

Former Glasgow City Council chief executive Annemarie ODonnell received a 357,845 'in year' contribution to her pension

The data, compiled by the Scottish Conservatives from the annual accounts of local authorities, shows total spending on exit packages of more than 100,000 since 2022 has been 62.6million.

The cost of the packages soared from 12.64million in 2022/23 to 28.09million in 2023/24 before a drop to 21.89million in 2024/25.

Over the three years, North Lanarkshire spent 15.38million, Glasgow 11.25million and Renfrewshire 7.92million.

Several councils  Clackmannanshire, East Ayrshire, Midlothian, Orkney, Shetland, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian, didnt issue any six-figure exit packages, according to the data.

In September, Audit Scotland issued a report condemning Glasgow City Council for significant early retirement and redundancy payments awarded to five senior officials.

It followed revelations that the five senior figures had left with exit deals without the knowledge of SNP council leader Susan Aitken, including former chief executive Annemarie ODonnell, who received a 357,845 in year contribution to her pension.

Elaine Galletly, former director of legal and administration, received a 223,065 pension contribution and 59,971 for compensation for loss of office.

Audit Scotland found that the restructuring proposals appeared to have been approved by some individuals who personally benefited. It also said that the absence of independent scrutiny from councillors and formal documentation, including details of how decisions were made and evidence of value for money, was deeply concerning.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: The council has robust processes and monitoring procedures in place in respect of all exit payments for staff.

Major governance updates have been widely publicised this year.

A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Council said: Senior management restructuring has delivered ongoing annual savings of more than 600,000 since 2018, demonstrating our commitment to efficiency and value for money.

Characterising exit packages as golden goodbyes is completely misleading as these payments dont go directly to individuals, with the vast majority going to the pension fund, and around 40% based on notional calculations rather than actual cash payments.

Scottish Conservative finance and local government spokesman Craig Hoy criticised councils for spending taxpayers' money on the 'wrong priorities'

Employees have contributed to the pension scheme throughout their careers and are entitled to their statutory benefits under pensions regulations, just like any other employee.

'These are legal obligations, not discretionary bonuses and have been processed in line with policy agreed by the council.

Our restructuring has created a leaner, more efficient organisation that delivers better value for North Lanarkshire residents while meeting our legal and contractual obligations to employees.

The Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee (SJNC) for chief officials negotiates the salaries for the chief executives of Scottish local authorities nationally through council umbrella body Cosla.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: It is up to individual councils to manage their budgets and decide the terms and conditions for their staff.

The Scottish Government respects the independence of Local Government. However, we would expect all councils to make decisions that meet their responsibility to secure value for money.
Hundreds of patients have had to endure agonising waits of more than 48 hours to be admitted to accident and emergency wards in Scotlands hospitals.

New figures reveal the huge numbers facing major delays despite the SNP introducing a target for 95 per cent of people attending A&E to be seen within four hours.

In the period from January to August 2025, 275 patients endured waits of more than two days.

The number facing the longest waits has skyrocketed in recent years, compared to just 12 patients waiting more than two days in 2019 and seven in 2020.

Scottish Labour health spokesman Jackie Baillie said: Nowhere is the SNPs failure clearer than in our NHS. After 18 years in charge, Scots are suffering agonising waits in A&E, desperate to get help.

Despite the spin from John Swinney and Neil Gray  who claim the NHS is heading in the right direction  it is obvious that our health service is nowhere near where it needs to be, with people unable to quickly access help in their time of greatest need.

Patients are having to suffer, and staff are being let down, because of the SNPs abject failure to get to grips with this crisis, with taxpayers paying the price for the utter incompetence of ministers.

The truth is that our NHS wont survive a third decade of this tired, knackered and out-of-touch SNP government.

The number facing the longest waits has skyrocketed in recent years

Health secretary Neil Gray has come under increasing pressure over waiting times in Scotland's hospitals

Ms Baillie added: As First Minister, Anas Sarwar will ensure our NHS is free and available at the point of need, declare a national waiting times emergency and do whatever it takes to fix our NHS.

The new figures, obtained by Labour following a freedom of information request to Public Health Scotland, showed that 275 patients waited more than 48 hours in 2025 up to August, while 1,380 waited more than 36 hours and 7,965 had waits of more than 24 hours.

Some 323 patients had waits of more than 48 hours in 2024, up from 201 the previous year.

In 2022, 396 patients had waits of more than two days, up from 49 in 2021.

It comes amid growing doubts about whether ministers will achieve another key target of eradicating long waiting lists for NHS appointments. An operational improvement plan published in March 2025 committed to eradicating waits of 12 months or more by spring 2026.

A report by Audit Scotland published last month condemned the persistent implementation gap. It said that it would be extremely challenging to deliver the one-year pledge with 51,319 outpatients having waited more than 12 months at the end of October, which was down 4,870 on the previous month, including 6,350 who had waited more than two years.

Despite this, embattled Health Secretary Mr Gray last month insisted that the pledge will still be delivered.

He said: We recognise the significant pressures facing our emergency departments and are grateful to all NHS staff working tirelessly to care for patients during what we know will be a challenging winter.

Our 20million investment is increasing social care capacity and strengthening support at emergency department front doors to ease pressure and reduce admissions.

We are working closely with health boards to improve patient flow and tackle delayed discharges, ensuring sufficient community capacity to support people who are medically fit to leave hospital.

Health is at the heart of our Budget which provides record funding of 21.7 billion.

To protect the NHS long-term future sustainably, we also plan to invest in a range of reforms including shifting care from acute to community settings, dedicating 531million to general practice over three years and expanding Hospital at Home capacity to 2,000 beds by the end of 2026.
Nigel Farage has vowed Reform will go 'double or quits' with a 5million spending blitz ahead of May's local elections.

He admitted the elections will be a moment of reckoning for his party and that doubts will surface if the party's poll lead is not transformed into results, but pledged: 'We are just going to go for it.'

Reform's election war chest was bolstered by a 9million donation in August from businessman Christopher Harborne, and Farage plans to spend most of that over the next four months.

One key strategy is direct mail to voters, with Reform having already sent more than five million leaflets to addresses in outer London and every household in Scotland and Wales.

The other front line is social media, where the party is energetically targeting disaffected voters who did not go to the polls at the last election.

Speaking to The Times, Mr Farage said he wanted to spend about 5million on the campaign.

He said: 'It's double or quits. As far as I'm concerned we are just going to go for it.

'If we come out of it without a single penny in the bank account and everyone is exhausted...

Mr Farage said May's local elections is the most important event before the next general election

The Reform leader vowed to 'go for it' with a 5million spending blitz

'It is the single most important event between now and the general election.'

Poor results for Labour in the elections in the Scotland and Welsh parliaments and English councils would likely increase pessimism around Sir Keir Starmer's leadership.

Likewise, Kemi Badenoch's position at the top of the Tory party could also be at risk if the Conservatives fall flat.

But Mr Farage - whose Reform party has enjoyed consistent national opinion poll leads since April last year - acknowledged he too was under pressure to deliver.

He continued: 'On it depends the future of our Prime Minister, the future of the Leader of the Opposition and indeed my own relative strength or otherwise as leader of Reform.

'If we bombed people would ask questions. My entire focus and energy is on the planning and preparation for it.'

Mr Farage swatted away suggestions that allegations of racism and bullying in his teenage years have damaged Reform, and even suggested they could be working in his favour.

A series of reports in the Guardian have presented allegations from his contempories - both students and teachers - at Dulwich College, the private school he attended in the late 1970s to early 1980s.

Mr Farage is focusing primarily on direct mail and a social media push

Farage also dismissed the allegations relating to his school years, insisting that if anything they are solidifying Reform's support base

They include the claims that he told a Jewish classmate that 'Hitler was right' and said of Jews: 'Gas them.'

Mr Farage insisted the allegations will not have an impact on Reform's electoral performance because they have been perceived as a smear campaign by the 'mainstream media'.

He said: 'It's having zero effect. It's maybe solidifying our core support.'

The latest polls of voting intention have Reform at around 28 percent, ahead of the Conservatives with 20 percent, Labour with 18 per cent, the Greens with 15 percent and the Liberal Democrats with 13 percent.
A vile grandson threatened his own grandparents with hammers and knives to fleece their pension money, leaving them with nothing to buy food or to heat their home.

Ashley Partington, 33-year-old father of one, took around 5,000 from his grandparents' state pensions and small private pensions, leaving the desperate couple to have to visit foodbanks to survive.

Mr Partington, whose behaviour was witnessed by neighbours, was sentenced two and a half years in prison by Judge Robert Linford earlier this week after he admitted two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour and driving while banned.

His grandparents - aged 85 and 78 - were subject to Mr Partington's 'astonishingly appalling conduct' for nearly three years after they took him in, the judge said.

He repaid their kindness by 'frightening and attacking them, taking their money and selling their things', the judge added.

Judge Linford continued: 'You took every penny they had causing them to go to a foodbank to get something to eat. You caused them untold misery.

'You left them in dire financial circumstances'.

Ashley Partington, 33, was sentenced to 30 months in prison after admitting two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour and driving while banned

Prosecutor Nick Lewin told Plymouth Crown Court: 'They were unable to put food on the table or heat their own home.'

Mr Partington also sold anything of value - personal items and kitchen equipment - to feed his addictions, the court heard.

At the same time, he also used their Motability car and racked up debts from speeding tickets he had got in their name. Mr Partington was disqualified from driving at the time because of a bad driving record.

The terrible saga was dragged out for around 30 months, the elderly couple said in a victim statement, after Mr Partington refused to move out of their front room.

Problems started when he began asking for small amounts of money, but his demands became bigger and more unmanageable as time went on.

Deception was another way that he would try to swindle them out of money, lying that the police had fined him for 80 and that he would be jailed if it was not paid.

They went to a Plymouth police station to give him the cash and later found out he used it to go to a nightclub.

He would also lie about topping up the electricity meter and their power would go out the next day in their city flat, as Mr Partington pocketed the money.

Judge Robert Linford said Mr Partington subjected his own grandparents 'astonishingly appalling conduct' when he was sentenced earlier this week

His grandfather was unable to sleep because of the threats he made against them, he said.

The pensioner suffered two heart attacks in 2024 and 2025, and only survived the second one because a paramedic crew was around the corner.

Strain was also put on the couples relationship, he added, as his wife tried to hide the accounts because they would argue about what was going on.

'It was tearing us apart', he said.

Since Mr Partington, of Pier Street, Plymouth, was remanded in jail the couple have been able to buy food and heat their home, even getting new furniture for their home.

Mr Partington's lawyer said the defendant can see how his grandparents felt scared and threatened by him and his impact on them.

Miss Francesca Whebell said: 'These two people cared very much for him for the entirety of his life. He was in the grip of significant addictions.'

He is now clean of drink after being remanded in prison, she added.

'He wants to be the person that he used to be known as before,' she said and wants to repay his grandparents by 'righting the wrongs'.

The judge also banned him from driving for four years and imposed a five year restraining order which stops him contacting his grandparents.
A top Democrat lawmaker's wife appeared unable to hide her disdain as New York City swore in its new socialist mayor, who has vowed to enact hardline policies.

Iris Weinshall, 72, seemed to scowl while Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated in Bryant Park on Thursday afternoon - although she may also have been suffering the effects of the freezing January weather.

Weinshall, the wife of New York Senator Chuck Schumer, was sitting next to Eric Adams, who served as NYC's mayor until yesterday.

Weinshall, Schumer and Adams all share the same political party as Mamdani, but Schumer and Adams have been outspoken on the new man's views on Israel.

Mamdani is staunchly pro-Palestine and has vowed to have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested the next time he visits New York City.

Weinshall, who is the chief operating officer for the New York Public Library and her husband, Schumer, refused to endorse Mamdani in the mayoral race and declined to say who they voted for. The couple are both Jewish.

Mamdani insists he is not anti-Semitic but has drawn fire for refusing to condemn the pro-Palestinian phrase 'Globalize the Intifada', which Jews say is a call to violence against members of their religion.

Meanwhile, progressive Democrats including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders beamed from ear-to-ear as Mamdani spoke, from the row in front of Weinshall, Adams and Schumer.

Iris Weinshall, third from left in middle row, was unable to hide her apparent distaste as Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the new Mayor of New York City on Thursday. Her husband, Senator Chuck Schumer sits to her right , while former Mayor Eric Adams looked equally unimpressed to her left

Another image from a CNN broadcast showed Weinshall scowling next to a sullen-looking Eric Adams, while NY Governor Kathy Hochul, AG Letitia James, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders all beamed a row below them

Zohran Mamdani and wife Rama Duwaji are pictured at Thursday's inauguration

Mamdani said during Thursday's speech that he was keen to prove that left-wingers can govern effectively, after critics warned he would run New York City into the ground.

He said: 'I was elected as a Democratic Socialist and I will govern as a Democratic Socialist,' referring to the most left-wing faction of the Democrat party.

'This is a government of New York, by New York, and for New York.'

Mamdani, 34, is New York City's first Muslim mayor and one of the youngest men ever to occupy the position. His wife, Rama Duwaji, 28, is the city's youngest ever first lady.

Duwaji has kept a low profile during Mamdani's campaign but showed her support during his inauguration, walking side-by-side with her husband and tearing up while he spoke.

Mamdani struck a more positive tone at his inauguration than in his fiery acceptance speech in November.

The democratic socialist didn't mince words when beating his opponent, former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, telling his supporters on Election Night that it would be the last time he'd utter the man's name.

Mamdani had concluded his speech with a direct message to President Donald Trump: 'I have four words for you: Turn the volume up.'

The mayor opted for a softer tone in his inauguration remarks, referring to the president only once.

Join the debate Will Mamdanis radical policies help everyday New Yorkers or push the city into deeper division?

Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer and his wife, Iris Weinshall, looked unamused during Zohran Mamdani's inauguration remarks

Mamdani's campaign drew widespread attention across the country for his progressive policies, which drew criticism from traditionalist Democrats

He reached out to voters who backed Donald Trump in the presidential election and him in the mayoral election, saying he understood that the rocketing cost of living was their primary concern.

'Many of these people have been betrayed by the established order. But in our administration, their needs will be met,' Mamdani said.

'Their hopes and dreams and interests will be reflected transparently in government. They will shape our future.'

Mamdani met with Trump in the Oval Office in November 2025, with the Republican president full of praise for the new star of the Democrat party.

Mamdani , who was born in Uganda, has promised to offer free daycare and free buses across the city.

He also plans to enact a millionaire tax, with critics warning that his policies could drive out the super-rich, whose taxes fund public services in the Big Apple.

Mamdani referred to the 'long-broken property tax system' in his speech, vowing to increase taxes on the ultra-wealthy.

'The cost of child care will no longer discourage young adults from starting a family, because we will deliver universal child care for the many by taxing the wealthiest few,' he declared.

Mamdani seemed to take a page out of Sanders' book, echoing the veteran senator's longtime vows to tax the wealthy to provide social services for the middle class.

Another one of Sanders' mentees, Ocasio-Cortez, was in strong support of Mamdani, introducing her fellow New Yorker during Thursday's inauguration.

New York Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was all smiles as she introduced fellow democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani at his inauguration

Mamdani's inauguration brought together traditional and progressive factions of the Democratic Party, including former mayors Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio (pictured)

'This ascent marks a new era for New York City, led by a historic new mayor in Zohran Mamdani, guided by his dedication to a working class that makes our beautiful city run,' Ocasio-Cortez said in her opening remarks.

The theme of embarking on a 'new era' was reiterated throughout Thursday's speeches.

Mamdani's campaign sparked widespread conversation about the future of the Democratic Party and whether younger politicians would continue to embrace socialist policies.

Centrist Democrats like Schumer, Adams, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have been hesitant to embrace Mamdani's policies, while progressives like Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders have welcomed him with open arms.
A double murderer who took a prison officer hostage and demanded the release of hate preacher Abu Qatada has been awarded a 240k taxpayer-funded payout.

Fuad Awale was transferred to a special separation unit for dangerous convicts after he and another convict ambushed a jail worker and threatened to kill him.

Awale used Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) to claim his segregation - designed to prevent him harming officers and radicalising inmates - had breached his right to life.

David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, has now agreed to pay 7,500 compensation and 234,000 legal costs after the convicted killer stated he had suffered 'severe depression'.

The court heard Awale previously asked to associate with one of the Islamic extremist killers of Fusilier Lee Rigby - but was denied the request due to 'counter-terrorism concerns'.

He and an accomplice also demanded the release of Qatada, a hate preacher who had been facing deportation to Jordan to face terror charges, as well as Roshonara Choudhry, who stabbed Labour MP Stephen Timms in 2010.

The High Court has ruled in favour of Awale's appeal to the ECHR, with a judge saying there had been a 'significant degree of interference with the claimant's private life', The Telegraph reports.

The judge added: 'The degree of interference with the claimant's private life which has resulted from his removal from association has been of some significance and duration.'

Fuad Awale was transferred to a special separation unit for dangerous convicts after he and another convict ambushed a jail worker and threatened to kill him

Mohammed Abdi Farah and Amin Ahmed Ismail (pictured) were shot and killed by Fuad Awale in 2011

The double murderer, who took a prison officer hostage and demanded the release of hate preacher Abu Qatada (pictured), has been awarded a 240k taxpayer-funded payout

Robert Jenrick, Conservative shadow justice secretary, has branded the decision a 'sick joke'.

He said: 'Labour are cowing to terrorists and the human rights brigade. They must introduce emergency legislation to carve these monsters out of the ECHR immediately. If they don't, we will as soon as Parliament returns.'

Mr Lammy, who revealed the payout to Awale in a letter today, suggested ministers were considering changes in the law to prevent extremist criminals from using the ECHR as a 'barrier to us protecting national security'.

Awale was sentenced to a minimum of 38 years in prison in January 2013 aged 25 after shooting Mohammed Abdi Farah, 19, and Amin Ahmed Ismail, 18, in the head in a Milton Keynes alleyway over a drugs dispute.

He was handed a further six-year jail sentence after taking a prison officer hostage in 2013 and making threats to kill him.

The extremist had pointed a sharp implement at the throat of the officer, pinning him to a chair, and said: 'Stop struggling, I've killed two people - I'll kill you.'

Awale was subsequently assessed as having 'extremist beliefs' and held in 'close supervision centres' - where up to four officers with body-worn cameras 'unlock' inmates each time they leave their cells.

Awale was kept in HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes, from 2021 onwards and did not associate with any other inmates since March 17, 2023, spending as little as one hour a day outside his cell.

Join the debate Should convicted extremists be allowed to use human rights laws to claim payouts from the taxpayer?

The court heard Awale previously asked to associate with one of the Islamic extremist killers of Fusilier Lee Rigby (pictured) - but was denied the request due to 'counter-terrorism concerns'

Lee Rigby's killers Michael Adebolajo (left) and Michael Adebowale are pictured

His lawyers have now successfully argued the decisions to deny access were 'opaque', adding Awale had been denied the chance to argue his case as prison managers were failing to regularly review his segregated conditions, as required by law.

Awale also argued the Ministry of Justice had failed to consider the high number of 'racist' and 'Islamophobic' prisoners in the supervision centre - further limiting the number of people he could associate with.

The claim was allowed by the High Court on all grounds.

Revealing the payout, Mr Lammy had noted to Mr Jenrick that the 7,500 compensation sum was a 'modest proportion' of the overall settlement - after it was contested by the Ministry of Justice, as is standard practice for 'all litigation by prisoners convicted of terrorist offences'.

He pointed to improvements in the decision-making process to address the findings of similar judgements.

Mr Lammy is currently considering a review by terror watchdog Jonathan Hall on how prison security can be improved following an alleged knife attack against three officers by Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi.

It is believed the review has recommended the Government appeals the Awale ruling and consider changing the law to stop extremist prisoners from exploiting the ECHR.

Mr Lammy told Mr Jenrick: 'I can assure you that significant policy and operational changes are under active consideration to ensure that the legal framework regarding the placement in separation remains robust, relevant and trusted.'
Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was only '10 per cent away' from a peace deal in his New Year address.

But the Ukrainian president also insisted he would not sign a 'weak' deal at any cost in the 20-minute speech.

The final part of the agreement will 'determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe' and 'save millions of lives', Mr Zelensky added.

And his reservations remain around ceding territory to Russia in eastern Ukraine, which Mr Zelensky warned will embolden Vladimir Putin.

He said: 'We want the war to end  not the end of Ukraine. Can Russia end the war? Yes. Does it want to? No. Can the world force it to? Yes  and only that way will it work.

'Signatures under weak agreements only fuel war. Either the world stops Russia's war, or Russia drags the world into its war.'

Ukraine is expected to resume negotiations with US and European officials tomorrow, while the UK-led Coalition of the Willing is expected to meet on Sunday.

Mr Zelensky is seeking to secure stronger security guarantees from the US as part of a negotiated peace settlement. It comes as Western intelligence sources dismissed Kremlin claims that Ukraine launched a drone attack on Putin's Black Sea hideaway.

The CIA and other agencies are understood to have concluded the strikes Putin described to Donald Trump did not happen.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks following a meeting with US President Donald Trump on December 28, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin following a meeting with the US President about the war in Ukraine on August 15, 2025

After the claims were dismissed, the Kremlin produced a 'map' of the incoming drones yesterday.

Russian authorities supposedly plotted the trajectory of the devices into the Novgorod region.

Mr Trump initially expressed sympathy for Putin, but within hours questions were raised about Russia's account.

Ukraine denied the attack and claimed Russia was 'lying' to undermine peace efforts.

The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, described Russia's allegation as 'a deliberate distraction'.

The Kremlin also released a video featuring a senior officer, Major General Alexander Romanenkov, explaining how Ukraine conducted the attack. He said they launched Chaklun-V drones containing 13lb of explosives.

In a post on Telegram, a Russian military spokesman said: 'Decrypting of routing data revealed the final target of the Ukrainian drones was the Russian presidential residence in Novgorod. This will be transferred to the American side through established channels.'
Net Zero goals should be pushed back to ensure slave labour is not used in making green technology, the public has said.

With Ed Miliband poised to splurge billions of pounds on solar power, batteries and heat pumps in a scramble to meet Labour's pledge to cut energy bills, polling shows nearly eight in ten would rather the UK delay reaching Net Zero than buy solar panels or wind turbines from countries that use forced or child labour to make them.

And an overwhelming majority of people (83 per cent) say the Government must ensure that all products and materials bought for net zero projects are ethically sourced.

The Energy Secretary is expected to set out proposals next month to allocate up to 13billion over the next four years as part of the Government's warm homes plan.

A shift in policy will see billions of pounds invested in household grants for installing solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage.

The Government will also lift restrictions on 'plug-in' solar panels that can be installed on balconies, patios or flat roofs.

These could be made available in the middle aisle of supermarkets.

But campaigners have warned that it is at present impossible to source green technology that has no slave labour in its supply chain.

Ed Miliband shaking hands with China's vice premier, Ding Xuexiang. Campaigners have warned that it is currently impossible to source green tech without slave labour, with concerns over forced labour in Chinese Uyghur communities

UK's independent anti-slavery commissioner, Eleanor Lyons (pictured), said: 'Britain must stop being the world's dumping ground for goods made with forced labour'

Most of the materials and manufacturing comes from China and concerns have been raised repeatedly about its use of forced labour in Uyghur communities.

The research commissioned by the UK's independent anti-slavery commissioner Eleanor Lyons found widespread concern in the UK about how green tech is made.

'Britain must stop being the world's dumping ground for goods made with forced labour. It's time to draw a hard line and shut our doors to these products,' she said.

'The public is clear: the race to net zero cannot come at the expense of victims of slavery.'

The UK should align with other countries who have import bans and laws to protect their markets from becoming dumping grounds for these products, she added.

Luke de Pulford of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China said: 'People do not want a slave-made green transition, but we have legislated ourselves into one through net zero targets which cannot be achieved without Beijing's tainted supply chains.

'This is obviously unsustainable. It is self-evidently ludicrous and immoral for our leaders to rely on slavery in order to burnish their green credentials.

'Let's diversify, reduce dependence on China, and start advocating for a just transition, not one built on the back of Uyghur forced labour.'

Claire Coutinho (pictured), Tory energy spokesman, called Ed Miliband's green policies a 'mad dash to Net Zero' which will make the UK 'much more dependent on imports of Chinese equipment'

Earlier this year, Mr Miliband was forced to bow to pressure by campaigners to ensure no forced labour was used in state-owned GB Energy's supply chains.

A Government spokesman said: 'No company in the UK should have forced labour in its supply chains, and we expect businesses to do everything in their power to remove any instances of this.'

Claire Coutinho, Tory energy spokesman, said: 'Whether it's for solar panels, cables, batteries or critical minerals, Ed Miliband's mad dash to Net Zero is going to make us much more dependent on imports of Chinese equipment.

'We know that much of the kit is often made with slave labour or comes with serious security risks. No wonder the former Head of MI6 said Labour's plans are 'completely crazy' when it comes to national security.'

Strand Partners polled 3,006 adults across the UK between November 25-27, 2025.
The Duke of Sussex spoke emotionally about his unhappiness growing up in a Royal Family in which his future was mapped out before him, and declared that he wanted to break the cycle of genetic pain for his own children.

He suggested in 2021 that he had moved to the US with his wife Meghan to ensure that his own childhood experiences were not repeated. He said he realised in his 20s that he did not want the royal job, having seen what it did to his mother, Princess Diana, and wrote in his tawdry memoirs, Spare, about the struggle of having a predetermined role in life.

So imagine the astonishment of Prince Harrys old friends and family members to learn that he and his wife are already apparently planning a public role for their children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four.

Before Christmas there was evidence of the pairs plans when they announced changes to their charitable foundation. After five beautiful years, the Archewell Foundation is becoming Archewell Philanthropies, the statement said. This charitable entity allows the couple and their children to expand upon their global philanthropic endeavours as a family.

Part of that statement that was little noticed yet hugely significant was the Sussexes inclusion of their children. It was the first time that they have been mentioned in such a bulletin on the couples plans.

And one old friend of Harry has been left bemused. I am genuinely confused, he tells me. Harry and Meghan were always so insistent that their children would be able to make their own way in life without the pressure of expectations or titles. I cant believe Harry is behind this. It must be Meghans influence.

Harry and Meghan appear to have had a change of heart about the role of their children

It wasnt just the Archewell statement that has led people to believe the Sussexes want to give their children a higher public profile. On the same day that the statement was issued, Meghan posted a family photograph on social media alongside a Christmas message. It featured the clearest image yet of their children. Archie was seen hugging his father while Meghan was bending down and holding hands with Lilibet as they stood in a sun-dappled forest on a small, wooden bridge.

Separately, they also released a Christmas card and end-of-year video highlighting their charitable endeavours, which featured the children helping their parents bake cookies ahead of Thanksgiving with a local charity.

Harry and Meghan have campaigned on the dangers of social media and recently welcomed its ban for children in Australia. However, they have increasingly featured their own offspring in online posts since Meghan started trying to make a fortune with As Ever, her lifestyle mail-order company.

The confusion of Harrys friend about the Sussexes intentions for their children is matched by that of former courtiers, who recall that they were told Archie would not have a title when he was born amid much secrecy in London in 2019. Journalists were told that Meghan had just gone into labour when she had, in fact, already given birth at Portland Hospital. Favoured reporters, such as the couples sycophantic biographer Omid Scobie, were told that the baby wouldnt be called a prince or have any other title to avoid his growing up burdened by the weight of expectation.

As we expected, Harry and Meghan [have] forgone a courtesy title for their child, Scobie declared on Twitter (now X). All part of giving him as normal a life as possible.

The couple clearly had a radical change of heart after they moved to the US. Following their daughter Lilibets christening in March 2023, they announced that she would be known as a princess, and her older brother would be Prince Archie.

The couple's children have often featured on their social media feeds

The move was co-ordinated with the Royal Family, who promptly updated their official website to replace the titles of Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor on the line of succession page.

A spokesman for the Sussexes said: The childrens titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch. This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.

Its hard not to escape the conclusion that the couple thought their children having prince and princess titles could be gold dust in future commercial projects.

The Establishment plot to return Harry and Meghan to Britain is gathering pace, as I have previously reported. Later this month, there will be a decision on whether the couple receive taxpayer-funded police protection when they visit the UK.

Despite the duke losing his High Court appeal in May on this very issue, a new risk assessment is currently under way  something for which Harry has long campaigned.

If Ravec  the committee that decides which royals and VIPs need public protection and whose chair is appointed by the Home Office  decides in favour of the Sussexes, their children will come here for the first time in four years.

Then, Harrys attempts to establish a rival royal court in his homeland will begin in earnest. This could seriously undermine the Royal Family and is a prospect that should leave monarchists deeply alarmed.
Mike and Zara Tindall's children monkeyed around as they kicked off the New Year with a family day out at the races today.

Princess Anne's daughter, 44, brought her kids and nieces to Cheltenham for a spirited start to 2026, and it appeared to be a resolutely fun outing for her youngest son, Lucas, four.

Excited by the equestrian action, the toddler ambitiously held onto steel railing and attempted to climb glass walls while his mother and sister Lena, seven, dutifully kept him at bay.

Peter Phillips' daughters Savannah, 15, and Isla, 13, smiled as they took in their cousin's silliness, joining their aunt on the festive occasion.

The duo also joined in with Mike and Zara's eldest, Mia, 11, to watch the races, looking focused as they took in the sport.

Zara was sophisticated as ever in a checked-print coat worn over a chocolate brown dress, keeping warm with a pair of leather gloves and ankle boots.

To accessorise, the royal added a pop of colour with a bright blue headband, keeping her platinum blonde hair away from the face.

New Year's Day is thought to be a time of fun for the whole family at Cheltenham, with not only races but fun activities including bouncy castles, 'unicorns', face painting and walking pet balloons on the agenda.

Princess Anne's daughter, 44, brought along her kids and nieces to Cheltenham for a spirited start to 2026, and it appeared to be a resolutely fun outing for her youngest son, Lucas, four

Excited by the equestrian action, the toddler ambitiously held onto steel railing and attempted to climb glass walls while his mother and sister Lena, seven, dutifully kept him at bay

Peter Phillips' daughters Savannah, 15, and Isla, 13, smiled as they took in their cousin's silliness, joining their aunt on the festive occasion. The duo also joined in with Mike and Zara's eldest, Mia, 11, to watch the races, looking focused as they took in the sport

Last year, the Tindalls were also out in full swing at the Gloucestershire racecourse as they commemorated 2025 - and it seems they're back to recreate the tradition.

Zara's brother Peter, 48, was on hand to cheer alongside his daughters and fiancee Harriet Sperling.

It's been a wholesome festive season for the family, with the couple's children enjoying some quality time with their relatives at Sandringham for Christmas.

While Princess Charlotte - the daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales - is close with her brothers, her most recent appearance at Sandringham proved she's a girl's girl at heart.

Royal fans noted how the 10-year-old shared a warm and affectionate relationship with her cousin Mia Tindall, as a sweet video of the pair showed Charlotte and Mia excitedly comparing their outfits after the Christmas church service in Norfolk last week.

At one point, Charlotte appeared to ask Mia to inspect her Tory Burch brown ballet flats that retail for 310 and are believed to have been a new purchase for Christmas.

Mia then seems to have suggested the designer shoes matched her Catherine Walker coat - which was reportedly a custom creation for the young princess - nicely.

The short clip was shared by a fan account of the Princess of Wales, and showed Mia gesturing towards the cuffs of her own grey houndstooth coat from Max & Co.

Mike Tindall joined his wife and children at Cheltenham today, looking dapper in a navy suit to celebrate the New Year

Zara stayed close to her children for the family outing at Cheltenham today

Lucas and Lena enjoyed spending some quality family time together

Little Lucas was cheeky as he posed for the camera

Mia and the other children could hardly contain their excitement

The whole family was in high spirits for the races today

Little Lucas kept his cousins entertained as he attempted to crawl around at the races this afternoon

He enjoyed ambitious attempts to climb on glass while his mother and sisters were on hand to stop him

The four-year-old appeared less than pleased to be told that he can't climb the glass barriers today

Lucas, four, put on an emotional display as he watched the races with his cousins on New Year's Day

The toddler was not happy when mother Zara and sister Lena came to stop his climbing adventures

Zara's brother Peter, 48, was on hand to cheer alongside his daughters and fiancee Harriet Sperling

Peter was smart in a warm zip-up jacket, whereas Harriet was cheek in a warm skirt and cardigan outfit

Savannah could not contain her excitement as she cheered on

The family were all excited to join in the fun as they watched the races

Isla and Savannah were smart as they huddled up in warm trench coats and scarves for the outing

Savannah held onto her phone as she excitedly took in the action at Cheltenham on New Year's Day

Isla opted for checkered warm scarf and braided her long blonde hair into plaits for the event today

Mia laughed as she joined her cousins to observe the equestrian action at Cheltenham on New Year's Day

Isla appeared shocked as she took in the action as the races

Scenes were emotional as Isla and Mia cheered on at the races

Isla was all smiles as she watched from the stands with her cousins and sister

Mia was smart in a black dress, looking deep in focus as she watched the races

She couldn't contain her enthusiasm

Zara was sophisticated as ever in a checked-print coat worn over a chocolate brown dress, keeping warm with a pair of leather gloves and ankle boots

To accessorise, the royal added a pop of colour with a bright blue headband, keeping her platinum blonde hair away from the face

Her mother Zara, who is an ambassador for Fairfax & Favor, seemingly styled the coat with a pair of suede ankle boots from the luxury shoe brand.

As Mia exchanged fashion notes with Charlotte, her younger sister Lena, seven, tagged along with them as fans noticed she was wearing a very special royal hand-me-down for Christmas.

Princess Anne's youngest granddaughter borrowed Mia's military-inspired navy coat from Monsoon, which she wore to the late Prince Philip's service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in 2022.

But that wasn't the first time the coat had been worn by a royal baby; it appeared Mia herself received the item of clothing from her cousin Savannah Phillips, the daughter of Zara's brother Peter Phillips.

Savannah, now 14, debuted the jacket during one of her earliest appearances at Sandringham on Christmas Day in 2017.

Fans were delighted to discover the Royal Family 'hand down clothes' like all families, as one Instagram user wrote: 'Nothing better than a good hand me down. Two of my four daughters wore a similar coat when they were young!'

As the easy friendship and camaraderie between cousins William and Zara's children was one of the highlights of this year's festivities, the future King has previously said 'it's very special' to watch them spend time together.

In an interview with People four years ago, William, 43, said: 'For me, generally, bringing the family together at Christmastime is always lovely because we're quite spread out doing our things a lot of time throughout the year. We get very few moments to actually come together.

'When I see my children meet up with my cousin's children, and they all have a wonderful time playing together, it's very special. I look forward to that a lot.'

Mia's father, former rugby union player Mike echoed William's sentiments during an appearance on Good Morning Britain the same year.

Mike, 47, remarked that his family's growth has been 'quite intertwined with' the Waleses, as their children are of similar ages.

This has translated into a special bond, he continued, as Mike added: 'Our kids are very, very close, which is great for the kids that theyre always going to have some cousins and those cousins - are going to be the same age and can grow up with them.'
'I know where you live, I've been observing your house and know you have children,' read a letter scrawled in blocky capitals, a note that marked the start of a terrifying saga in Circleville, Ohio.

The 1976 letter, sent to school bus driver Mary Gillespie, was the first of hundreds of threatening messages targeting residents of the small town, which is home to just 11,700 people and famous for its pumpkin festival.

The letters escalated over nearly two decades, culminating in a booby-trapped mailbox aimed at Gillespie and a car crash that killed her husband Ron, events some believe were staged.

Early letters, postmarked from Columbus, claimed Gillespie was having an affair with the school superintendent, Gordon Massie, whom she later married.

Other notes threatened her children if she did not acknowledge the affair. Authorities attributed Ron's death to a drunk-driving accident, though his family insisted he did not drink, and a fired gun's missing bullet added to the mystery.

Local man Paul Freshour, Gillespie's brother-in-law, was eventually jailed for ten years after investigators linked his gun to the booby trap.

Yet letters continued while Freshour was behind bars, raising questions about whether he had been wrongly convicted or if another person was responsible.

Private investigator Martin Yant, who spent years probing the case, told Daily Mail that Circleville's story remains unresolved, and many details, including the presence of a man near the booby trap, were never fully investigated.

Hundreds of the letters were sent to local residents

Hundreds of the letters were sent over the years

Yant, author of Justice Denied, said: 'I don't think people completely buy the official version.' He said he still communicates with enthusiasts worldwide, fascinated by the unresolved case and its lingering mysteries.

After the booby-trap incident, Freshour was convicted, but the letters persisted, casting doubt on his guilt.

Yant uncovered claims from a woman familiar with both families that Freshour's son had stolen his father's gun and given it to her mother, but Freshour allegedly forbade disclosure.

Yant began investigating wrongful convictions in the 1980s after encountering Freshour's legal filings asserting his innocence.

He was struck by the unusual behavior of Freshour's ex-wife, who harassed him with bizarre late-night calls, questioning his qualifications to investigate and repeatedly warning him to stop.

The ongoing letters affected Freshour's attempts at parole; prison authorities monitored him closely, restricting pen access and strip-searching him after visits.

Yant noted that upon release, Freshour spent limited funds to pursue legal action to overturn his conviction, a move Yant says is unlikely for a guilty man.

'My impressions of him were he didn't have a vicious bone in his body,' Yant said. 'He just wanted to clear his name, even at his own disadvantage.'

Bus driver Mary Gillespie started receiving the letters in the 70s

Local man Paul Freshour, brother-in-law of Mary Gillespie, ended up serving years in prison

The booby trap used local man Paul Freshour's gun

Local Sheriff Radcliffe, who succeeded his father, had investigated incidents including Ron Gillespie's fatal crash.

Yant criticized Freshour's trial as unfair, noting that potential exculpatory evidence, such as the unidentified man near the booby trap, was never presented in court.

The investigator, who spoke to family members and local people over a number of years, said there are still important unanswered questions and that he does not believe Freshour had a fair trial.

'To me, the most important unanswered question is who the heck was the guy standing right where the booby trap was found a few minutes before it was found and no one followed up on that at all,' he said.

Even decades later, Yant receives calls from people claiming to have solved the case, though none of the leads have been confirmed. Interest in Circleville surged with the internet, with people nationwide sharing tips, evidence, and theories.

'I think there are still people down there in Ohio who feel that Paul Freshour got framed,' Yant said.

'If he did not receive a fair trial, then you can't say he was the letter writer.'

Early letters, postmarked from Columbus, claimed Gillespie was having an affair with the school superintendent, Gordon Massie, whom she later married

Questions remain over the car crash in which Ron Gillespie died

These letters are a dark past Circleville, Ohio

Yant emphasized several unresolved clues, including the man spotted near the booby trap, the gun allegedly given to a woman by Freshour's son, and the notion from a witness that the booby trap may have been crafted by someone other than Paul, possibly his mother's boyfriend.

'The evidence strikes me as very important,' Yant said. 'And some statements, like the girlfriend of Paul's son admitting he stole the gun, were sworn not to be used.'

The letters terrorized Circleville for nearly 20 years, affecting not only the Gillespie family but the broader community.

Residents recall the fear of receiving anonymous threats in the mail, the constant paranoia, and the way the small-town police struggled to solve the case.

Some letters were cryptic, while others revealed intimate knowledge about private lives, heightening the sense that someone close, or someone meticulously observing, was behind them.

Yant said: 'That's what makes this case so chilling. It wasn't just random; it was personal, targeted. And even now, decades later, the sense of unease lingers in the town.'

'It's a combination of unanswered questions, suspicious circumstances, and the fact that people believed Freshour was innocent that keeps the story alive,' he added.

'Every time I get a call or an email from someone with a theory, it reminds me that this case hasn't been forgotten.'
A shocking theory that claims our world ended in 2012, and humanity has been living in a simulation ever since, has regained online popularity.

The theory was born out of the ancient prophecy surrounding the Mayan calendar, which was said to mark the end of the world on December 21, 2012.

It referred to the end of a major cycle in the ancient Mayan Long Count calendar, which some people believed predicted a catastrophic apocalypse or some sort of global transformation.

However, 2012 appeared to come and go without a world-ending cataclysm, leading experts to suggest that the Mayans did not predict the end of the world, but a simple cycle rollover in their astronomical calendars.

Now, called the 2012 phenomenon, it has regained online popularity, spurred on by recent events like the Covid-19 pandemic, various climate crises, and social and political unrest throughout the world, creating a near-endless sense of dread.

The belief is that the world we see today is considered a 'post-glitch' universe, a sort of parallel dimension where all human consciousness was sent when our original universe came to an end over a decade ago.

The controversial 'simulation' theory has given the Mayan doomsday prophecy new life, as supporters claim everything that's happened after December 21, 2012 has taken place in a simulated reality where all human consciousness was transferred.

Simulation or afterlife theorists have argued that the world's end was a programmed reset or collective death event, with ongoing existence sustained by advanced aliens, a matrix-like system, or some type of spiritual framework created by a God-like being.

The ancient Mayan calendar system allegedly came to an end on December 21, 2012, however further research has suggested that this end was just a transition to a new calendar cycle

Now, called the 2012 phenomenon, it has regained online popularity, spurred on by recent events like the Covid-19 pandemic, various climate crises, and social and political unrest throughout the world, creating a near-endless sense of dread

On social media, claims that the world ended in 2012 have become a common excuse for why strange, catastrophic, or unexplainable events take place throughout the world.

'All the doomsday prophets can't fool me,' one person on X claimed. 'I know the world ended in 2012 and that we are actually in the final thoughts of a shared consciousness made of billions of dying brains.'

'The world ended in 2012. We are in the purgatory,' another social media user declared.

There has been no credible scientific or historical evidence that can confirm this theory as being true, with the controversial interpretations of the Mayan calendar being repeatedly debunked by experts in physics, archaeology, and astronomy.

David Morrison, a senior scientist at NASA, had called the claims that a rogue planet would spiral toward the Earth and destroy humanity a 'big hoax' in 2012.

However, simulation theorists came to a much subtler end 13 years ago, when scientists at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) discovered the Higgs boson, a fundamental particle often called the 'God particle,' during high-energy experiments.

Proponents have argued that these particle collisions accidentally created a microscopic black hole that rapidly expanded and consumed the Earth, destroying our original reality.

In this theory, rather than everyone dying, human consciousness was transferred to a parallel universe or a simulated world, allowing life to continue seamlessly but with noticeable 'glitches' like the Mandela Effect - when a large group of people share the same false memory.

In the blockbuster movie The Matrix (Pictured), Keanu Reeves discovers we're living in a simulated reality hundreds of years from now

Believers that the world is a simulation have pointed to the increasing global upheaval since the Mayan calendar ended, claiming we're all now trapped inside this black hole or artificial reality, where physics and events feel increasingly unstable.

'I am now genuinely convinced the world ended in 2012 and we're in an easter egg post-credits scene,' an X user wrote recently.

'The world really ended in 2012, and we've been living in hell ever since,' another person exclaimed.

'Sometime after Dec 21st, 2012, our timeline splintered off into whatever reality this is,' someone else theorized.

Even billionaire tech pioneer Elon Musk has mentioned his belief in the simulation theory, citing it as the possible explanation for God's grand design in our world.

During a podcast interview on December 9, Musk suggested that our creator could be simply running a massive computer simulation, with our lives being nothing more than 'somebody's video game.'

He also speculated that our world could be an 'alien Netflix series,' saying that the purpose of life would therefore be to keep humanity exciting to increase our 'ratings' and prevent our creator from turning the computer off.
If last year had us hooked on swicy flavours, this years predicted food trends are set to liven things up even more, experts say.

2025 was dominated by sweet and spicy dishes, with chilli chocolate and hot honey appearing on menus and in supermarkets around the world.

But the new year brings an even more bizarre combination  fricy foods that mix fruity and spicy tastes.

This includes dishes like spicy Thai salads or Mexican recipes with plenty of mango, chilli and lime.

Online retailer Sous Chef is already reporting soaring sales of fricy condiments, the BBC reports.

They say sales of Mexican chamoy  a tangy mix of pickled fruit, lime and chilli - is up 64 per cent in three months.

Meanwhile interest in Japanese yuzu kosho, a fermented chilli and citrus blend, has risen 28 per cent.

Other fruity and spicy mashups could include pineapple and black pepper or citrus with a sharp kick  both of which offer a pop of fruity sweetness followed by a hit of acidity.

Thai cuisine already includes a mix of fruity and spicy flavours. Pictured: A spicy Thai mango salad (file image)

Sales of Mexican chamoy (pictured)  a tangy mix of pickled fruit, lime and chilli - is up 64 per cent in three months

Food writer Sejal Sukhadwala, who write The Philosophy of Curry, took to X to express her hopes that the unusual flavour really does take off.

I dont normally bother with upcoming food trends but if fruity, spicy flavours are in, I hope kasundi finally gets to shine, she wrote.

Its a superb Bengali mustard relish that comes in several varieties  hunt down the green mango version if you can.

Meanwhile recipe develop and writer Sophia Real wrote in a blog post: Apparently 2026 is the year we will get fricy  short for fruity and spicy.

If you were born close to or below the Southern Hemisphere this probably isnt all that new to you.

You might have grown up sprinkling a mix of chilli powder and sugar over fresh fruit, or chewing on spicy tamarind candy.

But now the rest of the world has finally caught on and we will be seeing many more fruity and spicy treats this year.

For those wanting to try out the trend, she recommends trying some Tajin  Mexican chili lime seasoning  and dipping fruit like melon or ripe stone fruit into it.

There has also been rising interest in Japanese yuzu kosho, a fermented chilli and citrus blend (file image)

As of today, Britains first spicy cereal will be available across major UK supermarkets.

Kelloggs have jumped on last years swicy bandwagon and released a hot honey version of their popular Crunchy Nut cereal.

It builds on the recent success of the hot honey flavour, with it now being put on everything from pizzas to chicken and even popcorn.

We taste tested their new breakfast invention  with surprising results  and you can read our review here.
A Disney World worker was injured after he attempted to stop a rolling 180kg fake boulder from hitting the audience, during an Indiana Jones show.

The heart-stopping moment took place at Walt Disney World in Florida on December 30.

It played out during a live performance of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! and was captured on video

In a TikTok video, posted by @dumb_blonde11, footage shows the prop rolling out of what appears to be smoke effects and towards an actor, before bouncing off the set.

It then makes its way towards the watching audience, and one person can be heard exclaiming, 'It's coming right for us!'

A staff member swiftly stands in front of the fake boulder to prevent it from going any further and is knocked to the ground on impact.

Workers can be seen rushing to the staff member's assistance.

In one video of the incident, a man behind the camera is heard saying: 'He literally saved our lives, that guy.'

A Disney World worker was injured after he attempted to stop a rolling 180kg fake boulder from hitting the audience, during an Indiana Jones show

The scene the actors were attempting to recreate was when Indiana Jones outruns a boulder that rolls from a booby trap in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

According to Disney Parks Blog, the boulder used in the stunt performance is made from rubber and weighs 400lbs (181kg).

Disney guest Drew Bruinsma witnessed the incident and told People how at first she 'didn't know what was going on' before the worker stepped in front of the boulder.

She added that the worker had 'saved' the audience from being injured, and said: 'It was a crazy experience and definitely one that we will remember.'

A spokesperson confirmed to CBS News that a 'a prop moved off its track', though didn't specifically mention the fake boulder.

Disney World has since revealed the injured staff member is 'recovering' and a review into what happened is taking place.

A spokesperson told the Daily Mail 'We're focused on supporting our cast member, who is recovering.

'Safety is at the heart of what we do, and that element of the show will be modified as our safety team completes a review of what happened.'

Disney World has since revealed the injured staff member is 'recovering' and a review into what happened is taking place

Last month, Disney World announced a 150 percent price increase for its popular service of delivering products bought in the park to guests' homes.

The cost of the service depends on the value of the items, but for years, that fee was capped at $40 (29.75).

However, Disney recently increased shipping rates, and the maximum has now jumped to a whopping $99.99 (74) - a 150 percent increase.
A rail company has revealed its plans to take on Eurostar and Virgin with new routes to Europe from the UK.

Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, also known as FS Group, announced it hopes to run trains through the Channel Tunnel to the UK by 2029.

The move comes after the Italian state-owned rail company secured support from Certares, an American private equity firm, The Telegraph reports.

Last year, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) revealed it would allocate spare capacity at Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in Leyton, East London.

Temple Mills is the only train depot that can be accessed from High Speed 1, the line that runs between London and the tunnel and Eurostar has held monopoly for the past 31 years.

In October, the ORR confirmed Virgin Trains had been granted access to the depot.

FS Group missed out on the spot, but now plans to bring a third train service to rival both Virgin and Eurostar.

To tackle the lack of space in the Temple Mills depot, the company intends to base 10 Channel Tunnel trains at a new spot being built in France, near Paris.

Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, also known as FS Group, announced it hopes to run trains through the Channel Tunnel to the UK by 2029

Last year, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) revealed it would allocate spare capacity at Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in Leyton, East London

This would mean FS Group would not need to rely on the UK depot for storage, and could still travel into the country from France.

FS Group told The Telegraph: 'The company intends to further expand its network, including entry onto the Paris-London route and additional cross-border services.'

One train would stay overnight in London St Pancras to set off first thing in the morning.

Virgin intends to begin services from London St. Pancras to Europe from 2030, meaning FS Group could beat the rail service by a year.

Plans are in place for Virgin routes from London to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels-Midi and Amsterdam Central.

There could also be further expansions across France and into Germany and Switzerland.

Virgin also recently agreed with Alstom to buy 12 Avelia Stream trains and will be funded by investor Equitix, as well as private equity firm Azzurra Capital.

The trains could stop in Kent if Ebbsfleet International or Ashford International station are reopened.

In October, the ORR confirmed Virgin Trains had been granted access to the depot

Virgin is in talks with Kent County Council to try and make this possible.

When the depot space was first confirmed for Virgin, Sir Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group, praised the approval 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.'
As the Christmas decorations get packed away and alarms are set for the morning commute, many Brits will be dreaming of their next holiday.

Thankfully, Ryanair has launched its biggest-ever seat sale with more than 10 million summer 2026 seats on offer at big discounts for early bookers.

And it's good news for those looking to take some annual leave in January, as we've found flights from multiple UK airports to Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands for less than 25 - with some as low as 15!

If you're looking to escape the UK's below-zero weather in the coming weeks, January in the Canary Islands offers a warm winter escape with temperatures of around 18 to 21C.

Rain is rare, especially in the south, making it great for exploring volcanic landscapes and beaches.

On the Ryanair website, there is an afternoon flight from Manchester Airport to Tenerife South for just 15 on January 27.

The flight takes just over four and a half hours, meaning you could be checked in, unpacked and sipping on sangrias over dinner without having to set an early alarm.

For holidaymakers across the rest of the UK, there are plenty of flights from London airports and regional bases to the Canaries for less than 25.

Playa de las Americas beach in Tenerife, Spain, is pictured in January last year

There is also no shortage of things to do in Tenerife, from exploring Teide National Park to whale watching and seeing monkeys up close at one of the many zoos

January in the Canary Islands offers a warm winter escape with temperatures of around 18 to 21C. The Maspolmas dunes in Gran Canaria are pictured

Tenerife ranked within the top five in a recent ranking of the best destinations for low-cost winter sun this January.

There is also no shortage of things to do, from exploring Teide National Park to whale watching and seeing monkeys up close at one of the many zoos.

Off-season holidays can mean fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation.

According to Skyscanner, the average price of a hotel in Tenerife in January is 154 per night, which is around 24 per cent lower than the rest of the year.

Elsewhere in Spain, there are plenty of dates in February and March when you can fly to Alicante from Gatwick for just 24.99, with return tickets less than 50.

Whether you're planning a big summer holiday or weekend city break, there are plenty of discounts available.

Ryanair's Dara Brady said: 'Now that Christmas is over, it's time to look forward to your summer 2026 holidays.

'Whether you're seeking sun, sea, city or all the above, Ryanair's Summer 2026 sale  our biggest ever sale with 10million discount seats on offer  delivers incredible value across Ryanair's more than 235 destinations, including top sunshine hotspots.

Elsewhere in Spain, there are plenty of dates in February and March when you can fly to Alicante from Gatwick for just 24.99

'These bargain fares will sell out fast, so make sure you book your Summer 2026 holiday today via the Ryanair App or website.'

Another major airline has launched its sale for 2026 - with flights from just 14.99.

Budget carrier easyJet has released its Big Orange Sale for Brits looking to explore more of Europe and beyond for less.

More than 1.2 million seats to and from the UK are now available to book with up to 20 per cent off, including during February and October half-terms.
Balamory's original stars were reunited for the first readthrough of the show's brand new revived series.

The beloved show hit screens in 2002 on CBeebies and was a childhood staple for many until the final episode aired in 2005.

In 2024, it was revealed Balamory would be coming back for a revival after two decades off screens - with two new series set to launch this year.

Fan favourite characters Miss Hoolie, PC Plum, Edie McCredie and Penny Pocket are all confirmed to reappear.

The returning cast members came together with their new co-stars for a script reading.

Meanwhile, a short clip shows several of the actors reading out lines from one of the upcoming episodes.

The cast of Balamory have reunited as filming for the new CBeebies series kicked off this week, but many fans have shared the same observation

Julie Wilson Nimmo (second from left) - wearing her character's signature green - is back as the iconic Miss Hoolie

Juliet Cadzow and Andrew Agnew are reprising their respective roles as Edie McCredie and PC Plum

Kim Tserkezie (left) is back as Penny Pocket, pictured here with new cast member Danielle Jam playing Ava Potts

Penny Pocket - played by actress Kim Tserkezie, begins by saying: 'I think there's something on the loose in Balamory. I found huge footprints.'

This prompts Dr. Ollie (Carl Spencer) to suggest: 'Why don't we have a look in my big book of animal footprints.'

Fellow newcomer, scientist Ava Potts (Danielle Jam) says: 'You mean a Balamory-saurus? Only one way to find out.'

Next shown is familiar face Edie McCredie (Juliet Cadzow), who says: 'Sorry Penny, there's nothing here. Apart from two dinosaurs running towards the nursery.'

To which Kim, as Penny, responds by asking: 'Really, are you serious?'

Edie answers: 'Yes! Oh, you better get over there now.'

Following this is much-loved PC Plum (Andrew Agnew), saying: 'It may still be a little old and worn - rude - but I think it's still in good working order.'

Last but not least is Julie Wilson Nimmo back as the iconic Miss Hoolie , who is seemingly concluding the episode.

She is shown saying: 'That was the story in Balamory. Thanks for coming. I hope you all had a t-rex-excellent day.'

In July 2025, it was revealed that cast members had begun filming for the highly anticipated new series.

The BBC released a first-look snap of Julie Wilson Nimmo on set in Tobermory, the real-life Isle of Mull town that inspired the show's iconic setting.

During a break from filming, Julie ditched her staple stripy green cardigan for a vibrant floral-print jacket and khaki wide-leg trousers, which she paired with a forest green jumper.

The original run also starred Miles Jupp as Archie the Inventor, Rodd Christensen as Spencer the Painter while Buki Akib and Kasia Haddad played Josie Jump at different points.

Late actress Mary Riggans played shopkeeper Suzie Sweet, who worked alongside Penny Pocket.

Mary passed away in her sleep at home in 2013, aged 78, a year after suffering a stroke.

Also joining the cast is actor Carl Spencer, who is portraying the role of Balamory's local vet, Dr. Ollie

In July 2025, the BBC released a first-look snap of Julie Wilson Nimmo (Miss Hoolie) on set in Tobermory, the real-life Isle of Mull town that inspired the show's iconic setting

Balamory first hit screens in 2002 on Cbeebies and was a childhood staple for many until the initially final episode aired in 2005

BBC boss Kate Morton said previously: 'It's wonderful to see some of the original cast returning alongside new faces, creating a perfect mix of nostalgia and discovery for families to enjoy together.

'This vibrant new series will delight both children and the grown-ups who remember it fondly.'

Balamory was broadcast around the world, becoming a hit with young audiences in Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada and South Africa.

Its fame saw visitors flood to the island in their thousands to see the site of PC Plums rounds, and the tourist office was swamped with calls.

The BBC said the revival would continue its tradition of home-grown storytelling about the much-loved nursery school and island community that surrounds it.

Old episodes of Balamory are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
BBC Breakfast has kicked off 2026 with a fresh presenter shake-up.

Thursdays usually see Charlie Stayt, 63, and Naga Munchetty, 50, host the morning programme from the iconic red sofa.

But in the latest instalment Charlie was joined by broadcaster Luxmy Gopal, 32.

Nothing was mentioned at the start of the episode as Luxmy told viewers: 'Good morning. Happy New Year and welcome to Breakfast with Charlie Stayt and Luxmy Gopal.'

Daily Mail contacted BBC for comment.

The episode also only aired between 6am and 8.50am.

BBC Breakfast has started 2026 in a fresh presenter shake-up - as Thursdays usually sees Charlie Stayt, 63, and Naga Munchetty, 50, host the morning programme from the red sofa

But in the latest instalment Charlie was joined by Luxmy Gopal, 32 (pictured)

Naga Munchetty was missing from Thursday's instalment of the BBC show

BBC Breakfast is usually on air weekdays from 6am until 9am.

While Charlie and Naga present the show Thursday to Saturday, Sally Nugent and Jon Kay host Monday to Wednesday.

Naga has hit a number of headlines in recent months.

In November it was reported the BBC had assigned watchdogs to monitor Naga Munchetty after a formal investigation was launched into her behaviour.

Daily Mail contacted Naga's representatives for comment at the time and a BBC spokesperson said at the time: 'We do not comment on individual HR matters.'

On Sundays they have stand-in and relief presenters such as Roger Johnson, Rachel Burden, and Ben Thompson.

Luxmy joined the BBC Breakfast team in 2021 for a weekend episode.

Then by 2022 she became a regular stand-in host when the others aren't able to present.

She previously worked as a news reporter for the Look North program.

Luxmy joined the BBC Breakfast team in 2021 for a weekend episode, then by 2022 she became a regular stand-in host when the others aren't able to present

The journalist has also hosted the BBC's News Channel and BBC World.

Not only that, she's also presented BBC News at One and BBC London.

It comes after BBC Breakfast fans were delighted as a beloved presenter returned to our screens earlier this week after months away - and called for a permanent comeback.

The long-running show has a regular roster of anchors, with many becoming firm fixtures over the years.

Tuesday's (December 30) instalment saw Ben Thompson and Nina Warhurst hosting on the red sofa.

Fans were particularly happy to see Nina, 45, who left the show earlier this year to begin a new role on BBC News At One.

Writing on X, one penned: 'SO nice to have Nina back on the sofa.

'She's so natural with people and a true pro. You've been missed - but love you on the 1300 news too.'

BBC Breakfast's Nina Warhurst left the programme earlier this year to join the team on News At One

Viewers watching today's (December 30) episode were thrilled to see Nina back, as she hosted alongside Ben Thompson

The pair covered stories including the King's New Year Honours - with the likes of Idris Elba and Torvill & Dean being recognised

Another shared: 'Good to see @NinaWarhurst back on the sofa. Bring her back full-time. #bbcbreakfast.'

A third commented: 'Nice to see Nina for a change this morning.'

In March, Nina revealed her departure from Breakfast, having first joined the team as a freelancer in 2016.

Sharing her new colleague News At One's editor Richard Frediani's post about joining his team, Nina wrote: 'Hanging up the high-viz & hairnet as I join the BBCs News At One.

'Our London team built a gem of a programme & its a privilege to be on the Salford team taking it forward.

'(The teenaged me who lived half a mile from here & dreamed of journalism would NOT believe it).'

Many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their excitement

Richard's tweet read: 'Delighted to welcome Nina Warhurst as a regular presenter of the News at One from April.

'Congratulations - a brilliant addition to the team in Salford.'

Nina's fans rushed to X to share their love and support over the big move.

One said: 'Congratulations but will miss you on the Breakfast show.'

Another added: 'Such a clever, beautiful, happy young woman.....Keep it up girl.'

'Well done Nina hard work pays off,' a third chimed in.

A fourth added: 'The best news,' with four clapping emojis.

Earlier this month, Nina shared a poignant tribute while preparing herself for the first Christmas without her father.

Back in July, Nina, 45, announced that her father Chris had passed away after being diagnosed with dementia three years earlier.

Taking to Instagram, the journalist shared a reflective post accompanied by quotes and a photo of Chris.

She penned: 'I am missing my Dad as we head to our first Christmas without him. Something is missing in the world and it hurts.'

The presenter's father, Chris, sadly died in July 2025, three years after being diagnosed with dementia

Nina added: 'This week I received this email from his former neighbour and it touched me deeply.

'We didn't know this family but the words paint a gentleman who was warm and reliable.

'Someone who could breeze the chit-chat, but could be called on in a crisis. Someone with wisdom to offer perspective to bad luck. A good neighbour.

'These are quiet and steady characteristics that are easily overlooked. Small gestures without fuss adding up to something much, much bigger.

'The world can feel bleak and hopeless but quiet things we do every day hold meaning, and it's beautiful that a stranger wanted us to know they saw them in Dad.

'[I added here my favourite Middlemarch quote (nearly gave up on it many times, but that small passage made the slog worth it).

'And one from Vonnegut, who I don't know but I saved it from @lettersofnote Because the sentiment on trying every day is the same. "He was a fantastic man. " He was."
The United Kingdom has recorded its highest-ever value of defense export sales since records began more than 40 years ago, reaching over 20 billion (approximately $27 billion) in 2025. The milestone was confirmed by the UK Ministry of Defense, marking a historic peak in arms export agreements dating back to 1983.

These export deals are expected to support more than 25,000 jobs across the British defense industry. However, it is important to note that the figure reflects the total value of contracts signed, rather than direct revenue flowing into the state budget, as the payments will be spread over many years and largely benefit private defense companies.

A closer look at the data shows that the record total is heavily concentrated in just two major contracts, which together account for around 90% of the declared export value. The largest of these is a 10 billion ($13.5 billion) agreement signed in September 2025 with Norway for at least five Type 26 frigates built by BAE Systems. These ships are intended to replace Norway's Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates, with delivery of the first vessel expected around 2029.

The Type 26 frigate / Photo credit: BAE Systems

The second-largest deal is the export of Eurofighter Typhoon fighters to Turkey, finalized in October 2025. In its official statistics, the UK Ministry of Defense stated that this contract would "bring 8 billion" to the British economy, a figure that significantly exceeds the actual value of the contract itself.

Available details indicate that the real contract value to be executed by BAE Systems is approximately 5.4 billion ($7.2 billion). Of this amount, around 4.6 billion ($6.13 billion) is attributed to the aircraft themselves, with an additional 800 million ($1 billion) allocated for weapons. Deliveries of the new fighters are expected to begin from 2030.

In addition to the Typhoon deal, the UK also announced another aviation-related contract with Turkey for the export of 12 C-130 transport aircraft, with a total value exceeding 550 million ($742 million). This further strengthens defense-industrial cooperation between London and Ankara.

The export portfolio also includes smaller but notable contracts, such as the sale of 18 Jackal 3 light mobility vehicles to the Czech Republic. Although not highlighted in the official announcement, earlier disclosures indicate the contract value is approximately $44 million.

Looking ahead, British officials expect defense export volumes to grow even further in the coming years. A key driver is anticipated to be cooperation within the AUKUS partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, particularly Canberra's planned procurement of SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered attack submarines, which could generate contracts of unprecedented scale for the UK defense industry.
Run Away (Netflix)

Rating:

New Year's Day telly, like Christmas, can be a bit too much.

One week after you've eaten too much, opened too much and spent too much, now you've got too much to watch.

Not only did we have The Traitors to savour, and The Night Manager (covered on other pages), but the return of ITV's Red Eye, which was superb and will be reviewed in full next week... plus the twohourplus finale of Stranger Things on Netflix.

Chances are, you missed all these treats if you got engrossed in the eightpart thriller Run Away, the latest highoctane family drama from the inexhaustible Harlan Coben, also streaming on Netflix.

Paperback bestseller Coben can be counted on to deliver multiple plotlines that gradually twist around each other like rope, and outrageous cliffhangers.

His characters are all hiding big secrets and will tell any lie or break any law to hold on to everything they've got  whether that's wealth, family or power.

Coben's great strength is his talent for conjuring every parent's worst nightmares and lacing them with hallucinogens.

Pictured: James Nesbitt, who plays Simon, and Minnie Driver, who plays his wife Ingrid

Nesbitt plays Simon, the sort of snob who is constantly showing off his luxury watch. But he and wife Ingrid (Minnie Driver) are more tightly wound than any Swiss clockwork

This is soap packed full of steroids. It demands actors who are not afraid to go over the top, and viewers who are willing to suspend all disbelief.

James Nesbitt is perfect for these rollercoaster roles. He starred in Missing You, the Coben drama that launched on New Year's Day last year, and he's even more feverish in Run Away  eyes blazing, teeth bared, nostrils flaring... and that's just when he's lost his car keys.

Nesbitt plays Simon, the sort of snob who is constantly showing off his luxury watch. But he and wife Ingrid (Minnie Driver) are more tightly wound than any Swiss clockwork. Their daughter, Paige (Ellie de Lange), is a heroin addict, living in a squat.

When Simon spots Paige busking in a park, he urges her to return home  and explodes into violence when her scuzzy boyfriend Aaron intervenes.

Getting arrested and chucked into cells isn't the half of Simon's problems: a YouTuber films the fight and posts it on social media with the caption, 'Rich businessman beats up homeless guy'.

All that happens within the first five minutes. Coben's thrillers don't hang around.

So much happens so quickly that it's a mistake to try and make sense of the plot as it unfolds, let alone to secondguess what might happen next.

A pair of BonnieandClyde assassins sit in their car, exchanging offbeat, rambling dialogue that parodies Elmore Leonard at his most eccentric.

Meanwhile, Ruth Jones turns up in the park and steals a dog before cadging a free lunch from its owner. Turns out she's a private detective called Elena, working on a case apparently unconnected to Simon's arrest.

When her partner and computer hacker Lou (Annette Badland) announces she'd like the night off, Elena snaps, 'And I'd like to be in Bali with Idris Elba.' That's Sir Idris now, please.

Natural Mead of the Night

Summer heat in the city causes nectar in the flowers to ferment and make bees tipsy, revealed David Attenborough in his charming Wild London (BBC1).

'Research into whether bees get hangovers has yet to be done,' he chortled.
For Kim Kardashian, 2025 was filled with major highs and devastating lows.

Although the reality TV legend landed a starring role in Ryan Murphy's legal drama, All's Fair, which has been renewed for a second season, she also faced several setbacks in both her professional endeavors and personal life.

Between failing the California bar exam, navigating co-parenting with ex-husband Kanye West and testifying in a Paris court against the robbers who held her at gunpoint nearly a decade earlier, an inside source told the Daily Mail that Kardashian, 45, feels 'defeated' and 'exhausted' after what she believes is 'the worst' year yet.

'Kim cannot wait for the new year, because this has been one of her worst, if not the worst. It has been so trying that she does not know what she will do if 2026 is worse,' the insider exclusively told the Daily Mail.

'Failing the bar was a major slap in the face and a massive blow to her ego,' they said.

'Being a mom is tough. She loves her kids, but along with the rest of her life being so busy, it has been a struggle while dealing with everything else in her personal life. It's tough co-parenting with Kanye.'

Kim Kardashian, 45, recently celebrated Christmas Eve with her four children she shares with ex Kanye West (Pictured from left: Saint, 10, Chicago, seven, and Psalm, six, and North, 12)

Indeed, Kardashian recently celebrated the Christmas holiday with the four children she shares with her ex-husband: North, 12, Saint, 10, Chicago, seven, and Psalm, six. The pair were married for nearly seven years.

However, the rapper, 48, was noticeably absent from family holiday photos, which were taken before the Kardashian-Jenner clan's annual Christmas Eve bash.

Instead, West - who legally changed his name to Ye - was spotted that same evening with his wife, Bianca Censori, in Los Angeles.

The photos were just a glimpse at what Kardashian has previously described as a 'frustrating' co-parenting relationship.

In October, Kardashian revealed on the Call Her Daddy podcast that she did not feel 'safe emotionally or even financially' in her 'toxic' marriage to West, and recalled how her own mental health began to suffer.

Since their split, West has accused Kardashian of keeping him from their children, even posting on X that she had 'kidnapped' their two sons and two daughters.

She clarified on the podcast that, 'I raise the kids full time. They live with me and I welcome a great healthy relationship with my kids and their dad, and I think he knows that.'

Kardashian said at the time that it had been 'a couple months' since the family had heard from West.

In October, Kardashian (pictured) revealed on the Call Her Daddy podcast that she did not feel 'safe emotionally or even financially' in her 'toxic' marriage to West

Ye (left, pictured in February 2024) has since moved on with wife Bianca Censori (right)

'It's not easy, no matter what, co-parenting with anyone - it's just the one thing that gets me is that there's this narrative that I keep the kids away from him. I've never once done that,' she said.

While the Skims founder has been romantically linked to a slew of famous faces since their divorce - including Pete Davidson, Odell Beckham Jr and Tom Brady - the source told the Daily Mail that Kardashian 'doesn't know if she will ever have time to have another serious relationship in her life.'

'She would love to find love again, but what this year has shown her is that you can't have it all,' the insider said.

They continued, adding that 'She's not getting any younger and is stuck in her ways, and to find someone that would meet her in the middle and be an important man in her life to her and her kids might just be impossible.'

The source added that Kardashian 'buries herself in work' to avoid the woes of her love life.

Such work includes her dream to become a lawyer, which has been a six-year journey for Kardashian.

But in November, Kardashian revealed in an emotional video that she did not pass the California bar exam after studying for four months straight and injuring her back due to stress.

Coincidentally, Kardashian learned she had failed on the same day that her legal drama series, All's Fair, premiered on Hulu.

Kardashian (pictured) feels 'defeated' and 'exhausted' after what she believes is 'the worst' year yet, a source exclusively told the Daily Mail

Kardashian's legal drama, All's Fair, was branded by critics as 'the worst drama ever' and 'a crime against television' following its Hulu premiere in November (Pictured from left: Niecy Nash, Glenn Close, Kim Kardashian, Teyana Taylor, Naomi Watts and Sarah Paulson)

The show, which also starred Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash and Teyana Taylor, was branded by critics as 'the worst drama ever' and 'a crime against television' upon its debut.

According to the insider, Kardashian had big dreams that her performance as Allura Grant, a high-powered divorce lawyer, might even land her an Emmy Award nomination.

But the reaction from critics, they said, just added to her supposed year from hell.

'She was excited for her role in All's Fair, and she is looking forward to filming Season 2, but the reaction it got from critics and viewers was another blow,' they said.

'She put in a lot of work, and for it to be panned upset her to no end. She had hoped it might get her an Emmy nomination.'

Kardashian's year took an emotional turn back in May, when she returned to France to 'confront' her attackers in a Paris courtroom - almost nine years after she was robbed of an estimated $10million-worth of jewelry in her hotel room.

During court testimony, Kardashian said she had feared for her life as the robbers tied her up and held her at gunpoint.

She also told the court that she forgave the accused ringleader, but said 'it doesn't change the emotion and the feelings, the trauma, and my life being changed forever.'

The reality TV star appeared in a Paris courtroom with her mother Kris Jenner (right) on May 13, where Kardashian (left) was testifying in a trial over her 2016 robbery

During testimony, Kardashian (pictured) said she had feared for her life but forgave the accused ringleader for the attack

Eight people were later found guilty of crimes in connection to the 2016 robbery.

The source told the Daily Mail that 'returning to Paris for the trial was the hardest moment for [Kardashian] this year.'

'Everything before and after just added to it. The only saving grace was that she doesn't have to go back to that - that chapter is over.'

Still, the insider maintained that Kardashian's tight-knit family has continued to support the reality TV star amid her rollercoaster year.

Her devoted mother, Kris Jenner, appeared by her side at the Paris courtroom in May. Kardashian has also showcased her close relationship with her younger sister Khloe on Season 7 of Hulu's The Kardashians.

'Kim has gone through a bunch of stuff this year and her family has mentioned to her that she should feel uplifted - that all these tests are in God's plan and that she will be better off. But it's hard for her to believe that,' the source added.

'She feels defeated. Nobody is feeling her pain from this year. She's exhausted.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Kardashian's representatives for comment, but has not heard back.
Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia's most trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip BEFORE it makes the news.

End of an era

Sydney's dating pool has taken another hit.

I'm told publicist Andy El-Bayeh - long billed as one of the city's most eligible bachelors - is engaged, confirming that his relationship with designer and podcaster Raquelle Saba, first revealed in this column, is far more than a casual fling.

Spies recently clocked a sparkler on her left hand, which has set tongues wagging.

The pair, first spotted together earlier this year, have moved quickly but quietly. After being photographed sharing a very public kiss in Dubai, sources now say the engagement happened days before Christmas, with the couple choosing to keep details tightly under wraps.

Friends describe the decision as 'unsurprising', given Saba's increasing presence at key moments in El-Bayeh's life, including his birthday celebrations back in March.

Andy El-Bayeh - long billed as one of the city's most eligible bachelors - is engaged

The couple are seen looking glamorous in a cream suit and rust dress respectively

Andy and Harriet tied the knot in a lavish Southern Highlands wedding in 2022, shocking high society when they split just a short time later

While neither has made a public announcement, congratulations have already begun circulating within Sydney's fashion and creative circles.

The engagement comes 16-months after El-Bayeh's high-profile split from kinesiologist Harriet Williams, following their lavish 2022 Southern Highlands wedding - a union many insiders thought would go the distance.

In an unfortunate twist of timing, Vogue Australia ran a feature on the former couple's Bondi marital home the very day news broke that the 'it' couple had split.

As for what's next, those in the know say the couple are weighing up where to base themselves as El-Bayeh continues to expand his agency Example internationally.

One thing is clear: the era of Andy El-Bayeh as Sydney's most eligible bachelor is officially over. Sorry, ladies.

Andy did not respond when contacted for comment.

Steel-ing hearts

Socialite Emma Steel's love life is once again the talk of the eastern suburbs - and, according to sources, she hasn't strayed far from her well-established preferences.

Spies tell me the former model is dating a man one insider bluntly described as 'cashed-up' - proof that Steel's romantic criteria remains refreshingly consistent.

As one friend put it, she doesn't discriminate: 'young or old, ugly or otherwise - but always rich.'

The new romance follows her relationship with Lamborghini-driving medico Dr Alireza Fallahi, which began shortly after a magistrate found Steel had wrongly accused her neurosurgeon ex-husband, Dr Tim Steel, of assault.

That ruling came after the former couple were embroiled in a highly publicised court case that captivated Sydney society pages.

Emma Steel had wrongly accused her neurosurgeon ex-husband, Dr Tim Steel, of assault. The former couple are pictured together

Carla Farah, Emma Steel (centre) and Stephanie Conly-Buhre at The Sydney Children's Hospital Silver Committee in 2014

Ms Steel had accused the father of her two daughters of assault following a Christmas party in 2019, as well as claiming he was stingy with money - despite receiving a reported $24,000 monthly allowance.

The charges, which included assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and property damage, were ultimately dismissed after magistrate Vivien Swain cited inconsistencies in Steel's evidence.

Dr Steel, who was said to own a $23 million property portfolio at the time, denied the allegations and detailed how a work Christmas party ended with police attending their Bellevue Hill home the following morning.

Now, with a new man in her life and another wealthy figure by her side, it seems Emma Steel is firmly back to business as usual - and Sydney's gossip circuit is watching closely to see how long her latest chapter lasts.
Ellen DeGeneres has further ramped rumors that she plans to return to the U.S. while spotted on a stroll with wife Portia de Rossi in Montecito this week.

The 67-year-old comedian - who recently unveiled her dramatic hair change - notably relocated to the U.K. shortly after Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election late last year.

While the couple - who tied the knot in 2008 - are said to just be spending only 'a few weeks' in California, a source told The Mail on Sunday that the TV personality has plans to 'come home soon' to the West Coast.

During the latest excursion on Tuesday, DeGeneres kept it casual sporting a gray-printed shirt as well as a pair of denim jeans and dark navy blazer on top.

She completed her overall ensemble by slipping into a pair of comfy sneakers and added a blue cap on top of her newly-dyed blonde locks.

De Rossi also dressed down while enjoying time back in California, and wore a cream-colored sweater as well as loose-fitting blue jeans.

Ellen DeGeneres, 67, has further ramped rumors that she plans to return to the U.S. while spotted on a stroll with wife Portia de Rossi in Montecito this week

The comedian notably relocated to the U.K. shortly after Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election late last year

The pair were seen stopping by The Post for a bit of shopping - and also grabbed a bite to eat for a lowkey lunch.

After picking up a few items, DeGeneres and wife de Rossi were also accompanied by their adorable dog named Jinx - who they seemingly adopted last month in November.

The couple later met up with the star's brother Vance and sister-in-law Joanna ahead of the New Year's holiday.

The group was seen mingling outside a building in Santa Barbara before heading to their next destination.

DeGeneres is no stranger to the Montecito area and previously owned homes there in the past.

Back in March of this year, she took the big step of listing her Montecito property for $4,995,000.

Less than two weeks later, the star's home sold for over the asking price at $5.2 million.

Last week, DeGeneres jumped to her main Instagram page to unveil her new blonde locks - after sporting gray hair for around a year.

During the latest excursion on Tuesday, DeGeneres kept it casual sporting a gray-printed shirt as well as a pair of denim jeans and dark navy blazer on top

She completed her overall ensemble by slipping into a pair of comfy sneakers and added a blue cap on top of her newly-dyed blonde locks

De Rossi also dressed down while enjoying time back in California, and wore a cream-colored sweater as well as loose-fitting blue jeans

After picking up a few items, DeGeneres and wife de Rossi were also accompanied by their adorable dog named Jinx - who they seemingly adopted last month in November

De Rossi could be seen holding a conversation with the comedian during the daytime excursion

The former talk show host completed her look for the day by also opting for a pair of sunglasses

DeGeneres and de Rossi both carried goodies in bags before heading to their next destination

The Post is an outdoor shopping area located in Montecito which features both stories and restaurants

The couple later met up with the star's brother Vance and sister-in-law Joanna ahead of the New Year's holiday

She shared a photo while spending the Christmas holiday with her mother Betty, 95, at a retirement home and was also joined by her brother Vance and sister-in-law Joanna at the time.

The media personality had occasionally showed off the darker shade on social media, such as when she did yard work at their U.K. home back in May.

DeGeneres has also offered glimpses into her life after leaving the U.S. after Trump was elected 47th president in November 2024.

Both she and de Rossi originally moved into an $18 million house in the Cotswolds area - but the six-bedroom home was met with severe flooding due to Storm Bert.

An insider previously informed the Daily Mail, 'Ellen and Portia have had several issues with the place they initially moved into.

'First there was the flooding, of course, then there was an issue with some locals complaining about some building work carried out at the property.'

DeGeneres and de Rossi then moved to a different property which is only a 30 minute drive from the original home that they had bought.

However, an insider told The Mail on Sunday earlier this month that there is a possibly that the couple will move back to the U.S. - despite Trump still being in office.

The group was seen mingling outside a building in Santa Barbara before heading to their next destination

DeGeneres was seen stopping by the valet after joining her other family members

Her brother was following close behind the comedian as they walked down a brick sidewalk

DeGeneres is no stranger to the Montecito area and previously owned homes there in the past

Back in March of this year, she took the big step of listing her Montecito property for $4,995,000

Last week, DeGeneres jumped to her main Instagram page to unveil her new blonde locks - after sporting gray hair for around a year

She shared a photo while spending the Christmas holiday with her mother Betty, 95, at a retirement home and was also joined by her brother and sister-in-law at the time

DeGeneres has also offered glimpses into her life after leaving the U.S. after Trump was elected 47th president in November 2024

Both she and de Rossi originally moved into an $18 million house in the Cotswolds area - but the six-bedroom home was met with severe flooding due to Storm Bert

An insider previously informed the Daily Mail, 'Ellen and Portia have had several issues with the place they initially moved into'

DeGeneres and de Rossi then moved to a different property which is only a 30 minute drive from the original home that they had bought

'Ellen was adamant that she and Portia were going to stay in the UK while Trump was in the White House, but evidently she's changed her mind somewhat,' the source said.

'She's been telling friends they are coming home soon because they miss them and can't take the winters over there, and Portia wants to act again. They will be here for the holidays and longer by the sound of it.'

The insider added that the star misses the 'warm weather' as well as her close pals who still reside on the West Coast.

Back in July, DeGeneres opened up about her move to the English countryside with wife de Rossi, per the BBC.

When questioned by journalist Richard Bacon if relocating to the U.K. was because of Trump being re-elected, the comedian simply replied with, 'Yes.'

At the time of the election last year in November, the couple had only been visiting the U.K.

'We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, "He got in." And we're like, "We're staying here."'

In regards to her life in the countryside, the star gushed that it was 'beautiful' and different from the California desert landscape.

However, an insider told The Mail on Sunday earlier this month that there is a possibly that the couple will move back to the U.S. - despite Trump still being in office; seen on Monday in Palm Beach

'Ellen was adamant that she and Portia were going to stay in the UK while Trump was in the White House, but evidently she's changed her mind somewhat,' the source said

The insider added that the star misses the 'warm weather' as well as her close pals who still reside on the West Coast

Back in July, DeGeneres opened up about her move to the English countryside with wife de Rossi, per the BBC

At the time of the election last year in November, the couple had only been visiting the U.K.

'We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, "He got in." And we're like, "We're staying here,"' she said

De Rossi was also seen talking to the comedian's sister-in-law during the relaxing group outing this week

'We're just not used to seeing this kind of beauty. The villages and the towns and the architecture - everything you see is charming and it's just a simpler way of life.'

DeGeneres added, 'It's clean. Everything here is just better - the way animals are treated, people are polite. I just love it here...'

Back in 2020, the star was embroiled in controversy after being accused of creating a toxic work environment - and later issued an apology.

After nearly two decades of being on the air, The Ellen Degeneres Show also came to an end just two years later in 2022.

Back in 2020, the star was embroiled in controversy after being accused of creating a toxic work environment- and later issued an apology; seen in 2011

She previously told The Hollywood Reporter, 'I have to just trust that whatever happened during that time, which was obviously very, very difficult, happened for a reason.

'I think that I learned a lot, and there were some things that came up that I was shocked and surprised by. It was eye-opening, but I just trust that that had to happen.'

She stepped in front of the camera once again for her 2024 Netflix special titled Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval.

However upon its release, the project garnered mainly mixed to negative reviews and garnered a score of 33% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sunrise viewers woke up to quite a shock on Thursday as one New Year's Eve reveller dropped an F-bomb live on air.

Reporter Katie Brown was on Bondi Beach in the wake of Wednesday night's end-of-year festivities chatting to some 'stragglers' from the night before.

'We definitely have people who have started their new year with a swim  I think it's also possibly to help their sore heads,' Katie said.

Addressing a small crowd, Katie asked: 'Who here is still on? Anyone been home yet?'

One man in the crowd eagerly pointed his fingers in the air, signalling that he was still very much imbued with the party spirit.

As Katie put on a pair of star-shaped glasses in an attempt to keep the festivities going, Sunrise host David Woiwod wanted to know more about the finger-pointing partygoer.

Sunrise viewers woke up to quite a shock on Thursday as one New Year's Eve reveller dropped an F-bomb live on air. Pictured: Hosts Edwina Bartholomew and David Woiwod

'Hey Katie, there's a bloke there in a white collared shirt... I want to know about him. Has he pushed through?' David asked.

Katie replied: 'He's from Brazil, and you haven't slept yet, have you?'

The man, though looking rather the worse for wear, was visibly excited to be on television before demonstrating just how unpredictable live broadcasts can be.

'I have not, and I f***ing love...' he said before being quickly cut off by Katie.

'Remember when we said no?' Katie asked the man, who sheepishly continued with: 'I love it, I love it.'

David accepted responsibility for the mishap, while co-host Edwina Bartholomew expressed her astonishment.

'I did not see that coming. That will get you waking up,' she said before chastising David for his role in the sweary exchange.

'Talk to the drunk guy who hasn't gone home,' she said.

Sunrise reporter Katie Brown was on Bondi Beach in the wake of Wednesday night's end-of-year festivities chatting to some 'stragglers' from the night before as host David Woiwod asked if one particular reveller, from Brazil, had been to sleep

The man, sounding a little worse for wear, albeit excited for his small screen moment, then proved why live television can be fraught with danger. 'I have not, and I f***ing love...' he said before being quickly cut off by Katie

David replied: 'I didn't realise he was from Brazil. Leave him alone.'

The man was one of more than a million people who flocked to Sydney Harbour and surrounds on Wednesday to say goodbye to 2025.

All eyes were on the iconic Sydney waterfront where the crowd held their phone torch lights aloft while a menorah was projected onto the Harbour Bridge's pylons and a dove along with the words 'peace' and 'unity' were displayed.

The tribute to victims of the Bondi attack contrasted with the brilliant firework display that rang out across the world-famous harbour at midnight.

There was a heavy security presence throughout the festivities, with thousands of armed police in attendance to safeguard the crowds.

Meanwhile, many people ringing in the new year at home were left disappointed by the ABC's coverage of festivities.

The man was one of more than a million people who flocked to Sydney Harbour and surrounds on Wednesday to say goodbye to 2025

The government-funded broadcaster rolled out a series of heritage acts to take the stage for the concert portion of the telecast.

Kicking off the festivities was 2000s band The Cat Empire, with Casey Donovan and Peach PRC performing, while Spice Girls star Mel C headlined the celebration.

But it was the decision to feature the stars of children's program Play School performing a medley of kids' tracks for the show's 60th anniversary - including Wiggle Wiggly Woo and the show's jaunty theme song - close to 10pm that sparked the most ire.

'It's 9.45pm - why on earth is Play School on #ABCNYE - it's so bizarre. The kiddies are already in bed!' wrote one person on X.

Another said: 'Okay enough is enough. We're switching this crap off. Pity to miss Casey but I can't take this crap anymore.'
The openly gay Saturday Night Live veteran Terry Sweeney is speaking out about an offensive AIDS sketch Chevy Chase suggested during the 1980s.

Sweeney, 75, called Chase an 'a**' over his behavior while speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Chase and Sweeney for comment but has not yet received a response.

The painful episode was referenced in the new CNN documentary I'm Chevy Chase And You're Not, when the film's director Marina Zenovich jogged Chase's memory about the incident by pulling from Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History Of Saturday Night Live As Told By Its Stars, Writers, And Guests, an oral history of the iconic sketch comedy series by Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller.

Chase, 82, had returned to host SNL in the mid-'80s after becoming a breakout star when he appeared on the show's inaugural season, but his infamously difficult behavior manifested when he pitched AIDS-related jokes to Sweeney  who had come out before he starred on the 198586 season  in the midst of the pandemic.

'You said something to Sweeney like, "Oh, youre the gay guy. Why dont we ask if you have AIDS. And every week, we weigh you,"' Zenovich told Chase during her interview.

The openly gay Saturday Night Live veteran Terry Sweeney, 75, called Chevy Chase an 'a**' to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday in response to Chase's suggestion that he appear in a sketch about AIDS when he returned to host SNL in the mid-'80s; Sweeney is pictured in February in NYC

Chase, 82, was quizzed about the offensive incident in CNN's new documentary I'm Chevy Chase And You're Not, which airs on January 1; pictured in February in NYC

The documentary then cuts to SNL creator and producer Lorne Michaels, who defended Chase.

'I think Chevy was just being Chevy. He would say things that were funny, and he would assume you were comedy people, and he could speak that way,' Michaels said. 'You know, we would say terrible things, because thats what would make us laugh.'

The documentary cut back to Chase's interview, in which he was anything but apologetic or introspective.

According to USA Today, Chase laughed awkwardly after he was reminded about the AIDS joke.

'That's the worst,' he admitted, before declaring, 'Terry Sweeney, he was very funny, this guy.'

Chase added, 'I dont think hes alive anymore,' before clarifying that he hoped Sweeney was dead, 'Because I don't want you talking to him about this.'

Sweeney  who declined to participate in the documentary  sounded astounded by the exchange in instant messages to THR.

'Dont you think he is saying this and making himself look more like the a** he is!!!' Sweeney wrote. 'It all reflects rightly horribly on him!'

The film's director Marina Zenovich told Chase, 'You said something to Sweeney like, "Oh, youre the gay guy. Why dont we ask if you have AIDS. And every week, we weigh you"'; he's pictured in National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)

SNL creator and producer Lorne Michaels defended Chase in the documentary. 'Chevy was just being Chevy. He would say things that were funny, and he would assume you were comedy people, and he could speak that way. You know, we would say terrible things, because thats what would make us laugh'; pictured in September in LA

'That's the worst,' Chase admitted with a laugh, before declaring, 'Terry Sweeney, he was very funny, this guy.' Chase added, 'I dont think hes alive anymore,' before clarifying that he hoped Sweeney was dead, 'because I don't want you talking to him about this'; seen in I'm Chevy Chase And You're Not

Sweeney sounded astounded by the exchange in instant messages to THR. 'Dont you think he is saying this and making himself look more like the a** he is!!!' Sweeney wrote. 'It all reflects rightly horribly on him!'; pictured in February in NYC

Sweeney was hired as a writer by SNL shortly after he graduated from college based on strong reviews that some of his drag performances around New York City had received.

Although he was hired during a brief period when Lorne Michaels had left SNL, the show's creator had returned later in the '80s, and he bumped Sweeney up to cast member for the 1985'86 season, making him the first openly gay male actor on SNL, as well as one of the only openly gay actors on network television in general at the time.

However, Sweeney was primarily featured in skits featuring gay stereotypes or requiring him to perform in drag, and he was often slotted in sketches that aired later in the broadcast, where SNL's weakest sketches are traditionally programmed.

In the documentary, a crew member then suggests reading some of Sweeney's recollections of his brief time working with Chase on SNL.

'Oh, this is great, thanks. This will make my day,' Chase replied.

While speaking to Shales and Miller for their oral history Live From New York, which was published in 2015, Sweeney described Chase as a 'monster' and claimed that the Vacation star 'insulted everybody' when he returned to host SNL.

He went on to recount how the Vacation star was convinced to drop by his dressing role to apologize over the tasteless AIDS joke, even though Sweeney thought he seemed 'furious that he had to apologize to me.'

Sweeney also alleged in the oral history that Chase asked him to lick his testicles during his week with the show.

Sweeney also claimed that Chase asked him to lick his testicles, and that he was 'furious' when he had to apologize to Sweeney in his dressing room; (LR) Jon Lovitz, Madonna, Sweeney and Randy Quaid pictured on SNL in 1985

'None of that's true,' Chase claimed in his own interview from the book. 'I would remember that  that I was angry, that I had to apologize to him.  My memory is that he is lying, is my memory. Hes not telling the truth'; pictured in I'm Chevy Chase And You're Not

However, Chase admits in the documentary that he suffers from memory loss brought on by a health crisis in 2021 in which he was in a coma for eight days due to heart failure; pictured in April 2024 in Dallas, Texas

Sweeney,who often had to perform in sketches in drag or featuring gay stereotypes, was unmoved by claims that childhood abuse may explain Chase's behavior. 'Boohoo  poor screwed up kid  so THATs why hes so rotten!!!!!!!' he wrote; pictured with Jon Lovitz, Madonna and Randy Quaid on SNL in 1985

'None of that's true,' Chase claimed in his own interview from the book. 'I would remember that  that I was angry, that I had to apologize to him. 

'My memory is that he is lying, is my memory. Hes not telling the truth,' Chase insisted. 'That isnt me. Thats not who I am. And if I am that way, my life has changed, because I have to live with that now for the rest of my f***ing life.'

However, Chase admits in the documentary that he suffers from memory loss brought on by a health crisis in 2021 in which he was in a coma for eight days due to heart failure.

'It's just that it affects your memory,' Chase said in the documentary. 'So, I have to be reminded of things.

'These are my first few final days home. I can only say how happy I am to now be back with my family, I'm feeling proud,' he added.

Chase said that he was 'in the hospital [for] five weeks,' though he didn't reveal at the time that he had been in a coma after experiencing heart failure.

While speaking to USA Today, Zenovich opined on the potential impact of Chase's stated memory problems on his repeated denials in her documentary.

'I think what happened with his memory loss plays a huge part,' she said. 'The circuitry kind of stopped and restarted again, and maybe some things got lost. Especially those things you don't want to remember.'

Elsewhere in the documentary, Chase looks back on how he was abused by his parents as a child, which is suggested as a possible reason why he has such tempestuous relationships with his collaborators.

However, Sweeney was unmoved by the revelations.

'Boohoo  poor screwed up kid  so THATs why hes so rotten!!!!!!!' he wrote.
Adam Peaty has been accused of 'betraying' his Olympic swimming pal with a shrewd business move that brutally ended their friendship.

Olympic gold medalist Michael, 31, was reportedly shunned from Adam, 31, and Holly Ramsay's, 26, nuptials over the weekend after he got 'too close' to Adam's estranged mother Caroline amid the fallout.

Now, a new report has claimed the feud started last year when Adam's swimming academy AP Race controversially expanded into the Saudi Arabia.

Michael, who has become a prominent voice for LGBTQ+ visibility in sport and media, is said to have felt 'devastated' by the move as he had been working as a diversity and inclusion ambassador for the academy.

Same-sex relations in Saudi Arabia are illegal in Saudi Arabia. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is criminalised, and penalties can include imprisonment and even the death penalty.

'Michael fights so hard for LGBT rights, so the Saudi Arabia move was a dagger to the heart,' a source told The Sun.

Adam Peaty has been accused of 'betraying' his Olympic swimming pal with a shrewd business move that brutally ended their friendship

Olympic gold medalist Michael, 31, was reportedly shunned from Adam, 31, and Holly Ramsay's, 26, nuptials over the weekend after he got 'too close' to Adam's estranged mother

'It left him feeling devastated and betrayed.

'Many of those within the swimming community were so upset to not have Michael part of the AP Race team anymore.'

Daily Mail has contacted Adam and Michael's representatives for comment.

Just days before their wedding, Michael shared a cryptic post about being 'dropped by friends and left broken by them' as he reflected on the past year.

Michael wrote: 'Wishing everyone a magical and festive week! This year has been crazy

'Ive travelled the world, had incredible new opportunities, learnt more about myself, made mistakes and taken risks, been dropped by friends, but made unexpected new ones, been told no far too many times but stepped fully outside of my comfort zone.

'Life isnt always perfect, and if youd told me two years ago where Id be now, I wouldnt have believed you. But Im learning that change can be a really beautiful thing and you should never stop fighting for your dream!'

Just days before their wedding, Michel shared a cryptic post about being 'dropped by friends and left broken by them' as he reflected on the past year

Caroline, pictured in the middle, was previously disinvited from the nuptials following a row after she was not included in Holly's hen do

Sources claim that Michael - who did attend the newlyweds' engagement party last year - was uninvited because he got too close to Caroline (seen together in 2023)

Adam is said to have revoked the invites just four days before the wedding - Pictured: the Peaty family in 2015, (clockwise) Mark, James, Richard, Adam, Bethany and Caroline

Adam's glam older sister Bethany was the only immediate family member to be allowed at his wedding (left - right ) Megan Ramsay, Bethany Peaty and Tilly Ramsay

Adam and former Great Britain and Jamaica swimmer Michael trained alongside each other in the Team GB squad.

When Adam was first signed to Strictly Come Dancing, Michael threw his support for the swimmer on social media - proving how close their friendship really was.

Sources claimed that Michael - who did attend the newlyweds' engagement party last year - was uninvited because he got too close to Caroline.

Adam is also said to have 'brutally' uninvited his great aunt and uncle from his wedding, just days before.

A source said: 'They got an automated message basically saying they were off the guest list and to respect Adam and Holly's decision.'

They added to The Sun: 'It was so impersonal, and just four days before the big day.'

The publication went on to say that due to the short notice, Janet and Eddie had already forked out 'hundreds' of pounds on gifts, outfits and accommodation.

Adam's glam older sister Bethany was the only immediate family member to be allowed at his wedding.

She was handpicked by her sibling's bride Holly to be one of her three Maids of Honour for her lavish wedding.

But whilst the newlyweds have jetted away from the family drama and headed off on honeymoon, Bethany has been left to face the music.

Insiders have claimed that Bethany's decision to not only attend the wedding but also to accept such a prominent role in the bridal party has left her mother feeling 'betrayed.'

Adam's father Mark was the only person beside Beth asked to attend their big day, however he was told he'd have to sit at the back 'behind the plus ones'.

'Beth has betrayed her mum to see what she can get out of being the only family member who gets on with Adam and Holly,' the source alleges, claiming that Bethany has changed since striking up a close friendship with Holly.

'This isn't the Bethany we all know, she's changed her appearance and personality to fit in with the Ramsays' celebrity lifestyle,' the source added to The Sun.

Bethany is one of Adam's three siblings, with the swimmer also having two brothers, James and Richard, who were also both barred from the wedding.

Bethany struck up a close bond with Holly soon after she started dating Adam in the spring of 2023.

In December 2024 she happily shared snaps from her brother and Holly's December 2024 engagement party, cuddled up with the bride-to-be.

Fast forward to Holly's Soho Farmhouse hen do in November 2025 and Bethany earned pride of place in Holly's 'Team Bride' carousel of Instagram snaps, posing with the bride, her mum Tana and her sisters for one cosy photo.

Bethany's fiance Dan meanwhile is believed to be close to Adam, attending his Budapest Stag do last month.
Adam Peaty has given thanks to Jesus in his first social media post since marrying Holly Ramsay and taking her surname.

Peaty, a devout Christian, exchanged vows with Gordon Ramsay's influencer daughter at Bath Cathedral on December 27 following an explosive family row that resulted in the Olympian barring his own mother from the service.

Returning to social media on New Year's Eve - his wife's 26th birthday - Peaty, 31, appeared to be unaffected by the turmoil surrounding their big day as he credited Christ for a rather eventful 12 months.

'It's the last day of 2025. Thank you Jesus for everything this year,' read his message, emblazoned across a serene image of gulls soaring above an ocean.

After winning two gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Peaty explained how he underwent 'three years of hell' battling depression, alcoholism and the separation from the mother of his child.

However after taking a break from the sport, the Olympian attributed his newfound Christian faith as the key that saved him during the dark time.

Adam Peaty has given thanks to Jesus in his first social media post since marrying Holly Ramsay and taking her surname

Peaty, a devout Christian, exchanged vows with Gordon Ramsay's influencer daughter at Bath Cathedral on December 27 following an explosive family row

Raised a Catholic, the swimmer actively describes himself as a 'religious man' after joining an Evangelical Church, where he attends almost every Sunday.

His return to religion, which ultimately helped his recovery and return to swimming, came after he met five-time Olympic chaplain Ashley Null, who helped put his identity as an athlete into perspective after he lost his once unbeatable streak.

But Peaty's family have insisted the star isn't following his Christian beliefs by shunning his family from their wedding celebrations and accused him of sending his mother Caroline outfit options because he 'didn't approve of her choices'.

The huge rift between Peaty's family and Ramsay's parents has become increasingly clear ever since he uninvited his mother from the wedding following a dispute that began when Caroline was snubbed from her daughter-in-law's hen-do.

Following the service, father of the bride Gordon reportedly made a brutal dig at his new son-in-law's parents in his speech, leaving Caroline 'outraged'.

As the rift rumbles on, Peaty's mother has shared her heartbreaking hope for 2026 as she took to Instagram to share some pointed reflective messages on Wednesday.

Caroline was banned from her son and Holly Ramsay's lavish nuptials at the weekend amid a bitter feud that has been ongoing for months.

And taking to her social media she shared a post from another account which read: 'I deserve a year that doesn't hurt'.

Raised a Catholic, the swimmer actively describes himself as a 'religious man' after joining an Evangelical Church, where he attends almost every Sunday

Peaty has previously confessed he would rather his 'relationship with Jesus' than a gold medal after he turned to religion following a battle with depression and alcoholism

But Peaty's family have insisted the star isn't following his Christian beliefs by shunning his family from their wedding celebrations (pictured with parents Mark and Caroline)

Following the service, father of the bride Gordon reportedly made a brutal dig at his new son-in-law's parents in his speech, leaving Caroline 'outraged'

As the rift rumbles on, Peaty's mother has shared her heartbreaking hope for 2026 as she took to Instagram to share some pointed reflective messages on Wednesday

Her second repost read: 'Just a little reminder that you don't have to make resolutions or huge decisions or big proclamations'

Join the debate Should family ever be excluded from weddings, or is forgiveness always the better path?

The full post read: 'I won't end this year pretending everything was fine. I lost a piece of myself this year that I will never get back and I'm not forcing a smile like it didn't change me.

'So no... I won't be saying "2026 is going to be my year." I'll be praying that I recover next year, that my heart never has to break like this again, that I never have to survive something like this again.

'I'll be praying for peace... real peace., the kind that lets me breathe without fighting for it. I deserve a year that doesn't hurt.'

Her second repost read: 'Just a little reminder that you don't have to make resolutions or huge decisions or big proclamations.

'You can just set some sweet intentions and take each day as it comes.'
Eva Mendes appeared on Instagram on Wednesday to wish her followers a Happy New Year.

Likely posting from London, where the 51-year-old actress is five hours ahead of eastern standard time, she wrote: 'We out. Gracias 2025. Wishing all of you the BEST for 2026.'

Mendes, who has relocated to the United Kingdom, shared three flawless closeup selfies with her 7.1 million followers.

Her softly made up skin was smooth and flawless, with her cheeks dusted in rosy blush and her dark eyes accentuated by long lashes.

The silver screen siren's signature thick, arched eyebrows framed her visage as she cozied up in a white sweater.

It comes after she shared a glimpse at the London Hampstead home she shares with longtime partner Ryan Gosling, 45, and their two daughters.

Eva Mendes appeared on Instagram on Wednesday to wish her followers a Happy New Year

Likely posting from London, where the 51-year-old actress is five hours ahead of eastern standard time, she wrote: 'We out. Gracias 2025. Wishing all of you the BEST for 2026'

The couple are parents to Esmeralda, 11, and Amada, nine.

Last week the mom-of-two uploaded holiday-themed selfies after organizing a 'magical' Christmas for the girls.

Posing in red plaid pajamas, she wrote online, 'I survived being Santa Mama! I was hurting all of Xmas day - but I did it!'

The snapshots showed the Hitch star with smudged eye makeup as she noted, 'I actually do my eye makeup on Christmas Eve since I know I will barely sleep that night so at least I wake up with some eyes.'

And finally, she wrote, 'Happy holidays to all those that -no matter what the obstacle - make Xmas magical for kids .'

The post has so far collected more than 154,000 likes from her adoring fans.

The following day she posted a brief video clip modeling pieces from Gosling's closet.

Asking her fans for fashion advice, she wrote on Instagram: 'Baby, its cold outside. The shacket or my mans jacket?'

Mendes, who is shooting a new film in the UK, shared three flawless closeup selfies with her 7.1 million followers

Last week the mom-of-two uploaded holiday-themed selfies after organizing a 'magical' Christmas for daughters Esmeralda, 11, and Amada, 11, whom she shares with Ryan Gosling. Posing in red plaid pajamas, she wrote online, 'I survived being Santa Mama! I was hurting all of Xmas day - but I did it!'

Gosling and Mendes have moved their family overseas while the Notebook star films the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter; pictured in 2013

Gosling and Mendes have moved their family overseas while the Notebook star films the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter.

In 2023 the actor revealed he hadn't planned on having a family until he met Mendes.

'I wasn't thinking about kids before I met her, but after I met Eva, I realized that I just didn't want to have kids without her,' he told GQ at the time.

The twosome met while filming the 2012 thriller The Place Beyond the Pines.

In the magazine interview he discussed parenting with Mendes, and sweetly gushed that before meeting her, 'I was looking for her, you know?' adding that 'it all makes sense now.'

In 2020 Mendes wrote on Instagram, 'I have always had a clear boundary when it comes to my man and my kids. I'll talk about them of course, with limits, but I won't post pictures of our daily life.'
Iggy Azalea has certainly been making the most of her time back Down Under.

The Grammy-nominated hitmaker, 35, who has lived in America for several years, has been back on home soil enjoying an Australian summer.

And Iggy was very much in her element this week, when she was spotted behind the decks at Darlinghurst hotspot Noir on Tuesday.

Iggy was hosting the venue's pre-New Year's Eve bash and scores of Sydneysiders turned out to party with the rapper.

A video, uploaded to X by user Nate, showed the Fancy songstress beaming as she danced to the Beyonce track Run The World (Girls).

She cut a striking figure in a revealing, sleeveless white dress that clung perfectly to Iggy's svelte form.

Iggy Azalea has certainly been making the most of her time back Down Under. She was very much in her element this week, when she was spotted behind the decks at Darlinghurst hotspot Noir on Tuesday

Iggy Azalea last night  pic.twitter.com/s5rnHu4WJT  Nate (@Ninaizawsum11) December 31, 2025

She wore her blonde locks down for the occasion and accessorised with some not-so-subtle diamond bling on her wrist.

Iggy looked to be having the time of her life, beaming broadly as she danced energetically with a retinue of fellow revellers on the stage.

The hitmaker's Australian New Year's Eve odyssey did not end there, with Iggy spotted soaking up the festivities on Sydney Harbour on Wednesday.

She popped up in a livestream hosted by popular US content creator N3ON.

N3ON documented his Sydney New Year's Eve festivities via a Twitch livestream, which showed him hanging out with Iggy on a boat in Sydney Harbour.

The pair were chatting patiently as they waited for the anticipated midnight fireworks, and were both blown away by the display.

Iggy, who returned Down Under to celebrate Christmas, recently revealed what her favourite Aussie treat is.

The Sydney-born rapper shared some eye-popping photos to social media last week in which she flaunted her toned beach body in a bikini.

A video, uploaded to X by user Nate, showed the Fancy songstress beaming as she danced to the Beyonce track Run The World (Girls)

The hitmaker's Australian New Year's Eve odyssey did not end there, with Iggy spotted soaking up the festivities on Sydney Harbour on Wednesday. She popped up in a livestream hosted by popular US content creator N3ON

She exuded confidence and style as she showed off her slender frame for the camera while soaking up the summer sun.

Iggy also slipped in a more lowkey post, sharing a photo of a half-eaten iced finger bun  a sweet bread treat with a layer of pink icing on top.

The photo subtly revealed Iggy's go-to Australian delicacy, proving she is still a true local at heart.

Iggy may have retired from the rap game, but she's certainly not retired from the high life.

The Australian hip hop star has been on a new career path in recent years, working as a cryptocurrency entrepreneur and limiting her social media use.

And it seems the venture is paying well, with Iggy flaunting her luxurious lifestyle on Instagram in August.

She gave her fans a glimpse of the massive yacht she was sailing on, while sipping cocktails and being tended to by a large staff.

In one image, the blonde stretched out on the dock with a drink, while in another, she showed off the boat itself.

The Grammynominated hitmaker, 35, who has lived in America for several years, has been back on home soil enjoying an Australian summer

Iggy exploded onto the charts in 2014 with her breakthrough hit Fancy, which held the top spot on the Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks.

Billboard eventually crowned the song  which featured a then little-known Charli XCX  as the biggest hit by a female rapper in music history.

She joined OnlyFans in 2023, making millions in her first year on the site, and then she officially retired from music in 2024.

She also walked away from the world of adult content creation that same year.
On New Year's Eve, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2026 New Year message through China Media Group and the internet. Here are the highlights:

-- The year 2025 marks the completion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development. Over the past five years, we have pressed ahead with enterprise and fortitude, and overcome many difficulties and challenges. We met the targets in the Plan and made solid advances on the new journey of Chinese modernization.

-- This year is full of indelible memories. We solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and established the Taiwan Recovery Day.

-- These grand national events were majestic and powerful, and the glory of victory will shine through the pages of history. They are inspiring all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation to remember history, honor fallen heroes, cherish peace, and create a better future. They are rallying a mighty force for the great rejuvenation of our nation.

-- We sought to energize high-quality development through innovation. We integrated science and technology deeply with industries, and made a stream of new innovations. Many large AI models have been competing in a race to the top, and breakthroughs have been achieved in the research and development of our own chips.

-- We endeavored to nurture our spiritual home with cultural development. There was a surging public interest in cultural relics, museums, and intangible cultural heritage. A new Chinese cultural site was added to the World Heritage List. Cultural IPs such as Wukong and Nezha became global hits.

-- We joined hands to build a better life and enjoyed it together. I attended celebrations in Xizang and Xinjiang. From the snow-covered plateau to both sides of the Tianshan Mountains, people of various ethnic groups are united as one, like seeds of a pomegranate sticking together.

-- We continued to embrace the world with open arms. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin and the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women were very successful; and island-wide special customs operations were launched in the Hainan Free Trade Port.

-- After announcing the three global initiatives on development, security, and civilization, I put forward the Global Governance Initiative to promote a more just and equitable global governance system.

-- China always stands on the right side of history, and is ready to work with all countries to advance world peace and development and build a community with a shared future for humanity.

-- We should unswervingly implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems, and support Hong Kong and Macao in better integrating into the overall development of our country and maintaining long-term prosperity and stability.

-- We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a bond of blood and kinship. The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable!

-- The sun of the new year will soon rise. May our great motherland stand in magnificence! May the fields across the country deliver good harvest! May our nation bathe in the glory of the morning! May you all enjoy life to the fullest, and achieve every success! May all your dreams come true!

Posters by Gu Siyu & Wang Xinyuan

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Julie Bishop enjoyed a cosy New Year's Eve with her boyfriend Stephen Gray.

But it was the former politician's cheeky T-shirt in her latest Instagram post that had everyone talking on Thursday.

Bishop, who was Australia's foreign minister from 2013 to 2018, donned a white tee with the words 'Wake me for Champagne' across the front in gold.

The outfit was met with appreciation from her social media followers, who flooded the comments section with compliments.

'Great shirt!!!' posted one person, while another said, 'Best shirt ever!'

One more chimed in: 'Love that T-shirt' with someone else commenting, 'The top! THE SKIRT!'

Julie Bishop enjoyed a cosy New Year's Eve with her boyfriend Stephen Gray. But it was the former politician's cheeky T-shirt in her latest Instagram post that had everyone talking on Thursday. Both pictured

Julie and Stephen appeared to have a quiet night indoors to ring in the new year together, sharing a glass of champagne.

The pair, who have been dating for over two years, looked very relaxed in each other's company.

Julie and Stephen have gone from strength to strength since they went public with their relationship in July, 2023.

At that time, Julie 'soft-launched' Stephen on her social media accounts.

Last year, they travelled to South Australia for a 'fabulous Outback adventure'.

In a video shared to her Instagram page, Bishop put together a montage of images and video clips from their holiday and tagged her partner.

They were also pictured having dinner with friends together in December 2023.

While little is known about Gray, his Facebook profile shows him proudly standing behind a cafe racer style motorcycle, clad in a black leather jacket.

Julie and Stephen have gone from strength to strength since they went public with their relationship in July, 2023

At that time, Julie 'soft-launched' Stephen on her social media accounts

The Perth man also shared photos of a yellow Ducati bike parked along the harbour.

The news of her new romance came two years after David Panton allegedly dumped Bishop over dinner in Sydney in July 2022, putting an end to their eight-year relationship.

During their partnership, Bishop took Panton to the United Nations to meet world leaders, Buckingham Palace to hobnob with British royalty and to the White House where he met Donald Trump.

The pair first stepped out publicly in 2014, and were pictured at countless celebrity events over the years including the 2018 wedding of Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough.

Bishop was understood to have been 'blindsided' by the sudden breakdown of her relationship, sources close to the former politician said.

Julie recently rang in her 69th birthday in style in July, soaking up the sun and glamour of Dubai.
Pip Edwards has returned to Bondi Beach after being caught up in December's terrorist attack.

The P.E. Nation founder looked relaxed and happy to be back in her usual stomping ground as she enjoyed a New Year's Day lunch date with best mate Jackie 'O' Henderson.

Sitting down for an opulent meal at the trendy Bondi Icebergs bistro, Pip posed up a storm with a slimmed-down Jackie, who showed off her recent weight loss, in a series of Instagram Stories posts.

The women dined on salmon ceviche, calamari nero di seppia, mozzarella and piselli antipasti, pasta cacio e pepe, insalata di avocado and fish served with vin de muscat and lemon leaf butter.

Jackie looked chic in a camouflage tank top from Ksubi, the label for which Pip recently served as creative director.

Pip meanwhile showed off lots of bust in a grey, long-sleeved top with a plunging neckline.

Pip Edwards has returned to Bondi Beach after being caught up in December's terrorist attack. The P.E. Nation founder looked relaxed and happy to be back in her usual stomping ground as she enjoyed a New Year's Day lunch date with best mate Jackie 'O' Henderson. Both pictured

'Best food. Best conversation,' Pip captioned one image of the meal she shared with Jackie and other friends during the outing.

The pair have seen their high-profile friendship go from strength to strength in the past two years.

The pals rang in 2026 together as they met up to party for New Year's Eve in Sydney on Wednesday.

Jackie donned a cheeky nod to the night ahead with a tank top that read 'wrong party babe' which she paired with tan cargo pants.

The glamorous duo joined a group of genetically-blessed friends at a mansion that sits on Sydney Harbour - a perfect location to take in the NYE fireworks.

Pip recently announced that she is taking time away from work to focus on her well-being following the traumatic events that unfolded during a Hanukkah celebration last month.

At least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured when two 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.

The women dined on salmon ceviche, calamari nero di seppia, mozzarella and piselli antipasti, pasta cacio e pepe, insalata di avocado and fish served with vin de muscat and lemon leaf butter

'Best food. Best conversation,' Pip captioned one image of the meal she shared with Jackie and other friends during the outing

Sources close to the fashion designer say that she 'remains deeply shaken' and is 'prioritising her recovery after the ordeal'.

According to the publication, 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.

Pip had only recently returned to the iconic label in September 2024, calling the move a 'full-circle moment'.

She previously worked at Ksubi decades earlier and shares her teenage son Justice with co-founder Dan Single.

Pip was caught up in the sickening terror attack on Bondi Beach that left 15 innocent people dead.

The designer 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.
Viewers of Gordon Ramsay's Netflix docuseries will not see footage of his daughter Holly's wedding to Adam Peaty when the anticipated show streams this year.

Influencer Holly, 25, married Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty, 31, on December 27 at Bath Abbey, in a day tarnished by the groom's family feud.

But the most talked about celebrity wedding of 2025 won't feature on Being Gordon Ramsay when it hits Netflix in February, the Daily Mail has learned.

The anticipated docuseries, which follows those of Gordon's close pals David and Victoria Beckham, has seen cameras trail the chef and his family for over a year but filming wrapped in the summer, weeks before Adam and Holly's wedding and their stag and hen celebrations.

Some of the build up to the Ramsay Peaty wedding, including the controversial engagement party which is said to have sparked the family feud with Adam's parents, is believed to feature in the show.

It was reported last month that Adam's estranged family have reportedly demanded their removal from the documentary series.

Viewers of Gordon Ramsay's Netflixdocuseries will not see footage of his daughter Holly's wedding to Adam Peaty when the anticipated show streams this year

The swimmer's mother Caroline is said to have written to Netflix bosses to say they did not consent to being filmed at Adam and fiancee Holly's engagement party in December 2024.

A spokesman for the Ramsay family told the Daily Mail the Peaty family attended the engagement party and were aware it was filmed and they won't be featured into the final edit.

They said: 'There were filming notices up all over the party saying 'by attending, you give consent to being filmed.

'They are not interviewed, there is no on-camera speaking and they are not featured in the finished edits of the programme, so no additional consent would have been required.'

Meanwhile Adam has given thanks to Jesus in his first social media post since marrying Holly and taking her surname.

Peaty, a devout Christian, exchanged vows with Holly following an explosive family row that resulted in the Olympian barring his own mother from the service.

Returning to social media on New Year's Eve - his wife's 26th birthday - Peaty, 31, appeared to be unaffected by the turmoil surrounding their big day as he credited Christ for a rather eventful 12 months.

'It's the last day of 2025. Thank you Jesus for everything this year,' read his message, emblazoned across a serene image of gulls soaring above an ocean.

The most talked about celebrity wedding of 2025 won't feature on Being Gordon Ramsay when it hits Netflix in February, the Daily Mail has learned

After winning two gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Peaty explained how he underwent 'three years of hell' battling depression, alcoholism and the separation from the mother of his child.

However after taking a break from the sport, the Olympian attributed his newfound Christian faith as the key that saved him during the dark time.

Raised a Catholic, the swimmer actively describes himself as a 'religious man' after joining an Evangelical Church, where he attends almost every Sunday.

His return to religion, which ultimately helped his recovery and return to swimming, came after he met five-time Olympic chaplain Ashley Null, who helped put his identity as an athlete into perspective after he lost his once unbeatable streak.

But Peaty's family have insisted the star isn't following his Christian beliefs by shunning his family from their wedding celebrations and accused him of sending his mother Caroline outfit options because he 'didn't approve of her choices'.

Adam has given thanks to Jesus in his first social media post since marrying Holly and taking her surname

Raised a Catholic, the swimmer actively describes himself as a 'religious man' after joining an Evangelical Church, where he attends almost every Sunday

The huge rift between Peaty's family and Ramsay's parents has become increasingly clear ever since he uninvited his mother from the wedding following a dispute that began when Caroline was snubbed from her daughter-in-law's hen-do.

Following the service, father of the bride Gordon reportedly made a brutal dig at his new son-in-law's parents in his speech, leaving Caroline 'outraged'.

As the rift rumbles on, Peaty's mother has shared her heartbreaking hope for 2026 as she took to Instagram to share some pointed reflective messages on Wednesday.

Caroline was banned from her son and Holly Ramsay's lavish nuptials at the weekend amid a bitter feud that has been ongoing for months.

And taking to her social media she shared a post from another account which read: 'I deserve a year that doesn't hurt'.

Peaty has previously confessed he would rather his 'relationship with Jesus' than a gold medal after he turned to religion following a battle with depression and alcoholism

But Peaty's family have insisted the star isn't following his Christian beliefs by shunning his family from their wedding celebrations (pictured with parents Mark and Caroline)

As the rift rumbles on, Peaty's mother has shared her heartbreaking hope for 2026 as she took to Instagram to share some pointed reflective messages on Wednesday

Her second repost read: 'Just a little reminder that you don't have to make resolutions or huge decisions or big proclamations'

The full post read: 'I won't end this year pretending everything was fine. I lost a piece of myself this year that I will never get back and I'm not forcing a smile like it didn't change me.

'So no... I won't be saying "2026 is going to be my year." I'll be praying that I recover next year, that my heart never has to break like this again, that I never have to survive something like this again.

'I'll be praying for peace... real peace., the kind that lets me breathe without fighting for it. I deserve a year that doesn't hurt.'

Her second repost read: 'Just a little reminder that you don't have to make resolutions or huge decisions or big proclamations.

'You can just set some sweet intentions and take each day as it comes.'
Karen Hauer has revealed she has been sober for a year in an emotional post on New Year's Eve.

The Strictly professional took to Instagram on Wednesday as she shared that she has 'faced her raw self' for the first time and has 'stopped running from herself'.

Sharing a make up free black and white snap, she penned: 'One year alcohol free..

'I faced my raw self for the first time scared, sad, angry. But also clearer. Pausing. Progressing.

'I hid behind just having fun but deep down I was closing my eyes tightly, gritting my teeth, hoping the pain would stop.

'Turns out the bravest thing Ive done was stop running from myself.'

Strictly pro Karen Hauer has revealed she's been sober for a year in an emotional post on Instagram to mark New Year's Eve

The Strictly professional she shared that she has 'faced her raw self' for the first time and has 'stopped running from herself' (pictured on Strictly with Harry Aikines-Aryeetey)

She continued: 'Now Im slowly better at reasoning with myself understanding why I feel the way I do and allowing myself to feel it all.

'Even when my heartbeat races and my mind overthinks. Thats my process of healing and Im okay with that.

'Heres to many more positive days ahead, with love, support and my little family - Simon and my four gorgeous dogs. Take care of yourselves in 2026'.

The stars friends and fellow Strictly dancers rushed to the comments to send her their love.

Karen is currently dating ex rugby player Simon Davidson after her 'toxic' marriage to Jordan Wyn-Jones, who she wed in 2022 after they met online, but divorced just 16 months later.

It comes after Karen broke down in tears as she spoke about the breakdown of her toxic third marriage to Jordan for the first time last year.

Speaking in a moving interview on Paul C. Brunson's We Need To Talk podcast, Karen accused her ex of leaving her 'emotionally battered', and admitted she was lying to loved ones about her struggles.

She said: 'I was just in panic mode, panic mode, love should not be panic. It's almost like he made up things to scare me so that I wouldn't go anywhere.

Sharing a make up free black and white snap, she penned: 'One year alcoholfree.. 'I faced my raw self for the first time scared, sad, angry. But also clearer. Pausing. Progressing'

The stars friends and fellow Strictly dancers rushed to the comments to send her their love

Karen is dating ex rugby player Simon Davidson (pictured) after her 'toxic' marriage to Jordan Wyn-Jones, who she wed in 2022 after they met online, but divorced just 16 months later

It comes after Karen broke down in tears as she spoke about the breakdown of her toxic third marriage to Jordan (pictured) for the first time last year

'But it's OK and I get on with it, I get on with it and smile because I don't want to cause trouble, I don't want to shake things up because that puts you in a bad mood which then makes my day really awful, and that's the state I lived in...

'I was not only lying to my family and friends and they were seeing it, but I was lying to him as well, because that was the only way I could get through the day, that would keep the peace.'

Breaking down in tears, Karen added that she begun to suffer hair loss caused by autoimmune disease alopecia, which she believes was her nervous system responding to the stress she was under.

She went onto reveal that on the day she was due to marry Jordan, her brother confronted her and said she needed to leave the relationship.
Billie Faiers shared a slew of snaps from her idyllic festive holiday to the Maldives, in the wake of a 'tough year' for her family.

The former TOWIE star, 35, looked jaw-dropping as she cosied up to her husband Greg Shepherd on the beach in their favourite holiday destination, where they tied the knot in an incredible event in 2019.

The pair are joined by their kids, Nelly, 11, Arthur, eight, and Margot, three, for their annual getaway, which comes in the wake of tragedy for Greg, who lost both his father and step-father late last year.

In an accompanying caption, Billie penned: 'Seeing in the New year in our favourite place in the world... 2025 was a tough year for us as a family, feeling extremely grateful to be here with our friends and family..

'Wishing everyone a very happy new year, health and happiness.'

Billie Faiers shared a slew of snaps from her idyllic festive holiday to the Maldives, in the wake of a 'tough year' for her family

The former TOWIE star, 35, looked jaw-dropping as she cosied up to her husband Greg Shepherd on the beach in their favourite holiday destination, where they tied the knot in an incredible event in 2019

The pair are joined by their kids, Nelly, 11, Arthur, eight, and Margot, three, for their annual getaway, which comes in the wake of tragedy for Greg, who lost both his father and step-father late last year

Billie looked incredible as she cosied up to her husband while sporting a chic pink bikini, which made the most of her eye-popping cleavage.

She gazed adoringly at Greg, who beamed as he posed with his stunning wife, before the duo enjoyed a dip with their second born.

Back in September, Billie revealed she was 'utterly heartbroken' as she shared a sweet tribute to her father-in-law Dave on Instagram after he passed away aged 77.

The TV personality said 'life will never feel the same' after 'suddenly' losing Dave.

Billie shared a series of sweet family photos of her father-in-law spending time with her and Greg as well as their three children, Nelly, 11, Arthur, eight, and Margot, three.

She wrote: 'To my wonderful father in law Dave.

'Losing you so soon has left us all utterly heartbroken, it still doesnt feel quite real, all of the wonderful times and memories we made together, I have been so lucky to have such a wonderful man in my life, a man we all looked up to...

'I always said you was The Best ! And I meant it ,you truly was the best father in law, dad and granddad we could ever wish for...

Billie gave her daughter Nelly a tight hug on the beach in one of the snaps

Back in September, Billierevealed she was 'utterly heartbroken' as she shared a sweet tribute to her father-in-law Dave on Instagram after he passed away aged 77

The TV personality, who married husband Greg Shephard (R) in 2019, said 'life will never feel the same' after 'suddenly' losing Dave (centre)

'I will miss laughing with you, dancing with you, our chats, making you endless amounts of tea and coffee, playing all of your games, I adored you, you was kind, happy, thoughtful and fun.

'Life will never feel the same again, I miss you unconditionally. I love you with all my heart'. Billie's sister Sam quickly commented: 'We will miss you Dave such a wonderful man x'

Greg also shared a sweet tribute to his dad at the time following the sad news, admitting he 'still had so much more to give.'

In his heartfelt statement, Greg wrote: 'I'm gutted and heartbroken to be writing this, but this time last week, my dad Dave passed away suddenly. He was 77, but still had so much more to give, and that's what makes this so hard.

'From the age of 4, you raised me as your own. You taught me how to be a father, and you made it look simple, you were always present, no matter what...

'You never missed a birthday, a celebration, or any important moment. You always had time for me and my sisters and grandkids.

'I hope I can be the kind of man you were, Dad, always smiling, always dancing, the most grateful man you could ever meet, and always there for us.
Cat Deeley has shared a highlights reel of her year as she admitted her year has been 'a lot of fun' following her split from her husband Patrick Kielty.

The This Morning host, 49, welcomed the New Year with a post showing the best bits from the past year, which included holidays, nights out and snippets from work.

Cat announced her divorce in a joint statement in July, confirming they had decided to end their 13-year marriage and would remain united as parents.

The couple sparked speculation they had split when Cat was absent from Patrick's mother's funeral in Ireland in March last year.

But despite the sad news, Cat seemingly made the best of the year as she moved on from the split with support of friends and family.

Cat's playful post included her chugging red wine with her pal and pulling tongues during a bike ride in the summer.

Cat Deeley has shared a highlights reel of her year as she admitted her year has been 'a lot of fun' following her split from her husband Patrick Kielty

The This Morning host, 49, welcomed the New Year with a post showing the best bits from the past year, which included holidays, nights out and snippets from work

Cat announced her divorce in a joint statement in July, confirming they had decided to end their 13-year marriage and would remain united as parents

The beginning of the post showed Cat sat on a towel on a beach, wearing a beige cover-up and a fedora with the caption: 'Goodbye 2025'

The beginning of the post showed Cat sat on a towel on a beach, wearing a beige cover-up and a fedora with the caption: 'Goodbye 2025'.

Another clip showed her larking around with her co-host Ben Shephard wearing red light therapy masks while filming This Morning.

Her and Ben were also joined by two the members from McFly, Danny Jones and Harry Judd.

Elsewhere she enjoyed a glass of rose with her mother Janet while relaxing on holiday, wearing a frilly black swimsuit.

It comes five months after the television presenter announced the end of her 12-year marriage to Patrick, 54.

Patrick and Cat stressed that 'no other party' was involved in the disintegration of their relationship which is believed to have been privately finalised at the start of the year, before going public months later.

In a joint statement the couple said: 'We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved.

'We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. There will be no further comment.'

The Daily Mail previously revealed how Patrick's family were seething over Cat's failure to attend his beloved mother's funeral  and say they knew at that moment their marriage was over for good.

The post finished with 'bring on 2026' as Cat welcomed in the New Year

One of the moments taken during the highlights reel was taken during a concert

Another clip showed her larking around with her co-host Ben Shephard wearing red light therapy masks while filming This Morning

Cat cosied up to a pal in another of the highlights

Her 'no show' back in March has left deep emotional scars within the Kielty family who say it confirmed for them that there was little chance of a reconciliation between the two.

Clearly upset, one relative told the Daily Mail: 'Whatever rockiness was going on in the marriage, something as momentous as his mother's funeral, you would make up even temporarily and just put your 'best face' on as we say in Northern Ireland.

'Cat obviously knew how close Patrick was to Mary and she should have come to be by his side, a hand on his shoulder as he buried his mother.

'The fact that she stayed in London and presented This Morning on the day, it's not been forgotten.'

The source added: 'In a very tight knit community in Northern Ireland, people always turn out. It's the done thing. His family remain very upset by this.

'They still can't believe it. It was the point when we all realised that that marriage had ended.'

A spokesperson for Cat told the Daily Mail at the time: 'Cat remained at home to be there for her two young children before and after school on this very sad day.'

Cat and Patrick first met in 2002 while they hosted BBC talent show Fame Academy but they did not become an item until ten years later.

Previously Cat told how Patrick turned their friendship into a romance by flying all the way from Belfast to Los Angeles, where the Birmingham-born star hosted US show So You Can Dance for a celebratory brunch.

The pair first went public with their relationship in May 2012 and in September the same year, they married during an intimate ceremony in Rome.

The former couple lived in California for a decade before moving back to the UK due to Cat's keenness to be closer to her family.

Cat gazed out of the window in one of the snaps

Elsewhere she enjoyed a glass of rose with her mother Janet while relaxing on holiday, wearing a frilly black swimsuit

Another moment included a dinner with friends

Cat shared a video from dinner with her friend

She also shared behind the scenes at This Morning having her make-up done
Josie Gibson showed off her amazing weight-loss as she rang in 2026 at a beach party in Thailand.

The This Morning star, 40, looked sensational in a green halterneck crop top and matching trousers as she celebrated with friends.

Josie, who revealed last year that she has shed an impressive five stone, through her arms in the air dancing at the beach.

The former Big Brother star looked happier than ever as she kept comfortable in a pair of black flip flops and styled her blonde tresses loose.

She wrote: 'The new year warm up. Happy new year lovers'.

Last week, Josie admitted she was 'emotionally burnt out' ahead of the trip to Thailand as she shared a series of clips during the getaway.

Josie Gibson showed off her amazing weight-loss as she rang in 2026 at a beach party in Thailand

The This Morning star, 40, who revealed last year that she has shed an impressive five stone, through her arms in the air dancing at the beach

She wrote: 'Coming to Thailand has been so good for the soul. I came emotionally burnt out and the energy here is so special its making me feel ready for anything.

'I am so grateful for life love and incredible connections. Ive Loved hanging at the @anantaralayanphuket with @cheskahull and the gang. This place is seriously sexy!!!'

In November, Josie wowed as she went braless under the 149 figure hugging halter neck number by House of CB during a lavish Caribbean cruise.

Josie elevated her frame in a pair of black towering heels as she posed on the P&O Cruises ship before hitting the casino.

Styling her long blonde tresses in voluminous curls, the TV personality flashed her gorgeous smile as she posed for photos.

Josie revealed she has just docked in Barbados for her next adventure as she shared amazing underwater snaps snorkelling.

The former Big Brother star slipped into a stylish black triangle bikini as she wore a snorkel and flippers while diving in the ocean.

It comes after Josie revealed earlier this year that she had shed five stone - without the help of fat jabs or surgery.

Josie looked sensational in a green halterneck crop top and matching trousers as she celebrated with friends

The former Big Brother star looked happier than ever as she kept comfortable in a pair of black flip flops and styled her blonde tresses loose

Last week, Josie admitted she was 'emotionally burnt out' ahead of the trip to Thailand as she shared a series of clips during the getaway

She was joined by her son and friends on the trip

She said in an Instagram post: 'I didn't get a gastric bypass; I got off my big a**e, moved more, ate less and educated myself on what I was stuffing into my body.'

Josie's weight loss success has been widely discussed, as she has been showcasing her svelte new frame in a series of stunning looks on This Morning.

She revealed that she followed the Do The Unthinkable plan, which refers to a 12-week fitness and food program from the company MuscleFood, including delivered meals, workout plans, and support to help people reach their health goals.

Josie explained that she has six days on and one day off, saying: 'Now on that one day off, I had one cheat meal.

'I didn't go crazy and drink 10 bottles of wine and binge all day on food and chocolate and all the naughty things I haven't been having.

'I just had my one cheat and that was it. So if you've got that one day off, don't undo all your hard work. Just have your one cheat meal and enjoy it. Don't have a binge.'

The former Big Brother star also previously spoke of why she would never use weight loss jabs: 'The thing is, I can understand, you know, when people get desperate and they want to do that.

Josie's weight loss success has been widely discussed, as she has been showcasing her new frame on Instagram and on This Morning (picture left on the cruise with a pal and right in 2019)

'But it wouldn't be for me, only because I don't want to mess around with my body, I like everything natural, I always go down the natural route.'

The TV presenter is also no stranger to having a few tweakments done to freshen up her look.

Josie was glowing as she posed for snaps over the summer with her clinician, Dr Nora of Rejuvenation Clinic in London.

She did not specify what she'd had done.

Sharing snaps with Josie in the clinic of the pair laughing, Dr Nora - who runs Rejuvenation with Love Island star Rykard Jenkins - wrote: 'Can't tell which one the comedian is @josiegibson85!

'Always the best time having you in clinic! summer ready  #skin #skincare #cosmetics #tweakments.'
Amy Schumer made a New Year's Eve joke about kicking off 2026 as a single mother-of-one following her December 12 separation from husband Chris Fischer.

The 44-year-old comedian - who boasts 16.5 million social media followers - crossed her eyes while eating spaghetti and wisecracked: 'Who's kissing this at midnight?'

'Happy New Year! #sensualphoto'

Schumer showcased her 50lb weight loss - courtesy of Mounjaro - in a pink long-sleeve midi-dress with faux fur trim and slingback heels.

The Midi Health investor - who underwent liposuction in 2022 - is the skinniest she's looked in decades thanks to the trendy GLP-1 agonist drug she began taking earlier this year to shrink her 5ft7in frame.

The FDA has only approved three GLP-1 drugs specifically for weight loss - the semaglutide Wegovy, the liraglutide Saxenda and the tirzepatide Zepbound - and the rest are specifically for patients suffering from type 2 diabetes.

Amy Schumer made a New Year's Eve joke about kicking off 2026 as a single mother-of-one following her December 12 separation from husband Chris Fischer

The 44-year-old comedian - who boasts 16.5 million social media followers - crossed her eyes while eating spaghetti and wisecracked: 'Who's kissing this at midnight?'

Celebrities who've admitted to taking the diabetic injectables include Oprah Winfrey, Kathy Bates, Kelly Clarkson, Whoopi Goldberg, Serena Williams, Meghan Trainor, Elon Musk, Rebel Wilson, Chelsea Handler, Sharon Osbourne and Tori Spelling.

But for every celebrity who admits to hopping aboard the Ozempic train, there are many more who've remained suspiciously silent while slimming including Selena Gomez, Mindy Kaling, Melissa McCarthy, Khloe Kardashian, Demi Lovato, Lana Del Rey, Christina Aguilera and Ricki Lake.

Rather than finding a date, Schumer third-wheeled it with Only Murders in the Building creator-star Steve Martin and his second wife Anne Stringfield who, at 54, is 26 years younger than him.

Back in 2017-2018, the native New Yorker scored a Tony Award nomination for starring in the Broadway play Meteor Shower, which was written by the legendary comedian.

'We've got bows in different area codes,' Schumer said of the former New Yorker fact checker who shares 13-year-old daughter Mary with Martin.

The Emmy-winning producer posted two videos of what appeared to be Central Park's NYRR Midnight Run drone show fireworks display in Manhattan not far from her new home.

On December 1, Schumer clarified that her split from the 45-year-old chef 'has nothing to do with' her weight loss or his Asperger's Syndrome.

'Blah blah blah Chris and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage after 7 years. We love each other very much and will continue to focus on raising our son. We would appreciate people respecting our privacy at this time,' the Room to Move producer wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post.

'Blah blah blah not because I dropped some lbs and thought I could bag a basket ball [sic] player and not because he's a hot James Beard award winning chef who can still pull some hot tail. Amicable and all love and respect! Family forever.'

2026 vs. 2024: Schumer showcased her 50lb weight loss - courtesy of Mounjaro - in a pink long-sleeve midi-dress with faux fur trim and slingback heels

Rather than finding a date, the Midi Health investor third-wheeled it with Only Murders in the Building creator-star Steve Martin (M) and his second wife Anne Stringfield (R) who, at 54, is 26 years younger than him

Back in 2017-2018, Schumer scored a Tony Award nomination for starring in the Broadway play Meteor Shower, which was written by the legendary comedian

'We've got bows in different area codes,' the Emmy-winning producer said of the former New Yorker fact checker who shares 13-year-old daughter Mary with Martin

Schumer posted two videos of what appeared to be Central Park's NYRR Midnight Run drone show fireworks display in Manhattan not far from her new home

On December 1, the native New Yorker clarified that her split from the 45-year-old chef (R, pictured February 3) 'has nothing to do with' her weight loss or his Asperger's Syndrome

'Blah blah blah Chris and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage after 7 years. We love each other very much and will continue to focus on raising our son. We would appreciate people respecting our privacy at this time,' the Room to Move producer wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post

Schumer and Fischer still have three frozen embryos to eventually provide a sibling, via surrogate, for their six-year-old son Gene (L, pictured November 29)

Schumer and Fischer still have three frozen embryos to eventually provide a sibling, via surrogate, for their six-year-old son Gene.

The former couple - who sold their Brooklyn townhouse for $11 million on November 25 - originally met through her personal assistant (his sister) just five months before they tied the knot.

'When Trainwreck came out in 2015 she was on fire with her career, and she was offered lots of roles that she ended up saying no to,' an insider told the Daily Mail on December 13.

'Then she got pregnant and did things here and there, but didn't go full throttle as she would have liked. Now, 10 years on from the Trainwreck high and success that started giving her the career she expected for herself, she's looking to get that back and see if lightning strikes twice for a major movie career.'

The source admitted: 'With those career goals and her being a mother, she didn't focus much on her marriage to make that succeed. But that is the life she was chasing, and the life she has chosen to take into the new year. She's realized you can't have everything and the thing that suffered most was her marriage. Now she is trying to figure it all out one day at a time.'

Schumer originally got her start in 2007 coming in fourth place on the fifth season of NBC's Last Comic Standing.

The Earth to Percy actress is also the second cousin of Senator Chuck Schumer.
Franky Venegas, one half of the viral sensation Island Boys, kicked off 2026 in jail.

The Florida rapper was arrested Wednesday night in Collier County on a charge of drug paraphernalia, per TMZ.

Law enforcement says Venegas, 22, is being held without bond on a 24-hour hold because he was already out on bond from a February arrest tied to a firearm with an altered serial number.

That previous case also involved alleged drugs, though the narcotics charge was later dropped.

Venegas rose to fame in 2021 with twin brother Alex thanks to their viral hit Im an Island Boy.

The rappers legal troubles have mounted since, with past arrests for domestic battery, reckless driving, and driving without a license.

Franky Venegas, one half of the viral sensation Island Boys, kicked off 2026 in jail

The Florida rapper was arrested Wednesday night in Collier County on a charge of drug paraphernalia; (pictured 2023)

Authorities report the February arrest began when officers stopped a yellow Corvette for a traffic violation.

During the stop, police allegedly discovered suspected Oxycodone on the passenger floorboard and a spray-painted handgun with no serial number, along with other paraphernalia.

Venegas reportedly denied owning the pills, claiming he had a prescription he couldnt present.

The arrest comes hot on the heels of the brothers revealing just how much cash they raked in for their controversial OnlyFans stunt - locking lips with each other in a video that shocked the internet.

The twins first exploded onto the scene in 2021 when a clip of them singing went viral on X, quickly amassing millions of followers.

Capitalizing on their online fame, they launched an OnlyFans account and filmed a video in which they kissed each other, sparking widespread outrage.

At a press conference promoting his MMA cage fight in April, Kodiyakredd claimed he made 'millions of dollars' from the smooch.

According to LadBible, he later said that the stunt earned him $6 million, while his twin pocketed $8 million.

The twins first exploded onto the scene in 2021 when a clip of them singing went viral on X, quickly amassing millions of followers

The siblings have previously admitted their kiss was purely a publicity and money-making move.

Kodiyakredd told The Wild Podcast in February, 'I was in a very vulnerable state. I didn't want to do the kissing thing,' adding, 'I didn't want to admit that I only had $40,000 to my name.'

Back in 2023, he defended the controversial stunt, saying, 'We're twin brothers, we came out of the womb together, we grew up together. It's not really disgusting if it's twins.'

He also described the moment itself, adding, 'We kind of just made out or whatever, we kissed and then we just like look the other way for a few minutes and couldn't like, look at each other, but it wasn't that big of a deal  just a kiss.'
North Wests bold fashion choices have already made her an internet sensation since joining Instagram two weeks ago.

This time, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's trend-setting tween, 12, took to her Instagram Stories to show off a diamond skull-and-crossbones pendant.

North seemed very proud of the piece, which featured glittering sapphires for eyes along with a heavy chain spiked with fang-like daggers.

The youngster credited jeweler Alex Moss in her brief video, which featured her sashaying to Bktherulas song Light.

North was wearing a blue and black patterned top and displayed whats become her signature turquoise-colored hair.

On her wrist was a matching set of bangles that complemented the unique ornament hanging around her neck.

North West - the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West - took to her Instagram Stories to show off a diamond skull-and-crossbones pendant

The trend-setting tween seemed very proud of the piece, which featured glittering sapphires for eyes along with a heavy chain spiked with fang-like daggers

The pendant has an estimated value of at least $5,000, judging by similar pieces shown on the jewelers website.

Thats chump change to a girl whos already worth a reported $375 million thanks mostly to trust funds set up by her parents.

Norths Instagram share comes a week after she flashed her new custom-made set of grillz by Houston-based jeweler Johnny Dang.

Last weeks post saw North clad in a white sweatsuit covered with black graphic print and a pair of white, high top Chrome Hearts sneakers.

North captioned the post with a single drip of water emoji.

Dang reposted the photos and described his work as '1/1 shark grillz w/ baguette,' adding, 'Welcome to #flawlessgang.'

The nepo babys Instagram account  which notes that it is 'managed by parents' - has already amassed over 800,000 since its debut.

As of late 2025, her famous mom has racked up approximately 354 million followers, so North still has a way to go.

Last week the 12-year-old fashionista flashed her new custom-made set of grillz by Houston-based jeweler Johnny Dang

The nepo babys Instagram account  which notes that it is 'managed by parents' - has already amassed over 800,000 since its debut thanks to posts like this

North smiled and glittered for the cameras with Dang, who created the 'shark teeth' masterpiece

Kardashians daughter has come under fire for her fashion style

Kardashians daughter has come under fire for her fashion style - in early December, she displayed a controversial finger piercing.

Fans noticed the piercing - what's known as a dermal piercing or single-point piercing - during North and Kardashian's mother-daughter outing in Rome.

But the child star clapped back, posting a video that showed her lip-syncing to a song with the lyrics, 'Why are you crying? How old are you? Just pull it together.'

'This is for everyone that's mad over a finger piercing,' North captioned the clip.

Her reality star mom has defended her daughters personal style, revealing on the podcast Call Her Daddy that North just loves to experiment with fashion, as do all her friends.

'Its really hard and its really interesting because all the kids are wearing the same things,' Kardashian told host Alex Cooper.

'But then my daughter tries to wear it and then Im like, "okay, were never wearing that again." Unfortunately, we made that mistake in front of the whole world.'

Last summer, Kardashians prodigy was seen walking around Rome in a black corset and mini skirt and fans were not impressed, per Page Six.

Kardashian - pictured with North in 2023 in Beverly Hills - defended her daughter's fashion choices, saying on the Call Her Daddy podcast, 'Its really hard and its really interesting because all the kids are wearing the same things'

North has been flaunting her fashion style since infancy; pictured with her mom on Instagram

The reality star told Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper, 'I think like any mom of a teenager or a preteen, unless youve been here, please, we just need a little bit of grace'; pictured with North in 2024 in New York City

But, on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Kardashian asserted, 'As a mom, youre kind of learning at the same time. But what I do know is my babys such a good girl and such a sweet girl.

'She does listen to me, but in other areas, Im like, "Babe, if you want blue hair, it is what it is." You know, it makes her so happy. I would never take that creativity away from her.

'I just think anyone thats raising kids, especially four kids by myself, Im doing the best that I can.'

Kardashian added: 'I think like any mom of a teenager or a preteen, unless youve been here, please, we just need a little bit of grace.'
Children participate in a New Year event at a kindergarten in Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Meng Delong/Xinhua)

Children participate in a New Year event at a kindergarten in Huai'an City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Yin Chao/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 31, 2025 shows students performing a dragon dance at a school in Taizhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Tang Dehong/Xinhua)

Children participate in a New Year event in Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 30, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Meng Delong/Xinhua)

Children perform during a New Year celebration at a kindergarten in Dingxi City, northwest China's Gansu Province, on Dec. 30, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Wang Kexian/Xinhua)

Children participate in a New Year celebration at a kindergarten in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Fang Dongxu/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 30, 2025 shows children performing traditional drumming under the guidance of their teacher at a kindergarten in Hai'an City, east China's Jiangsu Province. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Zhou Qiang/Xinhua)

Children make paper-cut decorations with their teacher's help at a kindergarten in Xinghua City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 30, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Zhou Shegen/Xinhua)

A filigree artisan teaches delivery workers to make intangible cultural heritage handicrafts in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Dec. 30, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Wang Chun/Xinhua)

Tourists watch a lion dance performance at a scenic spot in Mudanjiang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Sun Tingyi/Xinhua)

Children attend a new year event at a kindergarten in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Yan Zhiguo/Xinhua)

Staff members of a company participate in the fun games in Jiangdu District of Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Ren Fei/Xinhua)

Postgraduates of the University of South China make dumplings in Hengyang, central China's Hunan Province, Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Cao Zhengping/Xinhua)

A teacher guides students in shadow play at a primary school in Fengrun District of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Zhu Dayong/Xinhua)

Children in traditional costumes perform at a kindergarten in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Wang Chun/Xinhua)

Children learn to make flower-adorned hairbands at a kindergarten in Zunhua, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Liu Mancang/Xinhua)

Children perform at a kindergarten in Jimo District of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Liang Xiaopeng/Xinhua)

Students learn about traditional Chinese paper-cutting at a primary school in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, Dec. 31, 2025. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Chen Qibao/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 31, 2025 shows students posing for a group photo at a primary school in Huai'an, east China's Jiangsu Province. Various activities were held across China to celebrate the upcoming new year. (Photo by Zhao Qirui/Xinhua)

Editor: WXY
Kaia Gerber and her boyfriend Lewis Pullman hit the beach Sunday during her family's annual winter trip to their Cabo San Lucas home in Mexico.

Turning 33 this month, the nepo baby of Bill Pullman is nearly nine years older than the nepo baby of Cindy Crawford, but they're still going strong.

Gerber flaunted her slim figure in a triangle top paired with black Brazilian bottoms and Pullman went shirtless in black swim trunks.

The supermodel and the Emmy nominee reportedly began their low-key romance in December 2024 - the same month she ended her three-year relationship with Oscar nominee Austin Butler, 34.

'A lot is being healed in this [healthy] relationship,' Gerber dished on the Therapuss podcast last October.

'I really feel like if you have the opportunity to date a friend, do it. It's just so much better.'

Kaia Gerber and her boyfriend Lewis Pullman hit the beach Sunday during her family's annual winter trip to their Cabo San Lucas home in Mexico

Turning 33 this month, the nepo baby of Bill Pullman is nearly nine years older than the nepo baby of Cindy Crawford, but they're still going strong

Gerber admitted she 'always dated people that were older than me' and 'would completely just change my personality and my values for someone.'

'Then you start to bring a little bit more of who you really are into the relationship and they're like, "No, I like that person before,"' the Shell star noted.

Gerber also previously dated Frankenstein actor Jacob Elordi from 2020-2021 and Saturday Night Live alum Pete Davidson from 2019-2020.

While Pullman dated Andie MacDowell's nepo baby Rainey Qualley from 2020-2023.

The LA natives were joined by her 59-year-old supermodel mother and her father Rande Gerber, who relaxed on outdoor beds.

The 63-year-old Casamigos co-founder made a rare Instastory post featuring a video of Gerber and her 26-year-old brother Presley dancing as children, which he captioned: 'Forever grateful for moments like these. Happy New Year!'

Gerber currently portrays Mitzi in the 10-episode second season of Abe Sylvia's high society dramedy Palm Royale, which airs Wednesdays on Apple TV+.

She has a mystery role in David Lowery's psychosexual pop thriller Mother Mary, which hits US theaters April 24.

Gerber flaunted her slim figure in a triangle top paired with black Brazilian bottoms and Pullman went shirtless in black swim trunks

The DNA Model and the Emmy nominee reportedly began their low-key romance in December 2024 - the same month she ended her three-year relationship with Oscar nominee Austin Butler

Before Pullman, Gerber dated Austin Butler, 34, for three years - pictured 2023

Gerber is seen with her supermodel mom Cundy Crawford and business mogul dad Rande Gerber in April 2025

Pullman is seen with his Hollywood icon dad Bill Pullman in December 2025

Gerber also slipped into a red string bikini to hang poolside with Therapuss podcaster Jake Shane (R), her Mango costar Travis Jackson (L) and Hayes Warner (2-R) - her costar in Ryan Murphy's 2027 prep school thriller The Shards for FX

The NARS brand ambassador dished on the Therapuss podcast last October: 'A lot is being healed in this [healthy] relationship. I really feel like if you have the opportunity to date a friend, do it. It's just so much better'

Gerber admitted she 'always dated people that were older than me' and 'would completely just change my personality and my values for someone'

The Givenchy stunner currently portrays Mitzi in the 10-episode second season of Abe Sylvia's high society dramedy Palm Royale, which airs Wednesdays on Apple TV+

Pullman currently plays Amanda Seyfried's onscreen brother William Lee in Mona Fastvold's Shaker Movement musical drama The Testament of Ann Lee, which hits UK theaters February 20

The A24 epic melodrama also stars Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, FKA Twigs, Hunter Schafer, Kaia Gerber, Jessica Brown Findlay and Chris Evans' wife Alba Baptista.

The Library Science co-founder's other upcoming projects include Jonah Hill's black comedy Outcome for Apple TV+.

Pullman currently plays Amanda Seyfried's onscreen brother William Lee in Mona Fastvold's Shaker Movement musical drama The Testament of Ann Lee, which hits UK theaters February 20.

The Thunderbolts* action star will reprise his role as Bob Reynolds/Sentry in the Russo Brothers' MCU sequel Avengers: Doomsday, which hits US theaters December 18.

Pullman's upcoming films include Olivia Newman's mystery drama Remarkably Bright Creatures, Graham Parkes' rom-com Wishful Thinking and he'll play his 72-year-old father's onscreen son in Josh Greenbaum's space opera sequel Spaceballs 2.
Song Sung Blue

Verdict: Cheesily charming

Rating:

The first major release of 2026 is a determined crowdpleaser, but of course some crowds are more discerning than others.

Writerdirector Craig Brewer's film is based on a true story about a Midwestern husbandandwife Neil Diamond 'tribute' act, impressively played by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson  who also do all their own singing.

It has charm and poignancy. And yet, to mix the great man's classics, if Song Sung Blue is really to work its Sweet Caroline magic (reachin' out, touchin' me, touchin' you) it frankly might help to be hungover, or at least a bit jaded after the festivities.

Jackman plays Mike Sardina, a goodnatured troubadour from bluecollar Wisconsin who turned to drink after returning from the Vietnam War but by the time we meet him in the mid1990s has been sober for 20 years.

Mike tours the bars and clubs as part of a team of singing impersonators, another of whom is a 'James Brown' (Mustafa Shakir), with a 'Buddy Holly' played by Michael Imperioli.

For those who still vividly remember Imperioli as the psychotic mobster Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos, all I can say is... oh boy! It takes a bit of adjusting to find him murdering Buddy Holly numbers rather than smalltime drug dealers who've crossed him.

But actually he's terrific. Indeed, almost all the performances in this film are very good. It's the narrative that hits the odd bum note.

Writerdirector Craig Brewer's film is based on a true story about a Midwestern husbandandwife Neil Diamond 'tribute' act, impressively played by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson

Hudson already has a Golden Globe nomination in the bag and it's easy to see why

When Mike meets Claire, a parttime hairdresser with a Patsy Cline stage act, love soon blossoms.

They join forces and call themselves Lightning and Thunder, performing Neil Diamond songs to small but appreciative audiences, and even opening for the rock band Pearl Jam.

In their domestic life, Mike works hard to win over her two kids from a previous relationship, and pretty quickly he and Claire get married.

They both have daughters of roughly the same age (nicely played by Ella Anderson and King Princess) which looks like it might presage some friction, but the two girls form a heartwarming bond.

So where, you might ask, does the story's conflict come from?

A tale like this can't be rose petals all the way, there must be some thorns, yet for the best part of an hour there's precious little sign of anything going awry apart from Mike's vague heart problem, and his stubborn insistence on opening the act with Diamond's lesserknown song Soolaimon, when the punters want Sweet Caroline.

That it all thrums along so watchably has more to do with the chemistry between Jackman and Hudson, and the pleasure of hearing them sing.

Abruptly, though, catastrophe strikes. I'm reluctant to say how because it's the only truly unexpected thing that happens throughout the film, but anyway it has a profound effect on their personal and professional lives, removing the story's sustained and rather curious buoyancy and replacing it with that familiar triumphoveradversity dynamic that all cinematic crowdpleasers require.

They join forces and call themselves Lightning and Thunder, performing Neil Diamond songs to small but appreciative audiences, and even opening for the rock band Pearl Jam

In their domestic life, Mike works hard to win over her two kids from a previous relationship, and pretty quickly he and Claire get married

Inspired by a 2008 documentary of the same title, Song Sung Blue might be just the holiday hangover remedy you need, but conversely it might make you feel worse.

There's a cheesiness to the whole enterprise that at times verges on the sickly, and I found one scene rather offensively glib, when a teenage mother hands over her newborn baby, the result of an unwanted pregnancy, to its adoptive parents as if she is parting with a buildup of laundry.

The film could, in short, be better. There are also some misjudged bits of slapstick and a supporting performance by

Jim Belushi that, were there awards for overacting, would make him a frontrunner. Two hours and 13 minutes is a stretch, too. But on the genuine awards front, Hudson already has a Golden Globe nomination in the bag and it's easy to see why: if you sit back and wallow in her wholehearted performance, and Jackman's, Song Sung Blue is a pleasant enough way to start the movie year.

In cinemas now.

From Bronte to Homer... six films I'm dying to see this year

A trawl through the major film releases over the next 12 months reveals the usual batch of sequels and superheroes.

Still, there are also some appealing prospects. Of course, they might turn out to be mild disappointments or outright duds. But here are six films I have high hopes for. Happy viewing and happy new year!

Wuthering Heights

Since the trailer was released there have been plenty of swipes at Emerald Fennell's version of Emily Bronte's novel.

Lovely as she is, Margot Robbie undoubtedly looks too old to play Cathy, opposite Jacob Elordi's Heathcliff

Lovely as she is, Margot Robbie undoubtedly looks too old to play Cathy, opposite Jacob Elordi's Heathcliff. Let's just hope that Fennell sweeps us, Heathclifflike, off our feet. (February)

The Bride!

There are some fabulous films with exclamation marks in the title (Airplane!, Oliver!) and some letdowns (Viva Zapata!).

I'm hopeful that The Bride!, a kind of Frankenstein story, will fall into the former category. Jessie Buckley plays the title character, a murdered woman brought back to life in 1930s Chicago.

The director is Maggie Gyllenhaal, and the wonderful cast features her brother Jake and her husband Peter Sarsgaard, as well as Christian Bale, Annette Bening and Penelope Cruz. (March)

The Devil Wears Prada 2

When a sequel comes along two decades after the original, it can often seem like the cinematic equivalent of filling a diesel car with petrol.

But this might be a welcome exception. All the talent from the hit 2006 film is back, darling; with Donatella Versace and Lady Gaga also credited. (May)

Disclosure Day

Steven Spielberg has impressive form in the scifi department, with Close Encounters and ET part of his filmography.

This UFO story boasts a cracking lineup of British talent (Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth) and while nobody has disclosed much about it, we do know the venerable John Williams is composing the music and that the screenwriter is David Koepp, whose credits include Jurassic Park and Mission: Impossible. (June)

The Odyssey

Christopher Nolan's take on Homer's epic story stars Matt Damon as King Odysseus making his long journey home after the Trojan War, with Anne Hathaway as his wife and Tom Holland as their son.

It won't quite unfold in real time, but Nolan took three hours to tell the story of Oppenheimer last time out, so The Odyssey may also test the bladder. Can't wait though! (July)

Narnia: The Magician's Nephew

Greta Gerwig's last three films were hits: Lady Bird, Little Women and Barbie. This time round she's adapting CS Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, with an excellent cast led by Emma Mackey and Carey Mulligan. (November)
Banco BPM S.p.A. (OTCMKTS:BNCZF  Get Free Report) shot up 6.3% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $15.70 and last traded at $15.70. 240 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 83% from the average session volume of 1,383 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.77.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BNCZF has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of Banco BPM in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Santander assumed coverage on Banco BPM in a research note on Monday, September 29th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Banco BPM has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Banco BPM Stock Up 6.3%

Banco BPM Company Profile

The companys fifty day simple moving average is $14.62 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $13.28.

(Get Free Report)

Banco BPM S.p.A. (OTCMKTS:BNCZF) is a leading Italian banking group formed on January 1, 2017, through the merger of Banco Popolare and Banca Popolare di Milano. Headquartered in Milan and Verona, the group ranks among Italys largest lenders and focuses on serving retail, corporate and institutional clients with a full suite of banking and financial services.

The banks core businesses include retail bankingoffering current accounts, savings products, mortgages, consumer loans and payment servicesalongside corporate and SME financing, cash management, trade finance and structured lending.

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Tigress Financial restated their buy rating on shares of Boeing (NYSE:BA  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Monday, MarketBeat.com reports. They currently have a $275.00 price target on the aircraft producers stock.

BA has been the subject of a number of other research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Boeing from $240.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, December 19th. BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on Boeing in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an underperform rating and a $150.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $250.00 price objective on shares of Boeing in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Boeing in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Loop Capital set a $223.00 target price on Boeing in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $234.92.

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Boeing Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of BA opened at $217.07 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $164.99 billion, a PE ratio of -15.87 and a beta of 1.18. Boeing has a 12-month low of $128.88 and a 12-month high of $242.69. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $202.15 and its 200-day simple moving average is $214.50.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The aircraft producer reported ($7.47) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.51) by ($6.96). The firm had revenue of $23.27 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.61 billion. The companys revenue was up 30.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned ($10.44) earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Boeing will post -2.58 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Uma M. Amuluru sold 1,366 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $197.66, for a total value of $270,003.56. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 14,656 shares in the company, valued at $2,896,904.96. The trade was a 8.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Dana S. Deasy acquired 554 shares of Boeing stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $178.88 per share, with a total value of $99,099.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 28,442 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,087,704.96. This trade represents a 1.99% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Boeing

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BA. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Boeing during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Boeing in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Piscataqua Savings Bank boosted its position in Boeing by 1,712.5% during the second quarter. Piscataqua Savings Bank now owns 145 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. Reyes Financial Architecture Inc. bought a new position in Boeing during the third quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Davis Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Boeing in the third quarter valued at $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.82% of the companys stock.

Trending Headlines about Boeing

Here are the key news stories impacting Boeing this week:

About Boeing

(Get Free Report)

Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense systems, and space and security technologies. Founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, the company today operates as an integrated aerospace and defense contractor with a global customer base. Boeing relocated its corporate headquarters to Arlington, Virginia in 2022 and maintains extensive engineering, manufacturing and service operations across the United States and around the world.

Boeings principal lines of business include Commercial Airplanes, which produces and supports a range of jetliners used by airlines globally; Defense, Space & Security, which develops military aircraft, rotorcraft, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, satellites, and launch and missile systems; and Boeing Global Services, which provides aftermarket maintenance, training, spare parts, digital analytics and logistics support.

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Evolution Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:EPM  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the six brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, three have assigned a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $5.6250.

A number of research analysts have recently commented on EPM shares. Loop Capital set a $5.30 price target on Evolution Petroleum in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Freedom Capital raised Evolution Petroleum to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Roth Capital started coverage on Evolution Petroleum in a report on Thursday, December 4th. They set a buy rating and a $5.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Zacks Research raised Evolution Petroleum from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Evolution Petroleum

Evolution Petroleum Price Performance

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of EPM. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in shares of Evolution Petroleum during the first quarter worth about $317,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Evolution Petroleum by 24.0% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 139,715 shares of the companys stock valued at $724,000 after acquiring an additional 27,068 shares during the last quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC increased its position in Evolution Petroleum by 142.8% during the 1st quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 104,920 shares of the companys stock valued at $543,000 after purchasing an additional 61,708 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its holdings in Evolution Petroleum by 157.8% during the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 25,041 shares of the companys stock worth $118,000 after purchasing an additional 15,328 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Register Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Evolution Petroleum by 6.0% in the 2nd quarter. Register Financial Advisors LLC now owns 315,611 shares of the companys stock worth $1,483,000 after purchasing an additional 17,829 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.07% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE:EPM opened at $3.54 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $4.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of $4.62. The company has a market cap of $122.81 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 70.81 and a beta of 0.26. Evolution Petroleum has a one year low of $3.51 and a one year high of $5.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.64.

Evolution Petroleum Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Evolution Petroleum Enterprises, Inc (NYSE:EPM) is an independent oil and gas company focused on acquiring, developing and producing petroleum and natural gas assets in the United States. Through a strategy centered on high-margin, mature fields, the company targets properties where enhanced recovery techniques can unlock remaining reserves, offering stable production and cash flow potential.

The companys principal activities revolve around carbon dioxide (CO) enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations.

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Celsius, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and Canadian Solar are the three Canadian stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Canadian stocks are equity shares of companies headquartered in Canada or listed on Canadian exchanges such as the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange. For investors, they offer exposure to Canadas prominent sectors (energy, mining, financials, utilities), and carry country-specific considerations like Canadian regulatory rules, commodity sensitivity, and Canadian-dollar currency risk. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Canadian stocks within the last several days.

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Celsius (CELH)

Celsius Holdings, Inc. develops, processes, markets, distributes, and sells functional energy drinks and liquid supplements in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canadian, European, Middle Eastern, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company offers CELSIUS, a fitness drink or supplement designed to accelerate metabolism and burn body fat; various flavors and carbonated and non-carbonated functional energy drinks under the CELSIUS Originals and Vibe name, as well as functional energy drink under the CELSIUS Essentials and CELSIUS On-the-Go Powder names; and CELSIUS ready-to drink products.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CM

Canadian Solar (CSIQ)

Canadian Solar Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides solar energy and battery energy storage products and solutions in in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, CSI Solar and Recurrent Energy. The CSI Solar segment designs, develops, and manufactures solar ingots, wafers, cells, modules, and other solar power and battery storage products.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CSIQ

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Shares of Codan Limited (OTCMKTS:CODAF  Get Free Report) were down 5.5% on Monday . The stock traded as low as C$20.00 and last traded at C$20.00. Approximately 100 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 90% from the average daily volume of 983 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$21.17.

Codan Trading Down 5.5%

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of C$23.41 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$17.60.

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Codan Company Profile

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Codan Limited (OTCMKTS:CODAF) is an Australian technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of communications and detection equipment. Headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia, Codan operates through two primary business segmentsdetection and communicationsproviding hardware, software and turn-key solutions to commercial, government and humanitarian customers worldwide.

In its detection segment, Codan markets metal-detection products under the Minelab brand. These detectors serve a range of applications including gold prospecting, security screening, landmine and ordinance clearance, and archaeological exploration.

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Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE:DECK  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 3,920,756 shares, a decrease of 29.1% from the November 30th total of 5,528,542 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,547,133 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days. Currently, 2.7% of the companys shares are sold short. Currently, 2.7% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 3,547,133 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Angela Ogbechie sold 1,460 shares of Deckers Outdoor stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.45, for a total value of $118,917.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 34,020 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,770,929. The trade was a 4.11% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Deckers Outdoor

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Park Place Capital Corp lifted its stake in Deckers Outdoor by 14.9% in the second quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 771 shares of the textile makers stock worth $81,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Rakuten Securities Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Deckers Outdoor by 45.5% in the 2nd quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 320 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Deckers Outdoor by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,597 shares of the textile makers stock worth $263,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares during the period. American National Bank & Trust boosted its stake in shares of Deckers Outdoor by 77.4% during the third quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 243 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Finally, RB Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Deckers Outdoor by 1.0% during the third quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 10,679 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $1,083,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.79% of the companys stock.

Deckers Outdoor Stock Down 1.4%

DECK traded down $1.45 on Wednesday, reaching $103.58. 1,801,514 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,452,989. The company has a market cap of $15.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.68 and a beta of 1.19. Deckers Outdoor has a one year low of $78.91 and a one year high of $223.98. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $91.68 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $101.49.

Deckers Outdoor (NYSE:DECK  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The textile maker reported $1.82 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.24. The business had revenue of $1.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.41 billion. Deckers Outdoor had a net margin of 19.47% and a return on equity of 40.54%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.59 earnings per share. Deckers Outdoor has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.300-6.390 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Deckers Outdoor will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Barclays lowered their price target on Deckers Outdoor from $141.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Needham & Company LLC reduced their target price on shares of Deckers Outdoor from $128.00 to $113.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Deckers Outdoor from $100.00 to $95.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Evercore ISI cut their price target on shares of Deckers Outdoor from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Deckers Outdoor in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Deckers Outdoor currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $117.58.

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About Deckers Outdoor

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Deckers Outdoor Corporation is a global designer, marketer and distributor of footwear, apparel and accessories. The companys product portfolio includes wellknown brands such as UGG, HOKA, Teva, Sanuk and Koolaburra by UGG, spanning a range of lifestyle, performance and outdoor categories. Deckers leverages a blend of proprietary manufacturing, strategic brand storytelling and directtoconsumer retail to serve both fashionfocused and performanceoriented customers.

Founded in 1973 by Doug Otto and Karl F.

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Digihost Technology Inc. (OTCMKTS:HSSHF  Get Free Report)s share price was down 2.6% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $2.59 and last traded at $2.63. Approximately 1,666,484 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 364% from the average daily volume of 358,955 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.70.

Digihost Technology Trading Down 2.6%

The business has a fifty day moving average price of $3.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $3.16.

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About Digihost Technology

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Digihost Technology Inc is a Canada-based digital currency hosting and infrastructure provider focused on renewable-energy-powered cryptocurrency mining operations. The company specializes in acquiring, developing and operating data centers designed to support large-scale mining of digital assets such as Bitcoin. By partnering with hydroelectric and other low-carbon power suppliers, Digihost seeks to deliver efficient, reliable and environmentally conscious mining solutions.

The company offers turnkey hosting services that encompass site inspection, equipment installation, power distribution, cooling infrastructure and ongoing maintenance.

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Explainer: SHIELD behind China's safeguards against poverty relapse

Xinhua) 09:21, January 01, 2026

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- After China declared victory in eradicating absolute poverty in 2021, consolidating the gains made and preventing poverty from returning has become a critical task.

The Chinese leadership anticipated this risk and, at the end of 2020, established a five-year transition period dedicated to both consolidating and expanding achievements in poverty alleviation and integrating them with rural revitalization.

The year marks the final year of the transitional period, but the country will not hit the brakes. The 2025 central rural work conference was held Monday and Tuesday in Beijing, calling for coordinated efforts to establish regular mechanisms for preventing rural residents from lapsing or relapsing into poverty.

Here is a review of China's practice and experience, encapsulated in the acronym "SHIELD": systematic and dynamic monitoring, human-centered ethos, industrial development, endogenous empowerment, layered and targeted support, and durable endeavor.

SYSTEMATIC AND DYNAMIC MONITORING

To prevent relapses, China has put in place a long-term mechanism for dynamic monitoring of trends indicating a return to poverty and regular checks on key groups, to ensure early detection, intervention and support.

In a remote village in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Daba, Party secretary Lei Bingchao learned in April 2025 that Yang Xilong, a resident of the village, incurred unusually high medical expenses due to an eye disease.

Within days, a streamlined process -- village verification, township review, and district approval -- had enrolled the family in targeted support, plugging the risk of medical-induced poverty.

The government has woven a vast digital monitoring net that tracks key risk indicators -- sudden healthcare costs, job loss, crop failure-across formerly impoverished households.

While this digital vigilance provides the eyes and ears, a streamlined door-to-door verification process ensures that no family falls through the gaps due to migration or other circumstances.

DeepSeek is also gradually being adopted by various grassroots governments. For example, Shanxin town in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region successfully deployed the DeepSeek model, which not only tracks data but also automatically generates assistance recommendations. This process has improved analytical efficiency by 50 percent compared to traditional methods.

HUMAN-CENTERED ETHOS

The Chinese government treats people at risk of falling back into poverty not as statistical units in a poverty headcount, but as individuals with distinct circumstances beyond their control -- illness, disability, or family tragedy -- that entail a safety net.

This aligns with a central tenet of Chinese modernization, which is viewed as a process centered on the people rather than on capital, as in many Western countries. It also aligns seamlessly with the Confucian ideal of "Ren," which is often translated as benevolence, humanity, or humaneness. This virtue places the well-being of the people as the core responsibility of governance.

"The establishment of a five-year transition period represents another major institutional innovation in the poverty reduction path with Chinese characteristics," stated Professor Hu Wen, vice president of the Sichuan Administration Institute.

She emphasized that this approach not only facilitates sustained support to safeguard poverty alleviation achievements but also provides strategic breathing room to build regularized, long-term poverty reduction mechanisms, stimulate the internal drive of those lifted out of poverty, and enable a gradual, orderly transition toward rural revitalization. This, she noted, is a concentrated reflection of the people-centered development philosophy.

The mechanism's efficacy is reflected in tangible outcomes. By the end of September this year, more than 7 million people identified as at risk of falling back into poverty had received targeted assistance, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The concurrent efforts have ensured that students from families lifted out of poverty have achieved a dynamic zero dropout rate at the compulsory education stage, and that the participation rate in basic medical insurance has remained stable at over 99 percent. Renovation of dilapidated rural housing and seismic retrofitting of rural homes have progressed steadily, while the rural tap water penetration rate has reached 94 percent.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

The just-concluded central rural work conference stressed the need to cultivate and expand wealth-creating industries in counties and to broaden the channels and methods for farmers to participate in industrial development.

In a garment company in Guizhou, rows of female workers are busy finishing garments. Most of the company's over 400 employees come from households that have been relocated to a nearby residential compound, as part of the poverty-alleviation resettlement initiative.

"The monthly wage averages between 4,000 and 5,000 yuan (about 711 U.S. dollars), and diligent workers can earn up to 10,000 yuan," explains a team leader, Jin Biju. Stable employment close to home has secured household incomes in what was once one of China's most impoverished regions.

More focused efforts are also being made to promote the development of rural specialty industries. Over the past five years, all poverty-stricken counties have developed two to three specialty industries each, with a combined value now exceeding 1.7 trillion yuan.

To sustain development momentum, the government invested a cumulative 850.5 billion yuan in formerly impoverished areas to improve infrastructure and public services, including transportation, water conservancy, education and healthcare.

ENDOGENOUS EMPOWERMENT

Not long ago, in Huawu Village in Guizhou's Qianxi City, locals had to climb over the mountain to reach the outside world. Today, the village has transformed its intricate Miao embroidery, once merely a "fingertip skill," into a vibrant "fingertip economy." Meanwhile, in Zhaojue County, Sichuan's Liangshan Prefecture, the former "cliff village" has become a popular tourism destination.

Natural resources, unique local crafts, and cultural heritage form the latent advantages upon which many lifted-from-poverty areas can build promising futures. They reflect a deliberate, methodical approach called "development-oriented assistance." It combined poverty alleviation with increased confidence and enriched people's knowledge, ultimately strengthening the momentum of endogenous development.

The process of activating internal motivation does more than grant temporary relief. It integrates residents into industry cultivation, employment expansion and self-capacity building. Those with the potential to stand on their own are supported until they can walk steadily on their own.

A report released by Xinhua Institute, a think tank, showed that, as of the end of 2024, 33.05 million individuals from previously impoverished households were employed, a figure that has remained steadily above 30 million for four consecutive years.

Last year, the per capita disposable income of rural residents in counties that had shaken off poverty reached 17,522 yuan, a 24.7 percent increase over 2021. For four consecutive years, income growth in these counties has outpaced the national average for rural residents.

LAYERED AND TARGETED SUPPORT

Instead of applying broad, one-size-fits-all methods, the Chinese government implemented a multi-layered and targeted poverty relief approach to tailor aid to people's unique circumstances.

For those with labor capacity, the focus is on "development-oriented poverty alleviation" -- skills training, job matching, and microloans for small businesses. For the partially capable, there are public welfare jobs. For those beset by shocks such as illness or disaster, specific subsidies for healthcare, housing, education and other areas kick in. For the utterly incapacitated, the social assistance net provides a final, guaranteed floor.

The experience of Luo Linmei, a young woman from Wangmo county in Guizhou, speaks to the tailored responses. Following her father's death, Luo's family was supported through a precise mix of interventions: Her mother secured a public welfare job and subsistence allowances. At the same time, Luo and her sister received educational grants in high school and during university.

"With these measures, my sister and I finished our studies, and our family were saved from falling back into poverty," Luo recalls.

DURABLE ENDEAVOR

Looking ahead, the upcoming 2026-2030 period, China's next national planning cycle, will be the first following the five-year transition period.

According to the recommendations of the Communist Party of China Central Committee for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), China will continue to consolidate and expand its achievements in poverty alleviation. Through the establishment of regular mechanisms, increased development assistance, and strengthened policies for key counties in need, every effort will be made to prevent any large-scale lapses or relapses into poverty.

"The bottom line to prevent a large-scale lapse or relapse into poverty must be upheld persistently and permanently after the transition period," said Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Wu Chaolan)
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The Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Ukraine, together with the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies, held a round table on the topic The Updated Foreign Policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Diplomats, experts, and analysts took part in the event. Participants discussed the transformation of Uzbekistan's foreign policy against the backdrop of global turbulence, growing inter-state conflicts and the restructuring of the international relations system.

It was noted that under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tashkent is stepping up its international activity and consistently forming new areas of cooperation, focusing on strengthening good neighbourliness and trust in Central Asia, developing multi-vector political and economic ties, and diversifying trade and investment.

Other priorities included expanding cooperation in the areas of transport and logistics, green energy, water resource management and the climate agenda. The participants emphasised the practical effectiveness of economic diplomacy and the growth of Uzbekistan's interaction with international organisations, noting the holding of major international events in the country under the auspices of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and UNESCO.

A separate discussion block was devoted to cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union. Experts pointed to the convergence of interests between the parties on issues of energy security, sustainable transport corridors, the green economy, water management, and educational and humanitarian programmes, emphasising Uzbekistan's role as one of the EU's key partners in Central Asia.

The cultural and humanitarian component of foreign policy was also discussed, including the development of cultural diplomacy and tourism as tools for strengthening the country's positive international image and soft power.

Following the round table, participants described Uzbekistan's foreign policy as open, pragmatic and predictable, based on internal modernisation and a reform agenda.
Shares of FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the sixteen ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, ten have assigned a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $26.4615.

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on FMC shares. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on shares of FMC from $43.00 to $19.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of FMC from $30.00 to $24.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Bank of America upgraded FMC from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $37.00 to $33.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d) rating on shares of FMC in a research report on Monday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price objective on FMC from $33.00 to $17.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 31st.

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Insider Activity at FMC

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, Director John Mitchell Raines purchased 7,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 13th. The shares were bought at an average price of $13.77 per share, with a total value of $96,390.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 13,784 shares in the company, valued at $189,805.68. This trade represents a 103.18% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . 0.67% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. AlphaQuest LLC bought a new position in FMC in the 1st quarter worth $74,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its position in shares of FMC by 116.3% in the first quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 10,441 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $441,000 after purchasing an additional 5,614 shares during the last quarter. Comerica Bank grew its position in shares of FMC by 44.7% in the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 63,689 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $2,687,000 after purchasing an additional 19,671 shares during the last quarter. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. bought a new position in shares of FMC in the first quarter worth about $346,000. Finally, Trexquant Investment LP lifted its position in shares of FMC by 35.8% during the 1st quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 124,886 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $5,269,000 after purchasing an additional 32,922 shares during the last quarter. 91.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

FMC Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of FMC stock opened at $13.86 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $1.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.27, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.65. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $15.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $30.01. FMC has a 52-week low of $12.17 and a 52-week high of $57.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.40 and a quick ratio of 1.05.

FMC (NYSE:FMC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The basic materials company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.85 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $542.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.08 billion. FMC had a negative net margin of 14.81% and a positive return on equity of 10.40%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 49.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.69 earnings per share. FMC has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.140-1.360 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 2.920-3.140 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that FMC will post 3.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

FMC Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. FMCs dividend payout ratio is presently -54.72%.

About FMC

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FMC Corporation is a global agricultural sciences company specializing in the development, manufacture and marketing of crop protection products. Its portfolio includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and plant nutrition solutions designed to enhance crop yield, quality and sustainability. In addition to core crop protection, FMC delivers solutions for turf management and pest control in urban and industrial environments.

Founded in 1883 as the Bean Spray Pump Company and later known as Food Machinery Corporation, the business adopted the FMC name in 1948 and has since evolved through strategic acquisitions and divestitures.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Global Industrial (NYSE:GIC  Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note released on Monday morning.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Zacks Research cut shares of Global Industrial from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Global Industrial in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Global Industrial Stock Down 1.9%

Shares of NYSE GIC opened at $29.21 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $1.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.93. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $29.01 and its 200 day simple moving average is $31.58. Global Industrial has a fifty-two week low of $20.79 and a fifty-two week high of $38.79.

Global Industrial (NYSE:GIC  Get Free Report) last announced 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%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Global Industrial will post 1.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Global Industrial Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th were given a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. Global Industrials payout ratio is presently 59.43%.

Institutional Trading of Global Industrial

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of GIC. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Global Industrial by 2.1% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 822,006 shares of the companys stock worth $30,143,000 after buying an additional 17,194 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Global Industrial by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 332,297 shares of the companys stock worth $8,977,000 after acquiring an additional 10,095 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in Global Industrial by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 308,639 shares of the companys stock worth $8,336,000 after acquiring an additional 2,083 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in Global Industrial by 6.3% during the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 227,039 shares of the companys stock worth $8,326,000 after acquiring an additional 13,378 shares during the period. Finally, Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in Global Industrial during the 3rd quarter valued at about $6,985,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 31.19% of the companys stock.

Global Industrial Company Profile

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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.

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Inplay Oil Cp (OTCMKTS:IPOOF  Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 1% during mid-day trading on Monday after Zacks Research upgraded the stock from a strong sell rating to a hold rating. The company traded as high as $8.98 and last traded at $8.95. 14,732 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 18% from the average session volume of 18,070 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.8650.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on the stock. National Bankshares began coverage on shares of Inplay Oil Cp in a report on Monday, September 8th. They set an outperform rating for the company. National Bank Financial raised Inplay Oil Cp to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Sunday, September 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy.

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Inplay Oil Cp Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $253.06 million, a P/E ratio of -53.22 and a beta of 0.64. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $9.02 and a 200-day moving average price of $8.37.

Inplay Oil Cp (OTCMKTS:IPOOF  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by ($0.20). The business had revenue of $57.62 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $62.19 million. Inplay Oil Cp had a negative return on equity of 0.39% and a negative net margin of 2.27%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Inplay Oil Cp will post 0.08 EPS for the current year.

Inplay Oil Cp Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, October 16th were given a dividend of $0.0647 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 15th. This represents a yield of 868.0%. Inplay Oil Cps dividend payout ratio is -447.06%.

Inplay Oil Cp Company Profile

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InPlay Oil Corp (OTCMKTS: IPOOF) is a Calgary-based exploration and production company focused on the development of oil and natural gas assets in Western Canada. The companys primary operations are centered in the Montney and Charlie Lake formations of Alberta and northeast British Columbia, where it holds a significant land position. InPlays strategy emphasizes liquids-rich natural gas and condensate production, leveraging horizontal drilling and multi-stage completion techniques to enhance well performance and resource recovery.

InPlays asset portfolio comprises both established conventional reservoirs and emerging unconventional plays.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) shares dropped 1.3% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $323.53 and last traded at $323.6750. Approximately 7,444,219 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 21% from the average daily volume of 9,377,396 shares. The stock had previously closed at $327.91.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup boosted their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $275.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $339.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $300.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $342.00 to $346.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, JPMorgan Chase & Co. has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $329.19.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Price Performance

The firms fifty day moving average price is $311.23 and its 200 day moving average price is $301.62. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. The stock has a market cap of $877.17 billion, a PE ratio of 15.96, a P/E/G ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.08.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $5.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.83 by $0.24. The company had revenue of $47.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $44.42 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 20.90% and a return on equity of 17.18%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s quarterly revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $4.37 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 18.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 6th will be given a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 6th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.72%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Robin Leopold sold 966 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $311.92, for a total value of $301,314.72. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 58,479 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,240,769.68. The trade was a 1.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC lifted its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 609,867.5% during the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 72,897,211 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $21,133,630,000 after purchasing an additional 72,885,260 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 61,129,271 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $17,646,506,000 after buying an additional 300,160 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 2nd quarter valued at about $10,295,209,000. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 18,908,978 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,964,459,000 after acquiring an additional 607,025 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 5.1% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 18,441,044 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,523,588,000 after acquiring an additional 890,553 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.55% of the companys stock.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Company Profile

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JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) is a diversified global financial services firm headquartered in New York City. The company provides a wide range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, corporations, governments and institutional investors worldwide. Its operations span retail banking, commercial lending, investment banking, asset management, payments and card services, and treasury and securities services.

The firms principal business activities are organized across several core lines: Consumer & Community Banking, which offers deposit accounts, mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and branch and digital banking under the Chase brand; Corporate & Investment Banking, which provides capital markets, advisory, underwriting, trading and risk management services; Commercial Banking, delivering lending, treasury and capital solutions to middle-market and corporate clients; and Asset & Wealth Management, which offers investment management, private banking and retirement services to institutions and high-net-worth individuals.

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Molson Coors Beverage (OTCMKTS:TAP.A  Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 8.6% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $46.50 and last traded at $46.50. 271 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 32% from the average session volume of 401 shares. The stock had previously closed at $50.85.

Molson Coors Beverage Stock Down 8.6%

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $46.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $50.74.

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About Molson Coors Beverage

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Molson Coors Beverage Company is a leading global brewer and beverage producer, known for its extensive portfolio of beer and malt-based beverages. The company operates across multiple segments, encompassing brewing, marketing, sales and distribution of premium, valuepriced and craft brands. In addition to traditional beers, Molson Coors has expanded into adjacent beverage categories, including hard seltzers, ciders and non-alcoholic offerings, reflecting its strategic efforts to meet evolving consumer preferences.

The origins of Molson Coors date back to the late 18th and 19th centuries, with Alexander Molson founding Molson Brewery in Montreal in 1786 and Adolph Coors establishing Coors Brewing Company in Golden, Colorado in 1873.

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Permanent TSB Group Holdings plc (OTCMKTS:ILPMY  Get Free Report)s stock price dropped 19.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $3.07 and last traded at $3.07. Approximately 501 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 83% from the average daily volume of 2,931 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.80.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Permanent TSB Group in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Reduce.

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Permanent TSB Group Price Performance

Permanent TSB Group Company Profile

The companys fifty day moving average price is $3.84 and its 200 day moving average price is $2.95.

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Permanent TSB Group plc is an Irish retail bank headquartered in Dublin, offering a full range of banking products and services to personal and small business customers. The companys core activities include mortgage lending, personal loans, savings and current accounts, and digital banking platforms. Permanent TSB also provides home insurance and credit cards, aiming to serve the day-to-day banking needs of consumers across the Republic of Ireland.

Founded in 1816 as the Irish Permanent Building Society, the company demutualised in 1994 and merged with Trustee Savings Bank in 1999 to form Permanent TSB.

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Stellar AfricaGold Inc. (CVE:SPX  Get Free Report)s stock price traded up 20% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as C$0.15 and last traded at C$0.15. 271,321 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 111% from the average session volume of 128,661 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.13.

Stellar AfricaGold Stock Up 20.0%

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of C$0.15 and a 200 day moving average price of C$0.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 201.45, a quick ratio of 2.95 and a current ratio of 0.38. The company has a market capitalization of C$9.72 million, a P/E ratio of -5.00, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.85.

About Stellar AfricaGold

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Stellar AfricaGold Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and evaluation of mineral properties in Canada, Republic of Mali, and the Kingdom of Morocco. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. Stellar AfricaGold Inc was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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Surgical Science Sweden AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:SUSRF  Get Free Report)s share price fell 6.1% on Monday . The company traded as low as $3.41 and last traded at $3.41. 1,000 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 72% from the average session volume of 3,524 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.63.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Pareto Securities downgraded shares of Surgical Science Sweden AB (publ) to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold.

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Surgical Science Sweden AB (publ) Stock Down 6.1%

Surgical Science Sweden AB (publ) Company Profile

The company has a 50 day moving average price of $6.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $9.98.

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Surgical Science Sweden AB (publ) develops and markets virtual realitybased medical simulation solutions designed to train healthcare professionals in minimally invasive surgical techniques. Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company leverages advanced haptic feedback and three-dimensional graphics to create realistic, interactive scenarios for a range of surgical disciplines, including laparoscopy, endoscopy and arthroscopy. Its platform allows trainees to practice complex procedures in a risk-free environment, helping to improve precision and reduce the learning curve for both trainees and experienced practitioners adapting to new technologies.

The companys product portfolio includes LapSim for basic and advanced laparoscopic skills, EndoSim for gastrointestinal endoscopy, ArthroSim for diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopy, as well as modules for vascular and bronchial interventions.

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Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 40,723,086 shares, a drop of 17.1% from the November 30th total of 49,111,896 shares. Currently, 7.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 8,538,068 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.8 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 8,538,068 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.8 days. Currently, 7.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Insider Transactions at Albertsons Companies

In related news, insider Anuj Dhanda sold 230,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.25, for a total transaction of $4,427,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 300,577 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,786,107.25. This represents a 43.35% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Michael T. Theilmann sold 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.35, for a total transaction of $1,935,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 338,429 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,548,601.15. The trade was a 22.81% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 1.35% of the companys stock.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Albertsons Companies

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ACI. Peddock Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in Albertsons Companies by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Peddock Capital Advisors LLC now owns 26,567 shares of the companys stock valued at $571,000 after acquiring an additional 504 shares in the last quarter. Mason Investment Advisory Services Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 0.7% in the second quarter. Mason Investment Advisory Services Inc. now owns 78,586 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,690,000 after purchasing an additional 524 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Albertsons Companies by 3.4% in the second quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 17,870 shares of the companys stock valued at $384,000 after purchasing an additional 592 shares in the last quarter. Okabena Investment Services Inc. increased its stake in Albertsons Companies by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Okabena Investment Services Inc. now owns 63,122 shares of the companys stock worth $1,105,000 after buying an additional 602 shares during the period. Finally, Verdence Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Albertsons Companies by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 83,260 shares of the companys stock worth $1,791,000 after buying an additional 623 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.35% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ACI has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Monday. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Albertsons Companies from $27.00 to $25.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Tigress Financial upped their price objective on shares of Albertsons Companies from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Albertsons Companies from $21.00 to $20.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Albertsons Companies from $27.00 to $24.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $23.69.

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Albertsons Companies Trading Down 0.3%

NYSE ACI traded down $0.06 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $17.19. The company had a trading volume of 7,129,469 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,016,162. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.49. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $17.72 and a 200 day moving average of $18.94. Albertsons Companies has a 1-year low of $16.55 and a 1-year high of $23.20.

Albertsons Companies (NYSE:ACI  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $18.92 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.89 billion. Albertsons Companies had a net margin of 1.20% and a return on equity of 36.39%. The businesss revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.51 EPS. Albertsons Companies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.060-2.190 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Albertsons Companies will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Albertsons Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 24th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 24th. Albertsons Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.50%.

Key Albertsons Companies News

Here are the key news stories impacting Albertsons Companies this week:

Positive Sentiment: Telsey Advisory reaffirmed an outperform rating and a $24 price target, signaling sizable upside vs. the current price and providing a bullish analyst anchor for the stock. Benzinga Telsey Note

Telsey Advisory reaffirmed an outperform rating and a $24 price target, signaling sizable upside vs. the current price and providing a bullish analyst anchor for the stock. Positive Sentiment: Brokerage coverage averaged a Moderate Buy stance, supporting demand from income/ value-focused investors who follow consensus ratings. American Banking News: Moderate Buy

Brokerage coverage averaged a Moderate Buy stance, supporting demand from income/ value-focused investors who follow consensus ratings. Positive Sentiment: A bullish deep-dive argues Albertsons is undervalued (strong buy case), pointing to revenue growth in pharmacy/digital channels and meaningful share-buyback activity that could support EPS even if margins compress. This provides a constructive narrative for long-term investors. Seeking Alpha: Undervalued Thesis

A bullish deep-dive argues Albertsons is undervalued (strong buy case), pointing to revenue growth in pharmacy/digital channels and meaningful share-buyback activity that could support EPS even if margins compress. This provides a constructive narrative for long-term investors. Neutral Sentiment: Zacks published a pre-earnings note outlining Wall Street projections for ACIs Q3 top-line, bottom-line and key metrics  useful context for assessing whether ACI will beat/meet guidance on Jan. 7. Zacks: Q3 Projections

Zacks published a pre-earnings note outlining Wall Street projections for ACIs Q3 top-line, bottom-line and key metrics  useful context for assessing whether ACI will beat/meet guidance on Jan. 7. Neutral Sentiment: Benzinga notes several of the most accurate analysts revised forecasts ahead of the Jan. 7 call  revisions can swing short-term expectations but their net direction (up vs. down) will matter most when earnings are released. Benzinga: Analyst Revisions

Benzinga notes several of the most accurate analysts revised forecasts ahead of the Jan. 7 call  revisions can swing short-term expectations but their net direction (up vs. down) will matter most when earnings are released. Neutral Sentiment: Analysts offered broader commentary on consumer goods peers (including ACI), highlighting industry trends that will color Albertsons results but not representing an immediate company-specific shock. Globe & Mail: Analyst Insights

Analysts offered broader commentary on consumer goods peers (including ACI), highlighting industry trends that will color Albertsons results but not representing an immediate company-specific shock. Negative Sentiment: Sector rotation favors grocery names, but Krogers aggressive $2B+ buyback and stronger buyback-driven floor could intensify competition for investor dollars; the piece also flags the lingering legal dispute between Kroger and Albertsons as an unresolved risk. That dynamic can weigh on ACI relative performance even as the sector gains attention. MarketBeat: Kroger Catalyst

About Albertsons Companies

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Albertsons Companies, Inc (NYSE: ACI) is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, operating a diversified portfolio of grocery store banners. Founded in 1939 by Joe Albertson in Boise, Idaho, the company has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Its core business activities encompass the sale of fresh produce, meat, bakery items, deli offerings, pharmacy services, and general merchandise. The companys retail operations are complemented by an in-house private-label program, featuring brands such as O Organics, Open Nature, and Lucerne, which cater to a range of customer preferences and price points.

Throughout its history, Albertsons Companies has pursued growth via mergers and partnerships.

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Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE:HMN  Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the six research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $46.75.

HMN has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised Horace Mann Educators from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, December 21st. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Horace Mann Educators in a research report on Friday, October 31st.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Horace Mann Educators

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Horace Mann Educators

In other Horace Mann Educators news, SVP Mark R. Desrochers sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.00, for a total value of $141,000.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 20,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at $966,132. This represents a 12.74% 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, Director Beverley J. Mcclure sold 1,082 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.40, for a total transaction of $49,122.80. Following the sale, the director directly owned 16,733 shares in the company, valued at $759,678.20. This represents a 6.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 15,398 shares of company stock worth $697,298. 4.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HMN. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new stake in Horace Mann Educators during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Horace Mann Educators by 49.7% in the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 699 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 232 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Horace Mann Educators by 222.3% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 909 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 627 shares in the last quarter. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Horace Mann Educators during the 2nd quarter valued at $47,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in Horace Mann Educators by 33.0% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,201 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 298 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.28% of the companys stock.

Horace Mann Educators Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSE:HMN opened at $46.15 on Thursday. 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 has a twelve month low of $36.20 and a twelve month high of $48.33. The company has a market capitalization of $1.88 billion, a PE ratio of 11.68 and a beta of 0.08. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $45.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $44.46.

Horace Mann Educators (NYSE:HMN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 3rd. The insurance provider reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $330.60 million during the quarter. Horace Mann Educators had a return on equity of 15.69% and a net margin of 9.79%. On average, equities analysts predict that Horace Mann Educators will post 3.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Horace Mann Educators Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. Horace Mann Educatorss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 35.44%.

About Horace Mann Educators

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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.

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The movement was born during the groundbreaking Paris Exhibition of 1925 as a luxurious response to the success of the German Bauhaus. One hundred years later, its prices keep breaking records

The finest hotels in Paris, the homes of todays illustrious interior designers and the shopping lists of the most discerning antique collectors all have one thing in common: a craze for Art Deco.

This luxuriously geometric and eternally modern style (think of imposing black lacquer screens or expensive beige armchairs) recently turned 100-year-old. And, of course, it was born from the ashes of its opposing style.

In the 1920s, France viewed its ornate Art Nouveau chairs and lamps with concern. Admired until recently in the countrys most elegant salons, they had become proof of a national failure. While the Cubist paintings of Picasso and Braque, the rectilinear dresses of Chanel and the essays of Andre Breton kept the French at the crest of the avant-garde, modernist furniture and buildings had lagged far behind those of other countries, specifically Germany, which was under the influence of the Bauhaus approach to design.

Lucien Dior  the famous couturiers great-uncle and then-minister of Commerce and Industry  took the matter very seriously. He spoke of the urgent need for French taste to (once again) prevail in the world of design. After arduous negotiations, he secured several hectares in the city center from the Paris municipality. This was just enough land to stage the mother of all applied arts exhibitions. From then on, the world would again be in need of the French r sound to describe the most sophisticated interiors.

Ruhlmann Pavilion at the 1925 Exposition. Alamy Stock Photo

One trigger for Frances jealousy was the invitation that was extended to the Germans of the Werkbund [the design group that was a precursor to the Bauhaus] to the Salon dAutomne held in Paris in 1910, Anne Monier Vanryb explains. Shes the curator of the Musee des Arts Decoratifs (the Museum of Decorative Arts), in Paris. The French felt so threatened by [the Germans] furniture that they asked for their own exhibition, to help them win the commercial and cultural battle. It was supposed to be held in 1915 but then the [first world] war began.

Considered the birthplace of Art Deco, the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industries Modernes  translated as the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts  opened on April 25, 1925. And, over the next six months, it attracted some 16 million visitors to the 15,000 pavilions that France, Spain, Japan, Austria, the United Kingdom, China and the rest of the invited countries (German designers werent invited this time) set up along both banks of the Seine, in the area between the Grand Palais and the Esplanade des Invalides.

According to the rules, participants were required to limit themselves to showing designs that were original and reflected clear modern tendencies. Not everyone understood it in the same way: some British visitors described Mussolinis Italy pavilion as a monumental horror of illiterate classicism with marble columns and gilded brickwork that would have disgraced Caligula.

However, the organizers idea of modernism was clear even before entering the enclosure: designed by Louis-Hippolyte Boileau, a huge banner hung from the Porte dOrsay (the most imposing of the 12 gates that were commissioned) on which ceramics, sculpture, architecture and furniture were represented by taut and elegant lines so characteristic of what  many years later  would be called the Art Deco style.

Parchment-grid covered hall by Jean-Michel Frank in the attic of philanthropist Templeton Crocker (1930).

Strictly speaking, it wasnt a new style. Before World War I, many artisans had already transferred the same angular shapes with which the Cubists had revolutionized painting to their pieces. They drew inspiration from African masks or Chinese and Japanese crafts, bending the sinuous curves of Art Nouveau. However, the 1925 Paris Exhibition added a very important ingredient to all these pieces: a veneer of glamor, without which Deco wouldnt be the same. Thanks to this elegance, for many years, it remained the preferred style of ocean liners, luxury hotels and Hollywood films.

The exhibitions location  next to some of Pariss most beautiful views  was very helpful. And, above all, a close relationship was established between the worlds of design and fashion. This occurred via the participation of luxury department stores, such as Le Bon Marche and Galeries Lafayette  both present at the exhibition with their own pavilions  and Paul Poiret, the great French couturier, who chartered three barges on the Seine decorated in the Art Deco style to showcase his dresses and perfumes.

It was, to put it mildly, as if Chanel, Hermes and Jonathan Anderson had agreed to sponsor a specific decorative style: only the most exquisite options were valid. Rapin porcelain, lacquered panels (with which Jean Dunand transformed the French Embassy pavilion into a forest of geometric palm trees), Jean Lurcats carpets with Cubist designs, Rene Laliques gigantic fountain illuminated at night in the Esplanade de Invalides and the most acclaimed pavilion of all, the Hotel dun Collectionneur. This mansion  designed by Pierre Patou for an imaginary collector  displayed the furniture of Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, the cabinetmaker in whom modern France finally found a Jean-Henri Riesener (the favorite of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette) for the new century.

An art deco decorative pattern inspired by the top of the Chrysler Building in New York. samposnick (Getty Images)

Of course, the main attractions were the pavilions and exhibitors of French designers, strategically located in areas with the most spectacular views and far outnumbering those of foreign designers. After the exhibition closed in October 1925, no distinctions were made and all of them were demolished but just as Christian Diors uncle had hoped, the goal of restoring French taste to the forefront was achieved.

In the following years, international exhibitions  such as the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair  used the Paris Exhibition as a model. This  along with the construction of Art Deco buildings in French colonies and protectorates, such as those in Casablanca and Hanoi, or in countries like the United States, which had sent delegations to visit the exhibition  led to the style spreading to every corner of the globe. Art Deco reached Tunisia, New York, Calcutta and, particularly, Shanghai, the Paris of the East. In this megacity, just a few months ago, Cartier sponsored an exhibition about the influence of traditional Chinese craftsmanship on Art Deco, which, in turn, influenced many Chinese designers.

As is often the case, the enormous popularity of Art Deco also marked its decline. It reached a point where even remote villages had their movie theaters decorated in this style. However, the most refined pieces retained the gleam that they had acquired in Paris. Half-a-century after the exhibition, furniture that was displayed in 1925 aroused the coveted attention of a new generation of collectors: from Andy Warhol  who conducted his Factory business on a Ruhlmann table  to Karl Lagerfeld, owner of several Dunand vases, among many other pieces. The German designer began to collect Art Deco in the early 1970s, becoming one of the first to bring the style back into fashion.

Since the boom of the 1970s and 1980s, Art Deco has been unparalleled in the design market, explains Adriana Berenson, director of DeLorenzo Gallery in New York City. Since its opening in 1981, the gallery has continued to break its sale records. For instance, it sold whats considered to be one of the greatest Art Deco treasures: the Ruhlmann sideboard with a donkey and a hedgehog. Drawn in silver inlay, it presided over the great hall of the Hotel dun Collectionneur.

The pieces from the 1925 Exhibition are the most sought-after and difficult to obtain, Berenson notes. One of the few that has recently come onto the market is a Dunand [lacquered] screen with animal figures. My gallery put it up for sale a few weeks ago, but everyone will be able to see it at the exhibition commemorating the centenary of the [1925] Exhibition, which will open next fall at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris.

Illustration of an interior designed by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Historical Picture Archive (Corbis via Getty Images)

Boudoir of the Marchioness of S., by Jean Dunand (1930). ullstein bild Dtl. (ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Despite its enormous success, the 1925 Paris Exhibition also received criticism. French architects  such as Auguste Perret  protested against the luxurious approach to design favored by the organizers, lamenting that instead of taking the opportunity to align itself with the German Bauhaus movement and champion a form of modernism that was useful to everyone, France had preferred to rethink Versailles.

Perret was particularly bothered by the title: I would like to know who was the first to put those two words together: art and decorative. Its a monstrosity. Where there is true art, theres no need for decoration, declared this pioneer of reinforced concrete.

However, not even the veto against Germany prevented ideas like those being taught at the Bauhaus from entering the exhibition grounds. The Soviet pavilion, for example, was conceived as a kind of slap in the face by the young proletarian republic against the luxury that surrounded it. This was according to a magazine article published at the time, which described it as a wooden building painted a neutral color. Its creator  Comrade Konstantin Melnikov  dispensed with any ornamentation or historical references: he simply experimented with planes and volume.

Among the French buildings, the tourist information booth by Robert Mallet-Stevens stood out: a building brimming with technological advances, it was also considered a precursor to the kind of stripped-down Art Deco known as Streamline Moderne. This was a period in the 1930s when buildings were constructed in an aerodynamic style, giving the impression of sleekness and modernity.

At the 1925 Exhibition, curator Anne Monier Vanryb explains, we didnt see a modernism as radical as that of the Bauhaus but the next step was already there. Four years later, Mallet-Stevens and other great Art Deco figures who participated in the exhibition founded the Union des Artistes Modernes, in search of a modernism that could be applied to everyday life.

This group was joined by notable figures of modern design, including Jean Prouve and Eileen Gray. Another member was the creator of one of the Paris Exhibitions dissidents: the LEsprit Nouveau pavilion (the New Spirit pavilion). It was so far removed from the prevailing ornamental style that the organizers ordered that a fence be erected to hide it. Its designer appealed to the French government and managed to have the fence torn down, freeing up that strange white box. The tables  with tubular steel legs  and other mass-produced pieces that furnished the interior presented a more modest appearance than Ruhlmanns designs although they would still cost a fortune today. Like the pavilion, they were the work of Le Corbusier.

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Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seventeen research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $72.00.

BUD has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a report on Monday. Kepler Capital Markets lowered Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in a research report on Monday, December 8th.

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Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Performance

Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV stock opened at $64.03 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $125.03 billion, a PE ratio of 20.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $62.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $63.13. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a one year low of $45.94 and a one year high of $72.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.64.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.97 by $0.02. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 10.40% and a return on equity of 16.20%. The firm had revenue of $15.13 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.28 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.98 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 19th were issued a $0.1722 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 19th. This represents a dividend yield of 57.0%. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NVs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 7.84%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 165.9% during the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 6,826 shares of the consumer goods makers stock valued at $420,000 after purchasing an additional 4,259 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC acquired a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the first quarter valued at $412,000. Ieq Capital LLC lifted its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 26.3% during the first quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 6,044 shares of the consumer goods makers stock valued at $372,000 after purchasing an additional 1,259 shares during the period. Vident Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the first quarter valued at $310,000. Finally, Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. grew its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 44.5% during the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. now owns 7,375 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $454,000 after purchasing an additional 2,272 shares during the period. 5.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE: BUD) is a multinational brewing company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. It is one of the worlds largest brewers and is primarily engaged in the production, distribution and marketing of beer and related beverages. The companys operations span brewing, packaging, logistics and retail/customer sales support, serving a broad set of channels from on-premise hospitality to retail and e-commerce.

AB InBevs portfolio includes a mix of global, regional and local beer brands across mainstream, premium, craft and non-alcoholic categories.

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Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET  Get Free Report) shares dropped 1.3% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $132.37 and last traded at $132.4190. Approximately 3,807,161 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 61% from the average daily volume of 9,654,623 shares. The stock had previously closed at $134.15.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Melius Research increased their price target on Arista Networks from $160.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 12th. Wolfe Research increased their target price on Arista Networks from $160.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, September 12th. William Blair restated an outperform rating on shares of Arista Networks in a research report on Friday, September 12th. Zacks Research cut shares of Arista Networks from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Arista Networks from $155.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 12th. Seventeen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $163.56.

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Arista Networks Stock Down 1.1%

The stock has a market cap of $164.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.80, a P/E/G ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $134.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $130.00.

Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The technology company reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $2.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.26 billion. Arista Networks had a net margin of 39.73% and a return on equity of 30.28%. The firms revenue was up 27.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.40 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Arista Networks, Inc. will post 2.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Arista Networks

In other news, CEO Jayshree Ullal sold 24,042 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.55, for a total value of $2,994,431.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 9,917 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,235,162.35. This represents a 70.80% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Kenneth Duda sold 26,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.16, for a total value of $3,202,160.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 532,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $65,570,384. This trade represents a 4.66% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 208,464 shares of company stock worth $27,418,668. Corporate insiders own 3.39% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Arista Networks

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Arista Networks during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,228,177,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its position in Arista Networks by 2,829.0% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 5,721,156 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $833,630,000 after acquiring an additional 5,525,828 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Arista Networks by 153.8% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 7,719,809 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $584,119,000 after acquiring an additional 4,678,372 shares during the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its holdings in shares of Arista Networks by 193.3% during the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 7,065,054 shares of the technology companys stock worth $721,342,000 after purchasing an additional 4,656,021 shares during the period. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its stake in shares of Arista Networks by 82.5% in the third quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 9,587,115 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,396,939,000 after purchasing an additional 4,332,659 shares during the last quarter. 82.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Arista Networks Company Profile

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Arista Networks, Inc is a technology company that designs and sells cloud networking solutions for large-scale data centers and enterprise environments. The company is best known for its high-performance switching and routing platforms, which are used to build scalable, low-latency networks for cloud service providers, internet companies, financial services, telecommunications, and enterprise IT. Aristas offerings emphasize programmability, automation and telemetry to support modern, software-driven network architectures.

Central to Aristas product portfolio is its Extensible Operating System (EOS), a modular network operating system that provides consistent programmability, stateful control and advanced visibility across the companys hardware platforms.

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SoundHound AI, Tempus AI, and BigBear.ai are the three Artificial Intelligence stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Artificial intelligence stocks are shares of companies that develop, produce, or commercialize AI technologies  including AI software and models, cloud and platform services, and the specialized chips or hardware that run them  as well as firms that strategically use AI to drive their core products and operations. For investors, these stocks represent a thematic, growth-oriented segment often characterized by higher volatility and sensitivity to technological breakthroughs, data access, and regulatory or competitive shifts. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Artificial Intelligence stocks within the last several days.

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SoundHound AI (SOUN)

SoundHound AI, Inc. develops independent voice artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that enables businesses across automotive, TV, and IoT, and to customer service industries to deliver high-quality conversational experiences to their customers. Its products include Houndify platform that offers a suite of Houndify tools to help brands build conversational voice assistants, such as Application Programming Interfaces (API) for text and voice queries, support for custom commands, extensive library of content domains, inclusive software development kit platforms, collaboration capabilities, diagnostic tools, and built-in analytics; SoundHound Chat AI that integrates with knowledge domains, pulling real-time data like weather, sports, stocks, flight status, and restaurants; and SoundHound Smart Answering is built to offer customer establishments custom AI-powered voice assistant.

Tempus AI (TEM)

Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics.

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BigBear.ai (BBAI)

BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. provides artificial intelligence-powered decision intelligence solutions. It offers national security, supply chain management, and digital identity and biometrics solutions. The company also provides data ingestion, data enrichment, data processing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and predictive visualization solutions and services.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BBAI

Further Reading
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX:AN3PL  Get Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Thursday, January 1st, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 19th will be given a dividend of 1.229 per share on Thursday, March 19th. This represents a dividend yield of 117.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 4th.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Price Performance

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Shares of Balfour Beatty plc (LON:BBY  Get Free Report) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 615.88 and traded as high as GBX 716.50. Balfour Beatty shares last traded at GBX 715, with a volume of 343,881 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on BBY shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on Balfour Beatty from GBX 650 to GBX 715 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Berenberg Bank increased their target price on shares of Balfour Beatty from GBX 660 to GBX 710 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 712.50.

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Balfour Beatty Stock Down 0.6%

About Balfour Beatty

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 79.85, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The firm has a market capitalization of 3.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 0.81. The business has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 689.40 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 616.55.

(Get Free Report)

Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure group. With 26,000 employees across the UK, US and Hong Kong, were leading the transformation of our industry to meet the challenges of the future.

Trusted by our customers to deliver sustainable solutions and strengthen communities, we finance, develop, build, maintain and operate the increasingly complex and critical infrastructure that supports national economies and deliver projects at the heart of local communities.

Collaborating with governments, our customers and partners, we deliver powerful new solutions, shape thinking, create skylines and inspire a new generation of talent to be the change-makers of tomorrow.

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Banco Comercial Portugues S.A. Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:BPCGY  Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $11.00, but opened at $10.60. Banco Comercial Portugues shares last traded at $10.60, with a volume of 200 shares traded.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Banco Comercial Portugues from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Strong Buy.

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Banco Comercial Portugues Price Performance

About Banco Comercial Portugues

The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $9.61 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $8.62. The firm has a market cap of $16.02 billion, a PE ratio of 11.65 and a beta of 0.26.

(Get Free Report)

Banco Comercial Portugues SA, operating under the Millennium bcp brand, is the largest private banking institution in Portugal. Headquartered in Porto, it offers a broad range of universal banking services to retail, corporate and institutional clients. Core product lines include deposit accounts, consumer and mortgage lending, payment cards and digital banking platforms. The group also provides private banking and wealth management solutions through dedicated advisory centres.

In the corporate segment, Millennium bcp delivers a portfolio of services that spans trade finance, project and structured finance, treasury operations and cash management, alongside specialised lending and structured solutions.

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BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (NYSE:BMEZ  Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 105,961 shares, a decrease of 17.6% from the November 30th total of 128,622 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 247,593 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.4 days. Based on an average daily volume of 247,593 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.4 days.

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BMEZ traded down $0.07 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $15.07. The companys stock had a trading volume of 438,164 shares, compared to its average volume of 304,881. BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust has a 12-month low of $12.58 and a 12-month high of $16.75. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $15.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $14.60.

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BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 22nd were issued a $0.11 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 8.8%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 22nd.

Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Trading of BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust

In other BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust news, Director Robert W. Fairbairn sold 10,294 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.98, for a total value of $154,204.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Nova Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $39,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust during the 1st quarter worth $40,000. Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust by 24,584.6% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 3,209 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 3,196 shares in the last quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust during the second quarter worth $69,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at about $91,000.

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust Company Profile

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BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (NYSE: BMEZ) is a closed-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust. Launched in March 2020, BMEZ seeks to provide total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity and equity-related securities of companies in the health sciences sector. The trust is structured with a fixed termination date in October 2030, at which time shareholders will vote on its liquidation, extension or conversion.

The funds investment portfolio is diversified across subsectors within health sciences, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics and healthcare services.

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Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH  Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Hold from the seventeen brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $108.2308.

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on BAH shares. UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Booz Allen Hamilton from $115.00 to $93.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 27th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on Booz Allen Hamilton from $100.00 to $95.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. TD Cowen restated a hold rating and issued a $105.00 price target (down from $125.00) on shares of Booz Allen Hamilton in a report on Friday, October 17th. Bank of America downgraded Booz Allen Hamilton from a buy rating to an underperform rating and set a $90.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $106.00 target price on Booz Allen Hamilton in a research report on Friday, October 24th.

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Booz Allen Hamilton Trading Down 0.9%

NYSE:BAH opened at $84.42 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.89, a current ratio of 1.76 and a quick ratio of 1.76. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $85.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $98.42. Booz Allen Hamilton has a fifty-two week low of $79.23 and a fifty-two week high of $146.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.24 billion, a PE ratio of 12.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.34.

Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:BAH  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The business services provider reported $1.49 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.49. Booz Allen Hamilton had a net margin of 7.06% and a return on equity of 71.87%. The firm had revenue of $2.89 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.81 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. Booz Allen Hamilton has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.450-5.650 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Booz Allen Hamilton will post 6.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Booz Allen Hamilton Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a $0.55 dividend. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. Booz Allen Hamiltons payout ratio is currently 33.59%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Booz Allen Hamilton news, CEO Horacio Rozanski bought 23,800 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 30th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $84.66 per share, with a total value of $2,014,908.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 687,745 shares in the company, valued at approximately $58,224,491.70. This trade represents a 3.58% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.91% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Booz Allen Hamilton

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BAH. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton by 23.6% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 4,831 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $483,000 after acquiring an additional 921 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its position in Booz Allen Hamilton by 69.9% during the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,770 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $177,000 after purchasing an additional 728 shares during the last quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd grew its stake in Booz Allen Hamilton by 7.9% in the third quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 78,397 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $7,836,000 after purchasing an additional 5,707 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $445,000. Finally, Caerus Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $508,000. 91.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Booz Allen Hamilton

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Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation is a publicly traded management and technology consulting firm headquartered in McLean, Virginia. The company provides a wide range of professional services and solutions in strategy, analytics, digital transformation, engineering and cyber security. Its expertise spans from supporting federal civilian agencies to defense, intelligence and homeland security organizations, as well as select commercial industries.

Key offerings include data analytics and artificial intelligence applications, software development and modernization, systems integration, and cyber risk management.

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Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eighteen ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $161.9333.

H has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup raised Hyatt Hotels from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $138.00 to $167.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Hyatt Hotels in a research report on Monday, November 24th. They issued an overweight rating and a $178.00 price objective for the company. Barclays upgraded shares of Hyatt Hotels from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $161.00 to $200.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Morgan Stanley upgraded Hyatt Hotels from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the stock from $147.00 to $168.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on Hyatt Hotels from $158.00 to $164.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hyatt Hotels

In related news, insider David Udell sold 4,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $166.00, for a total transaction of $713,800.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 13,746 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,281,836. This represents a 23.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, insider Peter Sears sold 12,394 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.51, for a total value of $1,927,390.94. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 5,594 shares of the companys stock, valued at $869,922.94. This trade represents a 68.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing . Insiders have sold 33,383 shares of company stock valued at $5,321,682 in the last three months. 23.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in H. Johnson Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 450.0% in the third quarter. Johnson Financial Group Inc. now owns 176 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 98.2% during the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its holdings in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 86.7% in the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 239 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Hyatt Hotels in the 3rd quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new position in Hyatt Hotels during the third quarter worth about $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.54% of the companys stock.

Hyatt Hotels Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:H opened at $160.62 on Thursday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $155.91 and its 200 day simple moving average is $147.55. Hyatt Hotels has a fifty-two week low of $102.43 and a fifty-two week high of $168.10. The company has a market capitalization of $15.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -172.71, a P/E/G ratio of 4.10 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.68.

Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.30) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.49 by ($0.79). Hyatt Hotels had a positive return on equity of 3.22% and a negative net margin of 1.27%.The firm had revenue of $1.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.82 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.94 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Hyatt Hotels will post 3.05 earnings per share for the current year.

Hyatt Hotels Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 8th. Investors of record on Monday, November 24th were given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 24th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. Hyatt Hotelss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -64.52%.

Key Headlines Impacting Hyatt Hotels

Here are the key news stories impacting Hyatt Hotels this week:

Hyatt Hotels Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) is a global hospitality company that develops, owns, manages and franchises luxury and business hotels, resorts and vacation properties. Its portfolio spans a range of price points and styles under brands such as Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Andaz, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Thompson Hotels, Alila and Destination by Hyatt. In addition to accommodations, the company provides meeting and event spaces, food and beverage outlets, spa and wellness centers, and a variety of guest services designed to cater to both leisure and business travelers.

Hyatts business model combines property ownership, management contracts and third-party franchising.

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Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE:ABR  Get Free Report) and Ellington Financial (NYSE:EFC  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, earnings and institutional ownership.

Dividends

Arbor Realty Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 15.4%. Ellington Financial pays an annual dividend of $1.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 11.5%. Arbor Realty Trust pays out 150.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Ellington Financial pays out 116.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

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Volatility & Risk

Arbor Realty Trust has a beta of 1.38, indicating that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ellington Financial has a beta of 0.95, indicating that its stock price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Arbor Realty Trust 20.07% 11.63% 2.13% Ellington Financial 89.04% 14.55% 1.15%

Analyst Ratings

This table compares Arbor Realty Trust and Ellington Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a breakdown of current ratings for Arbor Realty Trust and Ellington Financial, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Arbor Realty Trust 4 2 1 0 1.57 Ellington Financial 0 3 5 0 2.63

Arbor Realty Trust presently has a consensus price target of $9.63, indicating a potential upside of 23.87%. Ellington Financial has a consensus price target of $14.46, indicating a potential upside of 6.39%. Given Arbor Realty Trusts higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Arbor Realty Trust is more favorable than Ellington Financial.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

57.3% of Arbor Realty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 55.6% of Ellington Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.8% of Arbor Realty Trust shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 4.1% of Ellington Financial shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Arbor Realty Trust and Ellington Financials gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Arbor Realty Trust $1.17 billion 1.30 $264.64 million $0.80 9.71 Ellington Financial $136.41 million 11.08 $145.86 million $1.34 10.14

Arbor Realty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than Ellington Financial. Arbor Realty Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ellington Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Ellington Financial beats Arbor Realty Trust on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Arbor Realty Trust

(Get Free Report)

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. invests in a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily, single-family rental, and commercial real estate markets in the United States. The company operates through Structured Business and Agency Business segments. It primarily invests in bridge and mezzanine loans, including junior participating interests in first mortgages, and preferred and direct equity, as well as real estate-related joint ventures, real estate-related notes, and various mortgage-related securities. In addition, the company offers bridge financing products to borrowers who seek short-term capital to be used in an acquisition of property; financing by making preferred equity investments in entities that directly or indirectly own real property; mezzanine financing in the form of loans that are subordinate to a conventional first mortgage loan and senior to the borrowers equity in a transaction; junior participation financing in the form of a junior participating interest in the senior debt; and financing products to borrowers who are looking to acquire conventional, workforce, and affordable single-family housing. Further, it underwrites, originates, sells, and services multifamily mortgage loans through conduit/commercial mortgage-backed securities programs. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. It generally would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Uniondale, New York.

About Ellington Financial

(Get Free Report)

Ellington Financial Inc., through its subsidiary, Ellington Financial Operating Partnership LLC, acquires and manages mortgage-related, consumer-related, corporate-related, and other financial assets in the United States. The company acquires and manages residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) backed by prime jumbo, Alt-A, manufactured housing, and subprime mortgage; RMBS for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by the U.S. government agency or the U.S. government-sponsored entity; residential mortgage loans; commercial mortgage-backed securities; and commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real estate debt. It also provides collateralized loan obligations; mortgage-related and non-mortgage-related derivatives; corporate debt and equity securities; corporate loans; and other strategic investments; and consumer loans and asset-backed securities backed by consumer and commercial assets. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, it intends to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income as dividends to shareholders. Ellington Financial LLC was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.

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The 1% tax on remittances sent from the United States will take effect on January 1, 2026. The measure is part of President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act and will apply to anyone who sends money abroad, including U.S. citizens and residents. However, experts have warned that its impact will fall disproportionately on migrant communities and the families who depend on these transfers.

How does it work?

The 1% tax will be applied as a commission on remittances sent through physical means, such as cash, checks, and money orders. The fee will be charged directly by the financial institution or remittance company used by the sender, which will be responsible for reporting the amount collected to the Department of the Treasury. The tax is added to the total cost of the remittance and does not reduce the amount received by the recipient.

Who is exempt from the tax?

The 1% tax will not apply to remittances sent through digital or banking methods, such as debit or credit cards issued in the United States, digital wallets (including Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Vigo Money), and prepaid cards. Some companies have also begun offering alternatives to avoid the tax. For example, Western Union offers a card that allows users to load cash and send remittances, with the funds remaining exempt from the 1% tax.

Impact on Mexico

Mexico is among the countries expected to be hardest hit by the measure, as it is one of the largest recipients of remittances from the United States. According to the Bank of Mexico (Banxico), remittances sent from abroad totaled $5.635 million in October, a 1.7% year-over-year decline. While the figure rebounded slightly from September, cumulative inflows have now fallen for seven consecutive months, the central bank reported. The broader trend is even more concerning. Between January and October 2025, remittances reached $51.344 million, representing a 5.08% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. Experts attribute this decline primarily to the tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration, while the full impact of the new 1% tax has yet to be reflected in the data.

To help cushion the effects of the measure, the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum has rolled out the Finabien Paisano program, a financial service that operates through a remittance card available online or at Mexican consulates. Under this system, Mexican authorities assume responsibility for refunding the 1% tax in the event of a cash transaction. Our task is to ensure that remittances arrive in full, safely, accessibly, and fairly to those who need them most, eliminating intermediaries that make sending money more expensive, said Rocio Mejia Flores, director of Financiera para el Bienestar.

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Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE:DOUG  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,933,361 shares, an increase of 24.0% from the November 30th total of 1,559,026 shares. Approximately 2.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 276,470 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 7.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 276,470 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 7.0 days. Approximately 2.3% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Douglas Elliman Price Performance

Douglas Elliman stock traded up $0.06 during trading on Thursday, reaching $2.37. The company had a trading volume of 567,715 shares, compared to its average volume of 325,291. The firm has a market capitalization of $210.50 million, a PE ratio of -3.39 and a beta of 1.75. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $2.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $2.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 3.30 and a current ratio of 3.30. Douglas Elliman has a 1-year low of $1.48 and a 1-year high of $3.20.

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Douglas Elliman (NYSE:DOUG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 31st. The company reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter. Douglas Elliman had a negative net margin of 5.76% and a negative return on equity of 3.19%. The company had revenue of $272.78 million during the quarter.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on DOUG shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Douglas Elliman from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Douglas Elliman in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Sell.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Douglas Elliman

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Douglas Elliman

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. XTX Topco Ltd boosted its position in Douglas Elliman by 136.8% during the third quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 215,936 shares of the companys stock worth $618,000 after acquiring an additional 124,749 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of Douglas Elliman during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $429,000. Clifford Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Douglas Elliman by 5.4% during the 3rd quarter. Clifford Capital Partners LLC now owns 105,433 shares of the companys stock worth $302,000 after purchasing an additional 5,400 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC acquired a new stake in Douglas Elliman in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $115,000. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. purchased a new stake in Douglas Elliman in the third quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 59.56% of the companys stock.

Douglas Elliman Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Douglas Elliman (NYSE: DOUG) is one of the largest residential real estate brokerages in the United States, offering an array of services that span property sales, leasing and management. Founded in 1911 and headquartered in New York City, the firm has built a reputation for representing high-end residential properties and guiding clients through complex real estate transactions. Over the course of its history, Douglas Elliman has expanded its offerings to include specialized support for developers, investors and individual homeowners.

The companys core business activities include residential brokerage, new development marketing, and property management.

Further Reading

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Voya Investment Management LLC lowered its position in Enersys (NYSE:ENS  Free Report) by 34.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,022 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 3,639 shares during the period. Voya Investment Management LLCs holdings in Enersys were worth $793,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ENS. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Enersys by 2.4% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 989,020 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $84,838,000 after purchasing an additional 23,252 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Enersys by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 882,082 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $75,656,000 after buying an additional 33,887 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Enersys by 48.9% in the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 617,475 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $56,548,000 after buying an additional 202,727 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Enersys by 8.2% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 500,539 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $42,931,000 after acquiring an additional 38,005 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC increased its holdings in Enersys by 13.9% during the 2nd quarter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC now owns 474,181 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $40,671,000 after acquiring an additional 57,800 shares in the last quarter. 94.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Enersys Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NYSE ENS opened at $146.99 on Thursday. Enersys has a 1 year low of $76.57 and a 1 year high of $152.01. The firms 50 day moving average price is $139.26 and its 200 day moving average price is $113.70. The firm has a market cap of $5.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 1.73 and a current ratio of 2.77.

Enersys Announces Dividend

Enersys ( NYSE:ENS Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The industrial products company reported $2.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.36 by $0.20. Enersys had a return on equity of 22.48% and a net margin of 9.05%.The company had revenue of $951.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $890.27 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.12 EPS. Enersyss revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. Enersys has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 2.710-2.81 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Enersys will post 9.99 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th were paid a dividend of $0.2625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 12th. This represents a $1.05 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Enersyss dividend payout ratio is currently 12.28%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have issued reports on ENS shares. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Enersys from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Enersys in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. BTIG Research upgraded Enersys from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating on shares of Enersys in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Enersys from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and five have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Enersys has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $126.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Enersys

Insider Buying and Selling at Enersys

In other news, insider Chad C. Uplinger sold 6,702 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.46, for a total transaction of $1,015,084.92. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 23,713 shares in the company, valued at $3,591,570.98. This represents a 22.04% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.91% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Enersys Profile

(Free Report)

Enersys, headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania, is a global leader in stored energy solutions, specializing in manufacturing and distributing industrial batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, and related accessories. The company serves a diverse range of end markets, including telecommunications, data centers, medical, aerospace, defense, electric vehicle motive power, and utility outcomes. Its products are engineered to deliver critical reserve power and motive power applications across key infrastructure and industrial sectors.

The companys product portfolio encompasses lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion energy storage systems, chargers, inverters, power management software, and a broad array of battery accessories.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ENS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Enersys (NYSE:ENS  Free Report).

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Shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG (ETR:FME  Get Free Report) passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of 43.81 and traded as low as 40.61. Fresenius Medical Care shares last traded at 40.61, with a volume of 624,475 shares.

Fresenius Medical Care Stock Performance

The businesss fifty day moving average is 41.69 and its two-hundred day moving average is 43.78. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 82.24. The company has a market capitalization of $12.05 billion, a PE ratio of 18.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 0.86.

Fresenius Medical Care Company Profile

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Fresenius Medical Care AG provides dialysis and related services for individuals with renal diseases in Germany, North America, and internationally. The company offers dialysis treatment and related laboratory and diagnostic services through a network of outpatient dialysis clinics; materials, training, and patient support services comprising clinical monitoring, follow-up assistance, and arranging for delivery of the supplies to the patients residence; and dialysis services under contract to hospitals in the United States for the hospitalized end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and for patients suffering from acute kidney failure.

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Guess?, Inc. (NYSE:GES  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 3,745,563 shares, a decrease of 20.4% from the November 30th total of 4,704,141 shares. Approximately 10.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 585,658 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.4 days. Based on an average trading volume of 585,658 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.4 days. Approximately 10.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Guess? Price Performance

NYSE GES remained flat at $16.75 during trading on Thursday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 182,707 shares, compared to its average volume of 359,490. Guess? has a fifty-two week low of $8.48 and a fifty-two week high of $17.15. The company has a market capitalization of $873.51 million, a P/E ratio of 15.09 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. The firms fifty day moving average is $16.91 and its 200 day moving average is $15.55.

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Guess? (NYSE:GES  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 25th. The company reported $0.35 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $791.43 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $767.93 million. Guess? had a net margin of 2.56% and a return on equity of 16.11%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.34 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Guess? will post 1.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Guess? Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th were paid a dividend of $0.225 per share. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.4%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 10th. Guess?s payout ratio is 81.08%.

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on GES shares. Zacks Research lowered Guess? from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed a market perform rating and set a $16.75 price target on shares of Guess? in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Guess? in a research note on Monday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $16.75.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Guess?

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Guess?

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund lifted its holdings in Guess? by 9.5% during the 3rd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 6,912 shares of the companys stock worth $116,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning raised its position in shares of Guess? by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 23,928 shares of the companys stock worth $400,000 after acquiring an additional 881 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC lifted its stake in Guess? by 4.7% during the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 20,277 shares of the companys stock worth $245,000 after purchasing an additional 915 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in Guess? by 0.4% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 261,185 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,364,000 after purchasing an additional 925 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its stake in Guess? by 9.3% in the third quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 14,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $236,000 after purchasing an additional 1,200 shares during the last quarter. 61.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Guess? Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Guess?, Inc is a global fashion brand known for its lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories. The company designs, markets and distributes a portfolio of apparel products under various brands, including its flagship Guess line and the premium Marciano label. Through its vertically integrated business model, Guess? oversees product development, manufacturing arrangements, marketing and distribution across wholesale and retail channels.

Guess?s product offerings span denim, ready-to-wear, handbags, watches, jewelry and footwear for men, women and children.

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Western Copper & Gold (NYSE:WRN  Get Free Report) and International Tower Hill Mines (NYSE:THM  Get Free Report) are both small-cap basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, risk, valuation and institutional ownership.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

22.0% of Western Copper & Gold shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 54.6% of International Tower Hill Mines shares are held by institutional investors. 4.6% of Western Copper & Gold shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 2.5% of International Tower Hill Mines shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Profitability

This table compares Western Copper & Gold and International Tower Hill Mines net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Western Copper & Gold N/A -3.53% -3.45% International Tower Hill Mines N/A -5.82% -5.80%

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Western Copper & Gold 0 0 2 1 3.33 International Tower Hill Mines 0 0 0 0 0.00

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Western Copper & Gold and International Tower Hill Mines, as provided by MarketBeat.

Western Copper & Gold presently has a consensus price target of $4.25, suggesting a potential upside of 59.18%. Given Western Copper & Golds stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Western Copper & Gold is more favorable than International Tower Hill Mines.

Risk and Volatility

Western Copper & Gold has a beta of 1.06, indicating that its share price is 6% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, International Tower Hill Mines has a beta of 0.69, indicating that its share price is 31% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Western Copper & Gold and International Tower Hill Miness revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Western Copper & Gold N/A N/A -$2.47 million ($0.01) -267.00 International Tower Hill Mines N/A N/A -$3.40 million ($0.01) -186.00

Western Copper & Gold is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than International Tower Hill Mines, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Western Copper & Gold beats International Tower Hill Mines on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Western Copper & Gold

(Get Free Report)

Western Copper & Gold Corp. operates as an exploration stage company, which engages in the acquisition, exploration, and future development of mineral resource properties. It currently focuses on the development of the Casino Project. The company was founded on March 17, 2006 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

About International Tower Hill Mines

(Get Free Report)

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. is a Canada-based resource exploration company possessing a portfolio of Alaskan and Nevada based gold and base metal exploration projects. The Company is currently focused on the Livengood Gold Project located in the north of Fairbanks, Alaska. International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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MNTN (NYSE:MNTN  Get Free Report) and DIAGNOS (OTCMKTS:DGNOF  Get Free Report) are both small-cap business services companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation and risk.

Profitability

This table compares MNTN and DIAGNOSs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets MNTN -16.47% -30.86% -7.56% DIAGNOS -5,964.91% N/A -188.02%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for MNTN and DIAGNOS, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score MNTN 1 1 10 1 2.85 DIAGNOS 0 0 0 0 0.00

Institutional & Insider Ownership

MNTN currently has a consensus target price of $26.50, suggesting a potential upside of 122.13%. Given MNTNs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe MNTN is more favorable than DIAGNOS.

72.9% of MNTN shares are owned by institutional investors. 60.3% of MNTN shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares MNTN and DIAGNOSs revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio MNTN $225.57 million 2.34 N/A N/A N/A DIAGNOS $80,000.00 394.67 -$3.08 million ($0.04) -6.62

MNTN has higher revenue and earnings than DIAGNOS.

Summary

MNTN beats DIAGNOS on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About MNTN

(Get Free Report)

MNTN is on a mission to transform Connected TV (CTV) into a next-generation performance marketing channel. Our revolutionary Performance TV (PTV) software platform allows marketers to combine the powerful storytelling format of TV advertising with the targeting, measurement and attribution capabilities of paid search and social advertising. Our self-serve software platform enables marketers to precisely target audiences through our MNTN Matched technology and then directly attribute each view to a purchase or other action. Marketers can set performance goals, such as return on ad spend (ROAS), and our algorithms continuously optimize a campaign to achieve those goals. Our company has experienced rapid growth due to the robust performance our platform delivers to customers, with the number of PTV Customers increasing from 142 in 2019 to 2,225 in 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 73.4%. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the number of PTV customers increased 88.6% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. We believe advertisements on our platform have generated an aggregate of $27.1 billion of revenue for our customers from 2019 to 2024. Our market opportunity sits at the center of three large advertising markets: performance marketing, traditional TV advertising, and CTV advertising. Today, performance marketing, also known as direct response marketing, is the dominant form of digital advertising, giving marketers the ability to leverage data to target specific audiences and drive measurable outcomes. By the end of 2025, performance marketing spend in the United States is expected to reach $285.4 billion and is expected to grow at a 9.7% CAGR to $343.6 billion by 2027, according to Magna Global. TV has historically lacked the targeting, measurement and attribution capabilities necessary for performance marketing, but TVs unmatched storytelling experience, massive audience reach and viewership minutes continues to make it a preferred premium channel for marketers seeking to increase brand awareness. The average American household was expected to watch approximately three hours of TV daily in 2024 and brand marketers spent $59.7 billion on advertising on linear TV, including broadcast and cable TV, in 2024, according to eMarketer. In recent years, the TV industry has undergone a digital revolution with the advent of CTV. CTV adoption continues to grow rapidly as audiences are empowered to watch what they want when and where they want it, resulting in TV audiences moving from traditional TV to CTV. In 2024, U.S. consumers streamed approximately 23 million years of streaming content, a 10% increase from approximately 21 million years of streaming content in 2023. Furthermore, CTV represented 45.8% of total TV viewing time across the United States in 2024. As a result of CTVs digital infrastructure and rapid audience adoption, CTV advertising is the fastest growing advertising channel in the world, with TV marketers (defined as brands that advertise on linear TV) rapidly shifting ad budgets from linear TV to CTV. Since 2017, annual ad spend on CTV has grown from $2.8 billion to an estimated $33.4 billion in 2025, according to eMarketer. Although initial adoption of CTV was driven by subscription streaming services (SVOD), ad-supported streaming services (AVOD) is growing faster, and eMarketer estimates U.S. AVOD ad revenues will grow by 23% in 2025, compared to an estimated U.S. SVOD subscription revenue growth of 10%. Netflix, Amazon Prime and other platforms have introduced AVOD content and have experienced strong growth largely driven by consumers willingness to watch ad-supported content in lieu of paying higher subscription fees. This has led to a significant increase in available TV advertising inventory for marketers, bringing more ad dollars into the ecosystem. CTV advertising, like traditional TV advertising, has been entirely brand marketing in nature, focused on maximizing reach and frequency versus driving measurable performance-driven outcomes. With our transformative PTV technology, we believe we are unlocking CTVs potential to become the next dominant performance marketing channel. As performance marketers seek new channels for growth, and as CTV marketers increasingly embrace the technology underlying performance marketing, we expect PTV to capture a significant portion of performance marketing and CTV ad spend. Our diversified customer base consists of brands of a broad range of sizes. Our intuitive, accessible platform and direct-to-brand approach enables marketers of a broad range of sizes to engage audiences through CTV as easily as they do in social or search, opening TV advertising to brands of any size. In 2024, 92% of our PTV revenue was generated by SMBs, of which 86% was from mid-sized businesses. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, we continued to increase the number of PTV customers who are SMBs. As a result, during this period 12% of our PTV revenue was generated by small businesses and 79% was generated by mid-sized businesses. Our customers include both experts in performance marketing as well as marketers who are just beginning to leverage the benefits of data-driven performance marketing. Given the disruptive nature of our platform as well as its ease of use, we believe we are well suited to serve both first time and experienced TV advertisers. As of March 31, 2025, approximately 96% of our customers had never advertised on TV before. Our PTV customers often allocate budgets which grow over time as customers meet their ROAS goals. As customers leverage the full targeting, measurement and attribution capabilities of our platform, similar to their experience across paid search and paid social, they typically generate more spend on our platform. For the year ended December 31, 2024, 421 customers generated over $100,000 of net revenue on our platform, compared to 297 customers over the same period in 2023. We offer marketers a comprehensive and fully integrated software solution that combines targeting, measurement and attribution capabilities for performance marketing on CTV. Our Verified Visits technology links Internet-connected devices in the household to TV, which allows our software to attribute consumers actions, including sales leads and app installs across devices after they view a CTV ad. Our PTV self-serve software platform has a highly intuitive user interface enabling marketers to intelligently plan and launch CTV campaigns, set ROAS and other campaign goals, match advertisers with their target audiences using MNTN Matched, measure and attribute performance and optimize campaign outcomes in a highly automated manner. Our platform provides marketers easy access to premium inventory across multiple networks and is designed to ensure brand safe and visually captivating advertising environments, which we believe both search and social channels lack. Marketers across a broad range of sizes are attracted to MNTN because we deliver measurable results. We believe SMB customers, in particular, are also attracted to MNTN for the ability to set up campaigns, upload creative and set goals in a matter of minutes with minimal dedicated resources. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, our SMB Net Revenue Retention Rate was 111%, which increased from 108% for the year ended December 31, 2024. We believe this validates the value proposition that we deliver to SMBs. Our customers can easily manage PTV campaigns and reach nearly all CTV households in the United States. Using our platform, we are able to unlock CTV as a performance marketing channel for our customers, many of which have never advertised on TV before. The key functions and features of our PTV platform include:  Targeting: Our revolutionary AI targeting technology, MNTN Matched, matches consumers with brands that they are most likely to engage with to achieve our customers ROAS goals. Through our advanced technology, brands of all sizes have the flexibility to run campaigns that reach segments of consumers with specific product interests or broad groups of consumers for greater reach. Our targeting capabilities are driven by a robust keyword- and intent-based predictive audience builder for CTV using AI technologies, which includes generative and predictive artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, giving advertisers control and transparency over the households that see their ads.  Measurability: Our proprietary measurement technology makes it possible for marketers to granularly track CTV ad impressions for every campaign on our platform.  Attribution: We leverage measurement data obtained through our Verified Visits technology to attribute a CTV campaign impression to the corresponding user action, such as sales or leads. We make these connections across 400 million devices through third-party and first-party data, including CRM data, which helps advertisers understand the performance of their campaigns on our platform.  Automated Optimization: We have developed algorithms which automate and continuously optimize our targeting capabilities and programmatic ad execution (including automating creative and price optimization), as well as other campaign elements to drive better performance. Our technology measures and incorporates a wide range of data signals, such as time of day and geography, resulting in hundreds of thousands of daily and real-time optimizationsincluding what ad inventory to buy, when to buy it and where to buy it. Automated optimization drives higher ROAS and other campaign goals for our customers.  Delivers Stunning Ads: Because approximately 96% of our customers have never advertised on TV before, we offer creative solutions to enable them to create and refresh ads quickly and cost-effectively. Our software controls the quality and format of video ads by automatically screening creative for TV network formats and standards. We ensure ads are not rejected due to a failure to meet a content providers technical requirementsone of the common barriers for smaller brands to advertise.  Self-Serve: Our software platform delivers an intuitive, customizable user interface that simplifies campaign planning and execution, with a self-serve software platform built for marketers of a broad range of sizes. With our platform, marketers can easily manage PTV campaigns with minimal dedicated resources. We believe we are the first mover and category creator of PTV. Our easy-to-use software platform is differentiated by our revolutionary targeting technology, our measurement and attribution capabilities, and our solutions for TV creative. We benefit from a powerful flywheel effect as a result of our first mover advantage in the PTV ecosystem. We continuously develop enhancements to existing features and add new capabilities, such as MNTN Matched, to deliver higher ROAS for our customers. We source inventory on behalf of our customers from premium TV networks, including NBC, Paramount, Fox and other streaming networks, driving higher ROAS for our customers due to the level of engagement and visibility this premium inventory provides. As customers increase spend on our platform because of this higher ROAS, we are able to negotiate preferential ad inventory pricing on their behalf. TV networks, motivated to capture this large and growing opportunity of predominantly new TV advertisers, often reduce inventory prices to increase demand, thereby further enhancing ROAS for our customers. This powerful flywheel effect has enabled us to decrease the cost of premium inventory for our customers approximately 8% per quarter on average since the first quarter of 2022. Our focus on building a leading PTV platform has contributed to our rapid growth. Our revenue grew by 47.3% to $64.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, from $43.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and by 27.9% to $225.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $176.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, driven by our unique and powerful value proposition, as well as our ability to efficiently attract new customers to the platform and increase usage for existing customers. Our corporate headquarters are located in Austin, Texas.

About DIAGNOS

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DIAGNOS Inc. provides software-based services primarily in Canada, the United States, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Costa Rica. The company offers healthcare services through Computer Assisted Retina Analysis, a web-based software tool that assists healthcare professionals for the detection of diabetic retinopathy; and allows eye care specialist to visualize both normal retinal landmarks and pathological changes. It also provides various consulting services in the fields of data analysis and artificial intelligence. DIAGNOS Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Brossard, Canada.

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Pinnacle Bank (OTCMKTS:PBNK  Get Free Report) and First Foundation (NYSE:FFWM  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation and dividends.

Risk & Volatility

Pinnacle Bank has a beta of 0.25, indicating that its share price is 75% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, First Foundation has a beta of 0.96, indicating that its share price is 4% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares Pinnacle Bank and First Foundations net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Pinnacle Bank 16.62% 8.37% 0.97% First Foundation -26.09% -0.07% -0.01%

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Pinnacle Bank $53.91 million 2.13 $8.85 million $0.86 22.50 First Foundation $545.12 million 0.94 -$92.41 million ($1.96) -3.16

This table compares Pinnacle Bank and First Foundations revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Pinnacle Bank has higher earnings, but lower revenue than First Foundation. First Foundation is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Pinnacle Bank, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

8.4% of Pinnacle Bank shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.1% of First Foundation shares are held by institutional investors. 9.5% of First Foundation shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Pinnacle Bank and First Foundation, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Pinnacle Bank 0 0 0 0 0.00 First Foundation 1 1 0 2 2.75

Summary

Pinnacle Bank beats First Foundation on 7 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Pinnacle Bank

(Get Free Report)

Pinnacle Bank, a commercial bank, provides various depository and credit services in Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monterey counties. The company offers checking, savings, money market, sweep, and individual retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit and certificates of deposit account registry services. It also provides home equity lines of credit and single family home construction loans; and loans and lines of credit, letters of credit, commercial real estate, and government assisted loans, as well as credit cards. In addition, the company offers automated teller machine cards/debit cards, debit card protection products, and safe deposit boxes; cash management products, such as online and mobile banking, online bill payment, mobile check deposit, automated clearing house (ACH) origination, remote deposit capture, night depository box, positive pay, ACH fraud filter, merchant card processing, wire transfer, and foreign currency services; and asset based lending covering accounts receivable financing, factoring, and purchase order financing services. It serves individual and business customers, as well as nonprofit organizations in Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Salinas, and Campbell. Pinnacle Bank was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Gilroy, California.

About First Foundation

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First Foundation Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides personal banking, business banking, and private wealth management services in the United States. It operates through two segments, Banking and Wealth Management. The company offers a range of bank deposit products, including personal and business checking accounts, savings accounts, interest-bearing negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, money market accounts, and time certificate of deposits; and loan products consisting of multifamily and single family residential real estate loans, commercial real estate loans, and commercial term loans and line of credits, as well as consumer loans, such as personal installment loans and line of credits, and home equity line of credits. It also provides various specialized services comprising trust services, internet and mobile banking, remote deposit capture services, merchant credit card services, ATM cards, Visa debit cards, and business sweep accounts, as well as insurance brokerage services and equipment financing solutions. In addition, the company offers investment management and financial planning services; treasury management services; advisory and coordination services in the areas of estate planning, retirement planning, and charitable and business ownership issues; and financial, investment, and economic advisory and related services. Further, it provides support services, including the processing and transmission of financial and economic data for charitable organizations. The company operates through a network of 28 branch offices and 3 loan production offices in California, Nevada, Texas, and Hawaii. First Foundation Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

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Hennessy Advisors Inc. reduced its stake in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR  Free Report) by 5.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 222,362 shares of the companys stock after selling 11,800 shares during the quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc.s holdings in Kroger were worth $14,989,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC boosted its stake in Kroger by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 8,025 shares of the companys stock worth $576,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. PDS Planning Inc raised its holdings in Kroger by 2.0% in the second quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 7,715 shares of the companys stock worth $553,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares during the period. Cairn Investment Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Kroger by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Cairn Investment Group Inc. now owns 58,902 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,225,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the period. Independent Wealth Network Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Kroger by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Independent Wealth Network Inc. now owns 19,312 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,385,000 after buying an additional 164 shares during the period. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its position in shares of Kroger by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 3,648 shares of the companys stock valued at $262,000 after buying an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Kroger Trading Down 0.3%

NYSE KR opened at $62.52 on Thursday. The Kroger Co. has a 52 week low of $58.12 and a 52 week high of $74.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.28, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a current ratio of 0.88. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $64.66 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $67.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.89, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.58.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Kroger ( NYSE:KR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.02. Kroger had a net margin of 0.54% and a return on equity of 38.06%. The company had revenue of $33.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.27 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.98 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.750-4.800 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that The Kroger Co. will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

KR has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Kroger from $73.00 to $71.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating and set a $68.00 price objective (down previously from $74.00) on shares of Kroger in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Roth Mkm raised Kroger from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $66.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $78.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $70.00 price target (down previously from $78.00) on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $74.13.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Kroger

Kroger Profile

(Free Report)

The Kroger Co (NYSE: KR) is one of the largest supermarket operators in the United States, offering a wide range of retail grocery and related services. Founded in Cincinnati in 1883 by Bernard Kroger, the company operates a portfolio of supermarket and multi-department store banners and provides customers with fresh foods, packaged groceries, deli and bakery items, meat and seafood, produce, and prepared foods. Krogers stores commonly include pharmacy services and fuel centers, positioning the company as a broad-based neighborhood retail destination for everyday needs.

In addition to traditional in-store retailing, Kroger manufactures and distributes a variety of private-label brands and operates its own food production and supply-chain facilities.

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Miracle Mile Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report) by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 1,880,415 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 14,439 shares during the period. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF makes up approximately 1.9% of Miracle Mile Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 9th largest holding. Miracle Mile Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $127,549,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of EFV. Atwood & Palmer Inc. purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Pandora Wealth Inc. purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Tripletail Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the third quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Rice Partnership LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $59,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Up 36.8%

Shares of EFV opened at $71.51 on Thursday. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 52-week low of $51.05 and a 52-week high of $66.83. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $70.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $67.30. The company has a market capitalization of $29.32 billion, a PE ratio of 12.17 and a beta of 0.73.

About iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. The Fund invests in sectors, such as financials, energy, healthcare, telecommunication services, industrials, utilities, consumer discretionary, materials, information technology and consumer staples.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report).

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iShares MSCI France ETF (NYSEARCA:EWQ  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 860,585 shares, a decline of 21.9% from the November 30th total of 1,101,692 shares. Approximately 9.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 281,202 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 281,202 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.1 days. Approximately 9.4% of the shares of the company are sold short.

iShares MSCI France ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:EWQ traded down $0.15 on Thursday, hitting $44.99. The companys stock had a trading volume of 310,113 shares, compared to its average volume of 355,810. The company has a market capitalization of $413.91 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.82 and a beta of 0.98. iShares MSCI France ETF has a 12 month low of $35.22 and a 12 month high of $45.46. The stocks 50-day moving average is $44.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $43.67.

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Institutional Trading of iShares MSCI France ETF

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI France ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its holdings in iShares MSCI France ETF by 106.3% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 949 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 489 shares in the last quarter. Comerica Bank lifted its position in iShares MSCI France ETF by 54.9% in the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 1,182 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 419 shares during the period. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. boosted its stake in iShares MSCI France ETF by 46.8% during the 2nd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 2,274 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $97,000 after purchasing an additional 725 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI France ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $210,000. 73.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

iShares MSCI France ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI France ETF, formerly iShares MSCI France Index Fund, seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the French market, as measured by the MSCI France Index (the Index). The Index seeks to measure the performance of the French equity market. The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Paris Stock Exchange. The Fund invests in sectors, such as industrials, financials, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, healthcare, materials, telecommunication services, utilities and information technology.

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Nathalie Cabrol, a French-American astrobiologist leading a project to study whether there is life in the universe, photographed in her office in Mountain View, California.

The French-American scientist heads the Carl Sagan Center and researches the potential for humans to inhabit the extreme environments of our galaxy

Nathalie Cabrol is no ordinary scientist. The astrobiologist holds two records for the highest-altitude scuba dives. She achieved them unintentionally while exploring the lake at Licancabur, a nearly 6,000-meter-high volcano on the border between Chile and Bolivia. Cabrol has spent decades studying Earth to understand the possibility of human life in the extreme conditions of our galaxy. Slight and gray-haired, the explorer wears a vest from the SETI Institute, the nonprofit organization she works with and where she has served for a decade as director of the Carl Sagan Center, named after the famed American science communicator.

On the walls of her office, located south of San Francisco, hangs a replica of the golden record traveling aboard Voyager 1 and 2. The message floats more than 20 billion miles from Earth and contains sounds like human laughter, wind, whale songs, and images of the Earths environment. The most important thing in Cabrols office is what greets visitors: the Drake Equation, created by U.S. astronomer Frank Drake in 1961 to estimate the number of planets with Earth-like conditions that may exist. The formula is considered the roadmap of astrobiology and estimates that the number of habitable planets ranges from 300 million to 2 billion.

Cabrol, who has contributed to NASAs exploration missions to Mars and Titan (Saturns largest moon) and is the author of five books, expands on these ideas in The Secret Life of the Universe. On May 15, she took part in a debate at the Center of Contemporary Culture in Barcelona alongside Nobel laureate Didier Queloz, who discovered the first exoplanet.

Question. How did you realize that to study the planets in the galaxy, you first had to understand Earth?

Answer. I can tell you the exact date: November 19, 2006. It was 9:30 a.m. I was on the summit of Aconcagua with my husband, Edmond Grin. We were preparing to dive. We had trained a lot and didnt know what conditions the lake would be like. That year, the El Nino was intense, and the water was at its highest level. It was truly spectacular. We were at over 6,000 meters, and it was hot. Seeing all of that was spectacular. I told my husband, We came here to understand whether Mars was habitable 3.5 billion years ago, but this place also tells us whats happening on Earth right now.

Q. Was this your eureka moment?

A. It broadened my vision. The information I use to understand what Mars was like billions of years ago can be used for other purposes. How species are adapting to climate change, or whats happening with our adaptability. It was like a veil was lifted.

Q. Are we living in the golden age of astrobiology? Humanity saw the first image of Mars in the 1960s.

A. The images were disappointing due to the poor camera resolution

Q. But enough to put an end to centuries of speculation

A. Until the Mariner 6 mission in 1969, Mars looked like another heavily cratered moon. Mariner 9, in 1971  with a dust storm blanketing everything  discovered things we didnt need new words for: dunes, volcanoes, rivers, and dried-up lakes. The sci-fi version of Mars gave way to the scientific dream. We understood how materials were exchanged in the early solar system, which makes it possible that we might be the Martians were looking for, or they might be the Earthlings. Or both. Or neither. It changed the narrative.

Q. Carl Sagan died in 1996, a year after discovering the first exoplanet.

A. Thats the next Copernican revolution, but Carl got a glimpse of it. On Valentines Day 1990, Voyager 1 was in the vicinity of Neptune, and he asked that the camera be turned around to look at Earth. There was that pale blue dot, with all its fragility and poetic quality. It was the first time we saw our planet as a pixel in the darkness. He had that vision. He thought of Earth suspended in the universe, a ship in space.

Q. Thirty years later, it seems like were learning something new about our galaxy every day. Yet you refuse to say definitively whether there is life on Mars.

A. And do you know why? Its the most biased scientific experiment in existence. We are the experiment and the experimenter. The observer and the observation. Sagan said that we must maintain skepticism. A great achievement of science today is admitting that we dont know what life is.

Q. You often joke that youll believe theres life on other planets when you see a rabbit hopping on them...

A. For us, life seems to be something big enough to be recognized with some instrument. Life is not a thing but a process. Its a transition from prebiotic chemistry to biology. If it is a transition, theres no point in setting a threshold at some point, which opens up a lot of possibilities. I often tell the public that we can test how independent life is from our environment by holding our breath for 10 minutes. We are inseparable. Life didnt appear on Earth; it emerged from it. It probably wasnt in just one place, because chemistry and physics were ready for that.

Q. So how should we think about life in space?

A. We are the only living system we have. That creates a bottleneck in the search for a similar environment that we can understand in the same biochemical terms. We will never be able to confirm that type of life, and that is a huge chunk of knowledge. We can look for carbon to find life, but it is everywhere. Its organic molecules were here much earlier than we think. This has changed with the James Webb Telescope. It was already present 2 billion years ago, but who knows if it was abundant enough? It could be a problem of abundance.

Q. Is that what you call the nature of life?

A. That expands our search capacity and allows us to question ourselves. I think quantum physics will give us some very important revelations. The discovery of exoplanets is the next Copernican revolution; it puts an end to the geocentric concept; it has changed what we thought a planet was. We are discovering worlds that we didnt even know existed, like the super-Earth [a planet with twice the mass of Earth] discovered by the Canary Islands Astrophysics Institute, or that there was a hot Jupiter [a gas giant with the same mass as Jupiter, but with a higher temperature] in our solar system until Saturn pulled it to where it is. We may even have a super-Earth at the end of our system, something that is being confirmed. We have learned a lot by looking outwards.

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Jackson Financial Inc. (NYSE:JXN  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Hold by the seven ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $109.60.

JXN has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley set a $105.00 price objective on shares of Jackson Financial in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Zacks Research raised Jackson Financial from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Jackson Financial from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Jackson Financial in a research note on Monday. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on Jackson Financial from $125.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th.

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Jackson Financial Stock Performance

Jackson Financial stock opened at $106.69 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.25 billion, a PE ratio of 14.76 and a beta of 1.45. Jackson Financial has a 1-year low of $64.70 and a 1-year high of $109.16. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $99.80 and its 200 day simple moving average is $95.71. The company has a current ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

Jackson Financial (NYSE:JXN  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, March 22nd. The company reported $6.26 EPS for the quarter. Jackson Financial had a return on equity of 15.73% and a net margin of 1.73%.The business had revenue of ($1,162.00) million during the quarter. As a group, analysts expect that Jackson Financial will post 20.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Jackson Financial Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 4th were given a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 4th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.0%. Jackson Financials dividend payout ratio is 44.26%.

Jackson Financial announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, September 18th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 14.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Trading of Jackson Financial

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Jackson Financial by 0.5% in the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,994,949 shares of the companys stock worth $404,415,000 after purchasing an additional 18,249 shares during the last quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. increased its position in Jackson Financial by 2.0% in the second quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. now owns 1,699,087 shares of the companys stock worth $150,862,000 after buying an additional 33,040 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in Jackson Financial by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,516,935 shares of the companys stock worth $153,559,000 after acquiring an additional 4,559 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Jackson Financial by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,359,477 shares of the companys stock valued at $120,685,000 after purchasing an additional 20,212 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new stake in Jackson Financial during the second quarter valued at about $102,131,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.96% of the companys stock.

Jackson Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Jackson Financial Inc is a U.S.-based financial services holding company headquartered in Lansing, Michigan. The company operates primarily through its principal subsidiary, Jackson National Life Insurance Company, and specializes in designing and distributing retirement products. Jackson Financial has been publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker JXN since its initial public offering in May 2022.

The companys core offerings include a broad range of fixed, variable and indexed annuity products aimed at helping individuals preserve and grow retirement assets.

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Japan Airlines Ltd (OTCMKTS:JAPSY  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $9.28, but opened at $8.9801. Japan Airlines shares last traded at $9.20, with a volume of 1,395 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research cut shares of Japan Airlines from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Japan Airlines from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, September 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Japan Airlines Stock Up 0.3%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.73 and a beta of 0.38. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $9.35 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $9.89.

Japan Airlines (OTCMKTS:JAPSY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter. Japan Airlines had a return on equity of 11.17% and a net margin of 6.48%.The company had revenue of $3.48 billion for the quarter. As a group, research analysts expect that Japan Airlines Ltd will post 0.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Japan Airlines Company Profile

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Japan Airlines (OTCMKTS:JAPSY) is the flag carrier of Japan, providing both scheduled passenger and cargo air transportation services. The company operates a comprehensive network of domestic and international flights, connecting major cities across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. In addition to its core passenger services, Japan Airlines offers charter operations, cargo logistics and maintenance support through its technical services division.

The airlines network is centered on its primary hubs at Tokyos Haneda and Narita airports.

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Koninklijke KPN NV (OTCMKTS:KKPNY  Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 3,520,078 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 554% from the previous sessions volume of 538,497 shares.The stock last traded at $4.75 and had previously closed at $4.72.

Koninklijke KPN Price Performance

The firms fifty day simple moving average is $4.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4.68.

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Koninklijke KPN Company Profile

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Koninklijke KPN N.V. (KPN) is a Dutch telecommunications and information-communications-technology (ICT) company that provides a broad range of connectivity and digital services. Its core activities include fixed-line and mobile telephony, broadband internet, and television services for residential customers, alongside managed network, cloud, security and unified communications solutions for business and public-sector clients. KPN operates and maintains network infrastructure such as fiber and mobile networks, data centers, and platforms for Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity services.

The companys primary market is the Netherlands, where it serves households, small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporates and government organizations.

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LMP Capital and Income Fund Inc. (NYSE:SCD  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 10,388 shares, a decrease of 25.5% from the November 30th total of 13,939 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 83,535 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 83,535 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Institutional Trading of LMP Capital and Income Fund

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cornerstone Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of LMP Capital and Income Fund by 261.2% in the second quarter. Cornerstone Advisors LLC now owns 39,376 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $614,000 after acquiring an additional 28,476 shares during the period. Absolute Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of LMP Capital and Income Fund in the 3rd quarter valued at about $2,692,000. Astoria Portfolio Advisors LLC. raised its holdings in LMP Capital and Income Fund by 15.1% in the 3rd quarter. Astoria Portfolio Advisors LLC. now owns 64,889 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,017,000 after purchasing an additional 8,506 shares during the period. Quarry LP boosted its position in LMP Capital and Income Fund by 117.5% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 64,727 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,005,000 after purchasing an additional 34,961 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV acquired a new stake in LMP Capital and Income Fund in the third quarter valued at approximately $251,000.

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LMP Capital and Income Fund Stock Down 0.3%

LMP Capital and Income Fund stock opened at $14.80 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $14.73 and its 200 day moving average price is $15.19. LMP Capital and Income Fund has a 52 week low of $13.35 and a 52 week high of $17.80.

LMP Capital and Income Fund Announces Dividend

LMP Capital and Income Fund Company Profile

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.7%.

(Get Free Report)

LMP Capital & Income Fund (NYSE:SCD) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company organized as a Maryland corporation. The funds primary objective is to deliver total return through current income and capital appreciation. It is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and serves a broad base of retail and institutional investors seeking exposure to a mix of equity and income-producing assets.

The fund pursues its objective by investing predominantly in common stocks, debt securities and convertible instruments issued by U.S.

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Mather Group LLC. grew its position in Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL  Free Report) by 8.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 498,526 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 38,817 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. owned 0.09% of Hormel Foods worth $12,334,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Shell Asset Management Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Hormel Foods by 94.7% during the 2nd quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 47,390 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,434,000 after purchasing an additional 23,046 shares during the last quarter. Machina Capital S.A.S. acquired a new position in Hormel Foods during the 2nd quarter valued at about $820,000. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its stake in Hormel Foods by 48.3% in the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 40,492 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,218,000 after buying an additional 13,188 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its stake in Hormel Foods by 2.5% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 2,123,392 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,698,000 after buying an additional 52,736 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in Hormel Foods by 67.4% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 296,782 shares of the companys stock worth $8,978,000 after acquiring an additional 119,460 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 40.99% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HRL has been the subject of several research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $27.00 price objective on shares of Hormel Foods and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays set a $30.00 target price on Hormel Foods and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Bank of America increased their price objective on Hormel Foods from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. Zacks Research upgraded Hormel Foods from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Piper Sandler restated a neutral rating and set a $26.00 price objective (up from $25.00) on shares of Hormel Foods in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $28.29.

Hormel Foods Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HRL opened at $23.69 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 2.47 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.23, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.33. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $23.13 and its 200-day simple moving average is $25.90. Hormel Foods Corporation has a 12 month low of $21.03 and a 12 month high of $32.07.

Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.30 by $0.02. Hormel Foods had a net margin of 3.95% and a return on equity of 9.41%. The firm had revenue of $3.19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.24 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.42 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Hormel Foods has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.430-1.51 EPS. Analysts expect that Hormel Foods Corporation will post 1.65 EPS for the current year.

Hormel Foods Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Investors of record on Monday, January 12th will be paid a $0.2925 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 12th. This represents a $1.17 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.9%. This is a boost from Hormel Foodss previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Hormel Foodss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 133.33%.

Hormel Foods Profile

(Free Report)

Hormel Foods Corporation is a global branded foods company primarily engaged in the production, marketing and distribution of value-added, high-quality meat and food products. The companys portfolio spans a range of categories including refrigerated and frozen meats, pantry staples, specialty foods and shelf-stable items. Through manufacturing facilities located across North America and international markets, Hormel Foods supplies retail grocers, foodservice operators, convenience stores and e-commerce platforms.

Among its best-known brands, Hormel Foods produces SPAM canned meats, Jennie-O turkey products, Skippy peanut butter and Applegate natural and organic meats.

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Shares of Michelin (OTCMKTS:MGDDY  Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Hold from the seven research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company.

MGDDY has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Zacks Research raised shares of Michelin from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Oddo Bhf downgraded Michelin to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Michelin in a report on Friday, October 10th. UBS Group downgraded Michelin from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an equal weight rating on shares of Michelin in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd.

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Michelin Trading Up 0.2%

About Michelin

Shares of MGDDY opened at $16.59 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $16.30 and a 200-day moving average of $17.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.12. Michelin has a 1 year low of $14.82 and a 1 year high of $20.00.

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Michelin (OTCMKTS: MGDDY) is a French multinational tire manufacturer founded in 1889 and headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Over more than a century the company has grown into one of the worlds leading tiremakers, serving passenger car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, agricultural, construction and aviation markets. Michelin has a global footprint with manufacturing facilities, research centers and commercial operations across multiple regions to supply OEMs, replacement markets and large commercial fleets.

The companys core business is the design, manufacture and sale of tires and related products.

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Miracle Mile Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:TBLL  Free Report) by 23.1% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 400,957 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 75,361 shares during the period. Miracle Mile Advisors LLCs holdings in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF were worth $42,357,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Advyzon Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 14.8% during the 2nd quarter. Advyzon Investment Management LLC now owns 2,783 shares of the companys stock valued at $294,000 after buying an additional 359 shares in the last quarter. PFG Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 7.9% in the second quarter. PFG Advisors now owns 4,939 shares of the companys stock worth $521,000 after buying an additional 363 shares in the last quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 2.5% during the second quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 15,520 shares of the companys stock worth $1,638,000 after acquiring an additional 383 shares during the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA grew its stake in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 69.9% during the second quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 1,033 shares of the companys stock valued at $109,000 after acquiring an additional 425 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Power Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Power Wealth Management LLC now owns 101,127 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,673,000 after acquiring an additional 429 shares during the last quarter.

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Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF Trading Up 0.0%

Shares of TBLL stock opened at $105.65 on Thursday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $105.70 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $105.66. Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF has a 52 week low of $105.37 and a 52 week high of $105.90.

Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF Company Profile

The Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (TBLL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the ICE US Treasury Short Bond index. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of debt issued by the US Treasury. Remaining maturity must be between 1-12 months. TBLL was launched on Jan 12, 2017 and is issued by Invesco.

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Miracle Mile Advisors LLC lowered its position in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR  Free Report) by 9.3% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 64,393 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 6,607 shares during the quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $7,652,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. RMG Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Curio Wealth LLC boosted its position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 26,900.0% during the 2nd quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 270 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 269 shares during the period. Bulwark Capital Corp bought a new stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Marshall & Sullivan Inc. WA bought a new stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Quaker Wealth Management LLC increased its position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 200.4% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 452 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 902 shares during the period. 66.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Stock Performance

IJR stock opened at $120.18 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $86.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.52 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $120.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $116.59. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a 52-week low of $89.22 and a 52-week high of $125.84.

About iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. The Index serves as the underlying index for the S&P 600/Citigroup Growth and Value Index series. The component stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares.

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Navios Maritime Partners LP (NYSE:NMM  Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $46.35 and traded as high as $53.06. Navios Maritime Partners shares last traded at $52.4150, with a volume of 48,249 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NMM has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded Navios Maritime Partners from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, December 13th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Navios Maritime Partners in a research note on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold.

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Navios Maritime Partners Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $51.33 and a 200-day moving average of $46.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.00 and a beta of 1.43.

Navios Maritime Partners (NYSE:NMM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 18th. The shipping company reported $2.83 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.55 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $346.92 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $334.64 million. Navios Maritime Partners had a return on equity of 8.69% and a net margin of 20.04%.The companys revenue was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.15 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Navios Maritime Partners LP will post 12.64 EPS for the current year.

Navios Maritime Partners Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. Navios Maritime Partnerss dividend payout ratio is currently 2.29%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NMM. Merrion Investment Management Co LLC grew its position in Navios Maritime Partners by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Merrion Investment Management Co LLC now owns 65,250 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $2,940,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the period. Live Oak Investment Partners boosted its stake in shares of Navios Maritime Partners by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Live Oak Investment Partners now owns 28,537 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $1,075,000 after buying an additional 375 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Navios Maritime Partners by 5.6% in the third quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 7,192 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $324,000 after acquiring an additional 380 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc. increased its position in Navios Maritime Partners by 0.8% during the third quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 92,682 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $4,175,000 after acquiring an additional 750 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP bought a new position in Navios Maritime Partners in the second quarter valued at about $47,000. Institutional investors own 62.74% of the companys stock.

About Navios Maritime Partners

(Get Free Report)

Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (NYSE: NMM) is a dry bulk shipping company that owns and operates a fleet of Capesize, Panamax and Supramax vessels. The partnership charters its vessels under medium- and long-term contracts to a diverse group of charterers, providing seaborne transportation for major bulk cargoes such as iron ore, coal, grain and fertilizers. Through this asset-light model, Navios Maritime Partners seeks to generate stable cash flows while retaining flexibility to capitalize on market opportunities.

Formed in November 2007 and sponsored by Navios Maritime Holdings Inc, the partnership leverages the operating platform and commercial management capabilities of the Navios group.

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Ninety One UK Ltd raised its holdings in FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS  Free Report) by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,206,890 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 14,256 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltds holdings in FactSet Research Systems were worth $345,762,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of FDS. Truist Financial Corp grew its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 0.5% in the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 22,313 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $9,980,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. Vest Financial LLC lifted its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 8.8% during the 2nd quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 125,526 shares of the business services providers stock worth $56,145,000 after purchasing an additional 10,172 shares in the last quarter. PineStone Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 8.8% in the 2nd quarter. PineStone Asset Management Inc. now owns 380,459 shares of the business services providers stock worth $170,172,000 after purchasing an additional 30,881 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 14.1% in the 2nd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 14,690 shares of the business services providers stock worth $6,569,000 after purchasing an additional 1,810 shares during the period. Finally, J. W. Coons Advisors LLC grew its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 139.8% during the 2nd quarter. J. W. Coons Advisors LLC now owns 3,465 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,550,000 after buying an additional 2,020 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.24% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at FactSet Research Systems

In other news, EVP Helen L. Shan bought 370 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 6th. The stock was bought at an average price of $275.48 per share, for a total transaction of $101,927.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 9,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,557,556.32. This represents a 4.15% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Goran Skoko bought 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $252.93 per share, with a total value of $126,465.00. Following the purchase, the executive vice president owned 9,192 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,324,932.56. This represents a 5.75% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Company insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $372.00 to $295.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Friday, December 19th. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Raymond James Financial reissued a market perform rating on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $305.00 price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Friday, December 19th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on FactSet Research Systems from $394.00 to $328.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $313.17.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on FDS

FactSet Research Systems Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:FDS opened at $290.06 on Thursday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $279.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $339.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.45, a PEG ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 0.75. FactSet Research Systems Inc. has a one year low of $250.50 and a one year high of $487.40.

FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, December 18th. The business services provider reported $4.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $607.62 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $599.69 million. FactSet Research Systems had a net margin of 25.40% and a return on equity of 30.49%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $4.37 earnings per share. FactSet Research Systems has set its FY 2026 guidance at 16.900-17.600 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that FactSet Research Systems Inc. will post 17.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

FactSet Research Systems announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, December 18th that allows the company to buyback $600.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the business services provider to repurchase up to 5.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

FactSet Research Systems Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th were given a dividend of $1.10 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. FactSet Research Systemss dividend payout ratio is 27.99%.

FactSet Research Systems Company Profile

(Free Report)

FactSet Research Systems Inc operates as a global provider of integrated financial data and analytics to the investment community. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, the company offers a unified platform that aggregates content from thousands of sources, delivering real-time and historical market data, company fundamentals, estimates, fixed-income information and proprietary analytics to portfolio managers, research analysts, investment bankers and risk officers.

The companys core products include the FactSet Workstation, an application offering customizable screening, charting, portfolio analysis and news; APIs and data feeds for seamless integration into proprietary systems; and cloud-based solutions for thematic research and quantitative strategies.

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Erika Lust presents her company as an ethical alternative to the industry. However, some experts argue that her films still operate under the same beliefs as mainstream pornography

Before she starts to film an anal sex scene, 28-year-old porn actress Kasumi shares her daily menu on social media: coconut water and jelly beans. This gives me a lot of energy and prevents me from feeling dizzy. Plus, these foods arent easily digested, so theyre not a problem during filming, she explains.

Kasumi posts this message before filming a movie produced by Erika Lust, one of the major proponents of so-called feminist porn.

The adult actress studied film and marketing, but found that porn allowed her to act and earn money doing something she claims to enjoy. During the pandemic, she became famous on OnlyFans, sharing videos that she made with her partner. Ive always felt like Im a very sexual person, she explains. She defines feminist porn as pornography that women want to make. In these types of productions, consent and transparency always prevail when filming. We make porn for women because  until now  porn has been defined as being for men, explained feminist porn director Paulita Pappel, in an interview with EL PAIS.

Lust agrees with this, asserting that feminist porn originally emerged as a way to reclaim a genre traditionally considered exclusively for the male gaze and to provide a different perspective on how we represent sex. That doesnt mean that feminist porn is suddenly porn for women. In feminist porn, women, men and people of all genders have control over what they do sexually; they own their pleasure and are treated as equal sexual collaborators, not as objects or sex machines, she asserts.

Erika Lust. Cortesia de Erika Lust

However, this type of pornography remains a very small part of what is produced in the industry. Simply typing the word porn online will bring up  in a matter of seconds  more than 7.6 billion results that provide access to sites with free content. The change in consumer behavior is evident: today, viewers are more intentional about what they watch, how they access it and whether they decide to pay for content, the production company states.

Other companies  such as PinkLabel.tv, Hardwerk, Lust Cinema, Pink & White and Wild Galaxies, among others  are dedicated to this type of production made by women, for women. Its estimated that ethical and alternative adult content represents around 15% of the market, a niche that continues to grow as consumer preferences evolve, the Lust team states.

The Lust team films around 30 productions a year. The set is located in an industrial park on the outskirts of Barcelona. From early on, the production team is fine-tuning the final details of Art of Anal: Sploosh. The scene is based on the actresss fantasy: her Romeo emerges from a cake and they have sex on it. We asked people on our social media what they would do with the cake. Most said they would sit on it, so we decided to make a film about it, the production team explains.

An image from the set of Erika Lust's latest film. Cortesia de Erika Lust

The team is mostly made up of women and non-binary people. Here, I feel very comfortable expressing my limits and needs without having to take it all on alone. In mainstream porn, I would probably have to deal with these situations on my own. Plus, I know that many women starting out from scratch cant choose the type of shoots they participate in, Kasumi notes.

Erika Lust employs 49 people: 70% are women and the majority hail from abroad. The platform has 72,000 active subscribers, who are mainly based in the United States, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and France. The stories we tell are as diverse as human sexuality itself, so we dont impose an average age on our performers. We ensure the actors are of legal age and meet the necessary legal requirements. Theres no upper age limit: the most important thing is finding the right person to bring each story to life. We dont work with performers under 21. And, when theyre young, we make sure they fully understand the environment that theyre participating in, the production company affirms.

Before filming the sex scene, the director and intimacy coordinator sit down with the actors to discuss what they want and dont want to do. They also show the results of their STI tests: the scene will be filmed without a condom, an agreement reached during the initial conversation between the actors and the intimacy coordinator. This condition may vary on a case-by-case basis.

Anarella Martinez-Madrid, intimacy coordinator, casting producer and sales manager at Erika Lust, tells EL PAIS that she began her job before the role of intimacy coordinator even existed in Hollywood. Ive always worked with care and respect. In mainstream porn, there are practices that go against the basic needs of actors, such as filming several scenes a day without a break, or without ensuring adequate food. We seek to change that, she explains. For me, the staging should be based on what somebody needs and what they want to experience in the sex scene. Theres no other way to make a film.

Its not about a gender struggle or about women wanting to dominate men. Its about seeking decent conditions for everyone, Martinez-Madrid clarifies. In practice, this means rethinking how a scene is shot. In our shoots, we hardly direct the scene; we allow spontaneity and pleasure to take center stage.

For her, the problem isnt porn, but the lack of sex education. We dont talk about sex openly at home, in relationships, or in school, she argues, which is why many people turn to porn as their only source of information. With this in mind, her productions try to at least warn about the gap between fiction and reality. I remember a director who wanted to run an educational ad at the beginning of a film explaining, for example, that you cant have anal sex without precautions, or that vaginal sex can alter your pH [level]. These types of ads help educate and prevent people from trying to transfer these practices to the personal sphere without knowing what theyre doing.

The current scene will be no different: During filming, the actors had anal sex and then oral sex. In post-production, well run an ad explaining the risks that this practice entails and [warning] that its not advisable to do it this way.

Erika Lust's production company has an intimacy coordinator. Cortesia de Erika Lust

Feminist Porn Under Scrutiny

Despite efforts to improve the most controversial aspects of the porn industry, the concept of feminist porn continues to generate profound debate. Some argue that theres very little difference between scenes in conventional porn films and those in Lust productions: after all, with or without educational ads, actors and actresses portray practically the same thing.

Alejandro Villena, director of Piensatelo Psicologia, a Spain-based mental health project, questions the very concept of feminist porn. Theres no theoretical basis or certification to support the concept of feminist porn. Whats marketed is the discourse of an industry that makes money without having demonstrated that its practices are healthy or ethical. Calling this porn feminist is a whitewash that, far from empowering, legitimizes sexist models and the objectification of people, he says.

Villena also emphasizes that occasional porn consumption has no harmful effects, but that excessive use can affect sexuality for life. Sex isnt designed to be compulsively marketed. Sexuality is meant to be experienced and enjoyed through real physical contact, not through digital content that generates immediate reward and, ultimately, habit.

The sexologists project recently published a study on the effects of pornography on adolescents. The research concludes that frequent pornography consumption can affect social relationships, mental health and perceptions of sexuality. Among the consequences noted are neurocognitive disorders, self-esteem issues, greater social isolation and an increase in risky sexual behaviors. Just over half of adolescents (54.1%) believe that pornography provides ideas for their own sexual experiences, while 54.9% would like to put what theyve seen into practice. This is according to a survey presented last week by Save the Children. The report, titled Sexual (Mis)information: Pornography and Adolescence, is based on a survey of 1,753 young people between the ages of 13 and 17. It reveals that 62.5% have accessed this type of content at some point in their lives. This phenomenon also extends to young adults. According to the NGO Fad Juventud, one in four people between the ages of 16 and 29 frequently consume pornography, with a notable difference between men (28%) and women (18%).

Villena emphasizes that real sexuality involves enjoyment and connection. And he adds that long-term pornography use leads to the opposite. Heavy pornography use is linked to feelings of loneliness, mental health problems and growing difficulty [when it comes to] regulating emotions in a healthy way, which affects self-esteem and encourages instant gratification behaviors to the detriment of authentic relationships.

For 32-year-old porn actor Romeo, the impact of porn is misunderstood. Porn isnt the problem, but the lack of sexual education is, the Canadian opines. Romeo  who studied international business and acting  believes that the industry can be positive or negative, depending on the environment in which one works. In conventional porn, performers have no control over who they work with or how the scene unfolds. Here, however, were asked who we want to film with and our comfort is prioritized. In many conventional productions, actors are treated like cogs in a machine, not as people, he notes.

Romeo also acknowledges that, despite the growing discussion about more ethical porn models, prejudices still exist toward those who work in the industry. I dont tell everyone what I do, because many people form an opinion about me without understanding it, he adds.

In Spain, where the set is based, formal training isnt required to be a porn actor or actress, but there are workshops that teach acting techniques, body control and physical care. Earnings range between 300 and 500 per scene ($350-$575), although some experienced actors earn up to 1,600 ($1,800) per day, according to information published by the digital newspaper El Confidencial. The growing presence of platforms like OnlyFans has also led many performers to acquire skills in digital marketing and content creation.

In Barcelona  oblivious to all these debates  Romeo and Kasumi are exhausted after a couple of hours of filming. Its been an intense shoot in which, ultimately, around 40 cakes have been used. All that remains is to film the finale. As is almost always the case in these movies, the climax marks the conclusion of the scene. However, Romeo faces some difficulties. Noticing this, the intimacy director asks the entire crew to leave the studio to create a more intimate atmosphere. With a little more calm, the scene concludes as expected.

Ive never had a problem finishing in front of people but with my whole body covered in cake, it was difficult, Romeo admits, while covering himself with a robe. Kasumi makes a more general observation: There were no comfortable places. I had a hard time thinking about poses. With both actors now in their dressing rooms, the production staff is busy clearing the set of leftover cake.

The cakes used in the filming of the movie. Lucia Franco

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Ninety One UK Ltd lifted its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP  Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 1,021,992 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 34,179 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltds holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City were worth $76,132,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the second quarter worth about $49,000. Chapman Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the second quarter worth approximately $56,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC raised its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 42.1% in the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 719 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $57,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.20% of the companys stock.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NYSE:CP opened at $73.61 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $66.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.11. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $72.71 and its 200-day moving average price is $75.39. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a 12-month low of $66.49 and a 12-month high of $83.65.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Increases Dividend

Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Get Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The transportation company reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by ($0.01). Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 28.41% and a return on equity of 8.79%. The company had revenue of $2.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.71 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.99 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.228 per share. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. This is a boost from Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is currently 20.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on CP. Jefferies Financial Group set a $90.00 price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays set a $90.00 target price on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. National Bankshares reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded Canadian Pacific Kansas City from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $91.69.

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About Canadian Pacific Kansas City

(Free Report)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is a North American Class I freight railroad formed through the combination of Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern. The merged company operates an integrated rail network that spans Canada, the United States and Mexico, providing a single-line rail connection across all three countries. This transborder footprint is intended to streamline cross-border freight flows and provide shippers with direct rail access from Canadian and U.S. production centers to Mexican markets and ports.

CPKCs core business is freight transportation and related logistics services.

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Ninety One UK Ltd grew its position in shares of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Free Report) by 23.6% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 3,860,710 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 736,342 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltds holdings in Delta Air Lines were worth $219,095,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of DAL. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Delta Air Lines in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 184.6% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 572 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 371 shares in the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of Delta Air Lines by 2,280.8% during the second quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 619 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 593 shares during the last quarter. Kilter Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines during the second quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Chung Wu Investment Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines in the 2nd quarter worth about $49,000. 69.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Dbs Bank raised shares of Delta Air Lines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Delta Air Lines in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on Delta Air Lines from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. TD Cowen upped their price target on Delta Air Lines from $72.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated a strong-buy rating and set a $80.00 price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-two have given a Buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $75.07.

Delta Air Lines Stock Performance

Shares of DAL opened at $69.42 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $63.78 and a 200 day moving average of $58.98. The company has a market capitalization of $45.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.78, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.38. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 12 month low of $34.74 and a 12 month high of $72.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 15th. The transportation company reported $0.22 earnings per share for the quarter. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 23.83% and a net margin of 7.36%.The business had revenue of $8.40 billion for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Delta Air Lines

In other Delta Air Lines news, EVP John E. Laughter sold 23,323 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.33, for a total value of $1,453,722.59. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 81,109 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,055,523.97. The trade was a 22.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP William C. Carroll sold 14,010 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total transaction of $858,112.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 15,816 shares in the company, valued at approximately $968,730. The trade was a 46.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

About Delta Air Lines

(Free Report)

Delta Air Lines is a major U.S.-based global airline that provides scheduled passenger and cargo air transportation, aircraft maintenance and repair services, and related travel products. Its operations include mainline domestic and international passenger services, a branded regional network operating under the Delta Connection name, dedicated air cargo carriage, and in-house maintenance, repair and overhaul through Delta TechOps. Delta offers a range of cabin products for different customer segments, including premium business-class service on long-haul routes and tiered economy offerings on domestic and international flights, and it markets customer loyalty benefits through the SkyMiles frequent-flyer program.

The carrier operates a mixed fleet of narrow- and wide-body aircraft from multiple U.S.

Further Reading

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Ninety One UK Ltd boosted its holdings in Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM  Free Report) by 15.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,421,502 shares of the basic materials companys stock after purchasing an additional 460,130 shares during the quarter. Ninety One UK Ltds holdings in Newmont were worth $288,467,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Concord Wealth Partners increased its stake in shares of Newmont by 534.7% in the 2nd quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 457 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 385 shares in the last quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Newmont by 408.2% during the second quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 498 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Newmont by 1,648.3% in the second quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 507 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 478 shares during the period. Caldwell Trust Co bought a new stake in Newmont in the second quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Country Trust Bank acquired a new position in shares of Newmont during the second quarter valued at about $32,000. 68.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Bank of America raised their target price on Newmont from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Wall Street Zen cut Newmont from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, November 2nd. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Newmont in a report on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $104.30 target price on Newmont and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, October 12th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Newmont from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $97.08.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Thomas Ronald Palmer sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.34, for a total transaction of $406,700.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 279,923 shares of the companys stock, valued at $22,768,936.82. This trade represents a 1.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Bruce R. Brook sold 2,080 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.36, for a total transaction of $192,108.80. Following the transaction, the director owned 32,709 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,021,003.24. This trade represents a 5.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 9,160 shares of company stock valued at $767,206. 0.05% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Newmont Stock Performance

Shares of NEM opened at $99.76 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $108.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.49, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.41. Newmont Corporation has a 52 week low of $36.86 and a 52 week high of $106.34. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $91.04 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $78.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a current ratio of 2.04.

Newmont (NYSE:NEM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The basic materials company reported $1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.44. Newmont had a return on equity of 20.35% and a net margin of 33.42%.The company had revenue of $5.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.14 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.81 earnings per share. Newmonts quarterly revenue was up 20.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Newmont Corporation will post 3.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Newmont Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 22nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 26th were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 26th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Newmonts dividend payout ratio is presently 15.53%.

Newmont Profile

(Free Report)

Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) is a leading global gold mining company engaged in the exploration, development, processing and reclamation of gold properties. The companys core business centers on the production of gold, with additional byproduct metals produced from its operations. Newmont operates a portfolio of longlived mines and development projects, and its activities span the full mine life cycle from early-stage exploration through to mining, milling and closure.

Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, Newmont has grown through organic development and strategic acquisitions.

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Ninety One UK Ltd boosted its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,089,096 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after purchasing an additional 83,329 shares during the period. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing comprises about 1.3% of Ninety One UK Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Ninety One UK Ltds holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $583,464,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TSM. Romano Brothers AND Company increased its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 35.4% during the third quarter. Romano Brothers AND Company now owns 5,260 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,469,000 after buying an additional 1,375 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. grew its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 6,295 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,758,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors increased its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors now owns 2,969 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $829,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Eldred Rock Partners LLC raised its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. Eldred Rock Partners LLC now owns 91,061 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $25,507,000 after purchasing an additional 4,602 shares during the last quarter. Finally, XML Financial LLC raised its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 47.7% in the 3rd quarter. XML Financial LLC now owns 6,063 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,693,000 after purchasing an additional 1,958 shares during the last quarter. 16.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Trending Headlines about Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Here are the key news stories impacting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing this week:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and set a $360.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Friday, October 17th. Itau BBA Securities started coverage on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $355.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on TSM

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of NYSE TSM opened at $303.77 on Thursday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 1 year low of $134.25 and a 1 year high of $313.98. The firms 50-day moving average is $292.79 and its 200-day moving average is $264.93. The company has a current ratio of 2.69, a quick ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.57 trillion, a PE ratio of 31.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 1.31.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The semiconductor company reported $14.32 earnings per share for the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 34.34%. Equities analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a $0.9678 dividend. This is an increase from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $3.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.85%.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Profile

(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.

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Ninety One UK Ltd acquired a new stake in Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 5,811,616 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $308,946,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 1.5% during the second quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 35,352 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,582,000 after purchasing an additional 512 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Citizens Financial Group by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 856,204 shares of the banks stock valued at $38,315,000 after purchasing an additional 42,971 shares in the last quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new stake in Citizens Financial Group during the 1st quarter worth $3,177,000. Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its holdings in Citizens Financial Group by 20.7% in the 2nd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 6,399,905 shares of the banks stock worth $287,932,000 after buying an additional 1,098,684 shares in the last quarter. Finally, OLD National Bancorp IN purchased a new position in Citizens Financial Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,848,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.90% of the companys stock.

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Citizens Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CFG opened at $58.41 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The company has a market capitalization of $25.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 0.74. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $32.60 and a twelve month high of $60.10. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $54.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $51.10.

Citizens Financial Group Increases Dividend

Citizens Financial Group ( NYSE:CFG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The bank reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.02. Citizens Financial Group had a net margin of 14.17% and a return on equity of 7.48%. The firm had revenue of $2.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.79 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Citizens Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.92 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 29th were given a dividend of $0.46 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 29th. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. This is a boost from Citizens Financial Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. Citizens Financial Groups payout ratio is currently 51.54%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on CFG. DA Davidson reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $59.00 target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Bank of America raised Citizens Financial Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $52.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on Citizens Financial Group from $62.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Raymond James Financial set a $62.00 price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $60.00 price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $57.57.

View Our Latest Stock Report on CFG

Citizens Financial Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Citizens Financial Group, Inc (NYSE: CFG) is a bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial services to individuals, small and middle-market businesses, corporations and institutional clients. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens conducts its banking operations principally through its primary banking subsidiary, Citizens Bank, and serves customers through a combination of branch locations, ATMs and digital channels. The company is publicly traded and operates under the regulatory framework applicable to U.S.

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Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NAN  Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 82,255 shares, an increase of 35.3% from the November 30th total of 60,783 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 81,874 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 81,874 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.0 days.

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Price Performance

NAN traded down $0.01 during trading on Thursday, reaching $11.28. 138,090 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 71,080. Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 52 week low of $10.69 and a 52 week high of $11.89. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $11.47 and a 200 day moving average of $11.34.

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Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a $0.072 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Company Profile

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund in the third quarter valued at approximately $2,018,000. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 89.6% in the 3rd quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 174,370 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,993,000 after buying an additional 82,415 shares in the last quarter. Lionshead Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $731,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC raised its stake in Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 714,149 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $8,148,000 after acquiring an additional 33,635 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Olde Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund during the 3rd quarter worth $367,000.

(Get Free Report)

The Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: NAN) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide current income exempt from federal and New York State income taxes. The Fund invests principally in a portfolio of investment-grade municipal obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of New York and its political subdivisions. Through its focus on tax-exempt securities, NAN is designed to offer investors an attractive yield advantage relative to taxable alternatives in the New York market.

The Funds portfolio is comprised primarily of general obligation and revenue bonds issued by state and local governments, authorities, agencies and instrumentalities within New York.

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Ocean Park Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Pimco Total Return ETF (NYSEARCA:BOND  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 204,100 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $19,053,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. CWM LLC grew its stake in shares of Pimco Total Return ETF by 2.8% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,971,761 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $370,764,000 after buying an additional 108,520 shares during the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Pimco Total Return ETF by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,717,084 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $158,294,000 after acquiring an additional 32,728 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in Pimco Total Return ETF by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,082,266 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $99,763,000 after acquiring an additional 74,769 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in Pimco Total Return ETF by 6.7% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 886,349 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $81,704,000 after acquiring an additional 55,560 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. acquired a new position in Pimco Total Return ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $81,620,000.

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Pimco Total Return ETF Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of BOND stock opened at $93.08 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $93.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $92.81. Pimco Total Return ETF has a 12 month low of $88.95 and a 12 month high of $94.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.27.

Pimco Total Return ETF Dividend Announcement

Pimco Total Return ETF Profile

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 5.2%.

(Free Report)

The PIMCO Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund (BOND) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Barclays U.S. Aggregate index. The fund is an actively managed portfolio that aims to maintain a consistent level of dividend income by investing in a broad array of fixed income sectors and utilizing income efficient implementation strategies. BOND was launched on Mar 1, 2012 and is managed by PIMCO.

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Pacific North West Capital Corp. (OTCMKTS:NMTLF  Get Free Report) shares were up 2.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $0.3361 and last traded at $0.3253. Approximately 22,733 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 100,903 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.3179.

Pacific North West Capital Stock Down 9.0%

The firms 50 day moving average price is $0.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $0.22.

About Pacific North West Capital

(Get Free Report)

New Age Metals Inc, a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of platinum group metals (PGMs), and precious and base metal properties in Canada. The company explores for rhodium, palladium, platinum, gold, nickel, copper, and lithium deposits. It holds interests in the River Valley PGE project located in the Dana and Pardo townships of Northern Ontario; the Genesis PGE project located in south central Alaska; and lithium projects situated to the northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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Shares of PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE:PBF  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Reduce from the sixteen brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $29.3846.

A number of equities research analysts have commented on PBF shares. Scotiabank raised their price target on shares of PBF Energy from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of PBF Energy from $16.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Morgan Stanley set a $27.00 target price on PBF Energy and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. downgraded PBF Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating and set a $24.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Finally, Tudor Pickering lowered PBF Energy from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, September 15th.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on PBF

PBF Energy Price Performance

Shares of PBF opened at $27.18 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $3.15 billion, a PE ratio of -5.85 and a beta of 0.42. PBF Energy has a 52-week low of $13.61 and a 52-week high of $41.47. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $32.81 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $28.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 1.38.

PBF Energy (NYSE:PBF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The oil and gas company reported ($0.52) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.69) by $0.17. PBF Energy had a negative net margin of 1.78% and a negative return on equity of 15.88%. The company had revenue of $7.65 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.47 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($1.50) EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that PBF Energy will post -1.12 EPS for the current year.

PBF Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were given a $0.275 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.0%. PBF Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -23.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling at PBF Energy

In other PBF Energy news, SVP Trecia M. Canty sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.44, for a total transaction of $1,822,000.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 200,744 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,315,111.36. This represents a 19.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Paul T. Davis sold 50,000 shares of PBF Energy stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.00, for a total transaction of $1,900,000.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 192,391 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,310,858. This represents a 20.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 429,624 shares of company stock worth $15,534,465 in the last ninety days. 5.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On PBF Energy

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of PBF Energy by 197.7% in the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 887 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 589 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its holdings in PBF Energy by 761.0% during the second quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,412 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 1,248 shares in the last quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators raised its position in PBF Energy by 62.3% in the 3rd quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 1,146 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 440 shares during the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management raised its position in PBF Energy by 199,900.0% in the 1st quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 2,000 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 1,999 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its stake in PBF Energy by 235.7% during the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,299 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 912 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.29% of the companys stock.

PBF Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

PBF Energy, Inc is an independent petroleum refiner organized in 2008 and headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey. The company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in July 2012 under the ticker symbol PBF. Since its formation, PBF Energy has grown through acquisitions and operational optimization, positioning itself as a leading supplier of refined petroleum products in the United States.

The company owns and operates five refineries located along the U.S. Gulf Coast, East Coast and in the Pacific Northwest, with a combined crude oil processing capacity of approximately 900,000 barrels per day.

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Ninety One North America Inc. lowered its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 25.0% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 26,936 shares of the companys stock after selling 8,963 shares during the period. Ninety One North America Inc.s holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $4,139,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Procter & Gamble by 1.4% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 233,211,283 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,155,222,000 after acquiring an additional 3,189,111 shares during the last quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC increased its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 655,209.0% during the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 76,028,952 shares of the companys stock worth $11,832,680,000 after purchasing an additional 76,017,350 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 59,415,933 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,439,341,000 after purchasing an additional 1,060,713 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble in the 2nd quarter valued at about $5,099,644,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Procter & Gamble by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 17,385,571 shares of the companys stock worth $2,770,035,000 after buying an additional 294,673 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.77% of the companys stock.

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Procter & Gamble Stock Performance

NYSE:PG opened at $143.33 on Thursday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $146.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is $152.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The stock has a market cap of $334.92 billion, a PE ratio of 20.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.85 and a beta of 0.39. Procter & Gamble Company has a fifty-two week low of $138.14 and a fifty-two week high of $179.99.

Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.90 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $22.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.23 billion. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 32.63% and a net margin of 19.74%.The companys revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.93 EPS. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.100 EPS. Analysts expect that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Friday, October 24th were paid a dividend of $1.0568 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 24th. This represents a $4.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 61.75%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PG has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $176.00 to $171.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 8th. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $180.00 to $174.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $153.00 to $151.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Raymond James Financial reduced their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $185.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Procter & Gamble from $173.00 to $170.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $171.38.

Check Out Our Latest Report on PG

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 725 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.57, for a total value of $108,438.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 979 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $146,429.03. The trade was a 42.55% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

About Procter & Gamble

(Free Report)

Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) is a multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, P&G has grown into one of the worlds largest producers of branded consumer packaged goods. The company focuses on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of household and personal care products sold to consumers and retailers worldwide.

P&Gs product offering spans several core business categories, including Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care.

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The young socialist politician makes history by being the first to swear an oath of office on a Quran as mayor of the city of 9/11

As midnight struck in New York, the giant ball of Irish crystals and LED lights descended from atop the building at 1 Times Square to mark, as it does every year, the end of one era and the beginning of another. And the city didnt just welcome 2026, or the second quarter of the 21st century. Its nearly 8.5 million inhabitants also hailed the dawn of a new age, the age of Zohran Kwame Mamdani.

In another New Years tradition, the first Muslim and socialist mayor of the most populous city in the United States, and the unofficial capital of the world, took office in the first minutes of 2026. It was in a private ceremony, held about 50 blocks south of Manhattan and in a parallel universe to the bustle of Times Square.

True to his talent for choreographing the milestones that have taken him in just over 12 months from a virtually unknown young politician, a member of the Democratic Socialist Party of America, to one of the great global hopes of the left, the new mayor chose for the ceremony the ghost City Hall subway station, a filigree from another era, with its vaults by the Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino and its brass chandeliers, completed in 1904 and out of use since the end of World War II.

There, Mamdani made history as the first mayor of the city of 9/11 to be sworn into office on a Quran. Three, actually: two inherited from his family  his parents, Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan Columbia University scholar Mahmoud Mamdani, were present at the ceremony  and a third, which he will use early Thursday afternoon for his second inauguration. That one belongs to the collection of Afro-Puerto Rican writer Arturo Schomburg.

Quran belonging to the Schomburg Collection, at the New York Public Library. Jonathan Blanc (AP)

The decision was laden with symbolism for the nearly one million Muslims living in the city. It is a growing community, singled out after the attack on the Twin Towers, and one now witnessing one of its own wield the reins of power, much to the dismay of the American far right and the Christian nationalism that dominates the MAGA movement.

This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime. We have chosen this place as a testament to the importance of public transportation to the vitality, health, and heritage of our city, said the new mayor, after being sworn into office in the presence of his wife, Rama Duwaji, and New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who administered the oath of office in another meaningful choice.

James was a thorn in the side of Mamdanis electoral rival, former governor Andrew Cuomo, as well as then-Republican candidate Donald Trump, whom she sued in New York in a civil case for fraud and misrepresentation concerning his financial statements. Once Trump secured his return to the White House, his Justice Department indicted James, one of the Democratic politicians who most quickly embraced Mamdanis reform agenda.

Two other prominent figures on the American left, without whom the new mayors rise would be incomprehensible, will participate Thursday in his second inauguration, a massive celebration of his arrival in office. Bronx Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will deliver a speech on the steps of City Hall at approximately 1:00 p.m. local time. Senator Bernie Sanders (Vermont) will then administer Mamdanis oath of office.

It was Sanders campaign in the 2016 presidential elections, the first that Trump won, that inspired the new mayor to leave behind his career as a rapper and music producer to enter politics from the left-wing faction of the Democratic Party, whose victory  and his new style, a mix of a charisma that is difficult to imitate, a message based on controlling the cost of living, and an extraordinary command of social networks  has turned things on its head.

Never-ending campaign

To a large extent, Mamdanis campaign did not end with his resounding victory at the polls on November 4, the day two million New Yorkers turned out to vote, breaking a record for voter turnout unseen since the late 1960s. Through advertising and attention-grabbing tactics, the young politician has remained committed to his mission of convincing his neighbors (and the rest of the world) that he is ready to compensate for his inexperience by listening to the problems of New Yorkers.

Now he must prove that his promises  free buses, childcare for all, and a rent freeze for rent-controlled apartments  are not incompatible with the realities of managing a $150 billion budget. And that he will also be able to make New York a safe city.

Mindful of Abraham Lincolns old advice  Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed  his first decision as mayor has been to organize a street party for his constituents. Tens of thousands of them are invited this Thursday, along with the four thousand who usually attend the mayoral inauguration, to shake off their New Years Eve hangovers and head to the vicinity of City Hall in Lower Manhattan for a block party inspired by those where hip-hop culture was born in the Bronx.

New Year's celebrations in Times Square. Tyrone Siu (REUTERS)

And once again, Mamdani has set out to make history. Its the first time the city has welcomed its new mayor by taking to the streets on a day with sub-zero temperatures expected. Its more than just greeting the citys 112th mayor in its roughly 400-year history  not the 111th, as was believed until a few weeks ago when an archivist corrected the tally of mayoral occupants. That list has included immigrants, strikingly young men, and socialist sympathizers like Mamdani, but never a woman.

This time its also about ushering in a new era, the era of Zohan Kwame Mamdani. Now its up to him to live up to his promise. It wont be easy.

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Regency Capital Management Inc. DE purchased a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 11,815 shares of the railroad operators stock, valued at approximately $2,793,000. Union Pacific comprises approximately 1.3% of Regency Capital Management Inc. DEs portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest position.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Massachusetts Wealth Management raised its stake in Union Pacific by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Wealth Management now owns 6,387 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,510,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 22.1% during the third quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 3,083 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $729,000 after buying an additional 559 shares in the last quarter. XML Financial LLC grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 5.9% during the third quarter. XML Financial LLC now owns 10,143 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $2,398,000 after buying an additional 565 shares in the last quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1.8% in the third quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. now owns 11,500 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $2,718,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trail Ridge Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 5.5% in the third quarter. Trail Ridge Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,101 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,206,000 after buying an additional 265 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on UNP. Loop Capital upgraded shares of Union Pacific from a sell rating to a hold rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $214.00 to $227.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 target price on Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Susquehanna reiterated a positive rating and set a $272.00 price target (up from $257.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $260.33.

Union Pacific Trading Down 0.7%

NYSE UNP opened at $231.33 on Thursday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $228.10 and its 200 day moving average price is $226.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.60. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $204.66 and a 12 month high of $256.84. The company has a market capitalization of $137.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.08 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.99 by $0.09. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.73% and a return on equity of 42.23%. The firm had revenue of $6.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.24 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.75 EPS. Union Pacifics revenue for the quarter was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th were paid a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Union Pacifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.90%.

Union Pacific Profile

(Free Report)

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.

Union Pacifics core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western twothirds of the United States.

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Shares of Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, four have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $69.20.

A number of research firms recently issued reports on STNG. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and issued a $70.00 target price on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a report on Thursday, October 30th. B. Riley reiterated a buy rating and issued a $80.00 price target (up previously from $75.00) on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Zacks Research downgraded Scorpio Tankers from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Evercore ISI set a $80.00 target price on Scorpio Tankers and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a report on Monday.

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Scorpio Tankers Stock Performance

NYSE STNG opened at $50.78 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $57.33 and its 200 day moving average price is $52.24. The company has a current ratio of 4.81, a quick ratio of 4.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Scorpio Tankers has a twelve month low of $30.63 and a twelve month high of $65.52. The company has a market capitalization of $2.59 billion, a PE ratio of 8.59 and a beta of -0.30.

Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The shipping company reported $1.49 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $232.92 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $228.09 million. Scorpio Tankers had a return on equity of 7.42% and a net margin of 32.01%.The firms revenue was down 9.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.75 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Scorpio Tankers will post 5.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Scorpio Tankers Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This is a positive change from Scorpio Tankerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. Scorpio Tankerss payout ratio is 28.43%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Scorpio Tankers

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 110.3% in the 3rd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 469 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares during the period. Clearstead Advisors LLC raised its position in Scorpio Tankers by 67.9% in the third quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 507 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in shares of Scorpio Tankers during the third quarter worth about $36,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Scorpio Tankers in the third quarter worth about $41,000. Finally, Spire Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 77.1% in the second quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 758 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.64% of the companys stock.

Scorpio Tankers Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Scorpio Tankers Inc (NYSE: STNG) is an independent provider of marine transportation services, specializing in the carriage of refined petroleum products. The companys core operations focus on moving clean petroleum cargoessuch as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and naphthaon a global scale. By catering to both spot and time charter markets, Scorpio Tankers enables energy companies, refiners and traders to manage their supply chains with flexibility and reliability.

The companys fleet is composed of modern, eco-designed product tankers, including medium range (MR) and long range (LR) vessels.

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Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) recently received a number of ratings updates from brokerages and research firms:

12/29/2025  Sherwin-Williams had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/22/2025  Sherwin-Williams had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/18/2025  Sherwin-Williams was upgraded by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from a neutral rating to a buy rating. They now have a $390.00 price target on the stock, down previously from $392.00.

12/18/2025  Sherwin-Williams had its price target lowered by analysts at Mizuho from $400.00 to $390.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

12/15/2025  Sherwin-Williams had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/8/2025  Sherwin-Williams had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/2/2025  Sherwin-Williams had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/26/2025  Sherwin-Williams had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/20/2025  Sherwin-Williams had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/14/2025  Sherwin-Williams was downgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating.

Sherwin-Williams Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a $0.79 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. Sherwin-Williamss payout ratio is 30.83%.

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Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) is a global manufacturer and distributor of paints, coatings and related products. Founded in 1866 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the company supplies a broad range of coatings for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Its product offering includes architectural paints and stains, industrial and protective coatings, automotive finishes, and a variety of sundry products such as primers, sealants and specialty treatments used by professionals and consumers.

The company sells through multiple channels, including a large network of company-operated retail paint stores that serve professional contractors and do-it-yourself consumers, as well as through distributors and mass retailers.

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iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (NYSEARCA:EWZ  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 55,984,161 shares, a growth of 26.1% from the November 30th total of 44,381,841 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 40,277,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days. Currently, 29.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Currently, 29.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 40,277,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI Brazil ETF

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Triumph Capital Management acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Brazil ETF during the third quarter worth approximately $90,000. Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $11,126,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 71.4% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,110,619 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $65,429,000 after buying an additional 879,500 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 54.3% during the 3rd quarter. Caxton Associates LLP now owns 1,647,001 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $51,057,000 after buying an additional 579,838 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dark Forest Capital Management LP raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 417.2% in the 3rd quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 710,893 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $22,038,000 after buying an additional 573,446 shares during the period. 72.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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iShares MSCI Brazil ETF Stock Down 0.7%

NYSEARCA:EWZ traded down $0.22 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $31.77. 6,364,424 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 25,853,221. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $32.26 and a 200-day simple moving average of $29.99. iShares MSCI Brazil ETF has a 1 year low of $22.26 and a 1 year high of $34.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.58 and a beta of 0.87.

iShares MSCI Brazil ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI Brazil Capped Index Fund (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund, seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Brazilian market, as measured by the MSCI Brazil Index (the Index). The Index seeks to measure the performance of the Brazilian equity market. It is a capitalization-weighted index that aims to capture 85% of the (publicly available) total market capitalization.

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SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (NYSE:SKM  Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,556,324 shares, a decline of 15.9% from the November 30th total of 1,850,796 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 628,512 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 628,512 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on SKM shares. Zacks Research upgraded shares of SK Telecom from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of SK Telecom in a research note on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on SKM

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

SK Telecom Trading Down 0.0%

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in SK Telecom by 5.5% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 100,916 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $2,145,000 after buying an additional 5,300 shares during the period. Vident Advisory LLC boosted its position in shares of SK Telecom by 17.3% during the 1st quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 86,560 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $1,840,000 after purchasing an additional 12,745 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in SK Telecom by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 43,999 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $936,000 after purchasing an additional 3,316 shares during the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in SK Telecom in the first quarter valued at approximately $85,000. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its position in SK Telecom by 38.8% in the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 16,038 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $341,000 after purchasing an additional 4,482 shares during the period.

Shares of SKM stock traded down $0.01 during trading on Thursday, hitting $20.54. 504,445 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 651,234. SK Telecom has a 52-week low of $19.66 and a 52-week high of $23.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.51. The firms fifty day moving average price is $20.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 1.03.

SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, December 12th. The Wireless communications provider reported ($0.29) earnings per share for the quarter. SK Telecom had a return on equity of 5.30% and a net margin of 3.60%. As a group, research analysts forecast that SK Telecom will post 2.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

SK Telecom Company Profile

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SK Telecom Co, Ltd. (NYSE:SKM) is South Koreas largest wireless carrier, offering a comprehensive range of mobile telecommunications services. The company operates 5G, 4G LTE and IoT networks, providing voice, data and messaging solutions to consumers and businesses. Beyond traditional wireless services, SK Telecom delivers fixed-line broadband, digital content platforms, cloud computing and cybersecurity offerings designed to support enterprise digital transformation and the growing demand for high-speed connectivity.

Established in 1984 as Korea Mobile Telecommunications Services, SK Telecom pioneered cellular service commercialization in South Korea and has continually expanded into new technology areas.

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Sumitomo Heavy (OTCMKTS:SOHVY  Get Free Report)s stock price rose 1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $6.7550 and last traded at $6.7550. Approximately 1,000 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 6,523% from the average daily volume of 15 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.69.

Sumitomo Heavy Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $3.25 billion, a PE ratio of 96.50 and a beta of 0.20. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $6.73 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $5.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a current ratio of 1.95.

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Sumitomo Heavy (OTCMKTS:SOHVY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter. Sumitomo Heavy had a return on equity of 4.86% and a net margin of 0.36%.The firm had revenue of $1.75 billion for the quarter.

Sumitomo Heavy Company Profile

Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (OTCMKTS: SOHVY) is a Japanese multinational manufacturer specializing in a broad range of industrial machinery and heavy equipment. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company operates as a core member of the Sumitomo Group, a major keiretsu with roots dating back to the early Meiji era. Sumitomo Heavy serves diverse markets by developing and producing advanced systems for material processing, energy generation, environmental management and transportation.

The companys product portfolio encompasses industrial machinery such as metalforming presses, injection molding machines and power transmission systems.

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Shares of TravelSky Technology Ltd. (OTCMKTS:TSYHY  Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $13.61, but opened at $13.18. TravelSky Technology shares last traded at $13.1750, with a volume of 3,051 shares changing hands.

TravelSky Technology Trading Down 4.2%

The company has a quick ratio of 3.02, a current ratio of 3.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $13.69 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $14.15.

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About TravelSky Technology

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TravelSky Technology Limited is a leading provider of information technology solutions for the air travel industry in the Peoples Republic of China. Established in 2001 through an asset reorganization of aviation IT operations previously overseen by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the company has developed a comprehensive platform for airline reservation, distribution and related services. TravelSkys technology underpins the vast majority of domestic air ticketing in China and supports a growing number of international carriers and travel agencies.

The companys core offerings include a passenger service system (PSS) that manages reservation and ticketing processes, as well as an electronic distribution network that connects airlines with travel agents, corporate accounts and online channels.

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Vanderbilt University lifted its holdings in AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB  Free Report) by 51.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 15,304 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 5,202 shares during the quarter. Vanderbilt Universitys holdings in AvalonBay Communities were worth $2,956,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Clearstead Trust LLC boosted its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 62.0% in the second quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 162 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of AvalonBay Communities in the second quarter valued at about $36,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its position in AvalonBay Communities by 76.4% during the 2nd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 187 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Hilltop National Bank bought a new stake in AvalonBay Communities during the 2nd quarter worth about $58,000. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new stake in AvalonBay Communities in the 2nd quarter valued at about $59,000. 92.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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AvalonBay Communities Stock Down 1.9%

AVB opened at $181.42 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $179.71 and a 200-day moving average of $189.56. The company has a market capitalization of $25.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.15, a P/E/G ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 0.74. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $166.73 and a fifty-two week high of $230.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.67.

AvalonBay Communities Dividend Announcement

AvalonBay Communities ( NYSE:AVB Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.81 by ($0.06). AvalonBay Communities had a return on equity of 9.72% and a net margin of 38.78%.The business had revenue of $766.80 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $766.22 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.74 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that AvalonBay Communities, Inc. will post 11.48 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a $1.75 dividend. This represents a $7.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. AvalonBay Communitiess payout ratio is presently 85.47%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on AVB shares. Colliers Securities reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $195.00 price target (down previously from $200.00) on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an in-line rating and issued a $214.00 target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on AvalonBay Communities from $213.00 to $193.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Wall Street Zen upgraded AvalonBay Communities from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on AvalonBay Communities from $202.00 to $197.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AvalonBay Communities has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $205.89.

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AvalonBay Communities Profile

(Free Report)

AvalonBay Communities, Inc (NYSE: AVB) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, develops, redevelops and manages multifamily residential properties. The company focuses on professionally managed apartment communities, offering a range of rental housing options and related resident services. As a REIT, AvalonBays core activities center on the acquisition and development of apartment assets and the ongoing operations and leasing of those communities.

AvalonBays operating activities include ground-up development, strategic redevelopment of existing properties, property and asset management, and on-site leasing and resident services.

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Vanderbilt University trimmed its stake in Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESS  Free Report) by 38.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,452 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 2,807 shares during the quarter. Vanderbilt Universitys holdings in Essex Property Trust were worth $1,192,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Essex Property Trust by 151,452.8% during the second quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,978,012 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $843,969,000 after acquiring an additional 2,976,047 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Essex Property Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at about $239,442,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its stake in Essex Property Trust by 48.3% during the 2nd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 1,056,887 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $299,522,000 after purchasing an additional 344,287 shares in the last quarter. Resolution Capital Ltd increased its stake in Essex Property Trust by 59.0% during the 1st quarter. Resolution Capital Ltd now owns 821,968 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $251,991,000 after purchasing an additional 304,936 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners raised its holdings in Essex Property Trust by 28.3% in the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 860,854 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $243,910,000 after buying an additional 189,663 shares during the last quarter. 96.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Essex Property Trust Stock Down 0.8%

ESS stock opened at $261.92 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $16.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.90, a P/E/G ratio of 6.41 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.18. The businesss 50-day moving average is $258.29 and its two-hundred day moving average is $266.31. Essex Property Trust, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $243.25 and a fifty-two week high of $316.29.

Essex Property Trust Announces Dividend

Essex Property Trust ( NYSE:ESS Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $3.97 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.96 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $473.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $472.11 million. Essex Property Trust had a net margin of 45.46% and a return on equity of 14.68%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.91 earnings per share. Essex Property Trust has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 3.930-4.030 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 15.890-15.990 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Essex Property Trust, Inc. will post 15.96 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $2.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $10.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.9%. Essex Property Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 78.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on ESS shares. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Essex Property Trust in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. BNP Paribas Exane lowered Essex Property Trust from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Essex Property Trust from $280.00 to $268.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Essex Property Trust from $279.00 to $271.00 and set a cautious rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Mizuho increased their price objective on Essex Property Trust from $275.00 to $284.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and thirteen have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Essex Property Trust has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $289.59.

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About Essex Property Trust

(Free Report)

Essex Property Trust, Inc (NYSE: ESS) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that acquires, develops, owns and operates multifamily residential properties. The company focuses on market-rate apartment communities and delivers a full suite of property services including leasing, resident services, asset management, and capital improvement programs designed to preserve and enhance longterm property values.

Essex concentrates its portfolio in West Coast markets, with a significant presence in California and the Pacific Northwest.

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Voya Investment Management LLC decreased its holdings in Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI  Free Report) by 98.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 48,968 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,072,414 shares during the quarter. Voya Investment Management LLCs holdings in Albertsons Companies were worth $857,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Albertsons Companies in the second quarter worth approximately $320,613,000. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Albertsons Companies by 1,601.1% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 4,729,259 shares of the companys stock worth $103,807,000 after purchasing an additional 4,451,250 shares during the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al purchased a new stake in Albertsons Companies in the second quarter worth approximately $81,463,000. Sound Shore Management Inc CT bought a new stake in Albertsons Companies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $65,530,000. Finally, LSV Asset Management raised its stake in Albertsons Companies by 34.4% during the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 10,578,407 shares of the companys stock valued at $227,542,000 after buying an additional 2,705,368 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.35% of the companys stock.

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Albertsons Companies Stock Down 0.3%

NYSE ACI opened at $17.19 on Thursday. Albertsons Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $16.55 and a 52 week high of $23.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25. The company has a market capitalization of $9.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.49. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $17.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $18.94.

Albertsons Companies Announces Dividend

Albertsons Companies ( NYSE:ACI Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.04. Albertsons Companies had a net margin of 1.20% and a return on equity of 36.39%. The company had revenue of $18.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.89 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.51 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Albertsons Companies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.060-2.190 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Albertsons Companies, Inc. will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Investors of record on Friday, October 24th were paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 24th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Albertsons Companiess payout ratio is 35.50%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Albertsons Companies

In other Albertsons Companies news, EVP Michael T. Theilmann sold 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.35, for a total value of $1,935,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 338,429 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,548,601.15. This represents a 22.81% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Anuj Dhanda sold 230,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.25, for a total value of $4,427,500.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 300,577 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,786,107.25. This represents a 43.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 1.35% of the companys stock.

More Albertsons Companies News

Here are the key news stories impacting Albertsons Companies this week:

Positive Sentiment: Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and a $24 price target, signaling a sizable upside vs. the current price and providing a bullish analyst catalyst for ACI. Benzinga

Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and a $24 price target, signaling a sizable upside vs. the current price and providing a bullish analyst catalyst for ACI. Positive Sentiment: Brokerages collectively give ACI an average rating of Moderate Buy, which supports demand from institutional investors ahead of earnings. American Banking News

Brokerages collectively give ACI an average rating of Moderate Buy, which supports demand from institutional investors ahead of earnings. Positive Sentiment: Several bullish writeups argue Albertsons is undervalued and highlight revenue growth from pharmacy and digital channels plus buybacks as support for EPS over time. These narratives can attract value-oriented buyers after short-term weakness. Seeking Alpha

Several bullish writeups argue Albertsons is undervalued and highlight revenue growth from pharmacy and digital channels plus buybacks as support for EPS over time. These narratives can attract value-oriented buyers after short-term weakness. Positive Sentiment: Income-focused content is promoting ACI as a way to generate regular cash flow (dividend/option strategies) ahead of earnings, which can boost retail interest in the shares. Benzinga Dividend Idea

Income-focused content is promoting ACI as a way to generate regular cash flow (dividend/option strategies) ahead of earnings, which can boost retail interest in the shares. Neutral Sentiment: Earnings are imminent (Q3 results set for Jan. 7) and some of the most accurate analysts have revised forecasts ahead of the call  a clear near-term catalyst but outcome-dependent. Volatility around the print is likely. Benzinga Earnings Preview

Earnings are imminent (Q3 results set for Jan. 7) and some of the most accurate analysts have revised forecasts ahead of the call  a clear near-term catalyst but outcome-dependent. Volatility around the print is likely. Neutral Sentiment: Analysts discussed broader consumer-goods dynamics (Albertsons vs. peers like Target), offering sector context that could influence relative valuation but not an immediate directional trigger. Globe and Mail

Analysts discussed broader consumer-goods dynamics (Albertsons vs. peers like Target), offering sector context that could influence relative valuation but not an immediate directional trigger. Negative Sentiment: Market rotation into Kroger (KR), driven by a large buyback program and perceived defensive upside, is drawing smartmoney attention away from some peers; the piece also notes lingering litigation between Albertsons and Kroger  both factors that can pressure ACI relative performance. MarketBeat Kroger Catalyst

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on ACI. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Albertsons Companies from $27.00 to $24.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research report on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group restated an outperform rating on shares of Albertsons Companies in a research note on Monday. Tigress Financial upped their price target on shares of Albertsons Companies from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Albertsons Companies in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Albertsons Companies currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $23.69.

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Albertsons Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

Albertsons Companies, Inc (NYSE: ACI) is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, operating a diversified portfolio of grocery store banners. Founded in 1939 by Joe Albertson in Boise, Idaho, the company has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Its core business activities encompass the sale of fresh produce, meat, bakery items, deli offerings, pharmacy services, and general merchandise. The companys retail operations are complemented by an in-house private-label program, featuring brands such as O Organics, Open Nature, and Lucerne, which cater to a range of customer preferences and price points.

Throughout its history, Albertsons Companies has pursued growth via mergers and partnerships.

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Yeahka Limited (OTCMKTS:YHEKF  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 4.6% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $1.00 and last traded at $1.00. 200 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 82% from the average session volume of 1,100 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.9559.

Yeahka Trading Up 4.6%

The companys 50-day moving average is $1.34 and its 200 day moving average is $1.53.

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About Yeahka

(Get Free Report)

Yeahka Technology Group Co, Ltd. is a Shenzhen-based fintech company specializing in payment and value-added services for merchants in mainland China. The company develops and provides a range of smart point-of-sale (POS) terminals, mobile POS applications and cloud-based software solutions designed to streamline transaction processing and enhance the retail experience.

Its core offerings include integrated POS hardware that supports QR code, chip-and-pin and contactless payments, along with a suite of merchant management tools such as inventory tracking, customer relationship modules and data analytics dashboards.

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Heres one for the books  a rogue government who profusely lied about their intentions in their manifesto to get into power; once they gained power they did everything they could to dismantle Britain, they introduced huge punitive taxes deliberately damaging the economy, and many wealthy citizens left the country, they deliberately sabotaged and gave away Britains foreign interests and territory, they embraced open borders further increasing the burden on the taxpayer, they increased Britains debt to unimaginable levels, they attempted to cripple and destroy Britains food security by punishing farmers with grossly high IHT demands, they destroyed Britains manufacturing industry, they destroyed the hospitality sector, they actively tried to destroy the armed forces and special forces by cutting off their funding, they endangered Britains energy security by deliberately shutting off Britains oil and gas industry worth billions in a time of impending war with Russia, they cancelled free speech, they cancelled elections, they cancelled trials with juries, they actively worked with the communist Chinese Party to build a massive spy HQ in London and refused to designate China as a danger to Britain whilst Chinese spies infiltrated the Houses of Parliament etc., etc. This is when a military coup is justified.

In this circumstance, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) itself could be compromised, as it is a government department led by a politician (the Defence Secretary). If the government has gone rogue, the Defence Secretary is likely rogue too. Therefore, order would not come from the political MoD, but from the Armed Forces (the uniformed military) and the Intelligence Services.

In Britain, the Oath of Allegiance is not to the government, Prime Minister or Parliament, instead it is to the standing Monarch, in this case King Charles III.

Promissory Oaths Act 1868 as follows:

I, [full name], do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

If the Prime Minister is allegedly aiding Britains enemies, the Chief of the Defence Staff (the highest-ranking uniformed soldier) would argue that following the PMs orders constitutes a betrayal of their Oath to the Crown. They would legally justify a coup not as overthrowing the government, but as protecting the Crown from a traitorous advisor.

In the UK, the Prime Minister technically borrows power from the Monarch via the Royal Prerogative.

In this scenario, MI5/MI6 and the CDS would not storm Downing Street immediately. They would simply go to Buckingham Palace.

The Monarch has the reserve power to dismiss a Prime Minister. This hasnt happened in centuries, but in an extreme scenario, the King/Queen would sign an order dismissing the government. The last time a UK monarch dismissed a Prime Minister was in 1834, when King William IV dismissed Lord Melbournes Whig government, asserting royal prerogative against a reforming administration.

However, If the PM refuses to leave, the Military then enters Downing Street, acting on the direct orders of the Monarch, not as mutineers, but as loyalists enforcing the Monarchs will.

Conversely, the rogue government could use the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to try to seize complete control and power by declaring a state of emergency by suspending many laws.

The rogue government declares an emergency, perhaps concocting a fake threat (or fake black hole) to seize power. The Military is deployed to the streets to keep order. However, once the Military is deployed and in control of key infrastructure, the Generals realise the government is traitorous. They simply refuse to return to barracks, effectively using the governments own martial law declaration to imprison the government.

The most dramatic setting for this scene is the Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR).

The rogue PM calls a meeting to order a strike or an action that aids the enemy.

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and the heads of MI5/MI6 are present. Instead of following the order, the CDS places the PM under arrest for High Treason.

They would cite the Manual of Service Law, which dictates that soldiers have a duty to disobey manifestly illegal orders. Aiding the enemy is the ultimate illegal order. The military coup would be justified under these circumstances and variables.

British government departments are run by Permanent Secretaries (non-political civil servants who stay when governments change) or what is coined as the Deep State.

If the Defence Secretary is rogue, the Permanent Secretary of Defence might work with the Generals to lock the politicians out of the communication loop, cutting off their access to the nuclear deterrent or troop movements.

Special Forces (SAS/SBS) would secure the Prime Minister under the guise of protective custody due to a security threat, only to arrest them.

The Military would then declare an interim government until free and fair elections can be held.
In a decisive move reflecting a rapidly changing security landscape, the Japanese Cabinet has officially endorsed a historic defense budget proposal of more than 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the upcoming fiscal year. This financial commitment, set to begin in April 2026, represents a 9.4% increase from the previous year.

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It marks a significant milestone in the nations five-year roadmap to double its military expenditure to 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP), a target the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi now intends to meet two years ahead of schedule.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has characterized the expenditure as the absolute minimum required to navigate what he describes as the most severe and intricate security environment Japan has faced in the post-war era. While the administration maintains that the nation remains committed to its pacifist ideals, the budget underscores a palpable shift toward a more robust, active military posture designed to protect the populace during uncertain times.

The Shift to Long-Range Deterrence

Central to this budgetary expansion is a departure from Japans traditional, strictly defensive limitations. The updated strategy emphasizes standoff capabilities, the ability to strike hostile targets from a safe distance. To facilitate this, the budget allocates more than 970 billion yen to advanced missile technologies.

A key component of this initiative is the acquisition and upgrade of domestically produced Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles, which boast a striking range of approximately 1,000 kilometers. In a sign of the governments urgency, the initial deployment of these batteries to the southwestern Kumamoto prefecture has been moved up by a whole year, with operations expected to commence by March. This acceleration underscores the strategic importance of the southwest island chain, which lies on the periphery of the East China Sea.

Automation as a Force Multiplier

Japans defense planners are simultaneously battling a demographic crisis. With an aging population and a shrinking pool of recruits leading to chronic understaffing within the Self-Defense Forces, the government is turning to technology to fill the ranks.

The new budget earmarks 100 billion yen for implementing an unmanned defense network known as SHIELD. Scheduled for rollout in early 2028, this system aims to deploy a vast array of aerial, surface, and underwater drones for persistent surveillance and coastal defense. To ensure these systems are operational as quickly as possible, officials have indicated a preference for importing proven technologies, potentially sourcing hardware from manufacturers in Turkey or Israel rather than waiting for domestic development.

Escalating Regional Friction

The budgetary aggressive stance coincides with deteriorating diplomatic relations between Tokyo and Beijing. Tensions have flared following Prime Minister Takaichis recent assertion that Japan could militarily intervene should China take aggressive action against Taiwan.

Operational friction has also increased in the Pacific. The Japanese Defense Ministry has expressed alarm over recent maneuvers, including Chinese aircraft carriers operating near Iwo Jima and incidents involving radar locks on Japanese aircraft, actions Tokyo interprets as potential combat rehearsals.

In response to these developments, the Defense Ministry is establishing a new dedicated office to analyze and counter Beijings expanding naval footprint. Conversely, officials in Beijing have condemned the budget, accusing the Takaichi administration of abandoning Japans path of peaceful development in favor of dangerous military expansion.

Global Partnerships and Funding Challenges

To bolster its industrial base, Japan is deepening ties with allied nations. The fiscal plan includes substantial funding for the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Italy, slated for deployment in 2035. Furthermore, Japans defense industry secured a significant win with Australias decision to contract Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to upgrade its naval frigate fleet.

However, the ambitious spending plan faces domestic hurdles. While the government is on track to meet its GDP spending targets, financing the buildup requires unpopular revenue measures. The administration plans to fund the expansion through hikes in corporate and tobacco taxes, as well as an income tax increase starting in 2027. The budget now moves to the parliament, where approval is required by March to ensure implementation.
Directions Magazine welcomes comments, criticism and ideas from our readers. This letters section provides a forum for these ideas. The staff at Directions Magazine reserves the right to choose which letters are published.

Letters should be sent to: [email protected]

04-11-2008: AB1978 Withdrawn !!!

03-20-2008: Requesting Examples of GIS Benefit applications

02-26-2008: GE VE discussion

07-27-2007: GIS Mapping and Graphic editing

01-12-2007: Thanks for feedback on Homeless Map

01-11-2007: Comment on LA Homeless Map

01-08-2007: Podcasts won't work for me

11-18-2005: Response on Diaspora Map

11-17-2005: Questioning Diaspora Map

10-07-2005: iPod as map delivery platform

09-08-2005: Never mind the technology, what about new business models?

06-23-2005: Speaking with One Voice

06-20-2005: More than U.S. Data Required

04-08-2005: Google's Maps n Imagery

03-24-2005: More on Relational Theory, Topology

03-24-2005: Kudos to Konrad

03-20-2005: RE: Directions on Technology - March 16, 2005

03-11-2005: Radius Topology & Data Quality

03-11-2005: Response to "A Number of Colors"

03-01-2005: RE: Laser-Scan Overview and ArcGIS Topology

02-28-2005: OASIS Response to Rosen "Boycott" Letter

02-23-2005: Nice changes!

02-18-2005: Framing Google's Move in Mapping

02-18-2005: Technical and Design Issues in Radius/ ArcSDE

02-14-2005: An applicant with a degree has a "shortcut"

02-14-2005: Degrees vs Skills

02-14-2005: A Map!

02-14-2005: On Degree of Necessity

02-03-2005: Thanks for creating the Career Center Profiles!

01-11-2005: Tsunami disastor

11-18-2004: Letter from Microsoft

11-17-2004: Why include letter from Microsoft?

10-28-2004: Mapping & GIS

Comment on Joe Francica's "Where's the Innovation ... in GIS?" editorial

09-01-2004: Jumping GIS

08-18-2004: ESRI Conference 2004

08-11-2004: Raster Data - Poor Second Cousin to Vector No More

07-28-2004: Executive Interview - Jack Pellicci and Xavier Lopez, Oracle Corporation

05-20-2004: Bob Dahl on Location Technology & Business Intelligence

05-20-2004: Susan Kalweit on Location Technology & Business Intelligence

05-20-2004: Letter from Bob Dahl

04-25-2004: Virtual Geography

04-14-2004: SCIP Article

04-14-2004: SCIP Article

04-14-2004: SCIP Article

02-04-2004: Great article on Intergraph and MapInfo

01-13-2004: An amusing comment by John Fisher

01-13-2004: Address Management

01-08-2004: AAG president Alexander Murphy's "Awash in a Sea of Geographical Ignorance" addresses a longstanding issue:

11-11-2003: PCI's Response to Sonnen's Article

11-06-2003: Intergraph's Response to Sonnen Article

11-06-2003: Laser-Scan's Response to Sonnen Article

11-06-2003: IONIC's Response to Sonnen's Article

11-06-2003: Autodesk's Resonse to Sonnen Article

11-06-2003: Responding to Mr. Sonnen and Directions

11-06-2003: Responding to Mr. Sonnen and OGC

10-30-2003: The Power of Place-

Response to Hal Reid's Article

10-30-2003: The Power of Place-

Hal Reid's response to Letter to Editor

10-24-2003: Directions on Careers

10-15-2003: Good Work

09-26-2003: LBS and the dumb pipe model

09-25-2003: Article:NSGIC: Champion of All Causes Geospatial

09-24-2003: Re: NSGIC: Champion of All Causes Geospatial

09-17-2003: Geringer a champion?

09-15-2003: Great Monday newsletter

09-10-2003: How A Database Will Greatly Expand The SIM Market

Bull's eye

09-06-2003: Love the Geo bookstore

08-29-2003: Valuable Contribution to GIS

08-28-2003: 911 still not ubiquitous in US

06-17-2003: Oracle - PeopleSoft: A Foreshadowing of what is to come in the GIS Market

06-16-2003: Oracle-PeopleSoft

06-16-2003: Oracle-PeopleSoft

06-16-2003: Oracle-PeopleSoft

05-15-2003: Is free data really a bargain?

05-14-2003: Geography of Business

05-13-2003: You Get What You Pay For

05-07-2003: By the Numbers - MapInfo Perspective

05-04-2003: LBS & Wi-Fi

04-08-2003: FOX TV: "Sleazy tabloid?"

04-08-2003: Stick to GIS

04-08-2003: PDA vs. Palm

04-08-2003: Cheap Shot at FOX News

04-08-2003: Swipe at FOX Not Appreciated

04-08-2003: FOX TV: "Sleazy tabloid?" - YES

04-03-2003: Lombardi on LBS

04-02-2003: Technology has come a long way

03-27-2003: Linux Redux

03-26-2003: GIS, Open Source, and Linux

03-26-2003: Linux GIS

03-26-2003: Linux Reflux

03-21-2003: Safe supports Linux

03-20-2003: Linux Based GIS

03-20-2003: Open Source GIS question

03-20-2003: Open Source Article

03-19-2003: Of Turnarounds and Open Source GIS

02-05-2003: Columbia Remembered

02-05-2003: Columbia Remembered

02-05-2003: Response - State of Our Union...of GIS

01-31-2003: MapInfo Response to Larry Daniels "GIS in Business  Searching for the Next Big Thing"

01-23-2003: Map of the Week

NO Legend

01-02-2003: Keep up the good work!

01-02-2003: Great new design for website

01-02-2003: A good resource

12-16-2002: MapPoint for Dummies, Winner

12-07-2002: GIS Day 2002

11-25-2002: GIS Day 2002

11-25-2002: Good Job

11-20-2002: GIS Day 2002

11-20-2002: Good Job

11-20-2002: GIS Day 2002

11-20-2002: GIS Day 2002

11-12-2002: Directions Magazine - Informative but some format issues remain

11-06-2002: GIS in Elections - Very helpful

11-02-2002: Directions Magazine is a great resource for policy makers

09-23-2002: Letter on "All Demographics are (almost) created equal"

09-20-2002: Reviewer's Response to "Comments on the Manifold 5.00 Product Review"

09-18-2002: Comments on the Manifold 5.00 Product Review

09-18-2002: Letters on Terrorism

09-12-2002: 9-11 Remembered

09-12-2002: 9-11 Remembered

09-12-2002: 9-11 Remembered

09-12-2002: 9-11 Remembered

09-12-2002: 9-11 Remembered

09-12-2002: 9-11 Remembered

09-12-2002: Thank you.

09-11-2002: Response to concerns about objectivity regarding the article entitled All Demographics Are (Almost) Created Equal

08-05-2002: Reply to "Women in GIS" Letter

08-02-2002: Quick note from Dr. David Huff

07-26-2002: 1990 Census Information for Mortgage Use

07-24-2002: Women In GIS or People In GIS

06-28-2002: Carol Bartz Interview

06-28-2002: Carol Bartz Interview-Reply

06-21-2002: SVG, GIS article

06-10-2002: GIS & Public Health

05-28-2002: SVG & GIS

George Seff's reply to Dr. Gould

05-22-2002: Map of the Week - Electric Power Atlas from Platts

Joe address his concerns

05-22-2002: City of Hope, Arkansas

05-21-2002: Map of the Week - Electric Power Atlas from Platts

Concerns

05-20-2002: SVG & GIS

A reply to George Seff's article

04-12-2002: Educating rural towns about GIS

04-12-2002: A challenge-Educating rural towns about GIS

04-08-2002: A happy reader

04-04-2002: Wednesday Digest

Small towns

04-03-2002: Small communities and GIS systems.

04-03-2002: Maps and Propaganda

04-03-2002: Latest Issue

Maps

04-03-2002: GIS maps of "Palestine

04-01-2002: Monday's Gazette

He likes it and here is why.

02-27-2002: Business Partner Series

Responses to Business Partner Final

02-18-2002: Comments on business partner article (Part 1)

This reader disagrees with Joe's conclusions.

02-18-2002: Comments on business partner article (Part 1)

Jack Dangermond writes how ESRI is growing.

09-17-2001: Response to Women in GIS

This reader believes Women In GIS is like Take Our Daughters to Work Day.

08-31-2001: Response to Women in GIS editorial

This readers sees our collective diversity brings hope

08-30-2001: Attention Software Developers and Vendors Supporting SDTS Raster Profile

This reader comments on SDTS raster data

08-10-2001: Good idea...poor execution

This reader thinks USGS had the right vision but executed poorly.

08-09-2001: Paying for the data twice

This reader has no problem paying..

08-02-2001: This was an inside deal

This reader speaks about the slow download speeds

08-01-2001: Concerned about single data serving format and vendor

This reader concerned about single data

10-03-2000: A suggestion for Geographers

This reader suggests that academic geographers get their work into mainstream, especially the techmagazines (online or otherwise)

08-23-2000: Kudos for ArcView Article

This reader raises additional difficulties associated with budget and training issues.

08-01-2000: Another question on projections

A reader asks about coordinate systems, and gets answers from Bill Huber and Steve Wallace

07-21-2000: Kudos for Reprojecting Article

This reader appreciates Bill Huber's primer on geographic projections.

07-12-2000: ArcView Challenges

Insightful comments on ArcView's changes from this GIS team manager

07-11-2000: More on "Telematics"

Mr. Gould has the last word

07-11-2000: PC ArcInfo Lives

Two readers point out that PC ArcInfo is alive and well

07-10-2000: "Telematics" or not?

A European reader disputes our terminology.

06-13-2000: Map Server Suggestions Needed

This reader needs tips on prototyping the serving of European street maps

03-30-2000: Why not me?

AGS's senior demographer envies Wallace his Census "long form."

02-11-2000: ESRI Comments on Elroi's ArcInfo Piece

Director of Products clarifies terminology, emphasizes Unix commitment

02-10-2000: ArcInfo 8 Not the First

An ObjectFX Systems Engineer takes issue with a claim in Daniel Elroi's ArcInfo 8 piece, and Elroi agrees.

01-18-2000: Autodesk Response to Sonnen Series

Dr. Joe Astroth, executive vice president for Autodesk GIS Solutions Division, responds to Dave Sonnen's series on the structure of the Spatial Information Market.

01-18-2000: MapInfo Response to Sonnen Series

Mark Gunn, Vice President of Marketing at MapInfo, responds to Dave Sonnen's series on the structure of the Spatial Information Market.

01-18-2000: Object/FX Responds to Sonnen Series

John Peterson, Vice President of Technology Planning at Object/FX, responds to Dave Sonnen's series on the structure of the Spatial Information Market.

01-18-2000: Oracle's Response to Sonnen Series

Dr. Xavier Lopez, at Oracle's Spatial Products/Data Server Division, responds to Dave Sonnen's series on the structure of the Spatial Information Market.

01-18-2000: Smallworld's Response to Sonnen Series

Dr. Richard Newell, Chairman of Smallworld plc, responds to Dave Sonnen's series on the structure of the Spatial Information Market.

12-07-1999: Kudos and a Suggestion

This reader appreciated the Image Compression Review, and suggests another such product for review.

12-06-1999: MrSID is much better

This reader finds an "obvious bias" in our review of image compression technologies

12-06-1999: Criticism of Image Compression Review

A reader whose service business is based on MrSID has some criticisms of our approach.

12-06-1999: Thanks for the Image Compression Review

A reader who "dabbles" with imagery finds our review helpful.

12-01-1999: Geometric Accuracy in Image Compression

An image processing specialist offers the results of his investigation of the geometric accuracy of MrSID and ERMapper.

11-30-1999: Can't we all get along?

Regarding our image compression review, a reader points out "someone has to win" and urges LizardTech to "take its lumps" and get to the business of making a better product.

10-27-1999: News about GRASS

A reader seeks to spark interest in the Open Source GRASS project

10-27-1999: More about the Map Gallery

Manifold's Dimitri Rotow comments on Ron Halliday's 10/26 letter, and submits some maps.

10-26-1999: Too Many Big Guys in Map Gallery

A reader wants to keep the Map Gallery to people who may not get published so easily

10-25-1999: On-line Cartography Discussion List

A reader alerts us to a new on-line discussion list.

10-25-1999: More on ESRI's ArcView discussion list

Ted Florence, Executive VP at Avenza, weighs in on the moderation policy at the ArcView-L online discussion list.

09-02-1999: More on the ArcView Discussion List

Jeff Cole wonders about the "editorial" policy of ESRI's ArcView-L Internet discussion list.

09-01-1999: CounterPoint: ArcView Discussion Lists

Bill Huber argues that ArcView-L should fade away, in a response to Barry Zickuhr's letter of yesterday.

09-01-1999: Defending a Poor Policy for a Good List

Bill Thoen, "majordomo" of the boisterous MapInfo-L on-line discussion list, has his own criticisms of ESRI's mailing list policy.

08-31-1999: Where is Smallworld?

Reed Sims wonders why Smallworld's products are not in the desktop mapping category.

08-31-1999: In Defense of ArcView-L

The creator and original moderator of ESRI-sponsored ArcView-L, an internet discussion list, takes us to task for "inaccuracies" in our recent news story.

08-24-1999: Thanks for the Wish Lists

Manifold System's product manager tells how Directions Wish Lists are helping to drive product development at Manifold Net.

08-23-1999: Lessons from the Wish List?

A reader wonders about the significance of the number of Wishes for MapPoint, vs. other desktop mapping software products.

08-23-1999: Internet Mapping with GeoObjects

06-28-1999: Re: Half a Million and Counting

Steve Wallace argues that ArcExplorer is likely not that popular.

06-22-1999: More about "Rules of Thumb"

This reader liked Jeff Cole's article, and has further suggestions.

06-16-1999: Rules of Thumb ... as on the level as the Tower of Pisa

Bill Thoen argues "there's more to the component story than is described here"

06-10-1999: Re: Rules of Thumb for Mapping Component Customers

A reader finds this article biased and self-serving

06-09-1999: But what about outside the US?

Dr. Bob Ryerson takes issue with Charlie Sharp's zip code column; and Charlie responds

04-20-1999: Suggestion for Dealer Locator

A reader finds a worthy use for our little Dealer Locator app.

04-06-1999: MapPoint (and your coverage) is Welcome!

Professor Andy Beveridge sees MapPoint as a way to "get beyond the software details to substantive analysis."

02-04-1999: Don't be so US-centric

01-05-1999: More on MapPoint

01-03-1999: In Search of the Geospatial Dialtone

12-30-1998: Mapping Solutions to Poverty

12-29-1998: Looking for Alternative Data Sources

12-28-1998: Will Data Prices Drop?

12-22-1998: Rick Stavanja's Response

12-17-1998: Steve Wallace's Open Letter

12-15-1998: Encouraged to see GIS in the classroom

12-03-1998: Too Much Microsoft?
Ryanair has revealed its top five destinations for 2026, as Irish holidaymakers start to plan their summer getaways.

The Irish airline has a network of over 235 airports and has picked out its top destinations across Europe and beyond.

The first on its list is Bratislava in Slovakia, which is quickly becoming one of Europes most exciting city break destinations, blending rich history with modern charm.

Known for its medieval Old Town and stunning castle views, the city will be more accessible than ever in 2026, with 33 routes scheduled.

Next up is Albanias capital city of Tirana, where colourful streets, lively cafes, and stunning mountain backdrops create an unforgettable travel experience.

READ NEXT: Ryanair warns Irish passengers of 'significant delays' out of popular Spanish airports

From its charming mix of Ottoman, Italian, and modern architecture to the bustling Skanderbeg Square and serene Lake Tirana, the city offers a perfect blend of history, great weather, and contemporary culture.

In April 2026, Ryanair will open its new three-aircraft base in the city, offering regular flights across its 33 route offering.

Pescara in Italy is the next destination recommended by the airline. The city on the Adriatic coast is best known for its stunning beaches and world-class cuisine.

The summer of 2026 is the perfect time to visit, with Ryanair operating hundreds of flights on its 21 routes.

Moroccos capital, Rabat, is the only non-European destination on the list.

Known for its stunning coastal views, elegant architecture, and vibrant cultural scene, Rabat offers travellers a unique blend of tradition and modernity.

The airline says the Moroccan capital is an unmissable destination for affordable travel and authentic experiences in 2026.

Gdansk in Poland is the final destination on the list. Known for its picturesque Old Town, stunning waterfront, and rich maritime history, Gdansk offers a perfect blend of culture and relaxation.

With Ryanairs commitment to Pomerania, this thriving city is fast becoming an even more accessible gateway for European adventures in 2026.
Returned emigrants in Louth now have the chance to turn their business ideas into reality through the government-backed Back for Business programme. The initiative, designed to support Irish nationals who have lived abroad and are returning home, has already helped local entrepreneurs like Carlingford native Oran Finegan establish and grow successful businesses, highlighting the benefits of the scheme for the countys budding business community.

The programme, which is funded by the Irish Abroad Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was created to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants recently returned to Ireland or are still living abroad but thinking of returning to Ireland.

Back for Business is now seeking offers of interest from eligible candidates hoping to return or who have already returned to Louth.

To qualify, applicants must be returned Irish emigrants who lived abroad for at least a year and have returned to Ireland in the last three years, or are currently living abroad with plans to return to Ireland in the near future.

This is the ninth year of the programme and those eligible have until Friday, January 16th, to apply through www.backforbusiness.com. The programme will begin with a Launch Forum and round table event on February 13th, 2026, and will conclude in June. Up to 50 places are available.

Back for Business has a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs who are returned emigrants to significant grow sales and increase employment. Since launching in 2017, the initiative has helped early-stage entrepreneurs address common challenges faced by emigrants who have been living away from Ireland.

Some 100% of those who completed last years programme, Back for Business 8, reported they would recommend the programme to others and would like to stay in contact with the Back for Business community.

Participants on Back for Business 9 will meet once a month on a peer-supported round table, facilitated by voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs, who have experience of successfully starting and growing a business. Many of them have also lived abroad before returning to Ireland to start their business.

This years Lead Entrepreneurs are: Gillian ODowd, Director at Azon; Paul Duggan of The Gardiner Group; Seamus Reilly, co-founder and formerly of Critical Healthcare; Sinead Doherty, founder and CEO of Fenero; and Thomas Ennis, founder of the Thomas Ennis Group.

Oran Finegan had spent 25 years working as a leading forensic specialist with the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) when the opportunity arose to take the methods he had learned in conflict and post-conflict zones around the world and apply them back home in Ireland. A native of Carlingford, Co. Louth, Oran set up his company, Forensic Action International, shortly after his return to Ireland in October 2023. Oran believes the Back for Business programme gave him a step up in his bid to develop the business.

I have a huge amount to learn and having the structure that the programme provided, as well as access to likeminded entrepreneurs, was fantastic for helping me bridge that knowledge gap, he says.

Read Next: Dundalk based artist Barry Finnegan talks about his artistic journey

Before leaving Ireland Jennifer Provan was working in hospitality after studying Hospitality Management, and she set up her own catering company and two cafes while living in Glasgow. Ultimately, however, she had always wanted to return to Ireland and, after 21 years in Glasgow, the couple took the opportunity to do so when their son went away to college. When she returned home, she set up Kitchenetta Catering, which caters for all events big or small using local, sustainable, seasonal Irish ingredients.

Jennifer says Back for Business was an amazing experience: It was very collaborative and very supportive. We gleaned a lot of knowledge from each other and our Lead Entrepreneur, a lot of which weve gone on to use, she says. I would highly recommend it. I really enjoyed every minute of it, and I know that all of my group did as well, and were all very much in touch since and still supporting each other. Its been seriously advantageous.
Louth TD Ruairi O Murchu has welcomed the commitment from Louth County Council and the Office of Public Works (OPW) that they will work together to look at interim flood relief measures for Dundalk and Blackrock while the public waits for the main project, CFRAM, to be delivered in 2030.

Minister of State at the OPW, Kevin Boxer Moran visited Blackrock on December 23 to hear from Louth County Council engineers and elected representatives about the impact that recent flooding has had in the village and in other areas of Blackrock.

Minister Moran had been invited to come to Dundalk by the Sinn Fein TD after Deputy O Murchu posed a series of questions to the minister in the Dail recently.

In response to the Dundalk deputy, Minister Moran gave an outline in the Dail of the progress of flood relief measures, known as CFRAM.

He said: The Dundalk/Blackrock South scheme is to protect 1,880 properties. Engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in 2020.

Read also: From Field to Fridge at Muchgrange Farm in north Louth

The design options for this scheme are expected to be presented to the public in Q1 2026 and a preferred option presented in mid-2026. The planning application is expected to be submitted in Q4 2027.

The Ramparts and Blackwater Rivers form part of the study area for the Dundalk Flood Relief Scheme. Options to alleviate flooding along these watercourses will be identified as the scheme progresses and the scheme consultants are liaising with relevant stakeholders including Uisce Eireann in relation to wastewater.

During his visit to Blackrock, Minister Moran heard from Deputy O Murchu and his colleague, Cllr. Sionainn McCann about the difficulties that had been experienced in Blackrock during the last storm event which saw parts of the main street flooded.

Deputy O Murchu said: I was happy that Minister Moran came to Blackrock just a couple of days before Christmas and heard from the council engineers about the difficulties there have been in the village, as well as at the Fair Green in Dundalk, the Loakers, Georges Quay.

Council officials spoke about minor works carried out at Bellurgan, Balagan and at Drummullagh, Omeath, that was previously highlighted by Cllr. Antoin Watters.

I spoke to the minister about the urgent need for interim solutions to flooding in these areas because CFRAM is a long way away yet and he agreed that the council and the OPW will work together to see what can be done in the interim to help mitigate flooding in these areas. Minister Moran acknowledged that Dundalk is very exposed when it comes to flooding.

"I also spoke to Brian McQuillan of McQuillans Pharmacy when the minister visited the shop who said that simple things such as having a proper protocol that would shut down Main Street to vehicular traffic when theres a risk of flooding would help.

Everyone involved in flood mitigation needs to work together to not only get CFRAM delivered within the timeframe, but to also be creative and imaginative in coming up with interim solutions that need to be funded by government.
Students from Scoil Mhuire in Kanturk brought the house down with several sold-out performances of 'Sister Act' last month.

The musical ran on the 10, 11 and 12 December, under the guidance of musical director Caitriona McNamara and assistant musical directors Sharon McCarthy and Rebekah O Sullivan.

The cast, comprising over 60 dedicated students from across the school, began preparations for the musical in early September.

To capture the energetic choreography of 'Sister Act', the cast worked closely with Cork city based choreographer Eimear James.

The backstage crew, set design and construction teams and the costume and make-up teams played a vital role, and the success of the 'Sister Act' musical was a testament to the incredible teamwork behind the scenes involving Scoil Mhuire Kanturk students, staff and parents.

Speaking at the end of the final performance, school principal, Garvan Queeney, thanked the local community and businesses of Kanturk for their incredible support in staging this musical.

He expressed his sincere gratitude to the staff and parents of Scoil Mhuire Kanturk for their spirit, commitment and dedication in making 'Sister Act' such a resounding success and reserved his highest praise for the students who made up the cast and crew, telling them how immensely proud he was of their achievements and the joy they brought to the stage.

The 2025 production of 'Sister Act' at Scoil Mhuire Kanturk continued a long-standing and cherished tradition of staging quality musical productions, dating back to 1987. The school community is already looking forward to their next musical production, planned for 2027.
The newest Cork citizens of 2026 have been welcomed into the world at Cork University Maternity Hospital.

The first new arrival for 2026 in Cork was a baby girl called Frances, who was born at 3:41am to mother Victoria Irwin and father Cirroc O'Keefe. Frances also is a little sister to her five-year-old brother.

Baby Frances is pictured at Cork University Maternity Hospital after becoming the first baby born in Cork in 2026, arriving at 3.41am to mum Victoria Irwin and dad Cirroc OKeeffe. Picture Chani Anderson

A few minutes later at 3:47am, baby Ailbhe was born to first time parents in the form of mother Aine Farrell and dad Peter Dunphy.

Baby Ailbhe is pictured at Cork University Maternity Hospital. Picture Chani Anderson

The third new arrival and first baby boy in Cork for 2026 was baby Harrison, who arrived at 4:12am to mum Amy O Sullivan and dad Niall Riordan.

Little girl Morganna Leao is pictured at Cork University Maternity Hospital after arriving at 5.08am. Picture Chani Anderson

Little girl Morganna Leao arrived at 5:08am to mum Ursulla De Moura and dad Marcus Leao.

Overall, it was a busy start to 2026 for the staff at CUMH, with eight babies born before 8am on New Years Day.
A total of 13 XL Bully dogs have been put down in Cork since the breed was banned in October 2024.

Between October 2024 and October 2025, 10 XL Bully dogs were destroyed in Cork county and three in Cork city, according to figures from the Department of Agriculture, Nationally, 114 of XL Bully dogs were euthanised during the same time period.

Between October 2024 and October 2025, Fingal County Council in north Dublin put down 18 XL Bully dogs, the highest of any local authority.

Limerick has the second highest figure, with a total of 16 XL Bully dogs euthanised, followed by Louth with 11, Cork county with 10, Dublin city with nine and Waterford with seven.

A ban on importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully type dogs came into effect from October 1 of 2024.

The regulations came following several high profile attacks by the breed, including the fatal attack on a young woman in Limerick in June 2024 and a serious attack on a boy in Wexford in 2022.

Earlier this week, a woman was treated in hospital following a reported dog attack in Co Carlow.

Gardai said a dog was euthanised by a vet at a residential property in Carlow town on Tuesday afternoon.

Since February 1 of 2025, it is illegal to own an XL Bully type dog without a certificate of exemption or proof of application for a certificate of exemption issued by the local authority in which the dog resides.

The certificate of exemption is unique to each XL Bully type dog and owner. It specifies the dogs licence details, microchip details, neutering details, age and description. It also specifies the dog owners name, address, date of birth and contact number.

The cert is issued by the local authority and authorises the owner of an XL Bully type dog to keep that dog at a particular premises until the natural end of the dogs life.

A total of 1,440 of these certificates have been granted to owners from October 2024 to October 2025, including 62 in Cork county and 49 in Cork city.

A spokesperson from the Department of Agriculture told The Echo:

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine collects and collates statistics in respect of a range of the dog control responsibilities of local authorities, including data on XL Bully Dogs since the ban was announced in 2024.

The data provided is collated from local authority data only, it does not include data regarding animals that may have been euthanised whilst under the care of animal welfare organisations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the New Year gathering held by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 31, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday emphasized efforts to achieve a strong start for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a gathering held by China's top political advisory body to usher in the new year.

Extending New Year greetings, Xi urged the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups in the country to unite even more closely and continuously open up new prospects for advancing Chinese modernization.

He hailed 2025 as an extraordinary year, when China accomplished main economic and social development goals, demonstrated strong economic resilience and vitality, and maintained overall social stability.

The past year also marked the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), with China's overall national strength reaching a new level, Xi said.

As 2026 marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan, he called for efforts from different aspects to achieve a good start for the new period.

Xi stressed that the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the political advisory body, should focus its consultative and deliberative work on the formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, to gather extensive support and strength for advancing Chinese modernization.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, presided over the gathering.

Other Party and state leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended the event.

Performers presented a show on site. 

Leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attend the New Year gathering held by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 31, 2025. The leaders also watched a performance at the gathering. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the New Year gathering held by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 31, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attend the New Year gathering held by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 31, 2025. The leaders also watched a performance at the gathering. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
(Photo: Reuters / Claudia Daut)People, most of them homeless or unable to afford food, stand in line as volunteers hand out free dinners on New Year's Eve at a public square in downtown Mexico City December 31, 2011.

This is a Jewish perspective of the New Year carried by The Times of Israel on Dec. 31 written in a blog by David Ramati a war veteran in Israel.

"The comparison of New Year practices in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam demonstrates how religious traditions maintain internal continuity while adapting to external political and cultural structures. Judaism and Islam each developed distinct New Year observancesRosh Hashanah and the Hijri New Yearlong before Christian dominance shaped the civil world.

"These holidays preserved their theological meanings: Rosh Hashanah emphasized repentance and renewal, while the Islamic New Year marked the beginning of Muharram and commemorated the Hijrah. Neither tradition altered its religious identity in response to Christianity.

"However, as Christian empires expanded and the Julian and later Gregorian calendars became the basis of civil administration, Jewish and Muslim communities were required to operate within Christian temporal systems.

"January 1, though not religiously significant to either group, became a practical marker for taxation, legal matters, trade, and public administration. This created a dual calendar reality in which religious and civil time coexisted.

(REUTERS/Carlo Allegri) Taylor Swift performs in Times Square on New Year's Eve in New York, New York, U.S. December 31, 2014.

"Jewish communities in Christian-ruled Europe encountered Christian New Year celebrations as public cultural events, sometimes adopting minor social customs without altering the meaning of Rosh Hashanah. Muslim communities experienced similar pressures in regions influenced or governed by Christian powers, often using the Christian calendar for civil purposes while retaining the Hijri calendar for religious life.

"Overall, Christianity's influence on Jewish and Muslim New Year practices was structural rather than theological. It shaped the civil environment but did not change the religious meaning of either holiday. The coexistence of multiple calendars illustrates how religious communities preserve identity while adapting to dominant cultural frameworks."
by Hayati Nupus

JAKARTA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- In the wake of floods and landslides in Aceh, West Sumatra and North Sumatra that have claimed more than 1,100 lives and left many residents without homes, food or a sense of security, a broad network of assistance has taken shape, stretching from small community kitchens to large-scale volunteer initiatives across the country.

Britania Sari, one of the initiators of the relief efforts, has just returned to her home in Bogor, West Java, after overseeing the dispatch of six trucks carrying clothes, water filters, medicines, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and retort food to the disaster-hit areas.

She began mobilizing aid independently on Dec. 2, 2025, after posting an appeal on social media. The call quickly drew responses from volunteers and institutions in different regions.

"We divided the tasks: volunteers in the affected areas mapped the needs of evacuees, while those of us outside focused on fundraising," Britania told Xinhua recently.

Ready-to-eat retort food has become a key form of assistance. Packaged rice, tubers, vegetables and animal- and plant-based proteins are easy to distribute, have a long shelf life and can be consumed without cooking.

According to Britania, the conditions in disaster-stricken parts of Sumatra have made raw food largely unusable, as many residents have lost cooking equipment, access to clean water and communal kitchens. She said lessons learned from previous disasters, such as the eruption of Mount Semeru, showed that retort food was among the most practical options for survival.

Delivering aid, however, has been challenging due to the vast affected areas and damaged transportation infrastructure. The six trucks have reached dozens of major relief points in Padang, Langsa, Lhokseumawe and Gayo Lues regencies, where local volunteers redistributed supplies to more remote locations.

Close coordination was required to prevent aid from piling up in one area while other communities were left unattended. In remote regions such as Gayo Lues, some supplies had to be transported by helicopter with limited carrying capacity.

Britania said public support has been overwhelming, yet still insufficient. Many isolated communities remain difficult to reach, and a large number of evacuees have lost their livelihoods.

Although she has returned to Bogor, donations continue to arrive. On Tuesday, she helped unload another truck carrying water purification equipment, clothing and food, while additional supplies are scheduled to be shipped by sea in cooperation with the Indonesian Red Cross.

In January 2026, Britania and other volunteers plan to focus on building sanitation facilities, as such infrastructure remains limited while hundreds of thousands of people continue to live in evacuation tents.

Solidarity has also come from small businesses. In the "student city" of Yogyakarta, Muflih Kholidin, owner of Warung Makan Nusantara, a food stall, has been providing free meals to students from affected regions who have lost access to basic logistics.

"We are committed to helping them until their hometowns recover and their parents can rebuild their livelihoods," Muflih said.

More than 20 menu options are offered daily, and the food stall has become a space for sharing stories, where laughter, tears and relief are exchanged around dining tables. Some students recount homes buried in mud, rice fields destroyed and families still displaced.

For Muflih, listening to their stories is as important as serving warm rice. At times, he personally delivers dozens of ready-to-eat meal packages to students' boarding houses.

He believes modest kitchens like his can act as bridges of empathy between those who have suffered and those eager to help.

Despite lingering mud and a slow recovery, these collective social initiatives stand as a vivid testament to the depth of solidarity embedded in Indonesian society. 
Recently, an employee of a Virginia liquor store arrived to open the business one morning and found bottles of scotch and whiskey smashed on the floor. Puddles of booze were all around, The Associated Press reported.

Police were summoned, and the suspect was eventually apprehended while passed out near a toilet in the stores restroom.

The culprit?

A very intoxicated raccoon. The epitome of one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor 

The raccoon showed no signs of being hurt, other than maybe a hangover and poor life choices, the animal shelter that was called to remove it reported.

Lest we think this is an isolated incident of wildlife shenanigans, it is absolutely not. There have been cases of raccoons breaking into liquor stores before. They appear to be habitual drinkers.

A Tennessee raccoon broke into a store and broke expensive bottles of bourbon while in Brooklyn, one broke into a beer distributor and had its own private party.

Earlier this year, in Springfield Township, Ohio, a pet raccoon was found in a cars drivers seat with what looked like a meth pipe in its mouth after the cars driver was taken into custody.

Bender

No word on what is driving all these raccoons to go on benders. I think we need to make a motion to update our language terms from drunk as a skunk to drunk as a raccoon! The skunks are apparently teetotalers and clearly not pulling their weight.

I dont really make resolutions. I dont want to be tied down to anything I might have said in a fit of unbridled optimism. Rather than proclamations of changed behavior, I like to pick a code phrase. A mantra of sorts, if I may.

In this case I feel somewhat inspired by this plucky little guy (or gal).

2026 may be the year we say that we are going to try really hard  no matter what happens  to enjoy the crazy moments. Even better, if we can, well get a little extra mileage out of it. Making lemonade out of lemons  or whiskey  the local Animal shelter raised more than $156,000 with merchandise that displayed a dazed raccoon passed out beside a spilled bottle of alcohol. If youre going to deal with a raccoon drinking what he could get his paws on and then passing out in the bathroom during Thanksgiving weekend, you definitely need to capitalize on that. The raccoon has also inspired three cocktails: a Rye Rascal Sour, Midnight Masked Gin Fizz, and Trash Panda Old Fashioned.

If not an entire merchandising line and fundraising then, at the very least, a great story? Looking at it this way, thats been my resolution for over two decades now! Take life as it happens, enjoy the moments when you can and wring all you can out of them after the fact. Its a good gig.

In 2026, lets make our mantra seize the day! At the very least, perhaps we should all grab what we can from our 365 days and live a little more like a raccoon on a rampage in a liquor store.
Critic's rating 4.0 /5

Actors, like soldiers, like to die with their boots on. In Ikkis, director Sriram Raghavan gives Dharmendra exactly that kind of send-off, quiet, dignified, and devastating in its emotional aftermath. The film unfolds as a fond farewell to an actor whose later years were often boxed into stereotype, but who here is allowed to return, one last time, to the humane, inward-looking performer of his Bimal Roy and Hrishikesh Mukherjee days. As Brigadier Madan Lal Khetarpal, a former soldier and a grieving father, Dharmendra inhabits loss with an ease that only lived experience can bring.All war films, when honest, are essentially anti-war films. Ikkis is another reminder of that truth. Though it recounts one of Indias most heroic wartime chapters, it is never interested in chest-thumping or spectacle for its own sake. Reality, after all, hits harder than fiction. The film traces the life and death of 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal, who was just 21 when he laid down his life on December 16, 1971, at the Battle of Basantar, one of the largest tank battles since World War II. Serving with the 17 Poona Horse, Arun destroyed ten Pakistani tanks before a shell ended his life. Raghavan stages these sequences with grit and restraint, placing the viewer inside the chaos rather than above it. The tank warfare, much like Pippa (2023), is detailed, immersive, and sobering.But Ikkis finds its deepest resonance away from the battlefield. Dharmendras Madan Lal Khetarpal belongs to a generation shaped by Partition, men who saw displacement, loss, and fractured identities up close. Born in 1935, Dharmendra would have witnessed those horrors as a child, and that memory seems to seep into his performance. When the film shows ML Khetarpal revisiting his ancestral village of Sargodha, or walking through Lahores Government College, where he once studied, the moments feel less performed and more remembered. His eyes light up when he spots Dev Anands portrait. My senior, he says, with pride and nostalgia colliding in a single glance.Raghavan peppers the narrative with quiet metaphors. A shard of eyeglass preserved inside a tree cavity, now grown around by bark, becomes a symbol of memory enduring within time. Another tree, at Basantar, marks the spot where Arun breathed his last. Dharmendra collecting soil from there is staged without melodrama, his eyes filling up in silence. It is one of the films most powerful moments, proof that restraint, not excess, is the true mark of maturity.The films emotional core sharpens during the 2001 Lahore reunion, where Madan Lal is hosted by retired Pakistani Brigadier Khwaja Mohammad Naseer, played with haunting restraint by Jaideep Ahlawat. When Naseer finally confesses that it was his tank shell that killed Arun, the scene becomes a meeting not of enemies, but of professionals bound by the same lifelong wound. Ahlawats silences counter Dharmendras stoicism beautifully; grief passes between them without accusation. Raghavans refusal to vilify is an act of quiet courage.That sensibility extends elsewhere too. A brief interaction with Deepak Dobriyals character, a Pakistani soldier embittered by his own wartime loss, underscores the shared cost of conflict. Dharmendras embrace of him feels earned, not staged. In an era addicted to jingoism, Ikkis insists on empathy.Agastya Nanda, making his big-screen debut as Arun Khetarpal, does a credible job embodying the eagerness and idealism of an army kid raised on war stories. His arc, from youthful bravado to grim resolve, is shaped convincingly through training sequences and battlefield reality. He has given a more noteworthy performance than in his OTT debut The Archies and we hope he chooses to be a performer and not merely a star in the future. Akshay Kumars niece Simar Bhatia makes a confident debut as Kiran, Aruns love interest. Sikander Kher, Rahul Dev, and Vivaan Shah provide sturdy support, grounding the military ecosystem with texture and authenticity.For Dharmendra, Ikkis feels like life coming full circle. After decades of being underutilised in his later years, unlike contemporaries who continued to receive author-backed roles, he finally gets a part worthy of his legacy. It recalls the promise last glimpsed in Raghavans own Johnny Gaddaar (2007), but carries the added weight of farewell. In giving him this role, Sriram Raghavan doesnt just direct a war drama; he offers an actor a graceful goodbye, and reminds us that the truest war stories are those that mourn what is lost rather than celebrate what is won.Also Read: Salman Khan, Deol Family, Rekha and More Gather to Honour Dharmendras Final Film Ikkis
Not for distribution to U.S. newswire services or dissemination in the United States

TORONTO, Dec. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galantas Gold Corporation (TSX-V & AIM: GAL; OTCQB: GALKF) ("Galantas" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has completed its previously announced acquisition (the "Transaction") of all of the issued and outstanding shares of RDL Mining Corp. ("RDL") in exchange for common shares of Galantas ("Galantas Shares"), pursuant to a share purchase agreement among Galantas and the former shareholders of RDL, being Lawrence Roulston, Robert Sedgemore and Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol (collectively, the "RDL Shareholders").

In addition, Galantas announces that it has closed (i) its previously announced private placement (the "Brokered Offering") of 186,250,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.08 per Unit (the "Offering Price"), for aggregate gross proceeds of $14,900,000, including the partial exercise of the over-allotment option of the Agents (as defined below), and (ii) a non-brokered private placement (the "Non-Brokered Offering", and together with the Brokered Offering, the "Offerings") of 7,812,500 Galantas Shares (each, a "Share") to Ocean Partners UK Limited ("Ocean Partners") to settle an outstanding debt owing by the Company to Ocean Partners of $625,000. The Non-Brokered Offering constitutes a "shares for debt" settlement under Policy 4.3 of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV").

The Brokered Offering was led by Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Haywood Securities Inc. (together, the "Agents"). The Agents acted as financial advisors in connection with the Non-Brokered Offering.

The Company is also pleased to announce the completion of an updated independent mineral resource estimate contained in the technical report titled "Mineral Resource Estimate, Indiana Project, Atacama Region, Chile" with an effective date of December 9, 2025 (the "Technical Report"), which was prepared by DRA Americas Inc. ("DRA") in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards. Highlights from the Technical Report include:

4.93 million tonnes (t) grading 2.24 g/t gold (Au) and 1.31% copper (Cu), containing inferred mineral resources of 355,516 ounces (oz) Au and 64,690 t Cu (in situ)

Mine design and Preliminary Economic Assessment (" PEA ") workstreams initiated

") workstreams initiated Mineral resource definition and geotechnical drilling planned to support underground mine design and stope optimization

Halo mineralization not included in the current Technical Report; planned for incorporation into the PEA mine model and future mineral resource update

Commercial off-take agreement executed with Ocean Partners for copper-gold concentrate



Mario Stifano, CEO of Galantas, commented: "The completion of the updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate for the Indiana Project (as defined below) represents an important technical milestone for the Company. The quality, grade profile and continuity of the vein systems, together with the scale of the in-vein resource, provide a solid foundation as we advance mine design and commence the PEA. With financing closed and a commercial off-take partner secured, we are well positioned to systematically advance the project while continuing to evaluate opportunities to enhance value through drilling to explore at least 21 untested veins."

Completion of the Transaction

The acquisition of RDL provides Galantas with an option (the "Option") to acquire a 100% interest in the Indiana gold/copper project located in Chile (the "Indiana Project"), by meeting certain conditions, pursuant to an option agreement between Compania Minera RDL SpA ("RDL SpA"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of RDL, and Mineria Indiana Limitada dated October 30, 2025. Additional details of the Option are included in Galantas' press releases dated November 13, 2025, November 21, 2025, and December 19, 2025.

As consideration under the Transaction, each RDL Shareholder received approximately 44 million Galantas Shares, for an aggregate of approximately 132 million Galantas Shares. Each RDL Shareholder holds Galantas Shares representing approximately 10% of the issued and outstanding Galantas Shares following the completion of the Transaction and the Offerings. As additional consideration under the Transaction, each RDL Shareholder was granted a 0.66% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty payable by Galantas in respect of the Indiana Project, for an aggregate NSR royalty of approximately 2.0%.

In connection with the Transaction, Lawrence Roulston was appointed to the board of directors of Galantas (the "Galantas Board"). The Galantas Board is now comprised of six members, being Mario Stifano, Roisin Magee, James Clancy, David Cather, Brent Omland (existing directors of Galantas) and Lawrence Roulston (a new director and a former RDL Shareholder). In addition, Robert Sedgemore was appointed as Senior Vice President, Operations, of Galantas.

Completion of the Offerings

The Company completed the Brokered Offering of 186,250,000 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of $14,900,000. Each Unit is comprised of one Galantas Share and one Galantas Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Galantas Share at a price of $0.12 for a period of 36 months from the date hereof.

As compensation for their services, the Company: (i) paid to the Agents a cash commission of $1,042,750 representing 7.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offerings (including gross proceeds from the Agents' over-allotment option), reduced to 3.0% of the gross proceeds of $1,100,000 from certain purchasers on the president's list agreed to between the Company and Canaccord Genuity Corp. (the "President's List"), and (ii) issued to the Agents 13,034,375 compensation warrants ("Compensation Warrants"), representing 7.0% of the Units and Shares, as applicable, sold in the Offerings (including Units sold pursuant to the Agents' over-allotment option), reduced to 3.0% for purchasers on the President's List. Each Compensation Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Galantas Share for the Offering Price for a period of 24 months from the date hereof.

A separate cash finder's fee of $77,000.00 was paid to Harbourfront Wealth Management Inc., representing 7.0% of the gross proceeds from investors introduced to the Company by Harbourfront Wealth Management Inc. as consideration for finding and introducing such investors to the Company.

The net proceeds from the Offerings will be used to fund exploration work on the Indiana Project, to fund payments in connection with the Option for the Indiana Project, and for general corporate and working capital purposes.

Certain "Insiders" of the Company (as such term is defined under the policies of the TSXV) purchased an aggregate of 10,900,000 Units in the Offerings, which is considered a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of MI 61-101 based on a determination that the fair market value of the Offerings, insofar as it involves the Insiders, does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company.

Ocean Partners participated in the Brokered Offering for 35,937,500 Units and in the Non-Brokered Offering for 7,812,500 Shares resulting in Ocean Partners becoming an Insider of the Company. Eric Sprott (through 2176423 Ontario Ltd.) participated in the Brokered Offering for 50,000,000 Units becoming an Insider of the Company. Following the completion of the Transaction and the Offerings, Ocean Partners and Eric Sprott held approximately 10.7% and 13.1% of the issued and outstanding Galantas Shares, respectively.

No new "Control Persons" (as such term is defined under the policies of the TSXV) were created in connection with the Offerings. In addition, the Warrants restrict any holder from exercising any Warrants that would result in any holder owning or controlling 20% or more of the then issued and outstanding Galantas Shares (calculated on a partially diluted basis).

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press 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 any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Any securities issued under the Offerings will be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, expiring four months and one day following the date hereof.

Updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate - Indiana Project

The updated mineral resource estimate contained in the Technical Report (titled "Mineral Resource Estimate, Indiana Project, Atacama Region, Chile" with an effective date of December 9, 2025 and prepared by DRA in accordance with NI 43-101 and the CIM Definition Standards) and is reported on an in-vein basis across seven principal vein systems. Mineral resources are constrained by reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction and reported using gold equivalent (AuEq) cut-off grades of 0.99 g/t AuEq for sulphide material and 0.95 g/t AuEq for oxide material.

Table 1 - 2025 Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (Indiana Project - December 9, 2025)

Category Tonnes (000s) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Contained Au (oz) Contained Cu (t) Inferred 4,932 2.24 1.31 355,516 64,690



Notes:

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that any mineral resources will be converted into mineral reserves. AuEq cut-offs are based on assumed gold price of US$3,200/oz and copper price of US$4.70/lb, with metallurgical recoveries and operating cost assumptions detailed in the Technical Report. There are no known legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the mineral resources. Numbers may not add due to rounding.

Resource Upside and Mine Model Refinement

DRA notes that the 2025 mineral resource estimate is restricted to in-vein mineralization only and does not include mineralized halos surrounding the veins. The presence and continuity of halo mineralization have been validated by historical drilling and underground sampling; however, this material has not been incorporated into the current estimate as the updated geological and block modelling for halo domains has not yet been completed.

DRA further notes that inclusion of halo material in future resource updates, subject to completion of the updated geological modelling, appropriate drilling density and engineering validation, may result in changes to tonnage and mine planning assumptions and provide additional mine planning flexibility.

The Company intends to incorporate halo mineralization into the updated geological and mine model currently being developed as part of the PEA, subject to validation through additional drilling, geological interpretation and engineering analysis.

The Technical Report will be filed by the Company on SEDAR+ on the date of this news release and is available to view below.

Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view the associated PDF document. https://galantas.com/

Project Advancement: Mine Design and Off-Take

Galantas intends to commence formal mine design activities and preparation of the PEA.

Planned work programs include resource definition drilling and geotechnical drilling designed to support underground mine design, stope geometry, ground support assumptions and infrastructure layout, together with mine engineering, scheduling and cost estimation activities required to support the PEA. The PEA will include an evaluation of mining methods, processing options, infrastructure, capital and operating cost estimates, and economic sensitivities, subject to the limitations inherent in a preliminary-level study. These activities are intended to evaluate the technical and economic parameters of a potential mining operation and do not constitute a production decision.

RDL, through its Chilean subsidiary, RDL SpA, has also executed a concentrate off-take agreement with a subsidiary of Ocean Partners, pursuant to which Ocean Partners, through its subsidiary, has agreed to purchase copper-gold concentrate produced from the Indiana Project under market-based treatment, refining and payable metal terms (the "Offtake Agreement"). The Offtake Agreement is intended to support future project development and does not constitute a production decision.

Disclosure required pursuant to Rule 17 and Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules for Companies

The names of all companies and partnerships of which Lawrence Roulsten, aged 73, has been a director or partner at any time in the previous ?ve years are set out below:

Current Past Metalla Royalty and Streaming Ltd MTB Metals Corp Mta Royalty & Streaming Pty Ltd Thunderstruck Resources Ltd GT Resources Silver Hammer Mining Corp Enduro Metals Corp

Mr. Roulston became a director of KBL Mining Ltd. ("KBL") in March 2015, a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange at the time, as a result of being the director nominee of Quintana Resources Capital ULC. On September 7, 2016, Mr. Roulston resigned his position as director of KBL and on September 8, 2016, KBL was placed into voluntary administration. On September 19, 2016, receivers were appointed in respect of KBL.

Following the completion on the Transaction and the completion of the Offerings, Mr. Roulston currently owns 44,133,545 Galantas Shares of no par value, representing 9.62% of the Company's voting rights.

Other than as set out in this news release, there are no other matters required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 17 or paragraph (g) of Schedule Two to the AIM Rules for Companies with regards to Mr. Roulston's appointment.

AIM Rule 13 - Related-Party Transaction

Melquart Limited ("Melquart"), a shareholder with 35.8% ownership of Galantas prior to the completion of the Transaction and the Offerings, participated in the Brokered Offering for 10,000,000 Units, purchasing these Units at the Offering Price for a total consideration of $800,000 (the "Melquart Participation").

Melquart is deemed a related party to the Company for the purposes of the AIM Rules for Companies, and the Melquart Participation is considered a related-party transaction for the purposes of Rule 13 of the AIM Rules for Companies. Accordingly, the directors of the Company, who are all considered independent of the Melquart Participation, having consulted with their Nominated Adviser, consider the terms of the Melquart Participation to be fair and reasonable insofar as the Company's shareholders are concerned.

Following the Melquart Participation, Melquart holds 57,372,977 Galantas Shares, representing approximately 12.5% of the Company's issued share capital.

Issued Share Capital on Admission and Total Voting Rights

Application will be made for the admission of 132,400,635 Galantas Shares pursuant to the Transaction and 194,062,500 Galantas shares pursuant to the Offerings to trading on AIM, with admission expected to occur on or around January 6, 2026 ("Admission"). An application has also been made for the following issues and cancellation of Galantas Shares as previously notified to the market (i) 2,815,034 Galantas Shares previously issued and announced on December 14, 2022 as part of a Block Listing, (ii) 78,000 Galantas Shares previously issued and announced on May 15, 2023 as part of a Block Listing (the "Block Listing Shares"), (iii) 933,334 Galantas Shares issued and announced on August 29, 2023 as part of the acquisition of the historical Gairloch drill data on April 13, 2023 (the "Gairloch Shares"), and (iv) 77,777 Galantas Shares cancelled and previously announced on March 4, 2024 (the "Cancellation Shares"). Admission for the Block Listing Shares and Gairloch Shares and cancellation for the Cancellation Shares is expected to occur on or around January 6, 2026.

Following Admission, the Company's issued share capital will consist of 458,863,772 common shares each with one voting right per share. There are no shares held in treasury. The Company notes that the figure of 458,863,772 for the total issued share capital referred to in this news release is accurate and correct.

When calculating the total number voting rights, shareholders should use this figure as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change in their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

Qualified Person

Scientific and technical disclosures in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Mr. Gavin Berkenheger, who is considered, by virtue of his education, experience and professional association, a "qualified person" and independent under the terms of NI 43-101.

Neither 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 news release.

About Galantas Gold Corporation

Galantas Gold Corporation is a Canadian public company that trades on the TSX Venture Exchange and the London Stock Exchange AIM market, both under the symbol GAL. It also trades on the OTCQB Exchange under the symbol GALKF. Galantas is focused on advancing the Indiana Gold-Copper Project in Chile, where the Company is progressing mine design, engineering studies and a Preliminary Economic Assessment. The Company's strategy is to unlock value through disciplined advancement of the Indiana Project towards development and production while also advancing the significant exploration potential.

In addition to Indiana, Galantas maintains exposure to gold production and exploration assets in the United Kingdom, including the Omagh Project in Northern Ireland and the Gairloch Project in Scotland, which hosts the Kerry Road high grade gold-bearing VMS deposit.

Enquiries

Galantas Gold Corporation

Mario Stifano: Chief Executive Officer

Email: info@galantas.com

Website: www.galantas.com

Telephone: +44(0)28 8224 1100

Grant Thornton UK LLP (AIM Nomad)

Philip Secrett, Harrison Clarke, Elliot Peters

Telephone: +44(0)20 7383 5100

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (AIM Broker)

David Hignell, Charlie Bouverat (Corporate Finance)

Grant Barker (Sales & Brokering)

Telephone: +44(0)20 3470 0470

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws, including the terms of the Transaction and the Offerings, the expected use of proceeds from the Offerings, and plans for the Company and the Indiana Project following completion of the Transaction, including the preparation of the PEA. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by Galantas in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that Galantas believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause Galantas' actual results, the performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or strategy, including: gold price volatility; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries and throughputs; mining operational risk, geological uncertainties; regulatory restrictions, including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability; risks of sovereign involvement; speculative nature of gold exploration; dilution; competition; loss of or availability of key employees; additional funding requirements; uncertainties regarding planning and other permitting issues; and defective title to mineral claims or property. These factors and others that could affect Galantas' forward-looking statements are discussed in greater detail in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Galantas' Management Discussion & Analysis of the financial statements of Galantas and elsewhere in documents filed from time to time with the Canadian provincial securities regulators and other regulatory authorities. These factors should be considered carefully, and persons reviewing this news release should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Galantas has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this news release, except as required by law.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 31, 2025) - SILICON METALS CORP. (CSE: SI) (FSE: X6U) ("Silicon Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated December 19th, 2025, it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placements for total gross proceeds of $198,610 (the "Offering") through the issuance of 3,055,538 flow-through common shares (each, a "Flow-Through Share") at a price of $0.065 per Flow-Through Share.

Fees of $4,212 were paid and 64,800 finder's warrants were issued (the "Finder's Warrants") to certain finders in connection with the closing. Each Finder's Warrant is exercisable into one common share for a period of thirty-six months after the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.065. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the sale of the Flow-Through Shares to incur eligible exploration expenditures on its projects in British Columbia and Ontario.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of issuance, as set out in National Instrument 45-102 - Resale of Securities.

None of the securities sold in connection with the Offering will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. 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 any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Silicon Metals Corp.

Silicon Metals Corp. is currently focused on exploration and development in Canada, namely British Columbia and Ontario. The Company's Maple Birch Project, located approximately 30km south-east of Sudbury, Ontario, is a high purity quartz pegmatite project with a 3,000 tonne per year production permit. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Crystal Hills Project, located approximately 40 km north of the city of North Bay, Ontario, Canada, which consists of five mineral claims comprised of eighteen (18) cells totalling approximately 400 hectares. The Company also holds an undivided 100% right, title, and interest in the exploration stage and now fully 5-year permitted Ptarmigan Silica Project, located approximately 130km from Prince George, British Columbia. The Company has also acquired an undivided 100% right, title, and interest in both the exploration stage Silica Ridge Silica Project located approximately 70kms southeast from the town of MacKenzie, British Columbia, as well as the exploration stage Longworth Silica Project located approximately 85km East from Prince George, British Columbia.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

SILICON METALS CORP.

"Morgan Good"

Morgan Good

Chief Executive Officer and Director

For more information regarding this news release and further details about Silicon's plans, please contact:

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding the Offering (including the intended use of proceeds).

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will use the proceeds of the Offering as anticipated, and that the Company will have all the necessary resources, including personnel and capital to carry out its business plans.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that the Company may not use the proceeds from the Offering as disclosed; that the Company may be unable to carry out its business plans as disclosed; changes in applicable legislation impacting the Company's exploration plans; unanticipated costs; loss of key personnel; failure to raise the capital required to carry out the Company's business plans.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279320

Source: Silicon Metals Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 31, 2025) - Ridgestone Mining Inc. (TSXV: RMI) (OTCQB: RIGMF) (FSE:4U5) ("Ridgestone" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has acquired via Option Agreement the Las Pilas Project (the "Las Pilas" or "the Project") in southern British Columbia, Canada, for the purpose of exploring for Rare Earth and other Critical Minerals.

Las Pilas Property Option Agreement

In order to acquire a 100% interest in the Project, the Company must pay $20,000 and issue 200,000 common shares to the owners at a deemed price of $0.105 per share upon regulatory approval. The shares will be subject to a four month and one day hold period from issuance. In order to exercise the option, the Company must pay an additional $300,000, issue an additional 300,000 shares, and incur a minimum of $600,000 in exploration expenditures on the Property over three years. The option is subject to a 2% net smelter returns interest in favour of the owners. The Company may purchase half of the 2% NSR royalty for a one-time payment of $1,000,000. The agreement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance for filing.

About the Las Pilas Property

The Las Pilas Project consists of two mineral claims totalling 1,202.02 hectares and an additional seven mineral title applications covering an additional 4,236.81 hectares. The Project is located in the Greenwood-Grand Forks area of south-central British Columbia within the historical Greenwood Mining District. The project encompasses the Rock Candy Creek fluorite occurrence and adjacent structurally permissive terrain. The historically mined fluorite occurrence associated with the Las Pilas Project is hosted along a fault structure that trends through the Rock Candy Creek area and extends northward toward Kennedy Creek and Fluorine Lake. While the historical mine workings are not located directly within the active Rock Candy Creek drainage, they are developed on the same fault system, which is locally offset and variably expressed along strike. The Las Pilas Project captures this structural corridor and adjacent lithologic units considered permissive for hydrothermal mineralization related to Eocene extension and magmatism.

Rock Candy Creek / Fluorine Lake fault system represents a historically mined fluorite occurrence where small-scale operations exploited high-grade mineralization from structurally controlled veins and breccias. Historical production confirms the presence of an effective hydrothermal system.

This news release contains forward-looking statements or information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company. In this news release, such statements include, but are not limited to, the Company's potential exercise of the option regarding the Las Pilas Project, regulatory acceptance of the Project, anticipated exploration on the Project, and exploration results. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the Company's regulatory filings available on www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not exhaustive. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements. The impact of any one factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as such factors are dependent on other factors, and the Company's course of action would depend on its assessment of the future considering all information then available. All forward-looking statements in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.

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.

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/279334

Source: Ridgestone Mining Inc.
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.
DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global broker STARTRADER is unveiling a refreshed look and feel as part of its brand repositioning. Since its establishment, the company has been focused on strengthening the trust it has built with clients, partners, and institutional businesses.

The repositioning will be reflected in the brand's visual identity. To align with the newly introduced tagline, 'Built on Trust. Driven by Growth', the update introduces a more minimal and refined design direction. With calmer colour palettes and cleaner compositions, the identity now reflects the broker's commitment to a more confident, composed, and client-centric experience.

The mission and vision now also place greater emphasis on people and long-term relationships. Accessibility, transparency, and empowerment are the words used to reinforce the trust the brand is rooted in. Of course, the brand image and product offerings are closely aligned, as the visual identity reflects the continuous improvement of STARTRADER's offerings-an ongoing effort already in motion and one that will continue-ensuring that growth remains grounded in client needs, confidence, and consistency.

Internally, the repositioning empowers teams to deliver more consistent and thoughtful experiences in every interaction. STARTRADER's people play a central role in bringing the new brand to life through their shared efforts across different departments.

As the year unfolds, the evolution of the brand will be reflected across STARTRADER's touchpoints, from digital platforms and communications to client and partner engagement and sponsorships with other brands. The positioning highlights the broker's focus on reinforcing reliability while continuing to expand its global footprint, product offerings, and institutional capabilities.

About STARTRADER

STARTRADER is a global CFD brokerage that provides its clients with opportunities to trade financial instruments online. STARTRADER services both Partners and Retail Clients, who can trade using the MetaTrader Platform, the STAR-APP, and using STAR-COPY.

As a global broker, STARTRADER holds a client-first approach as our core principle. Regulated in 5 jurisdictions (ASIC, FSA, FSC, FSCA, and SCA), STARTRADER upholds strong governance alongside sustainable growth. STARTRADER's team comprises dedicated professionals working collaboratively to deliver quality service to its Partners and Clients.

https://www.startrader.com/

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2853165/STARTRADER_refreshed_look.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/startrader-starts-the-year-with-a-new-look-and-feel-302651114.html
Denver, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - January 1, 2026) - electricalrelief.com announced the expansion of its Denver electrician emergency services to better support residential and commercial properties throughout the Denver metro area. The expansion is intended to improve response capacity and availability for urgent electrical situations requiring prompt professional attention.





Electrical Relief Expands Denver Electrician Emergency Services

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/279312_2443b28204f52b0c_001full.jpg

Electrical Relief provides licensed electrical services for homes, multi-family buildings, offices, retail locations, and commercial facilities. The company's emergency services address a wide range of electrical issues, including power outages, electrical system failures, damaged panels, exposed wiring, and other hazardous electrical conditions. By expanding its emergency service operations, Electrical Relief aims to respond more efficiently to time-sensitive electrical needs across Denver.

Electrical emergencies can occur without warning and may present safety risks or operational disruptions. Electrical Relief's electricians are trained to assess emergency situations, secure unsafe conditions, and perform corrective electrical work in accordance with applicable safety standards. Each emergency response begins with a thorough evaluation to identify both immediate concerns and underlying issues that could lead to further damage or service interruptions.

The expanded Denver electrician emergency services support properties of varying sizes and complexities. Electrical Relief works with homeowners, property managers, and business operators to restore safe electrical functionality while minimizing disruption. Services are structured to address both isolated electrical faults and broader system-related failures.

Electrical Relief places an emphasis on compliance, safety, and professional workmanship. All electrical work is performed by licensed electricians who follow established electrical codes and industry best practices. The company's service approach focuses on accurate diagnostics, appropriate repairs, and clear communication throughout the service process.

In addition to emergency services, electricalrelief.com continues to offer scheduled residential and commercial electrical services throughout the Denver metro area. These services include electrical inspections, troubleshooting, wiring solutions, electrical damage repair, and system testing to support long-term electrical reliability.

Through this expansion, Electrical Relief reinforces its role as a Denver electrician providing dependable emergency electrical support for the community. The company remains committed to maintaining safe electrical systems and supporting property owners during urgent electrical situations.

About Electrical Relief

Electrical Relief is a licensed electrical service provider serving Denver and the surrounding metro area. The company offers residential, commercial, and emergency electrical services, including electrical repairs, power restoration, wiring solutions, and electrical damage response. Electrical Relief operates with a focus on safety, compliance, and reliable electrical service.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279312

Source: GYT
Trump says he is removing National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland

Xinhua) 09:43, January 01, 2026

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that his administration is pulling the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, a few days after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the administration.

"We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact. Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it weren't for the Federal Government stepping in," Trump said on Truth Social.

"We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again," Trump said, calling Democrat mayors and governors of those areas "greatly incompetent."

The announcement came just a few days after the Supreme Court blocked Trump's plan to send the National Guard to Chicago to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's agents.

Trump has argued that it's necessary to deploy the National Guard to these Democrat-ruled places due to surging crime, while Democrats have questioned the political motivations behind such moves.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Wu Chaolan)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is halting all federal child care payments to states beyond Minnesota amid an alleged large-scale fraud scandal.

Jim O'Neill, deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, announced on social media that the HHS is implementing new requirements for child care payments across the country.

From now on, payments handled by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the HHS, will "require a justification and a receipt or photo evidence before we send money to a state," O'Neill said.

"We have turned off the money spigot and we are finding the fraud," he said. "Funds will be released only when states prove they are being spent legitimately."

The move comes amid a high-profile investigation into allegations of systemic misappropriation of federal funds by child care centers in Minnesota.

The scam involved alleged fraudsters receiving massive funds from the federal government for child care centers that didn't exist, with some reportedly profiting by millions of U.S. dollars.

A significant number of the defendants charged are either of Somali descent or immigrants from the African nation of Somalia.

Federal prosecutors said in December 2025 that fraud across 14 state programs in Minnesota has cost taxpayers at least 18 billion U.S. dollars since 2018.

The ACF gives Minnesota an annual 185 million dollars for childcare.

"Turning off payments and forcing verification before taxpayer money flows out the door is one of the most important steps we can take to end the fraud in Minnesota," said Vice President JD Vance on social media.

Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz, who ran for vice president in 2024 on the Democratic ticket, said on social media that he has "spent years cracking down on fraudsters."

"This is Trump's long game," he said. "It's a serious issue -- but this has been his plan all along. He's politicizing the issue to defund programs that help Minnesotans."

Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, said, "The key thing to understand here is that the Trump administration is escalating this."

"They are explicitly saying they are implementing a nationwide cutoff of federal funds to daycare. They are not focusing this on Minnesota or Somali-Americans," Ramsay said.

"There is an underlying ideological belief that children's day care should get no federal support, and events happen to create an opportunity," he added. 
The "Europe Data Center Construction Market Report by Tier Type, Infrastructure, Vertical, Countries and Company Analysis, 2025-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Europe Data Center Construction Market is expected to reach US$ 27.87 billion by 2033 from US$ 16.32 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 6.13% from 2025 to 2033.

The market for building data centers in Europe is growing quickly due to factors like cloud adoption, digital transformation, and sustainability measures. These factors are driving up demand for infrastructure that is safe, scalable, and energy-efficient across a range of industries. Europe's data center construction market is driven by established hubs like Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, alongside emerging regions. Strong connectivity, sustainability policies, and cloud adoption make these areas crucial to market expansion.

The growing digital economy, growing cloud computing use, and growing reliance on data-driven technologies have all contributed to the recent notable growth of the data center construction market in Europe. To handle growing internet penetration, AI applications, and Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, businesses and government agencies around the continent are investing in cutting-edge data center infrastructure. Both hyperscale and colocation projects are consistently in demand due to the requirement for dependable, secure, and scalable IT infrastructure. Data centers are now vital facilitators of innovation and operational efficiency as a result of the growing trend toward digital transformation in sectors including retail, healthcare, and finance. This has made it possible for engineering firms, construction businesses, and technology providers to work together to deliver state-of-the-art facilities throughout Europe.

The building of data centers in Europe has made sustainability a major theme. Strict carbon reduction regulations are being enforced by governments and the EU, which is pressuring operators to embrace green building certifications, improved cooling systems, and renewable energy. Prefabricated and modular data centers are increasingly being combined to solve environmental concerns while providing efficiency, flexibility, and shorter building times. Furthermore, nations like Germany, France, and the Nordics are setting the standard for incorporating wind and hydropower into their infrastructure. Sustainability becomes a competitive advantage as a result of this change, which also lowers long-term operating costs and promotes environmental goals.

Sovereign cloud regulations, strict sustainability goals, and the growing need for AI-ready capacity are changing project specs throughout the area. Hyperscale operators increased the level of competition and tightened equipment supply by announcing more than EUR 50 billion in new European commitments for 2024. A EUR 720 million asset-backed securitization that indicated rising trust in data-center real estate yields demonstrated the improving desire for institutional finance. Developments are being redirected to secondary cities that provide renewable energy availability and quicker approvals due to grid constraints in conventional hubs. Since 58% of operators globally are experiencing a labor crisis, modular building techniques that reduce deployment periods to six months are rapidly gaining favor.

Europe's market trends are significantly shaped by regional factors. Hyperscale investments are still drawn to well-known centers like Frankfurt, Paris, London, and Amsterdam because of their robust enterprise ecosystems, regulatory frameworks, and high levels of interconnection. As companies grow their digital offerings and governments support technology advancement, emerging economies in Southern and Eastern Europe are seeing an increase in activity. Europe's ongoing focus on innovation, sustainability, and digitalization positions the industry for continuous growth in the upcoming years, despite obstacles including high capital costs, stringent compliance regulations, and energy supply issues.

Key Factors Driving the Europe Data Center Construction Market Growth

Digital Transformation and Cloud Adoption

The ongoing digital transformation across industries is a primary driver of the Europe data center construction market. Enterprises are increasingly shifting workloads to the cloud to improve scalability, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. The rise of hybrid and multi-cloud environments has created demand for new hyperscale and colocation facilities capable of handling massive amounts of data. Additionally, the increasing adoption of AI, IoT, and big data analytics is fueling the need for advanced infrastructure across the continent.

Governments and organizations are also investing heavily in e-governance, online services, and digital healthcare systems, which further strengthens demand. As European consumers and businesses continue to embrace cloud-based services, the construction of modern data centers is becoming essential. This digital push ensures sustained investment, making cloud adoption one of the strongest growth catalysts in the regional market.

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Initiatives

Europe is at the forefront of sustainability, with governments and regulatory bodies enforcing ambitious carbon neutrality goals. These environmental commitments strongly influence the data center construction industry, driving operators to adopt eco-friendly practices. Facilities are being designed with renewable energy integration, energy-efficient cooling technologies, and green certifications such as LEED. The adoption of modular data centers also enhances efficiency by reducing resource use and construction timelines.

Additionally, hyperscale operators and colocation providers are increasingly entering renewable energy purchase agreements to ensure cleaner operations. Countries like Germany, France, and the Nordics are leading in renewable integration, making sustainability not only a regulatory requirement but also a market differentiator. This focus on environmentally responsible construction enhances brand reputation, reduces operating costs, and ensures compliance with evolving European standards, positioning sustainability as a vital driver of growth.

Rising Demand for Hyperscale and Colocation Facilities

The expansion of hyperscale and colocation data centers is a critical growth factor in the European market. Global cloud providers, social media platforms, and streaming services are investing heavily in hyperscale projects to support growing user bases and data traffic. Enterprises seeking flexibility and cost efficiency are increasingly relying on colocation services instead of building their own infrastructure. This has spurred demand for large, secure, and scalable facilities across major European cities.

Hyperscale facilities also promote innovation in design, security, and sustainability, while colocation centers provide enterprises with customizable solutions. Together, these developments are reshaping the competitive landscape of the region. The rising demand for hyperscale and colocation projects ensures consistent construction activity across Europe, attracting investments from contractors, technology firms, and energy providers. This trend underpins the sustained growth of the region's data center construction industry.

Challenges in the Europe Data Center Construction Market

High Capital Expenditure and Rising Operational Costs

Constructing modern data centers in Europe involves significant capital investment, making it one of the biggest challenges for operators. Expenses associated with land acquisition, advanced cooling systems, energy-efficient designs, and compliance with stringent environmental regulations add to overall project costs. Operational expenditures, including energy, maintenance, and staffing, further burden providers, particularly in regions with higher electricity prices. Smaller players and new entrants often struggle to compete against global hyperscale operators with stronger financial capabilities.

The volatility of raw material costs and supply chain disruptions add to financial risks. As Europe moves toward sustainable practices, the integration of renewable energy and eco-friendly designs, though beneficial, increases upfront construction costs. This financial burden may limit expansion to established hubs while slowing development in emerging regions, making high capital expenditure a significant barrier to broader market growth.

Regulatory and Compliance Complexities

The European data center construction market faces considerable challenges from complex regulatory and compliance frameworks. Operators must adhere to stringent environmental regulations, data protection laws, and construction standards set by the European Union and individual countries. Regulations such as the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) impose strict security and privacy requirements, influencing how data centers are designed and operated.

Additionally, compliance with carbon neutrality targets requires significant investments in renewable energy and sustainable construction practices. Obtaining approvals for land use, energy supply, and environmental clearances often prolongs project timelines and raises costs. Regional differences in regulatory requirements across member states further complicate market entry and expansion strategies. These complexities demand specialized expertise, legal planning, and strong collaboration with local authorities. Navigating regulatory challenges effectively is essential for operators to ensure timely, lawful, and cost-efficient data center construction in Europe.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2024 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $16.32 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $27.87 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.1% Regions Covered Europe

Developments in Europe Data Center Construction Market

In order to increase AI capacity in Sweden, Brookfield Asset Management stated in June 2025 that it will invest SEK 95 billion to scale Strangnas from 300 MW to 750 MW.

In June 2025, Vantage Data Centers finalized an asset-backed securitization of EUR 720 million that covered 64 MW across four German sites.

A group comprising Siemens, SAP, and Deutsche Telekom started assessing a self-governing AI campus in Germany in May 2025.

February 2025: A 1 GW AI campus worth EUR 30-50 billion was agreed upon by the UAE and France.

Company Analysis: Overview, Key Persons, Recent Developments, SWOT Analysis, Revenue Analysis

AECOM

Whiting-turner Contracting Company

Turner Construction Co.

Jacobs Solutions Inc.

DPR Construction

Skanska USA

Balfour Beatty US

Hensel Phelps

Market Segmentations

Tier Type

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Tier 4

Infrastructure

IT Infrastructure

Miscellaneous Infrastructure

PD Cooling Infrastructure

Vertical

IT Telecom

BFSI

Healthcare

Government Defense

Energy

Others

Countries

France

Germany

Italy

Spain

United Kingdom

Belgium

Netherlands

Russia

Poland

Greece

Norway

Romania

Portugal

Rest of Europe

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ift7wa

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260101368186/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

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The "Europe Image-Guided Drug Delivery Market: Focus on Technology Type, Application, End User, and Country Analysis Analysis and Forecast, 2025-2035" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Europe image-guided drug delivery market is projected to reach $284.1 million by 2035 from $13.7 million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 32.01% during the forecast period 2025-2035.

The growing use of IGDD systems throughout Europe and developments in sophisticated imaging drug delivery technologies are fueling the market's explosive expansion in Europe. By precisely delivering medications to specific disease sites, such as tumors and brain areas, these devices lower systemic toxicity and enhance patient outcomes. Investments in cutting-edge drug delivery platforms that combine MRI, CT, PET, and ultrasound imaging with minimally invasive treatments are being driven by the rising need for targeted medication delivery and precision medicine in Europe.

In Europe, image-guided drug delivery applications are predominantly seen in oncology, neurology, and wound healing, with oncology leading due to rising cancer prevalence. The aging of Europe's population, the rise in chronic illnesses, and continuous improvements in imaging-guided drug delivery technologies all contribute to the market's expansion. Additionally, IGDD systems are being adopted more quickly in Europe thanks to government financing for healthcare innovation and favorable regulatory support, making these technologies a crucial component of next-generation precision medicine solutions.

With substantial R&D expenditures in precision-targeted drug delivery technology and established healthcare infrastructure, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom dominate the European image-guided drug delivery industry. Because of increased access to and awareness of healthcare, emerging economies in Eastern Europe are progressively implementing IGDD systems. However, obstacles including high upfront costs, complicated regulations, technical constraints, and privacy concerns about patient data still hinder market penetration and broad adoption.

The Europe IGDD market is projected to achieve strong growth over the next decade, driven by continuous technological advancements and the increasing emphasis on personalized drug delivery. Integrating AI-driven navigation, robotics, and imaging technologies will enhance therapeutic precision, reduce recovery times, and optimize healthcare resources, positioning Europe as a leader in next-generation precision medicine and targeted drug delivery solutions.

Europe Image-Guided Drug Delivery Market Trends, Drivers and Challenges

Market Trends

Technological Advancements: Integration of imaging modalities such as MRI, CT, PET, and ultrasound with drug delivery systems is enhancing the precision and efficacy of treatments, particularly in oncology and neurology.

Integration of imaging modalities such as MRI, CT, PET, and ultrasound with drug delivery systems is enhancing the precision and efficacy of treatments, particularly in oncology and neurology. Minimally Invasive Procedures: There is a growing preference for minimally invasive techniques, leading to increased adoption of image-guided therapies that offer reduced recovery times and improved patient outcomes.

There is a growing preference for minimally invasive techniques, leading to increased adoption of image-guided therapies that offer reduced recovery times and improved patient outcomes. Personalized Medicine: The shift towards personalized treatment plans is fostering the development and adoption of IGDD systems tailored to individual patient profiles.

The shift towards personalized treatment plans is fostering the development and adoption of IGDD systems tailored to individual patient profiles. Regulatory Support: European regulatory bodies are providing clearer pathways for the approval of innovative drug delivery technologies, facilitating market growth.

Market Drivers

Rising Incidence of Chronic Diseases: The increasing prevalence of conditions such as cancer and neurological disorders is driving demand for targeted and effective treatment options.

The increasing prevalence of conditions such as cancer and neurological disorders is driving demand for targeted and effective treatment options. Advancements in Imaging Technologies: Continuous improvements in imaging modalities are enhancing the accuracy and reliability of IGDD systems, making them more appealing to healthcare providers.

Continuous improvements in imaging modalities are enhancing the accuracy and reliability of IGDD systems, making them more appealing to healthcare providers. Aging Population: Europe's aging demographic is contributing to a higher incidence of age-related diseases, thereby increasing the need for advanced drug delivery solutions.

Europe's aging demographic is contributing to a higher incidence of age-related diseases, thereby increasing the need for advanced drug delivery solutions. Healthcare Infrastructure: Well-established healthcare infrastructure and a high level of medical expertise in Europe are conducive to the adoption of advanced drug delivery systems.

Well-established healthcare infrastructure and a high level of medical expertise in Europe are conducive to the adoption of advanced drug delivery systems. Government Initiatives: Supportive government policies and funding for medical research are accelerating the development and implementation of IGDD technologies.

Market Challenges

High Costs: The initial investment and maintenance costs of IGDD systems can be prohibitive, limiting their accessibility, especially in smaller healthcare facilities.

The initial investment and maintenance costs of IGDD systems can be prohibitive, limiting their accessibility, especially in smaller healthcare facilities. Regulatory Hurdles: Navigating the complex regulatory landscape for medical devices and drug delivery systems can delay market entry and adoption.

Navigating the complex regulatory landscape for medical devices and drug delivery systems can delay market entry and adoption. Technical Limitations: Challenges related to the integration of imaging and drug delivery technologies, as well as issues with device calibration and standardization, can impact the effectiveness of IGDD systems.

Challenges related to the integration of imaging and drug delivery technologies, as well as issues with device calibration and standardization, can impact the effectiveness of IGDD systems. Patient Awareness: Limited patient awareness and understanding of IGDD therapies can hinder acceptance and utilization of these advanced treatment options.

Limited patient awareness and understanding of IGDD therapies can hinder acceptance and utilization of these advanced treatment options. Data Privacy Concerns: The use of imaging data in drug delivery raises concerns regarding patient data privacy and security, necessitating stringent compliance with data protection regulations.

Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis

Renishaw plc.

Neurochase

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Market Segmentation

By Technology Type

Drug-Delivery Systems

Image-Guided Platforms

By Application

Oncology

Neurology

Others

By End User

Hospitals

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Companies

Contract Research Organizations (CROs)

Research Institutes Universities

By Region

Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Rest-of-Europe



Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 65 Forecast Period 2025 2035 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $17.7 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2035 $284.1 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 32.0% Regions Covered Europe

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1h7ecm

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260101134991/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Set against the rise of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boses Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj), the film draws its emotional core from the Rani of Jhansi Regiment

Cast: Shreyas Talpade, Suresh Oberoi, Roopa Iyer, Indira Tiwari, Dr. Subhash Chandra, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Suchendra Prasad

Director: Roopa Iyer

Language: Hindi

Shreyas Talpade has been a part of the Hindi film industry for two decades. His rousing and remarkably restrained debut in Iqbal is one for the ages. But post his collaborations, and rather successful one, with filmmaker Rohit Shetty, directors only gaze at him as a comedic actor purely for relief. Watch Dor and see what he can bring with intensity. And the same holds true as he steps into one of the most ambitious roles of his career, that of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. His new film is called Azad Bharath.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Director Roopa Iyer brings the fire of INAs women warriors to the big screen, in a film that chooses truth over comfort. Most films on Indias freedom struggle celebrate well-known heroes. Azad Bharath does something braver  it turns the spotlight toward the women who carried guns, codes, courage, and sacrifice, but were rarely given chapters in mainstream history. Set against the rise of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boses Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj), the film draws its emotional core from the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, the womens combat unit of the INA, and one unforgettable name at the centre of it all  Neera Arya.



But unlike a conventional star-driven historical, this never feels like a vanity project. Her Neera is sharp, flawed, ferocious, and human  a woman who carries revolution in one hand and heartbreak in the other. The film doesnt treat its narrative as a background theme; it makes it a personal battlefield, especially in the shocking arc where Neera confronts her own husband, Shrikant, played convincingly by Priyanshu Chatterjee. The conflict is ideological, marital, and existential, making the films boldest moments feel like emotional punches rather than dramatic flourishes.

Shreyas Talpade as Netaji surprises with a measured and dignified performance. Instead of theatrical mimicry, he opts for restraint  the kind that makes Netaji feel less like a legend and more like a man carrying the weight of a nation. His scenes work best when he quietly observes the storms around him, offering belief instead of orders. The supporting cast, particularly Suresh Oberoi and Indira Tiwari, provide emotional grounding to a film that could have easily drowned in its own intensity.

The music in Azad Bharath plays the role of emotion, not distraction. The anthem-style tracks, especially Jai Ho, blend naturally into the narrative, lifting the patriotic spirit without breaking the storys rhythm. The dialogues lean into inspiration, grit, and national pride making them quote-worthy without sounding like speeches.

Games View All

Azad Bharath is a reminder that freedom movements are not only led by famous voices, but also by fearless footsteps that history sometimes fails to record. The film honors those footsteps  loud enough for the present to hear.

Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars)

Azad Bharath will release in cinemas this Friday

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Language: Hindi

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Cast: Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Agastya Nanda, Sikandar Kher, Simar Bhatia, Ekavali Khanna

Arun Khetarpal was a jolly good fellow, and Agastya Nanda did full justice to his role. Sriram Raghavans Ikkis shows how a youngster needs to just have fire in his belly to change the course of history. The film is honest, courageous, and most importantly, non-jingoistic. It is a human-centric war drama that doesnt make too much noise, and it doesnt show random bloodshed. This film successfully positions Agastya Nanda as one of the most distinctive and unconventional new heroes to surface in Bollywood.

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It is indeed a story of courage, conviction and true bravery. Second Lieutenant Khetarpal was just Ikkis and he will remain forever 21 in our hearts. Agastya Nanda was the perfect choice for the film. For the first time, Bollywood did justice to the role of a young officer who gave his life for the country. This is year we also had 120 Bahadur, which was another war film based on the life of Major Shaitan Singh and Farhan Akhtar played his role which was absolutely disastrous and made me question as to why does Bollywood even attempt a war film?

But Ikkis is a complete ten out of ten in the depiction of the life of a war hero. Ikkis is based on the untold true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra at just 21  honoured posthumously for his unmatched courage and sacrifice during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

A still from Ikkis

National award-winning filmmaker Sriram Raghavan who is known for his craft and filmography cannot go wrong and that he has proved it yet again in the depiction of the life of Second Lieutenant Khetarpal by choosing a person close to his age and making him do the role with full dedication. Agastya Nandas performance is indeed brilliant. And not just Agastya, Dharmendra even with his last film has shown his fans that he remains the He-Man of Bollywood. His unfiltered performance will make you empathise with the character he plays as Second Lieutenant Khetarpals father.

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Everybody has a way of dealing with grief and so does a father who has lost his son in a war. Dharmendra shows such restrained emotion which will make you cry, but not a drop falls from his eyes. He doesnt cry, but he truly misses his son and wants to know what exactly happened when his sons tank caught fire and he was ordered to leave. He had a lot of questions, why did his son not leave? Why did he continue to fight till the end?

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Ikkis also shows Brigadier Naser (Jaideep Ahlawat), a Pakistani officer who hosted M.L. Khetarpal (Dharmendra) with a lot of love and respect. He took good care of him in full fauji style and ensured Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal had a satisfying and nostalgic visit to his old house in Sargodha.

Upon his return to Lahore he was once again the guest of Brigadier Naser for three days. He didnt want him to stay in a hotel, but he wanted Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal to stay at his home and be a part of his family for three days. In fact, the film starts with M.L. Khetarpal (Dharmendra) making plans to leave for Lahore and how the family of Brigadier Naser (Jaideep Ahlawat) tries doing up their own house so that Khetarpal has a comfortable stay.

A still from Ikkis

The performances of each of the actors including Sikandar Kher who plays the role of RIS Sagat Singh, a senior field training soldier and the regiments operational backbone does justice to his role. On the whole, Ikkis is not just a film, its an emotion and never once will you feel the script thinning or the emotions fading, despite the fact that we all know the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal.

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Ikkis is indeed a deeply emotional film. But the one who shines through it all is Jaideep Ahlawat and the best scenes are not from the war, but the conversation that Brigadier Naser played by him had with Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal. He mentions to the father of the martyr, that your son fought with utmost bravery and takes M.L. Khetarpal (Dharmendra) to the exact place where Arun Khetarpal (Agastya Nanda) breathed his last. When he questions how do you know in so much details about what happened to my son, he (Jaideep Ahlawat) says that he was the one who shot him down as he was busy looking for the flash. Both of them were true army men but from different countries and both were fighting for their motherland! ((Spoiler alert ends) This is in fact, one of the most compelling scenes from the entire film and handled with a lot of sensitivity. The most powerful and convincing and powerful performance is by Jaideep Ahlawat.

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Nobody wants a war and there is nobody who actually wins in a war and a soldier from be it Pakistan or India thinks the same. Sriram Raghavan has handled this topic with utmost care. Ikkis is indeed a perfect New Year day movie to watch! It is indeed an emotionally wrenching films and it says so much more without actually the need to make a noise about it. Ikkis is just the kind of war-drama we need in this ruptured mainstream cinema scenario. This film is a restrained and nuanced take on the true story of war.

Rating: 4 out of 5

WATCH the trailer of Ikkis here:
Vijay Deverakondas New Year post from Rome has fans speculating that Rashmika Mandanna appears in the photo. With both stars sharing Italy pictures, fans believe they may be holidaying together.

Vijay Deverakondas New Year post welcoming 2026 from Rome has sparked fresh speculation online, with fans convinced that the woman seen resting her head on his shoulder is Rashmika Mandanna. While neither actor has confirmed the identity in the photo, social media users were quick to connect the dots, especially after Rashmika also shared pictures from Rome around the same time.

Vijay posted a scenic image from the Italian capital with a simple Happy New Year 2026 caption. What caught fans attention, however, was a partially visible woman leaning into him, her face not fully shown, but the pose instantly setting off chatter online. Here is the post:

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Many fans claimed the silhouette and posture resembled Rashmika, calling it a soft launch moment and flooding the comments section with heart emojis and familiar ship names.

Fuel was added to the speculation when Rashmika Mandanna, too, shared her own set of pictures from Rome, showcasing similar locations and timelines. Though the photos were uploaded separately and without tags, fans believe the overlap suggests the two actors may be holidaying together in Italy.

Social media users quickly began circulating side-by-side comparisons, pointing out matching backdrops and lighting. They dont even need to confirm, Rome already did, wrote one fan, while another commented, If this isnt Rashmika, Tollywood owes us an explanation.

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Vijay and Rashmika have previously starred together in Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade, and their off-screen camaraderie has long been a favourite among fans. Despite repeated speculation over the years, both actors have consistently chosen to remain tight-lipped about their personal lives.

It has also been reported that Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna had a secret engagement in October, according to Hindustan Times. The same publication claimed, Rashmika and Vijays wedding is planned to take place on February 26 at a palace in Udaipur. They have finalised one of the heritage properties. Much like their engagement, the plan is to keep the wedding as intimate as possible with only their loved ones in attendance.

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Both the actors have, so far, not spoken about their relationship in public and maintain that they are good friends.
Zohran Mamdani took office as New York Citys mayor through an unusual two-stage inauguration on January 1. A private midnight oath inside the abandoned Old City Hall subway station will be followed by a public City Hall ceremony and a large Broadway block party, meant to reflect his political rise and progressive support base. In a first for the city, Mamdani took the oath on a Quran

Zohran Mamdani reacts after being sworn in as mayor of New York inside the the Old City Hall subway station, on, January 1 in New York. AP

New York City entered 2026 with a mayoral inauguration that broke from convention as Zohran Mamdani, the citys mayor-elect, assumed office with a private midnight oath beneath City Hall and a large public ceremony and citywide celebration hours later.

At 34 years old, Mamdani became the youngest mayor New York City has seen in a century, as well as its first Muslim mayor and its first mayor of South Asian descent.

How Mamdanis oath breaks convention

Mamdanis term as mayor officially begins at the first moment of the new year.

As the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2026, he took the oath of office in a private ceremony held inside the decommissioned Old City Hall subway station, located beneath Park Row and City Hall Park.

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The station, which first opened to riders in 1904, was among the original 28 subway stations that launched New York Citys underground transit system.

It ceased operations in 1945 and has since remained largely inaccessible to the public, opening only for occasional guided tours.

The decision to hold the first swearing-in there was intentional, linking the start of Mamdanis administration to a physical remnant of the citys early 20th-century ambition.

Explaining the choice, Mamdani said in a press release, When Old City Hall Station first opened in 1904  one of New Yorks 28 original subway stations  it was a physical monument to a city that dared to be both beautiful and build great things that would transform working peoples lives. That ambition need not be a memory confined only to our past, nor must it be isolated only to the tunnels beneath City Hall: It will be the purpose of the administration fortunate enough to serve New Yorkers from the building above.

Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as mayor of New York City at Old City Hall Station, New York, US, Thursday, January 1. Reuters

Attendance at the midnight ceremony will be limited to Mamdanis immediate family and a select group of invited guests.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath of office, formally making Mamdani the citys next mayor.

Details of the underground ceremony were first reported by Streetsblog NYC, but Mamdanis transition team later confirmed the plan, describing it as a deliberately private and reflective start to his administration.

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio took a private oath just after midnight on New Years Day in 2014 outside his Park Slope home before holding a public ceremony at City Hall later that morning.

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By contrast, Mayor Eric Adams was sworn in publicly in Times Square in 2022, moments after the New Years Eve ball drop.

The first mayor to use the Quran

Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of New York City, added his own tradition to the ceremony. During the swearing-in, he put his hand on the Quran, the first mayor in the city to do so.

Mamdani is expected to use at least three unique Qurans for his public and private swearing-in ceremonies, senior adviser Zara Rahim, told The New York Times earlier. For his private swearing-in ceremony early Thursday (January 1), he used his grandfathers Quran and one that belonged to Arturo Schomburg, the Black writer and historian. It will be lent to the mayor by the New York Public Library, the report said.

For the public ceremony, he is expected to use the two Qurans used by his grandfather and grandmother.

Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as mayor of New York City at Old City Hall Station, New York. New York Attorney General Letitia James, left, administered the oath of office as Mamdanis wife, Rama Duwaji, held the Quran. Reuters

How Letitia James comes into the picture

Attorney General Letitia James has played a significant role in Mamdanis political ascent. She was among his most high-profile endorsers during the Democratic primary, at a time when many prominent Democrats in New York kept their distance from his campaign.

The primary was conducted using ranked-choice voting, allowing voters to rank up to five candidates. During the contest, James publicly stated that she ranked Mamdani third on her ballot.

In October, she appeared alongside him at a rally shortly after she had been indicted on fraud charges related to a mortgage loan  charges that were later dismissed by a federal judge.

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Speaking at that rally, James said, He is a leader fighting for a better future for this city, and he, like me, knows what its like to be attacked, to be called names, to be threatened, to be harassed.

In a separate press release addressing her role in the swearing-in ceremony, James described administering the oath as an honour, adding that Mamdani ran a campaign that brought together New Yorkers around the universal idea that we should all be able to afford to live in our city.

Mamdani has previously described James as one of his political inspirations, making her role in the midnight ceremony both symbolic and personal.

How Mamdani delivered a citywide upset

Mamdani began his political career in 2020, when he won a Democratic primary and then the general election for New York State Assembly District 36, which includes Astoria and parts of Long Island City in Queens.

As an assemblyman, Mamdani focused on issues tied to affordability and labour. He championed a pilot initiative that provided free bus service on one route in each of the citys five boroughs.

He also stood alongside taxi drivers during a hunger strike aimed at pressuring officials to reduce the crushing debt many drivers accumulated under the citys medallion system.

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When Mamdani entered the mayoral race, he did so as a long shot.

A Quinnipiac University poll released in February showed him with just 8 per cent support among voters. At that point, former Governor Andrew Cuomo led the field with 31 per cent, while incumbent Mayor Eric Adams held 11 per cent.

Over the following months, Mamdanis campaign steadily gained traction. By June, polling released on the eve of the Democratic primary indicated that he had overtaken Cuomo in the final round of ranked-choice voting.

That projection proved accurate.

Mamdani secured the Democratic nomination by defeating Cuomo 56.4 per cent to 43.6 per cent in the final count.

Following the primary, Mamdani maintained a consistent lead in general election polling, often ahead of Cuomo by double digits.

In November, he went on to win the mayoralty outright, defeating Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.

The victory made Mamdani the mayor-elect of the countrys largest city and one of the most prominent democratic socialists ever elected to executive office in the United States.

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His campaign platform centred on affordability, including proposals to freeze rents citywide and make municipal bus service free.

Who is attending Mamdanis public swearing-in

While the midnight ceremony marks the official start of Mamdanis term, the public face of his inauguration will unfold later on January 1.

At 1 pm, local time, Mamdani will participate in a ceremonial swearing-in on the steps of City Hall.

The oath at the public event will be administered by Independent US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who endorsed Mamdani during the Democratic mayoral primary and appeared with him on the campaign trail.

Sanders framed Mamdanis election as part of a broader political movement.

At a moment when democracy is under attack and cynicism about our politics runs deep, Zohran Mamdani represents a new generation of progressive leadership rooted in courage, integrity and solidarity, Sanders said in a press release.

His victory is not just about one city or one election, it is about the strength of a working-class movement that says unequivocally: the future of New York belongs to the people, not the billionaire class. It is my honor to swear him in as the next mayor of New York City.

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Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who also backed Mamdani in the primary, is scheduled to deliver opening remarks at the ceremony.

Mamdani praised her involvement in a press release, saying, Ive been so proud to count her as a partner across the many stages of our people-powered movement. Im honoured that shell be a part of our historic City Hall inauguration.

Mamdani will be sworn in alongside City Comptroller-elect Mark Levine and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

According to the transition team, all three officials are expected to address the crowd during the ceremony, which will include musical performances, artistic elements and interfaith participation.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams has confirmed he would attend the event, saying he wants to show the smooth, peaceful transition of power.

What else is planned for Mamdanis inauguration

One of the most distinctive elements of Mamdanis inauguration is the large public block party planned to accompany the City Hall ceremony.

The celebration will take place along Broadways Canyon of Heroes, spanning the stretch between Liberty Street and Murray Street.

The block party will run from 11 am to 3 pm and will feature large viewing areas where attendees can watch the swearing-in live. While the event is free, attendance is limited, and entry requires advance registration through the transition teams website.

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Organisers have indicated that tens of thousands of New Yorkers could be accommodated along the route.

The transition team has advised attendees to arrive between 11 am and noon. The main entrance will be located at the intersection of Liberty Street and Broadway, with an ADA-accessible entrance at Barclay Street and Broadway.

The inauguration ceremony itself is not open to the general public, making the block party a first-of-its-kind alternative that allows residents to participate in the moment without entering the secured City Hall area.

What New Yorkers need to know

Due to the scale of the event, several transit adjustments and security measures will be in place throughout Lower Manhattan.

Subway service will operate on a Sunday schedule, and some trains and stations will be affected, as reported by local media. The R train will skip City Hall in both directions, and W trains will not run.

The nearest ADA-accessible station to City Hall during the event will be World Trade Center Cortlandt.

Multiple subway exits will be closed, including the Broadway exit at the Fulton Street station complex serving the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, R and PATH lines.

Commuters travelling west across Broadway will be directed to the Dey Street passageway, which is ADA accessible. At the Park Place 2 and 3 station, the Broadway exit will be closed, with Church Street designated as the alternative.

At the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station serving the 4, 5, 6 and J lines, access to City Hall Plaza and Park will be restricted. Riders exiting there will be routed east toward Centre Street, with Reade Street designated for those needing to cross west.

Security protocols for the block party are extensive. Small bags and backpacks with personal items are permitted, along with thermoses containing non-alcoholic beverages, snacks and cold-weather clothing.

Prohibited items include large bags, strollers, drones, bicycles, umbrellas, alcohol, illegal substances, pets other than service animals, and a wide range of other items. All bags will be searched upon entry.

The transition team has also advised attendees to dress warmly, bring snacks and plan accordingly, noting that there will be no public restrooms available during the event.

How to watch

For those unable to attend in person, the inauguration will be broadcast live. Local news channels will provide free access to the coverage, beginning at noon, with streaming also available on numerous local news YouTube channels.

When I take my oath from the station at the dawn of the New Year, I will do so humbled by the opportunity to lead millions of New Yorkers into a new era of opportunity, and honoured to carry forward our citys legacy of greatness, Mamdani said.

Zohran Mamdanis swearing-in is set to be one of the most distinctive mayoral inaugurations New York City has witnessed in decades.

With inputs from agencies
A nineteen-year-old Bangladeshi national identified as Shariful Islam Bhuyian was arrested by security forces from the Gajansoo area of Jammu, located close to the Indo-Pakistan border. He was detained by the BSF after failing to produce valid documents and later handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir Police for further investigation.

A nineteen-year-old Bangladeshi national has been detained by security forces in the Gajansoo area of Jammu, close to the Indo-Pakistan border. The individual, identified as Shariful Islam Bhuyian, was apprehended after his suspicious movement drew the attention of local patrol teams. The incident occurred within one kilometre of the international boundary, highlighting the continuing vigilance of security forces along the sensitive frontier belt.

Apprehension and initial details

Officials stated that Bhuyian had arrived in Jammu on 30 December. His movement in the Gajansoo area drew the attention of the Border Security Force personnel who were on routine patrol duty. Upon questioning, he failed to provide valid documents to justify his presence in the region. The BSF team, after completing the necessary verification, detained him for further checks and handed him over to the Jammu and Kashmir Police for investigation.

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Security agencies on alert

Sources indicated that security agencies have been maintaining a heightened state of alert along the border, especially around the new year period when infiltration attempts often increase. The area where Bhuyian was caught lies close to a series of farmlands and semi-rural settlements that frequently come under constant watch due to their proximity to the international boundary. Patrol teams of the BSF regularly conduct searches to ensure there are no breaches or suspicious movements that may threaten local stability or national security.

Investigation and verification process

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have initiated a detailed investigation to ascertain Bhuyians purpose for entering the region. Investigators are also verifying whether he crossed into India through legal means or unlawfully entered from another route. His background, local contacts, and travel route are being thoroughly examined to determine if there are any broader security implications.

Coordination between agencies

The handover of the detained individual from the BSF to the state police is part of the routine security coordination mechanism shared by the border and local enforcement agencies. Joint teams of intelligence and immigration authorities are expected to question Bhuyian further. Officials emphasised that no immediate threat has been reported but confirmed that all procedures would be followed to trace his movements and connections before further action is taken.
India and Pakistan exchanged annual lists of nuclear installations and prisoners on January 1, even as ties remain strained. The routine but symbolic exercise coincided with a brief India-Pakistan interaction in Dhaka

India and Pakistan exchanged lists of nuclear installations and prisoners held in each others custody on January 1, under longstanding bilateral agreements.

The annual information swap was accompanied by a subtle but symbolic high-level encounter between senior officials of both countries at a third-country event, as per a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs.

For the 35th consecutive year, India and Pakistan simultaneously shared details of their respective nuclear installations and facilities through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad. This practice stems from the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, signed in December 1988 and operational since January 1991, which aims to build trust between the two nuclear-armed neighbours by reducing the risks of misunderstandings or conflict concerning sensitive sites.

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Officials noted that this annual exchange is part of a confidence-building mechanism that has outlived several crises, reinforcing a protocol that helps ensure each side is aware of the location and status of the others nuclear infrastructure.

Lists of prisoners and fishermen shared

Alongside the nuclear information, both countries also handed over updated lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each others custody, a practice laid out under the Consular Access Agreement of 2008.

India provided details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen believed to be Pakistani, while Pakistan shared information on 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen believed to be Indian.

In its statement, New Delhi reiterated calls for the early release and repatriation of detainees, urging Pakistan to expedite consular access for Indians held there and to ensure the welfare and safety of all prisoners pending their return home.

Since 2014, India says sustained diplomatic efforts have resulted in thousands of Indian fishermen and civilian detainees being repatriated.

First post-conflict Dhaka encounter

The exchanges came in the backdrop of another noteworthy moment. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistans National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq briefly met and shook hands in Dhaka while attending the funeral events of former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia.

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Observers pointed out that it was the first direct contact between senior officials of the two countries since their military confrontation in May 2025.
From outreach to Tarique Rahman to high-level condolence visits, Indias messaging in Bangladesh goes beyond protocol. New Delhi seems intent on reassuring mainstream democratic actors while quietly challenging the YunusJamaat power equation.

A series of carefully calibrated diplomatic gestures by India following the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has triggered a compelling question in South Asian strategic circles: Is New Delhi moving to isolate Nobel laureate-turned-interim leader Muhammad Yunus and his perceived alignment with Islamist forces, while signalling support for democratic and moderate actors in Bangladesh?

The developments come at a time when Sheikh Hasina  Bangladeshs longest-serving elected leader  remains in exile in New Delhi, following the dramatic political churn that brought Yunus-backed forces to power in Dhaka amid accusations of extra-constitutional manoeuvring and radical mobilisation.

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Condolences with a message: India engages BNP leadership

Following Khaleda Zias death, India has gone well beyond formal protocol. Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only conveyed condolences, but also wrote directly to Tarique Rahman, who now leads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). PM Modis message framed Zia as an important political figure whose role in Bangladeshs democratic evolution could not be ignored.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar flew to Dhaka, handed over PM Modis letter, and held discussions with Rahman.



Back in New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission to sign the condolence book, writing on X, Went to the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi. Signed the Condolence Book expressing our profound sorrow at the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of Bangladesh.

Went to the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi. Signed the Condolence Book expressing our profound sorrow at the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of Bangladesh. @bdhc_delhi pic.twitter.com/AscV4ZdIUe  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 1, 2026

This marks one of the rare occasions in recent years when India has so explicitly engaged the BNP leadership at such senior levels. A rival of Hasinas Awami League  the party that led Bangladeshs fight for liberation from Pakistan with India going to war over the refugee crisis that Islamabad created in 1971  the BNP positioned itself as a counter-India force in the country.

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But after Yunus banned the Awami League from carrying out any political activities, meaning Hasinas party was disqualified for the upcoming national election, the BNP became the lone pan-Bangladesh democratic party.

The Jamaat and the youth party NCP, which sprang out of the anti-Hasina protests, are not known for their democratic credentials. The Jamaat got the ban lifted on its political activities only after the youth protesters installed Yunus in power in Dhaka. Bangladesh has since then witnessed a surge in Islamist attacks in the country.

Behind the symbolism: Messaging to Dhaka power structure

Indias diplomatic choreography appears to deliver multiple layered signals. First, New Delhi is conveying that India stands with Bangladeshs democratic actors, even if their politics have historically been complicated. At a time when Dhakas political authority is fragmented, India is demonstrating engagement beyond one political faction.

Second, this implicitly questions the political direction under Muhammad Yunus, whose perceived proximity to Jamaat-e-Islami and hardline Islamist mobilisation has raised concerns across strategic establishments in the region.

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Indian policymakers and strategic thinkers have spoken with concerns that Yunus risks reopening ideological doors that Bangladesh shut in 1971, when it broke away from Pakistans Islamist identity to embrace linguistic nationalism and secular values.

Critics in New Delhi often frame it bluntly: Yunus risks turning Bangladesh into a Bengali Pakistan  where Bengali nationalism is subjugated to radical Islamic ideology that has guided Pakistan for decades, and which Bangladeshs founding fathers rejected.

Bangladeshs linguistic identity was so strong and its campaign was so pivotal for liberation from Pakistan was so overwhelming that Unesco recognised it in its declaration of February 21 as the International Mother Language Day. It was on February 21 in 1952 several protesters died in the firing by Pakistani police during agitation by students of Dhaka who defied laws seeking recognition of Bengali as an official language.

Third, Indias moves also counter what officials describe as radical ecosystem consolidation around Yunus. The BNP outreach serves as both reassurance and pressure  positioning India as a stakeholder in ensuring that Bangladesh does not drift into ideological destabilisation.

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Security signalling and soft pressure

Indias engagement has not been purely political. Earlier, Indias Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi spoke to his Bangladeshi counterpart Waker-uz-Zaman in what officials described as a frank security conversation. Following the interaction, voices in Dhaka  which had earlier taken a sharper rhetorical line  noticeably toned down statements relating to India.

These moves suggest that India is looking for quiet stabilisation efforts over loud geopolitical confrontation. The signal to Dhaka appears clear that New Delhi expects responsible governance, insulation from radical groups and preservation of Bangladeshs secular, liberation-war-derived identity.

Indias broader worldview on Bangladesh

For India, Bangladesh is not just a neighbour. It is:

a frontline partner against terror networks

a crucial pillar in eastern regional stability

a land and maritime security buffer

a key actor in Bay of Bengal geopolitics

Politically, New Delhis red lines appear clear. India has long opposed:

the return of Jamaat-e-Islami into mainstream power structures

attempts to reshape Bangladeshs identity into a religious-nationalist template

any rollback of 1971s political ethos

Indias evolving engagements hint at New Delhis attempt to build a democratic coalition that can resist ideological hardening in Dhaka and prevent regional destabilisation.

Isolating Yunus without saying so?

India has not publicly taken a stance castigating Muhammad Yunus. Diplomatically, it is keeping its vocabulary measured. But strategic community voices in New Delhi argue that Yunus is playing into the hands of radicals and undoing the foundational separation between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

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By reaching out to Tarique Rahman, engaging BNP respectfully, maintaining contact with security institutions, and publicly showing empathy at a moment of national mourning, India is doing something rare: crafting political messaging through mourning diplomacy.

Whether this ultimately isolates the YunusJamaat alliance or simply resets political balance in Dhaka remains to be seen. But India has made it unmistakably clear  it is in any mood to stand by silently if Bangladeshs secular democratic identity is threatened as this has the potential of triggering a crisis on Indias bordering and in bordering states similar to the early 1970s.
The sex offender had unprecedented access and influence spanning several American presidencies

They should be called the Farce Files.

Bipartisan lawmakers who pressured Donald Trump to sign the Epstein Files Transparency Act, his critics, and, above all, the late sexual predators victims should reconcile to a bitter truththe dirty dark secrets in the documents, pictures or videos will remain buried for now.

The DoJ will ensure that the most damaging, controversial and incriminating stuff in the files is either untraceable, concealed, deleted or heavily redacted till Trump is in power. If a sensational document is inadvertently released, the DoJ will either term it fake or delete it.

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Pam Bondi is proving her fealty to Trump and shielding him despite no charges against the president in Jeffrey Epsteins global sex trafficking ringand that makes the cover-up more suspicious.

The most glaringly suspicious aspect of the Epstein files is the involvement of the DoJs counter-intelligence officials, the National Security Division (NSD), in heavily redacting the files.

Do the files contain classified documents involving Epstein and intelligence agencies?

Why was Epstein untouchable? He escaped lengthy prison terms despite the first two convictions.

DoJ Flouts Epstein Act, Redacts Almost Everything

Sloppy or deliberatethe DoJs actions have stirred up a hornets nest, triggering charges of a massive cover-up to protect Trump and other wealthy and powerful men, including politicians and celebs.

First, Bondi flouted the very Act.

The Act required the DoJ to make public in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Attorneys Offices, that relate to Jeffrey Epstein, including all investigations, prosecutions, or custodial matters within 30 days.

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There are reportedly more than 1.45 million records in the Epstein trove.

However, only 3,951 photos, videos, handwritten notes and investigative documents were released in four volumes on December 19. Bondis deputy, Todd Blanche, said that he expected several hundred thousand more to be released in the coming weeks.

Subsequently, more than 30,000 documents were released on December 22.

On Christmas Eve, the DoJ said that the department and the FBI had uncovered over a million more documents potentially related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Moreover, the first tranche includes several materials already in the public domain and obtained via court filings and lawsuits and the House Oversight Committees earlier releases.

It contains photos of several women with their faces redacted, paintings of nude women, photos of Epstein with his now-incarcerated girlfriend-pimp Ghislaine Maxwell and celebs and framed photos of Trump.

Bill Clinton is seen in a hot tub with a woman whose face is redacted and in a pool with Maxwell and several women whose identities are redacted.

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The photos also show modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, arrested in France in 2020 in the Epstein case and charged with raping minors, with him and Maxwell aboard the Lolita Express. Suspiciously, Brunel, like Epstein in August 2019, was found hanging in his jail cell in February 2022.

There are photos attached to written notes from an interview with a woman who alleged being raped by Epstein several times as a minor.

The most important document is a 1996 complaint made to the FBI by Epstein victim Maria Farmer, who alleged that he stole the photos and negatives of her two minor sisters to sell them to potential buyers.

Second, it was expected that the DoJ would redact several documents and photos. However, a massive level of redaction was unexpected, which made the release useless.

Providing a pathetic excuse, the DoJ said that machine error and instances of human error could have resulted in the redactions due to the size and scope of thousands of documents.

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Around 700 pages were redacted, according to an .

A 119-page grand jury report was released after being completely redacted. Subsequently, the DoJ rereleased it with minimal redactions on December 21.

Evidently, the DoJ has decided not to release damaging files, especially related to Trump and Epstein.

Fumbling DoJ Desperate to Shield Trump

Several documents/photos show Trumps deep ties to Epstein.

The DoJ is desperate to shield the president using one of the loopholes in the Act.

Per the Act, any information about victims names, medical files and identifying information; child sex abuse material; and images of death, abuse or injury can be withheld or redacted.

Bondi has been using the loophole to conceal, redact, remove or delete any damaging content related to Trump.

First, on December 20, the DoJ quietly removed 16 photographs from the first tranche, including a photo of Epsteins desk showing a picture of Trump inside a drawer with several women with one in a bathing suit.

On December 21, Blanche told NBC News that the DoJ is not redacting information around President Trump.

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After the removal outraged Democrats and social media users, the department restored the photo on the same day, posting on X that New York federal prosecutors had said that it exposed Epsteins victims, but a review showed there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph.

Similarly, Blanche also backtracked.

Initially, he claimed to NBC News that the 16 photos were removed because there are photographs of women.  It has nothing to do with President Trump. However, when asked whether the women in the Trump photo were Epsteins victims, a defensive Blanche said, No, thats not what Im saying.

Removing the desk photo was a clear case of a cover-up.

Clintons hot tub picture with a woman whose face was redacted wasnt removed with the DoJ saying that she is a victim of Epstein.

If Trumps photo didnt have a victim(s), as later claimed by the DoJ, why was the photo removed? Either the DoJ missed redacting the face(s) or realised too late that there was a victim(s) with Trump and removed it.

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Second, the first tranche also contains a lawsuit filed against Epsteins estate and Maxwell in 2020 in which the rapist allegedly introduces a 14-year-old victim to Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in the 90s and elbows him to ask, This is a good one, right? Trump smiles and nodsthen both men chuckle.

If the allegation were true, it would prove that Trump knew that Epstein was raping minors.

Third, the second tranche panicked the White House, which, according to Axios, took control of the DoJs X handle as the department fumbled with redacting and deleting materials.

For example, late into the night of December 22, someone accessed the DoJs websites staging area for documents and posted them online. Consequently, the documents were removed after a few hours, sparking accusations of a cover-up.

The documents contain three pieces of important information, of which two are damaging to Trump though they are somewhat doubtful.

First, an email by an assistant US attorney from the Southern District of New York dated January 8, 2020, shows that Trump was aboard the Lolita Express, at least, eight times between 1993 and 1996.

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One flight had Trump, Epstein and a 20-year-old woman. On two other flights, two of the passengers, respectively, were women who would be possible witnesses in a Maxwell case, the email reads.

The second and third pieces of information alarmed the DoJ.

An FBI case file document dated October 27, 2020, contains an allegation of rape against Trumpunsurprisingly, all names and other identifying details are redacted.

A limousine driver driving Trump to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in 1995 claims to have overheard him talking to Jeffrey and mentioning abusing some girl.

In 1999, the driver mentioned the incident to a woman who went stone cold. He [Trump] raped me, she said adding that Donald J. Trump had raped her along with Jeffrey Epstein.

When the driver asked the woman to report the rape to the police, she replied, I cant. They will kill me.

However, on Christmas in 1999, she contacted the driver informing him that she had contacted the police. He never heard from her again. On January 10, 2000, someone called the driver informing him that the woman was found with her head blown off in Kiefer, Oklahoma. Officers on the scene and [redacted] stated there was no way it was a suicide. Corner stated it was a suicide.

The womans death, if the FBI case document is to be believed, like Epsteins at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC), NYC, on August 10, 2019, was suspicious.

The DoJ jumped to Trumps defence insinuating that some of the documents that contain untrue and sensationalist claims were submitted to the FBI to harm his electoral prospects before the 2020 election.

To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.

A few hours later, the DoJ posted the image of a handwritten letter signed by J. Epstein sent from jail to Larry Nassar, a former doctor for the USA gymnastics team, serving a 60-year sentence on child pornography charges, in August 2019.

Our president [Trump] also shares our love of young, nubile girls, the letter reads, hinting that Trump also abused minors.

Notably, the letter, postmarked three days after Epstein mysteriously died, alludes to Epsteins plans to commit suicide. As you know by now, I have taken the short route home. Good luck!

The letter was found returned to sender in the MCCs mail room on September 29.

Prison authorities read and inspect outgoing mail. Strangely, the letter was allowed to be sent.

A photo of the envelope, postmarked on August 13, 2019, shows that it was sent from the MCC to Nassar, listed as an inmate at a federal prison in Arizona. Besides, CNN earlier reported that Epstein appeared to send a letter to Nassar.

In 2020, the FBI, per a DoJ document, requested a handwriting analysis of the letter.

Initially, the DoJ posted that it was checking the letters validity.

Later, the DoJ, without providing any documentation, posted that the FBI confirmed that the letter was fake.

The writing does not appear to match Jeffrey Epstein, the department said without referring to the handwriting analysiswhether it was analysed or what the conclusion wasand removed it.

According to the department, the letter was postmarked in Northern Virginia, not NYC, and the return address mentioned was of another jail.

Its either a cover-up or sloppiness.

Why would the DoJ release a fake letter and later remove it?

If the letter was fake, was it deliberately released to assert that Epstein committed suicide?

Epsteins brother, Mark, has repeatedly alleged that he was murdered because he had dirt on Trump and even the Clintons.

If the letter is authentic, was it the DoJs sheer sloppiness to release it and debunk it later to shield Trump?

Epsteins Deep, Dubious Ties

Trumps deep ties with Epstein, their fondness for young women, the presidents efforts to block the release of the files and the DoJs shocking bid to shield him have been widely reported.

However, theres another angle that hasnt been explored and could be the reason for the Trump administrations bid to block the complete and unredacted Epstein files.

Epstein had been sexually abusing minor girls since the mid-1990s, but wasnt arrested until 2006.

Around three decades ago, Farmer complained to the FBI on August 26, 1996, about Epstein alleging child pornography. Per the FBI complaint, Farmer clicked photos of her two minor sisters (12 and 16 years) for her personal artwork.

Epstein stole the photos and negatives and is believed to have sold the pictures to potential buyers, the document reads.

Epstein threatened Farmer, whom he and Maxwell raped in New Albany, Ohio in May 1996, that if she tells anyone about the photos, he will burn her house down.

The complaint also included Farmers allegation that Epstein had sexually assaulted her sister, Annie, in New Mexico in April 1996.

For almost 10 years, the FBI didnt take any action against Epstein. In a statement, Farmer said that the FBI had failed her and other victims.

During that time, Clinton, with close ties to Epstein, was the president.

It was only in 2006, when Epstein was first arrestedbut spent only a day in jail.

In 2005, the stepmother of a 14-year-old high schoolgirl in Palm Beach reported to the police that Epstein molested her stepdaughter. Subsequently, the police started interviewing more girls who led them to others who alleged that Epstein molested or raped them.

When the police raided Epsteins Palm Beach mansion, several computers believed to have contained names and photos of victims were missing. Epstein was tipped off.

Prosecutors had an arrest document that listed five rape victims. Epstein, however, was indicted on only one state felony charge of solicitation of prostitution.

He spent only one night in the Palm Beach County Jail and was released the next day on $3,000 bond.

If Epstein was convicted of the felonies against all five girls, he could have been sentenced to 75 years.

There was a second chance to nail Epsteinbut the paedophile again avoided a lengthy jail term.

In May 2008, an assistant US submitted a draft indictment mentioning 60 criminal counts against Epstein and a memo summarising the evidence collected against him.

Strangely, Alex Acosta, the top prosecutor at the US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida and later Trumps labour secretary in his first term, and Epsteins attorneys reached the deal of the century.

Acosta offered to end the probe if Epstein pleaded guilty to two state charges, agreed to a jail term, register as a sexual offender and pay monetary damages to his victims.

Moreover, under a non-prosecution agreement (NPA), Epstein, four co-conspirators and any potential co-conspirators were granted immunity.

The FBI kept Epsteins victims in the dark by not informing them that the investigation had ended under the NPA.

Subsequently, Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges of solicitation of prostitution and of solicitation of prostitution with a minor under 18 and got only an 18-month prison term in a minimum-security facility. However, he was permitted to leave for 12 hours a day to work at a foundation he had recently incorporated.

Epstein didnt even complete his jail term and was released after less than 13 months.

By 2010, he had settled several lawsuits filed by his victims.

In 2015, Epsteins primary accuser, Virginia Roberts Giuffre who apparently committed suicide in April this yearsued Maxwell for defamation after she called her a liar for alleging to be a victim. In 2017, Maxwell settled Giuffres lawsuit.

In 2019, Epstein was arrested by federal agents and charged in the Southern District Court of New York with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. In the same year, Acosta resigned as labour secretary.

On August 10, Epstein was found dead under mysterious circumstances at the MCC.

The sordid saga could have ended in 1996 if the FBI had acted upon Farmers complaint against Epsteininstead, he continued to rape scores of girls and traffic several of them to his rich and powerful friends.

Epsteins Ties to Intelligence Agencies

Epstein managed to avoid lengthy jail terms and was convicted only thrice. His third and last conviction was in 2019.

Was it a coincidence that Trump was the president when Epstein was last convicted and died under mysterious circumstances?

Even in Trumps second term, the DoJ is concealing or redacting damaging information in the files using the Acts other loophole, which allows only unclassified records to be released.

Protecting the identities of the victims is a legitimate reason for the redactionsbut is it the only reason?

Classified information related to national defence or foreign policy should be kept secret, per the Act.

Its baffling that the files/photos about a paedophile who ran a global sex trafficking ring contain classified material of national defence or foreign policy importance.

The most suspicious aspect of the DoJ cover-up is that its counter-intelligence officials (NSD), who inherited the redaction work from the FBI, are involved in it.

Manpower shortage could be a reason, but the NSDs involvement is extremely suspicious.

The NSDs mission is to protect the US from threats to national security by coordinating between prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, intelligence attorneys and the intelligence community.

NSD lawyers dont handle sex crime documents and neither the department investigated Epstein.

Did Epstein have links to the CIA and Mossad?

In November, Thomas Massie, a GOP representative from Kentucky, one of the two co-drafters of the Epstein files Bill, told the media before the US Capitol that Epstein certainly had  close ties to [US] intelligence agencies and Israels intelligence agencies.

Standing beside Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia GOP representative who recently fell out with Trump, asked, Will the CIA release the files?

Greene is a conspiracy theorist, but Massie isnt.

Acosta, during his interview for the post of Trumps labour secretary, said that the Epstein NPA was signed in 2008 because he was told to back off. I was told Epstein belonged to intelligence and to leave it alone, he said, according to a Daily Beast report in July 2019.

Later, Acosta denied the statement.

But why did Acosta strike the sweetheart deal with Epstein during the Bush administration?

Who pressured Acosta?

Why did the FBI mislead Epsteins victims and keep the NPA a secret from them?

In April 2023, Epsteins private calendar revealed that the USs then-deputy secretary of state, William BurnsJoe Bidens future CIA director met him thrice in Washington and at his Manhattan house in 2014.

The CIA later denied Burns knowing anything about Epstein or having any relationship despite the paedophiles two convictions and arrests (2006 and 2008).

Its highly suspicious that an Obama Cabinet official who advised on foreign policy and supervised the State Departments operations met Epstein thrice.

The sex trafficking ring aside, theres another sensational period in Epsteins life not reported by the mainstream mediarather deliberately.

Epstein, not formally named or convicted in the Iran-Contra affair (1981-86), was connected to some of the key figures in the CIA scandal, like the late Stanley Pottinger, the former assistant attorney general for civil rights under Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

The Ronald Reagan administration was trafficking arms to Irandespite the embargovia Israel during the Iran-Iraq War and using the proceeds of the sale to fund the Contras, an anti-communist rebel group fighting the Marxist Sandinista National Liberation Front in Nicaragua.

Pottinger, later an attorney for Iranian banker Cyrus Hashemi, Ayatollah Khomeinis arms broker in NYC, was assisting the Iranians with the CIAs help in bypassing the arms embargo using fake invoices and foreign shell companies.

Pottinger was operating from a penthouse he rented along with his brother and Epstein in Central Park South, NYC. When Pottinger was identified in a federal indictment against Hashemi for illegal arms exports, the banker fled to England.

The CIA, however, continued trafficking arms to Iran using Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi and Israel.

Coincidentally, the person who supervised the CIAs first arms delivery to the Contras was Epsteins close friend and client Barak, who headed Aman, the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate.

The CIA, which owned the Southern Air Transport airline from 1960 to 1973, was using its planes to smuggle arms to Iran via Israel. When one of the jets was shot down over Nicaragua in October 1986, the Iran-Contra affair was exposed.

Subsequently, the Miani-headquartered airline relocated to Columbus, Ohio.

Epstein, then a little-known financier and money manager for the wealthy, played a critical role in the airlines relocation to Columbus with the help of his client and Ohio-based fashion and retail mogul Les Wexner, the former CEO of Victorias Secret.

Farmer publicly alleged that Epstein and Maxwell raped her at Wexners property in New Albany, Ohio.

The DoJs second tranche of documents contain redacted emails showing that the FBI was looking into Wexner as one of Epsteins 10 alleged co-conspirators. One email dated July 9, 2019, between investigators from an FBIs Violent Crimes Section for Crimes Against Children Human Trafficking Unit mentions a wealthy businessman in Ohio.

Under Epsteins supervision, the Southern Air Transport jets were repurposed to deliver clothes to Wexners network of retail chains, including Victorias Secret.

Exactly a week before the CIA inspector general released its report linking the airline to allegations of Contra cocaine trafficking, Southern Air Transport declared bankruptcy on October 1, 1998. Ohio officials dropped the investigation and Epsteins role remained buried.

Epsteins ties with Israel are in the public domain.

Documents released earlier show the closeness of Epstein and former Israeli PM and defence minister Ehud Barak, who, according to Giuffre, repeatedly raped her.

In her posthumous memoir, Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, Giuffre recalled that a famous prime minister repeatedly choked me  Horrifically, the Prime Minister laughed when he hurt me and got more aroused when I begged him to stop on Epsteins private island in the US Virgin Islands in 2002.

An archive of leaked emails released by the Handala hacking group and documents released by the House Oversight Committee in October show how Epstein was involved in Israels West African security negotiations in 2012 while Barak was the defence minister.

With Epsteins assistance, Barak presented a proposal to Cote dIvoire in 2014 for mass surveillance of phone and Internet communications designed by former Israeli spies. With Israeli technological help, President Alassane Ouattara, who won a fourth term in October by defying the constitutional limit, has tightened his grip on power.

In Mongolia, Epstein again used his political and financial connections to help Barak in a security cooperation agreement between Mongolia and Israel in 2017, according to the leaked emails.

According to Drop Site News reporting, Epstein also hosted an Israeli military intelligence officer and Barak aide.

If Epstein wasnt involved with intel agencies, why does the Act bar the release of classified information related to national defence or foreign policy?

Its obvious that the files contain classified information related to national defence or foreign policyand Epstein was involved.

In November, Mark alleged that the FBI was sanitising these [Epstein] files, at a Virginia facility.

Theres a facility in Winchester, Virginia, where theyre scrubbing the files to take Republican names out of it. Thats what I was told by a pretty good source, he added.

(The writer is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience and comments primarily on foreign affairs. He tweets as @FightTheBigots. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that his administration is pulling the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, a few days after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the administration.

"We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact. Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it weren't for the Federal Government stepping in," Trump said on Truth Social.

"We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again," Trump said, calling Democrat mayors and governors of those areas "greatly incompetent."

The announcement came just a few days after the Supreme Court blocked Trump's plan to send the National Guard to Chicago to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's agents.

Trump has argued that it's necessary to deploy the National Guard to these Democrat-ruled places due to surging crime, while Democrats have questioned the political motivations behind such moves. 
Amid ongoing attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh, another Hindu man has been beaten and set on fire in Shariatpur district, according to reports.

Security personnel block a road near the site of a police operation on militants on the outskirts Dhaka, Bangladesh, on July 26, 2016. (Representational Photo, Credit: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters)

Amid ongoing attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh, another Hindu man was on Wednesday assaulted and set on fire, according to reports.

Since the ongoing wave of targeted violence began last month, at least three Hindu men have been lynched in Bangladesh.

In the latest case, a mob allegedly intercepted a 50-year-old man, Khokon Das, and assaulted him with sharp weapons and set him on fire in Shariatpur district, as reported by Moneycontrol and The Times of India.

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Previously, three Hindu men Dipu Chandra Das, Amrit Mondal, and Bajendra Biswas were killed last month.

On December 18, fellow garment factory workers joined the locals to kill Das in Mymensingh district after accusing him of blasphemy. The police said the mob first beat him to death and then set his body on fire.

On December 24, a mob beat Mondal to death in Rajbari district. The police said the mob lynched Mondal after accusing him of running an extortion business.

On December 29, a fellow factory worker shot to death Biswas in Mymensingh.

While cyclic violence against Hindus and other religious minorities has been going on ever since street violence ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, such violence has intensified since last month and is part of a broader wave of violence targeted at political, cultural, and religious groups and institutions that do not toe the line of hardliner Islamists who have amassed power in Bangladesh since Hasinas ouster.

Since the news of anti-Hasina student leader Osman Hadis death broke last month, Bangladesh has been in the grips of nationwide street violence in which politicians, media organisations, cultural organisations, and religious minorities have been targeted. Moreover, mobs have also repeatedly targeted Indian diplomatic missions, most notably the Assistant Indian High Commission in Chattogram district.
In the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing next week, European partners will make commitments to Ukraines security from Russia in case of any agreement that ends the ongoing war, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he arrives for a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on November 17, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

In a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Tuesday, European partners will make commitments to Ukraines security from Russia in case of any agreement that ends the ongoing war, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced.

After a meeting of national security advisors of member-states on Saturday, the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing led by the United Kingdom and France will meet on Tuesday. The group has more than 30 members.

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On January 6 in Paris, many European states and allies will make concrete commitments to protect Ukraine and ensure a just and lasting peace on our European continent, said Macron in his New Years Eve address on Wednesday.

Previously, Ukraines European partners, including the UK, France, and Germany, last month said there was strong convergence with the Donald Trump administration of the United States after talks in Berlin and stated a list of goals for both sides to work towards.

European partners have said their goals include commitments to support Ukraines military, the creation and deployment of a European-led peacekeeping force, and guarantees to use force if Ukraine came under attack again, according to Reuters.

While neither side has gone into the specifics so far, there have been reports that the Trump administration has offered Ukraine security guarantee modelled after Article 5 of Nato that underpins the collective defence principle of the alliance. Previously, European partners have stressed that any European peacekeeping force enforcing a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia must be supported by an American backstop.

In negotiations so far, Ukraine has stressed that such security guarantees are a must for any agreement that ends the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Trump on Sunday at his Mar-a-Lago private home in Florida. While they described the meeting as productive, they did not make any decisive announcements towards the end of the war.

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For months, Trump has been ramping up pressure on Ukraine to accept any arrangement and wrap the ongoing war. His infamous 28-point plan plan would have essentially meant a Ukrainian surrender and an end to sovereignty and nationhood. With European partners, Ukraine pushed back and the plan has been refined into much more agreeable 20-point plan. But contentious issues of territory are understood be not yet finalised.
The Balkan country becomes the euro zones 21st member, replacing the lev with the euro and gaining a seat on the ECBs Governing Council

People participate in New Year's celebrations in Sofia, Bulgaria, which also marks the countrys accession to the Eurozone. Reuters

Bulgaria on Thursday marked its entry into the euro zone with celebrations in the capital, including a display of euro coins on the facade of the central bank in Sofia and a fireworks show, as the country reached a long-awaited milestone.

At midnight, the euro officially became Bulgarias currency, replacing the lev, which was withdrawn from circulation.

Bulgarias accession expands the euro zone to more than 350 million users across Europe. Croatia was the most recent country to adopt the single currency, joining the bloc in January 2023.

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Our money will be in a different currency - if I have 10,000 leva, now I will have 5,100 euros. Its all the same. And I think it will be better, Reuters quoted Stefan Bisterkov, a driving instructor, as saying.

Beyond the currency change, becoming the euro zones 21st member gives Bulgaria a seat on the European Central Banks rate-setting Governing Council.

Successive Bulgarian governments have pursued euro adoption since the Balkan country of 6.7 million joined the European Union in 2007.

Public opinion remains divided, according to polls, although the business community has largely backed the move.

My expectations from (adopting) the euro are positive, I dont think there will be anything to worry about, quite the opposite. We will only benefit from this, and it will only be more useful for us, Antonia Tsvetkova, a jeweller, told Reuters.

Anyone who goes on a trip will not have problems exchanging currency, now everything will be normal.

Others remain concerned that adopting the euro could drive up prices, or express mistrust toward a domestic political establishment facing turmoil.

Bulgarias government stepped down last month following widespread protests against proposed tax increases.

With inputs from agencies
As the world enters a new year, it is carrying the weight of the past conflicts. Here are 7 hotspots in the world where tensions are at an all-time high this year.

The year 2025 was a turbulent one for the world order, with tensions simmering in several parts of the world. While some were watered down with ceasefire agreements, others persisted and might end up spilling over to 2026.

Over the last year, fighting raged on in Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and the Sahel, as did gang turf battles in Haiti. While the war in Gaza wound down, Israel has resumed its assault in Gaza and has been in talks about the controversial West Bank settlement plan, which has the potential to escalate the conflict.

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Tensions are also ripe in Asia, with China and Taiwan sending New Years warnings instead of greetings. As we usher in the year 2026, the following are the conflict areas the world should be focusing on.

7 zones where tensions are brewing

1) China vs Taiwan

In his annual New Years Eve Speech in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to reunify China and Taiwan. Speaking the day after the conclusion of intense Chinese military drills around Taiwan, Xi said: The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable.

It is important to note that China claims Taiwan, a self-governing island, as part of its territory and has long vowed to annex it, using force if necessary. The remarks came at a time when the US intelligence is increasingly concerned about the advancing capabilities of Chinas armed forces to launch such an attack if Xi decides the time is right.

Customers dine near a giant screen broadcasting news footage of aircraft of the Air Force under the Eastern Theatre Command of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) taking part in a combat readiness patrol and Joint Sword exercises around Taiwan, at a restaurant in Beijing, in April 2023. File image/Reuters

In response, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed on Thursday to defend the democratic islands sovereignty in a New Years speech, after China carried out military drills. My stance has always been clear: to steadfastly defend national sovereignty, strengthen national defence and whole-of-society resilience, comprehensively establish effective deterrence capabilities, and build robust democratic defence mechanisms, Lai said in a televised address from the Presidential Office. Chinas growing aggression over the island region is expected to be a major talking point in 2026.

2) Russia-Ukraine war and the Baltics

While the US President Donald Trumps administration has been pushing for a peace deal in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow will continue to fight for outright victory in Ukraine, and if Europe wants war, he is ready.

In 2026, many believe that Putin is likely to provoke the European allies of NATO and in the EU at a number of pinch points  especially in the Baltic, the North Atlantic and through the Balkans. There have been several instances of Russian drones breaching the airspace of other nations in the region.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin holds his annual end-of-year press conference in Moscow on December 19, 2025. - AFP

Many are also concerned about the enclave of Kaliningrad, the wedge between Poland and Lithuania, where Russia can shift its focus. In recent months, there have been disruptions of border patrols on the frontier with Norway and Estonia.

When it comes to the Ukraine war, Russia has been clear about its expansionist ambitions. If the US and Europe fail to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, Russia might continue with its aggression in the war-torn nations eastern front. As this year would mark the fourth year of the war, the West is hoping to find a just solution, something which is hard to negotiate with Putin.

3) US vs Venezuela

Another major area of conflict is the ongoing tussle between Venezuela and the United States. In late 2025, the US commenced its biggest military buildup in the southern Caribbean in decades. The Trump administration argued that the move was part of a crackdown on drug smuggling and human trafficking.

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However, many also noted that the escalation is part of designs to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power. In December, the US Coast Guard began seizing tankers exporting sanctioned Venezuelan crude in a blockade.

US President Donald Trump vs Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro

While the Trump administration is painting the attacks as a fight to curb drug trafficking. It is pertinent to note that none of the fentanyl ravaging US communities comes from Venezuela. Amid the growing American aggression, Venezuela is also ramping up its military presence near its oil reserves.

While a regime overthrow and full American invasion are highly unlikely, the tensions between the two sides are likely to continue in 2026. However, opposition voices within Venezuela are also becoming prominent, making many wonder if Maduro will stay in power until the end of 2026.

4) Israels aggression in Gaza and the West Bank

One of the key events of the year 2025 was the historic ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza. The deal, brokered by US President Donald Trump, calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the establishment of the International Stabilisation Force and the disarmament of Hamas.

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The third criterion has been a matter of contention for a while now. Meanwhile, there have been reports of Israeli attacks in Gaza and infighting within the Palestinian militant groups. Hence, tensions are likely to spill over in 2026.

Palestinians stand near a burning car reportedly set alight by Israeli settlers attempting to disrupt them harvesting olives near the occupied West Bank village of Turmos Ayya near Ramallah on October 19, 2025. (Photo: Hazem Bader/AFP)

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government has accelerated land seizures and institutional changes seemingly designed to make de facto annexation a permanent reality. The Trump administration and the United Arab Emiratesthe Arab government with the closest ties to Israelhave denounced the idea of such a move, as has almost every other capital friendly to Israel. Yet Tel Aviv continues to maintain a harsh stance on the Palestinian territory.

Apart from this, Israels strikes on Lebanon, Qatar and even Iran have escalated tensions in West Asia.

5) Africa

A turbulent region in Africa is on the verge of full-blown warfare from Kurdistan in the north to the Arabian Peninsula, Sudan and Somalia across sub-Saharan Africa. When it comes to this region, Yemen and Sudan are the proxies of the two biggest powers of the Gulf, Saudi Arabia and the UAE; the two nations are in open war.

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Chadian soldiers inspect vehicles travelling between Chad and Sudan, amid the ongoing conflict between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Army, at the Tine border post in eastern Chad, November 22, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

It is also important to note that the fighting on the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has strategic implications, given the contest for minerals such as rare earths and cadmium, between the agents of China, Russias former Wagner group, and powerful organised crime gangs.

6) Iran vs Israel & the West

In June last year, Israel and the USs strikes on Irans three nuclear facilities led to two weeks of hostilities in the region. The conflict eventually led to Iran shutting its doors to any form of international inspection of its nuclear facilities, raising concern among the West. Top Western and regional officials are now fearing another round of fighting between the two nations.

People walk past a mural drawn by the Grafitiyul graffiti art group depicting Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a street in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on July 22, 2025. AFP

In late December, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly briefed the White House on plans for fresh strikes, citing Irans stated moves to reconstitute its ballistic missile program. Meanwhile, Trump has also indicated that Irans missile and nuclear activity could well precipitate renewed attacks. Hence, there is a possibility of renewed fighting in 2026.

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7) Afghanistan vs Pakistan

In October last year, border clashes ensued between Pakistan and Afghanistan after Islamabad attributed a surge in attacks on Pakistani territory to insurgents based across the Afghan border. While a ceasefire is in place for now, militant violence between the two nations continues to persist.

The relations between the two nations have tanked, though, mainly because the Taliban refused to crack down on the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Amid the conflict last year, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire in Doha, Qatar. However, subsequent rounds in Istanbul have not eased bilateral tensions.

As of 2026, the diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain suspended. Trade has ceased. Islamabads actions against Afghan nationals on its territory, including mass deportations, have further angered Kabul. Hence, the tension has been so intense that any strike from either side would lead to yet another conflict this year.

Afghan Talibans Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid and Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif shake hands following the signing of a ceasefire agreement during negotiations mediated by Qatar and Turkey in Doha, Qatar, on October 19, 2025. (File Photo: Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via Reuters)

Apart from the ones on the list, there have been tensions brewing between different nations around the world. For instance, there have been infightings in Syria between different militant groups and ISIS outfits while the countrys President Al Sharaa attempts to bring in stability.

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Tensions are also high among African nations like Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mali and Burkina Faso. Hence, it is safe to say that while 2025 brought some calm in the world order. These hotspots will remain a matter of concern this year.
India on Thursday formally took over the rotating presidency of the Brics grouping for 2026, with New Delhi expected to push for more inclusive development and a stronger role for the Global South in international economic governance

Leaders of the Brics group pose for the family photo during the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in July 7. File image/Reuters

India on Thursday formally took over the rotating presidency of the Brics grouping for 2026, with New Delhi expected to push for more inclusive development and a stronger role for the Global South in international economic governance, at a time when US President Donald Trumps tariff policies have disrupted global trade.

Brics was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, but has expanded over the past two years to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. The Brics website lists Saudi Arabia as the blocs 11th member, though some reports say Riyadh has yet to formally join.

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According to World Bank data, the expanded grouping accounts for about 49% of the worlds population, roughly 29% of global gross domestic product and 23% of international trade.

Trump imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods in August, including a 25% penalty linked to Indias purchases of Russian oil. The rate is the highest applied to any US trading partner and matched duties imposed on Brazil, which held the Brics presidency in 2025. Washington later lifted additional levies on several Brazilian food exports, including coffee and beef, in November.

In February, Trump warned Brics countries against pursuing a common currency, declaring the bloc dead and threatening 100% tariffs if members sought to challenge the dominance of the US dollar.

Facing Trump tariffs, India will likely resist confrontational de-dollarization, and instead promote local currency settlements to maintain strategic autonomy during its Brics presidency, Nikkei Asia quoted Prerna Gandhi, an associate fellow at Indias Vivekananda International Foundation think tank, as saying.

India will also push for reforms in multilateral institutions like the World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund while encouraging dialogue that reduces fragmentation and promotes stability in global supply chains, she added.

Raj Kumar Sharma, a senior research fellow at New Delhi-based think tank NatStrat, told Nikkei Asia that India will use its Brics presidency to defend and strengthen multilateralism against any unilateral impulses.

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There is need to strengthen multilateral trading systems during current times when protectionism and tariffs are increasing. At the same time, India will also support reform of global governance institutions like the United Nations Security Council, the World Bank and the IMF, he said, adding that New Delhi recognises structural inequalities in global trade rules and may advocate special and differential treatment for developing countries in the Global South.

On the Global South agenda, Sharma said India will continue the approach it adopted during its G20 presidency in 2023, giving primacy to human welfare, inclusive development and broad public concerns affecting various countries.

He said issues such as food and fuel shortages, debt restructuring and climate finance will be central to Indias 2026 Brics presidency, which could face some challenge from Americas G20 presidency in which issues of the Global South may not be adequately highlighted.

India would like to make sure that the voice of the Global South is not lost amidst ongoing great-power rivalry, he said.

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Separately, Pakistan, Indias rival neighbour and an economy under strain, is seeking to join the Brics-backed New Development Bank to diversify its borrowing options.

Islamabad applied for Brics membership in 2023, looking to Russia and China for support.

Sharma said India is likely to push for clearly defined criteria for Brics membership so that the bloc does not lose its significance due to [any] unplanned expansion.

Gandhi said India supports expansion in principle but insists it should strengthen, not dilute, Brics effectiveness as a platform for development cooperation and global governance reform.

She said India has called for clear and transparent benchmarks  including economic size, development profile, institutional capacity and commitment to multilateralism  rather than politically driven or ad hoc admissions, and stressed that decisions must be taken by full consensus.

She added that in 2025, Brics focused on consolidating its existing membership rather than pursuing further expansion.

With inputs from agencies
The United States has found no evidence that Ukraine targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin or his residence with a drone, countering Moscows claims. The assessment has been backed by the EU and Kyiv, which say the allegation is a distraction that risks undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts

Trump indicated that a trilateral meeting to resolve the RussiaUkraine war could be possible.

The United States has found no evidence that Ukraine targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin or his residence with a drone, undercutting Moscows claims of an assassination attempt and easing fears that the incident could derail fragile diplomatic efforts.

According to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report citing US national security officials, American intelligence assessments concluded that Ukraine did not launch any strike aimed at Putin or his properties. The finding directly contradicts Russian allegations that Ukrainian drones attacked a presidential residence in the Novgorod region late last year.

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The conclusion from Washington has added weight to Kyivs long-standing denial and strengthened similar pushback from European leaders, who see the accusation as part of Russias information warfare.

No evidence found, US intel says

US officials familiar with the intelligence said there was no proof linking Ukraine to any attempt on Putins life or residence. A CIA assessment reportedly found nothing to support Moscows version of events, raising doubts about the timing and intent of the Russian claim.

Ukraine has consistently rejected the allegation, with officials arguing that Kyiv has neither the motive nor the strategy to carry out such an attack. One Western diplomat, cited in WSJs report, said simply: There is no evidence to support Russias assertion.

EU calls claims a deliberate distraction

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed Washingtons view, dismissing the allegation as a deliberate distraction and warning against allowing unverified claims to overshadow real discussions around ending the war.

EU officials believe the accusation surfaced at a sensitive moment, just as diplomatic engagement involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US leaders appeared to be gaining momentum.

Russia, however, has doubled down.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the alleged incident as a terrorist act and suggested it could influence Moscows stance on peace talks. The Kremlin released video footage it claims shows a drone being intercepted near the Novgorod residence.

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The report attributed a 124% increase in militant deaths to intensified counterterrorism operations against the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which operates independently of Afghanistans Taliban

Pakistan recorded its deadliest year in over a decade in 2025, with combat-related deaths rising 74%, according to The Associated Press, citing an independent think tank on Thursday.

The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said 3,413 people were killed last year, up from 1,950 in 2024, with militants accounting for more than half of the fatalities.

The report attributed a 124% increase in militant deaths to intensified counterterrorism operations against the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which operates independently of Afghanistans Taliban.

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The TTP has stepped up attacks on Pakistans security forces in recent years.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated since October after border clashes killed dozens and injured hundreds.

Islamabad frequently accuses Kabul of overlooking cross-border attacks by Pakistani militants, a claim denied by the Afghan Taliban government.

Separately, a roadside bomb in Sibi district, Balochistan, killed a passerby and injured five others on Thursday, AP quoted a local police chief Ghulam Ali as saying. No group claimed responsibility, though authorities suspect separatist militants, who have been linked to similar attacks in the past.

Abdullah Khan, managing director of PICSS, said the high death toll was driven in part by a rise in suicide bombings and the militants use of US military equipment left behind during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, which later reached the Pakistani Taliban, and other groups, increasing their operational capabilities.

The 2025 fatalities also included 667 security personnel, a 26% increase from the previous year, the highest annual figure since 2011," Khan told AP.

He also said 580 civilian deaths were recorded, the highest annual toll since 2015.

In addition, 28 members of pro-government peace committees were reported dead.

The Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) recorded at least 1,066 militant attacks in 2025, with suicide attacks rising 53% to 26 incidents, and said security forces arrested around 500 militants last year, up from 272 in 2024.

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Multiple militant groups, including the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for most of the attacks, the report added.

The report comes weeks after Pakistans military spokesman, Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, said security forces conducted 67,023 intelligence-based operations in 2025, killing 1,873 militants, including 136 Afghan nationals.

The surge in violence along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border follows the October 9 explosions in Kabul, which the Afghan Taliban blamed on Pakistan.

A Qatar-mediated ceasefire has largely held since, but the two sides failed to reach an agreement in November after three rounds of talks in Istanbul. All border crossings have remained closed since October, disrupting trade and the movement of people.

On Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said reopening the border crossings depends on written assurances from Kabul that Afghan territory will not be used for attacks in Pakistan. He added that UN trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Afghanistan were stranded on the Pakistani side because the gates on the Afghan side remained closed.

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A country in need of humanitarian assistance is unwilling to receive it. This is unprecedented  a country facing a humanitarian crisis is blocking humanitarian supplies, Andrabi said, though there was no immediate response from Kabul.

In December, Pakistans newly appointed armed forces chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, urged Afghanistans Taliban government to choose between maintaining ties with Islamabad or supporting the Pakistani Taliban.

With inputs from agencies
Chinas war games around Taiwan set the tone for the new year, and President Lai isnt mincing words. In a straight-talking address, he says defending sovereignty comes first, but warns that political infighting at home could send the wrong signal as pressure from Beijing keeps mounting

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te struck a defiant yet measured tone in his New Years address on Thursday, pledging to safeguard the islands sovereignty just days after .

The drills saw Beijing fire missiles and send dozens of fighter jets, naval vessels and coastguard ships to encircle Taiwans main island, moves Taipei swiftly denounced as highly provocative.

China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has repeatedly warned it could use force to bring the self-governed island under its control.

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My stance has always been clear: to steadfastly defend national sovereignty, strengthen national defence and whole-of-society resilience, comprehensively establish effective deterrence capabilities, and build robust democratic defence mechanisms, Lai said, speaking from the Presidential Office in a televised address.

Chinas latest show of strength comes amid a series of US arms sales to Taiwan, as well as remarks from Japans prime minister suggesting that any use of force against Taiwan could prompt a response from Tokyo, comments that further angered Beijing.

Against this backdrop, Lai stressed that Taiwans international standing has only grown stronger. He said global backing for the island has never wavered, adding that it shows Taiwan is no longer just Taiwan.

We are not only indispensable, we are also a trustworthy, responsible force for good in the international community, Lai said.

At home, however, the president warned that political infighting could weaken Taiwans deterrence posture. He pointed to opposition delays in approving the governments annual budget and a proposed $40 billion defence spending package, cautioning that such roadblocks could raise doubts about Taiwans resolve to defend itself.

In the face of Chinas grave military ambitions, Taiwan has no time to wait, nor any time for internal strife, Lai said.

We may hold differing views on many issues, but without a resilient national defence, there will be no nation, nor any space for debate.

Chinas latest drills mark the sixth major round of military manoeuvres since 2022, when a visit by then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan sharply escalated tensions.

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In response, Taiwan has been investing more heavily in smaller, mobile weapons systems designed for asymmetric warfare against Chinas far larger military. Still, Washington has urged Taipei to accelerate and expand those efforts.

Lais administration plans to raise defence spending to more than three percent of GDP in 2026, with an ambitious target of five percent by 2030.

Unity not division

The presidents address came at the end of a turbulent few weeks for Taiwan, marked by a fatal stabbing attack in a Taipei metro station and a worsening political standoff in parliament.

Opposition partiesthe Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan Peoples Partyhave clashed with the government after Premier Cho Jung-tai refused to sign amendments to a revenue-sharing bill backed by them. Lai publicly backed Chos move, leading to accusations that the government was defying the Constitution and triggering impeachment proceedings.

I hope that our ruling and opposition parties can stand united, Lai said.

Only through unity, not division, can we avoid sending the wrong signals to China that it could invade Taiwan.

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The Sri Lanka Navy has honoured eight foreign vessels, including two from India, for their vital assistance during Cyclone Ditwah, which claimed over 600 lives. Indian Navy ships INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri played a major role in rescue and relief under Operation Sagar Bandhu, as Sri Lanka faced severe flooding, landslides and infrastructure damage.

Sri Lanka expresses gratitude to India and global partners for cyclone relief aid

Sri Lanka Navy on Thursday said eight foreign vessels, including two from India, have been honoured for providing assistance to the island nation after the Cyclone Ditwah disaster that saw over 600 deaths.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya personally expressed gratitude to a group of diplomatic officials of the countries concerned, Sri Lanka Navy spokesman Commander Sampath said here.

Widespread flooding, landslides and severe infrastructure collapse across the island nation severely strained the countrys disaster-response capacity in the wake of the Cyclone Ditwah that hit Sri Lanka in November last week.

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Aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and another ship INS Udaygiri of the Indian Navy were the first to get involved in the rescue and relief operations.

When Ditwah made a landfall on November 27, eight foreign naval warships had arrived here to take part in the International Fleet Review 2025 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Highlighting the spirit of global and regional cooperation, the Sri Lanka Navy had acknowledged  in the immediate aftermath of the disaster  the invaluable support by foreign warships, extending much-needed Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, during the recent weather disaster in Sri Lanka, a release said.

Due to the disaster-situation triggered by severe weather conditions across the island, foreign warships that arrived for the event were promptly redirected to support humanitarian efforts. Particularly, helicopters deployed from the Indian Navys aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, it added.

Indias relief and assistance mission  Operation Sagar Bandhu  commenced on the very day that Cyclone Ditwah made landfall. INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri delivered relief material.

Operation Sagar Bandhu delivered over 1,100 tonnes of relief material, including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, essential clothing and water purification kits.

About 14.5 tons of medicines and medical equipment were also provided. Yet another 60 tons of equipment was brought to Sri Lanka to assist the relief operations.

Several Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force were active for a period of more than two weeks in Sri Lanka.

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As of January 1, as many as 644 people have died and 175 are still missing since November 16, as landslides, floods and rainfall caused widespread destruction, data from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) in Colombo showed.

India on December 23 announced a reconstruction package of USD 450 million for Sri Lanka, as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with the island nations top leaders and assured Delhis steadfast commitment to Colombos rebuilding post-cyclone.

The assistance package will include USD 350 million in concessional Lines of Credit and USD 100 million of grants.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
During the New Years Eve celebrations, a suicide bomber suspected to be aligned with the Islamic State blew himself near a church in Syrias Aleppo and killed one person and injured two others.

The photograph was released by the Syrian state media after a suicide bombing near a church in Aleppo, Syria, on December 31, 2025, killed one person and injured two.

During New Years Eve celebrations, a suicide bomber on Wednesday blew himself near a church in Syrias Aleppo and killed one person and injured two others.

The suicide bombing is the latest attack to rattle Syria, laying bare jihadist-turned-president Ahmed al-Sharaas weak grip on the country. These attacks by jihadists and extremist groups that both oppose and support his regime have particularly singled out non-Sunni religious and ethnic minorities like Alawites and Christians.

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The suicide bomber most likely had ideological or organisational links to the Islamic State, Syrian interior ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said in a statement carried by The New York Times.

Al-Baba said security personnel were trying to arrest the man at a checkpoint after spotting his explosive belt when he detonated it. He added that the bomber was attempting to infiltrate a Christian area in the center of Aleppo and the plot was thwarted.

Al-Baba further said the plot may have been to target the nearby Church of the Forty Martyrs. He did not offer any details about the plot but added that the authorities were working to determine the bombers identity, how he had obtained the explosive belt, and his potential connections to terror cells.

In recent weeks, a series of major jihadist attacks have rocked Syria. Last week, at least eight people were killed and around 20 were injured in a blast during prayers at a mosque in Homs. Ansar al-Sunna, which analysts believe is a splinter group of the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for the blast. The same group had previously claimed responsibility for a blast in a church in Damascus in June that killed at least 25 people.

On December 13, an attack attributed to the Islamic State killed three American nationals two soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Syrias Palmyra. They were part of counter-terrorism operations against the Islamic State.

The United States retaliated with airstrikes on Islamic State-related sites in Syria on December 19 that the US Central Command said the terrorist groups networks and infrastructure with the aim of preventing future attacks on American and partner forces. Last week, Jordan had also conducted airstrikes inside Syria to target arms- and drug-trafficking networks based in the country. Jordan had also joined US-led airstrikes on Dec. 19.

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OSLO, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Denmark and the Faroe Islands on Thursday formally took over the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers for 2026, pledging to deepen Nordic cooperation with a focus on societal security, competitiveness and updating the Helsinki Treaty.

According to a press release by the Nordic Council of Ministers, one of the main priorities of the Danish-Faroese presidency will be to ensure that the Helsinki Treaty is updated so that it reflects the fact that Nordic cooperation consists of eight countries/parts. Societal security and competitiveness will be key themes of the presidency.

During their presidency, Denmark and the Faroe Islands will work to forge closer cooperation in areas including societal security and the security of supply, cross-border crime, the region's overall competitiveness, and the protection of children and young people in the digital age, the release said.

The presidency will also work to ensure that Greenland and the Faroe Islands, as well as Aland, if so desired by Finland and Aland, can become equal partners in Nordic cooperation.

Greenland and the Faroe Islands are self-governing parts of the Kingdom of Denmark, with their own parliaments and extensive control over domestic affairs while Denmark handles matters such as foreign policy and defense.

Aland is an autonomous, demilitarized archipelago belonging to Finland, with its own parliament and Swedish as its only official language.

Denmark's Minister for Nordic Cooperation Morten Dahlin said the Danish government supports the desire of the Faroe Islands and Greenland to participate fully in Nordic cooperation on an equal footing with the other Nordic countries.

The Faroese Minister for Nordic Cooperation Sirid Stenberg said there is a strong need to strengthen relations and cooperation among Nordic neighbors amid uncertainties. She added that the Faroe Islands have long sought membership in their own name, and said the presidency will seek to set up a commission to update the Helsinki Treaty and pursue full membership for the Faroe Islands.

The Helsinki Treaty regulates Nordic cooperation and is often referred to as the "Nordic constitution." It was adopted in 1962 and was last updated in 1996, according to the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The presidency program was published in October, 2025 during the Session of the Nordic Council in Stockholm. On that occasion, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Faroese Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen underscored the importance of Nordic unity in uncertain times.

"In such uncertain times, it is crucial that we stick together in the Nordic Region," they said, adding that the 2026 presidency carries the title "The Nordic Region: Strong Ties in Changing Times." 
Ukrainian drones hit energy and industrial facilities in Russias Krasnodar, Tatarstan and Kaluga regions overnight, local officials said on Thursday, with the Ukrainian military confirming responsibility for two of the attacks, according to a report

Ukrainian drones hit energy and industrial facilities in Russias Krasnodar, Tatarstan and Kaluga regions overnight, local officials said on Thursday, with the Ukrainian military confirming responsibility for two of the attacks, according to a Reuters report.

In the southern Krasnodar region, local authorities said debris from a downed drone struck the Ilskiy oil refinery, sparking a fire that was later extinguished.

No casualties were reported.

In Tatarstan, an oil-producing region along the Volga River about 1,400 km (870 miles) from Ukraine, Russian media cited the governors press service as saying an energy storage facility in the city of Almetyevsk was hit, causing a blaze that was also brought under control.

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A separate strike ignited a fire at an industrial site in the town of Lyudinovo in the Kaluga region, southwest of Moscow, regional governor Vyacheslav Shapsha said.

Ukraines military said it had carried out the strikes in Krasnodar and Tatarstan.

Kyiv has stepped up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in recent months, seeking to disrupt revenues that help fund Moscows military operations in Ukraine.

With inputs from agencies
In his testimony to the US congressional committee, former Special Counsel to the US Justice Department, Jack Smith, said that he did not discuss cases he was pursuing against Donald Trump with former US President Joe Biden, transcription reveals

Jack Smith, former special counsel to the US Justice Department, told a congressional committee on Wednesday that he never discussed the cases he was pursuing against US President Donald Trump with his predecessor Joe Biden. According to the transcript of a deposition released on Wednesday, Smith insisted that he had proof beyond a reasonable doubt in cases against the current American president.

In his closed-door testimony to the US House Judiciary Committee earlier this month, Smith defended the charges he brought against Trump for allegedly possessing classified documents and attempting to overturn the 2020 election. He went on to warn of the consequences of allowing election meddling to go unpunished.

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Theoretically, what happens if there is election interference and the people who are responsible for that are not held accountable? Democratic congresswoman Pramila Jayapal asked. It becomes the new norm, and that becomes how we  conduct elections, Smith replied, according to the transcript.

And so the toll on our democracy, if you had to describe that, what would that be? the congresswoman asked. Catastrophic, Smith said. It is pertinent to note that Trump and his Republican allies have alleged that the former special counsel was the key figure in the Justice Department that was weaponised by Biden against the Republican leader.

What Smith has to say

It is important to note that the Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee earlier this year heard testimony from one of Smiths top deputies. Months later, the committee subpoenaed the former special counsel for private testimony. Smith had offered to voluntarily testify in public, as special counsels typically do.

During the questioning from Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman, Smith said that he was operating without any interference from then US Attorney General Merrick Garland or any top officials from the Justice Department. Did President Biden ever give you any instructions about what you should or should not do related to these investigations? Goldman asked. No, Smith replied, later specifying he had not spoken to Biden about his cases in any way.

Smith was appointed to his former role in 2022, and soon he brought two federal cases against Trump, who also faced state-level charges of election interference in Georgia and falsifying business records in New York. While the Republican firebrand was convicted of 34 felonies in a Manhattan case, neither of Trumps federal indictments went to trial before he returned to office following the 2024 election.

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After Trumps return to the White House, Smith, in line with the Justice Department, dropped the charges. After Trump won the polls, Smith authored a report on his prosecutions, and the portion covering the election interference case was released prior to Biden leaving office.

In over eight hours of testimony, Smith insisted that he had no political motivations in indicting Trump, and said he believed we had proof beyond a reasonable doubt in both cases that he brought. If asked whether to prosecute a former president based on the same facts today, I would do so regardless of whether that president was a Republican or a Democrat, he said in his opening statement. Smith later told an unnamed committee staffer he would have indicted Biden or Barack Obama over similar evidence.

Trump has repeatedly railed against Smith, and in testimony, the former special counsel acknowledged the risk that the president could come after him. I do not doubt that the president wants to seek retribution against me, Smith averred.

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US President Donald Trump has backed away from his attempt to impose federal troops in law enforcement roles on Democratic-run cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland. Is he backing down from the months-long standoff?

In an ongoing standoff, US President Donald Trump has backed away from his attempt to impose federal troops in law enforcement roles on Democratic-run cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland. On Wednesday, Trump suddenly announced that he was ending the attempted deployments in the Blue cities.

The unexpected shift came right after the US Justice Department lawyers announced that they were no longer contesting a California courts ruling, which returned the National Guard troops to the authority of the states Governor, Gavin Newsom. Interestingly, this followed a rare rebuke from the US Supreme Court that blocked the White House from deploying troops in Illinois.

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In the Wednesday post on his social media platform TruthSocial, the American leader attempted to paint the climbdown as temporary. He vowed to redeploy troops at a later date and reiterated that the initiative has been a success.

We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact, he wrote in his post. Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it werent for the Federal Government stepping in. We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again  Only a question of time!" he added.

Is Trump backing down?

While Trump insists that the move is temporary, there seems little doubt that the latest move amounted to a retreat. Earlier on Wednesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom hailed the Justice Departments decision not to pursue the case further. The department announced its intentions in a filing with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, backing away from its argument that Trump had a right to put state National Guard troops under his authority indefinitely.

This admission by Trump and his occult cabinet members means this illegal intimidation tactic will finally come to an end, Newsom wrote, right after the news came out. The California governor has vocally and vigorously opposed the deployments on the streets of Los Angeles.

In June last year, Trump initially ordered National Guard members into LA in response to the protests against raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The deployment has been subject to a succession of legal challenges, with Newsom arguing that the situation did not justify the presence of federal forces and that Trump was exceeding his powers.

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Amid several legal cases in the lower courts over the matter, the US Supreme Court last week delivered a rare rebuke by refusing to allow the administration to deploy national guards in Chicago  a move opposed by the citys mayor, Brandon Johnson, and the governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, who are both Democrats.

It is pertinent to note that Trumps latest announcement also casts doubts on the future of national guard deployments in other Democratic-run cities, including Washington DC and New Orleans, where 350 troops were expected to arrive by New Years Eve.
The United States on Thursday criticised Chinas recent military exercises around Taiwan, saying they unnecessarily heightened tensions in the region and called on Beijing to stop exerting pressure on the island

The United States on Thursday criticised Chinas recent military exercises around Taiwan, saying they unnecessarily heightened tensions in the region and called on Beijing to stop exerting pressure on the island.

Chinas military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region increase tensions unnecessarily. We urge Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue, AFP quoted State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott as saying in a statement.

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China conducted missile launches and deployed dozens of fighter jets, naval vessels, and coastguard ships on Monday and Tuesday, claiming the drills simulated a blockade of Taiwans main ports.

Taipei denounced the exercises as highly provocative.

China considers democratic Taiwan part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it.

The United States supports peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including by force or coercion, Pigott added.

US President Donald Trump said Monday he was not concerned about Chinas live-fire drills, appearing to brush aside the possibility of counterpart Xi Jinping ordering an invasion.

I have a great relationship with President Xi. And he hasnt told me anything about it. I certainly have seen it, Trump told reporters when asked about the exercises.

I dont believe hes going to be doing it, Trump said in apparent reference to an invasion.

Theyve been doing naval exercises for 20 years in that area. Now people take it a little bit differently.

Beijings display of military force followed the Trump administrations approval of an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan.

The United States has long maintained a commitment to Taiwans self-defense while deliberately remaining ambiguous on whether American forces would intervene in the event of an invasion.

Chinas latest exercises mark the sixth major round of military maneuvers around Taiwan since 2022, when a visit by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sparked Beijings ire.

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With inputs from agencies
Amid the brewing tensions in the Caribbean, the US military blew up two vessels, which they alleged were drug trafficking boats, killing five on board.

Amid the brewing tensions in the Caribbean, the US military blew up two vessels, which they alleged were drug trafficking boats. The US Southern Command (Southcom) confirmed that the strikes were conducted on Wednesday and the forces killed narco-terrorists in the attack.

The strike was in line with the US President Donald Trumps administrations counternarcotics campaign in the Western Hemisphere. The forces noted that two boats were operated by a designated terrorist organisation. While three people were killed in the first boat, two were killed in the second one.

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On Dec. 31, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear, conducted a lethal kinetic strike on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organisations, US Southcom said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and engaged in narco-trafficking. A total of five narco-terrorists were killed during these actions - three in the first vessel and two in the second, the statement further reads.

On Dec. 31, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and pic.twitter.com/4AE5u4cEff  U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 1, 2026

It is unclear which terrorist group was targeted

It is yet to be determined if the strikes took place in the Caribbean or the eastern Pacific, where all of the administrations lethal attacks on alleged drug boats have happened since the campaign began in early September. It is also unclear which terrorist group the US military targeted and which drugs the boats were carrying.

On Wednesday, Southcom told The Hill that due to operational security reasons, we will not comment on the location of the mission. Since September 2, the US military has conducted a minimum of 35 strikes against purported drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. As of now, the American forces have killed at least 115 people in what the officials call an effort to reduce the flow of illegal drugs in the region and defend the US.

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The Wednesday attack came just a day after the US military targeted a convoy of alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Southcom area of responsibility. Three narco-terrorists were killed in the first vessel, while the people on the second and third boats jumped into the water before an additional US strike sank their respective vessels.

Southcom soon mentioned that the US Coast Guard activated its search and rescue system. Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard is yet to give an update on the matter. It is still unclear exactly where the Tuesday operation took place. Southcom previously told The Hill that due to operational security reasons, we will not comment on the location. They noted that there were reportedly eight survivors who abandoned the boats.

In the midst of this, Trump has been increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, andthe CIA has conducted a drone strike against a dock facility, believed to contain narcotics, on Venezuelas shore. Hence, the tensions between the US and Venezuela continue to escalate.

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A senior Russian military official on Thursday handed what he claimed was part of a Ukrainian drone to a US military attache, saying it contained data showing that the Ukrainian military had targeted a Russian presidential residence earlier this week

A Russian service member stands next to the remains of a drone, which, according to the Russian Defence Ministry, was downed during the repelling of an alleged Ukrainian attack on the Russian presidential residence in the Novgorod Region, in an unknown location in Russia, in this still image from a video released on December 31, 2025. Reuters File

A senior Russian military official on Thursday handed what he claimed was part of a Ukrainian drone to a US military attache, saying it contained data showing that the Ukrainian military had targeted a Russian presidential residence earlier this week.

Moscow had accused Kyiv on Monday of attempting to strike a residence of President Vladimir Putin in the northern Novgorod region using 91 long-range attack drones.

Russia said the incident would prompt a review of its negotiating stance in ongoing talks with the US on ending the war in Ukraine.

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Ukraine and Western officials have disputed Russias account of the alleged strike.

A video posted on the Russian Defence Ministrys Telegram channel showed Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of Russias Armed Forces, handing over what he described as the drones control mechanism, recovered from downed fragments.

The decryption of the content of the memory of the navigation controller of the drones carried out by specialists of Russias special services confirms without question that the target of the attack was the complex of buildings of the Russian presidents residence in Novgorod region, Reuters quoted Kostyukov as saying.

We presume that this measure will do away with any questions and allow for the truth to be established.

The Ministry had earlier posted a statement on Telegram saying its findings would be turned over to the United States.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that US national security officials had found Ukraine did not target Putin or one of his residences in a drone strike. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

US President Donald Trump initially expressed sympathy for the Russian charge, telling reporters on Monday that Putin had informed him of the alleged incident and that he was very angry about it.

By Wednesday, Trump appeared more sceptical, sharing on social media a New York Post editorial accusing Russia of blocking peace in Ukraine.

Ukraine has denied carrying out such an attack and described the accusation as part of a Russian disinformation campaign meant to drive a wedge between Kyiv and Washington after a weekend meeting between Trump and Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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With inputs from agencies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday his country was 10 percent away from a deal to end the war with Russia, but cautioned that the most important issues were unresolved and warned against rewarding Moscow

This handout photograph taken on December 23, 2025 and released by the Ukrainian Presidential Office on December 24, 2025 shows Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference with journalists in Kyiv.- AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday his country was 10 percent away from a deal to end the war with Russia, but cautioned that the most important issues were unresolved and warned against rewarding Moscow.

US-led efforts to end Europes deadliest conflict since World War II have gained pace in recent weeks, but both sides remain at odds over the key issue of territory in a post-war settlement.

Russia, which occupies around 20 percent of Ukraine, is pushing for full control of the countrys eastern Donbas region as part of a deal  but Kyiv has warned ceding ground will embolden Moscow.

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In his New Years Eve address, Zelensky said his country wanted an end to the war but not at any cost, and that any agreement needed strong security guarantees to deter Russia from invading again.

The peace agreement is 90 percent ready. Ten percent remains. And that is far more than just numbers, Zelensky said in the address, posted on his Telegram account.

Those are the 10 percent that will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe, he added.

Zelenskys speech came just hours after US officials, including top envoy Steve Witkoff, held a call with Ukrainian and European security advisers on the next steps to end the nearly four-year conflict.

The war, now entering its fifth calendar year, has resulted in a tidal wave of destruction that has displaced millions and left entire Ukrainian cities in ruins.

Believe in victory

President Vladimir Putin urged Russians to believe in victory in Ukraine during his annual New Years Eve address, his fourth since the war began.

The Russian leader has consistently told his citizens that the military intends to seize the rest of Ukrainian land he has proclaimed as Russian by force if talks fail.

Addressing soldiers, whom he called heroes, Putin said in his address: We believe in you and our victory.

The Kremlin said this week it would toughen its negotiating position on ending the war, after accusing Ukraine of launching dozens of drones at Putins lakeside residence in the Novgorod region between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

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Moscow on Wednesday published footage of a drone it said Kyiv had sent toward the residence.

Russia has called it a personal and terrorist attack and against Putin, saying it will toughen its negotiation stance in the Ukraine war talks.

The video, shot at night, showed a damaged drone lying in the snow in a forested area. The defence ministry said the alleged attack was targeted, carefully planned and carried out in stages.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which documents the Ukraine-Russia conflict, said Tuesday it had not seen any footage or reporting that typically follows Ukrainian deep strikes to corroborate the Kremlins claims of Ukrainian strikes threatening Putins residence in Novgorod Oblast.

Putin has not publicly commented on the attack  aside from the Kremlin saying he had informed Trump about it in a call  and Moscow has not said where the Russian leader was at the time.

Putins residences and private life are shrouded in secrecy in Russia.

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New York ushered in a new era as Zohran Mamdani took the oath of office as mayor on a Quran, marking multiple firsts for the citys leadership

New York Attorney General Letitia James, left, administers the oath of office to mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, center, as his wife Rama Duwaji looks on, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (IMAGE: AP Photo)

Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the citys mayor early on New Years Day in a ceremony that broke with tradition and celebrated diversity.

Mamdani, 34, made history as the first Muslim, first South Asian and first African-born leader of the city. His inauguration began just after midnight in a private ceremony at the old City Hall subway stationa long-closed stop beneath Manhattanwhere he took the oath of office with his hand on the Quran, Islams holy book.

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In the public portion of the event later in the day at City Hall, Mamdani also used the Quran for his oath.

Watch the video here:

NEW YORK (AP)  Democrat Zohran Mamdani sworn in as mayor of New York City. pic.twitter.com/Gp3FJCQQPL  philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 1, 2026

Using the Quran to swear in a mayor was unheard of in New Yorks history, where most previous mayors have used a Bible.

As he took office, Mamdani expressed that his leadership will focus on inclusivity and opportunity for all New Yorkers, promising to address affordability, public transit, and social equity.

The inauguration also included public celebrations, with family, friends and supporters gathering to mark the start of his term.

Also read | Zohran Mamdanis NYC win and the India connection: A Nehru quote, Bollywood song

From street politics to City Hall

Mamdanis journey to becoming New York Citys mayor has been anything but conventional.

Long before he took the oath of office, Mamdani had already carved out a reputation as a sharp, outspoken progressive who built his politics from the ground up.

Born in Uganda and raised in Queens, Mamdani entered public life as an organiser, working closely with tenants, immigrant communities and low-income workers. His early activism shaped the core of his politics: affordability, dignity, and access to basic public services. That grounding became central to his rise when he won a seat in the New York State Assembly, representing Astoria and surrounding neighbourhoods.

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In Albany, Mamdani quickly stood out. He pushed hard on housing justice, backed rent freezes, championed stronger tenant protections and called for taxing the ultra-wealthy to fund public services. He also became a familiar face at protests, whether it was supporting striking workers or speaking out against US foreign policy in Gaza.

His leap to citywide politics came during the 2025 mayoral race, where Mamdani ran a campaign that rejected big-money donors and leaned heavily on grassroots energy. Promising free public buses, expanded childcare, and aggressive action on housing costs, he connected with young voters and working-class New Yorkers who felt locked out of the citys prosperity.
BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's Shenzhou-21 crew, currently aboard the orbiting Tiangong space station, released a New Year greetings video on Thursday, extending their wishes to people across the nation.

Mission commander Zhang Lu, who became the first Chinese astronaut to celebrate the New Year in space for a second time, expressed that "the strength of our nation is the foundation and assurance of our space journeys." Whenever flying over the homeland and looking down upon its vast landscapes, he is often reminded of the lyrics from a well-known song: "I sing for every mountain, I sing for every river."

Wu Fei, the flight engineer on his first space mission, reported that the crew had recently completed another round of inspections of the space station's facilities. Ensuring the stable operation of their "home in orbit" is both their duty and a solemn commitment to the nation and its people.

Payload specialist Zhang Hongzhang shared his New Year wishes from space for the first time, saying, "May everyone have a joyful New Year and see all their dreams come true."

On Oct. 31, 2025, the Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Following this, the Shenzhou-21 and Shenzhou-20 crews carried out China's seventh in-orbit handover. On Dec. 9, the Shenzhou-21 crew completed their mission's first series of extravehicular activities.

As the new year begins, the Shenzhou-21 crew plans to conduct additional extravehicular activities with both astronauts and experimental payloads, along with a series of scientific experiments and technical tests. 
BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- China rang in the new year on Thursday, closing an extraordinary year widely seen as pivotal for the country's development.

2025 marked the successful completion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan, a period during which the country posted notable gains in economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, defense capabilities, and composite national strength, pressing ahead with its modernization drive.

Economic performance stood out. China's gross domestic product is expected to have grown by around 5 percent in 2025, keeping it among the fastest-growing major economies, while total output is projected to reach roughly 140 trillion yuan (about 20 trillion U.S. dollars).

Summarizing 2025, President Xi Jinping noted that China's economy had "pressed ahead under pressure and advanced toward new and higher-quality growth."

Despite escalating global trade tensions and the convergence of domestic cyclical and structural challenges, the world's second-largest economy faced significant tests but demonstrated greater resilience than many anticipated.

That resilience rests on a clear strategy. "It is imperative to confront the uncertainty of rapid external changes with the certainty of high-quality domestic development," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

In April, the United States announced "reciprocal tariffs" on all trading partners, which quickly escalated into an unprecedented tariff war. Under Xi's leadership, China responded with calm resolve and effective measures.

Xi held four phone calls with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump, reiterating that the two countries can help each other succeed and prosper together. Chinese and American teams held multiple rounds of consultations, yielding substantial progress. This injected much-needed stability into the turbulent global trade landscape.

Innovation, in Xi's telling, is the way forward -- a theme woven through his speeches and inspection tours throughout the year.

In April, Xi visited a fast-growing large-model incubator in Shanghai, China's AI hub. The tour came days after a CPC leadership study session on artificial intelligence, at which he called for AI-driven technological innovation, industrial upgrading and applications. Xi has repeatedly framed AI as strategically vital if China is to seize the next wave of scientific and industrial transformation.

China's decade-long push for innovation is paying off. In 2025, it entered the top 10 of the Global Innovation Index. China is one of the economies with the fastest-growing innovation capacity, Xi said in his 2026 New Year message delivered on Wednesday.

"Many large AI models have been competing in a race to the top, and breakthroughs have been achieved in the research and development of our own chips," Xi said.

Besides innovation, reform and opening up -- long seen as an engine powering China's miraculous economic rise -- remain key to unlocking fresh potential. In November, Xi visited the southern island province of Hainan, just a month before it implemented island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port.

"We have stayed on the path of reform and opening up with Chinese characteristics, step by step, to reach where we are today," he said during the trip.

Turning Hainan into a special customs supervision zone -- allowing freer entry of overseas goods, broader zero-tariff coverage and more business-friendly rules -- marked a key step for China to open wider to the rest of the world.

Over the past year, a series of reform measures came into force. China enacted a law promoting the private sector and revised its anti-unfair competition legislation. The negative list for foreign investment was shortened further. Access was widened in services such as telecoms and healthcare. Visa rules were also eased, with unilateral exemptions for nearly 50 countries alongside expanded visa-free transit schemes.

"As Chinese modernization has advanced through reform and opening up," Xi has said, "it will embrace broader horizons through further reform and opening up."

BLUEPRINT FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS

While 2025 tested resilience, it also heightened the focus on what lies ahead. In October, the CPC Central Committee adopted recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan at a key Party plenum, charting the country's development path from 2026 through 2030.

The upcoming five-year plan carries unusual weight, as only 10 years remain before 2035 -- the milestone year by which China aims to "basically achieve socialist modernization." This marks the first goal in Xi's two-step blueprint for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects by mid-century.

"Socialist modernization can only be realized through a historical process of gradual and ongoing development," Xi told the plenum. "It requires the unremitting hard work of generation after generation."

In the months leading up to the meeting, Xi toured factories and communities to refine priorities for the next five years. From a steel mill in Liaoning to a bearing plant in Henan, he stressed that the real economy remains the backbone of national strength, calling for greater self-reliance in core manufacturing technologies.

The recommendations put "building a modern industrial system and strengthening the foundations of the real economy" first among a dozen priority areas.

Security features just as prominently. Early last year, Xi told senior Party leaders that both development and security are vital. In Jilin Province, he underscored northeast China's responsibilities in safeguarding national defense, food, ecological, energy and industrial security. In Henan Province, he emphasized food security.

The October plenum elevated "ensuring both development and security" to a core principle for 2026-2030 development, calling for consolidating security alongside development and pursuing development in a secure environment.

The well-being of 1.4 billion Chinese has always been the centerpiece of China's modernization drive.

Over the past year, Xi visited grassroots households across the nation. In mountainous Guizhou Province, he chatted with villagers about incomes; in the border province Yunnan, he spoke with shopkeepers about business. Alongside this, he has pushed a people-centered urbanization drive, calling for cities that are innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, culturally vibrant and smart.

Accordingly, the recommendations highlighted "promoting well-rounded human development" in the guiding philosophy for China's development over the next five years, calling for greater investment in human capital and more inclusive public services.

"When the happy hum of daily life fills every home, the big family of our nation will go from strength to strength," Xi said in his New Year message.

RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY

In 2025, global turbulence deepened as the specters of Cold War mentalities, hegemonism and protectionism continued to haunt the international landscape.

Against this backdrop, Xi put forth the Global Governance Initiative at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in September. This came after Xi announced three global initiatives on development, security, and civilization in prior years.

"I look forward to working with all countries for a more just and equitable global governance system," he said.

Xi always walks his talk. In April, after attending a central conference on neighborhood diplomacy, Xi began his visits to three Southeast Asian countries. Over the past year, his itinerary stretched from there to Russia, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), weaving a dense web of regional engagement. He likened these visits to "calling on relatives," stressing that "helping our neighbors succeed is helping ourselves."

At a time when calls for decoupling, severing industrial chains, and putting self-interest first were prevalent, these trips yielded substantial gains in cooperation, bringing much-needed stability and long-term hope to the region amid volatile international landscape.

Under Xi's leadership, China also fostered positive interaction and coordination with major countries in 2025, helping anchor global strategic stability. Xi and Trump held their first meeting in six years in Busan, the ROK, in October.

"China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," Xi said.

In 2025, Xi also hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin, held in-depth discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron beside a millennia-old dam in southwest China, and collaborated with EU leaders to chart a brighter future for relations over the next 50 years. "Big countries should behave in a manner befitting their status and with a greater sense of responsibility," he has said.

During his November visit to China, King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga planted Juncao grass at a university in eastern Fujian Province.

Over the years, the versatile Chinese technology for food production, livestock feed, and ecological restoration has delivered tangible benefits for Pacific island nations and many developing countries. Xi has said that the modernization China pursues is "not for China alone."

Today, over three-quarters of the world's countries have joined the Belt and Road Initiative, and China-Europe freight trains have logged 120,000 trips. China hosted international expos on imports, supply chains, and consumer goods to expand win-win opportunities.

Over the past year, Xi championed women's development at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing, launched initiatives with Latin American and Caribbean countries, pushed for a zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of tariff lines for 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China, and announced China's new Nationally Determined Contributions in his video remarks at the UN Climate Summit.

"China always stands on the right side of history, and is ready to work with all countries to advance world peace and development and build a community with a shared future for humanity," Xi said in his 2026 New Year message.

FORGE AHEAD TOWARD GRAND GOAL

Peace and development were also central themes that Xi underscored at a grand commemoration in September, held in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The event drew 61 foreign heads of state and government, senior representatives of relevant countries, leaders of international organizations, former political leaders, and other dignitaries.

The victory eight decades ago marked China's first complete triumph against foreign aggression in modern times. This historic turning point carried the nation from the depths of crisis toward rejuvenation.

Xi called on his countrymen and women to carry forward the spirit forged in the resistance war and stay united in advancing modernization. "The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable," he said.

As Xi said in his 2026 New Year message that only a strong CPC can make the country strong, he has placed great emphasis on strengthening the Party over the years.

Alongside a relentless crackdown on corruption, Xi in 2025 moved to reinforce a code of conduct, widely known as the eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct, to remove the conditions that allow corruption to take root.

"The tasks of advancing Chinese modernization entrusted to our Party are extremely challenging, and the governing environment is unusually complex. We must pull the string of self-reform tighter," he said.

Unity, Xi has repeatedly stressed, is essential to China's rejuvenation.

On Wednesday, addressing a gathering of China's top political advisory body to usher in the new year, Xi urged his fellow Chinese to stay united and work hard to achieve great undertakings.

"With the blueprint in place, now is the time to forge ahead," he said. 
Cargo Vessel Fitburg has been moved to a Safe Place

Police of Finland

Publication date 31.12.2025 20.01

The police, together with other authorities, have moved the cargo vessel to a safe place for further inquiries. They are also in the process of establishing information related to the vessel.

In the field operation led by the Helsinki Police Department, helicopters from the Border Guard and the Finnish Defence Forces were deployed. The police rapid response unit Karhu and the Border Guard's tactical team fast-roped down to the vessel's deck from helicopters. The vessel has been taken into custody in a law enforcement cooperation operation led by the police.

 This maritime operation once again demonstrated the police and other authorities' excellent readiness to provide a timely response and work seamlessly together within their respective areas of responsibility, says National Police Commisioner Ilkka Koskimaki.

The vessel in question is the cargo ship Fitburg, sailing under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with 14 crew members on board. They are nationals of Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.

 In addition to launching this strong inter-agency cooperation process, we immediately dispatched a Border Guard helicopter and the patrol vessel Turva to sea and began locating potential suspects who could have caused the damage in the maritime area," says Commander Mikko Simola of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard.

The Helsinki Police Department is leading the operation and conducting criminal investigation in cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation.

The police have been in contact with the National Prosecutor's Office, and the Prosecutor General has issued a prosecution order in the case. At this stage, the police are investigating the incident as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications.

Intensive international cooperation and information sharing are being conducted with the Estonian authorities, in particular to resolve the case.

The police are investigating the incident in cooperation with several national and international authorities, and further information will be provided as soon as possible.

Traficom will Initiate a Port State Control Inspection on the Vessel

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom will commence a port state control inspection on the vessel today, 31 December. The inspection will ensure that the vessel meets the requirements of the relevant international conventions. The vessel inspection is a standard procedure for authorities.

 The inspection will be conducted in a way that does not disrupt the police operation or investigation, says Sanna Sonninen, Director of Maritime Affairs at Traficom.

Customs will carry out an inspection of the Fitburg vessel to check for any goods that may violate sanctions or regulations.

 Customs will assess the conditions for the vessel's cargo import and, if necessary, initiate a preliminary investigation based on its findings, says Sami Rakshit, Director General of Customs.

Traficom: Telecommunications Connections from Finland Are Functioning Normally

The severing of submarine cables has not affected the functionality of Finland's communication services.

Finland's telecommunications connections to the world and within the country are secured and supported through multiple means. Internet usage is not dependent on a single cable. If disruptions occur in one connection, internet traffic is automatically rerouted to backup connections.

Various sectors of society have prepared for situations like cable damage, and regular drills are conducted. Connections can be disrupted for various reasons, such as equipment failures or natural phenomena. Preparedness and close cooperation between different sectors of society are long-standing and standard procedures in Finland.



Update 20:50: At the time of publication, the ship had already been moved to a safe location.

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Police Investigate Cable Damage in the Gulf of Finland in Cooperation with Other Authorities

Police of Finland

Publication date 31.12.2025

Telecommunications service provider Elisa's telecommunications cable between Helsinki and Tallinn has been damaged.

Telecommunications provider Elisa detected a fault in the company's telecommunications cable between Helsinki and Tallinn early in the morning on 31 December 2025. Elisa reported the issue to the Border Guard's Operations Centre. Under the leadership of the Border Guard, an immediate investigation was initiated into the damage to the underwater critical infrastructure.

The Border Guard located a vessel suspected of being responsible for the damage to the cable. The damage site reported by Elisa was within Estonia's exclusive economic zone. The Border Guard's patrol vessel Turva and helicopter found the suspected vessel within Finland's exclusive economic zone. The vessel's anchor chain was found to be lowered into the sea. The Border Guard instructed the vessel to stop and raise the anchor. The Border Guard also requested that the vessel move to a safe anchorage within Finnish territorial waters.

Finnish authorities have taken control of the vessel as part of a joint operation. Responsibility for leading the investigation has been transferred from the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard to the Helsinki Police Department.

The police have been in contact with the National Prosecutor's Office, and the Prosecutor General has issued a prosecution order. At this stage, the police are investigating the incident as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications.

The police are investigating the incident in cooperation with several national and international authorities, and further information will be provided as soon as possible.

The operation involves, in addition to the police and the Border Guard, the Finnish Defence Forces, Customs, Traficom, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes), and Finngrid.

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Vessel Held In Finland After Suspected Baltic Cable Sabotage

By RFE/RL December 31, 2025

Finnish authorities seized a cargo vessel in the Baltic Sea that is suspected of damaging cables in Estonian waters in a possible sabotage incident, police in Helsinki told reporters.

The ship is registered to St. Vincent and Grenadines but crewed by Russians, Georgians, Kazakhs, and Azerbaijanis, authorities said on December 31. All 14 were being held by Finnish authorities.

According to MarineTraffic data site, the ship had left the Russian city of St. Petersburg and was traveling to the port of Haifa in Israel.

"At the moment, we suspect aggravated disruption of telecommunications and also aggravated sabotage and attempted aggravated sabotage," Helsinki Police Chief Jari Liukku told reporters.

Eight NATO countries, along with Russia, border the Baltic Sea.

The alliance bolstered its presence in the Baltic with ships, aircraft, and naval drones following a string of incidents involving damage to energy and communications lines amid the backdrop of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

NATO did not immediately comment.

In January, an undersea cable between Latvia and Sweden was severed amid suspicions that the incident was an act of sabotage, stoking fears of interference and putting a spotlight on Moscow's so-called shadow fleet.

The shadow fleet refers to tankers and other ships that Russia uses to circumvent sanctions imposed on it due to its invasion Ukraine.

In the latest incident, Estonian officials said early analysis did not indicate that the ship was part of the shadow fleet but that the probe continues.

Telecom Provider Reports Disturbance

Police said Finnish telecom operator Elisa reported the disturbance of the cable connecting Helsinki with the Estonian capital, Tallinn, through the Gulf of Finland.

The Finnish coast guard tracked the suspect vessel inside the Finnish economic zone.

"The ship's anchor chain had been lowered into the water," a statement said.

Finnish authorities boarded and seized the vessel and guided it to anchorage in Finnish waters.

Estonian officials said the incident would not affect communications in the country as operations can rely on backup assets.

Jukka Rappe, the Finnish deputy prosecutor-general, told broadcaster Yle that he had ordered an investigation into the matter to be carried out by the National Bureau of Investigation.

"The cargo ship is suspected of having cut the data cable in circumstances where it now seems obvious that there is also a possibility of a crime," he said, although he did not rule out an accident.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/baltic-sabotage-finland- russia-nato-telecom-cable/33637374.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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A3+ condemns Israel's recognition of Somaliland

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:03, December 30, 2025

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The three African members of the Security Council -- Algeria, Sierra Leone, and Somalia -- along with Guyana, collectively known as A3+, on Monday strongly condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state.

"A3+ strongly condemns the flagrant assault by Israel on the unity and the territorial integrity of Somalia by recognizing as an independent entity the northwestern region of Somalia, the so-called Somaliland," said A3+ in a joint statement at an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, "is legally incapable of entering into any agreement or arrangement or recognition with another country," said the statement read by Somali UN ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman on behalf of A3+. "Any such purported arrangements are, therefore, null and void."

Israel's recognition of Somaliland represents a direct violation of the UN Charter, the African Union's fundamental principles, and a breach of the cornerstone of international law, said the statement.

"This act of aggression is aimed at encouraging fragmentation of the territory of Somalia ... and is destabilizing the Horn of Africa, entire Horn of Africa, and the Red Sea region. It should be firmly rejected and condemned unequivocally by all (UN) member states. A3+, therefore, rejects this announcement by Israel and calls for it to be rescinded," said the statement.

A3+ further calls on all UN member states to take a unified and principled stand against this illegal action, it said.

A3+ unequivocally rejects any steps aimed at advancing the forced, involuntary relocation of Palestinians from their homeland to other countries, including any attempt by Israel to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza to Somaliland, said the statement.

"This action is not only unlawful, but is morally reprehensible. ... A3+ will neither accept nor condone the illegal use of any territory, let alone that of a sovereign state, which is a member of the United Nations."

Neither the future of the Palestinian people nor the territorial sovereignty of Somalia can be used as a bargaining chip, it noted.

Israel's actions not only have set a dangerous precedent but also pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, it said.

A3+ calls on the international community to uphold its responsibility under the UN Charter and to reject any act that undermines the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia or the rights of the Palestinian people through manipulative and immoral actions, it added.

The A3+ is a coalition of three elected African members of the Security Council, known as A3, plus an additional like-minded country from Latin America and the Caribbean region. Over the years, they have steadily enhanced their coordination in pursuit of a common African position.

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Yemeni Government Commends Saudi Historic Stance and Its Leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy

Saudi Press Agency

Tuesday 10/07/1447

Aden, December 30, 2025, SPA -- The Yemeni government commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's historic and steadfast stances, highlighting its crucial role in ensuring Yemen's security and stability. The government acknowledged Saudi Arabia's leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy and its ongoing commitment to protecting civilians, de-escalating tensions, and preventing the eastern governorates from being drawn into conflicts that serve hostile agendas.

In an official statement, the government called on the Southern Transitional Council to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahara. It urged the council to hand over all locations and camps to the Homeland Shield Forces and local authorities in these governorates, to adhere to the terms of reference of the transitional phase, and to cease all military or escalatory actions that threaten local security and undermine de-escalation efforts.

The statement, which was reported by the Yemen News Agency (Saba), expressed the government's full support for the decisions made by President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, who is also Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. This includes declaring a state of emergency across Yemen and taking necessary sovereign measures to protect local security, preserve the unity and sovereignty of the state, and maintain its legal status in light of the dangerous developments in Yemen's eastern governorates.

The government stated: "The declaration of a state of emergency is grounded in the constitution and the references of the transitional phase, based on the recommendations of the National Defense Council. It is a legitimate constitutional measure necessitated by our national duty to confront armed rebellion, protect civil peace, and prevent a descent into chaos that could undermine state institutions."

-- SPA

16:28 Local Time 13:28 GMT

0032

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MOSCOW, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday that an analysis of a Ukrainian drone shot down on Monday over the Novgorod region showed it had been targeting the Russian presidential residence.

According to the ministry, a special technical examination of the drone's navigation system enabled specialists to extract a flight mission file loaded into the aircraft. Analysis of the routing data indicated that the intended target was one of the facilities belonging to the presidential residence in the Novgorod region.

The ministry added that materials obtained during the investigation would be forwarded to the United States through established communication channels. 
Saudi Arabia Expresses Disappointment over Pressure Exerted by UAE on Southern Transitional Council Forces to Conduct Military Operations on Its Southern Borders in Hadramout and Al-Mahara Governorates, Considering It a Threat to National Security

Saudi Press Agency

Tuesday 10/07/1447

Riyadh, December 30, 2025, SPA -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following statement today:

"Pursuant to the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 25/12/2025 corresponding to 5/7/1447 regarding the Kingdom's concerted efforts, working with the brotherly United Arab Emirates, to end and contain the escalatory steps taken by the Southern Transitional Council in the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahara, and in reference to the statement issued by the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, and the statement issued by the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen regarding the movement of ships carrying weapons and armored vehicles from the port of Al-Fujairah to the port of Al-Mukalla, without obtaining official approvals of the Coalition Joint Forces Command.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its disappointment over the actions taken by the brotherly United Arab Emirates, pressuring the Southern Transitional Council's forces to conduct military operations on the southern borders of the Kingdom in the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahara, which is considered a threat to the Kingdom's national security, and the security and stability of the Republic of Yemen and the region. The steps taken by the UAE are considered highly dangerous, inconsistent with the principles upon which the coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen was established, and do not serve the coalition's purpose of achieving security and stability for Yemen.

In this context, the Kingdom stresses that any threat to its national security is a red line, and the Kingdom will not hesitate to take all necessary steps and measures to confront and neutralize any such threat.

The Kingdom also affirms its commitment to the security, stability, and sovereignty of Yemen, and affirms its full support for the president of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government. The Kingdom reaffirms that the Southern cause is a just cause that has historical and social dimensions, and that the only path to resolve it is through dialogue within a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, and among all Yemeni parties, including the Southern Transitional Council.

The Kingdom stresses the importance that the brotherly United Arab Emirates accept the Republic of Yemen's request for all its forces to leave the Republic of Yemen within twenty four hours, and halt any military or financial support to any party within Yemen. With this regard, the Kingdom hopes that wisdom, the principles of brotherhood, good neighborliness, strong ties among countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the interest of brotherly Yemen, will prevail. The Kingdom also hopes that the brotherly United Arab Emirates will take the necessary steps to preserve bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, which the Kingdom is keen on strengthening, and continue joint efforts towards all that leads to the wellbeing, prosperity and stability of countries in the region."

-- SPA

10:26 Local Time 07:26 GMT

0008

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December 31, 2025

By Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Claudia Nix, U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Marine Corps Launches New Drone Training Program

The Marine Corps has launched a training program to rapidly increase the number of small unmanned aircraft system operators for commercial off-the-shelf attack drones.

The program, announced in Marine Corps administrative message 624/25, addresses a critical need for standardized training as the service integrates new systems, including the Neros Archer first-person-view attack drone and prepares for this significant investment in various drone technologies.

This initiative builds on the service's success over the past few months scaling FPV attack drones across the Fleet Marine Force. It also aligns directly with War Department plans to field tens of thousands, and then hundreds of thousands, of attack drones across service components starting in March 2026 and continuing over the next several years.

The new framework, created by Training and Education Command, establishes six pilot courses and eight certifications to create a standard for drone operators across the force. These initiatives are designed to provide foundational skills for a variety of small unmanned aircraft systems.

"We are fielding these courses as pilot programs to move quickly while maintaining our commitment to quality training and safety," said Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, commanding general, Training and Education Command. "This allows us to validate all aspects of the training, from prerequisites and instructional methods to resourcing needs and certification standards, ensuring that we refine and perfect the curriculum before it becomes part of our long-term training framework."

Six approved pilot courses will certify Marines while testing instructional methods and curriculum. These courses include training for drone operators, payload specialists and instructors, with specific prerequisites such as simulator experience on Training and Education Command-approved systems. The courses aim to ensure proper integration and supervision of new drone capabilities. The Training and Education Command has also established a process to grant certifications to Marines who have existing qualifications and experience through an exception to policy.

Seven organizations are designated as regional training hubs with the authority to immediately begin conducting the pilot courses, including schools within Training and Education Command, 1st Marine Division, 2nd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Marine Forces Special Operations Command.

Weapons Training Battalion at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, will serve as the interim central hub, responsible for standardizing training, certification and safety across the force. It will consolidate lessons learned and function as the Marine Corps' focal point for adapting training to emerging platforms, payloads and evolving operational requirements.

This effort to scale standardized FPV attack drone training was shaped by lessons from recent certifications, including two Marine Corps attack drone competitions, one in the National Capitol Region and the other in Okinawa, Japan. These efforts certified 19 attack drone operators, five attack drone instructors, seven payload specialists, and two payload specialist instructors.

In mid-November, the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team also supported the certification of 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines, resulting in 14 attack drone operators and 11 payload specialists fully trained, equipped and ready for contingency operations.

Over the next few months, the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team, alongside Weapons Training Battalion and regional hubs, will certify hundreds more Marines. By May 2026, all infantry, reconnaissance battalions and littoral combat teams across the Corps will be equipped to employ FPV attack drone capabilities.

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Spokesperson statement on recent developments in the Yemini governorates Hadramaut and Al Mahra

European External Action Service (EEAS)

31.12.2025

EEAS Press Team

The recent developments in the Yemini governorates Hadramaut and Al Mahra threaten to bring new risks to the Gulf region. The EU calls for de-escalation and avoiding steps that further threaten stability of Yemen and the region.

The EU reiterates its strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen, as well as its support for the Presidential Leadership Council and the Government of Yemen.

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Iran urges regional states to help preserve Yemen's territorial integrity

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 31, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei has stressed the role of regional countries in safeguarding Yemen's territorial integrity, saying any action that fuels instability in the country or insecurity in the region is unacceptable.

Speaking to reporters about recent developments in Yemen on Wednesday, Baqaei said Iran was closely monitoring security developments in the country's south and east and called on all parties involved to exercise restraint and prioritize the interests of the Yemeni people and regional security.

He said regional countries should make collective efforts to maintain Yemen's unity and territorial integrity, warning against moves that could escalate instability and widen insecurity in Yemen and the broader region.

Baqaei reiterated Tehran's position that the Yemeni crisis can only be resolved through comprehensive dialogue, implementation of an agreed roadmap, and the formation of an inclusive government within the framework of Yemen's unity and territorial integrity.

9341**4353

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Araghchi says Yemen crisis should be resolved through inclusive talks

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 31, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran believes the Yemen crisis can only be resolved through dialogue among all Yemeni groups, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said during a phone call with his Bahraini counterpart on Wednesday.

Araghchi told Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani that Tehran was concerned about rising tensions in southern Yemen and urged regional countries to work to preserve Yemen's unity and territorial integrity.

During the phone call, the two ministers also discussed bilateral relations and broader regional developments.

Al Zayani, for his part, underscored the need to maintain peace and stability in Yemen and the wider region.

Both sides expressed hope that ongoing efforts would help resolve existing problems, safeguard Yemen's unity, and strengthen stability in the country.

9341**4353

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Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation welcomes the Sudanese peace initiative presented to the UN Security Council

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

31-12-2025

The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, welcomed the peace initiative presented by the Prime Minister of the Transitional Government of the Republic of Sudan to the UN Security Council on December 22, 2025, in the context of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's support for all initiatives aimed at achieving security, peace, and stability in Sudan, and maintaining regional and international security and peace, in line with the decisions of the Islamic Summit and the relevant resolutions of the Council of Foreign Ministers.

The OIC General Secretariat stressed the importance of responding positively to the initiative's proposals and measures to stop the bloodshed and fulfill the aspirations of the Sudanese people for peace, security, stability, and sustainable development.

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General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemns the Israeli occupation authorities' decision to ban international humanitarian organisations from operating in the Gaza Strip

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

31-12-2025

The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed its strong condemnation of the Israeli Occupation Authorities' recent decision to ban 37 international non-governmental organizations working in the field of humanitarian and health relief from operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, specifically in the Gaza Strip, stressing that these organizations play a vital and indispensable role in alleviating human suffering in the Gaza Strip.

The OIC General Secretariat warned of the danger of this arbitrary Israeli measure, which would seriously exacerbate the catastrophic humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip due to Israeli restrictions that prevent sufficient quantities of humanitarian and medical aid from reaching the Strip.

The General Secretariat of the Organisation also affirmed that the Israeli Authorities' decision is illegal and constitutes a flagrant violation of the principles of international humanitarian law and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which obliges the Israeli Occupation to facilitate the work of international and humanitarian organisations and requires that adequate humanitarian aid be allowed to reach the Gaza Strip without hindrance.

The General Secretariat of the organization also called on the international community to take the necessary measures and exert adequate pressure on the Israeli Occupation Authorities to reverse this decision and ensure the protection of humanitarian workers and their freedom to work without restriction or condition throughout the Palestinian territory, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

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Pakistan Expresses Concern Over Resurgence of Violence in Yemen

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Pakistan expresses deep concern over resurgence of violence in Yemen. Pakistan reiterates its support for the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen, as well as all efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability in the country.

In this regard, Pakistan strongly opposes unilateral steps by any Yemeni party that may further escalate the situation, undermine peace efforts, and threaten the peace and stability of Yemen as well as that of the region.

Pakistan welcomes regional efforts for de-escalating the situation and maintaining peace and stability in Yemen. Pakistan expresses complete solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its commitment to security of the Kingdom. Pakistan maintains its firm support for the resolution of Yemen issue through dialogue and diplomacy and hopes that Yemen's people and regional powers work together towards inclusive and enduring settlement of the issue, safeguarding regional stability.

Islamabad

December 31,2025

388/2025

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PH Navy conducts maritime patrol, logistics run in Palawan, Mindanao

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

December 31, 2025, 10:10 am

MANILA -- Two Philippine Navy (PN) transport ships conducted maritime patrol and logistics run days before the New Year, in support of ongoing naval operations in various parts of the country.

According to PN Public Affairs Office chief Cdr. Marie Angelica Sisican, BRP Laguna (LS-501), carried out a maritime patrol and sealift/transport mission within its area of responsibility in Palawan on Dec. 28.

"The mission supported rotation and reprovision activities in the Kalayaan Island Group, including the transport of fuel, while also conducting maritime sovereignty patrols to help maintain security and stability in the country's maritime domain," Sisican said in a statement Tuesday night.

BRP Dagupan City (LS-551), meanwhile, conducted its mission to transport essential cargoes to Zamboanga City and Barangay Polloc in Parang, Maguindanao on Tuesday.

Sisican said these operations highlight the PN's "continued commitment to sustaining mobility support, strengthening maritime presence, and safeguarding the country's maritime interests through routine and mission-oriented naval operations across the archipelago." (PNA)

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Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command organizes combat readiness patrols in territorial waters and airspace of Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source China Military Online

EditorLi Jiayao

Time2025-12-31 17:30:37

Since December, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command has deployed its navy and air force troops to continuously strengthen combat readiness patrols in the territorial waters and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas, further intensifying control measures, effectively responding to all kinds of infringement and provocation, resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty and security, and firmly upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea.

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PYONGYANG, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), sent a congratulatory message to the officers and soldiers of the overseas operations units on Wednesday, said the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Thursday.

In the message, Kim extended New Year greetings to all the commanding officers and combatants of the overseas operations units on behalf of the Party and the DPRK government, KCNA said.

As the whole country is immersed in a festive atmosphere of welcoming the New Year, the military are fighting bravely on foreign battlefields, he said, adding that "all of you have safeguarded heroically the dignity and honor of the DPRK."

Thanks to their self-sacrificing and devoted struggle, the militant fraternity and alliance between the DPRK and Russia have grown stronger, according to the message.

In the message, the top leader wished his officers and soldiers a safe return after accomplishing their mission. 
Mali, Burkina Faso impose reciprocal travel bans on US citizens

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 31 December 2025 10:27 PM

Mali and Burkina Faso have announced reciprocal travel bans on American citizens in response to a similar measure imposed by the United States earlier this month, according to statements from their foreign ministries.

In separate announcements issued late Tuesday, the two West African nations said the retaliatory decisions had been taken on the basis of "reciprocity" after the White House revealed on December 16 that President Donald Trump had added Mali, Burkina Faso, and five other countries to a list subject to a full US travel ban.

The US administration has said the expanded restrictions, set to take effect on January 1, applied to countries with what it described as persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing related to "national security and public safety."

Mali said Washington's decision had been made without prior consultation and argued that the so-called justification cited by the United States was not supported by "actual developments on the ground."

Mali and Burkina Faso are not the first countries to respond to US travel restrictions with measures affecting American citizens.

On December 25, neighboring Niger announced it would stop issuing visas to US citizens, according to its state media agency, citing a diplomatic source.

In June, Chad said it was suspending visa issuance to US citizens after being included on an earlier US travel ban list.

Trump has expanded a US travel ban from 19 to 39 countries, sharply restricting visas for millions, including Palestinians using Palestinian Authority-issued documents.

Observers critique the policy for disproportionately targeting African and Muslim-majority countries, denouncing its discriminatory nature as well as its resulting in separation of family members from one another.

Some other nations affected by the ban are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, and Syria.

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UNRWA chief warns Israeli restrictions set 'dangerous precedent' and deepen Gaza crisis

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 31 December 2025 7:14 PM

The chief of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has warned that new Israeli restrictions on international aid groups and NGOs are further crippling the humanitarian response in the besieged Gaza Strip.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said the measures "set a dangerous precedent" and risk pushing Gaza's relief operations even closer to collapse.

"Coming in the wake of anti-UNRWA legislation, these restrictions are part of a troubling pattern of disregard for international humanitarian law and increasing impediments to aid operations," the UNRWA chief stated.

The remarks come after Israel passed legislation that permits the regime's authorities to cut water, electricity, fuel, and communications to UNRWA facilities and allows for the expropriation of UN property in occupied East al-Quds, including the agency's headquarters and its main vocational training center.

In the post, Lazzarini also appealed to the international community to push back against Israeli efforts to restrict the work of humanitarian organizations and international charities.

"Failing to push back against attempts to control the work of aid organizations will further undermine the basic humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence, impartiality and humanity underpinning aid work across the world," the UN official said.

Israel has barred 37 international humanitarian organizations from operating in Gaza, including major groups such as Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres - MSF), CARE, Action Against Hunger, Oxfam affiliates, the Norwegian Refugee Council, World Vision, and Caritas.

Under the new rules, any group or staff member found to have supported boycotts of Israel, questioned Israeli military conduct, denied the October 7 Hamas-led operation, or backed international legal cases against Israeli officials can be barred from operating in Gaza.

Israel has also banned the UNRWA from operating in the occupied territories after accusing some of its staff members of being involved in the al-Aqsa Storm operation in October 2023.

Despite repeated requests from the UNRWA for the Israeli regime to provide evidence supporting its allegations, the agency has received no response.

The UN agency has faced deepening financial turmoil since Israel launched a defamation campaign against it.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas also sternly condemned the "Zionist entity's decision to revoke the licenses of international relief organizations" operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The Palestinian group stated that this escalation is "a blatant attempt to weaponize aid and further the humanitarian catastrophe manufactured by Israel."

Hamas called for urgent international action to stop this "policy of collective punishment and starvation."

Despite a ceasefire, Israeli authorities have rejected multiple requests by international organizations to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza.

In a ruling on October 22, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip, underscoring its legal obligation as an occupying power to ensure Palestinians have access to essential goods for survival.

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Israel begins demolition of 25 homes in West Bank refugee camp

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 31 December 2025 6:31 PM

Israel has begun demolishing 25 residential buildings in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, displacing dozens of Palestinian families.

The Israeli military claimed that the demolitions of the homes, housing some 100 families, were part of an operation against resistance fighters.

Media reports said Israeli military bulldozers and cranes tore through the structures in Nur Shams in Tulkarm early Wednesday, with many residents watching from a distance.

"The commander of the Central Command, Major General Avi Bluth, ordered the demolition of several structures due to a clear and necessary operational need," the military told AFP in a statement.

"Areas in northern Samaria have become a significant center of terrorist activity, operating from within densely populated civilian areas," it claimed, using Israel's term for the occupied West Bank.

The demolitions take place while many of the buildings' residents have nowhere to go.

Since earlier this year, Israel has intensified its attacks in Tulkarm, Jenin, and other parts of the occupied West Bank.

Violence has soared in the occupied West Bank 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.

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US-led forces to withdraw from Ain al-Assad airbase in western Iraq next week

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 31 December 2025 6:07 PM

The Iraqi army has announced that the US-led military coalition purportedly formed to fight the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group will withdraw from the strategic Ain al-Assad Airbase in the western al-Anbar province next week, and will hand it over to Iraqi security forces.

"The coalition's mission has ended, and the focus has shifted toward concluding bilateral international memoranda and understandings, whether with the United States or with France, Britain, and Italy at present," Deputy Commander of Iraq's Joint Operations Command (JOC), Lieutenant General Qais al-Muhammadawi, said during a press conference in Baghdad on Wednesday.

He added, "This work was agreed upon three months ago and has now been concluded at the Joint Operations Command. There are no coalition personnel remaining at Ain al-Asad base, and next week will witness a complete withdrawal and the handover of the base to Iraqi forces. A timetable is being set to complete all these matters."

Muhammadawi further noted that Daesh has significantly diminished in its capacity to plan, operate, control territory, or influence security.

In 2025, only four minor and ineffective attacks were reported, a sharp drop from the 42 recorded in 2024. These incidents were merely desperate attempts to demonstrate their continued presence, the senior Iraqi commander stated.

Iraq adopted the law to expel foreign forces after Washington assassinated top Iraqi and Iranian anti-terror commanders four years ago.

Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), were martyred along with their comrades in a US drone strike that was authorized by then-President Donald Trump near Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020.

The two iconic anti-terror commanders are greatly admired for their instrumental role in fighting and decimating Daesh in the region, particularly in Iraq and Syria.

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Iran calls for regional action to preserve Yemen's unity, territorial integrity

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 31 December 2025 4:09 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in southern and eastern Yemen, calling on all regional nations to work toward preserving the unity and territorial integrity of the Arab country.

Araghchi made the remarks in a telephone conversation with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani to discuss bilateral ties and the latest regional developments.

During the call, the Iranian minister said the only viable solution to the crisis in Yemen is through comprehensive dialogue among all Yemeni groups.

Araghchi said the Islamic Republic of Iran views the path to resolving the Yemeni crisis solely through inclusive negotiations that involve all internal factions.

The Bahraini foreign minister echoed the necessity of maintaining peace and stability in Yemen and the broader region.

Both ministers expressed hope that ongoing diplomatic efforts would lead to a resolution of current issues, reinforcing Yemeni unity and consolidating regional stability.

Separately, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei addressed reporters regarding the security situation in Yemen, stating that Tehran is closely monitoring these developments. He urged all involved parties to exercise restraint.

Baghaei called on all stakeholders to prioritize the interests of the Yemeni people and the security considerations of the region, resolving current issues through peaceful discourse.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers any action that paves the way for increased instability in Yemen or insecurity in the region to be unacceptable."

He highlighted the need for collective attention from regional countries toward protecting Yemen's territorial sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The spokesperson outlined Tehran's official stance on a permanent resolution, underscoring three key pillars: initiation of comprehensive dialogue, full implementation of the established roadmap, and formation of an inclusive government within the framework of a unified and integrated Yemen.

Yemen has been the scene of a sweeping offensive by Abu Dhabi-backed separatists, with forces from the Southern Transitional Council (STC) marching across resource-rich Hadramawt and Mahra provinces over the past few weeks.

The advance has raised the specter of the return of South Yemen, a separate state from 1967 to 1990.

On Tuesday, the UAE said it was pulling its remaining forces out of Yemen, following a Saudi demand to withdraw within 24 hours as tensions escalated over a sweeping offensive by the Abu Dhabi-backed separatists.

On the same day, Saudi warplanes struck an Emirati shipment at Mukalla port, saying it was carrying weapons for the separatists, a claim the UAE denied.

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MOFA Spokesperson's Statement on the Implementation of the Ceasefire between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand



Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

Date: 2025-12-31

The Government of the Republic of Korea welcomes the Joint Statement agreed by Cambodia and Thailand at the 3rd Special General Border Committee on December 27 on an immediate ceasefire, as well as the implementation of the agreed measures including maintaining a 72-hour ceasefire and the repatriation of 18 Cambodian military personnel on Wednesday, December 31.

The Government of the Republic of Korea looks forward to the agreements between Cambodia and Thailand being faithfully implemented and hopes that the related situation will be resolved peacefully through dialogue.

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Upholding the Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire

US Department of State

Press Statement

Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson

December 31, 2025

The United States welcomes the resolute efforts of the Cambodian and Thai governments to uphold the December 27 ceasefire agreement. This demonstrates both countries' commitments to lasting peace by implementing the provisions of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords. We welcome Thailand's release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers as a positive step towards rebuilding neighborly relations and trust. The United States stands ready to support the Cambodian and Thai governments as they resume the critical implementation measures agreed to in the October 26 Joint Declaration.

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Results expected 5 January after landmark elections in Central African Republic

By Vibhu Mishra

31 December 2025 - Voting proceeded largely as planned in the Central African Republic's first-ever combined presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections, and ballot counting is now complete, the UN peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA) said on Wednesday, with results expected to be announced on 5 January.

According to MINUSCA, preliminary reports from observers indicate that more than 99 per cent of polling stations across the country opened as scheduled on election day.

The transfer of envelopes containing the results from 19 prefectural capitals to the national capital, Bangui, is now underway, with logistical and security support from the mission.

The 28 December vote marked an unprecedented moment in the country's political history, bringing together four ballots in a single electoral exercise. Municipal elections, in particular, had not been held in the Central African Republic (CAR) since 1988 and were a key provision of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation.

Vast, sparsely populated and landlocked, CAR is crisscrossed by dense forests, rivers and long, often impassable roads. Outside Bangui, many communities are reachable only by air or days-long journeys.

Extensive UN support for complex operation

MINUSCA said it worked closely with national authorities and UN agencies to support the electoral process, delivering all voting materials on time despite difficult terrain and security constraints.

In total, the mission carried out 84 flights and eight road convoys to transport more than 230 tonnes of election materials, including ballot papers, indelible ink, voter cards, voting booths and ballot boxes.

Electoral materials were delivered to 6,679 of the country's 6,700 polling stations, allowing them to function normally across 20 prefectures.

On the technical and operational front, some 34,500 people - including electoral agents, supervisors and polling station staff - were trained with UN support.

Security measures

Security for the polls was reinforced through the deployment of additional national troops and police, supported logistically by MINUSCA, alongside strengthened patrols by UN peacekeepers and police personnel.

The mission also provided Central African armed forces and internal security personnel with vehicles and motorcycles to reach remote and isolated areas.

Speaking at a press conference in Bangui on Wednesday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for CAR, Valentine Rugwabiza, said the mission had successfully fulfilled its mandate despite operating in a challenging environment.

Incident in Haut-Mbomou

Ms. Rugwabiza strongly condemned an attack in Bambouti, in the south-eastern Haut-Mbomou prefecture near the border with South Sudan, which prevented voting from taking place in that locality due to insecurity.

The attack, carried out by the Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (AAKG) armed group, also involved hostage-taking, including the sub-prefect.

She said MINUSCA has been working around the clock since Sunday to facilitate the release of those taken hostage.

Results expected next week

The National Elections Authority (NEA) is expected to announce the preliminary results of the presidential election on 5 January 2026.

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Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Occupied Palestinian Territory

UN, partners call on Israel to reverse NGO suspensions

OCHA reports that following yesterday's announcement by the Israeli authorities of their intention to suspend the operations of several international NGOs in the Gaza Strip, UN agencies and more than 200 international and local NGOs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory have urged the authorities to reconsider this decision. They stressed that international NGOs play a critical role in delivering life-saving assistance and that their suspension would severely undermine the humanitarian response.

OCHA says that international NGOs deliver a significant share of life-saving services, technical expertise and humanitarian supplies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In Gaza, they constitute most of the UN's partners working on health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene services; they operate most sites providing cooked meals; and they hold the majority of shelter and other supplies currently in the pipeline.

Two weeks ago, the UN and its humanitarian partners warned that the registration system introduced by the Israeli authorities for international NGOs earlier in 2025 put dozens of organizations at risk of deregistration in 2026.

They cautioned the loss of NGO capacity would severely disrupt life-saving services - including health care, nutrition treatment, water and sanitation, and emergency shelter - at a time when needs are acute and there are no viable alternatives.

OCHA says that already in 2025, many international NGOs have been banned from bringing in supplies to Gaza, with visas largely withheld.

In a statement issued today, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk reminded the Israeli authorities of their obligation under international law to ensure the essential supplies of daily life in Gaza, including by allowing and facilitating humanitarian relief.

In parallel, UNRWA continues to face further restrictions. On Monday, the Israeli parliament passed new legislation cutting off water, electricity, fuel and communications from UNRWA's facilities and authorizing the expropriation of UN properties. In a social media post issued yesterday, UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philipp Lazzarini, said the legislation was "a direct affront to the mandate granted to the Agency by the UN General Assembly and contrary to findings of the International Court of Justice, which oblige Israel to fulfil its responsibilities as a UN Member State to UNRWA and the broader UN system." He warned that these measures undermine UN's independence and privileges, set a dangerous precedent globally, and risk compromising humanitarian and human rights work worldwide.

Meanwhile in Gaza, OCHA reports that humanitarian partners continue helping people affected by the latest rainstorms. This month, the UN and its partners have provided tents, tarpaulins and bedding items to more than 80,000 households - or approximately 448,400 people.

OCHA says that, while this is significant, it remains far from enough, as many families are still struggling in weather-damaged makeshift tents or war-damaged buildings at risk of collapse. An easing of restrictions on bringing in shelter materials and other critical items is urgently needed.

Yesterday, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that it has opened a second site in Khan Younis for emergency distributions of animal feed and veterinary supplies. FAO has been helping approximately 2,000 families in the Gaza Strip who still have sheep and goats to protect their livestock and combat acute malnutrition.

Meanwhile, obstructions to the movement of aid workers in parts of Gaza continue. Of six such movements that the UN and its humanitarian partners attempted to coordinate with the Israeli authorities yesterday, two were denied and four faced impediments. Nevertheless, humanitarians managed to collect food and other supplies from the Kerem Shalom crossing.

In the West Bank, OCHA reports that between 28 and 30 December, rainstorms damaged homes, infrastructure and livestock structures, especially in the northern areas and in several herding communities, forcing people out of their homes. The Palestinian Civil Defense reported on Sunday that its teams responded to hundreds of incidents, including fires and rescue operations.

Against this backdrop, OCHA reports that Israeli bulldozers started demolishing 25 buildings in and around Nur Shams Camp this morning, affecting about 70 households.

The demolitions follow the Israeli authorities' issuance of demolition orders on 14 December that reportedly target both single-family houses and multi-unit residential buildings located in three neighbourhoods of the refugee camp.

Posted on 31 December 2025

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Israel approves construction of 126 illegal settler units in occupied West Bank

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 01 January 2026 7:40 AM

Israeli authorities have approved construction of 126 new illegal settler units in the northern side of the West Bank, defying international outcry over illegal settlement expansion and land grab activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The so-called Higher Planning Council, affiliated with the Civil Administration, sanctioned a comprehensive plan on Wednesday, allowing illegal settlers to return to the Sa-Nur settlement outpost, according to Israeli media outlets.

Channel 7 reported that the plan is expected to be implemented within approximately two months, allowing settlers to resettle in Sa-Nur.

Sa-Nur was vacated in 2005 as part of Israel's unilateral disengagement plan. The plan involved the removal of Israeli settlements and military installations from the Gaza Strip, along with four outposts in the northern West Bank.

In March 2024, the Knesset approved new legislation known as the "Cancellation of the Disengagement Law," effectively repealing the disengagement law.

On December 23, far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich directed the so-called High Planning Council to meet and deliberate on the approval of 126 settler units.

According to the public broadcaster KAN, he described the decision as a way to address what he referred to as a "historic injustice" and as a step forward in realizing the Zionist vision on the ground.

The latest decision reflects a rapidly growing trend of settlement construction initiatives. According to official data and reports from research institutions, thousands of settlement units have received authorization throughout the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds.

This expansion highlights a deliberate Israeli strategy aimed at accelerating settlement development by bypassing security and civil approval barriers and simplifying construction processes. It is part of a larger initiative to strengthen Israeli authority over Palestinian territories in the West Bank.

After the launch of Israel's genocidal war in Gaza on October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities examined around 355 master plans for the development of 37,415 settlement units across 38,551 dunams (39 square kilometers) of Palestinian land. Among these, approval has been granted for 18,801 units, while the remaining 18,614 are still undergoing review.

More than 700,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds.

The international community views the settlements as illegal under international law and the Geneva Conventions due to their construction on occupied territories.

The UN Security Council has condemned Israel's settlement activities in several resolutions.

In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel's decades-long occupation of historical Palestine illegal. The ICJ demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds.

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BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Many countries have reiterated firm adherence to the one-China principle.

Russia recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of China and opposes any form of "Taiwan independence," the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.

The Taiwan question is currently being used by certain countries as an instrument of military and strategic containment against China, the ministry said in a statement sent to Xinhua.

Russia's principled position on the Taiwan question is well-known, unchanged, and has been repeatedly reaffirmed at the highest level, it said, adding that the Taiwan question is China's internal affair and China has every legitimate basis to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday issued a statement, reaffirming its firm commitment to the one-China principle and opposing any form of separatist attempts or interference in China's internal affairs.

According to the statement, the ministry reiterated its consistent position on the Taiwan question, emphasizing its strong support for United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758.

The statement also underscored Laos' adherence to the one-China principle, recognizing Taiwan as an inseparable part of China and rejecting all separatist attempts and external interference in China's internal affairs.

Speaking to Xinhua on Wednesday, Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council, reaffirmed that Myanmar has consistently and firmly adhered to the one-China principle, a stance that remains steadfast.

Taiwan is an integral part of China and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, Zaw Min Tun said, adding that Myanmar condemns any interference by external forces.

Regarding a recent U.S. announcement of arms sales to China's Taiwan, Zaw Min Tun emphasized that the United States should abide by the China-U.S. joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations, which clearly recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, and Taiwan as part of China.

Zaw Min Tun also said today's world is no longer in an era where individual countries can pursue hegemony, as the international community is moving toward multipolarization. Hegemonic behavior should have no place in the world, he added.

Kyrgyzstan reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China principle and expressed its support for China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to a statement published on Wednesday on the website of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kazakhstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Yermek Kosherbayev on Tuesday also reiterated his country's firm support for the one-China principle, noting that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory.

Kosherbayev said the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, voicing Kazakhstan's firm support for the Chinese government's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Maya Dimitrova, chairperson of the Bulgaria-China Friendship Group in the Bulgarian National Assembly, noted that Bulgaria adheres to the one-China principle.

Dimitrova said that Bulgaria was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and has always adhered to the one-China principle, which has been the political foundation of the bilateral diplomatic relations since their establishment in 1949.

She also said that during a visit of an important Chinese delegation to Bulgaria this year, leaders of all Bulgarian political parties reiterated Bulgaria's firm stance on adhering to the one-China principle.

In a statement on Wednesday, a Cambodian foreign ministry spokesperson said: "Cambodia resolutely adheres to the One-China Policy and recognizes that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole lawful government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory."

"Cambodia considers the issue related to Taiwan an internal affair of the People's Republic of China, supports China's effort to achieve national reunification, while opposing any form of 'Taiwan Independence'," the statement added.

The statement reemphasized that Cambodia strongly advocates for efforts to maintain regional peace, stability and harmony.

When inspecting the construction of the Chinese-built Danube Corridor fast road in eastern Serbia on Monday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stressed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and that Serbia fully supports the one-China principle. 
Russo-Ukraine War - 31 December 2025 - Day 1407

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, 120 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of this day.

Russian zagarbniki made 46 aviacijnih strikes, dropping 94 controlled air bombs. In addition, the Russians have engaged 4659 kamikaze drones and carried out 2,635 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, since the beginning of the day, the Russian enemy has carried out 69 shelling of the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, including two of the reactive systems of arson fire.

In the South Slobozhansky direction, the Russian enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders five times near the settlement of Vovchansk and towards Obuhivka and Dovgenky.

In the Kupyansky direction, Russian units carried out six assault actions, trying to break through the positions of Ukrainian defenders towards Novoplatonivka, Boguslavka, Kurylivka and Glushkivka. Three clashes are still ongoing.

In the Lyman direction since the beginning of the day, Russian zagarbniks attacked the positions of Ukrainians ten times near the settlements of Novoselivka, Zarichne and towards the settlements of Stavka and Drobisheve. At the moment, Ukrainian defenders repel one Russian attack.

In the Slovak direction, Ukrainian warriors repelled the Russian attack in the area of Serebryanka.

The Russian offensive actions were not recorded in the Kramatorsky direction.

In the direction of Konstantinivsk, Russians 16 times attacked the positions of Defense Forces. The efforts of the attack were concentrated in the areas of settlements of Oleksandro-Shultine, Pleshiyivka, Scherbinivka, Torske, Rusin Yar and towards Sofiyivka, Ivanopilya.

Since the beginning of the day in the Pokrovsky direction, Russian units 27 times tried to break through Ukrainian defense in the areas of settlements Mirnograd, Pokrovsk, Udaachne, Kotline, Molodetske, Yablunivka, Filia and towards settlements Novopavlivka, Kucheriv Yar, Bilitske, Novopidgorodne, New Shahove, Rodinske. Four clashes are ongoing so far.

Defense forces deter enemy attacks, the enemy suffers significant losses - today 84 Russian invaders have been defecated in this direction, 53 of which are irrevocable. Ukrainian defenders have destroyed 15 vehicles, 26 unmanned aircraft, seven special equipment units, two ATVs, also hit one artillery system, three vehicles, one ATV, two special equipment units, Two BPLA control points and twelve Russian bunkers.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian units stopped 14 Russian attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops near the settlements of Zlagoda, Rybne, Zeleny Gorge and towards the settlements of Andriyivka-Klevtsove, Privilia. The enemy caused an air strike on the village of Andriyivka-Klevtsove.

In the Gulyaipil direction, Ukrainian defenders stopped 14 Russian attempts to advance in the areas of Gulyaipol, Solodky and Bilogir. Yet another battle is underway. Upper Tersa suffered an air strike.

In the orihivs komu direction at the moment boezitknen  is not recorded. The Russian enemy launched an air strike on the city of nuts.

In the Pridniprovsky direction from the beginning of the day, the Russian enemy did not carry out offensive actions, but hit controlled air bombs on the settlement of Mikhailivka.

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 and inflicted losses on formations of three mechanised brigades of the AFU, one territorial defence brigade, and one border security detachment of the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service near Iskriskovshchina, Miropolye, Novaya Sech, and Pavlovka (Sumy region).

In Kharkov direction, losses were inflicted on units of one heavy mechanised brigade and two motorised infantry brigades of the AFU near Staritsa, Volchanskiye Khutora, and Grafskoye (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 210 troops and 12 motor vehicles.

Units of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one assault brigade, one guard brigade of the Ukrainian General Staff, and two national guard brigades near Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, Prokopovka, Palamarevka, Kovsharovka, Monachinovka, and Grushevka (Kharkov region).

In Kupyansk direction, units of the 6th Army repelled three attacks launched by formations of the 92nd Assault Brigade of the AFU and 15th National Guard Brigade near Nechvolodovka and Blagodatovka to break through to Kupyansk. The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 troops and two pickup trucks.

In the Zapad Group's area of responsibility, the AFU losses amounted to up to 190 troops, one Kozak armoured fighting vehicle, and 16 motor vehicles. One electronic warfare station and four ammunition depots were destroyed.

Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Losses were inflicted on formations of four mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, and one national guard brigade near Kramatorsk, Konstantinovka, Reznikovka, Ilyinovka, and Krivaya Luka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 210 troops, nine armoured fighting vehicles, 11 motor vehicles, and one artillery gun. Two electronic warfare stations, three ammunition depots, and one materiel depot were destroyed.

The Tsentr Group of Forces' units improved the situation along the front line. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one assault brigade, one airborne brigade, one infantry brigade, one air assault brigade, three assault regiments of the AFU, one marine brigade, four national guard brigades, and the Azov Special Operations Brigade near Grishino, Novy Donbass, Dobropolye, Toretskoye, Annovka, Maryevka, Artyomovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Novopavlovka (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 500 troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, three armoured fighting vehicles, eight motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, and one electronic warfare station.

The Vostok Group of Forces' units continued to advance into the depths of enemy defences. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, one assault brigade, and four assault regiments of the AFU near Boykovo, Zaliznichnoye, Ternovatoye (Zaporozhye region), Velikomikhaylovka, and Bratskoye (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 190 troops, one armoured personnel carrier, four armoured fighting vehicles, and eight motor vehicles.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of two mechanised brigades of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Preobrazhenka, Veselyanka (Zaporozhye region), and Sadovoye (Kherson region).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 50 troops, five motor vehicles, and three electronic warfare stations.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation struck power objects used by Ukrainian defence industry enterprises, one POL depot, temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations, nationalists, and foreign mercenaries in 144 areas.

Air defence units shot down 371 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost:

669 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 106,194 unmanned aerial vehicles, 641 anti-aircraft missile systems, 26,815 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,634 MLRS combat vehicles, 32,275 field artillery guns and mortars, 50,464 support military vehicles.

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Federal court finally ends illegal federalization of National Guard after Trump gives up, Governor Newsom directs leadership to quickly send soldiers home to families

California Governor - Gavin Newsom

Dec 31, 2025

What you need to know: Trump and his cabinet cronies finally bowed to the rule of law  returning the California National Guard to state control after illegal federalization  showing he is not above the U.S. Constitution. Governor Newsom directs leadership work quickly to return state service members back home to their families.

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement in response to President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth backing down in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals  and the court returning the California National Guard to state command and control and conclusively ending their deployment in an American city, against American citizens.

I'm glad President Trump has finally admitted defeat: we've said all along the federalization of the National Guard in California is illegal.

The President deployed these brave men and women against their own communities and without regard for the constitution and federal law. We welcome our California National Guard servicemembers back to state service, where they can continue to serve and protect the people of California  long delayed due to Trump's political theater.

I direct California National Guard leadership to work expeditiously to return state service members home to be with their families as soon as possible following their demobilization from federal service.

Governor Gavin Newsom

This latest admission of defeat by Trump and his followers comes in the wake of a 6-3 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of the State of Illinois in a similar case. Read Governor Newsom's Supreme Court brief in that case here.

Read Judge Charles Breyer's order earlier this month ordering the Trump Administration to end its takeover of the California National Guard here, and today's Ninth Circuit order allowing that ruling to take effect

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China's CASC sets new record with 73 orbital launches in 2025

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jan 01, 2026 09:31 AM

On December 31, the successful launch of the Long March-7A carrier rocket delivered the Shijian-29 satellite into orbit. With this mission, the state-owned space giant China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has completed a record of 73 space launch missions throughout 2025, the CASC said in a release.

Among these, the Long March series of carrier rockets conducted 69 launches, while the Jielong-3 carrier rocket completed four launches, sending more than 300 spacecraft - including rideshare payloads - into orbit. The number of launches and the quantity of payloads represent a substantial increase compared to the 51 launches and over 190 spacecraft in 2024. The average launch cycle was approximately once every five days, with both launch density and mission scale reaching new heights, per the CASC.

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ADV Reliant sets sail for deployment after a landmark year in the Pacific

Issued by Defence Media

31 December 2025

Australia's Pacific Support Vessel, Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant, is preparing to depart Townsville for its first deployment of 2026, reinforcing Australia's enduring commitment to Pacific stability and security.

Over the next three months, ADV Reliant and her crew will visit Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, Fiji and Solomon Islands, responding to Pacific partners' requests and supporting maritime weather surveillance during the high-risk weather season.

A key task will be delivering critical supplies to strengthen border security in the Solomon Islands, providing facilities for Customs, Immigration, Biosecurity and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, AO, CSC, RAN, said ADV Reliant's program underscores Australia's commitment to the Pacific.

"ADV Reliant is a demonstration of Australia's commitment to regionally-led solutions to the Pacific's needs," Vice Admiral Jones said.

"In 2025, ADV Reliant and her crews were deployed in support of regional resilience for more than 270 days. They responded to Pacific partners' requests to support maritime surveillance and search and rescue operations, and delivered essential Guardian-class Patrol Boat spares and equipment.

"ADV Reliant is a versatile and valued asset to the region," Vice Admiral Jones said.

A Year of Impact - 2025

In 2025, ADV Reliant completed three significant deployments, answering requests for assistance and strengthening Australia's relationships with Pacific island countries. Key achievements included:

Delivering two fire trucks each to Kiribati and Tonga.

Providing humanitarian and disaster relief stores to Fiji.

Supplying spares and stores to sustain Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Cook Islands' Guardian-class Patrol Boats.

Conducting hydrographic survey tasks to support safe navigation in Pacific ports.

Rescuing four sailors from a distressed civilian vessel while in transit to a port visit in Suva, Fiji.

In October, Reliant hosted 15 members of the Pacific Response Group for induction training, including safety training, media awareness training, ship familiarisation and a Gender Focal Point (GFP) course.

Regular port visits throughout the year reinforced Australia's partnerships and demonstrated the shared commitment to security and resilience across the Pacific.

During its deployment, ADV Reliant operated on renewable diesel, contributing to lower carbon emissions in the Southwest Pacific and supporting Pacific island nations that are particularly vulnerable to climate change.

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Wang Yi: In 2026, China's Major-Country Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics Should Accomplish More

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 30, 2025 14:35

On December 30, 2025, at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated, "The 15th Five-Year Plan period will be a critical stage for our endeavor to reinforce the foundations and push ahead on all fronts toward basically realizing socialist modernization, and China's relations with the rest of the world will enter a new stage where we can make greater contributions to the development and progress of humanity." In 2026, with the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan, China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics should accomplish more.

Wang Yi said, "We will provide stronger strategic support for our national development and rejuvenation." Next year, it will be an important mission for China's diplomacy to facilitate a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan. He said, "We will enhance our historical initiative and political awareness, faithfully fulfill the new tasks in head-of-state diplomacy, effectively contribute to China's high-quality development, and substantially mitigate external risks and challenges, so as to ensure that we continue to have the strategic and overall initiative amid intense international competition. We will align the interests of the Chinese people more closely with those of other nations, and Chinese modernization with the modernization of other countries, and create a more favorable external environment for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization."

Wang Yi said, "We will blaze new trails in forging a new type of major-country relations. We will shape a new model of positive engagement with the U.S. in line with the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation, and push for sound, steady and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations on the premise of firmly safeguarding our sovereignty, security and development interests. We will consolidate China-Russia relations featuring lasting good-neighborliness, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, and keep enriching the substance of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. We will carry forward the China-Europe tradition of respecting each other, seeking common ground while shelving differences, upholding openness and cooperation, and working for mutual benefit, and we will be true partners with Europe in firmly upholding multilateralism."

Wang Yi said that China will work more actively to build a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. China will implement the guiding principles of the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries, follow the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and stay true to the vision of a shared future for humanity. China will join hands with neighboring countries to build a peaceful home by managing differences and disputes properly, and keeping conflicts and wars at bay. China will join hands with neighboring countries to build a safe and secure home by fostering strategic mutual trust between one another, and eliminating the root causes of disputes. China will join hands with neighboring countries to build a prosperous home by ensuring the early implementation of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, and deepening development integration with our neighbors. China will join hands with neighboring countries to build a beautiful home by strengthening exchanges on ecological conservation and promoting sustainable development in the region. China will join hands with neighboring countries to build an amicable home by expanding cultural exchanges, and consolidating the popular support for the vision of a community with a shared future with neighboring countries.

Wang Yi said that China will foster greater synergy for the Global South's joint march toward modernization. China will firmly safeguard the overall interests of developing countries and stay committed to strength through unity for the Global South. China will support a bigger and stronger BRICS mechanism, and promote greater representation and voice of the BRICS countries in the process of multipolarization. China will advance the Initiative on Cooperation Supporting Modernization in Africa and push for the application of zero-tariff policy. China will host the second China-Arab States Summit to complete the negotiations on a China-GCC Free Trade Agreement, and move forward toward the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future. China will firmly support LAC countries in defending sovereignty and national dignity and accelerating development and revitalization along the paths they have independently chosen.

Wang Yi said that China will inject stronger impetus into global openness and cooperation. China will adhere to high-standard opening up, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and forge a path of shared success between China and the world. China will firmly uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading regime, jointly resist protectionism, tariff hegemony and tariff bullying, and expand trade investment liberalization and facilitation. As the host of APEC 2026, China will jointly advance the building of an Asia-Pacific community, and energize and explore pathways toward a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.

Wang Yi said that China will make greater contributions to reforming and improving global governance. China will practice true multilateralism and remain a steadfast defender and contributor to the current international system. China will strengthen the authority and standing of the U.N., uphold the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, and support the U.N. in playing the central role on major issues. China will push for global refocus on the development agenda, and actively address governance deficits, fill governance gaps, and expand the frontiers of global governance.

Wang Yi said, "We will act with a stronger sense of mission and responsibility in safeguarding national interests. We will safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and resolutely thwart any attempts to split the country. We will stay true to our people-centered diplomacy and expedite our efforts to build a closer-knit system of overseas consular protection, to help Chinese citizens and businesses overseas feel safer, more secure and fully assured."

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Wang Yi: Facing A Troubled World Where Peace is Under Threat, China Acts as An Anchor for Stability

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 30, 2025 14:35

On December 30, 2025, at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that facing a troubled world where peace is under threat, China acted as an anchor for stability. As once-in-a-century transformations accelerate, international relations are being reshaped amidst turbulence, and the risks of conflict or confrontation between major countries are clearly on the rise. China, as a key major country and a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, stays committed to upholding world peace. It has taken concrete steps to foster a new type of major-country relations, promoted dialogue and peace for the deescalation of hot spots, advocated global solidarity over geopolitical maneuvering, and fulfilled its responsibility as a major country for world peace.

Wang Yi said that in the past year, China-U.S. relations, despite shocks and ups and downs, realized overall and dynamic stability. This serves the shared interests of the people in both countries, and meets the common aspiration of the international community. China-Russia relations, as rock-solid as ever, maintained a high-level, steady performance. Chinese and Russian leaders exchanged visits in this year of historic significance, highlighting mutual trust and mutual support as the hallmark of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. China and the European Union reviewed their cooperation over the past fifty years of diplomatic ties, and reaffirmed partnership as the basic tenor of their relations. Ten countries from the Global South officially became BRICS partners. The 20-member BRICS family grew more prosperous. And BRICS cooperation was ever more robust under the expanded format.

Wang Yi said that on the nearly four-year-old Ukraine crisis, China, guided by the four points about what should be done put forward by President Xi Jinping, worked relentlessly to create conditions and foster consensus for peace. As one of the initiators of the Group of Friends for Peace, China sincerely welcomed all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis, and worked actively alongside others to this end. Right now, the window for negotiation is open, and the dawn of peace is within sight. While the road ahead will still be bumpy, China will continue to play a constructive role and hopes that a comprehensive, durable and binding peace agreement could be reached to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and bring about lasting peace and stability in Europe.

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Wang Yi On Five Contributions of China's Diplomacy in 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 30, 2025 14:35

On December 30, 2025, at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. Wang Yi said, "At this new turn in the course of history, we, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, held high the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity, followed the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, united progressive forces across the world with utmost sincerity, and built the momentum for peace and development with greatest efforts. We championed peace, promoted cooperation, adapted to change, and upheld justice. We dedicated ourselves to rejuvenation for the Chinese nation and to harmony in a turbulent world, and we opened up new horizons for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics." Wang Yi summarized five contributions of China's diplomacy over the past year.

First, facing a troubled world where peace is under threat, China acted as an anchor for stability. China stays committed to upholding world peace. It has taken concrete steps to foster a new type of major-country relations, promoted dialogue and peace for the deescalation of hot spots, advocated global solidarity over geopolitical maneuvering, and fulfilled its responsibility as a major country for world peace.

Second, facing a new environment in its neighborhood, China acted as a pillar of the region. The CPC Central Committee convened a meeting on work related to neighboring countries for the first time. China's engagement with neighboring countries entered a new stage of building a community with a shared future at a faster pace. Having China as a neighbor is a good, fortunate thing. The neighborhood of China now stands as a center of excellence for good-neighborliness and friendship.

Third, facing a changing international order, China acted as a defining force. China has chosen to embrace the trend by working with all parties to build a community with a shared future for humanity and making the international order more just and equitable.

Fourth, facing the global development predicament, China acted as a main engine. China has provided underpinning for the world economy with its strong resilience and dynamism, and shared opportunities with the world through higher-standard opening up. China has become a major propeller for global development in getting over the current predicament.

Fifth, facing critical challenges to international justice, China acted as a steadying force. Chinese diplomacy is guided by humanity's common values, that is, peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. In international affairs, China is committed to upholding what is right, promoting what is fair, and serving the common good of all. China has been a staunch defender of the fundamental principles of international justice.

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Wang Yi Attends the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations and Delivers a Keynote Speech

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 30, 2025 14:55

On December 30, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening ceremony of the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations in Beijing and delivered a keynote speech.

Wang Yi said that the year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. This year, the international landscape evolved toward a watershed, with unilateralism and hegemonism finding no support and a multipolar world in the making. The contest between progress and regression sharpened. Economic globalization met serious setbacks. The choice between openness and isolation became imperative. Local wars and cross-border conflicts flared up more often. The question of peace or war weighed heavily on many people's mind.

Wang Yi said, "At this new turn in the course of history, we, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, held high the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity, followed the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, united progressive forces across the world with utmost sincerity, and built the momentum for peace and development with greatest efforts. Facing a troubled world where peace is under threat, China acted as an anchor for stability. Facing a new environment in its neighborhood, China acted as a pillar of the region. Facing a changing international order, China acted as a defining force. Facing the global development predicament, China acted as a main engine. Facing critical challenges to international justice, China acted as a steadying force. We dedicated ourselves to rejuvenation for the Chinese nation and to harmony in a turbulent world, and we opened up new horizons for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics."

Wang Yi emphasized that "A look back at our journey of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in 2025 strikes us more keenly than ever that the relationship between China and the world is developing in a more positive direction, and that China's international influence, its capacity to lead new endeavors and its moral appeal have significantly enhanced. Today, with composure and confidence, China's diplomacy is cleaving through the waves and pressing ahead. This is fundamentally attributable to the stewardship of President Xi Jinping, the sound guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. It is also attributable to the enormous support of the people and the fact that China's diplomatic vision always holds international moral high ground."

Wang Yi said, "The 15th Five-Year Plan period will be a critical stage for our endeavor to reinforce the foundations and push ahead on all fronts toward basically realizing socialist modernization, and China's relations with the rest of the world will enter a new stage where we can make greater contributions to the development and progress of humanity. In 2026, with the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan, our major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics should accomplish more." Wang Yi said, "We will provide stronger strategic support for our national development and rejuvenation, blaze new trails in forging a new type of major-country relations, work more actively to build a community with a shared future with neighboring countries, foster greater synergy for the Global South's joint march toward modernization, inject stronger impetus into global openness and cooperation, make greater contributions to reforming and improving global governance, and act with a stronger sense of mission and responsibility in safeguarding national interests."

Wang Yi emphasized, "We will rally more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, follow the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and, with greater initiatives in fulfilling our historical mission and a more dynamic spirit of innovation, make new contributions to building China into a great modern socialist country, to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity."

The Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations was hosted by the China Institute of International Studies.

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Opening up New Horizons for Major-Country Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics at a Crucial Historical Juncture

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 30, 2025 15:51

Keynote Speech by H.E. Wang Yi

At the Symposium on the International Situation and

China's Foreign Relations

Dear Experts and Friends,

Greetings to you all. It gives me great pleasure to join you again at the turn of the year to discuss the international situation and take stock of China's foreign relations.

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. In this heavy-loaded, historic year, the world once again came to a crucial juncture and had to decide which way to go.

This year, the international landscape evolved toward an important watershed, with unilateralism and hegemonism finding no support and a multipolar world in the making. Amid once-in-a-century transformations, old and new problems intensified. The contest between progress and regression sharpened.

This year, economic globalization met serious setbacks. The tariff war dealt a blow to international trade rules, and disrupted the global economic order. The choice between openness and isolation became imperative.

This year, local wars and cross-border conflicts flared up more often than at any time since the end of WWII. Geopolitical turbulence continued to spread. The question of peace or war weighed heavily on many people's mind.

At this new turn in the course of history, we, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, held high the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity, followed the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, united progressive forces across the world with utmost sincerity, and built the momentum for peace and development with greatest efforts. We championed peace, promoted cooperation, adapted to change, and upheld justice. We dedicated ourselves to rejuvenation for the Chinese nation and to harmony in a turbulent world, and we opened up new horizons for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

Facing a troubled world where peace is under threat, China acted as an anchor for stability. As once-in-a-century transformations accelerate, international relations are being reshaped amidst turbulence, and the risks of conflict or confrontation between major countries are clearly on the rise.

China, as a key major country and a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, stays committed to upholding world peace. It has taken concrete steps to foster a new type of major-country relations, promoted dialogue and peace for the deescalation of hot spots, advocated global solidarity over geopolitical maneuvering, and fulfilled its responsibility as a major country for world peace.

In the past year, China-U.S. relations, despite shocks and ups and downs, realized overall and dynamic stability. This serves the shared interests of the people in both countries, and meets the common aspiration of the international community. China-Russia relations, as rock-solid as ever, maintained high-level, steady performance. Chinese and Russian leaders exchanged visits in this year of historic significance, highlighting mutual trust and mutual support as the hallmark of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. China and the European Union reviewed their cooperation over the past fifty years of diplomatic ties, and reaffirmed partnership as the basic tenor of their relations. Ten countries from the Global South officially became BRICS partners. The 20-member BRICS family grew more prosperous. And BRICS cooperation was ever more robust under the expanded format.

On the nearly four-year-old Ukraine crisis, China, guided by the four points about what should be done put forward by President Xi Jinping, worked relentlessly to create conditions and foster consensus for peace. As one of the initiators of the Group of Friends for Peace, China sincerely welcomed all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis, and worked actively alongside others to this end. Right now, the window for negotiation is open, and the dawn of peace is within sight. While the road ahead will still be bumpy, China will continue to play a constructive role and hopes that a comprehensive, durable and binding peace agreement could be reached to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and bring about lasting peace and stability in Europe.

Facing a new environment in its neighborhood, China acted as a pillar of the region. In this changing and turbulent world, Asia is widely recognized as a center of global development and prosperity, and China's relations with its neighboring countries are at their best since modern times. Meanwhile, as regional dynamics is deeply affected by the changes in the international landscape, maintaining prosperity and stability of this neighborhood requires persistent efforts.

At this crucial juncture in the evolution of regional situation, the CPC Central Committee convened a meeting on work related to neighboring countries, the first of its kind since the founding of the People's Republic of China. Affirming the important position of the neighboring region in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the meeting set out the vision of building a "peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home", and established the overarching goal of building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. This sent a strategic signal of working together with neighboring countries for a bright future, and injected new and strong momentum into the development of China's relations with neighboring countries.

The neighboring region featured prominently in the diplomatic events hosted by President Xi Jinping and in his important overseas visits this year. The visit to Southeast Asian countries boosted China's relations with the whole region, consolidated good-neighborliness with ASEAN countries, advanced mutually beneficial cooperation, and garnered efforts to meet common challenges. The Russia trip reinforced the China-Russia friendship, defended historic justice, and elevated the mutual trust and cooperation between the two big neighbors to a new height. During the Central Asia visit, the concept of China-Central Asia spirit was introduced for the first time, a treaty on permanent good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation was signed, and the foundation for long-term stability to the northwest was solidified. The trip to Northeast Asia spearheaded Asia-Pacific cooperation, and pushed for improvement and development of China-ROK relations. Also this year, we invited the leaders of India and the DPRK to China. China-India relations showed a good momentum, and the traditional friendship with the DPRK was cemented and further promoted. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit was held in Tianjin. Chaired by President Xi Jinping, it was a resounding success, with the adoption of a 10-year strategy for SCO development, the launch of four regional security centers, the establishment of six cooperation platforms, and the signing of several dozen cooperation documents covering various fields. China's engagement with neighboring countries entered a new stage of building a community with a shared future at a faster pace.

As again proved by the development trajectory of relations between China and neighboring countries and the evolution of regional environment in the past year, having China as a neighbor is a good, fortunate thing. Instead of vying for geopolitical advantage, China is committed to fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood. Instead of seeking a sphere of influence, China promotes a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. Instead of dictating decision making, China advocates, with concrete actions, joint consultation in regional affairs. The neighborhood of China now stands as a center of excellence for good-neighborliness and friendship.

Facing a changing international order, China acted as a defining force. The United Nations has traversed 80 years, and the reform of the international system is picking up speed. Reacting to the trend of the times, some slam on the brake, and some attempt to reverse the course. China has chosen to embrace the trend by working with all parties to build a community with a shared future for humanity and making the international order more just and equitable.

Building a community with a shared future for humanity is the core tenet of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. It is in line with the trend of the times toward development and progress, and serves the common interests of the Chinese people and people of all countries. The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which was held this year, adopted the recommendations for China's 15th five-year plan for economic and social development. On foreign-related work in the next five years, the recommendations lay out the plan along the central theme of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and demonstrate China's conviction and action in pursuing progress for humanity and harmony for the world.

In 2025, the world witnessed the "China moments" in the global governance reform. President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), advocating five major propositions, i.e., sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and real actions. It is a Chinese proposal to make the global governance system more just and equitable, and a Chinese contribution to revitalize the central position and leading role of the U.N. A timely initiative that responds to the pressing needs of the world today, the GGI gained immediate endorsement and support from over 150 countries and international organizations. China solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. In his important address on the occasion, President Xi Jinping highlighted the great spirit of resisting aggression, promoted the correct view of history on World War , and sent a powerful message that justice will prevail, peace will prevail, and the people will prevail. At the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women held in Beijing, President Xi Jinping underscored the need to build greater consensus and broaden the paths forward to accelerate the new process of women's development. With the inauguration of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), China, together with over 30 countries, founded the first inter-governmental international organization with a mandate to resolve international disputes through mediation. The IOMed answers the call of the U.N. Charter and sets up a new platform for countries to resolve differences. China also proposed the establishment of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, with the aim of enhancing AI capacity building of the Global South, bridging the AI divide, and expediting the process of global AI governance.

However, while people of all countries around the world were drawing lessons from history and striving for peaceful development in this year of special significance, Japan, the country that had started the war of aggression against China, again failed to express deep remorse for the crimes it had committed. Even worse, Japan's current leader publicly challenged China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, challenged the historical verdict of World War II, and challenged the post-war international order. This is totally unacceptable to all countries that love peace and all people who do not want the repetition of past tragedies. We must stay highly vigilant to the resurgence of militarism in Japan, resolutely defend the victorious outcomes of World War II achieved with great sacrifice, and effectively safeguard the hard-earned peace and stability.

Facing the global development predicament, China acted as a main engine. Global growth is losing steam, unilateralism and protectionism are running unchecked, international economic and trade order is facing serious disruptions, and countries are confronting major development challenges. Despite mounting economic pressure, China has pushed forward with innovation-led and high-quality development. And in this process, China has provided underpinning for the world economy with its strong resilience and dynamism, and shared opportunities with the world through higher-standard opening up, including unilateral opening up. China has continued to contribute around 30 percent of world economic growth, higher than G7 combined, and become a major propeller for global development in getting over the current predicament.

In the past year, we vigorously promoted high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. We signed cooperation programs and action plans with countries in South Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Central Asia, and our non-financial direct investment in Belt and Road partner countries grew by over 20 percent year on year. The Tazara Railway revitalization strengthened this monument to China-Africa friendship, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway opened up new prospects for regional connectivity, and the China Railway Express achieved an accumulative total of more than 120,000 freight services between China and Europe. These golden routes for two-way cooperation have extended their reach at a faster pace.

In the past year, we took on the important mission of promoting global development. We hosted the China International Import Expo, the China International Fair for Trade in Services and the China International Consumer Products Expo, and we officially launched the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port. We fully completed the negotiations of and signed the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, continued to deliver on the ten partnership actions with Africa, carried out five programs with LAC countries, developed five cooperation frameworks with Arab states, built seven cooperation platforms and frameworks with Pacific Island countries, and successfully held the first ASEAN-China-GCC Summit. Closer development cooperation partnerships were forged with various parties.

In the past year, we overcame external disturbances and challenges, and extended a helping hand to international partners in need. We applied zero tariff to all least developed countries and African countries having diplomatic relations with China, and announced that while keeping our developing country status, we would not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations at the WTO. Through these voluntary initiatives, China leaves a greater share of benefits to Global South countries, and lives up to its international responsibility.

In the past year, we opened our door wider by expanding the visa exemption country list. To date, unilateral visa waiver is extended to 48 countries and visa-free transit to 55. In the first three quarters of this year, more than 20 million visa-free entries were recorded, an increase of over 50 percent year-on-year. We have opened a new prospect for people-to-people exchanges with other countries. Interactions and connections between China and other parts of the world have deepened, and international understanding and goodwill toward China have grown stronger.

Facing critical challenges to international justice, China acted as a steadying force. Might does not make right. The winner should not take all. Conscience will not be silenced. Justice will ultimately prevail. Chinese diplomacy is guided by humanity's common values, that is, peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. In international affairs, we are committed to upholding what is right, promoting what is fair, and serving the common good of all. We have been a staunch defender of the fundamental principles of international justice.

To build peace that lasts, we have taken an objective and just stance, and focused on addressing both symptoms and root causes. Following this Chinese approach to settling hotspot issues, we mediated in northern Myanmar, the Iranian nuclear issue, the tensions between Pakistan and India, the issues between Palestine and Israel, and the recent conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. In our efforts, there was no interference in the internal affairs of others, no incitement, no biased manipulation, and no selfish gains. There was only sincerity and good faith. Our principles and hard work will stand the test of history. On the Palestinian question, the international efforts that have brought about the ceasefire in Gaza is commendable, but the world still owes Palestine justice. This question must not be sidelined again, and the Palestinian people's quest for legitimate national rights must not go unanswered. The principle of "Palestinian people owning and governing Palestine" must be upheld, and the two-State solution remains the only right choice for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question.

To build a fairer world, we have stood firm on the right side of history when it comes to central questions about right and wrong, questions that challenge international justice. We have unequivocally opposed hegemonism and power politics, and we have done our best to provide both moral and practical support to countries suffering injustice. Tariff and trade wars hurt the legitimate rights and interests of countries around the world, and undermine the multilateral trading system. We have stood up to such practices in defense of international fairness and justice as well as China's legitimate rights and interests.

Dear Experts and Friends,

The China-U.S. relationship is one of the most consequential bilateral relationships in today's world. The strategic choices of the two countries will shape the course of world history. In the past year, we continued to approach and handle the relations with the U.S. with the overall and long-term interests of the world and of ourselves at heart. On major issues of principle, we maintained firm and unequivocal positions. On issues concerning China's core interests, we responded with strength and held our ground. At the same time, we engaged and talked with the U.S. to seek cooperation, foster a more rational, objective view of China, and address differences through consultation and dialogue. President Xi Jinping and President Donald J. Trump had four phone calls and exchanged letters several times. In Busan, they had a thorough discussion on China-U.S. relations and major issues concerning world peace and development. They have guided the giant ship of China-U.S. relations through troubled waters and steered it in the right direction.

The course of this relationship over the past year demonstrates a fact: Mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between China and the U.S. is key to the stability and development of this relationship and the prosperity of the world. China and the U.S. will gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Heavy-handed tactics do not work. Saying one thing and doing another is not acceptable. China and the U.S. must seek solutions to their respective concerns based on equality, mutual respect and reciprocity, and find the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other.

The Taiwan question is China's internal affair. It is at the heart of China's core interests. In the face of the repeated provocations from the "Taiwan independence" forces and the large-scale arms sales of the United States to Taiwan, it is only natural that we firmly oppose them and take forceful countermeasures. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's return to the motherland. Realizing complete national reunification is a lawful action of safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a historical mission that we must fulfill. We are seeing more and more countries stand with China. They not only reaffirm their commitment to the one-China principle and recognize Taiwan as China's territory, but also unequivocally oppose all separatist activities for "Taiwan independence" and support China's reunification cause. Any attempt at blocking the overriding trend of history is doomed to fail.

A look back at our journey of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in 2025 strikes us more keenly than ever that the relationship between China and the world is developing in a more positive direction, and that China's international influence, its capacity to lead new endeavors and its moral appeal have significantly enhanced. Today, with composure and confidence, China's diplomacy is cleaving through the waves and pressing ahead. This is fundamentally attributable to the stewardship of President Xi Jinping, the sound guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. It is also attributable to the enormous support of the people and the fact that China's diplomatic vision always holds international moral high ground.

Dear Experts and Friends,

The 15th Five-Year Plan period will be a critical stage for our endeavor to reinforce the foundations and push ahead on all fronts toward basically realizing socialist modernization, and China's relations with the rest of the world will enter a new stage where we can make greater contributions to the development and progress of humanity. In 2026, with the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan, our major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics should accomplish more.

First, we will provide stronger strategic support for our national development and rejuvenation. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, with China's development further engaged with global transformations unseen in a century, changes in the international situation will have a more profound domestic effect, and China's development will matter more deeply to the world.

Next year, it will be an important mission for China's diplomacy to facilitate a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan. We will enhance our historical initiative and political awareness, make sure our work conforms with the new development goals of the Party and the country, faithfully fulfill the new tasks in head-of-state diplomacy, apply systems thinking in understanding new developments in the transformations unseen in a century, effectively contribute to China's high-quality development, actively promote high-standard opening-up, and substantially mitigate external risks and challenges, so as to ensure that we continue to have the strategic and overall initiative amid intense international competition. We will align the interests of the Chinese people more closely with those of other nations, and Chinese modernization with the modernization endeavors of other countries. Through such efforts, we in the foreign service will make new contributions to writing a new chapter of the twin miracles of rapid economic growth and enduring social stability, and create a more favorable external environment for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization.

Second, we will blaze new trails in forging a new type of major-country relations. Major countries are key players on the question of war and peace. The world must find a new pathway for major countries to move forward together in peace in the new era.

China remains unwavering in its pursuit of peaceful development. While enhancing its own strategic capacity for peaceful development, China is committed to encouraging other major countries to follow the path of peaceful development as well, so as to jointly build a structure of major-country relationship that is characterized by peaceful coexistence, overall stability and balanced development. We will shape a new model of positive engagement with the U.S. in line with the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation, and push for sound, steady and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations on the premise of firmly safeguarding our sovereignty, security and development interests. We will consolidate China-Russia relations featuring lasting good-neighborliness, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, keep enriching the substance of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, and work together with Russia to maintain good major-country relations and international strategic stability. We will carry forward the China-Europe tradition of respecting each other, seeking common ground while shelving differences, upholding openness and cooperation, and working for mutual benefit, and we will open up new space for China-Europe relations, and be true partners with Europe in firmly upholding multilateralism.

Third, we will work more actively to build a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. This is a noble goal of China's diplomacy and a historical process that requires relentless and continuous efforts. Our relations with neighboring countries play a key role in advancing this endeavor.

We will implement the guiding principles of the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries, follow the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and stay true to the vision of a shared future for humanity. We will join hands with neighboring countries to build a peaceful home by advocating a sense of common security, managing differences and disputes properly, and keeping conflicts and wars at bay. We will join hands with neighboring countries to build a safe and secure home by actively mediating and cooling down hotspot issues to restore stability, fostering strategic mutual trust between one another, and eliminating the root causes of disputes. We will join hands with neighboring countries to build a prosperous home by harnessing the potential of cooperation under the RCEP framework, ensuring the early implementation of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, and deepening development integration with our neighbors. We will join hands with neighboring countries to build a beautiful home by strengthening exchanges on ecological conservation, practicing the philosophy that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and promoting sustainable development in the region. We will join hands with neighboring countries to build an amicable home by expanding cultural exchanges, promoting people-to-people connectivity, and consolidating the popular support for the vision of a community with a shared future with neighboring countries.

Fourth, we will foster greater synergy for the Global South's joint march toward modernization. Modernization is not a synonym for westernization. On the path to modernization, China and Global South countries will support each other, press ahead shoulder-to-shoulder and jointly open up a new bright prospect for the progress of human civilization.

As the largest developing country, China will firmly safeguard the overall interests of developing countries and stay committed to strength through unity for the Global South. BRICS is an important platform for Global South cooperation. We will support a bigger and stronger BRICS mechanism, and promote greater representation and voice of the BRICS countries in the process of multipolarization. The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. We will advance the Initiative on Cooperation Supporting Modernization in Africa, speed up the negotiation and signing of an agreement on economic partnership for shared development with African countries, and push for the early application of zero-tariff policy, so as to write a new chapter in China-Africa joint endeavor for a shared future. The volatile situation in the Middle East is a grave concern for the world. We will host the second China-Arab States Summit to strengthen the solidarity and mutual trust between China and Arab states, accelerate the negotiations on a China-GCC Free Trade Agreement, and move forward toward the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future. We closely follow the developments in Latin America and the Caribbean, and will firmly support LAC countries in defending sovereignty and national dignity and accelerating development and revitalization along the paths they have independently chosen.

Fifth, we will inject stronger impetus into global openness and cooperation. The 15th Five-Year Plan is the new blueprint for China's development and offers a new vision for the win-win cooperation between China and countries around the world. China will adhere to high-standard opening up, continue to share the benefits of its mega market with the rest of the world, lead the trend of global openness and cooperation to counter decoupling and isolation, and work with all countries to overcome difficulties and share opportunities.

We will advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation by better coordinating major signature projects and "small and beautiful" livelihood programs, and properly addressing disruptions and difficulties along the way. We will steadily develop this largest and most extensive platform for international cooperation, fulfilling its potential and forging a path of shared success between China and the world. We will firmly uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading regime, jointly resist protectionism, tariff hegemony and tariff bullying, and expand trade and investment liberalization and facilitation with countries and regions across the world. As the host of APEC 2026, we will strengthen communication and coordination with member economies to jointly advance the building of an Asia-Pacific community. We will energize and explore pathways toward a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) to ensure that this region continues to lead the world in openness and cooperation.

Sixth, we will make greater contributions to reforming and improving global governance. Confronted with successive global challenges, the international system and institutions urgently need to reform and improve in order to keep pace with the times. President Xi Jinping has put forward four major initiatives, namely, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, calling for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. This provides strategic guidance for building a more just and equitable global governance system.

Together with like-minded countries, we will practice true multilateralism and remain a steadfast defender and contributor to the current international system. We will work with all sides to strengthen the authority and standing of the U.N., uphold the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, and support the U.N. in playing the central role on major issues concerning world peace and development. We will vigorously push for refocus on development agenda, and support giving Global South countries greater weight in international governance mechanisms and making it a priority. We will actively address governance deficits, fill governance gaps, and expand the frontiers of global governance. In an open and inclusive spirit, we will discuss and work with all parties to develop new governance mechanisms and platforms.

Seventh, we will act with a stronger sense of mission and responsibility in safeguarding national interests. Navigating a world in profound transformation, China's diplomatic service will rise to the tests of "high winds, choppy waters, and even dangerous storms" with unwavering courage. We will stand by our principles, defend our bottom lines, firmly safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and resolutely thwart any attempts to split the country. With a steadfast will unyielding to bullying, we will continue to enhance and improve our capabilities in countering sanctions, interference and "long-arm jurisdiction," and have stronger institutional safeguards in place to protect the interests of our country and people. We will stay true to our people-centered diplomacy, expedite our efforts to build a closer-knit system of overseas consular protection, strengthen risk early-warning mechanisms, and enhance law enforcement and security cooperation with other countries, to help Chinese citizens and businesses overseas feel safer, more secure and fully assured.

Dear Experts and Friends,

The wheel of history rolls forward with unstoppable might, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation surges ahead with irresistible momentum. We will rally more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, follow the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and, with greater initiatives in fulfilling our historical mission and a more dynamic spirit of innovation, make new contributions to building China into a great modern socialist country, to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Thank you!

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Wang Yi: Facing Critical Challenges to International Justice, China Acts as A Steadying Force

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 30, 2025 14:35

On December 30, 2025, at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that facing critical challenges to international justice, China acted as a steadying force. Might does not make right. The winner should not take all. Conscience will not be silenced. Justice will ultimately prevail. Chinese diplomacy is guided by humanity's common values, that is, peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. In international affairs, China is committed to upholding what is right, promoting what is fair, and serving the common good of all. China has been a staunch defender of the fundamental principles of international justice.

Wang Yi said that to build peace that lasts, China has taken an objective and just stance, and focused on addressing both symptoms and root causes. Following this Chinese approach to settling hotspot issues, China mediated in northern Myanmar, the Iranian nuclear issue, the tensions between Pakistan and India, the issues between Palestine and Israel, and the recent conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. In China's efforts, there was no interference in the internal affairs of others, no incitement, no biased manipulation, and no selfish gains. There was only sincerity and good faith. China's principles and hard work will stand the test of history. On the Palestinian question, the international efforts that have brought about the ceasefire in Gaza are commendable, but the world still owes Palestine justice. This question must not be sidelined again, and the Palestinian people's quest for legitimate national rights must not go unanswered. The principle of "Palestinian people owning and governing Palestine" must be upheld, and the two-State solution remains the only right choice for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question.

Wang Yi said that to build a fairer world, China has stood firm on the right side of history when it comes to central questions about right and wrong, questions that challenge international justice. China has unequivocally opposed hegemonism and power politics, and China has done its best to provide both moral and practical support to countries suffering injustice. Tariff and trade wars hurt the legitimate rights and interests of countries around the world, and undermine the multilateral trading system. China has stood up to such practices in defense of international fairness and justice as well as China's legitimate rights and interests.

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GENEVA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry sent the 2026 New Year message on Thursday, saying the passion and commitment of the entire Olympic community inspired her every day in the past six months as IOC president.

"I want to thank you - the entire Olympic community - for the incredible support and encouragement you've given me during my first months as IOC President. Over these six months, I've had the privilege of meeting many of you - listening, learning, and feeling the energy that drives our Olympic Movement. Your passion and commitment inspire me every day," said Coventry, a Zimbabwean who became the first female and African IOC president on June 23, 2025.

With 36 days left to the start of the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, Coventry said, "There is so much to look forward to at the start of this very special Olympic year. In just a few weeks, the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will bring together the best winter sport athletes in bella Italia - a country that lives and breathes passion."

"Milano Cortina will be a new kind of Winter Games: Games where innovation meets tradition, gender equality reaches new heights, and iconic landscapes provide the perfect stage. As the first Games of my presidency, I am determined to make them a success - for the athletes, for Italy, and for the entire Olympic Movement," she added.

The Dakar Youth Olympic Games will be held Senegal from October 31-November 13, 2026. Coventry said, "Later in the year, all eyes will turn to Africa for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games - the first Olympic event ever on African soil. As a proud African and Olympian, I could not be more excited. These Games will be a milestone - not just for Senegal, but for all of Africa. They will showcase the energy, creativity and optimism of our continent - and they will inspire young people everywhere to dream big."

"There is so much to look forward to in 2026 - so much to achieve together. I can't wait to continue this journey with all of you, to make this Olympic year one of unity, inspiration and progress for our entire community. Together, we will build our Olympic Movement that is strong, united and truly fit for the future," the IOC president concluded. 
Wang Yi: Facing the Global Development Predicament, China Acts as A Main Engine

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 30, 2025 14:35

On December 30, 2025, at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that facing the global development predicament, China acted as a main engine. Global growth is losing steam, unilateralism and protectionism are running unchecked, international economic and trade order is facing serious disruptions, and countries are confronting major development challenges. Despite mounting economic pressure, China has pushed forward with innovation-led and high-quality development. And in this process, China has provided underpinning for the world economy with its strong resilience and dynamism, and shared opportunities with the world through higher-standard opening up, including unilateral opening up. China has continued to contribute around 30 percent of world economic growth, higher than the G7 combined, and become a major propeller for global development in getting over the current predicament.

In the past year, China vigorously promoted high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China signed cooperation programs and action plans with countries in South Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Central Asia, and its non-financial direct investment in Belt and Road partner countries grew by over 20 percent year on year. The Tazara Railway revitalization strengthened this monument to China-Africa friendship, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway opened up new prospects for regional connectivity, and the China Railway Express achieved an accumulative total of more than 120,000 freight services between China and Europe. These golden routes for two-way cooperation have extended their reach at a faster pace.

In the past year, China took on the important mission of promoting global development. China hosted the China International Import Expo, the China International Fair for Trade in Services and the China International Consumer Products Expo, and China officially launched the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port. China fully completed the negotiations of and signed the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, continued to deliver on the ten partnership actions with Africa, carried out five programs with LAC countries, developed five cooperation frameworks with Arab states, built seven cooperation platforms and frameworks with Pacific Island countries, and successfully held the first ASEAN-China-GCC Summit. Closer development cooperation partnerships were forged with various parties.

In the past year, China overcame external disturbances and challenges and extended a helping hand to international partners in need. China applied zero tariff to all least developed countries and African countries having diplomatic relations with China, and announced that while keeping its developing country status, China would not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations at the WTO. Through these voluntary initiatives, China leaves a greater share of benefits to Global South countries, and lives up to its international responsibility.

In the past year, China opened its door wider by expanding the visa exemption country list. To date, a unilateral visa waiver has been extended to 48 countries and visa-free transit to 55. In the first three quarters of this year, more than 20 million visa-free entries were recorded, an increase of over 50 percent year-on-year. China has opened a new prospect for people-to-people exchanges with other countries. Interactions and connections between China and other parts of the world have deepened, and international understanding and goodwill toward China have grown stronger.

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Wang Yi: Facing A Changing International Order, China Acts as A Defining Force

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 30, 2025 14:35

On December 30, 2025, at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that facing a changing international order, China acted as a defining force. The United Nations has traversed 80 years, and the reform of the international system is picking up speed. Reacting to the trend of the times, some slam on the brake, and some attempt to reverse the course. China has chosen to embrace the trend by working with all parties to build a community with a shared future for humanity and making the international order more just and equitable.

Wang Yi said that building a community with a shared future for humanity is the core tenet of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. It is in line with the trend of the times toward development and progress, and serves the common interests of the Chinese people and people of all countries. The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which was held this year, adopted the recommendations for China's 15th five-year plan for economic and social development. On foreign-related work in the next five years, the recommendations lay out the plan along the central theme of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and demonstrate China's conviction and action in pursuing progress for humanity and harmony for the world.

Wang Yi said that in 2025, the world witnessed the "China moments" in the global governance reform. President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), advocating five major propositions, i.e., sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and real actions. It is a Chinese proposal to make the global governance system more just and equitable, and a Chinese contribution to revitalize the central position and leading role of the United Nations. A timely initiative that responds to the pressing needs of the world today, the GGI gained immediate endorsement and support from over 150 countries and international organizations. China solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. In his important address on the occasion, President Xi Jinping highlighted the great spirit of resisting aggression, promoted the correct view of history on World War , and sent a powerful message that justice will prevail, peace will prevail, and the people will prevail. At the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women held in Beijing, President Xi Jinping underscored the need to build greater consensus and broaden the paths forward to accelerate the new process of women's development. With the inauguration of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), China, together with over 30 countries, founded the first inter-governmental international organization with a mandate to resolve international disputes through mediation. The IOMed answers the call of the U.N. Charter and sets up a new platform for countries to resolve differences. China also proposed the establishment of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, with the aim of enhancing AI capacity building of the Global South, bridging the AI divide, and expediting the process of global AI governance.

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Wang Yi: Facing A New Environment in Its Neighborhood, China Acts as A Pillar of the Region

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 30, 2025 14:35

On December 30, 2025, at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that facing a new environment in its neighborhood, China acted as a pillar of the region. In this changing and turbulent world, Asia is widely recognized as a center of global development and prosperity, and China's relations with its neighboring countries are at their best since modern times. Meanwhile, as regional dynamics are deeply affected by the changes in the international landscape, maintaining the prosperity and stability of this neighborhood requires persistent efforts.

Wang Yi said, at this crucial juncture in the evolution of the regional situation, the CPC Central Committee convened a meeting on work related to neighboring countries, the first of its kind since the founding of the People's Republic of China. Affirming the important position of the neighboring region in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the meeting set out the vision of building a "peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home", and established the overarching goal of building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. This sent a strategic signal of working together with neighboring countries for a bright future, and injected new and strong momentum into the development of China's relations with neighboring countries.

Wang Yi said that the neighboring region featured prominently in the diplomatic events hosted by President Xi Jinping and in his important overseas visits this year. The visit to Southeast Asian countries boosted China's relations with the whole region, consolidated good-neighborliness with ASEAN countries, advanced mutually beneficial cooperation, and garnered efforts to meet common challenges. The Russia trip reinforced the China-Russia friendship, defended historic justice, and elevated the mutual trust and cooperation between the two big neighbors to a new height. During the Central Asia visit, the concept of China-Central Asia spirit was introduced for the first time, a treaty on permanent good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation was signed, and the foundation for long-term stability to the northwest was solidified. The trip to Northeast Asia spearheaded Asia-Pacific cooperation, and pushed for the improvement and development of China-ROK relations. Also, this year, China invited the leaders of India and the DPRK to China. China-India relations showed a good momentum, and the traditional friendship with the DPRK was cemented and further promoted. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit was held in Tianjin. Chaired by President Xi Jinping, it was a resounding success, with the adoption of a 10-year strategy for SCO development, the launch of four regional security centers, the establishment of six cooperation platforms, and the signing of several dozen cooperation documents covering various fields. China's engagement with neighboring countries entered a new stage of building a community with a shared future at a faster pace.

Wang Yi said, as again proved by the development trajectory of relations between China and neighboring countries and the evolution of the regional environment in the past year, having China as a neighbor is a good, fortunate thing. Instead of vying for geopolitical advantage, China is committed to fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood. Instead of seeking a sphere of influence, China promotes a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. Instead of dictating decision making, China advocates, with concrete actions, joint consultation in regional affairs. The neighborhood of China now stands as a center of excellence for good-neighborliness and friendship.

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Wang Yi: China Must Resolutely Defend the Victorious Outcomes of World War II Achieved with Great Sacrifice

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 30, 2025 14:35

On December 30, 2025, at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. However, while people of all countries around the world were drawing lessons from history and striving for peaceful development in this year of special significance, Japan, the country that had started the war of aggression against China, again failed to express deep remorse for the crimes it had committed. Even worse, Japan's current leader publicly challenged China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, challenged the historical verdict of World War II, and challenged the post-war international order. This is totally unacceptable to all countries that love peace and all people who do not want the repetition of past tragedies. China must stay highly vigilant to the resurgence of militarism in Japan, resolutely defend the victorious outcomes of World War II achieved with great sacrifice, and effectively safeguard the hard-earned peace and stability.

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Chinese and Russian Heads of State Exchange Messages of New Year Greetings

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 31, 2025 16:57

On December 31, 2025, President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged messages of New Year greetings.

Xi Jinping, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, extended sincere congratulations and best wishes to President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people. Noting that the year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Xi Jinping said China and Russia have solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union and the World Anti-Fascist War, sending a powerful message that peace will prevail, justice will prevail, and the people will prevail. Xi Jinping said that the year 2025 also marks a concrete step in the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, recalling that they met in Beijing and Moscow respectively this year, where they exchanged in-depth views on major issues of mutual concern. The reciprocal visa-free policies between the two countries have been implemented, the construction of the energy corridor is progressing steadily, and cooperation in emerging sectors is flourishing. China and Russia have supported each other within the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks, contributing their wisdom and strength to reform and improve global governance.

Noting that 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, Xi Jinping said that 2026-2027 will be designated as the China-Russia Years of Education. Xi Jinping expressed his readiness to continue maintaining close exchanges with President Vladimir Putin to jointly push for continuous new progress in bilateral relations in the new era.

President Vladimir Putin extended sincere holiday greetings to President Xi Jinping and wishes the Chinese people happiness and good health. Vladimir Putin said that over the past year, the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has maintained a sound development momentum and achieved fruitful results. He met with President Xi Jinping twice, jointly commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over German Nazism and Japanese militarism, and reached a series of important common understandings. Russia and China have actively expanded economic and trade cooperation, with major cooperation projects progressing steadily. The mutual visa exemption between the two countries has greatly facilitated people-to-people exchanges. Next year, the two countries will jointly launch the Russia-China Years of Education. President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to continue maintaining close communication with President Xi Jinping on bilateral relations and major international issues.

On the same day, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin exchanged messages of New Year greetings. Li Qiang said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has been further deepened and solidified. China is ready to work with Russia to fully implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state and push for more results in practical cooperation between the two countries. Mikhail Mishustin stated that the two governments have created favorable conditions for implementing promising cooperation projects, and he believes that the new year will bring new opportunities for fully implementing the strategic plans set by the two heads of state.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on December 31, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 31, 2025 19:57

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will visit China and hold the Seventh Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue from January 3 to 5, 2026.

China News Service: China has recently taken countermeasures and punitive and deterrent measures on Taiwan-related issues. Following the PLA's military drills near the Taiwan Island, Russia, Cuba, Serbia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and other countries expressed their support. What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: Several dozen countries have expressed support in various forms for China following its latest countermeasures and military drills concerning the Taiwan region. They reiterated their commitment to the one-China principle, opposition to external interference in China's internal affairs and support for China's effort to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity. They noted in particular: Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, the Taiwan question is China's internal affair, and "Taiwan independence" in whatever form must be rejected. We highly commend those countries for their firm support.

We reaffirm once again that China will never waver in its resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. China will never waver in its resolve to defend the nation's reunification and vital interests. China will never waver in its resolve to deter "Taiwan independence" separatist forces from colluding with external forces and destabilizing the Taiwan Strait. Anyone who crosses the line or makes provocations on the Taiwan question will be met with China's firm response. All attempts to hold back China's reunification will invariably fail.

CCTV: It was reported that Japan, Australia, an EU agency and some European countries have openly expressed concerns over China's military drills near the Taiwan Island. What is your response?

Lin Jian: China firmly rejects the wrongful statements from these countries and institution and has lodged serious protests with them. They turn a blind eye to the separatists' massive military buildup attempts aimed at "Taiwan independence" and speak nothing of the external interference in China's internal affairs, and slam China for its just and necessary action to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is absolute hypocrisy and distortion.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair which brooks no external interference. The fundamental status quo of the Taiwan Strait is that both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China, and the biggest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is "Taiwan independence" forces' separatist activities and external connivance and support for these activities. The one-China principle is a prevailing international consensus and basic norm in international relations. It is also the political foundation for China's relations with all 183 countries having diplomatic ties with China. Japan, Australia and certain European countries made a clear commitment to one-China when establishing diplomatic ties with China. We once again call on these countries and institution to abide by their commitment, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, and stop aiding and abetting separatism for "Taiwan independence."

Bloomberg: A group of Japanese business executives has postponed its trip to China, which was planned to take place in late January and the reasons they gave were challenges in securing meetings with Chinese officials. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this postponement of the major Japanese business delegation's trip to China in January?

Lin Jian: We noted the reports and also found that many visionary people in Japan are deeply concerned over the negative impact and grave consequences of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan. We urge those in the Japanese government to take concrete actions, face up to the root cause for the current situation in China-Japan relations, reflect on and correct the wrongdoing, retract the erroneous remarks of Takaichi, and create necessary conditions for the normal exchanges between China and Japan.

Shenzhen TV: To follow up on your announcement that Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will visit China soon, what does China expect to achieve through the visit?

Lin Jian: China and Pakistan are ironclad friends and all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Over the years, the two countries have enjoyed close high-level exchanges with solid political mutual trust, deepened and expanded practical cooperation, and maintained a sound momentum of robust development of bilateral relations.

The year 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations. The upcoming visit will kick start commemorative events of the anniversary. China looks forward to working with Pakistan through this visit to further follow up on the important common understandings reached between leaders of the two countries, step up strategic communication and coordination, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various areas, carry out a series of commemorative events and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

TV Tokyo: Japanese Councillor Shi Ping wrote on social media today that he plans to visit Taiwan early next year and that since he is banned from entering China, by entering Taiwan he is proving Taiwan is an independent country with no connection to China. What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: Lin Jian: The nasty words and deeds of a disgrace like him are not worthy of comments.

China-Arab TV: Amid ongoing tensions in Yemen recently, the country's Presidential Leadership Council yesterday declared a state of emergency nationwide. What's China's comment on the escalated situation in Yemen?

Lin Jian: China has stated its position on the latest situation in southern Yemen a few days ago. China is following the situation there. We call for upholding Yemen's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and hope parties will put the Yemeni people's interests first, respond to the peace efforts of regional countries and the international community, resolve differences and disputes through political dialogue in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the initiative of the Gulf Cooperation Council, find a solution that accommodates all parties' legitimate concerns, and create conditions for restoring peace and tranquility in Yemen at an early date. China will continue to promote talks for peace in its own way and play a constructive role for the early realization of a political settlement of the Yemen issue.

CNR: Bangladesh will vote on February 12, 2026 to elect a new parliament, and the country is preparing for the election. How does China view the election in Bangladesh?

Lin Jian: The Bangladesh general election is Bangladesh's internal affair. China upholds the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. We are confident that the interim government and people of Bangladesh are capable of handling their own affairs well and pursuing a development path suited to their national conditions. Hope Bangladesh will hold a smooth general election and advance the country's political agenda in an orderly manner.

Bloomberg: Just yesterday you mentioned the visit from the South Korean President Lee. Can you elaborate any more details on that? In particular, will it be focused exclusively on bilateral issues, or can we also expect some discussions regarding regional issues, including North Korea but also relations with Japan?

Lin Jian: Information on the visit will be released in due course. Please check back for updates.

***************************************************

During the New Year's Day holiday, there will be no regular press conference from Thursday, January 1 to Friday, January 2. The regular press conference will resume on Monday, January 5. During this period, questions can be submitted to the Spokesperson's Office via fax, email or WeChat.

This concludes the last regular press conference of the Foreign Ministry in 2025. Over the past year, our world has not been a tranquil place and the international landscape evolved toward an important watershed. With composure and confidence, China's diplomacy is cleaving through the waves and pressing ahead. Amid great changes of the world, we've been upholding the vision of building a community with a shared future, pooling strength for global governance, and spearheading win-win cooperation. We championed peace, promoted cooperation, adapted to change, and upheld justice. We opened up new horizons for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and made new contribution to the development and progress of humanity.

This year, we held 231 conferences. I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to you all for witnessing with us the highlight moments of China's diplomacy. As we embark on 2026, we see rising dynamism in the East. I sincerely welcome your continued attention to, support for and active coverage of China's diplomacy, and wish you a happy new year, good health and success and your families every happiness and all the best. See you next year in Lanting.

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MINISTRY OF DEFENCE; YEAR END REVIEW - 2025

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 31 DEC 2025 4:25PM by PIB Delhi

2025 will go down in history as a memorable year for the Ministry of Defence, as the 'Year of Reforms' not only witnessed the nation making unprecedented strides to achieve the goal of Aatmanirbharta in defence, it also saw the unmatched valour, commitment and precision of the Armed Forces during Operation Sindoor powered by the country's transitional shift in its policy against terrorism. From successfully destroying terror camps in Pakistan & PoK and safeguarding the borders from the neighbouring country's misdeeds that followed, the nation, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, sent a clear message to its adversaries that the sovereignty, unity & integrity of Bharat will never be compromised. The effective use of state-of-the-art Made-in-India weapons during the operation is testimony to the progress the country has made to attain self-reliance, which, in today's geopolitical landscape, is fundamental to ensuring strategic autonomy. From Operation Sindoor to Mission Sudarshan Charka vision of PM Modi, from record defence production and exports to equipping the soldiers with latest weapons/technologies and finalising deals for the future, 2025 gave a glimpse of a secure, self-reliant and prosperous India.

Operation Sindoor

The operation was launched on the intervening night of May 06 & 07, 2025, in response to a heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, J&K, that claimed the lives of 26 innocent people, including a Nepali citizen, on April 22, 2025. The well-coordinated strikes carried out by the Indian Armed Forces precisely hit nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK, killing over 100 terrorists, their trainers, handlers, and associates. Most of the terrorists belonged to organisations like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The operation inflicted maximum damage on the terrorists and their hideouts, and minimum harm to the civilian population. In his address in Parliament on July 28 & 29, 2025, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh stated that the action was completely in self-defence, and was neither provocative nor expansionist.

On May 10, 2025 at approx. 1:30 am, Pakistan launched a massive attack on Indian Air Force bases, Army ammunition depots, airports, and military cantonments using missiles, drones, rockets, and other long-range weapons, along with electronic warfare technologies. The Indian Air Defence System, Counter-Drone system, and electronic equipment completely thwarted the attack by Pakistan. The adversary failed to hit any targets, and none of the vital assets were damaged. India's response to this Pakistani attack was bold, decisive, and effective. The Indian Air Force targeted Pakistani airbases, command and control centers, military infrastructure, and air defence systems on the Western Front. Major airbases like Chaklala, Sargodha, Rafiqui, Rahimyar Khan, Jacobabad, Sukkur, and Bholari were struck, and the mission was successfully accomplished. On May 10, Pakistan's DGMO contacted India's DGMO and appealed for a halt to military operations. On May 12, formal talks took place between the two DGMOs, and both sides decided to cease military operations.

Operation Sindoor marked a milestone in India's journey towards technological self-reliance in military operations - whether in drone warfare, layered air defence, or electronic warfare. It was also a shining example of Tri-service coordination. While the Indian Air Force launched attacks from the air, the Army soldiers stood firmly on the Line of Control and delivered a befitting reply to every Pakistani action. The Indian Navy maintained its strong posture in the North Arabian Sea, sending a clear message to Pakistan that India is capable and prepared to strike at every vital Pakistani base, from sea to land, Raksha Mantri had said. He told the Parliament that Operation Sindoor has only been halted, and not ended. "If Pakistan again tries to carry out any nefarious act, we are fully prepared for an even more intense and decisive action," he said.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra

In his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on Independence Day 2025, PM Modi described Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of the country's defence self-reliance and strategic autonomy. Using Made-in-India weapons, the operation dismantled terror networks and Pakistan-based infrastructure, signaling a new era where India will no longer accept nuclear blackmail or threats on foreign terms, he had added.

While the Prime Minister urged Indian innovators and youth to develop jet engines within India, ensuring that future defence technology is entirely home-grown and self-reliant, he announced the launching of Mission Sudarshan Chakra aimed at neutralising enemy defence infiltrations and enhancing India's offensive capabilities. Akin to the legendary Shri Krishna's Sudarshan Chakra, this mission underscores India's commitment to strategic autonomy, ensuring rapid, precise, and powerful responses to any threat. The initiative is designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, reinforcing India's strategic autonomy. All public places will be covered by an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035, ensuring comprehensive protection for the nation while showcasing India's commitment to self-reliant defence.

Record defence production

The annual defence production soared to a record high figure of Rs 1.51 lakh crore in Financial Year 2024-25. The milestone represents a robust 18% growth over the previous fiscal's output of Rs 1.27 lakh crore, and a staggering 90% increase since FY 2019-20, when the figure was Rs 79,071 crore. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and other PSUs accounted for approx 77% of total production, while the private sector contributed 23%. The share of the private sector, which increased from 21% in FY 2023-24 to 23% in FY 2024-25, reflects the sector's growing role in the defence ecosystem of the country. A target has been set to increase defence manufacturing to Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029.

All-time high defence exports

Defence exports touched an all-time high figure of Rs 23,622 crore in FY 2024-25. A growth of Rs 2,539 crore or 12.04% was registered over the defence exports figures of FY 2023-24, which were Rs 21,083 crore. The private sector and DPSUs contributed with Rs 15,233 crore and Rs 8,389 crore respectively, whereas the corresponding figures for FY 2023-24 were Rs 15,209 crore and Rs 5,874 crore respectively. The defence exports target for 2029 has been set to Rs 50,000 crore.

Record defence budget

Ministry of Defence has been allocated Rs 6.81 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2025-26, in pursuance of PM Modi-led Government's vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 with a technologically-advanced and Aatmanirbhar Armed Forces. This allocation is 9.53% more than the Budgetary Estimate of FY 2024-25 and stands at 13.45% of the Union Budget, which is the highest among the Ministries. Out of the total defence budget, Rs 1.80 lakh crore have been allocated for Capital Outlay. Approx. Rs 1.12 lakh crore i.e. 75% of modernisation budget has been earmarked for procurement through domestic sources and 25% of domestic share i.e. around Rs 28,000 crore has been provisioned for procurement through domestic private industries.

Review of DAP 2020

Following the declaration of 2025 as the 'Year of Reforms', MoD has initiated a comprehensive review of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 to align it with existing Government's policies and initiatives. A Committee headed by the Director General (Acquisition) has been constituted to carry out extensive deliberations with all stakeholders. The aim of the DAP Review is to meet the operational requirements and modernisation of the Armed Forces in a timely manner to ensure national security; attain Aatmanirbharta by promoting technology infusion through indigenously designed and developed systems; Enable 'Make in India' by promoting defence manufacturing in India through facilitation of Joint Ventures and Transfer of Technology for the private sector, and encouraging foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers via Foreign Direct Investment alignment. The objective is to establish India as a global defence manufacturing and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul hub; and promote Design & Development in both public and private sectors, with a focus on start-ups, Innovators, and the private industry.

Defence Procurement Manual 2025

The Defence Procurement Manual 2025 was released by Raksha Mantri on October 23, 2025. Effective from November 01, 2025, the new manual will facilitate the revenue procurement amounting to approx. Rs 1 lakh crore by the three Services and other establishments under the Ministry of Defence. The updated manual simplifies procedures, brings uniformity in functioning and helps in providing goods & services required by the Armed Forces for operational preparedness.

3rd LCA Mk1A Production Line & 2nd HTT-40 Production Line

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the third Production Line of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A and the second Production Line of Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) at the Nashik facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on October 17, 2025. He also flagged-off the first LCA Mk1A produced at the facility. HAL has operationalised the third LCA Mk1A production line in a record time of two years, fully equipping it with more than 30 structure assembly jigs for all major modules of the aircraft, including Centre Fuselage, Front Fuselage, Rear Fuselage, Wings and Air Intake. The line operates fully and can produce eight aircraft per annum. With the inauguration of the line, HAL will achieve a total production capacity of 24 aircraft per year.

HAL established the second HTT-40 production line at Nashik. The assembly complex houses structure assembly shops for manufacturing Fuselages, Wings and Control Surfaces.

AMCA Execution Model

In a significant push towards enhancing India's indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Raksha Mantri approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model. The Execution Model approach provides equal opportunities to both private and public sectors on a competitive basis. They can bid either independently or as joint venture or as consortia. The entity/bidder should be an Indian company compliant with the laws and regulations of the country. This is an important step towards harnessing the indigenous expertise, capability and capacity to develop the AMCA prototype, which will be a major milestone towards Aatmanirbharta in the aerospace sector.

Major DAC approvals

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, approved capital acquisition proposals worth a total of cost of over Rs 3.84 lakh crore since January 2025, to enhance the country's defence readiness, with focus on modernisation through indigenisation.

On July 03, 2025, DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to approx. Rs 1.05 lakh crore through indigenous sourcing. These were accorded for procurement of Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Electronic Warfare System, Integrated Common Inventory Management System for the Tri-Services and Surface-to-Air Missiles. These procurements will provide higher mobility, effective air defence, better supply chain management and augment the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces. AoNs were also accorded for procurement of Moored Mines, Mine Counter Measure Vessels, Super Rapid Gun Mount and Submersible Autonomous Vessels. These procurements will enable mitigation of potential risks posed to the Naval and Merchant Vessels. To provide further impetus to indigenous design and development, AoNs were accorded under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category.

On December 29, 2025, DAC cleared capital acquisition proposals worth about Rs 79,000 crore to enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces. These include Loiter Munition System for Artillery Regiments, Low Level Light Weight Radars, Long Range Guided Rocket Ammunition for Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System & Integrated Drone Detection & Interdiction System Mk-II for Indian Army; Bollard Pull Tugs, High Frequency Software Defined Radios Manpack and for leasing High Altitude Long Range Remotely Piloted Aircraft System for the Indian Navy; and Automatic Take-off Landing Recording System, Astra Mk-II Missiles, Full Mission Simulator and SPICE-1000 Long Range Guidance Kits for the Indian Air Force.

On October 23, 2025, DAC approved various proposals amounting to a total of about Rs 79,000 crore. These include Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II, Ground Based Mobile ELINT System, and High Mobility Vehicles with Material Handling Crane for Indian Army; Landing Platform Docks, 30mm Naval Surface Gun, Advanced Light Weight Torpedoes; Electro Optical Infra-Red Search and Track System, and Smart Ammunition for 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount for Indian Navy; and Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System and other proposals for the Indian Air Force.

On August 05, 2025, DAC cleared various proposals amounting to a total cost of about Rs 67,000 crore. These include Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sight for BMP for the Indian Army; Compact Autonomous Surface Craft, BrahMos Fire Control System & Launchers and Upgradation of BARAK-1 Point Defence Missile System of the Indian Navy; Mountain Radars and Upgradation of SAKSHAM/SPYDER Weapon System for the Indian Air Force; Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft for the three Services; and sustenance of C-17 and C-130J fleets and comprehensive annual maintenance contract of S-400 Long Range Air Defence Missile System.

On March 20, 2025, DAC gave nod to eight capital acquisition proposals amounting to over Rs 54,000 crore. These include 1350 HP Engine to upgrade the present 1000 HP Engine for the T-90 Tanks of the Indian Army; Varunastra Torpedoes (Combat) for the Indian Navy; Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Aircraft Systems for the Indian Air Force; and guidelines for reducing the timelines at various stages of the Capital Acquisition Process to make it faster, more effective & efficient as part of 'Year of Reforms'.

Major Contracts/Agreements

LCA Mk1A : Ministry of Defence signed a contract with HAL for procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, including 68 fighters and 29 twin seaters, along with associated equipment, for the Indian Air Force, at a cost of over Rs 62,370 crore (excluding taxes), on September 25, 2025. The delivery of these aircraft would commence during 2027-28 and be completed over a period of six years. The aircraft will have an indigenous content of over 64%, with 67 additional items incorporated, over and above the previous LCA Mk1A contract signed in January 2021. The integration of advanced indigenously developed systems such as the UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and control surface actuators will further strengthen the Aatmanirbharta initiatives. HAL entered into an agreement with General Electric Company, USA, on November 07, 2025 for the supply of 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support package for the execution of 97 LCA Mk1A programme. The engine deliveries would be from 2027 to 2032.

: Ministry of Defence signed a contract with HAL for procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, including 68 fighters and 29 twin seaters, along with associated equipment, for the Indian Air Force, at a cost of over Rs 62,370 crore (excluding taxes), on September 25, 2025. The delivery of these aircraft would commence during 2027-28 and be completed over a period of six years. The aircraft will have an indigenous content of over 64%, with 67 additional items incorporated, over and above the previous LCA Mk1A contract signed in January 2021. The integration of advanced indigenously developed systems such as the UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and control surface actuators will further strengthen the Aatmanirbharta initiatives. HAL entered into an agreement with General Electric Company, USA, on November 07, 2025 for the supply of 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support package for the execution of 97 LCA Mk1A programme. The engine deliveries would be from 2027 to 2032. Rafale-M : In April 2025, the Governments of India and France signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Aircraft (22 Single-Seater and four Twin-Seater) for the Indian Navy. It includes Training, Simulator, Associated Equipment, Weapons and Performance-Based Logistics. It also includes additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force. In line with the Government's thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the agreement includes Transfer of Technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of production facility for Rafale Fuselage as well as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors and weapons in India. The delivery of these aircraft would be completed by 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India.

: In April 2025, the Governments of India and France signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Aircraft (22 Single-Seater and four Twin-Seater) for the Indian Navy. It includes Training, Simulator, Associated Equipment, Weapons and Performance-Based Logistics. It also includes additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force. In line with the Government's thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the agreement includes Transfer of Technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of production facility for Rafale Fuselage as well as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors and weapons in India. The delivery of these aircraft would be completed by 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India. LCH Prachand : Ministry of Defence, on March 28, 2025, signed two contracts with HAL for supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand along with training and other associated equipment worth Rs 62,700 crore, excluding taxes. The first contract is for supply of 66 LCHs to the Indian Air Force and second is for supply of 90 LCHs to the Indian Army. The supply of these helicopters shall commence from the third year and will be spread over the next five years. The contracts will enhance the combat capability of the Armed Forces at high altitudes. This helicopter has a large number of components designed & manufactured in India and it is planned to achieve an overall indigenous content of over 65% during the execution of this procurement. MoD also signed a contract with Metrea Management for Wet Leasing of one Flight Refuelling Aircraft for providing Air to Air refuelling training to pilots of IAF and Indian Navy. Metrea will provide FRA (KC135 Aircraft) within six months which will be the first FRA to be wet leased by IAF. With signing of these three contracts, the total number of contracts signed by MoD during 2024-25 reaches to 193 with overall contract value exceeding Rs 2,09,050 crore, which is the highest ever and nearly double the previous highest figure. Out of these, the contracts to domestic industry are 177 (92%) with contract value Rs 1,68,922 Crore (81%).

: Ministry of Defence, on March 28, 2025, signed two contracts with HAL for supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand along with training and other associated equipment worth Rs 62,700 crore, excluding taxes. The first contract is for supply of 66 LCHs to the Indian Air Force and second is for supply of 90 LCHs to the Indian Army. The supply of these helicopters shall commence from the third year and will be spread over the next five years. The contracts will enhance the combat capability of the Armed Forces at high altitudes. This helicopter has a large number of components designed & manufactured in India and it is planned to achieve an overall indigenous content of over 65% during the execution of this procurement. MoD also signed a contract with Metrea Management for Wet Leasing of one Flight Refuelling Aircraft for providing Air to Air refuelling training to pilots of IAF and Indian Navy. Metrea will provide FRA (KC135 Aircraft) within six months which will be the first FRA to be wet leased by IAF. With signing of these three contracts, the total number of contracts signed by MoD during 2024-25 reaches to 193 with overall contract value exceeding Rs 2,09,050 crore, which is the highest ever and nearly double the previous highest figure. Out of these, the contracts to domestic industry are 177 (92%) with contract value Rs 1,68,922 Crore (81%). Bharat Electronics Limited : The contracts were signed for upgrades in SHAKTI Software; EON-51 (Electro Optical Fire Control systems) for New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and Cadet Training Ships for Indian Navy; Software Defined Radios for Indian Coast Guard; and Air Defence Fire Control Radars for the Indian Army.

: The contracts were signed for upgrades in SHAKTI Software; EON-51 (Electro Optical Fire Control systems) for New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and Cadet Training Ships for Indian Navy; Software Defined Radios for Indian Coast Guard; and Air Defence Fire Control Radars for the Indian Army. Bharat Dynamics Limited : A contract was inked for Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles for Indian Navy

: A contract was inked for Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles for Indian Navy Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited : Contracts were signed for Tank-72 Bridge Laying Tanks and Nag Missile System (NAMIS) Tracked version of anti-tank weapon platform for the Indian Army;

: Contracts were signed for Tank-72 Bridge Laying Tanks and Nag Missile System (NAMIS) Tracked version of anti-tank weapon platform for the Indian Army; Economic Explosive Limited : A contract was inked for Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1 (DPICM) for PINAKA Multiple Launch Rocket System of Indian Army.

: A contract was inked for Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1 (DPICM) for PINAKA Multiple Launch Rocket System of Indian Army. Munitions India Limited : A contract was signed for High Explosive Pre Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets for PINAKA Multiple Launch Rocket System of Indian Army.

: A contract was signed for High Explosive Pre Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets for PINAKA Multiple Launch Rocket System of Indian Army. Private sector: The contracts include 155mm/52 Calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) with Bharat Forge Limited; Rough Terrain Fork Lift Trucks with ACE Limited and JCB India Limited for the three Services; 5,000 Light Vehicles for the Armed Forces with Force Motors Ltd & Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd; Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement for production of HAMMER Smart Precision Guided Air-to-Ground Weapon and local manufacturing of two high-precision, combat-proven systems - SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System, used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles & radars and CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight, designed for artillery guns and anti-drone systems - with SAFRAN; CQB Carbine with Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd and procurement and integration of 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes with WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L., Italy.

BrahMos Integration & Testing Facility Centre

On May 11, 2025, Raksha Mantri virtually inaugurated the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow, a key component of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor. Within five months of the inauguration, the first batch of missiles, manufactured at the facility, were flagged-off. The BrahMos facility carries out the complete process of assembly, integration, and testing to the highest technical standards. With the dispatch of its first missile consignment, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a key partner in the national 'Make in India, Make for the World' initiative. The Lucknow unit is the first in the corridor to manage the entire manufacturing and testing process indigenously, reinforcing both strategic autonomy and industrial growth.

DPSU Bhawan

On November 10, 2025, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU) Bhawan at World Trade Centre, Naoroji Nagar, New Delhi. Developed by the Department of Defence Production, it serves as a common platform for all 16 DPSUs to foster collaboration, innovation and synergy under the motto ' ' (Move together, dialogue together). Equipped with modern conference rooms, simulation facilities and an exhibition area, the Bhawan will help consolidate the strengths of the DPSUs and showcase India's defence manufacturing capabilities to domestic and international stakeholders. After the inauguration, four DPSUs - Munitions India Limited, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, India Optel Limited and Hindustan Shipyard Limited - were felicitated on being granted Miniratna (Category-I) status.

Aero India 2025

The 15th edition of Asia's biggest aero show - Aero India 2025 - was held at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka in Bengaluru, Karnataka from February 10-14, 2025. This edition continued the theme 'The Runway to a Billion Opportunities'. It provided a platform for forging partnerships between foreign and Indian firms and the discovery of newer avenues in the global value chain to accelerate the indigenisation process. The five-day event brought together global OEMs, defence innovators, start-ups, MSMEs, armed forces representatives, and policymakers, reinforcing India's position as a rising hub for aerospace and defence production. Defence Ministers' Conclave, CEOs Roundtable, India Pavilion, iDEX Pavilion, Manthan, Samarthya, Bilateral meetings and seminars were aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and investments in India's aerospace ecosystem.

Defence Diplomacy

SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, on June 26, 2025, addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting at Qingdao, China, calling upon the member countries to unite in eliminating the menace for collective safety and security. He stated that the biggest challenges faced by the region are related to peace, security and trust-deficit, with increasing radicalisation, extremism & terrorism being the root cause of these problems. "Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the hands of non-state actors and terror groups. Dealing with these challenges requires decisive action. It is imperative that those who sponsor, nurture and utilise terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences. Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations," he said. He added that India's zero tolerance for terrorism was demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, reiterating the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of reprehensible acts of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, accountable and bring them to justice. He termed any and every act of terrorism as criminal & unjustifiable regardless of their motivation whenever, wherever and committed by whom-so-ever. SCO members must condemn this evil unequivocally, he said, reaffirming India's resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, on June 26, 2025, addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting at Qingdao, China, calling upon the member countries to unite in eliminating the menace for collective safety and security. He stated that the biggest challenges faced by the region are related to peace, security and trust-deficit, with increasing radicalisation, extremism & terrorism being the root cause of these problems. "Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the hands of non-state actors and terror groups. Dealing with these challenges requires decisive action. It is imperative that those who sponsor, nurture and utilise terrorism for their narrow and selfish ends must bear the consequences. Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations," he said. He added that India's zero tolerance for terrorism was demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, reiterating the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of reprehensible acts of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, accountable and bring them to justice. He termed any and every act of terrorism as criminal & unjustifiable regardless of their motivation whenever, wherever and committed by whom-so-ever. SCO members must condemn this evil unequivocally, he said, reaffirming India's resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. India-China : Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, China on June 26, 2025. The two Ministers held in-depth discussions on the need to maintain peace and tranquility along the Indo-China border. Raksha Mantri acknowledged the work being undertaken by both sides to bring back semblance of normalcy in the bilateral relations. He highlighted the necessity of solving the complex issues through a structured roadmap of permanent engagement and de-escalation. Shri Rajnath Singh also stressed on border management and to have a permanent solution of border demarcation by rejuvenating the established mechanism on the issue. He emphasised the need to create good neighbourly conditions to achieve best mutual benefits as well as to cooperate for stability in Asia and the world. He also called for bridging the trust deficit created after 2020 Border standoff, by taking action on ground. The two Ministers agreed to continue consultations at various levels to achieve progress on issues related to disengagement, de-escalation, border management and eventual de-limitation through existing mechanisms.

: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, China on June 26, 2025. The two Ministers held in-depth discussions on the need to maintain peace and tranquility along the Indo-China border. Raksha Mantri acknowledged the work being undertaken by both sides to bring back semblance of normalcy in the bilateral relations. He highlighted the necessity of solving the complex issues through a structured roadmap of permanent engagement and de-escalation. Shri Rajnath Singh also stressed on border management and to have a permanent solution of border demarcation by rejuvenating the established mechanism on the issue. He emphasised the need to create good neighbourly conditions to achieve best mutual benefits as well as to cooperate for stability in Asia and the world. He also called for bridging the trust deficit created after 2020 Border standoff, by taking action on ground. The two Ministers agreed to continue consultations at various levels to achieve progress on issues related to disengagement, de-escalation, border management and eventual de-limitation through existing mechanisms. ADMM-Plus : Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh attended the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on November 01, 2025. "India's emphasis on the rule of law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and its advocacy for freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific, are not directed against any country but are meant to safeguard the collective interests of all regional stakeholders," he said addressing the forum. He asserted that India's strategic engagement with ASEAN is not transactional but long-term & principle-driven, and it rests on a shared belief that the Indo-Pacific should remain open, inclusive, and free from coercion. Raksha Mantri also met with the Defence Ministers of ASEAN during the second India-ASEAN Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. During the meeting, the Ministers appreciated India's key role in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and sought to deepen defence cooperation with New Delhi at the regional level.

: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh attended the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on November 01, 2025. "India's emphasis on the rule of law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and its advocacy for freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific, are not directed against any country but are meant to safeguard the collective interests of all regional stakeholders," he said addressing the forum. He asserted that India's strategic engagement with ASEAN is not transactional but long-term & principle-driven, and it rests on a shared belief that the Indo-Pacific should remain open, inclusive, and free from coercion. Raksha Mantri also met with the Defence Ministers of ASEAN during the second India-ASEAN Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. During the meeting, the Ministers appreciated India's key role in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and sought to deepen defence cooperation with New Delhi at the regional level. India-US : Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh met with US Secretary of War Mr Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of 12th ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur on October 31, 2025. The two leaders appreciated the continuing momentum in the bilateral defence cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further build upon the mutually beneficial partnership across all its pillars. They reviewed the ongoing defence issues & the challenges that persist and deliberated upon the ongoing defence industry and technology collaborations. The Secretary of War reiterated that India is a priority country for the US in defence cooperation and they were committed to work closely with India to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. Both leaders signed the 'framework for the US-India major defence partnership' which will usher a new era in an already strong defence partnership. The 2025 framework marks a new chapter to further transform the partnership over the next 10 years. It is intended to provide a unified vision and policy direction to deepen defence cooperation. Raksha Mantri exuded confidence that the framework will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the India-US defence relationship. "It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership. Defence will remain as the major pillar of our bilateral relations. Our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region," he said.

: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh met with US Secretary of War Mr Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of 12th ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur on October 31, 2025. The two leaders appreciated the continuing momentum in the bilateral defence cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further build upon the mutually beneficial partnership across all its pillars. They reviewed the ongoing defence issues & the challenges that persist and deliberated upon the ongoing defence industry and technology collaborations. The Secretary of War reiterated that India is a priority country for the US in defence cooperation and they were committed to work closely with India to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. Both leaders signed the 'framework for the US-India major defence partnership' which will usher a new era in an already strong defence partnership. The 2025 framework marks a new chapter to further transform the partnership over the next 10 years. It is intended to provide a unified vision and policy direction to deepen defence cooperation. Raksha Mantri exuded confidence that the framework will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the India-US defence relationship. "It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership. Defence will remain as the major pillar of our bilateral relations. Our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region," he said. India-Russia : Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and the Defence Minister of Russia Mr Andrei Belousov co-chaired the 22nd session of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) in New Delhi on December 04, 2025. Both sides reiterated that the bilateral relationship is based on a deep sense of trust, common principles and mutual respect. Shri Rajnath Singh voiced the Government of India's determination for capacity building of its indigenous defence industry for both local production and exports, under the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. He also stressed on new opportunities for enhancing collaboration between both counties across niche technologies. The Russian Defence Minister emphasised on deepening relationship between both the countries which is based on mutual trust. He highlighted that both countries are united by many years of friendship and strategic cooperation. He stated that the Russian Defence Industry is ready to support India towards becoming self-reliant in the field of defence production. At the end, the two Ministers signed the protocol of the 22nd IRIGC-M&MTC meeting highlighting the ongoing and prospective areas of cooperation. Raksha Mantri and his Russian counterpart had, earlier, met on June 27, 2025 on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao. The supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and procurement of critical military hardware in expeditious timeframes were some of the key takeaways of the meeting.

: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and the Defence Minister of Russia Mr Andrei Belousov co-chaired the 22nd session of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) in New Delhi on December 04, 2025. Both sides reiterated that the bilateral relationship is based on a deep sense of trust, common principles and mutual respect. Shri Rajnath Singh voiced the Government of India's determination for capacity building of its indigenous defence industry for both local production and exports, under the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. He also stressed on new opportunities for enhancing collaboration between both counties across niche technologies. The Russian Defence Minister emphasised on deepening relationship between both the countries which is based on mutual trust. He highlighted that both countries are united by many years of friendship and strategic cooperation. He stated that the Russian Defence Industry is ready to support India towards becoming self-reliant in the field of defence production. At the end, the two Ministers signed the protocol of the 22nd IRIGC-M&MTC meeting highlighting the ongoing and prospective areas of cooperation. Raksha Mantri and his Russian counterpart had, earlier, met on June 27, 2025 on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao. The supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and procurement of critical military hardware in expeditious timeframes were some of the key takeaways of the meeting. India-Japan : Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Defense of Japan Mr Gen Nakatani at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on May 05, 2025. During the meeting, both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and emphasised the need for global cooperation in this regard. The two Ministers reviewed the defence and security pillars of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. They reaffirmed their commitment towards strengthening the bilateral relations and contributing towards regional peace.

: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Defense of Japan Mr Gen Nakatani at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on May 05, 2025. During the meeting, both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and emphasised the need for global cooperation in this regard. The two Ministers reviewed the defence and security pillars of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. They reaffirmed their commitment towards strengthening the bilateral relations and contributing towards regional peace. India-Australia : Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held wide-ranging talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia Mr Richard Marles in Canberra on October 09, 2025. The meeting marked five years of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening defence cooperation across a wide spectrum, including military exercises, maritime security, defence industry collaboration and joint research in science and technology. The talks culminated in the signing of three key agreements: an Agreement on Information Sharing, an MoU on Submarine Search and Rescue Cooperation and Terms of Reference on the establishment of Joint Staff Talks. During the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated India's stand that Terror & Talks cannot go together, Terror & trade cannot go together and water & blood cannot flow together. He also urged the international community to come together against all forms of terrorism.

: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held wide-ranging talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia Mr Richard Marles in Canberra on October 09, 2025. The meeting marked five years of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening defence cooperation across a wide spectrum, including military exercises, maritime security, defence industry collaboration and joint research in science and technology. The talks culminated in the signing of three key agreements: an Agreement on Information Sharing, an MoU on Submarine Search and Rescue Cooperation and Terms of Reference on the establishment of Joint Staff Talks. During the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated India's stand that Terror & Talks cannot go together, Terror & trade cannot go together and water & blood cannot flow together. He also urged the international community to come together against all forms of terrorism. India-Maldives : Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held bilateral discussions with the Defence Minister of Maldives Mr Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon in New Delhi on January 08, 2025, and comprehensively reviewed various aspects of bilateral defence & security cooperation. During the talks, both sides reasserted the firm commitment to work closely in realising the joint vision for India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.

: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held bilateral discussions with the Defence Minister of Maldives Mr Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon in New Delhi on January 08, 2025, and comprehensively reviewed various aspects of bilateral defence & security cooperation. During the talks, both sides reasserted the firm commitment to work closely in realising the joint vision for India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. India-Indonesia : Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of Defense of Indonesia Mr Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin co-chaired the third India-Indonesia Defence Ministers' Dialogue in New Delhi on November 27, 2025, reaffirming the long-standing strategic partnership and deepening bilateral defence cooperation. Key outcomes of the meeting include Strategic Outlook on Indo-Pacific Peace and Security: Defence Cooperation and Industry Collaboration; Military-to-Military Engagements; Maritime Security and Multilateral Cooperation; Defence Technology, Submarine Capability, and Medical Cooperation; and Support for International Peace and Humanitarian Efforts.

: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of Defense of Indonesia Mr Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin co-chaired the third India-Indonesia Defence Ministers' Dialogue in New Delhi on November 27, 2025, reaffirming the long-standing strategic partnership and deepening bilateral defence cooperation. Key outcomes of the meeting include Strategic Outlook on Indo-Pacific Peace and Security: Defence Cooperation and Industry Collaboration; Military-to-Military Engagements; Maritime Security and Multilateral Cooperation; Defence Technology, Submarine Capability, and Medical Cooperation; and Support for International Peace and Humanitarian Efforts. India-Morocco : Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and his Moroccan counterpart Mr Abdeltif Loudiyi held a bilateral meeting in Rabat on September 22, 2025, where both ministers signed an MoU on defence cooperation. The MoU provides for a robust institutional framework to the growing partnership and paves the way for collaboration in defence industry, joint exercises, military training and capacity building. Raksha Mantri also announced the opening of a new Defence Wing at the Embassy of India in Rabat.

: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and his Moroccan counterpart Mr Abdeltif Loudiyi held a bilateral meeting in Rabat on September 22, 2025, where both ministers signed an MoU on defence cooperation. The MoU provides for a robust institutional framework to the growing partnership and paves the way for collaboration in defence industry, joint exercises, military training and capacity building. Raksha Mantri also announced the opening of a new Defence Wing at the Embassy of India in Rabat. India-Netherlands : Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the Defence Minister of the Netherlands Mr Ruben Brekelmans in New Delhi on March 18, 2025. They discussed elevating the bilateral cooperation in areas like defence, security, information exchanges, Indo-Pacific and new & emerging technologies. The two Ministers explored the possibilities of collaboration in shipbuilding, equipment and space sectors, optimising the complementariness in skills, technology & scale of the two countries. They also discussed working together in domains like Artificial Intelligence and related technologies, besides connecting the respective defence technology research institutes and organisations.

: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the Defence Minister of the Netherlands Mr Ruben Brekelmans in New Delhi on March 18, 2025. They discussed elevating the bilateral cooperation in areas like defence, security, information exchanges, Indo-Pacific and new & emerging technologies. The two Ministers explored the possibilities of collaboration in shipbuilding, equipment and space sectors, optimising the complementariness in skills, technology & scale of the two countries. They also discussed working together in domains like Artificial Intelligence and related technologies, besides connecting the respective defence technology research institutes and organisations. India-Brazil : Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the Vice President of Brazil Mr Geraldo Alckmin and Defence Minister of Brazil Mr Jose Mucio Monteiro Filho in New Delhi on October 15, 2025. The leaders reviewed the progress of ongoing defence related initiatives and identified priority areas for joint work including exploring opportunities for co-development & co-production of defence equipment.

: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the Vice President of Brazil Mr Geraldo Alckmin and Defence Minister of Brazil Mr Jose Mucio Monteiro Filho in New Delhi on October 15, 2025. The leaders reviewed the progress of ongoing defence related initiatives and identified priority areas for joint work including exploring opportunities for co-development & co-production of defence equipment. India-Africa : On April 13, 2025, Raksha Rajya Mantri visited Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and inaugurated the harbour phase of Indian Navy's maiden initiative of Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement exercise (AIKEYME) with Minister of Defence and National Service of Tanzania Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax onboard INS Chennai. AIKEYME, co-hosted by India and Tanzania, involved participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa. The exercise represents commitment of the participating countries to a free, open and secure Indian Ocean. Raksha Rajya Mantri also joined the digital inauguration of Weapons Training Simulator facility established at Arusha and inauguration of Defence Expo. In the Defence Expo, 22 companies from India took part with their key products on display.

: On April 13, 2025, Raksha Rajya Mantri visited Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and inaugurated the harbour phase of Indian Navy's maiden initiative of Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement exercise (AIKEYME) with Minister of Defence and National Service of Tanzania Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax onboard INS Chennai. AIKEYME, co-hosted by India and Tanzania, involved participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa. The exercise represents commitment of the participating countries to a free, open and secure Indian Ocean. Raksha Rajya Mantri also joined the digital inauguration of Weapons Training Simulator facility established at Arusha and inauguration of Defence Expo. In the Defence Expo, 22 companies from India took part with their key products on display. India-UAE: Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with his UAE counterpart Mr Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei in Dubai on November 17, 2025. He emphasised the importance of interaction between the two sides through institutional mechanisms, participation in defence exhibitions and training cooperation. He urged the two sides to explore joint research and co-development & co-production in the defence sector. Raksha Rajya Mantri was in Dubai to attend the Dubai Air Show. He inaugurated the India Pavilion where DPSUs and private industries like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), DRDO, Corel Technologies, Dantal Hydraulics, Image Synergy Ekxplor, SFO Technologies and several defence start-ups put up their stalls. During the Dubai Air Show, a Tejas fighter aircraft tragically crashed while carrying out an aerial display. Wg Cdr Namansh Syal sustained fatal injuries in the unfortunate accident.

Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla

Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla created history as he became the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station. On July 15, 2025, he landed back safely on earth, following the successful completion of his historic 18-day mission, which was launched on June 25, 2025. During his time aboard the International Space Station, Group Captain Shukla worked seamlessly with fellow members of the Axiom-4 Crew and Expedition 73, embodying India's growing leadership in international space cooperation. He conducted pioneering experiments in microgravity on subjects such as muscle regeneration, algal and microbial growth, crop viability, microbial survivability, cognitive performance in space, and the behaviour of cyanobacteria. These studies will deepen global understanding of human spaceflight and microgravity science, and provide critical inputs for India's future missions. This successful mission significantly elevates India's global standing in space exploration. It is a vital stepping stone towards India's own human spaceflight ambition, including the Gaganyaan and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station.

President - Rafale sortie

On October 29, 2025, Smt Droupadi Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale aircraft at Air Force Station, Ambala in Haryana, becoming the first President of India to have taken sortie in two fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Earlier, she took a sortie in Sukhoi 30 MKI in 2023. The President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, flew for approximately 30 minutes covering about 200 kilometers before returning to the Air Force Station. The aircraft was flown by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of the 17 Squadron. The aircraft flew at a height of about 15000 ft above sea level and at a speed of about 700 kilometers per hour.

President - Dived sortie

On December 28, 2025, President Smt Droupadi Murmu undertook a dived sortie onboard a submarine, INS Vaghsheer on Western Seaboard. During the over two-hour long sortie, the President was briefed on the role of the submarine arm in India's maritime strategy, and the operational capabilities & contributions in safeguarding national maritime interests. The President witnessed the operational demonstrations, and interacted with the crew, commended their dedicaton, commitment & spirit of selfless service. She described the indigenous submarine as a shining example of the Indian Navy's professional excellence, combat preparedness and unwavering commitment to national security.

Smt Droupadi Murmu is the second President to take sortie in a submarine after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Earlier, in November 2024, the President had witnessed an Operational Demonstration by the Indian Navy onboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

MiG-21 Decommissioning

MiG-21, the legendary fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force, was decommissioned after an illustrious service of more than six decades, in Chandigarh on September 26, 2025. The ceremony was graced by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. A ceremonial switch-off of six MiG-21 aircraft in front of the dignitaries marked the culmination of the aircraft's operational service.

Operation Sagar Bandhu

In a testimony to India's emergence as a Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Indian Armed Forces are providing Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) to Cyclone Ditwah-hit regions of Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu. Two Indian Naval Warships INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri at Colombo delivered immediate assistance by providing relief provisions at short notice. Ship-borne helicopters were deployed for aerial recce of the affected areas and augmented ongoing Search and Rescue efforts in coordination with the Sri Lanka Navy, leading to successful rescue of Sri Lankan citizens. The assets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were ready for launch within an hour of the requisition, and as on December 09, 2025, they have brought back home 424 Indian nationals. 335 tons of rescue & relief material, medicines, BHISHM capsules, Para Field Hospitals and Bailey Bridges have also been distributed to the affected areas. A Mi-17 helicopter rescued 264 stranded people, including persons of different nationalities, critically-injured patients, pregnant women and infants. Fifty-seven troops of the Sri Lankan Army were also airlifted to provide assistance in relief operations. 10 IAF heavy lift transport aircraft were also deployed for airlifting a complete Field Hospital with 80 Medical & Paramedical personnel, Army Engineer Task Force of 48 personnel along with 04 bailey bridges and 80 specialist personnel of NDRF. The Field Hospital has treated over 2,200 patients and the Engineer Task Force has commenced construction of the Bailey Bridges to restore the severed road connectivity. An Mi17 helicopter is still on standby in Colombo for any required assistance. The Indian Navy, in addition to the initial support deployed five more warships - an Offshore Patrol Vessel, three Landing Craft Utilities and Landing Ship Tank to augment the aid to the relief and rescue efforts. Till date, seven Indian Naval ships have delivered 1,044 tons of relief material to the affected areas.

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor stands as a resounding testament to India's unwavering resolve against terrorism - a bold demonstration of decisive leadership, joint operational synergy and the nation's intent to safeguard its sovereignty against brutal killings by Pakistan-based terrorists. With precision and professionalism, the Indian Armed Forces struck deep into the heart of Pakistan's terror infrastructure, delivering a calibrated and decisive blow. The operation showcased unmatched multi-domain capability and was executed simultaneously across the traditional domains of land, maritime and air as well as the emerging domains of cyber, space and information warfare.

With strategic foresight and restraint of the forces, Operation Sindoor highlighted India's sustained focus on capability development i.e., from intelligence dominance to cutting edge technology and joint operational readiness. The operation was a classic demonstration of execution of will of the nation through seamless integration of all organs of the Government. The success of home-grown technologies and weapon systems in combat was validation of the success of 'Aatmanirbharta'.

The operations sent an unambiguous message to the world: India will not tolerate terror, and those who sponsor it will face the full force of retribution. This operation would be remembered as a defining moment in India's military history and as a symbol of military precision and national resolve.

INDIAN ARMY

Situation along Northern Front

 Situation along Northern borders remains stable yet sensitive. After the agreement on disengagement achieved in Depsang and Demchok in 2024, 2025 witnessed reduced deployment levels of PLA both opposite the Northern borders and in traditional training areas. PLA maintained 10 Combined Arms Brigade size forces each in tactical/ operational depth opposite the Northern borders and in training areas. The overall BMP pattern remained unchanged from 2024. The deployment of Indian Army in all sectors along the LAC is robust, well poised and prepared to deal with any emerging contingency.

 Own defence preparedness has been enhanced with infusion of new generation equipment and deployment of newly created force multipliers of Rudra Brigades, Divyastra Batteries & Bhairav Battalions along the Northern borders. The Northern borders also witnessed significant improvement of infrastructure, connectivity and billeting in all sectors.

 Bilateral interaction between India and China at political, diplomatic and military levels have facilitated positive developments and stabilisation on the Northern borders. Own military actions are calibrated and the approach is to respond to PLA activities with an aim to achieve peace and tranquillity adhering to the principle of 'Mutual and Equal' security.

 During the year, various channels of communication were effectively utilised to address mutual concerns along the Line of Actual Control. The year witnessed renewed engagement with 33rd and 34th round of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meeting in Mar & Jul 2025 respectively followed by 24th round of Special Representatives (SR) Talks on 19 Aug 2025 at New Delhi. The positive developments in bilateral relationship between both countries was further reinforced during Hon'ble PM's visit to China for SCO Summit in Tianjin in Aug 2025. The constructive discourse of relations was also reflected during the 23rd Corps Commander Level Meet (Senior Highest Military Commander Level Meet) conducted in Western Sector (Eastern Ladakh) on 25-26 Oct 2025. At ground level, Border Personnel Meetings continued with the PLA in all sectors in a cordial and friendly environment to resolve issues of concern.

 The security situation in J&K remains firmly under control due to the relentless efforts of Indian Army. Awaam has chosen to follow the path of development and has been actively participating in large numbers in all government & Indian Army run initiatives. The 'Whole of Nation Approach' has resulted in reduction in violence levels, scaled down protests and zero incidents of stone pelting. After the DGMO talks on 10 & 12 May 2025, the situation remains stable though unpredictable. However, there has been an increase in Pakistan attempts to surreptitiously infiltrate terrorists through the LC & IB Sect.

 Pakistan attempted to activate Poonch-Rajouri region as a hotbed for proxy war during the year 2023-24. Therefore, own deliverables for year 2025 were clearly defined in terms of maintaining robust anti-infiltration grid, relentless conduct of operations in mid & higher reaches to dislocate/ neutralise terrorists and reduce local recruitment of cadres by creating a conducive environment for development.

 Security situation in hinterland continues to witness consistent improvement since 2019. Functionality of training camps, presence of terrorists in launch pads and continuing infiltration attempts substantiate persistent Pak's intent to prosecute a proxy war strategy. Significant efforts are being made by Pak to exploit the IB sector not only to smuggle weapons and narcotics using drones but also to infiltrate large strength of terrorists.

Situation in North East Region

 The internal security situation across the North East Region remains stable and has shown a marked improvement over the past year. Sustained efforts of the Indian Army, Assam Rifles and other security agencies through Counter lnsurgency (CI)/ Counter Terrorism (CT) operations, domination of sensitive areas and a 'Whole of Government' approach have reduced the violence and shrunk the residual space available for insurgent activities. Concurrent dynamic initiatives of the Government along with the impetus on connectivity, border infrastructure and socio-economic development have created a congenial environment for multi-sectoral growth in the region.

 The Army and Assam Rifles have played a pivotal role in reducing the violence levels through focused CI/ CT operations. Since Jan 2025, 26 insurgents have been neutralised, 1024 insurgents have been apprehended, 111 insurgents have surrendered and 542 weapons have been recovered. Sustained CI/CT operations by security forces have progressively denied operational space to the Insurgent Groups.

 lnternal Security Situation in Manipur has improved in 2025. President's Rule was promulgated on 13 Feb 2025, which has facilitated better inter-agency coordination and focused approach towards ending violence in the state. The effort of the security forces remains on recovering looted weapons, opening of National Highways and executing outreach programs to restore confidence among local communities. The peaceful conduct of the Durand Cup in Imphal on Jul 2025, the Shirui Lily festival in Ukhrul between 20-24 May 2025, the renewal of Suspension of Operations with Kuki Insurgent Groups on 04 Sep 2025 and the Hon'ble Prime Minister's visit on 13 Sep 2025 have all been strong markers of peace & stability during the year. The progress on the Jiribam - Imphal railway line is steady, and set to deliver another milestone in Manipur's development.

Security Along India Myanmar Border

 lndia-Myanmar Border (lMB) remains sensitive owing to persistent clashes between the Myanmar Army and Resistance Forces across the IMB resulting in an influx of 44,298 Myanmar nationals. lndian security forces have ensured that the North East Region remains insulated from the instability radiating from Myanmar. This has been achieved through enhanced surveillance, strengthened intelligence network and proactive border domination. Continuous engagement with Myanmar Army and local communities has further contributed towards maintaining stability along the IMB.

Counter Drone Operations

 A total of 791 drone intrusions (nine incidents along IB in J&K and 782 incidents along IB in Punjab/ Rajasthan) were reported during this year. Effective employment of own spoofers & jammers along the Western front significantly countered the drone threat. During the ibid period, 237 drones were brought down by own forces along IB Sector (five drones with War Like Stores, 72 drones with narcotics & 161 drones without any payload).

Infrastructure Development in Border Areas

 Concerted efforts are being made towards development of critical infrastructure including roads, bridges, tunnels, aviation bases in forward areas with enhanced focus towards Northern borders. A total 470 roads of approx. 27,300km are planned to be constructed in border areas as part of BRO perspective planning. Over last five years, BRO has been granted a financial outlay of approx. 23,625 Cr by the MoD for execution of GS roads which has enabled construction of approximately 4,595km length of roads in forward areas. Considerable progress has been achieved in establishment of forward connectivity especially along the Northern borders. For the current period approx. 1,125km of road construction has been achieved.

 Various actions have been initiated for enhancing BRO road construction capability. This includes reforms in DPR preparation, modernisation of equipment, incorporation of latest technology, invigorating EPC mode of execution, expediting statutory clearances and cadre review of the organisation.

 Development of Trans-Kashmir Connectivity for an approx. length of 717 Km from Poonch - Tristar - Banali - Sadhna Pass - P Gali - Z Gali - SPG - Razdhan - Gurez - Kaobal Gali - Sonamarg has been endorsed for development to NHDL (Paved Shoulders) specifications with tunnels proposed at Sadhna Pass, P Gali, Z Gali and Razdhan Pass. The project will be executed phase wise by BRO through MoD(GS) funding. Development of the same will provide forward, inter-sector and inter-valley connectivity.

 All-weather connectivity to strategically critical areas along Northern borders is an imperative for national security paradigm. Seven tunnels were identified and In Principle Approval has been accorded by Cabinet Secretariat in Nov 2024 for preparation of DPR by BRO. Once constructed, these will augment mobility of own forces by provisioning all weather connectivity thereby obviating winter stocking, minimise undertaking of expensive aviation operations for logistic sustenance, as also, increase footfall of tourists to remote areas.

 Due impetus is also being imparted for infrastructure development in the Siliguri Corridor. Measures to provide redundancy to the existing Lines of Communication in the Corridor are underway in consultation with MoRTH. Necessary approvals for de-congestion of the corridor have been accorded and estimates are under preparation. In addition, construction of infrastructure for Force Preservation and the Command Control elements are under progress.

Operational Works

 Comprehensive infrastructure development is being undertaken to facilitate the operational readiness of armed forces. Projects includes troop habitat, troop comfort amenities and technical infrastructure to support the operations of equipment and stores inducted in forward areas. Enhancing forward connectivity to remote border areas through construction of foot tracks, operational tracks and helipads is one of the key focus areas. Impetus has been imparted towards construction of force preservation infrastructure to facilitate the battle readiness of troops deployed in remote inaccessible areas.

Tri-Services Synergy

 Jointness and Integration: Operation Sindoor has aptly highlighted that jointness is the need of the hour. Complete theaterisation is imperative to meet future challenges and pave way for seamless synergy between the Services. Jointness and integration, being integral aspects of operational philosophy for Indian Army, have been emphasised upon by the Prime Minister. With accomplishment of 29% deliverables and completion of 35% Joint Doctrines, time has come to achieve all Jointness and Integration initiatives in a timely manner. The cross-linkages with sister Services are being nurtured so as to aggregate our capacities and capabilities. The initiatives, in congruence with the contemporary challenges and operational imperatives for joint and integrated structures for execution of Multi Domain Operations, continue in the right earnest to extract optimum benefits. An integration roadmap has been prepared and the same has been presented to Raksha Mantri. The integration initiatives are focused on operational readiness to include capability development, maintenance, administration, Human Resource Management and legal aspects. Jointness and integration is not only restricted to the three Services, sustained outreach to other Government agencies & departments is also ongoing to aggregate capacities and capabilities. In addition, global outreach to imbibe best practices and collaboration on security issues is also underway.

AMPHEX-2025

 Biannual joint amphibious exercise with Indian Navy, AMPHEX-2025 was conducted between 12-31 Jan 2025 at Vizag and Karwar. One Infantry Battalion Group including a Mechanised Platoon ex-Southern Command participated in the exercise.

Tri-Service Exercise

 Tri-Services Exercise was successfully conducted from November 03 to 13, 2025 under the aegis of the Indian Navy. Approx. 30,000 troops of Indian Army deployed in Gujarat & Rajasthan Sector participated in the exercise for enhanced coordination, integrated response and interoperability. It culminated with capstone exercise including amphibious operation on 13 Nov 2025 at Madhavpur Beach (Porbandar) along the Gujarat Coast.

Combined Commanders' Conference 2025

 The Combined Commanders' Conference 2025, with the theme 'Year of Reforms-Transforming for the Future', was held at HQ Eastern Command, Kolkata from 15-17 Sep 2025 under the aegis of HQ IDS with Indian Army as the lead Service. The event was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, wherein he highlighted the need for technological self-reliance and indigenous defence manufacturing. The discussions with Raksha Mantri focused on jointness, interoperability, technology driven warfare and reforms in key domains namely Space, Cyber and Special operations. The CDS stressed on continuous reforms to keep Indian defence forces agile, self-reliant and future ready amid global security challenges. CCC 2025 concluded with the release of a Joint Military Space Doctrine and a roadmap to make Indian Armed Forces more integrated, agile and technologically advanced to face multi-domain threats.

Tri-Service All Women Circumnavigation Sailing Expedition

 On 11 Sep 2025, a 'Tri-Services All Women Circumnavigation Sailing Expedition' comprising a 10 member crew (05 Indian Army, 04 Indian Air Force & 01 Indian Navy) was flagged off from the iconic Gateway of India at Mumbai in the virtual mode by Raksha Mantri. Between Sep 2025 to Jun 2026, the crew will cover approximately 25,000 nm while circumnavigating the planet.

Joint Services Training Institutes

 Based on 'lead service' concept, JSTIs are being established to carry out training of all three Services personnel at a single establishment in select domains. IA is the lead in four JSTI's i.e., Chemical Biological Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN), Intelligence, Law & Music. Six JSTIs are in the process of being formulated. All four JSTIs which are under IA have already been institutionalised and have started conducting courses.

Capability Development, Modernisation and Aatmanirbharta

 To address any capability void and induct niche technology, special provision for two tranches of Emergency Procurements have been accorded in the year 2025. 13 schemes worth Rs 1,958.80 crore were contracted for strengthening the existing Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism grid. In consideration of ongoing operational concerns, sanction for emergency procurement in the niche technology domains of Drone/ Counter Drone, Weapon systems, Precision Ammunition, Electronic Warfare Systems, Surveillance Systems etc was accorded. A total of 29 capability development schemes have already been contracted and another 16 schemes are likely to be contracted in Dec 2025.

 IA has laid down a clear roadmap as part of the Aatmanirbharta Vision, wherein ammunition procurement under 'Manufacture of Ammunition for IA by Indian industry' for long term requirement of 10 years is in progress to establish minimum one indigenous source for all types of ammunition. Through concerted and proactive efforts and in close coordination with other agencies, 159 out of 175 (nearly 91%) ammunition variants have been indigenised.

 Emergency Procurement In the wake of Op Sindoor, Emergency Procurement Powers were extended to the defence forces. The details with respect to IA are as under:

 Emergency Powers Revenue 2025: Total ceiling of procurement under Emergency Power Revenue is Rs 9,100 crore. Out of this, Rs 1,680 crore has been allocated to Field Army for procurement of equipment/ stores to enhance operational capability. Balance Rs 7,420 crore is being utilised for Central Procurement. As on 10 Nov 2025, complete budget for Emergency Power Revenue 2025 has been utilised. 78% of the budget in Central Procurement has been utilised for the procurement of ammunition, whereas 80% of the budget for Field Formations has been utilised to build Drone, Counter Drone and strike capability by acquiring Loiter Ammunition/ Kamikaze drones.

 Emergency Procurement VI Capital 2025: 58 schemes have been planned for Emergency Procurement VI Capital 2025. A total of 29 schemes, out of which 19 domestic schemes worth Rs 4,577.33 crore and 10 foreign schemes worth Rs 2,496.90 crore (total Rs 7,074.24 crore) have been concluded.

 The expenditure on foreign procurement is diminishing steadily and for the FY 2025-26, the ratio of domestic versus foreign payment assigned by MoD (Finance) to IA is 87:13. IA is likely to achieve the stipulated targets. Details of indigenisation with effect from FY 2021-22 to FY 2024-25 are tabulated below:-

FY Expenditure Total ( in Crore) Ratio Indigenous ( in Crore) Foreign ( in Crore) 2021-22 17,290.96 2,940.15 20,231.11 6:1 2022-23 20,018.07 11,696.95 31,715.02 2:1 2023-24 21,607.65 1,471.77 23,079.42 15:1 2024-25 33,549.35 1,707.18 35,256.53 19:1

Aatmanirbharta in Ammunition Manufacturing

 32 variants of ammunition have been offered to the Indian Industry for long term contracts under 'Manufacturing of Ammunition for IA by Indian Industry, a Government of India Initiative'. These are being progressed as 12 procurement cases (clubbed based on calibre/ platform) amounting to  15,899 Crore. Four cases worth 5,696 Cr have been placed with DPSUs & Private players and balance cases are at advance stages of evaluation and likely to fructify during the next six to twelve months. Most of these ammunition are likely to be indigenised by 2027-28.

 IA has a clear roadmap as part of the Aatmanirbharta vision for 10 years. In the Phase-I (2025-26), indigenisation (including private industry) for all import dependent ammunition for major platforms is underway for a total of 32 variants amounting to 15,899 Cr. In Phase-II (2026-27), five additional ammunition have been identified for production through Indian Industry to expand vendor base and secure stock affected by supply chain disruption. In Phase-III (2027 onwards), the experience and expertise gained in first two Phases would provide the requisite wherewithal in terms of infrastructure and technology, laying the foundation for indigenous development of next generation of hi-tech ammunition based on indigenous R&D in niche technology and Indian IPR for the world market. The aim of the Aatmanirbhar project is to build up ammunition stocks to desired levels, minimise imports and achieve self-sufficiency in the country as also establish at least two sources for each type of ammunition, obtain critical technologies and set up manufacturing infrastructure and capability.

 IA has a large inventory of ammunition, currently comprising 175 scaled in-service variants ranging from ammunition for vintage platforms to advance precision guided munitions. Through concerted efforts and close coordination with DRDO, DPSUs and Private Industry, 159 ammunition variants (90.85%) have been indigenised and are being sourced from indigenous source (single source - 110 and more than one source - 49).

 Indigenisation of Special Clothing & Mountaineering Equipment (SCME), authorised to troops deployed in areas with temperatures ranging from -200 to 500C, has been a key focus area of IA. Post embargo on import purchase in Dec 2021, the procurement of ex-import items has ceased and indigenisation is being pursued on war footing through a number of initiatives. There are total of 57 items authorised as part of SCME, out of which 53 have been indigenised and balance four are at an advanced stage of trials and indigenisation that is likely to be achieved by end 2026.

 Mission SWAYAT Experiment: Autonomous Weapon System (AWS) is a military technology that can select and engage targets without direct human intervention. With an aim to undertake development of indigenous AWS with desired lethal payload and appropriate human control, mission SWAYAT experiment was conducted from 23-25 Apr 2025 at Babina Field Firing Range to evaluate indigenous capability in AWS and to evolve a roadmap for its induction.

 Manufacturing of Drones: 515 Army Base Workshop and select Corps Z Workshops/ EME Battalions have established credible drone manufacturing capability using in-house expertise and collaboration with Subject Matter Experts (SME). The facilities are state-of-the-art, which meet the quality requirements of drones. A total of 819 drones (Surveillance-193, Kamikaze/ Armed/Weaponised-337, First Pilot View-289) have been manufactured till date by EME units.

 Digitisation and Automation: Towards enhancing operational efficiency through real time data analysis and autonomous systems, IA is making headway in AI driven decision-making tools such as 'AI based preventive maintenance of IA Equipment and demand forecast of spares', AI Model in Transport and Road Space Management and AI based supply chain mapping system.

 Military Diplomacy: Major Joint Exercises with FFCs from Jan-Nov 2025 are tabulated below :-

Joint Exercise Participation Date (2025) Ekuverin-XIII (Tri-Service) India-Maldives 02-15 Feb Cyclone-III (Single Service) India-Egypt 10-23 Feb Dharma Guardian-VI (Single Service) India-Japan 24 Feb-09 Mar Khanjar-XII India-Kyrgyzstan 10-23 Mar Tiger Triumph (Tri-Service Exercise) India-USA 01-14 Apr DUSTLIK India-Uzbekistan 15-28 Apr IMBAX India-Myanmar 22-27 Apr Nomadic Elephant India-Mongolia 29 May-13 Jun Ex Shakti India-France 19 Jun-02 Jul Ex Bold Kurukshetra India-Singapore 28 Jul-04 Aug Ex Bright Star India-Egypt 28 Aug-10 Sep Ex Yudh Abhyas India-USA 01-14 Sep Ex Maitree India-Thailand 01-14 Sep Ex Zapad India-Russia 10-16 Sep Ex INDRA, 13th Edition India-Russia 03-15 Oct Ex AUSTRAHIND India-Australia 13-26 Oct Ex Mitra Shakti India-Sri Lanka 10-23 Nov Ex VINBAX India-Vietnam 10-29 Nov Ex Ajeya Warrior India-UK 17-30 Nov

Structured Engagements: As on date, IA engages with armies of 19 countries through Staff Talks. So far, Army level talks have been conducted with following countries in year 2025:

Country Date of Conduct (in 2025) Out Vietnam 22-24 Apr Saudi Arabia 23-24 Apr Indonesia 08-10 Jul France 30 Sep-01 Oct Australia 29-31 Oct In Israel 03 Feb Singapore 03-05 Mar Japan 06-07 Mar UAE 29 Jul Maldives 26 Aug Myanmar 09-10 Sep Oman 21-23 Oct Sri Lanka 18-20 Nov

Contributions towards United Nations Peacekeeping

 So far, India has participated in 53 out of 72 UN Peacekeeping Missions and has contributed over 2,97,000 personnel till date. 164 IA Peacekeepers have made supreme sacrifice defending the UN mandate. India's approach to Peacekeeping is guided by the 5S as enunciated by the Hon'ble Prime Minister i.e. Samman (Respect), Samvaad (Communication), Sahyog (Cooperation), Samridhi (Prosperity) and Shanti (Peace).

 Presently, IA has deployed approximately 5,000 military personnel with five Infantry Battalions and 11 Formed Units apart from Staff Officers/ Military Observers across 10 UN missions in DRC, South Sudan, Abyei, Western Sahara, Central African Republic, Addis Ababa, Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Cyprus. However, due to ongoing financial liquidity crisis in UN and reduction in strength of personnel, the strength will reduce to approximately 4,100 uniformed personnel. To ameliorate the suffering of women and children in the conflict zone, Female Engagement Teams (FETs), Women Psychological Counsellors and Military Nursing Service (MNS) officers have been deployed to various missions. Trained Yoga instructors also form part of the contingent to conduct Yoga for peacekeepers and the local population.

Contributions towards Nation Building

Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR)

 Indian Army despite its operational commitments has always been at the forefront in providing HADR to the nation in disaster affected areas. In the year 2025, Indian Army deployed 141 Columns including Engineer Task Forces in more than 80 locations in 10 states, during which 28,293 nationals were rescued, medical aid was provided to approximately 7,318 and relief material distributed to over 2,617 nationals. Major relief operations were undertaken under Op Brahma in Myanmar (Mar 2025), Dharali rescue operations, Uttarakhand (Aug 2025), Dimapur floods (Jul 2025), flood relief operations in Chisot/ Kishtwar district in J&K (Aug 2025) and Pooh, Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh.

 The Indian Army is strongly committed to the vision of 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047' and undertakes 'Military Civic Action Projects' under Op Sadbhavana in remote border areas. With an annual budget of  150 Crores, Op Sadbhavana also contributes to the 'Vibrant Villages' programme of the Government and remains focussed on infrastructure development, education, healthcare and human resource development for remote locations including those along our borders.

 Territorial Army units have been deployed to provide a safe and secure environment for construction of the Railway Mega Project in Manipur. Owing to the presence of the TA troops, the project has progressed at a very fast pace with regular train service till Khongsang (Manipur). The project is likely to be completed by 2027.

Women Empowerment

 The Indian Army has been a key player in promoting women empowerment, reflecting the nation's commitment to gender fairness and inclusivity. Over the years, the Army has broken longstanding barriers, providing women with opportunities to serve in various roles that were previously restricted. Through policy reforms, leadership opportunities, and strategic inclusion, the IA is actively fostering an environment where women can excel and lead. To ensure a gender-neutral future, it is essential to ensure that the feeder institutes are prepared to meet the imminent vacancies arising due to the expansion of role of women in Armed forces. 10% seats have been reserved for girls in all 33 Sainik Schools across India with effect from academic year 2021-22. Girl students have also been allowed in Rashtriya Military Schools with effect from academic session 2022-23 to act as feeder for officer cadet entry into National Defence Academy. 120 vacancies per year for women officer cadets have been earmarked in Officers Training Academy.

 The IA is actively promoting women to leadership positions, giving them opportunities to command and lead. Women officers are being considered and appointed to command roles of units/ battalions, a critical benchmark of leadership in the army. 119 women officers have been entrusted with the onerous responsibility of commanding Army units.

 The IA has seen a steady increase in the number of women reaching higher ranks, such as Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair, VSM as DGMS (Army) and in ranks of Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels, and contributing to critical strategic and operational decisions. Women officers have tenanted the top four posts of AFMS, a testimony to the gender empowering approach of AFMS. The Army Postal Service is being headed by a women Maj Gen.

 Equal opportunities are being afforded to women officers to appear in Staff College exam at par with their male counterparts. Women officers are also being considered for Colonel (Selection Grade) ranks and given command appointments. Since May 2021, women were inducted in Corps of Military Police as OR and, now as Agniveers. IA is also looking for broader representation of women as JCOs & OR Cadre and planning to induct women in other Arms/ Services in a gradual manner.

 In 2024, Future Career Progression Policy was promulgated for women officers empanelled in Special Selection Boards (Lt Col to Col) to meet organisational requirement and career aspirations of women officers, while maintaining operational efficiency of IA. After conduct of Special Number 3 Selection Board (Lt Col to Col), the next Selection Board (Col to Brig) will be conducted as per extant policy provisions as applicable to all officers of IA.

 Women officers being commissioned into Services with effect from 01 Sep 2025 are now undergoing a 78 weeks attachment with units of Artillery/ AAD/ Engineers/ Signals deployed in field as their male counterparts.

Roadmap to Increase Women Representation in Army

 The Army has progressively enhanced annual intake of women cadets from 80 to 144 vacancies (80% increase) in 2024. This boosts female representation in the force at the level of officers. IA is taking progressive steps to increase the participation of women, while maintaining combat effectiveness. Commissioning of approximately 8,100 women officers in Arms & Services have been approved by the study of 'Emp of Women Officers in IA' in 2023. Selection process for JAG Special Entry Scheme will start from 2026 onwards.

INDIAN NAVY

The Indian Navy continued its strident and purposeful drive towards Aatmanirbharta and capability development with commissioning of 12 ships/submarines and delivery of a number of Yardcraft in 2025. The Navy's robust proactive deployment during Op Sindoor cowered the PN fleet to operate close to its shores. Lessons learnt from operations/major tactical joint exercises and ongoing conflicts have led to a number of doctrinal and concept of operations revisions/updates as well as updating the technology induction philosophy. The capstone doctrinal document of the Navy - the Indian Maritime Doctrine - was revised and publicly released. The IN continues to steer the course to be combat ready, credible, cohesive and future ready.

Warship Construction

With over 177 ships/ submarine having been built and commissioned in India to date, the Navy continues to propel the domestic shipbuilding industry's growth by supporting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The Indian Navy remains the key pillar that supports the growth of Indian shipbuilding sector, with all 52 warships planned to be inducted in the Navy being built in India, orders for 75 more ships and submarines being in the final stages of approval, and steadfast focus on achieving higher indigenisation content across weapons, sensors and equipment.

A total of 12 ships have been delivered this year, as follows:

INS Surat, 4th and last ship of P15B, was commissioned on 15 Jan 2025 by the Prime Minister at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. INS Surat is the fastest constructed indigenous warship (frigate and above) built in only 31 months from launch to delivery.

(frigate and above) built in only 31 months from launch to delivery. INS Nilgiri, first ship of P17A stealth frigates, was commissioned by Prime Minister, on 15 Jan 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. INS Nilgiri, is the 100th indigenously designed naval platform , steered by the Warship Design Bureau, premier warship design organisation of IN.

, steered by the Warship Design Bureau, premier warship design organisation of IN. INS Vaghsheer, sixth and last submarine of P75 project, was commissioned by Prime Minister, on 15 Jan 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. Post commissioning of INS Vaghsheer, all six submarines of the Project 75 have been delivered and commissioned into Indian Navy.

INS Arnala built by GRSE, Kolkata has been delivered on May 08, 2025 and commissioned on 18 Jun 2025.

INS Tamal has been commissioned on 01 Jul 2025 at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia.

INS Nistar built by HSL, Visakhapatnam has been delivered on 08 Jul 2025 and commissioned on 18 Jul 2025.

INS Udaygiri, second ship of P17A stealth frigates, was delivered by MDL to IN on 01 Jul 2025 and commissioned by RM, on 26 Aug 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.

INS Himgiri, first ship of P17A stealth frigates built at M/s GRSE was delivered to IN on 30 Jul 2025 and commissioned by RM, on 26 Aug 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.

INS Androth built by GRSE, Kolkata has been delivered on 13 Sep 2025 and commissioned on 06 Oct 2025.

INS Ikshak, third ship of Survey Vessel (Large) project was delivered by GRSE to IN on 14 Aug 2025 and commissioned by the Chief of Naval Staff, on 06 Nov 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.

INS Mahe, the first ship of ASW Shallow Water Craft, was delivered by CSL to IN on 23 Oct 2025 and commissioned by the Chief of Army Staff, on 24 Nov 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.

Thefirst ship of DSC project - A20 has been delivered on 16 Sep 2025 and commissioned on 16 Dec 25.

A total of five warships have been launched this year, as follows:

The second ship Utkarsh, was launched on 13 Jan 2025.

Tavasya was launched on 22 Mar 2025.

The 8th ship, Ajay was launched on July 21, 2025.

The 3rd Ship DSC A22 was launched on 12 Sep 2025.

The 6th ship, Magdala, ex-CSL, was launched on 18 Oct 2025.

A total of three Yardcraft have been delivered this year, as follows:

The 8th, 9th and 10th barges of Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barges were delivered on 06 Jan 2025, 12 Mar 2025 and 22 Apr 2025 respectively (MSME Shipyard).

The 7th and 8th Barges of Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project were delivered on 07 Jan 2025 and 04 Mar 2025 by SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam (MSME Shipyard).

The 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Bollard Pull Tugs of 06 x 25 Ton Bollard Pull Tug project were delivered on 12 Feb 2025, 26 Mar 2025, 27 Jun2025 and 04 Sep 2025 by Titagarh Rail System Limited, Kolkata.

Major Exercises

TROPEX 25:

Indian Navy's capstone biennial Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX-25) was conducted from Jan - Mar 25. The three-month long exercise was conducted in multiple phases, both in harbour and at sea, integrating various facets of combat operations, cyber and electronic warfare operations, live weapon drills during the Joint Work up Phase and Amphibious Exercise. Multiple ships, submarines, aircraft, ICG ships, IAF aircraft and Indian Army troops participated in the exercise. The exercise was aimed at validating Indian Navy's core warfighting skills, and ensuring a synchronised, integrated response to preserve and protect national maritime security interests in a contested maritime environment. The exercise construct also included assessing the operational, material & logistics preparedness of Indian Navy as part of Exercise Taiyaar.

Tri-Service Exercise 2025 was conducted from 03-13 Nov 2025 at/off Gujarat, with IN as the lead Service, with large scale participation from IA, IAF, BSF and ICG. TSE-2025 is the first exercise where all Services and organisations have been involved from ab-initio planning stage. The exercise was aimed at enhancing jointness and synergy amongst the Services, and formed a stepping stone for planning future tri-Service exercises.

Ex Tiger Triumph is an Indo-US Tri-Service Amphibious HADR exercise between Indian and US defence forces. The exercise aims at developing interoperability and synergy between Indian and US defence forces in a combined and joint amphibious HADR scenario. The last edition of the exercise was conducted from 01-15 Apr 2025 at Visakhapatnam/ Kakinada Naval Enclave.

Ex Jalprahar is conducted biannually to impart amphibious training to Indian Army infantry troops. The exercise involves participation of Indian Navy's amphibious platforms along with Indian Army troops and equipment. This year, the exercise was conducted at Visakhapatnam/ Kakinada in the first week of

Oct 2025.

Salient points from Indian Navy's major operational deployments are as follows:

INSImphal wasdeployed for participation in Mauritius National Day celebrations and arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius, on 01 Mar 2025. IN marching contingent, comprising 29 personnel and 25 men band along with two MH-60R helicopters participated in the National Day Parade held at Port Louis on 12 Mar 2025.

INS Tamal, after commissioning at Kaliningrad, Russia, on 01 Jul 2025, completed her maiden passage and entered Karwar on 10 Sep 2025. During the passage, the ship undertook port visits at Russia, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia and Oman, followed by Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with host navies.

IN Ships Shakti, Satpura, Delhi and Kiltan were deployed for Eastern Fleet Operational Deployment from 16 Jul - 03 Aug 2025. During the deployment, the ships undertook port visits at Singapore, Vietnam and Philippines and also undertook PASSEX/ bilateral exercises with the host navies.

IN Ship Kadmattwasdeployed forparticipation in the 50th Independence Day Celebrations of Papua New Guinea, at/ off Port Moresby (30 Aug - 07 Sep 2025). The ship also undertook port visit at Indonesia, Fiji, and Australia during the deployment.

IN Ship Trikand was deployed for WFOD 03/ 25. The ship participated in Ex Bright Star, at/ off Alexandria, Egypt (01 - 11 Sep 2025) and undertook maiden bilateral exercise with Hellenic Navy, at/ off Salamis Bay, Greece (13 - 18 Sep 2025). The ship also undertook port visits at Cyprus, Italy, and Oman, during the deployment.

INShip Sahyadri is deployed for EFOD 03/ 25. The ship undertook port visit at Kemaman, Malaysia from 02 - 05 Oct 2025.

1st Training Squadron units, Sujata, Shardul and ICGS Veera were deployed for Long Range Training Deployment to South East Asian countries from 10 Jan - 11 Mar 2025 and undertook port visits at Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand.

1st Training Squadron Ships Tir, Shardul, Sujata and Sarathi were deployed for Long Range Training Deployment to SW IOR, from 25 Aug - 09 Oct 2025. The ships undertook port visits at Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion, Mozambique, and Kenya.

Exercises with Foreign Navies

Since Jan 25, a number of naval ships and aircraft have participated in 18 bilateral, 08 multilateral, 31 maritime partnership exercises, 04 Coordinated Patrols (CORPAT) and 12 Joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance exercises. Some exercises include French Carrier Strike Group (CSG) comprising Charles de Gaulle, FNS Jacques Chevalier, FNS Provence, FNS Duguay Trouin, FNS Seine, FNS Forbin and FNS Alsace visited India from 03 - 09 Jan 2025. Upon departure, on 09 Jan 2025, PASSEX was undertaken by IN Ship Mormugao with FN ships Provence and Jacques Chevalier, off Goa. The exercise also included participation of Large Force Engagement (LFE) by IAF aircraft with the CSG.

Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

IN P8I (Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft) undertook four sorties in support of CMF operations, off the Oman Coast, during the period. IN Ship Tarkash participated in the Focused Operation 'ANZAC Tiger' conducted jointly by CTF 150 and CTF 151, from 27 Mar - 04 Apr 2025, off the Oman Coast. During the Operation, Tarkash boarded FV Sina Al Buradi and seized over 2500kg of narcotics. The operation enhanced interoperability in conduct of anti-narcotics operations and fostered maritime partnership with the participating navies.

Royal New Zealand Navy took over the Command of CTF 150 from Pakistan Navy with effect from 15 Jan 2025. Five IN officers have been deputed as part of CTF 150Rainbow Staff from 04 Jan 2025 onwards. This was the maiden deputation of IN personnel at CMF Headquarters, Bahrain, aimed at enhancing functional linkages with the CMF.

INS Shardul participated in the 05th Multinational Naval Ex Komodo 25, hosted by the Indonesian Navy, at/ off Bali, Indonesia from February 15 - 22, 2025. The ship participated in the International Fleet Review, HADR exercise at sea and harbour, and community outreach programmes during the exercise.

IN P8I (Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft), participated in the flypast during International Fleet Review, at Bali, Indonesia, from 14 - 16 Feb 2025.'

IN Ship Ranvir participated in the 5th edition of IN - BN bilateral Ex Bongosagar, and undertook coordinated patrol with BN, off IMBL, in Northern Bay of Bengal, from 10 - 12 Mar 2025.

Indian Navy & French Navy bilateral exercise Varuna was conducted, off Goa, from 19 - 22 Mar 2025. Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare and Air Defence exercises were undertaken involving the IN Carrier Battle Group (CBG) and the FN Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

IN- RuFN (Russian Federation) bilateral exercise INDRA was conducted, at/off Chennai, from 25 - 29 Mar 2025. The exercise strengthened the maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two navies.

HADR and SAR

On 04 Jan 2025, based on an input received at Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC - IOR) through the resident Malaysian Liaison Officer, Malaysian flagged Sailing Vessel Bit (with 05 Chinese crew onboard), which was running low on fuel, was provided 1000 ltrs of fuel by mission deployed unit INS Kirch, off Campbell Bay, A&N.

On 07 Mar 2025, based on a request by an Iranian dhow off Oman Coast, mission deployed IN ship Tarkash provided medical assistance to an injured crew (Pakistan national), undertook repairs of the RO plant and restored fresh water supply onboard.

On 23 Apr 2025, IN Ship Chennai, rendered medical assistance to a seafarer onboardMarshall Island flagged Oil tanker MV Invictus,in a position approx. 550 nm South East of Eyl, Somalia. Necessary medical aid was rendered to the injured crew, who suffered from third degree burns, due to fire onboard.

Consequent to a devastating earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand on 28 Mar 2025, the first IN ship set sail for Yangon, Myanmar, within 12 hours of the incident with 30 tonnes of relief material, reinforcing the nation's commitment as the 'first responder'. As part of Op Brahma, five IN Ships Satpura, Savitri, Karmuk, LCU 52 and Gharial, were deployed for rendering HADR assistance, and delivered an approx. 512 tonnes of relief material.

On 04 Apr 2025, based oninputs received regarding a FV in distress, in position approx. 385 nm South East of Duqm, Oman, mission deployed IN Ship Trikand, rendered medical assistance to a Pakistani national, who suffered a severe fracture with laceration in three fingers of right hand. The ship's medical team performed surgery lasting three hours including suturing and splinting thereby, rendering patient stable and avoiding amputation. Additionally, medical supplies were also provided to the crew.

Medical Evacuation

On 19 Feb 2025, a request was received from the Iranian side, for medical evacuation of an Iranian cadet onboard Iranian Naval Ship Bushehr (operating in a position approx. 50 nm South of Mumbai), suffering from acute appendicitis. ICGS Arush, deployed in vicinity, was immediately diverted and evacuated the cadet to Mumbai on 20 Feb 2025. The patient was successfully treated at INHS
Iran responds to Trump's new threats in a letter to UNSC

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 30, 2025

New York, IRNA -- Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani, following US President Donald Trump's new threats against Iran, condemned "these reckless threats" in a letter to the Security Council and the UN Secretary-General.

Iravani said that the grave and explicit threat of the use of force by US President Donald Trump is a clear and serious violation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and Iran calls on this Council to condemn it firmly and unequivocally.

The full text of Iravani's letter to the UNSC is as follows:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Excellencies,

Upon instructions from my Government, I wish to draw your urgent attention to yet another serious instance of the violation of international law, namely the grave and explicit threats of the use of force by the President of the United States of America against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

During a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime on 29 December 2025, the President of the United States stated: "If Iran continues with its missile program, yes, I support striking Iran. Ifthey continue with their nuclear program, the strike should be immediate. He blatantly threatened Iran by saying that "We 're going to have to knock them down. We 'Il knock them down. We 'Il knock the hell out ofthem.



These provocative and escalatory statements threatening the use of force, directed against the Islamic Republic of Iran, constitute a manifest and flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, in particular Article 2(4), which unequivocally prohibits both the use and the threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.

The precedent set by the unwarranted and unlawful aggression jointly carried out by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran between 13 and 24 June 2025 makes it even more crucial to rebuke and reject the recent threatening statements of the US President.

In fact, these statements do not constitute mere rhetoric but a renewed and explicit threat to continue an unlawful course of conduct based on an intent that would entail international responsibility for the United States.

On 6 November 2025, the President of the United States openly acknowledged the responsibility and direct involvement of the United States in the June 2025 aggression, which involved deliberate attacks against civilians, critical infrastructure, and peaceful nuclear facilities under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) comprehensive safeguards. As stated in the letter by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran dated 12 November 2025 (S/2025/743), such an admission entails individual criminal responsibility for the President of the United States and other United States officials involved in grave breaches of international humanitarian law, including the crime of aggression.

The President of the United States, standing side by side with the Israeli Prime Minister, an internationally indicted war criminal, is cynically seeking to threaten the Islamic Republic of Iran and to deny its inherent NPT-enshrined rights, as well as its legitimate sovereign right to the means essential for self-defense.

It is deeply regrettable that these explicit threats come from a nuclear-weapon State and depository of the NPT, with a long and consistent record of gross violations of its Treaty obligations, including by attacking peaceful nuclear facilities of a non-nuclear State.

The US also continues to lend unconditional support to, and collaborate with, the Israeli regime as the sole possessor of nuclear weapons in West Asia, which has threatened the use of weapons of mass destruction against other nations in the region with complete impunity. This represents a persistent and blatant double standard, severely undermining regional and international security and constituting a direct assault on the integrity of the global non-proliferation regime.

The persistent inaction and paralysis of the Security Council in the face of such explicit threats and acts of aggression have entrenched a dangerous climate of impunity. This failure has emboldened the United States and the Israeli regimeacting with the full political, military, and diplomatic backing of the United Statesto continue their unlawful conduct, thereby posing a grave and direct threat to regional and international peace and security.

In light of the foregoing, the Islamic Republic of Iran calls upon the Security Council, and in particular its responsible members, to: unequivocally and strongly condemn the explicit threat of the use of force against Iran by the United States as a clear and serious violation of the objectives and principles of the Charter of the United Nations; demand that the United States immediately comply with its obligations under the Charter and international law, cease all threats or uses of force, and discharge its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security Council in a manner consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations; and act decisively and without selectivity to prevent further escalation arising from the continued impunity and blatant disregard for international law by a permanent member of the Council and its regional stooge, the Israeli regime.

Failure to do so would not only further undermine international peace and security, but would also gravely erode the credibility, authority, and legitimacy of the Security Council itself, entrusted with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The prohibition of the threat or use of force constitutes an erga omnes obligation owed to the international community as a whole, and its violation cannot be ignored or excused without inflicting lasting damage on the international legal order upon which the United Nations is built.

The Islamic Republic of Iran unequivocally condemns these reckless threats and reaffirms its inherent and inalienable right to self-defense in accordance with Article 5 1 of the Charter of the United Nations against any armed attack or act of aggression. Iran will exercise this right decisively and proportionately should its sovereignty, territorial integrity, people, or vital national interests be subjected to further acts of aggression.

I should be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated as an official document of the Security Council.

Please accept, Excellencies, the assurances of our highest consideration.

H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres Secretary-General

United Nations, New York

H.E. Mr. Samuel Zbogar

President of the Security Council

United Nations, New York

Amir Saeid Iravani

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IRGC forces arrest terror-linked team in southeastern Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 31, 2025

Zahedan, IRNA -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) forces have identified and arrested a team linked to terrorist groups in Saravan County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

According to a statement released by the IRGC's Quds Headquarters in Southeast Iran on Wednesday, the arrests were carried out during the ongoing drills titled Security Martyrs-2.

The detained group has carried out several terrorist acts in the Saravan region over the past year.

The operation followed a series of precise intelligence measures that led to the team's identification and arrest by security forces.

The statement said that, based on initial confessions, the suspects admitted they had planned and carried out targeted operations against security personnel in Saravan under the direction of anti-Iran terrorist groups.

Saravan County is located approximately 347 kilometers southeast of Zahedan, the provincial capital, and lies near the border with Pakistan.

4208**4354

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'Mythomania': Iran blasts Netanyahu's decades of lies over its nuclear program

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 31 December 2025 9:08 AM

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson has sharply denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for spreading decades of lies and propaganda about Iran's nuclear program, after CNN compiled his repeated allegations in a recent show.

"These are lies and propaganda. CNN compiles 3 decades of Netanyahu's continuing false claims about Iran's nuclear program, each time warning that Iran was very close to developing a nuclear bomb," Ismail Baghaei wrote In a post published on the social media platform X on Wednesday.

"This is 'mythomania'," he added.

The video, aired by CNN on Tuesday, strings together Netanyahu's repeated baseless claims since 1996 about Iran's nuclear activities, portraying Tehran as an imminent threat.

The broadcast comes as, during a joint press conference with Netanyahu on Monday, US President Donald Trump brazenly spoke about military action, warning that the US would strike Iran's missile capabilities and nuclear facilities if Tehran rebuilt its defenses.

"Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we are going to have to knock them down. We will knock them down. We will knock the hell out of them," Trump said.

Iranian officials dismissed the remarks as reckless and inflammatory, warning that such language only fuels instability.

President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a firm rebuttal to Trump's latest threat of renewed strikes against the country, vowing that any further aggression will be met with a crushing and "regret-inducing" response.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Washington would carry full responsibility for any act of aggression against Iran.

In a letter sent to his counterparts around the world on Tuesday, Araghchi referred to the consequences of the unlawful Israeli-American assault on Iran in June and cautioned that any renewed violation "will rest squarely with the US."

He emphasized that the Islamic Republic "will not hesitate to respond in a decisive and regret-inducing manner to any act of aggression," underscoring Iran's readiness to defend its sovereignty in the face of US threats and Israeli militarism.

The US joined the Israeli military aggression against Iran in June, striking three nuclear sites in the country, justifying the aggression by repeating unverified claims that Iran could develop nuclear weapons within two months.

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JERUSALEM, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Israel said Thursday that new regulations banning access of dozens of aid organizations to Gaza and the West Bank had come into force, despite calls by UN agencies and international humanitarian groups to halt the move.

Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli said organizations had been given 10 months to submit detailed information about their staff, with the deadline expiring at midnight on Wednesday. Groups that failed to meet the new requirements "had their licenses revoked today," he said, without specifying how many were affected.

An Israeli government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a review by the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs identified 37 organizations that did not comply with the new regulations.

Israel says the rules are intended to bar organizations it alleges have supported militant activity from operating in the Palestinian territories.

The announcement came a day after senior officials from 19 UN humanitarian agencies and major international aid organizations urged Israel to reconsider the new measure, warning it could have "devastating" consequences.

"In Gaza in particular, as winter compounds families' suffering, as high acute food insecurity persists and as the need for life-saving aid is as critical as ever, banning NGOs risks undermining the fragile progress made during the ceasefire," they said in a joint statement.

International organizations collectively deliver close to 1 billion U.S. dollars in assistance each year, according to the statement.

More than two years of Israeli assaults in Gaza have left the enclave in ruins, causing widespread hunger and malnutrition, and killing at least 71,269 people while injuring 171,232 others, according to Gaza-based health authorities. 
IRGC intelligence forces disband terrorist cell in southeast Iran

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 31 December 2025 9:01 AM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force says its intelligence forces have disbanded a terrorist cell affiliated with hostile groups in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

The Quds Base of the force said in a statement on Wednesday that members of the terrorist cell, which had been responsible for multiple terrorist activities in the Saravan region over the past year, were identified and arrested through precise intelligence operations.

The statement added that, based on initial confessions, the arrested individuals admitted that, under the orders of terrorist and hostile groups, they were planning and executing assassination operations targeting security forces in the Saravan area.

Saravan, part of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, is located 347 kilometers southeast of Zahedan, the provincial capital, and shares a border with Pakistan.

Sistan and Baluchestan has long witnessed terrorist violence against both civilians and security personnel.

Iranian officials say terrorist groups carrying out attacks against Iranian interests in the southeastern and southwestern parts of the country are linked to foreign intelligence services.

The threats against regional security have made a strong and continuous police and military presence indispensable, often requiring swift counterterrorism operations.

On October 26, 10 members of Iran's law enforcement forces were killed in a terrorist attack in the Gohar Kuh district of Taftan.

The Jaish al-Adl terrorist group claimed responsibility for the assault, which was one of the deadliest in the province in recent months.

The group has carried out numerous terrorist attacks in Iran, primarily in the Sistan and Baluchestan province.

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Iran condemns Trump's 'grave and explicit' military threats, urges UN Security Council to take action

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 31 December 2025 6:42 AM

Iran has formally condemned the "grave and explicit" threats of war by US President Donald Trump over the country's peaceful nuclear program and defense capabilities, calling on the UN Security Council to condemn the threats and act to prevent further escalation.

During a joint press conference with the Israeli prime minister on Monday, Trump threatened to destroy Iran's missiles if Tehran tried to rearm itself.

"Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we're going to have to knock them down. We'll knock them down. We'll knock the hell out of them," he claimed.

Trump also alleged he would support an Israeli attack on Iran if Iran continues with their ballistic missile and nuclear weapon program.

"The missiles, yes. The nuclear, fast. Okay. One will be, yes, absolutely. The other was, we'll do it immediately," Trump said.

In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the Security Council Samuel Zbogar on Tuesday, Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative Amir Saeid Iravani said Trump's remarks amount to "grave and explicit threats of the use of force by the president of the United States of America against the Islamic Republic of Iran" and constitute a clear breach of international law.

Iravani called upon the UN Security Council to "unequivocally and strongly condemn the explicit threat of the use of force against Iran by the United States as a serious violation of the UN Charter."

He stated that these "provocative and escalatory statements threatening the use of force, directed against the Islamic Republic of Iran, constitute a manifest and flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, in particular Article 2(4), which unequivocally prohibits both the use and the threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State."

The letter emphasized that the seriousness of the threats must be assessed in light of "the unwarranted and unlawful aggression jointly carried out by the United States and the Israeli regime" against Iran between 13 and 24 June 2025.

On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked war against Iran, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians.

More than a week later, the United States also entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites in a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

On June 24, Iran, through its successful retaliatory operations against both the Israeli regime and the US, managed to impose a halt to the illegal assault.

"These statements do not constitute mere rhetoric," the letter stated, "but a renewed and explicit threat to continue an unlawful course of conduct based on an intent that would entail international responsibility for the United States."

Iravani further recalled that on 6 November 2025, Trump "openly acknowledged the responsibility and direct involvement of the United States in the June 2025 aggression."

The Iranian mission also censured the appearance of Trump alongside the Israeli prime minister, "an internationally indicted war criminal."

Iravani further slammed the US for providing unconditional support to and collaborating with Israel, "the sole possessor of nuclear weapons in West Asia," which it said represents a "persistent and blatant double standard," severely undermining regional and international security and constituting "a direct assault on the integrity of the global non-proliferation regime."

It rebuked Trump for seeking to threaten Iran while denying its "inherent NPT-enshrined rights" and its "legitimate sovereign right to the means essential for self-defense."

The letter expressed regret that such explicit threats were issued by "a nuclear-weapon state and depository of the NPT," which the letter said has a "long and consistent record of gross violations of its treaty obligations," including attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities of a non-nuclear-weapon state.

It also urged the UN to demand that the US immediately comply with its obligations under the UN Charter and international law, as well as "ceasing all threats or uses of force; and discharging its responsibilities as a permanent member of the council in a manner consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations."

"Failure to do so would not only further undermine international peace and security, but would also gravely erode the credibility, authority, and legitimacy of the Security Council itself, entrusted with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security," the letter underlined.

The letter reaffirmed Iran's "inherent and inalienable right to self-defense, adding that the country would exercise this right "decisively and proportionately" should its sovereignty, territorial integrity, people, or vital national interests be subjected to further acts of aggression.

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Netanyahu Says Iran Returning to Producing Ballistic Missiles, Developing Nuclear Program

Sputnik News

20251231

Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Iran of resuming the production of ballistic missiles and the development of nuclear program.

"They're going back to production [of missiles]. As far as the nuclear program, I think they're trying to do that. I'm not sure they decided to cross the line because, because I think they heed President Trump's warnings, and also because they've just experienced something, you know, less than a year ago, they saw what it entails," Netanyahu said in an interview to Fox News.

On June 13, 2025, Israel carried out surprise airstrikes targeting Iranian military sites and nuclear facilities, including Natanz, followed by Iranian retaliatory missile strikes on Israeli military targets, according to the report.

The escalation included US attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities, and Iran's Revolutionary Guard later announced a retaliatory strike on Al Udeid base in Qatar, before a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

 Sputnik

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Iran warns US threats against nuclear sites endanger IAEA credibility, NPT

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 01 January 2026 6:38 AM

Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva warns that normalizing US threats against its nuclear facilities will jeopardize the credibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In a letter to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on Wednesday, the mission said the US threat against Iran's peaceful nuclear program will have "severe consequences for the global non-proliferation regime."

"Normalizing such threats endangers the IAEA's credibility and undermines the international confidence built upon its verification work," the Iranian representative added.

It stressed the importance of condemning such "reckless acts" and holding their instigators fully accountable.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida on Monday, US President Donald Trump threatened to "eradicate" any attempt by Tehran to advance its nuclear program or bolster its ballistic missile capabilities.

"I hope they're not trying to build up again because if they are, we're going to have no choice but very quickly to eradicate that buildup," Trump claimed, adding that a future US assault "may be more powerful than the last time."

On Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a firm rebuttal to Trump's latest threat, vowing that any further aggression will be met with a crushing and "regret-inducing" response.

"The response of the Islamic Republic of Iran to any oppressive aggression will be severe and regret-inducing," Pezeshkian wrote in a message on the X social media platform.

The US joined the Israeli military aggression against Iran in June, striking three nuclear sites in the country.

Trump attempted to justify the aggression by repeating unverified claims that Iran could develop nuclear weapons within two months.

These assertions fly in the face of repeated confirmations from the IAEA and Iranian officials that the nation's nuclear program is peaceful and intended for energy and medical advancement.

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Israeli paper reveals high cost of new laser air defense system

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 31 December 2025 9:03 AM

Israel's new laser-based air defense system, marketed as a low-cost alternative to missile interceptors, is actually far more expensive than previously acknowledged, an Israeli paper reveals.

According to a report published by the Hebrew-language financial daily Calcalist on Wednesday, the true cost of deploying Israel's Iron Beam laser air defense systemknown as "Or Eitan" in Hebrewamounts to tens of millions of dollars per unit, rather than the "few shekels per interception" often claimed by its developers.

The report further noted that each laser targeting and firing unit supplied to the Israeli military by the military firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems costs tens of millions of dollars, and is capable of covering only a 10-kilometer radius.

This means that protecting Israel would require the deployment of dozens or even hundreds of such systems, significantly increasing the overall cost.

From the beginning, military planners and engineers were aware that operating a high-power laser defense network would be technically complex, logistically demanding, and financially burdensome, Calcalist reported.

Despite being presented as a revolutionary way to reduce interception costs, the infrastructure required to make the system effective was never inexpensive.

During the system's long development phase, Rafael and Israel's ministry of military affairs consistently argued that the laser system would sharply lower the cost of intercepting rockets, drones, and other aerial threats, comparing it favorably to the Iron Dome's Tamir interceptor missiles, each of which costs more than $50,000 per launch.

However, the report highlighted that while the cost per laser firing may indeed be low, this figure obscures the far more significant expense: the high price of the laser hardware itself, particularly the targeting devices using high-energy beams to destroy incoming projectiles.

The exact price of each laser unit has not been publicly disclosed by Rafael, but based on the limited operational range and the scale of coverage required, the total cost of nationwide deployment would be extremely high, the newspaper added.

The report further emphasized that the laser system should not be viewed as a near-term replacement or even a full complement to the Iron Dome, adding that given its current range limitations and the number of units required for effective coverage, the technology is not yet positioned to provide comprehensive protection for Israel.

Israel formally fielded its first operational Iron Beam high-power laser air defense system in late December 2025.

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Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, interacted with the participants of the 18th National Workshop on Balochistan at General Headquarters (GHQ).

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - December 31, 2025

No PR-439/2025-ISPR

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, interacted with the participants of the 18th National Workshop on Balochistan at General Headquarters (GHQ). The workshop focused on exploring Balochistan's socio-economic development and its strategic importance for Pakistan.

During his address, the COAS & CDF appreciated the resilience and patriotism of the people of Balochistan while highlighting Balochistan's pivotal importance for Pakistan's prosperity and development. He lauded the wide ranging initiatives being undertaken by the federal and provincial governments, underscoring a people-centric approach that aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of the province and unlock its vast economic potential for the benefit of its people.

The COAS & CDF acknowledged the constructive role of civil society, particularly in debunking propaganda, and highlighted their crucial part in driving sustainable development. He stressed the importance of rejecting vested political agendas to ensure that Balochistan's future is shaped by long-term prosperity for all its residents.

Highlighting the security challenges, the COAS & CDF remarked that Indian-sponsored proxies continue to propagate violence and disrupt development in Balochistan. He reaffirmed that such inimical designs will be thwarted through stern actions by Security Focres to rid the province of terrorism and unrest.

Reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to regional peace and stability, the COAS & CDF also emphasized that any violation of Pakistan's territorial integrity, whether direct or indirect, will be met with a firm and decisive response. Pakistan Armed Forces remain committed to protect the lives and well-being of its citizens.

The session concluded with a candid interactive Q&A, where the COAS & CDF answered questions and provided further insights into ongoing efforts for Balochistan's development and security.

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Telephone conversation with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

December 31, 2025

11:45

Emomali Rahmon strongly condemned the unprecedented Ukrainian drone attack targeting the Russian President's official residence in the Novgorod Region overnight into December 29. It was noted that this flagrant provocation occurred in the middle of robust engagements between Russia and the United States aiming to find a peaceful solution for the Ukraine crisis.

After sharing opinions on this reckless act by the Kiev regime, the leaders exchanged cordial New Year's greetings.

They also discussed regional issues in light of the recent developments in Afghanistan.

The leaders confirmed their mutual commitment to further strengthening the strategic partnership and allied relationship between Russia and Tajikistan.

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Wang Yi: Any Attempt at Blocking China's Reunification Cause is Doomed to Fail

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 30, 2025 14:00

On December 30, 2025, at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated, "The Taiwan question is China's internal affair and it is at the heart of China's core interests. In the face of the repeated provocations from the "Taiwan independence" forces and the large-scale arms sales of the United States to Taiwan, it is only natural that we firmly oppose them and take forceful countermeasures. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's return to the motherland. Realizing complete national reunification is a lawful action of safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a historical mission that we must fulfill. We are seeing more and more countries stand with China. They not only reaffirm their commitment to the one-China principle and recognize Taiwan as China's territory, but also unequivocally oppose all separatist activities for "Taiwan independence" and support China's reunification cause. Any attempt at blocking the overriding trend of history is doomed to fail."

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Statement on late December 2025 large-scale PLA exercises around Taiwan

Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

31 December 2025

Category: International relations

China's military and coast guard exercises around Taiwan are deeply concerning, destabilising and risk inflaming regional tensions.

Australia strongly opposes any actions that increase the risk of accident, miscalculation or escalation.

Differences should be managed through dialogue, not the use of force or coercion.

Australia opposes any unilateral action to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Peace and stability are in all our interests.

Australian officials have raised concerns with Chinese counterparts.

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EU, UK, Philippines express concern over China's latest drills

ROC Central News Agency

12/31/2025 12:06 PM

Taipei, Dec. 31 (CNA) The European Union and several countries in East Asia, including Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, have voiced concerns over the latest Chinese live-fire military drills held near Taiwan and urged restraint to avoid escalating tensions.

In a statement Tuesday, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic service, charged that China's action "further increases cross-strait tensions and endangers international peace and stability."

"Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are of strategic importance for regional and global security and prosperity. We reiterate our calls to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that may further escalate tensions, which should be resolved through cross-strait dialogue," the EEAS statement said.

Some EU members, including Germany and France, issued similar statements through their foreign ministries.

The German federal government called for "restraint and dialogue," adding that "any change to the status quo must occur only peacefully and by mutual agreement."

France expressed concern about "the scale of Chinese military exercises near Taiwan and urged all sides to refrain from escalation in order to preserve peace and stability in the region."

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, via its Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, said it did not support "any unilateral attempts to change the status quo or any activity that risks destabilising it."

Japan, South Korea and the Philippines issued similar responses.

Japan's Kyodo News reported that Tokyo told Beijing on Monday that it expected issues related to Taiwan to be resolved peacefully through dialogue.

South Korea called on Tuesday for "peace and stability" to prevail in the Taiwan Strait.

Foreign ministry spokesman Park Il said Seoul hoped "cross-strait relations will develop peacefully through dialogue and cooperation".

Meanwhile, the Philippines top envoy to Taiwan, Corazon A. Padiernos, said in a statement Tuesday that Manila was watching the drills around Taiwan and stood ready to assist Filipinos in Taiwan as needed and advised them to remain calm.

"Developments that raise the risk of tension, miscalculation, or conflict in the Taiwan Strait and the wider region are deeply worrying, particularly given their potential impact on regional stability, trade routes, and the safety and livelihood of the many Filipinos residing and working in Taiwan," it said.

"We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid escalatory actions, and keep communication channels open."

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung () has expressed Taiwan's gratitude to all of its partners around the world for voicing their concerns.

Taiwan's military on Tuesday said the People's Liberation Army (PLA) fired 27 rockets during the second day of its latest military drill near Taiwan, with 10 landing at sea within Taiwan's 24-nautical mile contiguous zone, making it the closest Chinese live-fired armaments have come to Taiwan.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ls

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Companies across China ramp up efforts to intensity production

Xinhua) 10:20, January 01, 2026

A drone photo shows several large vessels under construction at a shipbuilding company in Gaogang District of Taizhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 27, 2025. As the year draws to a close, companies across the country are ramping up efforts, intensifying production to make a final push. (Photo by Zhou Shegen/Xinhua)

A staff member works on a production line at a textile company in an industrial park in Hengyang, central China's Hunan Province, Dec. 31, 2025. As the year draws to a close, companies across the country are ramping up efforts, intensifying production to make a final push. (Photo by Cao Zhengping/Xinhua)

Staff members inspect the quality of bottled juice at a workshop in Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 31, 2025. As the year draws to a close, companies across the country are ramping up efforts, intensifying production to make a final push. (Photo by Ni Lifang/Xinhua)

A drone photo shows several large vessels under construction in Jiangdu District, Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 31, 2025. As the year draws to a close, companies across the country are ramping up efforts, intensifying production to make a final push. (Photo by Ren Fei/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo shows cargo ships loading and unloading containers at the container terminal at Lianyungang Port, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 31, 2025. As the year draws to a close, companies across the country are ramping up efforts, intensifying production to make a final push. (Photo by Wang Chun/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Dec. 31, 2025 shows China-made construction machinery being loaded onto a vessel for export to Indonesia at Yantai Port in east China's Shandong. As the year draws to a close, companies across the country are ramping up efforts, intensifying production to make a final push. (Photo by Tang Ke/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Wu Chaolan)
KABUL, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan's national procurement commission has approved 29 projects valued at 18.5 billion afghanis (around 280 million U.S. dollars), the office of the deputy prime minister for economic affairs announced in a statement late Wednesday.

The commission, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, reviewed 44 proposed procurement projects across various sectors, ultimately certifying 29 of them.

Key approved initiatives include expanding cement production capacity in eastern Parwan province, constructing an iron processing plant for the Hajigak mine in central Bamyan province, building a 225-megawatt thermal power plant, erecting hospitals in 11 provinces, completing remaining work on 100-bed hospitals in Panjshir and Daykundi provinces, and implementing electricity transmission and distribution projects in multiple provinces, the statement said.

Separately, Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid announced on Wednesday that the commission has endorsed a total of 562 development and infrastructure projects worth around 2 billion nationwide over the past year. 
PLA framed drills to limit U.S. response, erode belief in U.S.: Analysts

ROC Central News Agency

12/31/2025 03:36 PM

Washington, Dec. 30 (CNA) China's recent military exercises around Taiwan were deliberately timed and framed to provoke only a minimal response from the United States, hurt U.S. credibility, and punish Taiwan for buying weapons from Washington, U.S.-based analysts said Tuesday.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) held two days of military drills code-named "Justice Mission-2025" on Monday and Tuesday (Taipei time), in areas surrounding Taiwan that included live-fire drills in five designated maritime and airspace zones on the second day.

They were notable in that several PLA Navy vessels and Chinese coast guard ships briefly entered waters within Taiwan's 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone, raising the stakes in its campaign of intimidation.



CNA graphic CNA graphic

Ryan Fedasiuk, a former U.S. State Department China policy adviser now at the American Enterprise Institute, said the drills served three purposes, beginning with Beijing's effort to re-frame exercises it would have conducted anyway as retaliation for recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian () described the drills as "severe punishment" for forces seeking Taiwan independence and criticized Washington for "arming Taiwan," referring to US$11 billion in arms sales it approved for Taiwan earlier this month.

Fedasiuk said the timing, 11 days after the arms sale announcement, was designed to portray the drills as a "justified" countermeasure to U.S. provocation, even though the sale was a routine implementation of U.S. policy under the Taiwan Relations Act.

Second, Fedasiuk said, the exercises were "timed to provoke minimum U.S. response."

Holding the drills during the U.S. holiday period "ensured Washington would struggle to coordinate an immediate reply," Fedasiuk said.

But Beijing also understood "that [U.S. President Donald] Trump is committed to maintaining what the administration calls a 'mutually beneficial economic relationship with China' and hesitant to jeopardize hard-won stability ahead of his state visit in April," he said.

Third, Beijing is likely to use Washington's muted response to "undermine global confidence in U.S. resolve," Fedasiuk said.

Its message to Taiwan "is that resistance is futile, American support conditional, and accommodation with Beijing inevitable," he said.

Richard Bush, former chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan and now a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said China's primary motivation was to "punish Taiwan for making larger arms purchases from the United States."

Bush said Beijing hopes Taiwan's people "will feel less secure because of the Taiwan government's actions, not more."

The exercises also allowed the PLA to prepare for a potential military campaign against Taiwan, Bush said.

He was not sure, however, if Beijing was also motivated by comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that if Taiwan were attacked, it would be a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan that Tokyo would have to respond to.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said it activated an emergency response center and launched combat-readiness drills, adding that PLA naval and coast guard vessels briefly entered waters within Taiwan's 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone and were closely monitored.

Trump said Monday he was aware of the exercises but not concerned, noting China has conducted naval drills in the region for years.

(By Elaine Hou and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/ls

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High Court upholds acquittal of Ma Ying-jeou in KMT assets sale

ROC Central News Agency

12/31/2025 08:47 PM

Taipei, Dec. 31 (CNA) Taiwan's High Court on Wednesday upheld the acquittal of former President Ma Ying-jeou () over the disposal of Kuomintang (KMT) assets during his tenure as party chairman about two decades ago, ruling that prosecutors presented insufficient evidence to support the breach of trust charge.

Ma, along with Chang Che-chen () and Wang Hai-ching () -- two key KMT figures involved in managing the party's sale of BCC News Radio, China Television and Central Motion Picture as well as its old Taipei headquarters building in 2005 and 2006 -- was indicted in 2018 for breach of trust and irregular transactions.

In 2021, the Taipei District Court acquitted all three, saying Ma held no managerial role at the KMT's Central Investment Co., the parent company that managed the party's assets, and evidence presented by prosecutors against Chang and Wang was insufficient.

The High Court on Wednesday rejected the appeal against the lower court's ruling filed by prosecutors, but the decision can still be appealed to the Supreme Court.

The prosecutors' indictment centered on transactions carried out at below-market prices to benefit buyers, including Yu Chien-hsin (), then owner of the China Times Group, and Jaw Shau-kong (), a political commentator, among others.

The transactions led to a NT$7.2 billion (US$229.3 million) loss for Central Investment Co., including NT$1.5 billion related to the sale of BCC to Jaw, according to the prosecutors.

On Wednesday, the High Court ruled that, after reviewing Central Investment Co.'s decision-making process as well as the transaction structures and terms, it was difficult to determine whether the deals were tailor-made for the buyers or detrimental to Central Investment Co. and other KMT investment companies.

The Taiwan High Prosecutors Office said it would consider appealing the ruling.

A statement issued by Ma's office stated that Ma was very pleased with the ruling and thanked the judges for handling the case fairly, which cleared his name.

The matter originated from a 2006 lawsuit filed by You Si-kun (), then chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), with the Black Gold Investigation Center of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, the predecessor of the now-disbanded Special Investigations Division that handled high-profile corruption cases.

The Special Investigations Division closed its investigation in 2014 without bringing any charges, but the Taipei District Prosecutors Office reopened the case in 2017, following new evidence provided by the public and the Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee, an entity established by the DPP government in 2006 to reclaim KMT assets.

In the statement, Ma's office said the case was launched by the DPP, with certain media outlets and prosecutors targeting him for years, but the ruling on Wednesday ultimately proved his innocence.

(By Lin Chang-shun, Liu Kuan-ting and Shih Hsiu-chuan)

Enditem/AW

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Taiwan military remains on alert as China says drills concluded

ROC Central News Agency

12/31/2025 10:05 PM

Taipei, Dec. 31 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Wednesday it remains on alert after China announced that its People's Liberation Army (PLA) had concluded military drills around Taiwan.

Given the continued presence of a considerable number of Chinese aircraft and vessels within Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), the MND said Taiwan's military has finished adjusting its joint-service deployments and is maintaining its capability to respond appropriately.

"China's repeated acts of military intimidation threaten regional security and stability and have drawn condemnation from democratic partners in the international community," the MND said in a statement after PLA Eastern Theater Command Spokesman Li Xi () announced at 6 p.m. that the "Justice Mission-2025" exercises had ended.

"Taiwan's armed forces will continue to respond in a calm, measured and controlled manner, resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty, democratic freedoms, and the lives and property of the people," the MND said.

The Eastern Theater Command said Monday that the drills would be conducted in the Taiwan Strait and areas north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan, with live-fire exercises held Tuesday in five designated zones near the island. The drills were meant to serve as a "stern warning to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces," according to PLA officials.

The MND said Tuesday that the PLA fired 27 rockets during the second day of the drills, with 10 landing in waters within Taiwan's 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone, the closest ever Chinese live-fire activity to Taiwan.

Taiwan's military detected 17 PLA naval vessels and 77 military aircraft operating around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday. Of the 77 warplanes, 35 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, according to MND figures.

On Wednesday, President Lai Ching-te () said that China's latest drills around Taiwan were not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of escalating coercion.

Speaking at a promotion ceremony for senior military officers, Lai said China's authoritarian expansion has increased the risk to regional stability and affected global shipping, trade and peace.

The European Union, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia and several Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, have voiced concern over China's drills near Taiwan and urged restraint to avoid further escalation.

(By Yeh Su-ping and Lee Hsin-Yin)

Enditem/AW

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Taiwan lacks effective rocket interception capability: Experts

ROC Central News Agency

12/31/2025 01:08 PM

Taipei, Dec. 31 (CNA) Taiwan lacks effective and relatively cost-efficient armaments to intercept rockets, making Taiwan's planned "T-Dome" interception system necessary, two experts said Tuesday.

The concerns were raised after China's military fired two waves of rockets during live-fire drills around Taiwan on Tuesday, part of two-day exercises code-named "Justice Mission-2025."

The first wave involved 17 rockets launched at 9 a.m. from Pingtan in China's Fujian Province, according to Lt. Gen. Hsieh Jih-sheng () of the Office of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Intelligence at Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense.



CNA graphic CNA graphic

Those rockets landed 70 nautical miles northeast of Keelung City without flying over Taiwan, Hsieh said at a news conference Tuesday evening.

The second wave involved 10 rockets launched at 1 p.m. from Shishi in Fujian Province, which landed 50 nautical miles west of Tainan, Hsieh said.

Chieh Chung (), an associate research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), said the PCH-191 rocket system used by China in the drills has a maximum range of 280 kilometers, capable of striking most of western Taiwan.

Chieh said the rockets have "some precision characteristics" and can serve as a lower-cost option for large-volume joint firepower output compared with ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, but Taiwan currently lacks suitable interception systems for such rockets.

That is why Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te () is promoting the "T-Dome" to build interception systems capable of defending against rockets as a form of forward deployment, he said.

Lai announced that Taiwan would build the system during his public address on Oct. 10., Taiwan's National Day.

Lin Ying-yu (), an associate professor at Tamkang University's Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, said the mobility of military equipment is critical.

He said many newer systems, including the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system, the M109A7 howitzer and new Air Force radar systems, are mobile but require reinforced or underground shelters to improve survivability.

(By Matt Yu and James Thompson)

Enditem/ls

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PLA's exercises 'stern warning' to Taiwan secessionists and external interfering forces: Taiwan Affairs Office

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Dec 31, 2025 11:13 AM

In response to media inquiry over the latest "Justice Mission 2025" joint military drills conducted by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command, which have drawn considerable attention and triggered strong reactions on the island of Taiwan, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhang Han said on Wednesday that the PLA's military operations constitute a stern warning to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and to external forces interfering in China's internal affairs. They are necessary and just measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Zhang noted that the Lai Ching-te authorities are pursuing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, engaging in unprincipled ingratiation with foreign forces and the outright betrayal of Taiwan's interests, even at the cost of the island's economic development and people's well-being.

She said the Lai authorities are recklessly charging down a dangerous path of colluding with external forces to seek "independence" and make provocations, and pursuing aggressive militarization. Such actions gravely undermine cross-Straits relations, seriously threaten peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, and severely damage the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation as well as the vital interests of Taiwan compatriots.

We will never tolerate or condone any "Taiwan independence" separatist behavior, we will strike it decisively and forcefully, Zhang stressed.

Zhang said that any external forces attempting to intervene in the Taiwan question or interfere in China's internal affairs will inevitably crash against the ironclad defense of the PLA and get their heads bashed.

The historical momentum toward national reunification is irresistible. No one should underestimate China's resolute determination, unwavering will, and formidable capability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, she added.

Zhang further stated that compatriots on both sides of the Straits are one family. These military operations are directed solely at "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference. Their purpose is to deter "Taiwan independence" forces from colluding with external powers to destabilize the Taiwan Straits, thereby fundamentally protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the core interests of the Chinese nation and the immediate well-being of Taiwan compatriots. They are in no way aimed at the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots.

We hope that the overwhelming majority of Taiwan compatriots will clearly recognize the extreme danger and harm of the Lai Ching-te authorities' "Taiwan independence" separatist path, stand with us in firmly opposing "Taiwan independence" separatism and foreign interference, safeguard our shared homeland of the Chinese nation, and jointly forge a bright future of national reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Zhang added.

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China lodges stern representations over Japan, Australia and certain European countries' irresponsible remarks on PLA exercises around Taiwan island

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Dec 31, 2025 04:14 PM

In response to public expressions of concern by Japan, Australia, EU institutions, and certain European countries regarding Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA)'s exercises around the Taiwan Island, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a regular press conference on Wednesday that China firmly opposes this and has lodged stern representations.

Lin said that these countries and institutions have turned a deaf ear to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces' attempts to seek "independence" through forces and turned a blind eye to external forces' interference in China's internal affairs. Yet, they make irresponsible comments on China's necessary actions to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, inverting right and wrong and confusing truth with falsehood. "This is utterly hypocritical."

The spokesperson said that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, brooking no interference from any external forces.

He added that the most fundamental status quo in the Taiwan Straits is that both sides belong to one and the same China. The greatest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits comes from "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and the indulgence and support of external forces.

The spokesperson emphasized that the one-China principle is a universal consensus in the international community and a basic norm governing international relations. It serves as the political foundation for China to develop relations with the 183 countries around the world that have established diplomatic relations with China.

Japan, Australia, and European countries made solemn political commitments on this matter when establishing diplomatic ties with China, said Lin, "We strongly urge the aforementioned countries and institutions to strictly abide by the one-China principle, cease interfering in China's internal affairs, and stop condoning or supporting 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities," Lin said.

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PLA conducts long-range live-fire drills to north and south of Taiwan island

Global Times

Exercises demonstrate strong capability to seize comprehensive control of Taiwan Straits: expert

By GT staff reporters Published: Dec 31, 2025 12:15 AM

The "Justice Mission 2025" joint military drills continued into the second day on Tuesday.

On Tuesday the PLA Eastern Theater Command deployed destroyers, frigates, fighters and bombers to conduct drills on subjects of identification and verification, warning and expulsion, simulated strikes, assault on maritime targets, as well as anti-air and anti-submarine operations in the waters to the north and south of Taiwan island. The drills tested the capabilities of sea-air coordination and integrated blockade and control, according to a statement released by the Eastern Theater Command.

According to Li Xi, spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command, at 9 am, the ground forces of the PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted long-range live fire drills in the waters to the north of Taiwan island. And at 1 pm the ground forces of the PLA Eastern Theater Command organized live fire training, while conducting simulated long-range joint strike with units of the Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force in the waters to the south of the Taiwan Island. Both drills achieved desired effects.

In response to media inquiries over the US leader's claim that the drills do not worry him, seeing them as continuation of China's previous military exercises, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The military drills by the PLA are a punitive and deterrent action against separatist forces who seek 'Taiwan independence' through military buildup, and a necessary move to safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

All rockets hit targets

A video released by the PLA Eastern Theater Command showed that long-range modularized rocket systems conducted live-fire shooting exercises in the morning. All rockets hit their targets, according to the video.

In the afternoon at around 3:30 pm, the PLA Eastern Theater Command announced that it had dispatched task forces comprised of amphibious assault ships, destroyers, frigates and unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct drills in the waters to the east of Taiwan island, focusing on subjects of all-dimensional force projection, breaching and raid by elite forces, as well as seizure of key ports. The drills tested capabilities of task force coordination, systemic operations and precision strikes on key targets.

National Defense University professor Zhang Chi told the Global Times on Tuesday that the biggest feature of this exercise is the integrated linkage between inner and outer lines, with forces and firepower maximizing distant control over the enemy.

He said that in terms of timing, this exercise combines blockaded drills and strikes. The exercises on Monday focused mainly on blockading, emphasizing the shaping of a joint encirclement of the island and multidimensional isolation. Participating troops practiced approaching Taiwan island from multiple directions and seizing control of sea and air dominance in key areas. The exercises on Tuesday focused mainly on strikes, emphasizing live-fire attacks to reinforce the blockade, which is the centerpiece of the exercises.

In terms of spatial arrangement, this exercise integrates inner and outer operations, with three orientations worth noting. First is nearshore. China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels conducted comprehensive law enforcement patrols in waters near Matsu and Wuqiu islands. Second is Taiwan island. Participating troops continued to press in and blockade Taiwan island, particularly overseeing and deterring key passages and areas around it. Third is east of Taiwan island. Participating troops conducted exercises in sea and air spaces east of Taiwan island on subjects such as strikes against maritime targets, regional air superiority, submarine search and anti-submarine operations. Bomber formations coordinated with amphibious assault ship formations in ship-aircraft synergy, conducting exercises on strikes against sea targets and long-range raids, Zhang noted.

"Through this series of exercises, we have demonstrated our strong capability to seize comprehensive control of the Taiwan Straits, forming a powerful deterrent against 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and external interfering forces," Zhang said.

Also on Tuesday, the CCG continued to organize task forces to carry out comprehensive law enforcement patrols in the waters off Taiwan island and the Matsu and Wuqiu islands. The CCG, in conjunction with the Global Times, released the "Throat-choking" poster, demonstrating the CCG's capability to control key maritime areas and seize dangerous targets.

Powerful deterrent

Taiwan-based media have been closely monitoring the Chinese mainland's exercises. In multiple reports, they have noted the details in the poster that depict the CCG intercepting a Taiwan cargo vessel carrying HIMARS rocket launchers, and have also paid attention to the new advanced weaponry deployed by the mainland this time.

As the PLA Eastern Theater Command released a video with view of Taipei 101 during military drills on Monday, a prophecy made by Su Chi, former head of the Taiwan authorities' so-called "national security council," from a year ago has been dug up again by netizens and is sparking heated discussions online.

In a political program on TVBS in December 2024, Su claimed that his most feared scenario is mainland military aircraft flying over Taiwan airspace. He said that if PLA aircraft conduct a night flight over Taiwan and take a photo of the Taipei 101 building, Taiwan would be utterly incapable of stopping it.

Citing data from Taiwan's local civil aviation department, the udn.com reported on Tuesday that the PLA military exercise zones have effectively blockaded nearly all of Taiwan island, with 941 flights affected on Monday.

Lu Shiow-yen, a KMT politician who serves as mayor of Taichung City, on Tuesday urged Lai Ching-te to prioritize the people's well-being and peace, and to swiftly resolve the cross-Straits impasse rather than continuing with confrontation, according to udn.com. The media outlet noted that the latest PLA drills mark the fourth of their kind since Lai took office.

According to a poll released by pro-DPP media outlet my-formosa.com on the island on Monday, Taiwan residents' public dissatisfaction with Lai Ching-te has exceeded 50 percent for six consecutive months, with 52.2 percent of respondents expressing dissatisfaction in the December poll. Additionally, 48.3 percent of respondents expressed distrust toward Lai, the China Times reported.

Multiple major Japanese media outlets continued to follow the second day of the drills closely. Nikkei Shimbun claimed on Tuesday that the drills' aim is to deter the Lai authorities and prevent intervention by Japan and the US in a potential "Taiwan contingency."

NHK and Jiji Press said the live-fire exercise is seen as aiming to restrain and intensify pressure on the Lai authorities.

Jiji Press also highlighted that on the second day of the drills, live-fire shooting was conducted from mainland coastal areas, with rounds impacting northern waters off Taiwan island and other areas. The report claimed that the northern side faces directly offshore from Taipei, where Lai works, intensifying pressure on the Lai authorities.

Japan News reported on Tuesday that a senior Defense Ministry official claimed on Monday that Japan would stay vigilant and keep a close watch on the situation.

When asked for comment on the drills by CBS News, the Pentagon said it has "nothing to offer on that." CBS News has also reached out to the White House for comment.

Reuters on Tuesday cited Lyle Goldstein, Asia program director at US-based think tank Defense Priorities, as saying that mainland "not only has vast numerical superiority, it now has qualitative superiority across the board in weaponry and probably in training as well."

Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Monday that the seen from reaction of Washington and Tokyo, the administrations of the US and Japan are just keen on using the Taiwan authorities as a strategic pawn, stirring instability and crisis in the region to profit from it, yet they would unhesitatingly abandon this pawn the moment real conflict erupts.

The US and Japanese governments are fully aware that, with their current military capabilities, achieving a clear military victory in Taiwan Straits against the Chinese mainland today, is unrealistic, Li Haidong added.

Taiwan-based media noted that amid the PLA drills, Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, met with nearly 200 representatives from the Taiwan business community.

Song said that the motherland firmly grasps the dominance and initiative in cross-Straits relations, resolutely promotes the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and relentlessly advances the great cause of national reunification. Song also called Taiwan business community to firmly oppose "Taiwan independence" secession and external interference, according to udn.com.

"From the mainland's actions, it can be seen that this military exercise is precisely targeted at 'Taiwan independence' secessionists," Li Haidong said, adding that the mainland has consistently adopted an open and inclusive stance toward forces that support reunification and promote cross-Straits integrated development.

The expert added that in its policy toward Taiwan, the mainland has demonstrated a clear trend of "being tougher on the tough" and "softer on the soft." With this responsible approach, the mainland is promoting reunification in a manner that minimizes costs and maximizes benefits for both sides of the Straits.

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Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania regarding China's military exercises around Taiwan

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2025-12-31

China's recent military exercises escalate cross-Strait tensions and threaten international peace and security. The Taiwan Strait remains strategically important for regional and global security. Lithuania urges restraint from displays of force and unilateral actions that could alter the status quo. All differences must be addressed through peaceful dialogue in line of international law.

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Xi says China's reunification is unstoppable

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 19:15, December 31, 2025

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a bond of blood and kinship.

"The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable," Xi said as he delivered his 2026 New Year message in Beijing.

On Hong Kong and Macao, Xi said the policy of "one country, two systems" should be unswervingly implemented and the two special administrative regions are supported to better integrate into the overall development of the country and maintain long-term prosperity and stability.

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Mainland coast guard operations safeguard navigation safety: spokesperson

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:35, December 31, 2025

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday that the recent operations by the mainland coast guard are aimed at maintaining normal navigation order and safeguarding the lives and property of fishermen on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Zhang Han, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, reiterated that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, and that Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu are all part of China, with so-called "prohibited or restricted waters" not existing, when responding to a media query.

Zhang said that for a long time, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities have ignored the historical and factual reality of fishermen from both sides of the Strait working together in traditional fishing grounds.

They have arbitrarily detained or treated mainland fishing vessels and crews in dangerous and rough ways, posing navigational risks and seriously threatening the lives and property of fishermen, the spokesperson added.

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An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 1, 2026 shows people gathering on the Galata Bridge to show solidarity with Palestine in Istanbul, Turkiye. More than half a million people rallied in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul on New Year's Day to show solidarity with Gaza. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

ISTANBUL, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- More than half a million people rallied in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul on New Year's Day to show solidarity with Gaza.

The demonstration was organized by the Humanity Alliance and the National Will Platform, a coalition of civil society groups, under the slogan "We will not retreat, we will not remain silent, we will not forget Palestine." Around 400 civil society organizations took part in the rally. According to police, the number of participants was estimated at about 520,000.

Bilal Erdogan, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Ilim Yayma Foundation, an educational and cultural foundation, told reporters that demonstrators welcomed the New Year with prayers for Palestine.

Participants initially gathered at several of the city's most historic mosques, including the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and the Sultanahmet Mosque, before marching through the streets and converging on the Galata Bridge spanning the Golden Horn.

A giant banner reading "Justice for Gaza" in both Turkish and English was displayed at the center of the bridge, alongside Turkish and Palestinian flags.

Some demonstrators also joined the rally from the sea, arriving by boats on the Bosphorus, where they lit flares and waved Palestinian flags.

The event also featured performances by internationally known artists and musicians.

Despite a ceasefire taking effect on Oct. 10 after two years of war, Israel has continued attacks in Gaza, where health authorities say more than 400 Palestinians have been killed. 

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 1, 2026 shows people gathering on the Galata Bridge to show solidarity with Palestine in Istanbul, Turkiye. More than half a million people rallied in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul on New Year's Day to show solidarity with Gaza. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 1, 2026 shows people gathering on the Galata Bridge to show solidarity with Palestine in Istanbul, Turkiye. More than half a million people rallied in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul on New Year's Day to show solidarity with Gaza. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 1, 2026 shows people gathering on the Galata Bridge to show solidarity with Palestine in Istanbul, Turkiye. More than half a million people rallied in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul on New Year's Day to show solidarity with Gaza. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
PLA drills a stern warning to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, external interference: spokesperson

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:31, December 31, 2025

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The latest military drills conducted by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) around Taiwan Island were a stern warning to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference, said a mainland spokesperson on Wednesday.

The drills were a necessary and just move to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Zhang Han, a spokesperson for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference.

Zhang made the remarks in response to a media inquiry regarding drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" around Taiwan Island, which were conducted by multiple forces of the PLA Eastern Theater Command on Monday and Tuesday.

The Lai Ching-te authorities' pursuit of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities constitutes a provocative attempt to seek independence in collusion with external forces, Zhang noted.

The separatist activities seriously undermine cross-Strait relations, gravely threaten peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and severely harm the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation as well as the vital interests of Taiwan compatriots, said the spokesperson.

Any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist activity will never be tolerated and will be met with resolute countermeasures, Zhang noted.

She stressed that Taiwan is China's Taiwan, and any external forces that attempt to interfere in the Taiwan question or in China's internal affairs will inevitably run into the ironclad defense of the Chinese PLA.

The historical trend toward national reunification is unstoppable, and no one should underestimate China's firm resolve, unwavering will, or strong capability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Zhang.

"Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are members of one and the same family," said the spokesperson.

The relevant military actions are directed solely at "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference, and are by no means aimed at the vast majority of Taiwan compatriots, she added.

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DND chief expresses concern over Chinese military activities in Taiwan

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

December 31, 2025, 4:40 pm

MANILA -- The Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday expressed its concern over the series of Chinese military and coast guard activities around Taiwan.

In a statement, DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said such actions "undermine regional peace and stability" and are "creating cracks in an already fragile geopolitical environment."

"This heightened scale of coercion has implications that extend beyond cross-Strait relations and into the broader Indo-Pacific community," he added.

The Chinese military and coast guard activities Teodoro was referring to include the launching of missiles and fighter aircraft, as well as the maneuvering of naval vessels in Taiwanese territory.

Amid these developments, Teodoro said "[b]asic principles of self-restraint must be observed, and the rule of international law must not be distorted."

"The Philippines underscores the importance of upholding international law and regional norms, including the principles of peaceful management of disputes," he added.

The DND chief reaffirmed the Philippines' support for a free, open, stable and rules-based Indo-Pacific where differences are resolved through peaceful means without deception, coercion or intimidation. (PNA)

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Lithuania, Australia, New Zealand join outpouring of concern over China's drills

ROC Central News Agency

01/01/2026 12:19 PM

Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) Lithuania, Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday joined the many countries around the world that have voiced concerns over China's latest live-fire military drills around Taiwan, and they urged restraint to avoid escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said China's recent military exercises "escalate cross-Strait tensions and threaten international peace and security."

"The Taiwan Strait remains strategically important for regional and global security," the ministry said. "Lithuania urges restraint from displays of force and unilateral actions that could alter the status quo."

It said that bilateral differences must be addressed "through peaceful dialogue, in line with international law."

The Baltic state is one of several countries that have expressed worry about the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) live-fire exercises around Taiwan earlier this week, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, as well as the European Union.

On Wednesday, Australia and New Zealand also made statements on the issue, expressing similar concerns.

"Australia strongly opposes any actions that increase the risk of accident, miscalculation or escalation," the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

It also said that Australian officials have raised concerns with their Chinese counterparts over the issue.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a post on X that Wellington is calling for the "peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues through de-escalation and dialogue, and for the avoidance of actions that may undermine peace and stability."



CNA graphic CNA graphic

In response, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung () has expressed gratitude to all of Taiwan's partners around the world for voicing their concerns, his ministry said Thursday.

Lin thanked Lithuania and like-minded countries around the globe for "once again demonstrating support for peace and security across the Taiwan Strait and for articulating a clear position on maintaining a stable status quo across the Taiwan Strait," his ministry said.

Taiwan appreciates the close attention being paid by many countries to the Taiwan Strait situation, it added.

From Monday through Wednesday, the PLA carried out a massive military exercise, codenamed "Justice Mission-2025," in five maritime zones and in the airspace around Taiwan, saying it was a "stern warning to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces."

According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, the PLA on Tuesday fired 27 artillery rockets, with 10 landing in waters within Taiwan's 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone, the closest ever, since China began conducting live-fire drills near Taiwan in recent years.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/pc

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Chinese Embassy in Australia urges Canberra to abide by political commitments on Taiwan

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jan 01, 2026 02:12 PM

The Chinese Embassy in Australia on Thursday criticized a statement issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as distorting facts and confusing right and wrong and urged Australia to abide by its political commitments on Taiwan.

"The Chinese side strongly deplores and firmly opposes this, and has lodged solemn representations with the Australian side. The spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also stated China's solemn position," the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy said on its official website.

On Wednesday, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement, expressing concern over the PLA's recent military exercises around Taiwan island.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command on Monday launched large-scale joint military drills around Taiwan Island under the codename "Justice Mission 2025" to counter "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference.

Recently, the US, in violation of the one-China principle, the three China-US joint communiques, and commitments made by US leaders, announced a large-scale arms sale to Taiwan, emboldening the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces to seek independence through military buildup and US support, turning Taiwan into a "powder keg" and an "ammunition depot." "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference are the biggest unilateral actions changing the status quo across the Taiwan Straits. Their massive and desperate arms purchases further reveal their true nature as provocateurs, saboteurs of peace and warmongers, and deserve condemnation from all sides, the spokesperson said.

"Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and tolerates no external interference. The relevant military drills of the PLA are a serious warning to the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and external interference forces, and also a legitimate action to safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity," the spokesperson said.

"The One-China principle is the political foundation of China-Australia relations. China strongly urges Australia to abide by its political commitments, cease interfering in China's internal affairs, stop condoning 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities, and create a favorable environment for the healthy and stable development of China-Australia relations," added the spokesperson.

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Lithuania protests to Russia over continued war crimes committed by its forces in Ukraine

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2025-12-31

On 31 December, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania delivered a note of protest to the representative of the Russian Embassy regarding war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine.

On December 20, Russian Federation soldiers were recorded shooting three Ukrainian prisoners of war near the village of Huliaipole (Zaporizhia region, Ukraine). On December 27, a similar crime was committed against two Ukrainian prisoners of war near the village of Shakhovka (Donetsk region, Ukraine). A separate mention should be made of the war crime committed on December 21 this year in the city of Pokrovsk (Ukraine), where Russian soldiers executed seven civilians.

The note emphasizes that there is no statute of limitations for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and that concealing and covering up crimes will not help the perpetrators or the Russian political and military leadership that sent them to avoid responsibility.

This is the 27th protest note delivered by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Russia this year regarding its continued aggression against Ukraine and war crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians.

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Russia Hits Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure As Winter Cold Sets In

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service December 31, 2025

Russian forces continued to attack Ukrainian energy and civilian facilities as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new meetings with Kyiv's European allies later this week to discuss the latest developments in the process aimed at ending the war.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said national-security advisers from the so-called Coalition of the Willing countries would hold a meeting in Ukraine on January 3.

"Shortly after that, discussions will take place at the leaders' level. These meetings are necessary," Zelenskyy added, saying the leaders would meet on January 6.

Zelenskyy welcomed the "readiness" of a US team of negotiators to attend the meeting of the European-led coalition that has pledged to provide a viable postwar security plan for Ukraine.

"I am grateful to President [Donald] Trump's team for their readiness to participate in all effective formats," he said.

Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, on December 31 said he had a "productive" phone call with the national-security advisers of Britain, France, and Germany -- Kyiv's main European backers -- to discuss the peace process.

Witkoff said that participants also discussed a Ukrainian "prosperity package" and that Rustem Umerov, Kyiv's main negotiator, was also on the call, along with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner.

"We focused on how to move the discussions forward in a practical way on behalf of [Trump's] peace process, including strengthening security guarantees and developing effective deconfliction mechanisms to help end the war and ensure it does not restart," Witkoffwrote on social media.

Meanwhile, Romania and Croatia have announced that they are joining NATO's Prioritized Ukraine Requirements (PURL) initiative, contributing 50 million ($58.6 million) and 15 million ($17.5 million), respectively.

Zelenskyy thanked the two European countries for joining the PURL initiative, calling it an important effort that enables the purchase of US-made weapons and strengthens Ukraine's defense capabilities, including Patriot missiles.

Zelenskyy said that since the launch of the PURL initiative in August, 24 countries have joined, adding that the total amount of contributions has reached $4.3 billion, including nearly $1.5 billion in December alone.

As Kyiv seeks to consolidate support for a 20-point peace plan, Russian forces have continued to attack Ukrainian regions, targeting energy and civilian facilities.

Drone Attacks In Odesa Region

On December 31, regional authorities reported that six people were injured, including three children, as a result of a massive overnight Russian drone attack in the southern Odesa region.

The authorities said the strikes were deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure.

"These strikes are yet another example of the enemy's terrorist tactics, deliberately attacking civilian infrastructure in peaceful cities in the Odesa region, threatening people's lives and health," regional Governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram.

Ukraine's leading private energy provider, DTEK, said that Russian strikes overnight targeted two of its energy facilities in the Odesa region, causing extensive damage.

"The damage is significant. Restoring the equipment to working condition will take time," DTEK said in a statement.

According to DTEK, Russian forces have attacked 25 energy facilities across the Odesa region since the beginning of the year.

"There was one explosion, and then the blast wave slammed me against the wall," Olha, a resident of Odesa, told RFE/RL.

"I was at home with my dog, and [the blast wave] threw the dog across the room and I saw that a fire had started. Everything happens so fast that people don't even have time to [take shelter]," she added.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian drones injured two men, aged 84 and 52, according to the regional authorities.

"Two private houses were destroyed, and six more were damaged. A store and several cars were also affected. The gas pipeline and power line were also hit," the regional governor wrote on Telegram.

Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Russia has carried out more than 4,500 attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, according to government data.

The United Nations has warned that continued strikes on power and heating systems could pose severe humanitarian risks during the winter months, particularly for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and families with young children.

Ukraine Strikes Back At Russian Sites

Meanwhile, in Russia, local authorities reported that two people were injured in a drone attack on Russia's Black Sea port of Tuapse.

The strike damaged a port berth, oil refinery equipment, and several homes, according to the local authorities.

Ukraine's General Staff later confirmed the strike and said another oil terminal, on the Taman Peninsula in the Krasnodar region, had also been hit.

Separately, Ukraine's SBU domestic security service on December 31 said long-range drones hit the Temp oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk in the Yaroslavl region, sparking a large fire.

The oil depot is a key storage and distribution center in northeastern Russia.

Local authorities have not commented on the report. Ukraine has regularly used drones to hit sites -- often deep inside Russia -- that it says help fuel the Kremlin's war effort.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-ukraine-energy- zelenskyy-coalition-talks-strikes/33637111.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Briefing by Chief of the Air Defence Missile Forces of the Russian Aerospace Forces Major General Aleksandr Romanenkov

31 December 2025 04:23

At night, from 28 to 29 December 2025, the Kiev regime attempted to deliver a terrorist attack using a large number of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles at the residence of the President of the Russian Federation in Novgorod region.

Around 19.20 of 28 December 2025, radio-technical units of the Russian Aerospace Forces detected an aerial attack by fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles operating at extremely low altitudes from the territory of Sumy and Chernigov regions of Ukraine.

As the map shows, the enemy delivered the strike from several directions at the residence of the President of the Russian Federation over territory of Bryansk, Smolensk, Tver, and Novgorod regions by 91 unmanned aerial vehicles.

During the air defence battle, all Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed by Russian air defence troops and means.

I draw your attention to the map, which shows were Ukrainian UAVs were destroyed:

over the territory of Bryansk region  49 unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down:

from 20.27 to 21.16 of 28 December, two UAVs were destroyed;

from 23.15 of 28 December to 00.07 of 29 December, 17 UAVs were destroyed;

from 00.51 to 01.07 of 29 December, three UAVs were destroyed;

from 02.05 to 03.56 of 29 December, 27 UAVs were destroyed;

over the territory of Smolensk region, at 01.50 of 29 December 2025, one UAV was intercepted;

Over the territory of Novgorod region, air defence units of the Russian Air Defence Missile Forces shot down 41 Ukrainian UAVs:

from 03.18 to 05.01 of 29 December, 11 UAVs were shot down;

from 06.20 to 07.13 of 29 December, 12 UAVs were shot down;

from 07.46 to 08.30 of 29 December, 18 UAVs were shot down.

Anti-air missile systems, mobile fire teams, and electronic warfare means were engaged in repelling the massed strike over the territory of Bryansk, Smolensk, and Novgorod regions.

The composition of the strike, the amount of the air attack means used, and their movement from southern, southwestern, and western directions straight to the area of the residence of the President of the Russian Federation in Novgorod region, unequivocally confirm that the terrorist attack of the Kiev regime was deliberate, thoroughly planned, and organised in waves.

There were no casualties or damage as a result of actions to repel the terrorist attack of the Kiev regime on the territory of the Russian Federation. Any damage to the residence of the President of the Russian Federation has been prevented.

Anti-air missile system crews, air surveillance means of radio-technical units, mobile fire teams, and electronic warfare means completed their task cohesively, professionally, and effectively.

Air defence units of the Russian Aerospace Forces continue to perform their duty to defend the airspace of our country.

Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation

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Chief of General Staff of Russian Armed Forces inspects Sever Group of Forces

31 December 2025 00:15

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation  First Deputy Defence Minister General of the Army Valery Gerasimov inspected the course of combat tasks performed by formations and military units of the Sever Group of Forces.

During the visit to the command post, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces was briefed by the Group's commander Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov on the current situation in the area of responsibility as well as other formations' commanders and officials on the results of combat work.

While concluding the results of the work, the Chief of the General Staff noted that the Group successfully established a line of defence on the territory of Sumy and Kharkov regions of Ukraine.

Moreover, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov presented servicemen of the Sever Group of Forces, who distinguished themselves while performing combat tasks, with state awards. He thanked them for their courage and heroism, demonstrated in combat, and congratulated them on the coming New Year!

Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation

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Lukashenko Condemns Ukraine's 'Reckless Attack' on Putin's Residence

Sputnik News

20251231

A telephone conversation took place between Vladimir Putin and the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.

During the phone call, the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, strongly condemned the reckless attack by Ukrainian drones on the residence of the President of Russia in the Novgorod region.

It was emphasized that this cynical provocation occurred against the backdrop of ongoing Russian-American contacts aimed at peacefully resolving the crisis in Ukraine

After discussing the situation, the heads of state exchanged warm New Year greetings and expressed their best wishes to the brotherly peoples of the two countries.

 Sputnik

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Ukrainian Drones That Attacked Putin's Residence Took Off From Sumy and Chernigov Regions

Sputnik News

20251231

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukrainian drones that attacked Putin's residence took off from Sumy and Chernigov regions, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated.

Ukraine attempted the strike from multiple directions  drones were shot down over the territories of Bryansk, Smolensk, Tver, and Novgorod regions.

"The structure of the strike, the number of air attack assets involved and their actions from the southern, southwestern and western directions directly into the area of the Russian President's residence in the Novgorod Region unequivocally confirm that the terrorist attack by the Kiev regime was targeted, carefully planned and had a layered character," the ministry emphasized. From December 28 to 29, the Kiev regime attempted a terrorist attack with the mass use of long-range drones targeting the residence of the Russian President in the Novgorod Region using 91 drones.

At around 19:20 on December 28, 2025, the radio-technical units of the Aerospace Forces discovered an air attack using aircraft-type drones operating at extremely low altitudes, launched from the Sumy and Chernigov regions.

During the air defense battle, all Ukrainian drones were destroyed by Russian forces and air defense system, the ministry said.

Over Bryansk region - 49 drones were destroyed:

From 20:27 to 21:16 on December 28, 2 drones were destroyed

From 23:15 on December 28 to 00:07 on December 29, 17 drones were shot down

From 00:51 to 01:07 on December 29, 3 drones were destroyed

From 02:05 to 03:56 on December 29, 27 drones were shot down

Over Smolensk region, at 01:50 on December 29, 1 UAV was intercepted

Over Novgorod region, air defense missile units shot down 41 Ukrainian drones:

From 03:18 to 05:01 on December 29, 11 drones were destroyed

From 06:20 to 07:13 on December 29, 12 drones were shot down

From 07:46 to 08:30 on December 29, another 18 drones were destroyed

In repelling the mass attack over Bryansk, Smolensk, and Novgorod regions, air defense missile systems, mobile fire groups, and electronic warfare (EW) systems were employed.

As a result of repelling the Ukrainian terrorist attack, there were no casualties or damage within the Russian Federation. The Russian President's residence was not harmed.

The combat crews of air defense missile systems, air situation control systems of radio-technical forces, mobile fire groups, and electronic warfare systems acted in a coordinated, professional, and effective manner, successfully completing the combat mission.

 Sputnik

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MOSCOW, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 24 people were killed and more than 50 others injured after three Ukrainian drones hit a cafe and a hotel in Kherson on Wednesday night, local authorities said.

The attack occurred as civilians were gathering to celebrate the New Year, Vladimir Saldo, head of the Kherson region, said in a post on Telegram.

"Many people were burned alive," Saldo said, noting that one of the drones carried an incendiary mixture, which triggered a massive fire at the scene. Firefighters were only able to fully extinguish the blaze by early Thursday morning.

Doctors are currently fighting to save the lives of the wounded, he said, adding that the regional authorities will provide all necessary assistance to the victims and the families of those killed. 
Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radosaw Sikorski

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

31 December 2025 15:13

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a warm and meaningful conversation with my Polish colleague and friend Radosaw Sikorski.

We took stock of our productive cooperation over this year and discussed key priorities for 2026. Our active contacts are an important testament to the reliable strategic partnership between Ukraine and Poland.

We particularly noted the results and importance of the recent official visit by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Warsaw.

I informed my colleague about the battlefield situation, consequences of Russia's massive attacks and recent developments in the peace talks. We value Poland's contribution and its special role in shaping security guarantees for Ukraine and whole of Europe.

I emphasized that Ukraine considers full-fledged EU membership as an integral element of the security guarantees.

Grateful to Radek for his personal efforts in support of Ukraine and our close dialogue.

I also mentioned the importance of countering cases of inappropriate treatment of Ukrainians in Poland and thanked Radek for reaffirming that they will be addressed properly.

A strong Ukrainian-Polish partnership is one of the key pillars of stability, peace, and security in Europe."

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Implementation of the "Impulse" system is beginning in the Unmanned Systems Forces

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

31 December, 2025, 1:00 PM EET

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have launched the third wave of deployment of the "Impulse" military personnel record-keeping system. Its implementation is now also beginning in units of the Unmanned Systems Forces. The "Impulse" system had previously been deployed in the first units of the Air Assault Forces and the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The system is being deployed in several stages, from infrastructure preparation and secure environment setup to data migration and the transition to daily operation within the system.

The "Impulse" system is being developed and implemented by IT specialists from the Armed Forces of Ukraine's Center for Scaling Technological Solutions. They are service members with combat experience who have a strong understanding of the practical needs of military units and the specifics of service under wartime conditions. Accordingly, the system is tailored for practical use at the unit level. Deployment is being ensured by units of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Over 200 military units are already operating within the "Impulse" system on a daily basis.

"Several units of the Unmanned Systems Forces have already received the necessary equipment and are beginning to set up a secure environment for operating the "Impulse" system. It is expected that the system will significantly accelerate data processing and analysis, enabling even more accurate and timely decisions that directly impact units' ability to perform assigned missions," explained Ivan "Grinch", Head of Digital Transformation of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The "Impulse" is more than just a day-to-day tool for personnel record-keeping. The system lays the foundation for the further digital transformation of the military. Going forward, the system's data will serve as the foundation for developing other digital services across the military, including SAP-based defense resource management, the Army+ application, and the Medical Information System.

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In 2025, the President Focused His Work With Partners Around the World on Achieving a Dignified Peace and Providing Reliable Security Guarantees for Ukraine

President of Ukraine

31 December 2025 - 19:54

In 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conducted approximately 60 visits abroad, hosted nearly 100 heads of foreign states and governments in Ukraine, held 20 international video calls, over 230 telephone conversations with leaders of states, governments, international organizations, and spiritual leaders, and participated in almost 150 events within Ukraine.

One of the main priorities of the President's diplomatic activity was working closely with the U.S. team to develop a 20-point peace plan and documents on Ukraine's security guarantees and prosperity.

At the end of the year, the result of this substantive, productive, and constructive work by the Ukrainian and American teams was a leaders-level meeting between Ukraine and the United States on December 29 in Florida, at the Mar-a-Lago residence.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump discussed all aspects of the peace framework and achieved significant results. Some of the documents have already been fully agreed upon, while others are in their final stages. In addition, the leaders agreed on the sequence of further steps. The President of the United States noted that the teams are approaching the conclusion of the war and will continue to work in a working-group format.

"We agree that security guarantees are the key milestone in achieving lasting peace, and our teams will continue working on all aspects," emphasized the Head of State.

This year, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also focused on securing financial support for Ukraine in the coming years, strengthening military assistance, particularly in air defense, scaling up drone production, developing joint defense manufacturing, attracting additional contributions and countries to the PURL initiative, and implementing the SAFE instrument.

Thanks to the successful work of the President and his team, 24 countries joined the PURL initiative, which NATO, together with the United States, launched in August this year to enable direct participation of partner states in supporting Ukraine. Of these who joined, 22 are NATO members, and two are Alliance partners: Australia and New Zealand. The total declared funding for the PURL initiative amounts to USD 4.3 billion. Eight packages have already been formed, with the ninth and tenth currently being prepared.

Additionally, at the end of December, the Italian government approved a decree allocating aid packages for Ukraine for 2026. During the 32nd Ramstein meeting in December, partners announced new commitments to support Ukrainian aviation, air defense, UAVs, electronic warfare systems, and artillery shells. Within the framework of the Czech Initiative alone, over 600,000 rounds were financed for 2026, amounting to EUR 1.45 billion.

In 2025, the Head of State actively worked with partners to open export offices for the sale and joint production of Ukrainian weapons.

"It is here in Berlin that we are preparing one of the first offices that will focus on arms exports and joint production projects with your country, with Germany. It is Germany that is one of our largest trading partners in Europe, and I am confident this will remain the case in the future," the President said during his address to the participants of the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum.

Thanks to the work of the Head of State and his team, this year, Ukraine received additional air defense systems, including Patriot, NASAMS, and SAMP/T systems, radars for air defense systems, air-to-air missiles, and guided aerial bombs.

One of the main results of strengthening air defense is a new and unprecedented agreement for Ukrainian combat aviation. In October, the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Sweden signed the first document opening the path for Ukraine to receive Gripen aircraft - the Letter of Intent Between Ukraine and the Kingdom of Sweden Concerning Cooperation in the Field of Air Capabilities. Our state expects to receive up to 150 such fighter jets, with the first deliveries expected next year. In November, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron signed the Declaration of Intent on Cooperation. This agreement will allow Ukraine to acquire 100 Rafale F4 aircraft by 2035.

A key achievement in December, and simultaneously one of the most important results of the year, was the decision of the European Council on December 19 to provide Ukraine with financial support of EUR 90 billion for 2026-2027. Ukraine will repay these funds only once it receives reparations from Russia. The Head of State also highlighted that Russian assets remain immobilized.

"Russia's assets must be used to defend against Russian aggression and to build what was destroyed, exactly, destroyed by Russian attacks. It's moral. It's fair. And it's legal - confirmed by the expertise of many, many professionals," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the European Council meeting in Brussels.

The President paid particular attention to increasing pressure on Russia. This year, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed 61 decrees implementing the National Security and Defense Council's decisions to impose sanctions on 2,021 individuals and 1,745 legal entities.

In 2025, Ukraine's partners also took strong sanctioning measures, always taking Ukraine's proposals into account. The United States imposed strict sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies - Rosneft and Lukoil. The U.S. sanctions have crippled the segments of the industry that account for about 55% of Russia's oil production. This has significantly reduced Russia's revenues and its ability to finance its war machine.

A broad coalition of international partners - including the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, Canada, and others - implemented and reinforced sanctions against the Russian Federation's shadow fleet. This year, the European Union alone introduced four sanction packages, with preparations underway for a new, already 20th package.

In 2025, Ukraine synchronized 14 sanction packages from its partners: two each from the United States and the United Kingdom, eight from the European Union, and one each from Canada and Japan.

Overall, throughout the year, the Head of State made 59 visits to 25 countries: Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, the United States, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Finland, Norway, France, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Albania, Lithuania, Austria, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Spain, and Ireland.

In addition, throughout the year, the President received 99 heads of foreign states, governments, parliaments, and representatives of international organizations in Ukraine, including the Presidents of Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Moldova, Romania, and Poland; the Federal Chancellor of Germany; the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Estonia, Belgium, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Greece, Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and Portugal; as well as the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, the Secretary General of NATO, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, the Chair of the OSCE, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a delegation from the United Nations, the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the President of the European Central Bank, the Crown Prince of Norway, and the Princess Royal of the United Kingdom.

The Head of State maintained constant contact with partners, keeping them informed of the diplomatic situation and coordinating joint next steps not only in person but also via over 230 phone conversations throughout the year.

During his foreign visits and online, the President addressed the participants of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, the 71st annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the parliaments of Ireland and the Netherlands, the European Council, meetings of EU foreign ministers, the 50th-anniversary conference of the OSCE Helsinki Final Act, the Warsaw Security Forum, and the Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform.

Domestically, the President's primary focus has been on the proper and continuous recognition of Ukrainian warriors.

Over the course of the year, the President honored representatives of various branches of Ukraine's Defense Forces: warriors of the Airborne Assault Forces, the Navy, the Air Force, missile and artillery troops, servicemembers of the Special Operations Forces, Territorial Defense, personnel of the foreign and military intelligence services, specialists of the State Special Transport Service, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine, warriors of the SSU Special Operations Center A, members of the National Guard, warriors and intelligence officers of the State Border Guard Service, engineer troops, representatives of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection, the National Police, and employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeatedly presented the highest state awards to defenders - the Orders of the Golden Star to Heroes of Ukraine and families of fallen Heroes. This year also continued the tradition of awarding housing certificates to Heroes of Ukraine and the families of warriors posthumously honored with this title.

The Head of State conducted 25 working visits across Ukraine: four to the Kyiv region; three each to the Donetsk, Dnipro, and Kharkiv regions; two each to the Sumy and Odesa regions; and visits to Zakarpattia, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Rivne, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernihiv regions.

The focus was on the security situation, especially in frontline regions. In these areas, the President met with servicemembers defending Ukraine, wounded warriors undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, veterans, and medical personnel. Considerable attention was also given to socio-economic development, support for producers and entrepreneurs, and the functioning and adaptation of medical and educational infrastructure to new conditions.

In 2025, the President participated in the International Defense Industries Forum, met with personnel of Ukraine's defense industry, visited a facility producing interceptor drones, and spoke with employees of a company manufacturing electronics for Ukrainian weapons.

Despite the Christmas and New Year holidays, diplomatic work continues uninterrupted. Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains in constant contact with partners, and Ukraine's negotiating team continues its work without pause. A meeting at the level of European national security advisors from the Coalition of the Willing countries is already scheduled for January 3, followed by a leaders-level meeting in France on January 6.

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Zelenskyy Brings In New Year Saying Ukrainians Want Peace, But Not 'At Any Cost'

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 01, 2026

Summary

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his New Year's Eve address, tells Ukrainians that a peace deal is 90 percent ready -- but that the final 10 percent contains "everything."

Ukrainian forces hit multiple Russian oil depots as 2025 ended, targeting sites in Tuapse, the Taman Peninsula, and Rybinsk.

Zelenskyy will host a January 3 meeting in Ukraine with security advisers from the Coalition of the Willing ahead of talks with European leaders in Paris on January 6.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the New Year with a speech pledging to continue working for a peace deal to end the war with Russia, but that an agreement can't come "at any cost."

The 21-minute long New Year's Eve address came as he prepared for the next round of peace negotiations and as Ukrainian forces struck back at the Kremlin's energy assets following intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

A US-brokered peace deal is "90 percent" complete, Zelenskyy said, but he warned that the remaining 10 percent will be difficult and that it will decide "the fate of peace, Ukraine, and Europe."

"What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No. We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said in the televised address.

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken."

The Ukrainian leader insisted that he will only sign a "strong agreement" as any signature "placed on weak agreements will only fuel the war."

In a far shorter address to Russians, President Vladimir Putin told his country it would win the war in Ukraine as he spoke about Russia's destiny and the unity of its citizens, which he said guaranteed the sovereignty and security of the "Fatherland."

"I congratulate our fighters and commanders on the beginning of the New Year! We believe in them and in our victory," Putin said in the brief, three-minute address, which was dominated by talk of what the Kremlin calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

A flurry of diplomatic activity was sparked in November when US President Donald Trump pressed Zelenskyy to accept a 28-point peace proposal that many saw as heavily favoring Russia.

Ukraine and its European allies -- led by Britain, France, and Germany -- scrambled to develop a counterproposal, eventually putting forward a 20--point plan that took in more of Kyiv's interests, especially on security guarantees and territorial integrity.

Meetings In Early January With Europeans

Zelenskyy said national-security advisers from the so-called Coalition of the Willing countries would hold a meeting in Ukraine on January 3, just ahead of a gathering of European leaders on January 6 in Paris.

The coalition is an informal grouping of some 30 countries, led by Britain and France, that have expressed interest in supporting peace-keeping efforts in the event of a cease-fire in Ukraine. It was not known which of the countries would participate in the meetings.

Zelenskyy urged the "entire world' to pressure Moscow and said taking the Kremlin at its word is a "verdict against shared international security."

French President Emmanuel Macron said in his New Year's Eve speech that European states and other allies will make "concrete" commitments to Ukraine's security during the Paris talks.

Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, on December 31 said he had a "productive" phone call with the national-security advisers of Britain, France, and Germany to discuss the peace process.

Witkoff said participants also discussed a Ukrainian "prosperity package" and that Rustem Umerov, Kyiv's main negotiator, was also on the call, along with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner.

"We focused on how to move the discussions forward in a practical way on behalf of [Trump's] peace process, including strengthening security guarantees and developing effective deconfliction mechanisms to help end the war and ensure it does not," he added.

WSJ: US Finds Ukraine Did Not Target Putin

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal, citing US national-security sources, said Washington has determined that Ukraine did not target Russian President Vladimir Putin or one of his residences, directly contradicting Kremlin assertions, which have yet to be independently verified.

The report said a CIA assessment found that no attempted attack against Putin had occurred. It said Ukraine did strike a military target that it had previously hit, located in the same region as Putin's country residence but not especially close by.

Trump initially seemed to accept Putin's claim of an attack, despite vehement denials by Kyiv.

He later appeared to play down the Russian claim, posting -- without comment -- a link to a New York Post editorial and sharing the headline: "Putin 'attack' bluster shows Russia is the one standing in the way of peace."

Reuters cited a source as saying Trump reposted the article after receiving a briefing from CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, also rejected Russia's claims, calling them "a deliberate distraction," without providing details.

Ukraine Strikes Back

Since the full-scale invasion began, Russia has carried out more than 4,500 attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, according to government data.

The UN has warned that continued strikes on power and heating systems could pose severe humanitarian risks during the winter months, particularly for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and families with young children.

Amid Russia's intensified attacks, Ukraine has struck back, hitting sites with drones inside Russia that Kyiv says help fuel the Kremlin's war effort.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on social media that Russian air defenses intercepted five Ukrainian drones headed for the capital on New Year's Eve.

He did not mention casualties or damage. Moscow's Domodedovo airport, however, was placed under some temporary restrictions that were later lifted.

The claims have not been independently verified.

Earlier in the day, Ukraine's SBU domestic security service on December 31 said long-range drones hit the Temp oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk in the Yaroslavl region, sparking a large fire.

The oil depot is a key storage and distribution center in northeastern Russia.

"The SBU continues to disrupt the supply chains of Russian petroleum products both abroad and to the troops attacking Ukraine with surgical precision," the Ukrinform news agency cited an unnamed SBU official as saying.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-zelenskyy-russia- coalition-trump/33637408.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Education in Review: 2025 marks turning point - Hashmin Mohammed writes

Hashmin Mohammed Education Dec - 31 - 2025 , 23:02 5 minutes read

The year 2025 will be remembered as a defining period for Ghanas education sectora year marked by difficult choices, honest national reflection, and the beginning of a deliberate reset under President John Dramani Mahama.

When President Mahama and his Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, assumed office, they inherited an education system burdened by deep structural challenges. Years of accumulated debt, weak investment in basic education, unpaid statutory obligations, stalled infrastructure projects, and unresolved teacher welfare issues had significantly constrained service delivery and threatened the quality and sustainability of education at all levels.

From the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme and special needs education to expired teacher recruitment windows, struggling nascent public universities, unpaid obligations to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), and delays in promotions and allowances for teachers, the scale of inherited difficulties was enormous.

A National Conversation to Reset Education

Recognising the urgency and complexity of the situation, President Mahama and the Education Ministry convened a historic National Education Forum in Ho, in the Volta Region. The forum brought together key stakeholdersteachers, unions, parents, academics, students, civil society organisations, policymakers, and the President himselffor a frank and solutions-oriented dialogue on the future of Ghanas education system.

The outcome of the Ho Forum was a set of practical recommendations that now form the backbone of ongoing reforms, implemented alongside the Presidents manifesto commitments and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) governments broader human capital development agenda.

Education as a Budgetary Priority

A clear test of any governments commitment to transformation lies in how it allocates resources. From the outset, President Mahama demonstrated this commitment by prioritising education in his maiden budget.

In the 2025 Budget Statement, education received one of the largest sectoral allocations, aimed at stabilising the system and laying the foundation for long-term reform.

Historic Investment in Basic Education

For the first time in over five decades, basic education received a historic allocation of GHC 9.1 billionthe highest in 50 years. This decisive investment reflects a renewed focus on foundational learning, which had suffered years of neglect despite being the most critical stage in a childs educational journey.

The funding is already supporting classroom infrastructure, learning materials, sanitation, and teacher support at the basic level nationwide.

Resetting Free SHS: From Access to Quality

While the Free SHS policy succeeded in expanding access, it was inherited in a form that prioritised enrolment over quality, resulting in overcrowding, infrastructure deficits, and the controversial double-track system that reduced teacherstudent contact hours.

President Mahamas administration has embarked on a resetmaintaining Free SHS while transforming it into a sustainable and high-quality programme for national development.

In 2025, Free SHS received GHC 3.5 billion under GETFund, the highest allocation since the programme began. This funding has strengthened student feeding, logistics, and learning conditions. Notably, about 100 double-track schools have already been converted to single-track, with a firm commitment to abolish the system entirely.

Additionally, government plans include upgrading:

10 Category D schools to Category C

10 Category C schools to Category B

30 Category B schools to Category A

while improving infrastructure in existing Category A schools.

Improved Feeding and Student Welfare

Reforms in the management of SHS feeding have led to noticeable improvements, with positive feedback from students, teachers, parents, and school administrators. Government continues to engage stakeholders to further enhance both nutrition and learning outcomes. At the basic level, GHC 895 million has been paid to support the School Feeding Programme, alongside an increase in the feeding grant per child.

Advancing Girls Education

In a major step toward gender equity, government rolled out the free distribution of sanitary pads to school-going girls. Over six million sanitary pads have been distributed to girls in basic and second-cycle schools, reducing absenteeism and helping to keep girls in school.

Clearing Arrears and Supporting Schools

Under the year in review, the Ministry of Education cleared inherited arrears, including:

GHC 72.8 million in Capitation Grant arrears

GHC 122.8 million paid timely for BECE registration

Payment of WASSCE practical fees

Feeding grants for special needs schools

Government has also directed all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to construct a Nursery, Primary and JHS from the 2025 District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).

Teachers at the Centre of Reform

Teacher welfare featured prominently in 2025. Key achievements include:

Payment of GHC 52 million in Teacher Training Allowance

Restoration of promotion eligibility up to Director rank

Cancellation of the Teacher Licensure Exams requirement that forced trainees to return to campus months after graduation

Placement of over 30,000 diploma teachers who upgraded to degrees onto the appropriate PS salary scale. PTAs have also been reactivated nationwide to strengthen school governance and discipline.

Revitalising Infrastructure and Tertiary Education

All stalled E-Blocks (Community Day SHSs) are being revisited, while tertiary education saw landmark interventions.

Under the No Fees Stress Initiative, the Students Loan Trust Fund reimbursed academic facility user fees for first-year students in public tertiary institutions. Out of 178,745 enrolment records, 152,698 students were successfully validated and reimbursedremoving financial barriers to access tertiary education.

President Mahama also approved the construction of a 600-bed hostel at Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University, addressing a long-standing accommodation challenge.

To strengthen nascent public universities, government released GHC 40 million in seed funding, with GHC 10 million each allocated to:

C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences

University of Energy and Natural Resources

University of Health and Allied Sciences

S.D. Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies

Reforming Scholarships

Parliament has passed the Scholarship Authority Bill, now awaiting Presidential assent. The Bill aims to eliminate cronyism and political interference in scholarship awards, promote transparency and fairness, and align scholarships with national skills needs through collaboration with the National Development Planning Commission.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The 2026 Budget has allocated GHC 33.3 billion to education, with priorities including:

Upgrading 30 Category C SHSs to Category B

Completing 30 abandoned E-Blocks

Constructing 200 JHSs, 200 primary schools, and 200 kindergartens

Building 400 teachers bungalows

Procuring and distributing millions of curriculum-based textbooks .

Supplying desks, buses, pickups, and administrative vehicles to schools and education directorates

Conclusion

The 2025 year under review confirms that Ghanas education sector is on a deliberate path of recovery and transformation. Through honest diagnosis, historic investment, and people-centred reforms, President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Education have begun rebuilding confidence in the systemlaying a strong foundation for quality, equity, and sustainable human capital development in the years ahead.

The writer, Hashmin Mohammed is a Press Secretary to the Minister for Education
President Mahama pledges inflation cuts, jobs and zero tolerance for corruption in 2026

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New Birth Assembly International celebrates 50th anniversary

Emmanuel Modey Jan - 01 - 2026 , 12:37 2 minutes read

The New Birth Assembly International (NBAI) a Christ-centered and mission-driven church has held its annual convention at Logba Alakpiti in the Afadjato South District of the Volta Region.

The convention coincided with their 50th anniversary of the church.

It was all joy when the congregation sang songs of praise and danced to glorify God for the New Year.

The Church was established at Logba Alakpiti in 1975 by Bishop Emmanuel Mathias Abudzo.

Along the line, the NBAI merged with the Wings of Salvation led by Chief Apostle Gotfried Komla Gawu.

With the merger, Bishop Abudzo became the leader with Chief Apostle Gawu as the deputy. Their leadership roles have continued till date.

As of now, the church after the merger has 22 branches in Ghana and beyond with a membership of 1,200.

The leader, Bishop Abudzo who was born in 1933 is now 101 years old whilst Chief Apostle Gawu is 95.

Reading the history of the church at the anniversary, Apostle Fidelis Doh said the NBAI began as a prayer fellowship with about 20 members but with the founders hunger to win souls, the church held various conventional meetings that have culminated in its establishment today.

He said the church aimed to reach out to all nations on the earth.

Preaching the sermon on the theme, 50 Years of Fruitfulness through Christ the true vine, Bishop-General Joseph Lebene Gbordzoe said God created human beings on earth to be fruitful.

He said that we can only be fruitful if we go according to the directions of Jesus Christ.

He noted that we can be fruitful if we combine prayers with actions.

You can not be fruitful if you spend the whole day in church praying without working, he said.

Bishop-General Gbordzoe urged the youth to seek knowledge and lead exemplary lives since they are the future leaders of the country.

The church has contributed to society by giving scholarships to brilliant and needy students and providing skilled training to the youth.

They have also contributed to the victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage, constructed bore holes, and established a Bible School at Ho for theological and pastoral leadership training.

The National Youth President of NBAI, Reverend Godwin Hallo cautioned the youth against the use of hard drugs that could derail all their plans for the future.
Featured

Police arrest suspect who showed up to collect share of planned gold robbery

Mohammed Ali Jan - 01 - 2026 , 10:12 1 minute read

The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man accused of plotting a robbery against a gold miner who transports gold from Manso Abrense to Kumasi for sale.

The suspect, Stephen Kwakye, was arrested on December 30, 2025, after police received intelligence indicating that he and other persons were planning to attack the miner while in transit near Manso Nsiana in the Ashanti Region.

According to a police statement, investigations showed that Kwakye played a leading role in the plan by tracking the miners movements and coordinating with accomplices to carry out the attack during the journey to Kumasi.

The statement said police officers placed the suspects under surveillance after picking up information about the planned robbery. Kwakye was arrested when he went to collect his share of the proceeds after being informed by his accomplices that the robbery had been successful.

During interrogation, Kwakye admitted organising the robbery, the Ghana Police Service said in a statement posted on its Facebook page on Thursday, January, 1, 2026.

The suspect is in police custody, assisting with investigations. Police said efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest the other persons involved so they can be taken through the legal process.
Police pick up key suspect in daylight robbery at Adabraka jewellery shop after one year investigation

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Ghanaians welcome Year 2026 with church activities and fireworks

Graphic.com.gh Dec - 31 - 2025 , 22:53 1 minute read

Ghanaians welcomed the New Year with vibrant street parties, fireworks, and massive church watchnight services, blending spiritual reflection with festive celebration as families cleaned homes, shared meals, and gathered for crossover services filled with prayer and hope for blessings and prosperity in year 2026.

Elsewhere on the globe, from fireworks at the world's tallest building in Dubai, to drumming in China, the New Year was received with fireworks, drumming, bell-ringing, and a spectacular display.

In Ghana, many Christians attended all-night church services for prayers, sermons, and thanksgiving, seeking divine guidance.

Revelers geared up with celebrations at various places.
Featured

Fiifi Kwetey warns NDC against sycophancy as party marks 31st December Revolution

Benjamin Xornam Glover Politics Dec - 31 - 2025 , 15:17 3 minutes read

The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, has cautioned party members against sycophancy and the arrogance of power, urging them to remain faithful to the founding ideals of the 31st December Revolution.

Speaking at a commemorative event marking the 44th anniversary of the revolution in Ada in the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, Mr Kwetey reflected on the partys resilience following its defeat in the 2016 general elections.

He recalled that period as one when many believed the NDC had reached the end of the road, drawing parallels with the aftermath of the partys loss of power in 2000, when critics similarly predicted its collapse.

The commemoration was held on the theme Consolidating the Reset Agenda: Reflections on the Gains of the 31st December Revolution.

Addressing supporters and cadres, Mr Kwetey attributed the endurance of the NDC to the revolutionary spirit ignited 44 years ago, stressing that the 31st December Revolution was not driven by individual ambition but by a collective resolve to serve the national interest.

There is a spirit that holds this party together, a never-say-die spirit. No matter how dark it becomes, that spirit always finds a way to rise again, he said.

He recalled that in the early days of the revolution, the late Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings discouraged the display of his portraits in public offices, insisting that the movement was about the people rather than personal glorification.

Quoting Rawlings, Mr Kwetey said the ultimate aim was to build a system so resilient that even a corrupt leader would be constrained by the vigilance of the people. That is the bedrock of the revolution, a spirit that rejects sycophancy, rejects bootlicking and places the welfare of the people above all else, he said.

Touching on what he described as a growing culture of sycophancy within the party, the NDC General Secretary warned that blind praise of leaders for personal gain undermines democratic values and the integrity of the party. You dont love this country or this party if all you do is sing praises in the hope of personal benefit, he cautioned.

On the partys return to power, Mr Kwetey said the overwhelming mandate given to the NDC by Ghanaians in the last general elections, including a strong parliamentary majority, was beyond human expectation and should be met with humility and gratitude.

He urged party members serving in government to remain disciplined and avoid scandals, warning that misconduct would not be tolerated. To whom much is given, much is expected, he said, adding that the NDC must continue to govern in a manner that justifies the trust placed in it by the people.

Mr Kwetey called on party members to place Ghana and the NDC above individual ambition, remain humble in victory and stay committed to the revolutionary principles that have sustained the party over the decades.
KABUL, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed, and one other was injured after the roof of a mud house collapsed amid heavy rainfall in western Afghanistan's Herat province, a local media outlet reported on Thursday.

The incident occurred in the Kabkan region of Obe district on Wednesday, after intense downpours weakened the structure. The victims included a woman and four children, Ariana News quoted a local official.

Over the past three days, most parts of Afghanistan have experienced heavy rainfall and snowfall, triggering flash floods in several regions. In a separate incident, heavy rain and flooding claimed one life and injured four others in the neighboring Farah province on Monday night.

In Afghanistan's remote areas, residential houses are predominantly constructed from mud, a construction method that increases the risk of collapse during severe weather, leading to grave casualties and substantial property damage. 
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NDC's United Cadres Front urges Mahama to act decisively on corruption and illegal mining

Benjamin Xornam Glover Politics Dec - 31 - 2025 , 16:36 2 minutes read

The United Cadres Front (UCF) has called on stakeholders across the country to remain vigilant and proactive in supporting the governments Reset Agenda, while pressing for swift and decisive action against corruption and illegal mining.

Speaking at the 44th anniversary commemoration of the 31st December 1981 Revolution in Ada in the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, the National Chairman of the UCF, Shine Gaveh, commended the work of the ORAL initiative in recovering looted state assets but expressed concern about the slow pace of judicial processes.

He stressed the need for the establishment of specialised tribunals to fast-track the prosecution of corrupt officials, warning that prolonged delays could erode public confidence and affect the future electoral prospects of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Comrade Gaveh highlighted what he described as notable achievements chalked up by President John Dramani Mahama within 11 months in office, citing progress across several sectors.

He urged government officials, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, the clergy and the wider public to rally behind the Reset Agenda and prioritise public service over political self-interest.

The UCF National Chairman also raised concerns about the growing incidence of misinformation and disinformation in the media and on social media platforms.

He called on the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations to introduce measures to ensure the dissemination of credible information, and urged Parliament to pass legislation to address disinformation in order to safeguard the countrys knowledge-based development.

On illegal mining, Comrade Gaveh warned of the threat posed by organised groups to law enforcement agencies and called for firm action by the President, in his capacity as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, to protect forests, rivers and other natural resources.

He further underscored the role of cadres in building and defending the NDC, reminding party leadership that the volunteer network had been central to campaign activities, grassroots mobilisation and the protection of the gains of the revolution. He cautioned against sidelining cadres, stressing that internal cohesion was essential for the effectiveness of the party.

Comrade Gaveh also disclosed that the UCF had expanded its mobilisation efforts beyond Ghana through the establishment of a diaspora chapter aimed at raising resources and supporting both party and national development initiatives.

He explained that the commemoration was meant to honour the 31st December Revolution itself, and not any subsequent political movement. He also emphasised that the children of the late Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings remained integral members of the NDC, saying, As long as we, the Cadres, are alive, these children belong to the party.
Governor Mark Gordon announced his support for rescinding a 2014 National Adoption Excellence Award granted to Steve and Kristine Marler of Casper.

Steve Marler was convicted in 2025 of 11 counts of child abuse of minors, five counts of misdemeanor battery and one count of child endangerment. He was also sentenced to a minimum of 128 years on eight felony counts for sexually abusing two girls under his foster or adoptive care and for sexual abuse and battery of foster children.

After receiving a request from a concerned citizen, the Governor took the steps to write a letter in support of the rescinding of this award.

I agree with Ms. Kassels concerns and believe the events and conviction are inconsistent with the principles and standards upon which the Childrens Bureau National Adoption Excellence Award is founded, the Governor said in his letter of support. The National Adoption Excellence Award exists to recognize individuals and organizations who demonstrate exceptional efforts towards permanency for children in foster care. The convictions of Mr. Steve Marler - including multiple counts of child abuse, batter, endangerment, and sexual abuse of children under his foster and adoptive care - fundamentally violate the ideals, morals, and ethics embodied in the award and challenges the credibility of the program that honors those exemplifying excellence in child welfare.

The decision is now in the hands of the Federal agency.
Weve recently seen a surge in smartphones from Chinese brands packing 8,000mAh or larger batteries. Now, a tipster claims that Samsung SDI is testing a massive 20,000mAh dual-cell battery for smartphones.

Samsung isnt exactly known for pushing battery capacities in its smartphones. Even its latest flagship, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, comes with a 5,000mAh cell. However, according to a tipster, Samsung SDI is currently testing a dual-cell siliconcarbon battery with a massive 20,000mAh capacity.

According to the tipster, the dual-cell setup consists of a 12,000mAh cell measuring 6.3mm in thickness, paired with an 8,000mAh cell that is 4mm thick. During testing, the battery reportedly achieved an impressive 27 hours of screen-on time (SoT) and around 960 annual charge cycles.

That said, the testing reportedly didnt end well. The battery is said to have developed swelling shortly after the tests concluded, raising concerns about long-term durability. Another tipster adds that the 8,000mAh cell swelled from 4mm to 7.2mm in thickness.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold 5G

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Notably, this information should be taken with a grain of salt, as it comes from a not-very reliable source. It is also likely that Samsung SDI is testing the battery for electric vehicles instead of smartphones.

Source 1  Source 2




Haiti - FLASH : Major seizure of weapons and ammunition in Bel-Air





On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, as part of the ongoing fight against insecurity, the Haitian National Police (PNH) conducted a large-scale operation in the Bel-Air neighborhood. Targeting the stronghold of gang leader Jamesley, the operation resulted in the neutralization of several terrorists and the seizure of an impressive arsenal. Unfortunately, Jamesley managed to escape.



The seized equipment was varied and included a Mavic surveillance drone, handguns (9mm and .22mm pistols), assault weapons (an M16 rifle, a Kalashnikov rifle, 9mm submachine guns), and three 12-gauge shotguns. The operation also yielded logistical equipment (gun magazines, radios, batteries, etc...) and bladed weapons (machetes, axes, etc...)



The most significant seizure involved ammunition. Several thousand rounds of ammunition were recovered, including 4,094 rounds of 5.56mm caliber and 867 rounds of 7.62mm caliber, demonstrating a significant capacity for harm. The entire arsenal was formally registered and certified by the Weapons Service of the PNH's Logistics Directorate.



This operation represents a significant success for the PNH. The operation, supported by specialized units, neutralized a portion of the armed group's logistics. Although leader Jamesley managed to escape, his operational capabilities were severely impacted by the seizure of the equipment. Jamesley's house was completely destroyed by the PNH's heavy equipment unit.



The PNH's objective remains unchanged : to track down, dismantle, and definitively eradicate criminal groups in order to restore security, public peace, and the authority of the State for the well-being of all citizens.



HL/ S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : Assassination of Inspector Jean Sterlin Hold in Fort-Jacques : what we know





Insecurity in Haiti has reached a new tragic milestone. On the evening of Tuesday, December 30, 2025, Chief Inspector Jean Sterlin Hold, alias "Blan" or "San Souci", head of the Lotin sub-police station (located in the Fermathe area), a locality in Fort-Jacques, Kenscoff commune, was cowardly assassinated by gunfire. The inspector, originally from Jeremie, was known for his commitment to fighting the "Kraze Barye" gang and for protecting the residents of Fort-Jacques. He embodied a sense of duty, sacrifice, and dedication to serving the community.



The attack occurred around 7:00 p.m. in front of the "Sheeshee's Food" Club in Fort-Jacques. According to the Haitian National Police (PNH) report, the victim was struck by two bullets; one was stopped by his bulletproof vest, but the second proved fatal.



According to a PNH note published on December 31, 2025, the preliminary investigation identified Louis Marcus, alias "50", the owner of the club, as the suspected perpetrator of the murder. A search was conducted at his home and at the club, leading to the arrest of Johnny Roseus, described as his brother-in-law. Forensic investigators seized a surveillance camera for analysis.



The General Directorate of the Haitian National Police (DG-PNH) instructed the head of the Inspector General's Office (IGPNH) and the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) to open a thorough investigation to identify and arrest those responsible for the murder and bring them to justice.



Reaction following this assassination :



PNH :

"The Haitian National Police (PNH) extends its deepest condolences to the family of Chief Inspector Hold Jean Esterlin, to his loved ones, and to his colleagues and fellow officers of the PNH. It reaffirms its total commitment to ensuring that the truth is uncovered regarding this heinous act and that justice is served."



Presidential Transitional Council (CPT):

"In this painful circumstance, the CPT expresses its sincere condolences to the bereaved family, to the victims loved ones, and to the police force as a whole.



The Presidential Transitional Council respectfully bows before the memory of this valiant servant of the State and reiterates its support for the Haitian National Police in its mission to restore and maintain public safety throughout the country. May his soul rest in peace and may his commitment continue to inspire all those who work for the defense and security of the country."



Kenscoff City Hall :

Jean Massillon, the Mayor of Kenscoff, and the city's Executive Council reacted strongly to this tragedy : "This extremely serious criminal act, an attack on the sacred right to life and the fundamental principles of republican order, constitutes a direct attack against public peace, collective security, and the civic engagement embodied by the victim in service to the Kenscoff community. [...] The City Council offers its sincere condolences to the family of the murdered inspector, to his loved ones, to the police force, and to all the residents of Kenscoff, deeply affected by this tragic loss."



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Haiti - Religion : Pope Leo XIV's message of peace rekindles hope in Haiti





On the occasion of the World Day of Peace, Pope Leo XIV, a fervent advocate of international harmony, called for a "disarmed peace" for Haiti.



"The Haitian Nation, standing strong despite its trials, welcomes this call as a promise," declared Bishop Gontrand Decoste of Jeremie, who emphasized the theological and practical relevance of Leo XIV's vision to the Haitian context.



On this January 1st, Pope Leo XIV's message resonates with particular force in Haiti. The pontiff calls for a "disarmed and disarming peace."



Bishop Gontrand Decoste analyzes this appeal and clarifies that a disarmed peace requires the complete absence of firearms and the immediate cessation of hostilities on national territory, while a disarming peace is a process of dialogue that encourages those who hold power by force to lay down their arms in order to restore national security and the authority of the state.



While an international force to supress gangs (GSF) is expected to begin operations in April 2026, Haiti remains under the control of coalitions of armed gangs and terrorists. These groups paralyze the economy, block roads, and fuel a regional drug trade. "Some are profiting from insecurity and the sale of ammunition while the people live in abject poverty," laments the Bishop of Jeremie.



Despite these difficulties, Bishop Decoste remains optimistic : "Haiti will not perish." 42 years after Pope John Paul IIs historic visit, the cry "Haiti will live" continues to inspire the faith of the faithful. Marian pilgrimages to Port-au-Prince are transformed into acts of spiritual resistance against the darkness.



The Haitian Church embraces the words of Leo XIV : "Evil will not prevail."



For the poor and the forgotten, this message serves as a reminder that the current crisis is not inevitable, but a challenge to be overcome through faith and unity.



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - National Day : 222nd anniversary of Haiti's independence, first messages





On this first of January 2026, while awaiting the official ceremonies and the traditional speeches for the celebration of the 222nd anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Haiti, we share with you the first messages received.



Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State :



"On behalf of the United States of America, we stand with the people of Haiti on your Independence Day and remain committed to working with you to strengthen security, restore stability, and build the foundations for a more prosperous future.



We continue to support the establishment of a Gang Suppression Force that can work with Haitian security forces to end the reign of terror by gangs and U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations.



We also recognize the progress Haitis transitional government and provisional electoral council are making to prepare for the countrys first national elections in a decade in 2026. The United States will continue to encourage and assist efforts that pave the way for a secure process that allows Haitians to elect their leaders.



Today, we celebrate Haitis resilience and reaffirm our enduring commitment to the Haitian people."



Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago :



"Dear compatriots, dear fellow citizens, dear friends of Haiti,



On this first day of January 2026, it is with profound emotion and a keen sense of history that I address you.



Today, we not only celebrate the dawn of a new year, but we also solemnly mark the 222nd anniversary of our national independence. On January 1, 1804, in Gonaives, our ancestors broke the chains of slavery to offer the world the first independent Black Republic. This legacy of bravery, championed by Jean-Jacques Dessalines and the heroes of the Indigenous Army, remains our guiding principle.



In this year 2026, as we cross this new historical threshold, our beautiful nation finds itself at a turning point in its destiny. The theme of "unity" more than ever, must be the foundation of our nation. As our leaders remind us, building a stable and prosperous Haiti is a daily endeavor that demands the patriotism and commitment of each and every one of us.



To you, members of the Haitian community living here within the consular district, I wish to commend your resilience and your unwavering attachment to your homeland. You are the ambassadors of our culture and the pillars of solidarity with your brothers and sisters who remained in Haiti.



Happy Independence Day to all! Happy and prosperous 2026! Long live Haiti !"



Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago



Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal :



"On the occasion of the New Year, the Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal extends its wishes for peace, courage, and solidarity to the Haitian people, both at home and in the diaspora.



In a context marked by numerous trials, we reiterate that peace remains the essential condition for building a prosperous and sustainable future. It is the foundation upon which a community of shared destiny can be built, united by the ideals of justice, dignity, and freedom.



January 1st is also our national independence day. May this historic date rekindle in us the memory of the heroic struggles, the hopes awakened at Bois Caiman, the courage of Vertieres, and the oath of liberty sworn at the dawn of 1804.



Together, let us honor this legacy by pursuing the dream of a free, strong, and reconciled Haiti.



Happy New Year 2026 !"



Consulate General of Haiti in Santiago, Dominican Republic :



"On this January 1st, the founding date of our Nation, the Consulate General of the Republic of Haiti in Santiago bows respectfully before the memory of our heroes of Independence and pays tribute to the courage of a people who, in 1804, chose liberty, dignity, and sovereignty.



This day marks not only the beginning of a new year; It reminds every Haitian, wherever they may be, that our national identity was built on the rejection of injustice, the rejection of arbitrary rule, and the demand for a state that serves the common good.



At the dawn of this new year, the Consulate extends its sincerest wishes for health, peace, and hope to the Haitian community living in the Dominican Republic, as well as to all our compatriots living abroad. May 2026 be a year of strengthened solidarity, shared responsibility, and renewed commitment to progress, good governance, and collective well-being.



Faithful to the spirit of January 1st, 1804, we remain convinced that Haiti's progress depends on integrity, a sense of duty, and the primacy of the common good above all other particular considerations.



Long live the Independence of Haiti. Long live the Republic."



Stephen Junior Cherenfant, Consul, Outgoing Head of Mission https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46536-haiti-flash-haitian-consul-in-santiago-dismissed-victim-of-political-reprisals.html



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BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese industrial and commercial enterprises have deepened pragmatic cooperation with Belt and Road partner countries in trade, investment and industries in 2025, data from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade showed.

Over the past year, the council has organized 407 business delegation trips, including 228 to Belt and Road partner countries, facilitating robust engagement for the Chinese business community.

In 2025, the council approved 707 overseas exhibition projects in 43 Belt and Road partner countries, covering an exhibition area of 360,000 square meters and involving around 26,500 enterprises.

To facilitate trade, China's national trade promotion system issued 4.99 million certificates of origin and 559,600 commercial certificates for Belt and Road partner countries in the first 11 months of 2025, according to the council.

"We will continue to organize Chinese business delegations to visit Belt and Road partner countries in 2026," said Wang Wenshuai, a spokesperson with the council. 




Haiti - 2026 : New Year's Message from the Gang Supression Force





On this January 1st of the new year 2026, the Gang Repression Force (FRG) delivered a message to the Haitian people and its partners, which we are publishing for the benefit of our many loyal readers.



GSF New Year's Message :



"As we welcome the New Year, we extend our sincere wishes for peace, health and prosperity to all partners, stakeholders and the people of Haiti. This occasion allows us to reflect on the progress achieved under our mandate and reaffirm our shared commitment to Haitis security and stability.



On September 30, 2025, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2793 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45891-haiti-flash-the-security-council-has-voted-for-the-new-gang-repression-force.html , that authorized the transition of the MSS into the Gang Suppression Force mandated to conduct intelligence-led targeted counter-gang operations to neutralize the threat, isolate the gangs from the population and their enabling systems, provide security to critical infrastructure and transit locations in order to deter future gang activity.



Since this authorization took effect, GSF personnel, working in close coordination with the Haitian National Police (HNP) and Forces Armees dHaiti (FAd'H), have continued to achieve observable security milestones that have disrupted gang activities, leading to arrests and recovery of assorted arms and retaking territories under gang control. With sustained anti-gang-operations ongoing, GSF, HNP and FAd'H personnel have also intensified day and night patrols in various locations within and beyond Port-au-Prince, leading to the re-opening of most previously inaccessible transit routes and roads in the capital. In addition, the troops continue to provide dedicated security and protection of the country's critical infrastructure, including; The main airport, transit locations, the Port and communication installations to ensure continued and seamless flow of operations.



In a bid to expand patrol coverage, frequency and timely response, the established Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in gang-affected areas have played a critical role in fostering security.



[...]



In the roadmap to implement the GSF resolution, the Mission welcomes the appointment of the Special Representative for the Gang Suppression Force in Haiti and the recent successful Force generation conference in New York as it indicates the determination of the international community towards a sustainable peace and stability for Haiti, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2793.



As 2025 comes to an end, the GSF celebrates its personnel drawn from Bahamas, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica and Kenya for their heroism, applaud the leadership of Haiti for continued support, the people of Haiti for having faith and confidence in the Mission as well as the international community for their continued support. The GSF also recognizes the key role played by the local Haitian media through their fair coverage and reporting of security matters.



As we enter 2026, The GSF will remain focused on dismantling gangs, restoring security and laying the foundation for lasting peace and democratic governance.



Together, we can achieve a future where Haiti enjoys enduring peace, security, stability and prosperity.



Happy New Year 2026 !"



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Each one of us can influence this through our own actions. The contribution of everyone counts, he said.

Speaking on 1 January, Stubb said Finland had reasons to be confident about the future despite rising geopolitical tension and domestic economic challenges. He called for responsibility and action from both citizens and institutions.

Alexander Stubb urged Finns to focus on peace, economic growth and care for one another in his first New Years address as President of the Republic.

He described Finland as a respected, democratic and functional country with strong values, respected authorities and a reliable defence. But he warned that maintaining this would require effort.

Peace, growth and caring. Lets make them our goals for the year, Stubb said.

Peace was his first priority. He focused on Russias war in Ukraine, which he called illegal and immoral. He said more than one million people had been killed or injured since the invasion began nearly four years ago.

Now, we are closer to peace than at any previous point during the war, Stubb said, though he warned that Russias intentions remained unclear.

He said Finland would continue to support Ukraine and would insist on preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said peace might require compromise but repeated that Ukraine was part of a free and democratic Europe.

We will do everything in our power, he said.

He said Finlands support for Ukraine aligned with a broader push to shape international cooperation and defend democratic values. He said foreign policy must be based on interests and action rather than identity politics.

Relations with Russia had changed permanently, he said. But Russia remains our neighbour, he added, saying any future cooperation would depend on Russias behaviour.

He also addressed Finlands relations with the United States. He described these as shifting but said cooperation was still essential, citing joint defence deals and support for Ukraine.

Cooperation is indispensable to both sides, Stubb said.

He said Finlands interests also depended on deepening European and Nordic cooperation. He described Finlands security as resting on its NATO and EU memberships.

He said Europe had relied too much on Russian energy, US security and Chinese economic ties. He called on European nations to take more responsibility for global challenges and said cooperation beyond traditional allies was necessary.

He named Asian, Latin American and African countries as rising forces in global development and said Finland would support multilateral solutions.

Growth was his second priority. He said the Finnish economy was under strain and called for long-term thinking beyond the political cycle.

We need a long-term approach, he said, welcoming a parliamentary consensus on a debt brake as a responsible step.

He said growth was essential to support Finlands welfare state. He said the country had the knowledge and education to support growth but needed to invest more in innovation and skills.

He pointed to Finlands strengths in information networks, quantum technology and critical minerals. He said these sectors were central to developments in artificial intelligence.

He warned that geopolitical tension and protectionism were threats to exports. He said EU membership offered stability but added that states had a role in opening global markets.

He said more work-based immigration would be needed due to demographic changes, describing the issue as unavoidable.

Growth requires courage and hard work, he said.

He said Finland must also invest in green development. He warned that climate policy risked being forgotten due to global unrest but said climate change remained a key issue.

The countries that take climate change seriously are the ones that will gain a competitive advantage, he said.

Caring was his third goal. He said Finland still ranked high on global indicators but that many citizens were struggling.

Not all Finns are doing well, he said, citing unemployment, poverty, health issues, insecurity, domestic violence and racism as ongoing problems.

He said society had a duty to support those who were vulnerable. He urged citizens to care for one another and said appreciation and respect were essential in daily life.

At times, caring also calls for sacrifices, he said.

He said Finland must remain open to joy and creativity, balancing hardship with imagination and learning. He said cultural and scientific achievements often started with new ideas.

Society is an ongoing project, he said, calling on Finns to uphold democracy and welfare through daily effort.

He said challenges should not push Finland into isolation and said the country had the tools to succeed.

We are a small, resilient, northern nation, he said. Together, we will make this the year of peace, growth and caring.

He ended his address by offering New Year wishes on behalf of himself and his wife Suzanne.

HT
The structural steel was identified during a detailed inspection conducted by Finnish Customs on the day of the seizure.

The ship remains anchored at Kantvik port in Kirkkonummi following its seizure by Finnish authorities on 1 January. It is under investigation for suspected involvement in the damaging of a submarine data cable between Helsinki and Tallinn.

Finnish Customs has confirmed that the cargo of the detained vessel Fitburg includes Russian-origin structural steel in breach of European Union sanctions.

Preliminary assessments had already flagged the cargo as likely subject to EU sectoral sanctions. These sanctions prohibit the import of specific steel products from Russia into the EU.

Customs stated that the steel is still impounded and an initial investigation has begun into a possible sanctions violation. The goods were detained immediately upon boarding, Finnish Customs said. The inspection included structural checks of the ships holds and deck.

The ship had departed Saint Petersburg and was reportedly heading to Haifa, Israel. It flies the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The 132-metre cargo vessel is operated by a Turkish shipping company and crewed by nationals from Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Officials have not disclosed whether the ships operator or ownership structure links it to any sanctioned entities. Fitburg is not currently listed on official EU sanctions databases. However, the ship has been flagged as a vessel of interest by Open Sanctions, which monitors global shipping networks for potential evasions.

Despite this classification, Finnish Customs has confirmed that neither Fitburg nor its unique IMO number appears on official EU or UN sanctions lists. The ships cargo alone triggered the regulatory action, based on a review of its origin and product classification.

The structural steel found onboard was defined by Customs experts as construction-grade material included in the scope of EU restrictions imposed in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions cover a wide range of metals, including semi-finished and finished steel products, with strict bans on entry into EU ports.

The inspection was conducted on the evening of 1 January. Customs officers notified the ships captain of the cargo detention before the inspection began. The operation lasted more than four hours. It included physical verification of goods, checking compartments and structural cavities, and reviewing shipping documents.

The Russian Embassy in Helsinki has requested further details and stated that it is ready to assist its nationals onboard. According to state media outlet Ria Novosti, Russian diplomats said they had contacted Finnish authorities and were prepared to offer consular support within the scope of embassy authority.

HT
Swiss police said the blast occurred at about 1:30am local time at Le Constellation, a popular bar in the centre of the resort in Valais canton. The venue was packed with partygoers celebrating the arrival of 2026.

Dozens of people were killed and more than 100 injured after an explosion and fire tore through a crowded bar during New Years Eve celebrations at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.

Authorities have not confirmed an exact death toll. Police commander Frederic Gisler told reporters that several dozens of people were presumed dead. The Italian foreign ministry later said Swiss police estimates pointed to about 40 fatalities.

Emergency services said more than 100 people were injured, many with severe burns. Hospitals across French-speaking Switzerland were placed under strain as victims were rushed in from the mountain resort. The intensive care unit at Valais hospital reached capacity within hours, forcing transfers to other facilities.

Ten medical helicopters and 40 ambulances were deployed to the scene. More than 150 emergency responders took part in the operation. A no-fly zone was imposed over Crans-Montana to allow air evacuations to continue without disruption.

The scale of the incident is exceptional, said Stephane Ganzer, head of security for Valais canton, in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RTS. He confirmed that a regional state of emergency had been declared to support medical services and rescue operations.

Police spokesperson Gaetan Lathion said investigators were working to establish the cause of the explosion. There has been an explosion of unknown origin, he told AFP. He added that authorities were treating the incident as an accident and had ruled out terrorism or a deliberate attack.

Prosecutor-general Beatrice Pilloud said forensic resources had been mobilised to identify victims and return bodies to families as quickly as possible. Identification is a priority, she told RTS. The number of victims requires extensive forensic work.

The bar had capacity for up to 300 or 400 people. Police told Swiss newspaper Blick that more than 100 were inside at the time of the explosion. The resort attracts large numbers of international tourists during the winter season, and authorities confirmed that several victims were foreign nationals.

Le Constellation is known as a popular late-night venue, particularly among young adults.

Crans-Montana lies in southwestern Switzerland, about 200 kilometres south of Bern, in a region known for luxury hotels, international visitors and winter sports. The resort was hosting peak-season crowds at the time of the incident.

Police sealed off the area around the bar and continued to guard the site throughout New Years Day.

HT
Photo taken on early hours of Jan. 1, 2026 shows people checking the site of the suicide bombing in Aleppo city, northern Syria. (Str/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed, and several members of Syria's internal security forces were wounded on Wednesday after a suicide bomber targeted a police patrol in the Bab al-Faraj area of northern Syria's Aleppo city, according to several state media reports.

SANA news agency reported that the attacker detonated himself near a patrol of the internal security forces. The wounded were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, while security forces cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the incident.

Al-Ikhbariyah TV reported that the attacker detonated himself during a security check after officers grew suspicious of his behavior.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the incident, without providing confirmed figures of casualties.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident came amid heightened security across several Syrian cities following a series of attacks targeting security forces and civilians.

Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the identity of the attacker or the circumstances surrounding the bombing. 

Photo taken on early hours of Jan. 1, 2026 shows ambulances near the site of the suicide bombing in Aleppo city, northern Syria. One person was killed, and several members of Syria's internal security forces were wounded on Wednesday after a suicide bomber targeted a police patrol in the Bab al-Faraj area of northern Syria's Aleppo city, according to several state media reports. (Str/Xinhua)
NANJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- On the assembly line of TLD Asia (Wuxi) Co., Ltd., robotic arms move swiftly as workers complete their final inspections of new cargo loaders destined for major Chinese airports.

Behind this scene is a broader transformation: Foreign enterprises in China are evolving far beyond manufacturing roles -- they are integrating deeply into local innovation ecosystems and supply chains to secure growth in one of the world's most competitive markets.

TLD, a leading airport ground support equipment company, first entered China in 1979 and established a manufacturing base in 2008 in Wuxi City, east China's Jiangsu Province.

"We achieved a sales revenue of about 200 million yuan (about 28.45 million U.S. dollars) in 2022, 300 million yuan in 2023, and around 630 million yuan in 2024," said Wu Jianqiang, chief operating officer of the firm's Wuxi branch, noting that it is now the fastest-growing company within the global TLD Group.

This remarkable performance is underpinned by China's efficient, resilient supply chains. Wu cited the example of a cargo loader comprising thousands of components can source all of its suppliers domestically, with about 95 percent of those suppliers positioned within a one-hour industrial supply circle around Wuxi. This high level of localization reduces costs and creates powerful synergistic effects.

The advantage is shared by other foreign firms in the Yangtze River Delta region. Spanish-owned CMP Suzhou Corp, which produces auto chassis damper parts under CMP Automotive Group, settled in Jiangsu's Suzhou City in 2008.

"We can develop new products within days and provide quotes within hours," said Yang Nan, general manager of the Suzhou branch, attributing this rapid response to an efficient industrial ecosystem fostered by regional integration.

CMP Suzhou Corp has transitioned from a production base to a regional innovation headquarters, establishing an R&D center with specialized laboratories in 2017. With 23 invention patents and over 30 percent of its staff engaged in R&D, the company has successfully expanded its clients from makers of traditional fuel vehicles to leading Chinese NEV brands like Changan, Chery and Seres.

Buoyed by 30 percent annual business growth at its Suzhou branch over the past three years, CMP Automotive Group injected an additional 20 million U.S. dollars into the subsidiary in 2023 to expand production.

"The Chinese factory has become the subsidiary with the best return on investment in our global network," said Alfonso Ameyugo, chief executive officer of CMP Automotive Group.

Integration is taking on a more advanced form as foreign firms relocate core R&D and strategic business units to China.

French electrical and digital infrastructure company Legrand recently transferred its intelligent lighting control system business to Wuxi, aiming to build a research hub for the Internet of Things (IoT). Oliver Chaudet, CEO of Legrand China, cited the comprehensive industrial chain in Wuxi -- a city dedicated to IoT construction -- as key to this decision, predicting it would drive a 130 percent increase in sales for Legrand Wuxi by 2026.

China's vast, dynamic market presents both unparalleled opportunity and intense competition. Foreign companies also widely acknowledge that succeeding here requires significantly greater efforts.

"We have a sense of crisis and must race against time to sharpen our competitive edge," admitted Wu, who praised the rapid technological advancement of Chinese enterprises, exemplified by the rise of the NEV sector.

This competitive pressure, however, serves as a catalyst for innovation. French entrepreneurs observe that the intense race in China motivates foreign investors to continually enhance their innovative capabilities. A case in point is TLD Asia (Wuxi) Co., Ltd., which has developed technologies such as an automatic safety approach system in anticipation of future labor shortages at airports.

"To a certain extent, it is our Chinese branch that is propelling the entire TLD Group forward on the path of continuous innovation," Wu added.

The narrative of foreign businesses in China is being rewritten. They no longer consist solely of offshore factories but are becoming deeply embedded strategic hubs, leveraging localized supply chains, contributing to and drawing from regional innovation, and evolving under market pressure to stay at the forefront of global competition. 
Tourists visit a lantern fair at a night market in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 31, 2025.

The lantern fair kicked off here on Wednesday, attracting many tourists to experience the unique charm of Dunhuang. (Photo by Zhang Xiaoliang/Xinhua)

Tourists visit a lantern fair at a night market in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 31, 2025.

The lantern fair kicked off here on Wednesday, attracting many tourists to experience the unique charm of Dunhuang. (Photo by Zhang Xiaoliang/Xinhua)

Tourists visit a lantern fair at a night market in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 31, 2025.

The lantern fair kicked off here on Wednesday, attracting many tourists to experience the unique charm of Dunhuang. (Photo by Zhang Xiaoliang/Xinhua)

Tourists visit a lantern fair at a night market in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 31, 2025.

The lantern fair kicked off here on Wednesday, attracting many tourists to experience the unique charm of Dunhuang. (Photo by Zhang Xiaoliang/Xinhua)
BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to work with the European Union (EU) on global climate change, but will firmly take all necessary measures in response to any unfair trade restrictions, the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday regarding the EU's newly effective Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

A spokesperson with the ministry said the EU has disregarded China's achievements in green development by imposing significantly high default values on the carbon intensity of Chinese products in CBAM rules, which are set to increase annually over the next three years, terming the measures "unfair" and "discriminatory."

"This is inconsistent with China's current realities and future development trends," said the spokesperson, noting that the EU's practices are suspected of violating World Trade Organization principles and contradict the United Nations principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

CBAM, which officially took effect on Thursday, is the EU's measure that imposes a carbon price on emissions embedded in certain carbon-intensive goods entering the EU and aligns the carbon cost of imports with that faced by EU producers under the EU Emissions Trading System.

The spokesperson also expressed concern and firm opposition to the EU's draft legislation to expand the scope of CBAM to include 180 steel- and aluminum-intensive downstream products, such as machinery and automobiles, starting in 2028, criticizing that these designs exceed the scope of climate action and bear clear signs of unilateralism and protectionism.

Noting that the EU recently relaxed its internal green regulations by modifying the 2035 ban on new fuel vehicles, the spokesperson said the bloc is practicing a "double standard" by loosening internal rules while exercising protectionism in the name of green development.

China hopes the EU will adhere to international rules on climate and trade, abandon unilateralism and protectionism, keep its market open, and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, the spokesperson said.

While China is willing to work with the EU to address global climate change challenges, it will firmly take all necessary measures against any unfair trade restrictions to safeguard its development interests, the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, and the stability of global industrial and supply chains, the spokesperson said. 
BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- With the world beset by conflicts, economic turbulence and climate crisis, world leaders rang in the new year with renewed appeals for unity, resilience, peace -- and hope that better days lie ahead.

Giving out his New Year message early on Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the world to invest "more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars."

"It's clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice," Guterres said. "Our future depends on our collective courage to act. This new year, let's rise together: For justice. For humanity. For peace."

In his annual New Year's Eve address on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the unity of the Russian people "determines the sovereignty and security of our Fatherland, its development, and its future."

"The New Year is, above all, a time when we hope for the best, for goodness and good luck," Putin noted. "It is a special and magical holiday, when we open our hearts to love, friendship, and compassion, to sympathy and generosity."

As South Africa hosted the first G20 summit on African soil in 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Wednesday that the country stands proud that its presidency ensured the voices of Africa and the Global South were "recognised, reflected and respected."

"Despite the challenges we face, our country is getting stronger, our economy is improving," he added. "As we prepare to welcome a new year, let us remain united to building the South Africa of our dreams."

Vowing "a sweeping leap and growth in all fields," South Korean President Lee Jae Myung pledged commitment to stable growth underpinned by peace in 2026.

"Solid peace is another word for growth, and strong security is the driving force of prosperity," he said in his New Year's speech on Thursday morning, noting his government will step up efforts to bolster regional peace and stability through cooperation.

Despite fractured trade and rising geopolitical tensions, global economic growth proved "more resilient than anticipated," said Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday.

"Let us carry this mindset into the new year -- resilient and united, determined and hopeful," he said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised to "defeat the decline and division offered by others" in his New Year message on Wednesday.

"Things have been tough in Britain for a while," he began, promising that more people will feel once again a sense of hope in 2026, "a belief that things can and will get better, feel that the promise of renewal can become a reality, and my government will make it that reality."

In his speech, French President Emmanuel Macron outlined his three wishes for the French people: unity, strength and hope.

"We must stand firm on what we cherish: humanity, peace, and freedom," he said Wednesday. "So, let us look ahead and look far into the future, as citizens and as a nation. I wish you a very happy and prosperous year 2026."